Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

My second year in Tianyun Market passed by in this somewhat uneventful yet fulfilling way.

Lin Zhao spent most of his time cultivating the "Five Elements Return to the Void True Technique" at the Cloud Sea Villa, consolidating and improving his cultivation.

He spent the rest of his time in the weapon-refining room, repeatedly studying and refining the seven first-tier matching magic weapons from the "True Technique of Separating Fire".

By the end of the second year, he was able to reliably forge all of them, including the Crimson Fire Blade, Crimson Fire Sword, Fire Wheel, Fire Feather Robe, Crimson Sun Pearl, Crimson Flame Bow, and even the core Li Fire Cauldron.

The batch of Fire Feather Robes promised to the Yang family had already been delivered, and the mid-grade spirit stones paid by the Yang family were more of a "tribute" than a reward.

But Lin Zhao didn't agree. Shelter is shelter, and a deal is a deal. If they are mixed together, it's easy for things to go wrong.

In the spring of the third year, news came from Qingxi Mountain that the clan leader Lin Shanhe's plans for Yinwu Market were progressing smoothly.

I estimate that I will find an opportunity within six months.

Lin Zhao replied that he would be there in person to protect the family and deal with the worst-case scenario.

Another matter, however, worried Lin Zhao somewhat—the Foundation Establishment Pill that had been prepared long ago, Lin Feng from the Second Elder's lineage only arrived at Tianyun Market in the early part of the third year to retrieve it.

Upon meeting Lin Feng, Lin Zhao understood the reason for the delay.

The Lin Zhengfeng before him was even more lean and wiry than two years ago, surrounded by an indelible aura of bloodlust, his eyes sharp as an eagle, yet carrying the calmness that comes from having experienced countless battles.

Clearly, he had not been with his family for the past two years, but had been fighting bloody battles in the wilderness, constantly "bathing" in the blood of demonic beasts with the help of Lin Zhao's improved "Blood Demon Dragon" secret technique, honing his foundation, and even finding auxiliary foundation-building spiritual objects from who knows where.

With this Foundation Establishment Pill, Lin Zhao believes that Lin Zhengfeng's success rate in establishing his foundation this time is at least 50%.

This probability is something that ordinary Qi Refining cultivators can only dream of.

Lin Zhao temporarily gave up his Cloud Sea Villa, which had a richer spiritual energy, for him to cultivate in seclusion.

When Lin Feng received the Foundation Establishment Pill with its flowing patterns, his hand trembled almost imperceptibly, then he clenched it tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He cannot fail.

Previously, the Lin family's internal power structure consisted of three branches, with the patriarch's branch having already established its foundation and its power growing daily.

The Third Elder, who is also Lin Zhao's grandfather's lineage, became a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator because of Lin Zhao, and his prestige was revived.

Only the lineage of the Second Elder has gradually weakened since the Second Elder's passing.

If he fails to establish his foundation, this lineage will likely become a mere appendage of the other lineages, and may even gradually disappear from the sight of the family's higher-ups.

This elixir carries the weight of the rise and fall, the survival and the decline of his lineage.

-----

Meanwhile, far away in Qingxi Mountain, the atmosphere in the cave dwelling of clan chief Lin Shanhe was somewhat tense.

Sitting opposite him was his younger brother, the family's eldest elder, Lin Shanyu.

Unlike his elder brother, whose appearance remained that of a middle-aged man after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and who was still full of vigor, Lin Shanyu's face showed signs of aging, his figure was slightly overweight, his cultivation was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, and his blood and qi were already showing signs of decline.

Lin Shanyu talked a lot, from the hardships of managing the family with his elder brother in his early years to the hard work of guarding the rear and coordinating the various branches in recent years. In the end, his words came down to one point.

He believed that as an elder, he had made great contributions, and that the new Foundation Establishment Pill for the family should be given priority, both morally and logically.

He's not young anymore; if he misses this opportunity, his path to immortality might be completely cut off.

