3: Conflict, threat

Two hours later, the bell on the courtyard gate suddenly rang.

Su Ling’s eyes slightly opened, and he guided the unceasing Spiritual Qi into his Dantian.

Although it was relatively safe within the Xuanming Sect, he wasn't accustomed to Cultivating in front of others.

He had indeed seen many cases of people secretly tripping others up, causing them to suffer Qi Deviation.

He stood up, pushed open the door, and saw a black-robed youth crushing the bell with a look of disgust.

“Su Ling, you actually made it back alive?”

“Thanks for your concern.”

Su Ling shrugged and walked out on his own.

Two hours of Cultivation was already his limit.

Continuing to Cultivate would only cause his Meridians to ache.

“Hmph, next time you won’t be so lucky!”

The black-robed youth snorted coldly and stomped into another room, full of anger.

This person was Zhong Er, and like Su Ling, he also came from the Great Jade Dynasty, belonging to the same batch of Spirit Seeds who were abducted.

When tasks were assigned upon entry, Zhong Er tried every possible means to curry favor with the Pill Refining Room Deacon, hoping to get in.

Unfortunately, Su Ling displayed talent in Spirit Medicine identification and was chosen to do odd jobs in the Pill Refining Room.

Zhong Er, however, could only be assigned as a handyman in the Medicine Garden.

Being a handyman in the Medicine Garden was an extremely arduous job.

Each Spirit Medicine required different methods of cultivation at different times, leaving no chance for a full night’s sleep.

Not to mention Cultivating properly.

The Pill Refining Room was different; with good luck, one might even find some treasures among the discarded pills.

Discarded pills that Foundation Establishment and Core Formation Cultivators looked down upon were excellent items for Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators, especially for Spirit Seeds who had just stepped onto the threshold of immortal Cultivation.

After all, the Underground World was scarce in resources, which couldn't compare to the abundance of surface Sects.

Su Ling initially didn't understand why Zhong Er had such great hostility towards him.

Later, he accidentally learned that Zhong Er actually came from a prominent Family in the Great Jade Dynasty.

His understanding of the Cultivation world far surpassed his own.

It wasn't long after entering the Pill Refining Room that he realized the reason.

Zhong Er possessed a dual Spiritual Root of metal and earth, allowing him to absorb Spiritual Qi much faster than Su Ling.

After three years, with occasional small gains from the Pill Refining Room, Su Ling reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.

Zhong Er also reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, but if he had gone to the Pill Refining Room, he would surely have advanced to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining or even the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining much earlier.

This sense of disparity made Zhong Er grit his teeth in hatred towards Su Ling.

The feud between the two was completely established.

Although the Xuanming Sect was a Demonic Path Sect, it did a good job of protecting its Qi Refinement Stage Disciples.

At least there was no mandatory requirement for them to go out and hunt Yao Beasts or collect Spirit Medicine.

Only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage were they required to perform corresponding tasks each month.

From this point alone, the Xuanming Sect truly didn't resemble a Demonic Path Sect.

What Zhong Er didn't expect was that Su Ling, with his Sixth Level of Qi Refining strength, could actually return alive after venturing out.

This made him very displeased.

Moreover, it was foreseeable that with Su Ling's ability to go out and perform tasks, his accumulation of contribution points and Spirit Stones would only be faster than his own.

The gap between the two would only grow wider.

Zhong Er was very angry and anxious.

He needed to quickly advance to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining and learn combat Spells as soon as possible.

When it was time to go out and perform tasks again, he would gather two fellow Disciples and surely be able to crush him!

...Looking at the tightly shut door, a hint of killing intent flashed in Su Ling's eyes.

He was not a benevolent man or woman; potential threats were best dealt with as early as possible.

There was no day-night cycle in the Underground World; a pale flaming sun on the dome above the Xuanming Sect continuously emitted a cool, clear light.

The time could be determined based on the changes in the flaming sun's halo.

Su Ling glanced at the escaping light streaking across the sky; those were Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples who had mastered flying Magical Artifacts.

He put away the envy in his eyes and turned to walk towards a remote part of the Sect.

An hour later, Su Ling finally arrived at a scattered, yet orderly, street.

Sect Disciples sat cross-legged on the ground, with various items displayed before them.

This was a small market spontaneously formed by Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Stage Disciples of the Xuanming Sect, facilitating mutual exchange.

The patterns on Su Ling's palm could identify item information.

When he had nothing to do, he liked to stroll here, hoping to find a bargain one day.

Unfortunately, this Underground World only had the Xuanming Sect as a Cultivation Sect, and Disciples below the Core Formation Stage didn't even know which country they were in.

Therefore, the chance of external spiritual items appearing in the market was minuscule.

For over three years, Su Ling had gained nothing.

“I still have eleven Spirit Stones, two qi refining pills, two explosive flame talismans, and one breath concealment talisman...”

Su Ling silently calculated his inventory; to quickly advance to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, he would need at least eight to ten more qi refining pills for auxiliary Cultivation, which was roughly thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

If he went out to perform tasks, he would need to buy at least two more Vajra Talismans, each worth five Spirit Stones.

For offense, he had the Nether Soul Arrow Secret Art paired with a bow-shaped Magical Artifact, so explosive flame talismans could be saved.

He definitely couldn't gather that many Spirit Stones to buy qi refining pills in the short term.

The reason he came was, firstly, to buy Vajra Talismans, and secondly... as a routine.

Walking along as if browsing a street stall, Su Ling occasionally squatted in front of a fellow Disciple, touching the seemingly dull items with his right hand.

【Low Grade Magical Artifact Soul Locking Pagoda, fragment】

【Low Grade Magical Artifact Soul Refining Banner, broken pole】

【Medium Grade Magical Artifact Profound Yin Ring, fragment】

...As always, they were all fragments of damaged Magical Artifacts, priced around ten Spirit Stones.

Such damaged goods, if taken by a Disciple who knew Artifact Refining, could be repaired by adding Materials.

For Su Ling, they were truly Scrap (junk).

After touching more than a dozen items, he still hadn't found anything of value.

Su Ling was already accustomed to such situations and, without any emotion, walked directly to a familiar fellow Disciple.

“Senior Brother Han, two Vajra Talismans.”

Handing over ten Spirit Stones, Su Ling said familiarly.

“Junior Brother Su, it seems your task was completed well.”

Han Yu looked up and handed two Vajra Talismans to Su Ling.

He was at the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining and specialized in making Talismans.

Su Ling had bought many Talismans from him half a month ago, and he had seen this situation many times; only Disciples who were about to go out on tasks would make such large purchases.

However, Su Ling's Sixth Level of Qi Refining strength, being able to return unharmed, surprised him quite a bit.

“Yes, the Vajra Talismans were used up, so I'm just preparing some more.”

Su Ling nodded, put away the Vajra Talismans, “When I Breakthrough to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, I’ll come back to Senior Brother Han to buy some more Talismans.”

“Oh, so you plan to go out on tasks after you Breakthrough?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good, it’s safer.”

“I’ll go look around. Senior Brother Han, farewell.”

Su Ling bowed and turned to walk towards the other end of the street.