Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

After a moment's hesitation, he withdrew the sword formation, and all the lotus leaves returned to the lotus sword.

Since absorbing the spiritual energy of the secret realm, the Azure Lotus Sword has advanced to a mid-grade second-tier magic weapon. In a few more years, it may even advance to a high-grade second-tier magic weapon, greatly increasing its power.

The sword shone with a blue light, like a blue sun, and transformed into a blue sword beam that shot straight toward the top of the armored alligator's head.

The alligator dragon seemed to sense the danger and struggled frantically, its body rising up in a thick, solid, earthen-yellow protective shield.

But the moment that cyan sword light touched the shield, the shield melted and crumbled like ice and snow under the scorching sun! The sword light pierced into his head!

The massive body of the alligator dragon froze, the fierce light in its eyes quickly dissipated, and it crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Lin Zhao landed, split open the monster's head, and took out a yellowish-brown demon core covered with fine patterns.

As for the shadow sable, we can only give up on it.

During the January patrol, one early-stage Tier 2 beast was killed, while one mid-stage beast escaped.

This achievement is extremely rare even among Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Golden Sands.

After his mission ended, Lin Zhao did not take on any more regular patrol duties.

Just then, Gao Yuan's communication talisman arrived.

------

The private room is located on the fifth floor of Baiwei Lingshan Restaurant, at the very back.

Outside the window, there is a relatively calm section of the Jinsha River, where the setting sun casts a golden glow on the water.

When Lin Zhao pushed open the door, Gao Yuan and Chu Xin were already waiting inside.

Nearly twenty years have passed, and Gao Yuan has not changed much.

He was still burly, a head taller than the average person, which added to his fierce appearance.

Cultivation level... Lin Zhao scanned it with his divine sense and was surprised.

This is no ordinary Qi Refining Level 10 cultivator; his magical power is profound and solid, probably three times that of an ordinary Level 10 cultivator.

Chu Xin sat beside him, her delicate features softened considerably, her former aloofness replaced by a calm gentleness, and her cultivation steadily entered the tenth level of Qi Refining.

The two sat side by side, their breaths subtly connected, clearly indicating that they had cultivated some kind of compatible technique.

"Brother Lin!" Gao Yuan stood up, his smile hearty. "It's been almost twenty years since we last met, and you've become a well-known figure in the Yunxia Mountains!"

Chu Xin smiled and nodded: "Lin Zhao, it's been a long time."

"Brother Gao, Sister Chu Xin," Lin Zhao said with a smile as she took her seat. "It has indeed been a long time. You haven't come to see me all these years."

Gao Yuan poured him a full glass of wine: "You're in Tianyun Market, we're in Jinsha Market. How could we dare to bother you? Besides,"

He paused, a different meaning creeping into his smile. "Some paths you have to walk yourself; outsiders can't always help you."

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation naturally turned to the situation in Kinmen.

Gao Yuan is now one of the three commanders of the Po Jun Demon Hunting Team, second only to these Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. He commands three hundred elite cultivators and is considered a figure of considerable importance within the military system of the market.

"The sect leader commands fifteen demon-hunting teams, with the Seven Kills, Breaking Army, and Greedy Wolf teams being the strongest."

Gao Yuan took a sip of wine. "Seven people are the minimum number of people they can kill. They maintain seven people year-round, and each of them is at the peak of the tenth level of Qi Refining. They cultivate a special secret technique that allows them to simultaneously establish their foundation."

It is said that the luckiest time was when seven people attempted to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage at the same time, five succeeded, and two died.

The worst time was when only one succeeded, while six died. Seven Kills was also the sharpest blade in the lord's hands.

"The Po Jun army, numbering eight hundred, is renowned for its battle formations. The eight hundred men formed the 'Demon-Slaying Formation,' which has trapped and killed many second-tier demonic beasts."

"The Tanlang group has the largest number of members, more than two thousand. They are a mixed bag, taking on all kinds of jobs, and are the largest source of information in the market."

Lin Zhao listened quietly until Gao Yuan finished speaking, then put down his wine cup and looked at him: "Brother Gao, you invited me here today not just to catch up, right? Given our friendship, if there's nothing else, you should have just gone to my place and knocked on my door."

Gao Yuan and Chu Xin exchanged a glance.

Chu Xin nodded slightly. Gao Yuan took a deep breath and became serious: "Brother Lin is straightforward, so I'll get straight to the point. Every three years, the sect leader will release one to three Foundation Establishment Pills based on battle merits."

Logically, the next Foundation Establishment Pill should be mine, but in this world, if reason were effective, there wouldn't be so much conflict.

He paused, then continued, "So whenever a pill is released, those who are qualified to compete will try their best to ask a Foundation Establishment cultivator they know to bestow a 'token' upon them, as a kind of endorsement, so that the shop owner will consider it more carefully when making the final decision. I would like to ask you to give me a token as well."

Lin Zhao gently stroked the warm, smooth rim of the porcelain cup with her fingers.

"The token is easy to discuss." He suddenly looked up at Gao Yuan, "However, Brother Gao, let me ask you a question—the question you asked me back then, I'll ask you now: if I don't give you this token, can you still get that Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Lin Zhao recalled the last question Gao Yuan asked him twenty years ago when they first met in Qingxi Mountain Market: "If you lost your family and shops, could you still survive in the market?"

He couldn't answer it back then. Now…

The private room fell silent for a moment. The faint sound of the river flowing outside the window could be heard.

Gao Yuan met his gaze, and his back straightened unconsciously.

The scar on his face was particularly clear in the flickering lamplight.

"Yes." His voice was not loud, but it was resolute. "The sect leader has nearly forty Foundation Establishment cultivators under his command, but only about ten of them have any real influence."

I've already received tokens from four of them; even though I'm missing yours, I'm still 90% confident.

I've come to you to turn 90% into 100%. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit; I don't want any accidents to happen.

Lin Zhao laughed, a truly hearty laugh.

"This is the Gao Yuan I know." He raised his hand, and a cyan jade tablet engraved with simple cloud patterns appeared in his palm. He pushed it towards Gao Yuan, "Take it."

Almost simultaneously, a streak of light pierced through the window, hovered in front of Lin Zhao, and transformed into an ancient-style black iron token.

Lin Zhao took it and handed it to Gao Yuan: "This is for Senior Brother Zhou Xun. I just sent him a message."

Gao Yuan held the two tokens in his hands, his palms slightly warm.

Six now.

Two of them came from cultivators in Tianyun Market. This quantity was enough for Market Owner Zhu Yi to carefully consider.

As for whether Lin Zhao’s move will provoke dissatisfaction from the senior management of Jinshafang City, who will think that he is interfering in the internal affairs of Jinshafang City.

Lin Zhao didn't care at all. So what if he interfered? He came to Jinsha to assist in defense, not to swallow his pride and become someone's subordinate.

Tianyun Market holds a superior position in the Yunxia Mountains. As long as he doesn't violate the greater good or damage the defenses, why should he care about others' opinions? Gao Yuan has already made outstanding military achievements, so taking the Foundation Establishment Pill is perfectly legitimate.

"I won't say thank you." Gao Yuan carefully put away the token, raised his cup, and said, "When I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I'll treat you to a drink."

Lin Zhao clinked glasses with him and drank it all in one gulp: "I'll be waiting."

He sensed an aura from Gao Yuan that far surpassed that of an ordinary Qi Refining Level 10 cultivator.

This is not something that can be achieved through hard work alone; he must have had opportunities and experienced various trials over the years.