Immortality begins with equipping a worn-out talisman pen.

A month later.

Led by Shen Yuan, Li Mufeng left Tianque Immortal City and arrived at Fengming Mountain, more than a hundred miles outside the city.

He now has many trump cards, and he is only going to a Foundation Establishment family near the Heavenly City, so he doesn't need to be timid or hesitant.

Moreover, he had only recently arrived in Tianque Immortal City and had no grudges against anyone, so he didn't need to worry about anyone setting up an ambush along the way.

As soon as they arrived at the mountain gate, the two were stopped by a cultivator dressed in the Han family's standard robes.

Seeing that Li Mufeng's aura was steady, his robes were exquisite, and his demeanor was composed, the cultivator's expression immediately became more respectful.

"May I ask if you have a formal invitation, senior?"

Li Mufeng took out the invitation and handed it over.

"I came at your invitation."

After carefully checking, the cultivator returned the item with both hands, smiling as he said:

"So you're a distinguished guest, please."

"Our Han family's council hall is located atop the mountain. Since all the guests have not yet arrived, you two are welcome to explore the mountain at your leisure. Phoenix Cry Mountain is rich in spiritual energy, and you may pick and taste any spiritual fruits found there. Please do not feel constrained."

Li Mufeng nodded slightly, thanked him, and then walked slowly up the mountain path with Shen Yuan.

Fengming Mountain has clearly been operating for many years.

The mountain path was not an ordinary dirt road, but a series of steps paved with green spirit stones. The stone steps had an ancient pattern, and the railings on both sides were made of spirit wood and green jade. As the mountain breeze blew, there was a faint flow of spiritual energy.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, and flowers and trees flourish along the way. From time to time, you can see low-level spiritual fruits such as spiritual peaches and red pears hanging from the branches. The fragrance of the fruits is carried by the mountain breeze, which makes people feel refreshed and happy.

To Li Mufeng's surprise, many cultivators were already seated in twos and threes in the pavilions throughout the mountains, some drinking tea and discussing the Dao, others waiting for the banquet to begin. They were clearly all guests invited to the event.

Li Mufeng raised an eyebrow slightly and said in a low voice:

"Is the Han family preparing to hold a trade fair?"

Shen Yuan gave a wry smile.

"Senior Li, it seems you really do have that intention."

"The Frost Soul Iron is rare after all, and the Han family has been slow to release any information, but instead has sent out invitations widely. In my opinion, they are probably preparing to let the highest bidder win."

Upon hearing this, Li Mufeng couldn't help but chuckle.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it and see what happens."

We climbed all the way to the summit.

Only then did he truly see the full view of Fengming Mountain.

The entire mountaintop has been leveled by human hands, forming a wide platform. Pavilions and towers are built against the mountain, surrounded by spiritual springs and shrouded in clouds and mist.

Clearly, a great deal of human and material resources were once spent here.

It seems that the Han family's ancestors did indeed have a glorious period when they operated the cold iron mine.

Upon entering the council hall, Li Mufeng's gaze paused slightly.

Seated in the main seat was a young woman dressed in a snow-white white dress.

The woman appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with skin as white as snow, beautiful features, and a refined and aloof demeanor. Her mere presence, sitting quietly, seemed to brighten the entire hall.

It was none other than Han Qinxue, who had recently become quite famous in Tianque Immortal City.

Just then, an old man in a gray robe quickly came to greet them.

"May I ask if you are Master Li Fu?"

Li Mufeng nodded slightly.

"It is I."

The old man bowed respectfully.

"I am Han Qishan, an elder of the Han family."

"Master Li, please take a seat."

Li Mufeng casually found a place to sit down.

A moment later, as the last few guests entered the main hall, Han Qinxue slowly rose, stepped down from her seat, and glanced at everyone, her voice gentle and clear.

"Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. I am Han Qinxue, and I thank you all for your presence."

"Now that everyone has arrived, please take your seats and let's drink and talk."

