After transforming into a fairy, I, in my simulation, wreaked havoc in the cultivation world.

Yunque City covers a vast area; as far as the eye can see, it stretches to the horizon.

From a high vantage point, the entire city is divided into three magnificent city walls, further subdivided by the cultivators within by the outer, middle, and inner gates.

[The Inner Palace is the residence of the descendants of the Tianxuan Sword Sect's cultivator families; outside cultivators are strictly prohibited from staying there.]

Zhongque is the most prosperous area in the entire city, where various powerful forces are deeply entrenched, and large shops, auction houses, and treasure pavilions are all located here.

The outer city is a melting pot of all sorts of people, a place where wandering cultivators and ordinary, destitute mortals live together, and where black markets and other shady industries thrive.

No world is black and white. As long as the safety of the city is not threatened and no indiscriminate killing is committed, the Heavenly Profound Sword Sect will turn a blind eye and never forcibly establish rules to restrict behavior.

The Li family of Yunque City is not unknown in the city; with a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator residing within the clan, they can be considered a powerful force in the area.

As for Golden Core cultivators... those beings wouldn't bother with such petty worldly affairs.

[From the conversation, we learned that the man in blue was named Li Er, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining.]

[The opponent possesses four spiritual roots, and has wasted nearly thirty years to reach his current cultivation level; he has long since given up on the Foundation Establishment stage.]

[It was only through connections with the Li family that I managed to get that job guarding the formation; I'll probably have to rely on that for the rest of my life.]

You can't help but feel a pang of regret. Without your perseverance and hard work, you might be just like those low-level cultivators, wasting your life and ultimately fading into obscurity.

[After walking along the bustling streets for a short while, a magnificent and solemn mansion came into view.]

There was no melodramatic scene of people looking down on others; the guards at the gate, seeing Li Er's humble demeanor, knew that the newcomer was no ordinary person.

After a hurried bow, he immediately rushed into the residence to report.

Upon entering the mansion, you look up and are struck by the breathtakingly luxurious architecture inside.

[With its carved railings and jade steps, painted beams and vermilion eaves, and countless palaces adorned with pearls and shells, it was a hundred times more luxurious than the imperial palaces depicted in movies and TV dramas, and ten thousand times more magnificent than the residences of those impoverished sword cultivators of the Tianxuan Sword Sect.]

Of course, the concentration of spiritual energy there is not as high as that of a sect.

You were led directly into the main hall. Many passing cultivators cast curious glances your way, but none of them dared to cause trouble.

"Haha, a warm welcome to the esteemed Sword Sect cultivator to my humble abode! Your presence is an honor."

Before even stepping into the front hall, a hearty laugh echoed from inside.

[Immediately afterwards, an invisible pressure swept over you, but vanished without a trace the instant it was about to touch you.]

Foundation Establishment cultivator!

You were slightly startled. Although you were a direct disciple of the sect, you only had the Qi Refining cultivation level. You had thought that the other party would only send a junior from the family to receive you, but you didn't expect it to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Judging from the demeanor and attire of the person before me, he is most likely a patriarch or elder of the Li family.

It seems the title of "personal disciple" is more useful than you thought.

"Greetings, senior. My name is Lin Qingyu."

Within the sect, you can address a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as "Senior Sister," but outside the sect, when facing a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator who could easily crush you, you'll still have to respectfully call them "Senior."

This is the fundamental logic of the cultivation world.

"Haha, very good, very good. Young friend Lin truly lives up to his reputation as a prodigy. Such composure is truly rare."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's smile widened even more. He showed no airs of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and gestured for you to enter the hall and take a seat.

After some back and forth and flattery, you picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and closed your eyes slightly.

"Li Er said that you need an admission ticket to the Golden Palace Treasure Shop?"

The middle-aged man was indeed shrewd; sensing your reluctance to continue the conversation, he immediately steered the topic to business.

"Exactly."

"I wonder if it would be convenient for you to reveal what brings you here, young friend? Perhaps my Li family can offer some assistance."

After saying that, the middle-aged man immediately waved his hand and continued:

"If it's inconvenient, I will still offer you the admission ticket with both hands."

"Gathering Spirit Jade Marrow."

After a moment's hesitation, you decided to tell the other person.

Even if they concealed it, given the Li family's influence in the city, they would inevitably find out during the auction.

Since the other party wants to befriend you, why not offer them an opportunity? If you can get it directly, great; if not, you won't lose anything.

"Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow?!"

The young man standing behind the middle-aged man let out a soft cry, but was immediately silenced by a sharp glare from the man.

"What's wrong with it?"

You looked puzzled.

As far as you know, while this Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow is precious, it's not exactly a sought-after spiritual item.

[After all, very few cultivators need this item to refine their spiritual power because their cultivation is too rapid.]

【"Sigh~"】

The middle-aged man sighed softly.

"Young friend, you may not know this, but the Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow has already been reserved in advance. It's only because the Golden Palace Treasure Shop has such a powerful background that the person didn't dare to directly steal it."

"Oh? Who is it?"

You raised an eyebrow slightly, your tone filled with disdain.

[How could a direct disciple of the Heavenly Profound Sword Sect not have a bit of arrogance when out in public?]

"Listening to Snow Cliff, Gazing at the Moon, the Immortal!"

The middle-aged man let out a soft breath and slowly uttered a few words.

[Real person?]

Your heart skipped a beat; you were already considering backing down.

What do Golden Core cultivators have to compete with?

Although you possess a trump card that grants you invincibility below the Nascent Soul stage, whether exchanging a life-saving trump card for Spirit Gathering Jade Marrow is worthwhile is debatable.

[Furthermore, as you know, Tingxue Cliff is a major sect near Tianxuan County, and it also has a Nascent Soul Heavenly Lord presiding over it.]

Whether a Golden Core cultivator in such a powerful force possesses any trump cards capable of contending with a Nascent Soul cultivator remains to be seen.

【trouble!】

Seeing you frowning in deep thought, the middle-aged man's teacup trembled slightly.

[Is this young lady planning to make a move on a Golden Core cultivator?]

Hearing the noise, your tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, only to be replaced by a look of helplessness.

"It seems this junior will be returning empty-handed this time."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man breathed a long sigh of relief. He had only wanted to befriend a genius, not cause this huge trouble.

Even though your face is veiled, the sorrow lingering between your brows still evokes pity. The young man behind the man felt a pang of sympathy and blurted out a word of advice:

"Senior sister, there are many shops in Yunque City; perhaps you can find treasures with similar effects."

The middle-aged man glanced at the boy discreetly, fully aware of his intentions. Ever since the girl entered the room, his gaze had never left her.

Although it might seem like a toad trying to eat swan meat, he's still willing to give it a push—what if it works out?

"Indeed, the cultivation world is full of opportunities. Young friend, there's no need to worry too much. Now that you've come to Cloud Palace City, why not wander around? You might just encounter something extraordinary."

At this point, the middle-aged man smiled gently.

"This is my son, Li Xinglan. He should be about the same age as your young friend. Having him accompany you will save you some trouble."

You understood immediately; this old fox clearly didn't want to mention the matter of Master Wangyue, fearing it would bring trouble upon himself.

[Then you quietly turned your head, your clear eyes, as gentle as water, falling softly on the young man, your voice low, carrying a touch of the unique reserve of a woman:]

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Li."

...