Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

That quasi-magic weapon has completely fused with the Nine Luminaries Thunder Pearl and is transforming into a third-tier magic weapon.

At the current pace, it will take several more years for it to truly become a third-tier magic weapon, the Nine Luminaries Thunder Pool.

Only by using the Nine Luminaries Thunder Pool as the energy core of the formation can the upgraded market formation be truly driven.

We cannot be careless before this happens.

But Lin Zhao is still satisfied with the current progress.

In two years, the two formations were completely integrated, the Four Spirits statues were restored and became the foundation of the market, and the range of the Dharma Domain was more than doubled.

The defenses of Cangyun Mountain far surpass those of any other market town in the Zixuan Dynasty.

He looked up at the dome.

Through layers of stone walls, through the hustle and bustle of the market, and through that pale golden array, he could sense the information of the cultivators outside—some were shocked, some were in awe, some were curious, and some were secretly plotting.

These are all proof of the prosperity of Cangyun Mountain.

Lin Zhao turned around and walked down to the ground floor.

After a year of seclusion, it's time to go and see Elder He and the others.

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Lin Zhao came up from the basement level, passed through the stone corridor of the garrison headquarters, and arrived at the main hall.

Old Mr. He was already waiting there.

In the center of the main hall was a long black table piled high with jade slips, account books, and communication talismans.

Old He stood behind the desk and bowed slightly when Lin Zhao entered: "Guard the town."

"Sit down." Lin Zhao sat down in the main seat, tapping the armrest lightly with her fingers. "You've had a tough year."

Old He smiled and sat down in a side seat.

He was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who had served as the head steward of Cangyun Mountain for decades. He was shrewd and worldly-wise—Lin Zhao knew this very well.

However, Mr. He deserves much credit for stabilizing the market this year.

"During the year of garrisoning and closing off the area, the market remained generally stable."

Old He began to report on the recent situation in the market: "Over at Dingfeng Plain, Yan Chiheng led a guard team consisting of more than 30 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 3,000 Qi Refining cultivators, guarding the trade route like an iron barrel."

Those cultivators who had undergone tribulations didn't dare cross the boundary even once.

Lin Zhao nodded.

"The market's revenue has increased by 40% compared to last year."

With a smile on his face, Old He said, "The caravans are coming and going in an endless stream. The tolls, shop rents, and transaction commissions we collect add up to 17,000 mid-grade spirit stones."

"Hmm." Lin Zhao said calmly, "What about the other markets?"

Old He's smile faded slightly: "Within the territory of the Zixuan Dynasty, besides our Cangyun Mountain, there are more than ten other markets and towns."

In the past year, their revenue has generally decreased by 20% to 30%—resources are limited, and Cangyun Mountain takes the lion's share, so naturally they get less.

"Any movement?"

"Yes." Old He handed over a jade slip. "This is intelligence. Several markets have joined forces and offered a batch of rare resources to attract customers."

One company even auctioned off genuine Foundation Establishment Pills, and another company…”

Old He paused for a moment, then said, "They spread rumors among the rogue cultivators that our Cangyun Mountain is harboring treacherous cultivators and that something bad will happen to us sooner or later."

Lin Zhao took the jade slip, scanned it with his spiritual power, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Harboring and plundering cultivators?

The thirty-odd Foundation Establishment cultivators and several thousand Qi Refining cultivators under Yan Chiheng's command were indeed Tribulation Cultivators.

At least on the surface, they were legitimate cultivators, wandering around Dingfeng Plain.

But in reality, they are now guards for the Cangyun Mountain caravan, escorting the caravan in Dingfeng Plain.

But if someone dares to play dirty tricks—it can be done in an instant to turn the guards back into bandits.

Lin Zhao put down the jade slip and said calmly, "Let them talk."

Old He nodded and continued, "Of course they wouldn't dare to actually make a move. Yan Chiheng's forty Foundation Establishment cultivators, combined with the existing strength of our market, are enough to deter them."

The words spoken before the garrison was well said.

When someone falsely accuses you of possessing a dangerous weapon, you'd better actually have one—and we do, right now.

Lin Zhao glanced at Old He.

This old man, wasn't he very smooth-talking before? Now he's becoming more and more blunt.

"What about the Bihai Chamber of Commerce?"

"After the Bihai Chamber of Commerce learned that we had taken over Dingfengyuan, they completely opened up the supply of resources."

Old He continued, "Second-tier demon cores and first-tier demon beast blood essence are being transported in continuously."

With these resources, we used the Hundred Beasts Foundation Building Pill to cultivate three more Foundation Building cultivators—all of whom were at the tenth level of Qi Refining and signed fifty-year contracts.

With these three added, the market now has twenty-three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Twenty-three foundations.

Within the entire Zi Xuan Dynasty, this power is no less than that of any market town, especially if you add the Foundation Establishment power that Yan Chiheng possesses...

Lin Zhao leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

The market has regained its previous strength, and with Lin Zhao's previous battle with the dragon, the influence of the former garrison has been completely eliminated, and Lin Zhao has completely taken control of the Cangyun Mountain market.

The former Core Formation elder who guarded the town... has also been completely dealt with.

That was a message sent by the Fifth Senior Brother through the sect's token. True Master Qianqiu was very satisfied with Lin Zhao's achievement of killing nearly seventy Foundation Establishment cultivators in one battle, something he himself hadn't accomplished during his Foundation Establishment stage.

Therefore, Master Qianqiu personally wrote a letter and sent it to that Core Formation Master.

What was written in the handwritten note is unknown to outsiders, but the result is clear—

That master assured Lin Zhao that he would not cause her any trouble, and even ordered the former garrison commander to go into seclusion to reflect on his mistakes, and forbade him from leaving the sect for ten years.

Lin Zhao remained silent for a moment after receiving the message. Master Qianqiu, a man of few words, was truly amazing to Lin Zhao. He had previously given him a third-tier magical artifact, and now he was clearing away any potential troubles for him.

Lin Zhao took a deep breath, suppressing the warmth in his heart, and looked up at Old He: "Have the resources I asked you to bring to Fang Yue and Xu Chuan been delivered?"

"It's been delivered." Old He nodded. "I asked a disciple from a familiar sect to take it back. Both of them replied that they received the item and told you not to worry."

Lin Zhao hummed in agreement.

In the battle of Dingfeng Plain, he seized a massive amount of resources, including second-tier magic artifacts, pills, spirit stones, and spirit materials.

He took out thirty percent and had someone send it back to the sect to give to Fang Yue and Xu Chuan.

The Forbidden Divine Disc was obtained with Fang Yue's help, and Xu Chuan, who guarded it, covered for him within the sect. Although the two of them did not ask for anything in return, he could not help but express his gratitude.

He currently has no shortage of second-tier cultivation resources, and allocating a portion of them will not affect his cultivation for the time being.

"Any other news?" Lin Zhao asked.

Old He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Yan Lie's old problem has flared up again."

Lin Zhao frowned slightly.

"Recently, many young people have come to the market, including independent cultivators and members of small families."

Yan Lie has started investing again—funding a bunch of so-called "geniuses" to cause trouble for the Shen family.

Old He sighed, "He still hasn't overcome that inner demon."

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhao asked, "How many people have voted so far?"

"Seventeen." Old He smiled bitterly. "The offerings from the market, plus what he earned from alchemy, all went into it."

Lin Zhao rubbed her temples.

Yan Lie is a second-tier high-grade alchemist; there are very few like him in the entire Zi Xuan Dynasty.

Lin Zhao herself had been using the pills he refined; the saying "he who eats another's food is bound to be grateful" was absolutely true.

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