Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

His gaze fell on Lin Zhao, with a hint of approval: "Your divine barrier has been broken through by chance, and the strength of your divine sense far exceeds that of ordinary Qi Refining Level 10 cultivators."

Once you have accumulated enough spiritual power and break through the ordinary level ten of Qi Refining, you will have entered the realm of level eleven of Qi Refining.

The secret method I'm giving you will help you complete the rest of your journey, until you truly achieve perfection at the twelfth level of Qi Refining.

These words were like opening a brand new door for Lin Zhao, allowing him to see a much wider world within the Qi Refining stage.

He was so shocked that his breathing became rapid.

The twelfth level of Qi Refining! This is a secret not even recorded in the family's records!

Master Mingxuan observed his reaction and knew that his words had had an effect.

He said no more and took out a token.

The token was neither gold nor wood, but had a warm, smooth feel to it. Its front was engraved with flowing cloud patterns similar to those on Mingxuan's robes.

On the back is an ancient-style character for "cloud," which faintly exudes a mysterious spiritual energy.

"I'm about to return to Tianyun Market." He gently placed the token on the table.

"With this token, you may come to Tianyun Market to find me at any time within three months. I will not wait for you after that."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Lin Zhao and turned to look out the window again, clearly indicating that he wanted to see the guest out.

Lin Zhao took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and chaotic thoughts in his heart, and stepped forward to solemnly put away the cloud-patterned token.

It feels slightly heavy upon first touch, as if it carries an immeasurable opportunity and risk.

"I will remember this." He bowed and left Liuyun Pavilion without saying another word.

Leaving Liuyun Pavilion, the bustling sounds of the marketplace pulled him back to reality.

Holding the cold token in his arms, Lin Zhao was filled with turmoil.

The allure of the twelfth level of Qi Refining is immense, but the "secret realm" mentioned by Master Mingxuan is by no means a place to be trifled with; even he finds it troublesome.

Moreover, this secret realm is entered by people from seventeen cities together, so you can imagine how dangerous it is.

Human cultivators may unite as one when facing demonic beasts, but when it comes to other cultivation resources, the battles are equally fierce. Foundation Establishment Pills are a prime example.

He needs to consult with others and listen to the opinions of those he trusts.

Without much hesitation, Lin Zhao immediately set off, leaving Guiyun Market, which was still in the midst of reconstruction chaos, and sped towards the Lin family's location in Qingxi Mountain.

Half a month later, Lin Zhao, weary from his journey, finally returned to the familiar Qingxi Mountain.

Lin Zhao did not return to his cave dwelling, but went to see his grandfather first. However, Uncle Zhao said that his grandfather had gone into seclusion and would not be able to come out for at least half a year.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Zhao directly requested an audience with the clan chief.

Inside the clan chief's cave at the top of Qingxi Mountain, clan chief Lin Shanhe was sipping spiritual tea.

After successfully establishing his foundation, his aura became more profound and weighty, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light as he opened and closed, already displaying some of the majesty of a true Foundation Establishment master.

But when he saw Lin Zhao return safely, and especially when he sensed the much calmer aura emanating from Lin Zhao,

Clearly, he had mastered the first stage of the third stage of the Rhyme Spirit cultivation, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

"Not bad, you have successfully completed the third stage of the Rhyme Spirit Transformation. The feeling of unease brought on by the pills has disappeared, and your cultivation has improved considerably during this period."

Lin Shanhe spoke gently, with a hint of admiration.

"Clan Chief." Lin Zhao bowed respectfully, skipping pleasantries and getting straight to the point.

He recounted his experiences in Guiyun Market, how he defended the Rock Base, and how he slew the Purple Cloud Eagle.

At the same time, he also expressed his suspicions about the Foundation Establishment cultivator in Wanheng Market.

Finally, when Master Mingxuan summoned him, he mentioned the secret method of "Twelve Levels of Qi Refining" and the request to delve into the secret realm.

He told Lin Shanhe everything, without reservation.

Qingxi Mountain, the clan chief's cave.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood as Lin Shanhe listened to Lin Zhao recount his experiences at Guiyun Market. When Lin Zhao mentioned "Master Mingxuan" and "Tianyun Market," his hand holding the spirit tea suddenly paused, and ripples appeared in the cup.

When Lin Zhao mentioned the cloud-patterned token and the secret of the "Twelfth Level of Qi Refining," Lin Shanhe suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

The Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure that was originally as calm as an abyss around him uncontrollably dissipated, causing the air in the quiet room to freeze instantly!

"Tianyun Market! Master Mingxuan!" His voice was filled with disbelief and trembling, devoid of his usual composure.

Before Lin Zhao could answer, he grabbed Lin Zhao's arm with a steady yet urgent force. "Let's go! Come with me to Tianyun Market immediately!"

Lin Zhao was stunned by the clan leader's unprecedented loss of composure. Before he could even sort out his thoughts, he was enveloped by a gentle spiritual force.

Lin Shanhe didn't even have time to gather his clansmen and give them a detailed explanation.

He only hurriedly left the guard outside the door with the words, "Lin Zhao and I are going out for a while."

He then took control of the second-tier flying boat, soared into the sky, and sped off in a direction completely different from Guiyun Market!

The flying boat pierced through the clouds at an astonishing speed. Only after leaving the vicinity of Qingxi Mountain did Lin Shanhe's turbulent emotions calm down slightly, but the solemn expression on his face remained unchanged.

He looked at Lin Zhao beside him, who looked confused, and knew he had to make him understand the significance of this trip.

"Zhao'er," Lin Shanhe's voice still reached Lin Zhao's ears clearly despite the howling wind.

"Do you know what it is that has allowed my Lin family to stand firm on the edge of the Yunxia Mountains for hundreds of years, weathering storms and remaining unbroken?"

Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "It is thanks to your strategic planning, Chief, the concerted efforts of all the elders, and the selfless sacrifice of the clansmen..."

"This is only the force on the surface," Lin Shanhe interrupted him, his gaze deep.

"If a family doesn't have a hidden foundation and a secret reliance, it would have been destroyed in countless crises long ago."

Today I will tell you some secrets that only the clan leaders and elders of each generation know.

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, and slowly said, "My Lin family's second-generation Foundation Establishment ancestor, before his passing,..."

They once paid a huge price to send a group of the Lin family's younger generation into the Black Fiend Pavilion, one of the three major sects, as the family's last resort.

This matter was kept extremely secret; within the clan, no more than five people knew about it.

"Black Fiend Pavilion?" Lin Zhao hadn't expected that the Lin family would have this kind of relationship with the three major sects.

"Indeed. The Black Fiend Pavilion is skilled in wielding the power of black fiends, but its disciples rarely venture out."

Lin Shanhe's tone was tinged with a mixture of complexity and pride, "And that group of clansmen lived up to expectations and successfully established themselves within the sect."

His descendants produced a pillar of strength who successfully laid the foundation twenty years ago!

"It is precisely because of his lineage secretly protecting us within the Black Fiend Pavilion that my Lin family has been able to obtain many resources and secret techniques that are hard to find outside, allowing us to remain steadfast."

He looked at Lin Zhao and said, "The reason you and your family were able to hunt down the first second-tier demonic beast, the 'Black Rock Python,' so easily back then..."

It relied on a secret technique obtained from the Black Fiend Pavilion—the "Drawing Fiend Technique"—to draw upon and control the power of black fiends. This secret technique was secretly sent back by that lineage.