Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

They didn't linger in the shops; Lin Shanhe led Lin Zhao straight to a magnificent hall in the heart of the market.

Tianyun Pavilion is the location of the market management center.

The interior of the pavilion is spacious and bright, with staff on duty.

Lin Shanhe stepped forward, explained his purpose, and stated that Lin Zhao had come to pay his respects at the invitation of Master Mingxuan. He then gestured for Lin Zhao to show the cloud-patterned token.

Upon hearing the name "Master Mingxuan," the staff on duty immediately became extremely respectful.

He carefully examined the token Lin Zhao handed him. When his fingertips touched the flowing cloud patterns on it, a look of surprise flashed across his face, and his attitude became even more humble.

"Please wait a moment, I will inform them immediately." The disciple dared not delay, took out a specially made communication jade talisman, and whispered a few words.

Before long, a Foundation Establishment cultivator dressed in a green robe, with a deep and composed aura, strode out from the inner room.

After taking the token and confirming it again, his gaze fell on Lin Zhao, filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

But his tone was very polite: "So you are Senior Brother Mingxuan's guest. Senior Brother is currently in meditation. Please follow me."

The Foundation Establishment cultivator personally led them out of Tianyun Pavilion and to a secluded platform behind the hall.

The platform's edge was shrouded in mist, and above it stretched a breathtakingly vast sea of ​​clouds.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator took out a jade talisman that resembled the token in Lin Zhao's hand and cast several spells towards the sea of ​​clouds above.

The sea of ​​clouds surged and parted, creating a narrow passage that could only accommodate a few people. Deep within the passage, a faint spiritual light shone, its destination unknown.

"I can only escort you two this far," the Foundation Establishment cultivator said, bowing to Lin Zhao and his companion with a hint of reverence on his face.

"The summit is the true core area of ​​my Tianyun Market. Without permission, even we Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot enter at will."

Only true core members like the senior disciples are allowed to reside there year-round.

He paused, then added, "I have already sent your message upstairs. You two simply need to proceed along this passage."

Lin Zhao and Lin Shanhe exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

After thanking the Foundation Establishment cultivator, they composed themselves and stepped into the misty passage.

Upon entering the passage, the surrounding scenery instantly transformed. A dense, almost liquid, pure spiritual energy rushed towards you, causing every pore on your body to involuntarily open.

The passageway is not made of solid matter, but rather of flowing clouds and mist, through which the vast world outside can be vaguely seen, yet it is isolated by an invisible force.

A sense of insignificance, originating from the depths of one's soul, arises spontaneously.

The summit above this sea of ​​clouds is the true essence of Tianyun Market! It's an area accessible only to core members.

After passing through the misty passage, the view suddenly opened up before us.

The peak above the sea of ​​clouds appears as if it has been sliced ​​off by a sword, forming an extremely open platform that resembles a fairyland.

Looking around, there are more than ten secluded courtyards scattered in the distance, each with its own unique style. Some are surrounded by green bamboo, some have babbling springs, and some are hidden in the spiritual light formed by the spirit-gathering array.

These villas are far apart from each other and do not disturb each other, clearly indicating that they are the residences of the true core members of Tianyunfang City.

The spiritual energy in the air was so dense that it turned into a light mist, and one could feel one's cultivation stirring with every breath, far surpassing that of the markets in the mountains.

The courtyard is adorned with pavilions and waterside terraces, where exotic flowers and rare herbs grow, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

At the edge, a pavilion carved entirely from mutton-fat white jade stands quietly.

Beside the pavilion roof, a jade tree with green veins stands quietly.

The cloud patterns formed on the tree trunk bear some resemblance to the cloud patterns marked on Tianyun Market, and the tree exudes a powerful vitality.

The oppressive aura emanating from the second-tier trees instilled awe in everyone who approached.

Master Mingxuan stood with his hands behind his back in the pavilion, gazing at the rolling sea of ​​clouds below and the vast market town that appeared and disappeared in the distance.

He was still dressed in white, with flowing cloud patterns, and his aura was unfathomable.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around and his gaze fell on Lin Zhao and Lin Shanhe.

"Junior Lin Zhao greets Venerable Mingxuan." Lin Zhao dared not be negligent and stepped forward to bow respectfully.

Master Mingxuan nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Clan Chief Lin Shanhe for a moment before he said calmly, "Please sit down."

With a casual wave of his hand, two futons appeared in the pavilion.

After Lin Zhao and his companion sat down, Master Mingxuan didn't engage in much small talk and went straight to the point, beginning to explain the situation of that secret realm in detail.

It turns out that the secret realm belonged to a powerful sect a thousand years ago. At that time, the three major sects had not yet emerged, and the entire Yunxia Mountain Range belonged to the same force.

Lin Zhao was shocked; it was yet another secret buried by time.

He had never heard of this sect before.

It goes without saying that the three major sects erased all traces of this sect.

There must be untold stories hidden behind this history.

That secret realm was a medicinal garden belonging to that vanished sect. After the sect disappeared, the secret realm was sealed and covered by an array.

Normally inaccessible, but precisely because of this, the complex environment within the secret realm has nurtured many second-tier spiritual herbs.

The secret realm is divided into three levels. The outer area is not of much value and is an area where monsters are active.

The central area is covered by the remaining array restrictions, presenting both danger and opportunity.

The core palace area was the residence of the sect's disciples and also the place where second-tier spiritual herbs were most concentrated.

Second-tier spiritual herbs are generally only found in the central and palace areas.

Of course, there are exceptions. Second-tier spiritual herbs have also been born in several outer areas. You can go and take a look.

As the explanation went deeper, Lin Zhao's brows furrowed more and more, as he was really unfamiliar with formations and restrictions.

"The secret realm will open in three months, but the opening period is only one month. You only have one month to gather second-tier spiritual herbs in the secret realm."

He also listed the names and characteristics of several spiritual herbs, saying, "Remember, flying is a very dangerous activity in the secret realm, as it can easily trigger attacks from the formations in the sky."

Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't withstand that for long; you'll be using it most of the time, moving around on the ground.

He looked at Lin Zhao, his tone calm but with a hint of warning: "Not only is the environment inside dangerous, but we also need to be wary of other intruders."

Even in the Seventeen Markets, the cultivators from Qingfeng Market, where you came from, and Tianyun Market, where I am, may not be trustworthy.

When faced with sufficiently large profits, murder and robbery occur far too often.

Just as Master Mingxuan finished explaining and was about to ask Lin Zhao for her final decision,

A respectful voice came from a floating communication jade talisman inside the white jade pavilion:

"I inform Senior Brother Mingxuan that Junior Brother Meng Hao, along with his son Meng Xu, is seeking an audience to discuss the matters we discussed earlier."

Master Mingxuan frowned almost imperceptibly, but still said calmly, "Let him come up."