Is that a Wisp?

"T-This…!" Old Peun was flabbergasted as he could feel strength returning to his body. All his wounds started to heal up while the poison in his body was being flushed out through one of his wounds. By the time he finished downing the glass, he was completely cured. Moreover, he could feel his cultivation stirring up a little as it was on the verge of entering the Second Stage of Qi Condensation. 

Competition was heavy while resources were scarce. So, increasing one's cultivation was difficult. However, the prime reason was the fact that not many wished to climb up the Immortal Peak. After all, while on the ground, The First Stage of Qi Condensation was the level of cultivation one could possess. 

This meant that the powerhouses of the ground level were only of this level. So, it allowed them to accumulate more power and influence and live a life of content. After all, most of the cultivators led short lives. 

In search of resources and treasures, they fought life and death battles. So, most of them, including the so-called geniuses, failed to live past thirty years of age. As to how many were able to achieve longevity, it couldn't be said.

Nevertheless, everyone knew that the number was so few or barely amounted to anything. That's why those that felt their talents weren't sufficient to embark on a journey filled with death remained on the ground level, leading comfortable lives. 

After all, old Peun was in his seventies now. Even though he had experienced his fair share of hardships, he was able to live a long life of wealth and comfort. Moreover, he had established a prominent family to take care of himself in his old age. 

So, if he said he regretted not embarking on the journey of cultivation on the Immortal Peak, he would be lying. Moreover, after obtaining a Spiritual Mark, he could be considered one of the powerhouses of the ground level, one that was stronger than the usual cultivators at the First Stage of Qi Condensation. 

"Let me serve you some tea." Old Peun said as he exited his room, shocking everyone in the household as they flurried towards him, making numerous inquiries. However, he simply smiled in response, attributing everything to his Spiritual Mark.

He then set up a private room where it was impossible for anyone to spy on them, brewing some tea as he personally served Feifei. "How shall I address you, Lady Cultivator?"

"Just call me Feifei," she replied, taking a sip of the tea as she inhaled its gentle aroma, liking the taste as she felt slightly clear-headed upon drinking it. With that, she remarked, "Great tea."

"Thank you." Old Peun seemed pleased by her remark as he said, "I spent a fortune to gather their tea leaves. Haplelita tea leaves are hard to come across on the ground level. Even though the ground level is incomparably vast, it's still hard to find them. After all, there is a limit as to how far we can travel with our strengths."

"I heard there was a certain secluded location on the Immortal Peak where Haplelita leaves grew in great abundance," Feifei calmly bullshitted. Since the Immortal Peak was incomparably vast, it would make sense for there to be a location as such. 

Heck, anything and everything might be available. As long as she was vague about it, she could probe for more information, which was precisely her intention. 

"Indeed, there is." Old Peun sighed as he replied, "But it's guarded by demon beasts. So, harvesting them is too difficult for the average cultivator. The reward isn't worth the risk, so not many dares to harvest them."

"I was also curious about something." Feifei arrived at the point of interest. "Since you possess a Spiritual Mark, shouldn't your cultivation journey be easier? With the level restriction, you almost won't ever face difficulty."

"There is a point in your statement, but..." Old Peun sighed. "I only obtained my Spiritual Mark recently and was bedridden from the poison that I was inflicted during the fight to obtain it. Plus, I'm already too old to head up the Immortal Peak now."

"I was hoping to obtain a Spiritual Mark as well. So, can you tell me more about them? Sadly, it seems like my knowledge is inferior to yours." Feifei laughed freely, pouring more tea for herself. "I was probing through the place to find someone interesting to talk with over tea. And word of mouth on the street is that you're by far the most informed person in this city, if not this entire region."

"Haha, they're damn right about that." Old Peun laughed, clearly pleased by the flattery. Feifei had a plethora of experience, knowing very well to strike the perfect chord to please the other party. 

Old Peun had lost his wife a couple decades ago to an illness. After that, he didn't have any female peers to converse freely with. And, based on what he observed, Feifei was the same age as him. So, he treated her as an old-time friend of his that had visited after many decades to share their life experience with one another. 

This was clearly what Feifei had directed from the start. Also, considering how she healed him first and only asked to talk with him, Old Peun had a great impression of her. 

Laughing, Old Peun explained, "Spiritual Marks are basically Spirit Abilities. But, there are a couple of significant differences that increase their value."

Taking a sip of his Haplelita tea, he continued, "Most Spirit Abilities are pretty simple; fireball, water shield, earth wall, etc. The greater the complexities of Spirit Abilities, the longer they require to charge up. In a battle where life and death are decided in a matter of seconds, we cannot use any strong Spirit Abilities due to their complexities."

"And there are the Spiritual Marks," Old Peun said with a beaming smile. "A Spiritual Mark is a complex Spirit Ability that a cultivator needs at least a minute or more to prepare. Only such Spirit Abilities are qualified to be called a Spiritual Mark. Using a Spiritual Mark, you can unleash the respective complex technique instantly.. All you need to do is pour in your Spiritual Energy, and voila."