Gou Zai created a blessed land in the immortal abode

"His body was drained of all his vital essence, his abdomen was ripped open, and all his internal organs were removed. His death was extremely gruesome."

Li Chengming's heart sank, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

"Such methods are probably not those of a cultivator who has undergone a calamity... but rather those of a heretical cultivator."

"The rumors circulating are indeed about evil cultivators, but all three families claim to the outside world that they are just troublemakers caused by calamity cultivators." Zhao Yuan shrugged.

After all, most thieving cultivators only rob people of their wealth, while evil cultivators not only rob people of their wealth but also take their lives.

Some heretical practitioners even imprison souls and incorporate them into flag-shaped magical artifacts.

At that time, they will truly be unable to live or die, and will not even have the chance to be reincarnated.

"If it's an evil cultivator, then Yuehu Market won't be so safe this time of year." Li Chengming frowned.

"However, I have the Immortal Abode as my trump card. If all else fails, I can just hide there."

He wasn't worried about his safety, since no one else could possibly enter the Immortal Abode except him.

He was just worried that if evil cultivators really invaded the market, wouldn't other rogue cultivators avoid Moon Lake Market altogether?

This had a considerable impact on independent cultivators like Li Chengming.

"Brother Zhao, the three families haven't reacted much to the matter of the heretical cultivators?" Li Chengming asked.

"The Liu and Zhao families don't seem to be making any moves right now," Zhao Yuan replied after a moment's thought.

"The Kong family has made some moves. It is said that they have sent three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to the market to oversee things. They will arrive soon."

"The Kong family is the strongest of the three, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators. So, Brother Li, there's no need to worry. It's perfectly safe here."

Zhao Yuan thought Li Chengming was afraid of those evil cultivators, so he offered words of comfort.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengming nodded slightly, but he had other doubts in his heart.

Why haven't the Liu and Zhao families taken any action?

Logically speaking, shouldn't the Kong, Liu, and Zhao families be the ones who suffer the most losses from the attack on Yuehu Fangshi by evil cultivators?

After all, the amount of revenue that Hufang City can bring to the three companies every month and every year is unknown.

If all the rogue cultivators leave, how will they earn spirit stones?

"Oh well, whatever. If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. If things really don't work out, we can always go to the Kong family."

For Li Chengming, as long as the Immortal Abode still exists, all the changes in the outside world are nothing but fleeting clouds.

After chatting for a while, Li Chengming got up to say goodbye.

.........

Inside the Immortal Mansion.

Li Chengming took out the "A Brief Explanation of the Cultivation of Yungeng Fruit" that he had obtained from Kong Shaowen.

It details the cultivation methods for the root fruit.

"The Yungen Fruit prefers a warm and moist environment and dislikes dryness and heat. Its roots grow deep and need to be covered with three feet of sacred soil..."

Li Chengming nodded slightly and continued turning the pages.

From the selection, seedling cultivation, and transplanting of the 'Yungen Fruit' variety, to watering, fertilizing, and pest control, and then to the guidance of spiritual energy, pollination during the flowering period, and maintenance during the fruiting period, every detail is meticulously handled.

"That's quite detailed."

Li Chengming was very satisfied. With this book, "A Brief Explanation of the Cultivation of Yungen Fruit," planting Yungen Fruit should not be a big problem.

After memorizing everything, Li Chengming got up and went to the spirit field.

Plant the root fruit one by one.

"Leave a three-foot gap between each plant so that their roots do not interfere with each other."

After working for about half a day, Li Chengming finally finished planting all the Yun Gen Guo (a type of fruit).

"Next, we will cast the Spirit Rain spell."

Li Chengming chanted incantations and made hand seals, and soon a light drizzle of spiritual rain began to fall.

"After that, it needs careful care every day, especially before and after sprouting. If you are not careful, it will not be able to sustain itself and the resulting root fruit will not be of good quality, which will greatly reduce its value."

For the rest of the time, Li Chengming practically lived in the immortal abode.

While tending to the Yun Gen Guo, they also waited for news from Zhao Yuan outside.

…………

Guangling Mountain.

The Confucius Family Compound.

Sitting at the head of the table, Kong Chengheng listened to the recent report on Yuehu Market with a serious expression and a solemn gaze.

"How could the Zhao family have been completely unaware that evil cultivators had entered the market?"

"Reporting to the young clan leader, the corpses found in the market earlier, though gruesome, did not show any obvious traces of spiritual energy. The cultivators in charge of the patrol assumed they were the work of ordinary cultivators and therefore did not report them."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on the forehead of the person kneeling at the lower end.

"It wasn't until yesterday, when another corpse was discovered, with flesh and blood withered like rotten wood, that it was confirmed to be the work of an evil cultivator."

"It seems that those evil cultivators have been hiding in the market for quite some time."

Kong Chengheng seemed to be deep in thought, and asked:

"What is the current reaction of the Liu and Zhao families? Have they sent anyone to the market to investigate?"

"The Liu and Zhao families have remained silent, as if... as if they were unaware that this was the work of evil cultivators."

Kong Chengheng fiddled with the black jade thumb ring on his thumb, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.

"The Liu and Zhao families haven't made a move? Strange, very strange..."

"Young Master, should we send cultivators to guard the market?" the person below asked softly.

Kong Chengheng snapped out of his daze, his expression returning to calm, and nodded, saying:

"Send three members of our clan who are at the late stage of Qi Refining to the market to find all the evil cultivators still hiding there."

"yes!"

After everyone had left, Kong Chengheng stood up from his seat, picked up the sword beside him, and pondered:

"The Zhao family is probably behind this heretical cultivator."

Yuehu Market was jointly established by three entities, therefore the governing body of Yuehu Market changes every five years.

The Zhao family is now in charge of governing Yuehufang Market.

Moon Lake Market is equipped with a large array, so it's not difficult to find any evil cultivators.

However, the Zhao family remained silent for a long time, which made Kong Chengheng suspicious that the Zhao family might be behind it.

"It's said that the Zhao family patriarch has been in seclusion for twenty years. Could something have happened to him?"

Kong Chengheng drew his sword, the smooth blade reflecting his bright eyes.

"If something really happens to the Zhao family patriarch, this market will truly be in chaos."

Both the Liu and Zhao families established their clans based on talismans, and their interests were inherently intertwined.

Previously, both families only had one Foundation Establishment cultivator, so they dared not act rashly. In addition, the Kong family mediated between them, which allowed them to maintain a semblance of dignity.

However, if something really happens to the Zhao family patriarch, the Liu family will certainly not let this opportunity pass.

They will surely attack the Zhao family's ancestral lands.

"The stability of Yuehu Market cannot be compromised." Kong Chengheng said solemnly.

The Kong family has two Foundation Establishment cultivators, accounting for 50% of the market share.

Yuehu Market was another source of wealth for the Kong family, and he certainly did not want it to be affected by the conflict between the Liu and Zhao families.

"Should we tell Father about this?"

The moment this thought arose, Kong Chengheng suppressed it:

"No, Father is at a crucial moment in breaking through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. We must not act rashly."

"Let's wait for the investigation results before making any further statements."

Kong Chengheng slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze slightly darkening.

"The Zhao family... what exactly are you plotting?"