Linfeng City
Origin Crystal can only be absorbed and refined after one's cultivation level reaches the Grandmaster stage; they are also a form of hard currency circulating among Grandmaster.
The reason why cultivators above the Grandmaster are so rare is that, apart from the bottleneck in their cultivation techniques, the biggest limitation is the scarcity of Origin Crystal.
Without sufficient Origin Crystal, even the most talented person will find it extremely difficult to progress on the path to becoming Grandmaster.
Even the smallest Origin Crystal mine can produce hundreds of thousands of Origin Crystal.
Lu Feng gave Liu Suifeng a second look. This man could have easily suppressed the news on his own and secretly notified the sect to come and mine, but he chose to tell him instead.
Why are you looking at me like that, Brother Lu?
Liu Suifeng felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and waved his hand, saying...
"Even if I don't tell you, this place is under the jurisdiction of your Demon-Slaying Bureau, and you'll be discovered sooner or later."
"Instead of keeping it from you, I'll tell you and let you do a great service. Consider it repaying the favor of giving me the demon core."
He spoke casually, but Lu Feng knew in his heart that this favor was far more valuable than the demon core.
"Mineral exploration."
Liu Suifeng stopped wasting words and began to search the core area carefully.
Lu Feng also calmed his mind and began to examine the surrounding ground inch by inch.
About an incense stick's time later, Liu Suifeng's voice came from behind a pile of rubble.
"Found it! It's here!"
Lu Feng strode over to his side.
Liu Suifeng used his sword to part the moss and pebbles covering the ground, revealing the underlying rock layer.
The surface of the rock layer has an abnormal milky white color, and several protruding crystals peek out from the cracks in the rock. They are translucent and have a faint glow flowing inside.
"This is the Origin Crystal?"
Lu Feng used the tip of his knife to chip off a small piece and examined it carefully in his palm.
It feels slightly cool to the touch, and its texture is harder than jade but smoother than crystal.
"This is just Origin Crystal ore; it cannot be used directly yet."
Liu Suifeng glanced at it and then looked away, clearly not seeing this thing for the first time.
"Unrefined Origin Crystal ore contains a large number of impurities. Direct absorption will not only be ineffective, but will also make the True Essence in the body impure and chaotic. At best, it will cause the cultivation level to regress, and at worst, it will damage the meridians."
"It must undergo a special purification process to remove impurities before it can be used for cultivation."
"Is the purification method very complicated?"
"The purification method itself is a core secret of all major powers."
As Liu Suifeng spoke, a hint of pride crept into his voice.
"Only major sects like the Demon-Slaying Bureau and our Heavenly Sword Sect possess the complete purification process."
Even if an ordinary Rogue Cultivator is lucky enough to find Origin Crystal mine, they can only inform a major power in exchange for a reward; they cannot mine and refine it on their own.
"This is why there are very few Grandmaster among Rogue Cultivator; it's not that they lack talent, but that resources are monopolized."
As he spoke, he took out paper and pen from his storage bag and wrote several lines with swift, flowing strokes.
Then bend your index finger and place it near your lips, whistling a clear, bright sound.
A streak of blue light shot down from the sky and landed on his shoulder.
It was a Azure-Plumed Falcon, its feathers emerald green, tilting its head and gently pecking at Liu Suifeng's ear with its beak.
Liu Suifeng rolled up the letter and stuffed it into the letter tube on the leg of the Azure-Plumed Falcon. With a flick of his wrist, the Azure-Plumed Falcon flapped its wings and took flight, disappearing into the horizon as a streak of blue light.
"I have already reported the discovery of Origin Crystal mines in this area to the sect. Why haven't you informed them yet?"
Lu Feng pulled out the introductory jade slip he had received when he first arrived at the Demon-Slaying Bureau from his storage bag.
I quickly found the relevant chapter on communication and created a spell using the techniques described therein.
A moment later,
A similar Azure-Plumed Falcon landed on his arm from the sky.
