Cultivation begins with forming a bond with a spirit bee.

Chapter 86 The Eight-Year Agreement

Zhang Yanliang paused and looked at Qu Ye.

"It just so happens that we are going to hunt a demonic beast that we have been planning for a long time on the day of the trade fair. Therefore, if Fellow Daoist Mingyue needs it, it would be fine to give you this blank invitation."

"this--"

Qu Ye was taken aback for a moment.

He had originally planned to spend some spirit stones to ask Zhang Yanliang to vouch for him.

Unexpectedly, the other party directly gave me the invitation, stating that it was a gift.

Qu Ye, who was used to not owing anyone anything, suddenly became a little wary.

"Senior is too kind. Since I am the one asking for your help, how could I let you give it to me for free?"

Qu Ye waved his hand and said seriously.

Zhang Yanliang seemed to have seen through Qu Ye's thoughts and laughed heartily: "Fellow Daoist Mingyue is overthinking it. I have conditions for sending this invitation; it all depends on whether you accept it or not."

It turned out to be the case.

Qu Ye lowered his guard slightly: "Senior Zhang, please speak."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Zhang Yanliang fell silent for a moment, his smile vanished, and he became serious.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyue, we have traveled together for three months, crossing Tianmen Mountain and overcoming countless hardships to finally arrive at Yunyang Market."

"I also observed you along the way and know that you are no fool. Your achievements will definitely not be limited to the fifth level of Qi Refining."

"Therefore, if you wish to obtain this blank invitation, you only need to grant me one request: if you can break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining within eight years, please accompany me on a task."

"Of course, I will explain the dangers of this matter to you in detail at that time. If you decide not to go, I will have no objection."

Qu Ye narrowed his eyes.

What is this, an eight-year agreement?

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

"Senior Zhang, you flatter me. But before I agree, I have two questions I would like to ask you to answer."

"Firstly, why eight years? Secondly, with such a long timeframe, given your connections, you should be able to find even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Why bother finding a junior like me who's only in the mid-stage of Qi Refining?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yanliang pondered for a moment and decided to tell the truth.

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, fellow Daoist. Ever since I crossed Tianmen Mountain and heard that the brocade-robed cultivator mention the slaying of the Foundation Establishment demon beast, I've made sure to conduct thorough investigations and preparations for everything I do."

"Eight years is the time I spent on exploration and preparation."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "As for why I sought you out, fellow Daoist, it's primarily because you currently have a request of me, which is why I made this decision on short notice."

"Secondly, when I was escaping the snow vine's attack, I noticed that you were quite fast, which perfectly complemented what I was doing."

"However, if you do not break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining within eight years, this matter will be called off, and the invitation will be given to you for free by me."

"how?"

Zhang Yanliang stared intently at Qu Ye.

Qu Ye fell into deep thought.

A late-stage Qi Refining cultivator needs a full eight years to investigate, plus the speed requirements for the accompanying cultivators.

That means that what Zhang Yanliang is about to do is definitely not a low level of danger.

Although the reasons given for the two choices didn't seem fake, Qu Ye guessed that Zhang Yanliang had another reason he hadn't fully explained.

If there is a major opportunity in that place, is it easier to control a fellow practitioner who is in the late stage of Qi Refining or one who is in the middle stage of Qi Refining?

The latter is naturally the better choice.

This companion cannot be too weak or too strong; the sixth level of Qi Refining is just right.

Thinking this through, Qu Ye nodded: "Thank you for your explanation, senior. In that case, I agree to this condition."

His reason for agreeing was quite simple.

When he finally revealed his "sixth level of Qi Refining" cultivation, it meant that he had broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining and become a late-stage cultivator.

Moreover, according to Zhang Yanliang, if he felt it was too dangerous, he could simply refuse.

Moreover, Qu Ye guessed that something that would make a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator go to such lengths must be related to Foundation Establishment!

"Fellow Daoist, you're quite forthright!"

Seeing that Qu Ye agreed, Zhang Yanliang smiled again, patted his storage bag, and handed over an exquisite blank invitation.

"Then it's settled. If you succeed in breaking through in eight years, wait for me here. I will explain the pros and cons to you then."

Qu Ye put the invitation into his storage bag and stood up: "Of course. Senior Zhang, I'll take my leave now."

"Please, please."

Qu Ye cupped his hands in greeting and walked out of the shop.

We'll discuss Zhang Yanliang's matter another day.

The most important thing right now is to attend the trade fair and see if there are any clues related to Foundation Establishment spiritual items.

Half a month later, at Wanlinglou.

On this day, the street was even more bustling than usual.

The cultivators coming and going were neatly dressed and had a calm demeanor; many of them were at the late stage of Qi Refining.

Occasionally, a few spirit beast carriages would slowly drive by, their four corners adorned with silent notes and dust-repelling beads, making them appear quite impressive.

Qu Ye changed into a loose black robe to cover his entire body, and a spirit wood mask appeared on his face.

The face beneath the mask was slightly obscured, making him appear a few years older than usual, while his aura remained around the sixth level of Qi Refining.

-

He did not suppress his cultivation this time in order to separate himself from "Zhang Mingyue" so that Zhang Yanliang would not learn about his situation through the trade fair.

Qu Ye stood outside Wanling Tower and carefully examined it.

The entire pavilion is seven stories high and is built entirely of dark gold spirit wood and green jade. The front door is paved with whole pieces of white stone, as smooth as a mirror.

On either side stood a servant dressed in a light blue robe, both of whom were at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Compared to the shops in the southern district, Wanlinglou was clearly on a much higher level in terms of grandeur.

Qu Ye didn't look at it for long and stepped onto the stone steps.

As soon as they arrived at the door, a waiter cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please wait. There is a gathering inside today; you will need an invitation to enter."

Qu Ye slightly moved his sleeves, took out the invitation, and handed it over.

The waiter took the invitation, examined it carefully, and then infused it with a wisp of spiritual energy.

A faint glow suddenly appeared on the surface of the invitation, and the words "Wan Ling" (meaning "All Spirits") were faintly visible.

The waiter's expression immediately became more serious, and he returned the invitation with both hands.

"Guest, please follow me."

After saying this, the waiter stepped aside and led Qu Ye into the building.

Qu Ye followed the waiter through a side door on the first floor and up a quiet wooden staircase to the fourth floor of Wanling Tower.

The view on the fourth floor is completely different from that below.

The entire floor was arranged as a spacious hall, with pale gold curtains hanging all around and thick animal carpets on the floor that made no sound when stepped on.

Inside the hall, there were low tables spaced several feet apart, with a futon and a cup of spiritual tea next to each table, leaving enough space so that they wouldn't be too close to each other.

In the center of the hall was a slightly raised round platform. Behind the platform stood an old man with a white beard, a smile on his face, and a restrained aura. He was exchanging pleasantries with several cultivators who had arrived earlier.

Qu Ye glanced around and saw that there were already more than twenty people in the hall.

Most of these people concealed part of their appearance and aura. Some wore straw hats, some wore gray robes, and some, like Qu Ye, simply covered their faces with masks, unwilling to reveal their identities.

Even so, judging from the spiritual pressure alone, most of the people inside were at the late stage of Qi Refining, and a few even faintly exceeded the late stage of Qi Refining, giving people a sense of unfathomable depth.

"A peak Qi Refining cultivator?"

Qu Ye's heart tightened slightly, and he became even more cautious, finding a seat towards the back.

The waiter immediately served a cup of spiritual tea and said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. The trade fair will begin soon."

Qu Ye nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."