Cannon Fodder Cultivation Guide

Chapter 10 - Blessing in Disguise

"There is a natural restriction within the Cold Pool. Only those below the Foundation Establishment level can enter."

Qiao Chu was not impatient and briefly explained, "As for what lies at the bottom of the pool, I am also unsure. In any case, the restriction is there, and with your combat ability, you should be able to protect yourself."

Hearing this, Zhang Yiyi felt more at ease but still did not immediately dive into the water.
She smiled and asked, "Master Qiao, could you lend this junior a water-repelling pearl?"
She was not ashamed to ask for help—after all, her life was at stake.

Knowing that Zhang Yiyi couldn't possibly have such a treasure with her, Qiao Chu figured it wasn't a big deal and casually tossed her a high-grade water-repelling pearl.

Receiving the pearl, Zhang Yiyi's smile grew even wider. Then, she boldly asked, "Could you lend me one or two high-level talismans as a precaution?"

Seeing how Zhang Yiyi was not shy about borrowing things, Qiao Chu threw her two more high-level talismans. Strangely, his mood lifted.

With her life-saving talismans in hand, Zhang Yiyi knew when to stop. Without further delay, she leaped into the Cold Pool.

The seemingly inconspicuous pool was both freezing and deep.

The deeper she dived, the greater the resistance. Even with the water-repelling pearl, the bone-chilling cold and invisible pressure made it hard to move.

Fortunately, Zhang Yiyi had reached the third stage of Body Tempering. Otherwise, her level-seven Qi Refining cultivation would not have allowed her to persevere.

After about half an hour, Zhang Yiyi finally broke free from the oppressive force and reached the bottom.

The pool floor was unexpectedly spacious. Where darkness once reigned, a faint blue light now appeared, making it easier for Zhang Yiyi to search for treasure.

After carefully circling the area, she found three Cold Dragon Grass plants growing on a stone wall in the corner, and her heart leaped with joy.

Just as she was about to pick them, Zhang Yiyi suddenly realized she had overlooked something.

High-level spiritual herbs are often guarded by demonic beasts, yet the pool floor was eerily empty. Where was the blue light coming from?

At that moment, a grotesque and ugly demon fish revealed its gigantic body from the blue light, opening its mouth wide to swallow Zhang Yiyi whole.

Seeing that it was a fifth-level demonic beast, Zhang Yiyi didn't even have time to curse.
Grabbing the three Cold Dragon Grass plants, she instinctively threw a pre-prepared high-level talisman at the demon fish.

Boom!

The talisman exploded, severely injuring the demon fish. Zhang Yiyi, ignoring the internal injuries caused by the talisman's blast, fled desperately toward the pool's surface.

Although the demon fish was heavily wounded, its ferocity only grew stronger. After being delayed for a dozen seconds, it continued chasing the hateful human who had stolen its herbs and injured it.

A fifth-level demonic beast is comparable to a human cultivator in the Golden Core stage. Even though it was badly injured, Zhang Yiyi, as a Qi Refining disciple, was no match for it.

As the killing intent closed in on her from behind, Zhang Yiyi knew without looking that she could be swallowed by the demon fish at any moment.

In this life-or-death situation, her body once again pushed beyond its limits. Ignoring the rapid depletion of her spiritual energy, she swam upward with all her might, fueled solely by the will to survive.

At the same time, she threw out her last high-level talisman without hesitation, buying herself as much time as possible to escape.

The demon fish was struck again, further slowing its pursuit.

However, it still did not give up its desire for revenge. Despite its injuries and the increasing pressure from the pool's restriction, it continued chasing, and the distance between them began to close once again.

Qiao Chu, who had noticed the first talisman Zhang Yiyi used, had already sensed the danger in the pool.

He had thought that the natural restriction in the Cold Pool would prevent the demonic beasts from being too dangerous, but Zhang Yiyi had used two high-level talismans in quick succession, clearly indicating she was in grave danger.

Unable to dive into the pool to rescue her, he expanded his divine sense, keeping a close watch on her situation, ready to act when the opportunity arose.

When he finally saw a figure emerging from the depths, Qiao Chu immediately used his power to reduce the upward pressure.

Just as the terrifying demon fish closed in on her for the third time, ready to swallow her whole, Zhang Yiyi suddenly felt the pressure lightening.

Her heart lifted with joy, and she used the last bit of her spiritual energy to shoot upwards at ten times her original speed.

The demon fish snapped at the air where she had just been, missing her. Furious, it tried to chase her but was completely blocked by the pool's restriction, unable to follow her any further. It could only watch as the hated human escaped.

As her spiritual energy was completely depleted, Zhang Yiyi finally surfaced from the Cold Pool, her vision darkening as she collapsed, covered in blood.

Qiao Chu instinctively caught the unconscious girl, sending a trace of spiritual energy into her body.

After confirming that her foundation wasn't damaged, he subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. He then picked her up and flew away on his sword.

When Zhang Yiyi woke up, she had already left the heart of Mount Wanze and was lying on the stone bed in her room at Yunxian Sect.

"You're awake? Check if you're still feeling unwell," came Pan Yuexin's concerned voice.
Zhang Yiyi sat up and found herself not only clean and refreshed in new clothes, but her internal and external injuries were fully healed.

Moreover, she had unexpectedly benefited from the ordeal, sensing that she was on the verge of breaking through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"I feel great, full of energy!"

She happily hugged Senior Sister Pan, as lively as ever.

Pan Yuexin, relieved but also frustrated, scolded, "Zhang Yiyi, you really are something! You dared to enter the depths of Mount Wanze alone! Do you think money is more important than your life? Those demonic beasts in there aren't something you can handle! If it weren't for the Sect Master's timely rescue, you wouldn't have lived to spend those spirit stones!"

Recalling how the Sect Master had returned three days ago with Zhang Yiyi covered in blood, Pan Yuexin had nearly fainted from fright.

Luckily, her foundation wasn't damaged, and with the Sect Master's help, Zhang Yiyi recovered completely after sleeping for three days, with no lingering problems.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yiyi realized she had been unconscious for three days and that Qiao Chu had personally brought her back.

She didn't bother explaining the real cause of her injuries. Whether voluntary or not, she had indeed ventured deep into Mount Wanze, so Senior Sister Pan wasn't entirely wrong.

"Don't be mad, Senior Sister. I really didn't mean to go in so deep that day. I'll be more careful in the future, I promise I won't let something like this happen again."

Being cared for felt nice, so Zhang Yiyi clung to Senior Sister Pan, making promises and acting coy.