Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

He had seen many of those cheap, heretical techniques. Some required the sacrifice of relatives, some would shorten one's lifespan, and some would leave one half-mad and half-foolish after successfully establishing one's foundation, only suitable for use as tools.

Lin Zhao's pill formula has obvious flaws; it can only produce a low-grade Dao Foundation, and the person may turn into a beast a hundred years later.

Compared to those bizarre and evil spells, this is a pretty good foundation-building technique, which grants a normal lifespan of about two hundred years for the time being.

Although it's only a low-grade Dao Foundation, it's enough for being a guard, a fighter, or cannon fodder.

Lan Jingchi remained silent for a long time, and Lin Zhao did not urge him. After a while, Lan Jingchi spoke, his voice lower than before.

"Where did you get this?"

Lin Zhao put down his teacup: "I created this myself over the years using the secret techniques I've accumulated."

"Saved up?" Lan Jingchi looked up at him. "This kind of Foundation Establishment technique isn't like cabbage on the roadside; you can't just save up whatever you want."

Lin Zhao wasn't lying to him; he really did possess quite a few unique Foundation Establishment techniques.

He obtained the Demonic Foundation-Seizing Technique from Liu Yifeng, created the Blood Fiend Dragon Secret Technique himself, mastered the Demon Core Transformation Secret Technique from Wanheng Market, and acquired the Sect's Time Resource Accumulation Secret Technique.

And previously, when I went to Zhenhai Cliff, in the Endless Demon Sea, it was common to use demon cores to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

He combined the techniques of seizing foundations, demon transformation, self-created cultivation methods, sect accumulation, and overseas pill formulas, creating the Hundred Beasts Foundation Building Secret Technique.

The advantage of this Hundred Beasts Foundation Building Pill is that it's significantly cheaper than the genuine Foundation Building Pill, and foundation building is relatively easier.

When Lin Zhao introduces the Hundred Beasts Foundation Building Pill, he will explain its advantages and disadvantages.

As for whether anyone will be willing to use it, that's for sure. Many cultivators never have the chance to establish their foundation in their entire lives, so this can be considered as giving them a glimmer of hope for establishing their foundation. At least their lifespan is a solid two hundred years.

Moreover, the drawbacks of beastification are not insurmountable.

Lin Zhao could create a secret technique that allowed him to transform into a beast, so naturally he could also find a way to deal with it. He currently had some clues.

They are preparing to create another secret technique to solve the problem of beastification.

Of course, he would never reveal this to anyone; it's part of his plans for the future.

What do you want?

"Two things." Lin Zhao held up two fingers. "First, the auxiliary materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, and the essence blood of demonic beasts. My Cangyun Mountain can manage to gather a few, but any more would take forever. Your Bihai Chamber of Commerce has the channels to provide them, so you can help us."

Lan Jingchi nodded: "Okay. What's the second one?"

"Secondly, alchemy." Lin Zhao put down his hand. "My talent for alchemy is mediocre. I can refine first-tier pills, but as for a second-tier precious pill like the Foundation Establishment Pill—I am well aware of my limitations."

Send over an alchemist who can refine Foundation Establishment pills. Distribute the pills they produce according to a set ratio.

Lan Jingchi pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "There is such a person in Tongming Immortal City. He is a mid-grade second-tier cultivator who has refined quite a few Foundation Establishment Pills, but he is quite troublesome."

Tell me about it.

"That person comes from a family of alchemists, a lineage that has been passed down for hundreds of years."

Lan Jingchi's tone was a little strange, "He was originally engaged to someone, but he became obsessed with alchemy and was jilted. Then he vowed to make them pay the price."

Lin Zhao was taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "His...surname is Xiao?"

"How could that be? His surname is Yan, and his name is Yan Lie." Lan Jingchi glanced at him.

Lin Zhao's lips twitched, wondering to himself, what's the difference?

He didn't reply: "Go on."

