"Do you practice a body tempering art, fellow Daoist?"
When the shopkeeper heard that Chen Lin was looking for extreme environments and unusual energies, he immediately understood and asked the question.
There was nothing to hide about this. Chen Lin nodded. "I practice a body tempering method, but my progress has stalled recently. I'd like to find a suitable environment to toughen my body."
The shopkeeper thought for a moment. "There are a few such places. You must not cultivate around here, or you would have heard of them."
Chen Lin's eyes lit up. "Thank you for your guidance, shopkeeper. I'd love to hear more."
"Hehe, it's no secret, and hardly counts as guidance. On the eastern side of Qingyang Mountain, there's a Cold Pool whose waters remain bone-piercingly icy all year round. Many body tempering cultivators go there to strengthen their muscles and bones. The results aren't particularly impressive, but it's close to the Qingyang Sect, so it's very safe."
"Then there are the Lava Grounds in the mountains several hundred miles west of Qingyang City. They're unbearably hot, and another excellent place for body tempering. However, they're deep in the mountains, and fire-attribute monster beasts occasionally appear there. If you go, you'd best travel with companions."
At this point, the shopkeeper paused and smiled. "Of course, the place with the most locations like these is Black Water Marsh. There are countless dangerous spots there, and even baleful energy."
"Baleful energy?"
Something stirred in Chen Lin's heart.
The jade slip containing his cultivation technique described several unusual energies suitable for the Vajra Body-Refining Art. Baleful energy was among them, and it was particularly useful for breaking through to the second layer.
Seeing Chen Lin's surprised, uncertain expression, the shopkeeper assumed he did not know what baleful energy was and