**Chapter 63: A Massive Expenditure**

The Fellow Daoist He she had just befriended was truly enigmatic.

Not only was his cultivation speed astonishing, but he also seemed to have no shortage of spirit stones.

He had managed to break through from the fourth to the fifth level of Qi Refining in just three years.

And after his breakthrough, he could unhesitatingly spend so many spirit stones to purchase spells.

Did He Song have a powerful backer?

Or was he involved in some kind of murder and robbery scheme?

Or perhaps...

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Pinger racked her brains but, lacking key information, found it impossible to draw any conclusions.

Helpless, she could only retrieve some mid-grade spells and return to He Song.

"Fellow Daoist He, the Object Control Technique and the other mid-grade spells you requested are all here. You can take your time to look through them."

Placing the tray in front of He Song, Pinger spoke while keeping her eyes fixed on him, as if trying to glean some information from his expression.

However, He Song's face remained as calm as still water, giving her no opportunity to discern anything.

Casually picking up a few booklets from the tray, He Song quickly scanned them and soon locked onto two spells.

The first.

The Object Control Technique.

This spell allowed the user to manipulate objects using spiritual energy, making it highly useful for combat, defense, and even daily life.

Moreover, once He Song acquired a magical tool, the Object Control Technique could also be used to control it and launch attacks.

This was a common technique among Qi Refining cultivators.

The second.

Was an offensive spell.

Finger of Shattering Stone!

By channeling spiritual energy into the fingers and releasing it with a special technique, this spell delivered devastating damage.

Compared to the Spirit Arrow Technique He Song had previously learned, the Finger of Shattering Stone, as a mid-grade spell, was both more powerful and faster to cast.

With a single finger strike, the unique spiritual energy could reach up to ten zhang (about 30 meters). At He Song's current fifth level of Qi Refining, it could shatter the defenses of several low-grade Earth Vein Talismans.

As for mid-grade Earth Vein Talismans, due to their formidable defensive power, He Song would need to activate the spell twice to break through them at his current cultivation level.

However, as He Song's cultivation improved and he became more proficient with the Finger of Shattering Stone, its power and range would also increase.

After acquiring the Earth Escape Technique as a quick escape method.

He Song decided to address his weaknesses by also enhancing his offensive capabilities.

From this point on, once He Song fully mastered the Earth Escape Technique and the Finger of Shattering Stone to the point where he could use them without losing effectiveness, his combat power would increase significantly.

For offense, he had the Finger of Shattering Stone.

For escape, he had the Earth Escape Technique.

For defense, he relied on mid-grade Earth Vein Talismans.

In the Qi Refining stage, unless one possessed a defensive magical tool, no defensive spell could match the effectiveness of Earth Vein Talismans.

Earth Vein Talismans were secret talismans of the Earth Vein Sect. Even within the territories of other Golden Core sects, they were highly sought-after defensive talismans.

As secret talismans of a Golden Core sect, their defensive power was naturally extraordinary.

Rogue cultivators, family disciples, and sect disciples at the Qi Refining stage would typically carry several Earth Vein Talismans for protection.

He Song was no exception.

"Fellow Daoist Pinger, I'll take the Object Control Technique and the Finger of Shattering Stone. Here are one hundred and fifty spirit stones."

After making his decision, He Song pointed to the jade slips for the Object Control Technique and the Finger of Shattering Stone, then casually waved his hand over the table.

Instantly, one hundred and fifty spirit stones appeared on the table.

Mid-grade spells cost fifty spirit stones each.

But offensive spells doubled in price.

Thus, the mid-grade offensive spell Finger of Shattering Stone cost one hundred spirit stones instead of fifty.

In total, the two spells cost one hundred and fifty spirit stones.

After Pinger nodded and collected the spirit stones from the table, He Song picked up the jade slips and placed them against his forehead.

Soon.

He Song imprinted all the information from the Object Control Technique and the Finger of Shattering Stone into his memory.

From now on, he only needed to recall the information to access it.

With this done, He Song no longer felt the need to stay at the Spirit Technique Pavilion. After exchanging a few more words with Pinger, he bid her farewell and left.

---

Leaving the Spirit Technique Pavilion.

As He Song sensed the meager dozen or so spirit stones remaining in his storage bag, he couldn't help but sigh.

Three years.

Over three years, He Song had earned ninety spirit stones annually, totaling two hundred and seventy spirit stones.

By living frugally and with some savings from before, he had managed to save over two hundred spirit stones.

But just now.

With a wave of his hand, he had purchased three spells.

And just like that, the two hundred-plus spirit stones he had painstakingly saved over three years were mostly gone.

"Spirit stones are never enough."

Sighing inwardly, He Song glanced back at the towering Spirit Technique Pavilion and decided it would be best to visit this place as little as possible in the future.

Over the past decade or so, every time he visited the Spirit Technique Pavilion, his savings took a massive hit.

The first time he came.

He had around thirty spirit stones and bought three basic spells, spending thirty spirit stones.

The second time.

He had over a hundred spirit stones and purchased the *Introduction to Array Formation*, spending one hundred spirit stones.

The third time.

He had around thirty spirit stones and bought two basic spells, spending twenty spirit stones.

This time, his fourth visit.

His savings were more substantial, totaling over two hundred spirit stones.

But what happened?

He bought three spells and spent two hundred and fifty spirit stones in one go.

This...

It really was a case of earning spirit stones in the immortal district only to spend them all there, wasn't it?

Although his income had increased, so had his spending.

However, once he was fully prepared, he should soon be able to escape this predicament.

Once his spirit fields were established, his income would skyrocket.

By then.

He wouldn't have to live so frugally.

Finally.

After one last deep look at the Spirit Technique Pavilion, He Song turned and headed home.

While the Spirit Technique Pavilion was expensive.

It also fulfilled He Song's needs.

Whether it was basic spells, mid-grade spells, or the high-grade Earth Escape Technique, all were things He Song urgently needed.

If he ever returned.

He felt he would need to prepare a lot more spirit stones.

---

Home.

He Song activated the Maze Array and began practicing his spells within the dense spiritual energy of the Spirit Gathering Array.

After some consideration, he decided to start with the Object Control Technique.

Previously.

Pinger had told him that the Object Control Technique was incredibly versatile.

Whether in combat, escape, or daily life, the Object Control Technique could play a significant role.

Thus, after spending a month mastering the Object Control Technique to the point where he could use it effortlessly without losing effectiveness, He Song gained a deeper understanding of the spell.

(End of Chapter)