Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

The cultivation world has a long history, and it has its own set of ancient rituals for cultivators' weddings and funerals.

Soon, festive music filled the air, and Qin Changyuan, dressed in a bright red wedding gown and smiling, walked in side by side with his bride, who wore a red veil and a lotus-patterned wedding dress.

The two performed three bows in sequence: bowing to Heaven and Earth, bowing to their clan elders, and bowing to each other as husband and wife, finally forming a pact of unity.

The ceremony is now complete.

The melodious and joyful music suddenly rose, and all the guests bowed and offered their congratulations. The red silk fluttering in the wind, along with the swaying lanterns, brought the festive atmosphere of the Qin Family Courtyard to its peak.

After the ceremony, the prepared spiritual food was served up in a continuous stream.

The cultivators, who could no longer contain themselves, immediately began to feast.

The spiritual food on the table contained a trace of spiritual energy, which was a rare treat for most of the low-level cultivators present.

Of course, some of these cultivators, having already given money as a gift, felt they had to eat their fill and indulged in the feast without any restraint.

The only exceptions were the few tables in the main hall.

Zhang Li, needless to say, was quite wealthy. He ate spirit rice and beast meat for every meal. If he got tired of one kind of spirit rice and beast meat, he could switch to another. Naturally, he didn't care about the spiritual energy in this little bit of spirit wine and spirit food.

The tables next to them were also occupied by prominent family cultivators. Although they did not stop eating, they all behaved with extreme restraint.

The banquet lasted for nearly two hours.

After the guests had eaten and drunk their fill, they all took their leave.

The noise in the courtyard gradually subsided, and the once bustling Qin family compound slowly returned to tranquility.

Before departing, the cultivators and independent practitioners exchanged a few more polite words with the Qin family members and then dispersed in an orderly manner.

In the main hall, the other guests also got up to say goodbye, but Zhang Li remained seated and did not move.

It wasn't that he didn't want to leave, but Qin Mu secretly sent a telepathic message saying that he had something important to discuss with him.

At this point in time, the only important matter for these cultivator families is the struggle for spiritual veins. However, given the overall strength of the Qin family, a high-grade spiritual vein is not something they can covet.

After all the other guests had left, the Qin family servants also tactfully withdrew, leaving only Zhang Li and Qin Mu in the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, let's not beat around the bush. If it concerns the struggle for spiritual veins, there's no need to speak." Zhang Li said expressionlessly, getting straight to the point. "I am a disciple of the Qingxuan Sect. The sect has an order that its cultivators are strictly prohibited from interfering in the conflicts between local families, especially at this critical juncture, as the risk is too great."

Although Zhang Li's tone was somewhat forceful, Qin Mu didn't take it to heart.

Firstly, he did need Zhang Li's help, and secondly, Zhang Li was backed by the Qingxuan Sect. Even though Zhang Li only had the cultivation level of the fifth level of Qi Refining, his status was no less than that of him, a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, rest assured. I know the Qin family's true strength. Although a top-grade spiritual vein is good, it is only a death warrant for the Qin family. I have another matter to ask you for help with."

At this point, Qin Mu paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you know about the Marrow Cleansing Fruit, right?"

Although Qin Mu was asking a question, his tone was extremely certain.

Zhang Li's originally calm eyes suddenly narrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed through his mind.

The Marrow Cleansing Fruit is a top-grade first-class spiritual medicine that ripens once every hundred years. It can cleanse the marrow and tendons, and more importantly, it can also improve one's physical attributes.

If it can be combined with several other spiritual herbs to make a Marrow Cleansing Pill, the effect of improving aptitude can be amplified.

"Of course I know, but the Marrow Cleansing Fruit is a rare item. Why would Fellow Daoist Qin suddenly bring it up?"

Zhang Li smiled slightly.

"I won't hide it from you, fellow Daoist. I know the whereabouts of a Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree, and it will ripen soon. However, wherever rare and precious materials grow, there will always be demonic beasts accompanying them."

There is indeed such a saying in the cultivation world: spiritual objects of heaven and earth are born by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. While the rich spiritual energy nourishes spiritual medicines, it also attracts demonic beasts to dwell here and use the spiritual energy to cultivate.

Some rare spiritual creatures also have companion demonic beasts. The two complement each other and grow together. After the spiritual creature matures, the companion demonic beast will choose to devour it in order to break through its shackles and enhance its essence.

Zhang Li understood immediately and said calmly, "So, Fellow Daoist Qin means you want to invite me to fight the demonic beast together?"

Qin Mu nodded upon hearing this and said, "That's right. The beast guarding the Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree is a kind of demon beast called the Azure Spirit Python. Its combat power is comparable to that of a Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivator. It is huge in size, incredibly poisonous, and extremely difficult to deal with. So I would like to ask you for my help."

"After the matter is accomplished, two Marrow Cleansing Fruits can be given to you, fellow Daoist, and my Qin family will also give you an additional fifty catties of Black Gold Honey."

Having said that, he fell silent and waited for Zhang Li's reply.

Azure Serpent!

With combat power comparable to a Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivator, among the Qin family cultivators, besides Qin Mu, there is only one elder who has been in seclusion for many years and is at the late Qi Refining stage, and there are also six Qi Refining Middle Level cultivators, including three at the Qi Refining Fourth Level.

With these few people, if they were to deal with a giant, armored, and incredibly venomous Azure Serpent, the slightest mistake would likely result in the loss of many men.

Zhang Li pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I am honored by Fellow Daoist Qin's high regard. I am only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and my presence would only be a burden to you."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhang, I will certainly not fight an unprepared battle."

As he spoke, Qin Mu patted his storage bag and took out an array plate, saying, "This is a minor Five Elements array, a first-grade high-level spiritual array, which is enough to trap that Azure Python for a period of time. We can then find an opening and make our move."

Since there's a defensive formation, it's worth considering. If it's impossible, Zhang Li is confident he can escape, but the conditions must be changed.

"The formation is good, but the Azure Serpent is powerful and the risk is still considerable. I can agree to your request, but there is one condition."

Qin Mu felt relieved upon hearing this and quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Fellow Daoist, please speak."

"I want the fruit tree seedlings," Zhang Li slowly stated his condition.

The Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree is naturally grown. Once all the fruits are picked after they ripen, the tree will immediately wither and die. Only one seed will remain, which is the only remaining foundation of the entire spiritual tree and the only opportunity to cultivate and nurture a new tree.

"Yes, after you pick the ripe Marrow Cleansing Fruit, the remaining tree seed belongs to you, fellow Daoist."

Qin Mu agreed readily. The Qin family was too small and had no means to cultivate a Marrow Cleansing Fruit Tree. He had originally planned to sell the spiritual seed, so since Zhang Li wanted it, he would give it to him.

It's important to understand that although the Marrow Cleansing Fruit matures only once every hundred years, the time and resources required to cultivate it from seed to fruit tree are enough to overwhelm the entire Qin family.

After agreeing on the terms and setting a departure time, Zhang Li got up to say goodbye and left the Qin family.