Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

After chatting for a while longer, Li Mufeng got up to take his leave.

Liu Yan'er seemed to suddenly remember something and took out an exquisite jade box from her storage bag.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Li, Jubao Pavilion recently received a batch of Na Yuan Pills refined by Danxia Peak. I specially reserved a few bottles for you."

Upon hearing this, Li Mufeng's eyes lit up immediately.

He had finished his last bottle of Na Yuan Dan a few days ago and was just about to look for a way to buy more when Liu Yan'er unexpectedly saved some for him in advance.

It is well known that the high-quality elixirs produced by Danxia Peak have always been in short supply.

In the past, pills of this quality were mostly supplied to the direct descendants of major families, disciples of sects, and cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Even if a rogue cultivator at the mid-stage of Qi Refining had spirit stones, he might not be able to buy one.

Now that Jubaoge has taken the initiative to reserve pills for itself, the meaning behind it is self-evident.

Clearly, as the reputation of the Spirit Gathering Talisman continues to grow, the Treasure Pavilion is also quietly increasing its attention to itself.

"Then thank you very much, Manager Liu."

Li Mufeng took the jade box, a smile appearing on his face.

Liu Yan'er smiled sweetly.

"Master Li, you're too kind. If you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Mufeng took his leave.

As soon as I stepped out of Jubao Pavilion, I heard a series of energetic shouts from afar.

In the central square of the market, a number of independent cultivators had already gathered, and several cultivators dressed in royal robes were standing on a high platform, loudly recruiting.

"We're hiring miners!"

"Meals and accommodation included, daily settlement!"

"One spirit stone a day!"

"As long as you're willing to put in the effort, we'll never shortchange you!"

"Those interested should register quickly, the next airship is about to depart!"

A commotion immediately broke out all around.

For the vast majority of low-level cultivators, a daily wage of one spirit stone is already considered extremely generous. Many people might not be able to earn that much even after hunting monsters for several days.

Li Mufeng stopped and looked at it for a few moments, and quickly understood the reason.

Some time ago, the Qingxuan Sect discovered a new spiritual mineral vein deep in the Black Stone Mountains. The Foundation Establishment Wang family spent a lot of money to contract the mining rights of one of the branches. Now that the mine has just started operation, it is the time when they are most in need of manpower.

only……

A cold glint flashed in Li Mufeng's eyes; spirit stones never fall from the sky.

The reward of one spirit stone a day seems generous, but the more generous it is, the more it indicates that the mine is fraught with danger.

Monsters, mineral poisoning, landslides, or even battles between cultivators—any one of these could be enough to send a cultivator in the early or mid-stages of Qi Refining to their doom.

Otherwise, why would the Wang family offer such a high price to recruit rogue cultivators?

Thinking of this, he just sneered and turned to walk towards the cave.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the square.

Hu Wan, who was in charge of recruiting miners, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

He was all too familiar with that figure in the crowd.

"Li Mufeng..."

Just then, a hoarse voice suddenly came from the side.

Are you still hiring?

"Do you want to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining?"

Hu Wan's attitude instantly changed to one of enthusiasm.

"Of course I want it! Heh, fellow Daoist, you have such a strong aura of malevolence. And you've even lost an arm? It's alright. My Wang family doesn't discriminate. As long as you can mine, everything else is negotiable."

......

Three months later, at the Hundred Arts Hall, Li Mufeng stood beside Zhou Zhengyang, looking at the magnificent magical flying boat before him, and couldn't help but feel a little excited.

This year's Talisman Inquiry Conference was hosted by the Qingxuan Sect, so it was given special importance.

Standing at the bow of the ship, facing the howling wind, Li Mufeng looked down at the receding mountains and land below, and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

This was the first time he had truly left Blackrock City since he came into this world.

The flying boat pierced through the clouds, passing mountains that undulated like dragon spines and vast marshes that stretched out like mirrors. Countless mortal cities dotted the landscape, their chimneys emitting wisps of smoke, like stars on a chessboard.

In comparison, Blackstone Market is but a drop in the ocean.

......

Huizhou is located in the southeast of the Yue Kingdom. It covers a vast area and ranks third among the fourteen prefectures.

