Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

"Watch out for the poisonous fog!" Pharmacist Chen called out in a sweet voice, as a jade bottle flew out of her hand, casting down emerald light that formed a purifying barrier around the team.

When the poisonous fog came into contact with the spiritual light, it hissed and eventually dissipated into nothingness.

Gao Yuan finally drew his heavy sword at this moment.

The sword flew out, carrying a burst of fiery light, transforming into a three-zhang-long blade of spiritual energy. The flames tore through the poisonous gas in the air, and the massive blade, accompanied by a shriek, slashed towards the porcupine in the center.

Wherever the giant blade passed, it plowed a deep trench in the ground, and all the trees along the way were snapped in two.

Sensing danger, the porcupine simultaneously shot out all its venomous quills, and a shield of purplish-black spiritual light condensed to try and block it.

However, the giant blade of spiritual energy was unstoppable, easily tearing apart the shield made of poisonous thorns and striking the porcupine heavily.

"Agh!" With a pitiful scream, the porcupine was split in two, its blood staining the ground red.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhao stood at the edge of the battlefield, his gaze fixed on the porcupine locked in combat with the rock golem, his right hand forming a sword shape with his fingers.

The Qingfeng Sword emitted a dazzling blue light, transforming into a blue sword beam that seemed to tear the air apart wherever it passed. The porcupine had just shot out several of its venomous quills.

The Green Edge Sword had arrived. Its light pierced precisely through its most vulnerable spot, the neck, drawing out a spray of blood.

The porcupine let out a short, mournful cry, and its massive body crashed to the ground; the sword strike was too fast.

After more than half a month of training, Lin Zhao's swordsmanship has improved even further. His sword light is extremely sharp, and he rarely makes a move. When he does, it is a sure kill. He already has the appearance of a sword cultivator.

The last porcupine was quickly killed by Chu Xin and Cheng Jin working together. All three porcupines with poisonous spines died, and the four rock golems exhausted their last bit of spiritual power, turning back into ordinary stones.

Cheng Jin's spirit detection disc swept across the battlefield: "No other signs of life. Safe."

Pharmacist Chen stepped forward and carefully collected the porcupine's quills and gallbladder.

These materials are quite valuable and are excellent for crafting poison-based magical artifacts and antidotes.

Lin Zhao retrieved the Qingfeng Sword and the Fire Element Pearl, feeling that nearly 20% of his spiritual power had been consumed.

The sword strike just now may have seemed effortless, but it actually took a lot of energy.

Gao Yuan slowly walked to the pile of broken stones, gently parted the rubble with his heavy sword, and dark red spiritual light flowed among the stones.

A broken blue stone tablet was revealed, the words carved on it glowing with a faint spiritual light, like fireflies at dusk, which lingered among the words for a moment before completely dissipating.

"They were from a small demon-hunting team." Gao Yuan crouched down, his fingers tracing the faded inscriptions on the tombstone. "Severely injured, their elixirs exhausted, they could only be buried here in the end." He stood up.

The spiritual light on the greatsword dimmed slightly. "Besides these rock golems that are about to lose their spiritual power, too much time has passed, and there is nothing left here."

He asked Old Wu, who was organizing his storage bags, "How was the harvest this time?" Old Wu was always in charge of preserving the magical beast materials.

Old Wu stroked his long, white beard: "Including these three porcupines, the total cost of the demon beast materials is about five hundred spirit stones. The porcupine quills should fetch a good price."

Gao Yuan's gaze then fell upon Pharmacist Chen, who was standing quietly to the side.

Her eyes, hidden beneath her mask, were slightly lowered as she softly said, "The spiritual plants we collected along the way are estimated to be worth around one hundred spirit stones."

After a moment of contemplation, Gao Yuan said, "Let's prepare to return to the market. This mountain forest is one of the most resource-rich areas around the Wind Spirit Canyon. We've been here for half a month, and there's no point in staying any longer. Let's go back to the market to rest."

The morning light pierced through the clouds, gilding the continuous cloud-covered mountain range with a golden glow.

After a day of arduous trekking, Gao Yuan's team finally emerged from this primeval forest that swallowed up the light.

When the view suddenly opened up, everyone couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Lin Zhao walked in the middle of the group, his Qingfeng sword already sheathed, but the Water and Fire Yuan Pearl was still slowly rotating in his sleeve.

His spiritual energy consumption was not high, but his mental energy consumption was quite high. He didn't feel anything when he was in the dense forest, but he felt a little tired now that he was out.

The journey back was uneventful, and after another day, "Wind Spirit Canyon is just ahead."

Cheng Jin's spirit-detecting compass dimmed, "After passing through the Wind Spirit Canyon, it will take a few more hours to get back to the market."

This news cheered everyone up.

Gao Yuan cautioned, "We must not let our guard down, especially at this crucial moment. Occasionally, cultivators from the Tribulation Realm will appear within the Wind Spirit Valley. Li Hao will lead the way, and everyone else should follow behind, maintaining formation."

Li Hao immediately stepped forward, and the giant black iron shield flew out in response. The shield's surface shimmered with earthy yellow spiritual light, transforming into an arc-shaped light barrier that protected everyone behind it.

Stepping into the Wind Spirit Canyon once more, the whistling wind blades struck the Xuanlin Robe, producing a familiar "crackling" sound, which ironically made Lin Zhao feel a sense of familiarity.

At the end of the canyon, the blue stone fortress still stands majestically.

The pressure from the Foundation Establishment cultivator was as vast as the ocean, instantly bringing Lin Zhao, who had just become somewhat complacent due to his increased strength, back to reality. The Foundation Establishment realm was still quite far away from him.

After passing through the canyon, everyone put away their magical artifacts and took out their speed-traveling talismans.

The moment the talisman burned out, their speed increased instantly, and the group headed straight for the market.

The outline of Qingfeng Market gradually became clear in the field of vision.

After recognizing the insignia of the Po Jun Demon Hunting Team, the guarding cultivators waved them through after a brief inspection using the array.

As soon as they stepped into the market, the clamor immediately overwhelmed them.

The market area was still bustling with people, and various spiritual lights flowed between the stalls. The air was filled with the unique aroma of spiritual herbs, pills, and monster materials. The familiar market atmosphere made everyone relax.

"Old Wu and I will go deal with this batch of goods first; it will take some time," Gao Yuan said, turning to the crowd. "See you at Tea House tomorrow at noon."

The crowd dispersed at the entrance of the market.

Lin Zhao returned to the Lin Family Talisman Shop. The "Heart-Clearing Bell" on the door still rang out with its familiar "ding-a-ling" sound. The invisible sound waves swept over her, calming her tired mind.

The shop was filled with the familiar scents of cinnabar and spirit ink. Zhao Ziming was lazily lying on the counter, playing with a jade talisman brush in his hand.

Seeing him enter, she quickly stood up, grabbed his arm, and said, "You're finally back! It's been more than twenty days, and we haven't heard a word from you. Your father was worried sick."

Lin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that it was Zhao Ziming, and said casually, "Everyone goes out to hunt demons for at least a few months. I've only been out for a little over twenty days, which is already considered a short time."

Lin Zhao then asked where the others had gone, and Zhao Ziming raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Your sister took Qingluo to the Chamber of Commerce, and your father went back to the family on business."

He shrugged: "Now I'm a proper shop assistant."

Lin Zhao sat down opposite him. The fatigue from being out for days finally overwhelmed him. He rubbed his temples and said, "Looks like you're doing quite well as the manager."

"What's so carefree about him?" Zhao Ziming pouted. "Lin Xuan takes Qingluo with him everywhere now and ignores me completely." His tone was tinged with resentment.