Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 236: Inn Lodging

Penglai Inn

Led by a courteous female cultivator, Qin Lu arrived at a private suite on the upper floor.

“Senior, this is the Heaven-grade room you requested,” she said, bowing deeply as she opened the door.

Qin Lu stepped inside, his eyes sweeping over the accommodations.

The interior was striking. The furniture was crafted from rare spiritual woods that filled the air with a faint, calming fragrance. But the centerpiece of the room wasn’t the plush bed or the elegant tea set—it was the glowing magical formation inscribed into the floor in the center of the room.

To the left of the array sat a wooden tub filled with steaming, herbal-infused water. To the right, a low table held a selection of fresh fruits, pastries, and reading materials.

The atmosphere radiated comfort and security.

“Please observe, Senior. The central array is our signature [High Grade Breathing Formation]. Meditating within its circle will significantly accelerate your Spiritual Qi absorption,” the attendant explained enthusiastically. “The water is infused with rare medicinal herbs designed to soothe fatigue and relax the meridians after a long journey. And of course, the Spirit Fruits and books are complimentary.”

“Not bad,” Qin Lu nodded, satisfied. “Fifteen Spirit Stones a night is steep, but for a private cultivation array, it’s a fair price.”

“We aim to please,” she smiled. “There is a hidden mechanism beneath the table leg. Press it if you require any service. Otherwise, we will not disturb you.”

“Understood. Thank you, little friend.”

“Rest well, Senior.”

She withdrew, closing the heavy wooden door with a soft click. As the latch engaged, a shimmer of light rippled across the wood—a secondary soundproofing and anti-scrying formation activating automatically.

“Complete privacy,” Qin Lu murmured, running a hand along the smooth wall. “They certainly know their clientele.”

Crunch.

He picked up a fruit from the table and took a large bite. Sweet juice exploded in his mouth, accompanied by a subtle hum of Spiritual Qi. Genuine Spirit Fruit.

His gaze drifted to the stack of books. One title caught his eye immediately.

[Nine Truths Langya List]

Qin Lu picked it up and flipped through a few pages, only to sigh. “Still the old edition. No update yet?”

The Langya List was compiled by the mysterious Divine Lord Zhuge, a chronicle of major events and rising stars across the Nine Truths Region. A new volume was released every two years, but it seemed the latest edition was delayed.

Disinterested in old news, he tossed the book aside and sat cross-legged in the center of the glowing array.

As the formation hummed to life beneath him, Qin Lu’s mind drifted.

I’ve been running myself ragged lately. Between the business, the travel, and the rescue, my cultivation has stalled. I haven’t even had time to grind my skill proficiency.

The shops in White Jade Market are stable now. I can afford to step back. Once I save Gu Can, I need to go into Secluded Cultivation. It’s time to push for the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

He pulled up his internal attribute panel. The numbers hadn’t budged much in weeks.

His twelve Qi Condensation spells were all maxed out. Skills like [Ignition Technique], [Finger Flick Technique], and [Illumination Technique] were useful utilities, but useless in combat. Even his mid-tier spells like [Spirit Shield Technique] and [Heavenly Eye Technique] were reaching their limits against stronger foes.

Currently, his only real trump card was the five-layer combination [Lightning Strike Technique]. It had saved him—and Gu Yue—against the Blood Demon army, but even that was starting to feel underpowered against Foundation Establishment opponents.

Below the maxed-out list sat his five new Foundation Establishment spells:

[Wind Pillar Technique]

[Earth Fire Technique]

[Wood Binding Technique]

[Earth Splitting Technique]

[Water Dragon Technique]

These spells had raw power that dwarfed his old kit, but the mana cost and complexity were exponentially higher. Only [Wind Pillar] and [Earth Fire] had reached the “Expert” level. The rest were still stuck at “Novice.”

I need to grind these up, he thought. My old tricks won’t save me forever.

He frowned, realizing another gap in his arsenal. I’m still relying on scavenged manuals. I’ve been in the market for years and only found five decent spells. High-level arts are hoarded by the sects like dragon gold.

At least he had the [Falling Leaves Sword Technique] from Wei Zimo to cover his melee offense. But he lacked utility.

Since I’m in Shuntian City, I should hunt for a high-grade movement art. A good escape technique is worth more than ten attack spells in a crisis.

He resolved to scour the local shops once his immediate business was concluded. The selection here would undoubtedly eclipse the backwater offerings of White Jade Market.

“Hoo… first things first. Cultivate.”

With a thought, a small, round pill appeared in his hand.

[Smooth Qi Pill]

It was a staple for wealthy Foundation Establishment cultivators, designed to lubricate the flow of energy through the meridians. Since opening his shops, Qin Lu’s pockets were deep enough to keep a steady supply.

He swallowed the pill. As the medicinal warmth spread through his chest, he formed a seal with his hands, closed his eyes, and sank into the rhythm of his breathing.

The night of cultivation began.