Lan Jingchi continued, "His rival family is the Shen family, a powerful Core Formation family in Tongming Immortal City. This kid is stubborn and has gone against them."

He amassed wealth through alchemy, invested in a bunch of so-called geniuses, and then had them cause trouble for the Shen family—a mess that lasted for decades.

"And the result?"

"In the end, he was the one who got ripped off. If a Core Formation family were so easy to shake, it wouldn't be a Core Formation family. Of the people he invested in, some died, some ran away, and a few even betrayed him."

Lan Jingchi shook his head. "If he hadn't come from a family of alchemists and had a few elders protecting him, he would have been killed out there long ago."

Lin Zhao frowned: "Then why did you send him here? Isn't that just inviting trouble?"

Lan Jingchi waved his hand: "His alchemy skills are almost at the threshold of the second-tier high-grade. If he really breaks through, the Shen family may not allow him to run around in the Immortal City."

"It's perfect for you—it's too far away, and it's part of the Purple Profound Dynasty's territory. The Shen family's power base is in the Immortal City, so they can't reach here."

Lin Zhao didn't speak, but tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

Second-tier high-grade alchemists are hard to find. If Yan Lie can really break through, he'll be a walking spirit stone mine.

He looked up: "What if the Shen family comes after us?"

Lan Jingchi smiled and said, "Then you'll have to ask the Zheng family patriarch of the Zixuan Dynasty if he agrees."

His lifespan is nearing its end, and his nerves are on edge. Could he possibly tolerate another Core Formation cultivator running rampant on his territory? If the Shen family dares to come, will the Zheng family patriarch be the first to make a move?

Lin Zhao thought for a moment and nodded: "Let him come over, I'll protect him."

Lan Jingchi looked at him, a hint of something in his eyes: "His inner demons are not easy to dispel. He's been taken advantage of for so many years, and he harbors resentment."

"That's his fate," Lin Zhao said calmly. "His family has done enough for him; he has to overcome this hurdle himself."

I gave him a place to hide, and materials to refine pills. As for the rest—he'll figure it out himself. He can get out if he can, since he's a second-tier high-grade alchemist; if he can't…”

Lan Jingchi nodded and said nothing more.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked out the window. The market was bustling with people.

"If you want this market to develop, relying solely on alchemy and weapon crafting isn't enough," he suddenly said. "I do have an idea; would you like to hear it?"

Tell me about it.

"Your location is a bit remote, but it has one advantage—it's close to all three great dynasties."

Lin Zhao's eyes flickered slightly: "Dingfeng Plain?"

Lan Jingchi nodded.

Dingfengyuan

The Zi Xuan Dynasty, the Nan Li Dynasty, and the Tian Huo Dynasty to the west—these three kingdoms are located at a border point.

It is hundreds of miles away, not far from Cangyun Mountain.

Lan Jingchi put down his teacup, dipped his finger in the tea, and drew a sketch on the table.

"Look, this is Zixuan, this is Nanli, and this is the Tianhuo Dynasty in the west. The area in the middle of these three countries is Dingfeng Plain."

Lin Zhao looked at the sketch without saying a word.

Lan Jingchi continued: "That place—seventy percent plains, and thirty percent hills and caves."

Moreover, the terrain is unique, as if there is a natural restriction, which may be due to underground mineral veins or battlefield remnants.

In any case, those below the Foundation Establishment stage cannot fly, and those above the Foundation Establishment stage also find it difficult to fly, as their spiritual energy consumption is several times that of normal.

Therefore, mortals and caravans in the Qi Refining stage can only pass through on foot.

He pointed to that area: "This has led to one result—Dingfeng Plain has become a paradise for thieves. If a caravan wants to pass, it has to pay a toll. If it doesn't pay, then it leaves people and goods behind."

Lin Zhao nodded: "I've heard of it. The three great dynasties have tried to eradicate them countless times, but they can't eliminate them all."

"You should be able to guess why it can't be completely cleared out?" Lan Jingchi looked at him.