《Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits》


 Chapter 1 Devouring the Dao Fruit

    "Where am I?"


    Zhao Yu felt a severe headache and slowly opened his eyes. Looking around, he found himself in an extremely simple wooden hut.


    The next moment, countless memories rushed into Zhao Yu''s head, causing a greater headache, but also granting him a vast amount of information.


    "Canglong Mountain Range, Cultivators, this ce is the Cultivation World!!"


    From the memories of this body, Zhao Yu learned that he was currently in a small market named Heishan, established by the great Cultivation sect Cangling Sect near the Canglong Mountain Range.


    In the Cultivation World, Cultivators'' levels are divided into the Qi Refinement Realm, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Divinity Transformation Stage, Return to Void Stage, Transcendence Tribtion Stage, and the Mahayana Realm. After Mahayana, one could be an immortal.


    The original owner of this body, also named Zhao Yu, was thirty-eight years old and had the lowest grade of Low-grade Five Elements Spiritual Root, with a cultivation level at the peak of First Level of Qi Refining. He was sold to the Cangling Sect by the Zhao family of cultivators when he was eighteen, just like selling a pig, to be a cannon fodder for pioneering the Canglong Mountains.


    Zhao Yu felt a headache: "Thirty-eight years old and only at the First Level of Qi Refining!! Such strength is way too low!! I can''t beat anyone!!"


    Zhao Yu walked out of the simple wooden hut and looked outside, only to see a field of Spirit Fields before him.


    Zhao Yu had been a spiritual farmer for ten years in the Spirit Fields around the small Heishan market of the Cangling Sect, and only then had he gained his freedom, after which he continued to rent three acres of Spirit Fields in the market for cultivation.


    Around the vast expanse of Spirit Fields, a few simple wooden huts were scattered, which were the homes of the spiritual farmers.


    "Should I continue to be a spiritual farmer, or go to the Ten Mortal Cities to get by?"


    A thought surged into Zhao Yu''s mind: in the Heishan market, he was at the lowest level of Cultivators. But once he went to one of the Ten Mortal Cities, which was established with Heishan market at its core, he would instantly be a Cultivator lord, a bigndowner, a tycoon with no problem at all.


    However, going to the Ten Mortal Cities meant cutting off the path to immortality; after all, only in the small Heishan market was there aplete first-order Spirit Vein. The Spiritual Energy was dense, and cultivation speed was more than a hundred times faster than in the Ten Mortal Cities.


    Zhao Yu let out a long sigh: "With such cultivation talent, I have no future in the Cultivation World, better to go to a mortal city!"


    Some geniuses from various sects had already be Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators by the age of thirty-eight. Zhao Yu was still stagnating at the First Level of Qi Refining. Lacking both talent and resources, staying in the Cultivation World also made no sense.


    Zhao Yu took a deep look at the Spirit Fields and returned to the simple wooden hut.


    After a bit of rummaging around the room, he found fifty taels of gold, six Spirit Stones, nine grains of Spirit Sand, a Secret Manual of the "Earth Elemental Skill" that could be cultivated to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, a Magical Technique Manual of the "Minor Wind de Technique," three low-grade first-order talismans for warding off evil, one low-grade first-order Minor Spirit Shield talisman, one low-grade first-order Minor Wind de talisman, and a Magical Technique Manual of the "Dew Technique."


    Those possessions were all that Zhao Yu had managed to save up after being granted freedom and ten more years of being a spiritual farmer.


    Spirit Sand is collected from Spirit Stone Mines; it''s made up of some broken fragments of Spirit Stones, generally containing the Spiritual Power of one Spirit Stone for every ten grains of sand, though typically eleven grains of sand are needed to exchange for a single Spirit Stone.


    "Let me taste the vor of the Spirit Rice in the Cultivation World!"


    Zhao Yu opened the rice bin, scooped out the translucent Spirit Rice within, and put it in the pot. After some flustered preparation, he finally cooked the Spirit Rice.


    "It''s so delicious! It''s my first time tasting such delicious rice, no wonder it''s Spirit Rice!"


    The Spirit Rice was sweet but not cloying, carrying a faint fragrance of rice. After eating it, a gentle stream of warmth flowed through Zhao Yu''s body, making him feel thoroughlyfortable.


    "Zhao Yu."


    "Possesses the Dao Fruit of Devouring."


    "Lifespan 38/68."


    "Martial Talent: Utterly ordinary (0/10)."


    "Spirit Root Talent: Low-grade Metal Spirit Root (0/100), Low-grade Wood Spirit Root (0/100), Low-grade Water Spirit Root (0/100), Low-grade Fire Spirit Root (0/100), Low-grade Earth Spirit Root (0/100)."


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill First Level (95/100), Qi Refinement First Level."


    "Spell ¡ª Minor Wind de Technique: Proficient (5/200)."


    "Spell ¡ª Dew Technique: Mastered (85/400)."


    Rows of information appeared within Zhao Yu''s consciousness.


    "Dao Fruit of Devouring, is this my golden finger? Eating Spirit Rice can increase my talent points?"


    Zhao Yu looked around and only saw the option to add points behind the Martial Talent, then he tapped it.


    "Martial Talent: Utterly ordinary (1/10)."


    Zhao Yu pondered thoughtfully, "It can only enhance Martial Talent? No, since it is about devouring Dao Fruit, the power must be much more than this. I suspect the Spirit Rice grade is too low! Perhaps eating higher-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures will enhance my Spiritual Roots!!"


    Spiritual Roots are extremely important for a Cultivator. Without them, one cannot absorb the free-floating Spiritual Power between heaven and earth and store it within the body to transform into Mana. Those people can only remain as mortals for their entire lives, unable to cultivate.


    Zhao Yu, a Cultivator with five Low-grade Spiritual Roots, also had the poorest talent among Cultivators. Above Low-grade Spiritual Roots, there are Medium-grade, High-grade, Earth, and Heavenly Spiritual Roots.


    Excitement flickered in Zhao Yu''s eyes, "I don''t need to go to the Mortal Cities anymore! I finally have hope for Cultivation!!"


    Sitting cross-legged on the bed ording to his memory, Zhao Yu closed his eyes and started to operate his Earth Elemental Skill. He vaguely sensed various attributes of Spiritual Power particles around him.


    As he operated the Earth Elemental Skill, he felt like a ma, slowly and painstakingly absorbing the heavy Earth Attribute Spiritual Power particles into his body, then transforming them into Mana.


    Throughout the process, Zhao Yu clearly perceived that most of the Earth Attribute Spiritual Power particles he struggled to draw into his body would disperse again, with only a tiny portion being retained, resulting in an extremely low Cultivation efficiency.


    An hourter, Zhao Yu slowly opened his eyes.


    "Earth Elemental Skill First Level (95/100)."


    Zhao Yu''s brows furrowed slightly, "My Cultivation Level hasn''t budged at all!! It''s too difficult for a Cultivator with Low-grade Five Elements Spiritual Roots! It seems I can only cultivate Mundane Martial Arts as a means of protection!"


    Most Cultivators looked down upon Mundane Martial Arts because even Martial Arts Geniuses among mortals who cultivated their arts to the Grandmaster Realm could only sneak attack and kill Cultivators below the Third Level of Qi Refinement.


    Even a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator like Zhao Yu, as long as he used a Minor Spirit Shield charm to cast the Minor Spirit Shield Technique, could fend off the attacks of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and under the protection of the Minor Spirit Shield Technique, he could use the power of the Minor Wind de Technique to kill a Martial Arts Grandmaster in one strike.


    Such was the terrifying aspect of Cultivators.


    However, if they didn''t use defensive spells like the Minor Spirit Shield Technique, the bodies of Qi Refining Stage Cultivators were still mundane, and if ambushed by a Martial Arts Grandmaster, they could be killed.


    Zhao Yu carried three pieces and nine grains of Spirit Sand to the Market.


    The main district of the market at Little ck Mountain was bustling, crowded with people and thriving with activity.


    The Canglong Mountain Range was a mountain chain that had never been developed by humans, housing many demons and beasts, as well as numerous precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Little ck Mountain, being the only market nearby, naturally attracted countless Loose Cultivators.


    Zhao Yu scoured the market at Little ck Mountain and eventually entered a general store.


    "Shopkeeper, how much for these Mundane Martial Arts Manuals?" Zhao Yu asked as he picked up a "White Crane Technique Secret Manual" from the corner of the store.


    The eyes of the general store''s shopkeeper lit up, offering eagerly, "Those that can be cultivated to the Innate Realm are one Spirit Sand per manual, those to the Grandmaster Realm are five Spirit Sands each! I have one that can be cultivated to the Great Grandmaster Realm, just one Spirit Stone each, are you interested?"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes also lit up; Martial Arts Great Grandmasters among mortals were exceedingly rare, but each of them had battle powerparable to an expert at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.


    Even Minor Spirit Shield Techniques, lower-tier Grade One defense spells, cannot withstand the full force strikes of those Martial Arts Great Grandmasters ¡ª it takes a mid-tier Grade One defense spell like the Spiritual Shield Technique to fend off an attack from a Martial Arts Great Grandmaster.


    "I''ll take that manual! But that manual is too expensive, I want these few manuals as a bonus!" Zhao Yu then picked up three more manuals on Flying Daggers, Qinggong, and swordsmanship.


    The shopkeeper said, "Unless you add another Spirit Stone and buy a bottle of Qi and Blood Pills, those manuals can only be given to you as a bonus! A bottle of Qi and Blood Pills has ten pills, and each one refined is equivalent to an additional year''s worth of cultivation. If you buy them at Duo Bao Building, a bottle of Qi and Blood Pills is also one Spirit Stone!


    If you''re thinking of cultivating Mundane Martial Arts, Qi and Blood Pills are definitely the right purchase!"


    "I''ll buy it!"


    Zhao Yu feigned hesitation for a while before carefully taking out two Spirit Stones, still speckled with unhusked rice, from his bosom and handing them to the shopkeeper.


    Poor Spirit Farmer!


    Upon seeing the rice on the Spirit Stones, the shopkeeper guessed Zhao Yu''s identity and a trace of contempt shed deep within his eyes as he handed over the three manuals and the bottle of Qi and Blood Pills to Zhao Yu.


    Hardly anyone would rob these poor Spirit Farmers because they were too poor and mainly didn''t possess any Spirit Stones. Moreover, killing these miserable farmers could easily lead to a manhunt by the market patrol.


    "Another fool trying to change his fate through martial arts! If martial arts were useful, what would be the need for Cultivators?" the shopkeeper sneered quietly to himself as he watched Zhao Yu''s retreating figure.


    The manual he sold to Zhao Yu was genuine, but what he didn''t mention was that only one person had ever seeded in cultivating that manual to be a Martial Arts Great Grandmaster, and that person had taken several decades to achieve it and died of old age within three years of his aplishment.


    After receiving the manuals and Qi and Blood Pills, Zhao Yu promptly left the market and headed straight back to his residence, breathing a sigh of relief only after reaching his simple wooden house.


    Only then did Zhao Yu start to carefully read the Martial Arts Manual, "Chi Yang Divine Skill," that he had purchased from the store owner.


    The "Chi Yang Divine Skill" was an extraordinary Martial Arts technique; cultivating to the Seventh Level could reverse the ordinary and be an Innate Expert. Reaching the Tenth Level would leapfrog one to Martial Arts Grandmaster status, and achieving the Twentieth Level would elevate one to Martial Arts Great Grandmaster.


    If the "Chi Yang Divine Skill" had found its way into the mundane world, it would definitely cause countless disputes and lead to bloodshed. However, in the Little ck Mountain market, it was only worth a single Spirit Stone.

 Chapter 2 An Exceptionally Outstanding Martial Talent

    In the Spirit Fields, Zhao Yu stood under the scorching sun, circting his blood and transforming his Inner Qi as he slowly executed the secret technique recorded in the "Crimson Sun Divine Skill."


    "Crimson Sun Divine Skill, First Level (1/100)."


    Afterpleting a cycle of breath cultivation, Zhao Yu was drenched in sweat. As he thought it, a line of information emerged:


    "Each cultivation session yields one point of proficiency, and one can cultivate twice a day! This means it would take fifty days toplete the first level of the Crimson Sun Divine Skill."


    "ording to the author of the Crimson Sun Divine Skill, each level is more challenging than thest! Based on my cultivation speed, it would probably take about sixty years to cultivate the Crimson Sun Divine Skill to the Great Grandmaster Realm. That speed is only achievable cultivating above the Market''s Spirit Vein. As for my Martial Talent, it really is quite ordinary!"


    Zhao Yu looked at his cultivation progress andpared it with the secret manual of the Crimson Sun Divine Skill, quickly understanding why so few Cultivators cultivated Mortal Martial Arts.


    Ordinary Cultivators could spend their entire lives cultivating without bing Martial Great Grandmasters, while talented Cultivators who reached Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators could kill a Martial Great Grandmaster with a casual spell. It''s obvious which option a rational person would choose.


    "Young Zhao, are you practicing martial arts? Are you nning to leave the Market and settle in the Ten Mortal Cities?"


    At the edge of the nearby field, an average-looking old man with graying hair, a face lined with wrinkles, and a few age spots strode over with a sparkling vivacity in his eyes, only approaching after Zhao Yu had finished his cultivation. He grinned, revealing hisrge yellow teeth, and walked towards him.


    Wiping off sweat, Zhao Yu said, "Old Liu, I''m still nning to give it another shot here in the Market!"


    Old Liu was an elder Spirit Farmer from Cangling Sect. When Zhao Yu was first sold to the Market to tend to the Spirit Fields, it was Old Liu who taught him the skills of a Spirit Farmer. They had a very close rtionship.


    Old Liu grinned, showing off hisrge yellow teeth, "Young Zhao, you''re not getting any younger! It''s time to think about settling down. I have twenty-three granddaughters, each one beautiful and lovely. Would you like to choose one to be your wife?"


    Offspring born from a union between a Cultivator with a Spirit Root and a mortal have a much higher chance of inheriting a Spirit Root than children born from two mortals.


    Although Zhao Yu was the lowest-ranked Cultivator in the Market, he was held in high esteem in the Ten Mortal Cities. Many mortal families were eager to have him join them and to have his children.


    Zhao Yu replied, "Old Liu, I''m not considering that at the moment. Besides, aren''t you nearly seventy years old? Shouldn''t you be returning to ckstone City to enjoy your life?"


    Generally, those who cannot achieve Foundation Establishment by the age of seventy, without an incredible stroke of luck, will be unable to do so for the rest of their lives. Many Cultivators from the Market who reach seventy without achieving Foundation Establishment leave and go to the Ten Mortal Cities to enjoy their lives.


    Of course, some aplished Talisman Masters and Pill Masters remain in the Market to enjoy life even if they can''t achieve Foundation Establishment. After all, the life of the lower-ranking Loose Cultivators in the Market is hard, but those at the top lead a much more joyful life than those in the Ten Mortal Cities, and living above the Spirit Vein can extend one''s lifespan by a few years.


    Although Old Liu was just an ordinary Spirit Farmer at the Third Level of Qi Refining in the Market, back in ckstone City he owned three thousand acres of fertilend and had dozens of wives and concubines. Every year, Old Liu would leave the Market for a while to spend time with his family in ckstone City, located in the Ten Mortal Cities.


    Old Liu said proudly, "One of my grandsons has a Medium-grade Four Spiritual Roots¡ªit''s quite a talent! I n to work for another twenty years, putting everything into nurturing him! If I can get him to join the Cangling Sect, perhaps our Old Liu family will produce a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator one day!"


    In the Cultivation World, Cultivators with Low-grade Five Spiritual Roots like Zhao Yu are the most numerous. Without a grand opportunity, they hardly have any hope of advancing to Foundation Establishment. Cultivators with Medium-grade Four Spiritual Roots barely meet the minimum recruitment standard for the Cangling Sect and have a slight hope of achieving Foundation Establishment.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Then I wish your Old Liu family will soon produce a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!"


    Old Liuughed heartily, "Hahaha! Young Zhao, since you''ve started practicing martial arts, you should cut back on visiting ces like the Hundred Flowers Building. Although the female disciples from the Thousand Mysteries Sect are delightful, they show no mercy when absorbing a man''s essence."


    At the mention of the Hundred Flowers Building, Zhao Yu felt a surge of heat and images that stirred his blood shed through his mind before he gave an awkward smile, "I will keep that in mind."


    Old Liuughed, "The Hundred Flowers Building is too expensive. If you want to go, you should head to Qing Stone Alley and look for those with semi-open doors. They''re also cultivators, stronger than mortals. But if you want to live a good life, you should go to the Ten Mortal Cities and find yourself a few mortal wives, produce a bunch of kids¡ªsurely some will have Spirit Roots!"


    Zhao Yu chatted idly with Old Liu for a while longer before he began carefully tending to the two acres of Spirit Fields, his only source of ie.


    Zhao Yu ate three meals of Spirit Rice a day, each meal consisting of one jin of Spirit Rice, to gain a point of proficiency in his Martial Talent.


    Although the improvement was small, Zhao Yu cultivated the Crimson Sun Divine Skill and the Earth Elemental Skill every day. The proficiency of the Crimson Sun Divine Skill increased by one point daily, while the proficiency of the Earth Elemental Skill remained unchanged.


    The fourth day.


    "Martial Talent: Extremely Outstanding (0/100)."


    After Zhao Yu applied his points, he immediately felt a warm current flowing through his body, making him feel more spirited and fundamentally transformed.


    Zhao Yu stepped out of his wooden hut and headed to the Spirit Fields to carefully cultivate the "Crimson Sun Divine Skill" under the fierce sun.


    "Crimson Sun Divine Skill, First Level (34/100)."


    Zhao Yu revealed a slight smile, "The difference is too great! After increasing my Martial Talent, my cultivation speed is now thirty times faster than an average person''s!! At this rate, I might be able to reach the Great Grandmaster Realm in just about two years!!"


    Once he ascended to the Great Grandmaster Realm, Zhao Yu''s fighting power would beparable to that of a Cultivator at around the Sixth Level of Qi Refining. This would grant him some measure of self-protection within the Market.


    Zhao Yu took out a Qi Blood Pill and swallowed it directly. A warm current flowed through his body before abruptly condensing.


    "Alchemy Talent: Unremarkable (0/100)."


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: 0th Rank (0/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ª¡ªQi Blood Pill: Beginner (0/100)."


    A trace of surprise shed through Zhao Yu''s eyes, "After eating the Spirit Pill, I can add points to improve the proficiency level of refining this type of Spirit Pill! That''s great! There''s hope for me to be a Pill Master!!"


    In the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, the four arts of formations, talismans, pills, and weapons are the most profitable, with the identity of a Pill Master being the most prestigious and profitable among them.


    "However, one bottle of Qi Blood Pills costs one Spirit Stone, and by refining ten bottles, my proficiency level in refining Qi Blood Pills could improve to a proficient level. But the market for Qi Blood Pills is small, and they can''t be sold at all!"


    Zhao Yu''s joysted only for a moment before he regained hisposure and began to weigh the pros and cons.


    In the market of Xiaohei Mountain, the vast majority are Cultivators, and those who practice Mortal Martial Arts are extremely few. Qi Blood Pills, which strengthen the qi and blood of warriors, generally only have a demand in the Ten Mortal Cities, and even there, demand is not high.


    That''s because ordinary mortal warriors simply can''t afford Qi Blood Pills, and influential figures like the City Lords of the Ten Mortal Cities who can afford them won''t buy inrge quantities, and businesses of this kind are monopolized by major forces such as the Cang Ling Sect. For a low-level cultivator like Zhao Yu to touch this kind of business would be suicidal.


    Zhao Yu''s thoughts moved. The plus sign next to Alchemy¡ª¡ªQi Blood Pill disappeared, and a warm current flowed rapidly through his body; he began to breathe in and out again, cultivating the Chiyang Divine Skill, refining a zing Inner Qi in his body.


    "Chiyang Divine Skill Second Level (10/100)."


    After finishing his cultivation, Zhao Yu suddenly thought, "If eating a Qi Blood Pill can improve my proficiency in refining Qi Blood Pills, can eating a Spirit Talisman help me improve my proficiency in refining Spirit Talismans?"


    Zhao Yu immediately returned to his wooden hut, searched through his belongings, and found three Evil Warding Talismans and one Minor Spiritual Shield Talisman. After lingering over the two Spirit Talismans for a while, he finally picked up an Evil Warding Talisman.


    The Canglong Mountain Range is abundant in spiritual energy, home to many Spirit Veins, which give birth to many powerful demonic beasts and strange Evil Spirits! The Evil Warding Talisman is an essential talisman for those who clear fields in ces like the Canglong Mountain Range; with it, one can sense the approach of Evil Spirits and dispel them.


    Evil Spirits are pervasive, and many low-level cultivators unknowingly be afflicted by them. That''s also why Zhao Yu, as a poor Spiritual Farmer, would always keep three Evil Warding Talismans at home just in case.


    Zhao Yu swallowed the Evil Warding Talisman in one gulp, and a line of information directly appeared.


    "Talisman Path Talent: Unremarkable (0/100)."


    "Talisman Practice Level: 0th Rank (0/100)."


    "Talisman¡ª¡ªEvil Warding Talisman: Beginner (0/100)."


    Zhao Yu took a close look and tapped the plus sign next to Evil Warding Talisman: Beginner. A surge of memories on how to draw the Evil Warding Talisman flooded into his mind, as if he had already drawn the first talisman after many attempts.


    "Talisman¡ª¡ªEvil Warding Talisman: Beginner (10/100)."


    Zhao Yu slightly furrowed his brow, "Eating one Evil Warding Talisman can improve my proficiency by ten points! But now I only have four Spirit Stones, which at most can only buy four more Evil Warding Talismans. I still need to buy Talisman Paper, Talisman Ink, and Talisman Brush, and there are definitely not enough Spirit Stones!


    The most urgent thing is to improve my Martial Cultivation and strengthen my Protection Methods."


    In the days that followed, Zhao Yu would get up early in the morning to cultivate the Chiyang Divine Skill, and then he would practice Qinggong, Flying Daggers, and swordsmanship.


    Afterpleting his cultivation, Zhao Yu would go to the Spirit Fields to carefully tend to them, and at night he would sit cross-legged on the ground, cultivating the Earth Elemental Skill.


    Initially, Zhao Yu would gain one point in Martial Talent proficiency with every meal of Spirit Rice he ate. But since advancing to a Martial Arts Genius, he needed to eat three meals of Spirit Rice a day to gain one point in Martial Talent proficiency, plus an extra meal to replenish the nutrients consumed by practicing martial arts.


    Half a month shed by in an instant, and Zhao Yu had eaten up all his stored Spirit Rice.


    However, the day to harvest the Spirit Rice also arrived. Zhao Yu harvested the Spirit Rice from the three mu of Spirit Fields all by himself, which was veryborious. After paying the rent, he was left with three Spirit Stones and ny jin of Spirit Rice.


    Zhao Yu looked at the remaining Spirit Stones and Spirit Rice and sighed deeply, "Being a Spiritual Farmer is truly miserable!!"


    Typically, one mu of Spirit Fields can produce around one hundred jin of dehusked Spirit Rice, which can only be harvested once a year.


    Each mu of a Spirit Field is rented out for fifty jin of Spirit Rice, and then the Cang Ling Sect would forcefully buy another thirty jin of Spirit Rice from each mu at the price of one Spirit Stone for thirty jin, and only the remaining Spirit Rice can be eaten or sold by the Spiritual Farmers themselves.


    In the Market''s rice shops, one Spirit Stone can only purchase ten jin of Spirit Rice.


    If the Spiritual Farmers of the Market are not diligent enough, the Spirit Rice they harvest throughout the year might not even be enough for their own consumption, forcing them to spend Spirit Stones to buy more Spirit Rice.


    Zhao Yu, as an experienced Spiritual Farmer, could achieve a yield of one hundred and ten jin per mu. However, he could only take care of three mu of Spirit Fields and had no capacity to rent and cultivate more.

 Chapter 3 Evil Spirit

    A monthter.


    Zhao Yu stood on the open ground next to the Spirit Fields, executing the Light Body Phantom Step. His movements were agile, like a phantom; with a leap, he soared three zhang into the air andnded lightly on arge tree. With a flick of his wrist, a Flying Dagger shot out, embedding itself into anotherrge tree ten zhang away.


    "I finally have some ability to protect myself!"


    Zhao Yu leaped down from the tree with ease, and as he concentrated, a series of information appeared before him.


    "Martial Talent: Quite Outstanding (45/100)."


    "Tenth Level of the Earth Elemental Skill (15/100)."


    "Qinggong: Phantom Step (Expert level 19/100)."


    "Flying Daggers (Expert level 27/100)."


    "Clear Stream Sword Technique (Expert level 9/100)."


    "First Level of the Earth Elemental Skill (98/100)."


    Zhao Yu''s Martial Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. With the fourfold blessings of Qi Blood Pills, his outstanding Martial Talent, the Spirit Vein, and Spirit Rice, it took him only a month and a half to reach the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. However, his proficiency in the Earth Elemental Skill had only increased by three points.


    "What splendid Flying Daggers! Zhao, I had no idea your Martial Talent was so remarkable. No wonder you''re practicing martial arts!"


    An approving voice came from beside him. Zhao Yu followed the sound and saw that it was his neighbor, Old Liu.


    Wiping sweat with a towel, Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Old Liu, weren''t you supposed to go back to see your grandson today?"


    Old Liu grinned, revealing a steely determination in his eyes, "Old Wu found a demon beast den in the Canglong Mountains. There are many treasures nearby that demon beast den. He''s nning to form a team to explore it. I''ve agreed to join his team!"


    Old Liu''s mentioned Old Wu was a cultivator in the Middle Stage of the Qi Refinement Real, at the fourth level. Old Wu often teamed up with others to hunt weaker demon beasts and gather Spiritual Medicines around the outskirts of the Canglong Mountains, and he was well-regarded.


    In the Qi Refinement Realm, levels one to three are the Early Stages, levels four to six the Middle Stage, levels seven to nine the Late Stages, and the tenth level represents the Great Circle of Qi Refinement, the point at which one may begin to aim for Foundation Establishment.


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Old Liu, you are well aware of the dangers in the Canglong Mountains. You never used to go there, so why are you going this time?"


    "My precious grandson is just one Spirit Pill away from breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, which will qualify him to join the Cangling Sect. I would risk even this old life for the sake of his future!"


    Old Liu grinned, showing hisrge yellow teeth, "Zhao, with Old Wu leading us, the danger shouldn''t be too great this time! It''s a great opportunity! Do you want to join us? I trust your character!"


    Zhao Yu decisively replied, "Old Liu, I n to stay here and tend to the fields! The Canglong Mountains are too dangerous!"


    "You! The path of Cultivation is all about contending with fate! Without contention, you will never obtain Cultivation Resources! This is something a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator once said."


    Old Liu looked deeply into Zhao Yu''s eyes, shook his head slightly, and said, "Never mind! To each their own! I''m off then! While I''m away, help me look after my fields, will you?"


    Zhao Yu answered, "I''ll do my best!"


    Old Liu set off resolutely, leaving the Market behind.


    "Martial arts practice can''t sustain me much longer! I need to find a way to get more Spirit Stones!"


    In one month''s time, Zhao Yu had cultivated the Earth Elemental Skill to the Tenth Level. However, he hadpletely consumed his supply of Spirit Rice, and he even spent three Spirit Stones to buy thirty jin of Spirit Rice from the grain shop. Now, he had only four Spirit Stones left.


    The very next day, Zhao Yu took all his Secret Manuals to set up a stall in the Market''s street vendor area, but he did not make a single sale all day; the cultivators didn''t even nce at his manuals.


    After three days of fruitless vending, Zhao Yu was forced to return home to continue cultivating his fields and practicing martial arts. He could only consume one jin of Spirit Rice a day and was unable to further enhance his Martial Talent.


    Half a monthter, at dusk, by the side of the Spirit Fields.


    A sh of sword light briefly appeared, as a bug gnawing on the leaves of the spirit rice was cleaved in two by Zhao Yu''s swift strike, which he then grabbed in his hand.


    "I haven''t had meat in so long! I really crave it!"


    Zhao Yu stuffed the bug into his mouth and bit down; a sensation like that of biting into fresh shrimp and the sweetness of its juices filled his taste buds.


    The bugs were a major pest to the Spirit Fields, as a single one could devour an entire mu of Spirit Fields if left unchecked. For this reason, the Spirit Fields needed constant guarding or else would yield nothing.


    "Old Liu, you''re back! How was it, the haul was good this time, wasn''t it?"


    Zhao Yu suddenly turned his head and greeted Old Liu, who was approaching from afar.


    Having be a Martial Arts Grandmaster, Zhao Yu''s perception had be much sharper. He immediately noticed that Old Liu''splexion was very pale, his eyes bloodshot, and his breath considerably weaker.


    Old Liu, still grinning, responded, "This haul was not bad at all! I got my hands on a hundred-year-old Red Heart Grass. Now, my precious grandson has a chance to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement!"


    Zhao Yu congratted him, "Congrattions!"


    A hundred-year-old Red Heart Grass was the main ingredient needed for refining Red Heart Pills, which could significantly enhance the Cultivation Level of those in thete stages of Qi Refinement. One such grass was worth over a hundred Spirit Stones, more than enough to purchase a Spirit Pill capable of breaking through the fourth level of Qi Refinement.


    Old Liu continued smiling warmly, his yellow teeth on full disy, "Come on, Zhao, to my ce! I''m in a great mood today, I''ll cook up some good dishes for you! We hunted a demon beast, and I got twenty jin of its meat! Let''s celebrate properly!"


    "Maybe next time, Old Liu! I''m nning to rx at the Hundred Flowers Building! Let''s get together another time. I''ll take my leave first!"


    With a radiant smile on his face, Zhao Yu turned and strode toward the market. However, as he turned, the smile vanished, reced by a solemn expression. He nced at the Evil Spirit Warding Charm in his hand to see it was slowly starting to burn.


    A chill ran through Zhao Yu, "Evil Spirit!! How could I encounter such a thing!! Old Liu is probably done for! If it weren''t for this charm, I wouldn''t have detected anything wrong with him at all!!"


    Evil spirits are exceedingly peculiar, and unless one constantly uses the "Spirit Eye Technique," it''s very difficult to detect anything unusual about them. However, talismans of exorcism have the power to both warn against and resist evil spirits. Thus, Zhao Yu almost always carried talismans of exorcism with him.


    The smile on Old Liu''s face, who stood behind Zhao Yu, vanished in an instant, and he stood motionless, his expression nk. His body began to tremble violently, and his blood-shot eyes each performed a disturbing 360-degree spin before he, hunching over, started running toward Zhao Yu''s direction.


    Zhao Yu immediately deployed "Light Body Phantom Step," moving at a speed akin to a galloping horse, almost like a phantom, as he raced towards the direction of the market.


    Old Liu chased him for a while, but the gap between them grew wider and wider until only Zhao Yu''s silhouette could be seen.


    Zhao Yu sped all the way to the market where the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team''s headquarters was located.


    "Fellow Daoist, my name is Zhao Yu, a spirit farmer from the Cangling Sect. I have spotted traces of an evil spirit and havee to report," he said as soon as he entered the headquarters, greeting a young man wearing a ck uniform with ck short hair, who looked quite handsome.


    "Traces of an evil spirit! Follow me,"


    The Cangling Sect disciple''s eyes shed with seriousness as he promptly settled Zhao Yu in a reception room inside the headquarters before leaving.


    Evil spirits are terrifying creatures that can grow continuously. Some weaker evil spirits can be dispelled by an early Qi Refining stage cultivator with just a few talismans of exorcism. However, if such weak evil spirits keep growing, they could even threaten the lives of cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining level after some time.


    "Where exactly is the evil spirit?"


    A cold voice suddenly came from the side. Turning towards the sound, Zhao Yu saw a stunningly beautiful woman with a tall figure, wearing ck clothes that outlined her full breasts, her skin clear as jade, with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips, looking supremely beautiful and awe-inspiringly majestic as she walked over.


    The Cangling Sect disciple who brought Zhao Yu to the reception room said with a smile, "This is our Law Enforcement Team Captain, Sister Su Bingyun! Oh, and my name is Wang Xin."


    Such a beautiful woman, overshadowing beauties from all over the world even without makeup, this is a cultivator! What''s most enviable is that she''s looking not even twenty and is already a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining with hopes for Foundation Establishment!


    Zhao Yu gazed deeply at Su Bingyun, feeling a bit of envy.


    In the market, only a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining could secure the position of Law Enforcement Team Captain of the Cangling Sect; above the captain was the leader of the Law Enforcement Team, and that leader was a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, one of the strongest in the market!


    "Fairy Su, I suspect that my neighbor, Old Liu, has been afflicted by an evil spirit!"


    Zhao Yu quickly exined the situation in detail to Su Bingyun.


    With decisive and swift action, Su Bingyun led a team of twelve Cangling Sectw enforcement officers to the vicinity of Old Liu''s wooden house.


    "There definitely is an evil spirit!"


    As soon as Su Bingyun arrived in front of Old Liu''s wooden house, the talisman of exorcism in her hand began to slowly burn.


    Clearing his throat, Zhao Yu said, "Cough, Fairy Su, may I leave now? I only have one talisman of exorcism left!"


    Due to the bizarre and extraordinary nature of evil spirits, without a talisman of exorcism, even the afflicted individual would find it hard to realize their possession. That''s why even a poor spirit farmer like Zhao Yu would buy a few for protection.


    "Wait over there!"


    Su Bingyun casually handed ten talismans of exorcism to Zhao Yu and pointed to the side.


    "Thank you, Fairy!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up as he took the talismans and ran off into the distance.


    "Coward!"


    "Pauper!"


    "After all, he''s just a spirit farmer!"


    "....."


    A hint of contempt shed in the eyes of the Cangling Sectw enforcement disciples as they exchanged a few remarks.


    After ascending to the status of Martial Arts Grandmaster, Zhao Yu''s senses were sharp, and he overheard thosements, but he didn''t take them to heart at all.


    In the Cultivation World, sect disciples look down on loose cultivators, and among them, spirit farmers are at the bottom of the hierarchy. If Zhao Yu took all of that to heart, he wouldn''t be able to survive.


    "Take action!"


    With a fierce shout from Su Bingyun, a Cangling Sect disciple kicked open the wooden door to Old Liu''s home.


    Old Liu sat silently in the dark center of the wooden house, motionless, which was highly unsettling.


    The twelve Cangling Sectw enforcement disciples waved their hands, and the talismans of exorcism flew out towards Old Liu.


    As the talismans flew, they burned continuously, emitting a faint white glow.


    Huge amounts of ck qi burst forth from Old Liu''s body, and with a scream, he suddenly swelled up, transforming into a three-meter-tall monster with bulging eyes, a frothing mouth, and muscr, sinewy limbs.


    The twelve talismans of exorcismnded on Old Liu, burning fiercely.


    Old Liu immediately screamed in agony, with thick ck qi oozing from his body.


    Su Bingyun took out a bronze antique mirror magic artifact and activated her mana. The spiritual patterns on the mirror shed, and a three-foot-long red Fire Crow flew out, pouncing on Old Liu.


    Old Liu was instantly engulfed in mes, screaming miserably. The ck qi rose and finally burned to ash within the fire.

 Chapter 4 Conversation at Cross-Purposes

    "Impressive, truly worthy of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team."


    Zhao Yu sighed softly and strode towards Su Bingyun.


    Wang Xin abruptly blocked Zhao Yu''s path and said coldly, "Alright, you''re not needed here anymore!"


    Zhao Yu, holding up those talismans, called out, "Miss Su, these talismans for warding off evil spirits!"


    Su Bingyun nced at Zhao Yu and said indifferently, "They''re yours as a reward! If you find any evil spirits, remember toe and report!"


    Zhao Yu eximed joyfully, "Thank you, Miss Su!"


    A disciple from the Cangling Sect approached Su Bingyun with a letter and said, "Sister Su, Old Liu has left a will, nning to give half of his estate to Zhao Yu and the other half to be taken back to his family in Heimu City!"


    Su Bingyun replied calmly, "Follow his will!"


    The disciple from the Cangling Sect replied, "Yes, Sister!"


    Zhao Yu was then taken by the disciple to confirm Old Liu''s estate.


    Old Liu''s estate consisted only of 160 kilograms of Spirit Rice, eighteen Spirit Stones, nine portions of Spirit Sand, and two hundred taels of gold. As for the hundred-year-old Red Heart Grass worth over a hundred Spirit Stones, Zhao Yu dared not ask further.


    After exterminating Old Liu, Su Bingyun left the ce with the Law Enforcement Team.


    After returning home, Zhao Yu stayed up all night; the robust constitution of a Martial Arts Grandmaster allowing him to withstand several days and nights without sleep.


    The next day, Zhao Yu, carrying half of Old Liu''s estate, headed towards Heimu City among the Ten Mortal Cities.


    Located forty li southeast of the ck Mountain Market within Ten Mortal Cities, Heimu City was a bustling ce thronged with mortals.


    "So this is Old Liu''s residence in Heimu City, quite imposing indeed!"


    Zhao Yu stood in front of Liu Estate, which had tworge stone lions at its entrance and upied a vast area, and remarked.


    Old Liu, a mere Spirit Farmer living in a humble wooden hut in ck Mountain Market, managed to possess such a grand mansion in Heimu City of Ten Mortal Cities, epitomizing the disparity between cultivators and mortals. Even the lowest of cultivators could lead a life of luxury among mortals.


    A servant guarding the gate came forward, frowned slightly, and asked with a hint of arrogance, "Who are you? What brings you to the Liu Estate?"


    Zhao Yu replied indifferently, "A friend of the old ancestor Liu hase to visit. Please have the Family Head of the Liu familye see me!"


    "The old ancestor''s friend!! You, you are a cultivator!! Please wait, I''ll go inside and announce your arrival immediately!"


    The servant''s expression changed dramatically, and he nodded and bowed before dashing into the estate.


    Before long, a tall, middle-aged man dressed in a rich merchant''s attire emerged from the Liu Estate, apanied by dozens of men and women.


    "I am Liu Cheng, the head of the Liu family, and I have the honor to meet the cultivator. May I ask how to address you?"


    The middle-aged man, looking quite wealthy, respectfully bowed to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu said, "I am Zhao Yu, a friend of Old Liu. Old Liu has passed away, and I havee here ording to his will to deliver his estate to the Liu family!"


    Liu Cheng respectfully replied, "So it is Cultivator Zhao Yu! My father has often spoken of you. Pleasee inside for a talk!"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and, carrying a bag full of Spirit Rice, followed Liu Cheng into the Liu Estate, entering a spacious reception hall.


    Zhao Yu had just entered the guest hall when he saw a youth around sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in blue, sitting boldly in a chair. His handsome face radiated confidence.


    Liu Cheng''s face was filled with pride as he said, "Cultivator Zhao Yu, this is my son, Liu Feifan, also a cultivator, at the Third Level of Qi Refining!"


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly and said, "Truly a talent at such a young age!"


    Liu Feifan red at Zhao Yu, eager to speak, "Are you Zhao Yu? What inheritance did my grandfather leave for me?"


    Zhao Yu furrowed his brows slightly but still handed over a bag and the will to Liu Cheng. "Old Liu left a total of one hundred and sixty jin of Spirit Rice, eighteen Spirit Stones, nine Spirit Sand, and two hundred taels of gold. His will states half for me, and here is the remaining half!"


    Liu Feifan, pressing forward, said, "Impossible! My grandfather''s inheritance could not be so little! He clearly said that he would get me a pill to break through my bottleneck! How could there be only so little inheritance left? Tell me, have you secretly hidden the rest of his inheritance?"


    Liu Cheng and others from the Liu family also showed a hint of suspicion, looking doubtfully at Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu''s eyes flickered with a trace of scorn, "This inheritance was found by the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team. If you do not believe it, you can go and ask the Law Enforcement Team yourselves. Old Liu once told me when he returned that he had acquired a hundred-year-old Redheart Grass."


    The expressions on the faces of the Liu family members changed slightly.


    The Cangling Sect controls the Market of ckwood City; even with ten times their courage, they wouldn''t dare to question the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team.


    Liu Feifan shouted fiercely, "You are not a member of our Liu family, what right do you have to take my grandfather''s inheritance? Hand over the rest of my grandfather''s inheritance!"


    "What an uncultured brute, born of a mother but not taught by a father! If it wasn''t for me, your Liu family wouldn''t receive a penny of the inheritance! Since we can''t see eye to eye, I''ll take my leave now!"


    Zhao Yu, looking at the aggressive Liu Feifan, shook his head slightly, turned around, and employing his Qinggong, he leapt up like arge bird, fleeing outside. He feared that staying longer mightpel him to harm Old Liu''s only grandson capable of cultivation.


    Liu Cheng frowned slightly and said, "Feifan, he was your grandfather''s friend and also a cultivator; you shouldn''t speak to him like that!"


    Liu Feifan, dissatisfaction written all over his face, deimed, "What kind of cultivator is he? Merely a Qi Refiner at the first level and a Spirit Farmer, he''s not even as good as me! Grandpa was really senile! To leave half of his inheritance to that man, if I hadn''t entered the Cangling Sect, it would all be grandpa''s fault!"


    Liu Cheng''s face changed slightly, with a resigned sigh, "You, sigh, it''s all because your grandfather spoiled you!"


    Old Liu, fortunate to have a grandson with a Spirit Root, almost spoiled Liu Feifan to the heavens, unwilling to utter a single harsh word.


    Liu Feifan, being a Cultivator at the Third Level of Qi Refining, held a revered status. No one in the Liu family could control him, cultivating a haughty, contemptuous character in him.


    Zhao Yu sped along the official road and suddenly, with the acute vision of a Martial Arts Grandmaster, noticed two cultivators chasing another in the distance.


    "Not good!"


    Zhao Yu''s expression changed slightly, and he immediately dived into a nearby jungle, taking a wide detour to avoid getting involved.


    Zhao Yu traveled several miles through the jungle when suddenly a strange fragrance wafted from the northwest. With one breath of this aroma, he felt extremely refreshed, and his mana seemed much livelier.


    Zhao Yu followed the direction the fragrance came from and saw arge red house deep in the jungle. Next to this red house was a tree about fifteen meters tall with lush branches and leaves, bearing nine fruits the size of dragon''s eyes, each adorned with what appeared to be me-like spiritual patterns.


    "Spirit me Vermilion Fruit!"


    Upon seeing those nine fruits, a fervent look appeared in Zhao Yu''s eyes.


    The Spirit me Vermilion Fruit was a top-level Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure which, upon consumption, could significantly increase a cultivator''s talent of the Fire Spirit Root. He had once been fortunate in the ckwood City Market to find one in the Canglong Mountain range, auctioned for a sky-high price of ten thousand Spirit Stones!


    Upon noticing the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit, Zhao Yu involuntarily lunged backwards and fled, a talisman for warding off evil starting to burn slowly in his hand, evidently sensing the presence of an evil spirit nearby.


    The suddenly appeared red house gave Zhao Yu a very eerie feeling. If he hadn''t consumed a Dao Fruit, he might have taken the risk to change his fate, but now he was naturally not going to make that choice.

 Chapter 5 First Kill of a Cultivator

    Zhao Yu returned to the Market after spending four Spirit Stones on a Talisman Brush, Talisman Ink, and Talisman Paper before he finally returned to his small wooden cabin in the Spirit Fields.


    After bathing and changing his clothes, Zhao Yu swallowed nine Evil-Repelling Talismans one by one. Once he activated the Dao Fruit, countless experiences of drawing Evil-Repelling Talismans surged through his mind.


    "Talisman Practice: Level 0 (10/100)."


    "Talisman¡ªEvil-Repelling Talisman: Proficient (0/200)."


    "I can start drawing the Evil-Repelling Talismans now!! It must seed! Only by mastering the ability to draw talismans can I steadily obtain Spirit Stones and shed my identity as a Spirit Farmer!"


    Zhao Yu took a deep breath, focused his mind, channeled his mana, and began to draw the Evil-Repelling Talisman.


    Sizzle!


    As Zhao Yu finished his final stroke, the talisman self-ignited, turning into ashes that scattered in the wind.


    "Failed! And my mana''s drained too!! With Qi Refinement at the first level, my mana is indeed too shallow!"


    Zhao Yu gasped for air, wiped off his sweat, and gave a wry smile.


    Drawing a talisman required the expenditure of a cultivator''s mana, physical energy, and mental focus. This was also why Zhao Yu had been reluctant to start drawing the Evil-Repelling Talismans earlier¡ªthe first level of Qi Refinement was always his greatest weakness.


    After Zhao Yu recovered his mana through meditation, he went to sleep.


    In the dead of night, darkness enveloped thend.


    A long, sturdy wire silently pierced through the crack of the wooden door, picked the lock, and opened the woodentch.


    The door silently opened, and outside stood a person dressed in ck, revealing only two eyes.


    Just as the door opened, a basin filled with lime hanging above the doorway instantly tipped over. Arge quantity of lime spilled onto the face of the person in ck, who screamed in agony, covering his own eyes.


    At the same time, a longan-sized wooden ball also smashed onto Zhao Yu''s head as hey in bed. He was instantly awakened, opened his eyes, grabbed the Flying Dagger beside his bed, and threw it directly at the person in ck.


    Whoosh!


    The Flying Dagger instantly buried itself into the head of the person in ck. He struggled for a moment, then fell heavily to the ground.


    "Damn it! Even a poor devil tries to rob!!"


    Zhao Yu, both shocked and angry, grabbed the Flying Daggers beside him and threw them continuously, turning the body of the person in ck into a hedgehog, before finally chopping off his head with a blow, the fresh blood staining the floor red.


    In the Cultivation World, there were numerous extraordinary skills and strange methods, including ways to feign death. There were tales of powerful cultivators whose heads could grow back even after being chopped off. However, this person in ck obviously did not belong to that category.


    Zhao Yu put on thick leather gloves and searched the person in ck, eventually finding five Evil-Repelling Talismans, a small Spiritual Shield Talisman, and a Low-Grade Bronze Awl Magical Instrument.


    "Not even a single Spirit Stone! No, not even Spirit Sand! Truly a pauper! Who knows if this guy was a gambling addict or a junkie!"


    Zhao Yu lifted the veil of the person in ck, revealing a face with dark circles under his eyes, looking nearly skeletal.


    Most robbers would not target Spirit Farmers in the Market Center District, as Spirit Farmers were mostly impoverished and robbing them could attract the attention of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, a loss far outweighing the gain.


    Yet, some cultivators who frequently lurked around casinos or constantly consumed Ascension Pills might risk everything whencking Spirit Stones, opting to rob Spirit Farmers. Living next to the Spirit Fields, with neighbors far apart, made them easy targets.


    Of course, once those gambling-addicted cultivators or junkies killed a Spirit Farmer, they too would quickly be dealt with by the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team. Still, such individuals would appear from time to time.


    "This guy actually has a low-grade magic artifact! He''s even richer than me, yet he came to rob me! Luckily, I''ve already be a Martial Arts Grandmaster, highly responsive, or else he really would have seeded!"


    Zhao Yu held the Bronze Awl, filled with relief.


    A well-preserved low-grade magical instrument generally costs over fifty Spirit Stones on the market, yet Zhao Yu didn''t possess a single low-grade magic artifact for self-defense.


    Zhao Yu dragged the body of the man in ck to the side of the Spirit Fields and dug a hole to bury him.


    "This ce is really too unsafe, the Market Center District is safer! Unfortunately, the rent for a small courtyard in the Market Center District is too high!"


    Zhao Yuy on the simple wooden bed, sighing softly.


    The yearly rent for a small courtyard in the Market Center District is more than one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones, the density of Spiritual Energy there is more than three times that of the Spirit Fields area, and the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team is nearby, ensuring good public order, hardly anyone dares to cause trouble there, let alone murder and robbery.


    The simple wooden houses in the Spirit Fields area do have an advantage, they arepletely free, but only Cultivators can live there.


    The next day, after Zhao Yu had practiced his martial arts and attended to the farnd, he went to the market and spent a Spirit Stone to buy a copy of ''Basics of Instrument Mastery''. He began to learn how to manipte the only magic artifact he had, the Bronze Awl.


    "To activate a magic artifact, one must consume Divine Sense and Mana!"


    Zhao Yu sat by the Spirit Fields, picked up the Bronze Awl, and following the teachings of ''Basics of Instrument Mastery'', he infused his scarce Divine Sense and Mana from the first level of Qi Refinement into it.


    The Bronze Awl emitted a faint glow and floated up from Zhao Yu''s hands, hovering in mid-air, wavering for a few breaths before falling directly to the ground.


    Zhao Yu''s face turned pale, his scant Divine Sense and Manapletely absorbed by the Bronze Awl.


    "It won''t work; my Divine Sense and Mana are too weak. I cannot freely control this Bronze Awl. I must either use it as a dagger or as a Flying Dagger!"


    Zhao Yu pondered carefully for a while, then sat in meditation to restore his Mana, quietly waiting for his Divine Sense to recover.


    After his Mana and Divine Sense had fully recovered, Zhao Yu then activated his Mana, used his Flying Daggers technique, and threw it directly. The Bronze Awl, glowing faintly, mmed into the trunk of the tree Zhao Yu used for practicing his Flying Daggers techniques.


    Bang!!


    The tree was directly pierced through, leaving arge hole.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled into a slight smile, expressing his delight, "Amazing! This is the power of a magic artifact!! I finally have a secret weapon of my own."


    In the days that followed, Zhao Yu continued his regr life of practicing martial arts, tending to the Spirit Fields, cultivating Earth Elemental Skill, and drawing ward-off-evil talismans.


    Zhao Yu swallowed four ward-off-evil talismans obtained from that man in ck in one go, gaining forty points of proficiency. Due to multiple tasks and his shallow Mana, he could only draw one ward-off-evil talisman per day. Each of his attempts at drawing a talisman failed, yet he was not discouraged; he just silently summarized his experiences in his heart.


    The fifth day.


    Zhao Yu sat at the simple wooden table, focused on drawing a ward-off-evil talisman. As hepleted the final stroke, the talisman flickered with a faint light before disappearing.


    "I did it!! I sessfully drew a ward-off-evil talisman!!"


    Zhao Yu held the talisman, his eyes filled with joy and excitement. This was the first Spirit Talisman he had ever drawn, signifying that he would have a steady source of Spirit Stones, and he could leave his Cultivator identity behind next year.


    "Talisman ¡ª Ward-off-Evil Talisman: Proficiency (41/200)."


    Zhao Yu mused, "Sessfully drawing a single ward-off-evil talisman onlys me one proficiency point! This means I need to sessfully draw fifty-nine more talismans to reach an expert level. This is perhaps rted to my average Talisman Path talent."

 Chapter 6 Qi Cultivation Level 2

    Half a month had gone by in the blink of an eye. During this half a month, Zhao Yu had drawn one talisman against evil spirits every day, but only seeded five times. The sess rate was merely one third. The sessfully drawn talismans against evil spirits were all consumed by him to enhance his proficiency in drawing that talisman.


    That night, Zhao Yu sat cross-legged, and with great difficulty, broke through a bottleneck while operating the Earth Elemental Skill. His mana surged by twenty percent in an instant.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill - Second Layer (0/100), Qi Refinement - Second Layer."


    "I finally advanced to be a cultivator of the secondyer of Qi Refinement!"


    Zhao Yu opened his eyes, feeling the flow of mana within his body and revealing a hint of a smile.


    "What a pity, there''s no one to share this joy with!"


    Zhao Yu let out a deep sigh as he looked around. The sight of some simple furniture around him couldn''t help but evoke a sense of loneliness in his heart.


    As long as Zhao Yu left the Market of Xiao Hei Mountain and went to the Ten Mortal Cities, he could be an esteemed cultivator and have no problems taking three wives and four concubines. Even old man Liu at his age had taken three young concubines who were sixteen.


    Many low-level cultivators left the Market of Xiao Hei Mountain and went to the Ten Mortal Cities to take wives and bear children because they had no hope of advancing their cultivation.


    After advancing to the secondyer of Qi Refinement, Zhao Yu clearly felt that drawing the talisman against evil spirits became easier, and the sess rate of drawing the talisman gradually increased to about thirty-five percent.


    A month and a halfter.


    Zhao Yu swallowed a sessfully drawn talisman against evil spirits, and countless experiences flooded his mind. Then, as if breaking through a bottleneck, he gained a new understanding in drawing talismans against evil spirits.


    "Talisman Practice: 0th tier (30/100)."


    "Talisman - Talisman against evil spirits: Proficient (0/400)."


    Zhao Yu immediately began to draw another talisman against evil spirits and felt even more at ease as he sessfully crafted it.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu practiced martial arts, continued his cultivation, managed the Spirit Fields, and drew talismans against evil spirits.


    Although Zhao Yu advanced to the second level of Qi Cultivation and reached proficiency in the talisman against evil spirits, due to his many responsibilities, he was still only able to draw one talisman a day. However, the sess rate had increased to sixty percent.


    Ten dayster, early in the morning, Zhao Yu arrived at the Market with seven talismans against evil spirits and set up his stall, cing both the secret manuals and talismans on disy.


    "Talisman against evil spirits? How much for one talisman?"


    A burly middle-aged man with a cold demeanor approached Zhao Yu''s stall and immediately noticed the talismans against evil spirits.


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up, "One Spirit Stone each!"


    The middle-aged man frowned slightly, "That''s too expensive. I''ll take them all for nine pieces of Spirit Sand each."


    Zhao Yu shook his head slightly, "True Talisman Tower sells three pieces of Spirit Sand for one Spirit Stone, so my price is already very cheap."


    "One Spirit Stone it is then, I''ll take them all!"


    The middle-aged man pulled out six Spirit Stones and handed them directly to Zhao Yu, then took the six talismans against evil spirits from the stall.


    "I did it! I earned six Spirit Stones!"


    Zhao Yu, clutching the six Spirit Stones, had excitement and tion in his eyes. Working as a spirit farmer for a year, without counting the Spirit Rice, he would only be able to get three Spirit Stones from the Cangling Sect. Including the Spirit Rice, priced at one Spirit Stone per catty, he could only get twelve Spirit Stones. Yet today, he made six Spirit Stones in one day.


    After selling the talismans, cultivators asionally passed by Zhao Yu''s stall, looking down on the secret manuals he had on disy.


    Zhao Yu simply packed up his stall, replenished his Talisman Ink and Talisman Paper, and then went straight home.


    Zhao Yu looked at the six Spirit Stones he had earned, his lips curling slightly into a smile, "Drawing talismans against evil spirits can make money, so I should prepare some Spirit Stones to leave this ce! I''ll move into the Market to live!"


    The Spirit Fields were located at the edge of the Market of Xiao Hei Mountain where the concentration of Spiritual Energy was the lowest and did notpare in safety to living inside the Market. Zhao Yu had to spend a lot of time every day managing the Spirit Fields. If he didn''t have to take care of the fields, he could draw two talismans against evil spirits per day.


    ```


    With the ie from the Evil Warding Talismans, Zhao Yu was finally able to eat four jin of Spirit Rice every day to enhance his Martial Talent, and he began to absorb the Spiritual Power from the Spirit Stones to improve his Cultivation Level.


    Zhao Yu also gave up the meticulous care of the Spirit Fields, dedicating himself entirely to drawing Evil Warding Talismans, managing to produce two talismans every day.


    After ten days, Zhao Yu arrived at the Market with the newly drawn twelve Evil Warding Talismans, setting up his street stall.


    A beautiful woman in yellow caught sight of the Evil Warding Talismans and her eyes lit up, she walked over and said, "Evil Warding Talismans? How much for one?"


    "One Spirit Stone each!"


    "I''ll take three!"


    "Alright!"


    "¡­"


    It wasn''t long before Zhao Yu set up his stall that the twelve Evil Warding Talismans were sold out.


    "Brother Hu, the Evil Warding Talismans seem to be selling better than before! Do you know why?"


    After selling out of Evil Warding Talismans, Zhao Yu asked with some curiosity the stall owner beside him who sold Demon Beast Materials. He only knew that the stall owner''sst name was Hu and had been selling Demon Beast Meat at this Market for many years, always well-informed.


    Brother Hu said, "I heard that traces of the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit have been found in the Canglong Mountain range. Someone obtained the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit and sold it for thousands of Spirit Stones.


    Now many people are itching to head to Canglong Mountain to seek the Spirit me Vermilion Fruits, but there are Evil Spirits around the fruit, so the Evil Warding Talismans are almost sold out."


    "Thanks, fellow Daoist!"


    Zhao Yu suddenly remembered therge red house surrounded by Spirit me Vermilion Fruits deep in the jungle, and a chill surged in his heart, further fortifying his determination to leave the Spirit Fields.


    The Spirit Fields were located on the outermost edge of the Xiaohei Mountain Market and, although it was rare for the Robber-cultivator Association to target those poor Spirit Farmers, it was easy to be attacked by Demon Beasts and Evil Spirits.


    If he were to move inside the Market, there would be many Cultivators around, not to mention the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team ¨C it would certainly be safer than living alone in the Spirit Fields.


    After finishing up at the stall, Zhao Yu went straight to the Cangling Sect''s department responsible for managing the cultivation of the Spirit Fields, paid a twelve Spirit Stone fine, and gave up his rights to continue cultivating the three mu of Spirit Fields.


    Zhao Yu rented a house with a small courtyard on Huang Li Lane within the Xiaohei Mountain Market for the price of one Spirit Stone per month.


    Zhao Yu looked at therge house built with bricks and stones and revealed a slight smile, "This is my new home!"


    The concentration of Spiritual Energy in Huang Li Lane couldn''tpare to the core area of Xiaohei Mountain Market, but it was still more than twice as rich as that of the Spirit Fields area. In such an environment, both the cultivation of Martial Arts and the Earth Elemental Skill would greatly benefit.


    After settling in, Zhao Yu knocked on the gate of the house to his right.


    The gate opened to reveal a young man in white, with a single ponytail, tall stature, handsome features, and a somewhat wary look at Zhao Yu.


    "Fellow Daoist, I am Zhao Yu, I''ve just moved nearby and havee to visit. Here''s a small token of goodwill, please ept it with a smile!"


    Zhao Yu said with a slight smile, handing over an Evil Warding Talisman to the young man.


    The handsome young man warmed up a bit after receiving the Evil Warding Talisman and said, "So you are Daoist Zhao; I am Li Yunhai, pleasee in and let''s talk."


    As Zhao Yu entered the room, he saw a tall and beautiful woman dressed in green, her looks slightly inferior to Su Bingyun, as well as a cute little girl about eleven or twelve years old with braided pigtails.


    Li Yunhai introduced, "This is my wife Zheng Qiaoman, and this is our daughter Xianjiao!"


    Zhao Yu said, "I''ve seen Mrs. Li!"


    Zheng Qiaoman smiled gently and said, "Pleased to meet you, Daoist Zhao!"


    After some idle polite chatting, Zhao Yu left the Li residence and knocked on the gate of the house to his left.


    ```

 Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Martial Arts Genius

    (ps: I''ve seen many familiar names on the rewards and rmendations, thank you all. I will write well.)


    The door opened, and a beautiful woman dressed in white, with a red bellyband, shoulder-length hair, and arge expanse of snow-white skin exposed, wearing heavy make-up and looking seductively attractive, regarded Zhao Yu with alertness.


    "Fellow daoist, I am Zhao Yu. I have just moved nearby and havee to visit. This is a small token of my esteem. Please ept it with a smile!"


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly and handed a charm for warding off evil to the seductive beauty.


    "So you are fellow daoist Zhao! I am He Fangfang, it''s a pleasure to meet you~!"


    With eyes like silky threads, He Fangfang gave Zhao Yu a look, her voice both soft and seductive, filled with temptation, "Fellow daoist Zhao is so generous to offer a charm for warding off evil as a gift. Could it be that you are a Talisman Master?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Indeed!"


    He Fangfang''s eyes glittered, and she smiled slyly, "Fellow daoist Zhao, that''s impressive! Pleasee in and let''s talk~!"


    "Sorry for the intrusion!"


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered, He Fangfang shut the door behind him, and her white dress fell to the floor, revealingrge expanses of her fair skin.


    A hint of wariness flitted across Zhao Yu''s eyes, "Fellow daoist He, what are you doing?"


    He Fangfang smiled coyly, "I want to repay fellow daoist Zhao for his kindness~! After all, this is the kind of business I run, fellow daoist Zhao. For just one Spirit Stone, you can enjoy a wonderful night here~!"


    "Cough! Fellow daoist He, I appreciate your sentiment, but I''ve just remembered that I have urgent matters to attend to and must leave now!"


    Zhao Yu coughed lightly, pulled open the door, and walked out. Behind him, He Fangfang''s promiscuousughter rang out.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu stayed at his new home, intensively cultivating the martial path and drawing charms for warding off evil, selling them at the Market every few days.


    Zhao Yu did not visit He Fangfang''s home again, but he did strike up an acquaintance with Li Yunhai.


    Two months passed in the blink of an eye.


    Inside therge house, Zhao Yu focused his mind and touched upon his Martial Talent, transforming it from exceptional to Martial Arts Genius. A mysterious warm current slowly spread through his body, strengthening his physique and soul, and allowing him to undergo another transformation.


    "Martial Talent: Martial Arts Genius (0/1000)."


    "I have finally transformed!! My Martial Talent has taken another step forward! I can clearly feel that, with my current pace of cultivation, I don''t even need Blood Qi Pills to advance to the level of Great Grandmaster within two months!!"


    After Zhao Yu''s talent transformed into that of a Martial Arts Genius, he gained a deeper understanding of martial cultivation, and the speed at which he learned various martial arts increased even further.


    Once Zhao Yu advanced to the level of Great Grandmaster, hisbat ability would surge greatly. Even if he encountered a Sixth Level of Qi Refining opponent, he would have the strength to fight. At the very least, with Qinggong''s enhancement, he could flee even faster.


    There was a knock at the door.


    Zhao Yu opened it to find Li Yunhai standing outside.


    Zhao Yu said, "Fellow daoist Li, what brings you here?"


    Li Yunhai replied with a hearty smile, "Fellow daoist Zhao, I have recently made two good friends! We n to have a good gathering at Yunxiang Building. If you have no urgent matters, would you like to join me? It''s always good to make more friends."


    Zhao Yu smiled, "I was also thinking of making some new friends!"


    In a private room on the third floor of Yunxiang Building, there was a kind-faced, bald, middle-aged monk and a tall, middle-aged Taoist dressed in Taoist robes. Both possessed a Cultivation Level at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.


    The middle-aged Taoist saw Zhao Yu standing next to Li Yunhai and couldn''t help but frown slightly, a hint of displeasure shed in his eyes as he said, "Li Daoist friend, who might this Daoist be?"


    The bald middle-aged monk also sat carelessly on a meditation cushion, ncing at Zhao Yu casually.


    Li Yunhai smiled and said, "Monk Jiuguang, Daoist Chen, this is my good friend, Zhao Yu Zhao Daoist! He lives next door to me and is a Talisman Master! This is Monk Jiuguang, and this is Chen Lifen, Daoist Chen!"


    Chen Lifen''s displeasure disappeared in an instant, and he said warmly with a smile, "So it''s Talisman Master Zhao, my apologies, my apologies!"


    Monk Jiuguang also sat up straight and became enthusiastic.


    The four of them had a pleasant chat. Chen Lifen, Monk Jiuguang, and Li Yunhai were all experts at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, and they often ventured into the Canglong Mountain Range for adventures, knowing far more than Zhao Yu.


    From their casual conversation, Zhao Yu learned that recently many cultivators had entered the Canglong Mountain Range in search of the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit, which had led to an increase in the demand for talismans warding off evil.


    Additionally, with arge number of cultivators pouring into the mountains and hunting many demon beasts, the market price for Demon Beast Materials had started to decline.


    Chen Lifen suggested, "Since it''s rare for us all to be together, why don''t we go to the Jinyuan Gambling House and have some fun ying a few rounds?


    Monk Jiuguang''s eyes lit up, and heughed excitedly, "Great idea!! I''ve been itching to y! Today, I''m definitely going to win big!"


    Li Yunhai smiled excitedly as well, "I''m in!"


    Zhao Yu''s gaze narrowed slightly as he said with a smile, "Then I''ll take my leave first! I haven''tpleted my cultivation for today. I wish you all good luck and big wins!"


    What good cane of gambling addicts? As soon as Zhao Yu heard Chen Lifen and the others were nning to go to the Jinyuan Gambling House, he nned to distance himself from them. Before his transmigration, he had seen too many gamblerse to bad ends.


    Chen Lifen''s face sank as he said, "Talisman Master Zhao, aren''t you being a bit of a killjoy? If you still consider me a friend, thene with us! If you don''te, that means you don''t give me face. We can no longer be friends!"


    "Sorry, but I must take my leave! I hope you all have a good time!"


    Zhao Yu got up and left Yunxiang Building directly. Friends who are gambling addicts? It''s best not to have any!


    Chen Lifen looked very displeased andined to Li Yunhai, "Is this the person you brought? A mere Sixth Level of Qi Refining Talisman Master really thinks he''s some big shot!"


    Monk Jiuguang also shook his head, "Li Daoist friend, Zhao Yu is not someone worth associating with!"


    Li Yunhai apologized with a look of regret, "I''m sorry, I didn''t know he would do this! If I had known he was this kind of person, I wouldn''t have brought him here."


    After the incident at Yunxiang Building, Zhao Yu''s rtionship with Li Yunhai''s family quickly became distant. However, Zhao Yu didn''t mind at all and still maintained his routine life of practicing martial arts, drawing talismans to ward off evil, and cultivating his Earth Elemental Skill.


    But after Zhao Yu''s martial talent reached that of a Martial Arts Genius, eating Spirit Rice could no longer enhance his martial talent.


    One monthter, in the market.


    "Boss, how about I trade this Rock Armor Pig for six of your talismans to ward off evil?"


    Zhao Yu had just set up his stall when he saw a burly man dressed in ck with a Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation level, carrying a several hundred pound, low-grade, first-order Rock Armor Pig over.


    Zhao Yu said, "Nice pig! This pig could be butchered for at least two hundred pounds of meat and sold for seven or eight Spirit Stones. Are you sure you''re willing to part with it?"


    In the market butcher shops, twenty pounds of first-order low-grade Demon Beast Meat costs one Spirit Stone, while the market stalls are slightly cheaper, requiring thirty pounds for one Spirit Stone.


    The burly man said, "I don''t have the patience to process it or the patience to sell the meat! Those people at the market butcher shops are all crooks, selling a whole pig to them they only want to give five Spirit Stones!! Do you want it or not, if not I''m selling it to the butcher shop!"


    Zhao Yu said, "I''ll take it!"

 Chapter 8 The Gamblers End

    Zhao Yu sold the remaining talismans, hoisted the Rock Armor Pig back to his mansion, and took out a bone-chopping knife to begin butchering the beast.


    "Finally, I get to taste the meat of a demon beast! Rock Armor Pig, so delicious!"


    Zhao Yu bit into a piece of the braised Rock Armor Pig meat that was marbled with fat and lean, filled with a gtinous texture and sticity, and he was filled with satisfaction and happiness.


    Previously, Zhao Yu had used all his resources to enhance his martial talent and proficiency with talismans, never daring to buy demon beast meat to eat. This was his first taste of demon beast meat.


    Zhao Yu stored the unfinished demon beast meat in the ice cer within his mansion.


    Five dayster, after finishing a meal of Spirit Rice with braised Rock Armor Pig, Zhao Yu suddenly felt a slight movement in his heart, and lines of information directly surfaced in his mind. His eyes shed with a trace of surprise, "I can now increase the quality of my Spirit Root!!"


    "Low-grade Earth Spirit Root (1/100)."


    Zhao Yu''s eyes shed with a fiery passion, "Before, eating Spirit Rice only enhanced my martial talent! Ever since I ate the Rock Armor Pig meat, I''ve been able to improve the talent of my Earth Spirit Root. If I''m not mistaken, consuming the meat of demon beasts can enhance my Spirit Root. Whatever attribute the demon beast has, that''s the attribute of Spirit Root I can improve!"


    The Spirit Roots of cultivators are innate, and apart from practicing some heaven-defying techniques or consuming extremely rare and precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they are nearly impossible to change.


    If he could continually improve the quality of his Spirit Root, once Zhao Yu acquired a Heavenly Spirit Root one day, his cultivation speed would multiply tremendously.


    Zhao Yu analyzed calmly, "It takes five days to increase a single point of Spirit Root quality. It would roughly take five hundred days to improve my Earth Spirit Root to mid-grade. Too slow! If I''m not mistaken, consuming higher quality demon beast meat should speed up the process. But, higher quality demon beast meat also has a higher price!!"


    Rock Armor Pig meat, a first-order low-grade demon beast, costs one Spirit Stone for twenty pounds at the market butcher, while first-order mid-grade is ten pounds per Spirit Stone, first-order superior is five pounds per Spirit Stone, and second-order low-grade costs an entire Spirit Stone for one pound.


    It took Zhao Yu another twenty days topletely finish eating the Rock Armor Pig, gaining another four points of proficiency in his Earth Spirit Root.


    Five dayster, inside the mansion.


    Zhao Yu was practicing the Red Sun Skill when he suddenly felt his blood and qi surging within him, easily breaking through his bottleneck and propelling him straight to the twentieth level of the Red Sun Skill, advancing to be a Great Grandmaster of martial arts.


    "Red Sun Skill Twentieth Level (0/100)."


    "The talent of a martial arts genius is truly formidable!! Practicing the Red Sun Skill is so easy! If only practicing the Earth Elemental Skill were this easy!"


    A slight sense of wistfulness in Zhao Yu''s heart, he nced at the stubbornly unyielding progress bar of the Earth Elemental Skill and felt quite a headache.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Second Level (10/100), Qi Refinement Second Level."


    Zhao Yu had moved to Huangli Alley where the density of spiritual energy was twice that of the Spirit Fields area, and he even used Spirit Stones to aid his cultivation, but the speed of cultivating the Earth Elemental Skill was still slow as a snail.


    "Husband, save me!"


    "Mother, don''t let them take my mom away!"


    ".¡­."


    Cries andmotion rose nearby, Zhao Yu''s brows slightly furrowed, and with a disy of Phantom Step, he bounded and leaped onto a tree in the small courtyard, looking towards Li Yunhai''s family''s direction.


    He saw three men in ck clothings, all in the middle stage of Qi Refining, and two in the early Qi Refining stage, dragging Zheng Qiaoman out.


    Li Yunhai''s face was pallid, and he clutched at the continuously struggling and crying Li Xianjiao with a numb and desperate gaze as his wife was dragged away by others.


    Themotion quickly alerted the other cultivators in the alley, and one by one, they came out of their houses, surrounding the five men in ck.


    A tall man standing two meters high, dressed in ck with short ck hair, possessing the cultivation level of Seventh Level of Qi Refining, Xu Xuan stepped forward with a cold voice, "What are you trying to do? Under the broad daylight, you dare to forcibly enter another''s residence and abduct a woman. Aren''t you afraid of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team?"


    Xu Xuan was one of the few experts in thete stages of Qi Refinement in Huangli Alley, known for his hot-blooded nature and willingness to handle injustices.


    A Qi Refinement Sixth Level cultivator from Jinyuan Casino raised a contract stamped with a handprint and said loudly, "This is Li Yunhai himself losing his wife to our Jinyuan Casino!! He personally wrote this debt contract of his wife!! Even if this matter is brought to the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, it''s Jinyuan Casino who''s in the right.


    I advise you, my friend, it''s better to mind your own business!"


    Xu Xuan''s face turned alternately green and white. Without a word, he turned and left.


    "So, he gambled and even lost his wife!"


    "No wonder!"


    "His wife is so beautiful! The Jinyuan Casino usually sells people to the Hundred Flowers Building, hehe!"


    "..."


    The indignant solidarity in the eyes of those onlooking cultivators dissipated. They looked at Li Yunhai with disdain and contempt, no longer obstructing as the people from Jinyuan Casino dragged Zheng Qiaoman away.


    Gambling addicts, there''s no good end for them!! What a pity, such a beautiful female cultivator, she was blind to choose such a gambling addict.


    Zhao Yu also shook his head slightly and swooped down from the big tree.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Zhao Yu opened the door and found the red-eyed Li Yunhai and his daughter Li Xianjiao standing outside.


    Li Yunhai, with a handsome face filled with obsequiousness and fawning, pleaded, "Zhao, lend me a few Spirit Stones. Let me gamble at Jinyuan Casino. Once I win some Spirit Stones, I''ll pay you back double, no, triple!"


    Zhao Yu tactfully refused, "Li, I''m currently learning Alchemy! As you know, Alchemy is a bottomless pit. All the Spirit Stones I earn are poured into it. I really have no Spirit Stones left!"


    Lending Spirit Stones to a gambling addict is even worse than throwing them into the sea. Throwing Spirit Stones into the sea, at least one can hear the ssh, but lending Spirit Stones to a gambling addict will only lead to entanglement and annoyance.


    Li Yunhai suddenly knelt down, begging, "Evil Warding Charms!! Lend me a few Evil Warding Charms at least! I''m imploring you, I''m kneeling down for you!!"


    Zhao Yu replied indifferently, "I really don''t have any Spirit Stones! The Evil Warding Charms have been sold out, and the rest I need to keep for emergency."


    Li Yunhai looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with madness, "How about this! I''ll sell Xianjiao to you for 10 Spirit Stones!! Just 10 Spirit Stones! Once I win the gamble, I''ll redeem both Qiaoman and Xianjiao!!"


    To think of gambling at such a time, it''s truly beyond salvation!


    Zhao Yu sighed inwardly, his gaze falling on the young girl Li Xianjiao at the side.


    Li Xianjiao''s eyes were swollen from crying, her entire being numb, as if she were a delicate doll.


    Zhao Yu said slowly, "Enough! Write down the deed. If you really have the ability to redeem Zheng Qiaoman and have no gambling debt on you, for just 30 Spirit Stones, you can redeem Xianjiao."

 Chapter 9: Chapter 9 Moving Again

    "Thank you! Thank you, Fellow Zhao!! I will write it immediately!"


    Li Yunhai seemed toe back to life as he quickly wrote the deed and then pressed his own handprint on it.


    Zhao Yu, honoring the agreement, handed over ten Spirit Stones to Li Yunhai.


    "Xianjiao, Dad will definitelye to fetch you! I will surely make a killing at the Jinyuan Casino, win a great fortune. Then, I will redeem both your mother and you, and we will reunite as a family! During this time, just stay obediently by Uncle Zhao Yu''s side and behave well."


    Li Yunhai clenched the ten Spirit Stones tightly, a hint of madness shing in his eyes as his handsome face slightly contorted with excitement.


    Li Xianjiao just stared indifferently at Li Yunhai with her eyes, swollen from crying.


    Li Yunhai, holding the bag of Spirit Stones, went straight in the direction of the Jinyuan Casino.


    Zhao Yu closed the door and led Li Xianjiao inside the house.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "From today, this is your home! You will take care of the household chores! Although your father sold you to me, when youe of age if you want to leave, I will grant you your freedom."


    Li Xianjiao knelt on the ground and sobbed uncontrobly, "Uncle Zhao, I beg you, please help save my mother! I kneel before you!"


    Zhao Yu slowly shook his head, "I am merely a cultivator at the Second Layer of Qi Refinement; I am powerless!"


    Zhao Yu surmised that Li Yunhai must have pawned his wife for hundreds of Spirit Stones to the Jinyuan Casino. The Jinyuan Casino would increase the price even further if they sold her to the Hundred Flowers Building, and redeeming Zheng Qiaoman from there would cost thousands of Spirit Stones, which was impossible.


    Zhao Yu said, "Alright, no more crying! Get to work!"


    "Yes!"


    Li Xianjiao, unable to stop her tears, tremblingly went about the chores under Zhao Yu''s directions.


    Zhao Yu watched Li Xianjiao, who was sweeping the floor, and asked, "What is your Spirit Root? Can you cultivate?"


    Li Xianjiao felt her eyes redden, and tears tumbled down, "I don''t know. Mom said she would help me test my Spirit Root in a few months!"


    Zhao Yu did not inquire further but let Li Xianjiao continue with her chores, helping distract her from her thoughts.


    Zhao Yu maintained his simple life of daily cultivation of various Martial Arts, Earth Elemental Skill, and drawing Talismans, and Li Xianjiao had adjusted to this life after a few days.


    A few dayster, as Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao stepped out of their home, they saw He Fangfang exiting her doorway.


    Zhao Yu greeted, "Fellow He, good morning!"


    He Fangfang, with a coquettish smile, "Fellow Zhao, I''ve heard a piece of news recently; Li Yunhai has gone to mine in the Chiyan Cave, and Zheng Qiaoman has been taken to the Hundred Flowers Building! Be careful of the Jinyuan Casino; they seem to have set their sights on Li Xianjiao. After all, some clients at the Hundred Flowers Building have unique tastes."


    The Chiyan Cave, rich in red crystal sand essential for Artifact Refining, has extremely high temperatures that ordinary humans can barely survive, only cultivators can mine there. A cultivator at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining like Li Yunhai would slowly deteriorate after mining there for a few years, eventually dying in the mines.


    Zhao Yu took out a piece of Spirit Sand and handed it to He Fangfang, "Fellow He, thank you for the warning. This is a small token of my appreciation, please ept it!"


    He Fangfang epted the Spirit Sand without any qualms.


    Zhao Yu, apanied by Li Xianjiao, went to the Market and easily sold all the stocked talismans for warding off evil, then bought several dozen pounds of Demon Beast Meat, Spirit Rice, vegetables, and various seasonings before heading home.


    "Is that Monk Jiuguang?"


    When Zhao Yu neared his home, he saw Monk Jiuguang standing in front of his house.


    "Fellow Zhao, I am here on behalf of Jinyuan Casino to discuss a business matter with you!"


    Monk Jiuguang gave a slight smile, his gaze instantly falling on Li Xianjiao standing next to Zhao Yu, filled with greed.


    "Was it you and Chen Lifen who set up the plot and harmed Li Yunhai?"


    Zhao Yu suddenly had an epiphany, feeling somewhat frightened. Had he not been cautious, he might have sumbed to vanity, dragged down by Monk Jiuguang and Chen Lifen.


    Li Xianjiao''s expression shifted, staring intently at Monk Jiuguang, her eyes flickering with a glint of hatred.


    Monk Jiuguang feigned sincerity, "That was Li Yunhai''s own choice. We did not force him to pawn his wife; it was his own decision to borrow money from the casino in a fit of desperation. We had no choice!"


    Zhao Yu said coolly, "What business, speak!"


    Monk Jiuguang chuckled, "I heard you bought his daughter from Li Yunhai for ten Spirit Stones. Our Jinyuan Casino is willing to offer twenty Spirit Stones to buy her. In less than ten days, you would have made ten Spirit Stones. Isn''t this a good deal?"


    Li Xianjiao instantly clutched Zhao Yu''s hand tightly, her eyes filled with fear.


    Zhao Yu said, "I have no intention of selling her, you can leave!"


    Monk Jiuguang''s face darkened, a powerful aura of Middle Stage of Qi Refining wafted from him as he threatened coldly, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, twenty Spirit Stones is no small sum! You''d better be sensible and hand her over in exchange for the stones! If you don''t give our Jinyuan Casino face, then don''t me us for not giving you a way out!"


    Zhao Yu responded indifferently, "Oh? Are you suggesting you want to take action within the Market? Do you not even regard the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team?"


    Monk Jiuguangughed coldly and threatened, "Our Jinyuan Casino always abides by the rules of the Cangling Sect. However, there are always some reckless desperados in the world who dare to take risks. Especially those gamblers blinded by the desire to make up for their losses!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Are you done speaking? If so, then leave! I''m not interested in this deal!"


    Monk Jiuguangughed furiously in response, "Good! Good! Good! You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! You will regret this soon!"


    Having said this, Monk Jianguang turned and left.


    "Jinyuan Casino! Quite troublesome! It seems that step is necessary now!"


    Zhao Yu thought for a moment, did not return home, but directly took Li Xianjiao to the Cangling Sect''s station, and rented a small courtyard on the edge of the Market Center District for ten Spirit Stones a month, only then did he return home to pack.


    "Fellow Daoist Zhao, where are you going?"


    He Fangfang had just seen off a guest when she saw Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao walking out heavilyden, and couldn''t help but ask curiously.


    Zhao Yu said, "Fellow Daoist He! We are nning to move to reside in the Market Center District."


    "The Market Center District, that costs ten Spirit Stones a month! That''s truly enviable~!"


    He Fangfang''s gaze fell on Li Xianjiao beside Zhao Yu, revealing a trace of envy and jealousy.


    Residing in the Market Center District was almost the dream of the majority in the Market. Yet, the high rent of ten Spirit Stones a month in the Market Center District deterred most Loose Cultivators.


    If Zhao Yu were to suggest taking He Fangfang as a concubine at this moment, she would definitely agree immediately.


    "Congrattions, Fellow Daoist Zhao!"


    "Fellow Daoist Zhao, if there''s anything you need help with in the future, just speak up!"


    ".¡­.."


    Several nearby neighbors came over to congratte Zhao Yu upon hearing he was moving to the core area.


    Amidst many envious and jealous nces, Zhao Yu led Li Xianjiao to their new home.


    "The Market Center District! Finally moved in! This is where a cultivator should live! But the cost is too high! Ten Spirit Stones a month!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the spacious courtyard with thick spiritual energy and exquisitely elegant, first delighted, then with a pained expression nced at Li Xianjiao beside him: "Such a heavy price for a moment of kindness. But I could not bring myself to push her into the fire when I had the power to save her."

 Chapter 10 Selling the Elixir Recipe

    Zhao Yu carefully inspected the small courtyard he entered and found it had tworge rooms, a quiet room, a study, and an alchemy room, all of which were very clean and beautiful, which pleased him greatly.


    After settling in, Zhao Yu brought Li Xianjiao with him to knock on the big door of the neighbor on the right.


    The door opened, revealing an elderly man in a gray high-grade robe. He was tall, with silver hair, robust spirit, and skin as smooth as a baby''s. He possessed the cultivation level of the Great Circle of Qi Refining and quietly observed Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu shed a slight smile and handed the old man an Evil-Repelling Talisman, "Esteemed fellow Daoist, I am Zhao Yu, having just moved nearby, I came to visit specially, this is a small token of appreciation, please ept it with a smile! This is my servant, Li Xianjiao."


    The silver-haired elder swept his gaze over Li Xianjiao and eventually settled on Zhao Yu, saying warmly, "So it''s Daoist Zhao, I am Xiong Zhenye, pleasee inside for a chat!"


    Zhao Yu then saw a young girl dressed in red. She was petite and delicate, beautiful and charming, about fifteen or sixteen years old with a Qi Refining level of the secondyer.


    Xiong Zhenye said lovingly, "This is my wife, Fang Li."


    An old cow eating tender grass! That cow is too old, and the grass is too tender! Truly enviable!


    Zhao Yu said, "I have met Madam Xiong!"


    Fang Li replied in a slightly immature voice, "I have met Daoist Zhao!"


    After some idle chat, Zhao Yu learned that Xiong Zhenye was an extremely rare alchemist, and moreover, a first-tier high-grade Alchemist.


    When Zhao Yu was leaving, Xiong Zhenye returned the favor by giving him a bottle of Yellow Spirit Pills.


    "Yellow Spirit Pills can greatly enhance the cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage Cultivators; a single bottle costs ten spirit stones! Worthy of a first-tier high-grade Alchemist, truly generous! Should I use these Yellow Spirit Pills to improve their refining mastery or to enhance my cultivation?"


    "To improve the Yellow Spirit Pills'' mastery! Within the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, alchemists make the most money and hold the highest status! I must find a way to be an alchemist!"


    Zhao Yu pondered for a moment and then made up his mind.


    Talisman Masters indeed make a lot of money, butpared to alchemists, they earn far less. Additionally, the threshold to be an alchemist is extremely high, and their numbers are much fewer than Talisman Masters, meaning much lesspetition.


    For example, Evil-Repelling Talismans in the Canglong Mountain Market could be drawn by many Talisman Masters. However, those first-tier high-grade Talisman Masters prefer to draw and sell high-priced first-tier high-grade Golden Light Talismans for twenty spirit stones each. First-tier mid-grade Talisman Masters like to draw Spiritual Shield and Featherweight Talismans.


    Only first-tier low-grade Talisman Masters would draw Evil-Repelling Talismans.


    Near the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit in the Canglong Mountain range, where evil spirits lurk, the Evil-Repelling Talismans would not sell very well.


    Generally, only Great Sects can cultivate alchemists. Even the sect disciples within those Great Sects with many resources find it hard to be alchemists, not to mention Loose Cultivators.


    After visiting Xiong Zhenye, Zhao Yu went to visit the neighbor on the left.


    Those who can rent houses in the Market Center District of the cultivation world are generally not poor, and most have high cultivation levels, being among the top figures in the Canglong Mountain Market. As long as the other person has good character, befriending them is beneficial and harmless.


    "Who are you?"


    The door to the small courtyard on the left opened, revealing a two-meter-tall, burly, powerful man with short ck hair, wearing a shirt, his face and arms marred with many scars, giving him a very fierce look. He possessed a Qi Refining level of the ninthyer and examined Zhao Yu and hispanion with sharp eyes.


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and handed the middle-aged man an Evil-Repelling Talisman, "Esteemed fellow Daoist, I am Zhao Yu, having just moved in nearby, I''vee to pay a visit, this is a small token of appreciation, please ept it with a smile! This is my servant, Li Xianjiao."


    Ling Chongshan addressed him straightforwardly, curiosity evident, "I''m Ling Chongshan. Qi Refining level two, such low cultivation. How dare you rent a ce here?"


    Zhao Yu responded, "I am a Talisman Master! I can barely afford to rent this house."


    Ling Chongshanughed, "So it''s a Talisman Master! No wonder! Talisman Masters, Alchemists, all are wealthy people! Come in!"


    Only then did Zhao Yu enter and start chatting with Ling Chongshan.


    Ling Chongshan was a powerful Demon Beast Hunter who lived by hunting demon beasts. Such hunters have abundant practicalbat experience and are ferociously effective in magicalbat; not even Xiong Zhenye, a pampered, Great Circle of Qi Refining alchemist, could necessarily contend with a Demon Beast Hunter like Ling Chongshan when it came to a life-or-death struggle.


    Ling Chongshan was also a straightforward and generous person. When Zhao Yu was leaving, he directly gave Zhao Yu thirty kilograms of high-quality first-grade Demon Beast Meat as a return gift.


    "My neighbors are all wealthy. Continuing to visit like this, I might even earn back the money I spent on Cultivating the Yellow Spirit Pill!"


    Zhao Yu became even more proactive about visiting neighbors with an Evil Spirit Talisman, but most of the gifts he received in return were ofparable value to the Talisman. There were also several stingy neighbors who, disregarding appearances, directly gave him some fruit,pletely dousing his enthusiasm to continue his visits.


    Inside the Quiet Room of the small courtyard.


    Zhao Yu swallowed the Yellow Spirit Pill in one gulp, his Dao Fruit stirred slightly, and he then refined it.


    "Alchemy¡ªYellow Spirit Pill: Entry level (0/100)."


    Zhao Yu clicked once, and countless memories and experiences flooded his mind.


    "Alchemy¡ªYellow Spirit Pill: Entry level (10/100)."


