Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

In the days that followed, Li Shen secluded himself in his room to consolidate his cultivation level and study the various secret techniques he had mastered, exploring the extent to which he could utilize them at the peak of Qi Refining.

Among them, the Blood Soul Nail and Azure Light Technique are most affected by changes in cultivation level.

The former, after several experiments by Li Shen, has been able to condense as many as nine at a time.

Whether for pursuit or escape, these are impressive methods.

The latter, the Azure Light Technique, is more needle-like in shape, slender overall with only a slightly rounded head. It naturally condenses faster and has greater destructive power.

Li Shen found a mid-stage Tier 1 Azure Iron Turtle, known for its strong defensive capabilities, on the outskirts of Laoshan for testing.

With a flick of the finger, the blue needle struck, and cracks spread all over the tortoise shell.

The body hiding inside the tortoise shell was pierced through and died.

However, this trick should be used with caution if the purpose is to obtain materials, otherwise even if you can kill the monsters, the materials will be destroyed.

The remaining secret techniques do not have a very high ceiling, so they are not much different from the previous nine levels of Qi Refining.

Li Shen then went to the black market twice.

The first trip was to find some materials that could repair the Ghost Banner and collect materials for crafting the Secret Realm Key.

The latter, based on the fragment of the silk scroll that Li Shen had previously obtained, was collected completely in one trip.

The former is somewhat difficult.

As before, the materials required for the Yin Soul Banner should contain as much Yin energy as possible.

However, this place is, after all, within the jurisdiction of Yunhe Mountain Market, which is governed by the three righteous sects.

Therefore, even on the black market, it is difficult to find a suitable one.

Li Shen had already prepared himself mentally for this, but the situation was different on his second trip to the black market.

As soon as he arrived at the black market, he sensed that the atmosphere had changed, becoming more serious and tense.

While strolling around, Li Shen noticed that the guards in the black market had been quietly replaced.

Previously, the highest level of strength was basically the seventh level of Qi Refining, but now there are those who have reached the ninth level of Qi Refining or even the peak of Qi Refining.

Moreover, there were acquaintances of Li Shen among them.

Old Wu, the obese middle-aged man I'd seen at Jubao Xuan.

"What is he doing here?"

Li Shen was puzzled but did not go up to speak.

He continued to pretend he hadn't seen him, wandering among the stalls while keeping an eye on the man's movements out of the corner of his eye.

His doubts were quickly answered.

A short woman with a loli-like appearance emerged from the gray stone building.

It was Fei Feng, the manager of Jubaoxuan, Du Shanyan's ex-girlfriend, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator with considerable strength.

Li Shen felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Considering this Foundation Establishment expert's identity in the Linlang City black market, and the changes in the black market guards, one can't help but speculate:

"Could it be that she's already taken over the black market in Yunhe Mountain?"

With that thought in mind, Li Shen withdrew his gaze, bent down in front of a stall selling talismans, and casually fiddled with a few talismans with his fingertips, but his mind was not on them at all.

"Fellow Daoist, which talisman has caught your eye? They are all made by experienced talisman masters, and their power is guaranteed."

The stall owner greeted us warmly.

Li Shen casually picked out two water arrow talismans and was about to pay with spirit stones when a lazy voice transmission drifted into his ears.

"Young friend over there, you look somewhat familiar. Why don't you come over for a chat?"

Li Shen paused in his movements.

He turned around and was met with the petite figure in front of the gray stone building.

Fei Feng was looking at him with a half-smile.

Li Shen wasn't too surprised by this, after all, the mask he was wearing was given to him by Fei Feng.

He put the two talismans back and walked towards the gray stone building.

The stall owner's voices, pleading with him to stay, faded into the distance.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Manager Fei."

Li Shen greeted him with a cupped-hand salute.

Fei Feng glanced at him, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes:

"Peak of Qi Refining? It seems you've had quite a stroke of luck these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Li Shen's heart stirred, but he replied without changing his expression:

"It was just luck. Thanks to your help that day, I was able to obtain some good items that can promote cultivation at the auction."

Li Shen showed a hint of gratitude at the opportune moment.

His words were not untrue; the materials used to refine the superior Qi Gathering Pill did indeed come from the auction, and the superior Qi Gathering Pill was extremely important for his breakthrough in cultivation.

Fei Feng waved her hand, signaling Li Shen to follow her into the building.

Old Wu, who was standing next to Li Shen, smiled and nodded, then stepped aside to make way.

Stepping back into the gray stone building, the interior was decorated much more elegantly than before.

A beautiful female cultivator dressed in revealing clothing led the two to a private room on the second floor.

Fei Feng took her seat in the main seat and gestured for Li Shen to sit on the prayer mat next to her.

"What are you looking for at the black market?"

Fei Feng got straight to the point.

Li Shen was taken aback upon hearing this, and quickly began to calculate in his mind.

Those who come to the black market are mostly from Taobao.

Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the other party asking such a question.

However, this directness was somewhat unexpected.

Could it be...

Li Shen's eyes darted around as he pondered for a moment before bowing and replying:

"Some materials for refining weapons, water-ironwood that is over a hundred years old, and the hides of second-tier or late-stage first-tier carrion-eating dogs..."

Li Shen listed all the materials needed to refine the Yin Soul Banner, except for those whose names immediately suggested their origin.

If Fei Feng knew the whereabouts of these spiritual materials, that would be best.

It's okay if you don't know.

Upon hearing this, Fei Feng raised her eyebrows slightly, smiled, and said in a relaxed tone:

These things are indeed hard to find elsewhere.

Fei Feng paused briefly, picked up the steaming spirit tea, and took a sip.

Li Shen immediately understood and quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Please enlighten me, shopkeeper."

Fei Feng put down his teacup and said slowly and deliberately:

"I wouldn't call it giving pointers, but we're destined to meet. I happen to have some of these things in stock."

Li Shen's eyes lit up.

"but……"

Fei Feng changed the subject:

"If you want it, you have to do something for me."

"Can we do something?"

Li Shen asked in a low voice, blinked, and then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect:

"Please speak, shopkeeper."

Fei Feng put down her teacup, looked at him, and her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

"I need you to go deep into the prison mountains to retrieve something for me."

Li Shen felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

He had just returned from the depths of the Laoshan Mountains.

Second-tier monsters are everywhere, and if you're unlucky, you might even encounter a third-tier monster.

Fei Feng seemed to see through his concerns and chuckled softly:

"Don't worry, I'm not sending you to your death. What I need can be found at the border between the first- and second-tier demon beast areas; it's a Green Marrow Spirit Ginseng."

This object is extremely special; unlike ordinary objects, it is mobile.

It has a strong affinity for wood-attribute spiritual energy, and must be lured out by a cultivator who practices wood-attribute spiritual energy and harvested by hand; otherwise, its medicinal properties will immediately dissipate. Currently, the only one of my subordinates who can go is Old Wu.

She glanced at the door and sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

"It's a pity that Old Wu mainly cultivates fire-attribute spiritual energy. He's strong enough, but it would be a waste of his time to go. It's fate, though, that I met you, saving me the trouble of searching for other cultivators."