Chapter 69: Cold Ice Technique

Magical Combat.

Chen Mobai considered how he could improve in this area. For now, talismans were out of the question. The major Daoist academies and schools of the Immortal Sect would not indulge wealthy scions; even if talismans could be used, there would definitely be restrictions.

So, the first step was for him to cultivate some spells suitable for combat.

With this thought, he opened his personal panel.

Name: Chen MobaiAge: 18Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation, Seventh LevelSpiritual Roots: Metal 23, Wood 27, Water 30, Fire 17, Earth 10Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Cultivation TechniqueSkills: Soaring Step, Cleansing Art, Spiritual Shield, Qi Nourishment, Water Manipulation, Water Aegis

The only skills he possessed that could be used for combat were "Spiritual Shield," "Water Manipulation," and "Water Aegis."

Among these, "Water Aegis" required the refinement of a spiritual water called "Blackwater." The refinement method was recorded in Liu Lengpei's notes and required the use of "Water Manipulation." However, Chen Mobai was troubled.

According to the Blackwater Cultivation Technique notes, refining Blackwater required finding a spiritual spring that had been permeated by water vein spiritual energy for a long time. Then, its essence had to be extracted using "Water Manipulation," followed by purification with spirit stones and six types of medicinal ingredients from the Tianhe Realm. The entire process would take at least a month.

Scores for the college entrance examination could be checked approximately 20 days after the exam. Adding the registration and grouping preparations after the score lines were announced, he estimated he would have exactly one month of preparation time.

But even if Chen Mobai was very lucky and succeeded in one refinement attempt, he didn't intend to waste his precious month entirely on refining Blackwater.

He needed to at least cultivate a powerful offensive spell. After all, the spells he currently knew, whether "Spiritual Shield" or "Water Aegis," were all for defense, and "Water Manipulation" was even more inclined towards auxiliary uses.

Perhaps because the Immortal Sect had been peaceful for too long, Chen Mobai had always felt there was no need to cultivate combat-oriented spells.

Even if combat was required, talismans could substitute. Who would have thought that this year's entrance examination for the Daoist academies and schools would use such a blunt and direct method as "Magical Combat"?

The current situation, however, forced Chen Mobai to cultivate an offensive spell.

He immediately opened the "Immortal Sect Spell Library" software, hoping to find an offensive spell that suited him, could be quickly mastered, possessed decent power, and ideally, could integrate with his current skills.

However, he was merely a Qi Condensation cultivator. He simply didn't have the authority to let the artificial intelligence of the "Immortal Sect Spell Library" make such precise judgments for him.

At this point, Chen Mobai began to regret why he hadn't chosen to become an agent for the "Immortal Sect Spell Library" when he broke through to the seventh level of Qi Condensation.

But it was too late for regrets now. He could only check the auxiliary cultivation software again.

He searched for "Five Elements Cultivation Technique cultivators" and "What are the most powerful spells they can cultivate?"

A large number of results appeared, but they were mostly Rank 2 or higher spells that he couldn't cultivate. Some cultivators of the Five Elements Cultivation Technique had also shared their spell systems developed from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment.

But after reading them, Chen Mobai was greatly disappointed.

They were generally not geared towards combat; many were for cultivation convenience. Although a small portion were combat spells, they couldn't be mastered within just one month.

Moreover, to form a comprehensive system that was balanced in offense and defense, he would need to cultivate at least two or more spells, and there simply wasn't enough time for that.

After searching online for a while, Chen Mobai had no choice but to return to the Blackwater Cultivation Technique.

The spells recorded in this Qi Condensation cultivation technique from the Tianhe Realm, from "Water Manipulation" to "Water Aegis," and then to "Ice Manipulation," formed a perfectly progressive and complete system. Furthermore, after "Ice Manipulation," there was also "Ren Water Thunder Art" recorded in Liu Lengpei's notes.

However, Chen Mobai had no interest in this water-thunder art. He only hoped to master "Ice Manipulation" within a month.

According to Liu Lengpei's notes, "Ice Manipulation" also required water to cast. If "Blackwater" was used, its power would double.

Blackwater again!

Just thinking of those two words, Chen Mobai felt his teeth ache.

But he immediately thought of a good solution: one that would allow him to obtain Blackwater without refining it himself.

When Chen Mobai sold the Blackwater Cultivation Technique to Old Man He, he clearly remembered Qi Er saying that Old Man He cultivated this technique. Since Old Man He was already at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, he must have also mastered "Water Aegis."

Based on this inference, and considering the unique social environment of the Tianhe Realm, He Qun would certainly try every means to enhance his combat ability. Perhaps he even had refined Blackwater.

He acted on the thought immediately.

Chen Mobai immediately rushed from the Water Mansion to Nanxi Market, hoping to try his luck and see if he could buy some.

"You want to buy Blackwater?"

He Qun, who was selling cultivation techniques at his stall, was stunned when he heard Chen Mobai's words. He then shook his head, refusing.

"You guessed correctly," He Qun said. "I have indeed refined a few bottles of Blackwater myself. But these are my most prized possessions, and I don't even have enough for my own use. How could I possibly sell them to you?"

Chen Mobai shamelessly pestered him, but Old Man He, annoyed, directly quoted an exorbitant price of 20 spirit stones per bottle, which immediately discouraged Chen Mobai.

"Kid, don't blame me for being hard-hearted," Old Man He said. "It's just that refining Blackwater is simply too difficult. To gather the six medicinal ingredients for purification, I also need to hire an alchemist. Old Man Liu's alchemy skills aren't great; he fails three times before succeeding once, and he charges me one spirit stone for his service. All in all, the cost of one bottle of Blackwater is about 5 spirit stones. And as you know, if Blackwater is added to the subsequent "Ice Manipulation" of the Blackwater Cultivation Technique, its power doubles. I recently plan to go to Yunmeng Marsh to hunt Cold Snakes. Once I succeed, I basically won't fear anyone at the same cultivation level."

He Qun knew Chen Mobai and was aware that he possessed many powerful talismans. He didn't want to completely cut him off, so after quoting the sky-high price and refusing him, he explained further.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai became even more dejected. If he hadn't sold "Ice Manipulation" to Old Man He, the latter probably wouldn't have valued Blackwater so much.

It could only be said that everything was predetermined by fate.

"Oh, can the Cold Snakes of Yunmeng Marsh help in mastering 'Ice Manipulation'?"

But immediately, Chen Mobai noticed another piece of information in Old Man He's words and quickly pressed for details.

"That's right," Old Man He confirmed. "The inner core of a Cold Snake naturally contains an essence of true ice. They have the innate talent to freeze water and shoot it like arrows. After cultivators of the Blackwater Cultivation Technique consume a few of them, they can generally comprehend Ice Breath and subsequently master 'Ice Manipulation'."

"Is this Yunmeng Marsh dangerous?"

"It's both dangerous and not dangerous," Old Man He replied, "depending on which area you go to, and whether you're alone or in a group."

"Can it improve a cultivator's magical combat skills?"

Chen Mobai asked the question that concerned him most.

He had read Lan Haitian's interview article about winning the Magical Combat competition to enter Kunpeng Dao Academy and knew that actual combat was the best method for honing skills. There were no conditions for actual combat on the Diru Star, but they were plentiful in the Tianhe Realm. Now, he also knew a way to quickly master "Ice Manipulation." He felt as if heaven itself was helping him make up his mind.