    With a slight curl of his lips, Zhao Yu revealed a hint of a smile, "Entry-level Alchemy can hardly make any money, the sess rate is too low! Intermediate-level Alchemy can make a bit of money, but to really make big money, you need at least a master-level in the Yellow Spirit Pill. And most precious of all, I''ve obtained the recipe for the Yellow Spirit Pill!"


    The recipes for Spirit Pills that could enhance the Cultivation Level of someone in the Qi Refinement Realm were tightly controlled by Alchemists, and no Alchemist would willingly sell them.


    Ten dayster, Zhao Yu finally came to the market with six newly crafted Evil Spirit Talismans to set up his stall.


    "Eh? Boss, do you have the recipe for the Yellow Spirit Pill? How many Spirit Stones?"


    A young Cultivator dressed in gray approached Zhao Yu''s stall and, seeing therge characters advertising the sale of the Yellow Spirit Pill recipe, immediately asked out of curiosity.


    Zhao Yu responded indifferently, "Five hundred Spirit Stones for one Yellow Spirit Pill recipe, Spirit Stones first, then the recipe!"


    The young Cultivator in gray smiled and said, "That''s too expensive! And I don''t even know if your recipe is genuine. Why not let me see the recipe to verify its authenticity? If the recipe is genuine, I''m willing to spend five hundred Spirit Stones to buy it!"


    Zhao Yu responded indifferently, "If you''re not buying, please leave!"


    The young Cultivator in gray chuckled lightly and turned to leave.


    Before long, one Cultivator after another gathered at Zhao Yu''s stall to bargain with him, all wanting to see the recipe before paying, all of whom Zhao Yu turned away. He was very clear that these Cultivators were just trying to freeload off his recipe and were not genuinely eager to acquire it.


    "Bingyun!"


    "Bingyun is here!"


    "....."


    Suddenly, a wave of excited voices erupted, and the crowd parted as Bingyun, dressed in a ck robe, imposing and stunningly beautiful, walked towards the stall.


    Zhao Yu stood up and bowed, "I have seen Bingyun!"


    Bingyun asked, "Do you really have the Yellow Spirit Pill recipe?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "I fortuitously discovered the Yellow Spirit Pill recipe in an ancient tome! If others want this recipe, it''s at least five hundred Spirit Stones. If you want it, Bingyun, you can have it for four hundred Spirit Stones! With your abilities, you can surely verify the authenticity of the recipe. If the recipe is false, I am willing topensate you for all your losses!"


    "The value of the Yellow Spirit Pill recipe far exceeds five hundred Spirit Stones! I won''t take advantage of you either, I''ll pay the five hundred Spirit Stones. But if there is any falsity in the recipe, I naturally have ways to make you pay the price!"


    Bingyun''s gaze was frosty as she took out five mid-grade Spirit Stones and threw them to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu handed Bingyun fifteen low-grade Spirit Stones, and at the same time, he handed her the Yellow Spirit Pill recipe.


    The Spiritual Power contained in one mid-grade Spirit Stone is equivalent to that of one hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, but the Spiritual Power within a mid-grade Spirit Stone is easier to absorb and slightly purer, so one mid-grade Spirit Stone can be exchanged for one hundred and three low-grade Spirit Stones at the Canglong Mountain Market.

 Chapter 11 Qi Cultivation Level 3

    ```


    Seeing Zhao Yu earn five hundred Spirit Stones in one go, some cultivators in the Market couldn''t help but feel envious, but no one dared to make a move against him there.


    If Zhao Yu had still been living on the edge of the Market in Huangli Alley, someone might have taken the risk, but he lived in the Market Center District. His neighbors on either side were master cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining and the Eighth Level of Qi Refining, respectively, and right next to him was the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team''s station.


    Which robber would be foolish enough to attack him?


    Zhao Yu directly packed up his stall and returned to his small courtyard in the Market Center District.


    Zhao Yu spent three mid-grade Spirit Stones to purchase thirty-two bottles of Yellow Spirit Pills from Xiong Zhenye all at once, then swallowed twenty-nine bottles in session, converting each of them into proficiency with Yellow Spirit Pills.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: 0th Level (30/100)."


    "Alchemy ¡ª Yellow Spirit Pill: Proficient (0/400)."


    Zhao Yuughed excitedly, "Hahaha! Atst, I''ve also be a Pill Master!"


    "There are three more Yellow Spirit Pills left, just enough to enhance my cultivation level!"


    Zhao Yu took out a Yellow Spirit Pill and swallowed it whole. A surge of immense heat flowed through his body, and he immediately circted his Earth Elemental Skill to absorb this heat, transforming it little by little into his own mana.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Second Level (33/100)."


    "One Yellow Spirit Pill increased my proficiency by twenty points! With just four more Yellow Spirit Pills, I can advance to the Third Level of Qi Refinement! On the path of cultivation, resources are really too important! With enough elixirs, even someone with my level of talent can cultivate into an immortal!"


    After refining the power of that Yellow Spirit Pill, a trace of excitement shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes. He finally saw hope for rapid advancement in his cultivation level.


    In the following period, Zhao Yu did not rush to start alchemy but instead purchased two more Yellow Spirit Pills from Xiong Zhenye. He continued his arduous practice of the Martial Path, drew talismans, and went on to refine Yellow Spirit Pills.


    One monthter, in the Quiet Room.


    Zhao Yu sat cross-legged, operating his Earth Elemental Skill as mana flowed within his body, breaking through another barrier. His mana instantly increased by twenty percent, bing more lively and pure.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Third Level (0/100). Qi Refinement Third Level!"


    Feeling the pure mana coursing through him, Zhao Yu couldn''t help butugh excitedly, "Hahahahaha, finally at the Third Level of Qi Refinement!"


    With the core area of a First-Level Spirit Vein, plus five Yellow Spirit Pills, and the aid of the Dao Fruit, Zhao Yu finally advanced to be a cultivator at the Third Level of Qi Refinement.


    An ordinary cultivator at the Second Level of Qi Refinement would need a significant amount of time topletely refine a single Yellow Spirit Pill and also worry about the umtion of pill toxins, requiring a period of detoxification after refining each Yellow Spirit Pill.


    Zhao Yu, with the Dao Fruit he possessed, could easily refine the pill toxins and also rapidly refine the Yellow Spirit Pills, turning them into nourishment for his practice.


    "Uncle, dinner is ready!"


    Coming out of the Quiet Room into the living room, Zhao Yu saw that Li Xianjiao had already steamed the Spirit Rice and prepared the braised Demon Beast Meat.


    Zhao Yu said, "Didn''t I mention that I might bete with my practice? You could have eaten first."


    Li Xianjiao replied, "Mother always said, a family should eat together!"


    Li Yunhai is such a waste, to have driven such a good wife and daughter to this state, what a pity.


    Zhao Yu cursed silently in his heart and sat down at the table.


    Zhao Yu said, "Later, I''ll test your Spirit Root for you. If you have one, you can set foot on the path of cultivation in the future."


    ```


    Li Xianjiao looked at Zhao Yu with her clear-cut, ck and white big eyes and asked, "Can you save my mother?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "If you can cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future, you''ll be able to save your mother!"


    A single Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator could upy a piece of Spiritual Land and establish a Foundation Establishment family. Throughout the entire Xiao Heishan Market, Zhao Yu had inquired through various channels and found that there was only one Cangling Sect Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator in residence.


    If Li Xianjiao could advance to be a Foundation Establishment Expert, simply asking for someone from the Hundred Flowers Building would ensure that person was delivered without fail.


    Li Xianjiao dered, "Then I must cultivate! I want to be a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!"


    Zhao Yu smiled inwardly, not taking her seriously in the slightest.


    In the entire Xiao Heishan Market, there were numerous Loose Cultivators; Zhao Yu''s neighbor, Xiong Zhenye, was even a Great Circle of Qi Refining Pill Master who certainly wasn''tcking in Spirit Stones. Yet, among so many Loose Cultivators, not a single one had be a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, which showed just how difficult advancing to Foundation Establishment was.


    After dinner, Zhao Yu took out a Spirit Testing Talisman that he had purchased for a Spirit Stone and pressed it onto Li Xianjiao''s body, then infused it with Mana.


    The Spirit Testing Talisman ignited immediately, and a mysterious power enveloped Li Xianjiao.


    Ayer of blue mist rose from Li Xianjiao''s body and then transformed into dazzling purple light.


    "Single Water Spirit Root, Heavenly Spirit Root! Eh? This doesn''t seem like a good thing!!"


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Yu was both shocked and pleased, but then he felt a great headache looming.


    Spirit Roots were ssified as Low-grade Spiritual Roots, Medium-grade Spiritual Roots, High-grade Spiritual Roots, Earth Spirit Roots, and Heavenly Spirit Roots. Medium-grade Spiritual Roots were already enough to meet the standards for joining the Cangling Sect.


    If Li Xianjiao had only possessed a High-grade Spirit Root, Zhao Yu would have been very happy, foreseeing that with cultivation, she could be an excellent assistant in the future.


    However, Li Xianjiao possessed the legendary Heavenly Spirit Root; given abundant resources, she could unquestionably cultivate to be a Golden Core Ancestor, and even advancing to Nascent Soul Expert had a twenty to thirty percent chance of sess.


    Typical Qi Cultivation strong practitioners would rack their brains and even resort to head-breakingpetition for a chance at a Foundation Establishment Pill, whereas for unparalleled geniuses with Heavenly Spirit Roots, such a pill was utterly unnecessary. They could easily achieve Pill-less Foundation Establishment.


    Within the Beihuang territory, there were four great sects: the Cangling Sect, the Dan Ling Sect, the Thousand Mysteries Sect, and the Beast Taming Sect.


    The Cangling Sect had once be embroiled in a dispute with the Beast Taming Sect over a genius with an Earth Spirit Root, which led to outright conflict and sparked a war within the Northern Deste Cultivation World.


    In the end, that Earth Spirit Root genius was personally killed by an ancestor of the Cangling Sect, and the defeated Beast Taming Sect had to pay arge sum of Spirit Stones, cede much territory, to end the war.


    If this was the situation for someone with an Earth Spirit Root, the case for a Heavenly Spirit Root was even more significant. After all, the strongest ancestors in the four great sects were only Golden Core Ancestors; should a genius like Li Xianjiao, with a Heavenly Spirit Root, be discovered, it would inevitably trigger another great war in the Northern Deste Cultivation World.


    Geniuses with a Heavenly Spirit Root would be contended over by many powerful factions even in those regions where the Cultivation civilization was flourishing, and Nascent Soul Elders abounded.


    Zhao Yu pondered, "First, I should cultivate her, and then let her enter one of the great sects. Once she has advanced to Foundation Establishment, Golden Core afterward, I''ll have another friend and an additional way out in the future."


    The next day, Zhao Yu visited the Duo Bao Building in the Market.


    The manager of Duo Bao Building sneered at Zhao Yu, losing interest upon realizing he was merely a third-level Qi Refinement practitioner.


    An attendant proactively approached and said, "Fellow Daoist, our Duo Bao Building has countless treasures and curiosities. What might you be interested in purchasing?"


    Zhao Yu asked, "I would like to inquire, how many Spirit Stones are needed for a Cultivation Technique that goes from the eighth level of Earth Elemental Skill to the Early Foundation Establishment?"

 Chapter 12 Selling Yellow Spirit Pill

    The shop assistant said with a smile, "It takes one hundred spirit stones to go from the Eighth Level of Qi Refinement to the Great Circle of Qi Refining and three thousand spirit stones to go from the Great Circle of Qi Refining to the Early Foundation Establishment."


    Zhao Yu''s expression changed as he said, "Why is it so expensive?"


    The manager of Duo Bao Building said indifferently, "Expensive? Foundation Establishment techniques are the closely guarded secrets of major Foundation Establishment ns. If you go to other ces in the Northern Destion, you simply can''t buy Foundation Establishment techniques.


    If it weren''t for the development of the Canglong Mountain range, you wouldn''t have been able to buy Foundation Establishment techniques outside of an auction."


    For a Loose Cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment, it truly is too difficult!


    With a sigh in his heart, Zhao Yu asked, "How many spirit stones for a Water Element Technique that can be cultivated to the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement?"


    The shop assistant smiled and said, "Only ten spirit stones!"


    Zhao Yu took out ten spirit stones and handed them to the shop assistant, purchasing a copy of the Water Element Technique, and then he left the Duo Bao Building to go to the market to buy the materials for refining Yellow Spirit Pills.


    The Canglong Mountain range was rich in resources, with many spirit beasts, spirit grasses, and spiritual medicines. Many Loose Cultivators relied on collecting spirit grasses and spiritual medicines for a living.


    Even so, Zhao Yu searched for an entire day before he found all the materials needed to refine a batch of Yellow Spirit Pills.


    When Zhao Yu got home, he first passed on variousmon knowledge of Cultivation to Li Xianjiao, then he taught her the Water Element Technique for her Cultivation.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu maintained his past rhythm, but he often went to the market to buy materials for refining Yellow Spirit Pills in bulk.


    Ten dayster, Zhao Yu spent one hundred spirit stones to gather the materials needed to refine five batches of Yellow Spirit Pills.


    Inside the alchemy room.


    After bathing and changing his clothes, adjusting his state to perfection, Zhao Yu began to process the various materials, one by one, putting them into the pill furnace that he had bought for ten spirit stones, staring intently at the furnace burning with spirit charcoal, and asionally emitting bursts of mana.


    Hisss!


    A plume of ck smoke, apanied by a burnt smell, emanated from the pill furnace. The materials inside the furnacebusted in the moment of solidifying the pills, turning into small ck balls.


    "It failed! Twenty spirit stones gone just like that! The saying ''Alchemy impoverishes three generations'' really holds true!"


    Zhao Yu let out a long breath, steeling himself against the exhaustion, he took out a Cleansing Talisman worth one spirit sand and crushed it. A mysterious glow enveloped the furnace, which was instantly cleaned.


    Zhao Yu persisted in bathing and changing before falling into a deep sleep.


    The next day, after adjusting his condition, reflecting on the experience and lessons learned, he continued with the alchemy, but still failed.


    On the third day.


    "I finally seeded!!"


    Zhao Yu opened the furnace and a fragrance of pills wafted out; inside the furnace, there were seven Yellow Spirit Pills along with five waste pills.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled slightly,ughter filled his eyes, "I didn''t lose money after all! Thank goodness I improved my mastery with Yellow Spirit Pills to the proficient level before starting the refinement, or else I would have been ruined!"


    In the next two days, Zhao Yu started the furnace to refine pills again, failing once, seeding once, and gaining another eight Yellow Spirit Pills.


    "Alchemy requiresplete focus, and with my current level of cultivation, any carelessness could destroy an entire batch of pills. It took me five days to refine fifteen Yellow Spirit Pills at a cost of one hundred spirit stones, which means I can earn ten spirit stones a day."


    "Indeed, alchemy is more profitable than drawing talismans. As I be more skilled in alchemy, both my sess rate and pill formation rate will improve, and I will earn even more money. However, during alchemy, I cannot practice martial arts or cultivate the Earth Elemental Skill!


    Therefore, even if a Pill Master has a lot of spirit stones, they may not necessarily seed in Foundation Establishment."


    After finishing alchemy, Zhao Yu began to reflect on his experience and lessons learned.


    The next day, Zhao Yu set up his stall in the market with Li Xianjiao by his side.


    "Eh, Master Zhao of Talismans, since when did you start selling Yellow Spirit Pills? How much for a bottle?"


    A regr customer who often bought Zhao Yu''s Evil-Repelling Talismans approached his stall and asked out of curiosity after seeing the Yellow Spirit Pills.


    Zhao Yu said, "Nine spirit stones per bottle!"


    Yellow Spirit Pills could be sold for ten spirit stones per bottle in shops, but who would buy from a street stall if it was more expensive than in a shop?


    The regr haggled, "That''s too expensive! How about eight spirit stones? I might as well go to a shop if I have to pay nine spirit stones."


    Zhao Yu indifferently said, "Nine spirit stones, no bargaining!"


    The Yellow Spirit Pill is the most popr pill that can enhance the Qi Refinement Realm''s cultivation level, and in the entire ck Mountain Market, there are less than three Pill Masters who can refine such a pill. The shops often run out of stock.


    After hesitating for a while, the customer gritted his teeth and said, "Then give me one bottle!"


    Zhao Yu''s Evil-Repelling Talismans were of better quality than those in shops, and cheaper too, attracting many regrs. Upon seeing the Yellow Spirit Pills at his stall, they all quickly bought them up, and Zhao Yu sold out his entire inventory before noon.


    Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao then went to the general store where he purchased mundane martial arts manuals, buying all sorts of top-notch secret manuals before returning to his courtyard, satisfied.


    "I have already cultivated the Chi Yang Divine Art to its peak, reaching the Great Grandmaster''s level of the Martial Path, with no way to advance further. This is the limit of mundane martial arts, after all¡ªmortals have such short lifespans and cannot ess resources like cultivators do."


    Mortals far outnumber cultivators, and among them are many martial talents capable of creating various martial arts. The Chi Yang Divine Art, a powerful martial art that can be cultivated to the level of a Great Grandmaster, was created by a mortal.


    However, mortalsck resources such as Qi and Blood Pills, spirit stones, Spirit Veins, Spirit Rice, etc., and their lifetime is short. For instance, the creator of the Chi Yang Divine Art just managed to reach the Grandmaster Realm when he began to age and naturally could not create stronger martial arts.


    "The Chi Yang Divine Art I''m currently training is an internal art, characterized by its aggressive and domineering nature, enhancing physical fitness. I can also train in Health Cultivation Techniques to extend my lifespan and practice external martial arts to improve my body''s defense."


    "Whether it is Health Cultivation Techniques or external martial arts, it''s best to cultivate them alongside Qi and Blood Pills. These pills can be bought with spirit stones!"


    "The Clear Stream Sword Technique also needs to be streamlined! This mortal sword technique contains too many superfluous moves and is too shy. While it can be unexpectedly effective against mortals, when facing cultivators, only speed, uracy, and ferocity count. Excessive fanciness could easily be a weakness."


    "Health Cultivation Techniques and external martial arts can also be optimized!"


    "....."


    Zhao Yu''s martial talent had reached the level of a Martial Arts Genius, even surpassing the founder of the Chi Yang Divine Art. With the various resources from the cultivation world at his disposal and the ability to use divine sense for internal vision, his creation of new martial arts techniques was greatly enhanced.


    Before long, with his extraordinary talent as a Martial Arts Genius, Zhao Yu absorbed the merits of various Health Cultivation Techniques and external martial arts and created his own Turtle Spirit Longevity Art and Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, and then he consumed Qi and Blood Pills to endure rigorous cultivation.

 Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Demon Hunting Team

    Three months had passed in a blink.


    In the Quiet Room, Zhao Yu was sitting with his eyes tightly closed, sweat pouring down like raindrops, as tiny bits of pitch-ck, foul-smelling filth slowly emerged from the pores of his body.


    When Zhao Yu opened his eyes, a sharp light shed in them. He let out a long howl, filled with exuberance, "Hahaha!! The Turtle Spirit Longevity Art indeed extends life!!"


    "Zhao Yu."


    "Lifespan 38/98."


    "Turtle Spirit Longevity Art Twentieth Level (0/100)."


    "Vajra Dragon Elephant Art Twentieth Level (0/100)."


    "Qinggong: Phantom Step (Master Level 356/800)."


    "Flying Daggers (Master Level 278/800)."


    "Lightning Sword Technique (Master Level 456/100)."


    Originally, Zhao Yu had a lifespan of only sixty-eight years, but after cultivating the Turtle Spirit Longevity Art, his lifespan had directly extended by thirty years¡ªsuch was the power of the Turtle Spirit Longevity Art.


    The lifespan of a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator was much higher than that of an ordinary person. However, the Earth Elemental Skill was not a lifespan-extending technique, and Zhao Yu''s previous life as a spirit farmer involvedborious day and night work, and his essence was being absorbed by the demoness of the Thousand Mysteries Sect, which is why he only had a lifespan of sixty-eight years.


    Even so, Zhao Yu''s lifespan was much longer than that of many mortals in the Ten Mortal Cities, where the average lifespan of a mortal was only about forty years.


    "Let me see the power of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art!"


    Zhao Yu took out the only low-grade Magical Instrument, the Bronze Awl, poured mana into it, and slowly aimed it at his left arm. At the same time, he activated the Twentieth Level Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his left arm''s muscles bulged and emitted a faint glow.


    The Bronze Awl slowly pricked Zhao Yu''s left arm. He initially used thirty percent of his strength, then fifty, and finally full strength, but the Bronze Awl could not prate his left arm.


    "With my Qi Refinement Third Level mana and the Bronze Awl, I can''t break through. Therefore, my Vajra Dragon Elephant Art should be able to withstand attacks from mid-grade Magical Instruments, but not from high-grade Magical Instruments. Unfortunately, this martial art also reaches its limit here!!"


    A flicker of excitement crossed Zhao Yu''s eyes, followed by a sigh of regret.


    The talent of a Martial Arts Genius allowed Zhao Yu to easily master various martial arts andbine the strengths of different schools to deduce a stronger martial art. Though Zhao Yu could continue to study the Martial Path and deduce the path onward, the efficiency was too low, and the dangers were substantial.


    After Zhao Yu''s Phantom Step rose to Master Level, his movement speed had increased by another thirty percent. His Flying Dagger Technique reaching the Master Level also saw another thirty percent increase in power. The Lightning Sword Technique, now at Master Level, had also made his swordsmanship even more powerful.


    Zhao Yu left the Quiet Room and found that Li Xianjiao had already prepared the meal and was waiting for him.


    Zhao Yu nced at Li Xianjiao and was slightly surprised, "Oh, you''ve reached the Second Level of Qi Refining?"


    Li Xianjiao said, "I don''t know how, but I just recently broke through."


    Zhao Yu remarked with emotion, "Heavenly Spirit Root! This is the Heavenly Spirit Root indeed!"


    Zhao Yu''s previous self had lived for decades and reached only the First Level of Qi Refining, while Li Xianjiao had reached the Second Level of Qi Refining after just a few months of cultivation without even consuming any elixirs. Such talent naturally attracted the interest of countless powerful factions.


    Zhao Yu spoke with grave seriousness, "During this period, you must stay at home. I''ll go find a technique for you to cultivate that hides your aura; otherwise, we will both be in danger!"


    Li Xianjiao obediently replied, "I understand!"


    Not long after they had finished eating, there was a knock on the door of the small courtyard.


    Zhao Yu waved his hand, letting Li Xianjiao hide inside the house while he opened the door, to find Ling Chongshan standing outside.


    Zhao Yu said, "Brother Ling, pleasee in!"


    "Little Zhao, I have news about the matter you asked me to inquire about! There indeed was a beauty named Zheng Qiaoman at the Hundred Flowers Building. She was said to be as popr as the Thousand Mysteries Sect''s Fairy Caihua, the top courtesan of the Hundred Flowers Building. However, a month ago, she could no longer endure the humiliation andmitted suicide."


    Ling Chongshan entered the room and sat on a chair, his face filled with regret.


    After several months of interaction, the rtionship between Ling Chongshan and Zhao Yu had grown quite close.


    Suddenly, a sound of something crashing to the ground came from within the room, followed by bouts of crying.


    "Is Zheng Qiaoman Little Xianjiao''s mother?"


    Ling Chongshan, who appeared burly and tough with a stern face, was actually extremely perceptive and immediately guessed the truth of the matter.


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly.


    Ling Chongshan said, "Let''s not talk about that now! By the way, the Cangling Sect is currently recruiting a Beast Hunting Team! The season for hunting demonic beasts is here! This is a great opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. What do you say, would you like to team up with me and hunt demonic beasts together?"


    Every autumn, the demonic beasts of the Canglong Mountains would be active and head to the Ten Mortal Cities to hunt humans, using them as food tost through the winter.


    Simrly, during this season, the Cangling Sect would form Beast Hunting Teams to patrol the Ten Mortal Cities and hunt these demonic beasts, thus protecting the mortals. After all, the humans in the Ten Mortal Cities formed the foundation for Little ck Mountain Market''s existence, continually supplying cultivators to the market.


    Zhao Yu shook his head slightly and said, "Hunting demonic beasts is too dangerous for someone at my Early Qi Refining Stage! I do not want to go!"


    Ling Chongshan said, "The hunting teams are generally formed of five members each. Besides myself, there are three others in my group who are old friends. They are all experts at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining with extensive experience in hunting demonic beasts. If you join our group, I will protect you, and you will definitely be safe."


    "Moreover, by joining the hunting team, you can earn twenty Spirit Stones, and we only need to submit ten percent of the demonic beasts we catch to the Cangling Sect. The rest are ours. Every hunting season, I manage to earn hundreds of Spirit Stones!"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Brother Ling, I am a Talisman Master and a Pill Master!"


    Ling Chongshan said solemnly, "Right! You truly are a Pill Master!! I almost forgot!! However, Zhao, there are times when men must face danger directly. Even Little ck Mountain Market might not be safe forever."


    Zhao Yu said, "Brother Ling, you are right!"


    Ling Chongshan showed a relieved smile.


    Zhao Yu said, "However, I still n to stay in Little ck Mountain Market to properly cultivate and enhance my cultivation level. Being at the Early Qi Refining Stage is still too weak. If I went, I would just be a burden!"


    Ling Chongshan''s smile stiffened slightly as he shook his head and said, "You! Well, you do have a point! Let''s wait until you reach the Middle Stage of Qi Refining then!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Brother Ling, could you help me buy a Magical Technique Manual that conceals one''s aura so that others cannot discern one''s cultivation level?"


    Ling Chongshan, looking puzzled, said, "I have one right now. However, that magical manual isn''t profound¡ªit''s just a minor technique to conceal one''s aura, and it can only deceive those in the Qi Refining Realm. It won''t fool a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator who can extend their Divine Sense. Why do you want that?"


    As a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator at the third level, Zhao Yu stood at the bottom of the Cultivation World, often overlooked. If it weren''t for his roles as a Talisman Master and a Pill Master, and his good rapport with Ling Chongshan, he could never have formed an association with ate-stage Qi Refining expert like Ling Chongshan.


    Zhao Yu said, "I have my uses for it!"


    Ling Chongshan said, "I''ll bring it to you in a few days!"


    The two chatted a while longer before Ling Chongshan left Zhao''s house.


    Zhao Yu went into the inner room and saw Li Xianjiao, who had cried herself into a state of total despair, resembling a delicate doll that had lost all vitality, helplessly slumped on the bed.

 Chapter 14 Qi Refinement Level 4

    Zhao Yu spoke slowly, "Xianjiao, although your mother has died, your enemies are still out there! The Gold Element Gambling House of the Cangling Sect and the Hundred Flowers Building of the Thousand Mysteries Sect are the murderers who killed your mother.


    You possess the one-in-ten-thousand Heavenly Spirit Root, and in the future, as long as you enter a sect and cultivate sessfully, you can be a Golden Core ancestor. Then, you can take your revenge!"


    The despair and numbness that had been in Li Xianjiao''s eyes slowly filled with life. She got up from the bed, looked at Zhao Yu with anticipation, and said, "Uncle, can''t you help me cultivate into a Golden Core ancestor?"


    Zhao Yu replied candidly, "I''m currently only at the Third Level of Qi Refinement! I don''t even have a Foundation Establishment Technique! If you cultivate with me, building your Foundation and forming a Golden Core might be far more difficult than if you joined a sect."


    Geniuses with Heavenly Spirit Roots, once they join a sect, are likely to be True Disciples, and Golden Core ancestors willpete to take them as disciples, imparting precious manuals that directly lead to the Golden Core.


    Zhao Yu, a Loose Cultivator like him, didn''t even possess a Foundation Establishment Technique. Although he carried the Dao Fruit, which guaranteed immeasurable prospects as long as he lived, he was far behind a Golden Core Sect right now.


    Li Xianjiao nodded silently, her spirits reviving.


    Several dayster, Ling Chongshan sold a Manual of the Stealth Technique to Zhao Yu for the price of five Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Yu had Li Xianjiao practice this technique, and until she had mastered it, he forbade her to leave the house. He also purchased in advance two Golden Light Talismans, two Featherweight Talismans, two Armor Horse Talismans, and three Fireball Talismans.


    The Golden Light Talisman is a first-tier Superior defensive Talisman. Once activated, it forms a Golden Light Cover with defensive capabilities far surpassing both the Minor Spirit Shield Technique and the Spiritual Shield Technique.


    The Featherweight Talisman is a first-tier middle-grade Talisman. Once activated, it allows one to move with the lightness and agility of a swallow.


    The Armor Horse Talisman is a first-tier middle-grade Talisman. Once activated, it grants the user the endurance of a swift horse, allowing one to travel a hundred miles a day without exhausting their strength.


    The Fireball Talisman is a first-tier middle-grade Talisman. Once activated, it can unleash a Fireball to attack enemies, and even a Great Grandmaster of the Martial Path struck by one Fireball has only one path to death.


    Although human Cultivators from the Market of the Minor ck Mountain have emerged overwhelmingly victorious in the annual beast hunting, Zhao Yu was still very cautious and prepared various battle Talismans.


    A monthter, the Beast Hunting Team was formed, and they began patrolling the Ten Mortal Cities, hunting Demon Beasts.


    Many Demon Beasts from the Canglong Mountain range moved towards the Ten Mortal Cities to hunt, only to be killed by the Beast Hunting Team. A substantial amount of Demon Beast Meat poured into the Market of the Minor ck Mountain, causing the price of the meat to plummet.


    Zhao Yu seized the opportunity to buy some Superior first-tier Demon Beast Meat for consumption, to elerate the enhancement of his Spiritual Root attributes.


    Since advancing to the Third Level of Qi Refinement, consuming a Yellow Spirit Pill could only improve his proficiency by five points. However, with massive consumption of Yellow Spirit Pills for Cultivation, he soon encountered the bottleneck of breaking through from Early Qi Refining Stage to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.


    Another month passed, inside the Quiet Room.


    "I''ve hit a bottleneck. I''ve refined two Yellow Spirit Pills, but I still can''t break through it! Low-grade Spiritual Roots are really trash!!"


    Zhao Yu shook his head slightly, took out a Barrier-Breaking Spirit Pill that cost a hundred Spirit Stones, and swallowed it in one go.


    A powerful medicinal force flowed through his body and, under his guidance, converged with the Mana inside him, breaking through a meridian and directly promoting him to the Fourth Level of Qi Refinement.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Fourth Level (0/100). Sixth Level of Qi Refining!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes sparkled with excitement: "Finally advanced to the Fourth Level of Qi Refinement!! I''ve finally be a Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivator, and I can use the Golden Light Talisman!"


    The use of various talismans also required the depletion of the user''s mana. Previously, as a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refinement, Zhao Yu found it especially difficult to use the Golden Light Talisman. A single talisman would deplete nearly all of his mana, leaving him without enough to continue fighting.


    With a slight upward curl of his lips, Zhao Yu revealed a hint of a smile, "After advancing to the fourth level of Qi Refinement, I find drawing the Evil Warding Talisman much easier, and the refinement of Yellow Spirit Pills has also be much more proficient."


    Although the market near the Canglong Mountain Range was replete with the spirit grass and spiritual medicine needed for the refinement of Yellow Spirit Pills, Zhao Yu was unable to obtain enough of these materials to start alchemy. On days when he couldn''t perform alchemy, he could only draw talismans to earn money, never cking off for a moment.


    Zhao Yu left the quiet room and went to the guest room, where Li Xianjiao was already sitting and waiting for him at the dining table.


    Bang! Bang!


    Just then, there came an intense knocking sound from outside. Li Xianjiao swiftly concealed his presence and hid inside the room.


    Zhao Yu also concealed his aura, disguising himself as a third-level Qi Refining cultivator before opening the door.


    Standing outside were two cultivators of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, dressed in ck and at the sixth level of Qi Refining. One tall cultivator scrutinized Zhao Yu closely and said coldly, "Are you Zhao Yu?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "I am he. May I know the purpose of your visit?"


    "Ling Chongshan is dead! In ordance with his will, we have brought you his inheritance and hisst will!"


    The tall cultivator handed over arge parcel to Zhao Yu, then, along with the other person, turned and left.


    Zhao Yu returned home, opened the parcel, and found it contained only a little over a hundred low-grade spirit stones and a will.


    Upon examining the will, Zhao Yu realized he wasn''t the first inheritor but the fourth. The first three were Ling Chongshan''s teammates, and it seemed they had fallen in battle for the inheritance to pass to him, the fourth in line.


    "It looks like the bulk of the inheritance was embezzled by the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team. I remember Brother Ling had a superior magical instrument-grade magic sword. He definitely earned more than these few spirit stones during his time with the Beast Hunting Team!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the assets in the parcel and shook his head slightly.


    That the Cangling Sect was willing to return even this small amount of spirit stones was consideredparatively rule-abiding and humane. If it had been any other power, it wouldn''t have been surprising if they had embezzled everything. After all, those were over a hundred spirit stones¡ªenough to tempt many a loose cultivator into risking danger.


    Nightfall.


    Using Qinggong, Zhao Yu flitted onto the big tree in his small courtyard like a ghost. Utilizing the superior sensory perception of a martial path Great Grandmaster, he detected no anomalies before stealthily sneaking into Ling Chongshan''s nearby home.


    After a thorough search, Zhao Yu found Ling''s storage room, moved a man-height vase that was ced there, and lifted a floorboard beneath the vase to reveal a box underneath.


    "This is Brother Ling''s true legacy!"


    Zhao Yu took the box out, swiftly restored everything to its original state, and left Ling''s house as silently as he arrived.


    Zhao Yu returned home and opened the wooden box, which contained six mid-grade spirit stones, a secret manual titled "Gold Element Power," a dull bead the size of a longan, and a letter.


    After carefully reading the letter, Zhao Yu''s expression first revealed surprise, then he fell into deep thought.

 Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Martial Path Breakthrough

    Ling Chongshan was born into the Foundation Establishment family of the Changyang Ling n. As a non-direct descendant, even though his talent was one of the best within the Ling family, the Foundation Establishment Pill was destined to be given to a Cultivator with a Spirit Root on par with his, who hailed from the direct line.


    After reaching thete Qi Refinement stage, Ling Chongshan could not content himself with being trapped in the Qi Refinement realm for his entire life; he thus ventured to the small ck Mountain Market to hunt demon beasts for a living, hoping to gather enough resources to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill and ascend to be a Foundation Establishment Expert.


    Apart from undeveloped and dangerous mountain ranges like the Canglong Mountains, demon beasts appearing in the hintends of the Northern Wastnd were swiftly eradicated by Cultivators from the four great sects and various Foundation Establishment families, turning them into nourishment for their cultivation.


    That dusty, dragon-eye-sized bead was the inner core of a Low-grade Second-Order Demon Beast, the Steel-Armored Rhino, which Ling Chongshan obtained as a trophy after killing ate-stage Qi Refining powerhouse.


    Normally, only Golden Core cultivators within the human race could condense a Golden Core within their bodies, but some demon beasts with exceptional talents could start to congeal inner cores as early as the Second-Order.


    The "Gold Element Power" secret manual was Ling Chongshan''s main cultivation technique¡ªa Gold Attribute Cultivation Technique which could be cultivated up to the first level of Foundation Establishment.


    The final letter was Ling Chongshan''s will, expressing his hope that the person who inherited his legacy would provide care for his wife and daughter at the Changyang Ling family. Although he had made arrangements for his wife and daughter to have no worries for food and clothing, he remained concerned that they would be bullied without a protector.


    Ling Chongshan also knew about Zhao Yu''s experience in handling old Liu''s legacy and trusted in Zhao Yu''s character, which is why he listed him as the fourth heir to his inheritance.


    "Brother Ling, since I have taken your inheritance, I will certainly look after your wife and daughter if I ever have the chance!"


    Zhao Yu picked up the Low-grade Second-Order Demon Beast Steel-Armored Rhino''s inner pill and swallowed it in one gulp, immediately activating the Dao Fruit absorption. The inner core of the Steel-Armored Rhino was quickly refined, and a stream of information surfaced.


    + signs appeared behind Zhao Yu''s Martial Talent, Gold Attribute Spirit Root, and Vajra Dragon Elephant Art.


    "As expected, using the inner pill of a demon beast can enhance the cultivation level of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art. However, using demon beast inner pills to cultivate mortal martial arts is too extravagant!"


    Zhao Yu noticed the plus signs behind the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art and pondered. With his Martial Arts Genius talent, a cultivator''s ability for internal inspection, and both martial and cultivation insights, he had deduced that using demon beast inner pills could take the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art further, advancing it beyond the capabilities of a Great Grandmaster.


    However, demon beast inner pills are only born within the bodies of Second-Order or higher demon beasts, making it impossible to cultivate the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art even if it is theorized.


    "Martial Talent and Spirit Root Talent can both be gradually increased; what Ick the most now is a means of protection for my path!"


    Zhao Yu tapped on the plus signs that had appeared behind the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art. A powerful and intense heat flowed instantaneously inside his body, strengthening his bones, organs, meridians, and blood¡ªmaking his blood surge like a raging river.


    It took an entire quarter of an hour for Zhao Yu toplete his transformation.


    "Vajra Dragon Elephant Art Level Forty (0/100)."


    "My physical strength has increased a lot! My defensive power has also skyrocketed!! I wonder how strong mybat abilities really are! It would be best not to fight so I can safely cultivate until the Foundation Establishment stage!"


    Zhao Yu felt the overflowing power within his body, a slight smile forming on his lips, his heart brimming with confidence.


    In the days that followed, Zhao Yu continued to hide in the small ck Mountain Market, working hard to improve his cultivation level.


    One monthter, in the market''s stall area.


    "Law Enforcement Team!! Those are people from the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team!!"


    "The Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team was defeated!"


    "Could it be, they were defeated by demon beasts?"


    "¡­"


    Zhao Yu was running his stall when he heard a wave of discussion among the crowd. Following the voices, he saw members of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, in their ck outfits, walking into the Market in a sorry state.


    Many of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team members were bathed in blood, with quite a few missing arms or legs, clearly having been through an incredibly brutal fight.


    "Damn it, how could this happen? If anything happened to the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, I won''t be able to continue my peaceful cultivation!"


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly as he watched the sorry state of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, a surge of unease rising in his heart.


    Even though the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team had embezzled Old Liu''s and Ling Chongshan''s inheritance, they were also the guardians of order in the ck Mountain Market. Without them, the ck Mountain Market would never maintain its current order and prosperity.


    Zhao Yu looked up and saw in the distant sky an elderly man with a head of silver hair, wearing a ck robe, brandishing a magic sword, andmanding a silver-white spiritual shield.


    He was battling a terrifying snake over thirty feet long, covered with ayer of gray scales and surrounded by wisps of grey mist, and a giant ape over ten feet tall, covered in red fur, constantly spewing fireballs.


    "Those two are Second-Order demon beasts!!"


    At the sight of those two demon beasts, Zhao Yu''s scalp went numb, his hair stood on end, and an involuntary sense of fear rose in his heart. It was the natural fear of a lower being towards a higher one.


    Second-Order demon beasts had strengthsparable to Foundation Establishment Experts; they were terrifying creatures whose life level was far beyond that of Qi Refining Stage Cultivators. If a cultivator in the Early Qi Refining Stage were to encounter these Second-Order demon beasts alone, nine out of ten would be petrified by fear and then be mere snacks for the beasts.


    The lead member of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team swallowed a medicinal pill, and his face turned crimson immediately. He spat out a mouthful of blood onto his magic sword, waved his hand, and the sword, shrouded in ayer of hazy light, turned into a bolt of lightning, instantly piercing the eye of the red-haired giant ape and through its head.


    Taking advantage of the moment, the Second-Order demon snake opened its mouth and exhaled a dull grey mist that formed an arrow and instantly struck the spiritual shield in front of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team leader.


    Sss!


    Countless grey vapors rose up, and the spiritual shield showed numerous signs of corrosion, lost its spirituality, and fell from the sky.


    The leader of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team took the opportunity to fly into the ck Mountain Market on his escape light.


    Beams of light emerged from within the ck Mountain Market, and a gigantic Second-Order magic array was quickly unfolded, covering the entire ck Mountain Market.


    The Second-Order demon snake mmed fiercely against the magic array, causing ripples to spread, but it was unable to shake the array.


    Various spells were unleashed from within the Second-Order array, bombarding the Second-Order demon snake. Many of the spells were blocked by the grey mist surrounding the demon snake, and only first-grade high-quality spells could barely prate its scale armor and inflict some minor injuries.


    After lingering around the ck Mountain Market for a while and being repelled by the Second-Order array, the Second-Order demon snake swallowed the corpse of the demon ape and slowly slithered back towards the Canglong Mountain Range.

 Chapter 16 The Situation Worsens

    "The leader of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team must have been severely injured! The market at Little ck Mountain is no longer safe!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyebrows slightly furrowed, a sense of crisis rising in his heart.


    The reason why the internal security of the market at Little ck Mountain was good was mainly because the leader of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team was a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator. Anyone who dared to make a move in the market at Little ck Mountain would be crushed by the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team.


    The market at Little ck Mountain had many Loose Cultivators, and many people had once made their moves there. Those people were either killed on the spot or captured to dig in mines until death.


    After many harsh crackdowns by the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, the market at Little ck Mountain had be a ce of good public order. Even so, there were still some gamblers and addicts who were addicted to Spirit Pills who would gamble and take risks from time to time.


    With the Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team seriously injured, their control over the market at Little ck Mountain would significantly weaken.


    "Someone is watching me!"


    With his perception abilities surpassing those of a Great Grandmaster of the Martial Path, Zhao Yu instantly sensed several gazes and rapidly looked in their direction, spotting several Cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.


    Those Cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining shifted their gaze away as if nothing had happened.


    Zhao Yu''s heart sank slightly, "I''ve earned too many Spirit Stones, and someone has gotten jealous and harbors evil thoughts!"


    It was extremely difficult to embark on the paths of being a Talisman Master or Pill Master, but once one made some achievements on these paths, one could earn arge number of Spirit Stones.


    In the eyes of the Cultivators in the market at Little ck Mountain, Zhao Yu was just a Qi Refinement third level Cultivator, but he had earned a huge amount of Spirit Stones, naturally making others envious.


    Zhao Yu had been hiding in the market at Little ck Mountain all along, never stepping out. He spent his days either at the stall or cultivating in seclusion within the core district''s courtyard, giving no opportunity for others to make a move. Now, with the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team suffering a heavy blow, many people started to have unusual thoughts.


    In a hurry, Zhao Yu closed his stall and went straight to Duo Bao Building with Li Xianjiao.


    A clerk came forward and asked, "Daoist Zhao, what would you like to purchase?"


    Zhao Yu said, "I want to buy a Magic Sword of Superior Magical Instrument Grade."


    Previously, Zhao Yu did not worry about his safety while hidden in the market at Little ck Mountain and thus had no need to purchase fighting Magic Artifacts. However, with the sudden change in the situation, he urgently wished to obtain a Magic Sword for protection.


    The shopkeeper at Duo Bao Building said indifferently, "The cheapest Superior Grade Magic Sword costs eight hundred Spirit Stones, do you have them?"


    Zhao Yu''s face changed slightly as he said, "Why is it so expensive? Thest time I looked, the cheapest Qingfeng Sword was only six hundred Spirit Stones!"


    Usually, Low-Grade Magical Instruments were priced between one and two hundred Spirit Stones, middle-grade ones were between two and three hundred Spirit Stones, and Superior Grade Magical Instruments were between five and eight hundred Spirit Stones. As for Supreme Grade Magical Instruments, they were generally over one thousand Spirit Stones.


    The shopkeeper at Duo Bao Building said indifferently, "The prices have gone up!"


    "How much for this Middle-Grade Magical Instrument level Magic Sword, the Thick Earth Sword?"


    Zhao Yu had no choice but to settle for a Magic Sword of Middle-Grade Magical Instrument level.


    "Five hundred Spirit Stones."


    "Deal."


    Zhao Yu used the legacy of Ling Chongshan to purchase the Middle-Grade Magic Sword, the Thick Earth Sword, and only then did he feel a bit more secure. He wanted to buy two Low-Grade first-order defensive magical instruments, but the defensive power of a first-order Low-Grade defensive magical instrument was no match for a first-order Superior Grade Golden Light Talisman.


    Since he did not have enough Spirit Stones, he had to give up the idea.


    Zhao Yu then purchased three Golden Light Talismans at thirty Spirit Stones each from Duo Bao Building before he left to visit Xiong Zhenye.


    "Daoist Xiong, do you have any way to leave the market at Little ck Mountain?"


    Zhao Yu asked after he had informed Xiong Zhenye about what had happened.


    "From Xiaoheshan Market to the nearest Cang Country is a thousand li, and along the way, there are many undeveloped territories. In some ces, Second-Order Demon Beasts and dreadful Evil Spirits roam. Without the protection of a Foundation Establishment Expert, it is very dangerous to try to travel to Cang Country from here."


    "However, Zhao Yu Daoist, you need not worry too much! Each year, Xiaoheshan Market earns massive resources for the Cangling Sect. Otherwise, they would not have established a market in such a perilous location. They will soon send a new Foundation Establishment Expert to take charge," Xiong Zhenye said with a confident smile.


    Zhao Yu''s heart felt somewhat relieved and, out of curiosity, he asked, "Xiong Daoist, why did youe to Xiaoheshan Market?"


    Xiong Zhenye was a Cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining and was proficient in several refining methods for Qi Refinement period pills that could enhance one''s cultivation level, as well as breakthrough pills. He could live an extremelyfortable life anywhere.


    Now over seventy years old, Xiong Zhenye had missed the best age range for Foundation Establishment, and unless he could consume some incredibly rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he wouldn''t be able to achieve Foundation Establishment even with several Foundation Establishment Pills.


    Xiong Zhenye said, "In Xiaoheshan Market, gathering a batch of materials for Yellow Spirit Pills only costs twenty Spirit Stones, whereas in other ces, if one were to buy materials from other market medicine shops, it would require forty to sixty Spirit Stones to gather one batch of materials."


    "Moreover, Xiaoheshan Market also sells Cultivation Secret Manuals for those at the Foundation Establishment Stage! In the Northern Wastnds, aside from some auctions, one basically cannot purchase Foundation Establishment Cultivation Secret Manuals. Even in those auctions, you are not guaranteed to find one suitable for cultivation.


    So, if Zhao Daoist intends to establish his foundation, it is best to buy a Secret Manual that matches the attributes of your Spirit Root."


    Zhao Yu said, "Thank you for the reminder, Xiong Daoist!"


    In the days that followed, the prices of Demon Beast Meat, herbs, Spirit Rice, as well as various Talismans and Magic Artifacts began to soar. All Cultivators huddled within the market, not daring to venture into the Canglong Mountain Range for adventures.


    An eerie atmosphere permeated the entire Xiaoheshan Market, as if something terrifying was brewing.


    Zhao Yu shifted his routine to cultivate at night and sleep during the day. Li Xianjiao, on the other hand, kept watch during the day and slept at night.


    Seven dayster.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Loud knocking came from outside the door, and Li Xianjiao woke Zhao Yu, who then opened the door.


    Liu Cheng''s face was pale as he bowed deeply and said, "Zhao Immortal Master, I havee to ask for help! My son Feifan has been injured by an Evil Spirit and requires an evil-warding Talisman and a Healing Elixir. I beseech you, on behalf of my ancestors, to save my son''s life!"


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "My ties with your Liu family have ended, seek help from someone else!"


    Liu Cheng fell to his knees with a thud, continually knocking his head against the ground until it bled, "I have sought help from everyone, but no one is willing to lend a hand. I beg you, Immortal Master Zhao, to show mercy and save my son. I am kneeling before you!!"


    "Suit yourself!"


    Zhao Yu remained unmoved and closed the door, leaving Liu Cheng to wail outside.


    Now was the most dangerous time, and even if old Liu were still alive and pleading, Zhao Yu would not leave the market. As for a profligate like Liu Feifan, Zhao Yu was even less likely to risk his life for him.


    After wailing for a while, Liu Cheng left the market with a look of utter despair.


    Half a monthter, a corpse, missing both hands, with a pitch-ck hole in its chest, wearing a Daoist robe and with a face of despair, appeared in the market''s street vendor area, drawing a crowd of Cultivators.


    All the Cultivators were waiting for the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team to take action.


    If it had been before, faced with such a violent murder and corpse-dumping incident in the market, the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team would definitely have used various Spells to track down the murderer, and even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator might have involved.


    At dusk.


    Zhao Yu stood on the edge of the market''s street vendor area, watching the corpse from a distance. A sinister premonition rose in his heart, and he sighed faintly, "The heavens are about to change!"


    The fact that the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team was not taking action to pursue the murderer meant that their power had weakened considerably, and they could only defend their current position, unable to maintain order in the market.


    Many Cultivators within Xiaoheshan Market secretly engaged in the crime of robbing other Cultivators, but they had refrained from acting within the market due to the deterrent effect of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team. Now that the enforcement team''s power was lost, the market''s order was also on the verge of copse.

 Chapter 17 The Night of Slaughter

    Since the first body appeared on a stall in the Market, the security of the Market had sharply declined, with several bodies showing up in the Market every day.


    Zhao Yu stayed hidden inside his home, daring not to go out at random, but continued to diligently practice his martial arts in seclusion.


    Seven dayster, in the dead of night, three monks dressed in ck, blending with the darkness, silently moved towards the small courtyard where Zhao Yu resided.


    "Robbers?"


    Leaning against a big tree in the courtyard, Zhao Yu, with his keen perception surpassing that of a Great Grandmaster of the Martial Path, detected the three ck-d cultivators when they were about ten meters away from his courtyard.


    He who strikes first prevails, he who strikeste fails. They were sneaking around and clearly didn''t look like good people, so kill first and ask questionster!


    A cold light shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, and with a wave of his hand, a Flying Dagger shot out like lightning, instantly piercing through the head of one of the ck-d cultivators.


    The ck-d cultivator was a formidable individual at the Fifth Level of Qi Refinement, with a life force much stronger than that of ordinary people. Though a dagger was nailed into his forehead, he still struggled for a moment before falling to the ground, lifeless.


    Zhao Yu immediately took out a Golden Light Talisman and crushed it, producing a light yellow Spiritual Power Protective Shield around him. He then disyed the master-level Phantom Step Technique, vanishing from the top of the tree in a sh, appearing beside another ck-d cultivator like a phantom, sword in hand, harshly chopping down.


    The face of that ck-d cultivator drastically changed as he too crushed a Golden Light Talisman; a light yellow Spiritual Power Protective Shield materialized around him.


    As Zhao Yu''s de came down, it met with great resistance upon striking the light yellow Spiritual Power Protective Shield. However, powered by the terrifying force of his Twentieth Level Vajra Dragon Elephant Art and Twentieth Level Earth Elemental Skill, the sword cleaved through the light yellow shield, cutting the ck-d cultivator in half.


    "Old second, old third!!"


    The lead ck-d cultivator at the Sixth Level of Qi Refinement, with bloodshot eyes, let out an enraged roar as he simultaneously crushed a Golden Light Talisman, forming a light yellow shield around himself, and directed a mid-grade magic instrument level Flying Harpoon, radiating grey-ck Spiritual Light, towards Zhao Yu.


    The Flying Harpoon was incredibly fast, striking Zhao Yu''s light yellow Spiritual Power Protective Shield, bursting with pitch-ck Spiritual Light. Zhao Yu''s shield rapidly began to dim.


    The cold light in Zhao Yu''s eyes crazily rotated as he channeled his Mana, wielding his master-level Flying Dagger Technique. With a wave of his hand, his Mana-infused Low-grade magic instrument level Bronze Awl smashed against the assant''s light yellow Spiritual Power Protective Shield, effortlessly piercing through it, blowing the Sixth Level ck-d cultivator''s head apart.


    "I seem to be quite strong!"


    Looking at the three Mid Qi Refining Cultivator''s corpses on the ground, Zhao Yu''s tightly wound spirit finally rxed slightly. Looking at the cultivators'' bodies, he felt waves of nausea.


    "This world is just so, if I don''t kill people, they will kill me. I, a straightforward Pill Master, just want to cultivate peacefully and be an immortal. Since you wanted to kill me, dying by my hand is a fate you brought upon yourselves!!"


    Zhao Yu talked to himself for a while, forcefully holding back his nausea, put on his leather gloves, activated his Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, and started to search the bodies of the three Mid Qi Refining Cultivators.


    From the three Mid Qi Refining Cultivators, Zhao Yu found a total of four Low-grade Spirit Stones, five Featherweight Talismans, five Golden Light Talismans, two Low-grade magic instruments, and that mid-grade magic instrument level Flying Harpoon.


    Looking at his spoils of war, the corners of Zhao Yu''s mouth curled slightly, revealing a hint of a smile: "Being a robber really does make money! This definitely isn''t all their possessions!"


    The three Mid Qi Refining Robbers carried only the essentials for battle. They surely had many more hidden assets, but even so, taking them down had been a lucrative haul for Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu picked up a Mid-grade Spirit Stone, activated his Earth Elemental Skill, absorbed the Spiritual Power inside, and quickly restored his own Mana.


    Two hourster.


    Zhao Yu suddenly opened his eyes, and with his enhanced perception, he saw clusters of mes rising in the distance towards the direction of Duo Bao Building, then bursting apart.


    "Kill all the Cang Ling dogs!"


    "Kill! Kill! Kill!"


    ". . . . ."


    Roars and sounds of fierce fighting reached him from the direction of the Duo Bao Building, Hundred Flowers Building, Spiritual Instrument Pavilion, and other core areas where the Cang Ling Sect was based.


    A figure darted out from a nearby courtyard, rushing recklessly towards the area where the fight was most intense.


    "That''s Xiong Zhenye! The always cautious Xiong Zhenye is also going to take a chance? That means there must be something there that attracts him. Only a few things can attract a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator like him, either a Lifespan Extension Pill or a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu watched Xiong Zhenye''s receding figure, vaguely guessing thetter''s intentions.


    Xiong Zhenye was already in his seventies, past the prime age for Foundation Establishment. However, with a Lifespan Extension Pill and a Foundation Establishment Pill, he still had a chance to seed in Foundation Establishment.


    If Xiong Zhenye managed to establish his foundation, he would be able to extend his lifespan by over a hundred years, practically living a second life; thus, it was worth risking his life for.


    "Foundation Establishment Techniques! Spirit Stones! Magic Artifacts! Lifespan Extension Pills! Foundation Establishment Pills! How enticing!


    This is indeed an opportunity for low-level loose cultivators! If I hadn''t consumed the Dao Fruit, I probably would have taken the risk as well!"


    Zhao Yu took a deep look at the core area where the Cang Ling Sect was based, went straight inside to wake Li Xianjiao, told her to pack up the baggage they had prepared earlier, and then fled towards the outskirts of the Market.


    "Stop! Hand over all your valuables!"


    Arge number of cultivators in night clothes, wrapped up like shadowy figures, dashed towards the Market Center District. Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao, moving against the tide, immediately attracted the attention of four cultivators. A Sixth Level Qi Refining Cultivator shouted fiercely.


    A fierce light shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he executed master-level Flying Dagger Technique. With a wave of his hand, the low-grade magical instrument¡ªthe Bronze Awl¡ªemitted a faint spiritual light and instantly struck the forehead of the Sixth Level Qi Refining Cultivator, smashing his forehead to pieces.


    Li Xianjiao crushed a Golden Light Talisman, creating a faint golden protective shield around her body.


    Zhao Yu also crushed a Golden Light Talisman, used master-level Phantom Step Technique, and appeared instantly in front of another Mid Qi Refining Cultivator, cutting the cultivator in two with a single sword stroke.


    Seeing how ruthless Zhao Yu was, the remaining two Fourth Level Qi Refining Cultivators were filled with terror. They each crushed a small Spirit Light Shield talisman, a thinyer of spiritual light shield appeared on their bodies, and they turned to flee.


    Zhao Yu used Phantom Step, appearing like a phantom behind a Fourth Level Qi Refining Cultivator, sliced that cultivator in two, and thenunched the Flying Dagger Technique. With a flick of his wrist, a mid-grade magical instrument level Flying Harpoon shot out, piercing through the skull of another Fourth Level Qi Refining Cultivator.


    "That guy is vicious!"


    "To take on four and kill them all! That''s a dangerous person!"


    ". . . . ."


    Cultivators in the distance, like ferocious hyenas, felt a chill in their hearts at the scene, and quickly left the area.

 Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Pursuit

    The most top-notch cultivators of Little ck Mountain Market had already gone to besiege the Duo Bao Building and the Cangling Sect''s residence, vying for precious resources like Foundation Establishment Techniques, Lifespan Extension Pills, and Foundation Establishment Pills.


    The remaining cultivators were mostly those in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining and the Early Qi Refining Stage, robbers who were bullies and cowards, liking to hunt the weak; they all retreated after witnessing Zhao Yu''s ferocity.


    Zhao Yu picked up the magic artifact he had thrown and then signaled to Li Xianjiao to search the corpses, while he held a medium-grade Spirit Stone in one hand to absorb Spiritual Power, and grasped the Heavy Earth Sword tightly in his other hand to stay on guard.


    Li Xianjiao''s face was pale, but she still put on gloves with gritted teeth and went to scavenge the bodies.


    "Hand over all your valuables, and I can spare both of your lives!"


    A bulky figure in a ck night suit, Wu Jing with a Cultivation Level of Seventh Level of Qi Refining, and holding a high-grade magic Azure Wave Sword, approached from the side. His eyes filled with greed as he looked at Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao.


    The most top-notch cultivators of Little ck Mountain Market had already gone to the Cangling Sect''s residence to struggle for the resources of Foundation Establishment; knowing he wasn''t strong enough, Wu Jing hadn''t chosen to go to Cangling Sect, but to hunt those in the Early Stage of Qi Refinement instead.


    A cold light shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he frantically propelled his Mana, executing the Flying Dagger Technique. With a wave of his hand, the Bronze Awl, emitting a faint Spiritual Light, hurtled towards Wu Jing''s head.


    "Damn it!!"


    Wu Jing, as ate stage Qi Refinement powerhouse, instantly felt a terrifying sense of danger. With a thought, a medium-grade, palm-sized bronze spirit shield flew out, bursting forth with a faint blue Spiritual Light to shield him.


    ng!


    The Bronze Awl fiercely shattered the Spiritual Light of the bronze spirit shield, struck against the shield, and the tremendous force caused the Awl to twist and crack, flying off to the side.


    That palm-sized bronze spirit shield also developed numerous web-like cracks and lost its Spirituality, falling to the ground.


    Zhao Yu stepped on the Phantom Step and appeared before Wu Jing like a phantom. He activated the fortiethyer of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, wielding the Heavy Earth Sword, and chopped down fiercely.


    ng!


    Wu Jing had no choice but to frantically summon his high-grade Azure Wave Sword horizontally, withyers of Spiritual Light surging like azure waves on the sword.


    Zhao Yu''s sword struck theyers of Azure Wave Spiritual Light. It felt as difficult as striking into ake, but under the formidable power of his fortiethyer Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, he still managed to break through theyers of light, striking the sword itself and mming it directly onto Wu Jing''s head.


    Wu Jing''s skull was instantly crushed inward, his head throbbing with unbearable pain, and blood seeped from his eyes.


    Zhao Yu waved his left hand, and the medium-grade Flying Harpoon flew out, prating Wu Jing''s heart and nailing him to the ground.


    "Even ate-stage Qi Refinement powerhouse is no match for me! It seems I have truly be much stronger!! Still, this guy is only at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining. There are many more powerful than him in Little ck Mountain Market! I must remain cautious!"


    Zhao Yu couldn''t help but nce again in the direction of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team''s residence, and it took him a while to shift his gaze away.


    "Uncle, this is all there is!"


    Li Xianjiao, her face pale, handed over the treasures she had collected to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu nced over and found that his spoils included two medium-grade Spirit Stones, seven low-grade Spirit Stones, four low-grade magic artifacts, six Golden Light Talisms, seven Featherweight Talisms, and Wu Jing''s high-grade Azure Wave Sword.


    As for Zhao Yu''s Bronze Awl and the spirit shield summoned by Wu Jing, both had been scrapped, losing their Spirituality and bing worthless.


    Zhao Yu collected the spoils and continued moving outward.


    In front of arge residence on Yellow Gift Alley.


    Zhao Yu said, "Daoist He, it''s Zhao Yu! Please open the door and let me in, I need to take shelter!"


    It was already deep into the night, and outside the market, there were demonic beasts out hunting for prey and evil spirits that were even more active in the darkness. Compared to outside, the market was still much safer.


    The door opened, and there stood He Fangfang, dressed in light gauze, arge expanse of her fair skin exposed, looking seductive and charming. She looked at Zhao Yu with a smirk that was not quite a smile, "Isn''t this our great talisman master, Zhao Yu? What brings you to my door sote at night? Could it be that you''vee to take care of my business?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Let me hide out here for the night, five spirit stones!"


    He Fangfang''s eyes lit up, and she smiled coquettishly, pulling the door wide open, "Pleasee in~!"


    Zhao Yu, holding Li Xianjiao''s small hand, entered the room.


    Zhao Yu said, "Daoist He, do you know why those guys attacked the Cangling Sect''s station? Have they gone mad?"


    "I happen to know a thing or two about that!"


    He Fangfang picked up a cup of clear tea, took a sip with a bewitching smile, and then quietly watched Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu took out a low-grade spirit stone and handed it over.


    He Fangfang chuckled lightly, "The Yin Ghost Sect has invaded the Northern Wastes! The four great sects have joined forces to resist the Yin Ghost Sect. The Cangling Sect is calling in experts from all over to fight the Yin Ghost Sect, so how can they care about the Little ck Mountain Market?"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly.


    Little ck Mountain Market was the only human market within the Canglong Mountain Range, located within the border of Cang Country, and its resources were far more abundant than those found in the ind of Cang Country.


    It also attracted quite a number of cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining who were eager for an opportunity to establish their foundation, and they didn''t hesitate to take action the moment they saw a chance.


    After chatting for a bit more, Zhao Yu arranged for Li Xianjiao to bathe and rest, then went to sit on a lush,rge tree outside He''s small courtyard to stay alert.


    An hourter.


    "Su Bingyun?"


    Zhao Yu suddenly stood up, executed a technique to conceal his presence, and looked towards the northwest. There, he saw Su Bingyun fleeing in his direction, with a young male disciple of the Cangling Sect, tall and handsome with the cultivation level of the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, in hot pursuit behind her.


    "Senior sister, you''ve been hit by my Bone-Eroding ck Water Nail; you''ll only grow weaker. There''s no escaping the market! You might as well surrender. If youe with me, I''ll take good care of you! If you keep resisting and I be unhappy, just think¡ªonce I get tired of ying with you, I''ll sell you to the lowest brothel."


    "Senior sister, you wouldn''t want the esteemed big sister of the Cangling Sect to fall from grace to be a lowly prostitute trampled by the masses, would you?"


    The tall Cangling Sect male disciple had a vicious smile on his face as he drove an intermediate-grade magic sword, dark ascquer, straight towards Su Bingyun.


    "Ren Peiming, you beast! You''ve betrayed the Cangling Sect and sold out your fellow disciples! I will never let you off!"


    Su Bingyun''s face was pale, with a dark aura faintly visible on her forehead. She wielded an upper-grade blue magic sword, barely fending off the attacks of Ren Peiming.


    Excitement flickered in Ren Peiming''s eyes as he said, "So what if I betray the Cangling Sect? If I stay with the Cangling Sect, I would never have the opportunity to establish my foundation! The Foundation Establishment Pills will onlynd in the hands of talents like you! As soon as I take your Foundation Establishment Pill and seed in foundation establishment, the world is mine to roam freely!


    Senior sister, you will also be my woman!"


    /

 Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Saving the Beauty

    "Beast, die!"


    Consumed by fury, Su Bingyun clenched her silver teeth and frantically channeled her mana. With a flip of her left hand, a Bronze Antique Mirror magic artifact flew out, and spiritual patterns emerged on it, releasing a three-feet-long crimson Fire Crow.


    "Fire Crow Mirror!!"


    Upon seeing the crimson Fire Crow, Ren Peiming''s face drastically changed. He immediately crushed a superior-grade Golden Light Talisman for Water Shield, creating a circle of faint Water Spirit Light that enveloped him, forming a Water Shield.


    The Fire Crow Mirror was a supreme-grade magic artifact owned by Su Bingyun, known for its terrifying power. Not long before, Su Bingyun had activated the Fire Crow Mirror, reducing a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining to ashes.


    The three-feet-long crimson Fire Crow instantly lunged at Ren Peiming.


    Sizzle!


    The Water Shield around Ren Peiming immediately emitted copious amounts of steam and copsed.


    In a panic, Ren Peiming released a superior magical instrument grade white bell. Spiritual patterns appeared on it, creating a white protective shield around him.


    The crimson Fire Crow mmed into the white shield, transforming into fierce mes that ferociously burned, quickly dimming the shield.


    Pale-faced and terrified, Ren Peiming screamed, "Senior sister, I was wrong!! Please, for the sake of our fellowship, spare my life!"


    Su Bingyun, gritting her teeth and ready to channel her mana to burn Ren Peiming to death, suddenly trembled and spat out arge amount of ck blood, copsing to the ground.


    The Fire Crow Mirror, having lost the mana and Divine Sense powering it, also dimmed and fell from the sky to the ground.


    The crimson Fire Crow copsed and dissipated in the moment itpletely consumed the white shield.


    Ren Peiming burst outughing excitedly and strode toward Su Bingyun, "Hahaha, senior sister! It turns out I had the upper hand! You are mine! The Foundation Establishment Pill is mine, too! Hahaha!!"


    With a glint in his eye, Zhao Yu activated his Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his blood surging and muscles tensing as he performed the Flying Dagger Technique. The medium-grade magical instrument level Flying Harpoon in his hand emitted a faint Spiritual Light, hurling it toward Ren Peiming.


    "Not good!"


    Ren Peiming''s face suddenly changed drastically, both shocked and furious, as he could only desperately crush another Golden Light Talisman, causing a faint yellow protective shield to appear in front of him.


    The Flying Harpoon pierced through the yellow shield and continued on to directly blow up Ren Peiming''s head, finally falling to the ground.


    "Miss Su, we meet again!"


    Zhao Yu leapt down from arge tree,nding beside Ren Peiming''s corpse, looking at Su Bingyun.


    Su Bingyun coughed up some filthy blood and, feeling wary, looked at Zhao Yu, slowly saying, "You are the one who sold the pill recipe to me!"


    Zhao Yu calmly responded, "Indeed! Miss Su, do you need my help? If not, I shall take my leave!"


    "Please save me!"


    Su Bingyun finally rxed, unable to suppress the effects of the Bone-Eroding ck Water Nail poison within her, and copsed to the ground.


    "Storage bag, good stuff, truly worthy of a sect disciple!"


    Zhao Yu searched Ren Peiming''s body and found a storage bag, as well as the superior magical instrument grade white bell, and the medium-grade magical instrument grade ck Magic Sword.


    Zhao Yu crushed a Fireball Talisman,unching a fireball onto Ren Peiming''s corpse, burning the body to ashes.


    Zhao Yu carried Su Bingyun into the He family''s residence.


    Fangfang''s pretty face changed color, as she bit her teeth and said, "Is this Cang Ling Sect''s Fairy Su? Why did you bring her to my house? Are you trying to kill me?"


    Having been attacked by the major forces within the small ck Mountain Market, these forces, once they made their move, would surely aim topletely eliminate any threat, never allowing Su Bingyun, the genius of Cang Ling Sect, to survive. Otherwise, they would rest uneasy.


    Fangfang was merely a minor figure at the Early Qi Refining Stage; if she fell into the hands of those forces, her fate would be extremely miserable.


    "We''re leaving tonight!"


    Zhao Yu took out a Detoxification Pill, dissolved it in water, and poured it into Su Bingyun''s mouth, removing the Bone-Eroding ck Water Nail from her body.


    The moment the nail was pulled out, Su Bingyun was awakened by the severe pain, opened her eyes, and saw Zhao Yu and the Bone-Eroding ck Water Nail in his hand.


    Zhao Yu took out a Hemostasis Pill, dissolved it in water, and poured it onto Su Bingyun''s wound.


    Su Bingyun''s eyebrows slightly furrowed as she endured the intense pain and watched her wound begin to heal quickly.


    Zhao Yu said, "Fairy Su, could you take out some healing medicine? The healing pills I have are quite ordinary!"


    Su Bingyun shook her head slightly and said, "I can''t muster any mana!"


    Zhao Yu could only take out the healing medicine he had bought and administered it to Su Bingyun.


    Zhao Yu carried Su Bingyun on his back and turned to Fangfang, "We''re leaving tonight! To Heimu City in the Ten Mortal Cities! Are youing?"


    Fangfang hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slightly and said, "It''s nighttime now, evil spirits are rampant outside, and there are monsters lurking, it''s too dangerous! I''ll just find a ce to hide when daylightes."


    "Then I bid you farewell!"


    Zhao Yu, carrying Su Bingyun on his back and holding a thick earth sword, walked outside.


    Li Xianjiao followed by Zhao Yu''s side, holding a magic sword.


    Once they left the small ck Mountain Market, darkness enveloped thend. Zhao Yu, holding the thick earth sword, walked in front, vigntly surveying his surroundings.


    Su Bingyun, leaning weakly on Zhao Yu''s back, suddenly spoke, "Are you really going to Heimu City?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Of course not!"


    Although Fangfang was a decent person, Zhao Yu did not want to take the risk. If she fell into the hands of those hostile forces against the Cang Ling Sect, she would definitely not be able to keep their secret.


    Thereupon, Su Bingyun stopped speaking and continued to lean quietly on Zhao Yu''s back.


    After walking about ten miles, Zhao Yu suddenly looked towards the southeast with a hint of solemnity shing in his eyes.


    A me Demon Wolf, two zhang in length, covered in fur like mes, with long powerful limbs and a ferocious face with saw-like teeth, leaped out from a grove and pounced towards the trio.


    Zhao Yu frantically stimted the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his muscles tensed as he executed the Flying Dagger Technique. The mid-grade magic instrument level Flying Harpoon in his hand flew out with a pale spiritual light, piercing the brain of the me Demon Wolf.


    Bang!


    The head of the me Demon Wolf burst open instantly, turning into a headless corpse that fell to the ground.


    A hint of curiosity shed in Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes, "Around three levels of Body Refinement! His level of body refinement is so high, I wonder what secret technique he practiced!"


    In the Northern Wilderness, there are also some Body Refining Techniques, but most Cultivators are reluctant to engage in body refinement, as it consumes a lot of resources, making progress difficult. At the same level, body cultivators generally have less strengthpared to Cultivators at the same level.


    In the Northern Wilderness, there are also some top-notch techniques for Dual Cultivation of Law and Body. However, these techniques have high requirements for the Cultivator''s talent, consume a massive amount of resources, and are difficult to practice, requiring a long time to cultivate.


    Thus, although these top-notch techniques for dual cultivation are excellent, only the top genius Cultivators are qualified to practice them.

 Chapter 20 Escape

    "What a pity, this demon wolf is too big! And its timing was terrible!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the mid-grade, first-level fire demon wolf, a hint of regret shing in his eyes. If he could consume this fire demon wolf entirely, his Fire Attribute Spirit Root could significantly improve.


    But at the moment, Zhao Yu had no time to deal with the fire demon wolf, let alone carry away its corpse.


    The bloody scent of the fire demon wolf''s body would definitely attract other monsters.


    With a look of regret, Zhao Yu left the fire demon wolf''s corpse behind and continued forward, carrying Su Bingyun on his back.


    "A ghost!!"


    After walking several more miles on the official road, Li Xianjiao suddenly turned pale, screamed involuntarily, then mped her mouth shut, her eyes filled with terror.


    When Zhao Yu looked toward the side of the road, he saw a ghost with a pale face, disheveled hair, one eye missing, the other eye turned inward, knees downpletely missing, floating beside the road in a spectral state.


    "A ghost? An evil spirit?"


    Zhao Yu was also startled, his heart pounding as he crushed a Golden Light Talisman, a pale golden shield appeared around him, while he tightly held a talisman for warding off evil.


    Su Bingyun spoke slowly, "That''s the lowest level of ghosts! As long as you have a talisman for warding off evil, they won''t dare to approach. Both the Fireball Technique and the talisman can easily purify them. There''s no need to worry about it!"


    What a pity, I wasted twenty Spirit Stones, no, it''s now forty Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Yu steadied himself and then looked at the pale golden shield somewhat painfully.


    As security worsened, the price of Golden Light Talisman in the small Heiyan City Market soared, now priced at forty Spirit Stones each and still in short supply.


    With the talisman for warding off evil in hand, Zhao Yu nced warily at the lowest-level ghost, the talisman in his hand slowly burning.


    The ghost''s spectral body trembled slightly then vanished.


    Zhao Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued onward.


    After walking several more miles, the talisman in Zhao Yu''s hand suddenly burned intensely.


    Zhao Yu''s body shuddered, and his instincts, surpassing those of a Martial Path Great Grandmaster, immediately sent him a warning, prompting him to look toward the northwest direction.


    From the northwest approached a creature three zhang long, covered in human faces, with a head simr to that of a wild boar, a ferocious expression, saw-toothed, and emanating an evil aura.


    Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes flickered with a serious look, "That''s an evil spirit conglomerate! A monster fused from monster and human evil spirits. This creature must possess thebat abilities of ate stage in Qi Refining, and its contamination power is very strong! Crush five evil warding talismans, then run! Your mana isn''t strong enough to wield my Fire Crow Mirror!"


    Zhao Yuplied smoothly, directly crushing five talismans for warding off evil, a powerful and mysterious force radiated from him, spreading out in all directions.


    The boar-human hybrid evil spirit conglomerate, initially moving toward Zhao Yu, faltered in its steps at the burst of power from the talisman.


    Zhao Yu reached out, scooped up Li Xianjiao in his left arm, activated a Featherweight Talisman directly, and a Light Body Skill descended on him, making him as light as a feather.


    Zhao Yu executed the Phantom Step Technique, speeding wildly along the official road.


    On the boar-human hybrid evil spirit conglomerate, the eyes on the human faces swiveled in an attempt to lock onto Zhao Yu''s location, but under the power of the talisman, they found nothing.


    Zhao Yu escaped past the boar-human hybrid evil spirit conglomerate, encountering several more ghosts and a few lesser evil spirits on his way. Under the protection of the talisman''s power, Zhao Yu dodged these ghosts and evil spirits and arrived at a decrepit farmhouse just outside Heiyan City in the Ten Mortal Cities.


    "This family has been devoured by monsters!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the copsed thatched roof, the simple and dpidated house emitting waves of foul smell, and shook his head slightly. He took out a Cleansing Talisman and crushed it.


    A mysterious force enveloped the entire thatched house, cleaning it thoroughly, removing dust, and making it habitable again.


    Zhao Yu ced Su Bingyun on a wooden bed, allowing her and Li Xianjiao to rest together, while he himself stood outside, sword in hand.


    "This is the storage bag!"


    Zhao Yu took out Ren Peiming''s storage bag, channeled his mana into it, and a space about a cubic meter in size appeared in his senses.


    Inside that cubic meter-sized space were four mid-grade Spirit Stones, thirty-seven low-grade Spirit Stones, six Secret Manuals, a jade slip, seven bottles of Yellow Spirit Pills, five bottles of Red Jade Pills to enhance mana in the Qi Refinement Realm, fifteen Evil-Repelling Talismans, thirteen Golden Light Talismans, five Rocket Talismans, eight Armor Horse Talismans, and seven Featherweight Talismans.


    Zhao Yu nced over the seven Secret Manuals; they were "Fireball Technique," "Wind de Technique," "Spiritual Eye Technique," "Spiritual Shield," "Ice Needle Technique," and "Rocket Technique."


    "This is the legendary jade slip!"


    Zhao Yu took out the jade slip, ced it against his forehead, circted his Divine Sense, and read the contents of the jade slip.


    Zhao Yu held the jade slip, his expression changing unpredictably: "This is the Cang Ling Sect''s Cultivation Technique ''Cang Ling Jue'', and the contents of the jade slip could allow cultivation up to thete stage of Foundation Establishment!"


    ''Cang Ling Jue'' is a core Cultivation Technique of the Cang Ling Sect, naturally much more powerful than themon ''Earth Elemental Skill'' Zhao Yu cultivated.


    However, in the northern wilderness, if Zhao Yu were to cultivate ''Cang Ling Jue'' and be discovered by the Cang Ling Sect, he would be hunted down to death, unable to establish a foothold in the north wilderness.


    "Forget it! This ''Cang Ling Jue'' isn''t some unmatched Cultivation Technique, powerful beyond boundary. To cultivate ''Cang Ling Jue'' I would need to discard my current cultivation and start over, and the disadvantages outweigh the benefits."


    Zhao Yu weighed his options briefly and then gave up on cultivating ''Cang Ling Jue'', considering it merely as an alternate Cultivation Technique.


    Two hourster, it finally dawned, and Zhao Yu let out a long sigh of relief.


    Evil spirits generally only moved at night, and although magical beasts did appear during the day, the day was still safer than the night.


    Zhao Yu then chopped down the surrounding trees and built a spacious cabin next to them.


    It was too dangerous to rashly head to Heiyan City as it was controlled by cultivators from the Market.


    That day, the temperature suddenly dropped, and heavy snow began to fall.


    Bingyun sat inside the cabin, curled up on the wooden bed, covered by two wool nkets, her face pale and her body shivering uncontrobly.


    The Canglong Mountain Range was already extremely cold in winter, and if Bingyun still had her mana, she naturally wouldn''t fear the cold. However, she was seriously injured and had lost all her mana, barely stronger than an ordinary mortal, so a single wool nket was naturally insufficient to keep out the cold.


    The items that the ordinary family used for keeping warm had been destroyed by magical beasts, and the nkets on Bingyun''s body were those brought by Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao for protection against the cold.


    "Celestial Bingyun, please excuse my boldness!"


    Seeing Bingyun shivering from the cold, Zhao Yu immediately stepped forward, embraced her, and activated his Red Sun Cultivation Technique, turning himself into a giant furnace.


    A struggle shed through Bingyun''s eyes, and then she copsed weakly into Zhao Yu''s arms.


    Li Xianjiao also climbed onto the wooden bed, hugging one of Zhao Yu''s arms to stay warm.


    "She''s beautiful! Unfortunately, she doesn''t belong to me!"


    Zhao Yu took one nce at Bingyun''s exquisitely beautiful face, suppressed the agitation in his heart, closed his eyes, and quietly channeled his Red Sun Cultivation Technique to act as a heater.


    Bingyun was a genius of the Cang Ling Sect. At a young age, she had already reached the Great Circle of Qi Refining and had prospects for Foundation Establishment. Such a celestial figure naturally wouldn''t fancy Zhao Yu, an older Loose Cultivator.


    Ever since Zhao Yu cultivated his Red Sun Cultivation Technique to the twentieth level, his vigor, essence, and spirit had greatly improvedpared to before, making him look more heroic and attractive. However, in terms of handsomeness, he still paled inparison to Li Yunhai.


    Zhao Yu didn''t want to save Bingyun from danger, only to potentially be killed by her if he couldn''t control himself.


    He wasn''t too bad of a person!


    After seeing Zhao Yu close his eyes, Bingyun also rxed slightly, her favorable impression of Zhao Yu growing. Currentlypletely powerless, she would have had no way to resist if Zhao Yu had made a move on her.

 Chapter 21 Slaying the Snow Leopard

    Five dayster, Zhao Yu embraced Su Bingyun as they sat by the window, watching the vast expanse of snow when a serious expression flickered in his eyes.


    A first-order superior demon beast snow leopard, its body covered in white fur and reaching an impressive length of nine meters, moved towards the wooden hut where Zhao Yu was, with an elegant, beautifully poised gait.


    "Stay away!!"


    Zhao Yu''s face changed slightly as he stared intently at the snow leopard, silently thinking to himself.


    A first-order superior demon beast snow leopard was remarkably powerful in the snow, typically requiring the cooperation of five cultivators at theter stages of Qi refining to hunt it without casualties. Even a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining would be reluctant to confront it in the snow.


    The snow leopard approached the hut with graceful steps. Upon reaching the front of the hut, a mocking glint passed through its eyes as it fiercely pped the wooden door with its paw, which was coated with a faint spiritual light.


    This type of first-order superior demon beast snow leopard appeared only in snowy fields and possessed an extraordinary sense of smell, easily detecting human scent from ten miles away. It had long set its sights on the three plump humans inside the hut.


    Bang!


    The crude wooden door was smashed to pieces by the snow leopard''s p, sending splinters flying in all directions.


    In that instant, Zhao Yu activated the fortieth level of Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, tensed his muscles, and unleashed the Flying Dagger Technique. With a flick of his hand, the mid-grade magical instrument flying harpoon, glowing faintly, shot directly towards the snow leopard''s head.


    The snow leopard felt a chilling sense of mortal danger and a mysterious spiritual pattern appeared on its forehead. With a mere thought, a thick Ice Shield constructed of ice blocks materialized instantaneously.


    ng!


    The flying harpoon struck the Ice Shield, shattering it instantly, and pierced the snow leopard''s eye, blinding it and causing blood to gush forth as it howled in agony.


    Li Xianjiao immediately activated a first-order superior Rocket Talisman, and a crimson rocket appeared in an instant, flying towards the snow leopard.


    A faint white spiritual light shone on the snow leopard''s body, forming a ring of white ice around it that served as an Ice Shield.


    The crimson rocket exploded upon impact with the Ice Shield, releasing a massive cloud of white smoke, melting the shield and dissipating its force.


    Zhao Yu performed an expert-level Phantom Step, lightly touching the ground and appearing in front of the snow leopard like a phantom, stabbing at the snow leopard''s other eye with his sword.


    The agile snow leopard twisted its body, and Zhao Yu''s sword cut a bloody gash across its face. At the same time, its tail struck fiercely, shattering the pale yellow protective shield formed by a Golden Light Talisman around Zhao Yu.


    The pale yellow shield withstood the snow leopard''s tail for an instant. In that fleeting moment, Zhao Yu used the Phantom Step to dodge the leopard''s tail and, once again employing the Flying Dagger Technique, hurled the superior magical instrument Azure Wave Sword, enshrouded in a faint spiritual light, which prated the snow leopard''s skull straight through.


    With a scream of pain, the snow leopard went into a frenzy. Opening its mouth, it shot a sharp ice cone towards Su Bingyun, who was to the side.


    Su Bingyun, still suffering from severe injuries and unable to move, could only watch helplessly as the ice cone shot toward her.


    Just as the ice cone was about to hit Su Bingyun, Zhao Yu stepped in front of her, crushing another Golden Light Talisman in his hand, and ayer of pale gold protective shield emerged promptly.


    The sharp Ice Cone sted against the pale golden shield, shattering it instantly.


    Zhao Yu once again brought out the superior magical instrument grade white bell, and a faint white shield appeared, directly guarding in front of him.


    As the Ice Cone struck the white shield, Zhao Yu felt his mana being crazily extracted by the white bell, drying up in an instant.


    The moment the Ice Cone copsed, the white bell also fell to the ground.


    With the Phantom Step Technique, Zhao Yu took a step forward, leaving a faint afterimage and appeared in front of the Snow Leopard, wielding the Heavy Earth Sword fiercely down upon the Snow Leopard''s head.


    Bang!


    The head of the Snow Leopard was cleaved open, falling heavily to the ground, with red and white sshing everywhere.


    "My mana is exhausted! With my current strength, manipting a superior magical instrument is still somewhat strenuous, and the consumption of mana is too great!"


    Zhao Yu sighed deeply, feeling a slight headache.


    The superior magical instrument grade white bell is an object that only cultivators in theter stages of Qi Refining could control with ease; mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators like Zhao Yu could not sustain its usage for long periods.


    "With my current strength, by exerting all means possible, I might be able to hunt a First-Order Superior Demon Beast.


    However, if I encounter two, escape is the only option; a battle would only lead to certain death," he analyzed hisbat capabilities while giving the Snow Leopard a nce, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a hint of a smile: "This Snow Leopard will provide me with food for a good while!"


    This Snow Leopard weighed about four thousand jin, with a yield rate of sixty percent, granting Zhao Yu two thousand four hundred jin of First-Order Superior Demon Beast Meat. If he managed to sell all of it, considering the price of one Spirit Stone for every five jin of demon beast meat, Zhao Yu could make four hundred and eighty Spirit Stones.


    In addition, various materials such as the Snow Leopard''s fur, essence blood, eyeballs, bones, innards, and its whip-like tail could fetch over a hundred Spirit Stones collectively.


    Almost six hundred Spirit Stones could be earned from hunting arge First-Order Superior Demon Beast like this Snow Leopard, which is why the market at Little ck Mountain was so prosperous and why there were so many monster hunters.


    Of course, this was the selling price at meat shops and materials shops. If monster hunters sold a First-Order Superior Demon Beast directly to these shops, they could only get about three hundred Spirit Stones. If a small team of four or five people were to split it, then hunting a First-Order Superior Demon Beast would only them around sixty to seventy Spirit Stones each.


    Most monster hunters opt to hunt in small teams because it is safer. Lone wolf hunters often die tragically in the Canglong Mountain range for various reasons.


    After dealing with the Snow Leopard, for the following days, the three of them fed on the Snow Leopard''s demon beast meat. After consuming the meat, Zhao Yu had another option to enhance his Spirit Root''s affinity with ice. After briefly considering, he chose to improve his Spirit Root''s ice talent.


    A monthter, with the nourishment from Spirit Rice, Demon Beast Meat, and Spiritual Medicine, Su Bingyun finally recovered enough to use mana and opened her storage bag to take out better healing medicines.


    As soon as Su Bingyun recovered her ability to use mana, she no longer snuggled with Zhao Yu for warmth, and her recovery rate also increased swiftly.


    Another half a month passed, and Su Bingyun had fully recovered.

 Chapter 22 Annihilating the Black Wolf Thieves

    Outside, a thick feather-like snowfall nketed the ground. Su Bingyun stood inside the wooden hut, quietly looking at Zhao Yu and asked, "Why did you save me?"


    This question was something Su Bingyun had wanted to ask all along. However, previously too weak and for the sake of safety, she had kept this doubt hidden in her heart.


    Zhao Yu smiled and replied, "Do you still remember when you were expelling the evil spirit, you rewarded a spirit farmer with ten evil-banishing charms? That spirit farmer was me! Those ten charms were very important to me at the time! And since you act with fairness and possess a noble character, that''s why I saved you."


    In the Cangling Sect, dragons and snakes mixed together, but Su Bingyun, the captain of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team at the ck Mountain Market, was a person of noble character who had helped many people.


    Zhao Yu considered himself an ordinary person, but when he had the chance to extend a helping hand to a good person, he was not stingy about it.


    Su Bingyun was silent for a while before she slowly said, "I do have a Foundation Establishment Pill on me indeed."


    Zhao Yu said, "I know! I heard your conversation. But I feel that you are more important than the Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Su Bingyun suddenly felt a warm stream flow through her heart.


    Even within the Cangling Sect, Foundation Establishment Pills were extremely rare, and only a genius with an Earth Spirit Root like Su Bingyun could be certain to obtain one. To silence the mouths of others in the Cangling Sect, she had volunteered to defend the ck Mountain Market for three years and thus legitimately obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    For that Foundation Establishment Pill, Ren Peiming, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Cangling Sect, had betrayed the sect and even stabbed Su Bingyun in the back. If it hadn''t been for Zhao Yu''s rescue, Su Bingyun''s fate now would have been very bleak.