Lin Shanhe listened quietly until his younger brother finished speaking, then picked up the slightly cooled spirit tea and put it down heavily with a soft "tap".

"So, you think that because you are an elder and have worked hard, this opportunity to establish your foundation should be yours?" The clan leader's voice was calm, but it made the air in the cave feel even colder.

Lin Shanyu met his brother's gaze, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded heavily, his eyes filled with resentment and longing.

"What merit do you have that makes you so confident this opportunity is definitely yours?"

Lin Shanhe's tone turned stern, "I was able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage because of the legacy of my ancestors! The Third Elder was able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage because he raised a good grandson and because Lin Zhao worked hard to acquire resources! And you? Can your contributions compare to the Second Elder's?"

Lin Shanyu opened his mouth, wanting to say that guarding the family was no easy task, but remembering the tragic fate of the Second Elder's lineage, marked by generations of fighting outside and the near extinction of its members, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He could only call out in a hoarse voice, "Big Brother..."

"The Second Elder has made outstanding contributions, and his descendants have inherited these achievements. Lin Zhao also acknowledges the favor the Second Elder has done for him!"

Lin Shanhe interrupted him, "As for Lin Zhengfeng's cultivation... do you think he's been traveling around for the past two years? Go and see the warehouse, those mountains of demon beast materials, he risked his life for them!"

Both of you are at the tenth level of Qi Refining, but his foundation is more stable than yours! His will to establish his foundation is more ruthless than yours!

"The Blood Fiend Sword Technique is indeed a demonic cultivation method, but there is no hierarchy in the path, only differences in strength among people! Even if I gave you that technique, could you practice it? Could you use it to establish your foundation?"

A barrage of questions left Lin Shanyu pale and speechless.

Seeing his reaction, Lin Shanhe softened his tone, which carried a hint of weariness and admonition: "Shanyu, the family is already 70% confident of taking over Hidden Mist Market. Once successful, it's not impossible to secure another Foundation Establishment Pill for you with the market's resources."

In the upcoming pioneering battles, as long as you are willing to fight hard and make contributions, coupled with your hard work over the years, no one can compete with you for the next opportunity to establish your foundation.

If Lin Zhengfeng can achieve Foundation Establishment, the family's strength will be even greater, and your chances of getting another opportunity will be much better!

Lin Shanyu struggled with his emotions for a long time before finally sighing in despair, silently getting up and leaving the cave.

His back view appeared somewhat hunched.

The cave returned to silence.

Lin Shanhe sat alone, gazing in the direction his younger brother had left, and sighed softly.

There are some things he can't say to someone's face.

Given Lin Shanyu's pampered lifestyle and lack of combat experience over the years, even with Foundation Establishment Pills and Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, his success rate would probably be less than 20%.

He needs to face reality and hone himself again in the upcoming bloody battle to conquer the wilderness.

He won't listen to anything I say now.

The clan leader had deeper considerations in choosing to support Lin Zhengfeng, in addition to his merits and potential.

The family has had three branches coexisting for hundreds of years. While it may not be the best family structure, it has remained stable for three hundred years.

Now, the lineage of the clan leader and the lineage of the third elder have risen to prominence due to the birth of the Foundation Establishment stage. If the lineage of the second elder is completely silenced, the internal balance of the clan will be broken, and many things will become more difficult to handle.

Lin Zhengfeng was the person he chose to support, and he was also key to maintaining the family's traditional structure.

As for the future, the Black Fiend Pavilion is a hidden lineage, but it will eventually come out into the open and become one of the four lineages of the family. Lin Zhao's side is vaguely showing signs of becoming the fifth lineage, and after taking over the market, there may be new people rising up... The position of clan leader is far more mentally taxing than outsiders realize.

"I don't want to think about it anymore." Lin Shanhe shook his head, pulling his thoughts back, and took out the red jade slip that recorded the Foundation Establishment chapter of the "True Technique of Departing Fire".

Foundation building is not the end of cultivation.

If one day he were to reach the Core Formation stage, the many troubles he faces now might be a completely different story.