Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 78: On the Road

At this stage, the primary task for cultivators Tong Bingfeng and Liu Zong is to strictly follow the requirements of the Chen family, arrive at this miniature spirit ice mine within two days, and complete their formal entry as soon as possible.

Even the slightest delay, not to mention the impact on the production of the spirit ice mine, would be a real loss if the Chen family nitpicked and maliciously exaggerated the situation, and even canceled the garrison qualification.

The straight-line distance of seven hundred miles of ice field should, under normal circumstances, take more than two days if there is no direct obstruction.

However, if one encounters three to five sieges by monsters that cannot be shaken off in a short period of time, the difficulty involved is unimaginable.

With the help of the wooden skateboard, the two cultivators transformed into a streak of light and moved forward quickly, completely leaving the Ice Spirit Island's sight before the sun had even risen.

As for the other two groups of cultivators who successfully passed the test, they had no idea whether they set off on time. They were already on high alert and there would be no substantial communication between them.

"Fellow Daoist Tong, Elder Meng specifically instructed that this spirit ice mine was probably discovered by accident by cultivators from the Chen family. Since it was entrusted to you and me to guard, naturally no strong defensive measures will be provided."

"However, the presence of spirit mines above the ice domain means a high concentration of spiritual energy. We need to mine the largest quantity of spirit ice in the shortest time possible, convert it into spirit stones, and purchase at least one high-grade first-tier array flag for both offense and defense."

During their journey, Liu Zong solemnly suggested that purchasing a high-quality array flag that was both offensive and defensive would cost at least four hundred spirit stones, which would naturally require the consent of the two garrisoned cultivators.

"That's natural. Without a relatively safe environment, neither of us could fully mine spiritual ice, let alone cultivate."

Tong Bingfeng naturally agreed with such necessary expenditures. Although he was not afraid of battle and danger, avoiding them would be the best option.

They traveled at a brisk pace, and apart from a brief conversation, Tong Bingfeng and the other person did not have any further interaction throughout the entire process.

In the extreme cold of the icy northern frontier, even cultivators would find it uncomfortable and would need to actively mobilize some of their magical power to ward off the cold and prevent actual frostbite to their bodies.

As time passed, the two ventured deeper into the icy domain, moving further and further away from Ice Spirit Island. Within a hundred miles, traces of cultivators' activities could still be found; within three hundred miles, other cultivators' movements were occasionally seen; and within five hundred miles, however, it became increasingly quiet, as if only the two of them remained in the world.

Of course, as they ventured deeper into the icy realm, they would occasionally hear various roars of beasts, loud and soft, emanating from different locations within the realm.

These demonic beasts love blood and flesh, and they are especially eager for the physical bodies of cultivators nourished by spiritual energy. If the two of them were to pass by, it would be inevitable that they would attract the attention of some audacious demonic beasts.

Furthermore, there were also some impatient and hungry monsters that decisively left the ice domain's hiding place and restraints, appearing on the ice surface to block the two from moving forward.

Faced with this situation, Tong Bingfeng and his companion adapted to the circumstances. They joined forces to attack any first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts that were not in groups, killing them in the shortest possible time and dividing the valuable spoils equally.

Two or more first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts were used to briefly block them with talismans before fleeing immediately.

As for first-tier high-grade demonic beasts, there will be no conflict whatsoever; their only option is to flee, to flee with all their might.

In fact, when encountering some special first-tier high-grade demonic beasts, the two of them tacitly chose to go in two different directions, ensuring that at least one of them could escape smoothly and continue to the spirit ice mine.

As for which cultivator the demon beast ultimately chooses to pursue, it all depends on its own luck, which completely puts the initiative in the demon beast's subjective choice.

In the past two days, Tong Bingfeng's luck has been bad. He encountered two first-tier high-grade demonic beasts, both of which chose to pursue him in the direction he was in.

One of them was a ferocious Tier 1 superior Crocodile Spirit Turtle. Its solid shell provided defense, its enormous bite force provided crucial offensive power, and it also had at least two innate spells as aids.

During his escape, Tong Bingfeng used a first-grade high-level spirit talisman, which, apart from a brief blocking effect, could not cause any substantial damage and was unable to break through the tortoise shell's defense.

At the last moment, he decisively used the first-grade low-level willow leaf-shaped flying magic weapon he obtained from Liu Guangqing's storage bag and chose to escape in the air.

Although this crocodile spirit turtle was powerful, it had never grown wings and could only watch helplessly as Tong Bingfeng escaped with a violent and resentful look in its eyes.

"Could it be that the spiritual energy within my physical body is more concentrated? And tastes sweeter? Otherwise, why would two completely different types of first-tier high-grade demonic beasts both be pursuing me?"

Just like Liu Guangqing back then, with the help of a low-grade first-tier flying magic artifact, Tong Bingfeng successfully escaped the pursuit of the demonic beasts in the air before revealing the doubts hidden in his heart.

This is certainly not just bad luck. After all, both cultivators are at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and their ages are not too far apart. There must be some special relationship between them.

"For now, let's focus on dealing with the situation as it comes. We'll meet challenges head-on and build up our defenses as needed. The most important thing is to arrive at the Spirit Ice Mine on time."

Tong Bingfeng suppressed his doubts and, after ensuring a relatively safe distance from the first-tier superior crocodile spirit turtle, returned to the ice domain and quickly moved forward, adjusting his direction according to the location marked in the jade slip.

"Unfortunately, although this low-grade flying magic artifact is convenient and fast, its consumption of mana is far beyond what a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator can bear."

Tong Bingfeng felt his dantian, now empty with only half its magical power remaining, and couldn't help but sigh. This was the main reason why he hadn't continued using the flying artifact to travel.

If one day I advance to the seventh level of Qi Refining, I might be able to use a flying artifact to travel short to medium distances to meet appointments.

This rapid journey continued until noon on the second day, when they reached the approximate location marked on the jade slip, at which point they finally stopped.

"This is the location of the Spirit Ice Mine. I wonder when Fellow Daoist Liu Zong will be able to arrive? And whether the journey ahead will be safe and smooth?"

Tong Bingfeng took out half a wooden plaque from his storage bag. Half of the character "Chen" was carved on it. This was the identity certificate given by the Chen family and the token to control the hidden formation of the spirit ice mine.

Of course, the remaining half is naturally in the hands of the other partner, which is also a constraint on the two of them.

If any mishap occurs to the other cultivator, the location of the spirit ice mine can still be found using this half of the token; however, the formation will need to be forcibly broken before entry can be made.