Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Master Lan nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Lin Zhao: "How many Breakthrough Pills do you plan to purchase, young friend?"

"Five," Lin Zhao cautiously announced the number.

Before Lan Shangren could express his opinion, the clan leader Lin Shanhe's telepathic message had already reached Lin Zhao's ears: "Ask him if he can buy eight."

As Lin Zhao was contemplating whether he could change his mind, the Blue-Clad Man seemed to have overheard their telepathic communication, his gaze sweeping over Lin Shanhe with a meaningful look.

A slight smile appeared on his lips, and he said directly to Lin Zhao, "Then let's make ten."

Before Lin Zhao could respond, he continued, "This is the highest number that I can decide within my authority."

The Chamber of Commerce also has its rules; it's not something I can decide alone. Please understand.

"Ten?" Lin Zhao was genuinely surprised upon hearing this; it exceeded his expectations.

Upon seeing this, Master Lan chuckled lightly, his tone casual: "Young friend, there's no need to be surprised. Just consider this a good deed for me, to make a friend."

After all, the Lin family's ability to hunt down three second-tier demonic beasts in succession while only possessing Qi Refining skills had become a legendary tale in the seventeen markets, earning them widespread admiration.

Lin Zhao was once again alarmed. The other party's ability was terrifying. How could they have figured out their origins in such a short time?

Master Lan seemed to sense his surprise and added, "It wasn't that we were deliberately investigating; it's just that Fellow Daoist Lin Shanhe has been comparing the prices of our Chamber of Commerce's pills at various markets these past few days."

"Since a second-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is paying so much attention to the market prices of our guild's pills, we naturally need to understand their purpose."

Lin Zhao subconsciously looked at the clan leader, only to see a hint of embarrassment flash across the usually composed clan leader's face.

The transmission of his voice was overheard, and his whereabouts and purpose were thoroughly investigated. The aura of that clan leader, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, instantly dimmed in Lin Zhao's mind.

Lin Shanhe was also amazed. Both Mingxuan Shangren and this Lan Shangren, whom he had recently encountered, were unpredictable in strength.

You should know that Lin Shanhe is no less capable.

With a mid-grade Dao Foundation, advancing to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment is a certainty.

With some fortuitous circumstances, reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment is not impossible.

There are fewer than a hundred openly recognized late-stage cultivators in the Yunxia Mountain Range. If he could reach the late stage, he would be considered a notable figure in the Yunxia Mountain Range.

Unfortunately, everyone he's encountered so far has a powerful background. Not to mention Master Mingxuan, who is suspected of having a Nascent Soul stage cultivation group behind him...

Master Lan, look at that powerful Tier 3 spirit ship outside. On the surface, the Azure Sea Chamber of Commerce is even stronger than the Heavenly Cloud Market.

If a Tier 3 spirit boat harbors malicious intent, its arrival in any market would be a devastating disaster.

Only the mysterious Tianyun Market dared to let it dock outside.

In the end, Lin Zhao and the clan leader not only purchased ten precious Breakthrough Pills, but also many other pills of various other types.

Furthermore, on Lan Shangren's recommendation, I bought several bottles of 'Azure Jade Liquid,' which can increase the probability of breaking through two levels in the later stages.

It can also be used in conjunction with the Barrier-Breaking Pill.

Considering his father's limited aptitude, and that relying solely on the Breakthrough Pill might not be a safe bet, Lin Zhao purchased the liquid without hesitation.

They practically emptied their pockets of spirit stones, and Lin Zhao even brought out a considerable amount of treasured demon beast materials, including the feather crest of the Purple Cloud Eagle.

Master Lan was also very generous, offering a fair price that was converted into various kinds of pills needed, and the two of them returned home with a full load.

Back in his cave, Lin Zhao solemnly entrusted the elixirs he had specially purchased for his parents and relatives to the clan leader.

His tone was heavy: "Chief, please be sure to take these back and give them to my family."

The secret realm is dangerous, and I may not be able to escape unscathed. If anything unexpected happens, I will have to trouble you to take good care of things at home.

"After all, it was the clan chief who brought me here, so you'll have to take responsibility for handling the aftermath."

There was a hint of resolve in his words. Then, he changed the subject...

He began to recount the many hardships he had endured since beginning his cultivation, the life-or-death crises he had faced, and the sacrifices he had made for his family.

Even actions like going on stage to fight despite damaging their magical artifacts...

Their words were almost a forced copy of what the clan leader had said to Master Mingxuan, openly and secretly demanding life-saving supplies.

Chieftain Lin Shanhe was deeply disturbed by his words. The boomerang had landed squarely on his own shoulders.

Half an hour later, the clan chief left with the pills and complicated emotions.

The stone door of the cave slowly closed behind us, completely isolating us from all the noise of the outside world.

Lin Zhao turned around, his gaze falling on the array formation he had taken from the clan leader.

There were four array flags, each no bigger than a palm and as dark as tortoise shells, and a central array plate engraved with a pattern of a black tortoise coiling around it.

Above the array flags and array plates, there was an inner spiritual light, and a heavy aura flowed faintly, as if it could suppress all things.

The Lesser Black Tortoise Formation is a top-tier first-order formation. It is almost impossible for anyone below the Foundation Establishment stage to break through its defenses, and even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can withstand it for a few short periods.

It was something the clan leader had kept hidden away, which was only because he had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage and no longer needed it.

Lin Zhao accepted the heavy array with both hands. As his fingertips touched the cool array plate, he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh of relief.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, one that he himself did not even notice.

So much has happened during this period.

After a year of arduous training in the outside world, they immediately experienced that devastating beast tide, barely escaping with their lives.

Having come from Qingxi Mountain to Tianyun Market, I now face directly the unfathomable presence of Master Mingxuan.

Then they competed with Meng Hao and his son for a spot, and then it was Bihai Pavilion.

One incident after another. Every single person I met was a highly skilled individual with a powerful background.

Although there was no deliberate pressure, the invisible pressure stemming from the fundamental difference in the origins of second-tier life forms was palpable.

This has clouded his Dao heart, causing it to lose its usual clarity and composure.

The recent "entanglement" and "bargaining" with the clan leader regarding the formation...

Although the process was somewhat chaotic, it brought him back to the ground from high above.

The clan chief's meticulous and calculating manner, however, gave him a sense of familiar warmth and everyday life.

It reminded him of the days when he used to find bargains in the market and draw talismans.

This incident helped him regain his composure.

Lin Zhao's gaze regained its firmness and composure.

He waved his hand, placing the array flags and array plate of the Lesser Black Tortoise Array around the quiet room. A beam of spiritual light entered the array plate, and the four array flags moved without wind, humming softly.

A thin yet exceptionally strong black light barrier quietly rose up, enveloping the entire quiet room and isolating it from all external sounds and prying eyes.

it's time.

He sat cross-legged on the futon at the core of the spirit-gathering array, clearing his mind of all distractions.

The Five Elements Spiritual Art slowly began to circulate, absorbing the rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the cave, adjusting its own state, and making final preparations for breaking through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Ten days later, when he had adjusted his energy and spirit to their peak state, a slight fluctuation came from the cave's restrictions.

Lin Zhao sensed something and waved his hand to open a crack. Four streams of light flew in and hovered in front of him.

It was those four perfectly restored Four-Yuan Treasure Beads!