Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Two hundred years ago, the third-tier dragon that transformed from a python into a dragon and survived the heavenly tribulation was besieged and killed, and its remains were divided up.

What if... someone uses that dragon's remains to make a fuss?

Even if a dragon is not a real dragon, it still has a trace of dragon nature. In addition to being prolific, dragons can also pass on their power. As long as a dragon is born, its offspring or even subordinates can inherit its power and easily break through to the third rank.

Dragons are creatures that defy reason, and the legendary true dragons are even more divine, comparable to immortal beings.

Of course, the second-generation dragons spawned in this way are just ordinary third-tier demonic beasts, not the kind that transform from pythons into dragons and are comparable to high-grade golden cores.

Dragons are domineering, and the power contained in their blood, flesh, and bones is enough to enlighten and catalyze their subordinate demon beasts, and even create offspring or relatives with diluted dragon blood.

Combined with the hidden traces of human cultivators...

Lin Zhao's thoughts gradually became clear: this beast tide was not a natural disaster, but a man-made one.

Someone wants to use the battlefield where humans and monsters fight to create a new, third-tier dragon that will obey human commands!

Lin Zhao waved his hand to put away the two items, and his spiritual power swept over them, calming all the atmosphere in the room.

After a short while, there was a very faint knock on the door.

He walked to the door and opened it.

Zhou Xun stood outside the door, his face somewhat gloomy, and he looked more tired than when he was seen during the day.

"Senior Brother Zhou, please come in."

The two sat down at the table. Lin Zhao didn't make tea; she just quietly looked at the other person.

Zhou Xun didn't stand on ceremony and got straight to the point, his voice low but each word clear: "Junior Brother Lin, someone was behind the beast tide during the day. We've basically identified who it was."

Lin Zhao remained silent for a moment before finally asking, "Is it related to a third-tier flood dragon?"

Zhou Xun's pupils contracted slightly, somewhat surprised that he actually knew about this old story. He took a deep breath: "That's right, it's inseparable from the remains of the third-tier dragon that launched the beast tide two hundred years ago."

Someone wanted to use the beast tide to create a controlled Core Formation level demonic beast. The market suffered heavy losses this time; the demonic beast attack tore a hole in the defense line, all to accelerate this process.

Lin Zhao finally spoke, her voice calm: "What do you need me to do?"

Instead of asking "What are you planning to do?", he asked his own character directly.

This attitude relieved Zhou Xun.

"Actually, although the situations in various markets are complex, only a few forces are capable of handling third-tier power."

Zhou Xun paused and continued, "Because of Fairy Baizhi, the Hundred Herbs Sect is on our side. The trouble is with the Thousand Radiance Sect and the Black Fiend Pavilion."

As for the Thousand Glory Sect, it's mainly Zhu Fangzhu and a few of us old guys who are holding things together.

The Black Fiend Pavilion... needs someone to keep it in check, at least to ensure they remain neutral and don't interfere.

Zhou Xun looked at Lin Zhao earnestly, "Junior brother, you were sent by Senior Brother Chu from Tianyun Market. This identity is more useful than any of ours."

Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly: "Senior brother, you are also a disciple of the sect, with a late Foundation Establishment cultivation level, so your prestige is even higher."

Zhou Xun smiled bitterly, his smile tinged with helplessness and self-mockery: "Me? Just an ordinary inner disciple, without a master or a backer. At best, I'm just a henchman. If I were to try and suppress a Core Formation sect, they wouldn't even bother with me."

Only core disciples like Senior Brother Chu, Junior Brother Wu, and Junior Brother Lin, who have a Core Formation master, can represent the will of the sect's market.

Senior Brother Chu, you've always been too lazy to deal with these things, but now that he's asked you to come, that in itself is a form of communication.

Without his tacit approval, we wouldn't even dare to entertain the thought of opposing the sect—we both know very well what a Core Formation True Immortal means.

Lin Zhao remained silent. As expected, the sect's contribution points were not so easy to obtain.

He recalled the various rumors about Chu Fengge over the years. That seemingly lazy Foundation Establishment senior brother could make the Core Formation True Persons of the three major sects extremely wary.