    Su Bingyun was silent for a while before she slowly offered, "As long as you speak, I can give you this Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu slowly shook his head and said, "No! I hope you can use this Foundation Establishment Pill to advance to the rank of a Foundation Establishment Expert! In this way, we can be more secure. After you advance to Foundation Establishment, help me buy another Foundation Establishment Pill in the future! I will pay the corresponding spirit stones.


    What Ick most is a channel to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills."


    Even if Zhao Yu obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill now, he would not be able to advance to the level of a Foundation Establishment Expert in the short term. Once Su Bingyun used the Foundation Establishment Pill to advance to Foundation Establishment Expert, Zhao Yu would be safe.


    Su Bingyun asked, "Are you a Pill Master?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Barely enough to make a living refining Yellow Spirit Pills!"


    Su Bingyun took out more than a dozen pill recipes and handed them to Zhao Yu, "These are the pill recipes I have on hand, you may copy them."


    "Thank you!"


    Zhao Yu took the dozen or so pill recipes and his eyes immediately lit up as he eagerly began to copy them.


    Among those dozen pill recipes were the low-grade Yellow Spirit Pill of the first order, as well as mid-grade and superior-grade pill recipes of the first order, in addition to four Foundation Establishment Pill recipes, a low second-order Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill recipe, and a middle second-order Moon Spirit Pill recipe.


    Among the superior first-order pill recipes, there was also one for a Lifespan Extension Pill that Qi Refinement level cultivators could use.


    The value of these dozen or so pill recipes was extremely precious, and some Alchemists were even willing to spend ten to twenty thousand spirit stones to purchase them.


    In the ck Mountain Market, only the most basic pill recipes for Vitality Pills, Fasting Pills, and the like were sold; not a single higher-grade recipe was avable.


    After copying the pill recipes, Zhao Yu and his group left the wooden hut and headed toward the market.


    In the Cultivation World, breakthroughs in the Great Realm are typically conducted on a Spirit Vein. Besides, some Cultivators also use Spirit Stones and Formations to construct a temporary Spiritual Land for their breakthrough. However, the vast majority of Cultivators still prefer to make their breakthrough on a Spirit Vein due to the higher sess rate.


    On the road to the Market of Xiaohei Mountain, Zhao Yu saw the skeletons of many human Cultivators scattered by the wayside, along with traces of Magical Combat. Clearly, many Cultivators had been killed by bandits.


    Back when the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team was around, they maintained order, and those bandits did not dare to go too far, usually only daring to make a move within the Canglong Mountain range.


    After the obliteration of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team, the entire Market of Xiaohei Mountain had be a ce where the strong preyed upon the weak. Hunting down a human Cultivator could yield dozens or even hundreds of Spirit Stones, and hunting low-level Cultivators was much less dangerous than hunting demonic beasts.


    Su Bingyun suddenly tugged at Zhao Yu and pointed towards a clump of grass in the northwest direction.


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly and called out, "Come out! I have already seen you! What are you nning by ambushing there?"


    "Hand over all your belongings, and those two women! Spare your life, or I will make you unable to live or die!"


    A muscr man with short, fiery red hair, a ck wolf tattoo on his forehead, and a ferocious face, possessing the ninth level of Qi Refinement cultivation, walked out from the bushes and said with a chilling smile.


    Behind the middle-aged man were four Cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, all five of them staring greedily at Zhao Yu and his twopanions.


    A hint of peculiarity shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he asked, "Are you the ck Wolf Bandits?"


    The ck Wolf Bandits were notorious for their brutality in the Market of Xiaohei Mountain. They were cunning, specializing in ambushing Cultivators within the Canglong Mountain range, leaving almost no survivors.


    Because they were very elusive and cautious, hiding for half a year after each crime to avoid attention, and since their crimes took ce within the Canglong Mountain range, even the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team had not been able to capture them.


    The leader of the ck Wolf Bandits, with a hint of mockery and cruelty in his eyes, said, "It seems you have heard of us! Just hand over the two women beside you, then lick the soles of my boots, and I will spare your life!!"


    A man with short, brown hair and a burly figure stared intently at Li Xianjiao and licked his lips, saying, "Big brother, how about you let me have the little one first? I promise I won''t y her to death!!"


    "Act now, kill all these beasts!"


    A sh of cold light shone in Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes as she directly took out the Supreme Grade Magic Artifact, the Fire Crow Mirror. Crimson Spiritual Patterns emerged, and a Fire Crow flew out from the mirror, pouncing towards the leader of the ck Wolf Bandits.


    "Fire Crow Mirror!! You are Su Bingyun!! How is this possible? Su Bingyun should have been dead long ago!!"


    Theplexion of the ck Wolf Bandit leader changed drastically, fear sweeping over his eyes. He frenziedly urged his Mana, and a Superior Magical Instrument Grade green Spiritual Shield flew out in front of him, forming a green Protective Shield.


    The Fire Crow pounced on the green Protective Shield, burning it fiercely, igniting the shield immediately.


    Within a few breaths, the green Protective Shield was burnt to nothingness, and the fiery red Fire Crow pounced on the leader of the ck Wolf Bandits, igniting his head and eliciting a spine-chilling scream.


    "Su Bingyun!!"


    The other four ck Wolf Bandits turned terribly pale, cried out in shock, and began to flee in all directions, each desperately activating Featherweight Talismans and Armor Horse Talismans.


    Zhao Yu executed the Flying Dagger Technique, and the Low-grade Magical Instrument Grade Flying Harpoon flew from his hand in an instant, piercing through the brain of the ck Wolf Bandit who had coveted Li Xianjiao.

 Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Su Bingyun Foundation Establishment

    Zhao Yu once again employed the Flying Dagger Technique, and the high-grade magic instrument, the Azure Wave Sword, pierced through the chest of a ck Wolf Thief with a faint glow, nailing him to the ground.


    "Go!"


    Su Bingyun pointed her finger, and the Fire Crow pped its wings, transforming into a fireball that pounced on another ck Wolf Thief, igniting his head.


    Zhao Yu took a step forward using the Phantom Step and once again used the Flying Dagger Technique. A low-grade magical instrument level Willow Leaf Dart flew out and instantaneously pierced through thest ck Wolf Thief''s head.


    Zhao Yu picked up the storage bags of the five ck Wolf Thieves and handed two to Su Bingyun, who had killed them, "These are yours!"


    Su Bingyun said indifferently, "You keep them. I don''t need these! All I want now is to reach Foundation Establishment. Once I do, resources wille easily."


    Zhao Yu gathered the storage bags of the five ck Wolf Thieves and then tossed their corpses into the nearby jungle, where beasts would naturally devour theme nightfall.


    Zhao Yu and hispanions sneakily made their way back to the Market.


    By that time, many buildings in the Market had been destroyed, and many people had died. There were several empty houses on the outskirts of the area. The trio found an unupied, remote house to stay in.


    As soon as Su Bingyun settled in the Market, she began her seclusion to prepare for the Foundation Establishment Stage.


    Li Xianjiao also secluded himself in the house to practice diligently.


    Opening the storage bags of the five ck Wolf Thieves, Zhao Yu obtained a total of seventeen mid-grade Spirit Stones, more than four hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, arge number of precious Spirit Grass, a Secret Manual for Cultivating to the Early Foundation Establishment called "Evesting Spring Technique", four Secret Manuals for basic Cultivation Techniques that could reach the Great Circle of Qi Refining, twenty-three Golden Light Talismans, fifteen Featherweight Talismans, ten Armor Horse Talismans, fifteen Rocket Talismans, fifty-three evil-warding Talismans, as well as arge number of low-level talismans such as Cleansing Talismans, thirty-six first-order low-grade magical instruments, seven first-order mid-grade magical instruments, and arge assortment of Spirit Pills.


    Among those precious Spirit Grasses, there were enough herbs to refine five first-order Lifespan Extension Pills, and nearly half were auxiliary materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.


    "No wonder so many people love to be highwaymen; killing and looting is indeed a path to quick riches," Zhao Yu thought to himself as he looked at the vast amount of loot in his hands.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu stayed at home, drawing Talismans and practicing various Martial Arts.


    Before long, a Qi Refinement fifth-stage cultivator named Lei Fan moved in, taking residence in an unupied house to the right of Zhao Yu''s.


    Zhao Yu learned from Lei Fan that the small ck Mountain Market was now controlled by four major gangs: the Fierce Tiger Gang, Thunder Wolf Gang, Dual Sword Sect, and Flying Bear n.


    The four gangs each upied a direction of the small ck Mountain Market and continued to struggle endlessly with one another.


    Lei Fan had moved to avoid being caught in the struggles of the four gangs.


    Half a monthter.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Zhao Yu was busy drawing an evil-warding Talisman when a series of intense knocks came from outside the door.


    Hisss!


    The evil-warding Talisman Zhao Yu was drawing spontaneouslybusted into a pile of ashes without any wind.


    An impatient voice came from outside, "Open up. I know there''s someone in there! If you don''t open the door, I''m going to kick it down!"


    Zhao Yu went straight to the door and opened it, only to see two Qi Refinement cultivators of about the third stage, one tall and one short, standing outside.


    Zhao Yu asked, "Fellow Daoists, might I inquire the purpose of your visit?"


    The taller cultivator threatened coldly, "From today on, this ce is Thunder Wolf Gang territory! If you wish to stay here, each month you must pay two Spirit Stones. Hand over the two Spirit Stones now! Otherwise, don''t me us, the Thunder Wolf Gang, for being inhospitable!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyebrows twitched slightly as he slowly let out an aura of the fourth level of Qi Refinement, "Two Spirit Stones a month, isn''t that too expensive? Even the Sanguine Sect only collected one Spirit Stone a month! This isn''t the core area!"


    Another short cultivator smiled and said, "This is the price set by the gang! We can''t do anything about it! Fellow Daoist, our Thunder Wolf Gang leader is none other than the Great Circle of Qi Refining, Venerable Thunder Wolf!"


    The Market of Little ck Mountain was still in a very chaotic phase, and the ruling of the four major gangs over the market was far less stable than that of the Sanguine Sect. In the Market of Little ck Mountain, almost everyone was a cultivator, and there had been cases where people, out of desperation, resorted to murder and silence.


    With this in mind, the short cultivator stepped forward to smooth things over.


    "It''s too much!! How do you expect people to live!?"


    Whileining, Zhao Yu took out two Spirit Stones from his arms and handed them over to the two members of the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    The two members of the Thunder Wolf Gang took the Spirit Stones and left.


    Zhao Yu gave the departing shadows of the Thunder Wolf Gang members a deep look before turning back to his house.


    Three monthster.


    Zhao Yu was in the middle of drawing a Demon-Repelling Talisman when he suddenly felt a powerful aura rising from within the house, a hint of joy shed in his eyes, "She has sessfully advanced!"


    Soon after, the aura quickly receded, and Su Bingyun walked out slowly from the Quiet Room.


    "Foundation Establishment Stage! She looked even more beautiful than before, her temperament now more ethereal and otherworldly!"


    Zhao Yu looked carefully at Su Bingyun and smiled slightly, "Senior Su, congrattions on reaching Foundation Establishment!"


    In the Cultivation World, thew of the jungle reigned and the strong were respected. After her advancement to the Foundation Establishment Stage, Su Bingyun''s strength, identity, and status all underwent a transformation iparable to her past. Although she was more than a decade younger than Zhao Yu, he still had to address her as a senior ording to the customs of the Cultivation World.


    Su Bingyun hesitated for a moment before saying, "You may call me Bing... Fellow Daoist Su! Although I have sessfully founded my base, we are still friends!"


    Zhao Yu said, "All right, Fellow Daoist Su!"


    Three dayster, at the headquarters of the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    A cultivator with a face covered in horizontal scars, somewhat ugly in appearance, with many wounds on his face, raised his cup and shouted, "We''ve taken down another street!! Vice-leader Hu Yuecheng of the Flying Bear Faction has been in! This is all thanks to our leader''s merit!


    Here''s to our leader unifying the Little ck Mountain Market and hopefully reaching Foundation Establishment in the future!"


    Another cultivator chimed in, "Exactly! The sess of our Thunder Wolf Gang today is all due to our leader''s merit!!"


    ".¡­.."


    One after another, the cultivators of the Thunder Wolf Gang started to extol their leader.


    Sitting in the chief seat, a tall figure with shoulder-length hair, dressed in a white robe, and quite handsome and refined in appearance, was the leader of the Thunder Wolf Gang, Venerable Thunder Wolf. He was sipping Spiritual Wine and smiling with a look of utter satisfaction in his eyes.


    "It''s a pity we haven''t found any Foundation Establishment Pills! It would have been perfect if we had found them!"


    Venerable Thunder Wolf downed the rest of the Spiritual Wine, a hint of regret shing in his eyes. After founding the Thunder Wolf Gang and taking control of the Little ck Mountain Market, he had acquired a huge number of cultivation resources and even found two items that could increase the chances of Foundation Establishment by ten percent.


    However, the most crucial Foundation Establishment Pill was nowhere to be found.


    Suddenly, agonizing screams came from outside, and Su Bingyun, wielding a Magic Sword, stepped into the headquarters of the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    Venerable Thunder Wolf''s face changed dramatically at the sight of Su Bingyun, fear shing in his eyes as he eximed, "Su Bingyun, weren''t you dead?"


    "Su Bingyun!! She''s still alive! How could this be?"


    "Impossible!! All people from Sanguine Sect should be gone!"


    ".¡­.."


    The sight of Su Bingyun caused the faces of the Thunder Wolf Gang members to pale, fear glinting in their eyes. Many of them had taken part in the battle against the Sanguine Sect, with the blood of Sanguine Sect disciples on their hands.

 Chapter 24 Consecutive Annihilation of 4 Gangs

    "Today, all of you shall die!"


    A cold gleam shed through Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes as she directly unleashed the Fire Crow Mirror. mes and spiritual patterns flickered into existence on the mirror, and a three-foot long Fire Crow burst forth, lunging towards the elder from the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    "Foundation Establishment!! She has actually advanced to Foundation Establishment!!"


    A chilling sense of dread rose in the heart of the elder from the Thunder Wolf Gang, as he frantically stimted his mana, summoning a top-grade magical artifact, a green umbre.


    The green umbre radiated faint green spiritual light, transforming into a giant, towering green wood phantom that blocked the advance of the Fire Crow.


    The Fire Crow directly pounced at the green wood phantom, rapidly igniting the colossal illusion.


    "Foundation Establishment!! She is a Foundation Establishment expert!!"


    "Damn it! Damn it!"


    "....."


    Seeing this scene, the gang members of the Thunder Wolf Gang furiously activated their talismans, unleashing the Golden Light Talisman, Featherweight Talisman, Armor Horse Talisman, Rocket Talisman, and other talismans. While fleeing, they harnessed the power of these talismans to cast various spells, attacking Su Bingyun.


    Su Bingyun straightaway summoned a superior magical instrument-grade green Spiritual Shield. The green shield shimmered, forming a green protective barrier that deflected all the spells cast by the Thunder Wolf Gang members.


    If it were before her advancement to Foundation Establishment, all the members of the Thunder Wolf Gang united might have stood a chance against Su Bingyun. But after her ascension, even all the gang membersbined were no match for her.


    The illusion of the towering green woodsted only a breath before copsing and dissipating; the Fire Crow dived straight towards the elder''s head from the Thunder Wolf Gang, setting it ame instantly.


    The remaining members of the Thunder Wolf Gang fled frantically in all directions.


    "Just ept your deaths obediently!"


    Zhao Yu executed the Flying Dagger Technique, with the mid-grade magical instrument Flying Harpoon in his hand glowing faintly as he pierced through the chest of a Sixth Level Qi Refining Cultivator from the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    Under Su Bingyun''s control, the Fire Crow moved with ghostly speed, effortlessly igniting the heads of the three remainingte-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    Zhao Yu continued to use the Flying Dagger Technique, transforming his magic artifact into flying daggers that pierced through the remaining mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Thunder Wolf Gang.


    Before long, all the cultivators at the Thunder Wolf Gang headquarters had been killed by Su Bingyun and Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu reflected internally, "Foundation Establishment cultivators are indeed powerful. Even the cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining level can only slightly contend with them, and are no match for them at all. My current strength is far fromparable to that of Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.


    If the elder had used that umbre-shaped top-grade magical artifact, I wouldn''t have been his opponent either."


    After wiping out the Thunder Wolf Gang, Zhao Yu and Su Bingyun continued on to swiftly annihte the Mighty Tiger, Twin Swords, and Flying Bear factions. Against Su Bingyun, a Foundation Establishment expert, these factions simply fell to pieces. Their leadership was wiped out, with only the lowliest of their members managing to escape with their lives.


    At the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team''s station.


    Su Bingyun handed over twenty-some storage bags to Zhao Yu, "These are for you!"


    Zhao Yu opened those twenty-some storage bags, and his eyes lit up.


    Within those storage bags were one hundred and thirty-two mid-grade Spirit Stones, two thousand one hundred and fifty-six low-grade Spirit Stones, a vast amount of Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicine, a first order superior Pill Furnace, a superior-grade Talisman Brush of the First Order, dozens of Secret Manuals, and one Second-Order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pill, as well as several jade slips.


    Among those Spirit Grasses and Medicines were materials sufficient to refine more than twenty Lifespan Extension Pills. The Secret Manuals contained over a dozen basic cultivation techniques including the Earth Elemental Skill and the Water Element Technique, withplete cultivation methods from the Early Qi Refining Stage to thete Foundation Establishment Stage.


    The Second-Order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pill was the chief ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.


    The several jade slips consisted of aplete set of superior First Order Talisman Path inheritance, a Second-Order superior set of Alchemy Dao inheritance, a superior First Order Formation Path inheritance, and a set of superior First Order Artifact Path inheritance.


    The items in those twenty-some storage bags were part of the supplies looted by the four big factions after they raided the ck mountain market.


    A glint of anticipation shed through Su Bingyun''s eyes as she said, "Those magic artifacts, talismans, and medicinal pills must all be taken back to the sect to support the frontline war effort. I can''t leave them for you! I will also stay here for another month to build a trading caravan."


    "If you n to stay here, I can appoint you as the manager of the ck mountain market and hand over all the powers of the market to you."


    "If you n to join the Cangling Sect, I can rmend you to our sect and let you be an inner sect disciple of the Cangling Sect."


    "Of course, you can also choose to leave with me and go somewhere else to cultivate."


    Zhao Yu said, "I want to follow you and leave this ce, avoiding the chaos of war, and go somewhere else to cultivate."


    The grand battle of the Five Great Golden Core Sects would surely be extremely brutal, and even those at the Foundation Establishment Rank could fall. Su Bingyun, as a disciple of the Cangling Sect, greatly indebted to it, must return and fight. Zhao Yu only wished to avoid war and continue his cultivation.


    Su Bingyun was slightly disappointed as she spoke, "The North Deste has already plunged into full-scale war; those more prosperous areas will be the focal points of contention among the various forces. If you wish to avoid the war, you can only go to cultivate in some remote areas, where resources are scarce."


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up as he asked, "Where are those ces?"


    Su Bingyun then told Zhao Yu about a few remote ces.


    In the following days, Su Bingyun began to put together a trading caravan and also recruited loose cultivators willing to partake in the war of the Five Sects.


    In the ck Mountain Market, many loose cultivators either chose to pay a substantial sum to join the trading caravan or decided to join Su Bingyun''s forces, intending to participate in the grand battle of the Five Sects.


    The four major sects ruling the North Deste generally do not recruit Qi Refinement Realm loose cultivators, it''s only during a major sect war that they do. In that cruel conflict, a loose cultivator who establishes enough merit also has the chance to be rewarded with a Foundation Establishment Pill and advance to Foundation Establishment.


    "If I go to a ce with scarce resources, I need a craft that earns spirit stones. The urgent matter at hand is to improve my Alchemy!"


    "The Yellow Spirit Pill is the best-selling medicinal pill, and its materials are rtively easy to find, perfect for enhancing my Alchemy."


    Over the next three days, Zhao Yu consumed thirty-six Yellow Spirit Pills, using the power of the Dao Fruit of Devouring to raise his Alchemy for Yellow Spirit Pills to an expert level.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: Zero Order (60/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ªYellow Spirit Pill: Expert (0/800)."


    After Zhao Yu raised his Alchemy for Yellow Spirit Pills to the expert level, the sess rate for refining Yellow Spirit Pills increased to one hundred percent, and each batch of pills yielded between ten to eleven pills.


    Zhao Yu continued to refine Yellow Spirit Pills while swallowing those he refined himself as well as those won as spoils of war, turning them into proficiency.


    Seven dayster, Zhao Yu''s Alchemy finally advanced to the master level.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: Low-grade First Order (0/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ªYellow Spirit Pill: Master (0/1600)."


    "Alchemy¡ªQi and Blood Pill: Expert (0/400)."


    A sh of surprise crossed Zhao Yu''s eyes: "After my Alchemy Cultivation advanced, my refining level for the insignificant Qi and Blood Pill unexpectedly soared to expert level. What a pleasant surprise! This means that I might also have reached the expert level in refining other misceneous pills."


    Zhao Yu consumed Fasting Pills, Hemostasis Pills, and other ungraded misceneous pills in session, finding that his refining level for these pills had indeed reached the expert level. As long as he had the materials, he could easily refine various misceneous pills.

 Chapter 25 Slaying the 2nd Order Demon Snake

    "The sess rate is perfect, and the pill formation rate is also perfect! Let me see what makes a master-level Yellow Spirit Pill so wonderful!"


    Zhao Yu opened a pill furnace and gazed at the twelve Yellow Spirit Pills inside. A slight smile curved his lips, and a flicker of joy passed through his eyes. Then, he pinched a Yellow Spirit Pill, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed it for refinement.


    A hint of satisfaction swept through Zhao Yu''s eyes, "This Yellow Spirit Pill improves the mana by about ten percent more than the ordinary ones, and it even has much less toxic properties. It can be called a Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pill! Having Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pills means that even in remote resource areas, I should have what it takes to stand on my own."


    "After reaching the master level, there are still advancements! I''m really curious about what changes the Yellow Spirit Pills can undergo after the master level!"


    Zhao Yu spent his days continuing to crazily refine Yellow Spirit Pills.


    Su Bingyun silently acquired arge quantity of Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicine for Zhao Yu''s pill refinement.


    Canglong Mountain Range, albeit fraught with dangers from demon beasts and evil spirits, also housed many Spiritual Lands. Deep within the Canglong Mountain Range, there even existed Second-Order Spirit Veins. Inside, many Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicines could be found, allowing many Qi Refinement stage cultivators to gather herbs and afford housing in the market.


    After taking control of Xiao Hei Shan Market, Su Bingyun was able to continuously procure various kinds of Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicine.


    "Uncle, it''s bad! A Second-Order Demon Beast has broken into the market!"


    The door to the alchemy room was shoved open by Li Xianjiao; the mes Zhao Yu was managing in the pill furnace red up, instantly incinerating the Spiritual Medicine inside to ash.


    "Second-Order Demon Beast!!"


    Zhao Yu''s mood, already irritable from the destroyed pills, suddenly calmed down, "The formation in Xiao Hei Shan Market has been destroyed¡ªcurrently, the only one who can deal with a Second-Order Demon Beast is Su Bingyun."


    Zhao Yu reached out, scooped up the petite Li Xianjiao into his arms, and used the Phantom Step Technique. Moving like an illusion, he flew towards the outside.


    Li Xianjiao, with her distinct ck and whiterge eyes, nced at Zhao Yu''s side face and snuggled into his embrace, feeling waves of warmth.


    "Help!"


    "No!"


    "¡­.."


    Screams of terror echoed from within the market; several cultivators, radiating the Spiritual Light of Featherweight and Armored Horse Spells, hurriedly fled in all directions.


    The Second-Order Snake Demon, over thirty meters long and covered in ayer of gray scales with wisps of gray mist swirling around, audaciously entered the market. Its enormous snake head shot out with unbelievable agility, swallowing a cultivator whole.


    "Monster!! Die!!"


    A cultivator, a flicker of despair in his eyes, tore a Fireball Talisman; a fireball shot out and struck the gray mist surrounding the Second-Order Snake Demon, instantly dissipating into nothingness.


    The massive snake head of the Second-Order Snake Demon lunged towards the area where the cultivator had been, and that cultivator vanished without a trace.


    "If no one can stop it, we''ll just have to wait for it to eat its fill and leave by itself."


    Zhao Yu''s brows furrowed lightly as he restrained his aura and watched the Second-Order Snake Demon from afar.


    "She''s here!"


    Zhao Yu suddenly looked towards the northwest and saw Su Bingyun flying over from a distance.


    As soon as Su Bingyun saw the Second-Order Snake Demon, she directly activated the Fire Crow Mirror in her hand, with reddish spiritual patterns emerging. A three-foot-long Fire Crow flew out, lunging towards the Second-Order Snake Demon.


    A solemn trace shed in the eyes of the Second-Order Snake Demon. Its body''s gray mist concentrated and it spat out a pir of gray, poisonous mist aiming at the three-foot Fire Crow.


    The three-foot Fire Crow swelled against the wind, and in an instant, its body expanded, transforming into a ten-foot-long Fire Crow that dove at the pir of poisonous mist.


    Once the Fire Crow spread over the poisonous mist, it immediately transformed into a sea of mes, enveloping the pir of poisonous mist.


    Huge swathes of the poisonous mist pir were burned off, yet it seemed endless, as if it could never be entirely consumed.


    Su Bingyun''s Fire Crow Mirror indeed countered the poison mist of the Second-Order Snake Demon, but since Su Bingyun had just advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, even though she was an Earth Spirit Root genius with her main cultivation technique far surpassing ordinary techniques like the Earth Elemental Skill, her mana still couldn''t match that of the Second-Order Snake Demon, leading to a standoff.


    As the Second-Order Snake Demon spewed poisonous mist, it twisted its massive serpent body, lunging toward Su Bingyun.


    Beyond powerful mana, the formidable demon bodies of these beasts serve as terrifying weapons. Some beastsck spells, but their sheer physical might alone could withstand the magical artifacts of humans who are at the same level.


    "Be careful to protect yourself!"


    Zhao Yuid Li Xianjiao on the ground and rushed towards the Second-Order Snake Demon. He activated a Featherweight Talisman, a Golden Light Talisman, and a Giant Strength Talisman in quick session.


    The three top-grade first-order talismans rapidly absorbed Zhao Yu''s mana, draining nearly half of it. A faint golden shield appeared in front of him, making him as light as a feather while his strength surged by fifty percent.


    Zhao Yu employed the Phantom Step Technique, rapidly closing the distance to the Second-Order Snake Demon.


    As Zhao Yu reached a distance of a hundred paces from the Second-Order Snake Demon, he activated fortyyers of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, tensing all his muscles gripping a first-grade top-quality Earth Attribute Magic Sword and performed the Flying Dagger Technique.


    The first-grade top-quality Earth Attribute Magic Sword, bearing earth-yellow spiritual light, transformed into an earth-yellow lightning bolt shooting toward the eyes of the Second-Order Snake Demon.


    At this time, all the power of the Second-Order Snake Demon was upied in countering Su Bingyun, its formidable adversary. It was a moment slow in reacting, and it closed its eyes instantly upon sensing the magic sword.


    The earth-yellow magic sword tore through the thin gray mist around the Second-Order Snake Demon, stabbing into its eyes, piercing its eyelids, and entering its eyes, with blood spurting out from them.


    The Second-Order Snake Demon let out a miserable scream, the pir of poisonous mist in front of it showing signs of turbulence and scattering, unable to entangle the sea of mes formed by the Fire Crow.


    Cold light shed in Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes; she bit her tongue, spraying a mouthful of blood into the Fire Crow Mirror, which made the light of the mirror even more brilliant.


    The sea of mes converged once again into a Fire Crow, its wings pping as it tore through the poisonous mist and dove at the head of the Second-Order Snake Demon, setting it alight.


    Once ignited, the head of the Second-Order Snake Demon emitted painful, agonizing screams. Its massive serpent body rolled on the ground, smashing buildings in the Market into pieces.


    A few breathster, the head of the Second-Order Snake Demon was burned to ashes, and the headless body still twitched uncontrobly.


    "Thank you for helping me get revenge! From this Second-Order Snake Demon, I only want the skin and bones; the rest is all yours!"


    Despite her pale face, Su Bingyun still looked heroic and resolute, a hint of satisfaction sweeping across her eyes as she turned to Zhao Yu and spoke.


    Zhao Yu said, "You killed this Second-Order Snake Demon. I''ll just take some of the demon beast meat."


    Zhao Yu, by consuming the blood and flesh of the Second-Order Snake Demon and using the Dao Fruit, could enhance his own Spiritual Root Aptitude. Although the Second-Order Snake Demon was quite precious, he did not get greedy and only wanted to maintain a good rtionship with Su Bingyun.

 Chapter 26 Superior Yellow Spirit Pill

    Su Bingyun said slowly, "By killing it for me, you''re avenging me! If it weren''t for this monster, Elder Yun wouldn''t have been fatally wounded and died. Things wouldn''t have turned out this way! Consider the carcass of this demon beast as your reward."


    Zhao Yu replied, "Thank you!"


    Under Su Bingyun''s orders, several cultivators came over to Zhao Yu''s side to help him dissect the Second-Order Snake Demon.


    "This is an inner core! A demon beast inner core! With this Demon Snake Inner Pill, I now have two Second-order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pills! As long as I gather some auxiliary materials, when I improve my Alchemy, I can refine two batches of Foundation Establishment Pills!"


    Zhao Yu pulled out an inner core from the belly of the Second-Order Snake Demon, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    A cultivator at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, who seemed very warm-hearted, approached proactively and said, "Daoist Zhao, could you sell me that demon beast inner core? I''ll offer two thousand Spirit Stones!!"


    Zhao Yu replied indifferently, "Daoist Musong, I''m not in need of Spirit Stones. I won''t sell this demon beast inner core!"


    Such Second-order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pills almost never appear in Market shops. They typically fall into the hands of the Great Sects and various Foundation Establishment families, or asionally show up at auctions.


    Just having one Demon Beast Inner Pill can enable one to participate in the cooperative refinement of Foundation Establishment Pills with other forces. An Foundation Establishment Pill typically fetches over ten thousand Spirit Stones at auction. One can imagine the value of that Demon Beast Inner Pill.


    The smile on Daoist Musong''s face disappeared as the powerful spiritual pressure of ate-stage Qi Refining cultivator began to slowly unfold around him, "Daoist Zhao, if you sell me this inner core, I''ll owe you a favor! If one day I seed in Foundation Establishment, I will surely find you a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu said, "I won''t sell!"


    "Fine! Fine!"


    A sh of coldness passed through Daoist Musong''s eyes as he turned and left.


    A cultivator who looked very honest and was at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, Sun Yaozhen, warned, "Daoist Zhao, be careful. Daoist Musong is known to be narrow-minded. By rejecting him like this, he will surely harbor resentment!"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Daoist Sun, I understand!"


    Zhao Yu had Su Bingyun''s support. Even if thosete-stage Qi Refining cultivators looked down on him, they had no choice but to swallow their pride.


    The fact that Su Bingyun had easily massacred the four major factions demonstrated her ruthless side to the cultivators in the ck Hill Market, naturally deterring them from provoking someone valued by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Everyte-stage Qi Refining cultivator in the ck Hill Market had perished under Su Bingyun''s Fire Crow Mirror, and Daoist Musong was merely a Seventh Level Qi Refining cultivator. If he showed any sign of hostility, Zhao Yu was ready to send him on his way too.


    Zhao Yu looked at the massive amount of Demon Beast Meat, his eyes revealing a hint of excitement, "Fifteen thousand pounds! If I could sell all this Demon Beast Meat at the price of one Spirit Stone per pound, I would make a fortune!"


    Although in the meat shop, one pound of Second-Order Demon Beast Meat could be sold for one Spirit Stone, it was impossible to sell that much Second-Order Demon Beast Meat for fifteen thousand Spirit Stones to a meat shop.


    That''s because one pound of Second-Order Demon Beast Meat for one Spirit Stone is still too expensive, and most Loose Cultivators can''t afford it.


    In the meat shops of the ck Hill Market, it''s rare to sell even a thousand pounds of Second-Order Demon Beast Meat in a year.


    Zhao Yu pondered, "Although I can''t sell all this Second-Order Demon Beast Meat, I can eat it myself or use it to refine a Second-order Low-grade Fiery Blood Beast Pattern Pill!"


    The primary ingredient for the Second-order Low-grade Fiery Blood Beast Pattern Pill is the flesh and blood of a Second-Order Demon Beast. Such Spirit Pills can greatly enhance the blood and qi of a cultivator, repair and nourish their internal organs, and are highly effective for Body Cultivators.


    However, considering the small number of Body Cultivators in the Northern Deste, these Second-Order Spirit Pills, such as the Fiery Blood Beast Pattern Pill, are doomed to be hard to sell.


    Zhao Yu gave the materials from the Second-Order Snake Demon and two thousand pounds of Demon Beast Meat to Su Bingyun, then headed to the kitchen of the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team to start preparing a feast.


    "See that? You need to add rock sugar to enhance the vor! Then, you add Spirit Oyster Soy Sauce for a quick stir-fry..."


    In the kitchen, Zhao Yu was cooking Second-Order Demon Snake meat while teaching Li Xianjiao culinary skills.


    Even if Li Xianjiao were to be a Golden Core Ancestor in the future, for the next few years she''d have to obediently y the role of Zhao Yu''s little kitchen maid. An unevolved genius could only be a kitchen maid!


    Li Xianjiao was exceptionally intelligent, and she memorized everything Zhao Yu taught her after just one lesson.


    "Dinner''s ready!"


    After Zhao Yu served dishes like braised Second-Order Demon Snake meat, demon snake soup stew, snake meatballs, and steamed snake meat one after another.


    It was only then that Su Bingyun, who had been reading by the side, ethereal and detached, put down her book and sat down at the dining table.


    In front of Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator Su Bingyun, Zhao Yu could only humbly assume the role of a chef.


    "This is delicious! It''s truly meat from a Second-Order Snake Demon!"


    After biting into a piece of the braised Snake Demon meat, Zhao Yu found the meat crispy and bouncy, with a burst of sweetness, utterly delicious. After chewing, he swallowed it, and warmth spread through his body, making him feel extremelyfortable and opening up his appetite.


    "Low-grade Poisonous Spiritual Root (2/100)."


    "Second-Order Snake Demon meat is really nourishing! Normally, I can eat thirty pounds of demon beast meat in one meal, but I can only eat two pounds at most of Second-Order demon beast meat. However, eating one meal can improve my Poisonous Spiritual Root by two points. At this rate, my first Spiritual Root to advance might end up being the Poisonous Spiritual Root!!"


    "And yet the Spiritual Root I most want to improve is my Earth Spirit Root!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the newly born Poisonous Spiritual Root and couldn''t help feeling a bit speechless.


    Half a monthter, in the Quiet Room.


    "My Yellow Spirit Pill Alchemy has finally reached the point of breakthrough. I wonder what kind of surprise this breakthrough will bring me?"


    With a thought, Zhao Yu tapped on his Yellow Spirit Pill Alchemy, which was on the verge of a breakthrough.


    Countless experiences and secrets regarding the refinement of Yellow Spirit Pills flooded into Zhao Yu''s mind, leaving no more mysteries for him about their refinement.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: First-order Low-grade (50/100)."


    "Alchemy ¡ª Yellow Spirit Pill: Grandmaster."


    "Yellow Spirit Pills refined by a Grandmaster-level Alchemy are 30% more effective than those refined by a Master-level,parable to an ordinary Second-Order Spirit Pill. In addition, the inner pill toxin of a Grandmaster-level Yellow Spirit Pill is almost negligible, which can increase by 5% the chances of breaking through the bottleneck at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.


    They can be taken in quick session over a short period, and also reduce the resistance to the effects of Yellow Spirit Pills."


    "If the Yellow Spirit Pills refined by a Master-level Alchemy could be considered Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pills, then those refined by Grandmaster-level Alchemy should be ssified as Superior Yellow Spirit Pills."


    After his Yellow Spirit Pill Alchemy reached the Grandmaster level, Zhao Yu could understand the medicinal properties even without taking Grandmaster-level Yellow Spirit Pills.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curved up slightly, revealing a hint of a smile, "With Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, even in ces with scarce Spiritual Power, I will be able to cultivate!"


    Zhao Yu relied on consuming vast amounts of Yellow Spirit Pills to improve his Cultivation Level. Although he was immune to the poison because he had absorbed the power of Dao Fruits, his body had developed resistance, and the effectiveness of the Yellow Spirit Pills was diminishing. With Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, his Cultivation Level could swiftly increase for a while.

 Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Ghost Hitting the Wall

    On the day Zhao Yu''s alchemy skills broke through, the grand merchant caravan organized by Su Bingyun was alreadyplete.


    In the Market of Xiaohei Mountain, over half of the cultivators either paid arge number of Spirit Stones to join the caravan, or they joined under Su Bingyun''smand.


    The remaining cultivators eithercked the Spirit Stones to pay the fees to join the caravan, or they were ambitious, hoping to make a name for themselves in the Market of Xiaohei Mountain.


    Although the Market of Xiaohei Mountain was fraught with dangers, it was also filled with incredibly rich resources. In the North Deste, there were many ces with resourcesparable to Canglong Mountain Range, but those ces were under the control of the Four Great Sects.


    Ordinary loose cultivators who wanted to advance to Foundation Establishment either had to struggle in pioneering ces like the Market of Xiaohei Mountain, look for relics left by previous generations of cultivators, or join the wars of the Five Great Sects, establishing enough merit to receive rewards and promotion.


    Most of the people in the substantial caravan were cultivators, and some had paid a significant amount of Spirit Stones to have their families in the Ten Mortal Cities leave with them.


    The enormous caravan moved along a trade route toward Cang Country.


    Just ten miles out of Xiaohei Mountain Market, the caravan was attacked by a First-Order Middle-Grade Demon Beast. But as soon as the beast appeared, it was in by the caravan''s guards who activated various Magic Artifacts.


    Along the way, demon beasts would asionally emerge from the jungle, attempting to attack the human caravan, including First-Order Superior Demon Beasts.


    A First-Order Superior Demon Beast could be very challenging for even ate stage Qi Refinement cultivator to tackle alone. However, as soon as these demon beasts appeared, they were in by Su Bingyun with a swing of her Magic Sword.


    The bodies of these First-Order Superior Demon Beasts were considered treasures, with their ws and teeth being particrly excellent materials for Refinement of Magic Artifacts. Cang Ling Sect was in a period of war and needed resources as vast as oceans. Su Bingyun, concerned for her sect, personally took action to y these beasts.


    Zhao Yu spent Spirit Stones to purchase the corpse of a First-Order Superior Earth Attribute Demon Beast from Su Bingyun.


    The caravan would travel by day, and at night, they would camp in ce and affix evil-repelling Talismans on the trees around them.


    Three dayster, as the caravan was moving forward, a light mist suddenly thickened, and a vige appeared far in the distance.


    In front of the vige, there was arge wheat field, with more than a dozen farmers busy tilling, and some children ying in the fields.


    There were dozens of thatched cottages and a wooden house in the vige.


    Upon seeing the seemingly ordinary vige, the many cultivators in the caravan felt a sudden tightness in their chests and a tingling scalp, gripped their Magic Artifacts and Talismans tightly.


    Zhao Yu said with a solemn face, "I remember there are no human viges on the road from Cang Country to the Market of Xiaohei Mountain, right?"


    Su Bingyun spoke slowly, "That''s right! This vige is either built by ghosts or is an Illusion Technique! Let''s take a detour!"


    The dangers on the road from Cang Country to Xiaohei Mountain Market included not only various powerful demon beasts, but also terrifying existences like evil spirits and ghosts. Even experts at the Foundation Establishment Stage had perished at the hands of these ghosts.


    The group took a wide berth around the vige and walked through the dense mist for another two hours, when the same vige appeared before them again.


    Zhao Yu''s face was one of grave concern as he pointed to a farmer with tattered clothes and dark yellow skin, "No, this is the same vige! That farmer looks exactly like one I saw earlier!"


    Fear shed in Li Xianjiao''s eyes as she clutched Zhao Yu''s left hand tightly.


    "It''s a ghost wall!"


    "Damn, we''ve encountered a powerful evil spirit or ghost!"


    "To possess illusion abilities of such a vast range, the evil spirit or ghosts must be at least a second-order evil spirit or second-order ghost!!"


    ".¡­.."


    A wave of fear slowly spread among the caravan.


    Many cultivators within the caravan were experienced, and they had all heard of the terror of second-order evil spirits and second-order ghosts. For those in the Qi Refinement Realm who fell into the hands of a second-order evil spirit or second-order ghost, what awaited them was endless despair. Many cultivators did not know how, but they miserably perished at the hands of these malevolent beings.


    "Quiet!"


    A hint of cold light shed in Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes as she shouted sternly, and a terrifying pressure emanating from a Foundation Establishment-Level One slowly spread out.


    When the many cultivators in the caravan felt the dreadful pressure of Su Bingyun''s Foundation Establishment Stage, they calmed down.


    Su Bingyun decisively ordered, "Everyone hold onto an evil-repelling talisman, and then enter the vige!"


    It was then that everyone moved towards the vige.


    Zhao Yu followed closely beside Su Bingyun and curiously asked, "Why enter the vige? There must be terrifying ghosts or evil spirits hidden inside!"


    "There must be second-order evil spirits or ghosts hidden inside the vige. They have created arge illusion by utilizing their own power as well as the spiritual power, death energy, and evil energy of thisnd."


    "To break thisrge illusion, one either relies on powerful mana, talismans, magical treasures, formations to destroy the entire vige, or one possesses natural spiritual eyes that can see through illusions or is skilled in various spiritual eye spells that can do the same."


    "If onecks both abilities, then the mostmon method is to enter the vige, eliminate the evil spirits and ghosts inside, which can also break therge illusion."


    "If we don''t enter the vige, we can only stay here and eventually be drained of life. The existence of thisrge illusion mainly relies on the spiritual power of thend. The power of the evil spirits and ghosts serves as a catalyst; the mist will not disperse until the evil spirits and ghosts are dead."


    "With every death among us, the power of the evil spirits and ghosts inside the vige grows stronger. So, even though we know the vige hides terrible ghosts and evil spirits, our only choice is to enter and deal with them."


    Su Bingyun exined in detail to Zhao Yu how to break the illusions created by evil spirits and ghosts.


    This was precious knowledge known only to elite disciples of great sects like the Cang Spirit Sect, and most loose cultivators who fell into suchrge illusions would have a very high chance of dying inside, naturallycking such experience.


    An old man, who was dark and skinny with white hair and yellow teeth, approached from the vige, his face full of obsequiousness, "My name is Wang Dafu, the head of this vige. You''ve had a long journey. The vige has prepared food; please,e with me!"


    Behind Wang Dafu were more than a dozen young vigers, among whom several vige girls, despite their dark and roughplexions, were quite beautiful and delightful to look at.


    Su Bingyun shouted sternly, "Activate the evil-repelling talismans!"


    All cultivators in the caravan stimted their mana, and the evil-repelling talismans in their hands ignited without wind, spreading the evil-repelling power in all directions.


    Wang Dafu''s face twisted violently, almost instantly transforming into a humanoid skeleton with insects crawling all over his body.


    All the vigers revealed their true forms, turning into humanoid skeletons.


    All the houses in the entire vige disappeared, and in the ce where the houses had been, there were stones, which were covered with various poisonous insects.

 Chapter 28 Killing a 2nd-Order Ghost

    In the area behind the vige, an eerie Taoist dressed in pitch-ck robes appeared abruptly before everyone''s eyes, his body already beginning to rot, his eyes brimming with malice.


    "That''s a Second-Order ghost! An existence I cannot contend with!"


    Upon seeing the ghastly Taoist, Zhao Yu''s body immediately bristled with chills, and an uncontroble sense of fear surged through him.


    Even though Zhao Yu had cultivated the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art to the fortieth level, which made him as strong as ate Qi Refinement cultivator, he still faced a vast divide in the hierarchy of lifepared to that Second-Order ghost.


    Su Bingyun leapt into the air, lunging directly towards the Second-Order ghost Taoist.


    The rest of the cultivators unleashed their spells, with Fireballs and other fiery projectiles bombarding the humanoid skeletons, setting them aze, emitting copious amounts of ck smoke.


    One after another, the humanoid skeletons caught fire and turned into balls of me.


    The ground writhed, and skeletons of humans and demonic beasts alike began to crawl out from underneath, pouncing toward the cultivators of the caravan.


    The caravan''s cultivators deployed various spells to attack the skeletons.


    Bang!


    Zhao Yu holding a Magic Sword struck down on the skull of a skeleton, shattering its headpletely.


    "So tough! And the effect is modest! It seems that fire-based spells, thunder-based spells, or ghost-based spells are indeed stronger against these evil spirits!"


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly; the skeletons seemed to turn to ash upon being hit by a Fireball, but when he actually took a strike, he realized they were tougher than fine iron, and the one he had beheaded did not die. Instead, its w lunged for his heart.


    Zhao Yu swung his Magic Sword, creating multipleyers of sword light that instantly chopped the skeleton into pieces, which fell to the ground.


    The pieces of the skeletons still trembled on the ground, then flew together from all directions, reassembling into the same skeleton.


    "Physical attacks are too ineffective!"


    Zhao Yu took out a talisman for warding off evil and affixed it onto the skeleton''s skull.


    The talisman burnt without any wind, its evasive power filling the air. The skeleton''s fragments emitted a considerable amount of ck aura, shatteringpletely, no longer coalescing.


    "To deal with these skeleton evil spirits, either use spells to destroy them or use physical means to break them apart, then employ talismans to purify."


    Zhao Yu pondered, then looked towards where Su Bingyun was.


    There, Su Bingyun was controlling the Fire Crow Mirror, and the transformed fire crow, several meters long, plunged toward the Second-Order ghost Taoist.


    ck ws wrapped in dark light flew out from the ghost Taoist, attempting to shred the fire crow. However, as soon as the ck ws made contact with the fire crow, they emitted copious amounts of ck smoke and were eventually incinerated by the bird.


    The ghost Taoist waspletely at a disadvantage against Su Bingyun.


    Zhao Yu affixed talismans onto his Superior Earth Attribute Magical Sword and, activating the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, used the Flying Dagger Technique, causing the sword to burst forth with a faint glow and fly toward the ghost Taoist.


    The ghost Taoist easily caught the Superior Earth Attribute Magical Sword with a w, and the dozens of talismans on the swordbusted without wind. The true power of warding off evil erupted all at once, causing ck smoke to billow from its right w and its body to tremble momentarily.


    The fire crow, aze with more intense mes, took the opportunity to turn a bone w into ash and then pounced on the ghost Taoist.


    Fearsome mes engulfed the ghost Taoist in an instant, and a great amount of ck smoke rose from its body.


    Amid the mes, the ghost Taoist struggled violently and endured for the duration of ten breaths before beingpletely burned to nothingness, leaving behind a green hairpin among the ashes.


    With the death of the ghost Taoist, the thick fog enveloping the area slowly began to dissipate, revealing the true path before everyone''s eyes.


    Zhao Yu looked curiously at the green hairpin and asked, "What is this?"


    Su Bingyun replied, "This is a Relic of a ghost! Many powerful ghosts have Relics, such as ashes, hairpins, shoes, etc. When merged with their Relic, that''s when those ghosts are most powerful. Only when the Relic is destroyed can they truly die."


    "If this hairpin is left here unchecked, it will automatically absorb the surrounding dead energy, Spiritual Energy, and evil energy, allowing that ghost Taoist to regenerate."


    "Some of the Ghost Path Sect''s magic instruments for controlling ghosts are refined using the Relics of ghosts. This hairpin is useless to us, but for those guys from the Yin Ghost Sect, it is an extremely precious resource."


    Zhao Yu asked, "Can I take a look at it?"


    Su Bingyun handed the green hairpin directly to Zhao Yu, "I''m giving it to you!"


    "Thank you!"


    Zhao Yu took the green hairpin and immediately felt a chill emanate from it.


    After destroying the Ghost Vige, the caravan continued its journey.


    Late at night.


    "Can I eat this thing?"


    ying with the green hairpin, Zhao Yu thought for a while, then took out his Magic Sword to cut his finger and dripped a drop of blood onto the hairpin.


    The blood fell on the hairpin, but it underwent no change.


    "It seems that blood won''t work!"


    Zhao Yu stuffed the green hairpin into his mouth and gave it a suck.


    A mysterious force surged out from the green hairpin, entered Zhao Yu''s body, and was directly refined by his Dao Fruit, turning into a cool and refreshing stream that nourished his physical body and soul.


    Within a single breath, the green hairpin turned into a pile of dust, which Zhao Yu spit out.


    "Ghost Control Talent: Mediocre (0/100)."


    "Divine Sense: Qi Refinement Fourth Level (89/100)."


    Plus signs appeared behind both Ghost Control Talent and Divine Sense.


    His eyes lighting up, Zhao Yu revealed a hint of a smile, "Devouring the Relic of a ghost can enhance my Ghost Control Talent and Divine Sense! Of course, I need to improve my Divine Sense!"


    Divine Sense is extremely important for cultivators. Although Qi Refinement Realm cultivators cannot project their Divine Sense out of their bodies to search like Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators can, nor can they use it except for introspection. However, the stronger the Divine Sense, the more Magic Artifacts they can manipte, and the more effortlessly they can do so.


    Su Bingyun once told Zhao Yu the secrets of Foundation Establishment. During Foundation Establishment, the stronger the physical body, Mana, and Divine Sense, the better. The importance of the physical body is slightly less than that of Mana, which in turn is slightly less important than Divine Sense.


    Pills and Secret Techniques that enhance Divine Sense are scarce in the Northern Destion, and even the Cang Ling Sect, one of the four Great Sects of the Northern Destion, does not have a Secret Technique that can strengthen Divine Sense.


    "Divine Sense: Qi Refinement Ninth Level (53/100)."


    After Zhao Yu allocated the points, a cool and refreshing stream surged from deep within him, continuously nourishing his Divine Sense, making it grow stronger and stronger.


    Once Zhao Yu had finished upgrading his Divine Sense, he activated his Mana and brought out an Earth Attribute Superior Magical Instrument Grade Magic Sword along with the white Superior Magical Instrument Grade small bell.


    A satisfied look appeared in his eyes, "I can now operate two Superior Magical Instruments at the same time with ease. However, while my Divine Sense can support it, the Mana within me is insufficient to sustainbat with two Superior Magical Instruments for an extended period. Still, a short burst is fine!"

 Chapter 29 The Sinking Mountain Market

    Two dayster.


    "Low-grade Poisonous Spirit Root (100/100)."


    "I can finally promote my Spirit Root, although it''s a Poisonous one!"


    Zhao Yu''s mind stirred, and he chose to evolve his Spirit Root.


    A tremendous surge of heat erupted from within Zhao Yu, nourishing his Spirit Root and initiating its evolution.


    Two hourster, countless impurities were expelled from Zhao Yu''s body, leaving him reeking terribly.


    "Mid-grade Poisonous Spirit Root (0/1000)."


    "My Spirit Root has finally advanced! Eternal life is possible! Eternal life is possible!"


    Zhao Yu opened his eyes, filled with excitement and exhration as he looked at his upgraded Spirit Root.


    The better a cultivator''s Spirit Root, the stronger their innate talent for cultivation. Cultivators with Earth Spirit Root or Heavenly Spirit Root do not need a Foundation Establishment Pill to sessfully establish their foundation.


    A cultivator with a high-grade Spirit Root has a 70-80% chance of sessful foundation establishment after using a Foundation Establishment Pill, a mid-grade Spirit Root gives a 40-50% chance, and a low-grade gives only a 20-30% chance.


    "Uncle, you smell!"


    While Zhao Yu was reveling in his excitement, Li Xianjiao, who was nearby, climbed out from a nket on the ground, covering her little nose and staring at him with big, watery eyes.


    "I''m going to take a bath right now!"


    Zhao Yu''s smile froze, and he coughed lightly before stepping out of the tent. After bathing and changing clothes, he returned inside the tent to start practicing the Earth Elemental Skill.


    "After advancing my Spirit Root to mid-grade, my speed of cultivating the Earth Elemental Skill has only increased by thirty percent! Indeed, I need to advance my Earth Attribute Spirit Root since my main cultivation technique is the Earth Attribute-based Earth Elemental Skill."


    Afterpleting a cycle of cultivation, Zhao Yu felt a slight disappointment. Although the speed of his cultivation had improved after the Poisonous Spirit Root was upgraded to mid-grade, the increase was not as significant as he had hoped.


    Li Xianjiao, possessing a Water Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root, is a cultivation prodigy, and her practice of Water Attribute techniques naturally progresses rapidly. However, practicing techniques of other attributes would yield much worse results.


    Zhao Yu took out a mirror and nced at it, the corners of his mouth curving into a slight smile, "But, I have be even younger!"


    After this transformation of his Spirit Root, Zhao Yu appeared to be only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and was bursting with vigor, a stark contrast to when he had just transmigrated, showcasing the allure of cultivation.


    Three dayster, the caravan finally emerged from the Canglong Mountain Range.


    Vast expanses of farnd appeared before Zhao Yu and his group, where a crowd of ragged farmers were diligently tilling the soil.


    "I''m leaving! Take care!"


    Su Bingyun gave Zhao Yu a deep look, turned around decisively, leaving behind only her resolute silhouette.


    Zhao Yu quietly watched Su Bingyun''s retreating figure without a word.


    Li Xianjiao tugged at the hem of Zhao Yu''s clothes, her innocent face questioning, "Uncle, aren''t you going after her?"


    "Go after her for what? The eldest sister of the Cang Spirit Sect, an Earth Spirit Root genius not even twenty years old. If I do not achieve foundation establishment, no matter how much I curry favor, it is wasted effort! My goal is still immortality! If the blossom stands out, the butterflyes on its own! I should focus on bing the best version of myself!


    Let''s go!"


    Zhao Yu gave onest deep look at Su Bingyun''s silhouette, took Li Xianjiao''s small hand firmly, and resolutely walked in another direction.


    Li Xianjiao''s lips slightly lifted, her mood exceptionally good, holding Zhao Yu''s hand tightly.


    After walking about ten kilometers, Zhao Yu suddenly stopped, looking toward a forest and said, "My friend, you have been following us for quite a while now, what exactly do you want?"


    From within the forest, Mu Song emerged, staring intensely at Zhao Yu, his eyes flickering with greed, "Zhao, hand over all the valuables you possess, and I can let you live. Otherwise, today will be your day of doom. Without Lady Su to protect you, you are nothing!!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyebrows slightly furrowed, he frantically activated the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, channeled his mana, and executed the Flying Dagger Technique, the high-grade earth attribute magic sword in his hand shooting towards Mu Song like a flying dagger.


    "A mere Qi Refinement Level Four trash, dares to strike at me? You''re seeking death!"


    Mu Song''s face suddenly changed dramatically, and he immediately sacrificed a mid-grade magic artifact level blue magic sword, which emitted a blue spiritual light to shield him.


    ng!


    The two magic swords collided, emitting a crisp ringing sound. The spiritual light from the blue sword copsed, striking Mu Song heavily in the chest.


    A terrifying force transmitted from the blue magic sword, directly causing Mu Song''s ribs to break ¡ª he was blown backwards and fell to the ground.


    A shadow flickered slightly, and Zhao Yu appeared in front of Mu Song, thrusting with a mid-grade magic artifact Earth Sword ¡ª the long sword shing like lightning, instantly decapitating Mu Song, with blood sttering all around.


    Zhao Yu calmly analyzed, "Qi Refinementte stage cultivators are indeed tricky, I had to use all my strength just to kill him! If there were two or threete stage Qi Refinement cultivators attacking me, I would have to fight desperately!"


    After carefully checking Mu Song''s storage bag, Zhao Yu found thirteen mid-grade spirit stones, one hundred thirty-seven low-grade spirit stones, many spirit grasses, spiritual medicines, spirit talismans, spirit pills, and six first-rank low-grade magical instruments.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "This Mu Song must have also been a bandit, or perhaps, he had gained quite a bit during the chaos at the Market of Little ck Mountain."


    After killing Mu Song, Zhao Yu left the area with Li Xianjiao.


    Cang Country, Changyang County, midway up Jiu Chen Mountain.


    "This ce is the Jiu Chen Mountain Market, which is also controlled by the Changyang Ling family."


    Zhao Yu looked at the thick fog surrounding the market and curiosity shed through his eyes, "This is the Illusory Mist Formation! Once a mortal enters, they would be deluded and trapped in illusions."


    Zhao Yu took Li Xianjiao''s hand, activated his mana, and stepped into the fog.


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered the fog, his vision blurred, and a path appeared in front of him.


    On either side of the path wererge spirit fields where some spirit farmers were casting spells to cultivate spirit rice.


    Zhao Yu walked along the path and, after a short while, a vast market appeared in front of him.


    Zhao Yu entered the market and after touring around, noticed that there were fewer cultivators in the Jiu Chen Mountain Marketpared to the Market of Little ck Mountain, and their cultivation levels were generally weaker.


    The buildings in the Market of Little ck Mountain were smaller, while those in the Jiu Chen Mountain Market seemed spacious and grand, with wide intervals between them.


    In terms of prices, the prices of demon beast materials, spirit grasses, spirit pills, and demon beast meat in the Jiu Chen Mountain Market were higher than in the Market of Little ck Mountain, but the prices of talismans were slightly lower.


    The concentration of spiritual energy in the Jiu Chen Mountain Market was significantly lower than in the Market of Little ck Mountain. The spirit vein in the Market of Little ck Mountain was of the first-grade top level, whereas the spirit vein in the Jiu Chen Mountain Market was only about mid-level first grade.


    Once Zhao Yu arrived at the center of the Jiu Chen Mountain Market, an eight-story luxurious building appeared in his sight, with the que of the Changyang Ling family hanging above it.


    After registering at the building with Li Xianjiao, they each received a token and Zhao Yu rented a cave mansion within the Jiu Chen Mountain Market at the rate of sixty spirit stones per year.


    "This cave mansion isn''t bad, it''s quite spacious! It''s a pity that the concentration of spiritual energy is far less than in the cave mansions of the Market of Little ck Mountain!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the cave mansion, which was twice asrge as the small courtyards in the Market Center District of Little ck Mountain and elegantly furnished, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

 Chapter 30 Return

    Three dayster, in Mingyang City, Changyang County of Cang Country.


    "This should be the ce!"


    Zhao Yu arrived in front of a mansion that upied a vast area and nced at the Ling Mansion que hanging above the entrance.


    Li Xianjiao stood silently by his side.


    A servant came forward and said, "This is Ling Mansion. May I know the business of the two visitors?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Go inform the master of the house, and say that a friend of Ling Chongshan hase to visit."


    "Honored guests, please wait a moment!"


    The servant''s face changed slightly, and he bowed very respectfully to Zhao Yu and hispanion before turning to enter the mansion.


    Not long after, a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties, tall and voluptuous, with an extraordinarily gorgeous appearance and at the second level of Qi Refinement, walked out from within the mansion, apanied by two young and beautiful women.


    Among the two young women, one was around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, also at the second level of Qi Refinement, dressed in a green long dress, tall and voluptuous, with shoulder-length hair, extremely beautiful, and with a dignified and elegant demeanor.


    The other was about fifteen or sixteen years old, at the first level of Qi Refinement, wearing blue clothes, with a pure and beautiful appearance and an innocent and naive aura.


    The stunningly beautiful woman said with a hint of caution in her eyes, "My name is Cheng Lin, and I am Ling Chongshan''s wife. May I inquire as to how to address you, friend?"


    "I am Zhao Yu, a good friend of Ling Dao''s! Unfortunately, Ling Dao passed away in a small ck mountain market. ording to his will, I am here to return a portion of his legacy to you."


    Zhao Yu handed a storage bag to Cheng Lin, which contained thirteen mid-grade Spirit Stones, more than a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, and some Talismans and a mid-grade Magic Artifact.


    Cheng Lin swayed, herplexion turning extremely pale as if all strength had been drained from her, and she fell toward the ground.


    The elegant and dignified young woman in the green dress quickly supported Cheng Lin, asking with concern, "Mother, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine!"


    Cheng Lin''s face was pale as she grasped the storage bag and invited him, "Daoist Zhao, pleasee inside for a talk."


    "I apologize for intruding!"


    Only then did Zhao Yu enter the reception hall of Ling Mansion with Li Xianjiao.


    After carefully reading the letter left behind by Ling Chongshan, Cheng Lin burst into tears and, after some time, dried her eyes and said apologetically, "Daoist Zhao, I have been rude!"


    Zhao Yu said, "No matter."


    Cheng Lin asked, "May I know where you currently reside, Daoist Zhao?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "I am currently residing in cave mansion number 5793 of grade A in the Jiu Chen Mountain market. I owe your husband a great favor. Should you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can find me there. Within my capabilities, I will do my utmost to help you."


    Zhao Yu had used a Second-order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pill left by Ling Chongshan. That pill was extremely precious, capable of fetching a price of over three thousand Spirit Stones at auction.


    For Zhao Yu, Spirit Stones were not an issue; the main problem was that Second-order Demon Beast Inner Pills seldom appeared at auctions, and another problem was securing such an inner pill even if one were acquired at auction.


    The Second-order Low-grade Demon Beast Inner Pill left by Ling Chongshan had been a great help to Zhao Yu. Without it, he might not have been able to reach the fortieth level in the practice of Vajra Dragon Elephant Art.


    Cheng Lin''s eyes lit up, "A grade A cave mansion at Jiu Chen Mountain, isn''t that quite expensive to rent? I remember it costs about sixty Spirit Stones a year."


    Zhao Yu said, "I am a Pill Master and can just about afford the rent."


    Cheng Lin chuckled, "A Pill Master! Daoist Zhao is truly remarkable! To my knowledge, there are only two Pill Masters in the entire Jiu Chen Mountain! Now, with Daoist Zhao included, there are three!"


    Zhao Yu smiled modestly, "I can only refine Yellow Spirit Pills, far from matching other Pill Masters. If Daoist Cheng is interested, you could help me acquire materials for Yellow Spirit Pills and Red Jade Pills."


    "No problem, leave the matter of purchasing materials to me!"


    Cheng Lin said with a smiling face, "Zhao Yu, these are my daughters Lian Xue and Nian Lei. You two, why aren''t you greeting your uncle properly yet?"


    "Greetings, Uncle!"


    Ling Lian Xue and her sister stood up, greeted Zhao Yu with a bow, and then settled back down.


    Cheng Lin''s gaze fell on Li Xianjiao, who was sitting to the side, and said, "Zhao Yu, who might this be?"


    Li Xianjiao, with an innocent smile on her face as if she were a little adult, said, "Cheng Yu, I am Li Xianjiao, Zhao Yu''s child bride! I am twelve years old this year!"


    Upon hearing this, a wave of peculiar nces immediately focused on Zhao Yu.


    In Cang Country, it ismon for young girls to marry and have children around the age of fourteen or fifteen, and indeed, some parts of the popce do have the custom of child brides.


    Even so, Cheng Lin''s smile became forced, and a hint of something else shed across her eyes.


    Disdain flickered in the depths of Ling Lian Xue and Ling Nian Lei''s eyes as well.


    However, in the Cultivation World where all sorts of people exist,pared to those from the Demon Path who refine Spirit Pills using living people, showing absolutely no humanity, having a child bride doesn''t seem like much.


    "Stop causing trouble!"


    Zhao Yu fondly tapped Li Xianjiao on the forehead and helplessly said, "Cheng Yu, Xianjiao is the daughter of an old friend. For now, she is temporarily staying with me."


    Cheng Lin''s face showed sudden understanding: "So that''s how it is!"


    Zhao Yu and Cheng Lin continued discussing the details of their coboration.


    Cheng Lin said, "The sky is getting dark. Zhao Yu, why don''t you two have an evening meal and rest well in the mansion tonight? We can continue our discussion tomorrow, how about that?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Then we shall impose upon your hospitality!"


    After the evening meal, Ling Nian Lei led Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao to a spacious guest room for them to rest.


    "Be careful by yourself!"


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered the room, he reminded Li Xianjiao, then deployed the Phantom Step Technique and disappeared from the room like a ghost.


    In a spacious room.


    Cheng Lin slowly said, "Lian Xue, Nian Lei, I am thinking of betrothing one of you to Zhao Yu. Which one of you is willing to marry him?"


    The faces of Ling Lian Xue and Ling Nian Lei changed dramatically. Although Zhao Yu had be much younger and somewhat handsome and gant, he was still far from a beautiful man like Li Yunhai.


    Both girls from the Ling family were Cultivators with Spirit Roots, with countless young and handsome men pursuing them. How could they take a liking to a mere Qi Refinement level four, who was not an exceptionally beautiful man, like Zhao Yu?


    Ling Lian Xue said, "Mother, I have mutual affection with Wang Jingzhang, the young master of the Wang family from Lingxi. Please bless our union!"


    Cheng Lin said with concern, "The Wang family of Lingxi is a Foundation Establishment family, and Wang Jingzhang is of the Wang family''s direct line. He is of noble birth, pursued by countless women. I am afraid he won''t cherish you, and I am afraid you will have regrets!"


    Ling Lian Xue resolutely said, "Mother, brother Wang has promised that we will grow old together, never to part. I choose him and will never regret it! Although Uncle Zhao is a Pill Master, I still prefer brother Wang. Please give us your blessing!"


    "Alright! I won''t force you!"


    Cheng Lin''s gaze then fell upon Ling Nian Lei.

 Chapter 31 The Small Dan Pavilion

    Ling Nianlei hugged Cheng Lin''s arm and cooed, "Mother, Uncle Zhao is thirty-nine this year, old enough to be my father! I don''t want to marry him! I already have someone I love! Please bless us!"


    Cheng Lin sighed softly, "For cultivators, age isn''t important at all. Character, Cultivation Level, and the ability to earn Spirit Stones are what matter most. If Uncle Zhao manages to reach Foundation Establishment one day, countless families would be willing to marry off their sixteen-year-old daughters to him as wives and concubines. But since you don''t like him, I won''t force you.


    Tell me, who is this person you love?"


    Ling Nianlei cooed, "I love the White Horse Swordsman, Le Feifan. He''s extremely handsome! I want to roam the jianghu with him, performing righteous deeds. Mother, please bless us!"


    Cheng Lin''s expression changed, "What? You actually love a mortal swordsman! I do not agree! How can a mere mortal be worthy of marrying a daughter of the Ling family?"


    Ling Nianlei eximed, "Mother! If you don''t agree! I''ll starve myself!"


    They aren''t trying to deal with me!


    Zhao Yu, hidden nearby, relied on his extraordinary hearing, superior to that of a Great Grandmaster of the Martial Path, to listen to the conversation inside the room. After hearing the argument between the Ling family''s mother and daughter, he rxed and returned to his guest room.


    He had been somewhat worried that the Ling family''s mother and daughter would me him for Ling Chongshan''s death and take some unwise actions against him.


    The next day, Cheng Lin had another conversation with Zhao Yu, and then Zhao Yu took his leave.


    After returning to Jiuchen Mountain Market, Zhao Yu visited the neighbors with Li Xianjiao.


    Living in a cave mansion to the left of Zhao Yu was a middle-aged cultivator named Meng Yibai, who had reached the Seventh Level of Qi Refining. Living to the right of Zhao Yu was a cultivator named Xia Midan, also at Seventh Level of Qi Refining, and his thirteen mortal concubines.


    Zhao Yu rented a shop for sixty Spirit Stones a year.


    "Let''s name this shop Little Dan Pavilion! Xianjiao, managing the shop from now on will be your responsibility!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the shop, a trace of satisfaction flickering across his eyes, and patted Li Xianjiao on the shoulder.


    Li Xianjiao was startled, "Eh? Is that okay? I''m only twelve!!"


    Zhao Yu chuckled lightly, "No problem! It''s very simple. As long as you learn a bit, you''ll get the hang of it! If there''s anything you can''t handle, juste find me inside!"


    Li Xianjiao was exceptionally intelligent. She hadn''t taken any elixirs yet had already attained the Third Level of Qi Refining. It was only a matter of time before her Cultivation Level surpassed Zhao Yu''s.


    Zhao Yu nned to train her in various self-care abilities. Otherwise, once she joined a Sect alone in the future, she could easily be deceived, exploited, and harmed by others.


    The next day, Little Dan Pavilion officially opened.


    "What? There''s a new shop here!"


    A young cultivator dressed in green clothes with a Qi Refining Second Level passed by Little Dan Pavilion and saw tworge signboards erected outside.


    "Buyingrge quantities of Yellow Spirit Pills, Red Jade Pill materials!"


    "Inside, Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pills and Superior Yellow Spirit Pills for sale!"


    Wen Caibai''s eyes shed with curiosity, "Fine Quality and Superior Grade Elixirs being sold in this small shop?"


    Whether in Little ck Mountain Market or Jiuchen Mountain Market, Fine Quality Elixirs were rare. As for those Superior Grade Elixirs, they were generally purchased by the Great Sects or entered into various small-scale auctions.


    Wen Caibai strode into Little Dan Pavilion and immediately saw a cultivator who looked about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old sitting beside the counter, reading a book on a recliner.


    A girl about twelve or thirteen years old, beautiful and charming, was writing something nearby.


    "We have a visitor!"


    Zhao Yu nced at Wen Caibai, picked up a paper fan from the side, and gently tapped Li Xianjiao on the forehead.


    Li Xianjiao rose to her feet and revealed a sweet smile, saying, "Wee, dear guest. How may I assist you today?"


    Wen Caibai asked curiously, "I wonder, what is the difference between Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pills, Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, and ordinary Yellow Spirit Pills, and what are their prices?"


    Li Xianjiao smiled and exined, "The efficacy of Fine Quality Yellow Spirit Pills is 10% stronger than that of ordinary Yellow Spirit Pills and they have half the toxin, priced at fifteen Spirit Stones each.


    The Superior Yellow Spirit Pills are 30% stronger than the Fine Quality ones and have half the toxinpared to them, and can increase the chances of advancing from the early to the mid-stage of Qi Refining by 5%. They are priced at eighteen Spirit Stones each."


    Wen Caibai''s eyes lit up, "That''s so cheap!!"


    In the Market of the Jiuchen Mountains, an ordinary Yellow Spirit Pill costs fifteen Spirit Stones. That''s because the materials needed to refine Yellow Spirit Pills here are twice as expensive as in the Xiaohei Mountain Market.


    "I''ll take one Superior Yellow Spirit Pill!"


    Wen Caibai gritted his teeth and handed over eighteen Spirit Stones to Li Xianjiao.


    After counting them, Li Xianjiao handed a Superior Yellow Spirit Pill to Wen Caibai.


    "Talismans, Magic Artifacts, isn''t this ce called Little Dan Pavilion? Why do you sell everything?"


    Wen Caibai nced around and noticed that the Little Dan Pavilion also sold various talismans and magic artifacts. There were as many as five Low-Grade Magical Instruments of the first order, and the variety and quantity of talismans were much greater than that of elixirs, appearing somewhat unprofessional.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "Isn''t it very normal for the Little Dan Pavilion to sell talismans and magic artifacts?"


    Besides selling elixirs, the Little Dan Pavilion also sold various spoils of war Zhao Yu had acquired, thereby maximizing profits.


    Wen Caibai was momentarily at a loss for words but still ended up buying a Featherweight Talisman before leaving.


    Before long, Zhao Yu opened up the market in Jiuchen Mountain Market with Fine Quality and Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, and many Loose Cultivators in the market liked to buy a Superior Yellow Spirit Pill to consume from the Little Dan Pavilion.


    The Superior Yellow Spirit Pill was only three Spirit Stones more expensive than the ordinary Yellow Spirit Pill, but its efficacy was more than 30% stronger, had lesser toxins, and also enhanced breakthroughs in bottlenecks, quickly bing the first choice for low-level Loose Cultivators.


    Although the number of cultivators in Jiuchen Mountain Market was far less than in Xiaohei Mountain Market, Zhao Yu still earned arge amount of Spirit Stones.


    Two months passed in the blink of an eye.


    In the Quiet Room.


    "Low-grade Earth Spiritual Root (100/100)."


    "Finally, I can evolve my Earth Spiritual Root!"


    A zing passion shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, and with a thought, a tremendously hot stream surged from the depths of his soul, continuously nourishing his physical body and soul while impurities were once again expelled from his body.


    Two hourster, Zhao Yu''s transformation wasplete.


    "Mid-grade Earth Spiritual Root (0/1000)."


    "Haha, my Spirit Root has transformed again!"


    A glint of excitement passed through Zhao Yu''s eyes. He immediately left the Quiet Room, bathed, and changed clothes, thenmenced his cultivation of the Earth Elemental Skill. This time, he clearly sensed arge amount of Earth Attribute Spiritual Power being absorbed into his body, smoothly transforming into the Mana of Earth Elemental Skill.


    Zhao Yu opened his eyes, feeling immensely pleased, "After the advancement of the Spirit Root, my cultivation speed has increased by more than tenfold! No wonder those geniuses with Heavenly Spirit Roots cultivate so rapidly! The gap between geniuses and ordinary cultivators is too great!"


    Zhao Yu took out a mirror and looked at himself, finding that he appeared a bit younger again, now looking only about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, which made him even more pleased.

 Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Qi Cultivation Level 5

    Zhao Yu continued to consume the meat of a top-grade, first-order Earth Attribute demon beast for an entire month, yet his Spirit Root''s attribute remainedpletely unchanged, without a single increase. He then switched to consuming various Spiritual Medicines to enhance his Wood Attribute Spirit Root.


    A monthter, inside the Quiet Room.


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Fifth Level (0/100). Qi Refinement fifth level!"


    "Divine Sense: Ninth Level of Qi Refinement (73/100)."


    "I''ve finally advanced to the fifth level of Qi Refinement! A cause for celebration! Just in time to have Xianjiao make some braised pork. A future Golden Core ancestor cooking for me, not bad at all!"


    Zhao Yu opened his eyes, stretched out his hands, and stretched his body, his eyes filled with satisfaction. After the transformation of his Spirit Root, his Cultivation speed was no longer as slow as a snail, naturally filling his heart with satisfaction.


    "Uncle, this is an invitation from the Ling family of Changyang County for you."


    Zhao Yu approached the dining table, where Li Xianjiao handed him an invitation.


    ncing at the invitation, Zhao Yu pondered, "The Ling family prodigy, Ling Qianxue, invites me to her 20th birthday celebration at her house? Are they nning to win me over?"


    Ling Qianxue was a genius from the direct line of the Ling family with a high-grade Spirit Root. Even among the Great Sects like Cang Ling Sect, she was considered quite outstanding. Only an Earth Spirit Root could be hailed as a genius in the Cultivation sects!


    But within Changyang County in Cang Country, Ling Qianxue was truly a genius. At the young age of twenty, her Cultivation Level had already reached an impressive Eighth Level of Qi Refinement. If she could manage Foundation Establishment in the future, she could potentially be the Family Head of the Ling family of Changyang County.


    In the Cultivation World, the strong are revered. Even as a woman, as long as one''s Cultivation Level is strong enough, she can still be the head of a family n.


    Zhao Yu took that invitation to confirm its authenticity in the Market of Nine Chens Mountain before returning to prepare.


    The headquarters of the Ling family of Changyang County was located next to a Spiritual Land by Linghe Lake, near the Market of Nine Chens Mountain. Linghe Lake had a second-order, low-grade Spirit Vein, the quality of which was even superior to that of the Market of Xiaohei Mountain.


    "This is the Ling family; quite impressive!"


    Upon arriving at the Ling family''s headquarters, Zhao Yu saw a luxurious and grand estate appear before his eyes. He handed the invitation to a gatekeeper who then led him and Li Xianjiao into the interior of the estate.


    In a spacious room, dozens of Cultivators were gathered.


    "Uncle Zhao, hello!"


    Ling Nianlei, apanied by a handsome young man in white, walked towards them, greeting them proactively.


    Zhao Yu said, "So it''s Nian Lei. And who might this be?"


    Ling Nianlei, with a sweet expression, said, "He is my fianc¨¦, Le Feifan! Feifan, this is my father''s good friend, Uncle Zhao Yu."


    The young man sped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Le Feifan; it''s a pleasure to meet you, Senior!"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Hello!"


    Cheng Lin approached with curiosity and said, "Daoist Zhao, I didn''t expect to see you attending such a banquet."


    Ever since Zhao Yu arrived in the Market of Nine Chens Mountain, he had stayed hidden within the market, engaging in Alchemy and Cultivation, never stepping a foot outside, much like an ascetic monk.


    Zhao Yu, one of the Three Great Pill Masters of the Market of Nine Chens Mountain, naturally had many people in the market who wanted to make his acquaintance. He received many invitations to banquets every day, but he seldom attended, spending most of his time at home engaged in Alchemy and Cultivation.


    Zhao Yu said, "I couldn''t refuse a personal invitation from the Ling family of Changyang County!"


    The Ling family of Changyang County was the true master of the Market of Xiaohei Mountain. Although the publicly known Foundation Establishment Experts of the Ling family had already been conscripted by Cang Ling Sect to participate in the great war of the Five Sects, the Ling family still had Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators.


    Moreover, such a Cultivation family like the Ling family might still have Foundation Establishment Experts hidden away as protectors.


    Zhao Yu needed to interact with the Ling family of Changyang County if he wished to cultivate peacefully in the Ninefold Mountain Market.


    Following Cheng Lin was Ling Lian Xue, who greeted Zhao Yu before looking around somewhat absentmindedly, as if searching for someone.


    Suddenly the surroundings fell silent, as a stunning beauty wearing a white pce dress, tall and with a figure almost bursting the seams of her gown, radiant skin like jade, and shoulder-length hair stepped in with a sweet smile, apanied by a tall, handsome middle-aged man with a refined temperament.


    Both Ling Lian Xue and Ling Nian Lei were beautiful, but they seemed to pale inparison to the woman in the white pce dress, who stood out like a bright red flower among green leaves.


    Le Fei Fan''s eyes brightened at the sight of the woman in the white pce dress, glimpsing a trace of burning desire. He was extremely handsome himself, and after wandering the world, he had seen countless beauties, yet nonepared to her.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "What a beautiful woman! She''s on par with Su Bingyun before her Foundation Establishment advancement. But after advancing, Su Bingyun became even more beautiful!"


    There were numerous beauties in the Cultivation World, far outnumbering those among mortals. Many cultivation techniques in this realm included effects that preserved youthful appearance and beauty. Besides, there were various kinds of elixirs in the Cultivation World such as face-preserving pills, beauty pills, fragrance pills, which made it difficult for mortal beauties topete.


    Of course, there were also female cultivators who were ugly or ordinary-looking because their cultivation techniques backfired, they practiced various evil magics and demonic arts, or they devoted themselves to the Dao and ended up with in or unattractive appearances.


    The middle-aged man smiled slightly and said, "Today is my daughter Qian Xue''s birthday, and it is my honor that fellow daoists have graced this asion with your presence. I hope everyone will enjoy themselves tonight!"


    Many cultivators took their seats.


    Servants presented an array of delicious dishes at each table.


    A beautiful maidservant came up to Zhao Yu and asked, "Excuse me, are you Zhao Yu, the Pill Master?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Indeed I am!"


    The maidservant said, "My youngdy invites you to join her for a chat."


    "Certainly!"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and followed the maidservant, with the envious gazes of the crowd upon him, towards Ling Qian Xue''s seat.


    A cultivator in a Daoist robe, at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, said enviously, "It looks like Pill Master Zhao will be a guest elder of the Ling family! He might even be a first-ss guest elder. In the future, he could possibly achieve Foundation Establishment. How enviable!"


    Le Fei Fan''s heart stirred with curiosity, and he asked, "Fellow daoist, how does one be a first-ss guest elder of the Ling family?"


    The Qi Refining fifth level cultivator frowned slightly and said with a tone of scorn, "Fellow daoist? A mere mortal dares refer to me as a fellow daoist, truly impolite! Cheng daoist, it seems your son-inw seriouslycks manners!"


    The other cultivators also showed mocking smiles, as many of them considered mere mortals unworthy of beingpared to themselves.


    Of course, there were cultivators who treated mortals equally, but they were the minority. Many cultivators acted arrogantly towards mortals, feeling superior. Even those cultivators who were kind to mortals often looked down on them in their hearts.


    Le Fei Fan''s face turned extremely ugly.


    Ling Nian Lei also felt at a loss, uncertain about what to do.


    Cheng Lin slightly knitted her brows and said, "Luo daoist, it is my failure in discipline. Le Fei Fan, as a mortal, when you meet other cultivators you must address them as Immortal Master. Do not be disrespectful!"


    Le Fei Fan''s face turned ashen, and he apologized through gritted teeth, "Immortal Master Luo, my previous behavior was disrespectful. I am very sorry!"


    The cultivator surnamed Luo said indifferently, "Forget it, for Pill Master Zhao''s sake, I won''t hold a grudge against such an insignificant person."


    After that, at the banquet, several cultivators chatted merrily, treating both Le Fei Fan and Ling Nian Lei as if they were invisible.

 Chapter 33 Recruitment

    Zhao Yu approached a table where only the Ling Family Head, Ling Haotian, and Ling Qianxue were seated, and he bowed, saying, "Zhao Yu pays respect to the Ling Family Head and Miss Ling!"


    Ling Haotian smiled and said, "Pill Master Zhao, please, take a seat!"


    Only then did Zhao Yu sit down.


    Ling Qianxue smiled sweetly and said, "Pill Master Zhao, our Ling family sincerely invites you to join us."


    As soon as Zhao Yu saw Ling Qianxue''s smile, his heart began pounding furiously, his face flushing red as if he had seen his first love. He felt as if Ling Qianxue was so breathtakingly beautiful that to refuse her request would be an egregious sin.


    "No, this is a Bewitching Technique! Although she''s pretty, she''s still slightly inferior to Su Bingyun! Such a terrifying Bewitching Technique! Beautiful women are adept at deception!"


    Just as Zhao Yu was about to agree, he suddenly had a shock, pinched his thigh, and a wave of pain surged. The once breathtaking Ling Qianxue seemed to lose her filter, still beautiful butcking that first-love feeling.


    Zhao Yu asked, "Family Head Ling, can the Miss represent the Ling family?"


    Ling Haotian replied, "In the matter of inviting you to join the Ling family, Qian Xue can fully represent the Ling family."


    Zhao Yu slightly lowered his head, avoiding direct eye contact with Ling Qianxue and asked, "Miss Ling, what benefits would I gain by joining the Ling family?"


    A flicker of surprise shed through Ling Qianxue''s beautiful eyes, yet she still smiled sweetly, saying softly, "Pill Master Zhao, once you join our Ling family, you can be a top-ranked Guest Elder. You will no longer need to pay rent for the cave mansion you are currently residing in.


    Moreover, our Ling family will provide you with twenty low-grade Spirit Stones and two Yellow Spirit Pills every month."


    Zhao Yu''s face remained calm, finding the offer unappealing.


    Ling Qianxue smiled faintly and added, "Furthermore, if you join our Ling family, you can choose any Cultivation Technique from our collection that leads directly to Foundation Establishment. You would only need to refine a certain amount of Superior Yellow Spirit Pills for our Ling family each month."


    Zhao Yu spoke indifferently, "Miss Ling, I can be a Guest Elder of the Ling family. However, I have a few conditions!"


    Ling Qianxue, still wearing her sweet smile, said, "Speak!"


    Zhao Yu slowly said, "I am currently learning how to refine Red Jade Pills and Heartfelt Pills. Please have the Ling family help me purchase the materials needed for these Spirit Pills. Of course, I will pay with Spirit Stones."


    "I am not proficient in Magical Combat, and my Cultivation Level is only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining, so you cannot draft me into any battlegrounds of the Five Sects major battle, nor assign mebat missions."


    "Refining Superior Grade Elixirs is extremely difficult, and I need to continue my cultivation, so I can only refine twenty Spirit Pills for the Ling family each month! Currently, they are Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, but in the future, they could be Red Jade Pills or Heartfelt Pills! I can serve as a Guest Elder of the Ling family for three years first, then we can discuss further."


    "Also, Su Bingyun, the Fairy Su from Cang Spirit Sect and I are close friends. She has recently sessfully achieved Foundation Establishment."


    Ling Haotian, who had been quietly listening, couldn''t help but his expression subtly changed.


    The Cang Spirit Sect is one of the four great Sects of the Northern Destion, harboring a Golden Core ancestor within. The heritage within the Cang Spirit Sect far exceeds that of foundation families, and Su Bingyun, a genius of the Cang Spirit Sect, has much greater strength than an ordinary Foundation Establishment expert.


    The Ling family would not dare to offend Su Bingyun, a genius from the Cang Spirit Sect without good reason.


    Zhao Yu brought up Su Bingyun in advance to avoid many possible troubles.


    After a brief consideration, Ling Qianxue said, "I agree!"


    Following the agreement, the rtionship among those present warmed slightly.


    Ling Haotian rose from his seat to attend to other guests.


    Zhao Yu said, "Miss Ling, I am interested in selecting a top-notch Dual Cultivation of Law and Body Foundation Establishment Technique. Does the Ling family have one?"


    Ling Qianxue gave Zhao Yu a direct look and said, "The top-notch Dual Cultivation of Law and Body Foundation Establishment Techniques are only possibly held by the four great sects. We, the Ling family, do not have it!"


    Cultivation techniques are generally divided into three main categories. The first one is strong in magicalbat but progresses slowly and is prone to bottlenecks. The second type progresses quickly but is weaker inbat. The third type, known as the top tier techniques, is both rapid in progress and formidable inbat.


    Only the three major Golden Core Sects in Cang Country possess these techniques.


    Zhao Yu had already agreed to join the Ling family and be a top-tier Guest Elder, making everyone insiders. Consequently, Ling Qianxue no longer used her bewitching technique and revealed her true temperament a bit.


    Zhao Yu asked, "When can I choose a cultivation technique?"


    Ling Qianxue replied, "Tomorrow!"


    "Qianxue, this is a gift I prepared for you. Do you like it?"


    A tall young man dressed in white, handsome and with a gentle smile on his face, came from the side, sat at the table, and opened a jade box, revealing a low-grade magical instrument¡ªa turquoise butterfly hairpin.


    Zhao Yu said, "Miss, since you still have affairs to attend to, I shall take my leave first!"


    Ling Qianxue, a stunning beauty with a superior Spirit Root, was born into the Foundation Establishment family, the Ling family, and was a cultivation prodigy. Proficient in bewitching techniques, she was pursued by numerous young talents. Zhao Yu did not want to get involved in troubles because of her.


    At that moment, Ling Lianxue rushed over, her eyes brimming with tears, and she cried bitterly, "Brother Wang! Didn''t you promise to grow old with me and never leave me? Why would you give her such a gift? You never gave me anything so precious!"


    What a dramatic scene!


    Zhao Yu stepped back a few steps, distancing himself from the battlefield and quietly observing.


    Wang Jingzhang still spoke gently, "Lianxue! I do like you and want to take you as my concubine. However, you are only a concubine-born daughter of the Ling family, unfit to be my principal wife. The only one eligible to be my principal wife is Ling Qianxue. Behave, stop causing trouble! Step back, and in a few days, I will take you as a concubine.


    If you continue to make a fuss, then don''te to see me anymore!"


    "Young Master Wang, I''m sorry! I will take her away now! Apologies!"


    Cheng Lin quickly grabbed Ling Lianxue''s hand, apologized to Wang Jingzhang, and pulled Ling Lianxue away from the scene.