The state is crisscrossed by vast lakes and numerous marshes, hence its reputation as the "State of a Thousand Lakes".

Among the countless lakes and marshes, the most famous is Zishan Lake.

This lake is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, its vast expanse of water shrouded in mist. At the heart of the lake, a majestic peak rises abruptly from the ground, piercing the clouds, while several other peaks surround and protect it, like stars surrounding the moon.

The main peak is Qingxuan Peak, where the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate is located.

now.

Inside the council hall of Qingxuan Peak, Sect Leader Lu Qingwu sat at the head of the table.

This Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, who has led the Qingxuan Sect for nearly a hundred years, is now almost two hundred years old. He is highly respected within the sect and is known for his composure and steadiness.

But at this moment, he unusually rubbed his temples.

There is no other reason.

Below the main hall, the peak masters were arguing heatedly, their faces flushed.

"I told you long ago that Zhou Zhengyang is a man of no rhyme or reason."

Zhu Xuanhuo, the peak master of the weapon refining peak, snorted coldly.

"The Talisman-Seeking Conference is about to begin, and he was ordered to go out and search for someone, but half a year has passed and he hasn't brought back a trace of him. In my opinion, rather than continuing to waste time, we should give up that spot and let a disciple from our Weapon Refining Peak take it."

"Give it up?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Guanhong, the peak master of Lingyun Peak, immediately sneered.

"Zhu Xuanhuo, when did your Refining Peak produce a genius in the art of talismanic arts? Could it be that you're trying to take advantage of the fact that my Spirit Rhyme Peak is short of someone?"

"If you truly have a suitable candidate, then I have nothing to say."

Zhu Xuanhuo was not to be outdone.

"But the facts are clear now. Among the younger generation of Lingyun Peak, there are quite a few mid-grade talisman masters, but none of them meet the requirements of the Talisman Inquiry Tournament."

"Why cling to the quota when there's no one else available?"

Luo Guanhong's expression darkened slightly.

These words hit him right where it hurt.

Lingyun Peak had already decided on the participants.

Who would have thought that the disciple was so exceptionally talented that in just a few years, he broke through several realms from a low-grade talisman master and directly advanced to a high-grade talisman master.

Worse still, the next promising genius disciple, after losing a talisman battle to his fellow disciples, became obsessed with demonic possession, went into seclusion to break through to a higher realm, and ultimately perished at the hands of his inner demons.

As a result, a generational gap has emerged among the younger generation of Lingyun Peak.

"That's also a matter for Lingyun Peak."

Luo Guanhong said coldly.

"The Talisman Inquiry Ceremony has always been organized by Spirit Rhyme Peak, and this has never changed. If your Weapon Refining Peak really has nothing better to do, you might as well go back and forge a few more magic weapons."

"Oh."

Zhu Xuanhu scoffed.

"With the sect's reputation at stake, what's the point of talking about ancestral rules? If the Qingxuan Sect can't even gather enough participants, won't we become a laughingstock for our fellow cultivators from Yue Kingdom?"

The two were locked in a fierce battle, neither willing to back down.

The other peak masters, however, seemed unfazed, sipping their spiritual tea and watching the spectacle unfold.

The head of the table.

Lu Qingwu watched the two arguing incessantly and sighed inwardly.

In fact, what Zhu Xuanhuo said was not entirely unreasonable.

This Talisman-Asking Competition happens to be held at the Qingxuan Sect. If even the participating disciples cannot produce anything, it will not only be a disgrace to Lingyun Peak, but also to the entire Qingxuan Sect.

On the other hand, the Questioning Talisman Conference has always been coordinated by Guiling Yunfeng.

If the quota is rashly given to the Weapon Refining Peak, I'm afraid even the Spirit Rhyme Peak will find it hard to accept.

Just as the atmosphere in the main hall was becoming increasingly tense.

Luo Guanhong's expression suddenly changed.

The communication jade talisman in his sleeve trembled slightly, emitting a faint spiritual light.

He swept his divine sense across the area, and his previously gloomy expression immediately relaxed.

He then stroked his beard and laughed.

"Here they are now."