Li Mufeng did not rush to speak, but instead calmly observed the people in the hall.

Aside from himself, there were two other people who were clearly also after the Frost Soul Iron.

The man on the left wore a red robe, his blood and qi were blazing, and his body faintly radiated a scorching heat. He was obviously cultivating a fire-attribute technique, or perhaps he was a weapon refiner.

The other man was dressed in black, with a cold and stern face. A murderous aura was visible between his eyes, and every move he made carried a ruthless air of someone who had been through many battles. Clearly, he had been walking on the edge of life and death for many years.

Both men appeared to be middle-aged, in their forties or fifties, and their cultivation levels were quite high, one being at the ninth level of Qi Refining and the other at the same level.

Li Mufeng had just sat down, his expression remaining calm, showing no sign of unease despite the gazes of everyone in the hall.

On the contrary, it was the burly middle-aged cultivator on the left who couldn't hold back any longer.

The man wore a short, bronze-colored robe, his arms were as thick as iron, his palms were covered in calluses, and a half-foot-long forging hammer hung from his waist. He was clearly a forging master who spent his days working with furnaces.

He looked Li Mufeng up and down, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"Patriarch Han, the Frost Soul Iron is incredibly precious, yet you've even invited a young, newly arrived rogue cultivator?"

"Do you think we're easy to fool?"

Although the words weren't exactly harsh, they did carry a hint of skepticism.

This person is named Ning Tiehe, a well-known first-tier high-grade weapon refiner in Tianque Immortal City.

He had been living in the Immortal City for many years and had never heard of the person in front of him.

The young man in front of them was only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and he looked so young that they naturally assumed he was a rogue cultivator who had just arrived and had luckily received an invitation.

Upon hearing this, Han Qinxue's expression remained unchanged; she simply smiled faintly.

"Fellow railway enthusiasts, you've misunderstood."

"Those who are able to sit here today are all first-level high-grade cultivators from various trades and professions."

Her gaze fell on Li Mufeng.

"Although Master Li is new to Tianque Immortal City, his mastery of talismanic arts has already been recognized by Tianbao Tower. Otherwise, my Han family would not have sent out an invitation so rashly."

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.

Ning Tiehe was also slightly taken aback.

The name Tianbaolou carries immense weight in Tianque Immortal City. Since even Tianbaolou acknowledges the other party, it must be genuine.

He immediately laughed it off, which was quite straightforward.

"I see. I was mistaken."

He then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Mufeng.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please don't take what I just said to heart. I'm just a blacksmith, I speak my mind directly."

"If you need any magical artifacts made in the future, feel free to come to me. I will charge you 10% less spirit stones as an apology."

Upon hearing this, Li Mufeng smiled and returned the greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, you flatter me."

In just a few words, the tension between the two sides dissipated completely.

Li Mufeng's opinion of him improved; he turned out to be a straightforward person.

Just then, another black-clad monk who had been silent spoke up.

"Patriarch Han has gone to such great lengths to invite us here; surely it's not just for the purpose of selling the Frost Soul Iron?"

His voice was hoarse, but he hit the nail on the head.

Han Qinxue nodded gently upon hearing this.

"Indeed, the Frost Soul Black Iron is something my Han family is willing to give to you all."

"But in exchange, I hope that you will serve as guest elders of my Han family."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people present all changed. There's no such thing as a free lunch; there must be something fishy going on behind this.

Han Qinxue continued:

"My Han family has investigated the backgrounds of all of you. Whether in terms of character or identity, you are all trustworthy."

"As long as you are willing to become a guest of the Han family, not only will you be offered the Frost Soul Iron with both hands, but the Han family will also offer you spirit stones every year. We will never treat you unfairly."

Tie Shanhe did not rush to agree, but instead frowned and asked:

"Although the Han family is not what it used to be, it still has a Foundation Establishment ancestor to oversee things. Why is it suddenly in such a hurry to recruit guest elders?"

The black-clad cultivator's gaze also narrowed slightly.

"Is the Han family in trouble?"