    Wang Jingzhang, born into the Lingxi Wang family''s direct line, a Foundation Establishment household, held a higher status and position than Ling Lianxue. Moreover, he himself possessed the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, and if he wished to confront Cheng Lin''s family, they, being only women and children, had almost no power to resist.


    Zhao Yu left directly and returned to Li Xianjiao''s side, enjoying the delicacies at the banquet.


    After the banquet ended, Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao stayed the night at Ling Mansion.


    The next day, on the third floor of a small three-story building within Ling Mansion,


    "As expected of a Foundation Establishment family, truly profound heritage!"


    Zhao Yu, looking at the bookshelves filled with secret manuals that could directly lead to Foundation Establishment, showed satisfaction in his eyes as he carefully browsed through the introductions of those cultivation manuals.


    Ling Qianxue asked, "Pill Master Zhao, have you ever been married?"


    Zhao Yu responded, "Not yet!"


    Ling Qianxue gave a slight smile and said, "Would Pill Master Zhao be willing to form a marriage alliance with our Ling family? We have many talented and beautiful unmarried girls. If Pill Master Zhao agrees, you can choose anyone you like."


    Zhao Yu, capable of refining Superior Yellow Spirit Pills and also a cultivator, would greatly benefit a Foundation Establishment family like the Ling family by forming a marriage alliance with them.


    In fact, even if Zhao Yu had no special skills, as long as he was a cultivator with Spirit Root, the Ling family would be willing to form a marriage alliance with him.


    However, if he had no notable abilities, the Ling family would only allow him to marry into the Ling family, using him as a seed to reproduce and marry a Ling family concubine-born daughter without Spirit Root, thus giving birth to more descendants with Spirit Roots.


    Zhao Yu asked, "Miss, are you also on this list?"


    Ling Qianxue smiled sweetly and tactfully refused, "I am destined to be the head of the Ling family and revive it. If you advance to the Golden Core in the future, I would be very happy to marry you as my husband."

 Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Superior Grade Red Jade Pill

    The entire North Deste currently has only five Great Golden Core Sects, within which there is one female amongst the five Golden Core ancestors. There are only four real male Golden Core ancestors.


    Those four Golden Core ancestors are exalted, with a single word capable of recing the emperor of the Mortal World. There are countless female cultivators who wish to marry those Golden Core ancestors, yet the number who might have their wishes granted are few and far between.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "The only one I admire in the entire Ling family is the eldest miss. Since the eldest miss is unwilling to marry beneath her, let''s just let the matter rest!"


    Zhao Yu never intended to form a marriage alliance with the Ling family, but simply used this as a pretext to tactfully refuse.


    Ling Qianxue smiled faintly, avoiding further discussion on that topic.


    "I''ve made my choice! This is the Secret Manual I want!"


    After Zhao Yu took out a Secret Manual and browsed the introduction, his eyes lit up, and he handed it to Ling Qianxue, who was beside him.


    "Overbearing Blood Divine Skill! This Martial Arts was created by a Martial Arts genius of the Great Qian Empire. At its highest realm, one could even battle a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."


    "However, this Martial Arts requires an extremely high level of Martial Talent to get started, and the cultivation time is too lengthy. Without consuming Spirit Pills like the Blood Essence Pill, it would take over a hundred years to reach its highest realm."


    "This Martial Arts does not increase lifespan. The Martial Arts genius who originated this skill consumed the rare and precious Dragon Spirit Longevity Peach, acquiring a lifespan of two hundred years before mastering this Martial Arts. Are you sure you want to choose this skill?"


    Ling Qianxue gave the Secret Manual a nce and asked with some curiosity to confirm.


    The Great Qian Empire is a vast empire situated to the south of the North Deste. In the Great Qian Empire, the Cultivation World is even more prosperous and flourishing, with even Nascent Soul experts in existence.


    The Cultivation Resources of the Great Qian Empire are many times stronger than those of the North Deste. Dragon Spirit Longevity Peach, a rare and precious treasure coveted by even Golden Core ancestors, could only possibly be consumed unwittingly by a mortal in such a ce abundant with Cultivation Resources.


    Zhao Yu said, "I choose this Martial Arts!"


    Ling Qianxue said no more. After registration, she handed over the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill Secret Manual to Zhao Yu.


    Ling Qianxue smiled attractively and said, "Zhao Pill Master, three days from now, I will be hosting a poetry gathering at Ling Mansion. Many nobledies from Changyang County will attend. Would you be interested in attending the poetry gathering? Perhaps you could meet a congenial daopanion there."


    "Thank you for your kind offer, miss, but I only wish to return to the Market in Jiuchen Mountain to start the furnace for Alchemy Refinement and dedicate myself to perfecting the art of the Alchemy Dao. I shall excuse myself!"


    Zhao Yu decisively declined and turned to leave.


    Watching Zhao Yu''s retreating figure, Ling Qianxue''s eyebrows knitted slightly as she pondered in her heart: "Could it be that this guy is truly an ascetic cultivator impervious to ordinary temptation, focused only on relentless cultivation? But no! The little girl who is with him is very beautiful. Could it be that he favors that type of girl?"


    Upon returning to the Market at Jiuchen Mountain with Li Xianjiao, Zhao Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to delve deeply into the study of the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill.


    "Using vital energy to strengthen one''s own bones, bone marrow, blood, meridians, and internal organs, ultimately transforming and obtaining a powerful physique capable of withstanding a Foundation Establishment Expert with just the physical body. The creator of Overbearing Blood Divine Skill was indeed a Martial Arts Genius! Truly remarkable!!"


    "Had the creator of the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill survived, perhaps he could have originated Martial Arts capable of contending with Golden Core experts. s, the limits of Martial Arts are still too low! After all, Martial Arts cannot extend life, and ultimately cannot be considered on the same level as the path of cultivation."


    "With the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill, I can optimize the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, allowing it to be cultivated to a levelparable to Foundation Establishment Experts. However, to reduce the cultivation time, Bone-Tempering Pills, Marrow-Cleansing Pills, and Low-grade Second-Order Red Blood Beast Pattern Pills are still required."


    Zhao Yu, possessing the Martial Arts Genius-level Martial Talent, understood the profundity of the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill as soon as he read it.


    Bone-Tempering Pills and Marrow-Cleansing Pills, just like Blood Essence Pills, are Low-grade misceneous pills which Zhao Yu, with his current level of Alchemy, could easily refine. However, the Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill is a Second-Order Spirit Pill, which his current Alchemy skills are unable to produce.


    Nevertheless, with the Overbearing Blood Divine Skill, if Zhao Yu''s once-stagnant Vajra Dragon Elephant Art could be optimized and continued in cultivation, it could make his physical body even stronger.


    After Zhao Yu joined the Ling family, they disyed the strength of a Foundation Establishment family, continuously sourcing materials for Yellow Spirit Pills, Red Jade Pills, Red Heart Pills, and selling them to Zhao Yu, providing him with an abundance of Alchemy materials on the spot.


    In the Alchemy Room.


    "Alchemy¡ªRed Jade Pill: Proficiency (0/200)."


    "The Red Jade Pill is a mid-grade, first-order elixir! My initial cultivation of the Red Jade Pill alchemy began with proficiency. This is the power of a low-grade, first-order alchemy skill."


    Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, consumed twenty Red Jade Pills, and then chose to allocate points to advance.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: First-Order Low-Grade (80/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ªRed Jade Pill: Mastery (0/400)."


    Zhao Yu then stayed in the Alchemy Room, beginning to crazily refine Red Jade Pills. Each time he produced a batch of Red Jade Pills, he swallowed them right away to enhance his alchemy cultivation level.


    Two monthster, inside the Alchemy Room.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: First-Order Mid-Grade (80/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ªRed Jade Pill: Grandmaster."


    With bloodshot eyes, Zhao Yu burst into excitedughter, "Hahaha, my Red Jade Pill alchemy skill has finally risen to the grandmaster level!"


    Advancing to a grandmaster level in Red Jade Pill alchemy meant that Zhao Yu could now refine Superior Red Jade Pills. The effects of these pills wereparable to those of ordinary Heart-Set Pills, but with less pill poison and the added benefit of potentially breaking through thete stages of Qi Refinement.


    A Heart-Set Pill sold in the ck Mountain Market for as much as a hundred spirit stones, indicating the preciousness of the Superior Red Jade Pill.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "I''d better not sell the Superior Red Jade Pills! Otherwise, the Ling Family might get some unsavory ideas!"


    The profits from Superior Yellow Spirit Pills were already quite substantial, and Zhao Yu was not currently in need of spirit stones. What hecked was protective strength.


    Although Zhao Yu and the Ling Family were in a honeymoon phase at the moment, the cautious Zhao Yu still believed it was best not to test human nature.


    Zhao Yu left the Alchemy Room and went to the dining table to enjoy the braised demon beast meat cooked by Li Xianjiao.


    "Qi Refinement fourth level! The Heavenly Spirit Root is truly enviable¡ªa marvel to behold!"


    Feeling Li Xianjiao''s cultivation level, Zhao Yu couldn''t help but feel a hint of envy.


    A bulky cultivator with a fierce face and a refined, handsome cultivator arrived outside Zhao Yu''s cave mansion.


    The brutish cultivator shouted, "Pill Master Zhao, I am Meng Yibai! Are you in your mansion?"


    "It''s Meng Daoist friend and Xi Daoist friend. Please,e in for a chat!"


    Zhao Yu opened the door and brought the two men into his home.


    "Please, have some tea!"


    Li Xianjiao very sweetly served the three men spiritual tea, then sat down beside Zhao Yu.


    Xi Midan looked at Li Xianjiao''s retreating figure with a touch of envy, "Xianjiao has be even more beautiful than before! In another two years, I fear that none of the women in my thirteen chambers willpare to her! And she possesses a Spirit Root! Pill Master Zhao, you truly are a fortunate man!"

 Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Qi Cultivation Level 6

    Zhao Yu was uninterested in dealing with the nonsensical talk, and directly asked, "Fellow Daoists, what brings you both here?"


    Meng Yibai''s eyes flickered with a hint of seriousness as he replied, "Pill Master Zhao! I have discovered a cave mansion of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from a thousand years ago. I am here to invite you to explore the cave mansion with us."


    Zhao Yu decisively refused, "I am not going! I don''tck Spirit Stones!"


    Meng Yibai tried to persuade him, "Pill Master Zhao, the formation of that Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s cave mansion is on the verge of copse. There''s likely not much danger inside.


    And although you don''tck Spirit Stones, it''s possible that inside the cave mansion there could be Foundation Establishment Techniques, top-grade magical instruments, or thousand-year-old Spiritual Medicines in the Spirit Fields. There might even be Foundation Establishment Pills, which isn''t impossible!"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I have already obtained the Foundation Establishment Technique from the Ling family! As for top-grade magical instruments, I can buy one myself once I have saved enough Spirit Stones. Regarding Foundation Establishment Pills, their medicinal properties would most likely have dissipated over a thousand years.


    Unless the pill was preserved using a powerful spell or a top-grade magical instrument, there''s only a slim chance it would remain intact, which is highly unlikely."


    "Although I will not join you in exploring that Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s cave mansion, I am willing to buy whatever you find inside. As long as you sell to me, I guarantee you enough Spirit Stones and will keep your secret!"


    Xi Mi Dan felt envious and said, "Old Meng! I told you! With Pill Master Zhao''s temperament, he wouldn''t risk joining us. He''s too rich in Spirit Stones!"


    If Xi Mi Dan had the skill to refine Superior Yellow Spirit Pills himself, he wouldn''t be keen on exploring Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s cave mansions either. Nobody knows what''s inside those cave mansions; if there are residual Foundation Establishment beasts, the exploring cultivators are essentially walking into a death trap.


    "Then I shall take my leave!"


    Meng Yibai, speechless, shook his head slightly and left with Xi Mi Dan.


    Zhao Yu continued to stay in his cave mansion and began refining Red Heart Pills, a high-grade first-level Spirit Pill.


    The Red Heart Pill is a high-grade first-level Spirit Pill, its primary ingredient being the century-old Red Heart Grass. A single Red Heart Grass costs over a hundred Spirit Stones, and the most troublesome part is that the Dan Ling Sect is also purchasing this herb inrge quantities.


    Although the Ling family employed their channels to help Zhao Yu acquire Red Heart Grass, he could not refine Red Heart Pills every day.


    Half a monthter, Zhao Yu smoothly advanced the Alchemy skill of refining Red Heart Pills to a proficient level and also elevated his Alchemy to high-grade first level.


    Another monthter, in the Quiet Room.


    "Low-grade Wood Spirit Root (100/100)."


    At the thought, a powerful warm current erupted within him, nourishing his physical body and soul, allowing him to undergo another transformation.


    "Mid-grade Wood Spirit Root (0/1000)."


    It took two hours for Zhao Yu toplete the transformation, causing more impurities to appear on his body. He immediately left the Quiet Room, bathed and changed clothes, then resumed his cultivation of the Earth Elemental Skill.


    "My cultivation speed has increased by ten percent!"


    Afterpleting a cultivation session, Zhao Yu took out a mirror and examined his appearance, noticing he seemed to be only in his mid-tote twenties, appearing even more youthful and handsome.


    In the days that followed, Zhao Yu alternated between cultivating the improved Vajra Dragon Elephant Art and ingesting Superior Red Jade Pills to practice the Earth Elemental Skill. His Cultivation Level began to advance rapidly under the dual effects of consuming Dao Fruits and Superior Red Jade Pills.


    Li Xianjiao, under Zhao Yu''s arrangement, also took Superior Yellow Spirit Pills to enhance his Cultivation Level, which progressed significantly.


    Three monthster, in the Quiet Room.


    After swallowing a Superior Red Jade Pill, Zhao Yu operated the Earth Elemental Skill and easily made a breakthrough, advancing to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.


    "Divine Sense: Tenth Level of Qi Refining (0/100)."


    "Cultivation Level: Earth Elemental Skill Sixth Level (0/100). Sixth Level of Qi Refining!"


    Zhao Yu''s lips slightly curled up, his eyes filled with confidence, "I''ve finally advanced to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining! Foundation Establishment is just around the corner!"


    Zhao Yu rose from the Quiet Room and entered the dining room. ncing at Li Xianjiao, who was cooking, his bit of smugness vanished, "She has also advanced to the Fifth Level of Qi Refining! The Heavenly Spirit Root truly lives up to its name!"


    Ten dayster.


    "Pill Master Zhao, it''s Meng Yibai! Are you at home?"


    A voice as robust as a bull''s roared outside Zhao Yu''s cave mansion. He got up to open the door and saw the faces of Meng Yibai, full of pride, and Xi Midan, brimming with smiles.


    "Fellow Daoists, pleasee in and let''s have a chat!"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and led the two inside.


    "Pill Master Zhao, you really missed out by not joining us this time. That Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s cave mansion posed no danger at all. The four of us easily broke the remaining formation and each made a huge discovery. Look, what is this?"


    Meng Yibai beamed, pulling a jade box with a Seal Spirit Talisman stuck on it from his bosom and opening it to reveal a ginseng inside.


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up, "This is a thousand-year ginseng! Truly a splendid treasure! Meng, do you want to sell it? If you sell it to other shops, they''ll offer up to six hundred Spirit Stones. But if you sell it to me, I''ll pay a thousand Spirit Stones!"


    The market price for a thousand-year ginseng is around a thousand Spirit Stones, but such ginseng is extremely rare and generally only appears in auctions.


    Most thousand-year Spiritual Medicines are either wild or grown in secret realms or medicinal fields left by previous cultivators. Besides, only powerful forces like the Great Sects could afford to spend a long time cultivating thousand-year Spiritual Medicines.


    Meng Yibai also showed a satisfied smile, "As expected of Pill Master Zhao, so straightforward! I''ll sell it to you!"


    Without proper channels, that thousand-year Spiritual Medicine might not fetch a good price, but could instead potentially lead to fatal trouble.


    Zhao Yu took out ten medium-grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Meng Yibai, then took the thousand-year ginseng, stuffed it into his mouth, and began chewing vigorously. As the Dao Fruit technique activated, he instantly refined the medicinal power of the ginseng.


    A plus sign appeared again after his Wood Spirit Root entry.


    Meng Yibai, incredulous, eximed, "Pill Master Zhao! What are you doing?"


    Xi Midan also looked shocked.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I have a secret technique in my cultivation! Consuming thousand-year Spiritual Medicines can enhance my Martial Cultivation! And now that I''ve swallowed the thousand-year Spiritual Medicine, no one else will covet it. Meng, do you have any other thousand-year Spiritual Medicines?"


    Meng Yibai replied, "I don''t have any more thousand-year Spiritual Medicines!"


    "I have a thousand-year Lingzhi here! A thousand Spirit Stones, take it!"


    Xi Midan also produced a jade box and handed it over to Zhao Yu.


    "What a treasure!"


    After inspecting the goods, Zhao Yu took out ten medium-grade Spirit Stones and handed them to Xi Midan, then swallowed the thousand-year Lingzhi in one gulp.


    Zhao Yu smiled and asked, "Got anything else good? Relics of Fierce Ghosts, Secret Technique and Cultivation Methods of the Foundation Establishment Stage, unusual Talismans, rare pill recipes, Formation inheritances, Artifact Refining secrets¡ªas long as it''s valuable, I''m willing to pay a fair price to buy it."

 Chapter 36: Chapter 36 Foundation Establishment Spiritual Sense

    Meng Yibai said, "A Fierce Ghost Relic? I did indeed get my hands on a low-grade Second-Order Fierce Ghost Relic. How many Spirit Stones are you willing to pay for it?"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up as he said, "Two thousand Spirit Stones!"


    "Deal!"


    A hint of satisfaction flickered in Meng Yibai''s eyes as he passed a jade box to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu opened the jade box and found inside a Golden Lock shrouded in an incredibly dense aura of yin energy along with the faint breath of a low-grade Second-Order Fierce Ghost.


    Zhao Yu showed a hint of satisfaction and took out twenty medium-grade Spirit Stones to give to Meng Yibai.


    Xi Midan''s eyes shed with envy as she said, "At the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, Pill Master Zhao, your cultivation speed is really too fast! It makes one envious!!"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I''ve just taken a few more Spirit Pills, that''s all!"


    Xi Midan''s eyes shone with envy as she said, "A few more Spirit Pills? Looks more like you''re eating Spirit Pills like they''re meals! This is treatment only True Disciples of the four Great Sects have!"


    Meng Yibai said, "Pill Master Zhao, there are things you can buy with Spirit Stones, and there are things that Spirit Stones can never buy! For example, the Golden Core Technique! Only by risking exploration of some ancient ruins can we Loose Cultivators possibly obtain a Golden Core Technique!"


    Zhao Yu''s brows furrowed slightly, "Golden Core Technique!"


    In the Market of Jiuchen Mountain, Foundation Establishment Techniques were not for sale, let alone Golden Core Techniques.


    In the North Wilderness, Zhao Yu only knew that the Five Great Sects definitely had Golden Core Techniques, but he had no idea if other powers possessed them.


    Zhao Yu slowly said, "Right now, all I want is to reach Foundation Establishment."


    Meng Yibai let out a long sigh and said, "Foundation Establishment! It''s really too difficult! That Foundation Establishment Pill has stumped so many cultivators!"


    Xi Midan also spoke with aplicated expression, "In the past thirty years, not a single Loose Cultivator in the Market of Jiuchen Mountain has managed to achieve Foundation Establishment! It''s all because there is no Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Meng Yibai continued, "Not to mention Loose Cultivators, even the Changyang Ling Family may not possess a Foundation Establishment Pill! Foundation Establishment Families all face this difficulty, let alone us Loose Cultivators."


    Zhao Yu quietly listened to the two of themining. In his hand, he had a Foundation Establishment pill form and two Second-Order Demon Beast Inner Cores. In the future, as long as he bought some more auxiliary materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, he could refine them himself.


    Meng Yibai spoke with some expectation, "Pill Master Zhao, if I can find a Demon Beast Inner Core in the future, I will need to ask for your help in refining a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu gave a bitter smile and said, "Meng Daoist Brother, I''d also need my Alchemy skills to reach that level! Advancing in the Art of Alchemy is fraught with difficulties; it took me decades to be able to refine a Superior Yellow Spirit Pill, let alone a Foundation Establishment Pill. Who knows how long it will be before I can do that."


    In the North Wilderness, alchemists capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills were mostly found in the four Great Sects; besides them, Zhao Yu had never heard of any Loose Cultivator able to do so. The waters were deep, and Zhao Yu did not want to disappear mysteriously one day.


    "That''s true! I too once studied Alchemy, and it really is too hard!"


    Meng Yibai also sighed deeply, recalling the painful price he had paid for his past efforts in Alchemy.


    After chatting for a while longer, Meng Yibai and hispanion took their leave.


    Inside the Quiet Room.


    "Having swallowed and assimted two thousand-year-old Spiritual Medicines, let me see just how much they can enhance the talent of my Spirit Root!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes shed with a passionate fervor as he willed a powerful surge of heat to flow from the depths of his soul throughout his body, strengthening his flesh and soul as impurities were expelled inrge quantities.


    "Superior Grade Wood Spirit Root (10/10000)."


    "This is great! I finally have my first Superior Grade Spirit Root!"


    A hint of excitement flickered through Zhao Yu''s eyes. Cultivators with Superior Grade Spirit Roots were considered to have exceptionally outstanding talent in the entire Northern Destion.


    After bathing and changing his clothes, Zhao Yu looked at himself in the mirror and found that he had be much younger and more handsome, looking like a man in his mid-twenties, bursting with vitality.


    The corners of Zhao Yu''s mouth lifted slightly, a smile apparent in his eyes, "I''ve be younger and more handsome again. Cultivation truly is indescribably wonderful!"


    Zhao Yu was able to endure the tedium of refining pills day and night in the Alchemy Room and meditating for long hours each day for Qi Refinement because Cultivation was ineffably marvelous.


    "Should I switch to cultivating Wood System techniques? To transform my Earth Attribute Spirit Root to a Superior Grade, I''d need to consume arge number of Second-Order Earth-Attribute Monster Cores or their flesh, which would be too costly."


    "A Superior Grade Spirit Root makes Foundation Establishment much more potent than a Middle-grade one! Moreover, the cultivation speed with a Superior Grade Spirit Root is more than ten times faster than that of a Middle-grade. With the aid of pills, I can quickly return to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining!"


    After pondering for a moment, Zhao Yu made a resolute decision. He bathed and changed once more, then began to circte the Breath Concealing Technique he had obtained from Su Bingyun to slowly disperse his mana.


    Ten dayster, Zhao Yu hadpletely dissipated the mana within his body and began anew with the Wood Yuan Gong, a Wood System Cultivation Technique.


    In the days that followed, Zhao Yu secluded himself in his cave mansion, dedicating himself to the strenuous practice of the Wood Yuan Gong.


    Nine months flew by in an instant, and Zhao Yu, with his Cultivation Level restored to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, smoothly broke through thete-stage bottleneck and advanced to the Seventh Level of Qi Refining with the help of his Superior Grade Spirit Root, Superior Grade Red Jade Pills, and the power of the Dao Fruit.


    "Cultivation Level: Wood Yuan Gong Seventh Level (0/100). Qi Refining Seventh Level!"


    "Divine Sense: Qi Refining Tenth Level (30/100)."


    "I''ve finally be ate-stage Qi Refinement cultivator! That bottleneck from Early to Middle Stage of Qi Refining had me stuck, forcing me to use Breakthrough Pills, but the transition from Middle to Late Stage went very smoothly. Superior Grade Spirit Roots are indeed powerful!"


    The corners of Zhao Yu''s mouth curved into a slight smile as he took out the Fierce Ghost Relic, the Golden Lock, from the jade box, ced it near his mouth, inhaled sharply, and activated the Dao Fruit''s devouring power. A cold breath flowed out from the Golden Lock into his body, which was then directly refined by the Dao Fruit.


    With a thought, a refreshingly cool current emerged from the depths of his soul, continuously nourishing his flesh and soul, causing his Divine Sense to begin a transformation directly.


    "Divine Sense: Foundation Establishment Stage First Level (0/100)."


    "My Divine Sense has transformed to the Foundation Establishment Stage! Foundation Establishment Spiritual Sense is truly marvelous!"


    After the transformation wasplete, Zhao Yu activated his Divine Sense and scanned his surroundings, gainingplete mastery of the situation within a ten-foot radius.


    Within this ten-foot radius, even if Li Xianjiao were to employ the Breath Concealing Technique, she would easily be discovered by Zhao Yu.


    A powerful Divine Sense enabled Zhao Yu to have a better grasp of his body, allowing for a more precise control of his Qi and mana when practicing the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art.


    With the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Sense, when Zhao Yu continued practicing the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his speed could increase by more than tenfold.


    Zhao Yu stepped out from the Quiet Room and went to the living room, where he nced at Li Xianjiao, "She''s making rapid progress! Truly worthy of a Heavenly Spirit Root!"


    Li Xianjiao was now thirteen years old and had already reached the Eighth Level of Qi Refining. In terms of Cultivation Level, she had surpassed Zhao Yu.

 Chapter 37 Lending a Helping Hand

    The Bi Xiang Tea House was the most famous teahouse in the Market of the Nine Sinks Mountain, and it offered for sale a first-ss Superior Grade Spiritual Tea known as Silver Dragon Bi Xiang Tea, which was extremely popr among cultivators.


    On the fifth floor of the Bi Xiang Tea House.


    Upon entering a private room, Zhao Yu saw Wang Jingzhang, d in white and extraordinarily elegant, sitting on a cushion. Beside him sat the elegantlyposed and dignified Ling Lianxue in a blue dress, as well as another stunning beauty in yellow, whose delicate skin seemed almost breakable to the touch and who possessed a Third Level Qi Refining cultivation.


    Wang Jingzhang grinned slightly and said, "Pill Master Zhao, you''ve arrived! Please, take a seat!"


    Zhao Yu sat down on a cushion.


    Ling Lianxue delicately stood up, presented a cup of Silver Dragon Bi Xiang Tea, and then returned to Wang Jingzhang''s side.


    Zhao Yu picked up the cup of Silver Dragon Bi Xiang Tea and nced at it. He saw the emerald-green liquid with tea leaves that emitted a faint silver glow, like tiny silver dragons. He took a gentle sip¡ªthe tea''s fragrance instantly filled his mouth and a warm current flowed through his body, slightly enhancing his mana.


    "Excellent tea!"


    After praising the tea, Zhao Yu ced the cup aside and calmly looked at Wang Jingzhang, saying, "Fellow Wang, may I inquire the important matter for which you''ve summoned me here?"


    Wang Jingzhang smiled faintly and said, "Pill Master Zhao, I admire your alchemy! Staying with the Ling family is truly a waste of your talent. I formally invite you to join our Lingxi Wang family!"


    "There are five Foundation Establishment families in Cang Country, and our Lingxi Wang family is the foremost among them! If you join our Lingxi Wang family, whatever terms the Ling family has offered you, our Wang family will double!"


    "To show our sincerity, as long as you agree, my two concubines will be yours!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, both Ling Lianxue and the other beautiful woman in yellow turned pale.


    In fact, concubines to cultivators are like smaller wives, with the cultivators holding the power of life and death over them, and it''s quite normal to gift them to one another or exchange them for cultivation resources.


    Transferring a wife would make other cultivators despise and loathe Li Yunhai, but Wang Jingzhang''s offering of concubines would be regarded as usual business by other cultivators.


    Zhao Yu said, "I apologize, Fellow Wang! Having already made an agreement to serve as a guest elder of the Ling family for three years, I can only discuss this matter after that time!"


    Zhao Yu was very content with his cooperation with the Ling family because among the five Foundation Establishment families of Cang Country, the Changyang Ling family was the weakest. The Lingxi Wang family, on the other hand, was the most powerful.


    The Changyang Ling family publicly had only one Early Foundation Establishment ancestor, while the ancestor of the Lingxi Wang family was a fearsome cultivator at thete stage of Foundation Establishment.


    The renown of Su Bingyun could intimidate the Changyang Ling family, but it was less effective against the Lingxi Wang family. If the Lingxi Wang family were to abduct Zhao Yu and imprison him, squeezing him dry and turning him into an alchemy machine, Su Bingyun would be powerless to help.


    Ate-stage Foundation Establishment practitioner is considered top-tierbat power in a Golden Core sect like the Cang Ling sect.


    Those high and mighty Golden Core ancestors naturally wouldn''t lift a finger for a Qi Refining cultivator with no personal ties to them against ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    Wang Jingzhang smiled faintly and said, "Are you worried about the Ling family giving you trouble? Don''t worry, as long as you agree to be a guest elder of our Wang family, we will shield you from all troubles!"


    Zhao Yu tactfully refused, saying, "Fellow Wang, let''s discuss this again in three years!"


    "Pill Master Zhao, are you refusing my kindness?"


    Wang Jingzhang''s smile receded from his face as he backhanded Ling Lianxue across the face, knocking her to the ground, and said coldly, "Since Pill Master Zhao doesn''t want you, you''re worthless. In a few days, I''ll send you to Daoist ck!"


    Despair shed through Ling Lianxue''s eyes as she sobbed without making a sound, crawling on her knees to Zhao Yu, pleading, "Uncle Zhao, save me! Please, for my father''s sake, save me! Daoist ck, he will beat me to death!"


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly and said, "Daoist Wang, why don''t you sell her to me? I can offer a thousand Spirit Stones!"


    Wang Jingzhang sneered, "Daoist Zhao, do you think I, a direct descendent of the Spirit Creek Wang family, wouldck Spirit Stones?"


    Zhao Yu spoke slowly, "Even if you sold her to a brothel, Daoist Wang, you wouldn''t get a thousand Spirit Stones. Why be at odds with Spirit Stones for a momentary anger? Though I can''t join the Spirit Creek Wang family, we can still cooperate."


    "I need arge amount of ingredients for refining the Red Heart Pills, which you can sell to me at market price. In turn, I can also sell the Superior Grade Yellow Spirit Pills to the Spirit Creek Wang family at a low price. How about it?"


    If Wang Jingzhang didn''t agree, then Zhao Yu would have no choice but to turn around and leave. He absolutely wouldn''t join the Spirit Creek Wang family just for Ling Lianxue.


    A pleasant smile appeared on Wang Jingzhang''s face, "Pleasure doing business!"


    After Zhao Yu handed over ten mid-grade Spirit Stones to Wang Jingzhang, he took a contract, leading Ling Lianxue away from the Bi Xiang Tea House.


    Ling Lianxue, pitifully grateful, said, "Thank you, Uncle, for saving my life! In this life, I am willing to serve as a ve to repay the great kindness!"


    Zhao Yu said, "You don''t need to thank me! I owed your father a big favor, and now it''s finally repaid. Go home, you''re free! I can only save you this once, the future is up to you."


    Cheng Lin and her family had also moved to Jiuchen Mountain Market. Zhao Yu went to the Cheng family to recount what had happened, then handed Ling Lianxue''s contract to Cheng Lin.


    After hearing the whole story, Cheng Lin expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Daoist Zhao, for your help! If not for you, my foolish daughter''s life would have been ruined!"


    "I shall take my leave!"


    Zhao Yu bid farewell and left.


    Cheng Lin scolded, "You foolish girl! I''ve told you that Wang Jingzhang is not trustworthy! He''s a high-and-mighty direct descendant of the Spirit Creek Wang family, handsome and extraordinary. Countless outstanding women want to marry him, and only a direct daughter like Ling Qianxue could be his legal wife. He never had any true feelings for you!


    "But you wouldn''t listen, set on marrying him as a concubine! Look at you now, you''re back. But you''ve alsopletely worn out the affection between your father and Zhao Yu."


    Holding onto Cheng Lin''s arm, Ling Lianxue spoke with some expectation, "Mother, I know I was wrong, and I regret it. Uncle Zhao is a hundred times better than Wang Jingzhang. Can you let me marry him, even if just as a concubine?"


    Cheng Lin slowly shook her head, "That''s difficult! Your Uncle Zhao is now a distinguished Guest Elder of the Ling family, with the skill of refining Superior Grade Yellow Spirit Pills. He''s already a Sixth Level Qi Refining Cultivator, and it''s highly likely he will be a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator."


    "As soon as he asks, the Ling family would even be willing to marry any direct daughter to him, aside from Ling Qianxue. If he wanted to take concubines, daughters from the Ling family''s coteral branches would already be swarming around him."


    "You had a chance when he first arrived at Jiuchen Mountain Market, but now, there''s no chance left."


    Ling Lianxue''s bruised cheeks throbbed with pain as her heart filled with regret.

 Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Chaos Begins

    The Lingxi Wang family truly lived up to its reputation as the leading family among the five major Foundation Establishment families. After partnering with Zhao Yu, the other party quickly acquired arge amount of materials for refining Red Heart Pills.


    Zhao Yu was able to continue refining Red Heart Pills at a high intensity.


    Two monthster.


    Shadows flitted across the practice room, eventually merging to reveal Zhao Yu''s figure. With a wave of his hand, a flying dagger shot out like a bolt of lightning, piercing the body of a wooden mannequin d in fish-scale armor.


    "Qinggong: Phantom Step (Grandmaster level)."


    "Flying Daggers (Grandmaster level)."


    "Lightning Sword Technique (Grandmaster level)."


    "Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, the fiftiethyer (0/100)."


    "Grandmaster level Phantom Step allows me to explosively increase my speed by fifty percent! Grandmaster level Flying Daggers enables my magic sword Flying Dagger Technique''s power to increase by fifty percent as well. My Vajra Dragon Elephant Art has made progress, too; I wonder if it could contend with a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator?"


    Zhao Yu quietly looked at his panel and fell into contemtion, "If I were to face a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator without a supreme grade magic artifact, perhaps I could defeat them. But if my opponent were someone like Su Bingyun, who possesses a supreme grade magic artifact, I''m almost certainly no match for them."


    A voice arose from outside the door, "Pill Master Zhao, I am Xi Mi Dan. Are you at the mansion? I have an important matter to discuss with you!"


    Zhao Yu left the practice room, opened the main door, and saw Xi Mi Dan and Meng Yibai standing outside with grave expressions.


    Zhao Yu led the two of them into the mansion.


    Zhao Yu asked curiously, "Brother Xi, what has happened?"


    Xi Mi Dan said, "The Foundation-Establishing ancestor of the Ling family has died in battle during the great war of the five sects! Jiuchen Mountain Market and Linghe Lake will likely face unrest in the future. So we came to give you a heads up."


    Zhao Yu''s brows furrowed tightly, "The Ling family''s Foundation-Establishing ancestor has died in battle? This news is truly terrible!! However, since the Ling family ancestor died fighting for Cang Ling Sect, these two Spiritual Lands should still belong to the Ling family."


    The Ling family had been able to hold Jiuchen Mountain Market and Linghe Lake, two major Spiritual Lands, thanks not only to the deterrent presence of their Foundation-Establishing ancestor within the family but also because they had received permission from Cang Ling Sect.


    The reason there were only five major Foundation-Establishing families in Cang Country was that only these families were recognized by Cang Ling Sect.


    Even if Loose Cultivators were fortunate enough to achieve Foundation Establishment, they either had to join Cang Ling Sect as guest elders, serve as retainers for the five major families, or continue to cultivate in hiding within some Spiritual Land, utterly unable to establish their own Foundation-Establishing families.


    Meng Yibai said with a serious face, "Cang Ling Sect is now too busy with its own affairs to care about the Ling family. These two Spiritual Lands will certainly not be taken away by Cang Ling Sect. But that doesn''t mean they''ll remain as safe as before."


    The protection of Jiuchen Mountain Market and Linghe Lake had mainly depended on the power of the Ling family; without the deterrence of their Foundation-Establishing ancestor, it was uncertain how long stability couldst.


    Xi Mi Dan said, "Pill Master Zhao, I propose that our three families support each other. If one family is in trouble, the other two will assist. This way, it will be safer for all of us!"


    Zhao Yu smiled, "Good! Also, congrattions to both of you on sessfully advancing to the Eighth Level of Qi Refinement!"


    Meng Yibai proudly said, "It''s all thanks to the power of the pills!"


    Being at the Eighth Level of Qi Refinement was already considered a master within Jiuchen Mountain Market.


    Xi Mi Dan said somberly, "Us cultivators with ordinary Spirit Roots can only rely on the power of pills to make progress! Pill Master Zhao, among us, only you may have the chance to achieve Foundation Establishment. When the timees, don''t forget to take care of us!"


    Zhao Yuughed lightly, "If Zhao should be fortunate enough to achieve Foundation Establishment, I certainly will not forget my friends!"


    After chatting a while longer, they each went their separate ways.


    "With the Ling family''s Foundation-Establishing ancestor fallen in battle, danger is already in the air. With my cultivation level unable to make great strides in a short time, I must prepare some protective measures."


    "The only thing that can quickly enhance mybat power and survival ability are Superior Grade Talismans!"


    An urgent feeling surged within Zhao Yu''s heart. Once back in the Quiet Room, he took out arge number of Evil Warding Talismans to ingest, then worked on honing his proficiency in drawing Evil Warding Talismans.


    Three dayster.


    "Talisman Practice: First Rank Low-Grade (50/100)."


    "Talisman¡ª¡ªEvil Warding Talisman: Grandmaster."


    "The power of the Superior Grade Evil Warding Talisman has undergone a transformation! The Superior Evil Warding Talisman should be one of the strongest few talismans against ghost creatures among the first-rank talismans!"


    Zhao Yu took out a Superior Evil Warding Talisman, corners of his mouth lifting slightly, a hint of fervor flitting through his eyes.


    "For a first-rank middle-grade talisman, I can choose the Featherweight Talisman! With the Superior Featherweight Talisman, I can better escape or chase down enemies!"


    Zhao Yu began to buy up arge number of Featherweight Talismans and continuously consumed and refined them.


    Twenty dayster.


    "Talisman Practice: First Rank Middle-Grade (50/100)."


    "Talisman¡ª¡ªFeatherweight Talisman: Grandmaster."


    sping a Superior Featherweight Talisman, Zhao Yu sighed lightly, "Unfortunately, in the short term, I can only raise the Featherweight Talisman to Grandmaster level! The Golden Light Talisman is just too expensive! I can only draw it myself!"


    Although Zhao Yu had earned many Spirit Stones by refining Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, and had started selling the Red Jade Pill, he also needed to purchase materials for refining the Heart-Calming Pill, so he naturally could not afford to buy all the Golden Light Talismans to increase proficiency.


    After Zhao Yu raised his proficiency with the Golden Light Talisman to Master level, he chose to draw the Golden Light Talisman himself.


    Ever since the news of the Ling Family patriarch''s death came, the atmosphere within the market had turned strange; the prices of talismans and magic artifacts had suddenly increased by arge margin, and many cultivators had formed small groups.


    Zhao Yu also took advantage of the situation to sell off arge number of low-grade magical instruments at a good price.


    Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao entered and exited together, both equipped with talismans and superior-grade magic artifacts.


    After Meng Yibai, Xi Mi Dan, and Zhao Yu formed an alliance, they took turns to keep watch every night.


    Array Masters were even scarcer than Pill Masters; in a small ce like the mountain market, there were no Array Masters at all, nor were there any formations for sale, so they had to resort to this primitive method.


    Late in the night.


    "Pill Master Zhao,e quick! It''s chaos! It''s chaos outside!"


    An anxious voice from Xi Mi Dan came from outside the cave mansion.


    Zhao Yu, who had been on the bed, snapped open his eyes, grabbed the superior-grade magic sword beside the bed, sprang up, and left the cave mansion with Li Xianjiao, who had been sitting nearby, toe outside.


    They saw that within the market, the sounds ofbat could be heard everywhere, and various spells shone and flickered in the darkness.


    "Wars in the Cultivation World are truly terrible, affecting everyone! It''s hard to even hide from them!"


    Zhao Yu watched the chaotic scene from afar, his brows furrowed tightly. He had already hidden in the very back of Cang Country, yet the aftershocks of the Five Sects'' great war still reached this ce.


    All of a sudden, Meng Yibai pointed towards the northwest and said, "Look over there!"


    Zhao Yu and Xi Mi Dan both looked in that direction but discovered nothing.


    "Look at what?"


    Xi Mi Dan wore a puzzled expression. Just as he spoke, a streak of crimson de light shed by, and his head soared high into the air, fresh blood spraying out from his headless body, which copsed onto the ground.

 Chapter 39 Consecutive Kills of The Robbers

    "Meng Yibai, what are you doing? Why did you kill him?"


    Zhao Yu''s face suddenly changed drastically, and his figure shot backward, activating a Golden Light Talisman. A faint golden Protective Shield appeared around him.


    Li Xianjiao''s beautiful eyes also shed with astonishment. She never expected the closely rted Uncle Meng to actually deliver a deadly blow to Uncle Xi. However, under Zhao Yu''s guidance, she quickly activated a Golden Light Talisman, and a faint golden Protective Shield appeared in front of her as well.


    "Why kill him? Of course, it was for Foundation Establishment! Foundation Establishment requires too many resources! The ancient cultivators'' cave mansions are too few! Since Meng has no skill in Talisman Drawing, Alchemy, or Artifact Refining, I had no choice but to do this for Foundation Establishment!"


    "Pill Master Zhao, hand over all your possessions! From now on, refine pills for me! I can spare your life! Otherwise, I will kill your little maid first, then kill you! With the treasures from your body, Meng will have enough to reach the Great Circle of Qi Refining!"


    Meng Yibai was holding a crimson Superior-grade Magical Knife, his face twisted ferociously as he looked at Zhao Yu and the girl.


    A Pill Master at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining and a little girl at the Second Level of Qi Refining were inconsequential in front of the murderous Meng Yibai.


    "If that''s the case, you can go to hell!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes shed with a cold light, and he frantically stimted his Mana, activating the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, and used the Phantom Step Technique. Like a phantom, he appeared in front of Meng Yibai and thrust his sword at him like a bolt of lightning.


    "Seventh Level of Qi Refining!! You''ve hidden your strength well!"


    Meng Yibai''s expression slightly changed. He directly brought out a Superior Magical Instrument Grade red Spiritual Shield. In front of the shield, a faint Spiritual Light Shield materialized.


    ng!


    Zhao Yu''s sword shattered the Spiritual Light Shield and struck the body of the Spiritual Shield, erupting with a loud bang and leaving a white mark on the shield.


    "You are not the only one in this world who can hide their power!"


    Meng Yibai roared in anger. His blood surged, his body sprouted countless white hairs, and a king-like pattern appeared on his forehead. He turned into a half-human half-tiger monster, wielding a Superior Magical Instrument Grade Magical Knife and engaging Zhao Yu in a frenzied battle.


    ng! ng! ng!


    Zhao Yu and Meng Yibai, like two humanoid beasts, battled fiercely. Swords and knives shed, sending sparks flying everywhere.


    Zhao Yu''s Physical Cultivation Level of the fifty cycles of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art was only slightly inferior to Meng Yibai''s Physical Refinement Secret Technique. However, his movements were elusive, and his swordsmanship had reached the level of a master. After a dozen moves, Meng Yibai waspletely outmatched.


    If Meng Yibai hadn''t used the red Spiritual Shield to block Zhao Yu''s several killing moves, he would already be a dead soul under Zhao Yu''s sword by now.


    "Damn it, how can Zhao Yu, a mere Pill Master, possess such strong power? He is also Dual Cultivating Law and Body! But, you have one weakness!!"


    A fierce light shed in Meng Yibai''s eyes as he executed a secret technique, bit his tongue to draw blood, sprayed a mouthful of essence blood on the crimson Spiritual Shield, and caused the crimson Spiritual Shield to emit a blood-colored Spiritual Light, which blocked Zhao Yu''s sword strike.


    "Go!"


    Meng Yibai let out a soft shout, and the crimson Superior-grade Magical Knife in his hand turned into a streak of blood light, shing towards Li Xianjiao on the side. As long as Zhao Yu was distracted, he could execute another killer move.


    Li Xianjiao suddenly erupted with the aura of the Peak of the Eighth Level of Qi Refining, quickly bringing out a Superior Magical Instrument Grade Pitch-ck Spiritual Shield in front of her.


    The crimson Superior-grade Magical Knife struck the Pitch-ck Spiritual Shield, which easily blocked it with the surrounding Spiritual Light Shield, unable to advance an inch.


    Fear shed in Meng Yibai''s eyes: "Eighth Level of Qi Refining!! How is this possible? She looks no more than thirteen or fourteen years old, and she hasn''t been cultivating for more than a year or two. How could she have reached the Eighth Level of Qi Refining?"


    Even Ling Qianxue, a genius with a Superior Spirit Root from a Foundation-Establishing family, only reached the Eighth Level of Qi Refining at the age of twenty.


    Zhao Yu seized the moment Meng Yibai was distracted and, with one hand holding his sword, fiercely chopped down.


    ng!!


    Zhao Yu''s sword shattered the protective aura of the scarlet Spiritual Shield, yet it was still blocked by the shield.


    Zhao Yu lifted his left hand and shot out a mid-grade Flying Dagger, which sneakily entered Meng Yibai''s lower abdomen and then was stuck by his strong physical body.


    A terrifying poison spread rapidly from the Flying Dagger into Meng Yibai''s body, casting ayer of ck air over his face.


    "Despicable!! Zhao Yu, you damned beast, to use a hidden weapon and even poison it!! Vile and shameless!!"


    A hint of madness shed in Meng Yibai''s eyes as he roared and swung his sword in a flurry of shes.


    Zhao Yu, expressionless,unched a ferocious attack with his master-level Lightning Sword Technique on Meng Yibai.


    Meng Yibai barely managed to withstand a few moves before suddenly feeling dizzy and unsteady, his reactions slowed for an instant, and a sword light shed above his head. His head immediately flew up, and his headless body heavily fell to the ground.


    Zhao Yu looked at Meng Yibai''s body and said indifferently, "What right do you, a bandit who murders and loots, have to call me despicable?"


    Zhao Yu took the storage bags from the bodies of Meng Yibai and the other, scanned them with his Divine Sense, and thought to himself, "But killing for loot is indeed a way to get rich in the Cultivation World! No wonder there are so many bandits!"


    Li Xianjiao said, "Uncle, what should we do now?"


    "Let''s first go see Brother Ling''s family! Then we''ll watch and wait! I think the Ling family won''t be so easily defeated!"


    Zhao Yu pondered for a moment and then led Li Xianjiao toward the direction of Cheng Lin''s family.


    They hadn''t walked more than twenty meters when a low-grade, pitch-ck Flying Sword, almost merging with the night, suddenly shot towards Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu''s Divine Sense shifted, and the superior-grade white bell flew out, forming a Spiritual Light Shield that directly blocked the pitch-ck Flying Sword. He saw at a nce five cultivators, dressed in night clothes and at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, flying over from one side.


    "Seventh Level of Qi Refining!! Wasn''t he just at the Sixth Level? The intelligence was wrong!!"


    A female cultivator with the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, her voice filled with surprise.


    Zhao Yu executed the Phantom Step Technique and, like a phantom, appeared in front of that female cultivator. His sword thrust out like lightning, piercing her neck in an instant.


    "Rouniang!!"


    A male cultivator at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, his eyes blood-red, let out a roar and thrust a Flying Harpoon towards Zhao Yu.


    The other three cultivators each brandished a Small Sword, a Magical Spear, and a Willow Leaf Dart, bombarding Zhao Yu.


    The white bell shone brightly, with the Spiritual Light Shield blocking the Flying Harpoon, Small Sword, Magical Spear, and Willow Leaf Dart all at once.


    Zhao Yu used the Phantom Step again and, in an instant, appeared beside the Sixth Level male cultivator. With a sh of his sword, he split the man in two, then waved his hand, and a mid-grade Flying Dagger went through another cultivator''s head.


    The remaining two cultivators turned pale and split up, fleeing into the distance.


    Zhao Yu executed the Flying Dagger Technique, and a Flying Harpoon and a Flying Spear directly pierced the heads of the remaining two cultivators, nailing them to the ground.

 Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Saving People

    In the outskirts of Jiu Chen Mountain''s Market, within a cave mansion.


    "Cheng Lin, surrender! If you surrender now, we can still spare your lives, mother and daughters! Otherwise, today will be the day of your demise!"


    A tall middle-aged cultivator, with hands that reached his knees and an unsightly face, dressed in Taoist robes and possessing the Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivation, held a top-tier magic instrument level magic sword and looked at Cheng Lin and her daughters with a cold smile.


    Following the middle-aged cultivator were six cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, their gazesnding on Cheng Lin and her daughters, filled with greed and desire.


    Cheng Lin''splexion was pale as she gritted her teeth and said, "Ji Huai! I''ll go with you! I beg you, let my two daughters go! As long as you let the two of them leave, I''m willing to do anything!"


    Ling Lianxue and Ling Nianlei, both pale-faced and filled with terror in their eyes, were at a loss for what to do.


    "Cheng Lin, you think too highly of yourself! Your two daughters are worth much more than you!"


    Ji Huai sneered coldly, directly brandishing the magic sword in his hand, which was adorned with a crimson spiritual light, and fiercely stabbed towards Cheng Lin.


    Cheng Lin quickly brought out a palm-sized silk scarf that burst into a pale yellow spiritual light, expanding with the wind and swelling into an eight-foot-long scarf that rolled towards Ji Huai''s magic sword.


    The magic sword in Ji Huai''s hand erupted with crimson spiritual light, instantly slicing the silk scarf in two, then he waved his hand, and a cloud of pink mist directly hit Cheng Lin''s face.


    Cheng Lin instantly felt dizzy and staggered, copsing to the ground.


    "Mother!"


    Ling Lianxue and Ling Nianlei cried out in shock, but as soon as they moved, two clouds of pink mist flew out from two cultivators behind Ji Huai and hit their faces.


    Ling Lianxue and her sister felt weak and dropped to the ground.


    A cultivator grinned as he looked at Cheng Lin and her daughters, saying, "Sess! Boss, these three women are top-notch goods! Before we sell them, can the brothers have some fun?"


    "Take turns, don''t damage them. If you spoil them, they won''t fetch a good price! Whoever spoils them willpensate with Spirit Stones!"


    Ji Huai''s face was indifferent as he looked at Cheng Lin and her daughters as if they were meremodities.


    "I''ll go first!"


    "Why should you?"


    ".¡­.."


    The six excited cultivators shouted wildly, striding towards Cheng Lin and her daughters.


    Despair surged in Cheng Lin''s heart: "It''s over!"


    A top-tier magic sword, like a shooting star, flew in from outside, and in an instant, it sted Ji Huai''s head, shattering itpletely.


    "An enemy!! A formidable enemy!!"


    The six cultivators felt a surge of fear upon witnessing this.


    Ji Huai was ate-stage Qi Refining expert, far stronger than any Mid Qi Refining cultivator. To be killed instantly without any reaction, the owner of the magic sword must be a formidable enemy.


    A Flying Dagger shot in from outside, piercing through the head of one cultivator in a single strike.


    Zhao Yu appeared like a phantom in front of everyone, and with a wave of his hand, a Flying Harpoon pierced through another cultivator''s head.


    A cultivator''s eyes shed with ferocity as he looked at Zhao Yu blocking the entrance, bellowed, "Attack together, kill him!! Otherwise, we''re all dead!!"


    Zhao Yu waved his hand, and a Flying Spear directly pierced through the head of that cultivator, pinning him against the wall.


    The remaining three cultivators, one manipting a crimson Flying Dagger, one wielding an earthy yellow Flying Harpoon, and another armed with a ck Broad Sword, attacked Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu''s Divine Sense moved, and a small white bell flew out, emitting brilliant Spiritual Light, forming a Spiritual Light Shield that blocked the three magic artifacts.


    Zhao Yu consecutively executed the Flying Dagger Technique, and magic instruments bombarded the heads of the three remaining cultivators one by one, causing their heads to explode.


    Only then did Li Xianjiao step out from one side, taking out a Detoxification Pill to feed Cheng Lin and her two daughters.


    Cheng Lin said with a grateful face, "Thank you, Zhao Daoyou, for lending us your aid. The great kindness and virtue you''ve shown us, my daughters and I shall never forget!"


    Ling Lianxue and the other said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao, for your rescue!"


    Ling Lianxue quietly looked at Zhao Yu, her gaze dimming slightly as a tinge of regret rose in her heart.


    Zhao Yu said, "It was but a trifle! Where is Le Feifan? Why isn''t he here?"


    Ling Nianlei''splexion turned even paler, her silver teeth tightly clenched, as she lowered her head.


    Cheng Lin forced a smile and said, "Le Feifan has be a favorite of the Green Snow Hermit! It was he who voluntarily sought out the Green Snow Hermit!"


    "Green Snow Hermit!"


    Zhao Yu immediately refrained from asking any further.


    The Green Snow Hermit was a female cultivator of Qi Refining Great Perfection Stage in the Market of the Nine Chasm Mountain. She was very beautiful and also fond of handsome men. She had taken a total of nine favorites, each one a rarely seen beautiful man.


    Even the Ling family was unwilling to offend the Green Snow Hermit, a powerful cultivator of Qi Refining Great Perfection, for no reason. Naturally, Zhao Yu was also unwilling to offend her, especially since it was Le Feifan who had taken the initiative.


    Zhao Yu said, "Let''s go! Leave the Market of the Nine Chasm Mountain and head to the cities of ordinary humans!"


    Cheng Lin replied, "Yes!"


    The group quickly made their way out of the Nine Chasm Mountain Market.


    Just as they had left the cave mansion, Zhao Yu''s eyes suddenly shed with cold light, and he looked toward the northwest, "Friends, what exactly do you intend to do by following us?"


    "Pill Master Zhao, hand over the valuables on you! Leave the women behind, and we might spare your life!"


    Three cultivators wearing night clothes and having the cultivation level of Mid Qi Refining stepped out, with a burly cultivator at the forefront speaking.


    "Since you seek death, I shall fulfill your wish!"


    Zhao Yu immediately executed the Flying Dagger Technique, a Magic Sword flew out in an instant, piercing the head of the burly cultivator.


    "Late stage of Qi Refining!! How can this be?"


    "He hid his true strength!!"


    The remaining two Mid Qi Refining cultivators'' faces drastically changed, and they scattered and fled.


    Zhao Yu consecutively executed the Flying Dagger Technique, and two magic instrument-level flying daggers effortlessly pierced through the Golden Light Covers of the two escaping cultivators, nailing their heads to the ground.


    Li Xianjiao proficiently went over and took the valuable possessions from the three cultivators, handing them over to Zhao Yu.


    After eliminating those three robbing cultivators, Zhao Yu and his group finally left the Market of the Nine Chasm Mountain smoothly.


    When Zhao Yu and his group reached the foot of the Nine Chasm Mountain Market, a massive Magical Barrier enveloped the Market above.


    Figure after figure tried to escape from within the Nine Chasm Mountain Market only to be blocked by the Magical Barrier, then devoured by mes, turning into human-shaped Fireballs aze.


    Zhao Yu mused, "A Second-Order Low-grade Crimson Fire Array! This is a Formation capable of contending with Foundation Establishment Experts! In this battle, the Ling family has won."


    Back then, the reason why the Cangling Sect Law Enforcement Team from the Small ck Mountain Market was annihted was that a traitor had emerged, who sabotaged the Formation before it could be activated.


    This time, in the Nine Chasm Mountain Market, those cultivators who took action clearly failed to prevent the activation of the Crimson Fire Array. Once the Formation was activated, even a cultivator of Early Foundation Establishment risked the chance of falling if not careful.

 Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Golden Sha Beast God Body

    Zhao Yu had guessed the Ling family had won, but still, he took everyone away from the Jiu Chen Mountain Market and found an inn to stay in the mortal world.


    When Zhao Yu counted the spoils of war, he found that he had obtained a total of sixty-three mid-grade Spirit Stones, two thousand one hundred and thirty-two low-grade Spirit Stones, four high-grade Magic Artifacts, twelve mid-grade Magic Artifacts, thirty-four low-grade Magic Artifacts, arge number of various talismans like the Evil Warding Talisman, Featherweight Talisman, Golden Light Talisman, and different kinds of Spirit Pills, as well as three jade slips.


    Killing people for their treasures could yield enormous gains, which is why bandit cultivators like Meng Yibai kept emerging.


    Those three jade slips were all Meng Yibai''s, and they each contained a different top-tier secret technique. One of them detailed a Breath Concealing Secret Technique that could even shield against the Divine Sense scanning of a cultivator of a higher Great Realm.


    One of the jade slips recorded a top-tier Body Refining Technique called the Golden Sha Beast God Body, which was an eight-level technique. As long as one cultivated it to the Seventh Level, they could match a Golden Core Early Stage cultivator inbat prowess.


    Upon seeing this technique, Zhao Yu first felt joy, but after reading it carefully, a hint of disappointment crossed his eyes.


    The Golden Sha Beast God Body, even though it could be cultivated by mortals without a Spirit Root, did not extend one''s lifespan. Moreover, to cultivate the Golden Sha Beast God Body, one first had to ingest a Golden Sha Body Refinement Pill refined from a Second-Order Metal Attribute Demon Beast''s inner core.


    After initially cultivating the Golden Sha Beast God Body, one needed to consume arge amount of Metal Attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as well as Spirit Pills of various grades of Golden Sha to cultivate swiftly.


    Meng Yibai had cultivated the Golden Sha Beast God Body because he had ingested ancient Spirit Pills preserved by ancient cultivators using secret techniques.


    One reason Meng Yibai targeted Zhao Yu and Xi Mi Dan was so that Zhao Yu could refine the Golden Sha Spirit Pill for him. If Zhao Yu refused to refine pills for him, he could also just kill Zhao Yu and use Spirit Stones to buy Metal Attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to enhance his Physical Cultivation Level.


    Zhao Yu felt very regretful. "The Golden Sha Beast God Body is a top-tier Body Refinement Secret Technique! Unfortunately, a Second-Order Metal Attribute Demon Beast''s inner core is too rare. I won''t be able to cultivate it in the short term."


    The third jade slip was the Primordial Technique, which was Meng Yibai''s own cultivation technique. It was neutral and bnced, suitable for any cultivator regardless of their Spirit Root, and had no other special characteristics. This technique recorded in the jade slip could be cultivated up to thete stages of Foundation Establishment.


    A monthter, at the foot of Jiu Chen Mountain Market.


    Li Xianjiao looked at Zhao Yu, who was sitting by his side, and asked curiously, "Uncle, since you want to know what''s going on inside, why not directly go in instead of waiting outside?"


    Zhao Yu was sitting on a nket and nced towards the entrance of Jiu Chen Mountain Market, then said with a wave of his hand, "Although I''m ny percent certain that it was the Ling family who won the battle, what if the Ling family had lost? It''s better to be cautious! If we don''t meet anyone, then we''ll just treat it as a leisurely outing!


    If you travel alone in the future, you must also be careful. Tea!"


    Li Xianjiao chuckled softly, offered Zhao Yu a cup of Spiritual Tea, then poured herself another cup of Spiritual Tea and enjoyed the cakes and pastries as well.


    Zhao Yu activated Cleansing Talisman and Bug Repellent Talisman, ensuring that the area around them was free of poisonous insects and the air was fresh. Otherwise, various poisonous ants and mosquitoes in the mountains would be unbearable.


    Li Xianjiao also greatly enjoyed this kind of rxed and leisurely lifestyle.


    As a cultivator came down the mountain path, Zhao Yu saw him and called out, "Fellow Daoist Wen, please wait a moment!"


    Wen Caibai approached and said, "Pill Master Zhao! What can I do for you?"


    Zhao Yu gave a slight smile, handed a Spirit Stone to Wen Caibai, and said, "I would like to know what happened on the night one month ago and the current situation at Jiu Chen Mountain Market!"


    Wen Caibai''s eyes sparkled, and he ryed in great detail everything he knew to Zhao Yu.


    One month ago, five Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators with their followers had surrounded and attacked the Ling family''s headquarters at Jiu Chen Mountain. The Ling family was at a disadvantage at the beginning, but once they activated the Second-Order Low-grade Red me Formation, they burned all five Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators to death.


    The cultivators who followed the five Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators in attacking the Ling family also perished in the Red me Formation and at the hands of the Ling family.


    In that chaotic night, many cultivators died, but once the Red me Formation was deployed, all the bandit cultivators went into hiding.


    As the Red Fire Array vanished, many cultivators fled from the Nine Sinks Mountain Market, for many among them hadmitted robbery on that chaotic night.


    In the Nine Sinks Mountain Market, there used to be three great Pill Masters including Zhao Yu, but after that night of chaos, two of them had died. Now, the market found itself without a Pill Master.


    The market quickly became deste, the number of cultivators dwindled to less than a third of what it had been.


    After releasing Wen Caibai, Zhao Yu waited a while longer. After questioning three passing cultivators, he confirmed that Wen Caibai had not lied, and then he entered the Nine Sinks Mountain Market with Li Xianjiao.


    By that time, the Nine Sinks Mountain Market had lost much of its prosperity, many Spirit Fields had been deserted, numerous medicinal gardens had been plundered, and there were much fewer cultivators within the market.


    After returning to his cave mansion with Li Xianjiao, Zhao Yu went alone to the Ling Family''s headquarters at Nine Sinks Mountain.


    Ling Feihao of the Ling Family at Nine Sinks Mountain scoffed upon seeing Zhao Yu, "Oh! Isn''t this our great Pill Master Zhao? You''ve finally deigned to return!"


    Zhao Yu responded openly and honestly, "Zhao is not adept at conflict! On that day, I could only protect myself with great difficulty! I truly feel ashamed!"


    Although Zhao Yu was a guest elder of the Ling Family, he had earned them a substantial amount of Spirit Stones. He owed nothing to the Ling Family, and the two parties simply had a mutually beneficial cooperative rtionship. Naturally, he was not about to risk his life for the Ling Family.


    "Pill Master Zhao, long time no see!"


    A whiff of fragrance drifted over as Ling Qianxue, with a smiling face, approached.


    Zhao Yuughed lightly, "Miss Ling, it''s been a long time, you''ve be even more beautiful."


    Ling Qianxue waved her hand, signaling Ling Feihao to back down.


    Ling Qianxue asked, "Pill Master Zhao, can you refine the Red Heart Pill?"


    Zhao Yu answered, "Zhao is currently learning to refine the Red Heart Pill! However, the sess rate is not high. If the Ling Family wishes for me to supply them with Red Heart Pills every month, then all the materials required for refining should be provided by the Ling Family."


    Ling Qianxue frowned slightly and asked, "What is the sess rate?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "Only one in ten."


    In reality, Zhao Yu''s sess rate in refining the Red Heart Pill was already over sixty percent, and his Divine Sense at the Foundation Establishment Stage also provided him with significant aid in alchemy.


    Ling Qianxue decisively said, "Our Ling Family will provide all the materials needed. Please do your best to refine the Red Heart Pill!"


    "Alright!"


    Zhao Yu had a vague guess about the Ling Family''s intentions.


    It was likely that the Ling Family too had lost a significant number of powerful cultivators at thete Qi Refinement stage or even at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Stage during the chaos that engulfed the Nine Sinks Mountain Market. They were in urgent need of Red Heart Pills to nurture cultivators at thete Qi Refinement stage or even at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Stage.


    If the founder at the Foundation Establishment stage was still present, the Ling Family could nurture their n cultivators methodically, following the most efficient use of resources. But, with the founder absent, the Ling Family had to draw upon the n''s foundation and do whatever it takes to foster a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    In order to bring forth a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it was essential to first foster several Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators, so as to maintain control over the benefits of the two key spiritualnds: the Nine Sinks Mountain Market and the Spirit Lotus Lake.

 Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Body Refinement Level Four

    The Foundation Establishment forefather of the Ling family had died fighting for the Cang Ling Sect, so naturally, the Cang Ling Sect would not kick them while they were down and reim their Spiritual Land at such a time. However, the Cang Ling Sect was making all-out efforts tobat the Yin Ghost Sect and thus could not afford to protect the Ling family either.


    Zhao Yu asked, "Is Su Bingyun currently alright?"


    The Ling family was a Foundation Establishment family with extensive connections, and although their forefather had perished in battle, there were still Cultivators from the Ling family appearing on the front lines of the war among the Five Sects. They were far more well-informed than Zhao Yu.


    Ling Qianxue said, "Fairy Su has in two Yin Ghost Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators on the front lines, and her fame has greatly increased. She did receive some minor injuries and is currently recuperating in the rear."


    Upon hearing that Su Bingyun was not seriously harmed, Zhao Yu felt relieved, chatted a bit more with Ling Qianxue, and then left.


    In the days that followed, the Ling family began to fully purchase the Spiritual Medicines needed for refining Heartfire Pills and continuously sent them to Zhao Yu.


    The Lingxi Wang family also sent arge number of Heartfire Pill Spiritual Medicines, asking Zhao Yu to help refine the Heartfire Pills.


    While Zhao Yu was helping the two major families refine Spirit Pills, he increased the prices of the pills in his small Dan Pavilion by thirty percent.


    With Zhao Yu being the only Alchemist left in the Jiu Chen Mountain Market, although the Loose Cultivatorsined, they had no choice but to honestly purchase the pills.


    Ling Qianxue personally took the lead in seeking cultivators within the Jiu Chen Mountain Market to build the Ling family''s enforcement squad.


    Many Loose Cultivators were attracted by the generous conditions offered by the Ling family and joined the enforcement squad to earn resources.


    Four monthster.


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: Second-Order Low-grade (50/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ªHeartfire Pill: Grandmaster."


    "I have finally elevated my alchemy of Heartfire Pill to the Grandmaster level! My Alchemy Cultivation Level has also reached the Second Order! Now I can refine the Second-Order Spirit Pills, Blood Beast Pattern Pill!"


    After his alchemy improvement, Zhao Yu finally showed a hint of a smile.


    Although Zhao Yu had the talent of a Martial Arts Genius, his cultivation speed with the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art was slowing down. This is because advancing in this mortal martial art also required the Second-Order Spirit Pills, Blood Beast Pattern Pills, to make significant progress; otherwise, he would have to rely on the slow passage of time to inch forward.


    "The Superior Grade Heartfire Pill can significantly improve the cultivation speed in theter stages of Qi Refinement, and has a fifty percent chance of improving the rate of sessful Foundation Establishment. It''s akin to half a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object. If it could be taken to an auction, it would definitely fetch a good price!


    Unfortunately, I currently don''t have the strength to protect such a valuable item," Zhao Yu said, feeling regret as his eyes passed over the Superior Grade Heartfire Pill.


    The so-called Foundation Establishment Spiritual Items are various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that could improve the chances of Foundation Establishment, all of which are extremely precious and typically controlled by major Foundation Establishment families and the Four Great Sects.


    The Changyang Ling family controlled a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item called Green Jade Milk located in Spiritual Lotus Lake. In this Second-Order Low-grade Spiritual Land of Linghe Lake, a small bottle would only condense every sixty years.


    When a cultivator drank an entire bottle of Green Jade Milk at the time of Foundation Establishment, it could increase the cultivator''s sess rate by ten percent.


    While this Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item was nowhere near as effective as Foundation Establishment Pills, it could still fetch a high price of one or two thousand Spirit Stones at auctions.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu began using the flesh of a Second-Order Demon Snake, which Su Bingyun had killed, to refine the Blood Beast Pattern Pills.


    The primary material for the Blood Beast Pattern Pill is the blood and flesh of demonic beasts. This Second-Order Spirit Pill could greatly strengthen a cultivator''s physique and was highly sought after by Body Cultivation cultivators.


    The Second-Order Spirit Pill known as the Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill broadly strengthens a cultivator''s physique significantly, and it can be used even by those who practice the Golden Sha Beast God Body Refinement, although its effects are not as potent as the Golden Sha Spirit Pill of the same order.


    The Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill is also a low-grade Second-Order Spirit Pill, requiring either a Foundation Establishment Spiritual me or a stable Earth Fire Chamber for its refinement.


    In the Market at Jiuchen Mountain, there were Earth Fire Chambers avable; Zhao Yu directly rented one and day and night refined the Red Blood Beast Pattern Pills inside it.


    Three monthster, afterpletely refining the flesh of the entire Second-Order Demon Snake, Zhao Yu''s alchemy skills with the Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill had advanced to the expert level, and he also acquired ten Red Blood Beast Pattern Pills.


    Inside his cave mansion.


    "Ten Red Blood Beast Pattern Pills should be able to break my Vajra Dragon Elephant Art through to the sixtieth stage¡­ right?"


    Zhao Yu pinched a Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill and swallowed it whole; a immensely strong heatwave spread throughout his body, strengthening his physique.


    Zhao Yu began cultivating the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, with the help of the power from his Foundation Establishment Spiritual Sense, he precisely utilized the heatwave to enhance his physical body.


    "Vajra Dragon Elephant Art stage fifty-one (0/100)."


    Zhao Yu''s lips slightly curled upwards, "Not bad!"


    One monthter, inside the cave mansion.


    Zhao Yu swallowed the ninth Red Blood Beast Pattern Pill, activated the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his body surged with boiling blood, countless blood energies converged into a mass, ultimately underwent a transformation and sublimated into a strong force that nourished his physical body.


    Arge amount of impurities were expelled from Zhao Yu''s body through the pores, covering him as though he had been smeared with ck mud.


    "Vajra Dragon Elephant Art stage sixty (0/100)."


    "I''ve finally cultivated the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art to the sixtieth stage! This way, mybat prowess isparable to some of the weaker Foundation Establishment first-stage cultivators! Actually, I should be considered among the weakest within the Foundation Establishment cultivators! However, even so, I am much stronger than an ordinary Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator!"


    Zhao Yu felt the powerful surging blood qi inside him and revealed a trace of a smile.


    Body Cultivators generally are a notch below their peers of the same stage. That is because peers of the same stage master various powerful spells and can use various Magic Artifacts and magical treasures.


    Of course, in the Cultivation World, there are countless Extraordinary Skills and Strange Methods, and those who cultivate the topmost Body Cultivation Secret Techniques can be much stronger than peers of the same stage. Zhao Yu''s self-created Vajra Dragon Elephant Art was far from matching the topmost Body Cultivation Secret Techniques in the Cultivation World.


    Zhao Yu had cultivated the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art to the sixtieth stage, yet if he were to confront Bingyun from his Qi Refining Great Perfection phase, he could kill Bingyun before being burned to death by the Fire Crow in the Fire Crow Mirror, but he would also be injured by the Fire Crow.


    If Zhao Yu, at this stage, was to confront Bingyun who had already established her foundation head-on, if he did not escape in time, his only fate would be getting burned to ashes by the Fire Crow.


    After his breakthrough in Martial Cultivation, Zhao Yu still kept a very low profile, investing his energy in crafting the Golden Light Talismans and Wood Yuan Gong, showing no difference from the past.


    As the battle among the Five Sects intensified, many cultivators fled from the markets in the front lines to the Market at Jiuchen Mountain, resulting in an increasing number of cultivators there.


    Next to Zhao Yu''s cave mansion, two new neighbors arrived: one was Luo Jiuniang, who had an attractive appearance and enticing manner with Seventh-Level Qi Refining; the other was Meng Yinghan, who had the look of a rat and did not seem trustworthy, a Talisman Master in thete phase of Qi Refinement.


    The moment Luo Jiuniang arrived, she became the top hostess at the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion. She also made several proactive attempts to entice Zhao Yu, all of which he subtly avoided, and subsequently, they maintained an intriguing neighborly rtionship.

 Chapter 43 Trap

    A monthter, Zhao Yu was handed an invitation.


    "Wang Jingzhang invites me to his birthday party? Should I go or not? I''ll go anyway! After all, the Wang Family of Lingxi is the head of the five major Foundation Establishment families in Cang Country, and he''s also my business partner!"


    After receiving the invitation, Zhao Yu weighed his options for a while and decided to attend Wang Jingzhang''s birthday party.


    After all, Wang Jingzhang''s birthday party was held in the Market of the Nine Chasm Mountain, which was rtively safe.


    Ten dayster, at the Lotus Scent Building, thergest tavern in the Nine Chasm Mountain Market.


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered the Lotus Scent Building, he saw a great number of cultivators, most of whom were at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining or above.


    "Pill Master Zhao!"


    A voice,den with seductive sweetness and enchanting appeal, sounded. The stunning beauty, d in thin white robes that exposed vast expanses of her fair skin, with a curvaceous figure and extraordinarily gorgeous looks, approached with a fragrant breeze and a smile.


    Right beside this beautiful woman was a short, middle-aged cultivator with a weasel-like face and sneaky appearance. He was looking at Zhao Yu with a wary expression.


    The stunning woman was none other than Zhao Yu''s new neighbor, Luo Jiuniang, and the middle-aged cultivator was Meng Yinghan. Meng Yinghan had been bewitched by Luo Jiuniang ever since he met her, spending all of his Spirit Stones on her and considering Zhao Yu as his biggest romantic rival.


    Zhao Yu said, "I''ve met both fellow Daoists!"


    With hopeful eyes, Luo Jiuniang smiled sweetly and said, "Pill Master Zhao, have you given it any thought? If you just nod, this humble woman will leave the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion to be your Dao Companion and serve by your side."


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "What a temptress! s, unsolicited favors are often a prelude to treachery or theft!"


    Luo Jiuniang, as the top courtesan of the Hundred Flowers Building, might not have the same level of beauty as Ling Qianxue, but her figure and charm surpassed Ling Qianxue''s. If she wanted to reform, more than ny percent of the male cultivators in the Nine Chasm Mountain Market would go crazy for her.


    "Jiuniang, Pill Master Zhao doesn''t even respect you! He''s the only Pill Master in the Nine Chasm Mountain Market, a high and mighty figure! You''re not fit for him!"


    "Why bother to cast your warm face upon his cold butt? I, Meng, am different. I will not mind those things you did in the Hundred Flowers Building! As long as you be my Dao Companion, I will treat you well for the rest of my life!" said Meng Yinghan, hurriedly stepping forwards and speaking without discretion.


    Luo Jiuniang''s brows raised slightly, her gaze flitted across Meng Yinghan, a barely concealed look of disgust in her beautiful eyes, yet she still wore an alluring smile and said, "Pill Master Zhao, do you really look down on me?"


    Zhao Yu declined tactfully, "It''s an honor for Zhao to be favored by Jiuniang. Regrettably, my heart belongs to another, so I must apologetically decline."


    Luo Jiuniang''s eyes flickered and she asked, "Who is the fairy that has captivated Pill Master Zhao''s soul and dreams?"


    Just then, the crowd stirred as the ethereally beautiful Ling Qianxue, dressed in white robes, and the simrly attired and handsome Wang Jingzhang entered the scene.


    Luo Jiuniang chuckled, "What a splendid celestial couple! Could it be that the one who has enchanted you, grand Pill Master Zhao, is none other than Miss Ling of the Ling Family?"


    Meng Yinghan shook his head, scoffing, "That''s like a toad lusting after a swan''s flesh! Although Pill Master Zhao is the only one in the Nine Chasm Mountain Market, he is too old! He could almost be Miss Ling''s father. And in terms of looks, status, and stature, he''s far behind the young master of the Wang Family. How could Miss Ling possibly fancy him?"


    Zhao Yu couldn''t help but give Meng Yinghan another look. Not only was Meng ugly, but he also liked to be sarcastic and speak insensitively, so he didn''t have many friends.


    However, Meng Yinghan was a Talisman Master, capable of drawing popr Spirit Talismans like the Evil Warding Talisman and Featherweight Talisman, and also had a Cultivation Level at the Later Stage of Qi Refining. Therefore, despite his foul mouth, there were still those willing to make his acquaintance.


    After Ling Qianxue and Wang Jingzhang made their entrance, the numerous cultivators also took their seats.


    Servers brought in a variety of delicious dishes made with Demon Beast Meat, along with Spiritual Wine and Spiritual Tea, cing them on the tables one after another.


    Luo Jiuniang praised, "First-grade mid-quality spirit fish, the Green Jade Carp, spiritual wine that costs one Spirit Stone per cup from the Hundred Flowers Brew, Silver Dragon Bi Fragrance Tea¡ªit is indeed befitting of the great young master of the Lingxi Wang family to be so generous!"


    Meng Yinghan nced at Zhao Yu and mocked, "After all, he is the direct descendant of the Lingxi Wang family. Naturally, he is a hundred times stronger than some unknown Loose Cultivator!"


    Zhao Yu responded with a faint smile.


    "It is my honor that you all could attend my birthday banquet! Thank you, everyone! I''ll drink to you all!"


    Wang Jingzhang raised a cup of the Hundred Flowers Brew and drank it down in one gulp.


    The numerous cultivators began to savor the delicious food.


    Within the restaurant, the scent from various incense burners rose up, whetting appetites and calming minds.


    Thud!


    A cultivator suddenly saw stars and crashed heavily onto the table, sending dishes and cutlery flying.


    One after another, cultivators fell onto their tables, creating a cacophony of breaking tableware.


    "Poison!!"


    "There''s poison in the food!"


    ".¡­.."


    The cultivators could not help but shout loudly.


    Luo Jiuniang and Meng Yinghan also trembled and copsed heavily onto the tables.


    "Poison? Why don''t I feel it? Is it the power of the Dao Fruit I swallowed? Or the strength of my physique that rivals that of a Body Cultivator at Foundation Establishment?"


    Zhao Yu''s mind stirred slightly, and he too crashed heavily onto the table. At the same time, he discretely popped a Detoxification Pill into his mouth.


    "Wang Jingzhang, what on earth are you trying to do?"


    Ling Qianxue also felt dizzy, her delicate body softened, and it was only through sheer willpower that she managed to slump into her chair, ring at Wang Jingzhang with clenched teeth.


    Wang Jingzhang lifted Ling Qianxue''s chin with a smug smile, "Ling Qianxue, from today onward, the Changyang Ling family will cease to exist. I like girls who are gentle and understanding! You better be the way I like, or once I tire of you, I will sell you to a brothel! You don''t want to be the most lowly prostitute from the esteemed Changyang Ling family, do you?"


    Ling Qianxue gnashed her teeth, "You dare to move against the Changyang Ling family! The Cang Spirit Sect will never let you off! Your Lingxi Wang family is doomed!"


    The territories of the five great Foundation Establishment families of Cang Country are recognized by the Cang Spirit Sect. If the Lingxi Wang family were to attack the Ling family without the permission of the Cang Spirit Sect, they would most likely be annihted by the sect.


    Wang Jingzhang chuckled lightly, "The Cang Spirit Sect has its own troubles to worry about! The North Destion shall belong to our great Yin Ghost Sect!"


    Ling Qianxue''s face turned pale, "Your Lingxi Wang family has betrayed the Cang Spirit Sect!!"


    The Lingxi Wang family is one of the five great Foundation Establishment families of Cang Country and is also known as the number one Foundation Establishment family. The Wang family has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, one of whom is even ate-stage powerhouse.


    The Wang family''s two strongest Foundation Establishment Cultivators and many Qi Refinement Cultivators have been conscripted by the Cang Spirit Sect. Should they betray on the front lines, it would certainly deal a heavy blow to the sect.

 Chapter 44 Counterkill

    Wang Jingzhang smiled lightly, "A wise man submits to circumstances. The four Great Sects could only manage a stalemate against the Yin Ghost Sect, clearly showing the Yin Ghost Sect''s superior strength! Our Lingxi Wang family will only choose to stand on the side of the victors!"


    A Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivator suddenly leapt up from the dining table, activated a Featherweight Talisman, and flew towards the outside of the restaurant.


    "Thinking of escaping? How foolish!"


    A middle-aged cultivator with Great Circle of Qi Refining, bulky build, dressed in ck with a skull embroidered on his clothes, pale skin, ck hair, and rather handsome features, walked in from the outside. He snorted coldly and pped a First Order Superior Magical Instrument, a Ghost Nurturing Jar, attached to his waist, which was inscribed with countless mysterious runes.


    Streams of ck smoke billowed out, and a Fierce Ghost, eight feet tall, with rotting skin exposing the crimson muscles beneath, sparse hair, and a head resembling a skull with just one eye, covered in ayer of ghostly aura, emerged directly.


    The Fierce Ghost, with a fierce expression, slightly moved its body and lunged at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivator.


    "A Fierce Ghost?"


    The Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivator''splexion slightly changed. He activated a Rocket Talisman, mes surged, and a rocket sted towards the Fierce Ghost.


    The Fierce Ghost mmed its w onto the rocket, a ck aura surged from its w, and it crushed the rocket with a single squeeze.


    The next moment, the Fierce Ghost appeared in front of the Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivator, with the swiftness of lightning, and plunged its w into the cultivator''s heart, scooping it out and swallowing it in one gulp.


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly, "A Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivator! Could he be a cultivator from the Yin Ghost Sect?"


    The Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivator said coldly, "I am Song Cangtong from the Yin Ghost Sect! Fellow cultivators, if you wish to join the Yin Ghost Sect, then offer up a fellow cultivator as your token of allegiance! I will give you half an incense stick''s time to consider. If you are unwilling to join the Yin Ghost Sect, then you will be someone else''s token of allegiance!"


    "I, Meng Yinghan, wish to join the Yin Ghost Sect. I plead with Fellow Daoist Song to remove the poison from my body. I will immediately offer up my token of allegiance!"


    Meng Yinghan hurriedly cried out, ncing at Zhao Yu with malice filling his eyes.


    Wang Jingzhang stood up and approached Meng Yinghan, took out a bottle of pills, and said with a mocking face, "Which fellow cultivator do you choose as your token of allegiance?"


    Meng Yinghan ingratiatingly said, "Let Zhao, the Pill Master, be Meng''s token of allegiance! Zhao Pill Master is a good friend of Su Bingyun, the genius of Cangling Sect! If he dies, Su Bingyun will surely be heartbroken. It might console the Yin Spirits of the several Foundation Establishment elders of the Yin Ghost Sect!"


    Wang Jingzhang sneered venomously, "Pick someone else! Pill Master Zhao is still useful to me! He can atone for his sins by making pills for our Lingxi Wang family for a lifetime! The little female cultivator by his side is also a beauty, and she can go to the brothel to atone for her sins!"


    Song Cangtong looked indifferently at Zhao Yu.


    Once Zhao Yu fell into the hands of the Lingxi Wang family, he would be a tool for making pills and a breeding stallion for the Lingxi Wang family, continuously exploited until death.


    Zhao Yu, who was feigning death on the dining table, suddenly sprang up and punched Wang Jingzhang''s head.


    Bang!


    Wang Jingzhang''s handsome head burst open, and his headless body heavily copsed to the ground.


    "Ah, I only want to live a peaceful life! Quietly cultivate, why must you trash force me to kill you all!"


    Zhao Yu sighed lightly and immediately took out the First Order Superior Magical Artifact, Green Pine Sword.


    "Zhao Yu! Meng was forced before! Meng, don''t kill me..."


    Meng Yinghan was sttered with the blood of Wang Jingzhang''s headless corpse, his face pale, and his eyes flickered with fear as his body trembled.


    Zhao Yu casually swung the Green Pine Sword and immediately beheaded Meng Yinghan.


    "Zhao Yu, you actually killed an ally of our Yin Ghost Sect! You must die! Go!"


    Song Cangtong''s eyes shed with a cold light, and with a sharp shout, he pointed at Zhao Yu.


    The ferocious ghost, face grimacing fiercely, emitted ck aura as it pounced straight towards Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu slightly furrowed his brows and took out a stack of Superior Evil Warding Talismans, activating them immediately.


    Arge number of Superior Evil Warding Talismans ignited and flew toward the fierce ghost.


    When the talismansnded on the fierce ghost, it let out an earth-shattering scream, its body''s ck aurargely purified, but it still appeared before Zhao Yu with a ferocious face, wing towards his heart.


    Song Cangtong silently recited a curse script and directly stimted his mana, presenting a Supreme Grade magical instrument, the Soul Shaking Bell, engraved with various ghost creatures'' bells around it.


    The Soul Shaking Bell hovered in midair, the bells ringing without wind, creating eerie and piercing chimes that converged into a force and struck Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu felt as if his divine sense was viciously spiked, causing intense pain in his head. Nevertheless, he still resisted the attack of the Soul Shaking Bell with his powerful divine sense of the Foundation Establishment level and fiercely shed down with his sword.


    The fierce ghost let out a long howl, its right w engulfed in a dark ghostly light, grabbing Zhao Yu''s sword, then being split into two halves by Zhao Yu''s sword.


    Song Cangtong''s face suddenly changed drastically, a hint of panic shing in his eyes: "Body Cultivation Fourth Level! You are a body cultivator!"


    Zhao Yu used Phantom Step, appearing in front of Song Cangtong like teleportation, and employed the Thunder Light Swordsmanship, the sword like thunder light, directly beheading Song Cangtong.


    Within a range of thirty feet, even if the opponent was a Foundation Establishment Level cultivator, Zhao Yu was somewhat confident that he could behead the opponent before they could react.


    The fierce ghost Zhao Yu had split into two halves screamed in agony, finally copsingpletely and dissipating as streams of ck air.


    Zhao Yu looked at Song Cangtong''s headless corpse, feeling relieved: "Luckily, my divine sense and physical body are strong enough! Otherwise, I might have fallen at his hands! Disciples from the great sects are indeed extraordinary!"


    If Zhao Yu''s divine sense hadn''t been strong enough, the sonic attack of the Soul Shaking Bell would have caused his divine sense to copse, and then the fierce ghost would have gouged out his heart. Even the strongest physical body couldn''t withstand an attack on the divine sense.


    "Body Cultivation Fourth Level! Foundation Establishment Level Body Cultivator? How is this possible? Wasn''t he a Pill Master? How did he be a Foundation Establishment Level Body Cultivator?"


    Ling Qianxue slumped in her chair, her beautiful eyes flickering with disbelief. She had always thought Zhao Yu was merely an outstanding Pill Master with mediocrebat ability, but she had never imagined that he was a Foundation Establishment Level Body Cultivator.


    Foundation Establishment Level Body Cultivators are quite rare in the Northern Wastes. While theirbat ability is not as great as real Foundation Establishment Cultivators and they do not have as long a lifespan, they can easily y Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivators, not to be underestimated.


    Zhao Yu could now be called the strongest master in the Nine Depths Mountain Market, unless the Ling family mobilized the Second Order Great Array of the Nine Depths Mountain Market to possibly defeat or kill him.

 Chapter 45 Annihilating the Disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect

    "Miss Ling, this is the pill from Wang Jingzhang''s possession. Do you know what the antidote is?"


    Zhao Yu took out all the pills from Wang Jingzhang''s storage bag andid them in front of Ling Qianxue.


    Ling Qianxue said, "Wang Jingzhang added Chi Qiong Blood Flower to our food and drink. The Chi Blood Qiong Flower itself is not poisonous and can strengthen one''s vitality.


    However, when mixed with the Spirit-Condensing Incense made from Blue Spirit Chrysanthemum, it can produce the effect of a Qi Dissipating Pill, causing a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm to feel weakness in their limbs and unable to muster mana. A simple Detoxification Pill can break this poison!"


    Zhao Yu took out a Detoxification Pill and ced it into Ling Qianxue''s mouth.


    Ling Qianxue stood up anxiously and said, "Thank you, Pill Master Zhao, for your assistance! Those thieves must be attacking the Ling n''s headquarters at Jiuchen Mountain right now! I implore Pill Master Zhao to lend a hand."


    Zhao Yu declined, "Zhao is not fond ofbat! Perhaps you should ask other friends to take action!"


    Although Zhao Yu already possessed body refinementbat strengthparable to the firstyer of Foundation Establishment, if seven or eight disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect with the Cultivation Level of Great Circle of Qi Refining like Song Cangtong were to attack, he too would be in danger of injury and death.


    Even if he were to kill those disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect, Zhao Yu would not gain much benefit, so naturally he was unwilling to intervene. At worst, he could just take Li Xianjiao and leave.


