"Daoist Yang, how many Spirit Stones for the three Spirit Turtles?"
Purchasing Spirit Turtles is difficult, and even if Daoist Jia wishes to buy them, the Ming Family might not sell. After the incident with Ming Wu, he dared not approach them rashly.
Just as Daoist Jia was about to take out the Spirit Stones, he was stopped by Yang Bingzhi.
"Life as a Loose Cultivator isn’t easy; keep the Spirit Stones for now. With the unexpected profits from the sect warfare, I’m not lacking in Spirit Stones."
"The Five Elements Sect has inheritances in Formations, Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Talisman Crafting. To learn them, one not only needs to contribute to the sect but also has to pass a talent test. Unfortunately, I have no talent and can’t learn the Four Arts of Cultivation inheritance."
"Not long ago, we annihilated a sect that was a vassal to Thousand Beasts Mountain, and I saw an Alchemy inheritance. But it’s a pity I couldn’t compete with my fellow senior sect brothers. The person was unwilling to make a copy, which is very regrettable."
"I heard that a fellow sect member has an Artifact Refining inheritance. If things go smoothly, I should be able to purchase it for you."
Yang Bingzhi hadn’t forgotten what he had promised Daoist Jia. Half a year had passed, and he still hadn’t obtained the Four Arts of Cultivation inheritance, making him feel ashamed.
The disciples of the Five Elements Sect indeed have access to a wide range of information. They have opportunities to come into contact with the Four Arts of Cultivation inheritance both inside and outside the sect, far beyond what Loose Cultivators could compare with. The only regret is not acquiring the Alchemy inheritance. An Alchemy inheritance is much better than those of Talisman Crafting and Artifact Refining.
"The three Spirit Turtles aren’t cheap, and you will still need to plan for the Artifact Refining inheritance. You might have to spend a fortune in Spirit Stones to compete for it, and being just a little short may cause you to miss out on the Artifact Refining inheritance."
The price of Monster Beast Meat isn’t cheap; at current rates, three Spirit Turtles could sell for at least two hundred Spirit Stones. This is not a small sum even for a Five Elements Sect disciple. Yang Bingzhi will also be competing for the Artifact Refining inheritance soon, which is precisely when he is in the greatest need of Spirit Stones.
"Don’t worry, I will do my utmost to help you secure the Artifact Refining inheritance."
Thinking of the expense to compete for the Artifact Refining inheritance, Yang Bingzhi didn’t refuse the two hundred Spirit Stones Daoist Jia handed him.
The dishes were served, including well-presented stir-fried Spirit Bamboo Shoots, roasted Spiritual Beast Meat, simmered medicinal meals, and Jade Carp soup—a total of six dishes and four soups. The ingredients had been specially processed, offering a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. The Spirit Wine was Superior Grade, far surpassing anything brewed from mere fruits. The cost of a meal was not a small sum of Spirit Stones.
"Daoist Yang, is the Five Elements Sect a good place to stay?"
"The Five Elements Sect’s war with Thousand Beasts Mountain is brutal; it’s good that you made it back alive."
After several rounds of drinks and a variety of flavors tried, Daoist Jia began to inquire about Yang Bingzhi’s recent experiences.
"The social hierarchy within the Five Elements Sect is distinct. The threshold for becoming an Inner Sect Disciple is the Qi Refinement Seventh Level. My promotion was an accident, and I’m originally from a Spirit Farmer background... Outsiders might see it as glorious, but in reality, I face disdain everywhere within the sect."
Yang Bingzhi was not doing well in the Five Elements Sect and hadn’t made any close friends. Apart from Daoist Jia, it was difficult to find a second person to confide in. Once the floodgates of conversation were open, it could no longer be stopped.
"The locations assigned in the sect wars are also in dangerous areas; I’ve narrowly escaped death several times."
"If it weren’t for the Body Refining Techniques picked for me by the Transmission Hall that suited me exceptionally well, and my rapid improvement in strength, I fear I wouldn’t be alive today..."
Life is hard for Loose Cultivators, and the days for ordinary sect disciples are no walk in the park either.
Daoist Jia consoled him, "The Late Stage Qi-Refining is a watershed. As long as you can cross it, the future is bright. Even at its worst, it’s far better than being a Loose Cultivator."
Five Elements Sect disciples have the backing of their sect’s prestige, and their status is different. If Yang Bingzhi were still a Spirit Farmer, why would Ming Wu give him any face?
