Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

He stared at Lin Zhao for a moment, and seeing that Lin Zhao's eyes were clear and not feigned, his wariness lessened. "Junior brother is straightforward. Since that's the case, senior brother won't beat around the bush either."

The Zhong family has been based in Tianyun Market for hundreds of years, and now has twelve people who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Some old grudges are no longer worth mentioning.

Suppressing the Yang family was merely a matter of later generations following old precedents, a convenient pretext. Now that Junior Brother has spoken up, the Zhong family will naturally not make things difficult for them anymore.

He then changed the subject, "Junior brother needs mid-grade spirit stones and a commission. The Zhong family has been operating in Tianyun Market for a long time, so perhaps they can help keep an eye out for you. It would be a good deed."

Upon hearing the name "Twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators," Lin Zhao felt a chill run down his spine; the Zhong family's strength was indeed formidable.

However, the other party's subsequent words clearly indicated their willingness to make concessions and establish a friendship.

"Senior Brother is so straightforward." Lin Zhao cupped his hands, then a slightly "helpless" smile appeared on his face. "Since that's the case, why not finish this good deed? I've already sent word to Patriarch Yang to come up again. Wouldn't it be better to clear up some misunderstandings face to face?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhenyue paused almost imperceptibly in the hand holding the teacup, and his gaze toward Lin Zhao became somewhat strange, as if to say, "Junior brother, you have a really thick skin."

Lin Zhao smiled without saying a word; she had learned this from the clan chief.

Not long after, Yang Qingxuan returned, looking anxious.

When she saw Zhong Zhenyue sitting in the pavilion, her face turned pale instantly.

Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Patriarch Yang, your arrival is timely. Senior Brother Zhong is magnanimous, making it clear that the past is over. From now on, the Zhong and Yang families should live in harmony. Why don't you thank Senior Zhong?"

Yang Qingxuan was incredulous, but reacted quickly, immediately bowing deeply to Zhong Zhenyue, her voice trembling slightly: "Thank you for your forgiveness, Senior Zhong! The entire Yang family is deeply grateful!"

Chung Chen-yue looked at the "reconciliation" scene that Lin Zhao had forced into the present.

He found it somewhat amusing, yet also somewhat regretful, but ultimately simply waved his hand and said, "Forget it, it's all in the past. There's no need to bring it up again. Take care of yourself."

These words marked the end of the centuries-long suppression of the Yang family.

Zhong Zhenyue really didn't want to offend Lin Zhao. Although he was at the late Foundation Establishment stage, his master, who had trained him in the early stages of Core Formation, only taught him the early Core Formation stage and left him with only one Core Formation technique, which he had long since used up.

Putting aside the late-stage Core Formation Realm Master Qianqiu behind Lin Zhao, he didn't have the confidence to deal with Lin Zhao's Core Formation techniques alone.

As long as Lin Zhao doesn't go too far, the Zhong family is willing to give her face.

After Yang Qingxuan thanked her profusely and withdrew, the atmosphere in the pavilion noticeably relaxed.

Zhong Zhenyue was completely relieved; it seemed that Lin Zhao truly had no intention of competing with him for power in the market.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Junior brother needs resources to practice. The Yang family's channels are ultimately limited. If you can trust them, the Zhong family can act as a go-between, and we can even cooperate on some weapon-refining businesses and share the profits."

Lin Zhao readily agreed.

The two chatted about their experiences in the market and their insights into spiritual practice, and the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.

As the conversation became more animated, Lin Zhao suddenly changed the subject, his tone calm yet earth-shattering: "To be honest, senior brother, my family is plotting to seize the position of head of the Hidden Mist Market."

Zhong Zhenyue's teacup trembled slightly. He looked up at Lin Zhao, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "Junior brother... this matter is of utmost importance. You're just telling me this like this?"

Lin Zhao's expression remained unchanged: "With the discerning eyes of Senior Brother and the Zhong family, Hidden Mist Market, one of the ten lower markets, is probably not even worth a glance."

