Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

This chamber of commerce has now become a testing ground for various powerful forces, a trial to prove the abilities of the younger generation.

Those who perform exceptionally well will receive focused training from various powerful forces, and Liu Yifeng is the ultimate prey.

Lin Zhao recalled Lin Xuan saying that he wanted to take a different path, but she never expected that Lin Xuan would so resolutely throw himself into this storm.

This is indeed a "different path".

But it is also a dangerous road full of thorns, where one wrong step could result in being crushed to pieces.

"Thank you for informing me of this, Miss Qiao." Lin Zhao bowed respectfully.

Miss Qiao's gaze sharpened slightly. "My Qiao family will not get involved in this matter. However, Lin Xuan and I have been friends for many years."

I really don't want anything to happen to her, but this is the path she chose herself, and it's not appropriate for outsiders to interfere. Giving you this heads-up is the only thing I can do.

Lin Zhao solemnly cupped her hands in greeting, "The Lin family will remember Miss Qiao's kindness."

Qiao Yanran picked up her teacup and chuckled, "That's too formal. Given my relationship with Lin Xuan, if you don't mind, just call me Sister Yanran."

I work at Qingfeng Auction House. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future.

A discount is out of the question, but I can keep an eye out for anything you need in advance.

Lin Zhao's heart skipped a beat. He was currently troubled by the matter of the elixirs and had intended to take the opportunity to inquire about the goods at the Qingfeng Auction House.

But I swallowed the words back. I've already learned enough information today; it's not appropriate to discuss it further.

"Miss Yanran, you're too kind. This matter is of great importance, and I need to report to my family as soon as possible, so I'll take my leave now."

After watching Lin Zhao leave, the maid in green standing nearby couldn't help but ask, "Miss, didn't you say you'd only remind the Lin family of one thing? Why did you say so much to him today?"

Qiao Yanran took a sip of tea, glanced at her, and smiled slightly. "I heard Lin Xuan say before that he is only seventeen this year."

When we met just now, I was surprised to find that my cultivation level had already reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, which is quite rare among the younger generation.

Why not create a positive connection with a single message?

She put down her teacup and gently stroked the bracelet on her wrist with her fingertips.

Five blue gemstones on the chain shimmered softly.

This is a ritual implement bestowed by my grandfather; it can nourish the spirit. It is through this item that I have been able to...

Her spiritual sense was far superior to that of her peers, reaching the seventh level of Qi Refining. For cultivators, cultivation level is easy to improve, but spiritual sense is extremely difficult to improve.

When Lin Zhao entered, she instinctively tried to probe with her divine sense, but was blocked.

Unexpectedly, it was discovered that the other party's spiritual sense had also reached the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Such talent is truly rare among the younger generation.

Although the Qiao family patriarch was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he mainly relied on the patronage of the sect leader to narrowly break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

He never fought with anyone, maintaining his neutrality through his relationship with the brothel owner.

Among the 17 Foundation Establishment cultivators in Qingfeng City, Qiao Yanran was among the weakest, and it was at the Ancestor's behest that she maintained a neutral stance.

Lin Xuan had previously followed her, partly to win over neutral factions.

Secondly, the Lin family possesses both low-key yet powerful strength, while the Qiao family patriarch, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, generally doesn't need to concern himself with Qi Refining families.

There were a few families that he was wary of, and the Lin family was one of them.

Qiao Yanran didn't understand before, but today she seems to understand a little better: "The Lin family is truly full of hidden talents, and they are low-key yet very discreet."

Qiao Yanran sighed softly, "We can visit each other more often in the future."

A maid in green softly reminded her, "Miss, it's time. The gathering on the fourth floor is about to begin."

Qiao Yanran sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

Today was supposed to be a routine gathering for those who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, but she really disliked such gatherings and couldn't refuse.

Just then, he saw Lin Zhao enter the Tea House. Thinking he had nothing better to do, he had a guard call Lin Zhao over.

That's how we ended up having this conversation today, but it was definitely worth the trip.

When we left Baiweilou, it was already completely dark.

Looking at the bustling crowds on the street, Lin Zhao felt for the first time so clearly the undercurrents beneath the calm surface of the market.

That Miss Qiao is no ordinary person either. Not only has her spiritual sense reached the seventh level, but she has also cultivated a special method of concealment.

If his spiritual sense was truly only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, he wouldn't be able to detect being probed at all.

However, she clearly hadn't expected that Lin Zhao's spiritual sense had also reached the 7th level of Qi Refining, resulting in a direct clash between their spiritual senses.

Qiao Yan's subsequent message to Lin Xuan also carried a hint of apology.

Lin Zhao shook his head and thought to himself, "As expected, cultivators who can reach this level are no pushovers."

When Lin Zhao returned to the shop, he didn't rush back to his room, but went straight to his father's room in the backyard.

Seeing him enter, Lin's father put down the jade slip in his hand and asked, "Why are you here so late? Is there something urgent?"

Lin Zhao sat down opposite her father and told him about her trip to the Tea House to gather information that day.

Then, he was stopped by the guards and told in detail how he entered the Hundred Flavors Spiritual Cuisine Restaurant to meet Qiao Yanran.

When the topic of Liu Yifeng's establishment of a chamber of commerce and Lin Xuan's involvement came up, Lin's father's expression did not change at all, clearly indicating that the Lin family already knew this information.

But when he heard Qiao Yanran specifically remind him that the Chamber of Commerce would inevitably disband and Liu Yifeng had become a pawn,

His expression immediately turned serious. "What did Miss Qiao say?"

"Not a single word is different." Lin Zhao nodded. "She also said that this chamber of commerce has now become a training ground for the younger generation of various forces."

Lin's father pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. "The Qiao family has always been neutral, so it's somewhat unexpected that they would specifically remind us this time. However..."

He looked at Lin Zhao. "You just said that Miss Qiao told you to call her 'Sister Yanran'?"

"Yes. She said she was on good terms with Sister Xuan and told me not to stand on ceremony."

A look of understanding flashed in Lin's father's eyes: "That explains it. The Qiao family is extending a gesture of goodwill."

He stood up and paced around the study. "Although the Qiao family patriarch is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his foundation in the market is very shallow."

Therefore, they have always valued their relationships with various powerful families, especially the Lin family like ours.

Although he didn't finish his sentence, Lin Zhao already understood that although the Lin family had no Foundation Establishment cultivators, their 300-year-old heritage and foundation were not to be underestimated.

"But what I care about most," Lin Zhao continued, "is Miss Qiao's spiritual cultivation."

She must have cultivated a special concealment technique; ordinary mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators wouldn't be able to detect her at all. But I sensed that her divine sense had reached at least the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Lin's father paused and asked, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm sure. My divine sense had a brief contact with her; there's no mistake."

The study fell silent for a moment. Lin's father's expression shifted, and after a long silence, he finally said, "A Foundation Establishment cultivator, your methods are indeed extraordinary."

It seems that this eldest daughter of the Qiao family is even more favored by the Qiao family patriarch than I imagined; no wonder she can hold her own at the auction house.

The Qiao family patriarch was wary of the Lin family, and the Lin family was just as wary of Foundation Establishment cultivators.