Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Ten days later, in the core area of ​​Qingfengfang City.

Holding the jade token, Lin Zhao activated the outer restriction as instructed.

With a ripple of light like flowing water, he stepped inside.

The rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so dense it was almost like a thin mist, immediately rushed towards us.

The legendary second-grade high-level spiritual vein in Qingfeng Mountain is indeed well-deserved.

The token in his hand emitted a warm, soft light, like a guiding lamp.

The surrounding area was shrouded in mist, making it difficult to see far with the naked eye, and even divine sense was limited, only able to perceive layers upon layers of hidden restrictions.

Without the guidance of the token, one would likely lose one's way in an instant and be unable to move an inch.

Guided by the faint light of the token, they walked for the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

Suddenly, a serene and elegant courtyard appeared deep within the clouds.

Lin Zhao stepped forward and pushed open the seemingly ordinary wooden courtyard door.

Passing through a water-like barrier of spiritual energy, a cacophony of voices immediately filled my ears.

The courtyard is paved with white jade, and at the very front stands an ancient, simple jade platform.

Hundreds of prayer cushions were neatly arranged below the stage. More than seventy people had already arrived, chatting in small groups.

Not wanting to attract attention, Lin Zhao found a cushion at the back, sat down quietly, and subtly scanned the entire room with his gaze.

At the very front, closest to the platform, sat an elderly man with gray hair and five other cultivators with composed auras.

They were all the most senior talisman masters in the market.

Every time he preaches, he mentions that he hopes to find a glimmer of opportunity to break through to the second-tier talisman master from Master Mochen.

The east side presents a completely different and bustling scene.

A young man dressed in pure white was surrounded by more than ten people. He had a handsome face, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a tall and straight posture like a pine tree.

He exudes elegance and grace while chatting and laughing, standing out exceptionally in the crowd.

"That's Liu Yifeng, the legendary figure of the Golden Feather Demon Hunting Team."

A cultivator nearby lowered his voice, his tone tinged with envy and discussion.

Lin Zhao's gaze narrowed slightly as he took a deep look at the young man in white, imprinting his appearance firmly in his mind.

At this moment, in the quiet room deepest inside the courtyard, the fragrance of sandalwood wafts through the air.

A cultivator with snow-white hair, a face that resembled that of a middle-aged man, and dressed in a black Taoist robe.

He was playing chess with a girl in white.

He is today's protagonist, one of the three mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market.

"Master Mochen"

"Your father hasn't returned yet?" Master Mo Chen picked up a black chess piece and casually placed it down.

"This drama between you and the Liu family is getting more and more intense."

Now, even this place has become part of the stage.

The girl opposite me had exquisitely beautiful features, snow-white skin, and a refined and aloof demeanor.

She is the daughter of Fei Yu Shangren, one of the three mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators in the market.

"Su Qianxue"

There have long been rumors that she repeatedly tried to become Mo Chen's disciple but was unsuccessful.

Master Mochen always politely declined, citing his short lifespan and his reluctance to mislead others.

"My father has been deep in the Yunxia Mountains for a year and a half. The Liu family is just using this opportunity to test our strength."

Su Qianxue, holding the white piece, placed it crisply, her tone calm, "However, I received a message from my father a month ago."

The clearing of Blackrock Town is nearing completion; we should be able to return to the town within three months.

"Aren't you afraid I'll turn around and pass the message to the Liu family?"

Master Mochen raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly smiling yet not smiling.

"Master is a trustworthy person, so Qianxue naturally trusts him." Su Qianxue's lips curled up slightly, revealing a very faint smile.

If there were any outsiders present, they would be quite surprised.

It turns out that these two were already master and disciple.

Master Mo Chen sighed softly, with a hint of regret: "With your aptitude and comprehension, you should have entered one of the three major sects to cultivate."

Staying in Qingfeng Market is truly a waste of your potential.

This regret was not unfounded. Su Qianxue was only thirty years old, and her cultivation had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining.

His mastery of talismanic arts had already broken through to the first-tier superior level long ago.

As the main captain of the Tianfeng Demon Hunting Team.

Her strength is outstanding among the younger generation, and she is hard to match even among cultivators of the same level.

Master Mo Chen lives in seclusion in Qingfeng Market for many years, holding these lectures on talismanic arts to collect spirit stones.

In reality, he had a tacit agreement with Su Qianxue.

Su Qianxue became his disciple and used her reputation and connections to attract crowds to the sermon conference.

Meanwhile, Master Mochen can easily earn spirit stones, and both parties get what they need.

Just as a demon-hunting team needs a "front" to attract members.

This sermon conference also needs a dazzling figure like Su Qianxue to hold the stage.

"Of the three major sects, the Hundred Herbs Sect focuses on alchemy, which is not what I desire."

The Black Fiend Pavilion specializes in weapon crafting, and its techniques are domineering and unsuitable for a woman's temperament.

"The Thousand Radiance Sect would be a suitable choice, but unfortunately, the positions of its core disciples have long been firmly held by those major aristocratic families."

Su Qianxue shook her head slightly, "Unless I am willing to change my name and join those families, I can at most obtain a Foundation Establishment method, and I have no hope of forming a Core."

Since that's the case, I can still achieve Foundation Establishment even without joining a sect.

Why get involved and be at the mercy of others? The outside world is much more comfortable.

Master Mo Chen changed the subject: "Liu Yifeng from the Liu family is here today too. Just like you, he's a quick-witted and restless fellow."

"Him?" Su Qianxue placed her piece calmly.

As if he had already expected it, "In the end, he is not a true descendant of the Liu family."

Since the Liu family could elevate him to the highest level, they could also bring him down to earth.

His visit to test you under the guise of the Liu family is a pretense; his real intention is to find a way out for himself.

If I could become your disciple and receive the protection of a Foundation Establishment cultivator,

The Liu family cannot simply abandon him.

However, it depends on whether you, Master, are willing to accept this karmic burden.

Master Mochen slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a detached indifference that reflected his understanding of the world: "I am already old and frail, and I only wish for peace and quiet."

The reason for accepting Su Qianxue was that she had a powerful yet simple background, and her talent and temperament were both top-notch.

Over the years, he has always been a dutiful disciple, helping him to play his part in this "play" and never causing any trouble.

But Liu Yifeng, to put it bluntly, was nothing more than a pawn carefully cultivated by the Liu family.

The Liu family is powerful and domineering; they won't easily give up. Accepting him will inevitably lead to a host of troubles.

However, it is difficult to get substantial returns.

At his age, he no longer has the will or the ability to engage in such unprofitable ventures.

Su Qianxue looked up at the elder opposite her, who was both a teacher and a friend.

Her primary reason for insisting on becoming an apprentice was...

This was all to keep this important Foundation Establishment Stage 2 Rune Master in check and prevent him from siding with the Liu family.

If Master Mo Chen is won over by the Liu family, the balance of power in the community will surely be broken.

That will be very troublesome. He will be in a lot of trouble, and the Liu family will be in a lot of trouble.

After the trouble is over, one of them will definitely disappear.

It's fine as it is now.

Master Qingming, the owner of the workshop, is in seclusion year-round and does not concern himself with worldly affairs.

Her father, Master Feiyu, was a lazy man, and she managed most of his forces in secret.

Nowadays, it's merely using the guise of lecturing to create an easy platform for Master Mo Chen to earn spirit stones.

It cost her nothing.

Master Mochen should not express his opinion; simply remaining neutral is the greatest support he can give her.