Tianyun Market is the foremost of the seventeen markets in the Yunxia Mountains, rich in resources. The Zhong family already has a deep-rooted presence here; diverting resources to expand outwards would be counterproductive. My junior brother told me that firstly, he trusts his senior brother, and secondly…”

He smiled and said, "If the Lin family succeeds in the future, they will still need Tianyun Market and the Zhong family to acknowledge the position of market keeper. In the future, they can also exchange goods and services with each other."

Zhong Zhenyue gave Lin Zhao a deep look, as if he were re-evaluating this young prodigy from the same sect.

After a long silence, he slowly nodded: "Junior brother, you have great courage and are very shrewd. I promise that this matter will never be leaked."

"If the Lin family can truly take control of Hidden Mist in the future, the Zhong family will represent the market in Tianyun Market to acknowledge it, and the matter of cooperation can be discussed in detail then."

After chatting for a while, Zhong Zhenyue got up to take his leave, transforming into a streak of purple-gold spiritual light and disappearing into the Tianyun Market below.

Lin Zhao stood alone by the pavilion, gazing at the churning sea of ​​clouds below, and sighed softly.

Zhong Zhenyue was once a prominent figure in his sect, leading his family to rise to power and controlling half of Tianyun Market, making him a veritable uncrowned king.

Given their family's strength, it's not impossible for them to dedicate some of their resources to controlling a market town on their own.

But now, he is old.

His spirit had been worn down by the burdens of his family over hundreds of years.

His current focus is no longer on expanding territory, but on maintaining the status quo and securing the most stable and lasting benefits for the family.

His family, on the contrary, became his shackles.

This constraint may have already quietly closed his path to Core Formation.

"Compared to my Lin family's second-generation ancestor, who, even in his later years, dared to plot and hunt down a sect leader while still only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, making him comparable to a late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator..." Lin Zhao shook his head slightly.

-----

Out of gratitude to Lin Zhao and their determination to rely on her, the Yang family quickly sent a generous gift to Lin Zhao.

That was the land deed and house deed of a three-story weapon-refining shop in the center of Tianyunfang, which was passed down from the Yang family ancestors. It occupied a considerable area and included long-term employment contracts for more than ten weapon-refining cultivators and apprentices in the shop.

The shop is in a good location, with its own stable fire spirit pool and basic protective formation. Although the business has not been very prosperous in recent years due to the decline of the Yang family, the family foundation is still there.

Lin Zhao played with the jade tablet, a magical artifact that was as smooth as jade, engraved with intricate spiritual patterns, and symbolized ownership, for a long time.

He was filled with emotion, for this was his first property in two lifetimes.

This is not just a shop, but also part of the Yang family's family foundation, and a pledge of allegiance to Lin Zhao.

He didn't play with it for long before summoning Ye Xiaoxiao and instructing her to take Lin You, along with his identity token, to the management office of Tianyun Palace to transfer the property directly to Lin You's name.

"Uncle, this..." Lin You held the jade slip, a magical artifact symbolizing ownership, somewhat at a loss.

"Keep it." Lin Zhao patted her head, his tone gentle yet authoritative. "I can't stay here forever. This shop is a resource for your cultivation, and also a way for you to learn about business and the ways of the world. Learn well from your sister Xiaoxiao and the head of the Yang family."

And so, at just over nine years old, Lin You unwittingly became the "little boss" of a legitimate weapon-refining shop in Tianyun Market.

Ye Xiaoxiao naturally helped with the management. The two usually lived in the second-tier cave dwelling in the market below, and spent more time going to the shop than returning to the cave dwelling. Gradually, they regarded it as another "home" in the market.

Yang Qingxuan also frequently visited, offering advice on business operations and imparting knowledge about interpersonal relationships.

Over time, Ye Xiaoxiao, Lin You, and this Yang family head became friends.

Lin Zhao was naturally pleased with this outcome, as he had always hoped that Lin You's horizons and social circle would not be limited to the family.