Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Just as Meng Xu's mind was captivated by the sword wings, the spiritual light of his robes had just dissipated, and his old power was exhausted while new power had not yet arisen—

Another unexpected event occurred! A [Four-Element Sword Serpent], half a zhang long and condensed from runic sword energy, appeared.

It had already silently crept into the clouds beneath Meng Xu's feet, just like a real venomous snake!

"hiss--!"

The sword serpent suddenly shot up from the clouds, its speed exceeding the limits of divine sense!

The snake opened its mouth, revealing fiery red runes, and lunged straight at Meng Xu's throat!

Meng Xu was terrified and could only frantically activate his protective aura while his robes attempted to re-form a defensive shield.

"Explode!" Lin Zhao thought to himself.

The first half of the sword serpent exploded violently before it even touched the protective aura! The violent fire energy instantly tore the protective aura to shreds!

The remaining half of the sword serpent's body, instead of slowing down, increased in speed, and with an unstoppable momentum, shot towards Meng Xu's throat once again!

"Xu'er!" Meng Hao could no longer sit still and abruptly stood up.

The powerful aura of the Foundation Establishment stage erupted like a flash flood, instantly causing the entire cloud platform barrier to shake violently.

This powerful external interference caused the intended fatal blow to pause.

Meng Xu, who was in the cloud platform, finally reacted. His face turned pale, followed by a surge of twisted resentment and rage, and he was about to make a move.

"Hmph!" Master Mingxuan, who was sitting upright, finally let out a cold snort.

Like a thunderclap, it instantly dispelled Meng Hao's Foundation Establishment aura without a trace!

The sturdy cloud platform shattered with a crash at that cold snort, turning into a cloud of mist.

Lin Zhao and the still-shaken Meng Xu landed back on the platform at the same time.

Meng Hao groaned, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

He was horrified, realizing that this was Master Mingxuan's punishment for his unauthorized interference in the competition.

He dared not utter a word of complaint and immediately bowed in apology: "Junior brother was overly concerned for his son and acted rashly in a moment of panic, offending senior brother. Please forgive me!"

Without hesitation, he presented the jade box containing the "Azure Jade Fungus," and then took out a jade bottle.

Turning to Lin Zhao, he said in a complicated tone, "Young friend Lin, I was being presumptuous just now. This bottle of 'Purple Qi Pill' is quite beneficial to the cultivation of the Qi Refining stage. I apologize for this, and hope you won't take offense."

Having said that, he dared not linger any longer, and hurriedly left with Meng Xu, who was still unconvinced but lingering fear.

Lin Zhao slowly calmed the surging magical energy and blood within his body, looking at the jade bottle of pills in his hand.

That attack just now was the [Four Elements Sword Serpent] form he once created.

He obtained a top-tier first-grade magic artifact, the "Azure Dragon Pattern Mask," at the Rock Base. He used the runes that were meant to conceal his aura and confuse perception.

It was cleverly integrated into the sword serpent, giving it an even stronger ability to conceal itself, which is why it could silently sneak up to the opponent's feet and deliver the final fatal blow.

Through the time spent creating these rune forms, Lin Zhao realized more and more clearly that his greatest talent might not be his innate powerful divine sense, but rather this terrifying ability to quickly understand and analyze various runes.

This may be the deepest transformation of his soul that came from his transmigration to this world.

That was already the strongest combo he could use normally. If he still couldn't win,

They could only use their last two trump cards. One was to activate the first-tier top-grade magic artifact, the Soul-Suppressing Bell. Top-grade magic artifacts weren't unique to Meng Xu; Lin Zhao also possessed one. Lin Zhao had long sensed that Meng Xu's spiritual sense wasn't strong, and a single ring of the bell would be enough to win the battle.

Another one is the Four Elements Sword Dragon's Returning Origin Strike, which uses the shattered Four Elements Pearl as its core, forcibly destroying the Four Elements Pearl to unleash four powerful attacks, each of which is no less powerful than a strike from the Sword Dragon at its peak.

That was Lin Zhao's last resort, a desperate measure. Fortunately, it didn't come to that.

After the competition ended, Master Mingxuan turned around and returned to the White Jade Pavilion.

He held the jade box left by Meng Hao in his hand, his gaze fixed on Lin Zhao, and said in a calm tone:

"Although Meng Hao's words were unpleasant to hear, there was one thing he said that made sense—your cultivation level is indeed a bit low."

In previous years, for cultivators entering the secret realm, reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining was merely the entry threshold; reaching the tenth level was not uncommon.

At this moment, clan chief Lin Shanhe finally stepped forward, his face displaying just the right amount of shame and emotion.

He continued, "Your Excellency is wise. Lin Zhao is indeed young, and compared with the scions of these prominent families and elites of sects, his foundation is inevitably shallow."

He has already given his all to reach this level of cultivation at such a young age.

To my shame, as an elder, I failed to provide him with sufficient support…

His words were earnest, highlighting Lin Zhao's humble origins and her unwavering self-reliance, while also placing Lin Zhao in the shoes of a younger generation.

He frequently elevates the status of Master Mingxuan as an elder, yet maintains an extremely humble demeanor, making it difficult for anyone to criticize him.

He had remained silent, observing, and had already discerned that this Master Mingxuan was not one to follow the rules.

Therefore, such words will not offend him.

Master Mingxuan listened to these impeccable words and looked into Lin Shanhe's seemingly sincere eyes.

The same thought that Lin Zhao had just had popped into his mind: "Old fox."

Lin Zhao remained silent, simply watching Master Mingxuan and waiting for him to continue.

Master Mingxuan said no more, and with a flick of his sleeve, several jade bottles appeared on the jade table in the pavilion.

It was clearly the 'Purple Qi Pill' that Meng Hao had just used to apologize.

"These few bottles of Purple Qi Pills are enough to help you break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

I also have an empty second-tier cave dwelling in the lower market area, which you can use for the next three months.

The cloud-patterned token I gave you before can open the cave.

"We'll set off in three months. If you can obtain five second-tier spirit herbs, I will keep my promise."

He paused, glanced at Lin Zhao, and added, "Leave your four beads here. I'll repair them and send them to your cave."

Clan Chief Lin Shanhe, standing to the side, timely revealed a look of shock, his voice rising several decibels:

"The Four Elements Pearl is a top-grade magic artifact! Repairing it is extremely mentally taxing. Could it be that you, Venerable One, are actually a second-tier artifact refiner?!"

The look of disbelief on his face was perfectly acted, yet it also seemed somewhat deliberate.

Master Mingxuan glanced at the clan leader speechlessly, neither commenting nor agreeing with his somewhat exaggerated acting.

He simply waved his hand and said irritably, "Get him out of here and hurry up and cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

After Lin Zhao and his companion respectfully withdrew, their figures disappeared from the cloud-covered steps.

Master Mingxuan stood alone in the pavilion, recalling Lin Shanhe's behavior, and couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "Old fox..."

He chuckled and muttered under his breath, "However, he wasn't wrong; I really am a second-tier weapon refiner."

Although I've only just entered the second tier, and I'm not yet capable of crafting a complete second-tier magic weapon, repairing a damaged first-tier top-grade magic weapon is not a difficult task.