Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 281: High Grade Spirit Land

Having set the strategic goal of finding a Spirit Land, Qin Lu wasted no time in making preparations.

His first step was information gathering.

After scouring through various classical texts and geographical records, he gained a comprehensive understanding of what exactly a “Spirit Land” was.

Technically, a Spirit Land was defined as any location where the ambient Spiritual Qi was naturally concentrated. Such places were scattered across the world—hidden within mountain ranges, buried deep in ancient forests, submerged in the ocean trenches, or even suspended atop cloud peaks.

The location, size, and density of each Spirit Land varied wildly.

Crucially, the density of the Spiritual Qi determined the land’s grade.

The cultivation world generally categorized them into four tiers: Low Grade, Middle Grade, High Grade, and Top Grade.

However, beyond these four standard tiers lay a legendary fifth category: the “Immortal Grade Spirit Land.”

In these places, the Spiritual Qi was so dense it condensed into a visible mist or liquid. Legends claimed these were secret realms created by ancient, god-like beings to benefit humanity before civilization had fully bloomed. Each one was a veritable utopia, a paradise isolated from the mortal coil.

The texts spoke of one hundred and eight such paradises, divided into the Thirty-Six Blessed Lands and the Seventy-Two Grotto Heavens.

Cultivating in such an environment would not only skyrocket a cultivator’s speed but also drastically increase their chances of breaking through bottlenecks.

Unfortunately, Immortal Grade Spirit Lands were the stuff of myth—exceedingly rare and almost impossible to locate.

The vast majority of Spirit Lands found in the mortal world were merely Low or Middle Grade.

The White Jade Market itself was built atop a Middle Grade Spirit Land.

After digesting this information, Qin Lu solidified his objective.

He would find a High Grade Spirit Land to serve as the foundation for the Qin Sect.

Top Grade and Immortal Grade lands were out of the question; such prime real estate had long been monopolized by the world’s ancient powerhouses or hidden by powerful obscuring formations.

With his current strength, a High Grade Spirit Land was the most ambitious yet realistic target.

…

A few days later.

Qin Lu made his way to the government office in the center of the market. He found Jiang Ge in his study, buried under a pile of paperwork.

“Market Master Jiang, busy as always?” Qin Lu greeted him with a warm smile as he entered.

Jiang Ge placed his brush on the inkstone and looked up. Seeing Qin Lu, his weary expression brightened.

“Oho, a rare guest indeed. What brings Sect Master Qin to my humble office today?”

“Can’t I simply visit an old friend for tea?”

“Hah! Of course you can. Sit, sit!”

They took their seats. After the customary exchange of pleasantries and a round of fresh tea, Qin Lu steered the conversation toward his true purpose.

“Market Master Jiang, to be honest, I did come here seeking your guidance on a specific matter,” Qin Lu said sincerely.

Jiang Ge took a slow sip of tea, a look of ‘I knew it’ in his eyes. He smiled. “Speak freely, Sect Master Qin. We are comrades who have fought side by side. If you need something, just ask.”

“I appreciate it.”

Qin Lu paused for a moment to organize his thoughts. “It is like this: some time ago, I attended Fellow Daoist Zou Chang’s Sect Opening Ceremony. Seeing his success, I felt a stir of envy. After discussing it with my sect members upon my return, we have decided to venture out and secure a Spirit Land to formally establish the Qin Sect.”

“I came today to ask for your wisdom. Where should I look?”

Qin Lu’s tone was humble and respectful.

Jiang Ge was over two hundred years old. In his youth, he had traveled across the entirety of Li Province. His knowledge of geography and local lore far stripped Qin Lu’s book-learning.

As expected, Jiang Ge stroked his beard, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“I thought you were bringing me a crisis. If it’s just this, relax. Let me explain the lay of the land.”

Jiang Ge seemed eager to share his expertise.

“Spirit Lands are everywhere, Qin Lu. The issue is the grade. If you are satisfied with a Low or Middle Grade land, you can simply wander the Nine Truths Region. Look for areas with unusual Spiritual Qi fluctuations—places where Demon Beasts or spirits congregate usually sit atop such lands.”

“However,” Jiang Ge’s eyes narrowed slightly, “if you are hunting for a High Grade or Top Grade location… the civilized regions won’t do. They have long been carved up by established powers. You must look to the uncivilized frontiers.”

“And if we are talking about the most famous undeveloped frontier in Li Province, there is only one answer: the Weitian Realm.”

“I suggest you try your luck there.”

Jiang Ge took another sip of tea, watching Qin Lu’s reaction.

Qin Lu fell into deep thought.

The name was familiar. He had read about the Weitian Realm in the archives.

It was located within Jishi Prefecture, situated on the far eastern border of the Nine Truths Region. Beyond it lay the neighboring Wuwei Region.

The Weitian Realm acted as a buffer zone between the two great regions.

Legends said that it was once a realm of absolute “Void”—a chaotic, uninhabitable zone where no cultivator could survive. For centuries, it was a forbidden death trap that no one dared to enter.

That changed twenty years ago.

A coalition of powerful cultivators from Li Province, joined by experts from the neighboring Chu Province, launched a joint expedition. They penetrated the depths of the void, slaying the terrified entities that ruled it and laying down massive Formations to stabilize the chaotic laws of the region.

They had terraformed a hellscape into a frontier.

Now, it was a vast, undeveloped wildland.

Such a place naturally attracted adventurers, prospectors, and rogue cultivators seeking Fated Chances. Because it was so new, many Spirit Lands within it remained undiscovered.

“However… I’ve heard it is extremely dangerous,” Qin Lu said hesitantly.

Although the Great Powers had purged the major threats, the Weitian Realm was far from safe.

“Of course,” Jiang Ge replied seriously. “Opportunity is always accompanied by risk. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want a High Grade Spirit Land without fighting an existing sect for it, the Weitian Realm is your best bet.”

“That is true…” Qin Lu nodded slowly.

High Grade Spirit Lands were treasures that could not be sought, only encountered. To obtain one, he had to pay the price in risk.

“So,” Jiang Ge asked with a smile, “when does Sect Master Qin plan to depart?”

“In a few months. I need to consolidate my cultivation and make some final preparations.”

“Tsk, tsk…” Jiang Ge looked at Qin Lu with a complex expression, shaking his head in amazement.

“Speaking of which… Sect Master Qin, your progress is truly terrifying. You cultivate faster than any Foundation Establishment cultivator this old man has ever seen.”

“Hah, just a bit of good luck, that’s all.” Qin Lu waved his hand dismissively, then grinned. “What am I compared to you? Market Master Jiang is the one with a real shot at the Golden Core realm!”

“Oh, you flatter me…”

The serious business concluded, the two men relaxed into a session of mutual flattery and tea.