A Cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, while like an ant in the eyes of Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and above, is considered top-tier among Cultivators in the Early Stage of Qi Refining.
Therefore, Jiang Ming was still very happy about this promotion.
He constantly observed the changes in the Qi Sea within his body.
As the joy brought by the promotion gradually subsided, he began to consider his next plan.
That was what ability to choose when upgrading the eternal ark.
Currently, the eternal ark was only a Medium Grade Mortal Weapon; even after upgrading, it would only reach High Grade.
Its power was still weak, so Jiang Ming had not yet considered any combat-related abilities.
After a moment of thought, he leaned towards two choices:
Firstly, continue to strengthen the “Fishing” ability.
The captured Spirit Fish could continue to be consumed to improve his Cultivation.
After all, Cultivation was the foundation; everything else, including upgrading the eternal ark, ultimately aimed to better improve Cultivation.
However, choosing this ability would certainly greatly increase the fish catch.
If he consumed most of the Half Spirit Fish himself, it was estimated that his Cultivation could Breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining in three or four months.
It should be known that for five-attribute mixed Spiritual Root or four-attribute pseudo Spiritual Root Cultivators, each promotion takes several years.
If Jiang Ming were to promote again four months later, it would be tantamount to engraving the words “I have a fortuitous encounter” on his forehead, and it would be shining brightly.
Of course, he could choose to purchase a Qi concealment Spell to hide his Cultivation after the Breakthrough.
But this method could only deceive those whose Cultivation was not one major Realm higher than his own.
Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and above could see through it with a single glance.
Although in the eyes of these Cultivators, Jiang Ming was nothing more than an ant, and they usually wouldn't pay attention.
Yet, he still felt it wasn't secure enough.
Secondly, choose the “Space” ability.
This ability would create an independent space within the eternal ark.
From the outside, it might look like just a box-sized container, but internally, it could hold a large number of items.
This was similar to a Storage Pouch but even more miraculous than a Storage Pouch.
Because this space could accommodate living creatures, and even he himself could enter it.
And such an object, which involved the Law of space, even a Soul Transformation Cultivator might not be able to see through it.
Its security goes without saying.
Jiang Ming planned to create a Fish Pond within the independent space to raise Half Spirit Fish.
Because Half Spirit Fish had a certain probability of promoting to a first-order Spirit Fish, once successful, its value could increase by more than ten times.
Selling fish at the fish market not only meant being exploited layer by layer, but also there were many acquaintances, and selling a few fish each time would be impossible to hide.
However, Iron Sand Island had a rule that captured Half Spirit Fish must be sold at the fish market.
Violation would result in being expelled from the island.
But there was no such restriction on the Materials from a first-order Spirit Fish.
Taking the Great Azure Fish as an example, after promotion, it would transform into a Green Armor Fish.
Its flesh not only contained spiritual power, but its scales were also the main Material for making first-order defensive Magical Artifacts.
At that time, Jiang Ming could eat the meat and take the fish skin to sell in Iron Sand City, the center of Iron Sand Island.
The daily flow of people there was over a hundred thousand, making the chance of encountering an acquaintance extremely low.
Moreover, setting up a stall in the city only required paying a one-time stall fee and would not be excessively exploited.
The only problem was that it took a long time for Half Spirit Fish to promote to Spirit Fish, requiring patient waiting.
After careful consideration, Jiang Ming decided to choose the “Space” ability for the next upgrade.
Although this choice was a bit slower to show results, it was stable and the subsequent returns were extremely considerable.
......
The next morning.
As soon Ming walked out of his house, he heard an exclamation:
“Xiao Ming, you’ve reached the third level of Qi Refining!”
Jiang Ming was not surprised that Old Sun saw through his Cultivation at a glance.
After all, they met every day and were very familiar with each other.
He smiled humbly:
“Master, my Cultivation happened to reach the critical point last night, so I tried to Breakthrough once, and I didn’t expect it to be so smooth.”
“Good! Good! Good!”
Old Sun seemed very excited, saying “Good” three times in a row:
“Reaching the third level of Qi Refining at such a young age, I imagine you’ll be able to enter the Middle Stage of Qi Refining in another three to five years.
“At that time, living on Iron Sand Island, you won’t have to fear being bullied anymore.”
The Cultivation of the nearby fishermen was generally not high, and the Middle Stage of Qi Refining was already considered Advanced combat power.
The two of them could live here peacefully, entirely due to Old Sun’s fourth-level Qi Refining Cultivation.
Jiang Ming naturally understood this, but he didn’t understand why his Master was so excited.
Soon, he noticed that something was off with the other party.
His aura seemed a bit weaker!
“Master, what’s wrong?” he quickly asked.
Old Sun looked indifferent:
“Heh heh, I also reached the third level of Qi Refining last night!”
Hearing this, Jiang Ming’s heart sank.
In the few years before a Cultivator’s Lifespan was about to end, the Meridians in their body would gradually atrophy, leading to a sharp decrease in Cultivation efficiency.
In severe cases, there might even be a drop in Realm.
Old Sun showing this condition meant that his days were numbered.
“Master, why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ll bring back some Half Spirit Fish to nourish your body.”
Jiang Ming said this very sincerely.
Regardless of Old Sun’s intentions in raising the original owner, this kindness was real.
Old Sun smiled faintly, not caring:
“For a dying person like me, wouldn’t eating Half Spirit Fish be a waste? If you have enough Spirit Stones, then you should eat it yourself and strive to Breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining as soon as possible.”
He spoke with a relaxed expression, as if he had long since come to terms with life and death, but Jiang Ming still caught a hint of loneliness on his face.
Old Sun had Cultivated diligently his entire life; how could he not have a dream of eternal life in his heart?
Now that his Realm had fallen, his disappointment was imaginable.
So, Jiang Ming retorted:
“How could it be a waste? Even if it can’t improve Cultivation, it can still delay the Realm from falling.” Jiang Ming retorted.
He had already made up his mind that if he had any surplus Half Spirit Fish in the future, he would definitely bring them back for Old Sun to eat.
Currently, his Cultivation was still low; if Old Sun’s power seriously declined, it might attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
At the dock, many fishermen who had gotten up early to go out on their boats had already gathered.
When Jiang Ming arrived, he was initially worried if they would notice his promotion.
But soon he realized he had completely overthought it.
Everyone’s attention was not on him at all; they were all discussing Han Tie.
“I wonder what kind of luck this Han boy had, twenty-two Spirit Stones! It would take me several months to earn that much!”
“Hmph! I think he must have gone to the far sea to catch them. This kind of money, I’m afraid he’ll earn it but won’t live to spend it!”
“I wonder if Han boy is willing to tell us where he cast his net? I really want to go with him…”
...
Some were envious, some were jealous, some were green with envy.
Only Jiang Ming truly hoped that Han Tie would catch three Half Spirit Fish every day, attracting everyone’s attention.
He didn't stop to participate in the discussion; instead, he prepared to seize the time to cast a few more nets, striving to catch two Half Spirit Fish.
The fishermen’s boats were all docked on the right side of the pier.
After finding his eternal ark, Jiang Ming controlled the fishing boat and quickly sailed towards the sparsely populated sea area.
In the past, for safety, he always liked to cast his net in crowded areas.
After acquiring the eternal ark, he began to gradually move away from other fishermen, so as not to be seen when catching Half Spirit Fish.