    "Pill Master Zhao, you killed the Yin Ghost Sect''s disciples. The Yin Ghost Sect will not let you go! By joining me now to eliminate those Yin Ghost Sect disciples, we can weaken the strength of the Yin Ghost Sect," she pleaded.


    "Pill Master Zhao, as long as you help protect the Ling n, I, as the mistress, will allow you full ess to our Ling n''s library. Moreover, you can choose any ten items from the Ling n''s treasure vault. And you can have half of the market at Jiuchen Mountain for yourself!" Ling Qianxue gritted her teeth, determination on her face.


    She knew that if she didn''t make generous promises, Zhao Yu would likely leave after saving her.


    Zhao Yu pondered for a moment and said, "As a high-ranking Guest Elder of the Ling n, I am, of course, willing to contribute to its protection! Miss, please remember your promise!"


    Since he had already killed disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect, Zhao Yu did not mind killing a few more.


    Ling Qianxue rolled her eyes at Zhao Yu, took out the Detoxification Pills, and administered them to over a dozen of the Ling n''s enforcers to cure their poisoning and then had them continue to cure the others.


    After the detoxification, Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue headed to the Ling n''s headquarters at Jiuchen Mountain.


    "Toote!"


    Zhao Yu saw from a distance that the Ling n''s headquarters at Jiuchen Mountain was surrounded by corpses strewn about.


    A Fierce Ghost, nine feet tall with a body of bulging muscles, skin of a dark grey tone, serrated jaws, protruding eyes, and pale skin, was holding the body of Ling Zhengkong, a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator who had guarded the Ling n''s headquarters.


    Next to that Fierce Ghost stood a tall, handsome man with pale skin and long ck hair, a disciple of the Yin Ghost Sect with the Cultivation Level of Qi Refining Great Perfection.


    That Qi Refining Great Perfection disciple of the Yin Ghost Sect was apanied by eleven other Yin Ghost Sect cultivators with Cultivation Levels ranging from the Middle Stage to the Late Stage of Qi Refining.


    "Ling Qianxue? Since you are here, those two useless men, Wang Jingzhang and Song Cangtong, must be dead! You couldn''t possibly have that kind of ability! So, this must be the work of Pill Master Zhao Yu by your side, right?"


    The eyebrows of that Qi Refining Great Perfection disciple of the Yin Ghost Sect furrowed slightly, and his gaze fell on Zhao Yu standing beside Ling Qianxue.


    Ling Qianxue, looking at the corpses on the ground with a pale face and trembling slightly, bit her silver teeth and said, "Pill Master Zhao, I implore you!!"


    A chill shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he activated the sixtiethyer of Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his muscles bulged, transforming him into an eight-foot-tall muscr giant.


    He instantly executed the Flying Dagger Technique, and the magic sword in his hand, a high-grade magical artifact level weapon, turned into a streak of light, flying towards that Qi Refining Great Perfection disciple of the Yin Ghost Sect.


    The disciple of the Fierce Ghost Sect''s face drastically changed as he promptly brought out a top-grade magical artifact level White Bone Shield.


    The two-foot-sized shield, engraved with three skull heads, flew into midair, emitting a faint spiritual light. The three skull heads spat out arge amount of white bone, which condensed into a huge bone shield in front of him.


    Bang!


    Apanied by a terrifyingly loud noise, the bone shield was directly sted with arge hole by the magic sword, with bone fragments flying in all directions, but it blocked that dreadful strike.


    Zhao Yu''s eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Didn''t manage to kill him in one blow!! The disciples of the Fierce Ghost Sect really are extraordinary!!"


    "A Body Cultivation Fourth Layer cultivator! Damn it, how can there be such a high-level powerhouse in the Market of the Nine Depths Mountains? The intelligence is wrong!!"


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator from the Fierce Ghost Sect also had an unsightly expression.


    Ling Qianxue and the other enforcement monks from the Ling family took action, fighting fiercely against the remaining cultivators of the Fierce Ghost Sect.


    Zhao Yu tapped his foot and rushed towards that Qi Refining Great Perfection disciple of the Fierce Ghost Sect.


    "ck Rock Ghost! Go!"


    With a fierce shout from the Qi Refining Great Perfection disciple of the Fierce Ghost Sect, the nine-foot-tall Fierce Ghost with a ferocious face suddenly pounced towards Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu executed the master-level Lightning Sword Technique, his Green Pine Sword bursting with a faint green spiritual light like lightning, instantly stabbing out and piercing through the head of the ck Rock Ghost.


    At the moment the head was pierced, a sharp bone spur shot out from the ck Rock Ghost''s chest, stabbing towards Zhao Yu''s heart.


    This surprise bone spur was the ck Rock Ghost''s ultimate killing technique, under which innumerable cultivators had died tragically.


    Zhao Yu''s Divine Sense enveloped an area within ten feet of his body. As soon as the ck Rock Ghost''s bone spurunched, his Divine Sense detected it. With a casual sh of his sword, he shattered the bone spur and, in one fluid motion, cleaved the ck Rock Ghost in two.


    "How did he know about ck Rock Ghost''s ultimate killing technique?"


    A chill went down the spine of the Fierce Ghost Sect disciple as he suddenly pulled out a second-order low-grade Evil Ghost Breath Technique Talisman and madly injected it with mana. But in the blink of an eye, Zhao Yu had disappeared from his sight, extremely abruptly.


    "Not good!!"


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator from the Fierce Ghost Sect felt a chill in his heart as a sword light, like lightning, instantly flew towards him from behind, sweeping past his neck.


    The head of the Fierce Ghost Sect disciple flew up in an instant, a gush of blood spraying out, as the body fell heavily to the ground.


    After disposing of that disciple from the Fierce Ghost Sect, Zhao Yu sessively cast the Flying Dagger Technique, and one by one, mid-grade magic artifact level Flying Daggers shot out, easily piercing through the heads of the other Fierce Ghost Sect disciples.


    It didn''t take long for those Fierce Ghost Sect disciples to bepletely in by Zhao Yu in coboration with the remaining monks of the Ling family enforcement team.


    Zhao Yu entrusted the aftermath to Ling Qianxue and returned to his own cave mansion with his war loot.


    After tallying up his spoils of war, Zhao Yu obtained a total of two supreme grade magical artifacts, the Soul Bell and the White Bone Shield, thirteen high-grade magical artifacts, eleven mid-grade magical artifacts, one hundred fifty-seven mid-grade Spirit Stones, one thousand three hundred fifty-three low-grade Spirit Stones, two second-order low-grade Talismans, and various other talismans, pills, and three jade slips.

 Chapter 46 Miscellaneous Ghost

    The three jade slips contained the Ghost Nurturing Technique, the Great Ghost Controlling Method, and the Yin Spirit Technique of the Yin Spirit Sect.


    The Ghost Nurturing Technique detailed how to nurture various ghost creatures. Different ghosts possessed different abilities: some had immense strength, their bodiesparable to mythical beasts; some were experts in Illusion Techniques, capable of creating illusions that could trap people unable to see through them; and some could possess human bodies, rendering them immobile.


    In the Ghost Nurturing Technique, the most precious creatures were Ghosts. Ghosts were categorized into four levels: Low-grade, Mid-grade, High-grade, and Supreme Grade Ghosts. Forming a contract with a Low-grade Ghost could assist a cultivator in his cultivation, essentially granting him a Low-grade Spiritual Root. Simrly, a Mid-grade Ghost would equate to a Mid-grade Spiritual Root, and so on.


    Cultivating a Ghost was extremely difficult and, even after nurturing tens of thousands of ghost creatures, one might not be able to cultivate a single Ghost. After all, besides assisting in cultivation, Ghosts could also fight.


    The Great Ghost Controlling Method described how to control various ghosts through secret techniques.


    The Yin Spirit Technique was a cultivation technique of the Yin Spirit Sect, capable of advancing practitioners to the Early Foundation Establishment stage.


    Many cultivators liked to carry their prized possessions with them, and Zhao Yu was no exception, mainly because cultivators generally trusted their own strength more, and carrying various jade slips allowed them to study cultivation techniques and secret techniques at any time.


    "This is a Low-grade Ghost! Song Cangtong hasn''t formed a contract with it yet? Oh, it turns out this Low-grade Ghost hasn''t fully materialized. Contracting now would only yield a Mixed Quality Ghost, unable to enhance a cultivator''s aptitude for cultivation. He wants to nurture this Mixed Quality Ghost into a true Ghost."


    Zhao Yu took out a superior magical instrument grade Ghost Jar and nced inside, where there was a Ghost about to materialize.


    Such unmaterialized Ghosts were umon, but the Ghost Nurturing Technique did contain methods to advance them to upgradable GHosts.


    "Master Zhao, please apany me to Linghe Lake,"


    After handling the affairs of the market at Jiuchen Mountain, Ling Qianxue went directly to request Zhao Yu at his cave mansion.


    Zhao Yu agreed to Ling Qianxue''s request and went with Li Xianjiao and Ling Qianxue to Linghe Lake.


    "We are toote!"


    As soon as Zhao Yu arrived at Zhao Mansion by Linghe Lake, he saw corpses all over the ground, many of which had bite marks.


    "Uncle Three! Aunt Six!"


    Ling Qianxue, standing before a corpse that had only its head remaining, clenched her teeth and tears welled up in her eyes as she moved purposefully into the Zhao Mansion wielding her magic sword.


    Zhao Yu entered Zhao Mansion and still saw corpses everywhere. A Fierce Ghost, eight feet tall, covered in ck skin and with three eyes, looked up and grinned fiercely at Zhao Yu and his group.


    The third eye of the Fierce Ghost shed with a faint light, and instantly, the entire Zhao Mansion was shrouded in thick fog.


    Zhao Yu''s vision blurred, and he could no longer see the people around him.


    "Is this an illusion technique? This is an Illusion Ghost capable of casting illusions!"


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly and activated his Divine Sense, using the powerful Divine Sense of the Early Foundation Establishment to dispel the illusory forces enveloping him.


    With the power of the Divine Sense of the Early Foundation Establishment, Zhao Yu was able to clearly perceive everything within ten feet, although his vision was still obstructed by the fog and he could not see far.


    "Ambush! There are enemies!!"


    Chapter Explore:


    "It''s you!! Weren''t you already dead? Why are you here?"


    "..."


    The monks from the enforcement team formed by Ling Qianxue suddenly cried out in rm and began to cast spells on each other, engaging in mutual ughter.


    Standing about a hundred yards away from the Ling family''s enforcement team were more than a dozen disciples from the Yin Ghost Sect.


    A short disciple from the Yin Ghost Sect, with a Seventh Level of Qi Refining cultivation, said enviously, "Brother Fang, your Three-Eyed Illusion Ghost is really powerful! These monks from the Ling family arepletely at your mercy. Is this Three-Eyed Illusion Ghost about to advance to Second-Order?"


    The tall Brother Fang, with a cultivation at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, responded slowly, "Difficult! For a ghost creature to advance to Second-Order is no less challenging than our human race''s Foundation Establishment! Unless we can get a Second-Order Spirit Pill Illusion Yin Pill, it''s too difficult for it to advance!"


    "Enough talk! Take action, kill them all! Otherwise, it will be troublesome if they meet up with the people inside the Ling family!"


    A disciple from the Yin Ghost Sect, who was at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, his face covered with scars and hair disheveled like a humanoid evil ghost, said coldly.


    "Yes! Brother Liu!"


    The other Yin Ghost Sect cultivators responded and began to cast their spells.


    Several fierce ghosts with ferocious appearances flew out from the Ghost Nurturing Jars beside those Yin Ghost Sect cultivators, charging into the dense fog towards Zhao Yu and his group.


    Zhao Yu performed the Phantom Step, moving like an illusion towards the Three-Eyed Evil Ghost. Solving the Three-Eyed Evil Ghost was the key to breaking its illusion technique.


    "A cultivator at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining! He can actually see through the illusion technique of the Three-Eyed Evil Ghost; he must either have Natural Divine Eyes or be cultivating a special divine eye technique! Brother Liu, I want his eyes!"


    Brother Fang''s eyes lit up as he spoke to the scar-faced disciple of the Yin Ghost Sect nearby.


    "Horned Ghost, kill him! Dig out his eyes!"


    The scar-faced disciple from the Yin Ghost Sect pped his Ghost Jar, and streams of ck aura surged, coalescing into a massive figure about ten feet tall, seemingly covered in ayer of ck muscle armor, with a ghastly horn about a foot long on its head and the faces of a schr and a beauty on its chest and back respectively.


    No sooner had the Horned Ghost appeared than it lunged forward, reaching Zhao Yu in a few leaps and wing straight towards his heart.


    Zhao Yu''s eyes shed with cold light as he activated the sixty-fold Vajra Dragon Elephant Art and implemented the Lightning Sword Technique. His Green Pine Sword emitted a cyan Spiritual Light as he shed at the w of the Horned Ghost.


    The sword shed with the ghost w, the cyan Spiritual Light colliding with the pitch-ck ghost Qi. The Horned Ghost was struck by a terrifying force, flung backward three steps, but then it continued its assault on Zhao Yu.


    Brother Liu''s expression changed drastically, "He is a cultivator with Fourth-Order Body Refinement!"


    The Horned Ghost, which Brother Liu had cultivated with great effort, had an extremely terrifying physique. Only a Body Cultivator at the Fourth Order of Qi Refinement could possibly contend with it.


    "These sect disciples are really tough to deal with! That evil ghost is really a problem!"


    Zhao Yu felt a chill surge from the Green Pine Sword, nearly freezing the tendons and veins in his right hand.


    Ghost Qi is a terrifying power possessed by evil ghosts. Ordinary mortals whoe into contact with even a trace of ghost Qi could fall seriously ill or even die directly from the illness.


    The ghost Qi released by the Horned Ghost could corrode the channels in a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, causing frostbite-like damage and hindering the flow of mana.


    Zhao Yu activated the sixty-fold Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, circting the blood Qi in his body, and instantly expelled the ghost Qi. He then implemented the Flying Dagger Technique, shooting a mid-grade magic instrument level flying dagger towards Brother Fang.

 Chapter 47 Annihilation

    Zhao Yu''s expression suddenly changed, and he directly summoned a palm-sized spiritual shield, which burst forth with a faint spiritual light, forming a protective barrier in front of him.


    Cling!


    The first flying dagger pierced through that protective barrier and struck the spiritual shield, setting off a thunderous noise. The tip of the flying dagger magical instrument bent, and the spiritual shield cracked heavily, losing its spirituality and falling from mid-air.


    Almost the next moment, the second flying dagger pierced through the golden light protective cover in front of Brother Fang, entering his head and sting arge hole through it.


    The Three-Eyed Illusion Ghost, mentally linked with Brother Fang, let out a scream as its soul copsed and died.


    The Ghost Control Technique of the Yin Ghost Sect was extremely exquisite. Through the mysterious Human-Ghost Pact Secret Technique, it linked the human and ghost, allowing cultivators tomand various powerful ghost creatures in their human form.


    Under the Ghost Control Technique of the Yin Ghost Sect, a Qi Refinement Realm cultivator could evenmand a Foundation Establishment Stage evil ghost. To prevent backfire from the evil ghosts, once a cultivator died, the evil ghosts bound by contract would also perish.


    Thus, those powerful evil ghosts had to protect their master, for if the master died, they too would perish.


    Of course, if a cultivator used the pact secret technique to bind with an evil ghost, the death of the evil ghost would also cause significant damage to the cultivator.


    Only the most top-tier evil ghosts in the hands of cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect were bound using the Human-Ghost Pact Secret Technique. Ordinary ghost creatures were managed with standard Ghost Control Techniques.


    With the death of the Three-Eyed Illusion Ghost, the thick fog surrounding the Zhao family immediately dispersed.


    "Was I under an illusion?"


    Ling Qianxue suddenly woke up, looking at the two Ling Mansion enforcement team cultivators who had fallen by her side, her heart chilled.


    Only then did the cultivators from the Ling Mansion enforcement team escape from the illusion. However, just as they got free, they were attacked by the disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect, and several more of them died right away.


    After dealing with Brother Fang, Zhao Yu engaged in a fierce battle with the horned ghost while using the Flying Dagger Technique, sending multiple magical instrument flying daggers shooting towards Brother Liu, whomanded the horned ghost.


    Brother Liu''s face changed drastically and said, "Brother Luo, cover me!"


    The short-statured Brother Luo, possessing the ninth level of Qi Refinement, pped his ghost jar. Dark qi surged, and a Skeleton Ghost that was eight feet tall, made of countless pitch-ck bones, and holding a bone shield, instantly appeared, cing the bone shield in front of the two of them.


    Cling!!


    The flying dagger instantly struck the bone shield, shattering it, continued flying, and then was blocked by a superior magical instrument grade spiritual shield held by Brother Luo.


    The flying dagger struck that spiritual shield, sting numerous cracks in it. Brother Luo''s hands, holding the shield, were shaken until they bled from the tiger''s mouth, his body shook violently, and his face turned pale.


    Among the many disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect who attacked this time, Brother Luo and the Skeleton Ghost''s coordination could be regarded as the best in defense. Even the attacks of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at the first level could be blocked a couple of times.


    Flying dagger magical instruments continuously tore the Skeleton Ghost to pieces, ferociously bombarding Brother Luo''s spiritual shield, sting countless cracks into it, threatening to shatter at any moment.


    "Die!!"


    Taking advantage of the moment Brother Luo resisted, Brother Liu finally finished chanting the spell and summoned a second-order low-grade talisman, Yin Ghost''s Breath.


    The second-order low-grade talisman, Yin Ghost''s Breath, flew into the air, self-ignited in the wind, and an evil ghost skull, constructed from a fierce and malevolent face, appeared mid-air, emitting an ominous aura as it opened its mouth to spray.


    A jet of pitch-ck Yin Ghost''s Breath burst from the evil ghost''s skull, enveloping Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu''s expression changed dramatically. He quickly summoned a superior magical instrument grade small white bell and activated the Golden Light Talisman.


    Ayer of pale golden light appeared before Zhao Yu, and in front of him, the small white bell also burst forth with dazzling spiritual light, forming a white protective cover.


    That Yin Ghost''s Breath, dark as ink, sprayed onto the white protective cover, directly causing the cover to copse and the small white bell-shaped magical instrument to lose its spirituality and fall to the ground.


    Zhao Yu''s light golden-colored Golden Light Protective Cover also shed once and then copsed and disappeared.


    The Yin Ghost''s Breath was also greatly depleted, but the remaining force still struck Zhao Yu''s body.


    A chilling, bone-piercing coldness instantly prated Zhao Yu''s body, as if intending topletely freeze him. The mana inside him seemed to be sealed in ice, hardly circting, frenziedly counteracting the invading Yin Ghost''s Breath.


    The vigorous vitality inside Zhao Yu, akin to a zing furnace, was eroded by the Yin Ghost''s Breath, bing difficult to circte.


    Just then, the hundred Superior Evil Warding Talismans that Zhao Yu carried spontaneously ignited without wind, directly dispersing some of the Yin Ghost''s Breath, allowing him to recover all his abilities.


    The Horned Ghost took the opportunity to lunge a w at Zhao Yu''s heart.


    Zhao Yu shook his Green Pine Sword, flinging the Horned Ghost''s w away, and deployed the Flying Dagger Technique, shooting out one dagger after another.


    ng!


    A Flying Dagger prated the body of a Skeleton Ghost, struck the crack on the Spiritual Shield of Junior Brother Luo, shattering the shieldpletely and continuing into Junior Brother Luo''s heart, pinning him to the ground.


    Another flying dagger directly struck the head of Senior Brother Liu, who was in the process of activating a second-tier Second-Order Talisman, piercing through his skull.


    The Horned Ghost screamed tragically, its body beginning to copse and disappearing into wisps of ck smoke.


    "Senior Brother Liu!"


    "....."


    Seeing Senior Brother Liu and the other two elite warriors of the Yin Ghost Sect dead, the remaining Yin Ghost Sect disciples turned pale and frantically activated Featherweight Talismans, Armor Horse Talismans, and other talismans to scatter in all directions.


    Ling Qian Xue clenched her silver teeth, losing the elegance she had always maintained, and called out very gracelessly, "Zhao Yu, help me kill them all! I will reward you handsomely!!"


    Zhao Yu activated a Superior Featherweight Talisman, making his body as light as a swallow. He performed the Phantom Step Technique, ghost-like as dagger after dagger shed out like lightning from him, piercing through the heads of those Yin Ghost Sect disciples one by one.


    Ling Qian Xue and the rest of the Ling family enforcement team also pursued them frenziedly, eventually exterminating all of the Yin Ghost Sect disciples.


    After annihting those Yin Ghost Sect disciples, Ling Qian Xue rushed straight to the deepest part of Ling Mansion.


    Inside the deepest part of Ling Mansion, in a First-Order Superior-Grade Green Woodrge array, several Ling family cultivators were hiding.


    "Qian Xue, you finally came!!"


    Chapter Explore:


    Inside therge array, a handsome middle-aged cultivator, Ling Haofei, who had lost an arm, sighed in relief upon seeing Ling Qian Xue and the cultivators with her and then deactivated the array.


    Ling Qian Xue looked around at everyone in the array, her face turning very ugly as she asked, "Second Uncle, where are my parents?"


    Ling Haofei said with a sad face, "Big Brother, Sister-inw, they both perished in battle!"


    Ling Qian Xue''s face turned pale and she swayed slightly, clenching her teeth, "Where are they?"


    Ling Haofei then led Ling Qian Xue to where the bodies of the couple Ling Haotiany. She trembled and finally could not hold back her tears anymore.


    Zhao Yu nced at Ling Qian Xue from afar, noticed she was in bad shape, and began to happily search the bodies. Helping Ling Qian Xue was one of his main purposes, particrly to hunt down the Yin Ghost Sect disciples. Those disciples had possessions far superior to those of ordinary cultivators.

 Chapter 48 Stay Behind

    Zhao Yu had obtained a total of fifty-seven mid-grade Spirit Stones, one thousand and three hundred twenty-one low-grade Spirit Stones, arge number of talismans, one Second-Order Spirit Talisman, medicinal pills, Spiritual Medicines, materials for cultivating Evil Ghosts, various Spell scrolls, and a Second-Order Demon Beast Inner Pill with Earth Attribute from the disciples of the Yin Ghost Sect.


    However, among those Spell scrolls, there was nothing that particrly caught Zhao Yu''s eye; they were mostlymon spells, techniques from within the Yin Ghost Sect, and some Cultivation Techniques that could be practiced up to the early stages of Foundation Establishment.


    The next day, inside the Ling family''s library.


    "The Ling family is truly worthy of being a Foundation Establishment family, indeed deeply rooted! Plenty of good stuff!"


    Zhao Yu, holding a Second-Order Superior Life Extension Pill recipe and a Second-Order Low-grade Triple Snake Pattern Pill, showed a smile.


    That Second-Order Superior Life Extension Pill recipe alone was worth a fortune, enough to make many Alchemists break their heads inpetition. After all, it was a Lifespan Extension Pill that could extend the life of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    That Triple Snake Pattern Pill was a type of Spirit Pill that could refine the mana of Early Stage Foundation Building Cultivators, equally precious. A Triple Snake Pattern Pill that enhances the mana of Foundation Establishment Cultivators could easily fetch a price of over a thousand Spirit Stones at an auction.


    In addition, Zhao Yu had also found aplete Array Path inheritance in the Ling family''s collection that could be directly cultivated up to the Third-Order Low-grade level.


    However, the path of Arrays was incredibly profound andplex, and this generation of the Ling family did not have a single Array Master.


    Zhao Yu also took the opportunity to copy various Foundation Establishment Techniques, Body Refining Techniques entirely onto a jade slip, which left him quite satisfied, "Miss, it''s time to go to the Ling family''s treasure vault!"


    Ling Qianxue led Zhao Yu to the treasure vault of the Ling family.


    As expected of a Foundation Establishment family, so many treasures!


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up, unapologetically taking a Fire Attribute Demon Beast Inner Pill in his hands, and then chose a Low-Grade Spiritual Shield and a Low-Grade Spiritual Magic Sword from the vault.


    Ling Qianxue watched as Zhao Yu took the Fire Attribute Demon Beast Inner Pill, her eyebrows twitching slightly, yet she remained silent.


    Magic Artifacts were used by Qi Refinement Cultivators, while Spiritual Artifacts were generally used by Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Chapter Enjoy:


    The power of Spiritual Artifacts was much greater than that of Magic Artifacts; however, wielding a Spiritual Artifact required Foundation Establishment level Divine Sense and mana, and if a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator were to wield a Spiritual Artifact, their Divine Sense and mana would be rapidly drained, making it difficult to apply in actualbat.


    Zhao Yu then selected two Top-Grade Magical Artifact-level robes from the Ling family''s treasure vault. These two robes, equipped with the Gathering Yuan Technique, Cleansing Technique, and Spiritual Shield Technique, were not onlyfortable to wear but could also gather Spiritual Energy during Cultivation, elerating the process.


    Zhao Yu, having taken five Spirit Materials for Refinement of Foundation Establishment Pills, left the vault satisfied along with Ling Qianxue.


    Zhao Yu said, "Miss, in ten days, I will leave Linghe Lake and the Jiu Chen Mountain Market. Please prepare early!"


    The Ling family had beenpletely broken by the Yin Ghost Sect; it was already very difficult to defend Linghe Lake, let alone the Jiu Chen Mountain Market. Zhao Yu nned to leave this ce, hide his identity, and go to other Spiritual Lands for Cultivation.


    Ling Qianxue, with a pitiful look in her beautiful eyes, said, "Zhao Fellow Daoist, can''t you stay? Our Ling family can appoint you as our patron! We can provide all the resources you need for your cultivation!"


    The Ling family had first lost a Foundation Establishment Patriarch, then endured the great chaos of the Jiu Chen Mountain Market and attacks from the Yin Ghost Sect, leaving them severely weakened, with most of their family cultivators dead.


    Currently, the highest Cultivation Level in the Ling family was Ling Qianxue''s Qi Refinement Ninth Stage. It was already very difficult for her to defend Linghe Lake; a slight mishap could lead to the extinction of the Ling family.


    Zhao Yu said, "I can earn the resources I need for my cultivation by myself!"


    Ling Qianxue smiled sweetly, "Then today, let Qian Xue take you on a tour of Linghe Lake!"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and said, "Good!"


    Linghe Lake was a second-order inferior spiritualnd. Under the meticulous care of the Ling family, lotuses grew everywhere, theke water was clear, and the scenery was picturesque, a beauty to behold.


    Ling Qianxue was beautiful and charming, understanding, knowledgeable, and witty, like a beautiful and charming speaking flower. Zhao Yu felt veryfortable with her, spending a very pleasant and rxed day.


    Late at night.


    "Brother Zhao, are you there?"


    Zhao Yu was sitting cross-legged on the bed, about to begin practicing his Wood Yuan Gong, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.


    Zhao Yu opened the door and saw Ling Qianxue, wearing a white pce dress and delicate makeup, emitting a stunning charm, standing outside the door, smiling at him.


    Ling Qianxue smiled coquettishly and asked, "Brother Zhao, may Ie in?"


    A warmth flickered in Zhao Yu''s heart as he said, "Of course you can!"


    Ling Qianxue entered the room, and the door closed.


    From the next day on, Zhao Yu was with Ling Qianxue all the time, like the closest of lovers, never again mentioning leaving.


    Initially, Zhao Yu had nned to leave, but how could he when Ling Qianxue was so beautiful, with a skin like jade and a gentle temperament, dissolving his thoughts of leaving.


    Many cultivators in the Ling family''s enforcement team saw this scene and felt heartbroken. Many of them had secretly fallen for Ling Qianxue, but knowing their own status was insufficient, they could only guard her from afar.


    The usually well-behaved Li Xianjiao did throw a small tantrum, but after being lightly tapped on the head by Zhao Yu, she could only unhappily ept the reality.


    With Zhao Yu, a fourth stage body refinement cultivator, stationed at Linghe Lake, the Ling family was as stable as Mount Tai, and many previously restless loose cultivators became honest.


    Three dayster, at a pavilion in the center of Linghe Lake.


    Zhao Yu, dressed in a blue robe, held a cup of spiritual tea, leisurely savoring it.


    "The two foundation establishment cultivators of the Lingxi Wang family betrayed Cang Ling Sect and colluded with the cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect to kill two foundation establishment cultivators of the Cang Ling Sect.


    However, a faux-Dan cultivator from the Cang Ling Sect, Master Bai Yu, coincidentally stumbled upon this incident and killed the two foundation establishment cultivators from the Lingxi Wang family."


    "Cang Ling Sect has already issued orders for our Changyang Ling family, Fangling Hu family, Yuefeng Xiao family, and Qiyang Zheng family to join forces and attack the Lingxi Wang family! After eradicating the Lingxi Wang family, the spiritualnd of the Wang family will be divided equally among our four families."


    "The spiritualnd of the Lingxi Wang family, Wolf Ridge, is a second-order superior spiritualnd. If we can seize thatnd, my Ling family''s foundation will be strengthened even further! Brother Yu, pleasee forth and help me, join me in wiping out the Lingxi Wang family!"


    A hint of cold light shed in Ling Qianxue''s beautiful eyes as she pleaded softly.


    With the hatred of her parents'' deaths, unable to share the sky, Ling Qianxue was powerless against the Golden Core Sect, the Yin Ghost Sect, but she held extreme hatred towards the Lingxi Wang family that had colluded with the Yin Ghost Sect.


    Li Xianjiao said cheerfully, "Sister Qianxue, the Lingxi Wang family is known as the number one foundation-establishing family in Cang Country, with profound depths. If the Wang family is still hiding a foundation-establishing cultivator, wouldn''t we be walking into a trap by going there?"


    Having followed Zhao Yu for several years, Li Xianjiao knew that Zhao Yu was always extremely cautious and would not easily take action unless he waspletely sure.

 Chapter 49 Attacking the Wang Family

    Zhao Yu''s brow slightly furrowed as he fell into contemtion.


    The Ling family was the weakest among the five great Foundation Establishment families, yet the Ling family''s treasury possessed a stockpile of demon beast inner pills. One could imagine the depth of resources held by the other Foundation Establishment families.


    The Wang family of Spirit Creek had allied with the Yingu Sect and must have gained tremendous benefits. They had probably already obtained several Foundation Establishment Pills. Without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from their side, the four great families'' attack on the Wang family of Spirit Creek would likely end in failure.


    Ling Qianxue smiled beautifully and said, "Sister Xian Jiao, the Cang Spirit Sect has already agreed to send two Foundation Establishment Cultivators to lead our forces! With the Cultivators from the Cang Spirit Sect, along with the joint effort of our four great families, the Wang family of Spirit Creek is doomed this time!"


    "The Wang family of Spirit Creek is the number one Foundation Establishment family in Cang Country, and inside, there may even be top-level cultivation techniques, possibly even Golden Core Level Techniques!"


    Zhao Yu''s heart finally stirred slightly.


    In the Northern Wilderness, Golden Core Techniques were extremely rare, firmly controlled by the four great sects, and ordinary Foundation Establishment families could not possess them. The Ling family''s cultivation techniques could at most reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Stage and then advance no further.


    Zhao Yu said, "Then I will go with you!"


    Two dayster, Qianming Building on the fifth floor of the Market in Fangling County, Cang Country.


    "Qian Xue, who is this fellow Daoist?"


    As Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue stepped onto the fifth floor of the Qianming Building, a young cultivator with the Seventh Level of Qi Refining, dressed in a blue robe, tall and handsome, came up enthusiastically, looked at Zhao Yu next to her, his expression tightened, and he said cautiously.


    Cultivators from the other three great Foundation Establishment families on the fifth floor also looked over curiously.


    Ling Qianxue smiled beautifully and said, "This is Zhao Yu, my Brother Yu! Brother Yu, this is Hu Baihui of the Hu family in Fangling."


    Hu Baihui''s face stiffened slightly, a trace of hostility shed in his eyes, and he said in a rather stiff tone, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, hello!"


    Zhao Yu responded politely, "Fellow Daoist Hu, hello!"


    Ling Qianxue, the direct daughter of the Changyang Ling family, possessed a superior Spirit Root, was sexy, extraordinarily beautiful, warm and outgoing, with wide social connections, naturally having innumerable admirers.


    Zhao Yu felt several hostile ncesing from the cultivators on the fifth floor.


    Ling Qianxue and Zhao Yu confidently took their seats. Ling Qianxue introduced Zhao Yu to the other three great Foundation Establishment family cultivators and introduced each of them to Zhao Yu.


    Each of the other three great Foundation Establishment families had a Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator leading the team, while only the Changyang Ling family had Ling Qianxue, who had recently advanced to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, leading the team, appearing weaker inparison.


    The young male cultivators from the three great Foundation Establishment families subtly ostracized Zhao Yu, and the young female cultivators were also quite curious as to why the normally haughty Ling Qianxue would choose a Loose Cultivator like Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu''s cultivation at the Seventh Level of Qi Refining was among the top in the world of Loose Cultivators, but it was not considered top-tier within the Foundation Establishment families.


    Before long, the venue suddenly fell silent. Zhao Yu looked towards the entrance of the staircase and saw the impressive Su Bingyun and another tall, handsome, and schrly-looking Foundation Establishment male cultivator walking in.


    "Greetings, seniors!"


    All the cultivators on the fifth floor stood up and bowed deeply to Su Bingyun and the other Foundation Establishment male cultivator.


    As soon as Su Bingyun reached the floor, her sharp gaze fell on Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue beside him.


    Ling Qianxue, keenly aware, slightly raised the corners of her lips, nced at Zhao Yu, and lowered her head.


    Zhao Yu felt Su Bingyun''s gaze like a sharp arrow piercing through him; he was on pins and needles for quite a while before he managed to calm down.


    Su Bingyun and the Foundation Establishment male cultivator sat down in the main seat under everyone''s watchful eyes.


    The Foundation Establishment male cultivator said indifferently, "Sit!"


    Only then did the cultivators from the four great families sit down.


    The Foundation Establishment male cultivator said, "I am Ning Canghan from the Cang Ling Sect, and this is my junior sister, Su Bingyun. We are here on orders to lead the charge against the Lingxi Wang family."


    After a brief introduction, Ning Canghan began to issue a series ofmands.


    Su Bingyun sat quietly to one side, not uttering a single word.


    Before long, everyone had dispersed, gathering their subordinates and heading to the Market Square.


    In the Market Square, seven hundred-zhang long Spirit Boats were moored, and the cultivators from the four great Foundation Establishment families boarded the seven Spirit Boats.


    A sh of Spiritual Light, and the seven Spirit Boats flew into the sky.


    "This is what it''s like to ride a Spirit Boat, truly an incredible experience!"


    Zhao Yu stood on the deck of a Spirit Boat, feeling very stable. The entire Spirit Boat was enveloped in a powerful barrier that resisted the fierce winds as it flew.


    Most Qi Refinement Realm cultivators couldn''t use flying spells, and there were very few Magic Artifacts that could carry people. Spirit Boats were even owned only by the four great sects. This was Zhao Yu''s first time riding a Spirit Boat in this world, and he found it very novel.


    Ling Qianxue stood beside Zhao Yu, and the pair looked like a couple of immortal lovers.


    The seven Spirit Boats quickly flew over the mountains of the Lingxi region.


    At that moment, a Second Order Great Array had already been deployed in the wolf ridge of Lingxi, which was shrouded in thick fog.


    Ning Canghan stood on the Spirit Boat, looking down at the dense fog below with a confident expression, "The array deployed by the Lingxi Wang family is a mid-grade Second Order Thousand Trees Formation Array! This array integrates with the terrain, with ten Second-Order Spirit Woods at its core, continuously generating Spiritual Energy.


    Even False Core cultivators would struggle to break through it if they attacked forcefully. However, the Lingxi Wang family does not have a Second Order Array Master; the array is stiffly assembled and full of ws. You only need to follow orders to break this array effortlessly."


    Under Ning Canghan''smand, the seven Spirit Boats split up, and beams of light shone as they bombarded the wolf ridge below.


    Chapter Discover:


    Under the assault of the seven beams, the Second Order Thousand Trees Formation Array expanded. Beams of sparkling light shone from the First Order Spirit Woods, with ten Second Order Spirit Woods at its core and a thousand First Order Spirit Woods as its foundation, forming a pale green barrier that resisted the bombardment of the seven beams of Spiritual Power.


    Inside wolf ridge, every Wang family cultivator watching the seven Spirit Boats in the sky was covered in a gloomy shadow.


    An old man with white hair and beard, burly and vigorous, and quite schrly furrowed his brows and said, "Xiongli, how long can the Thousand Trees Formation Arrayst?"


    Wang Xiongli said, "Family Head, with our Wang family''s stockpile of Spirit Stones, judging by their intensity of attack, our family''s grand array can hold for six months!"


    Wang Xiongyan slowly said, "Six months is enough! The Cang Ling Sect cannot afford to waste so many cultivators here. As long as we can persevere for six months, the Cang Ling Sect is finished! The Yin Ghost Sect will surely achieve final victory!"


    Wang Xiongli fell silent.


    The Wang family had already invested too much. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators had died at the hands of the Cang Ling Sect, and the Cang Ling Sect had likewise lost two great Foundation Establishment cultivators. Both sides bore deep-seated hatred and there was no possibility of reconciliation.


    Only if the Yin Ghost Sect emerged victorious could the Wang family''s efforts be rewarded, allowing them to once again be the foremost Foundation Establishment family in Cang Country, or perhaps even more.

 Chapter 50 Breaking the Formation

    Suddenly, the two Second-Order Spiritual Trees that supported the Thousand Trees Formation Array began to wither. Numerous Second-Order Ban-Breaking Talismans were directly activated within the formation, and waves of powerful ban-breaking power tore a huge hole through the Thousand Trees Formation Array.


    Under Ning Canghan''smand, at that moment, seven Spirit Boats fired beams of Spiritual Power Light Columns, which prated the formation and shattered the Spiritual Trees that supported the Thousand Trees Formation Array, one after another.


    After arge number of Spiritual Trees were destroyed, the entire Thousand Trees Formation Array became blurred, and the Barrier copsed directly.


    Ning Canghan shouted fiercely, "The Thousand Trees Formation Array is broken! Charge in and exterminate the Wang family! Whatever you obtain will be yours alone; the Cang Ling Sect will not take a single penny!"


    The cultivators recruited by the four great Foundation Establishment families rushed towards the Wang family like hungry wolves.


    That was the headquarters of the number one Foundation Establishment family in Cang Country, the Wang family of Lingxi, which possessed untold resources, and undoubtedly had treasures like the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Wang Xiongyan, watching the Thousand Trees Formation Array copse, trembled slightly and a trace of despair flickered through his eyes as he said, "Damn it! There''s a traitor! There are spies from the Cang Ling Sect within the family! Please, Elder Uncle, take action!"


    "s, I always said not to cooperate with the Ghost Sect! s, blinded by profit, you did not heed my words and have brewed the disaster of n destruction! I will block those two Foundation Establishment Cultivators for you; you all escape quickly!"


    An elder from the Wang family, his hair and beard all white and possessing the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Third Layer, heaved a long sigh, a sh of determination in his eyes. He swallowed a bright red Spirit Pill, and his aura instantaneously skyrocketed to the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer.


    Wielding a long hook of Spiritual Artifact grade, he charged towards Ning Canghan and Su Bingyun.


    A Second-Order Low-grade magical beast, the Red me Giant Ape, also flew alongside the Wang family Elder Uncle.


    Ning Canghan and Su Bingyun, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, also attacked the Wang family Elder Uncle and the Red me Giant Ape.


    Inside the Wang family headquarters, the sounds of fiercebat echoed as the cultivators recruited by the four families fought desperately against the Wang family''s cultivators.


    "The Wang family''s library is in this direction!"


    Under the guidance of Ling Qianxue, Zhao Yu headed straight for the Wang family''s library.


    Along the way, Zhao Yu used his Flying Dagger Technique to shoot and kill the Wang family cultivators blocking their path, while Ling Qianxue controlled a Supreme Grade Magic Sword of Top-Grade Magical Artifact Level, continuously ying Wang family cultivators.


    The group quickly reached the Wang family''s library.


    Zhao Yu ascended to the fifth floor of the library and looked at the empty bookshelves, frowning slightly, "All the valuable books have been taken away!"


    "They won''t escape. Leave it to me!"


    Ling Qianxue smiled sweetly, took out a Spirit Insect Bag, and opened it. From the bag flew out a palm-sized Spirit Insect covered with ayer of pitch-ck carapace, having four antennae, four eyes, and four nostrils.


    Ling Qianxue said, "Go, track the person who took the jade slips!"


    The Spirit Insect immediately flew to a bookshelf, its antennae constantly touching the shelf, then with a flutter of its wings, it flew outside.


    Zhao Yu and his group immediately followed in the direction of the Spirit Insect.


    Before long, Zhao Yu and hispanions caught up with several Wang family cultivators, among them one with the cultivation level of Great Circle of Qi Refining.


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator of the Wang family, upon seeing Ling Qianxue, a glint of murderous intent crossed his eyes as he coldly said, "Ling Qianxue? You''re seeking death!"


    The highest cultivation level in Zhao Yu''s group was that of Ling Qianxue, at the ninthyer of Qi Refinement; she was no match for the Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator of the Wang family.


    Whoosh!


    A Flying Dagger shot out like a meteor, instantly piercing through the Golden Light Cover that protected the Wang family Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator, directly shattering his head.


    A look of surprise crossed Zhao Yu''s eyes, "This guy is so much weakerpared to the Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator of the Ghost Sect!"


    "Eighth Uncle!!"


    "Let''s fight them with all we''ve got!"


    "..."


    The remaining few members of the Wang family, their eyes red with fury, shouted in unison andmanded various magic artifacts to attack Zhao Yu and hispanions.


    Ling Qianxue''s eyes shed coldly, and with a wave of her magic sword, a streak of white light effortlessly cut down the Wang family cultivators one by one, with each of them falling to her sword.


    Had the Wang family not colluded with the Yin Ghost Sect, the Ling family would not have suffered such heavy casualties. After all, with its foundation, the Ling family could have activated the defensive array in time, which even Foundation Establishment cultivators would find hard to breach.


    Although the Yin Ghost Sect was powerful, they didn''t have enough time to nt a spy within the Ling family. Only the Wang family, the number one Foundation Establishment n of Cang Country, had the means to sneak a spy into the Ling family without anyone noticing.


    Zhao Yu stood quietly aside, acting as Ling Qianxue''s protector, watching as she massacred each Wang family cultivator.


    After killing thest Wang family member, Ling Qianxue let out a sigh of relief, casually flicking the fresh blood from her magic sword and smiled apologetically, "I''m sorry, I lost myposure a bit!"


    Zhao Yu replied slowly, "It''s better to vent your emotions than to bottle them up inside."


    After the death of her parents, Ling Qianxue had no choice but to take up the mantle of the entire Ling family. To protect the family, she willingly gave herself to Zhao Yu, who she had only met a few times. Though always strong, her heart naturally umted countless grudges and negative emotions, which she could only vent slightly by killing her enemies today.


    Ling Qianxue''s gaze softened, and sheughed lightly, "I wouldn''t have guessed that Big Brother Yu knows how tofort others!"


    Zhao Yu nced at the other cultivators recruited by Ling Qianxue and spoke indifferently, "We''ve got the Wang family''s books now! You are all free to go!"


    "Yes!"


    A trace of surprise shed through the eyes of the cultivators as they scattered in all directions, rushing toward the depths of the Wang family''s estate.


    The reason Ling Qianxue managed to easily recruit arge number of cultivators from Market of Jiuchen Mountain was that those cultivators coveted the Wang family''s spiritual objects.


    Without Zhao Yu''s restraint, those cultivators would turn into marauders, piging, burning, and plundering all of the Wang family''s resources.


    Zhao Yu said, "Let''s head back."


    Curious, Ling Qianxue asked, "Aren''t you going to check out the Wang family''s treasury and the spiritual medicine garden? Those two ces must have plenty of resources. It''s even possible that some Foundation Establishment Pills have been left in the treasury!"


    Manyte-stage and Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivators joined the punitive expedition at the risk of their lives just because the Wang family possessed Foundation Establishment Pills!


    Zhao Yu exined, "Those two ces have many good things, but thepetition will also be fierce. The Wang family''s Foundation Establishment Pills have either been used or are on the important members of the family, making them difficult to obtain."


    Zhao Yu hade to the Wang family primarily to acquire their various cultivation texts and, secondly, to ensure Ling Qianxue''s safety.


    Now that he had the Wang family''s cultivation texts, he did not wish to cause any more trouble.


    In Zhao Yu''s possession were already the main ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill and he had gathered most of the auxiliary materials, with only a hundred-year-old Seven-Patterned Jade Ganoderma remaining.


    Though the Seven-Patterned Jade Ganoderma was precious, it could still be acquired from some auctions or the other three major Foundation Establishment families if one had enough Spirit Stones.


    The Ling family''s spiritual medicine garden did grow Seven-Patterned Jade Ganoderma, but the hundred-year potency had already been used, and the remaining nts had not yet reached the necessary age.


    After pondering for a moment, Ling Qianxue followed Zhao Yu and they left together.

 Chapter 51 Mutation

    Inside arge room of the Wang family''s house, three cultivators kicked open the door and barged in, only to see an old man with white hair and one blind eye sitting inside.


    A middle-aged cultivator with a ferocious face shouted harshly, "Old man, hand over all your valuables! Otherwise, I''ll make you beg for life and yearn for death!"


    The other two cultivators also had madness and ferocity shing in their eyes. In such reckless ughter, many cultivators were infected by the atmosphere and turned into humanoid evil ghosts.


    "If you want to annihte our Wang family, then you will be buried with us!"


    The one-eyed, white-haired old man had a flicker of madness in his eyes as he suddenly tore off a second-order sealing talisman stuck to a stone monument.


    The moment the sealing talisman was torn off, a pitch-ck ghost w emerged from the stone monument and directly twisted off the head of the one-eyed old man.


    "Act now! Destroy that stone monument!"


    The leader, a middle-aged cultivator at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, had his expression change dramatically, and he propelled a red flying dagger towards the pitch-ck stone monument.


    The other two cultivators also propelled their magic artifacts toward the same pitch-ck stone monument.


    Arge amount of pitch-ck ghost aura gushed from the stone monument, and a nine-foot-tall, second-order medium-grade evil ghost, covered in ck aura, its body rotting everywhere, emitting a stench, with a ferocious face that seemed to harbor endless resentment, emerged from the dark mist.


    The evil ghost, with a ferocious face, easily caught the three magic artifacts in its ws. With a sweep of its dense ck ghost aura, the artifacts were coated in ckness, lost their spirituality, and fell to the ground.


    "Second-order ghost creatures!"


    The heart of the middle-aged cultivator at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining turned cold, and he rapidly retreated backward.


    The other two cultivators also retreated swiftly.


    The evil ghost, with a vicious smile, opened its mouth and spewed out a dense fog, which quickly enveloped the three cultivators.


    "Did we escape?"


    The middle-aged cultivator at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining sprinted with all his might, and after as he passed through a corridor, he was terrified to find himself suddenly appearing in front of the evil ghost.


    The evil ghost reached out its w and pierced through the cultivator''s Golden Light Cover, entering his heart.


    "So I was under an illusion!"


    The gaze of the middle-aged cultivator dimmed as his heart was directly gouged out by the evil ghost.


    The evil ghost swallowed the heart of the middle-aged cultivator, its aura grew stronger, and it spewed out more mist.


    Soon, the screams of the other two cultivators came from the mist, and the mist began to spread further into the surroundings.


    "That''s the Ghost Region! The domain of evil ghosts!! This is the Ghost Fog! There''s a second-order evil ghost inside!! Run!"


    As soon as Zhao Yu saw the rising mist within the Wang family''s grounds, his Superior Evil Warding Talisman started to burn, and his face dramatically changed. He shouted loudly, immediately activating a Superior Featherweight Talisman, and fled outside.


    A second-order evil ghost was extremely terrifying, and even though Zhao Yu had reached Foundation Establishment with his physical body, he was not confident about oveing that second-order evil ghost.


    In almost an instant, Zhao Yu had fled a hundred yards away.


    "Was I abandoned?"


    Ling Qianxue paled, clenched her teeth, activated a Featherweight Talisman, and flew toward Zhao Yu.


    "You''re too slow! Hold tight!"


    An illusion appeared, and Zhao Yu, frowning deeply, materialized in front of Ling Qianxue. He reached out, pulled her into his embrace, and desperately urged the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art and the Phantom Step Technique, flying out like a phantom.


    It seems I did not choose the wrong person!


    A warm feeling immediately welled up in Ling Qianxue''s heart, and her snowy white arms encircled Zhao Yu.


    Many cultivators attacking the royal family realized this when they saw the swirling Ghost Fog, and they turned to flee.


    "Zitao, save me!"


    A shrill cry came from not far away. following the sound, Ling Qianxue saw a beautiful woman with the Sixth Level of Qi Refining and a graceful figure about to be overtaken by the Ghost Fog, screaming in terror.


    In front of the beautiful woman, a young and handsome cultivator with a cold face was racing madly,pletely ignoring the beautiful woman pleading behind him.


    Ling Qianxue silently thought, "That''s Zheng Cai''er and herpanion Shiquan! She misjudged him!"


    The Ghost Fog churned and eventually swallowed the despairing Zheng Cai''er while Shiquanpletely ignored hispanion.


    Under the threat of the Ghost Fog, many cultivators showed their ugliest sides, but equally, many disyed the best of humanity. Some cultivators chose to live and die with theirpanions, while others saved their closest friends, only to be engulfed by the Ghost Fog together.


    After spreading to the heart of the royal family''s territory, the Ghost Fog stopped spreading, covering most of Spirit Wolf Ridge, emitting a sinister, eerie aura.


    Zhao Yu, having held Ling Qianxue, had long escaped the area enveloped by the Ghost Fog and ran another twenty li before setting Ling Qianxue down.


    Ning Canghan looked at the area covered by the Ghost Fog and slightly frowned, "This is the Royal Family''s trump card! A Second-Order Evil Ghost! Sister Su, how about we join forces to eliminate this ghost?"


    In the area covered by the Ghost Fog, there were many cultivators from the four major Foundation Establishment families. Their total death would significantly damage the prestige of the Cang Spirit Sect. Recruiting cultivators from the four great families to fight would be very difficult in the future.


    Moreover, if the Second-Order Ghost Creature within Spirit Wolf Ridge is not dealt with, the second-order superior spiritualnd will transform into a Ghost Region. The Ghost Creature, nourished by the Spirit Vein, would grow stronger over the years, potentially bing a Third-Order Evil Ghost.


    Once the Ghost Creature in Spirit Wolf Ridge advanced to a Third-Order Evil Ghost, its controlled Ghost Region would expand tenfold and gain the ability to leave the Ghost Region for short periods, which would be extremely terrifying.


    In the Northern Wastnd, there are also two spiritualnds upied by Third-Order Evil Ghosts; those twonds are forbidden territories, and for human cultivators to step into them means certain death.


    Su Bingyun slightly nodded, casting a subtle nce at Zhao Yu, and followed Ning Canghan into the Ghost Fog-enveloped Spirit Wolf Ridge.


    Zhao Yu looked at the Ghost Fog-enveloped Spirit Wolf Ridge, pondered briefly, found a hidden spot, set up an Array underground, and then took out the Ghost Nurturing Jar containing a Misceneous Ghost. He gently tapped it.


    A ghost about three feet tall, pale as death with a fierce look and resembling an ugly toddler, appeared before Zhao Yu, radiating an aggressive aura and possessing the strength of a first-order high-grade Misceneous Ghost.


    As soon as the Misceneous Ghost appeared, its eyes shed fiercely, its body surged with a pitch-ck aura, and it lunged at Zhao Yu with its ws extended.


    "Lock!"


    Zhao Yu uttered softly and pointed at the Misceneous Ghost.


    The Array''s Spiritual Light shone brightly, and transparent chains emerged, tightly wrapping around the Misceneous Ghost.

 Chapter 52: Chapter 52 White Ghost Emperor

    The mixed-quality spiritual ghost surged with dark energy all over its body, struggling madly as it let out a series of shrill, piercing roars.


    Standing by as protector, Ling Qianxue changed color at the sound of the piercing roar, feeling a throbbing pain in her head.


    Zhao Yu furrowed his brows slightly, bit the tip of his tongue, and sprayed out a stream of blood essence that entered the body of the mixed-quality spiritual ghost. Then, while reciting the secret technique from the Ghost Control Technique, he activated his mana and ced his palm directly on the head of the spiritual ghost.


    The mixed-quality spiritual ghost''s body continued to tremble, emitting several piercing screams, as dark energy churned around it.


    From the array, countless shes of spiritual light shone, firmly suppressing the mixed-quality spiritual ghost.


    A few breathster, the mixed-quality spiritual ghost''s eyes became lifeless as Zhao Yu erased all its consciousness.


    The Human-Ghost Pact Secret Technique from the sect was extremely exquisite, and the first step in the ''Spirit Ghost Mastery Technique'' was to erase all consciousness of the controlled evil ghost, then blend the practitioner''s blood essence and part of the divine sense into the spirit ghost''s body, making the spirit ghost a part of the practitioner.


    In this way, the controlled spiritual ghost could aid the practitioner''s cultivation through a secretive connection formed by the Pact Secret Technique, effectively enhancing the practitioner''s cultivation aptitude.


    Zhao Yu recited the curse script, sprayed another mouthful of blood essence into the body of the mixed-quality spiritual ghost, forming a secretive Blood Pact Spirit Pattern that prated deep into its body.


    A strong repelling force emanated from the body of the mixed-quality spiritual ghost, attempting to disperse the Blood Pact Spirit Pattern.


    Zhao Yu slightly furrowed his brows, frantically stimted his mana, and cut his wrist, spilling arge amount of fresh blood onto the body of the mixed-quality spiritual ghost.


    After absorbing Zhao Yu''srge amount of fresh blood, the resistance finally ceased, allowing the Blood Pact Spirit Pattern to prate deeply into its body.


    When the Blood Pact Spirit Pattern prated the deepest part of the mixed-quality spiritual ghost''s body, Zhao Yu suddenly felt a secretive connection established between them.


    "Nameless Ghost: Quality Mixed (95/100)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order Superior (298/400)."


    "This spiritual ghost was just a bit away from being cultivated into a low-grade ghost, no wonder that disciple of the sect did not bind with it. After all, once bound, it''s very difficult to enhance the quality of a spiritual ghost."


    Once a spiritual ghost is controlled by the Human-Ghost Pact Secret Technique, it holds part of the practitioner inside its ghostly body, making it a hundred times harder than before to enhance its quality.


    "However, for me, this should be a good thing!"


    Zhao Yu took out a second-order superior Yin Ghost Relic Box, breathed in sharply, and effortlessly refined the yin energy enshrouding the box after ingesting it with the Dao Fruit technique, swallowing it into his body.


    A plus sign appeared next to both the quality and cultivation level of the nameless ghost.


    "What should I name this ghost? Xiaobai? That name is toomon For now. Bai Tongzi? Not good!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the ghost, its body pale and its face ferocious, weighing how to name it. If all went well, this ghost would be one of his mainbat forces and apany him for a long time.


    Spiritual ghosts were exceedingly rare, and within the entire sect, only a handful of cultivators owned one. Even among them, this mixed-quality spirit ghost was a precious treasure. Some sect cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage were even willing to exchange a Foundation Establishment Pill for a mixed-quality spiritual ghost.


    Given the rarity of spiritual ghosts, it meant that it would be difficult for Zhao Yu to find medium or high-grade ghosts to rece this nameless ghost in the future.


    Ling Qian Xue smiled slightly and suggested, "How about calling it White Ghost King? If it can be a Ghost King in the future, it will surely be a great asset to you."


    Zhao Yu, satisfied, added, "Great! From now on, you''ll be called White Ghost Emperor!"


    The corners of the White Ghost Emperor''s mouth suddenly split open, almost reaching its ears, revealing sharp serrated teeth as it smiled in a deeply unsettling manner. However, Zhao Yu found its sharp teeth and sharp ws rather endearing because the more ferocious it appeared, the stronger it was inbat.


    Zhao Yu then absorbed the yin energy from two low-grade superior evil ghost relics and began enhancing the White Ghost Emperor''s quality.


    In an instant, Zhao Yu felt a cold stream of air surge from deep within his body, flowing through the pact he had with the White Ghost Emperor and entering its body.


    The eyes of the White Ghost Emperor brightened, and its body trembled violently, rapidly expanding from three feet long into a seven-foot-tall giant. Its muscles bulged, and its ws sharpened while its face became even more vicious.


    Ling Qianxue''s eyes flickered with curiosity, "What is this? A secret technique of the Yin Ghost Sect?"


    There were countless extraordinary skills and strange methods in the Cultivation World, and Ling Qianxue guessed that the transformation of the White Ghost Emperor might be due to some spell cast by Zhao Yu.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality Low-grade (0/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: First-Order Superior (360/400)."


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up, "It seems that if I consume a few more evil ghost relics, the White Ghost Emperor should be able to evolve into a second-order low-grade spirit ghost! Although I am almost at my limit, I should still be able to absorb some more yin energy."


    Even though Zhao Yu possessed the Dao Fruit of devouring, his cultivation level and physique were not on par with it. He had a limited capacity for absorbing power each day, and continuing to forcefully consume evil ghost relics could harm his body.


    Zhao Yu pondered for a while, quietly looking towards the area enveloped by the ghost fog.


    About half an hourter, the ghost fog began to intensely contract.


    Zhao Yu let out a slight sigh of relief, "It worked! Fortunately, the worst didn''t happen!"


    In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Ning Canghan, with an arm severed and his face pale, flew out from the midst of the ghost fog, turning into an escape light andnding on a spirit boat.


    Seven spirit boats, shimmering with spiritual light, promptly flew away from the Mountain Wolf Ridge.


    Zhao Yu''s brows furrowed as he looked in the direction of the ghost fog.


    Ling Qianxue''s heart tightened, and she immediately grasped Zhao Yu''s right hand and said, "Don''t go! Brother Yu, it''s too dangerous! Ning Canghan and Su Bingyun, two Foundation Establishment cultivators, are no match for the evil ghost in the fog. If you go, you could die!"


    "Rest assured! If I dare to go in, I naturally have full confidence!"


    Zhao Yu took out a second-order evil ghost relic and immediately absorbed all the yin energy from it, then stuffed a pill into the White Ghost Emperor''s mouth.


    After the White Ghost Emperor swallowed the pill, Zhao Yu seized the opportunity to let it evolve.


    Countless ck auras surged out of the White Ghost Emperor''s body. Its skin became even paler, and its form hovered between tangible and intangible. Its pupils seemed about to condense into mysterious curse seals, but ultimately failed and formed many strange ghost patterns. A terrifying aura of a second-order low-grade evil ghost emanated from its body.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality Low-grade (0/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order Low-grade (0/400)."


    "A second-order evil ghost!! What was that pill?"


    Ling Qianxue''s heart surged with waves of shock and joy.


    If a second-order low-grade evil ghost didn''t encounter a cultivator who practiced lightning or fire techniques, which counteracted ghost path techniques, it generally was stronger than cultivators of the same level. A second-order low-grade evil ghost possessed formidable strength, enough to serve as the foundation for a Foundation Establishment family.

 Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Annihilating the Evil Ghost

    The White Ghost Emperor, after evolving into a Second-Order Low-grade Evil Ghost, became much stronger than even Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu originally wanted to use those Fierce Ghost Relics to enhance his Divine Sense, which would increase his chances of sessfully reaching Foundation Establishment.


    Zhao Yu patted Ling Qianxue''s fragrant shoulder and said warmly, "Go back first! I will go in and thene back safely. With the strength of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if we cannot defeat that evil ghost, we will still be able to return unharmed. Take care of yourself and be safety aware!"


    "You muste back safely, if you do, I''ll agree to anything you say!"


    Ling Qianxue bit her silver tooth, a blush spread across her pretty face as she hugged Zhao Yu, kissed him on the cheek, and then let go.


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and pointed a finger, "Go scout ahead!"


    The White Ghost Emperor flew straight into the ghost fog.


    After the White Ghost Emperor entered the ghost fog, Zhao Yu sensed the absence of any battle fluctuations and only then did he step into the fog.


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered the ghost fog, his vision blurred and he saw a royal mansion as if no battle had ever taken ce, the surroundings not enveloped by the ghost fog, and even the White Ghost Emperor standing next to him was invisible.


    "What a powerful Illusion Technique! This evil ghost is truly terrifying! Luckily I have the White Ghost Emperor!"


    Zhao Yu''s mind stirred, he chanted the Curse Script, executed a secret technique, and after a single breath, he acquired the ghostly vision of the White Ghost Emperor.


    Spiritual Ghosts are the kings of evil ghosts, and only a few types of ghost creatures can contend with them. The evil ghost sealed by the Wang family was just a Second-Order ghost creature, and its illusions were not enough to deceive the ghostly vision of the White Ghost Emperor.


    Through the sight of the White Ghost Emperor''s ghostly eyes, Zhao Yu saw a mansion littered with corpses. Several cultivators were racing in circles nearby, wastefully exhausting their physical strength and mana.


    "The ghost fog is rising from that direction! The evil ghost should be over there!"


    Zhao Yu executed the Phantom Step Technique and flew towards the direction from where the ghost fog was ascending.


    The White Ghost Emperor, like a specter, drifted by Zhao Yu''s side.


    "Let me test your abilities!"


    Curiosity flickered in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he activated a Superior Grade Featherweight Talisman and executed the Phantom Step Technique, moving silently and swiftly like a ghost.


    However, no matter how Zhao Yu sped up, the White Ghost Emperor followed him effortlessly, floating beside him.


    Joy flickered through Zhao Yu''s eyes, "A Spiritual Ghost, truly the king of evil ghosts! Its speed is even greater than mine!"


    After passing through several corridors, the White Ghost Emperor suddenly reached out to grab Zhao Yu and pointed towards the northwest.


    "That direction?"


    Zhao Yu immediately activated the Breath Concealing Secret Technique, concealed his breath, and started moving towards the northwest using Qinggong.


    After just a few hundred yards away, Zhao Yu saw a figure sitting cross-legged in front of a house in the northwest direction, Su Bingyun, with a Second-Order Low-grade Evil-Suppressing Talisman floating above her head.


    The talisman burned slowly, releasing immense Power of Evil Suppression.


    There was a terrible wound on Su Bingyun''s left side; it looked as though a piece had been gouged out by a w, exposing her internal organs. Slowly, blood oozed out. If she were not a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she would have been dead by now.


    The nine-foot-tall evil ghost emitted pitch-ck ghostly energy, continuously spewing out ck fog that rolled towards Su Bingyun.


    The ck ghostly energy dissipated on approach to Su Bingyun, and the Evil-Suppressing Talisman burned even faster.


    The towering, nine-foot evil ghost suddenly turned its head and locked eyes with Zhao Yu, its eyes shing with a ferocious and malevolent light.


    A chill surged in Zhao Yu''s heart at the sight.


    When Su Bingyun saw Zhao Yu, a trace of gratitude shed in her eyes. She bit her silver teeth and shouted loudly, "Run! This is a Second-Order mid-grade evil ghost! Do note any closer!"


    With a light step, the nine-foot tall evil ghost transformed into a de of pitch-ck Escape Light and charged directly at Zhao Yu.


    The White Ghost Emperor also showed a ferocious expression,ughed maniacally, and with its body enveloped in ck ghostly energy, pounced toward the other evil ghost.


    The two evil ghosts shed almost instantly, their ws enveloped in ck qi lunging at each other.


    Their terrifying, ck ghostly energies collided and churned fiercely.


    Although the White Ghost Emperor had only recently advanced to a low-grade Second-Order, as the king of a hundred ghosts, itsbat power far exceeded that of other ghost creatures of the same level.


    The nine-foot evil ghost, having been heavily injured by Ning Canghan and Su Bingyun, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, had not yet recovered, and waspletely suppressed by the White Ghost Emperor, falling into a disadvantage from the outset.


    Upon seeing the White Ghost Emperor, Su Bingyun felt ripples in her heart and thought, "Ghost Control Technique? A Second-Order evil ghost? He must have acquired the inheritance of the Yin Ghost Sect!"


    After being partially torn apart by a w of the White Ghost Emperor, the nine-foot evil ghost let out a scream and its pupils locked onto Zhao Yu, mysterious runes appearing within them.


    Zhao Yu''s vision blurred, and suddenly he saw the nine-foot evil ghostunching a frenzied attack on Su Bingyun.


    "Save me! Save me!"


    As Su Bingyun activated the Fire Crow Mirror, a massive Fire Crow encircled her, desperately fending off the nine-foot evil ghost''s assault while calling out for help.


    A surge of impulsiveness rose in Zhao Yu''s heart, wanting to channel his mana and use the Flying Dagger Technique to kill the nine-foot evil ghost.


    "No, this is an illusion! Such a terrifying Illusion Technique. Even though I was on guard, the feeling is too real; it''s hard to tell what''s true and what''s false!"


    Zhao Yu''s heart grew cold, and he executed a secret technique, borrowing the power of the White Ghost Emperor''s eyes. His pupils suddenly radiated a faint ghostly light, allowing him to see the true situation.


    The nine-foot evil ghost had been suppressed by the White Ghost Emperor, and during the moment it cast its illusion, the White Ghost Emperor, with its massive, gaping maw revealing razor-sharp teeth, bit into the body of the nine-foot evil ghost.


    The nine-foot evil ghost let out a scream, and part of its body was swallowed by the White Ghost Emperor. It hammered its w fiercely into the sorrowful White Ghost Emperor, but got stuck in its body, and then was torn into shreds and swallowed by the White Ghost Emperor.


    A burning intensity shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes: "So this is the Spiritual Ghost, the king of a hundred ghosts! So strong! This ispletely beyond my expectations! It is still only a low-grade Spiritual Ghost, but as it advances to mid-grade, high-grade, or even the legendary supreme grade, it will be even more powerful!"


    Zhao Yu had originally nned to sneak into the mansion with the White Ghost Emperor and rescue Su Bingyun, but had not expected the newly advanced Second-Order White Ghost Emperor to be so fierce.


    That was also why the disciple from the Yin Ghost Sect had gone to great lengths to raise the White Ghost Emperor to a low-grade Spiritual Ghost before performing the Human-Ghost Pact Secret Technique.


    Before long, the nine-foot evil ghost was torn to pieces and swallowed by the White Ghost Emperor.


    The Ghost Fog enveloping the entire mansion began to slowly dissipate.


    "Zhao Yu, you have saved me once again! Thank you!"


    After swallowing a Healing Elixir, Su Bingyun struggled to her feet, looking at Zhao Yu with a hint ofplexity in her eyes. She did not expect her fellow disciple and friend to abandon her and, instead, that Zhao Yu would risk his life toe to her rescue.


    Under the effects of the Healing Elixir and the robust physique of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Su Bingyun''s wounds began to heal at a pace visible to the naked eye.

 Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Foundation Establishment Pill

    Zhao Yu said, "Su, I hope you can help me conceal the existence of the White Ghost Emperor! Let''s pretend this evil ghost was killed by you!"


    The White Ghost Emperor, a Second-Order Spirit Ghost, was very powerful. Zhao Yu nned to hide it and use it as his trump card.


    "Of course! Here, take this! This is a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Su Bingyun reached into her storage bag and handed a bottle to Zhao Yu.


    "Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes brightened as he took the jade bottle, feeling a trace of emotion in his heart.


    The Foundation Establishment Pill within that small bottle was what countless Qi Refining Stage Cultivators dreamt of acquiring. A single Foundation Establishment Pill could fetch at least ten thousand spirit stones at an auction, and in some ck markets, it could even sell for the astronomical price of twenty thousand spirit stones.


    That was because Second-Order Alchemists capable of crafting Foundation Establishment Pills were scarce in the North Deste, and aside from the four Great Sects who could craft them, there were hardly any other powers that could.


    In the North Deste, Foundation Establishment Pills were in high demand and short supply. Even elite disciples of the Great Sects found it extremely difficult to obtain one, let alone outsiders.


    Even a Foundation Establishment family like the Changyang Ling family didn''t have a single Foundation Establishment Pill in their treasury, which spoke volumes about the pill''s preciousness.


    Su Bingyun hesitated for a moment, her pretty face blushing slightly as she slowly said, "Zhao Yu, from now on... you can call me Bingyun!"


    Zhao Yu smiled and replied, "How about I call you Senior Su in public, and Bingyun in private? After all, I''m just a mere Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator!"


    A Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator who couldmand a Second-Order Evil Ghost already had a statusparable to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!


    Su Bingyun nced at the White Ghost Emperor quietly standing behind Zhao Yu and said, "It''s up to you!"


    After hesitating for a while, Su Bingyun slowly asked, "Is Ling Qianxue your Dao Companion?"


    Zhao Yu answered frankly, "Not yet! Her heart is full of the Ling family, and my heart is set on the Great Dao. But for now, she is my woman!"


    Ling Qianxue had only met Zhao Yu a few times before; she was cheerful, bright, incredibly beautiful, and well-connected with countless admirers. The reason she was willing to suddenly devote herself to Zhao Yu, he understood her motives perfectly well.


    A glint shed in Su Bingyun''s beautiful eyes as she asked, "You''ve saved my life again, how do you expect me to repay you?"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I need Fierce Ghost Relics and Yin attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to nurture the White Ghost Emperor. Besides that, I am also an Alchemist, a Talisman Master. I''m in need of pill recipes, Demon Beast Inner Pills, Second-Order Demon Beast''s flesh, skin, fur, Second-Order Spirit Wood¡ªthese are all things Ick.


    I can trade with Superior Grade Red Jade Pills, Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, Heart-mending Pills, and Blood-patterned Beast Pills."


    Su Bingyun, being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, had a significantly higher circle of contacts than the current Ling family, making it safer to purchase some rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures through her.


    If a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator was known to possess a Foundation Establishment Pill, nine times out of ten, they would be targeted for murder. But for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to have one, it was perfectly normal. Unless they were faced with hostile forces or encountered robbers, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator wouldn''t be targeted over a mere Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Su Bingyun quietly looked at Zhao Yu, then took out four Low-grade Second-Order Fierce Ghost Relics and various materials required for nurturing evil ghosts, along with seven pieces of Second-Order Spirit Wood and handed them to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu nced at those materials, a hint of joy shed in his eyes as he took out arge number of Superior Red Jade Pills and Superior Yellow Spirit Pills and handed them to Su Bingyun.


    Superior Red Jade Pills and Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, which can enhance the cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage cultivators, were hard currency. Su Bingyun could easily sell these spirit pills on the front line.


    Su Bingyun''s willow brows furrowed slightly, "Those were gifts I gave you!"


    Zhao Yu smiled, "I know! However, I want more! Only through mutual benefit and win-win scenarios can I continuously obtain those rare materials from you. Just consider me greedy!"


    Su Bingyun pondered for a moment, "Then I shall host an exchange meet!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up, "That would be wonderful!"


    Zhao Yu had quite a few spirit stones in his possession, along with spirit pills like Superior Yellow Spirit Pills and Superior Red Jade Pills. What he currentlycked most was channels for purchasing various spiritual objects.


    In the Cultivation World, many cultivators would hoard the rare spiritual objects they obtained, using them to exchange for other rare spiritual objects they needed. In a resource-scarce ce like the Northern Deste Lands, it wasmon to encounter situations where one possessed spirit stones but couldn''t buy the needed spiritual objects.


    As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a righteous nature and an excellent reputation, Su Bingyun acting as the host of the exchange meet would make those cultivators much more willing to take out their precious spiritual objects for trade.


    Zhao Yu arrived in front of the stele holding the Fierce Ghost Relic, sealed the stele, and stored it inside his storage bag. Then, he and Su Bingyun searched together in the royal mansion for storage bags belonging to cultivators killed by the evil ghosts.


    The cultivators killed by the evil ghosts were all enveloped in ghostly energy. The White Ghost Emperor was particrly sensitive to ghostly energy. Under its guidance, Zhao Yu found many bodies of cultivators killed by evil ghosts and took away their storage bags.


    Zhao Yu came to the royal family''s treasure house and discovered that the treasures inside had beenpletely looted. He then went to the royal family''s Spiritual Medicine Garden and found that not a single Spirit Grass remained¡ª the entire ce was pitted and uneven.


    Su Bingyun asked, "Do you want to be the master of Wolf Ridge?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "The master of Wolf Ridge? Bingyun, even with your help, bing the master of Wolf Ridge won''t be so simple, right? Even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would covet this second-order superior spiritualnd."


    Second-order superior spiritualnds weren''t abundant in Cang Country, most being under the control of the Cang Ling Sect. Of the five great Foundation Establishment families in Cang Country, only the former Wang family had been awarded one by the Cang Ling Sect in recognition of their great contributions.


    A piece of second-order superior spiritualnd signified the ability to create a powerful Foundation Establishment Level force, as long as one managed it properly, arge number of cultivation resources could be acquired.


    Countless cultivator families dreamt of obtaining a piece of Spiritual Land, as it would allow them to pass down their lineage for generations and be a true cultivation family. Even a piece of inconsequential spiritualnd that didn''t even reach first-order could cause numerous Loose Cultivators to fight over it, not to mention a piece of second-order superior spiritualnd.


    Su Bingyun said, "I''ve earned quite a few merits on the battlefield, using all of my merits should help you secure the position of master of Wolf Ridge."


    Zhao Yu replied, "No! I hope those merits are used on yourself. If you can be a Golden Core Ancestor in the future, a piece of spiritualnd would be nothing more than a word away for you."


    With anticipation, Su Bingyun said, "I think Wolf Ridge is not bad. Since you don''t want it, I''ll take it. How about you manage it on my behalf? Also, no one from the Ling family is allowed to interfere."


    Zhao Yu agreed, "All right! But I''m just managing it, you need to send some people over."


    Su Bingyun turned her head, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, "Mhm!"

 Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Mountain Sutra

    "Brother Yu!"


    As soon as Zhao Yu arrived at the mansion''s entrance, Ling Qianxue approached him with a surprised and delighted expression from not far away.


    Upon seeing Su Bingyun next to Zhao Yu, Ling Qianxue''s gaze flickered slightly before she smiled sweetly and performed a courteous gesture, saying, "I''m grateful to Senior Su for taking care of my Brother Yu. Should Senior Su require anything in the future, I will do everything within my power."


    Su Bingyun, with a sharp gaze and calm voice, said, "Since when did Zhao Yu be yours? Ling Qianxue, has Zhao Yu married into your family, or have you perhaps married him as your husband?"


    Ling Qianxue''s gaze slightly narrowed.


    Naturally, Zhao Yu could not possibly marry into the Ling family. And if Ling Qianxue were to marry Zhao Yu, then she could never be the head of the Ling family.


    At this time, the strongest cultivator in the Ling family was Ling Qianxue, who was also the only member with a hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment.


    Should she marry Zhao Yu and he were to leaveter, she would follow, and the entire Ling family would face the verge of copse and destruction, for without a powerful cultivator, the Ling family could not defend Linghe Lake and the Nine Depths Mountain Market.


    Even though the Cang Ling Sect acknowledged the Ling family''s ownership of Linghe Lake and the Nine Depths Mountain Market, if a powerful rogue cultivator were to annihte the Ling family, other cultivator ns could naturally find a way to obtain recognition from the Cang Ling Sect.


    With a yful smile, Ling Qianxue retorted, "Although familial duties prevent me from marrying Brother Yu, I do like him! Senior Su, by targeting me this way, could it be that you also have feelings for my Brother Yu? If Senior Su likes Brother Yu as well, I am willing to share him with you."


    Ling Qianxue urately counterattacked, knowing well that Su Bingyun, being the pampered daughter of heaven, was proud and sensitive.


    "You, you are shameless! I, I¡ªZhao Yu is my best friend. I, I! I''m leaving first! In one month, I will host an exchange meeting at Mount Wolf Ridge!!"


    Su Bingyun''s face flushed a shade of red, and with gritted teeth, she channeled her mana and transformed into an escape light, flying away into the distance.


    "Let''s go!"


    Zhao Yu smiled lightly, and together with Ling Qianxue, they gathered some cultivators recruited by the Ling family before leaving Mount Wolf Ridge and returning to Ling Lotus Lake.


    In the quiet room, Zhao Yu counted his spoils of war.


    In the battle that annihted the Wang family, Zhao Yu didn''t kill many Wang family cultivators, but after destroying that Second-Order Intermediate Evil Ghost, he found quite a few bodies inside the Wang familypound, ending up with substantial gains.


    Zhao Yu altogether obtained three hundred fifty-seven intermediate-grade spirit stones, thirteen thousand seven hundred thirty-two low-grade spirit stones, arge number of talismans, and various kinds of spiritual medicines, magic artifacts, alchemy materials, talisman-drawing materials, artifact-refining materials, and cultivation manuals.


    The magical technique manuals possessed by the loose cultivators were inconsequential, but the Wang family, being the premier Foundation Establishment family, provided Zhao Yu with a set of Formation Path inheritances that could be cultivated to Third-Order high-grade, a set of Talisman Path inheritances that could be cultivated to Third-Order high-grade, as well as a set of Alchemy Dao inheritances and a set of artifact refining inheritances that could be cultivated to Second-Order high-grade.


    In the Wang family, there were also a dozen sets of cultivation techniques that could be practiced up to theter stages of Foundation Establishment, including the Five Elements Cultivation Technique, along with the Primordial Technique that could be cultivated by cultivators with any attribute spirit root.


    However, the Wang family had only one cultivation technique that could reach the Golden Core Stage, and that technique was the "Mountain Sutra."


    "This ''Mountain Sutra'' is a top-tier cultivation technique, facilitating dual cultivation ofw and body, and it even has effects that extend one''s lifespan. Normally, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage has a lifespan of about two hundred years, but those who cultivate the ''Mountain Sutra'' could exceed four hundred years, effectively doubling their lifespan."


    "Besides, cultivators practicing the ''Mountain Sutra'' could even absorb the power of earth veins to elerate the growth of various spiritual medicines, gradually enhancing the quality of spirit veins, possessing various unimaginable earth attribute divine skills."


    "Unfortunately, the requirements are too high! It requires an Earth Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root and also a body possessing the Earth Yuan Body spiritual body. Not to mention the northern destes, even the Cultivation World''s sacred Great Qian Empire might not find such a cultivation genius."


    Zhao Yu felt a tinge of regret as he held the "Mountain Sutra."


    Golden Core Techniques are incredibly precious; the entire Wang family had only one set of "Mountain Sutra," besides which there were no other techniques capable of reaching the Golden Core Stage, not losing to any sect-protecting cultivation texts.


    The more exceptional the cultivation technique, the more difficult it is to practice, requiring stricter conditions, which is why so many ordinary cultivation techniques have been created by cultivators, with only those suitable for one''s self being the best.


    "However, the ''Mountain Sutra'' does record the method to cultivate the Earth Yuan Body.


    To cultivate the Earth Yuan Body, one needs to use Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of at least third order, then lock oneself inside a spiritualnd using a grand array, absorbing the spiritual energy of that ce for a long time, using the third order or higher earth attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to change one''s physique to possess an Earth Yuan Body."


    "Once the Earth Yuan Body is cultivated, one can practice any earth attribute spell or cultivation technique with twice the effect. However, achieving the Earth Yuan Body does not extend life; only after achieving the Earth Yuan Body and then practicing the ''Mountain Sutra'' is there a possibility to extend lifespan, which is extremely difficult!"


    "But the ''Mountain Sutra'' is definitely a scripture that surpasses top-tier cultivation techniques, yet the difficulty of cultivation is also too great!"


    Zhao Yu, intensely studying the "Mountain Sutra," realized that among the text, only the secret technique of the Earth Yuan Body was possibly within his reach, as he was powerless with the fundamental techniques within it.


    After Zhao Yu inventoried the loot, he immediately took out the stele of the second-order middle-grade Evil Ghost Relic and drew a breath, easily refining the surging Yin energy and chose to enhance the quality of the White Ghost Emperor.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality Low-grade (20/1000)."


    Zhao Yu slightly smiled, "A second-order middle-grade Evil Ghost Relic can enhance the quality by twenty points. That means fifty pieces of second-order middle-grade Evil Ghost Relics are needed to evolve the White Ghost Emperor into a middle-grade Ghost. Although it''s a bit difficult, it''s not without hope!"


    For the Yin Ghost Sect, even low-grade Ghosts are rare treasures, not to mention middle-grade Ghosts.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu continued his alchemy, practiced the Wood Yuan Gong, and devoured the relics of Evil Ghosts to enhance the quality and cultivation level of the White Ghost Emperor.


    As for the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, after weighing his options, Zhao Yu decided to give up further deduction and practice. After all, who would continue practicing martial arts when they could cultivate immortality?


    Initially, Zhao Yu practiced Vajra Dragon Elephant Art because his aptitude for cultivation was too poor.


    In order to obtain a method of self-protection, now with his Foundation Establishment Level body cultivation strength, high-grade Wood Spirit Root, and possessing the White Ghost Emperor, the king of hundreds of ghosts, as a low-grade Ghost, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators might not even be a match for the White Ghost Emperor.


    Continuing to practice the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art no longer held much significance.


    The cultivation level and quality of the White Ghost Emperor continued to rise until Zhao Yu had exhausted all the Evil Ghost Relics he possessed.

 Chapter 56 The New Master of Wolf Ridge

    One monthter, Wolf Ridge had already restored order, aside from the direct line of the Wang family, many mortal families closely associated with them had also beenrgely purged by the Cang Spirit Sect, resulting in a direct decrease of twenty percent in the poption around Wolf Ridge.


    "Such a superior spiritualnd! What a pity!!"


    Ling Qianxue walked beside Zhao Yu through Wolf Ridge. She felt the dense spiritual power around her, a look of regret shing in her eyes.


    If this second-order superior spiritualnd had belonged to the Ling family, as long as Ling Qianxue managed it carefully, it could earn a vast amount of Spirit Stones every year. But the thought that the Ling family couldn''t get involved and that Zhao Yu had toe help manage it cut her to the heart.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "Doesn''t the Ling family own one-fifth of the Wind Wolf Mountain Market? As long as you manage Wind Wolf Mountain Market well, it will also yield a substantial ie."


    The five major Foundation Establishment families of Cang Country all have a market nearby, and operating these markets allows them to earn more Spirit Stones. The four major Foundation Establishment families attacked the Wang family under the summon of the Cang Spirit Sect and were rewarded with partial management rights to Wind Wolf Mountain Market as a reward.


    "Qianxue sister!"


    A cheerful and bright call rang out from the side.


    Following the direction of the sound, Zhao Yu saw a tall and beautiful woman with an oval face dressed in yellow, and a petite but fiery-faced young girl smiling as they approached.


    "Yunhui, Xixi!"


    Ling Qianxue smiled slightly and stepped forward to greet them.


    The oval-faced beauty Yunhui asked curiously, "Sister Qianxue, who is this?"


    Ling Qianxue grinned and said, "Let me introduce everyone, this is Zhao Yu, my man. These two are my good sisters, this one is Hu Yunhui from the Hu family of Fang Ridge, and this one is Xiao Xixi from the Xiao family of Yue Maple."


    Xiao Xixi was taken aback and blurted out, "Sister Qianxue, he is your man? A mere Seventh Level Qi Refining Loose Cultivator, how is he worthy of you?"


    Ling Qianxue was a genius of the Ling family, blessed with heavenly beauty and a cultivation level of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, numerous cultivators pursued her. With ease, she could have be the concubine of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, or even be the Dao Companion of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Initially, Ling Qianxue chose Zhao Yu because he had shown loyalty and kindness towards Cheng Lin and her daughter and had not let down Ling Chongshan''s trust. She also didn''t want the Ling family to fall into the hands of other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, thus shemitted herself to Zhao Yu.


    Hu Yunhui''s eyebrows knitted slightly and called out, "Xixi!!"


    Ling Qianxue spoke earnestly, "Xixi, I like Zhao Yu, that''s why I chose him! I won''t allow you to speak ill of him, otherwise, we cannot even be friends in the future."


    Xiao Xixi''s expression changed slightly, a bit aggrieved she said, "I''m sorry, I was wrong, Brother Zhao!"


    Zhao Yu responded indifferently, "Knowing your mistake is good!"


    Xiao Xixi''s eyebrows lifted slightly, her mood turning even worse.


    Hu Yunhui looked at Zhao Yu thoughtfully. She knew Ling Qianxue very well and naturally understood that a mere Seventh Level Qi Refining Loose Cultivator couldn''t possibly catch Ling Qianxue''s eye.


    Ling Qianxue asked, "Xixi, are you here to attend the exchange meeting hosted by Senior Su Bingyun?"


    Xiao Xixi said admiringly, "Yes! I came here specifically to meet Senior Su! She is the most outstanding female cultivator in Cang Country in almost fifty years!"


    In Cang Country, Foundation Establishment Cultivators are quite rare, with most Foundation Establishment Cultivators only managing the feat in their forties or fifties. Su Bingyun, who advanced to Foundation Establishment while still young, is unmatched by any female cultivator in Cang Country over thest fifty years.


    Ling Qianxue cast a strange nce at Zhao Yu.


    A group walked and chatted until they reached the front of the former royal residence, handed over the invitation, entered the mansion, and arrived in a spacious hall.


    "Yunhui, Xixi, Qian Xue!"


    A tall, extraordinarily handsome young man with a Cultivation Level of Seventh Level of Qi Refining approached from one side. Upon seeing Zhao Yu, his expression subtly changed as he respectfully greeted, "I have seen Zhao Senior!"


    Xiao Xixi asked with confusion, "Brother Yushan, why do you show such respect to a Loose Cultivator?"


    Zheng Yushan spoke solemnly, "Xixi, show no disrespect! Though Zhao Senior is a Loose Cultivator, he is a grand cultivator at the Fourth Level of Body Refinement!"


    Xiao Xixi''s pretty face slightly paled as she respectfully bowed, "Senior Zhao, I was rude before, please be magnanimous!"


    In the Cultivation World, hierarchies are strict, and the Fourth Level of Body Refinement is alreadyparable to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Xiao Xixi,ing from the Yue Feng Xiao family, naturally understood the significance of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    The Yue Feng Xiao family relied solely on one ancestor at the Early Foundation Establishment to support them. The Xiao family''s Foundation Establishment ancestor was already very old, reluctant to act easily, and even more so to provoke a feud with cultivators of the same rank.


    If Xiao Xixi unwittingly offended a cultivator with thebat power of Foundation Establishment, the Xiao family''s ancestor would definitely not let her off lightly.


    Zhao Yu said lightly, "Be more careful next time, not all Foundation Establishment Cultivators are as amenable as Zhao here."


    Xiao Xixi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled sweetly, "Yes! Senior Zhao!"


    Hu Yunhui pondered, "No wonder she chose Zhao Yu, and she was somewhat wary of us."


    As soon as Ling Qianxue met them, she introduced Zhao Yu as her man. Being close sisters with Ling Qianxue, Hu Yunhui and Xiao Xixi, on principle, should not contend with her for a man.


    If Ling Qianxue had not made it clear, Hu Yunhui and Xiao Xixi could still pretend to be oblivious. After all, they might also be arranged in the future by their families to marry a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Compared to those cultivators, Zhao Yu was already considered very loyal and righteous.


    Ling Qianxue smiled sweetly, "Brother Yu, let me introduce to you, this is Zheng Yushan from the Qi Yang Zheng family. He is the most promising genius of the Zheng family in this generation to reach Foundation Establishment!"


