Fang Hao caught one of the regular transports to the Bronze Scripture Pavilion, which held spells and manuals for the Qi Condensation Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm. Without the great Elder it took him significantly longer to get things done. First he had to wait for almost an hour to inquire about all of the control type spell suitable for Qi Condensation Disciples. He wanted to learn them all and try them on the fucking goats to see which was the most effective. But he had the settle by reading their descriptions.

His requirements were that the control spell should have a quick cast time and it should also be versatile. This alone negated a variety of cheap, powerful yet situational spells. Some of these situational spells were powerful but required a specific environment to be cast. One of these situational spells he was very fond of was named static web. This spell could only be cast under storm clouds, so a variety of environments and weather conditions rendered the spell useless. It was a simplified version of a more powerful spell which had significantly reduced restrictions. Unfortunately though, the powered up version could only be cast by Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Almost all the truly versatile and powerful control spells required a cultivation base of at least the foundation establishment realm. Finally after deliberating for a couple of hours, Fang Hao decided upon a spell called Frost Chains. It was a decent enough control spell for Qi Condensation Cultivators. It was reasonably powerful and a relatively short cast time. However, it was single target spell and could be countered by fire type spells. Despite these limitations , Fang Hao felt that it was one of the most versatile spells he could learn and would fit in his budget. He spent 850 contribution points to get a jade slip of the spell which he had to bind with his blood. Of course to buy that copy he had to stand in another queue for another couple of hours...spending almost the entire time between dawn and dusk at the Bronze Scripture Pavilion.

Once he returned he immediately memorized the chants, hand signs, qi circulation path and contemplation image. This spell was apparently a tier above the training spells in difficulty and it took him a couple of days to completely memorize the spell. It took him another 3 days or so till he could consistently cast it at the trees in his courtyard. Just like how it was with his previous spells, Once he learned the spell at basic proficiency...the spell was affected by his cultivation manual. Instead of rigid frozen chains wrapping and binding a target, what appeared was ice blue wriggling flexible chains which rhythmically contracted and exerted a crushing force on the target. A successful cast took a little under a second.

'Nice, I just hope the (+) thingy didn't affect this control spell negatively. My main offensive potential is still Aura Infusion with sledgehammer slam. Now that I have a control spell, I should go to the market and get myself the best defensive magic tool I can afford.' Fang Hao decided to visit the market at the earliest. he then focused on increasing the proficiency of the spell Frost Chains along with regular practice of the Divine Vajra Body Scripture. Next week, he visited the market. Now that he was an inner disciple, a new section of the market was open to him.

He entered a magic tool shop and a senior inner disciple greeted him. Fang Hao was frank and he told his requirements of a defensive treasure. The inner disciple nodded thoughtfully, “Hmm, I might have just the thing for junior brother.” He went inside the shop and disappeared. Fang Hao occupied himself by looking around at the other inner disciples who were conducting transactions at the shop. After almost 15 minutes, the inner disciple who was attending Fang Hao reappeared with a foot long, half foot wide and 3 inch deep wooden box.

He approached Fang Hao and opened the box revealing a brownish-skin colored glove. The glove looked like it was made for the left hand. It had a bit of bristly fur, was made up of a thick leathery material and had honeycomb like patterns and bands on it. It was just a single glove though...and lacking its mirror for the right hand. The inner disciple said, “This glove is made from the material of a 3rd grade three clawed armadillo.”

“Senior, isn't 3rd grade spirit beasts equivalent to foundation establishment cultivators? How can I afford something like that?”

“Junior, I won't lie to you. This here is a failed product. If forged properly, this defensive magic treasure would be a top 3rd grade magic tool which would make most Foundation Establishment Cultivators crazy for it! However, the spirit smith couldn't refine the material properly and caused it to degrade to a mid 2nd grade magic tool. Even though it is considered as a 'failure', it is perhaps one of the better defensive magic tools for even a peak Qi Condensation Cultivator!” Fang Hao feigned a bit of hesitation but inwardly he considered it as a viable option. “What exactly are its abilities senior brother?”

“Well, it can be bound to you by blood, and would just require a thought to be activated. One of it's greatest advantage is that this magic tool doesn't consume Qi to activate its defensive abilities and is cast instantly! Once used, it will create a fortified barrier around the owner. This fortified version can last almost 15 minutes if no damage is received, and can block a dozen or so spells from peak Qi Condensation disciples. Or maybe even a single spell from an early foundation establishment cultivator. Once the barrier is depleted, it takes 24 hours to recharge on its own. Of course, if the owner can supply enough Qi, it can be recharged earlier.”

'That recharge earlier part is bullshit alright. Something which can block a single earl Foundation establishment spell, assuming it isn't too strong... could never be fully recharged by a Qi Condensation cultivator's Qi. Still, it looks quite good. I wonder if it scales in effectiveness with any spell learned.'

“senior, can its capabilities be enhanced by learning and mastering some spell.” the inner disciple replied, “No junior. But that is an advantage! You can use it at full power from the start...”