"These are Spirit Stones. If buried underground, they melt on their own and improve the concentration of the local Spiritual Qi. They are generally used in places like sect courtyards. There must be over a hundred thousand of them here," Líng Jūn said while examining the Spirit Technique scroll.
"These Spirit Stones have such an effect?"
Chéng Fán placed the pale blue Spirit Stone back in its original spot, picked up several rings from the wooden table, and chose a ring with a purple gemstone to wear on his ring finger.
In an instant, Chéng Fán felt an intangible space within the ring. Delighted, he said, "These rings must be Storage Rings. They can be activated with Spiritual Qi; the stronger the Spiritual Qi, the larger the storage space."
On the continent, there existed a special type of ore that could generate a space when activated by Spiritual Qi. Cultivators would have them crafted into the shape of rings to carry around conveniently, and these were called Storage Rings.
There were five Storage Rings on the wooden table. Chéng Fán picked the one with the purple gemstone and activated the space with his Spiritual Qi. He was eager to try it out, feeling as if everything could be stored inside.
"Pfft, I thought it was something impressive. It's just a scroll of Mystic Grade Lower Tier Spirit Technique, and it's some kind of... claw technique." Líng Jūn tossed the Spirit Technique scroll back onto the table. The path of this Spirit Technique didn't suit him.
"Mystic Grade Lower Tier? Let me see."
Chéng Fán grabbed the Spirit Technique scroll at once. Everything he knew was Yellow Grade Lower Tier—only introductory-level Spirit Techniques. Líng Jūn didn't need it, but Chéng Fán desperately needed a Mystic Grade Spirit Technique.
Spirit Techniques were divided into Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow grades. Cultivators of Chéng Fán's strength mostly used Yellow Grade techniques. Even having a Yellow Grade Upper Tier scroll was considered rare, so a Mystic Grade was quite substantial.
He read the scroll:
Mystic Grade Lower Tier, Dragon Claw. Form the five fingers into a claw; smash gold and shatter rocks. It is a technique of capture and control. When mastered, one can manifest Spiritual Qi into claws to strike from a distance, tearing the target's flesh to shreds.
"Hahaha, this is perfect for me. If you don't want it, I'll take it," Chéng Fán said with a laugh.
This Dragon Claw Spirit Technique required the five fingers to imitate a dragon's claw. It focused on arm strength and the piercing power of the fingertips, demanding high physical standards from the practitioner. Chéng Fán possessed the Dragon-Elephant Formula and had worked hard to temper his body with ten thousand pounds of bronze.
Every aspect met the requirements for the Dragon Claw. Moreover, it was a Mystic Grade Lower Tier technique. Chéng Fán cherished it like a treasure, knowing that most ordinary people couldn't even obtain a single Mystic Grade Spirit Technique.
Chéng Fán looked at the cave filled with Spirit Stones, his eyes glowing. Burying them to increase local Spiritual Qi was one thing, but if he took them all to the Auction House to be auctioned, it would definitely be a staggering sum.
"Let's split these Spirit Stones and jewelry equally. Half for each of us," Chéng Fán said to Líng Jūn. They both realized that splitting them was best for both parties.
Líng Jūn held the bag of green seeds in his hand. He took one out, placed it in his palm, and smiled leisurely. He seemed to recognize these seeds and said with a grin, "I only want this bag of seeds."
"So you don't want these Spirit Stones and gold coins?" Chéng Fán asked.
"Eh... those things are useless to me. If you want them, just take them all away."
Chéng Fán was overjoyed. This was the entire fortune of a second-level Spirit Master. Líng Jūn only wanted the bag of seeds, leaving everything else to him.
Chéng Fán immediately channeled his Spiritual Qi toward the Storage Ring, sweeping all the crates of Spirit Stones and gold and silver jewelry into it. A moment later, the entire cave was completely emptied by Chéng Fán.
"Don't forget those five Storage Rings. Just take them all; they're useless if left here, and I doubt anyone else will ever know this cave exists," Líng Jūn reminded him.
"You're right. I'll take them all; I can give them away or trade them for money later."
After a few moments, the entire cave was left with nothing but a wooden table. No one would know that this cave had just been filled with crates of Spirit Stones.
"Let's go," Líng Jūn urged. He had already reached the cave entrance and was scouting for the vines to climb out.
Chéng Fán looked around several times to confirm there was nothing of value left, then walked toward the entrance with reluctance. He suddenly thought of something and said, "This place is so well-hidden, I'm actually tempted to hide things here."
The cave was a natural formation, hidden by the constant waterfall. If they hadn't bumped into Handlebar Mustache just as he entered, and if they hadn't heard rumors of a cave here, regardless of how they searched, they would never have realized it was behind the waterfall.
"Hmm... I think it would be fine if we used this place for cultivation, alchemy, or anything else we wouldn't want others to know about," Líng Jūn remarked.
...
In Qingmu Courtyard.
The Spirit Fruit tree in the vegetable patch had already borne small fruits. Once they ripened, they could be picked and consumed to increase the speed of Spiritual Qi cultivation. As soon as the two arrived back at the courtyard, they changed into fresh clothes.
"I believe I can become a Qi Practitioner today," Líng Jūn said with a happy smile.
He pulled out a small silver jar, gently removed the wooden stopper, and poured out a pill the size of a fingernail—a first-grade Convergence Pill. It allowed one to break through ninth-level Spiritual Qi to become a first-level Qi Practitioner.
"Chéng Fán, I'm going to start advancing to become a Qi Practitioner. You must not enter the room until I call for you," Líng Jūn said with a serious expression. "Stay in the courtyard for now."
For a cultivator, a breakthrough required an extremely safe environment because, during the process, one had to close their eyes and meditate, remaining completely immersed in the act.
At such a moment, they were like lambs ready for the slaughter. No one would willingly give up such an opportunity, so most people chose their location carefully before beginning a breakthrough.
"Is that really necessary? I wouldn't disturb you."
Chéng Fán muttered, but he complied with Líng Jūn, holding the Mystic Grade Lower Tier Spirit Technique scroll, Dragon Claw, as he walked into the courtyard.
"Clack!"
As soon as Chéng Fán walked out, Líng Jūn closed and locked the door. Chéng Fán shook his head; he really couldn't understand this young master. Sometimes he was very kind, generous with pills and Spirit Fruits, yet other times he was mysterious. Despite both being men, he would even lock the entire house when bathing, as if he were terrified that Chéng Fán would peek at him. In any case, he was extremely guarded.
"Let's look at this Spirit Technique instead." Chéng Fán slowly opened the Dragon Claw manual, seriously studying its essentials, and began to move his arms according to the instructions in the scroll.
His arms flowed like spirit snakes in the water. When they encountered an object, it felt as though he could wrap around it instantly. Amidst the agility, there was a force lurking within, as if he could seize the neck of any enemy who got too close with a single movement.
Capturing was just an added bonus of the Dragon Claw; its main strength lay in the five fingers. It converged Spiritual Qi between the five fingers to achieve a level of hardness that surpassed physical strength, and with a sudden surge from the arm, it could smash gold and shatter rocks.
In an instant, Chéng Fán whipped his arms a few times, making popping sounds. His five fingers were like five steel blades aiming to rip through the air, and every movement caused gusts of wind.
"Excellent. Now I don't have to be afraid even if I encounter Spirit Beasts," Chéng Fán laughed aloud. He believed that if he were to face that first-level Lustful Monkey again and hit it with this Dragon Claw, he wouldn't just push it back—he might even be able to rip its heart out.