    Zheng Yushan was very modest, "The term genius, I dare not ept! Compared to Senior Zhao, my talent can only be considered mediocre. Foundation Establishment is extremely difficult to achieve, even with my family''s help, it is uncertain if I could get a Foundation Establishment Pill."


    Hu Yunhui, Xiao Xixi remained silent.


    During the casual conversation, numerous cultivators entered, and the hall quickly filled with cultivators from Cang Country at theter stages of Qi Refinement and beyond.


    Xiao Xixi suddenly brightened up, "Senior Su!"


    "I have seen Senior Su!"


    All the Qi Refinement cultivators in the hall stood up and offered a bow to Su Bingyun.


    Su Bingyun nodded slightly, under everyone''s watchful gaze, proceeded to the main seat, and her gazended on Zhao Yu as she said, "Daoist Zhao, pleasee and sit here!"


    Curious looks fell on Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu approached confidently and sat beside Su Bingyun.


    Su Bingyun spoke lightly, "Before the exchange meeting starts, I have an announcement. The Cang Spirit Sect has already awarded me Wind Wolf Mountain. If I am not around, Zhao Yu will take my ce in managing all affairs of Wind Wolf Mountain. Should I unfortunately fall in battle, Wind Wolf Mountain will be his to inherit!"

 Chapter 57 The Exchange Meeting

    "Is the talented Su Bingyun from the Cang Ling Sect actually stepping in topete with Qian Xue for a man? She''s making such a bold move, willing to give away a second-order superior spiritualnd like Wolf Ridge!"


    Hu Yunhui''s heart stirred with shock, and she couldn''t help but nce over at Ling Qianxue.


    Xiao Xixi and Zheng Yushan also couldn''t resist turning their gazes toward Ling Qianxue.


    In Xiao Xixi''s eyes was disbelief, after all, Su Bingyun was the Kunxiu she admired the most!


    Ling Qianxue still had a sweet smile on her face.


    A plethora of curious nces fell upon Zhao Yu, but none of the cultivators dared to speak out of turn.


    "I dere the exchange event officially open! Since I''m presiding over the event, I''ll start byying the cornerstone to draw out the jade!"


    Su Bingyun''s face was calm as she stepped onto a small tform inside the hall and produced a jade bottle, saying, "Inside here is a Superior Red Heart Pill! It can greatly enhance the cultivation level ofte-stage Qi Refinement cultivators and also increase the sess rate of achieving Foundation Establishment by fifty percent."


    "One Superior Red Heart Pill requires ten medium-grade spirit stones, or you can exchange it for a hundred years'' worth of Seven-Patterned Jade Ganoderma, second-order Evil Ghost Relics, Second-Order Demon Beast Inner Pills, and various rare heavenly and earthly treasures."


    Su Bingyun hadn''t finished speaking when a flurry of heated gazes descended upon the elixir in her hand.


    "A Superior Red Heart Pill! It can actually increase the sess rate of Foundation Establishment by fifty percent! It''s almostparable to Foundation Establishment spiritual objects."


    "What a treasure!! Worthy of being Su Fairy!!"


    "¡­"


    Those in thete stage of Qi Refinement were all excited because spirit pills that could enhance the sess rate of Foundation Establishment by fifty percent were extremely rare. They weren''t sold in any markets, and even in the Dan Ling Sect, famous for its elixirs, such Superior Red Heart Pills were scarce and hardly ever circted outside.


    "A Superior Red Heart Pill! Could it be that he refined it? His alchemy skills are truly not simple! What a pleasant surprise!"


    Ling Qianxue thoughtfully nced at Zhao Yu, a guess forming in her mind.


    A Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator dressed in a gray robe shouted, "Su Fairy, I offer one hundred medium-grade spirit stones for ten Superior Red Heart Pills!!"


    Another Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator with an ugly face hastily called out, "Su Fairy, I offer fifty medium-grade spirit stones for five Superior Red Heart Pills!"


    "¡­"


    Su Bingyun said, "Everyone, I haven''t finished speaking! I currently only have thirty Superior Red Heart Pills. Priority will be given to bartering. Firste, first served. If they can''t be traded, then I''ll sell them for spirit stones!"


    In a resource-scarce ce like the Northern Destion, often times even with spirit stones, one couldn''t buy various rare materials. That''s why various auctions and exchange events emerged.


    Upon hearing Su Bingyun''s words, the scene grew quiet as the cultivators weighed their options. Superior Red Heart Pills were indeed good items; they were willing to purchase them with spirit stones, but when it came to exchanging with spirit materials, they hesitated.


    Ate-stage Qi Refinement cultivator asked, "How many Superior Red Heart Pills can a hundred-year-old Seven-Patterned Jade Ganoderma get me?"


    Su Bingyun replied, "You can exchange it for one pill!"


    "I''ll exchange for five!"


    Thete-stage Qi Refinement cultivator hesitated for a moment, then took out five jade boxes and handed them over to Su Bingyun.


    After verifying their contents, Su Bingyun exchanged five Superior Red Heart Pills with thete-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.


    A Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator asked, "I have a low-grade Evil Ghost Relic from a Second-Order ghost creature. How many Red Heart Pills can I exchange for it?"


    Su Bingyun responded, "Three!"


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator said, "I''ll exchange for three!"


    Those cultivators in theter stages of Qi Refinement all brought out various precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures to exchange with Su Bingyun, and swiftly twenty Superior Red Heart Pills were traded away.


    A cultivator in theter stages of Qi Refinement hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and said, "Fairy Su, I would like to conduct a more secret transaction with you!"


    A hint of surprise shed in Su Bingyun''s eyes as she said, "That''s fine! Please follow me."


    Su Bingyun and that cultivator in theter stages of Qi Refinement entered a small room next to them directly.


    It wasn''t long before the cultivator in theter stages of Qi Refinement came out with Su Bingyun, his face full of joy.


    "Fairy Su, I will take my leave first!"


    The cultivator in theter stages of Qi Refinement gave Su Bingyun a bow and turned to fly away.


    Su Bingyun nced at the other cultivators and said indifferently, "Those who wish to leave must wait for the time of one incense stick! When I traded with him, I promised to ensure his safety."


    Several Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivators who were itching to move could only be honest.


    Although Su Bingyun had an excellent reputation and acted fairly, she was equally ruthless when it came to killing; countless cultivators had died by her hand.


    Su Bingyun said, "All of the Superior Red Heart Pills I had have been traded, and now we will enter the free trading session."


    The expressions of many cultivators in theter stages of Qi Refinement changed slightly, and a hint of regret passed through their eyes. With just that moment of hesitation, they had lost the chance to acquire Superior Red Heart Pills.


    "I''ll go first!"


    Zhao Yu stood up and came onto the stage, saying, "I have Superior Yellow Spirit Pills, Red Jade Pills, Red Heart Pills, as well as arge number of Spirit Stones.


    I would like to exchange for various Earth Attribute second-order heavenly materials and earthly treasures, Second-Order Spiritual Medicines, Second-Order Spirits Wood, Second-Order Demon Beast flesh and blood, inner cores, and other rare second-order and above heavenly materials and earthly treasures."


    A Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator said, "I have a Second-Order Green Jade Wood to exchange for five Red Heart Pills!"


    "Good!"


    Zhao Yu gave a slight nod, checked the item, and then handed over five Red Heart Pills to the cultivator.


    Many cultivators came forward to trade with Zhao Yu, allowing him to acquire a good number of Second-Order Spirit Wood, Second-Order Spiritual Medicines, and various second-order heavenly materials and earthly treasures.


    Many of the cultivators participating in this exchange event had taken part in the expedition against the Wang family, and they had obtained many heavenly materials and earthly treasures from the fallen Wang family. Naturally, they were willing to trade for elixirs that could enhance their mana during the exchange event.


    After Zhao Yu had finished his exchanges, one by one, the Qi Refinement cultivators went up to trade with the other cultivators.


    A Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator hesitated for a moment before stepping onto the stage directly, took out a jade box and opened it, revealing a Mountain Spirit Core that was fist-sized and suffused with wisps of spiritual energy.


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator looked towards Su Bingyun with some anticipation, "This is a Mountain Spirit Core, a heavenly material and earthly treasure that was born by chance after the copse of a Third-Order medium-grade Spirit Vein. It is also an excellent material for refining magical treasures. I wish to exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Gazes fell upon Su Bingyun, and in the entire exchange event, only Su Bingyun, the genius disciple of the Cang Ling Sect, was likely to have a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    "Mountain Spirit Core! This is the best material for cultivating an Earth Attribute Spirit Body!!"


    A hint of burning desire instantly swept through Zhao Yu''s eyes as he looked towards Su Bingyun and slightly nodded.


    Su Bingyun said, "I want to check the goods first!"


    "Please!"


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator handed the jade box to Su Bingyun.


    After Su Bingyun carefully inspected it, she handed over a jade bottle containing a Foundation Establishment Pill to the cultivator, "This is a Foundation Establishment Pill, please check it!"


    The cultivator opened the jade bottle and smelled the scent, a hint of pleasure crossing his eyes, then sealed the bottle and said, "Senior Su, I will take my leave first!"

 Chapter 58: Chapter 58 Superior Earth Spirit Root

    Su Bingyun nodded slightly, and the Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator flew out of the great hall without looking back, vanishing from sight.


    A Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator rose to his feet and said respectfully, "Senior Su, I have just remembered that there is something I must attend to, please allow me to take my leave first!"


    Su Bingyun''s face chilled, and she released a wave of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure as she said firmly, "You may not! You can only leave after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn! I know what you are all thinking. However, since he has ced his trust in me to attend the exchange meeting I am hosting, I must ensure his safety during the event.


    As for what happens afterwards, it has nothing to do with me!"


    The Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator had no choice but to sit back down.


    The other restless Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators also had no choice but to honestly sit down and continue with the exchanges.


    After the time it took for an incense stick to burn had passed, the Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators bid their farewells and left, and Su Bingyun did not stop them.


    After the exchange meeting ended, many cultivators departed.


    Hu Yunhui and Xiao Xixi both cast sympathetic nces at Ling Qianxue, who remained in the great hall.


    To the ordinary Loose Cultivators, Ling Qianxue, the young miss of the Changyang Ling Family, was a cultivation genius blessed with iparable beauty. But Su Bingyun was no less beautiful than Ling Qianxue and after reaching Foundation Establishment, her aura surpassed her by even more.


    Su Bingyun''s cultivation level was at Foundation Establishment Stage, and she was a cultivation genius who far exceeded Ling Qianxue. In any dispute between them, Ling Qianxue wasprehensively overpowered.


    Su Bingyun pped her hands gently.


    A middle-aged man, with a strong build, sharp features, and the cultivation of the fifth level of Qi Refinement, dressed in the garments of the Cang Ling Sect, stepped forward and respectfully greeted, "I am Fang Tiezhu, an outer disciple of the Cang Ling Sect. I am honored to meet you, Uncle-Master Su, Senior Zhao."


    Su Bingyun said, "Fang Tiezhu was once a steward of a trading house; he is quite astute and can help you manage Wolf Ridge Mountain. Once you find someone reliable, you can have him return to the Cang Ling Sect."


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly.


    Su Bingyun continued, "Ling Qianxue, Fang Tiezhu, the two of you may leave now."


    "Yes!"


    Ling Qianxue and Fang Tiezhu bowed and withdrew.


    Su Bingyun took out the various materials and two jade boxes that she had exchanged for the Superior Grade Crimson Heart Pills and handed them to Zhao Yu.


    When Zhao Yu opened the jade boxes, a hint of surprise shed in his eyes as he eximed, "Mountain Spirit Cores! Two of them!"


    Both Mountain Spirit Cores, one being Third Order low-grade and the other Third Order mid-grade, were extremely precious treasures.


    Su Bingyun''s lips curved up slightly, revealing a smile, "That cultivator exchanged one of these Mountain Spirit Cores with me for ten Superior Grade Crimson Heart Pills!"


    A Third Order low-grade Mountain Spirit Core was much more valuable than ten Superior Grade Crimson Heart Pills. However, for thatter-stage Qi Refinement Cultivator, the ten Crimson Heart Pills were more practical.


    Zhao Yu suggested, "I believe these Mountain Spirit Cores were collected by the Wang family for someone to cultivate the Wu Earth Spirit Body. Why don''t we each take one?"


    Zhao Yu had created copies of all the secret techniques and cultivation methods he obtained from the Wang family and gave them to Su Bingyun, who also knew how to cultivate the Wu Earth Spirit Body.


    Su Bingyun smiled faintly, "I am not of the Earth Spirit Root! Although the Wu Earth Spirit Body is strong, the price I''d have to pay to cultivate it is too great and not worth the loss. You keep them all!"


    The reason why disciples of sects tend to be stronger than family scions and Loose Cultivators is due to their heritage of various Daoist teachings,plemented with matching spells and secret techniques.


    Su Bingyun had been cultivating the Cang Ling Jue of the Cang Ling Sect during the Qi Refinement Realm, and had directly switched to the Cang Ling Yu Hua Sutra upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, a top-tier dual cultivation ofw and body method belonging to the Sect.


    The Wu Earth Spirit Body provided no additional benefits to the cultivation of the Cang Ling Yu Hua Sutra, so naturally, Su Bingyun would not practice this technique.


    After Su Bingyun handed over the resources to Zhao Yu, she stayed for a while before hurriedly departing.


    As the Cang Ling Sect and Yin Ghost Sect were still at war, Su Bingyun, being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, naturally had many tasks to attend to.


    After Su Bingyun left, Zhao Yu directed Fang Tiezhu to recruit Spirit Farmers toe and cultivate the Spirit Fields at Wolf Ridge.


    Wolf Ridge was a second-order superior spiritualnd, with spiritual energy so dense it was many times stronger than that of the small ck Mountain Market. Cultivating in such an environment provided immense benefits to cultivators, and soon many Loose Cultivators came to join Wolf Ridge as Spirit Farmers.


    Zhao Yu also recruited several Spirit nt growers to cultivate some short-lived Spiritual Medicines, and he began to delve into the skills of Spirit nt growers himself, nting some rare Spiritual Medicines in the core area of Wolf Ridge.


    Zhao Yu set up a Second Order Low-Grade Spirit Wood Grand Formation at Wolf Ridge, with all materials for the setup provided by Su Bingyun.


    The Spirit Wood Grand Formation was a downgraded version of the Thousand Trees Formation Array, nowhere near as powerful. However, Zhao Yu was not an Array Master and had not learned much about formations, so he could only use the Spirit Wood Grand Formation, setting it up ording to the blueprint provided by Su Bingyun.


    If a second-order Array Master were to operate it, the Spirit Wood Grand Formation could even suppress a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. However, with Zhao Yu''s knowledge of formation paths, he could only suppress Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators.


    Nheless, the advantage of installing the Spirit Wood Grand Formation was that, apart from Zhao Yu, any other cultivator holding the central magic artifact of the Spirit Wood Grand Formation could control the formation and suppress Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivators, which was enough to deter the unworthy.


    Inside the Quiet Room of Wolf Ridge.


    "To cultivate the Wu Earth Spirit Body, I only need one Mountain Spirit Core! The other Mountain Spirit Core can be used to enhance my Earth Spirit Root!"


    Zhao Yu took out the low-grade third-order Mountain Spirit Core and swallowed it, then stimted the Devouring Dao Fruit. The Mountain Spirit Core began to slowly dissolve in his stomach.


    It took ten days for the Mountain Spirit Core to bepletely refined by the Devouring Dao Fruit.


    "Now I can start!"


    With a thought, Zhao Yu began the process to evolve his Spirit Root.


    An incredibly powerful force was released from within Zhao Yu''s body, gradually transforming his physical and spiritual essence, as impurities began to be expelled from his body.


    "Superior Earth Spirit Root (8327/10000)."


    After Zhao Yu''s transformation wasplete, he immediately saw this information.


    A fiery look shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, "Superior Earth Spirit Root! Just one more Mountain Spirit Core to devour, and I will have an Earth Spirit Root!"


    In the Northern Destion, cultivators with Earth Spirit Roots were undoubtedly real cultivation prodigies. Even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, they had an extremely high chance of seeding in their Foundation Establishment.


    Even in a cultivation holynd like the Great Qian Empire, Earth Spirit Root cultivators were highly sought after heirs by Great Sects, with talents second only to those with Heavenly Spirit Roots.


    "No! If I use the other Mountain Spirit Core, I won''t be able to cultivate the Wu Earth Spirit Body after my Foundation Establishment!"


    Zhao Yu soon calmed down.


    Once the Wu Earth Spirit Body was cultivated, not only would Zhao Yu''s speed of cultivating Earth Attribute cultivation techniques surge, but his speed of learning various Earth Attribute spells and Divine Skills would also significantly increase.


    Furthermore, once he had the Wu Earth Spirit Body, Zhao Yu could congregate Earth Qi, speeding up the growth of certain Spiritual Medicines in his gardens.


    After the Wu Earth Spirit Body, there was the Mountain Treasured Body. Once Zhao Yu condensed the Mountain Treasured Body, he would automatically possess several Divine Skills. The Mountain Treasured Body,bined with the Earth Attribute Earth Spirit Root, would also meet the minimum requirements to cultivate the Mountain Sutra.

 Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Pursuit of the Killer

    "After the transformation of the Spirit Root, I''ve be slightly younger and more handsome!"


    Zhao Yu took out a mirror and nced at it, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a hint of a smile.


    Through continuous transformations, Zhao Yu had bepletely different from when he had first crossed over; he had regressed from a decadent middle-aged cultivator to a handsome young man.


    "Spirit Root transformation, when shall we celebrate?"


    Zhao Yu''s mouth slightly raised again, and he stood up to leave the Quiet Room. After bathing and changing his clothes, he left the Mountain Wolf Ridge.


    In the study at the Ling family headquarters by Linghe Lake, Ling Qianxue was dealing with various family affairs.


    Suddenly, the door opened. Ling Qianxue frowned slightly, looked up, and saw Zhao Yu. She immediately stood up, smiling as she walked towards him: "Brother Yu, you''re here!"


    Ling Qianxue came up to Zhao Yu, her eyes lighting up: "Eh? Brother Yu, you seem to have be even younger and more attractive!"


    "I''ve made some gains in my cultivation!"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and wrapped his arm around Ling Qianxue''s slender waist, waving his hand to create a breeze that shut the door.


    Instantly, Ling Qianxue''s pretty face blushed a shedding a bewitching charm that elicited affection.


    After their rendezvous, Ling Qianxue tidied herself up and soon regained her sharp and efficient demeanor as the female head of the Ling family.


    Ling Qianxue softly pleaded: "Brother Yu, recently several bands of marauding cultivators have appeared near Linghe Lake. The strongest among them are known as the Three Fiends of Lin Mountain, each possessing a cultivation level above theter stages of Qi Refinement! Could you help me eliminate them?"


    With Zhao Yu''s reputation as a fourth level Body Refinement cultivator and the generous benefits offered by the Ling family, many Loose Cultivators had joined the Ling family.


    However, the Ling family could only barely defend themselves, struggling to maintain control of the Nine Depths Mountain Market and the headquarters at Linghe Lake, let alone confront a band of robbers at the Great Circle of Qi Refining.


    Zhao Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Is there a lead?"


    Ling Qianxue replied, "Three days ago, they ambushed and killed ten of our family''s guards outside the Nine Depths Mountain Market. We have their corpses in our possession."


    Zhao Yu said, "Take me to the bodies!"


    "Alright!"


    Ling Qianxue led Zhao Yu to a room where the bodies were kept.


    In that roomy ten mutted corpses.


    "From the condition of the bodies, the Three Fiends of Lin Mountain seem to use magic artifacts that are hooks, swords, and knives, each possessing the attributes of wood, fire, and metal. These are also characteristic of the Three Fiends."


    "At the time these ten guards were killed, you were in closed-door cultivation. I didn''t dare to disturb you, so I also didn''t use the Soul Chasing Talisman to track the Three Fiends. To catch them, we can only set up traps to lure them into action, or wait for their next move to track them down,"


    Ling Qianxue said slowly as she looked at the ten bodies.


    "White Ghost Emperor!"


    Zhao Yu pped the Ghost Nurturing Jar, and the ghastly-faced White Ghost Emperor appeared.


    Zhao Yu pointed at the ten bodies andmanded, "Find the killer of these ten!"


    The White Ghost Emperor''s face turned fierce, his pupils suddenly disying dark Curse Seals.


    Zhao Yu, through the White Ghost Emperor''s vision, suddenly saw streaks of pitch-dark resentment spreading towards the distance.


    Ling Qianxue said, "These bandit cultivators always act cautiously; this time, however, they left behind ten corpses, which is rather suspicious. It''s very likely a trap meant to lure our enforcement team out of the market. Of course, it''s also possible that our enforcement team''s cultivators arrived too quickly and startled them away."


    In the Cultivation World, there are countless secret Immortal Techniques to track down murderers, including the Soul Chasing Talisman, Questioning Ghosts, and some secret techniques can even trace a murderer through the residual spell essence left behind.


    Usually, experienced bandit cultivators, after killing ordinary cultivators, would eradicate all traces with the Fireball Technique. This way, they could sever many clues.


    Of course, the Cultivation World possesses numerous Strange and Unusual Techniques, and even secret techniques that allow the transference of a murdered cultivator''s resentment onto another cultivator.


    However, such techniques are very eerie, mysterious, and rare, typically controlled by major factions of the Demon Path; it''s hardly possible for them to appear in minor ces like the northern destions.


    Zhao Yu said, "Even if there''s a mastermind setting up traps, considering he resorted to such tactics, he''s likely not a formidable character. Otherwise, he could have directly stormed into Jiuchen Mountain market and wreaked havoc."


    Generally, a market has one Foundation Establishment Expert stationed there. With the support of the grand array and the market defense team, even two or three Foundation Establishment Experts would find it hard to break through.


    The Jiuchen Mountain market has suffered continual severe damage and no longer holds significant power. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator infiltrated Jiuchen Mountain market, he could easily ughter at will within, plunder countless valuables, and then leavefortably.


    Ling Qianxue also nodded slightly.


    Zhao Yu quickly departed from Linghe Lake along with the White Ghost Emperor.


    In Changyang County of Cang Country, the Flowery Dress Pavilion in Liuyang City is imed as the number one Green House of the county. Through generations, all the celebrated Oirans of Changyang County hailed from the Flowery Dress Pavilion, where the elite often gather. Legends even im that Immortals have descended to enjoy a spring night with the Oirans.


    In a private room on the fifth floor of the Flowery Dress Pavilion.


    "So this is the beauty of the Flowery Dress Pavilion? What a disappointment! She''s far inferior to the enchantresses of the Thousand Mysteries Sect!"


    A bald cultivator with several knife scars on his face, holding a voluptuous beauty from the Flowery Dress Pavilion, grumbled with dissatisfaction.


    A cultivator dressed like a schr, handsome in appearance and possessing the Great Circle of Qi Refining, said with a faint smile, "After all, she is merely a mortal beauty, naturally no match for female cultivators. However, I''ve heard that the Oiran of the Flowery Dress Pavilion is usually outstanding. I wonder what kind of beauty she holds this time."


    A brawny cultivator with short hair and a heroic appearance, also at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, said slowly, "Second brother, if you like the Oiran, just buy her out. She''s just a mere mortal, it won''t cost much."


    Surrounding these three cultivators, the beauties of the Flowery Dress Pavilion served them diligently with sweet smiles, seemingly oblivious to any conversation, as though they hadn''t heard anything. Beside their ears, were strands of ck threads, one of which stretched all the way to the right hand of the bald man.


    The bald cultivator''s eyes flickered with a sinister gleam, "What beauty can a mortal have? Too bad, Ling Qianxue didn''t take the bait! Big brother, once we seed, can you let me have Ling Qianxue? I''ve never toyed with a Family Head of a Foundation Establishment n before!"


    The short-haired cultivator replied indifferently, "Alright! However, you must give up everything elsepletely!"


    Among cultivators, many are devoted solely to the grand path and care little for earthly desires.


    The bald cultivator grinned and said, "It''s a deal!"


    As the three cultivators chatted leisurely, billows of smoke began to rise from a stage below the Flowery Dress Pavilion, where a gorgeously dressed, voluptuous and sexy woman with skin white as jade and exquisite makeup stepped onto the stage, dancing gracefully like a colorful butterfly.


    "It''s truly Song Xiangjun! Touted as the most outstanding Oiran of the Flowery Dress Pavilion in a century!"


    "Her dance moves like a butterfly! So beautiful!"


    ".¡­.."


    From various parts of the Flowery Dress Pavilion, waves of admiration echoed.

 Chapter 60 Annihilating the Three Evils of Linshan

    In a private room on the fifth floor of the Flowery Dress Pavilion.


    Zhao Yu nced at Song Xiangjun, "You dance well! And you''re quite pretty, but you are just a mortal beauty after all, definitely no match for a female cultivator!"


    Though Song Xiangjun had snow-white skin, upon closer inspection, it was still quite rough in many ces, not as smooth and delicate as that of a female cultivator. Her delicate face was made up beautifully, but beneath the foundation, there were many small pimples as well.


    At first nce, Song Xiangjun appeared more beautiful than many Qi Refinement Realm female cultivators, but upon closer observation, her minor ws would be apparent.


    A morous, mature madam with thick makeup climbed onto the stage, smiling brightly, "Honored guests, today is the day Xiangjun wees her guests. If anyone wishes to be Xiangjun''s first patron tonight, please make your bids! The highest bid wins!"


    "Five hundred taels of silver!"


    "Six hundred taels of silver!"


    ".¡­.."


    Those gathered in the Flowery Dress Pavilion were all influential figures from Changyang County; a few hundred taels of silver meant nothing to them.


    The bald cultivator grinned and called out, "One thousand taels of gold!"


    No sooner had these words been uttered than the volume inside the Flowery Dress Pavilion dropped significantly, curious nces all turning toward the private room where the bald cultivator and his party were seated.


    Though many of the influential figures present could afford one thousand taels of gold, the idea of spending that amount just for a woman''s first night yielded few takers.


    Zhao Yu smiled indifferently, "Three thousand taels of gold!"


    The bald cultivator''s eyes shed fiercely as he red at Zhao Yu, "Five thousand taels of gold!"


    Zhao Yu chuckled, "Six thousand taels of gold!"


    "Who is that man? To be able to offer six thousand taels of gold?"


    "Those two groups must be either madmen or powerful figures from the capital! Six thousand taels of gold for an oiran''s first night, truly insane!"


    ".¡­.."


    As soon as he spoke, a series of shocked gazes converged on Zhao Yu. Curiosity flickered in Song Xiangjun''s eyes as she stared intently at Zhao Yu.


    "Good! Good! Good! Excellent! A mere mortal dares topete with me! You''re seeking death!


    Let me tear off your limbs and turn you into a human swine!"


    A ferocious light crossed the bald cultivator''s eyes as he suddenly leapt from his seat, flying towards Zhao Yu and wing at his arms.


    A sneer crossed Zhao Yu''s eyes, "Fool!"


    A series of sword lights burst forth from beside Zhao Yu, slicing at the limbs of the bald cultivator who then lost his limbs and fell to the ground, emitting a series of extremely pitiful screams.


    The short-haired cultivator''splexion changed drastically, "You are Zhao Yu!!"


    Whoosh!


    A Superior Magical Instrument Grade flying dagger instantly prated the schr-like cultivator''s head, sting a huge hole through the fifth floor of the Flowery Dress Pavilion.


    The old madam of the Flowery Dress Pavilion stared at Zhao Yu and the short-haired cultivator with a mixture of terror and envy, her speech unclear, "Immortal¡­ Immortal¡­!"


    "Immortal!!"


    "Could it be that he''s the legendary Immortal!!"


    ".¡­.."


    The dignitaries of Changyang County all looked on in shock at Zhao Yu and the short-haired cultivator. They knew that immortals were hidden within Changyang County, but such immortals rarely appeared in the Mortal World, and mortals who had seen immortals were exceptionally few.


    Song Xiangjun stared intently at Zhao Yu, a surge of fervor rising in her heart, "That is an immortal! Truly a bearing unlike any mortal!"


    The dignitaries of Changyang County nced at the two of them and quickly came to their senses, beginning to scatter in all directions. Even a mere ripple from a battle between immortals could easily kill many mortals.


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and said, "Linshan''s Three Furies, you dared to strike at the Market of Jiuchen Mountain, you must have anticipated this day, right? I am very curious, who gave you the courage to dare to challenge me?"


    The short-haired cultivator spoke with a grave expression, "Senior Zhao, I do not know what you are talking about! It''s true that my younger brother offended you, and that was indeed wrong! But I, Fang, and my second brother have not offended the senior. Is it not disgraceful to act without evidence?"


    "Well said! Now, die!"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly, instantly employed the Flying Dagger Technique, and a mid-grade magic instrument level flying dagger shot out, aiming for the short-haired cultivator''s head.


    A look of despair shed in the eyes of the short-haired cultivator as he screamed in terror, "Gold Lion, save me!"


    In the instant that the short-haired cultivator screamed, he also brought out a palm-sized, crimson Superior Spiritual Shield.


    ng!!


    The flying dagger struck the crimson spiritual shield, sting numerous cracks through it and causing the shield to lose its spirituality and fall to the ground.


    Suddenly, a cultivator looked up, releasing a fearsome aura of Early Foundation Establishment, transforming into an elder with a body seven feet tall, muscr, and with grizzled hair.


    "Zhao Yu, prepare to die!"


    Gold Lion''s eyes glinted coldly as he propelled a low-grade spirit instrument level green hook that flew out.


    As the green hook flew, it radiated dim green light, transforming into neen thick vines with sharp barbs and spear-like tips, stabbing towards Zhao Yu.


    A serious look crossed Zhao Yu''s eyes, his qi and blood boiling as he used the Flying Dagger Technique. A Superior Magical Instrument level ming Flying Dagger instantly flew out, stabbing into one of the vines.


    The ming Flying Dagger struck the vine, its fiery glow shining brightly, igniting and severing the vine and then continuing to damage another vine.


    Each time one of the neen thick vines was destroyed, a sh of emerald light would quickly heal it, and the other vines whipped at the ming Flying Dagger as if alive.


    The ming Flying Dagger only managed to sever five vines before losing its force, flung aside by the tendrils.


    The original neen vines still remained, wildly rushing towards Zhao Yu.


    The short-haired cultivator used a Superior Magical Instrument level ming Flying Fork, stabbing it towards Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu sighed deeply, "A true Foundation Establishment Cultivator really is extraordinary! The Martial Path is indeed difficult topare with the Path of Immortals!"


    If Zhao Yu were truly just an ordinary fourth stage of Body Cultivation practitioner, facing an enemy like Gold Lion, his only option would be to flee, and slowing down by even a bit would mean a certain death.


    "Make your move!"


    Before Zhao Yu''s words had finished, standing behind him, the White Ghost Emperor, who appeared as a servant wearing a mask, suddenly split his mouth into a ferocious smile, opened his mouth, and spewed a jet of pitch-ck, ink-like ghostly energy towards the vines.


    The vines, engulfed by the ghostly energy, quickly turned ck, rotted, withered, and decayed.


    Within a few breaths, the vines had vanished, and a green hook tainted pitch-ck fell from mid-air to the ground.


    Zhao Yu casually struck with his sword at the ming Flying Fork manipted by the short-haired cultivator, sending it flying.

 Chapter 61 Slaying Foundation Establishment

    The Golden Lion Master''s face suddenly changed dramatically, his eyes shing with terror, and he screamed, "Evil Ghost! You canmand evil ghosts! You are a spy from the Yin Ghost Sect!"


    After the Yin Ghost Sect infiltrated the Northern Wilderness, they fought the four great sects of the Northern Wilderness to a standstill with the power of just one sect. The terror of the various evil ghostsmanded by the Yin Ghost Sect cultivators had deeply prated the hearts of the people.


    Many Foundation Establishment cultivators from the four great sects of the Northern Wilderness had died miserably at the hands of the fearsome evil ghosts controlled by the Yin Ghost Sect.


    The Golden Lion Master was merely an ordinary first-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the sight of the White Ghost Emperor had immediately filled him with ominous forebodings.


    The White Ghost Emperor gave a fierce smile and floated toward the Golden Lion Master like a ghost.


    The Golden Lion Master clenched his teeth and directly summoned a ck coffin, hurling its lid toward the White Ghost Emperor, while revealing an eight-foot-tall bronze corpse inside, its body emitting a fierce aura.


    The Golden Lion Master took out a corpse controlling bell and shook it, producing a series of eerie bell sounds.


    The bronze corpse inside the coffin abruptly opened its eyes, which flickered with a ferocious light.


    "Go!"


    The Golden Lion Master pointed at the White Ghost Emperor.


    The bronze corpse sprang from the coffin and lunged directly at the White Ghost Emperor.


    "Don''t destroy it, let me handle it!"


    Zhao Yu casually threw a Flying Dagger that pierced through the head of a short-haired cultivator and yelled at the White Ghost Emperor.


    The White Ghost Emperor, being a spirit among the kings of a hundred ghosts and strengthened by Zhao Yu with numerous Yin Ghost relics, could easily defeat the bronze corpse. However, Zhao Yu wanted to keep the bronze corpse.


    The White Ghost Emperor, grinning ferociously, reached out a w, grabbed the bronze corpse, and casually flung it toward Zhao Yu.


    ng!


    Zhao Yu executed the Lightning Sword Technique, his high-grade magic artifact, the Green Pine Sword, shing like lightning as it stabbed into the heart of the bronze corpse, yet sparks flew off without harming it in the slightest.


    So tough! Legend had it that bronze corpses, with skin and bones of bronze, could only be harmed by spiritual artifacts, akin to body cultivators; indeed, the rumors were true!


    The expressionless bronze corpse threw a fierce punch at Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu, with a surge ofpetitiveness, activated the 60th level of the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art, his muscles bulging as he punched out.


    ng!!


    Sparks flew, and Zhao Yu was blown back dozens of steps, his right hand intensely painful, his expression slightly changing, "The bronze corpse is indeed incredibly strong, even stronger than me!"


    The expressionless bronze corpse charged straight at Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu no longer contested directly with the bronze corpse but instead used the Phantom Step Technique, unfolding the Lightning Sword Technique and circling around the bronze corpse.


    The bronze corpse, with its bronze skin and iron bones, immense strength, and extreme speed, had almost no weaknesses, but its movements were straightforward and easy to predict.


    Although Zhao Yu could not defeat the bronze corpse, self-preservation was not an issue.


    Meanwhile, the White Ghost Emperor had almost instantly appeared in front of the Golden Lion Master.


    "Go!"


    The Golden Lion Master took out a low-grade second-order Fire Snake Talisman and activated it immediately. A beam of fiery light dazzled in midair, and a fire snake, about ten feet long and made entirely of mes, lunged at the White Ghost Emperor.


    The most effective methods against evil spirits and rted entities were Lightning Technique and various evil-repelling spells and divine skills, followed only by me spells.


    The White Ghost Emperor faced the Fire Snake with a ferocious smile, his body swirled with ck energy, and his ws were enveloped inyers of dark ghostly Qi as he tore at the Fire Snake.


    The dark ghostly Qi was ignited by the Fire Snake, instantly giving off copious amounts of ck smoke, yet the Fire Snake was also torn to pieces by the White Ghost Emperor directly.


    "Zhao Yu, stop! I can tell you who it is that wants to harm you!"


    Jin Lion''s face paled as he hurriedly produced a palm-sized silver Spiritual Shield. The silver shield shimmered, unfolding a silver barrier in front of him.


    With one swoop of his w, the White Ghost Emperor prated the silver barrier, grabbed onto the silver shield, and injected dark ghostly Qi into it, causing the shield to lose its spirituality instantly and fall to the ground.


    The next moment, the White Ghost Emperor''s w pierced Jin Lion''s heart, extracting it directly, then his mouth split open, and he bit ferociously into Jin Lion''s body, activating his soul-devouring ability and swallowing Jin Lion''s soul in one gulp.


    Jin Lion''s body only showed arge hole where his heart had been, but his remnant soul had already been devoured by the White Ghost Emperor.


    With Jin Lion dead, the Corpse Controlling Bell in his hand fell to the ground.


    The Copper Corpse''s gaze dimmed, and it copsed directly to the ground.


    "Ah! The power to devour the Dao Fruit can be activated!"


    Zhao Yu''s mind moved, and he activated the power to devour the Dao Fruit, as the White Ghost Emperor directly refined and assimted Jin Lion''s soul.


    "Magic Talent: Utterly unremarkable (0/100)."


    "Ghost Control Talent: Utterly unremarkable (0/100)."


    "Formation Talent: Utterly unremarkable (0/100)."


    "Artifact Refining Talent: Utterly unremarkable (0/100)."


    ".¡­.."


    Rows of information about the enhancement of various talents appeared immediately.


    Zhao Yu internally thought, "Devouring the soul of a cultivator can enhance my soul talent, how terrifying! This ability must only be used against my enemies."


    The White Ghost Emperor pounced towards the three fiends of Linshan, opened his mouth, and devoured all three of their souls, which were then refined by Zhao Yu using the power of the Dao Fruit.


    "The souls of Qi Refinement Realm cultivators cannotpare to those of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The soul of a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator is not even one percent as powerful as that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."


    "By devouring souls with the power of the Dao Fruit, memories can also be obtained! Ning Canghan of the Cang Ling Sect, it turns out he was behind Jin Lion''s actions against me. Why would he do this?"


    "Langshan Ridge! Nine times out of ten, it was because Bingyun did something that affected Ning Canghan. This is his revenge! He dared not strike Bingyun directly, so he chose me instead."


    Through the Human-Ghost Pact Secret Techniquemunicated to the White Ghost Emperor, Zhao Yu clearly saw in Jin Lion''s memories the figure of Ning Canghan and the words Ning had spoken to Jin Lion.


    Ning Canghan had promised to help Jin Lion acquire a piece of Second-order Spiritual Land and gain recognition from the Cang Ling Sect to establish a new Foundation Establishment family. It was this promise that led Jin Lion to make a move against Zhao Yu.


    Jin Lion had originally nned to have the three fiends of Linshan deal with Zhao Yu. If they could take down Zhao Yu, he would not have to intervene and could easily acquire the Spiritual Land. He also feared Bingyun, the genius of the Cang Ling Sect.


    However, the three fiends of Linshan were effortlessly killed by Zhao Yu, and Jin Lion had his cover blown, forcing him to reveal himself before being killed by Zhao Yu.


    "Jin Lion''s secret technique and cultivation method were mediocre, but the Corpse Cultivation Technique he acquired from an ancient site had some merit. Iron Corpse, Copper Corpse, Silver Corpse, and Gold Corpse correspond to Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul Stages respectively."


    "The Corpse Cultivation Technique records how to nurture and advance various corpses. Unfortunately, this secret technique''s highest achievement is the Silver Corpse, with no continuation on how to advance a Silver Corpse to a Gold Corpse. Even so, in the northern wastnds, this is considered a top-tier secret technique."


    Zhao Yu reviewed the important memories of Jin Lion and discovered more surprises.

 Chapter 62 Alchemy Talent Evolution

    "Xiangjun pays her respects to the Immortal!"


    Just as Zhao Yu was about to leave, Song Xiangjun, with a fragrant breeze, approached from the side and respectfully bowed to Zhao Yu, "Since the Immortal has bid for Xiangjun''s first night, Xiangjun is willing to serve the Immortal. If the Immortal wishes, Xiangjun is willing to be a ve or a maid, serving by the Immortal''s side."


    Zhao Yu''s eyes showed a hint of appreciation, "You indeed have courage!"


    The battle between Zhao Yu and the Golden Lion Great Master had been brief, but it had heavily damaged the Flowery Dress Pavilion. Ordinary people around were too fearful to approach him, yet only Song Xiangjun took the initiative toe forward.


    "If you had a Spirit Root, I might have taken you as a servant!"


    Zhao Yu took out a Spirit Testing Talisman, pointed a finger, and touched Song Xiangjun''s forehead.


    The talisman paper spontaneously ignited without any wind but underwent no changes.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "You do not have a Spirit Root; you cannot cultivate. We have no fate! However, for your courage, I will give you a gift!"


    The White Ghost Emperor reached out its w.


    An invisible airflow curled the old madam over to Zhao Yu''s front.


    The old madam knelt on the ground with a thud and respectfully said, "I have seen the Immortal! May I know why the Immortal has summoned me, is there anything you wish?"


    Zhao Yu said, "I have redeemed her freedom! The Changyang Ling Family will naturally bring money overter."


    The old madam replied with even greater respect, "I understand! I will make sure she is well cared for on behalf of the Immortal!"


    The Changyang Ling Family is indeed the sky of Changyang County, and the Ling Family is one of the great families of Cang Country! Under the directives of Cangling Sect, the Changyang Ling Family dares not meddle in Cang Country''s state affairs, yet Changyang County ispletely controlled by the Ling Family.


    To ordinary people, the Changyang Ling Family is even more terrifying than Immortals!


    Song Xiangjun bit her silver teeth and said, "Immortal, is it really impossible to cultivate without a Spirit Root? My heart''s desire to pursue Cultivation is absolute and second to none!"


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "Those without a Spirit Root cannot cultivate!"


    In the Cultivation World, there exist countless extraordinary skills and strange methods, heavenly materials, and earthly treasures. Legends even speak of ultimate treasures that can bestow Spirit Roots upon ordinary people. But such treasures, even in ces like the Great Qian Empire with Nascent Soul Experts, are exceedingly rare. Zhao Yu, even if he had them, would not use them on Song Xiangjun.


    Having said this, Zhao Yu took a step and vanished from everyone''s sight.


    Song Xiangjun watched Zhao Yu''s departing figure, lost in her thoughts.


    The old madam, with a joyful face, said, "Xiangjun, congrattions! With an Immortal taking interest in you, no one will dare to bully you anymore. Even if you marry into a noble family, you can contest for the position of a chief wife!"


    For oirans like Song Xiangjun, even those from a clean background, marrying into a noble family and bing a chief wife is very challenging. They might marry a rich merchant as a chief wife, or be a concubine in a noble family.


    But being favored by an Immortal could increase Song Xiangjun''s value a hundredfold and allow her to marry into a noble family as a chief wife.


    Those elites of Changyang County quickly gathered around Song Xiangjun, eagerly expressing their admiration.


    Inside a Quiet Room within a cave mansion at the core district of the Market Center District in Jiuchen Mountain.


    "Using the Dao Fruit to devour the souls of cultivators not only strengthens my varied talents but also unlocks the various talents of the White Ghost Emperor, such as the most practical Illusion Technique talent!"


    "If I n to quietly cultivate thend, naturally I should enhance my Formation Path Talent! In this way, I can learn to set up and manipte various formations, bing an Array Master. A formation controlled by an Array Master is iparably different from one without an Array Master''s maniption."


    "If I n to fight everywhere, then I should let the White Ghost Emperor awaken its Illusion Technique Talent, so it bes more mysterious and powerful."


    "I should enhance my Formation Path Talent! That way, I''ll feel safer when I stay in Wolf Ridge Mountains!"


    "No, what I really should enhance is my Alchemy Talent. After all, once I reach the second order, the resources needed to improve my alchemy skills be too much. It''s better to enhance my Alchemy Talent to reduce consumption!"


    Zhao Yu weighed his options and decided to enhance his Alchemy Talent.


    A mysterious and unfathomable power surged from deep within Zhao Yu, entering his soul and nourishing it, making him feel extremelyfortable.


    "Alchemy Talent: Quite outstanding (4/1000)."


    Zhao Yu thoughtfully said, "As long as I kill more than ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators, my Alchemy Talent should be able to advance to that of an Alchemy Genius."


    In the northern destion, a lone Foundation Establishment Cultivator can be referred to as a Great Foundation Establishment, capable of founding a n that dominates an area.


    Even for sects like the Cang Spirit Sect, which are Golden Core Sects, the death of ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators would severely injure the sect''s vitality, drawing the attention of the Golden Core Ancestors.


    After Zhao Yu''s Alchemy Talent advanced to quite outstanding, many difficulties in alchemy began to resolve themselves.


    Zhao Yu directly started alchemizing a batch of Crimson Blood Beast Pattern Pills; upon sessfully concocting them, he was thrilled to find that a single sessful alchemy session could increase his proficiency in the Crimson Blood Beast Pattern Pill by twenty points.


    When Zhao Yu consumed a Crimson Blood Beast Pattern Pill and used the power of the Devouring Dao Fruit, the proficiency obtained from that pill also increased to twenty points. Thus, the increase in his alchemy proficiency more than doubled.


    At the entrance of the Nine Depths Mountain Market.


    "Why are there so many people? What''s that?"


    The moment Wen Caibai arrived at the market, he saw four wooden stakes beside the market, each with the body of a cultivator nailed to it, with many Qi Refinement Cultivators gathered underneath these bodies.


    "Golden Lion Master! That was a Great Foundation Establishment, and he''s dead!"


    "The Zhao senior backing the Ling family is truly fearsome, capable of killing a Great Foundation Establishment!"


    "Zhao senior is said to be only at the fourth level of Body Cultivation. How could he have killed a Great Foundation Establishment?"


    "..."


    As Wen Caibai got closer, he heard the rising murmurs of discussion.


    Wen Caibai looked incredulously up at the body of Golden Lion Master, whose chest had been pierced. "Golden Lion Master was killed by Senior Zhao? How is that possible? Golden Lion Master was a Great Foundation Establishment!"


    "Only the Miss is worthy of him since he could kill a Great Foundation Establishment!"


    Lian Xue gazed at the corpse of Golden Lion Master and sighed softly, a trace of regret flickering through her deep eyes. After she left the protection of her mother, Cheng Lin, and stepped into the true Cultivation World, she realized what being a Pill Master meant and understood what she had missed due to her capriciousness.


    In the northern destion, it ismon knowledge that Body Cultivation practitioners are significantly weaker than other cultivators of the same rank. Though Zhao Yu''s fourth level of Body Cultivation could crush an ordinary Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivator, it would still be difficult to defeat a cultivator at the Early Foundation Establishment, let alone kill one.


    The death of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in such a wilderness was no small matter.


    Seeing the body of Golden Lion Master hanging in the Nine Depths Mountain Market, many robbers, who had been restless, now began to behave. Their cultivation levels were far weaker than that of Golden Lion Master; he had died in battle, and they did not want to die in vain.


    Ten dayster, the bodies of Golden Lion Master and the other three cultivators were finally taken down.


    Zhao Yu contacted Su Bingyun through the channels of the Ling family and briefed her on the details of the incident.

 Chapter 63 Extend Life by 55 Years

    In a market within the frontlines of Cang Country.


    "The Honorable Golden Lion is dead! Damn it, how did he die at the hands of a mere Body Refinement fourth level? What a waste of space!"


    Ning Canghan''s face turned ashen as he paced around a room.


    Ning Canghan gritted his teeth and said, "Zhao Yu''s strength must be far from simple! It seems that evil ghost from the Wang family was not dealt with by Su Bingyun herself as she imed. What a treacherous couple!"


    After the battle at the Wang family residence, everyone in the Cang Ling Sect knew that Ning Canghan had abandoned his fellow disciples and fled early. His reputation in the sect had plummeted.


    Ning Canghan wanted to take revenge on Su Bingyun, but he never had the chance to make a move because Su Bingyun was the direct disciple of the Sect Master of the Cang Ling Sect. He could only target Zhao Yu, but Zhao Yu''s strength was far beyond his expectations.


    "I''ll have to y it by ear!"


    Despite pondering over and over, Ning Canghan couldn''t think of any solutions. His strength was indeed stronger than that of the Honorable Golden Lion, but since the Golden Lion had met a grisly end at the hands of Zhao Yu, he certainly didn''t want to tackle him personally and suffer the same fate.


    Since Zhao Yu had the protection of Su Bingyun, it was almost impossible for Ning Canghan to apply pressure on him from the level of the Cang Ling Sect.


    Time flew by, and a year passed in a blink.


    Inside the Alchemy Room at Wolf Ridge.


    Zhao Yuughed heartily, "I''ve finally advanced my Alchemy to Second-Order high-grade!!"


    "Cultivation Level: Wood Yuan Gong Ninth Level (25/100). Qi Refinement Ninth Level!"


    "Alchemy Cultivation Level: Second-Order High-Grade (50/100)."


    "Alchemy¡ª¡ªRed Blood Beast Pattern Pill: Grandmaster."


    "Alchemy¡ª¡ªMoon Ganoderma Spirit Pill: Grandmaster."


    In that year''s time, Zhao Yu used the channels of the Ling family and Su Bingyun to purchase arge amount of Second-Order Demon Beast meat and Moon Ganoderma Spirit Pill ingredients, and then he kept refining pills to raise his Alchemy Cultivation Level to Second-Order high-grade.


    The Moon Ganoderma Spirit Pill was a Second-Order mid-grade Spirit Pill. A single pill could eliminate body odors, cleanse all sorts of impurities from the skin, making it tender, smooth, and also aid those in dual cultivation, serving as an aid for such practitioners. This type of Spirit Pill with specific effects was sought only by cultivators skilled in the secret techniques of dual cultivation.


    Zhao Yu refined the Moon Ganoderma Spirit Pills merely to raise his Alchemy, elevating it to Second-Order high-grade.


    A fervent gleam passed through Zhao Yu''s eyes, "Finally, I can refine High-Grade First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills!"


    Zhao Yu had spared no effort in enhancing his Alchemy just so he could refine Superior Grade High-Grade First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills.


    The ingredients for Lifespan Extension Pills were always rare, even those for First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills, and they were not easy to buy, even if one had the Spirit Stones.


    Over the years, Zhao Yu had only managed to collect enough ingredients for about thirty batches of First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills.


    Zhao Yu''s refining process went smoothly, and he managed to refine a batch of First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills. He picked up a Superior Life Extension Pill and swallowed it, circting the Dao Fruit within his body to assimte it.


    "Lifespan 41/108."


    Zhao Yu''s lips slightly curled up, "Not bad, my lifespan has increased by ten years!"


    A standard First-Order Lifespan Extension Pill could only extend life by five years, but a Superior Grade pill could do so by ten years ¨C that was the allure of Superior Grade elixirs.


    Zhao Yu took out another Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill and consumed it. This time, it only extended his lifespan by nine years. The effectiveness diminished by a year with each subsequent pill. When he took the eleventh pill, it had no effect at all.


    "Lifespan 41/153."


    Zhao Yu revealed a trace of a smile, "A total extension of fifty-five years, I really am getting younger as I live longer!"


    Generally, cultivators live to be around a hundred years old, and if they can''t achieve Foundation Establishment by the age of sixty, their bodies begin to slowly deteriorate, making Foundation Establishment increasingly difficult.


    Zhao Yu''s lifespan had reached a hundred and fifty-three years, which meant that his age limit for Foundation Establishment had been raised to over seventy.


    Zhao Yu refined two more batches of First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills before he left the Alchemy Room.


    "Uncle, the meal is ready!"


    In the pavilion of an elegant garden, a beautiful fourteen-year-old girl dressed in blue, with an ethereal charm, Li Xianjiao, greeted him with a smile.


    The table in the pavilion was alreadyden with various delicacies cooked with Demon Beast Meat.


    Qi Refinement Tenth Level! In just two short years, she had already attained the Great Circle of Qi Refining, truly worthy of her Heavenly Spirit Root!


    Zhao Yu nced at Li Xianjiao and saw through her cultivation level in an instant.


    A cultivator at the Tenth Level of Qi Refinement could already dominate and upy the lower-grade Spiritual Lands in some small ces. Li Xianjiao had only cultivated for two years and had already reached the Tenth Level of Qi Refinement, advancing much faster than even Su Bingyun.


    Her culinary skills had improved as well!


    After savoring the feast prepared by Li Xianjiao, Zhao Yu''s eyes revealed a hint of satisfaction. He handed her five bottles of First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills.


    Li Xianjiao asked curiously, "What kind of elixir is this?"


    Zhao Yu answered, "These are First-Order Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills. If you take them during the Qi Refinement Realm, they can extend your life. Let''s see how many you can assimte!"


    "Alright, Uncle!"


    Li Xianjiao immediately swallowed a First-Order Lifespan Extension Pill and sat down cross-legged in front of Zhao Yu, slowly refining the pill.


    Zhao Yu carefully observed Li Xianjiao and found that she ended up taking only four First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills. ording to her, the effect of the third Superior Life Extension Pill was already slight, and the fourth had no effect whatsoever.


    Zhao Yu told Li Xianjiao to focus on her cultivation and assimte the medicine''s power, while he himself went to ake within the Wolf Ridge.


    In the center of theke, there was an elegant boat, upon which sat Ling Qianxue, dressed in white pce attire, her demeanor otherworldly and her beauty unparalleled.


    Zhao Yu smiled and stepped onto a flower-basket Magic Artifact, flying directly to the boat.


    Ling Qianxue graciously smiled and poured a cup of Spiritual Tea, offering it to him, "Brother Yu, you''re here! The tea is ready!"


    Zhao Yu took the Spiritual Tea, savored it carefully, and then quietly listened as Ling Qianxue recounted the frontline situation of the war among the Five Sects.


    Although the Evil Ghost Sect was very formidable and its Sect Master was a powerful cultivator at the pinnacle of the Golden Core Early Stage, they were still at a disadvantage under the joint siege of the four other major sects.


    However, within those four sects, each harbored their own schemes and were unwilling to fight to the death, asionally sabotaging one another, so the situation remained at a standstill.


    The cultivators and vassals of the Five Great Sects continued to fight fiercely on the frontlines, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.


    In the brutal warfare, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators died in battle, but at the same time, a good number of Loose Cultivators also found opportunities in the chaos of the Five Sects'' war and achieved Foundation Establishment.


    The number of bandits in the territories of the four barren countries of the North is increasing andw and order is deteriorating. The prices of Magic Artifacts, Talismans, elixirs, and all sorts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures have skyrocketed substantially.


    Zhao Yu smiled and handed three Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills to Ling Qianxue, "Qianxue, these are three First-Order Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills. I chanced upon them while cultivating alchemy, and I''m giving them to you!"


    Ling Qianxue''s bright eyes sparkled, and she revealed a sweet smile, "Superior Grade First-Order Lifespan Extension Pills! These are rare treasures. I remember a First-Order Lifespan Extension Pill being auctioned for as high as three thousand Spirit Stones. Thank you, Brother Yu!"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Shiyang City

    Ling Qianxue said, "Brother Yu, the City Lord of Shiyang City has sent an invitation to the Ling family of Changyang, inviting us to send someone to attend the uing grand auction. Are you interested?"


    Zhao Yu pondered, "The City Lord of Shiyang City? Is it the auction held by the Loose Cultivator of Shiyang, the foremost among the five great Loose Cultivators of the four nations? That is indeed worth attending!"


    The Five Great Loose Cultivators of the Northern Wastes are five Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivators who are not affiliated with any sect. Each of them dominates a region, upying a piece of Spiritual Land, with the strongest among them being the Loose Cultivator of Shiyang.


    The city where the Loose Cultivator of Shiyang resides, Shiyang City, is situated upon a second-order superior Spiritual Land. He is extremely adept at business, having established an auction house in Shiyang City where, from time to time, many precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are auctioned, including Foundation Establishment Pills.


    This is why countless Loose Cultivators are attracted to Shiyang City, to conduct various transactions and participate in the auction, purchasing all sorts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    With a serious face, Ling Qianxue handed over a storage bag and said, "If Brother Yu attends the auction, I hope you can help our Ling family buy back a Foundation Establishment Pill! Here are thirty thousand Spirit Stones. As long as it doesn''t exceed thirty thousand Spirit Stones, please buy it for me!


    And if the price goes over by ten or twenty thousand, I''d still ask you to buy it, Brother Yu, and I will pay you back slowly!"


    Ling Qianxue dared not attend the auction herself for fear that she wouldn''t be able to bring back the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and epted the storage bag.


    Outside Shiyang City.


    Zhao Yu, d in ck clothes, wearing a straw hat, and with a face-changing mask, appeared just like an ordinary Loose Cultivator as he strode toward Shiyang City.


    "Esteemed Daoist, please halt!"


    A Mid Qi Refining Cultivator guarding the city gate called out to Zhao Yu.


    The cultivator handed over a booklet to Zhao Yu, "These are the rules of Shiyang City! Please abide by them. As long as you follow the rules of Shiyang City, you will be considered our most honored guest and will be protected by our city."


    After briefly looking through the booklet, Zhao Yu understood the rules of Shiyang City.


    Within Shiyang City, it is forbidden to engage in Magical Combat, to kill or injure others, to use Illusion Techniques or other spells to deceive fellow cultivators; after the hour of the rat, one must only stay in various inns or Green Houses, and not sleep on the streets.


    If one vites the rules of Shiyang City, the punishment can be as light as expulsion or as severe as execution.


    Upon entering Shiyang City, Zhao Yu saw that the streets were bustling with cultivators, making the entire city extremely prosperous and brimming with vigor.


    Zhao Yu went straight to the Shiyang Commerce Association located in the city center.


    "Esteemed Daoist, how may I assist you?"


    As soon as Zhao Yu entered the Shiyang Commerce Association, a young woman dressed in green, with an exquisite appearance, and with the Cultivation Level of the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, stepped forward with a smile and asked.


    Zhao Yu said, "Send your manager to see me! I have treasures that I want to put up for the auction!"


    "Please follow me!"


    The young woman led Zhao Yu to an elegant room on the second floor of the Shiyang Commerce Association and served him a cup of Spiritual Tea.


    It was not long before a sharp and shrewd-lookingdy with the Cultivation Level of the ninth stage of Qi Refinement and an elderly man with white hair and beard came in together.


    The beautifuldy smiled and said, "I am Birou, the manager of this establishment, and this gentleman is Old Master Zhang, our appraiser. May I ask how to address you, sir?"


    "I am Luo Wuming. These are three Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills of the first order, should they be enough to qualify for the auction?"


    Zhao Yu took out three jade vials andid them on the table.


    Birou''s eyes lit up, and she said with a smile, "If they are truly Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills, they indeed qualify to be auctioned."


    Elder Zhang opened a jade vial, scraped off a bit of powder from one of the Lifespan Extension Pills, sniffed it, and his eyes twinkled. Then, after checking the other two vials in the same way, he said, "These are indeed Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills!"


    Birou gave a charming smile and handed over a golden invitation, saying, "Fellow Daoist Luo, this is the invitation! You can attend our auction with it. We will also arrange your auction item. After a sessful auction, we will take a 10%mission from the transaction price."


    Zhao Yu said, "I havee to Shiyang Chamber of Commerce to purchase arge quantity of Demon Beast Inner Pills, various Fierce Ghost Relics, Second Order Five Elements Spiritual Objects, and different Spiritual Medicines."


    "At the moment, our chamber only has some Second Order Five Elements Spiritual Objects and Spiritual Medicines, here is the list!"


    Birou quickly obtained a list and passed it to Zhao Yu. After purchasing a few Spiritual Objects, he then left.


    Birou watched Zhao Yu''s departing figure, lost in thought.


    Elder Zhang spoke slowly, "The City Lord has decreed that we must noty a hand on a guest! This is the foundation on which Shiyang City was established! You should be well aware of how the Thousand Mysteries Auction House fell."


    In the Cultivation World, auctions could rake in a lot of money, the most important aspect being the collection of the top Spiritual Objects from the Cultivation World. Therefore, all major powers wished to hold auctions.


    One of the four major Golden Core Sects in the North Deste, the Thousand Mysteries Sect had once held the incredibly sessful Thousand Mysteries Auction, butter, a major scandal erupted. It was revealed that Foundation Establishment Experts from the Thousand Mysteries Sect had personally entered the fray to y numerous guests and seize their treasures.


    Once the scandal broke out, no cultivators participated in the Thousand Mysteries Auction anymore, and the Market of the Thousand Mysteries Sect also became deserted as Loose Cultivators moved to the other three nations.


    Shiyang City seized the opportunity to hold the Shiyang Auction, attracting arge number of Loose Cultivators who had fled from the Thousand Mysteries Sect''s domain. Ultimately, Shiyang gained a reputation for fairness in the North Deste, drawing in countless Loose Cultivators, and even Sect disciples.


    The Wanderer Shiyang, City Lord of Shiyang, would absolutely not tolerate anyone damaging the reputation of Shiyang Chamber of Commerce and Shiyang Auction.


    Of course, if a Heavenly Material or Earthly Treasure appeared that could aid in the sess rate of Core Formation, the Wanderer Shiyang might personally intervene to y the other party.


    Birou said with a lightugh, "Elder Zhang, I am well aware of the City Lord''s rules. I was just wondering where that man got his Superior Grade First Order Lifespan Extension Pill from and whether we could cooperate with him and buy some directly for the auction, as those Pills are too expensive at the auction."


    Elder Zhang said indifferently, "Where else could ite from? A Superior Grade First Order Lifespan Extension Pill can onlye from the Dan Ling Sect in the North Deste. That man is likely a Direct Disciple of one of the elders of the Dan Ling Sect."


    Zhao Yu settled down in an inn within Shiyang City.


    Three dayster, at the great Shiyang Auction House.


    "Even the guards at the door are cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, Shiyang''s power is truly formidable!"


    Zhao Yu nced at the two guards by the entrance of the auction house and handed over his invitation.


    The two guards stepped aside and said, "Please enter!"


    "Esteemed guest, please follow me!"


    A beautiful maid with a Second Order Qi Refinement cultivation level approached with a smile and led Zhao Yu to a rtively front position within the auction hall.


    "Only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can sit in private boxes!"


    Zhao Yu looked up and saw the private boxes on the second floor, with Foundation Establishment Cultivators and their dedicated maids sitting inside.

 Chapter 65 Auction

    It wasn''t long before the auction hall was filled with cultivators.


    A tall, burly middle-aged man with short hair, a handsome appearance, and a refined demeanor stepped onto the high tform of the auction and smiled, "Fellow Daoists, I, a Loose Cultivator from Shiyang, am presiding over this auction. There are countless exquisite treasures at this auction, and I am sure they will not disappoint everyone."


    Zhao Yu pondered thoughtfully, "It''s actually the Loose Cultivator from Shiyang himself presiding over the auction. It seems he ces great importance on this event. With him, a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment stage, overseeing it, the auction is sure to be as stable as Mount Tai."


    Indeed, it was because the Loose Cultivator from Shiyang valued the Shiyang auction so highly that it surpassed those held by the four great sects, attracting countless cultivators to join.


    The Loose Cultivator from Shiyang announced, "The first auction item, a Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill of the first order! The starting bid is one thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than one hundred Spirit Stones. A first-order Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill can extend the lifespan of a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm by ten years.


    There are three such pills at this auction. The bidding starts now!"


    "A first-order Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill!! One thousand six hundred Spirit Stones!"


    "One thousand seven hundred Spirit Stones!"


    "....."


    The venue instantly became highly animated, as those cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining madly bid against each other for the first-order Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill. A ten-year extension of life was enough to drive any Qi Refinement cultivator mad.


    Such a Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill could only potentially be refined by a few top Alchemists of the Dan Ling Sect. The Alchemists of Dan Ling Sect had many pills to refine and had their own cultivation to focus on, so Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills were exceptionally rare on the market and could only be found atrge auctions like the one in Shiyang.


    In the end, the first Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pill sold for three thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones, the second for four thousand Spirit Stones, and the third for four thousand three hundred Spirit Stones.


    The Loose Cultivator from Shiyang took out a dirt-yellow inner core the size of a longan and said, "A Low-grade inner core from a Second-Order Demon Beast, the Three Ring Gold Stripe Red Gold Ape! The starting bid is three thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than one hundred Spirit Stones!"


    "Three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"


    "..."


    As soon as the Demon Beast Inner Pill appeared, it incited fiercepetition among numerous cultivators, and the price easily soared past six thousand Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Yu slightly furrowed his brow, "The war among the Five Sects has prevented anyone from going to the Canglong Mountains to hunt demon beasts, driving the prices of Demon Beast Inner Pills up."


    Before the start of the war among the Five Sects, the four great sects each had their own markets and mortal cities in the Canglong Mountains, and many cultivators would enter the mountain range to hunt demon beasts, earning Spirit Stones and various resources. The price of a Second-Order Demon Beast Inner Pill was generally around four to five thousand Spirit Stones.


    "Eight thousand Spirit Stones!!"


    When the price broke through seven thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, Zhao Yu spoke up, silencing the other Qi Refinement cultivators in the auction hall.


    Many gazes in the vicinity focused on Zhao Yu, and a trace of reluctance shed in the eyes of many cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining. Several unfriendly stares also centered on Zhao Yu.


    Subsequently, two more Second-Order Demon Beast Inner Pills appeared and were directly imed by Zhao Yu for eight thousand five hundred Spirit Stones and eight thousand three hundred Spirit Stones respectively.


    After that, numerous precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures came up for bidding, sparking fiercepetition among the attendees, even prompting Foundation Establishment Cultivators to actively ce bids.


    The Loose Cultivator from Shiyang took out a jade vial and said, "One Foundation Establishment Pill, starting bid ten thousand Spirit Stones, each increment must be no less than five hundred Spirit Stones!"


    "Thirteen thousand Spirit Stones!"


    "Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones!"


    "....."


    The cultivators at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, who were Loose Cultivators, bid frantically, quickly pushing the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill above thirty thousand Spirit Stones, and the price continued to climb.


    "It''s madness! A Foundation Establishment Pill used to fetch at most twenty thousand Spirit Stones. In their pursuit of Foundation Establishment, they''ve all gone mad! But in these chaotic times, power is everything. If one can advance to Foundation Establishment, then earning back those twenty thousand Spirit Stones is still possible!"


    Zhao Yu quietly watched those Qi Refinement Loose Cultivators fiercelypeting for that Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Eventually, a Loose Cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining bought the Foundation Establishment Pill for the astronomical price of forty thousand Spirit Stones.


    Shiyang Loose Cultivator took out a bronze mirror and said, "This is a Second-Order High-Grade Evil Ghost Relic, the Ghost Mirror. The starting bid is ten thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than five hundred Spirit Stones."


    "Ten thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!"


    A calm voice came from Box Number Nine on the second floor.


    The cultivators downstairs immediately fell silent, as no one dared to bid. After all, those in the second-floor boxes were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and such a resource like the Evil Ghost Relic would only be used by the Ghost Path Sect and some cultivators who practiced the Ghost Path.


    "Eleven thousand Spirit Stones!"


    Another voice came from Box Number Seven on the second floor.


    "Twelve thousand Spirit Stones!"


    ".¡­"


    The Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the two boxes kept increasing their bids, driving the price of the Ghost Mirror up to a high of twenty-seven thousand Spirit Stones.


    A cold voice came from Box Number Nine, and its owner said icily, "Qi Caihua, are you seeking death?"


    From Box Seven, a bell-likeugh responded, "Shiyang Loose Cultivator, someone is threatening me! What about the rules of Shiyang City?"


    "Owner of Box Nine, I don''t care what grievances you have. At my auction, you are not allowed to bully others with power! Since you''ve broken the rules, please leave now. Shiyang City does not wee you!"


    The Shiyang Loose Cultivator maintained a calm face, yet a terrifying aura of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Level radiated from his body, intimidating the entire audience.


    "Shiyang Loose Cultivator, how imposing you are!"


    The owner of Box Number Nine snorted coldly and left directly.


    The Ghost Mirror then fell into the hands of the owner of Box Number Seven.


    The Shiyang Loose Cultivator had collected countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures through the Shiyang Auction, and his power was equally unfathomable; even the Five Great Sects did not wish to offend such a powerful figure at this time.


    The Shiyang Loose Cultivator took out a green bracelet and said, "This is a Second-Order Mid-Grade Evil Ghost Relic, the Ghost Bracelet. The starting bid is eight thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must be no less than five hundred Spirit Stones."


    Zhao Yu immediately said, "Seventeen thousand Spirit Stones!"


    In Box Number Seven, there sat a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a white fox fur coat, tall, with skin white as jade, shoulder-length hair, light makeup, and a noble demeanor.


    "Is he from the Ghost Path Sect? No, the people from the Ghost Path Sect act in a domineering manner. He must be someone who has received the legacy of the Ghost Path Sect!"


    Qi Caihua mused with a lightugh, "Eighteen thousand Spirit Stones!"


    A trace of regret shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, and he did not bid again. He was unwilling topete with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and to offend one for no good reason.


    The Qi Refinement Cultivators did not dare topete with Qi Caihua, and most Foundation Establishment Cultivators had no interest in Evil Ghost Relics, thus the Ghost Bracelet easily fell into Qi Caihua''s hands.

 Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Ambush

    The Loose Cultivator Shiyang took out a pitch-ck little jar and said, "This is a Second-Order superior-grade Fierce Ghost Relic, the Ghost Jar. The starting bid is ten thousand Spirit Stones, and each increment must not be less than five hundred Spirit Stones."


    Zhao Yu directly opened his mouth and said, "Twenty-six thousand Spirit Stones!"


    Facing those Foundation Establishment Cultivators, a Qi Refinement cultivator generally only had one chance to make a bid, otherwise they might be seen as provoking the Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    "This Qi Refinement Loose Cultivator really has money! Interesting!!"


    Qi Caihua slightly raised her willow eyebrows, her fingers lightly tapping on the desktop as she weighed her options, then decided to give up bidding.


    The Ghost Jar was then sessfully auctioned off by Zhao Yu.


    Various precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures appeared next, including even the main materials for crafting magical treasures. Many of the treasures caught Zhao Yu''s eye, but he only bid on a few second-order treasures.


    As soon as the auction was over, Zhao Yu paid the Spirit Stones and took away the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he had won, then quickly left the auction house.


    A number of cultivators cast secret techniques and followed Zhao Yu from a distance.


    After reaching a deste wilderness, Zhao Yu suddenly turned his head, looked towards the forest behind him and slowly said, "Come out! What are you nning on doing by following me?"


    "You''re quite perceptive! Hand over all the riches on you, and we might spare your life!"


    Three Qi Refinement cultivators at the Great Circle stepped out from the forest behind, with the leading Taoist wearing a grim smile, pointing a top-grade Magic Sword directly at Zhao Yu.


    "Even if I were to hand over the riches, I fear you would still destroy my corpse and erase all traces. Since that''s the case, all of you can go to hell!"


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly, pped his storage bag, and a pitch-ck coffin flew out. The lid of the coffin opened, and the copper corpse inside opened its eyes, emitting a fierce gleam.


    The Corpse Controlling Bell echoed in Zhao Yu''s left hand, the eerie bell sound entering the copper corpse and gaining total control over it.


    Zhao Yu pointed at the three Great Circle Qi Refinement cultivators andmanded, "Go! Kill them all!"


    A fierce light shed in the eyes of the copper corpse, and with a push of its feet, it pounced towards the three Great Circle Qi Refinement cultivators like lightning.


    "A copper corpse!!"


    The leading Taoist''s face changed drastically. He urged his Magic Sword forward, transforming it into a giant Fire Snake that lunged directly at the copper corpse.


    The other two Great Circle Qi Refinement cultivators each produced a top-grade magic instrument level. The expanded in the wind and grew to the size of two zhang, rolling towards Zhao Yu.


    Another cultivator brought out a Second-Order low-grade Fire Snake Talisman. The talisman red with fire, and a Fire Snake lunged directly at Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu immediately brought out a Superior Grade Golden Light Talisman. A faint golden light enveloped him, and he executed the Flying Dagger Technique. A supreme-grade magic instrument level Flying Dagger shot out in an instant, piercing the Fire Snake and then piercing through the head of the cultivator who had produced the Fire Snake Talisman.


    Zhao Yu held the Green Pine Sword, driving mana through it. The Magic Sword in his hand burst into a faint green light, and nine thick vines rose up, lunging towards the silver.


    The silver twisted, and its sharp silver light shredded the nine thick vines one by one.


    A crimson Flying Dagger in an instant passed through the, piercing directly through the head of the-wielding cultivator and nailing him to the ground.


    After Zhao Yu advanced to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, the power of his Flying Dagger Technique also surged immensely, making it even easier to kill an average Great Circle of Qi Refining cultivator.


    The Copper Corpse''s fist thundered against the Fire Snake, dispersing it with a single blow, while its own body was enveloped in mes. Enduring the burn, it appeared in front of the Taoist cultivator and punched through his chest.


    "So your trump card is a Copper Corpse! Body Refinement at the fourth level, plus a Copper Corpse, indeed gives you the strength to fight a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. But that''s all you''ve got!"


    An icy voice rose from the side. A short and portly middle-aged cultivator with two fleshy lumps on his forehead and an ugly face slowly walked out from the shadows.


    "Poisonous Toad Cultivator, I quite fancy that Copper Corpse. Once we dispose of this man, how about the Copper Corpse bes mine?"


    A stunningly beautiful woman dressed in yellow garments, with a voluptuous figure and a bewitching charm radiating from her entire being, approached with a smile.


    "Two Foundation Establishment first-level cultivators!"


    With a movement of Zhao Yu''s Divine Sense, he clearly discerned the cultivation levels of the two cultivators, simply because they had not used any secret techniques to conceal their levels.


    The Poisonous Toad Cultivator grinned, revealing a mouthful of ck and yellow teeth: "If the Enchantress is willing to sleep with me for a few days, then the Copper Corpse is yours!"


    Usually, after Foundation Establishment, cultivators would undergo a transformation, regrowing broken teeth and turning yellow teeth white. The ck and yellow teeth of the Poisonous Toad Cultivator were obviously due to his Cultivation Technique or because he had taken some strange medicinal pills.


    "It would be my honor to serve the Poisonous Toad Cultivator!"


    The Enchantress offered a captivating smile, exuding an astonishing charm with every gesture.


    This is Bewitching Technique! Even though I know she is the enemy! I still find it somewhat hard to resist her charm! My cultivation level is still too weak! Ah, this must be one of my weaknesses! I have a low resistance to charm techniques!


    If I could cultivate the Mountain Sutra, I should be able to easily resist the charm techniques!


    The legend says that some Demon Path Great Sects have top echelon witches who specialize in charm techniques, easily making many cultivators willingly sacrifice everything for them. Luckily, there are no such terrifying witches in the North Deste!


    Zhao Yu couldn''t help but take another look at the Enchantress. He pped the Ghost Nurturing Jar at his waist, and a surge of dark aura whirled into shape, forming the figure of the White Ghost Emperor.


    Zhao Yu pointed towards the Enchantress and ordered, "Go, kill her!"


    If I cannot resist the bewitching techniques, then the person who casts them must be killed. This way, the charm will be broken naturally.


    The White Ghost Emperor grinned viciously, its ferocity clear on its face. With a light step, it pounced towards the Enchantress, almost as if teleporting.


    Zhao Yu activated the Corpse Controlling Bell, and the eerie sound of the bell rang out.


    The Copper Corpse''s eyes shed fiercely as it charged straight at the Poisonous Toad Cultivator.


    "A second-order Evil Ghost!! Poisonous Toad Cultivator, save me~!"


    The moment the Enchantress saw the White Ghost Emperor, her face drained of color. She summoned a silk scarf, which burst into a brilliant spiritual light, emitting waves of fragrant mist and forming a colorful light barrier in front of her.


    The Enchantress cultivated a technique passed down from the Thousand Mysteries Sect, specializing in bewitching arts. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators could be ensnared if they were not careful, bing fuel for her cultivation.


    If Zhao Yu himself faced the Enchantress, chances are he would be utterly captivated, his formidable abilities rendered useless before sumbing to her. It wasn''t that his willpower wascking, but ordinary Qi Refining cultivators simply couldn''t withstand the Enchantress''s charm techniques.


    Only those who practiced the Mountain Sutra or the most supreme cultivation techniques could resist her bewitchment.


    To an Evil Ghost like the White Ghost Emperor, utterly devoid of desires, cultivators like the Enchantress were natural adversaries. In almost an instant, it appeared in front of the Enchantress, its w piercing the silk scarf.

 Chapter 67 Annihilation

    The pitch-ck ghostly energy wafted out from the ws of the White Ghost Emperor, mingling with the pink haze hovering around the silk scarf that could hook into people''s desires.


    The pink haze was quickly tainted with darkness, and the protective shield around the silk scarf was shattered by a single w strike from the White Ghost Emperor. It then tore the silk scarf in two, continuing its viciousughter as it pounced towards the Colorful Fairy.


    Taking advantage of the brief moment the silk scarf had blocked, the Colorful Fairy immediately retreated behind the Toxic Toad Elder, pleading pitifully, "Toxic Toad Elder, save me, I am willing to do anything for you~!"


    The Toxic Toad Elder had already harbored the idea of retreat, as he was well aware of the terror of the Yin Ghost Sect''s evil ghosts. But as soon as he smelled the fragrance emanating from the Colorful Fairy and saw her enchanting face, he was instantly mesmerized, chanting a spell as his body swiftly swelled in size.


    In the span of a single breath, the Toxic Toad Elder transformed into a ten-foot tall monstrosity covered in poison pustules, resembling a humanoid toad. He opened his mouth and spat out a column of pitch-ck poison directly towards Zhao Yu.


    The sound of the Corpse Controlling Bell rang, and a copper corpse struck the poison column with a punch before being engulfed by it, emittingrge amounts of ck smoke as it was corroded and dposed.


    The copper corpse trembled, its movements bing sluggish, yet it continued to lunge towards the Toxic Toad Elder.


    The White Ghost Emperor sneered viciously and spit out a stream of pitch-ck ghostly energy towards the poison column.


    Under the cover of that pitch-ck ghostly energy, the poison column was immediately swept up into the ghost energy, bing part of it.


    In almost an instant, the White Ghost Emperor appeared in front of the Toxic Toad Elder.


    A hint of shock flickered in the Toxic Toad Elder''s eyes as he directly threw out a piece of pitch-ck toadskin towards the White Ghost Emperor.


    The pitch-ck toadskin, a low-grade spiritual tool, unleashed a dark spiritual light, swallowing the White Ghost Emperor in an instant.


    The next moment, a pair of ghostly ws tore through the pitch-ck toadskin, and the White Ghost Emperor burst out from within it, appearing in front of the Toxic Toad Elder and snatching his head off with a w.


    "This..."


    The head of the Toxic Toad Elder let out a voice of despair before breathing itsst.


    The White Ghost Emperor casually tossed the head of the Toxic Toad Elder aside, sneered viciously, enveloped inyers of ghostly energy, and pounced towards the Colorful Fairy.


    "Stop!! I beg you, stop!! I will do anything for you! Just spare my life, and I am willing to be your ve, at your service~!"


    Seeing the Toxic Toad Elder easily killed by the White Ghost Emperor, a chill began to rise in the Colorful Fairy''s heart. She pushed her cultivation technique to the limit, pleading softly to Zhao Yu.


    A boundless feeling of tenderness towards the Colorful Fairy suddenly surged in Zhao Yu''s heart, as if he was willing to listen to her and offer up everything he had.


    Zhao Yu bit his tongue tip forcefully, a sharp pain bringing him back to his senses, while simultaneously he deployed a supreme grade magical artifact level white spiritual shield around himself and shook the Corpse Controlling Bell with his left hand.


    The eerie sound of the Corpse Controlling Bell echoed, the copper corpse''s figure flickered, and in an instant, it returned to stand guard ten zhang beside Zhao Yu.


    "This man is truly heartless! Cursed be the day! If only I could acquire the true teachings of the Thousand Mysteries Sect, how could I not take down a mere Qi Refinement cultivator?"


    The Colorful Fairy''s pretty face slightly distorted with fury as she frantically channeled her mana, shooting out colorful ribbons from her pce attire towards the White Ghost Emperor.


    The White Ghost Emperor was wrapped in pitch-ck ghostly aura, his twin ws tearing repeatedly. The dark ghostly aura polluted the colorful ribbons into ck, then easily shred them to pieces.


    In almost an instant, the White Ghost Emperor appeared in front of the Colorful Fairy, his w piercing directly through her heart.


    The White Ghost Emperor opened his mouth to swallow the souls of those five cultivators one by one. Zhao Yu stimted the Dao Fruit of Devouring, refining their soulspletely, and took their storage bags and corpses, leaving the area swiftly.


    Inside the Quiet Room of Wolf Ridge.


    "There''s no rush to enhance the Alchemy Refining Talent. If it doesn''t reach a transformative level, simply increasing proficiency isn''t very beneficial! Right now, what should be improved are the Formation Path Talent and Body Refining Talent! My current strength is sufficient to face cultivators in Qi Refinement, but against Foundation Establishment Cultivators, it''s far too weak!"


    After reviewing the battle, Zhao Yu made his choice, and a stream of iparably cool energy surged from the depths of his body, nourishing his soul.


    "Alchemy Talent: Remarkably outstanding (7/1000)."


    "Formation Talent: Remarkably outstanding (0/1000)."


    "Body Refining Talent: Remarkably outstanding (0/1000)."


    "So the Second Order Low-Grade Spirit Wood Grand Formation has so many variations! My previous arrangement was indeed fraught with too many issues! I must start from scratch to learn about formation knowledge!"


    As the Formation Path Talent was enhanced, enlightenment surged through Zhao Yu''s mind.


    The way of formations ces great emphasis on talent, and Zhao Yu had also been diligently studying formation knowledge before, but he hadn''t achieved much. He could only rigidly activate pre-set formations,pletely oblivious to the various transformations and subtleties of formations.


    Like Zhao Yu, the majority of cultivators could only trigger fixed formations using the main nodes of grand formations, leading to very limited variations in the formations.


    However, an outstanding Array Master can perfectly unleash the power of a grand formation, making the formation erupt with strength more than ten times greater than what ordinary cultivators could achieve.


    When activated by Zhao Yu, the Second Order Low-Grade Spirit Wood Grand Formation could only suppress a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining. If a First-Order Array Master were to activate it, it could easily suppress an Early Stage Foundation Building Cultivator.


    If a Second-Order Array Master were to do so, fully releasing the formation''s power with various adjustments, even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator could perish within the formation if they were not careful.


    After Zhao Yu''s transformation wasplete, he began to check his spoils of war.


    Four hundred seventy-two mid-grade Spirit Stones, three thousand six hundred seventy-five low-grade Spirit Stones, various first-order Talismans, elixirs, and a variety of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    "Toxic Toad Technique! This technique is excellent, much stronger than the basic Wood Yuan Gong I''m cultivating. Unfortunately, it requires one''s body to be eroded by various poisons, which would render the body hideously ugly, falling far short of a truly top-tier technique."


    "Colorful Charm Technique, this is a Charming Skill passed down from the Thousand Mysteries Sect, it''s good for nothing other than beguiling men and using men as furnaces to speed up cultivation; it''s probably a simplified version of some Charming Skill from a Demon Path sect, pretty much rubbish."


    Zhao Yu organized the cultivation techniques of the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, obtaining two Foundation Establishment inheritances. However, both inheritances were of limited use and had no further methods for advanced cultivation.


    Yet in a resource-scarce ce like the Northern Destion, for Loose Cultivators, both the Toxic Toad Technique and the Colorful Charm Technique are top-grade Foundation Establishment cultivation methods, definitely drawing Loose Cultivators willing to pay a high price to acquire them.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of a smile, "Although the bronze corpse was heavily damaged, needing to be buried underground and nurtured for a while with a Secret Technique, taking out those five cultivators has plumped up my once thin purse. No wonder so many cultivators enjoy being raiders."

 Chapter 68 White Ghost Emperor Advances

    "The situation is getting worse, and the deterrence of the four great sects against those who practice robbery is diminishing. In these troubled times, improving one''s own strength is the only way to supremacy."


    Zhao Yu summoned the White Ghost Emperor directly, took out the Second-Order High-Grade Fierce Ghost Relic Ghost Jar he had acquired, opened his mouth to inhale the negative energy directly from the jar, refined it by operating the Dao Fruit of Swallowing, and then chose to enhance the strength of the White Ghost Emperor.


    The White Ghost Emperor''s body suddenly emitted countless ck auras, its eyes shed with ferocity, its facial features became fierce, and its aura grew more and more terrifying.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Low-grade quality (180/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order Medium-Grade (15/400)."


    "Finally, it has evolved into a Second-Order Medium-Grade evil ghost! With the power of the White Ghost Emperor spirit ghost, it could probably match some cultivators at the Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment."


    "But although the White Ghost Emperor is powerful, it is restrained by Lightning Techniques as well as some Evil-Repelling Spells and treasures. If it gets trapped and someonees for me, it could be dangerous. Caution is still essential!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the White Ghost Emperor radiating a fierce aura with satisfaction in his eyes.


    Originally, Zhao Yu had nned to first enhance the quality of the White Ghost Emperor and then its cultivation level. In doing so, the resources required would have been reduced by more than tenfold. However, given the deteriorating public order in the four wild countries of the north, Zhao Yu changed his mind and chose to consume arge amount of resources to enhance his immediatebat power.


    "Hmm, it''s also time to start a furnace and refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills!"


    Zhao Yu went to the Alchemy Room to take out the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills he had prepared and started the alchemy process.


    Three dayster, Zhao Yu uncovered the Pill Furnace, and a fragrance of pills wafted from it. Inside the furnace were ten Foundation Establishment Pills emitting a fragrant aroma.


    After Zhao Yu''s Alchemy had advanced to Second-Order High-Grade, his skill in refining Foundation Establishment Pills also reached a master level. Such was the terrifying power of the Dao Fruit of Swallowing. With the enhancement of a master-level Foundation Establishment Pill Alchemy skill, Zhao Yu easily refined ten top-quality Foundation Establishment Pills.


    Zhao Yu picked up a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, a hint of regret in his eyes: "The effect of a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill is ten percent higher than that of an ordinary one! Moreover, even if the Foundation Establishment fails, it can preserve the cultivator''s vital energy, causing minimal harm."


    "If this top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill were to be auctioned, it could probably fetch a price over forty thousand Spirit Stones. It''s a pity I can''t afford to auction it off."


    If a Qi Refinement cultivator took a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill to an auction, everyone would know something was amiss.


    The Shiyang Commerce Association is known the world over for its fairness and safety, but if the stakes are high enough, nothing stays unchanged forever.


    Several dayster, on the Wolf Ridge Mountain boat.


    Zhao Yu picked up a cup of Spiritual Tea, took a quiet sip, and slowly said, "This time in Shiyang City, I didn''t get the Foundation Establishment Pill."


    Ling Qianxue smiled and said, "Then we''ll talk about it next time. Shiyang City auctions off a Foundation Establishment Pill every three years. I can wait!"


    "I won''t pay you back the Spirit Stones you gave me. However, I''ve managed to get a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill for you! Take a look, do you like it?"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and handed over a jade bottle.


    Ling Qianxue received the top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, her eyes sparkling brightly, and she smiled warmly, "A top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill! This is a treasure that only core disciples of the Dan Ling Sect could possibly obtain. Of course, I love it!"


    The top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill is a precious spirit pill that only second-order high-grade alchemists have a small chance of sessfully refining. Even within the Dan Ling Sect, known for its medicinal pills in the Northern Destion, there are less than three pill masters who can refine such a spirit pill, and even they face the possibility of failure.


    Zhao Yu said, "Qian Xue, the current situation is bing more and more dangerous and chaotic! I n to hold fast at Wolf Ridge, entering seclusion and not emerging. I hope you can bring the Ling family cultivators to live temporarily at Wolf Ridge for a while, and after the war between the Five Sects is over, we can return to Spirit Lotus Lake."


    Ling Qianxue said with a smiling voice, "Sister Su would not allow my Ling family to settle in Wolf Ridge!"


