Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

On this day, Lin Zhao was in the villa at the top of Yunhai Peak, explaining the cultivation techniques for the early stage of Qi Refining to Lin You, while Ye Xiaoxiao was practicing the rune form of "Crimson Sun Dragon" a little further away.

A message came from the Tianyun Palace, the market management organization: Meng Hao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator and guest elder of Tianyun Market, and his son Meng Xu are requesting an audience.

Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and then understood the purpose of the visit.

He did have some friction with Meng Xu during the competition for the secret realm spots back then, but time has passed and it's no longer worth mentioning.

Lin Zhao told them to come up.

Meng Hao was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. His son, Meng Xu, followed behind him, no longer displaying the arrogance of his youth, and now looked meek and obedient.

Meng Hao, on the other hand, was very polite, even a little cautious, and presented a jade box containing two spiritual herbs called "Azure Jade Mushrooms" that were full of spiritual energy. He said it was an apology for his son's ignorant offense back then.

Lin Zhao accepted it readily, his tone calm: "Junior Brother Meng, you're too kind. It's just a small matter from the past, no need to dwell on it."

Meng Hao was once an outer disciple of the Yunhai Cangming Sect, but he failed to establish his foundation and could only become a nominal disciple.

Later, he successfully established his foundation by chance while away from home, but he was unable to return to the sect. He could only find a guest position in the market as a nominal disciple.

These guest elders, whose personnel appointments and resource supplies are all decided by the governor Chu Fengge, have a status that is worlds apart from that of true inner disciples.

Their sect tokens had long since expired and could not connect to the sect network, making them more like employees outside the sect system.

In contrast, Lin Zhao, an inner disciple, is a fellow disciple of Chu Fengge, and their status is relatively equal.

Chu Fengge's maximum personnel and resource authority is ineffective against them.

Their resources come from contribution points directly allocated by the sect. Lin Zhao's mission is to guard the area for ten years and hunt down five Foundation Establishment demonic beasts, which will earn him 10,000 contribution points, directly distributed by the sect.

Chu Fengge could at most offer some evaluation at the end of the mission, which would have a slight impact, but it wouldn't shake the sect's evaluation of Lin Zhao.

The sect token is an important identity and communication credential. If something happens to it, the sect can quickly find out and intervene in the investigation.

Fortunately, Lin Zhao and her senior brother Chu Fengge had a decent relationship, partly due to Chu's personality and partly because their teachers and elders had a long-standing friendship.

As a guardian disciple, Lin Zhao also receives some extra spirit stones and resources from Tianyun Market every year, which can be considered a benefit.

After seeing Meng Hao and his son off, Lin Zhao returned to the villa.

Lin You was cultivating by channeling spiritual energy, her little face serious.

The Crimson Sun Pearl in front of Ye Xiaoxiao flickered, runes flowed, and the small phantom of the Crimson Sun Dragon was becoming stable and solid.

Lin Zhao watched this scene with a sense of peace.

-------

A few days later, another message came from Tianyun Palace, saying that the head of the Yang family had come to visit and requested an audience with Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao was taken aback at first, not remembering any past connection with the Yang family.

When he saw the note "Commissioned for weapon crafting," he suddenly remembered that after more than half a year, the commission that only accepted mid-grade spirit stones and was almost ignored had actually attracted some fish.

He immediately asked someone to lead the guests up the mountain, and the location was set at the white jade pavilion on the edge of the sea of ​​clouds.

Lin Zhao was slightly surprised when the visitor stepped into the pavilion.

She was a woman who looked to be around thirty years old, wearing a long blue dress. Her brows and eyes carried a capable and heroic air that was different from that of ordinary female cultivators. Her cultivation level was around the tenth level of Qi Refining, and her aura was solid, indicating that she had a good foundation.

"Junior Yang Qingxuan greets Senior Lin."