"Being a Spirit Farmer is truly miserable!"
"With the Spirit Field burnt and the harvest gone, life gets even tougher."
Yang Bingzhi recalled the scene of the burning of Grand Wilderness Mountain, feeling extremely fortunate. Daoist Jia had changed his fate... Though his situation within the Five Elements Sect was not ideal, it was still infinitely better than being a Spirit Farmer. Don’t you see how many people long to join the Five Elements Sect but are hindered by lack of access?
"What Body Refining Technique does Yang Daoyou practice?"
Jia Ren thought of Yang Bingzhi’s mention of Body Refining Techniques and couldn’t help being a bit more curious. Body Refining Techniques strengthen the physique, and with deep practice, one can withstand attacks from both Magic Artifacts and Spells without a problem. To learn a Body Refining Technique, wouldn’t it increase one’s ability to survive? Jia Ren was particularly interested in any Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques that could enhance his ability to survive.
"The technique I have learned comes from the Transmission Hall. It is called Mixed Refining Vajra Body and specializes in close combat. At the sixth layer, I can withstand several attacks from Medium-grade Magic Tools."
"If it weren’t for the merit I earned related to Grand Wilderness Mountain, it would have taken at least a dozen years of sect contributions to exchange for it."
Speaking of his favored technique, Yang Bingzhi couldn’t help but become animated. A technique compatible with one’s heart, which accompanies one’s journey, is crucial.
"I understand Daoist Jia’s thoughts. Unfortunately, when the technique was passed down, the Sect planted a Soul Binding Restriction, meaning Five Elements Sect techniques cannot be passed on to outsiders."
The Five Elements Sect’s techniques far surpass those learned by Loose Cultivators and naturally hold significant appeal to them. Without restrictions, Yang Bingzhi would not be stingy about sharing these with Jia Ren.
"Soul Binding Restriction?"
Jia Ren wasn’t surprised; this was a method to prevent the sect’s Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques from leaking. No one can guarantee that there are no spies from other sects among their own, or that there won’t be traitors. Soul Binding Restrictions are a countermeasure against the leak of techniques.
"I have a bold idea."
"Is the leakage of a technique intentional or accidental?"
"What if you develop your own technique based on the Mixed Refining Vajra Body—does the leakage of a self-created technique count?"
"Or what if you leave behind notes on practicing Mixed Refining Vajra Body and someone steals them; would that trigger the restriction?"
There are few things in the world that are perfect without flaws. With careful searching, loopholes can ultimately be found.
Yang Bingzhi was stunned, having never thought so deeply about it. Subconsciously, he believed that the planting of a Soul Binding Restriction meant it couldn’t be leaked, so he hadn’t come up with similar ideas. After being reminded by Jia Ren, it was as if a new world had opened up to him.
Testing it is too dangerous; triggering the restriction could threaten one’s life.
Jia Ren was eager to test this, but the matter concerned Yang Bingzhi’s life. If they mistakenly triggered the Soul Binding Restriction, Yang Bingzhi would likely die on the spot. One certainly couldn’t use someone else’s life for an experiment.
Jia Ren made an excuse to use the restroom and went to pay for the Spirit Stones. He then learned that Yang Bingzhi had already paid. The meal was not cheap, costing thirty-six Spirit Stones.
The two spoke freely until the sky grew dark, and only then did they go their separate ways.
I’ve gained quite a bit!
Especially the three Spirit Turtles.
Jia Ren returned to his rented Cave dwelling, in a pleasant mood. The three Spirit Turtles exceeded expectations, signifying he would obtain a large amount of Turtle Spirit Ointment, and his strength would make rapid progress. Once he digested the Turtle Spirit Ointment and the Elixirs purchased from the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, the Qi Refinement Seventh Level was not far away. The Late Stage Qi-Refining would signal a qualitative change in both status and strength.
Jia Ren returned home and took out the three Spirit Turtles from the Spirit Beast Bag. They varied in size, with the largest nearly the size of a grinding plate, weighing at least sixty or seventy pounds with its shell. The smallest one weighed less than twenty pounds.
I’ll start with the largest one; the smaller ones can wait.
Turtle Spirit Ointment can’t be preserved for a long time; I can’t let its medicinal effects dissipate.
Before returning to the Cave, Jia Ren had bought the necessary ingredients for making Turtle Spirit Ointment, and everything was ready.