    Zhao Yu said slowly, "She can agree to a short-term refuge! As far as I know, Miaoyuan State''s Miao family has been wiped out by a band of marauding cultivators! All cultivators were ughtered. When thend remains but the people are lost, both are lost, but when the people remain without thend, both exist. I hope you understand this principle."


    Ling Qianxue''s willow brows slightly furrowed, "The Miaoyuan State''s Miao family is gone!"


    Miao State is a country controlled by the Thousand Mysteries Sect, and the Miao family of Miaoyuan State is one of the seven great Foundation Establishment families of the Thousand Mysteries Sect. Miaoyuan State borders Cang Country, and once those marauding cultivators spill into Cang Country, all the major Foundation Establishment families will feel the threat to their own safety.


    After weighing her options for a moment, Ling Qianxue decisively said, "Alright! I''ll immediately relocate the Ling family to Wolf Ridge temporarily, and after the war ends, I will lead them out!"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and took Ling Qianxue''s smooth, white hand that was as tender as jasper.


    A blush tinged Ling Qianxue''s pretty face.


    After a spring breeze had passed, Ling Qianxue hurried back to the Ling family and moved the Ling family cultivators and the direct line to Wolf Ridge.


    Spirit Lotus Lake was sealed by Ling Qianxue activating the formation, and the top cultivators within the Nine Deep Mountain Market also organized their own patrol team.


    Within the alchemy room at Wolf Ridge.


    "Not bad, ten top-quality Golden Sha Body Refining Pills! These will be enough for me to cultivate my Golden Sha Beast God Body to the Fourth Level! The Golden Sha Beast God Body is much stronger than the Vajra Dragon Elephant Art I created myself!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the ten Golden Sha Body Refining Pills refined from the main material of triple-gold-patterned fiery gold ape inner cores in the pill furnace, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as he pinched one and popped it into his mouth.


    A powerful and sharp hot flow surged through Zhao Yu''s body, almost piercing through his flesh.


    Zhao Yu stimted the heart technique of the Golden Sha Beast God Body, gathered and guided the hot flow, and, following the pathway of the Golden Sha Beast God Body, strengthened his physique.


    Zhao Yu originally possessed the Body Refinement at the fourth level of strength, his physical quality was frighteningly strong, and hepleted the entry level of the Golden Sha Beast God Body with ease, smoothly cultivating to the First Level of the Golden Sha Beast God Body.


    In the following days, Zhao Yu stayed within Wolf Ridge refining pills, cultivating the Golden Sha Beast God Body, Wood Yuan Gong, and knowledge of formations. Whenever he felt weary of the monotony, he would roam and explore theke with Ling Qianxue, enjoying the springtime, living a carefree and joyful life.


    However, the situation in Cang Country was bing increasingly chaotic, with news frequently arriving of some market being breached by marauding cultivators or vassals of the Evil Ghost Sect, resulting in heavy casualties and death.


    Many cultivators rushed to Wolf Ridge, hoping to seek refuge within, but were directly refused by Zhao Yu.


    Fortresses are most easily broken from within; the Wang family''s downfall came when a traitor emerged, breaking the Thousand Trees Formation Array, leading to the extermination of the entire n, with countless other branches of the Wang family andmoners being killed jointly by the Cang Spirit Sect and the four major Foundation Establishment families.


    Ordinary emperors would exterminate entire families at the slightest provocation, while the Cang Spirit Sect, as the overlord of Cang Country, naturally maintained order on regr days and would not easily killmoners. However, when dealing with traitors, they can be utterly ruthless and merciless.

 Chapter 69: Chapter 69 The Hermit of Yunling

    "We''re almost there! Once we reach that ce, those people will definitely not dare toy a hand on me!"


    d in a filthy cloak, Xiao Xixi bit her silver teeth and looked toward Wolf Ridge not far away, a glint of light shing in her eyes.


    "Miss Xiao, where do you think you''re going? Ah, I know, you want to go to Wolf Ridge to find Zhao Yu! Too bad, you''re one step short!"


    A frivolous voice rose, as a middle-aged cultivator who was six feet tall, with ck short hair, a weather-beaten face, and possessed the cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining, emerged from the nearby woods, staring intently at Xiao Xixi''s chest and smiling grimly.


    A young cultivator dressed in green, with the cultivation level of the fifth level of Qi Refining, also came out from the side, a fierce smile on his face, "Isn''t this our Miss Xiao? So high and mighty, looking down on Loose Cultivators! In a moment, the copse of your arrogant face will certainly be interesting!!"


    Xiao Xixi shouted fiercely, "Get out of my way!! I''m the best friend of Ling Qianxue, the Dao Companion of Senior Zhao Yu. If you dare to strike me, she will definitely not let you off! Senior Zhao Yu won''t just sit by and do nothing either! Think about the fate of the Three Viins of Lin Mountain and Saint Golden Lion!"


    The expressions of those two cultivators changed slightly. The Three Viins of Lin Mountain, Saint Golden Lion¡ªeach one was a big shot they couldn''t afford to provoke. If Zhao Yu could easily take down these four cultivators, he was naturally even more fearsome.


    The middle-aged cultivator sneered, "Senior Zhao Yu is certainly strong! But the Loose Cultivator from Yunling is a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator! How could Senior Zhao Yu possibly conflict with the Loose Cultivator from Yunling just for a woman like you?"


    Xiao Xixi''s heart sank slightly. She had no acquaintance with Zhao Yu; although she was Ling Qianxue''s good friend, Ling Qianxue had many good friends because of her wide connections and might not be willing to stand up for her.


    "What do you n to do with this concubine''s friend?"


    A voice as clear as a silver bell rang out, as Ling Qianxue, dressed in a white pce costume and stunningly beautiful, flew over from Wolf Ridge on a Brocade Handkerchief Magical Tool.


    Xiao Xixi eximed with surprise, "Sister Qian Xue! These two men want to kill me!!"


    The middle-aged cultivator bowed his hands in salute, "Family Head Ling, we two are subordinates of Senior Yunling, the Loose Cultivator! Senior Yunling married Miss Xiao Xuerou of the Xiao family a few days ago! We were ordered by Senior Yunling to take Miss Xiao Xixi back home. Please make it convenient for Family Head Ling."


    Ling Qianxue''s brows slightly furrowed as she looked at Xiao Xixi.


    Kneeling on the ground, Xiao Xixi sobbed without tears, "Sister Qian Xue, Yunling married Xiao Xuerou from a branch of the Xiao family, all to snatch everything from my Xiao family. He has now usurped my Yuefeng Xiao family. Please sister, stand up for me and help me take back the Xiao family!"


    A cold light shed in Ling Qianxue''s eyes as she brought out a Supreme Grade magical sword of a top-grade magical artifact level, striking out like lightning, prating the heart of the middle-aged cultivator with a single blow.


    "Family Head Ling, what are you doing..."


    The other young cultivator screamed in terror, but in the next moment, his head was severed by the magic sword, leaving his headless body to fall to the ground.


    In the North Deste, aside from areas such as the Canglong Mountain Range that were not explored by humans, all top-quality Spiritual Lands of the first tier and above basically had their owners.


    Newly emerged Foundation Establishment Cultivators either had to join one of the Great Sects or else join Shiyang City or therge Foundation Establishment families as an offering, finding it very difficult to create a new Foundation Establishment family.


    To establish a Foundation Establishment family, besides needing Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the key was having a top-quality Spiritual Land that could be passed down through generations.


    Some newly emerged Foundation Establishment Cultivators, unable to establish Foundation Establishment families openly, resorted to crooked paths.


    For example, marrying a female from a branch of a Foundation Establishment family that had lost the protection of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and then legitimately usurping the nest like a cuckoo, taking over that Foundation Establishment family.


    Once the Foundation Establishment Cultivator upied that family, with certain methods, after a few generations, that Foundation Establishment family''s bloodline and surname would bepletely reced.


    Ling Qianxue said, "Xixi, I do not have the authority to decide on this matter. However, I can take you to meet Zhao Yu."


    Xiao Xixi said with a grateful expression, "Thank you, Sister Qianxue!"


    The two of them flew into the inner reaches of Canglong Mountain aboard the Brocade Handkerchief Magical Tool, and within a boat on ake, they found Zhao Yu.


    Xiao Xixi detailed everything that had happened to Zhao Yu, then knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Elder Zhao, I beg you to preside over justice! As long as you can help our Xiao family get through this catastrophe, we will definitely repay your great kindness and virtue! Please!"


    Zhao Yu indifferently said, "It is already veryte, you should go down and rest."


    A hint of disappointment shed through Xiao Xixi''s eyes as she said, "Yes, Elder Zhao!"


    A beautiful maid stepped forward and took Xiao Xixi away.


    Ling Qianxue''s brows lifted slightly as she said, "Brother Yu, are you not nning to intervene in this matter?"


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly and said, "I have no rtions with the Xiao family. How could I possibly be hostile with another Foundation Establishment Cultivator because of her single request? I am willing to shelter her, and that is already out of consideration for you."


    Ling Qianxue sighed softly and snuggled into Zhao Yu''s embrace, saying no more. Having been together for a long time, she understood that her man was someone who focused on cultivation, was extremely cautious, and was unwilling to offend others easily.


    If it were not for her taking the initiative to give herself to him, Zhao Yu would have probably left the Ling family long ago to cultivate in another secure ce.


    Several dayster, an Escape Light flew from afar and stopped outside Canglong Mountain.


    A middle-aged man of average stature, with short ck hair and a handsome face, looked at Canglong Mountain, shrouded in dense fog, and called out, "Where is Zhao Yu, the Master of Canglong Mountain?"


    An intimidating pressure of a secondyer Foundation Establishment burst forth from the middle-aged man.


    "That''s a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"


    "How did the Mountain Master offend that Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator?"


    ". . . ."


    Many cultivators within Canglong Mountain sensed the terrifying pressure emanating from that Foundation Establishment Cultivator and could not help but have a slight change in their expression.


    The fog enveloping Canglong Mountain parted, and Zhao Yu, standing on a flower basket Magic Artifact, flew to the edge of the Spirit Wood Grand Formation and said, "Who might this fellow daoist be?"


    Yun Ling, the Lofty Loose Cultivator, said with an imposing tone, "I am Yun Ling, the Family Head of the Xiao family of Yue Maple. Zhao Yu, I ask you, did you shelter Xiao Xixi, the defector of our Xiao family, five days ago?"


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly and said, "Xiao Xixi is indeed a guest at Canglong Mountain. She is a good friend of Zhao''s! I believe there may be some misunderstanding between you, Loose Cultivator Yun Ling. How about we let this matter pass as a favor to Zhao?"


    Yun Ling, the Loose Cultivator, sneered, "Give you face? What are you? Zhao Yu, you are nothing but a valet hiding behind Su Xianzi! Without Su Xianzi, you would be nothing! I give you two choices, first, you step out of the range of the Canglong Mountain Grand Formation, and we engage in Magical Combat. If you can best me in a single move, this matter will be dropped!"

 Chapter 70 Killing the Yunling Hermit

    Within the confines of Wolf Ridge, numerous expectant gazes fell upon Zhao Yu.


    The three viins of Lin Mountain and the Golden Lion Elder were said to have died at Zhao Yu''s hands, yet no one had seen Zhao Yu make a move. The cultivators of Wolf Ridge were also eager to witness Zhao Yu taking action and defeating Scatterling Yunling in magicalbat.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "Zhao merely a Qi Refinement cultivator, humbly recognizes that he is no match for you in magicalbat!"


    Many cultivators within Wolf Ridge showed looks of disappointment.


    Xiao Xixi''s eyes shed with a touch of bitterness, "Indeed, Zhao Yu is after all only a Body Cultivation cultivator, naturally not a match for a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"


    Scatterling Yunling''s eyes swept with a hint of disdain, "Secondly, hand over Xiao Xixi within three days, otherwise my Maple Xiao family will definitely make you pay!"


    Zhao Yu, wearing a smile, said, "Please allow me to consider it."


    "Hmph! Then think it over well!"


    Scatterling Yunling snorted coldly, transforming into a streak of Escape Light and flying off into the distance.


    Zhao Yu watched Scatterling Yunling''s retreating figure, a trace of cold light shing in his eyes, and he spoke in a low voice, "Go, kill him! There''re people around him, kill them too! Stay safe!"


    The White Ghost Emperor, wearing a mask, soared out from Wolf Ridge like a ghost, chasing in the direction of Scatterling Yunling.


    The Escape Light transformed by Scatterling Yunling soonnded on a mountaintop, where stood an old man dressed in official wear, his hair and beard all white, and possessing the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment Third Layer.


    A hint of regret crossed Scatterling Yunling''s eyes, "That man didn''t fall for it and refused to leave Wolf Ridge tobat me!"


    The old man in official wear said mildly, "To my knowledge, there is only one second-order low-grade Spirit Wood Grand Formation inside Wolf Ridge! Without an Array Master, that formation can only deal with a cultivator at the Great Circle of Qi Refining at most."


    Scatterling Yunlingughed, "Exactly, I gave that man three days to hand over the person. If he doesn''t, we''ll join forces andunch a strong attack in three days, which is also a just cause! Even if we face Bingyun in the future, a distinction can be made. With Ning Canghan''s help, Bingyun won''t likely turn against us two over a mere Qi Refinement cultivator!


    If not for needing an excuse, how could that woman possibly have escaped to Wolf Ridge?"


    "What is that? An Evil Ghost? How did youe into contact with such a thing?"


    The old man in official wear suddenly changed his expression slightly and looked towards Scatterling Yunling''s rear.


    A white ghastly figure shed, the grinning, ghastly-faced White Ghost Emperor startlingly appearing before the two, revealing a spine-chilling smile.


    Upon seeing that smile from the White Ghost Emperor, both Scatterling Yunling and the old man in official wear felt an instinctive chill rise in their hearts.


    Scatterling Yunling frantically mobilized his mana, producing a silver-colored rope-like Low-Grade Spiritual Tool that emitted silver light and directly swept towards the White Ghost Emperor.


    The old man in official wear''s eyes shed coldly. Chanting a Curse Script, he shot a Heavenly Thunder Pearl directly at the White Ghost Emperor.


    The White Ghost Emperor grabbed the silver rope with one w, a surge of pitch-ck ghostly aura bursting forth, staining the silver rope ck and tearing it into two. Then, opening its gaping maw, it spewed a column of pitch-ck ghostly aura towards the Heavenly Thunder Pearl.


    Boom!


    Apanied by a terrifying explosion, shes of lightning shattered and purified the column of pitch-ck ghostly aura emitted by the White Ghost Emperor. The remaining lightning struck the body of the White Ghost Emperor, causing its right w to explode and shatter.


    The White Ghost Emperor let out a mournful, chilling scream, trembling all over. His ghostly energy surged, and he appeared in front of the scatterbrained hermit as if by teleportation, grabbing the hermit''s head with one w and forcefully tearing it off along with a spine, tossing it towards the old man in official robes as if discarding trash.


    "This evil ghost can actually withstand the Heavenly Thunder Pearl! What kind of monster is this?"


    The old man in official robes felt a chill throughout his body. Gritting his teeth, he directly summoned a crimson hook-shaped spiritual artifact. The crimson hook emitted mes, transforming instantly into a me devil eagle several meters long that dove towards the White Ghost Emperor.


    The White Ghost Emperor''s ws, shrouded in pitch-ck ghostly energy, plunged straight in, piercing the chest of the me devil eagle. The ck ghostly energy burst forth instantly, intertwining with the mes of the devil eagle, sending up plumes of ck smoke.


    The me devil eagle dispersed immediately, setting the White Ghost Emperor aze. A mass of ck ghostly energy mingled with mes rose from its body, emanating bursts of the scorched smell ofbustion.


    The next moment, the White Ghost Emperor appeared in front of the old man in official robes, engulfed in mes, and pierced his heart with a w, scooping it out.


    "Monster... you..."


    With the formidable vitality of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the old man in official robes despairingly left behind these final words, trembled, and fell to the ground, transforming into a corpse.


    The White Ghost Emperor collected the bodies of the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and turned into a white escape light, flying towards the direction of Wolf Ridge.


    On thekeboat at Wolf Ridge, Zhao Yu sat by a jade table, quietly savoring his Spiritual Tea.


    A white shadow shed, and the White Ghost Emperor appeared in front of Zhao Yu, throwing the bodies of the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the ground and gulping them down. Under the power of the Dao Fruit consumed by Zhao Yu, it devoured the souls of the two major cultivators.


    "Heavenly Thunder Pearl? This time was really dangerous. If there had been seven or eight Heavenly Thunder Pearls exploding at the same time, the White Ghost Emperor would have been done for.


    It''s best to activate its Illusion Technique Talent, so even if it encounters a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who can utilize Heavenly Thunder Pearls, it can use illusion techniques to toy with and kill the opponent."


    Zhao Yu nced at the White Ghost Emperor and slightly furrowed his eyebrows, noticing that it had suffered significant injuries.


    Lightning Technique is most repressive to ghost creatures. The Heavenly Thunder Pearls, being one-time treasures refined by cultivators above Foundation Establishment level from gathered heavenly lightning, contain a hint of the evil-repelling power of heavenly thunder.


    Had the White Ghost Emperor not been a Second-Order intermediate-grade Ghost Creature, it would have been shattered by the st from the Heavenly Thunder Pearl.


    Even though the White Ghost Emperor was much stronger than the official-robed Foundation Establishment Cultivator, taking a st from the Heavenly Thunder Pearl had still left it significantly injured, and natural recovery would have required several years.


    "White Ghost Emperor, awaken your Illusory Ghost Eyes Talent and Recovery Talent!"


    Zhao Yu thought for a moment, then activated the Dao Fruit consumed. An extremely cooling power emerged from the Dao Fruit, entering the White Ghost Emperor''s body and strengthening its soul.


    The sinister face of the White Ghost Emperor cracked a slight smile, and two new ghost patterns containing a mysterious aura appeared on its body.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality low-grade (180/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order intermediate-grade (15/400)."


    "Talent: Illusory Ghost Eyes (0/10000)."


    "Talent: Indestructible Ghost Body (0/10000)."


    Zhao Yu handed a Spirit Stone to the White Ghost Emperor, who swallowed it and began to chew vigorously, his injuries rapidly healing.


    The Illusory Ghost Eyes allowed the White Ghost Emperor to have the ability to cast illusion techniques, and the Indestructible Ghost Body Talent increased the speed at which it absorbed the Yin energy of the world and could consume Spirit Stones to convert them into Yin energy to repair its own injuries.

 Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Restoring Order from Chaos

    In a refined guest room on Wolf Ridge.


    "Zhao Yu wouldn''t dare to be an enemy of the Yunling Hermit. In three days, who knows if he will hand me over. Maybe it''s better if I leave now to spare him the trouble!"


    Xiao Xixi sat on the bed, lost in a myriad of thoughts, deeply worried that Zhao Yu would betray her.


    After all, Zhao Yu did not dare to openly engage in magicalbat with the Yunling Hermit, and he admitted that his own strength was less than that of the hermit. In the Cultivation World, cultivators generally would not lightly offend their peers, let alone provoke a powerful cultivator beyond their own capabilities.


    Now that the Xiao family of Yuefeng had been utterly usurped by the Yunling Hermit, Xiao Xixi was no longer the esteemed direct daughter of the Xiao family. It would be only natural for Zhao Yu to hand her over.


    Ling Qianxue pushed the door open and came to Xiao Xixi with a smile, "Xixi, I''m going to show you something great!"


    Xiao Xixi said, "Sister Qianxue, I''ve made up my mind! I n to leave Wolf Ridge today and not make it difficult for Elder Zhao Yu! As long as I''m not in Wolf Ridge, the Yunling Hermit naturally won''t trouble Elder Zhao Yu!"


    "Xixi, wait until you''ve seen that great thing before you make your decision!"


    A hint of craftiness shed in Ling Qianxue''s eyes; she chuckled, took Xiao Xixi by the hand, and led her out of the guest room to the entrance of Wolf Ridge.


    "That''s the Yunling Hermit''s body!! The Yunling Hermit is dead!!"


    As soon as Xiao Xixi reached the entrance of Wolf Ridge, she saw the Yunling Hermit''s body hung on a post, his decapitated head with spine attached hanging eerily alongside.


    "The Yunling Hermit''s body! The once haughty Yunling Hermit is actually dead? Didn''t he give the sect leader three days? He has not evensted three days, and now he''s hanging at our Wolf Ridge!"


    "Our sect leader''s strength truly is unfathomable!!"


    "Our sect leader clearly never left Wolf Ridge, so who killed the Yunling Hermit?"


    "No matter what, there must be a powerful cultivator protecting our Wolf Ridge."


    "...."


    Below the Yunling Hermit''s body, a circle of cultivators had gathered. They looked at the body, their eyes flickering with excitement, buzzing with conversation.


    In these chaotic times, the protection of a strong cultivator is the foundation of a power''s stability.


    The Xiao family of Yuefeng had been targeted by the Yunling Hermit and experienced numerous troubles precisely because their Foundation Establishment Cultivator had died in battle, leaving them vulnerable.


    Ling Qianxue smiled radiantly, tugging at Xiao Xixi, "Let''s go, Brother Yu has already agreed to defend the justice for the Xiao family!"


    Xiao Xixi couldn''t help but take another nce at the Yunling Hermit''s body, finding the ghastly corpse surprisingly pleasing to the eye.


    In front of the Xiao family headquarters on Maple Spirit Mountain, two streaks of Escape Light flew from afar. Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue stood on a Silk Scarf, like a couple of immortals, while Xiao Xixi followed closely on her own Magic Artifact shaped like a flower basket.


    Xiao Xixi called out sharply, "Wolf Ridge''s sect leader Zhao Yu has arrived! Xiao Xuerou and you traitors, why aren''t youing out to greet us?"


    "Why bother with such trouble? Let''s just force our way in! This Red me Array is full of ws without someone to direct it; it can be broken with ease!"


    Zhao Yu chuckled lightly, summoning a Supreme Grade Water Attribute Magic Sword into the air, which burst forth with dazzling blue Spiritual Light, piercing directly into Maple Spirit Mountain and tearing a huge hole in the Barrier that enveloped it.


    Zhao Yu took out the Corpse Controlling Bell and released the now fully repaired bronze zombie, which leapt into Maple Spirit Mountain.


    Zhao Yu spoke indifferently, "Go ahead!"


    Xiao Xixi responded, "Yes, Elder Zhao!"


    Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue followed behind Xiao Xixi, entering Maple Spirit Mountain.


    "Elder Zhao Yu, do you dare to attack the Yuefeng Xiao family? Aren''t you afraid of provoking the Yunling Hermit?"


    A voluptuous beauty, dressed in blue pce attire and extremely pretty, quickly led a dozen or so cultivators and blocked the way in front of Zhao Yu and the other two, saying,


    Xiao Xixi gritted her teeth and said, "Senior Zhao, she is the traitor of our Xiao family, Xiao Xuerou! The scum behind her is the rabble recruited by Yunling Wanderer!"


    "Yunling Wanderer? He is already a corpse! Since you are on his side, then all of you can go to hell! Kill them all!"


    Zhao Yu disyed the Flying Dagger Technique, and a blue Flying Dagger instantly prated Xiao Xuerou''s head, nailing her astonished face to the ground.


    The Bronze Corpse''s figure flickered, and with the swiftness of lightning, he charged in front of a cultivator. Despite the Spell attacks from the cultivator, he delivered a punch that obliterated the cultivator''s chest.


    Zhao Yu continuously unleashed the Flying Dagger Technique, sending out Flying Daggers one after another, effortlessly piercing through the heads of the cultivators.


    Ling Qianxue activated a top-grade Magic Weapon level Magic Sword, ying the cultivators one by one.


    In no time, the group of cultivators recruited by Yunling Wanderer werepletely exterminated by Zhao Yu and hispanions.


    Xiao Xixi sessfully entered the Xiao family grounds and rescued the many cultivators trapped there.


    Although Yunling Wanderer had usurped Maple Spirit Mountain, he dared not wantonly massacre the Xiao family''s cultivators. That was because an ancestor of the Xiao family had died in battle for Cang Ling Sect, and the Xiao family was under its protection.


    Xiao Xuerou was also a member of the Xiao family, and she was entitled topete for the Xiao family''s inheritance. By forming a Daoist partnership with Yunling Wanderer, he could naturally assist Xiao Xuerou in contesting the inheritance.


    For Yunling Wanderer to kill a few Xiao family cultivators in the contest for the inheritance was certainly not an issue, but if he were to annihte all the Xiao family''s cultivators, Cang Ling Sect would definitely not stand idly by.


    All he needed to do was be the controller of the Yue Feng Xiao family, and naturally, cultivators from the Xiao family would be willing to pledge allegiance to him, after all, Xiao Xuerou was indeed a member of the Xiao family.


    Within a magnificent pce of the Xiao family,


    The temporary Family Head of the Xiao family, Xiao Xinshan, said respectfully, "Senior Zhao, thank you for your assistance, for ying that viin Yunling Wanderer, for restoring order out of chaos, and for giving our Xiao family justice! Your immense kindness and virtue, our Xiao family will never forget!"


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "Xiao Xinshan, I want to duplicate all of your Xiao family''s jade slips, and I also want to take thirty treasures from your Xiao family''s treasury as my fee for this intervention."


    Xiao Xinshan decisively replied, "I will take you to our Xiao family''s treasury immediately! Please follow me!"


    Under Xiao Xinshan''s lead, Zhao Yu arrived at the Xiao family''s treasury, and upon seeing the treasures inside, he was somewhat disappointed.


    A powerful Foundation Establishment family like the Xiao family had hardly any particrly valuable treasures in their treasury, not even a single Demon Beast Inner Pill.


    Xiao Xinshan said carefully, "Senior Zhao, my Xiao family''s treasures have already been plundered once by Yunling Wanderer and Xiao Xuerou. These are truly all that our family has left!"


    Zhao Yu casually took some remaining Second Order Spiritual Objects from the treasury and, after duplicating the Xiao family''s jade slips, he left the Xiao family.


    Inside the Quiet Room of Wolfling Ridge,


    "Sure enough, all the good stuff was on those two, Yunling Wanderer and his group."


    Zhao Yu meticulously examined the spoils of war and found that there were plenty of good treasures within the storage bags of Yunling Wanderer and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    "Spirit me Vermilion Fruit, with this treasure, my Fire Spirit Root can be upgraded to superior quality!"


    Zhao Yu had previously devoured the gold, water, fire, and ice Second Order Spiritual Objects he had obtained at the auction, upgrading all of his Spirit Roots to middle grade.


    The Spirit me Vermilion Fruit was originally able to improve a cultivator''s Fire Attribute Spirit Root; by utilizing Dao Fruit''s devouring ability, Zhao Yu could naturally elevate his Fire Spirit Root to superior quality.


    Zhao Yu pinched the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit and swallowed it, activating the Dao Fruit devouring ability to refine it, then chose to enhance his Fire Spirit Root attribute. A mysterious power emerged from within his body, nourishing his physical and spiritual essence, causing his body to expel some impurities once again, undergoing transformation.


    "Superior Fire Spirit Root (3750/10000)."


    "With the transformation of the Spirit Root, my cultivation speed will increase once more! Good! It''s time for a proper celebration!"


    Zhao Yu''s lips curved slightly upwards, and after taking a bath, he sought out Ling Qianxue to celebrate with her.

 Chapter 72 Robber Cultivator Invasion

    After the Xiao family had somewhat recovered, Xiao Xixi moved to dwell in Wolf Ridge.


    One day, on a boat in theke at Wolf Ridge, Zhao Yu was sitting with Ling Qianxue, who was d in a white pce dress, her ethereal presence radiantly beautiful and beyondpare.


    "Brother Yu, the Xiao family ns to make Xixi your concubine, how do you feel about that?"


    Ling Qianxue brewed a cup of Spiritual Tea and handed it to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu shook his head slightly and said, "Xiao Xixi? I don''t like her temperament!"


    Ling Qianxue sighed softly and said, "Though Xixi may be somewhat selfish, her character is still rtively pure. After all, in the Cultivation World, where the strong prey on the weak and power is revered, how many can truly be considered wholly good and beautiful?"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "You make a good point. However, for now, having you, Qian Xue, is enough for me."


    Ling Qianxue''s smile was tinged with ambiguity as she said, "What about Su Bingyun, Sister Su?"


    Avoiding the question, Zhao Yu replied, "Qian Xue, didn''t you previously ask me some questions about the Talisman Path? I''ve just had several new insights. Come, let me share them with you in detail."


    Ling Qianxue covered her mouth with a lightugh, then listened attentively as Zhao Yu borated on the mysteries of the Talisman Path.


    After discussing the Taoist techniques, Ling Qianxue spoke with a serious expression, "Brother Yu, I have gathered intelligence that a group of Qi-Refining Bandit Cultivators with formidable strength has arrived from Miaoyuan State to Cang Country; several cultivation families have already been annihted by them."


    Zhao Yu smiled lightly and said, "I am aware! As long as we stay within Wolf Ridge, there shouldn''t be a problem!"


    After the White Ghost Emperor had activated his two great talents, while his cultivation level had not increased, hisbat ability had considerably improved. Ifbined with the Spirit Wood Grand Formation, evente Foundation Establishment Cultivators could perish there with the slightest carelessness.


    Ling Qianxue nodded slightly and snuggled into Zhao Yu''s arms, together enjoying the scenic beauty of theke and mountains.


    Several dayster, an Escape Light flew from afar and materialized in front of Wolf Ridge; it was Zheng Yushan from the Zheng family of Qi Yang.


    "Senior Zhao, I am Zheng Yushan, and I urgently request an audience with you!"


    Zheng Yushannded at the foot of Wolf Ridge and sent a Banishment Talisman into the dense fog that enveloped the area.


    Soon after, the dense fog dissipated, and a pathway opened before Zheng Yushan. Xiao Xixi came towards him and said, "Brother Yushan, the mountain master has sent me to bring you to him."


    Zheng Yushan nodded slightly, remained silent, and followed Xiao Xixi to a boat on ake inside Wolf Ridge.


    Upon seeing Zhao Yu and Ling Qianxue on the boat, Zheng Yushan performed a respectful bow and said, "Zheng Yushan pays respects to Senior Zhao."


    Zhao Yu said, "You mentioned there was an urgent matter. What is it?"


    With red-rimmed eyes, Zheng Yushan knelt on the ground and began kowtowing repeatedly, "Senior Zhao, my Zheng family has been annihted by bandit cultivators; please, I beg you to uphold justice for the Zheng family! If Senior can avenge my family, Zheng Yushan will be willing to serve you for the rest of my life!"


    Zhao Yu spoke indifferently, "The bandit cultivators capable of annihting the Qi Yang Zheng family must undoubtedly be Foundation Establishment Cultivators! Zheng Yushan, if you seek revenge, you should go seek aid from the Cang Ling Sect."


    Zheng Yushan''s face was filled with despair as he said, "Senior Zhao, I have already approached the Cang Ling Sect, but they currentlyck sufficient personnel to dispatch for investigating those bandit cultivators. After the great battle ends, this issue will likely remain unresolved."


    For the four great sects at present, the primary enemy is the Yin Ghost Sect. If they can defeat the Yin Ghost Sect, the rest will be easy to handle. As for the asional bandit cultivators, as long as they don''t provoke the Cang Ling Sect, they will not divert resources or personnel to pursue them.


    Once the great battle concludes, those bandit cultivators will flee Cang Country for other nations, beyond the reach of the Cang Ling Sect''s influence.


    Ling Qianxue, seeing Zheng Yushan''s appearance, couldn''t help but feel relieved. If she hadn''t joined forces with Zhao Yu, perhaps it would have been her Changyang Ling Family that was annihted.


    Zhao Yu said, "I am powerless to help with this matter! However, since you are Qianxue''s friend, you can stay at Wolf Ridge Peak for a while."


    "There''s no need! Elder Zhao, I take my leave!"


    Zheng Yushan clenched his teeth, paid his respects to Zhao Yu, and left Wolf Ridge Peak directly.


    Thirty li northwest of Wolf Ridge Peak, atop a mountain, stood a tall, explosively sexy woman dressed in leather armor that revealed vast expanses of fair skin, looking enchanting and morous, a tall and handsome Taoist, and a short and somewhat ugly old man who were watching Wolf Ridge Peak from afar.


    The enchanting beauty grinned seductively, "Zhao Yu has note out! That turtle-like Pill Master hiding in Wolf Ridge Peak is really troublesome. How about I sneak in and sabotage the Spirit Wood Grand Formation from the inside!"


    The tall and handsome Taoist looked at the woman, his eyes revealing a hint of infatuation.


    The old man slightly furrowed his brows and shook his head slowly, "As far as I know, the masters Gold Lion, Yunling Wanderer, and Wind Spirit Lay Buddhist, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, are all suspected to have died at the hands of the master of Wolf Ridge Peak. This man must not be underestimated! Li Sanniang, if you get trapped inside, it would be quite unseemly."


    Li Sanniang said, "Shall we then raid another family? How about the Yuefeng Xiao Family?"


    The Taoist smiled slightly, "The Yuefeng Xiao Family has already been plundered by Yunling Wanderer and Wind Spirit Lay Buddhist. Though easy to break, there''s not much profit left. Wolf Ridge Peak is wealthy, and its master, Zhao Yu, is only a mere Fourth-Order Body Refinement Cultivator; even if he is somewhat capable, he is definitely no match for big brother!",


    The old man was a Foundation Establishment Fourth-Order master. A Fourth-Order Foundation Establishment Cultivator was a mid-Foundation Establishment powerhouse, their strength far surpassing those at the early stages of Foundation Establishment.


    Li Sanniang was a Foundation Establishment First-Order Cultivator, and the Taoist was a Second-Order Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The three of them together could traverse the nations andmit countless major deeds.


    The old man''s eyes shed with a chilling glint, "Shentu Han from the three talents of Cangling Sect has already set his sights on us. We don''t have much time left. After we pull this off, we must leave Cang Country! Act now!"


    The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, along with twenty-six menacing Qi-Refining Bandit Cultivators, flew towards Wolf Ridge Peak.


    "This mere Spirit Wood Grand Formation, break!"


    Before reaching Wolf Ridge Peak, the Second-Order Taoist immediately threw out a Second-Order Ban-Breaking Talisman, turning it into a streak of light that disappeared into the mist surrounding Wolf Ridge Peak.


    Boom!!


    Apanied by a terrifying loud noise, the dense mist surrounding the entire Wolf Ridge Peak was sted open, creating a massive hole, with huge swathes of mist dispersing in all directions.


    The eyes of the Second-Order Taoist shed with ferocity as he shouted, "Charge in!!"


    "Kill!! Kill!! Kill!"


    "Wipe them out!!"


    "..."


    Twenty-six Qi-Refining Bandit Cultivators, with eyes red as blood, rushed into therge hole, like twenty-six vicious wolves plunging into Wolf Ridge Peak.


    Li Sanniang, the Second-Order Taoist, and the old man also stepped into Wolf Ridge Peak.


    "How dare you invade my Wolf Ridge Peak! Then perish here!"


    Zhao Yu furrowed his brows slightly and immediately activated the Spirit Wood Grand Formation.

 Chapter 73 Annihilating the Kidnapper Cultivators

    Spirit Wood Grand Formation glowed brightly throughout Mount Wolf Ridge, as thick vines burst forth from the ground like venomous pythons, lunging at the invading cultivators.


    "A mere Spirit Wood Grand Formation, watch as I break you!"


    The Taoist sneered coldly and brought out a crimson Treasure Cauldron. The lid of the cauldron flew off, and a crimson me erupted, sweeping toward the vines.


    The crimson mesnded on the vines, igniting them instantly and burning them to ashes.


    Countless shes of Spiritual Light sparkled across Mount Wolf Ridge, as more vines shot toward the Taoist, only to be reduced to cinders by the mes.


    A copper corpse leaped into the midst of the Qi-Refining Bandit Cultivators, smashing the skull of ate-stage cultivator with one punch, then withstood the spell attacks of seven bandits and continued to burst the heart of another bandit next to it.


    "A copper corpse? Is this the means of Mount Wolf Ridge''s master? Let big sister take care of you~!"


    Li Sanniang''s beautiful eyes shed as she smiled charmingly and brought out a white fishing.


    The white swelled with the wind and expanded several feet in size, pouncing on the copper corpse and ensnaring itpletely.


    Within the were numerous hooks, which pricked into the corpse, emitting piercing noises but only leaving behind white marks on its body.


    The copper corpse struggled fiercely in the, but it was wrapped tightly and unable to move.


    The ugly old man harrumphed and urged on a pitch-ck staff. The staff''s Spiritual Light shed, and a wind de sliced ate-stage Qi Refinement cultivator in half on Mount Wolf Ridge.


    "There are three Foundation Establishment Cultivators!!"


    "Not good!! The enemy is too strong!"


    ".¡­.."


    Seeing this, the morale of Mount Wolf Ridge''s Qi Refinement cultivators copsed, and more than a dozen cultivators turned and fled.


    Most of the cultivators who sought refuge in Mount Wolf Ridge did so just to find a protector for a peaceful cultivation, naturally unwilling to fight to the death for Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu nced at the scattering cultivators and shook his head slightly, "Cultivators not raised by one''s own hand really can''t be relied upon!! White Ghost Emperor, go and ughter them all!"


    The White Ghost Emperor, standing by Zhao Yu''s side, cracked a sinister smile, his pupils contorting to reveal mysterious Curse Seals.


    All of a sudden, dense fog rose swiftly, almostpletely shrouding the battlefield.


    "What is this?"


    Li Sanniang''s brow furrowed slightly, a bad premonition welling up in her heart. Suddenly, her heart palpitated as she sensed danger approaching from behind with her Divine Sense.


    Just as Li Sanniang was about to summon her defenses, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and saw a w prating her torso, clutching a beating heart.


    "That''s my heart!!"


    A wave of fear and despair surged through Li Sanniang''s mind before she lost consciousness.


    "Dense fog? Does the Spirit Wood Grand Formation have such a variation? Then break for me!"


    The Taoist''s brow creased slightly as he brought out a Second-Order Ban-Breaking Talisman and cast it into the thick fog.


    Boom!!


    Apanied by a terrifying boom, the dense fog shrouding the area instantly dissipated, revealing the Taoist seeing the bronze corpse clutching Li Sanniang''s body and wrenching her head off.


    "Sanniang! You beast, die!!"


    The Taoist had secretly admired Li Sanniang, and upon witnessing this scene, his rage burst forth, and he roared furiously. He frantically channeled his mana, his magic artifact, the Treasure Cauldron, red with mes which split into two streams¡ªone set aze the creeping vines while the other surged towards the bronze corpse.


    The Foundation Establishment Taoist had killed countless cultivators, but even then, the sight of his beloved perishing drove him to the brink of madness.


    At that moment, a chilling coldness surged up behind the Taoist. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his chest as a w pierced through his heart.


    "Sann...niang!"


    The Taoist coughed out a mouthful of blood, his vision blurring as he fell to the ground and became a corpse.


    "The fog! It''s an Illusion Technique! The master of Wolf Ridge truly holds Ghost Control Technique as his trump card! He must possess a powerful Second-Order Evil Ghost!"


    The ugly elder had his spirit jade emitting a dazzling spirituality that startled him as the dense fog rose, prompting him to immediately summon a Second-Order Spirit Eye Talisman.


    With a sh from the Spirit Eye Talisman, the ugly elder''s pupils shone with a faint spiritual light that pierced through the illusion of the dense fog.


    A sense of retreat welled up in the ugly elder''s heart, "Sanniang and Shitou are dead! That evil ghost''s power far surpasses our estimates; it must possess at least a mid Second-Order cultivation level and is skilled in Illusion Technique!"


    Such evil ghosts, born from various strange illusions, are terrifying. If they are cultivated by a Ghost Path sect like the Yin Ghost Sect, they can gain unthinkable powers.


    At this moment, countless vines, like venomous serpents, lunged directly at the ugly elder.


    The ugly elder activated his pitch-ck wood staff, with a faint spiritual light, and a great wind snake constructed from air materialized, pouncing at the vines.


    The countless vines were immediately shredded into pieces by the great wind snake, scattering in all directions.


    More vines regenerated swiftly under the power of the Spirit Wood Grand Formation, once again attacking the ugly elder.


    The ugly elder''s figure flickered, abandoning his subordinates and fleeing towards the outskirts of Wolf Ridge.


    The White Ghost Emperor smirked hideously, appearing like a ghost in front of the ugly elder, blocking his path and wing at him.


    The ugly elder''s face changed slightly as he channeled mana through his pitch-ck wood staff, creating des of wind that shed at the White Ghost Emperor, only to pass right through him.


    "Illusion Technique!"


    A chill surged through the ugly elder''s heart, and with a thought, he summoned a white Spiritual Shield to block behind him.


    ng!


    The White Ghost Emperor strangely appeared behind the ugly elder, wing at the white Spiritual Shield. The shield''s spirituality quickly diminished as it was contaminated by the ghostly ck aura, and was then swatted away. Seizing the moment, the White Ghost Emperor''s w pierced directly into the ugly elder''s chest and gouged out his heart.


    "I don''t... want... to die!!!!"


    A glint of despair shed through the eyes of the ugly elder as he screamed in agony, losing his breath, turning into a corpse.


    With the curse seal appearing in the pupils of the White Ghost Emperor, he looked down at the Qi-Refining Bandit Cultivators below as thick fog rose, enveloping them.


    The Qi-Refining Bandits, confused, began to attack each other with their magic artifacts. Soon enough, all the banditsy in pools of blood, corpses strewn about, no survivors remained.


    After that battle, Zhao Yu directly killed the three cultivators who tried to flee first and drove out more than a dozen others who had escaped during the fight from Wolf Ridge. He also promoted a few brave fighters among the cultivators. After a slight disturbance, Wolf Ridge''s cohesion had ironically increased by a measure.

 Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Li Xianjiao Foundation Establishment

    In the Quiet Room of Wolf Ridge.


    "I would have died if the White Ghost Emperor hadn''t been strong enough to repel the attack by the three Foundation Establishment tribtors this time. The souls of those three are just perfect for unlocking more of the White Ghost Emperor''s talents! The stronger it gets, the more at ease I am!"


    Zhao Yu weighed his options and resolutely summoned the White Ghost Emperor, using the power of the Dao Fruit to devour and refine the souls of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators he had consumed, and chose to unlock the White Ghost Emperor''s soul talent.


    A stream of iparably cool energy flowed into the body of the White Ghost Emperor, causing it to grin, its fearsome eyes filled with boundless joy.


    "Talent: Evil Ghost''s Strength (0/10000)."


    "Talent: Ghostly Speed (0/10000)."


    "Talent: Red Sun Ghostly Body (0/10000)."


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled slightly into a smile, "Evil Ghost''s Strength will greatly increase the strength of the White Ghost Emperor, allowing it to rival demon beasts! Ghostly Speed will drastically increase its speed! Red Sun Ghostly Body will significantly reduce the damage from Lightning Techniques and Evil-Repelling Techniques. Not bad!"


    Lightning Techniques and Evil-Repelling Techniques were the bane of evil ghosts, and even though the White Ghost Emperor was a ghost of the hundred ghosts'' king, it was simrly restrained by various Lightning Techniques and Evil-Repelling Techniques.


    However, after unlocking the talent of the Red Sun Ghostly Body, the suppression effect of Lightning Techniques and Evil-Repelling Techniques on the White Ghost Emperor would be greatly reduced.


    Ghost creatures capable of unlocking a talent like the Red Sun Ghostly Body were one in ten thousand, and even the Yin Ghost Sect, notorious for itsmand over evil ghosts in the gued North Destion, probably did not have such rare ghost creatures.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "Those cultivators I recruited are unreliable! They break at the first blow! The Ling family''s cultivators, on the other hand, have the courage to fight! But this is normal; cultivators recruited on the fly can''tpare to those trained from childhood. This is why Great Sects prefer to recruit young men and women to join."


    Su Bingyun was taken in as a direct disciple by the Sect Master of the Cang Ling Sect from a young age and taught with great care, which is why she is so loyal and willing to fight to the death for the Cang Ling Sect.


    Although the Changyang Ling family also has many wasteful and privileged cultivators, those who survived the repeated wars have be brave and good at fighting, and even those wasteful cultivators have grown a lot.


    "Take on disciples? Hmm, better not, it''s too much of an energy drain!"


    After weighing the matter, Zhao Yu gave up the idea of taking on disciples. He was currently focused solely on Foundation Establishment and had no energy to spare for disciples.


    "But these three tribtors had quite a few treasures on them! Just the demon beast inner pills alone number six, and three of them are Earth Attribute demon beast inner pills, just perfect for transforming my Earth Spirit Root into an Earth Spirit Root!"


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled slightly as he took out an Earth Attribute demon beast inner pill and swallowed it, cultivating with the Dao Fruit''s devouring power to refine it.


    Two dayster.


    "Let the transformation begin!"


    With a thought, Zhao Yu felt a stream of refreshingly cool energy surge from the depths of his body, nourishing his flesh and soul, purging impurities from his body, and once again undergoing a transformation and sublimation.


    "Earth Spirit Root-level Earth Spirit Root (0/100000)."


    Zhao Yuughed heartily: "Finally, I have an Earth Spirit Root transformed from a Spirit Root! Now, in the Cultivation World, I can be considered a genius! Add to that a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, and my sess rate for Foundation Establishment is definitely more than ny percent!"


    Zhao Yu went to the side to bathe and change, then took out a Dharma Mirror to carefully examine his appearance, discovering that he now looked like a handsome, ethereal young man of about twenty-two years old.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled slightly, "The cultivation speed of the Earth Spirit Root is more than ten times faster than that of a top-grade Spirit Root!"


    After the transformation of his Spirit Root, Zhao Yu''s cultivation speed would increase even more, and he would encounter fewer bottlenecks in his practice.


    In legend, cultivators with a Heavenly Spirit Root faced no bottlenecks before Core Formation. Even after achieving Core Formation, those with a Heavenly Spirit Root found breaking through bottlenecks much easier than ordinary cultivators did. Earth Spirit Roots naturally couldn''tpare with Heavenly Spirit Roots, yet they far surpassed superior-grade Spirit Roots.


    "The transformation of a Spirit Root is cause for great joy and celebration!"


    Zhao Yu left the Quiet Room and found Ling Qianxue. The two shared a romantic rendezvous and spent a wonderfully rxing day together.


    After the news of the three Foundation Establishment Tribtion cultivators'' tragic deaths spread, the area around Mountain Wolf Ridge quieted down suddenly. Many tribtion cultivators steered clear of Mountain Wolf Ridge, seeking other ces to plunder.


    A year passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhao Yu cultivated very smoothly to the Great Circle of Qi Refining.


    In a secret chamber in Mountain Wolf Ridge.


    "Uncle, I want to establish my foundation!"


    The young woman, Li Xianjiao, who had grown into a tall figure with a fiery and sexy allure, skin smooth as cream, brimming with the vitality of youth and a charming countenance, proimed.


    Zhao Yu took out a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and handed it over: "Good! Here''s a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill for you to use!"


    Li Xianjiao smiled sweetly and said, "As a Heavenly Spirit Root, I can establish my foundation without a pill; I don''t need a Foundation Establishment Pill!"


    Zhao Yu replied, "It''s true that those with a Heavenly Spirit Root can establish their foundation without a pill. However, since we have a pill, it''s better to use it; it''s safer that way!"


    "Alright, uncle! Then I''ll go now!"


    Li Xianjiao picked up the top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, giving a slight smile, and entered the secret chamber to begin her cultivation practice.


    Zhao Yu immediately dispatched the White Ghost Emperor to guard the surroundings of the secret chamber and dered the area off-limits, forbidding anyone from approaching.


    Three monthster, a powerful aura of Foundation Establishment emanated from within the secret chamber.


    Zhao Yu revealed a hint of a smile: "Sess!"


    The doors of the secret chamber swung open, and Li Xianjiao emerged, even more beautiful than before; she walked out smiling and said, "Uncle, I''ve advanced to Foundation Establishment!"


    Zhao Yu smiled and replied, "Congrattions!"


    Li Xianjiao''s expression dimmed as she said, "But, it''s still toote! If I were a Foundation Establishment cultivator a few years ago, I could have saved my mother!"


    Zhao Yu said with a solemn face, "The owner behind the Golden Yuan Gambling House is the Scatterwind Elder of the Azure Spirit Sect. The owner behind the Hundred Flowers Building is the Sect Master of Thousand Mysteries Sect. Xianjiao, until you be a Golden Core cultivator, do not provoke them."


    Li Xianjiao clenched her silver teeth and said, "I know!"


    Zhao Yu added, "One more thing, before you join a sect, you absolutely must not let anyone find out about your Foundation Establishment cultivation level; otherwise, we will both be in great danger. Anyone who discovers your Foundation Establishment cultivation level, aside from myself, must die!"


    Li Xianjiao, who was only sixteen years old yet already had a Foundation Establishment cultivation level, surely had the rare talent of a Heavenly Spirit Root. Such a talent of the caliber of a Heavenly Spirit Root could undoubtedly spark a war in the Cultivation World if revealed in a ce like the Northern Destion.


    Li Xianjiao replied obediently, "Yes! Uncle, I''ve got it."


    Li Xianjiao had followed Zhao Yu for several years, and under his guidance, she hade to understand the cruelty of the Cultivation World. If she exposed her identity as a Heavenly Spirit Root in a ce like the Northern Destion, countless people would hunt her and Zhao Yu down. Even Golden Core ancestors would personally take action to fight for a descendant with a Heavenly Spirit Root.


    Zhao Yu apanied Li Xianjiao, frolicking and exploring inside Mountain Wolf Ridge, helping her enjoy a wonderful time as a celebratory gift for her advancement to Foundation Establishment. After making a series of arrangements, he then entered the Quiet Room to begin his own secluded cultivation for Foundation Establishment.

 Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Advancing to Foundation Establishment

    ```


    In the Quiet Room.


    "What a pity, I couldn''t get a Superior Foundation Establishment Pill! However, with the Superior Red Heart Pill, Body Cultivation at Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment Spiritual Sense, Earth Spirit Root, and the Top-Quality Foundation Establishment Pill, I should be able to smoothly progress and advance in Foundation Establishment!"


    Zhao Yu first swallowed a Superior Red Heart Pill, followed by a meter of Superior Foundation Establishment Pill, and then, ording to the Wood Yuan Gong''s records on Foundation Establishment, he manipted the mana within his body to begin the Foundation Establishment process.


    Zhao Yu''s mana began topress crazily, transforming and sublimating, like a caterpir to a butterfly, undergoing a life-altering transformation and forging a stable Dao foundation.


    Under the influence of the Wood Yuan Gong''s mana, Zhao Yu''s meridians, internal organs, and various other organs were also being sublimated and transformed.


    The heat flow from the Superior Foundation Establishment Pill merged into Zhao Yu''s body, supporting his transformation and sublimation.


    Three months shed by in an instant.


    In the Quiet Room, a powerful aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage wafted out from Zhao Yu''s body as he slowly opened his eyes, a hint of a smile emerging, "I have finally advanced to Foundation Establishment!"


    "Zhao Yu."


    Explore more stories with empire


    "Life Span: 43/253."


    "Cultivation Level: Wood Yuan Gong 11th Level (0/100). Foundation Establishment First Rank!"


    "Divine Sense: Foundation Establishment Second Rank (89/100)."


    After advancing to Foundation Establishment, Zhao Yu''s lifespan instantly surged by a hundred years, and he himself underwent a great change, his temperament bing even more ethereal and other-worldly.


    Regret flickered in Zhao Yu''s eyes, "It''s a pity that it''s still a time of war, and the news of sessful Foundation Establishment should not be spread. Otherwise, if I were to hold a Foundation Establishment celebration, not only could I receive a bunch of gifts, but I would also make many Foundation Establishment friends."


    At this time, all of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Cang Country had already been conscripted by the Dan Ling Sect and joined the conflict with the Five Sects. Cang Country only had a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had concealed their names and identities, as well as a small number of Foundation Establishment rogues.


    Zhao Yu, protected by Su Bingyun, and only a Qi Refinement cultivator, had not been forcibly conscripted to join the war with the Five Sects.


    If Zhao Yu were to reveal that he had advanced to Foundation Establishment, the Dan Ling Sect would certainly conscript him and force him into the conflict with the Five Sects. If he did not wish to join the war, he would have to abandon Wolf Ridge and flee to ces like Shiyang City, which were not under the control of the Four Great Sects.


    "I should celebrate the sess of Foundation Establishment!"


    Zhao Yu''s lips curled up slightly as he went to the bathhouse next to the Quiet Room to bathe and change his clothes before stepping out of the Quiet Room refreshed.


    "Congrattions Uncle, on your advancement to Foundation Establishment!"


    As Zhao Yu opened the door of the Quiet Room, he saw Li Xianjiao, who was sitting nearby,ing towards him with a beaming smile.


    The White Ghost Emperor sat silently in a corner nearby.


    "Let''s go celebrate together!"


    Zhao Yu smiled as he followed Li Xianjiao to theke''s pavilion boat, where they tasted her cooked beast delicacies while admiring theke and mountain scenery.


    After spending a peaceful morning with Li Xianjiao, Zhao Yu sent her away to cultivate and then headed straight for the study. As soon as he entered the study, he saw Ling Qianxue, looking beautiful and capable, seriously dealing with various affairs.


    "Brother Yu, you''ve finallye out of seclusion! How was it, did your cultivation go smoothly?"


    Ling Qianxue''s beautiful eyes lit up, she tossed aside the ount book in her hands, got up with a hint of fragrance in the air, and came to Zhao Yu''s side with a cheerful smile.


    ```


    Zhao Yu smiled faintly, as an aura of the Foundation Establishment Rank spread out from his body.


    Ling Qianxue''s eyes shed with surprise, and she spoke more tenderly, "Foundation Establishment! Brother Yu, congrattions on your promotion to Foundation Establishment. Longevity is in sight!"


    The strength of a Body Cultivation cultivator is a notch weakerpared to an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and what is most important is that the lifespan of a Body Cultivation cultivator is far less than that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    In the North Deste, only when one''s Cultivation Level truly reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage is one epted and recognized by other Foundation Establishment circles.


    Previously, Zhao Yu only had the Cultivation Level of the fourth rank of Body Refinement, which many Foundation Establishment Cultivators did not recognize as truly being at the Foundation Establishment level, nor were they willing to associate with him.


    Zhao Yu embraced Ling Qianxue, and the night was filled with passion, Ling Qianxue was much more enthusiastic than before.


    After his promotion to Foundation Establishment, Zhao Yu continued to disguise himself as a Qi Refinement cultivator, quietly cultivating within the Wolf Ridge Mountains.


    Two years passed in the blink of an eye.


    One day, on a pavilion boat atop theke in Wolf Ridge Mountains, Zhao Yu, with Ling Qianxue in his arms, tasting Spirit Fruits. He suddenly looked up and saw a Communication Talisman flying from afar,nding in his hand.


    "The war among the Five Sects has ended, and the Five Great Sects have reached a resolution. The Yin Ghost Sect has officially settled in the North Deste."


    Zhao Yu gripped the Communication Talisman, and a stream of information immediately flooded his mind.


    Zhao Yu''s brow furrowed slightly and said, "It''s incredible that the Four Great Sects united could not defeat the Yin Ghost Sect!"


    Ling Qianxue spoke slowly, "The rtionships among the Four Great Golden Core Sects in the North Deste are intricate. If they really could cooperate wholeheartedly, they could have driven the Yin Ghost Sect out of the North Deste two years ago."


    The cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect are proficient in various powerful Ghost Control Techniques, indeed very strong. Still, each of the Four Great Golden Core Sects in the North Deste is also very powerful.


    Any one of the Golden Core Sects is not a match for the Yin Ghost Sect, but if these Golden Core Sects unite, they naturally have the capacity to defeat, even annihte, the Yin Ghost Sect¡ªafter all, the Yin Ghost Sect only has one Golden Core cultivator."


    Zhao Yu left the pavilion boat and found Li Xianjiao, who was cultivating, bringing her to a hidden chamber.


    Zhao Yu said, "The war among the Five Sects has ended. Do you n to continue cultivating with me, or will you join one of the Four Great Sects?"


    Li Xianjiao said, "Uncle, if I continue to cultivate with you, can I form a Golden Core and be stronger than Sister Su Bingyun?"


    Zhao Yu answered frankly, "I don''t have a Golden Core Technique that suits your Cultivation! Techniques like the Water Element Technique are far inferior to the Sect-protecting Cultivation Techniques of the Cang Ling Sect. If you follow me, it will be very difficult for you to form a Golden Core in the future!"


    Zhao Yu had only obtained two Golden Core Level Techniques, among which the "Mountain Sutra" was the most powerful, profound, and extensive. However, Li Xianjiao had a Water Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root and was utterly unable to cultivate the "Mountain Sutra". This is the downside of being a Loose Cultivatorcking aplete cultivation system.


    The situation was different for the Four Great Sects, which undoubtedly had many Golden Core scriptures, allowing cultivators with different Attribute Spirit Roots to cultivate. Moreover, some Sect-protecting Cultivation Techniques enabled cultivators of any Attribute Spirit Root to cultivate them.


    In the North Deste, if human cultivators want to obtain Golden Core Level Techniques, they either have to find ways to explore the ruins left by Ancient Cultivators or join one of the Four Great Golden Core Sects. Otherwise, they can only risk their lives leaving the North Deste and head to the Great Qian Empire.


    Li Xianjiao smiled sweetly, her face full of anticipation, "I want to join the Dan Ling Sect! You will join the same sect as me, won''t you, Uncle?"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and said, "I will join the same sect as you!"


    The next day, atop the pavilion boat on theke in Wolf Ridge Mountains.


    Zhao Yu said, "Qian Xue, I n to leave Cang Country and head to Mushi Country. Are you willing to go with me?"


    Ling Qianxue''s delicate body shook, she bit her silver teeth and said, "Can''t you stay?"

 Chapter 76 Chapter 76 Heading to Mushi Country

    Zhao Yu said, "I hope you cane with me!"


    "Brother Yu, you''re wholeheartedly pursuing the Dao. But I can''t let go of the Ling family! As the legitimate daughter of the Changyang Ling family, I was born to enjoy the glory and wealth that others can''t, and can easily obtain countless cultivation resources from the Ling family, making numerous good friends."


    "Now the only hope of the entire Ling family rests on me. If I leave the Ling family at this time, the Changyang Ling family won''t be able to preserve the legacy that has been fought for over generations, and I would let down the upbringing the Ling family has given me."


    "I''m sorry, Brother Yu, I can''t go with you to Mushi Country."


    Ling Qian Xue''splexion changed several times, and she finally let out a deep sigh, holding Zhao Yu''s hand tightly with great reluctance.


    Ling Qian Xue possessed a Superior Grade Spirit Root, and if she chose to enter the Cang Spirit Sect, the sect would be very happy to ept her. But she always stayed with the Ling family, so that she could advance to Foundation Establishment in the future and continue the lineage of the Changyang Ling family.


    "This is a Copper Zombie with thebat power of Foundation Establishment level, to protect you!" Readtest stories on empire


    Zhao Yu took out a pitch-ck coffin and handed over the techniques for manipting the Copper Zombie and the Corpse Controlling Bell to Ling Qian Xue.


    Ling Qian Xue managed to squeeze out a smile, "Thank you, Brother Yu."


    Zhao Yu said, "You have also reached the Great Circle of Qi Refining. If you want to establish your foundation now, I can also act as your protector."


    In recent years, Ling Qian Xue had also taken many Superior Grade Elixirs refined by Zhao Yu, and her cultivation level had soared, also reaching the Great Circle of Qi Refining.


    Determination shed in Ling Qian Xue''s beautiful eyes as she said, "I wish to establish my foundation, and I hope you, Brother Yu, will protect me!"


    "Here, this is for you!"


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and handed over five Top-Quality Foundation Establishment Pills to Ling Qian Xue.


    Ling Qian Xue''s eyes lit up, and she excitedly said, "Foundation Establishment Pills! You can refine Foundation Establishment Pills now?"


    In the Northern Destion, the Pill Masters capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills could be counted on one hand, and they were all the top Pill Masters. Each and every one of them had an extremely prestigious status.


    The Northern Destion''s four great sects firmly grasped control of the region by mastering the Foundation Establishment Pills. Foundation Establishment Cultivators emerged one after another from the four great sects, while it was extremely difficult for Loose Cultivators to achieve Foundation Establishment, due to the Foundation Establishment Pills.


    A Pill Master capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills was also highly respected among Foundation Establishment Cultivators, having an exalted status.


    After all, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, despite not needing Foundation Establishment Pills for themselves, had friends, family, and disciples who did need them, so naturally, they would not easily offend a Pill Master capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills.


    Zhao Yu said, "These Foundation Establishment Pills were obtained from those plundering cultivators."


    "Let''s just leave it at that!"


    Ling Qian Xue smiled sweetly, holding the five Top-Quality Foundation Establishment Pills in her hand. With six Top-Quality Foundation Establishment Pills to assist her, she would definitely be able to ascend to Foundation Establishment.


    Three monthster, a powerful aura at the Foundation Establishment Level emanated from the Quiet Room in the Mountain Wolf Ridge, and an hourter, Ling Qian Xue, dressed in a white pce costume, looking even more beautiful and possessing an ethereal temperament, walked out from the secret chamber.


    Zhao Yu smiled slightly and approached her, saying, "Qian Xue, congrattions on your sessful Foundation Establishment! Also, you''ve be even more beautiful than before!"


    "Thank you, Brother Yu. I only used one out of the six Foundation Establishment Pills to seed!"


    Ling Qian Xue smiled sweetly and handed the five Top-Quality Foundation Establishment Pills back to Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu said, "The rest of the Foundation Establishment Pills are for you! With these, the Ling family can give rise to a few more Foundation Establishment cultivators in the future, and your responsibility can be lightened somewhat."


    "Brother Yu, you''re so kind!"


    Ling Qian Xue''s alluring eyes drew Zhao Yu''s hands toward her.


    One night of spring breeze, and Ling Qian Xue was passionate as fire.


    The next day, news of Ling Qianxue''s advancement to Foundation Establishment quickly spread throughout Cang Country, causing quite a stir.


    Cang Country originally had five great Foundation Establishment families, with the Wang family not having copsed, the rest of the four families almost entirely fell during the battles of the Five Sects.


    Ling Qianxue''s Foundation Establishment meant that the Ling family could still firmly control the Market and Spirit Lotus Lake, two vital Spiritual Lands, allowing the Ling family to continue maintaining its status as a Foundation Establishment family.


    Seven dayster, atop Wolf Ridge Mountain.


    Su Bingyun looked at Zhao Yu and slowly said, "Zhao Yu, do you really n to leave Cang Country? With my rmendation, you could join Cang Ling Sect!"


    Cang Ling Sect was the dominant Golden Core Sect and the power that most Loose Cultivators aspired to join in Cang Country.


    However, aside from Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Qi Refinement cultivators, even those at the Great Circle of Qi Refining, might not be able to join Cang Ling Sect.


    Cang Ling Sect preferred to recruit young cultivators with Spirit Roots and cultivate them from the beginning, as the loyalty of such cultivators to the sect naturally tended to be much higher than that of Loose Cultivators.


    Zhao Yu said, "My mind is made up!"


    Su Bingyun took a deep look at Zhao Yu and said no more.


    After handing over Wolf Ridge Mountain to Su Bingyun, Zhao Yu took Li Xianjiao and floated away.


    Mushi Country''s Tiger Spirit Mountain Market.


    "Number forty-three, Zixin Alley!"


    After arriving at Tiger Spirit Mountain Market, Zhao Yu found the manager from Dan Ling Sect in the Market, and rented a cave mansion in the Market Center District of Tiger Spirit Mountain for three years.


    No sooner had Zhao Yu and Li Xianjiao arrived at their newly rented cave mansion when the door of the neighboring mansion opened, and out walked a Qi Refinement Seventh Level female cultivator. She had a graceful figure, tied her hair in a single ponytail, had a cool temperament, and was very beautiful.


    Zhao Yu gave a slight smile, sped his hands together, and greeted her, "Fellow Daoist, I am Zhao Yu, a Pill Master. She is Li Xianjiao, my younger sister! We''ve just rented this cave mansion, and from now on, we will be neighbors."


    The Qi Refinement female cultivator said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I am Miao Caiyan, a Talisman Master."


    Zhao Yu quickly got to know his neighbors. To the left of his mansion lived the somewhat aloof Miao Caiyan, and to the right was a Qi Refinement Ninth Level cultivator named Chai Lang.


    Two months passed in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Yu found the manager of the practice room in Tiger Spirit Mountain Market and said, "I want to rent a Grade A Practice Room!"


    The manager looked at Zhao Yu and realizing that he was at the Great Circle of Qi Refining immediately said, "A Grade A Practice Room? One Spirit Stone per day! How many days do you want to rent it for?"


    Every market had practice rooms, and those rooms were equipped with Gathering Yuan Grand Formations that concentrated the Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Veins, significantly enhancing the level of Spiritual Energy inside the practice rooms.


    Those cultivators who wanted to break through the bottleneck of Qi Refinement and advance to Foundation Establishment would go to the practice rooms in the market to make their breakthrough.


    Zhao Yu took out two hundred Spirit Stones and handed them over, "I''ll rent it for two hundred days!"


    The manager curiously asked, "Fellow Daoist, how old are you this year?"


    Zhao Yu answered, "I am forty-six this year."


    The manager handed a token to Zhao Yu, saying, "I wish you sess in your Foundation Establishment!"


    "Thank you for your kind words."


    Zhao Yu gave a slight smile and headed towards a Grade A Practice Room.


    The manager looked at Zhao Yu with some sympathy, "Forty-six years old! That age is somewhat delicate. Although he can''tpare to the sect geniuses who establish their foundations around thirty, he''s much stronger than ordinary Loose Cultivators. His attempt at Foundation Establishment will probably fail, though!


    After all, out of ten Loose Cultivators who attempt Foundation Establishment, nine die!"

 Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Recruitment

    Three monthster, a terrifying aura of the Foundation Establishment Rank rose up from the practice room.


    "Foundation Establishment was a sess? He actually seeded in Foundation Establishment!"


    Manager Fang sensed the aura of Foundation Establishment rising from the practice room, his face slightly changing as a hint of jealousy and envy shown in his eyes.


    Manager Fang was also an Inner Sect Disciple of the Danling Sect, and in his youth, he had also used a Foundation Establishment Pill to try to achieve the Foundation Establishment Realm but had failed.


    Before Zhao Yu''s Foundation Establishment, Manager Fang, this Inner Sect Disciple of Danling Sect, still had the qualifications to look down on him, a Loose Cultivator. However, after Foundation Establishment, even as an Inner Sect Disciple, Manager Fang had to treat him with great respect and could not afford any disrespect.


    Zhao Yu walked out of the practice room with a smile on his face.


    Upon seeing Zhao Yu, Manager Fang stood up and took the initiative to greet him, "I have seen Senior Zhao, congrattions on your sessful Foundation Establishment, a long life is hopeful!"


    "Thank you for your kind words!"


    Zhao Yu noticed that Manager Fang, previously slightly arrogant, had be extremely respectful, and felt slightly emotional about the strict hierarchy in the Cultivation World.


    In the Cultivation World, apart from the closest rtionships like parent-child or master-disciple, a cultivator of a significantly lower rank must address the other as a senior and maintain respect. This was an epted etiquette in the Cultivation World.


    "Congrattions, uncle, on advancing to Foundation Establishment. Do you want to celebrate?"


    As soon as Zhao Yu returned to his cave mansion, Li Xianjiao came forward to greet him, smiling mischievously. She had followed Zhao Yu for many years and was very familiar with his habits.


    Zhao Yu flicked Li Xianjiao''s forehead, not too pleased, "Celebrate, with whom should we celebrate?"


    Li Xianjiao giggled, "Hey, you could find someone~!"


    "Go, get back to your cultivation!"


    Zhao Yu couldn''t help but take another nce at Li Xianjiao''s already very attractive body, flicking her forehead again and quietly shifting his gaze.


    The once scrawny little girl had grown into a stunningly beautiful young woman with well-defined features, and Zhao Yu hardly dared to look too much for fear of losing control.


    "I''m not a child anymore!"


    Li Xianjiao gave Zhao Yu a re and returned to the Quiet Room to cultivate.


    News of Zhao Yu''s advancement to Foundation Establishment soon spread throughout the Hu Ling Mountain Market, causing quite a stir. After all, it was extremely rare for Loose Cultivators to seed in Foundation Establishment.


    "Zhao Yu actually advanced to Foundation Establishment! I really didn''t expect it, he actually managed to seed!"


    Miao Caiyan, upon hearing the news, a trace of disbelief shed in her eyes. She had been in the Hu Ling Mountain Market for fifteen years, and in all that time, not a single Loose Cultivator had seeded in Foundation Establishment. She only heard news of Loose Cultivators failing at Foundation Establishment, directly perishing as a result.


    Many cultivators in the Hu Ling Mountain Market came forward to visit Zhao Yu, bringing congrattory gifts.


    Many forces even offered him the position of leader in hopes of having him join them.


    After the battle of the Five Sects, many Foundation Establishment cultivators of Cang Country had died on the battlefield, almost all Foundation Establishment cultivators from the five major Foundation Establishment families, including those from Mushi Country and other major forces, had perished innumerably, so a new Foundation Establishment cultivator joining could gain immense benefits.


    Zhao Yu outright rejected joining any forces and quietly waited.


    One monthter, a sound transmission talisman entered Zhao Yu''s cave mansion.


    "Zhao Fellow, I am Xiahou Zhenyu from the Dan Ling Sect, here to pay a visit!"


    He had finally arrived!


    Zhao Yu''s eyes lit up as he deactivated the formation covering his cave mansion and went out to greet his guest.


    "Xiahou Zhenyu congrattes Fellow on your sessful Foundation Establishment, this humble gift is not much, but please ept it with a smile!"


    A tall, handsome young cultivator with short hair and at the Fourth Rank of Foundation Establishment approached with a warm smile. This young Foundation Establishment Cultivator was the Dan Ling Sect Foundation Establishment Elder in charge of the Tiger Spirit Mountain Market.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I was just fortunate with my Foundation Establishment! Fellow Xiahou, pleasee in!"


    The two entered the cave mansion and sat down, after which Li Xianjiao served them Spiritual Tea and then left.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "Fellow Zhao, would you be interested in joining our Dan Ling Sect and bing a Guest Elder?"


    Zhao Yu asked, "What benefits and restrictions would there be if I were to join the Dan Ling Sect?"


    Xiahou Zhenyu replied, "Should Fellow Zhao agree to be a Guest Elder, you may choose a technique that leads directly to Foundation Establishment Completion. Each year, you will receive a thousand sect contribution points and a thousand Spirit Stones.


    With sufficient sect contributions umted, you can exchange them for various cultivation resources and even Golden Core Techniques within the sect!"


    "As for restrictions? Every Foundation Establishment Cultivator mustplete a sect mission every ten years. Since you would be joining our Dan Ling Sect, you must abide by our rules, not betray the sect, and refrain from acts that might harm the sect''s interests. Additionally, in the event of a war, you must respond to the sect''s call to arms!"


    Zhao Yu was very pleased with this, as the Dan Ling Sect had not required him to submit his lifeblood or leave a Soul Lamp, which were restrictions he had read about in the Wang family''s archives regarding some top Demon Path Great Sects outside the northern wilderness, intended to prevent defections by using various means to curse or severely injure the defector should they betray the sect.


    Although the Dan Ling Sect was one of the four major sects of the north wilderness, it was still just a Golden Core Sect and might not possess such methods.


    Zhao Yu said, "I am willing to join the Dan Ling Sect as a Guest Elder!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu handed over a token to Zhao Yu, "This is the Guest Elder token! Inject a strand of Mana, and I will go to the Dan Ling Sect to handle some procedures. Then you will officially be a Guest Elder of our Dan Ling Sect!"


    This one month was enough time for the Dan Ling Sect to thoroughly investigate Zhao Yu''s background. Since Zhao Yu had chosen to reach Foundation Establishment within the Tiger Spirit Mountain Market, an area within the influence of the Dan Ling Sect, and had declined many other powers'' offers, he obviously wanted to join the Dan Ling Sect.


    After the battle with the Five Sects, many Foundation Establishment cultivators died, and the sect was equally in need of replenishing its ranks, hence they sent Xiahou Zhenyu to recruit Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu injected his Mana into the token and handed it to Xiahou Zhenyu.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "Five days from now, I will take you back to the Dan Ling Sect."


    Zhao Yu replied, "Very well, Fellow Xiahou!"


    The Danxia Mountain Range is where the headquarters of the Dan Ling Sect is located, epassing a thousand miles of spiritualnds, including the only Third Order high-grade Spirit Vein in Mushi Country.


    "This is our Dan Ling Sect''s main peak, Lingxia Peak! The Sect Master and the Supreme Elder reside on this peak. Besides Lingxia Peak, our Dan Ling Sect also possesses seventy-six peaks, each situated within the Danxia Mountain Range, with the spiritual energy density of each peak at least at Second Order high-grade and up to Third Order mid-grade."


    "Originally, all the peaks above Third Order already had owners, but due to the great war, many peaks are now vacant, including some Third Order peaks. Your timing couldn''t be more perfect!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu walked with Zhao Yu through Lingxia Peak, introducing him to the details of the Dan Ling Sect.

 Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Joining the Dan Ling Sect

    Zhao Yu looked around Lingxia Peak and saw the mountain encircled by spiritual mist rich with spiritual energy. The road leading to the peak was built of jade stones, and various spirit nts grew on either side, creating a picturesque scene.


    "Our Dan Ling Sect''s Supreme Elder, Fairy Cai Ling, is not only a woman but also the number one Alchemist in the northern wastnd. She has taken a total of fifteen disciples, among whom our sect''s current Sect Master, Zheng Yunzhi, is the eldest disciple."


    "Fairy Cai Ling only epts female disciples, and all fifteen disciples are of the feminine cultivation path. Thus, in our Dan Ling Sect, the number of female cultivators exceeds that of male cultivators."


    "Among the four great sects in the northern wastnd, aside from Thousand Mysteries Sect, our Dan Ling Sect has the most female cultivators. The other three countries also send their female cultivators to our sect."


    "The female cultivators of the Thousand Mysteries Sect are each enchantingly beautiful, but they are like poisonous delicacies¡ªdelicious but deadly. Moreover, the most outstanding female cultivators of the Thousand Mysteries Sect are all prohibited descendants of the Supreme Elder, Qian Ning. Thus, among the four great sects, the female cultivators of our Dan Ling Sect are indeed the first!"


    "....."


    Xiahou Zhenyu talked endlessly about the situation within the Dan Ling Sect, appearing very garrulous.


    A dozen beautiful young girls walked down from the mountain. Leading them was a girl in a blue pce dress. She was of tall stature, and her ample chest stretched the fabric of her gown, revealing expanses of snowy white. Her skin was as smooth as congealedrd, her features were picturesque, and she was stunningly beautiful, exuding an aura both pure and sensual.


    "She is even prettier than Ling Qianxue after her Foundation Establishment!"


    Upon seeing the exceptionally beautiful girl, Zhao Yu''s eyes shed with astonishment.


    Both Su Bingyun and Ling Qianxue were considered peerlessly beautiful, yet this Sixth Level of Qi Refining young girl was even more beautiful than them after their Foundation Establishment, which spoke volumes of her beauty.


    When the dozen or so Dan Ling Sect girls saw Zhao Yu and Xiahou Zhenyu, they stepped aside and saluted, "Greeting Uncle-Master Xiahou!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "This is Zhao Yu, the new Guest Elder of our sect!"


    The girls saluted again, "Greeting Uncle-Master Zhao!"


    Zhao Yu gave a slight nod.


    The young female cultivators of Dan Ling Sect then departed.


    Xiahou Zhenyu, watching the retreating figure of the most beautiful cultivator, let a trace of regret cross his eyes, "Beautiful, isn''t she? That most beautiful one is Shangguan Lingxiu, regarded as the first beauty among the young generation of our Dan Ling Sect. Although she possesses only a mid-grade Spirit Root, countless people wish to be her Daopanion.


    Unfortunately, she is devoted to her cultivation, and even Foundation Establishment cultivators have not seeded in winning her favor."


    Zhao Yu said, "Then she must have quite a background!"


    In the Cultivation World, power is revered, and Shangguan Lingxiu, being a mere Qi Refining cultivator, is still under the Dan Ling Sect''s protection, but there are also many Foundation Establishment male cultivators within the sect.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "Her master is the Peony Fairy, who is among the most cherished seven disciples of the Supreme Elder. The Peony Fairy is one of the northern wastnd''s ten heroes, thus naturally ranking her among the top Foundation Establishment cultivators of the northern wastnd. Besides, she also has a Golden Core old master who can naturally protect her disciple well."


    During casual conversation, the two arrived at a pce.


    "Sister Zhou, let me introduce you, this is Zhao Yu, the new Guest Elder of our Dan Ling Sect. Zhao Yu, this is Sister Zhou Zhenzhen!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu approached a woman with a full head of white hair, who, despite her advanced age, still looked elegant and beautiful, possessingte-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and introduced her.


    Zhao Yu performed a fist-and-palm salute, "I greet Sister Zhou!"


    Zhou Zhenzhen nodded slightly, "Junior Brother Zhao!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu smiled and said, "Senior Sister Zhou, I promised to help Junior Brother Zhao choose a better cave mansion. Please assist!"


    "Since Brother Xiahou has spoken, naturally, I must give you face. None of these cave mansions has been chosen, and I have marked the best few! Junior Brother Zhao, please choose one!"


    Zhou Zhenzhen smiled faintly and took out a map about one zhang in size, marking several mountain peaks on it. The red peaks indicated upied residences, and the white peaks were avable for selection.


    When Zhao Yu ced his hand over a mountain peak, information about that peak would appear.


    Those spiritual peaks were also part of the benefits for Foundation Establishment cultivators joining a Golden Core Sect; all spiritual objects produced on those peaks belonged to the owner of the peak.


    Although these spiritual peaks were smaller in areapared to ces like Wolfling Ridge or Lotus Lake, a third-order low-grade spiritual peak could cultivate third-order spiritual medicine and spirit nts, and cultivating in a cave mansion on a third-order low-grade spiritual peak was much faster than cultivating on a second-order superior spirit vein.


    "I''ll choose Dan Yan Peak!"


    All the third-order medium-grade spiritual peaks already had owners, so Zhao Yu chose a third-order low-grade spiritual peak.


    Zhou Zhenzhen said, "In our Dan Ling Sect, each peak master may choose one Inner Sect disciple, five Outer Sect disciples, and twenty servant disciples to manage the spiritual peak. Apart from the Inner Sect disciples, whose wishes must be consulted, you may choose freely for the rest.


    If you want to select people from outside the sect to manage the spiritual peak, you can make them servant disciples of our Dan Ling Sect."


    In the Cultivation World, cultivators of various kinds exist, and every Foundation Establishment cultivator has a different personality. Some Foundation Establishment cultivators pursue the great Dao with a passion, leading to few people residing on their spiritual peaks, while others who enjoy pleasures naturally have many serving them.


    Thus, the Dan Ling Sect has set a standard that each spiritual peak can have twenty-six disciples to serve the peak master; no more, but less is permitted. The sry of these twenty-six disciples is also provided by the Dan Ling Sect.


    Of course, if a peak master takes disciples, these disciples are not included in those twenty-six.


    After Zhao Yu had chosen Dan Yan Peak, he then flew toward it using a flying artifact.


    After Zhao Yu had gone, Zhou Zhenzhen finally said, "Brother Xiahou, is this person''s background clean?"


    "He was born in the Zhao family, a Qi Refining family of Cang Country, and was sold to the small ck Mountain Market to be a spirit farmer for twenty years. While in the ck Mountain Market, he often spent time in the Hundred Flowers Building indulging in decadence and dissipation. Later, by a stroke of luck, he saved Su Bingyun, a true disciple of the Cang Ling Sect."


    "Only with Su Bingyun''s support did he reveal his alchemy refining talent, and his cultivation level grew rapidly. He first reached the fourth level of body refinement and then sessfully established his foundation."


    "He appears to have the protection of a Foundation Establishment expert, likely rted to Su Bingyun. He has a close rtionship with the head of the Ling family of Cang Country, Ling Qian Xue."


    "His joining our Cang Ling Sect this time must be because Su Bingyun rejected his request for a cultivation partner and he was seeking a Golden Core Technique. His background is fairly clean!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu smirked slightly, rifying Zhao Yu''s background. He had waited a month before recruiting Zhao Yu, aiming to thoroughly investigate his background."


    As the Dan Ling Sect has informants in the four barbarian countries of the north, Zhao Yu''s background was no secret, allowing Xiahou Zhenyu to rify it so quickly.


    Zhou Zhenzhen raised her eyebrows and said somewhat annoyed, "Turns out he''s a libertine!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu seriously said, "Senior Sister, although he is licentious, he is a person of deep loyalty and integrity! He protected his friend''s wife and children and, during the weakest moment of the Ling family, guarded them without taking the opportunity to overpower the family, consistently guarding until Ling Qianxue advanced to Foundation Establishment.


    He even unhesitatingly returned the second-order superior spiritualnd of Wolfling Ridge to Su Bingyun. He is a person to be trusted!"


    Zhou Zhenzhen slowly said, "If what you say is true, indeed, he is a person to be trusted."

 Chapter 79 Colorful Fairy

    "Indeed, this will be my future cave mansion!"


    Zhao Yu arrived at Dan Yan Peak, and upon seeing the cave mansion left by the previous cultivator on the mountainside, a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes as he strode inside.


    Within that cave mansion were a practice room, kitchen, quiet room, Alchemy Room, beast nurturing room, insect chamber, corpse preserving room, Artifact Refining Room, practice field, fields of Spiritual Medicine, and other various structures.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "I only need to change the Formation of this cave mansion!"


    Zhao Yu changed the Formation of Dan Yan Peak then brought Li Xianjiao to reside at Dan Yan Peak.


    With Xiahou Zhenyu''s introduction, Zhao Yu met quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators within the Dan Ling Sect.


    Three monthster, inside the Danbao Hall at Danxia Peak, a tall, elegantly dressed woman with her long hair tied up, featuring delicate features and a sharp demeanor, sat on the Sect Master''s throne, quietly observing Zhao Yu in front of her.


    This beautiful woman was precisely the Sect Master of Dan Ling Sect, Zheng Yunzhi.


    Zhao Yu greeted her, "Zhao Yu pays respects to the Sect Master!"


    Zheng Yunzhi said, "Zhao Yu, you''vee to see me, what''s the matter?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Sect Master, I urgently need to meet the Supreme Elder, please ry my request!"


    Zheng Yunzhi replied indifferently, "The Supreme Elder is in secluded cultivation. Unless it''s an urgent matter, she is unavable to meet guests! You can tell me what the matter is, and if it''s truly significant, I will naturally inform the Supreme Elder."


    As a Nascent Soul ancestor, unless it were a cultivator of the same level, even the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the sect might not be able to meet her at all times. The sect affairs were mostly managed by Zheng Yunzhi, the Sect Master.


    Zhao Yu said, "This matter is of great importance, please allow me an audience with the Supreme Elder. I assure you, it is greatly beneficial even to Golden Core experts; the Supreme Elder will definitely be interested."


    "Even so, wait here, I will be back shortly!"


    Zheng Yunzhi''s eyebrows slightly raised, a flicker of curiosity crossing her eyes as she stood up and walked out.


    Shortly after, Zheng Yunzhi returned to the Danbao Hall and said, "Follow me!"


    Zhao Yu followed Zheng Yunzhi out of the Danbao Hall and continued up the mountain, reaching the peak of Danxia Peak.


    At the top of Danxia Peak sat an exquisite and elegantly aesthetic cave mansion; the entire ce was permeated with rich Spiritual Energy, and various rare and extraordinary flowers and nts were nted everywhere, their fragrances wafting in the air, refreshing anyone who smelled them.


    Under Zheng Yunzhi''s lead, Zhao Yu passed through multiple corridors to reach a beautifully decorated pce within the depths of the cave mansion.


    In that pce, a stunningly beautiful woman in red pce attire, with a graceful figure, long cascading hair, and striking features, sat on a throne, her piercing gaze quietly sizing up Zhao Yu.


    This breathtakingly beautiful woman was the Supreme Elder of Dan Ling Sect, Cai Ling Xianzi!


    Zhao Yu greeted her, "Zhao Yu, at your service, meets the Supreme Elder!"


    Cai Ling Xianzi said indifferently, "What''s the important matter? Speak!"


    Zhao Yu said, "It''s of great importance, please allow me a private audience!"


    Zheng Yunzhi''s eyebrows slightly raised, a trace of displeasure flickering through her beautiful eyes.


    Cai Ling Xianzi said, "Yunzhi, step back for now!"


    "Yes! Master!"


    Zheng Yunzhi tactfully withdrew.


    "Speak! If you waste my time with trivial matters, do not me me for being unkind!"


    Cai Ling Xianzi''s voice was calm, a terrifying pressure of Golden Core Level slowly emanating from her body, causing Zhao Yu''s breathing to hasten.


    Zhao Yu said slowly, "I have found a cultivator with a Heavenly Spirit Root and wish to introduce him into the Dan Ling Sect."


    Bang!!


    "Heavenly Spirit Root!!"


    Fairy Caiyun''s beautiful face changed slightly, and the tabletop she was resting her hand on was crushed by her grip, clearly shocked by the news and unable to control her strength.


    For a sect, the most frightening thing is having no sessors!


    Originally, there were eight Golden Core Sects in the northern deserts, but four of them were annihted because they failed to produce Golden Core cultivators, and everything they had was plundered by other sects.


    The Dan Ling Sect currently has only Fairy Caiyun as a Golden Core Cultivator. If she is unable to cultivate a Golden Core Cultivator, the Dan Ling Sect will also face the danger of being annihted. Find adventures on empire


    A cultivator with a Heavenly Spirit Root, as long as they possess cultivation techniques and ample cultivation resources, could continue to cultivate and sessfully form a Golden Core.


    A disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root would cause a scramble among the Nascent Soul Level sects of both the immortal and demonic paths in the cultivation-richnd of the Great Qian Empire, let alone in the resource-poor Cultivation Wilderness of the north.


    Fairy Caiyun stood up, eager to know, "Where is this cultivator?"


    Zhao Yu said, "He is in my cave mansion! I have kept this matter quiet, fearing that if it leaked, it would harm our Dan Ling Sect!"


    Fairy Caiyun nodded slightly, her eyes full of admiration, "You have done well! Very well!"


    If the news that the Dan Ling Sect has recruited a disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root were to spread, it would immediately be the thorn in the side of the other four major sects in the northern deserts, possibly even triggering another sect war.


    The other four major sects would likely exhaust all means to kill the disciple with the Heavenly Spirit Root, and even Golden Core ancestors might stoop to personally assassinate him.


    While Fairy Caiyun wished to recruit a cultivator with the Heavenly Spirit Root, she also did not want to make enemies of the other four major sects.


    "Let''s go!"


    Fairy Caiyun waved her hand, and a beam of multicolored light enveloped Zhao Yu, and she herself transformed into a multicolored light, speeding away.


    "That''s Master and Zhao Yu! It seems Zhao Yu''s words are true, and there must be something important!"


    Zheng Yuzhi, seeing the multicolored light transformed by Fairy Caiyun, thoughtfully dismissed some thoughts she had.


    The multicolored light soonnded at Zhao Yu''s cave mansion.