Zhou Xun's implication was clear: Chu Fengge supported this operation, and he, Lin Zhao, represented the will of Tianyun Market.

"I understand." Lin Zhao nodded. "Who is the target? When?"

"Xue Ya of the Black Fiend Pavilion, it'll be within the next few days." Zhou Xun paused. "Your task is to prevent Xue Ya from leaving his residence, and also to prevent him from having the opportunity to send messages or intervene. Although his cultivation is higher than yours, he doesn't dare to fight you. Just keep him occupied."

"it is good."

---

Over the next three days, the market focused on repairing fortifications, replenishing supplies, and treating the wounded.

However, within the Foundation Establishment cultivator circle, the sense of oppression grew heavier, gatherings became more frequent, and rumors began to spread.

On the third night, Cai Kuo contacted the captain of the Shadow Hunting Demon Team again. This time, only two water mirrors reflected each other's blurry figures.

"Something's not right," Cai Kuo's voice came through the water mirror, tinged with barely perceptible anxiety. "It's too quiet over there with Zhu Yi, and those old guys like Zhou Xun too... Do they really want to break ties with us?"

The captain's figure in the shadows seemed to move slightly, his voice still steady, but a few degrees colder: "Perhaps they've found out more than you and I imagine, Cai Zhenchuan, have you wiped your tail clean?"

If they can produce concrete evidence proving that the beast tide was caused by human intervention rather than a natural disaster, it's not impossible that the sects, in order to distance themselves from the situation, might sacrifice the pawns to protect themselves.

Upon hearing this, Cai Kuo's face darkened sharply in the water mirror.

Just then—

"Thump!!!"

The Zhenyue Bell Tower in the center of the town resounded! Then came the second, and the third! The bell's sound instantly pierced through all the soundproofing arrays, echoing throughout the entire city.

Beast Tide Alert!

Cai Kuo and the captain's reflections in the water mirror froze simultaneously.

"No! None of the external watchtowers are sending back any warnings!" The captain's voice suddenly tightened.

Cai Kuo suddenly realized what was happening, his face instantly turning ferocious: "They're not defending against the beast tide... they're about to attack!"

The image on the water mirror fluctuated violently and then went out.

The two cut off communication almost simultaneously, and their figures disappeared from the secret room.

Almost at the same moment, in front of the Black Fiend Pavilion's headquarters.

As soon as Xue Ya heard the first chime of the bell, a chill ran through him, and a strong sense of unease gripped him.

With a swift movement, he was about to transform into black smoke and escape from the pavilion to the designated meeting point.

However, he stopped abruptly after taking just half a step across the threshold.

Under the moonlight, a stone table had been placed in front of the door at some point, and on the table, a white jade chessboard gleamed with a warm luster under the moonlight.

Lin Zhao was sitting on one of the stone benches, holding a black piece, seemingly pondering where to place it.

Hearing the noise, Lin Zhao looked up, grinned at Xue Ya who was frozen at the door, revealing a set of white teeth that were somewhat dazzling in the moonlight.

"Fellow Daoist Xue, you've come at the perfect time." His tone was relaxed, even carrying a perfectly measured hint of delight. "The night is long, the tolling of the bells is disturbing, and I have no heart for cultivation. I just happen to need an opponent for a game of chess to calm my mind. Fellow Daoist Xue... would you do me the honor?"

Xue Ya's divine sense had already swept across the surroundings like a whirlwind. There were no ambushes, no formations, only this early Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of him, and the seemingly ordinary chessboard in front of him.

He looked at Lin Zhao's seemingly peaceful smile, then glanced at the city center in the distance, where the bells were still ringing and faint spiritual energy fluctuations and shouts could be heard.

After a few moments of silence, he stepped forward, walked to the opposite side of the stone table, and slowly sat down, his voice hoarse: "That is indeed my wish, Fellow Daoist Lin, please."

Lin Zhao's smile remained unchanged, and with a click, the black stone at her fingertip landed on the center position.

The distant commotion contrasted sharply with the present tranquility.