My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 568 Getting Started
At dusk, at Chen Mu's cave dwelling.

The once dimly lit living room was brightly lit by fluorescent bathroom lights embedded around the perimeter. Two potted sea pine trees were placed on each side of the walls, keeping the air fresh.

A square table was placed in the middle, covered with various meat and vegetable dishes. Through the bubbling steam rising from the Hunyuan, a middle-aged man in his forties sat respectfully opposite Chen Mu.

This tall and thin man was none other than Li Moliang, Yuan Xian's trusted secret agent.

"The Qi cultivators of the Goose and Sheep Path mainly cultivate thunder magic. Thunder magic is very damaging to the body and requires secret medicines and pills to nourish it."

"The golden pearls produced by the golden pearl mussel are mild in nature, and long-term consumption can strengthen the body and improve health."

"Yunze Lake stretches for thousands of miles with a mild climate and abundant spiritual energy underwater, which is why it was chosen as a breeding ground for golden pearl mussels," Li Moliang explained to Chen Mu in detail about the situation of Yunchong Lower Courtyard.

Chen Mu nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.

He had spent over ten years in Chicken Cage Road and knew that the lower courtyards were mostly breeding grounds for spiritual herbs, spiritual rice, and exotic beasts and rare birds. Back then, he had been growing yellow sprout rice for several years in the Tongtian River lower courtyard.

Yunchong Lower Temple is a similar place. Due to its special location, instead of growing yellow sprout rice, it cultivates golden pearl mussels.

"Golden pearl mussel farms are all hundreds of meters deep in the water. The Qi cultivators undergo a physical transformation, enabling them to hold their breath and withstand pressure to dive for a short period of time."

“But if you want to raise mussels and harvest pearls underwater for a long time, you need the help of a water-repelling magic item,” Li Moliang continued.

"One water-repelling bead can last for a year, and the demand is huge. Nearly half of the disciples of the Hundred Refinement Hall in the lower academy of Yun Chong make money from things related to water-repelling beads."

"The water-repelling bead can only be used for one year?" Chen Mu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He was busy learning the Crimson-Eyed Ghost Mark and only glanced at the Water-Repelling Bead. He didn't know that this thing could only be used for a year.

"It is said that a genuine water-repelling bead can be used for decades, but the materials are too expensive for ordinary Qi cultivators to afford."

"The Hundred Refinements Hall had to change the ingredient ratio and lower the price, but this also reduced the usage time," Li Moliang explained.

It turns out to be a simplified version.

Chen Mu suddenly realized.

"To avoid being exposed, I've always kept a low profile and avoided contact with others. You have a secret technique for disguise, so impersonating me is actually quite simple," Li Moliang said with a smile.

"However, you should be a little careful around Huang Jian, the manager of the Hundred Refinements Hall," he added.

“I make a replica of a water-repelling pearl every month and deliver it to the Hundred Refinements Hall. Huang Jian is the one who receives it. With so many interactions, he is more familiar with me than others.”

"Fortunately, every time I went there, I just exchanged money for goods, just like the other people from the Hundred Refinements Hall."

"As long as you regularly hand over the water-repelling beads and are a little more careful in your words and actions, you won't have to worry about him causing trouble."

"In just over two weeks, it will be the delivery date for this month,"

"This time you can follow along from a distance and have a look. With this preparation in advance, you can try it out in person next time."

It does sound easy.

Chen Mu nodded again.

"Only one water-repelling bead per month? Isn't that a bit too little?" Chen Mu asked.

“Compared to other weapon refiners, this number is indeed a bit small, but…” Li Moliang smiled bitterly.

“Look at me,” he said, pointing to himself.

"One is already my limit. If I practice any more, I'm afraid I'll lose my life."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mu looked up and carefully examined the other person.

Li Moliang was nearly two meters tall, but extremely thin. His eyes were sunken and his cheekbones were high. He could even be described as skin and bones.

Chen Mu had assumed the other person's constitution was like that, but he never expected...

"The Crimson-Eyed Demon Mark consumes so much energy?" Chen Mu's heart skipped a beat.

"The Tongyou technique is inherently energy-intensive, and this place is too far from the City God's temple to nurture it with incense and vital energy robes, so we can only use the Longevity Wine instead."

“But that stuff has too many side effects. After a few years, I’ve turned into this horrible mess,” Li Moliang said with a bitter expression.

“Mr. Gongsun, you’ve come at the right time! With you here, I no longer need to do the job of imitating the water-repelling pearl.”

"Once you successfully infiltrate, I will be able to return to the Great Qian to recover from my injuries."

"I have to thank you!" he said with genuine gratitude.

You probably won't be able to return to Daqian for the time being.

Chen Mu looked at him strangely.

Moreover, in order to better conceal your activities, you probably won't be able to get rid of the task of imitating water-repelling beads for the time being.

Seeing the other person's emaciated appearance and expectant look, Chen Mu felt quite guilty and then decisively took out a black-covered scripture and handed it to the other person.

"Come, follow me and chant the sutra."

A moment later, Li Moliang looked dejected.

"So, I have to stay at the Yun Chong Lower Temple to practice the Water-Repelling Pearl?"

"Thank you for your help, Brother Li." Chen Mu chuckled guiltily.

