Chapter 36: [Ice Coffin Curse] [Phantom Step] (Please keep reading, please

Both spells in his hands were high-grade techniques, claimed to rival Foundation Establishment spiritual arts once perfected. Such claims were merely for show; anyone who believed them was a fool.

Speaking of which, among the three perfected techniques Wang Yu had mastered, only the Night Stealth Incantation was a high-grade spell; the others were mid-grade. Reaching perfection with them had already provided him with significant assistance.

If he were to add two more high-grade spells, his combat ceiling would rise further, but his spiritual energy cultivation would once again become insufficient.

As for his idle slots, two were perpetually occupied by his cultivation methods.

Before breaking through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement, he had a three-and-a-half-year window of downtime. This was the perfect time to slowly cultivate these spells; his planning was quite pragmatic.

The current problem lay with Xu Jiaojiao. He needed to investigate more details; otherwise, with the enemy in the dark and himself in the light, it would be difficult to respond to any moves.

Furthermore, Su Qingshan, renowned for his combat prowess, was a major trouble.

Should he visit the Law Enforcement Hall to see Zhuo Shouqing? He would naturally learn everything, but the price would be acting as an "informant." Until a second Xu Family Pill Shop appeared, he thought it unwise to seek him out.

It would essentially be a tacit understanding of collusion.

Alternatively, he could take a mission from the Ice Snow Pavilion, find an assignment from a Foundation Establishment deacon, and hide away for a year or so. Once his strength improved, he wouldn't need to be so cautious.

Thinking of this, Wang Yu decisively turned around.

Zhao Shang, who was busy with the accounts, felt a sudden tremor in his heart. Seeing Wang Yu's face again, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Big Brother, is there something else?"

"Help me find a task with little trouble and plenty of money. Ideally, something similar to the maintenance of Deacon Tantai's herb garden last time."

Zhao Shang instantly understood his intent: avoiding trouble!

"As luck would have it, Senior Tantai released another herb garden maintenance task a few days ago. This one is for a year, for four hundred contribution points."

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

"And you're still deducting six hundred from me? What's that about?"

They were in the same boat. It was one thing to charge a high commission before a partnership, but to keep skimming after the deal was struck made the cooperation pointless.

"There's really nothing I can do about this."

Zhao Shang spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

"These are the rules of the Ice Snow Pavilion. I'm truly not greedily taking your money. The original price is one thousand, half goes to the Pavilion, and once the deal is handed to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even I, Zhao, can't touch it!"

Wang Yu stared at him for a long while. Only after confirming there was no deception did he nod.

"New is not as good as old, and strangers are not as good as acquaintances. This one it is."

"Take it and go."

Sending Wang Yu away as if he were a plague, Zhao Shang sighed and returned to his accounts. It was a tedious job, requiring no less mental energy than cultivation.

If a mistake were made, it could lead to an early disaster, and his very life was tied to it; he could only afford to be extra meticulous.

…………

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Eshun坊 (Evil God Ward) Residence.

Wang Yu was inspecting the two high-grade spells he had just acquired.

[Ice Coffin Curse] and [Phantom Step]!

The Ice Coffin Curse was a binding and killing type spell. It could condense an ice coffin out of thin air around a target, trapping them inside. When practiced to a high level, it could generate a massive amount of ice spikes within the coffin, skewering the target like a blood-soaked skewer.

If applied flexibly, it could also serve as a 360-degree defense. The ice crystals condensed by this technique were extremely hard and could not be broken by anyone below the Foundation Establishment stage.

Phantom Step was a high-grade movement technique, specializing in short-distance dodging and maneuvering. At its peak, it could split into nine phantom bodies, identical to the original, used to confuse enemies; they would dissipate upon being attacked.

If perfected, the phantom bodies could withstand a single strike from the late stage of Qi Refinement without dissipating, greatly increasing its utility.

Once these two spells reached perfection, Wang Yu's combat capability would climb to a new level, making them well worth the cost.

After circulating his cultivation method through several major cycles, he finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next day.

In front of the familiar Tantai Herb Garden, Wang Yu struck the bronze bat ring. After passing the entrance detection, he entered.

Inside the Wind-Passing Hall, which was draped with light veils, Tantai Chan sat reclining, playing with a jade toad in her hand. Seeing Wang Yu enter, she showed a thoughtful expression.

"Yang Yu?"

"Disciple Wang Yu greets Senior Tantai."

"Oh~"

She didn't feel embarrassed by calling him the wrong name and continued, "Since you are an acquaintance, there is no need for much talk. We shall proceed according to the previous specifications."

"The disciple understands."

"This time, I need to go out. I am traveling to [Tianbao City] a thousand miles away to attend an auction and will not return for a year. I am leaving this herb garden in your care. If you require more Frost Nine-Leaf Grass, you may take up to three stalks at market price."

"Thank you, Senior Tantai."

Wang Yu felt a sense of doubt. Last time, Tantai Chan hadn't been this clear, nor had she offered such conveniences. This time, there was a sense of implication, as if her words weren't truly meant for him.

As for the Frost Nine-Leaf Grass, it was one of the primary ingredients for the "Cold Blood Pill." It was originally a material he had prepared for himself, aiming for the top-tier grade.

He still had two stalks unused, and according to his current plan, he didn't need more for the time being.

Though he had many doubts, it wasn't easy to ask them. After watching Tantai Chan fly away, Wang Yu grabbed a small stool and sat by the door.

He waited!

Only half an hour later, there was a knock on the gate. This time, it was an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator. Seeing that the person opening the door was merely an outer disciple of Qi Refinement, he spoke condescendingly.

"Kid, where has Deacon Tantai gone?"

"May I ask for Senior's honorable name?"

The elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator frowned and barked, "I'm asking you, and you won't tell me my name? You think you can withhold it?"

Wang Yu quickly lowered his head.

"Lady Tantai instructed me; the disciple is merely following orders."

"Following orders, indeed!" The old cultivator snorted coldly. "I am Yang Yunzhi. Speak, where has Deacon Tantai gone?"

"Tianbao City!"

"Hmph."

As the old man left, he suppressed Wang Yu with his aura, seemingly to vent his dissatisfaction, before departing.

Wang Yu had added this question on a whim, intending to probe the local situation.

It was merely the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. As long as he didn't leave the herb garden, this place was linked to the formations of the Evil God Ward, with the main formation located at Evil God Peak. No one could harm him, so his courage was naturally greater.

He noted the name Yang Yunzhi. Subsequently, throughout the day, Foundation Establishment cultivators came looking for her one after another. There were thirteen in total; he wasn't sure of their specific levels within the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, they all shared one commonality: they were "First-Generation Cultivators"!

The term "First-Generation Cultivator" specifically referred to grassroots cultivators without a background. After they ascended to Foundation Establishment through luck, a small clan would form behind them.

Starting with a dozen people and growing to hundreds, these clans would expand as the Foundation Establishment cultivator aged. When they saw the end of their path in sight, they would place their hopes on the next generation.

They would begin traveling far and wide to seek opportunities for their offspring.

The Foundation Establishment Pill was the absolute priority!

Some succeeded and, over time, slowly evolved into Golden Core clans; others failed and vanished into the vast sea of humanity, starting from scratch.

Among these thirteen, except for Yang Yunzhi, who was domineering and spoke in an interrogative tone, the rest were quite polite in inquiring about Tantai Chan's whereabouts.