Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The sea of ​​clouds rolled silently beneath my feet, and the aroma of tea rose from the platform, mingling with a refreshing spiritual energy.

He is waiting.

His intuition told him that Yan Ning would come, and most likely for the third-tier cultivation technique "True Technique of Separating Fire" that he had obtained from Crimson Fire Valley.

After returning to his sect, he made a special inquiry about it.

Sure enough, the sect's Dao Asking Hall contained the complete inheritance of this third-tier cultivation technique, even including the missing core—the method for refining the Glazed Jade Lamp!

Clearly, it was brought back by one of the disciples who went on the expedition to Crimson Fire Valley.

During this expedition, everyone's gains varied, but Lin Zhao's share was among the more substantial.

However, exchanging for third-tier cultivation techniques and secret arts requires not only an astronomical number of contribution points, but more importantly, a "Cloud Sea Jade Talisman"—a special certificate for Core Formation cultivators who have completed sect missions.

Once you reach the Core Formation stage, contribution points are no longer the primary factor; these jade tokens symbolizing achievements are the true hard currency for exchanging for high-level sect resources.

As for fourth-tier cultivation techniques, they require the higher-level "Cangming Jade Talisman," which is the domain of Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Lin Zhao believed that contribution points were nothing to the Yan family, but the "Cloud Sea Jade Talisman" was quite precious even to the Yan family.

The relatively complete "True Technique of Separating Fire" in their possession had value for them—at least they could save on precious jade talismans.

Sure enough, about an hour later, the fifth senior brother appeared at the edge of the platform, followed by Yan Ning, who had a calm expression.

The fifth senior brother glanced at the teapot with wisps of steam rising from it and the two empty cups on the stone table, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

He said to Lin Zhao, "Sixth Junior Brother. This Fellow Daoist Yan Ning has come all the way to visit you. On behalf of Qianqiu Peak, please give him a proper welcome."

His words were clear and calm, but the phrase "representing Qianqiu Peak" carried an unspoken meaning.

Having followed his master for over a hundred years, the fifth senior brother knew all too well Qianqiu Zhenren's attitude towards the Yan family.

Lin Zhao felt a warmth in his heart, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you for your trouble, Fifth Senior Brother. Fellow Daoist Yan Ning, please have a seat."

Yan Ning's gaze swept over the simple stone table that faced the vast sea of ​​clouds, and then looked at Lin Zhao, who was calm and composed, as if he had been prepared all along. The last trace of hope in his eyes was extinguished.

He sat down as instructed, still displaying the demeanor of a scion of a prominent family, but without his former arrogance.

The fifth senior brother nodded slightly, turned and left, leaving the space to them.

With only two people left on the platform, Lin Zhao calmly poured two cups of tea and pushed one of them over.

Yan Ning didn't touch the teacup. He took a deep breath and decided to get straight to the point: "Senior Brother Lin, let's not beat around the bush. I've come here today for the 'True Technique of Separating Fire' that I obtained from Crimson Fire Valley."

All I have are the cultivation technique and the crafting method for the magic weapon 'Glazed Jade Lamp'. I'm missing the crafting methods for the Seven Feathered Fire Fan and the Crimson Feather Robe. Although the sect possesses complete manuals for these, the exchange price is too high.

He paused, then looked at Lin Zhao: "I've inquired and found that several fellow disciples received the relevant inheritance that day, but not many were willing to trade it."

"I wonder if Senior Brother Lin's inheritance is complete? The Yan family is willing to exchange it for a reasonable price."

Lin Zhao picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and felt the warm spiritual energy of the tea dissipate before slowly saying, "The inheritance I possess is indeed quite complete. It includes the outline of Qi Refining to Core Formation, as well as the refining methods for two common magic treasures."

Yan Ning's eyes lit up, but Lin Zhao's next words made his heart jump again: "However, as Fellow Daoist Yan also knows, the value of a third-tier magic weapon is... extraordinary."

The next half hour or so was a battle without gunfire.

The two sides exchanged words, testing each other's limits, much like a game of chess between masters.

Ultimately, an agreement was reached: Lin Zhao would exchange the crafting methods for two magical artifacts for the crafting method for the "Glassy Jade Lamp" possessed by the Yan family.

In addition, the Yan family compensated Lin Zhao with a sum of mid-grade spirit stones as a form of restitution.

On the surface, Lin Zhao seems to have lost out by exchanging "two items" for "one item." However, both sides are well aware that the "Glassy Jade Lamp" is crucial to whether this cultivation technique can truly lead to the Core Formation stage, and its strategic significance is entirely different.

For the Lin family, who needed a Golden Core cultivation method, this complete method that could lead directly to Golden Core formation was a priceless treasure.

For the Yan family, they don't lack a third-tier cultivation technique, but saving some Cloud Sea Jade Tokens would be a huge profit.

After the transaction was completed, Yan Ning visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but a hint of complexity remained deep in his eyes.

He rose to take his leave, giving Lin Zhao a deep look before departing: "Senior Brother Lin, if you have some free time in the future, you are welcome to visit my Yan family's 'Blazing Flame Peak'."

"I'll definitely visit you when I have the chance," Lin Zhao said calmly as he rose to see him off.

Watching Yan Ning's departing figure, Lin Zhao sat back down on the stone bench, facing the vast sea of ​​clouds alone.

He recalled a "rumor" that Xu Chuan had mentioned during a casual conversation.

It seems that it is difficult for a Core Formation family within a sect to survive for more than a thousand years.

When a Nascent Soul is born in a clan, it is elevated to the status of a Nascent Soul clan.

Either the family will split up on its own, or... there will be an unseen force "helping" it to complete the split.

The Yan family has existed for over eight hundred years.

He then recalled a profound remark made by Instructor Ding:

"One of the purposes of the Enforcement Hall is to allow those whose lifespans are nearing their end but who are unwilling to depart... to leave 'on time.'"

Two hundred years from now, will a family as prominent as the Yan family still be in the same state as it is today?

Lin Zhao picked up the cooling teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

The tea has a slightly astringent taste, but a lingering sweet aftertaste.

At least for now, he's not at a loss.

With this complete inheritance, the Lin family has the hope of producing a Core Formation True Person.

This is enough.

As for whether the Lin family can truly seize the opportunity and produce a Core Formation cultivator...

Only God knows.

---------

The final moments of the tenth year.

Lin Zhao and his fellow disciples have completely bid farewell to the protection of the Dao Seeking Hall and will step into the wider world of cultivation as true inner disciples.

Meanwhile, a new batch of cultivators, full of dreams, have also embarked on their journey to the sect.

The cycle of sects and their replacements has never ceased.

Before setting off, Lin Zhao visited Instructor He again.

After returning from the second major exam, he gave Instructor He the "True Technique of Separating Fire" and the crafting methods for two magic treasures, respectfully asking Instructor He to "help with some reference".

After reading the jade slip, Instructor He laughed and scolded, "Lin Zhao, you little brat! You think you can just take me for a ride and freeload off me, huh?"

Although he said that, his eyes gleamed with interest. The method of refining third-tier magic weapons was also excellent research material for him.

However, a third-tier cultivation technique cannot be practiced immediately upon acquisition.

The Lin family patriarch's cultivation level is only at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

If he tries to fully understand this third-tier technique on his own, it will take him decades to even get a grasp of it, and by then it will be too late!

Some time ago, the crafting method for the third natal magic weapon that Lin Zhao had traded with Yan Ning was also sent to Instructor He.

The core of this technique lies in the requirement to refine a "Glassy Jade Lamp" as a natal magic weapon before forming the Golden Core, using it as a foundation to break through to the Golden Core realm.