Immortality begins with inheriting the myriad arts of cultivation.

After Wang Jialian finished speaking, everyone immediately understood what had happened.

They were all deceived by the Wang family.

Although everyone was wearing masks and couldn't see each other's expressions, they could still sense each other's anger.

"Hmph! These low-level Qi Refining stage techniques dare to try and fool us!"

One of the cultivators snorted coldly, which immediately provoked a chorus of protest from the other cultivators.

"That's right, we were clearly talking about going to the Immortal City's Secret Technique Pavilion, how did it become your Wang Family's Secret Technique Pavilion?"

"100 spirit stones to choose a low-level cultivation technique? You've got a good idea!"

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

"Damn it, get rid of the spirit stone!"

……

Low-level cultivation techniques like the Golden Sword Technique and the Everlasting Spring Skill are commonplace in the cultivation world; one spirit stone can buy several kilograms of them.

As long as you have a sweet tongue and are willing to say a few nice words, many cultivators won't mind giving you things for free.

For example, Li Ping's "Golden Sword Technique" was given to him for free by Master Ji.

In the eyes of the cultivators, the Wang family's willingness to exchange such a thing for their 100 spirit stones was simply the height of animal cruelty.

The cultivators kept clamoring, demanding an explanation from the Wang family's Qi Refining Sect. Li Ping also looked grim. He had considered the risks of this trip and the possibility that the higher-ups of the Immortal City might discover the matter later and launch a large-scale arrest operation.

But what they didn't expect was that the whole thing was a scam set up by the Wang family. They never intended to take them to the Immortal City's Secret Technique Pavilion to choose secret techniques!

They were trying to save some spirit stones by being cheap, but the Wang family actually wanted their principal!

"The Wang family has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and these are dignified cultivators from Qinglong Mountain, only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. They're so shameless for spirit stones!" Li Ping was furious.

If it were any other cultivator, even one in the late Foundation Establishment stage, who said they could take him into the Immortal City's Secret Technique Pavilion, he wouldn't believe it at all.

However, Wang Jia was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he was originally responsible for guarding the Immortal City's Secret Technique Pavilion. With the Immortal City's credibility backing him, and taking advantage of his greedy mentality, they actually tricked him!

His current mood is almost as distressed as "Wu Dalang, after discovering he was being cuckolded, ran to smash Ximen Qing's window in anger, only to have the stone bounce back and smash his own head."

The thrill of secretly poaching talent was gone, leaving Li Ping with only resentment.

"This is outrageous! Those damned Qinglong Mountain cultivators, not a single one of them is any good!"

……

"Where is your Wang family patriarch? Why isn't the head of the family stepping forward, and instead is the younger generation taking the place?"

"Call your ancestor out here!"

……

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, suddenly...

"Cough cough..."

Several authoritative coughs rang out from the second floor of the pavilion, followed by the oppressive aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator emanating from the second floor, instantly covering the first floor of the pavilion and enveloping the twelve figures, including Li Ping.

An aged voice, accompanied by footsteps, came down from upstairs: "Heh... From what I hear, you all intend to steal the secret techniques of my Azure Dragon Mountain lineage's Secret Technique Pavilion?"

Before everyone's eyes had even cleared, a figure had already appeared in front of them.

This was a dignified cultivator wearing a golden robe, with neatly combed hair and sharp, sword-like eyebrows.

He descended the stairs, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like a hawk surveying its prey. Without uttering a single word, he successfully took control of the situation solely through the pressure of his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation and his own aura.

However, while a Foundation Establishment cultivator can suppress a lower-level cultivator with their aura, they cannot suppress a cultivator of the same level.

A pressure slightly less powerful than that of the Wang family patriarch emanated from a black-robed cultivator standing in the middle of the crowd. He sneered and mocked, "Hmph! Trying to intimidate people with the Azure Dragon Mountain lineage? Do you think I'm easily frightened? If you have the guts, let's go and confront True Person Fenglan together and see how True Person Fenglan handles this matter."

A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Wang family patriarch. He smiled and said, "So there are Foundation Establishment cultivators here too. Fellow cultivator, please calm down."

Actually, the current situation is like trying to catch a wolf with a straw – both sides are afraid.

Of course, the Wang family patriarch dared not confront Master Fenglan. Master Fenglan knew that he had done such a thing, ruining the reputation of the Qinglong Mountain lineage, and would absolutely not let him off the hook.

And what about Li Ping and the others?

Are they going to tell Master Fenglan: I originally came to steal your things, but because your servants didn't know martial ethics, I failed. You have to stand up for me!

Hearing that the Wang family patriarch seemed to be backing down, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had spoken didn't want to cause any more trouble: "Hmph! Enough nonsense, return the spirit stones to me, and let's call it a day!"

"Fellow Daoist, do you not want any cultivation techniques?" The Wang family patriarch shook his head, feigning surprise, and said, "Although my Wang family's Secret Technique Pavilion is not as good as that of the Immortal City, it is still a collection carefully gathered by generations of cultivators in my Wang family. For only 100 spirit stones, you can choose any cultivation technique. This is a great bargain for you."

The one who had just stepped forward to reach the Foundation Establishment stage made no attempt to hide the sarcasm in his words: "Pshaw... just this trash!"

The Wang family patriarch feigned realization and said, "Of course not, fellow Daoist, you must have misunderstood. The first floor contains low-level cultivation techniques prepared for the younger generation. The true essence of my Wang family's secret technique pavilion is on the second floor. If you wish, you can go to the second floor and choose a high-level cultivation technique to take away!"

"If any fellow cultivator is unwilling to go to the second floor to choose a cultivation technique, I can arrange for your spirit stones to be returned right now, and tonight's events will be considered as if they never happened." After saying this, his gaze swept over the crowd: "However, let me make this clear beforehand: if you've seen the cultivation techniques on the second floor and still want your spirit stones back, that won't be possible."

One of the cultivators asked suspiciously, "Are there high-level cultivation techniques on the second floor?"

The Wang family patriarch nodded with a smile: "Of course! The second floor contains more than ten high-level cultivation techniques collected by generations of Wang family cultivators. If you don't see any cultivation techniques when you go up, I will return the spirit stones without saying a word."

Upon hearing the words of the Wang family patriarch, the cultivators immediately hesitated.

If what the Wang family patriarch said is true, there are more than ten high-level cultivation techniques stored on the second floor.

Being able to select a high-level cultivation technique for only 100 spirit stones is definitely a great deal.

Having been tricked once before, the cultivators now have little trust in the Wang family from the bottom of their hearts.

Finally, after hesitating for a moment...

One of the cultivators went first towards the second floor: "Hmph! If I don't have at least ten high-level cultivation techniques, I must return the spirit stones."

The Wang family patriarch smiled and nodded: "Of course, there's no problem."

With someone taking the lead, several more cultivators followed suit and went upstairs. Soon, only Li Ping and the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had mocked the Wang family patriarch remained on the first floor.

"Heh... I'd like to see what tricks you're up to!" The Foundation Establishment cultivator snorted coldly and also headed upstairs.

Now only Li Ping was left downstairs, and the Wang family patriarch's gaze fell on him: "Fellow Daoist, aren't you going up to take a look?"

"Since we're already here, let's go upstairs and take a look!" Li Ping was also curious and started walking upstairs.