Xiao Fei suddenly gained a master at the Golden Core stage, a windfall that almost overwhelmed him.
From their conversation, he learned that Guangling Zhenren had been observing him since the Alchemy Competition.
He could only count himself lucky that he hadn't done anything outrageous.
Although he was only a registered disciple for now, he at least had a patron.
Returning to his cave dwelling, Xiao Fei took out the pair of cyan battle boots and put them on. They fit perfectly.
He took a few steps, feeling light and swift, like flying.
He tried channeling spiritual energy into the boots from his feet. After the energy bypassed a layer of formation obstruction, his speed suddenly increased, and he shot out like an arrow.
He ran back and forth within the cave dwelling, making turns and leaps…
After a bout of activity, he channeled even more spiritual energy, and the energy within his body surged out like a breached dam.
His speed increased again, his body becoming a blur as he rushed forward.
With a slight push from his feet, the surrounding scenery blurred, and a wall loomed larger and larger before him…
"Boom!"
Xiao Fei crashed headfirst into the wall, his body sinking into it, leaving a human-shaped silhouette in a "Tai" character formation.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
He struggled out of the wall cracks, wiping the dust from his face.
Fortunately, he had the foresight to temper his entire body to be impervious to blades and spears. Otherwise, moving too fast would have truly led to disaster.
Xiao Fei spent three days testing his new boots, leaving countless "Tai" character-shaped silhouettes on the walls of his cave dwelling.
He finally understood the boots' capabilities and could use them with ease, no longer crashing into walls.
These boots had two layers of formations. Activating the first layer increased his speed by about fifty percent with minimal spiritual energy consumption, making them suitable for long-distance travel.
Activating the second layer of formations more than doubled his speed, and the more spiritual energy he channeled, the faster he became.
However, it consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy, making it suitable only for surprise bursts in combat.
Sustained activation of the second layer not only drained his spiritual energy but also his stamina. Fortunately, his body refinement was complete, making his stamina much greater than that of ordinary cultivators.
Xiao Fei tested his new boots for three consecutive days, and he was quite exhausted. The dents he made in the walls were a testament to that.
He then warmed a seasoned leg of beef from the kitchen and poured a pot of spirit wine.
He drank while slicing the beef with a small knife.
Ever since he began body refinement, his appetite had grown, and cooking every day was too troublesome.
He bought whole demonic beasts and seasoned or braised them in batches, slicing off portions as needed.
The issue was the lack of refrigerators in the cultivation world, making food preservation a bit tricky.
Generally, sealing talismans were used, but they were only suitable for preserving small items.
To preserve his ingredients, Xiao Fei spent a considerable sum on a large cabinet made of cold jade, which functioned similarly to a refrigerator.
However, good ingredients turned into frozen goods, and their taste was affected over time.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Xiao Fei scanned outside with his divine sense, pointed with one hand, and a rune flew out, causing the cave dwelling's door to open automatically.
At the entrance stood Huang Feifei, carrying a massive wooden chest.
"Young Master! Eating? I made some food for you too."
Huang Feifei strode into the cave dwelling and unceremoniously dropped the wooden chest from her shoulder with a loud thud.
Xiao Fei looked at the large wooden chest before him. Its size suggested it could hold a whole cow.
He couldn't help but glance at Huang Feifei again, noticing she was increasingly transforming into a tomboy, drifting further away from her former demure lady image.
He tested the weight, and the chest, along with its contents, weighed at least over a thousand catties.
Huang Feifei, lacking body refinement cultivation, was clearly straining to carry it.
The wooden chest was exquisitely crafted, with runes etched onto its surface.
Xiao Fei opened the chest, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. He discovered it indeed contained a whole roasted bull.
"Feifei, this enormous bull will last me for several days."
Roasted meats were best eaten fresh and hot; they lost their appeal by the second meal.
"Young Master, rest assured, this wooden chest is specially made for you. It has several layers of sealing formations.
If you place food inside and close the lid, it can be preserved for a month, remaining as fresh as when it was just made."
Huang Feifei confidently promised, patting her chest.
"Then let's eat while it's hot. I have spirit wine here too."
Xiao Fei cut off a leg of the roasted bull from inside and sliced it into large pieces.
Huang Feifei didn't stand on ceremony, picking up a large piece of roasted beef and biting into it.
It was then that she noticed the "Tai" character-shaped silhouettes on the cave dwelling's walls, and her face flushed. She couldn't imagine what Xiao Fei had done to the walls.
Huang Feifei took a sip of spirit wine and changed the subject.
"Young Master, be careful when you go out recently. It's best not to venture out unless necessary."
"Why? Is something happening?"
Xiao Fei was somewhat puzzled. He knew someone had once offered 1,000 spirit stones for his life.
Huang Feifei seemed to have some information.
"Someone is offering 2,000 spirit stones for your life.
I don't know who it is specifically.
As for more detailed information, I have taken a Great Dao oath and cannot reveal it."
Huang Feifei appeared troubled as she said this.
It was said that violating a Great Dao oath greatly impacted one's cultivation and advancement, especially during critical breakthroughs.
"Thank you for informing me. I will be careful."
Xiao Fei waved his hand, stopping Huang Feifei from saying more. Her willingness to convey this message was already a great kindness.
There was no need to put her at further risk.
He hadn't expected his life to double in price after the failed assassination attempt last time.
For many Qi Refining cultivators with no other source of income, 2,000 spirit stones was a substantial sum, enough to make them risk their lives for it.
Huang Feifei stayed at Xiao Fei's place for a while, drinking spirit wine and chatting, before preparing to leave.
"Wait a moment. I have a jar of spirit wine that has been aged for over ten years. Take it back and drink it."
Xiao Fei took out a small wine jar and handed it to Huang Feifei, containing about ten catties of spirit wine.
"Young Master, this is too precious!"
Huang Feifei knew that this kind of spirit wine could quickly replenish spiritual energy.
The value of this jar of spirit wine was almost 1,000 spirit stones, enough to buy half his life.
"Precious? Just take it."
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Huang Feifei cradled the spirit wine in her arms and walked down the mountain, gradually becoming a blurred figure in Xiao Fei's sight.
In the past year or two, Xiao Fei had clearly noticed the changes in Huang Feifei. She was no longer the weak woman she once was.
Sometimes, a sharp, murderous aura would inadvertently flash in her eyes.
On several occasions, he had also smelled the scent of blood on Huang Feifei.
Since entering the cultivation world, everyone was slowly changing. Only by adapting to the world's rules could one survive.
In the cultivation world, no one sympathized with the weak, nor would they show extra consideration just because someone was a female cultivator.
Everyone at the bottom of the cultivation world had to climb desperately to breathe freely and enjoy the sunlight.