    Li Xianjiao came out to meet them, looking curiously at Fairy Caiyun, "Uncle, who is this beautiful sister?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Xianjiao, show some respect! This is Fairy Caiyun, the Supreme Elder of our Dan Ling Sect. Come here and pay your respects to the fairy."


    Li Xianjiao quickly performed a courtesy, "Li Xianjiao pays her respects to Fairy Caiyun. If there was any offense before, I hope the fairy will forgive me!"


    "Foundation Establishment Stage One! Good! Good! Truly a good child! Indeed, a Heavenly Spirit Root!! But it''s a pity, why has she already reached Foundation Establishment?


    Too bad!"


    Fairy Caiyun''s beautiful eyes sparkled, her Golden Core Level Divine Sense swept over Li Xianjiao, effortlessly using the Talent Detection Technique, and she quickly discerned Li Xianjiao''s Spirit Root Talent, but showed a hint of regret when she saw Li Xianjiao''s cultivation level.


    All major sects prefer to recruit young, exceptional talents who are at a lower cultivation level. This way, the sect can devote effort to their training, granting them numerous favors, and thus ensure their loyalty.


    Fairy Caiyun said softly, "Good child, would you like to take me as your master?"


    Li Xianjiao performed a deep bow, "Master above, please ept your disciple''s bow!"


    Fairy Caiyun smiled warmly, "Xianjiao, from today onward, you are my sixteenth direct disciple!"


    Li Xianjiao said, "Yes, Master!"

 Chapter 80 Converting Mana

    The Fairy Spirit Master epted a disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root and cheerily said, "Zhao Yu, you have rmended Immortal Jiao to join our Dan Ling Sect and have made a significant contribution. What reward would you like?"


    Zhao Yu replied, "I wish to take the Supreme Elder as my master!"


    The Fairy Spirit Master raised her eyebrows and said, "I do not take male disciples, choose something else!"


    Zhao Yu then said, "Then, I would ask the Supreme Elder to bestow upon me a scripture! I wish to study the most supreme Dao technique!"


    Zhao Yu had already made inquiries and knew that the Fairy Spirit Master did not ept male disciples. However, he first made a request that the other party would likely reject, so his next request would seem much easier to ept.


    "This is the supreme Dao technique in my possession; the sect-protecting Cultivation Technique ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao'' is not included."


    The Fairy Spirit Master waved her hand, and sixteen jade slips floated in the void, emanating a faint spiritual light.


    The sect-protecting Cultivation Technique of Dan Ling Sect, ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao'', is famously powerful in the North Destion, offering rapid advancement in cultivation and sharpness in magicalbat, recognized as one of the top techniques in the North Destion.


    However, since Zhao Yu was not a direct disciple of Dan Ling Sect, the Fairy Spirit Master naturally would not pass this sect-protecting technique to him.


    Zhao Yu touched each of the sixteen jade slips, and when he touched one of them, his eyes immediately brightened as he said, "Supreme Elder, I wish to study this particr technique!"


    "The ''Mountain Sutra'' is indeed a top-level cultivation technique, no less than the ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao''! This technique is also one of the two Nascent Soul techniques I possess! Even in the Great Qian Empire, it is among the elite techniques. However, this techniquecks the Qi Refinement stage part and must be cultivated by someone with an Earth Attribute Spiritual Root."


    "In the Great Qian Empire, there were cultivators with Earth Attribute Spiritual Roots who cultivated the ''Mountain Sutra'', but though this technique is exquisitely brilliant, the resources required for its cultivation are vast as mountains and immensely profound, with very few being able to master it."


    The Fairy Spirit Master slightly raised her eyebrows and advised.


    "Supreme Elder, I have previously obtained a fragment of the ''Mountain Sutra'' that includes the Qi Refinement stage part, which precisely matches this technique. Here is the fragment of the ''Mountain Sutra'' I obtained, please ept it!"


    Zhao Yu took out a jade slip that replicated the ''Mountain Sutra'' and handed it to the Fairy Spirit Master.


    The Fairy Spirit Master said indifferently, "Since you havepleted the ''Mountain Sutra'', I will allow you to choose another technique."


    Zhao Yu picked up another jade slip and said, "Then I choose the ''Primordial Technique''!"


    The Fairy Spirit Master advised, "The ''Primordial Technique'' is a technique from the Great Qian Empire''s Nascent Soul Great Sect, the Primordial Sect! This technique is derived from the sect-protecting technique ''Five Elements Primordial Scripture'' of the Primordial Sect. If you wish to study this technique, to obtain the subsequent Nascent Soul part, you must go to the Primordial Sect!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Thank you for the advice, Supreme Elder!"


    The Fairy Spirit Master sternly said, "There is an agreement among the four great sects of the North Destion, not to randomly disseminate Golden Core techniques. In the North Destion, you must not teach these two Golden Core techniques to others, nor should you take them to an auction to sell, otherwise, none of the four great sects will tolerate your actions."


    Zhao Yu replied, "Yes, Supreme Elder!"


    The Fairy Spirit Master slightly nodded, waved her hand, and a colorful light enveloped her and Li Xianjiao, turning into an escape light that vanished from sight.


    Zhao Yu watched the escape light into which the Fairy Spirit Master had transformed and then returned to the quiet room inside the empty cave mansion to begin his cultivation.


    The next day, Zhao Yu went to the Scripture Pavilion of Dan Ling Sect, found a top-tier Transformative Technique, and began using it to slowly convert his Wood Element Technique Power into Earth Element Technique Power.


    Loose Cultivators, upon finding a decent Cultivation Technique, wouldmence cultivation without choice or the ability to n their future Cultivation. Thus, a powerful cultivator in the Cultivation World created the Transformative Great Technique, which could convert the Mana cultivated from one technique into the Mana for another technique.


    However, during the conversion of Mana, a cultivator was at their weakest. Zhao Yu had just begun converting his Mana and hisbat power had plummeted significantly, making him extremely vulnerable.


    Two monthster, the Fairy of Colorful Spirit finally announced that Li Xianjiao was taken as her sixteenth Direct Disciple.


    This news quickly spread within the Dan Ling Sect, causing quite a stir.


    Before this, the Fairy of Colorful Spirit had taken a total of fifteen Direct Disciples, ten of whom had perished. Among the remaining five, there was the Sect Master of the Dan Ling Sect and the Fairy Peony, one of the Ten Great Heroes of the Northern Wilderness. The other three disciples were also strong cultivators in thete stages of Foundation Establishment.


    After bing the Direct Disciple of the Fairy of Colorful Spirit, Li Xianjiao''s status within the Dan Ling Sect immediately surpassed that of Zhao Yu.


    Three monthster, Zhao Yu hadpletely converted his Wood Element Technique Power into Earth Element Technique Power.


    Inside the Quiet Room of the cave mansion on Dan Yan Peak.


    "To cultivate the Earthly Spirit Body, besides needing Earth Attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, one must also find a Spiritual Peak. By operating the Secret Technique, one absorbs all the Spiritual Energy within the Spiritual Peak. Only then can one cultivate the Earthly Spirit Body and meet the minimum requirements for practicing the ''Mountain Sutra.''"


    "The quality of Dan Yan Peak is sufficient, but the Dan Ling Sect would never allow me to destroy its Spirit Vein and deplete the Spiritual Vein of Dan Yan Peak. I must find a Second-Order, high-grade Spirit Vein outside the Dan Ling Sect."


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    Zhao Yu held the jade slip with the ''Mountain Sutra'' and pondered deeply, his brow furrowed.


    The ''Mountain Sutra'' was among the top celestial scriptures, abstruse and esoteric, making it extremely difficult for even those with an Earth Attribute Spiritual Root to study. Cultivators with an Earth Spirit Root were often stuck at the step of condensing the Earthly Spirit Body.


    The condition of simply destructing and absorbing a Second-Order, high-grade Spirit Vein alone was enough to cause countless cultivators great distress, as a Second-Order, high-grade Spirit Vein could sustain a Foundation Establishment family for generations.


    However, if a cultivator sessfully cultivated the ''Mountain Sutra,'' they could, with their own power, consume Mana, deploy Divine Skills, and use the Mountain Spirit Casting Great Technique to forcibly construct a First-Order Spirit Vein or elevate the grade of an existing Spirit Vein by harnessing the Spiritual Power of the mountains and rivers.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself,"It seems I can only start by cultivating the Earth Elemental Skill and wait for the right moment! If ites down to it, after reaching Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage, I can then switch to cultivating the ''Mountain Sutra.''"


    "Junior Brother Zhao, it''s me, Xiahou Zhenyu!"


    A Communication Talisman flew into the cave mansion.


    Zhao Yu left the Quiet Room, activated the Array, and saw Xiahou Zhenyu standing outside the cave mansion.


    Xiahou Zhenyu smiled and said,"Junior Brother Zhao, cultivation should be pursued with a bnce of tension and rxation. Junior Brother Zhang is hosting a small feast. How about you and I go together?"


    Zhao Yu smiled and said,"Let''s go together!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu turned into a stream of Escape Light, flying towards the sky.


    Zhao Yu then summoned a Flower Basket Flying Artifact, stepping onto it to fly towards the distance.


    Xiahou Zhenyu, watching Zhao Yu maneuver the Flying Artifact, reminded,"Junior Brother Zhao, you should exchange for a superior Art of Flying Escape at the sect as soon as possible! A superior Art of Flying Escape is essential for a cultivator. Whether for pursuing an enemy or escaping, one without a superior Art of Flying Escape is at a disadvantage."


    Zhao Yu said,"Senior Brother Xiahou, I understand this very well, but which Art of Flying Escape in our sect is stronger?"

 Chapter 81 A Small Banquet

    "To practice the Art of Flying Escape, one must first learn the Soaring Cloud Technique! The Soaring Cloud Technique is a Second-Order low-grade Spell, and it is also the foundation of many Flying Escape Techniques."


    "The most powerful Escape Technique in our sect is naturally the Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao, as recorded in the ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao''. That Art of Flying Escape is also one of the strongest in the northern wastnds. However, to practice it, one must cultivate the ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao''."


    "Nextes the Flying Spirit Escape Technique. This technique is second only to the Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao among Flying Escape Techniques. To learn it, one must first achieve the Soaring Cloud Technique."


    "Of course, besides these, there are numerous other Escape Techniques like the Wood Escape Technique and Rock Escape Technique. Each technique has its own mystery. However, the Flying Spirit Escape Technique is the finest among Flying Escape Techniques; none of the other Flying Escape Techniques canpare."


    "Apart from the Four, rather, the Five Great Sects'' True Disciples'' techniques, there are few Flying Escape Techniques in the northern wastnds that can match the Flying Spirit Escape Technique."


    As Xiahou Zhenyu sincerely wanted to make friends with Zhao Yu, he exined in great detail.


    The two flew and chatted until they reached a luxurious pce within a cave mansion.


    "Brother Xiahou, Brother Zhao, you two have finally arrived. We''ve been waiting for you!"


    A refined middle-aged cultivator dressed in yellow robes, tall and handsome, with the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Third Layer, sat beside a jade table, with two beauties kneeling beside him. As soon as he saw Xiahou Zhenyu and hispanion, he raised his jade cup andughed loudly.


    At another jade table sat a young cultivator with long hair tied up, handsome, with the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Second Layer, and a somewhat frivolous demeanor.


    These two were the Foundation Elders from the Dan Ling Sect, Zhang Yu and Tuoba Tie, who had also be friends with Zhao Yu during this period.


    "Brother Zhang, I shall penalize myself with three drinks!"


    After sitting down, Xiahou Zhenyuughed heartily and downed three cups of Spiritual Wine in front of him.


    Zhang Yuughed, "Brother Xiahou, your love for wine is fierce. Penalizing yourself with three drinks is more like rewarding yourself with three drinks!"


    Xiahou Zhenyuughed, "Indeed it is so!"


    The four chatted andughed for a while, and with a light p from Zhang Yu, dozens of musicians entered the pce in file and soon, the melodious and appealing music began to y.


    A gentle mist rose in the hall as a stunning beauty, dressed in a white gossamer gown, with skin clear as jade and a graceful figure, entered to the sound of music.


    This breathtaking woman danced gracefully in the center of the pce, her sensual movements adding an alluring quality to her beauty.


    Tuoba Tie pped his hands with a beaming smile, "Wonderful! Her dancing is enchanting. Even those enchantresses from the Thousand Mysteries Sect can hardly surpass her!"


    Zhang Yu said proudly, "Of course! Thisdy is Chen Qianli, a new generation dance and song master from Mushi Country. She has deeply studied song and dance. If she were not a mortal, those enchantresses from the Thousand Mysteries Sect could notpete with her!"


    A hint of regret shed through Xiahou Zhenyu''s eyes, "A mortal, what a pity!"


    Zhang Yuughed, "Although she is a mortal, her beauty is exceptional, and her mastery of song and dance is unparalleled. With more use of beauty and skin-care pills, she definitely won''t lose to the enchantresses of the Thousand Mysteries Sect! Brother Zhao, I would like to gift this woman to you. Would you ept her?"


    A hint of disappointment flickered in Tuoba Tie''s eyes. He had taken a strong liking to Chen Qianli as soon as he saw her, but since Zhang Yu was offering her to Zhao Yu, he could ept this.


    "Brother Zhang, your little sister hase uninvited. You wouldn''t be unweing, would you?"


    A voice as clear as a bell rang out, and Li Xianjiao, dressed in green, with a graceful figure, skin clear as jade, and stunningly beautiful, entered with a smile.


    Zhang Yu''s eyes slightly hardened, then heughed heartily, "Sister Li, it is my honor to have you attend my banquet. How could I be unweing?"


    Li Xianjiao was the new direct disciple of the Fairy of Colorful Spirits, who doted excessively on her and even allowed her to cultivate in her own cave mansion.


    The entire Dan Ling Sect could see how much Cai Ling Fairy cherished this newly epted disciple. Although Zhang Yu was a cultivator at the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment, he had been stuck at the bottleneck of Early Foundation Establishment for ten years with an uncertain future of advancing to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.


    In contrast, Li Xianjiao was a limitless talent in the path of cultivation.


    If nothing unexpected urred, the achievements and influence of Li Xianjiao within the Dan Ling Sect would definitely surpass those of Zhang Yu. Naturally, he did not wish to offend her.


    Li Xianjiao, under everyone''s watchful eyes, came to Zhao Yu with a smiling face, nced at the two beautiful maidens kneeling beside him, and said, "You two, leave us."


    "Yes!"


    The two beautiful maidens respectfully withdrew.


    Li Xianjiao sat next to Zhao Yu and, as usual, helped him with his tea and wine, showing great intimacy.


    "Li Junior Sister and Zhao Junior Brother are perhaps not merely ordinary uncle and niece!"


    Seeing this scene, Zhang Yu''s thoughts raced, and he gestured for Chen Qianli to leave as well.


    Once Li Xianjiao arrived, everyone started tasting the delicacies, shifted the topic, and began discussing their experiences in the four countries.


    As soon as the banquet ended, everyone departed on their own.


    "You went to see him again?"


    As soon as Li Xianjiao returned to the cave mansion, she saw Cai Ling Fairy approaching her with frost in her phoenix eyes.


    Li Xianjiao very obediently responded, "Yes, Master!"


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    "How many times have I told you? He''s not worthy of you! You are destined to be a genius who will achieve the Golden Core, and even the Nascent Soul is within your reach! With his talent, even forming a Golden Core would be extremely difficult!"


    "The northern wastnd is just a corner of the Cultivation World,cking many geniuses. Once you leave for the Great Qian Empire, you will naturally encounter the elite disciples of those top sects. With your talent, you areparable even to those top sects'' True Disciples. Once you achieve the Golden Core, even Nascent Soul ancestors would wish to propose to you as their daopanion!"


    Cai Ling Fairy raised her eyebrows and earnestly admonished.


    Li Xianjiao did not argue with Cai Ling Fairy, merely looking downwards meekly and weakly saying, "But I only like Uncle!"


    With that single utterance, Cai Ling Fairy felt a tightness in her chest, somewhat frustrated said, "You! Go cultivate!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Li Xianjiao smiled sweetly and entered the interior of the cave mansion to begin her cultivation.


    Cai Ling Fairy watched Li Xianjiao''s departing figure with mixed feelings of relief and headache. This disciple''s cultivation talent was extremely high, far surpassing her own rate of cultivation from the past, and she could easily learn various spells. In terms of cultivation, Cai Ling Fairy had no worries for her.


    Moreover, Li Xianjiao was intelligent, docile, and even skilled at cooking Spirit Food, never neglecting her filial duties to her master. Cai Ling Fairy was satisfied with her in every aspect; the only dissatisfaction was her fondness for Zhao Yu.


    Cai Ling Fairy thought to herself, "I must find a way to separate them! Peony has not yet married; if she and Zhao Yu get together, it could end Li Xianjiao''s fixation! And it won''t harm my mentor-disciple rtionship with her!"


    Several dayster, inside the cave mansion at Ling Pei Peak.


    Sitting in the main seat was a tall woman dressed in a yellow ceremonial robe with her hair tied in a single ponytail, very beautiful and spirited. This woman was none other than Peony Fairy, one of the elite ten of the northern wastnd.


    Standing below were seven extremely beautiful female cultivators, the Direct Disciples of Peony Fairy, among them Shangguan Lingxiu, who Xiahou Zhenyu jokingly called the first beauty of the Dan Ling Sect.

 Chapter 82 Soaring Cloud Technique

    The Peony Fairy said calmly, "Master has instructed me to meet Zhao Yu at the Qianming Building in seven days. I understand her intention¡ªshe wants me and Zhao Yu to be Daopanions."


    "The Grandmaster is really too biased! Master, you advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage at twenty-two and have established countless merits for the sect. Now, you are one of the Ten Great Cultivators of the Northern Destion and practice the ''Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao,'' a top-tier heritage. You are the future Golden Core Seed!"


    "Zhao Yu is merely a Loose Cultivator who only advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of forty-six. Moreover, this man is greedy for beauty and frequents the Hundred Flowers Building in the Market at ck Mountain, often frolicking with the enchantresses of the Thousand Mysteries Sect.


    After that, he got entangled with Family Head Ling Qianxue of the esteemed Ling family from Cang Country and Su Bingyun, a true disciple of the Cang Ling Sect. This man is not a worthy match. To cater to my junior aunt, the Grandmaster is pushing Master into the fire pit, which is simply too much!"


    A great beauty with an oval face spoke resentfully.


    "Lingdie, hold your tongue. Do not speak ill of my master!"


    Although the Peony Fairy scolded her, there was not a hint of me in her tone.


    Fang Lingdie replied softly, "Yes! Lingdie knows her mistake."


    A petite and pretty beauty with a melon-seed face chuckled, "Master, although the third junior sister has been somewhat presumptuous, she speaks the truth. Although we must not defy our master''s orders, the Grandmaster''s intention is to break my junior aunt''s attachment.


    How about letting junior sister Lingxiu marry Uncle Zhao as a concubine to reveal his greedy and lustful nature, naturally severing her attachment?"


    A mix of odd nces suddenly fell upon Shangguan Lingxiu, some clearly taking pleasure in her misfortune.


    Shangguan Lingxiu was extremely beautiful, and even among the throngs of beauties in the Dan Ling Sect, she stood out, attracting numerous admirers within the sect.


    The Peony Fairy''s other six disciples were all great beauties as well, but inparison to Shangguan Lingxiu, they fell short. Several of them had crushes on men who fancied Shangguan Lingxiu. Thus, the six of them did not harbor much fondness for her.


    The Peony Fairy asked slowly, "Lingxiu, what are your thoughts?"


    Shangguan Lingxiu sighed silently to herself, understanding that her master had already made a decision, just not expressed it openly. If the Peony Fairy had disagreed with the suggestion, she would have firmly refused it by now.


    Shangguan Lingxiu said, "Lingxiu will follow Master''s orders! If Master wishes me to marry, I will marry!"


    The Peony Fairy said indifferently, "In seven days, you wille with me to the Qianming Building."


    Shangguan Lingxiu replied, "Yes, Master!" Your next journey awaits at empire


    Seven dayster, inside a Market of the Danxia Mountain Range, the Qianming Building.


    Zhao Yu arrived at the building a quarter of an hour early and opened a private room on the fifth floor to wait.


    At the appointed time, the doors of the private room swung open and the Peony Fairy, apanied by Shangguan Lingxiu carrying a whiff of fragrant breeze, entered.


    Zhao Yu stood up and greeted with a sped fist, "Greetings, Senior Sister!"


    The Peony Fairy nodded slightly.


    Shangguan Lingxiu gave a respectful curtsy, "Shangguan Lingxiu greets Uncle Zhao!"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly in return.


    The host and guest sat down separately, and Shangguan Lingxiu stood by obediently.


    The Peony Fairy spoke frankly, "Junior Brother, Master seeks to matchmake us, wishing for us to be Daopanions. I am currently devoted to the Dao and have no interest in romance. Lingxiu is my disciple, and I would like her to marry you, to serve as your concubine, and to bring an end to this matter."


    Zhao Yu said, "Let''s do as Senior Sister proposes."


    Zhao Yu was also very clear about the Peony Fairy''s intentions.


    However, the methods of the Peony Fairy were already quite tempered. If it had been one of the Demon Path Great Sects beyond the Northern Destion, those Demon Path experts, faced with such a situation, would likely y Zhao Yu nine times out of ten.


    Some Demon Path Great Sects even go so far as to ughter the entire families of talented disciples they recruit, euphemistically calling it "cutting off worldly ties."


    However, Colorful Spirit Fairy was ultimately a Golden Core powerhouse, one of the five great Golden Core elders of the northern wilderness. Zhao Yu naturally did not want to go against a Golden Core elder before he had grown stronger.


    Fairy Peony said, "Lingxiu, from now on, you shall follow Zhao Yu closely. Do you understand?"


    Shangguan Lingxiu replied, "Yes, Master!"


    Having finished her instructions in just a few words, Fairy Peony stood up and left the Qianming Building straight away.


    Zhao Yu took Shangguan Lingxiu with him and, using a flower basket magic artifact, flew back to Dan Yan Peak.


    "I entrust you with the management of the mundanities of this peak!"


    With a wave of his hand, Zhao Yu presented Shangguan Lingxiu with a prohibition token, which allowed her to enter and leave most areas within Dan Yan Peak except for the most core regions.


    Shangguan Lingxiu obediently responded, "Yes!"


    Having given the token, Zhao Yu went to the summit of Dan Yan Peak and began to practice the Soaring Cloud Technique, using his mana. He chanted the curse scripts and activated his mana, causing thick fog to rise around him, condense into a cloud beneath his feet, and then, the cloud copsed and dissipated.


    "Magic talent is really too ordinary; cultivating a spell of the same level is extremely challenging!"


    Zhao Yu looked at the copsing cloud beneath his feet and couldn''t help but feel speechless. Seven days ago, he had spent his sect contribution to exchange for the Soaring Cloud Technique and the Air Evasion Technique from the Scripture Pavilion. Yet, after practicing continuously for seven days, even the purportedly simplest Soaring Cloud Technique still eluded his mastery.


    Zhao Yu had already advanced to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and he could rtively disy spells from the Qi Refinement Realm, but he still found it difficult to seed in cultivating spells of the same level.


    When Zhao Yu was in the Qi Refinement Realm, he scarcely practiced magic, precisely because his talent for magic was poor and could notpare to his physicalbat strength.


    Zhao Yu continued to use his mana, attempting the Soaring Cloud Technique.


    After failing twice more, a cloud appeared beneath Zhao Yu''s feet, lifting him gently into the air.


    "Magic¡ªSoaring Cloud Technique: Beginner (1/100)."


    Zhao Yu controlled the cloud to rise about thirty feet off the ground and flew steadily for over three hundred feet beforending smoothly.


    "I''ll wait to cultivate other spells until my magic talent evolves outstandingly; however, the Soaring Cloud Technique must certainly be mastered well."


    Zhao Yu enjoyed the joy of flying through the sky for the first time with his own magical power, a slight smile appeared on his lips, revealing a touch of amusement.


    The news that Shangguan Lingxiu had married down to be Zhao Yu''s concubine spread quickly within the Dan Ling Sect, and many male cultivators of the Dan Ling Sect were extremely envious of Zhao Yu. However, with the will of a Golden Core elder behind this matter, even those admirers of Shangguan Lingxiu kept silent, nursing their heartache privately.


    Ten dayster, an escape light approached the front of Dan Yan Peak.


    "Junior Brother Zhao, it''s me, Xiahou Zhenyu!"


    The doors of the cave mansion opened, and Zhao Yu came out from inside, saying, "Senior Brother Xiahou, pleasee in and we''ll talk."


    The two entered the cave mansion.


    There sat Shangguan Lingxiu, in her simple yet elegant teal clothing, naturally beautiful without any need for make-up, serving Spiritual Tea and sitting beside Zhao Yu.


    Xiahou Zhenyu sighed, "Junior Brother Zhao, you are truly fortunate to be able to marry Shangguan Lingxiu! I am very envious of you indeed!!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Senior Brother Xiahou, what brings you here this time?"


    Xiahou Zhenyu spoke with a grave face, "Junior Brother Zhao, the Five Great Sects have decided to join forces in exploring the Canglong Mountain Range. The official order has been issued. The sectmands that three months from now, you will apany the exploration team as a guard to the Market of Xiaoyuan Mountain."

 Chapter 83 The Pioneering Command

    Zhao Yu''s brow furrowed slightly as he said, "Brother Xiahou, isn''t it customary that there''s only one mandatory mission every ten years?"


    Xiahou Zhenyu implied obscurely, "ording to custom that is indeed the case, however, this time the Sect Master personally ordered your mission, which does not vite the sect''s rules."


    Zhao Yu immediately realized that most likely it was the Fairy Colored Spirit taking advantage of the situation, aiming to distance him from the Dan Ling Sect.


    The Great Sects naturally wouldn''t support Foundation Establishment Cultivators without expecting something in return, so it was perfectly normal for the Sect Master to order the conscription of Foundation Establishment Cultivators to participate in the development decrees. If Zhao Yu didn''t go, other Foundation Establishment Cultivators would still have to.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said with a sympathetic face, "Topensate you, the sect has specially allocated 60,000 contribution points from the sect to you. However, you must also guard the Canglong Mountain Range for thirty years and may not return to the sect without an imperial decree."


    Although the resources in the Canglong Mountain Range were rich, the area was also incredibly dangerous. Moreover, most of the Third Order Spirit Veins within the Canglong Mountain harbored powerful demons.


    Zhao Yu''s destination, the small Yuanyuan Market, only possessed a single Second-Order Low-Grade Spirit Vein, which naturally could notpare to cultivating within the confines of the Dan Ling Sect.


    A flicker of ardor passed through Xiahou Zhenyu''s eyes as he said, "However, Brother Zhao, this development decree is also an opportunity. Under the development decree, any cultivator who captures and can hold a Spiritual Land for a year will own thatnd."


    "This is also a chance to establish a Foundation Establishment family! Disciple Zhang, Disciple Tuoba, and I have all applied to go to the Canglong Mountains. If the four of us join forces, we can surely secure several plots of Spiritual Land as the foundation for our families!"


    In the northern wilderness of the four states, almost all Spiritual Lands were already owned, upied by the Great Sects and Foundation Establishment families, leaving new Foundation Establishment Cultivators only able to find First Order or lesser Spiritual Lands for settling their kin.


    The Canglong Mountain Range was vast and possessed countless resources. Deep within, there were even many Second and Third Order Spirit Veins, and securing one Second Order Spirit Vein could form the foundation of a Foundation Establishment family for generations.


    The development decrees issued jointly by the Five Great Sects naturally aroused the interest of many Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the northern wilderness.


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly, then chatted a few more sentences with Xiahou Zhenyu before thetter took his leave.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "Lingxiu, you heard. In three months, I will leave the sect for the Canglong Mountains, unable to return to the sect for thirty years. If you do not wish to apany me to the Canglong Mountains, then I will leave you to cultivate within the sect. I can give you three months to consider."


    Shangguan Lingxiu smiled radiantly and said, "My lord, there is no need for three months, I can answer you now. My mother taught me that husband and wife are one, and we should share our joys and hardships. Since my lord is going to the Canglong Mountains, I should apany you. Of course, if my lord thinks I''m clumsy and burdensome, I can stay behind, and I will not hinder you!"


    Zhao Yu gave a slight smile and with a wave of his hand, several jade bottles fell into Shangguan Lingxiu''s hands, "Take these pills for consumption,e back for more if they run out."


    "Superior Grade Yellow Spirit Pill, Superior Grade Red Jade Pill!"


    Shangguan Lingxiu took the jade bottles, a trace of surprise shing in her eyes.


    Shangguan Lingxiu, being an Inner Sect Disciple of the Dan Ling Sect, also received two Spirit Stones every month, and one Red Jade Pill each year. If she wanted more resources, she would need to earn them on her own.


    Top-grade pills like the Superior Grade Yellow Spirit Pill and Superior Grade Red Jade Pill were generally only essible to a few expert Alchemy elders'' direct disciples within the sect.


    Should Shangguan Lingxiu decide to stay at the sect, Zhao Yu wouldn''t force her to apany him to the Canglong Mountains, but he also wouldn''t provide her with cultivation resources, leaving her to fend for herself.


    After receiving the news, Zhao Yu immediately went to the sect''s interior, using the newly acquired 30,000 sect contribution points to exchange for a Hundred Herb Radiance Pill that could enhance Early Foundation Establishment Mana, a Beast Soul Spirit Pill that could enhance Mid Foundation Establishment Mana, a Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill that could enhance Mid Foundation Establishment Mana, and a Hundred-Refining Beast Spirit Pill that could enhance Late Foundation Establishment Mana.


    In Dan Ling Sect, the pill recipes that could enhance the mana of Foundation Establishment Cultivators were also exceedingly rare, basically controlled exclusively by the Colorful Fairy and a few Pill Master elders raised by the sect from childhood; they were never shared externally.


    Zhao Yu could only obtain Spirit Pills through purchase and then rely on his ability to assimte Dao Fruits to analyze these pill recipes.


    Three monthster, at a spacious square within Dan Ling Sect, thirty-two Spirit Boats, each a hundred zhang long, were moored.


    Dense crowds of mortals, like ants, lined up in long queues, slowly boarding the boats.


    These mortals were either rtives of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, members of Qi Refinement Cultivation families attached to various Foundation Establishment Cultivators, or warriors recruited from the Mortal World by families of Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Qi Cultivation Cultivators.


    For the development of ces like Canglong Mountain Range, mortals were indispensable in addition to cultivators, for all cultivators originated from mortals. Without arge poption for support, the death of a cultivator meant the reduction of one.


    Cultivators would enter Canglong Mountain to ughter demon beasts and eradicate Evil Spirits, while mortals cultivated thend, built cities, and proliferated. It could take years, even decades, to transform that region into a habitat suitable for humans.


    It is said that in the ancient times, the Northern Barrens also used to be a Cultivation Holy Land. Later, for unknown reasons, human cultivators either died or left the area. Without the protection of cultivators, the people of the Northern Barrens perished, and it slowly turned into a dangerousnd inhabited by various demon beasts.


    Later, a Golden Core cultivator from the Great Qian Empire led arge number of mortals to migrate there, cutting through brambles and thorns, killing countless demon beasts and Evil Spirits to gradually carve out the territory of four countries. Stay connected through empire


    A cloud drifted leisurely from afar andnded on a Flying Boat.


    Xiahou Zhenyu, looking at the slowly approaching cloud,ughed heartily, "Junior Brother Zhao, your Soaring Cloud Technique is really not up to par; you still need more practice!"


    As the cloud dispersed, the figures of Zhao Yu and Shangguan Lingxiu appeared.


    Zhao Yu was dressed in a white Daoist robe, looking handsome and extraordinary. Shangguan Lingxiu, however, was garbed in a dusty grey Daoist robe, her hair braided into thick its, and with strands of hair falling over her forehead covering much of her face, appeared very in and simple, a far cry from her previous beauty.


    "I shall diligently practice this technique in the future, Brother!"


    Zhao Yu chuckled lightly, leading Shangguan Lingxiu to sit down next to Xiahou Zhenyu.


    Xiahou Zhenyu expressed regret, "Why is Junior Sister dressed like this? It''s such a pity!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Lingxiu''s beauty is too striking; I made her dress this way to avoid attracting trouble!"


    Shangguan Lingxiu''s beauty was among the top within Dan Ling Sect, filled with beautiful women. Although she only had a mid-grade Spirit Root and average aptitude, many male cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage still desired to take her as their Dao Companion.


    Zhao Yu currently held only the First Level of Foundation Establishment, his main cultivation technique, the Earth Elemental Skill, was also remarkably mediocre, far inferior to top-tier heritages like the Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao.


    He possessed several Spiritual Artifacts, yet most of them were Low-Grade, and his cultivation of the Golden Sha Beast God Body had only reached the Fourth Level. If one discounted the White Ghost Emperor, a Second-Order mid-grade Ghost, he was merely an ordinary Loose Cultivator at Foundation Establishment.


    As Zhao Yu did not n to expose his trump card, the White Ghost Emperor, easily, he had no choice but to let Shangguan Lingxiu dress down to avoid trouble.

 Chapter 84 Xiao Yuan Mountain Market

    One after another, streaks of Escape Light flew in from the distance andnded on the Flying Boat. In a short time, the vessel gained five more Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Among the five new Foundation Establishment Cultivators, two were indeed Zhang Yu and Tuoba Tie. The other three were a tall and handsome bald monk, a female cultivator wearing a gray Robe with a rather ordinary appearance, and a beautiful female cultivator in a goose-yellow Robe, with a willowy figure, her hair done up in a cascading bun, an oval face, and who was extremely beautiful.


    As soon as everyone had arrived, Xiahou Zhenyu set about introducing them. Stay connected through empire


    The bald monk was Cui Qing, the ordinary-looking female cultivator was Qian Li, and the beautiful female cultivator with the oval face was Wei Yahui.


    Among them, Cui Qing, Qian Li, Wei Yahui, and Zhao Yu had all joined Dan Ling Sect after the end of the war between the Five Sects.


    Zhao Yu and the other six Foundation Establishment Cultivators were the Guardians of this fleet of Flying Boats.


    Streams of Spiritual Light shimmered, and the thirty-two Spirit Boats twinkled with light as they took flight, heading towards the Canglong Mountains.


    On the gship Spirit Boat, the seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered together, chatting and conversing about all topics under the sky.


    Cui Qing said, "Brother Zhao, I see you''re short on manpower. How about I assign three ships of people to you? With three more ships, you could upy a patch of Spiritual Land, establish a Foundation Establishment family, be revered as an ancestor¡ªisn''t that a delightful thought?"


    Zhao Yu candidly replied, "I''ve only just advanced to Foundation Establishment, my foundation is not yet stable, and I haven''t even perfected the Soaring Cloud Technique. Plus, I don''t have many suitable Spiritual Artifacts at hand. I n to cultivate in the Market at Xiao Yuan Mountain for thirty years to solidify my foundation before considering other things."


    Xiahou Zhenyuughed and said, "Brother Zhao speaks very wisely! You''ve just advanced to Foundation Establishment, so stabilizing your foundation is indeed the best strategy!"


    While everyone was chatting, the Spirit Boat entered the Canglong Mountains.


    Apanied by the cry of an eagle, a Second-Order Low-grade Demon Beast, the Iron Feather Giant Eagle with wings extending up to thirty feet and a body as dark as iron, flew in from a distance, diving towards the fleet.


    "Iron Feather Giant Eagle, what a beast! Leave this Demon Beast to me! I''ll capture this creature to apany my drink!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu''s eyes lit up, as he turned into a streak of Escape Light and flew out from the fleet. With a wave of his hand, a silver rope flew out from his sleeve.


    The silver rope swelled in the wind, turning into a ten-foot-long silver cord that struck towards the Iron Feather Giant Eagle like a serpent, swiftly binding the bird tightly.


    The Iron Feather Giant Eagle struggled frantically, making the silver rope quiver continuously.


    "Go!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu summoned a green Magic Sword, which became a green sword light that wrapped around the neck of the Iron Feather Giant Eagle and in an instant, the eagle''s head was sliced in half. The creature was then entwined by the silver rope and carried back to the Flying Boat.


    Wei Yahui smiled sweetly and said, "Brother Xiahou is indeed capable! The Iron Feather Giant Eagle is a formidable enemy among the Second-Order Low-grade Demon Beasts, and yet it couldn''t withstand three moves from you. You are truly impressive!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu modestly replied with augh, "It was just luck!"


    Soon after the Iron Feather Giant Eagle had died, a flock of Chishui Man-Eating Sparrows, with wings around three feet wide and bodies the color of blood, resembling blood clouds, flew towards the fleet.


    "Brother Xiahou, allow me to take care of this flock of Chishui Man-Eating Sparrows!"


    With a lightugh, Cui Qing brought out a Pill Furnace with nine incense sticks inserted in it. The fragrance wafted through the air, turning into strands of smoky serpents that lunged at the blood cloud formed by the flock of Chishui Man-Eating Sparrows.


    The flock of Bloodthirsty Sparrows were stunned by the Smoke Snake''s assault, one by one falling into a fainted¡ªeach wrapped up by the Smoke Snake and brought before Cui Qing.


    Cui Qing, looking at the group of Bloodthirsty Sparrows, revealed a satisfied smile.


    The flock of Bloodthirsty Sparrows numbered over a hundred. Although they were only second-rate First-Order demon beasts, even if sold directly at the Market, this group of Bloodthirsty Sparrows could be sold for several hundred Spirit Stones.


    In other regions of the Northern Deste, demon beasts had almost been wiped out by humans, with only the likes of Dan Ling Sect and four other Great Sects, as well as some Foundation Establishment families, breeding some demon beasts.


    Only in undeveloped perilous territories like the Canglong Mountain Ranges would there be so many demon beasts for cultivators to hunt. Therefore, many cultivators from the Four Northern Territories eager to advance further would search for resources within the Canglong Mountain Ranges.


    Of course, with the Canglong Mountain Ranges hosting arge number of demon beasts, there were also powerful Second-Order demon beasts and even Third-Order demon beastsparable to Golden Core ancestors. Every year, many human cultivators fall within the Canglong Mountain Ranges, including no small number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    More flocks of flying demon beasts were drawn to the fleet, and several Foundation Establishment Cultivators rushed to y these creatures. Zhao Yu was happy to remain idle, staying put.


    By evening, those Flying Boatsnded around the Market near the Thirteen Cities of Mortals, unloading a great number of mortals who dispersed into the cities.


    Zhao Yu and seven other Foundation Establishment Cultivators traveled by Flying Boat to the Market.


    "Elder Brother Xiahou, who might these fellow Daoists be?"


    Just as the Flying Boatnded, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a burly stature, a square face,rge ears, and a full beard, approached Zhao Yu and the others eagerly.


    "Brother Huo, these are new members who have joined our sect. Let me introduce them to you!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu then began the introductions.


    The bearded Foundation Establishment Cultivator was none other than Huo Canghai, the leader of the Dan Ling Sect''s enforcement team at the Market.


    Huo Canghai was very enthusiastic, inviting everyone to the best restaurant in the Market, Yunxiang Building, for a banquet.


    After the third round of drinks,


    Zhao Yu said, "Brother Huo, I''m looking to open a shop here in the Market to sell Spirit Pills. I hope for your support in the future."


    Huo Canghai''s eyes lit up as he replied, "Junior Brother, you''re skilled in alchemy? Could you perhaps refine Spirit Pills that can increase the mana of Foundation Establishment Cultivators?"


    The gazes of the other six Foundation Establishment Cultivators also fell on Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu smiled and said, "I am currently only able to refine top-grade First-Order Spirit Pills. I''m studying how to refine the Triple Snake Pattern Pill, which can enhance the mana of those at Early Foundation Establishment. If any of you brothers manage to obtain materials for the Triple Snake Pattern Pill, feel free toe look for me in the Market. I will surely offer you brothers a good price."


    Apart from Zhang Yu and Xiahou Zhenyu, the remaining four carried a flicker of eagerness in their eyes.


    Spirit Pills capable of increasing the mana of Foundation Establishment Cultivators were rare, and in the Northern Destion, even with Spirit Stones in hand, such treasures were hard toe by. Dan Ling Sect naturally had Triple Snake Pattern Pills, but acquiring these Spirit Pills required the expenditure of vast amounts of sect contributions.


    Huo Canghai said with a beaming face, "Good, good, good! Junior Brother Zhao, I will definitely find you a shop with the best location. I have also umted a considerable amount of materials for the Triple Snake Pattern Pill. In the future, if you can refine such pills, make sure to sell them to me! I''ll definitely give you a good price!"


    Although Huo Canghai was the leader of Dan Ling Sect''s enforcement team in the Market, managing the entire Market''s authority and benefiting greatly from the Market each year on top of his sect duties, he had amassed many Spirit Stones, Demon Beast Materials, and various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    Yet, with all his Spirit Stones, he could not buy the Spirit Pills that would increase the mana of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Naturally, Zhao Yu''s arrival delighted him immensely.

 Chapter 85 Foundation Establishment Level 4

    With the help of Huo Canghai, Zhao Yu moved into a cave mansion in the Market Center District of Xiaoyuan Mountain, and then opened a shop named Xiaodan Pavilion in the best location of Xiaoyuan Mountain Market.


    After Zhao Yu released a batch of Superior Yellow Spirit Pills and Superior Red Jade Pills at Xiaodan Pavilion, he immediately attracted the attention of many cultivators within Xiaoyuan Mountain Market.


    There were also two Alchemists in Xiaoyuan Mountain Market, but their alchemy skills were mediocre and they simply couldn''t produce Superior Grade Spirit Pills.


    Xiaodan Pavilion instantly drew in many cultivators, and Zhao Yu seized the opportunity to sell the Magic Artifacts and Low-level Talismans he had obtained over the years from ying his enemies, and used Xiaodan Pavilion to buy various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    Xiahou Zhenyu and five other Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Dan Ling Sect began recruiting Qi Cultivation cultivators and used Xiaoyuan Mountain Market as a base to gradually eradicate the Demon Beasts in Canglong Mountain Range, expanding the human race''s influence bit by bit.


    Arge number of Demon Beasts died at the hands of the five Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and a surge of Demon Beast Materials flooded into Xiaoyuan Mountain Market, causing the price of these materials to plummet.


    The main ingredient of the Triple Snake Pattern Pill is Second-Order Demon Beast, and Zhao Yu took the opportunity to buy the ingredients for the Triple Snake Pattern Pill with Spirit Stones. Huo Canghai also quite generously sold Zhao Yu the materials at ny percent of their market price.


    Two years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In a Quiet Room, a powerful aura of Fourth Level Foundation Establishment slowly radiated from Zhao Yu''s body.


    Zhao Yu''s lips curved up into a slight smirk, "Finally, I''ve advanced to the Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment! I am now a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator."


    "Cultivation Level: Fourteenth Level of Earth Elemental Skill (0/100). Foundation Establishment Fourth Level!"


    "Golden Sha Beast God Body: Fifth Level (120/400)."


    The resources in Xiaoyuan Mountain Market were several tens of times more abundant than in Jiuchen Mountain Market, and the cultivators here were also far wealthier. Zhao Yu was able to easily exchange elixirs for the cultivation resources he needed, which is why he could cultivate so rapidly.


    Zhao Yu nced at the White Ghost Emperor standing beside him, and a line of information emerged.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality Low-grade (180/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order Mid-grade (353/400)."


    In Xiaoyuan Mountain Market and Canglong Mountain Range, there were also many Evil Spirits, which would leave behind many Fierce Ghost Relics after being eradicated.


    These Fierce Ghost Relics could originally only be sold to the Yin Ghost Sect or cultivators who practiced the Ghost Path, but once Zhao Yu arrived, he began buying them up in great quantities and fed them to the White Ghost Emperor, improving its Cultivation Level.


    After all, currently, the White Ghost Emperor was Zhao Yu''s strongest Protection Method, as his own Mana and Spells were quite weak.


    Zhao Yu left the Quiet Room and entered the dining hall, only to see Shangguan Lingxiu dressed in beautiful attire, looking radiant and charming, having prepared Spirit Food and waiting for his arrival.


    Upon seeing Zhao Yu, Shangguan Lingxiu stood up to greet him with a gentle smile, "My lord, your meal is ready!"


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly, took his seat at the table, and savored the delicious dishes prepared with Second-Order Demon Beast Meat.


    Although Shangguan Lingxiu''s talent for cultivation was not outstanding, she was intelligent and gentle. In less than a year, she had learned to cook very well, making Zhao Yu like her even more.


    After finishing the meal, Zhao Yu began to help Shangguan Lingxiu with her cultivation doubts and answered her questions.


    After their Q&A session, Zhao Yu, looking at Shangguan Lingxiu who was quietly contemting and whose beauty was captivating on the side, couldn''t help but pull her into his embrace.


    Shangguan Lingxiu''s cheeks turned red, and she copsed softly into Zhao Yu''s arms.


    Zhao Yu''s heart trembled slightly, and he activated his Profound Arts, finally releasing Shangguan Lingxiu with some effort.


    Shangguan Lingxiu''s cheeks were rosy, her eyes moist, she bit her silver teeth lightly, lowered her head, and said softly, "My lord husband, Lingxiu is also willing!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Lingxiu, having a Primordial Yin Body can improve your chances of sessful Foundation Establishment, so let''s wait until you''ve established your foundation."


    Shangguan Lingxiu originally had poor qualifications for cultivation, and she did not practice the Dan Ling Sect''s sect-protecting Cultivation Technique "Mystic True Scripture of the Primordial Dao" but rather the verymon Primordial Technique. Maintaining her Primordial Yin Body would increase her chances of sessful Foundation Establishment.


    "Mm!"


    Shangguan Lingxiu was also clever, understanding Zhao Yu''s affection for her. With a sweet smile, she snuggled into Zhao Yu''s embrace.


    Zhao Yu said, "You have been working too hard managing the affairs of the cave mansion. Would you like to buy a couple of servants to share your burdens?"


    Shangguan Lingxiu smiled gracefully and said, "My lord husband, I am not suffering. It is my fortune to be able to serve my lord husband, and there is no need for the help of servants."


    Shangguan Lingxiu had been worried her husband might be fond of women and would indulge in the temptresses of the Hundred Flowers Building day and night, not returning home. However, Zhao Yu had stayed in the cave mansion all along, diligently cultivating, never going to such ces, which greatly relieved her.


    In these two years, Shangguan Lingxiu had consumed many Superior Grade Elixirs, and her cultivation level had made great leaps, reaching the eighth level of Qi Cultivation. She also did not want beautiful maids to share Zhao Yu''s affection for her.


    "Junior Brother Zhao, it''s me, Xiahou Zhenyu!"


    A Communication Talisman flew into the cave mansion, carrying the hearty voice of Xiahou Zhenyu.


    Zhao Yu manipted the array, opened the gate of the cave mansion, and found Xiahou Zhenyu and Huo Canghai standing outside.


    "Senior Brothers, pleasee in!"


    Zhao Yu weed Xiahou Zhenyu and the other into the cave mansion.


    After Shangguan Lingxiu served Spiritual Tea, she quietly sat next to Zhao Yu.


    Upon seeing Shangguan Lingxiu, a sh of astonishment crossed Huo Canghai''s eyes as he said, "Is this Junior Sister Shangguan Lingxiu? Truly as remarkable as rumored. With such a beauty, no wonder Junior Brother spends all his days in the cave mansion!"


    Zhao Yu said, "Senior Brother jests! What brings you two here this time?"


    A flicker of zeal passed through Xiahou Zhenyu''s eyes as he said, "Junior Brother Zhao, we have discovered several Spirit Veins in the Canglong Mountain Range, one of which is even a Third-Order Low-grade. However, that Spirit Vein is inhabited by more than a dozen Second-Order Demon Beasts.


    This time, I am here to invite you to join us in hunting these Demon Beasts andpeting for the Spirit Vein."


    The number one Foundation Establishment family of Cang Country, the Wang family, only owns a Second-Order high-grade Spirit Vein at Wolf Ridge. Naturally, that Third-Order low-grade Spirit Vein was iparably precious, suitable even for Golden Core cultivators to practice in and increase their Mana.


    Zhao Yu shook his head slightly and said, "Senior Brother Xiahou, I possess only the skill of Alchemy. My spells are not up to par, and Ick methods of Magical Combat. Hunting Demon Beasts is too dangerous. You should find someone more capable."


    Huo Canghaiughed heartily and said, "Senior Brother Xiahou, didn''t I tell you? Junior Brother Zhao is naturally cautious and will not participate in such endeavors."


    Xiahou Zhenyu looked helpless, havinge with good intentions, hoping to form a good rtionship with Zhao Yu. Since Zhao Yu was unwilling to go, he naturally would not force him. Experience tales at empire


    Huo Canghai said, "Junior Brother Zhao, since you wish not to go, how about managing the Market affairs of Xiao Yuan Mountain for a few days for me? I will be joining Senior Brother Xiahou and others to hunt Demon Beasts in the Canglong Mountain Range and search for Spirit Veins."


    Under the exploration order, as long as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator finds any ranked Spirit Vein and offers it to the sect, they can attain a substantial sect contribution. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator presents a Third-Order low-grade Spirit Vein, the sect contribution they receive can easily exchange for a Profound Mystic Art that leads directly to Golden Core.


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and said, "Okay, Senior Brother Huo!"

 Chapter 86 The Red Blood Ghost Banner

    The next day, Huo Canghai entrusted the management of the Market of Little Yuan Mountain to Zhao Yu and set off with Xiahou Zhenyu to hunt demonic beasts in the Canglong Mountain Range.


    The headquarters of the Dan Ling Sect Enforcement Team of Little Yuan Mountain.


    "Zongcheng pays his respects to Uncle-Master Zhao!"


    A tall and handsome middle-aged cultivator reverently performed a salutation before Zhao Yu. This man was the Deputy Captain of the Enforcement Team of the Dan Ling Sect of Little Yuan Mountain, possessing the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation and was in charge of handling various mundane affairs.


    Zhao Yu said indifferently, "I will be managing the Market of Little Yuan Mountain in Brother Huo''s stead for a few days! All regtions remain unchanged, if there is any urgent matter,e seek me in the cave mansion!"


    Zhao Yu got along well with Huo Canghai, and his current visit to the Market of Little Yuan Mountain was solely for the purpose of cultivation, not wanting to involve himself with other trifles.


    Read new chapters at empire


    Zongcheng said, "Uncle-Master Zhao, there is a perplexing situation. In one of the Thirteen Cities of Mortals¡ªYuan Ye City¡ªthere seems to be an Evil Spirit lurking. Brother Fang Yu led a team to handle the matter and has not returned for two days. I suspect that there is a Foundation Establishment Ghost Creature behind this, and I implore Uncle-Master to intervene."


    Fang Yu was the Captain of the Enforcement Team of the Dan Ling Sect of Little Yuan Mountain, with the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation. Ordinary Ghost Creatures were no match for him, and his two-day absence signified that likely something had gone wrong.


    "Understood!"


    Zhao Yu asked for the case file to study it in detail, and, having rified the full picture of events, he then mounted his Magic Artifact and turned into an Escape Light, flying towards Yuan Ye City.


    The Wuyi Alley of Yuan Ye City was once an area inhabited by the privileged, but it was now deserted, with only the gate of the Liu Mansion open, which looked extraordinarily eerie.


    "That is where the source of the Evil Spirit lies!"


    Zhao Yu looked towards the Liu Mansion, channeled energy into his eyes, and immediately saw the invisible-to-the-naked-eye dark ghostly qi permeating the Liu Mansion, which clearly hinted at the presence of an Evil Ghost.


    With a slight smile, Zhao Yu looked at the White Ghost Emperor by his side and said, "But what Evil Ghost could be stronger than a Ghost under the king of a hundred ghosts?"


    The White Ghost Emperor was a Low-grade Ghost, king of a hundred ghosts! With the aid of Zhao Yu''s Dao Fruit, it had awakened five talents. Moreover, with its Second-Order Mid-grade Cultivation Level, even amon Second-Order High-grade Evil Ghost might not be its match.


    Zhao Yu strode towards the Liu Mansion.


    The White Ghost Emperor closely followed him.


    "Are the two immortals here to y demons and exorcise spirits? I am Liu, steward of the Liu Mansion..."


    Upon seeing Zhao Yu and hispanion, a tall, pale-faced middle-aged man¡ªwearing a glint of joy in his eyes, apanied by four servants¡ªstepped forward proactively to greet them.


    "Go!"


    Zhao Yu immediatelyunched a Low-Grade Spiritual Tool Magic Sword toward the steward Liu and the four servants.


    With a twist of sword light, the steward Liu and his five men were bifurcated, cut in two.


    An Evil Ghost, standing six feet tall with features seven parts simr to steward Liu''s, suddenly crawled out from his body and lunged at Zhao Yu.


    Evil Ghosts also appeared from the bodies of the four servants, each one charging at Zhao Yu.


    Those Evil Ghosts had been hiding within human bodies, and even talismans that ward off evil would not trigger automatically. Only when the ghosts moved to attack and released ghostly qi could the talismans detect them. By that time, cultivators would have already been taken by surprise by the ghosts.


    However, the White Ghost Emperor was the king of a hundred ghosts. As soon as steward Liu and hispanions got close, it warned Zhao Yu, prompting him to strike first.


    "Pathetic ghost creatures, break for me!"


    Zhao Yu let out a fierce shout, wielding his magic sword that burst forth with earthy yellow light, slicing through the bodies of the five evil ghosts.


    Wherever the magic sword passed, it left five gaping holes in the bodies of the evil ghosts. Dark ghostly qi gushed out from the holes, and with a miserable scream, the ghosts dissipated into the wind, leaving behind only five evil ghost relics.


    Zhao Yu strode towards the Liu Mansion, ying evil ghosts along the way and prating deeper inside.


    In a room deep within the Liu Mansion, a tall but extremely gaunt, and rather ugly, middle-aged cultivator suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a trace of joy: "Huo Canghai has finally taken the bait!"


    That ugly middle-aged cultivator, shrouded in ck qi, turned into a stream of pitch-ck escape light and flew towards the outside, spotting Zhao Yu, who was ying evil ghosts with his magic sword.


    Seeing Zhao Yu, the ugly middle-aged cultivator paused slightly and asked, "Who are you?"


    "Dan Ling Sect''s Zhao Yu! If you are the source of the evil spirit here, then prepare to die!"


    A cold glint shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes as he suddenly unleashed the terrifying aura of the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, his magic sword radiating earthy yellow spiritual light as it shot towards the ugly middle-aged cultivator.


    "Foundation Establishment level four!! Well done! I was nning to make Huo Canghai the main spirit for my Blood Banner of a Hundred Ghosts, but you''re even more qualified to be the chief spirit for my banner!"


    The ugly middle-aged cultivator''s eyes lit up with excitement rather than fear, as he promptly summoned a five-foot-long, blood-red banner adorned with two human faces.


    The Blood Banner of a Hundred Ghosts soared in the wind, surrounded by a halo of blood, transforming into a towering, ghostly blood banner. Evil ghosts with ferocious and pained expressions flew out from the banner.


    One of the faces on the Blood Banner of a Hundred Ghosts separated and took shape. It was none other than Fang Yu, who had attained Great Perfection of Qi Training.


    As the evil ghosts flew into the body of the evil ghost that Fang Yu had turned into, his aura climbed steadily, and he advanced to be a second-order, medium-grade evil ghost.


    The ghost that Fang Yu had transformed into stretched out its ws and grabbed Zhao Yu''s magic sword; the ghost''s pitch-ck qi surged forth from its ws, intertwining with the spiritual light of the sword, canceling each other out.


    Another face detached from the Blood Banner of a Hundred Ghosts, transforming into an eight-foot-tall evil ghost. More evil ghosts flew into its body, simrly causing its aura to surge and reaching the second-order, medium-grade.


    The ferocious evil ghost leaped from the ground, lunging directly at Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu sighed lightly and said, "My ability in magicalbat is still too weak! White Ghost Emperor, make your move, kill them!"


    The White Ghost Emperor, who quietly stood beside Zhao Yu wearing a mask and resembling his servant, cracked a wide grin. Dark ghost qi churned around him, and with a single leap, he appeared in front of the eight-foot evil ghost, reaching out with his w.


    The evil ghost stretched out its ws toward the White Ghost Emperor as well.


    As their ws met, ghost qi roiled. The White Ghost Emperor, with his pure and potent ghost qi, instantly overwhelmed the evil ghost. His mouth split open abruptly, biting down and swallowing the evil ghost in one gulp.


    "What kind of monster is this?"


    The middle-aged cultivator''s face changed drastically in an instant, with a sh of fear in his eyes. The Blood Banner of a Hundred Ghosts in his hand was his strongest spiritual artifact.


    He was confident that with the banner in hand, even a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator would not be his match, but now it had been easily countered by the White Ghost Emperor, naturally filling him with terror.


    As the White Ghost Emperor approached, the middle-aged cultivator''s eyes showed a tinge of pain as he immediately produced an Evil-Suppressing Talisman.


    The moment the Evil-Suppressing Talisman flew out, rays of purifying light shone forth, and the power of evil suppression permeated the surroundings. The evil ghost that Fang Yu had be, with a ferocious face, retreated to one side while holding Zhao Yu''s magic sword, emitting smoke as it was truly being purified.

 Chapter 87 Slaying the Demon Path Cultivator

    The White Ghost Emperor, undeterred, breached into the area covered by the Evil-Suppressing Talisman''s cleansing light. His body instantly emitted countless plumes of pitch-ck smoke as if set aze. In an instant, he appeared before the middle-aged cultivator, ripping out the cultivator''s head along with his spine with one w.


    That Evil-Suppressing Talisman also burned up instantly, transforming into ashes that scattered with the wind.


    The Evil Ghost transformed by Fang Yu shrank back into the Blood Ghost Banner, bing a face contorted with pain.


    After Zhao Yu collected the middle-aged cultivator''s storage pouch, the White Ghost Emperor devoured the cultivator''s soul whole, acquiring his memories.


    The middle-aged cultivator was a Loose Cultivator who had discovered an ancient cultivator''s cave mansion in the Canglong Mountain Range while searching for Spiritual Objects. Inside, he had obtained the refining method for the Blood Ghost Banner, a prototype of the Blood Ghost Banner, and a demonic cultivation technique called "Blood Technique."


    Using various malevolent methods, this Loose Cultivator hunted down many innocent cultivators, turning them into part of the Blood Ghost Banner, allowing the banner to transform from a Magic Artifact to a Low-Grade Spiritual Tool. With the banner, he killed many cultivators and seized a Foundation Establishment Pill, sessfully achieving Foundation Establishment.


    The Loose Cultivator''s target this time was Huo Canghai, the leader of the Market in Xiaoyuan Mountain. If he could refine Huo Canghai, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, into the banner, the Blood Ghost Banner would undergo another transformation, bing a Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact, its power greatly increasing once more.


    Zhao Yu pondered for a moment before making a decision, "The Blood Ghost Banner requires the continual refinement of cultivators onto the banner. Although its power is immense, the methods of its refinement are too cruel, definitely demonic, and if revealed, it would render it impossible to maintain a foothold in Beihuang.


    It''s better to let the White Ghost Emperor devour it and enhance its cultivation level¡ªthat''s the best strategy!"


    The four great sects in Beihuang are all not demonic sects, and each great sect has an exterminate-at-all-costs attitude towards demonic cultivators.


    This is because demonic cultivators train quickly, but many demonic cultivation techniques require the use of ordinary people and cultivators as materials, creating numerous heart-wrenching atrocities.


    For example, some great demonic sects, in order to sever mundane ties, would even kill the entire families of their disciples. The hundred ghosts on the Blood Ghost Banner were either cultivators or those with heavy grudges from various atrocities, making it necessary tomit over a hundred such cases to refine just one Blood Ghost Banner.


    These demonic cultivators are naturally hunted down by all major powers.


    Demonic cultivation techniques might have unstable foundations, but their cultivation speed far surpasses that of righteous techniques. If the four great sects did nothing, countless cultivators practicing demonic techniques would emerge within their territories.


    Then, order would copse, countless ordinary people would be used as materials by demonic cultivators, shaking the very foundation of the four great sects. Hence, the extermination of demonic cultivators by the four great sects was inevitable.


    The White Ghost Emperor opened its mouth and swallowed the Blood Ghost Banner whole.


    Zhao Yu activated the power of the Dao Fruit of Devouring to aid the White Ghost Emperor in refining the Blood Ghost Banner.


    The main material of the Blood Ghost Banner was a Third-Order Evil Ghost Relic. Even with the assistance of Zhao Yu''s Dao Fruit of Devouring, the White Ghost Emperor spent an entire ten days to refine the bannerpletely, and both its quality and cultivation level showed significant potential for improvement.


    "Xiaoyuan Mountain Market is located near the Canglong Mountain Range, home to many powerful demon beasts. The immediate priority is to enhance the White Ghost Emperor''s battle prowess¡ªthat''s the best strategy."


    After weighing his options, Zhao Yu decisively chose to enhance the cultivation level of the White Ghost Emperor.


    A stream of immensely refreshing energy flowed from Zhao Yu''s body through the mysterious channels of the Human-Ghost Pact into the White Ghost Emperor. Instantly, the White Ghost Emperor''s body trembled, its face twisted fearsomely, revealing a mad smile as the pitch-ck ghostly aura coiled around its body, continuously strengthening its Ghostly Body.


    Three dayster, the White Ghost Emperorpleted its evolution, its aura bing even more terrifying.


    "White Ghost Emperor: Quality Low-grade (180/1000)."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order High-grade (1600/3000)."


    Excitement shed in Zhao Yu''s eyes, "If it could devour another Crimson Blood Hundred Ghosts Banner, the White Ghost Emperor could evolve into a third-order spirit ghost, withbat powerparable to a Golden Core Cultivator! What a pity! The Crimson Blood Hundred Ghosts Banner is refined from a third-order evil ghost relic, a rare treasure with the potential to evolve into a magical treasure.


    Such treasures are extremely difficult to find!"


    After evolving into a second-order high-grade spirit ghost, the White Ghost Emperor''sbat power could match that of ate Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Zhao Yu felt a bit safer.


    "This guy is a pauper!!"


    With a sweep of his divine sense, Zhao Yu found that the middle-aged cultivator''s storage bag only contained fifty-odd medium-grade spirit stones along with some low-grade spirit stones, a few detoxification pills, Qi-returning pills, somemon spirit talismans, and a jade slip recording the Crimson Blood Technique.


    All of the middle-aged cultivator''s savings had gone into refining that Crimson Blood Hundred Ghosts Banner.


    "That ancient cultivator''s cave mansion is located on a third-order medium-grade Spirit Vein, but it''s deep inside Canglong Mountain and is too dangerous!"


    Zhao Yu carefully read the memories of the middle-aged cultivator and found that the cave mansion was the most valuable. However, Canglong Mountain was fraught with dangers, including second-order demon beasts. After the middle-aged cultivator had desperately obtained the treasures from the cave mansion, he fled immediately.


    Zhao Yu thought to himself, "I have the White Ghost Emperor to protect me, so I might have some chances of sess if I force my way into the cave mansion. But that would be too risky, especially since the cave is deep in the Canglong Mountains, surrounded by second-order demon beasts. If that attracts a group of them, I may not be able to withstand their attack!"


    After the White Ghost Emperor advanced to a second-order high-grade spirit ghost, itsbat power surged, and ordinary demon beasts were no match for it. However, with the massive number of demon beasts in Canglong Mountain, if a dozen second-order demon beasts attacked, the White Ghost Emperor might not be able to protect Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu made another round in Market, eradicated the few ghost nurturing sites of the middle-aged cultivator, and used all the obtainedher items to enhance the cultivation level of White Ghost Emperor before riding his magical treasure, transforming it into an escape light, and returning to the Market of Xiao Yuan Mountain.


    "Elder Fang has been killed, and the team that apanied him has all been killed as well! Make sure to handle their affairs properly!"


    Upon seeing Zongcheng, Zhao Yu immediately ryed the information to him.


    "Yes! Uncle Master Zhao!"


    Zongcheng replied with a bitter face, respectfully answering.


    In the Market of Xiao Yuan Mountain, there weren''t too many cultivators from the Dan Ling Sect. With Fang Yu''s death, various responsibilities weighed down on Zongcheng, the vice captain. Until the sect sent new cultivators, he was bound to be incredibly busy, losing much of his cultivation time.


    Zhao Yu directly returned to his cave mansion and chose to consume the soul power of the middle-aged Foundation Establishment Cultivator to greatly enhance his magic talent.


    With the enhancement of his magic talent, Zhao Yu found the practice of the Soaring Cloud Technique much simpler and easier. Likewise, when cultivating various same-level spells, he no longer felt the overwhelming difficulty andck of rity he previously experienced.

 Chapter 88 Trade

    In the cave mansion at Xiao Yuan Mountain Market.


    "My cultivation level has progressed to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and I''ve developed a resistance to the Superior Grade Triple Snake Pattern Pill. I can only use the Five Beasts Spirit Pill and Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill to enhance my mana."


    "The Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill requires various spirit nts for sessful refinement, and those spirit nts are extremely precious, nted only within the boundaries of a Golden Core Sect like Dan Ling Sect. Even in Xiao Yuan Mountain Market, gathering enough materials is extremely difficult."


    "The Five Beasts Spirit Pill needs an inner core of a second-order middle-grade demon beast mixed with the essence blood of five second-order demon beasts and various heavenly materials and earthly treasures for sessful refinement, which is also extremely challenging. I''m afraid that my cultivation speed will slow down significantly from now on!"


    Afterpleting a cultivation session, Zhao Yu frowned slightly and secretly pondered.


    The materials for Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill and Five Beasts Spirit Pill, which can enhance the mana of Foundation Establishment cultivators, are naturally not overlooked by the Five Great Sects. These sects purchase these materials everywhere and assign their Pill Masters to refine them.


    If Zhao Yu were in ces like Wolf Ridge or Jiuchen Mountain Market, he would hardly receive the main materials for the Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill and Five Beasts Spirit Pill. Even within Xiao Yuan Mountain Market, he could only gather some of the materials, making it extremely difficult to collect all the materials needed for alchemy.


    Amunication talisman flew into the cave mansion.


    "Junior Brother Zhao, it''s me, Xiahou Zhenyu!"


    Zhao Yu activated the array, opened therge door of the mansion, and found Xiahou Zhenyu standing outside alone, with a dejected expression.


    "Senior Brother Xiahou, pleasee in and let''s have a talk!"


    Zhao Yu weed Xiahou Zhenyu inside and had him sit down.


    Shangguan Lingxiu served the spiritual tea and quietly sat beside Zhao Yu.


    Zhao Yu asked, "Senior Brother Xiahou, did your journey go smoothly?"


    Xiahou Zhenyu drank the spiritual tea in one gulp and sighed deeply, "The journey was not smooth! This time, although we captured seven spirit veins and killed over a dozen second-order demon beasts, we also lost Huo, Tuoba, and Sister Wei."


    Zhao Yu''s heart chilled slightly; losing three Foundation Establishment cultivators at once was no small matter.


    In the Xiao Yuan Mountain Market area, the Dan Ling Sect originally had eight Foundation Establishment cultivators. With three gone, only five remained, significantly weakening their strength.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "Junior Brother Zhao, the Huo, Tuoba, and Wei families hope you will join one of them to help guard the spirit veins. They are willing to support your cultivation with the full resources of their ns."


    The Five Great Sects have issued a joint decree, which recognizes the spirit veins as belonging to the n that upies them for one year in the Canglong Mountain Range.


    If these three great families cannot hold onto the spirit veins, all their previous investments will be wasted.


    Zhao Yu pondered for a while and asked, "What grades are those three families'' spirit veins?"


    The spirit vein at Xiao Yuan Mountain Market is a second-order low-grade; cultivating there with his mid-stage Foundation Establishment level, Zhao Yu would progress much slower.


    Originally, Zhao Yu had nned to cultivate in Xiao Yuan Mountain Market until reaching the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage before making other ns. However, since he couldn''t procure too many Tricolored Mist Spirit Pill or Five Beasts Spirit Pill materials for pill consumption, he had no choice but to look for a suitable spiritualnd for cultivation.


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "The spirit veins upied by the Huo and Tuoba families are second-order middle-grade, and the one upied by the Wei family is second-order high-grade."


    Zhao Yu said, "Senior Brother Xiahou, I''m willing to exchange a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill for Sister Wei''s spirit vein. If the Wei family disagrees, we can discuss with the Huo and Tuoba families."


    Xiahou Zhenyu praised, "A top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill! Junior Brother Zhao, you are very generous! If the head of the Wei family is smart enough, he will agree."


    A single top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill naturally does not match the value of a second-order high-grade Spirit Vein, but Wei Yahui, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Wei family, had already perished. Without the protection of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the Wei family could not possibly defend that Spirit Vein for a year.


    Xiahou Zhenyu and other Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Dan Ling Sect would rather have Zhao Yu take over that Spirit Vein, so that the six of them could better protect those few Spirit Veins together.


    Inside the residence of the Wei family in Fengyan City, among the Thirteen Cities of Mortals, outside the market on Xiaoyuan Mountain.


    A beautiful woman with a graceful figure and waterfall-like ck hair, who looked quite lovely, said discontentedly, "Just one top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and he wants to take away the second-order high-grade Spirit Vein that our ancestor obtained at the cost of his life? Zhao Yu is really going too far!"


    A tall, white-haired old man with a heroic appearance slightly furrowed his brows and reprimanded, "Hold your tongue! How dare you casually discuss a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator? It''s fortunate this is at home; if it were outside, with your indiscreet mouth, do you want to doom our Wei family?"


    This old man was none other than Wei Hongchou, the head of the Wei family, and the beautiful woman was his daughter, Wei Minghui.


    Wei Minghui said with a look of grievance, "Father, I know I''m wrong!"


    Wei Hongchou said, "Senior Zhao Yu''s actions are still quite proper, even willing to give our Wei family a top-quality Foundation Establishment Pill! In the future, it''s still possible for our Wei family to produce another Foundation Establishment Cultivator. If he didn''t give it, losing the protection of our ancestor, could our Wei family really keep that second-order high-grade Spirit Vein?


    The family has already decided to offer the Spirit Vein to Senior Zhao Yu and even send someone to serve him. I n to send you."


    Wei Minghui''s pretty face changed as she said, "Father, Senior Zhao Yu already has a concubine. His concubine is also an inner sect disciple of the Dan Ling Sect. If I go there, I could only be a maid. It would be better to send Xin; though she is a by-born, she is very beautiful. In the eyes of Senior Zhao Yu, there''s no difference between the legitimate and the by-born in our family."


    Wei Hongchou hesitated for a moment and then said, "Alright, let Xin go!"


    Inside the residence of the Tuoba family.


    A muscr man with a hooked nose and heroic appearance, Tuoba Ying, the head of the Tuoba family, decisively said, "The ancestor died in battle, and I n to offer the Spirit Vein he obtained to Senior Zhao Yu in exchange for his protection, allowing us to cultivate within the Spirit Vein."


    The elders of the Tuoba family seated below all nodded slightly.


    Arge number of cultivators had poured into the market on Xiaoyuan Mountain, causing the prices of goods to climb. Each day depleted the resources of the Tuoba family. If the Tuoba family could not go to a Spirit Vein to earn Spirit Stones and cultivate, they would quickly decline.


    Tuoba Ying said, "I n to send Xue''er to serve Senior Zhao Yu!"


    An elder of the Tuoba family could not help but say, "Family Head, Xue''er is your only daughter! Why not pick a beautiful by-born to serve Senior Zhao Yu?"


    Tuoba Ying stated resolutely, "The most outstanding daughter of the Tuoba family is my daughter! Only she serving Senior Zhao Yu can show the sincerity of our Tuoba family!"


    Seeing Tuoba Ying so determined, the rest of the Tuoba family''s elders no longer tried to persuade him.


    Inside the residence of the Huo family.


    A slightly thin man with a handsome appearance, Huo Ying, the head of the Huo family, slowly said, "The ancestor died in battle, and without the protection of the ancestor, my Huo family can only choose a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to support. I n to offer the Spirit Vein to Senior Xiahou Zhenyu in exchange for his protection, allowing us to cultivate within the Spirit Vein.


    Do you have any objections?"


    An elder said, "Family Head, why not choose from the other Foundation Establishment seniors?"


    Huo Ying said, "The other seniors from the Dan Ling Sect are all Early Stage Foundation Cultivators, while Senior Xiahou Zhenyu is a Mid-stage Foundation Cultivator."


    The many elders all nodded slightly, no longer saying anything.


    In the Cultivation World, the strong are respected. Inside the Canglong Mountain Range, if a cultivator is not powerful, he simply cannot stand firm. Naturally, the Huo family tended more towards Xiahou Zhenyu, a Mid-stage Foundation Cultivator.

 Chapter 89 Reclaiming Wasteland

    ```


    Above a vast forest that stretched as far as the eye could see, a cloud of mist flew from afar, with Zhao Yu standing amidst it, overlooking thend below.


    "This is that second-order superior spiritualnd, evenrger than the area of the Wolf Ridge. But thend is all uncultivated wilderness; turning it into a spiritualnd like the Wolf Ridge really requires a massive amount of manpower!"


    Zhao Yu gazed thoughtfully at the dense trees and shrubs below.


    The forest was indeed rich in spiritual energy, but with only one Foundation Establishment Cultivator, one could at most carve out a simple cave mansion or a medicinal garden to cultivate in.


    If one wanted to fully utilize the entire Spirit Vein, ntingrge amounts of Spirit Rice,mon Spiritual Medicines, and Spirit Trees, it would require a great deal of manpower.


    Therefore, when the Wei family and the Tuoba n offered their allegiance, Zhao Yu dly epted.


    Apanied by a buzzing sound, a cloud of insects formed by numerous fist-sized poison bees flew straight towards Zhao Yu.


    Within the Canglong Mountain range, there was a countless number of poisonous insects, among them many had reached an elevated hierarchy. Those poison bees were the low-grade, first-order Golden Ring Poison Bees.


    Individually, these Golden Ring Poison Bees were not formidable; even mortals could kill them with weapons. But they could shoot poison needles that could prate the protective shield formed by the Spiritual Power of a Golden Light Talisman.


    Even a Qi Cultivation Great Perfection Cultivator would have to retreat in the face of a swarm of Golden Ring Poison Bees, or else they''d be in danger of perishing.


    Zhao Yu said, "Good timing! White Ghost Emperor, make your move!"


    Standing by Zhao Yu''s side, the White Ghost Emperor opened its wide mouth and sprayed out a jet of inky ck ghostly qi towards the thousands of Golden Ring Poison Bees sweeping toward them.


    Once the Golden Ring Poison Bees were touched by the ghostly qi, they lost all life and fell to the ground like raindrops.


    The White Ghost Emperor flew over directly, swallowed the bees whole, devouring the souls of the Golden Ring Poison Bees, and then Zhao Yu refined them directly using the Dao Fruit of Devouring.


    Zhao Yu remarked, "The souls of thousands of Golden Ring Poison Bees are not evenparable to a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator; they''re about the level of ten Qi Cultivation Cultivators. The Dao Fruit of Devouring truly is more suited to such dangerous ces where battles are incessant!" Stay updated via empire


    In the Canglong Mountain range, where there were numerous demon beasts, Zhao Yu and the White Ghost Emperor encountered many attacks while flying over this second-order superior spiritualnd.


    However, as soon as those demon beasts appeared, they were easily exterminated by the White Ghost Emperor, and their souls were refined by Zhao Yu using the Dao Fruit of Devouring.


    Within a single day, Zhao Yu was able to enhance his talent, and he directly chose to improve his Artifact Refining Talent.


    "Artifact Refining Talent: Remarkably Excellent (0/1000)."


    In the following time, Zhao Yu and the White Ghost Emperor roamed around this area, hunting demon beasts and devouring their souls.


    Most of these demon beasts were first-order demon beasts; naturally, they were no match for Zhao Yu and the White Ghost Emperor, with both possessing Foundation Establishmentbat power. Often at first encounter, they were killed by Zhao Yu or the White Ghost Emperor, and arge number of demon beasts perished at their hands. Zhao Yu also took the opportunity to enhance his Soul Talent twice.


    "Talisman Path Talent: Remarkably Excellent (0/1000)."


    "Ghost Control Talent: Remarkably Excellent (0/1000)."


    One monthter.


    "The demon beasts in this area have been mostly killed off! However, as long as the spiritualnd exists, there will continuously be new demon beasts born, and others from different areas will be attracted here. The source of demon beasts can only be cut off bypletely cultivating thend and turning it into a habitat for humans."


    Zhao Yu stood on the cloud of mist, overlooking the dense forest below, then turned into a ray of Escape Light and flew towards Market in the direction of Xiao Yuan Mountain.


    ```


    Ten dayster, forty li to the north of the small Yuan Mountain Market, a dense forest was brimming with cultivators from dozens of cultivation families as well as many loose cultivators.


    Those loose cultivators all watched from a distance the five Foundation Establishment cultivators led by Zhao Yu in the front.


    Xiahou Zhenyu looked at the scorching sun high above and said indifferently, "The time hase! Let''s begin!"


    Several cultivators threw their torches directly into the forest soaked with kerosene. Instantly, the forest burst into mes, the fire soared to the sky.


    Zhang Yu gave a slight smile, offering a fan-like spiritual artifact. With a simple wave of the fan, a gale-force wind spell took shape, blowing fiercely toward the north, the wind aiding the fire, making the ze burn even more intensely.


    Under the terrifying ze, countless poisonous insects, snakes, and ants in the forest were burned alive; arge number of animals and low-level demon beasts fled deeper into the north of the Canglong Mountain range.


    Burning wastnds was the simplest and least resource-consuming method of reimingnd in the Canglong Mountain range, killing the poisonous creatures thatmoners most feared with the mes.


    The fire devoured everything. Under the gale-force wind spell cast by Zhang Yu, it kept extending towards the northern parts of the Canglong Mountain range.


    After the fire had consumed the forest, the other ordinary cultivators cast spells to turn the scorched area into stony paths where weeds could hardly grow.


    A massive number ofmoners, under the protection of the cultivators, moved into the interior of the Canglong Mountain range following the newly created paths.


    Ten dayster, within arge camp.


    Zhang Yu said, "Brother Xiahou, our speed of clearing thend is too slow when we are together. We have already eradicated the Second-Order demon beasts in this area. How about we split up and each lead a group to reimnd separately?"


    Xiahou Zhenyu asked, "What do you all think?"


    Zhao Yu furrowed his brow slightly and said, "Brother Zhang, when the five of us join forces, we have support when encountering danger in the Canglong Mountain range. If we split up into five groups, our strength will be dispersed, and there may be dangers!"


    Zhang Yu responded, "Brother Zhao, you are being too cautious! Being overly cautious is cowardice! The Second-Order demon beasts in this area have already been eradicated by us. The remaining ones are nothing more than prey for us! Brother Xiahou, we will soon be entering the rainy season in the Canglong Mountain range! We must reach each of our Spirit Veins before the rainse!"


    Upon hearing this, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators nodded slightly in agreement.


    Once the rainy season arrived, they would not be able to use fire to clear thend, and the difficulty of reiming would be a hundred times greater than now.


    Qian Li said, "I think Brother Zhang''s words make sense!"


    Cui Qing gave a faint smile and said, "Brother Zhang''s suggestion is excellent! Since we have already eradicated the Second-Order demon beasts in this region, even if one or two slipped through the, they would not be our match!"


    Xiahou Zhenyu said, "In that case, then let''s split up and take action!"


    The next day, the massive team divided into five. Each of the five Foundation Establishment cultivators led a group to continue the burning of the wastnds.


    The gale-force wind spell was a mid-grade First-Order spell capable of creating only a gust of wind. Zhao Yu, as a fourthyer Foundation Establishment cultivator with an outstanding Magic Talent, easily mastered this spell. As he kept casting it, his proficiency continued to increase, and its power grew stronger.


    Five dayster, Zhao Yu had cultivated the proficiency of the gale-force wind spell to the level of a grandmaster. With just a casual cast, he could stir up strong winds within a thousand-meter radius and control the direction of the wind.


    After advancing the gale-force wind spell to the grandmaster level, the speed at which Zhao Yu''s team cleared thend surged once again, and their movement speed also increased by a few points.

 Chapter 90 Destroy the Haunted House

    Ten dayster, deep into the night.


    Zhou Tieniu suddenly felt an urge to urinate, drowsily climbed out of bed, and walked outside. Continue your story on empire


    "What is that? Spirit me Vermilion Fruit?"


    As soon as Zhou Tieniu arrived at the forest next to the camp, just as he was undoing his trousers, he saw arge red mansion deep in the forest surrounded byrge trees each bearing Spirit me Vermilion Fruits.


    "With the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit, I can sell them for a great amount of Spirit Stones, use the Spirit Stones to buy elixirs, and break through the Middle Stage of Qi Refining!!"


    A glint of burning desire shed through Zhou Tieniu''s eyes, and without wondering why such a red mansion would appear in this forest, he headed straight towards the mansion.


    When Zhou Tieniu arrived near the mansion, he did not pick the surrounding Spirit me Vermilion Fruit, but instead walked straight into the mansion with a vacant look in his eyes.


    As soon as Zhou Tieniu entered the red mansion, the mansion''s door shut instantly, started shaking for a while, then stopped, and arge amount of blood gushed out from it.


    Within a few breaths, the gushing blood soared into the air and entered the walls of the mansion as if it were absorbed by the red mansion.


    In a tent, dressed all in ck and wearing a mask, the White Ghost Emperor abruptly stood up and woke Zhao Yu.


    "An enemy? The patrols haven''t sounded an rm, could it be an Evil Spirit?"


    Zhao Yu nced at the White Ghost Emperor and strode outside.


    Heading outside the tent, Zhao Yu saw three groups of cultivators patrolling along the perimeter of the camp.


    "Greetings, Senior Zhao!"


    As soon as the leader of the group, Tuoba Yun, saw Zhao Yu, he hurried over and saluted with cupped hands.


    The group of cultivators all saluted in turn.


    Zhao Yu nodded slightly and walked towards the outside of the camp.


    Tuoba Yun took the initiative and said, "Senior Zhao, may I know if there is anything that I can assist you with?"


    Zhao Yu said, "Take care of yourselves and stay away from this ce!"


    "Yes!"


    Tuoba Yun''s heart clenched slightly; he immediately led his people to retreat a hundred steps, curiously watching from afar, and took out a defensive magical instrument.


    Following the White Ghost Emperor to the edge of the camp, Zhao Yu saw the red mansion as well as the Spirit me Vermilion Fruits surrounding it.


    "Spirit me Vermilion Fruits! And there are ten of them!"


    A sh of burning desire swept through Zhao Yu''s eyes, but as his gaze fell on the red mansion, a foreboding feeling arose in his heart.


    "That mansion must host some form of Evil Spirit! It''s too dangerous to approach rashly! Even for the Spirit me Vermilion Fruits, it''s not worth the risk! However, I could try something!"


    Zhao Yu thought for a moment, then directly summoned a top-grade magical instrument level umbre, which opened up instantly, emitting numerous Spirit Silks that flew towards the Spirit me Vermilion Fruits surrounding the red mansion.


    As those Spirit Silks neared the red mansion, the seemingly ordinary mansion suddenly opened its door, and a surge of ck qi flowed out, sweeping towards the Spirit Silks.


    The countless Spirit Silks, caught by the ck qi, dimmed, lost their spirituality, and fell to the ground.


    After the ck qi had eroded the Spirit Silks, it transformed into a ck wind that rolled directly toward Zhao Yu.


    "What a pity!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes flickered with a trace of cold light as he directly summoned an Evil-Suppressing Talisman, which burst forth with waves of Evil-Dispelling Light and flew towards therge red mansion.


    The ck wind formed from the evil aura was instantly purified upon encountering the Evil-Dispelling Light. As the light touched the red mansion, a myriad of ck smoke rose from it.


    The red mansion trembled wildly within the Evil-Dispelling Light, then began to shrink, transforming into a gaping maw full of serrated edges, and finally turned into a monster four fathoms tall, covered with countless human and beastly faces, its entire body a reddish color with bulging muscles.


    As the monster revealed its true form, the Spirit me Vermilion Fruits were sucked up by the human faces on its body and swallowed whole.


    When the monster four fathoms high revealed its true form, Tuoba Yun and other Qi Refinement cultivators showed a hint of fear in their eyes, their bodies slightly trembling.


    The Evil-Suppressing Talisman flew above the monster, showering it with beams of Evil-Dispelling Light that fell upon the monster''s body. The monster let out screams of agony as ck smoke billowed from its entirety, as if it were set ame. It reached out towards the Evil-Suppressing Talisman.


    "Go!"


    Zhao Yu''s eyes hardened, and he erupted with the terrifying aura of the Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment, directing a Low-Grade Spiritual Tool level Magic Sword imbued with Earth Attribute Spiritual Light to fly out and sh at the monster''s neck.


    In an instant, the Earth Attribute Magic Sword appeared at the monster''s neck and chopped down.


    A human face on the neck of the monster opened its mouth to bite the Magic Sword.


    The sword light shed, and one human face was split into two by the Magic Sword, while another face abruptly appeared and continued to bite.


    The Magic Sword cut through one face after another but got stuck at the monster''s neck, unable to move.


    Several faces on the monster''s body opened their mouths and sprayed a dense ck aura onto the Magic Sword.


    The Magic Sword instantly developed many ck spots, losing much of its spirituality. If not painstakingly refined and repaired for decades, it could not regain its peak power.


    Zhao Yu''s eyebrows slightly furrowed. Clenching his teeth, he summoned two more Evil-Suppressing Talismans and sent them flying towards the monster.


    As soon as the two Evil-Suppressing Talismans were released, they appeared above the monster in an instant, and beams of Evil-Dispelling Light rained down upon it.


    The monster screamed in agony, emitting arge amount of ck smoke, and the human faces on its body appeared equally tormented.


    Zhao Yu once againunched a Low-Grade Spiritual Tool level Magic Sword, which appeared at the monster''s neck in an instant, and cut down with one swift stroke.


    The sword light shed, and the monster''s head immediately fell to the ground.


    ck aura surged out from the monster''s body, quickly condensing into a monstrous head under the illumination of the Evil-Dispelling Light.


    Zhao Yu drove the Magic Sword to chop down, directly severing the monster''s head.


    After chopping ten times, the monster finally copsed heavily to the ground, dissolving into countless ck smokes that drifted away with the wind, leaving only a red piece of wood on the ground.


    Tuoba Yun''s heart surged with waves of emotion, "He absolutely cannot be an Early Stage Foundation Building Cultivator! His aura is much stronger than that of our ancestors. He must be at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment!!"


    As cultivation progressed, it became increasingly difficult to advance through the stages. Among the remaining five Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Market, only Xiahou Zhenyu was recognized as a strong Mid-Foundation Establishment Cultivator. People believed Zhao Yu had recently reached Foundation Establishment and thought he was an Early Stage Foundation Building Cultivator.


    If they knew he was a Mid-Foundation Establishment Cultivator, likely more cultivating families would align with him.


    "What a pity, the Spirit me Vermilion Fruit!"


    Zhao Yu felt a twinge of regret as he picked up the red piece of wood, scrutinized it for a moment without discerning its origin, and let the White Ghost Emperor beside him swallow it whole, using the Dao Fruit to directly refine and enhance the White Ghost Emperor''s cultivation level.


    "White Ghost Emperor."


    "Cultivation Level: Second-Order High-grade (2000/3000)."


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