He tied the letter he had written, raised his hand, and released it.
The letter was addressed to Qin Shuang; such matters must be reported directly to the rank of colonel, with as few intermediaries as possible.
"Alright. Let's go."
Seeing that he had finished, Liu Suifeng turned and rushed towards the outer perimeter.
"Don't we need to stay here and guard this place?"
"No need. The sect and your Demon-Slaying Bureau have experience with this kind of thing. Once they receive the news, they will naturally send experts to take over."
"Once those old guys arrive, I won't be free anymore."
After finishing speaking, Liu Suifeng flew away from Azure Wolf Ridge without looking back.
Lu Feng couldn't help but smile and followed.
"Brother Lu! You said it yourself. I'll find the demonic beasts for you, and you'll kill them. The essence and blood are yours, and the corpse is mine. No going back on your word!"
Liu Suifeng kept turning back to check as he flew.
"Brother Liu, you've asked eight times already. I really have no interest in demonic beast corpses," Lu Feng said helplessly.
After leaving Azure Wolf Ridge, Lu Feng originally planned to separate from Liu Suifeng.
After all, the two were just strangers who met by chance. It was fine for them to cooperate in killing a fourth-tier wolf demon, but there was no need to continue to be bound together.
But Liu Suifeng said he was familiar with the terrain of this area, which spanned thousands of miles, and knew several hunting grounds teeming with monsters, so Lu Feng immediately changed his mind.
Having a Grandmaster guide you is much more efficient at finding monsters than wandering around aimlessly on a map.
Liu Suifeng explained that his mission in going down the mountain to train was to hunt monsters and collect materials. With Lu Feng, a fearless and tireless fighter, carrying the load, he was happy to take it easy.
So the two hit it off immediately: Lu Feng would take charge of the action, while Liu Suifeng would be responsible for finding the monsters.
The essence and blood went to Lu Feng, while the demon beast corpses and demon cores went to Liu Suifeng; each got what they wanted.
Three hours later, the two arrived at a city.
The city wall wasn't very high, only a little over two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters), and it was built of bluestone.
Above the city gate is a mottled stone plaque with three characters engraved on it: Linfeng City.
Two guards stood at the city gate, with standard long swords hanging at their waists and wearing uniform gray-blue outfits.
Lu Feng glanced at them; both were at the peak of the Ming Jin Perfection realm.
With Ming Jin arts experts guarding the city gates, this city's foundation is far superior to that of Lin'an City.
"Brother Lu, it's getting late. Let's stay in the city for the night!"
Liu Suifeng was clearly not a first-timer; he walked toward the city gate with practiced ease.
The two paid one tael of silver each as an entrance fee, passed through the city gate, and suddenly found themselves in a bright and open space.
The main street is wide and flat, lined with shops on both sides, with signs for medicine shops, ironware shops, and spiritual material shops everywhere.
There were many pedestrians on the street, dressed in various styles. Some were disciples wearing uniform sect attire, walking in groups, while others were independent cultivators Rogue Cultivator.
Most of them are at the level of Ming Jin to Nei Jin, and occasionally you can see one or two masters of Hua Jin.
Lu Feng noticed that the pedestrians on the street didn't pay much attention to the two outsiders.
Liu Suifeng led Lu Feng around two corners on the main street and stopped in front of an inn.
The inn's facade wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy, with a wooden plaque reading "Cloud Arrival Inn" hanging above the door.
Liu Suifeng was clearly a regular customer, and the innkeeper greeted him with a big smile as soon as he saw him, personally leading the two to two superior rooms on the second floor.
After putting their luggage away, the two went downstairs and asked for a private room.
The private room wasn't large; a square table was placed by the window, and you could see the lights across the street when you opened the window.
"Waiter, bring two jars of your finest liquor, and also bring all your signature dishes!"
Liu Suifeng waved his hand dismissively.
"Alright! Please wait a moment, gentlemen!" The waiter dashed off.
In a short while, the wine and dishes were served.