Li Moliang's face immediately filled with despair.

Seeing the other person's dejected expression, Chen Mu couldn't help but chuckle. After thinking for a moment, he took out a jade dewdrop and handed it to the other person.

"Here, try this." Li Moliang reluctantly accepted it.

But as he swallowed the cherry-red, candy-like beads, a warm, soothing power instantly spread throughout his body. It was like a thirsty person drinking a glass of water—sweet, refreshing, and invigorating.

The restless, wolf-like spirits, which had been devouring life essence and blood, became docile. A long-lost sense of ease made Li Moliang's eyes widen in surprise: "This bead..."

"Will it work?" Chen Mu asked with a smile.

"Useful, very useful!" Li Moliang nodded repeatedly.

A single dewdrop can greatly soothe the restlessness of wandering spirits and slowly repair bodily damage. If there were more, perhaps it could even achieve further benefits!

"Since it's useful, then obediently help me refine the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pattern Water-Repelling Bead."

"Just you wait and see!" Li Moliang assured him with a face full of excitement.

……

The next day.

Chen Mu opened his eyes in the first rays of morning sunlight.

I got up and went to the living room. Through the transparent jade that covered the entire east wall, I could see the thick clouds above Yunze Lake that looked like cotton.

At this moment, a bright red sun is slowly rising from the sea of ​​clouds.

Chen Mu sat in a rocking chair, basking in the rising sunlight, while habitually taking out his Five Ghosts Bag.

As soon as the drawstring was untied, wisps of pitch-black primordial energy flew out. As soon as they left the bag opening, they immediately began to dissipate.

Chen Mu skillfully activated the Dark Cloud True Technique, instantly slowing the dissipation of the Primordial Qi. Then, guided by an external force, it spun and contracted, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Inside the jade seed, a small patch of the Dark Cloud True Talisman was slowly stained black.

With a thought, a gray wall appeared.

Dark Cloud True Method: 8889/10000/Second Tier;

"As experience increases, the control of the Primordial Qi by the Dark Cloud True Method seems to become more and more refined and subtle." Chen Mu pondered as he experienced the changes in this training method.

Previously, if the gathering of primordial energy was not done in time, one could only watch helplessly as it collapsed and dissipated. Now, however, the pace of its dissipation has been significantly slowed.

With more experience, perhaps we can completely prevent its collapse.

"As expected of a genuine Taoist secret technique, a direct descendant of the Li Yang Dao," Chen Mu exclaimed with a smile.

After observing the gray wall and watching the churning sea of ​​clouds for a while, Chen Mu got up and went into the north kitchen to make breakfast.

The fasting pills only fill the stomach but have no flavor. With the Five Ghosts Bag to help him clean up kitchen waste and wash dishes, cooking is not a problem for him.

……

After the meal, Chen Mu returned to his bedroom, which also served as his cultivation room, located on the south side of the cave. He sat cross-legged on a low couch by the window and began to plan his future cultivation schedule.

"The True Method of Dark Clouds requires daily practice and accumulation over time."

"The Lingbao Cardinal Chapter can be paused, but the Kui Water Yin Thunder can continue to be practiced."

"Most importantly, I need to figure out the technique for refining water-repelling beads."

According to Yuan Xian's original plan, he would use the Water-Avoiding Pearl technique to sneak into Goose and Sheep Mountain, hitch a ride on a boat, and cross the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The Crimson-Eyed Ghost Mark is not a secret technique of Qi Refiners after all. If it were really used to build a ferry, it would probably be exposed.

Chen Mu took out the secret jade tablet and silently studied it.

The Water-Repelling Bead involves a total of five magical symbols, the first three of which are used for refining materials, while the latter two are the key to its creation.

One creates the embryo of a magical artifact as a carrier, while the other uses the artifact to manipulate heaven and earth and unleash the power to ward off water.

Once you master these two talismans, you can attempt to craft water-repelling beads. The materials needed for water-repelling beads, such as black gold sand, can actually be refined by others.

Just like refining fasting pills, many people earn money by refining the essence of grains for others.

"Then let's first learn the water-avoidance talisman to grasp the true meaning of water avoidance, and then practice the wave-stabilizing talisman to shape the embryo of the magic weapon."

……

Half a month passed by in a flash.

Inside the bedroom, a gray wall appeared before Chen Mu's eyes.

Weapon Refining Skill (Water-Repelling Bead): 1632/10000;

Within the jade, a magical rune, undulating like water ripples, floated and sank amidst the clouds of magical power.

With a thought, wisps of white mist-like magical power surged in, and the talisman immediately shone brightly.

Boo!
A strange force appeared around Chen Mu, enveloping an area of ​​two to three meters around him. It was as if an invisible spiritual light shield was protecting him.

"The water-repelling talisman is complete!" Chen Mu couldn't help but laugh.

With this water-repelling talisman, he had essentially learned the water-repelling spell. However, casting it with the talisman required a large amount of mana. But if it were made into a magical artifact, the same effect would require at least half the mana.

"I should buy some materials and prepare. In three days at most, I will be able to master the basics of the Wave-Stabilizing Talisman. At that time, I can try to refine it and gain more experience."

(End of this chapter)