Chapter Sixty-Three: An Astronomical Expense

The newly acquainted fellow cultivator, He Song, was truly an enigma. It was one thing for his cultivation to progress swiftly, but he also seemed to lack nothing when it came to spirit stones. Not only had he managed to break through from the fourth to the fifth layer of Qi Refining in just three years, but after his breakthrough, he did not hesitate to spend a considerable sum of spirit stones to purchase spells. Did He Song have a powerful patron behind him? Or was he involved in unsavory deeds like robbery and murder? Or perhaps...

Speculation flickered through Bing’er’s mind as she racked her brains, but lacking any crucial information, she could not make a proper deduction. Helpless, she selected a few intermediate-grade spells and returned to He Song.

"Fellow Daoist He, here is the spell for Controlling Objects you requested, along with other intermediate-grade spells. Take your time to look through them," Bing’er said, placing the tray in front of him, her gaze fixed intently on He Song’s face, as if trying to glean some clue.

Yet He Song’s expression at that moment was as calm as a placid lake, betraying nothing. He casually picked up several booklets from the tray, and after a quick scan, he settled on two spells.

The first was Controlling Objects—a technique to wield items with one’s internal spiritual power. Whether for attack, defense, or daily life, it proved immensely useful. Once He Song acquired a magical artifact, this spell would enable him to manipulate it for offensive purposes—a common trick among Qi Refining cultivators.

The second was an offensive spell: Stone-Splitting Finger. By channeling spiritual power into the finger and releasing it with a special technique, its destructive force was astonishing. Compared to his previously learned Spirit Arrow, this intermediate-grade Stone-Splitting Finger was both stronger and faster. With a single motion, its unique spiritual force could strike targets over thirty feet away. With He Song’s current cultivation at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, he could shatter the defenses of several lower-grade Earth Shield Talismans. As for intermediate-grade Earth Shield Talismans, their defenses were formidable; even at his level, he would need to use the Stone-Splitting Finger twice to break through. However, as He Song’s cultivation advanced and his familiarity with the technique grew, both its power and range would increase.

Having mastered the Earth Escape spell for rapid retreat, He Song decided to strengthen his offensive capabilities, addressing his weaknesses. Once he could fully practice both Earth Escape and Stone-Splitting Finger without diminishing their effectiveness, his combat power would greatly improve.

For offense, he had Stone-Splitting Finger. For escape, Earth Escape. For defense—intermediate-grade Earth Shield Talismans.

During the Qi Refining stage, unless one possessed defensive magical artifacts, no spell could match the effectiveness of the Earth Shield Talisman. These talismans, crafted by the Earth Shield Sect, were highly sought after even in the territories of the surrounding Golden Core sects. The secret talismans of major sects had naturally formidable defenses. Rogue cultivators, family disciples, and sect members alike typically carried several of these talismans for protection during the Qi Refining stage. He Song was no exception.

"Fellow Daoist Bing’er, I will take the Controlling Objects spell and the Stone-Splitting Finger. Here are one hundred and fifty spirit stones," He Song said, pointing to the jade slips for the spells and sweeping his hand across the table, instantly revealing a pile of spirit stones.

Intermediate-grade spells cost fifty spirit stones each, but offensive spells were double the price. Thus, Stone-Splitting Finger cost one hundred spirit stones, totaling one hundred and fifty for both.

When Bing’er nodded and put away the spirit stones, He Song picked up the jade slips and pressed them to his forehead. In moments, all the information about Controlling Objects and Stone-Splitting Finger was imprinted in his memory, ready for recall at any time.

Having completed his purchase, He Song felt no desire to linger in the Spell Pavilion. After exchanging a few words with Bing’er, he took his leave.

Once outside, He Song sensed the dwindling contents of his storage pouch—barely a dozen spirit stones left—and sighed inwardly.

Three years. Over three years, He Song earned ninety spirit stones per year, amounting to two hundred seventy altogether. With frugality and some prior savings, he had managed to accumulate over two hundred spirit stones.

And just now, with a single sweep of his hand, he had purchased three spells. Suddenly, he realized that the savings painstakingly gathered over three years had been spent in one go.

"Spirit stones are never enough," He Song lamented, glancing back at the towering Spell Pavilion, resolving to visit it as infrequently as possible. Over more than a decade, each trip to the Spell Pavilion had drastically reduced his savings.

The first time he came, he had thirty spirit stones and bought three basic spells, spending them all. The second visit, with over a hundred spirit stones, he purchased an introductory array book, using up one hundred. The third time, he brought thirty spirit stones and bought two basic spells, spending twenty. Now, on his fourth visit, his wealth was substantial—over two hundred spirit stones. Yet, after buying three spells, he had spent two hundred fifty.

It truly was a place where one earned and spent, never bringing anything home. Although his income had increased, so had his expenditure on spirit stones.

Still, he felt assured that with adequate preparations, he would soon escape this predicament. Once his spiritual field was established, his income would surely soar. When that happened, his days would no longer be so constrained.

Finally, after a lingering look at the Spell Pavilion, He Song turned toward his home.

Although the pavilion drained his spirit stones, it met his needs—whether basic spells, intermediate spells, or the superior Earth Escape spell, all were essential to him. Next time he visited, he knew he would have to prepare more spirit stones.

Back home, He Song activated the Concealment Array and began to practice spells in the dense spiritual energy of the Gathering Array.

After careful consideration, he chose to start with Controlling Objects. Bing’er had told him repeatedly of its myriad uses—for combat, escape, and daily life, it was invaluable.

Thus, after spending a month mastering Controlling Objects to the point where he could use it freely without diminishing its power, He Song’s understanding of the spell reached a deeper level.