The woman was very respectful and got straight to the point: the Yang family needed a batch of first-grade high-quality fire-attribute protective robes, and was willing to pay with mid-grade spirit stones, and would provide all the refining materials themselves.

Lin Zhao listened, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly.

The conditions were too good, unusually good. Mid-grade spirit stones were already hard to come by, and they even included the materials. It was like giving him spirit stones to practice on a whim.

He set down his teacup and calmly looked at the other man: "Patriarch Yang, let's not beat around the bush. These conditions probably involve more than just a few robes, don't they?"

Yang Qingxuan seemed to have anticipated this question, and instead of embarrassment, she gave a wry smile: "Senior, you are wise. My family... does indeed have other requests, namely, your protection."

She lowered her voice, but spoke clearly: "Hundreds of years ago, the Yang family competed with the current Zhong family for partial control of Tianyun Market, but ultimately lost."

"After hundreds of years of suppression, only one elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator remains in the clan, struggling to keep things afloat. The Zhong family's position is already secure, and continuing to suppress us is merely a convenient tactic, yet it's making it truly difficult for the Yang family to breathe."

She looked up at Lin Zhao, her eyes filled with a desperate glint. "Looking across Tianyun Market, the only sect prodigy who is as powerful, has such a strong background, and is closely connected with the town's guardians as you, senior, is not afraid of the Zhong family."

This transaction is just the beginning. As long as you are willing to accept it, my Yang family is willing to do everything we can to connect you with more clients who are willing to trade with mid-grade spirit stones.

We also present a generous gift as a token of our goodwill. The Yang family does not seek to oppose the Zhong family, but only to secure a glimmer of hope for our survival.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the sea of ​​clouds churning silently beneath our feet.

Lin Zhao tapped his knuckles lightly twice on the cool jade tabletop.

Mid-grade spirit stones are indeed what he needs right now.

As for the Zhong family... since they are stationed here, we will have to deal with them sooner or later.

It wouldn't hurt to take this opportunity to test the Chung family's attitude and bottom line.

"Alright," Lin Zhao uttered a single, concise word. "Leave the materials list. Once the robe is finished, Tianyun Palace will notify you. As for the protection... I will keep an eye on the Yang family's affairs while I am stationed here."

Yang Qingxuan's eyes suddenly lit up, and she bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, senior! The Yang family will never forget this kindness!" After leaving behind a storage bag full of resources, she tactfully took her leave.

------

Things progressed faster than expected.

Just two days later, an uninvited guest stepped into the Guanyun Pavilion.

The visitor was an elderly man dressed in a purple-gold robe, with a gaunt face and a calm, unfathomable gaze.

He didn't have an imposing aura, but when he stepped into the pavilion, the flowing clouds around him seemed to slow down, and a spiritual pressure naturally spread out, yet it was perfectly contained within the pavilion's area—he was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and his foundation was extremely solid.

He is Zhong Zhenyue, the current head of the Zhong family.

"Junior Brother Lin, this is indeed an excellent spot for sightseeing." Zhong Zhenyue smiled slightly, his tone calm, as if he had truly come to enjoy the scenery.

Lin Zhao understood.

The fact that this person came in person clearly indicates that he had already heard about the Yang family's affairs, and that he had come to investigate.

After they were seated and exchanged a few pleasantries, Zhong Zhenyue got straight to the point, his tone still gentle: "I heard that you accepted a commission from the Yang family, Junior Brother? The Yang family has indeed had a tough time these past few years."

Lin Zhao nodded frankly: "It is true. I am a beginner in weapon crafting and need some mid-grade spirit stones and materials to practice. The Yang family's conditions were suitable, so I accepted the offer."

He paused, looking directly at the other person, "As for the old affairs between the Yang family and the Zhong family, junior brother has heard a little about them. However, junior brother's request is limited to cultivation resources, and he has no intention of getting involved in the old grudges of the market, let alone competing with the Zhong family for profits."

These words were so blunt that they took Zhong Zhenyue somewhat by surprise.