Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

President Changqing took out several jade slips from his storage bag and distributed them to everyone.

Lin Zhao took it and probed it with his divine sense.

It is an analytical diagram of a spirit stone mine, showing the location of the veins, the distribution of monster lairs, and the geographical location of the surrounding reefs and ocean currents.

The annotations are very detailed, clearly showing that a lot of time and effort was spent.

But this thing should be kept secret and shouldn't be given to them.

With this, any Core Formation cultivator present would no longer need the Evergreen Merchant Guild; they could bring their own people to mine.

The fact that the leader of the Evergreen Society would bring out something like this directly is either foolish or indicates he has ulterior motives.

Before anyone could ask, the leader of the Evergreen Association spoke first.

"To be honest, the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce is here with the utmost sincerity to cooperate. Rather than being wary of each other and creating unnecessary complications, it's better to lay everything out in the open."

The scene fell silent; none of the Core Formation cultivators uttered a word.

Those who can cultivate to the Core Formation stage have generally lived for over a hundred years, and no one would easily believe verbal promises.

Who knows if there might be an ambush under this island?

Before this operation, everyone had a backup plan, but no one would say it out loud.

Looking at the expressions on the four people's faces, the leader of the Evergreen Society sighed.

He took out a cyan array plate from his storage bag. It was about the size of a palm and its surface was covered with fine patterns.

The Ye family patriarch's eyes narrowed: "The Azure Feather Magic Disc?"

Lin Zhao looked at the Ye family head with a puzzled expression. The Ye family head explained to Lin Zhao, "Fellow Daoist Feiyan may not know this, but the Azure Feather Magic Plate is the treasure of the Changqing Chamber of Commerce's market."

With it, even if there are no Core Formation cultivators in the market, the array alone can withstand the attacks of Core Formation cultivators. With the array in hand, Core Formation cultivators can directly confront mid-stage Core Formation cultivators.

He's even brought out this crucial asset that's vital to the very foundation of the market; it's clear the Evergreen Merchant Guild has gone all in.

The leader of the Evergreen Society held the array plate in his palm and looked at everyone: "I have shown my sincerity. Shouldn't you all show some sincerity in return?"

Wei Yun remained silent for a while.

Finally, he took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and crushed it.

A moment later, a streak of light flew in from afar and landed on the deserted island.

The newcomer was a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation. He was tall and thin, wearing a gray robe, and had a sallow complexion, as if he had never seen the sun for many years.

After landing, he nodded to Wei Yun and stood beside him.

"My good friend, Master Song, please forgive me, Chairman Chen."

The leader of the Evergreen Association shook his head, indicating that he didn't care.

The head of the Ye family laughed to ease the tension. With a flick of his hand, four palm-sized pale gold throwing knives appeared in mid-air, lined up and slowly rotating. Their blades were as thin as cicada wings, and there was a faint spiritual light connecting them.

"The Golden Leaf Blade is the Ye family's treasured artifact. A single blade is only a low-grade third-tier weapon, but when the four blades are combined, their power is comparable to a mid-grade third-tier weapon."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, we have already taken out the items, but there is one thing you need to make clear."

Why is the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce going to such lengths for this mission? If we can't explain it clearly, we won't feel at ease.

"It seems we can't mine this ore today."

That's very straightforward.

The others all turned their gazes toward Chairman Chen, which was the biggest concern in everyone's mind.

The Evergreen Chamber of Commerce has been rooted in Chihuo Island for many years; it is not a small, unaffiliated chamber of commerce.

There must be a reason behind the sudden decision to empty one's coffers to quickly mine a spirit stone mine that can generate long-term profits.

President Changqing closed his eyes and regulated his breathing for several breaths before slowly speaking: "Fellow Daoist Ye should know that I have a son."

The head of the Ye family nodded.

The two had known each other for many years, and he knew this matter very well. Chairman Chen's only son was exceptionally talented. He joined the powerful Nascent Soul sect, Thousand Waves Sect, and achieved Core Formation at a young age. He received much cultivation within the sect, which Chairman Chen often took great pride in.

"Not long ago, the sect sent a message that he was seriously injured while hunting demons."

Chairman Chen's voice lowered, and he did not elaborate on the severity of his injuries, but everyone present could understand the implication: he needed to sell his business and gamble everything, so his injuries must be very serious.

"I urgently need spirit stones, and I can't afford to delay for even a moment. I originally planned to slowly mine this third-tier spirit stone mine, but now I really can't wait any longer."

After the matter at the spirit stone mine is resolved, the Evergreen Merchant Guild will completely withdraw from Crimsonfire Island.

Ye Bai was slightly taken aback: "Fellow Daoist, are you really willing to give up the foundation you've built up over half your life?"

Master Chen gave a bitter laugh: "My cultivation has come to an end in this life. All my hopes are pinned on my son."

Everyone remained silent.

A Core Formation cultivator abandons his own path of cultivation, placing all his life's work on the shoulders of his successor. The helplessness he feels is something outsiders can never understand.

President Changqing laid everything out on the table.

Lin Zhao stood on the outside of the group, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Before coming, he had already planned several scenarios: what to do if he encountered an ambush, what to do if the other party turned against him, what to do if he encountered a powerful monster, and how many magical treasures and strength to use.

In the end, none of them were used.

The remaining few people finally looked at Lin Zhao.

He sighed inwardly. This time, under the alias Flying Swallow Immortal, he originally only intended to reveal two ordinary magic treasures, the Flying Swallow Sword Seal and the Jade Ring, to keep a low profile and not reveal too many of his trump cards.

But given the current situation, with others already revealing their clan-protecting treasures and various methods, it would be somewhat unreasonable for him to bring out another treasure, the Jade Ring.

He flipped his palm over.

A spirit boat flew out and landed in the palm of the hand. The boat was long and slender, and the spiritual energy it emitted clearly reached the third level.

The Ye family patriarch's eyes lit up: "What a treasure! A third-tier spirit boat, its combat power is comparable to that of a Core Formation cultivator. With this spirit boat in hand, Fellow Daoist Feiyan might even be able to contend against a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator."

Wei Yun's eyes lit up, and Master Song couldn't help but take a second look.

The third-tier spirit boat is extremely difficult to forge, highly practical, and quite valuable, equivalent to several third-tier magic treasures.

Everyone revealed their trump cards.

Of course, everyone present knew perfectly well that what they showed was only sincerity.

not all.

No one would be foolish enough to bring out all their life-saving supplies.

But this operation was at least a good start, as the group developed some basic trust in each other.

The tense atmosphere among the five people eased.

The group then renegotiated the distribution of profits.

Spirit stone mines will regenerate on their own and continue to produce as long as they are not over-mined.

The Evergreen Society mainly takes 50% of the spirit stones in a one-time transaction; the remaining spirit stone mines are no longer his responsibility, and will be distributed among the four Core Formation cultivators.

The head of the Ye family was the first to speak, offering to pay a price to take over the remaining spirit stone mine.

Wei Yun and Master Song exchanged a glance and hurriedly expressed their willingness to take over.

Lin Zhao had no intention of owning the spirit stone mine; he only requested the Danqing spirit wood.

"I still have three Danqing Spirit Woods left, but as you know, fellow Daoist, the value of Danqing Spirit Woods is not enough for you to exchange for three with the effort you put in this time."

Lin Zhao did not argue: "I will make up the price difference with blood crystals."

After thinking it over, President Changqing finally nodded in agreement.

Although blood crystals are not a hard currency like spirit stones, they can still be exchanged for quite a few things.