Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

Outer city district, small courtyard, midnight.

Li Shen slowly opened his eyes, put down the jade slip containing the inheritance of the Array Dao Sect, and focused his attention on the information in front of him:

The Tang family suspects that the killer of the four Tang family members was a demonic cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage, who had previously appeared at the Zhao family's Foundation Establishment celebration. Furthermore, the Tang family sent people to the Song family to discuss using the Golden Core cultivator's former residence, which the Song family controlled, to hold a four-family meeting and set a trap to lure out the demonic cultivator.

After reading it word by word, Li Shen felt much more at ease.

As expected, the Tang family's suspects were indeed demonic cultivators.

But how did they deduce that it had appeared at the banquet?

Li Shen recalled what had happened with the questions in mind, and after thinking for a moment, his expression changed.

The real killer is yourself.

The reason the Tang family could connect this to the Foundation Establishment Ceremony is probably based on Song Kui's deduction that he used a spiritual artifact to find the aura of the demonic path.

At the time, Li Shen did not pay much attention to this point and even had the idea that the search for the Qi Plate had been misjudged over the years.

Upon closer reflection, it wasn't an accident; there were probably indeed demonic cultivators present at the scene.

Moreover, in front of a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, he used Tang Wu to pick a fight with Zhao Qian and instigate conflict between the four major families of the market.

Li Shen then recalled the intelligence he had received before: the disciples of the Demonic Path Joyful Union Sect were searching for who had taken the ancient cultivator's treasure.

When the two were combined, a person immediately popped into Li Shen's mind: Yan'er, the girl from the Sleeping Immortal Pavilion.

The other person's mere eye contact almost caused Li Shen to lose his composure.

Such powerful secret techniques, if they were methods of the Demonic Path Joyful Union Sect, would make perfect sense if combined with Foundation Establishment cultivation.

The next part was for the dancers to serve the guests. With her skills and status, it would be easy for her to subtly influence Tang Wu in front of everyone.

Finally, there's the Sleeping Immortal Pavilion, a brothel where all sorts of people mingle. You can come into contact with Foundation Establishment families, ordinary rogue cultivators, and even disciples of the three major sects. It's the perfect place to lie low, hide, and gather intelligence.

Li Shen took a deep breath and connected these scattered clues in his mind.

"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. This disrupts the market, instigates a conflict between the four factions, and even leads to a merger. This depletes their manpower. Once the order is completely chaotic, the demonic path will suddenly attack. Even if they cannot take down Yunhe Mountain, they can severely damage the three sects of Yunhe Mountain."

Li Shen muttered to himself, pondering whether or not to tell the Zhao family that Yan'er, the top courtesan of the Sleeping Immortal Pavilion, was actually a lurking demonic cultivator.

Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the four-family meeting spearheaded by the Song and Tang families.

After much deliberation, he decided to abandon the idea.

Even though Li Shen has a good relationship with the Zhao family now, he really can't find a suitable reason to bring up this matter.

On the contrary, it might expose yourself.

In fact, he indirectly thwarted the demonic path's conspiracy to some extent, allowing the four major families of the market to notice the demonic invasion in advance.

As for the remains of the Golden Core cultivator, Li Shen was interested, but with his current strength, it was basically none of his business.

Now all he can do is work hard to improve himself so that he has enough power to protect himself when war comes.

So he stopped thinking about it, lay down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, early in the morning.

Li Shen sat at the table, swallowed a Mind-Concentrating Pill, and prepared to begin drawing talismans.

Previously, in order to obtain the Cleansing Pulse Fruit, a lot of talismans were used up, especially the high-grade Concealing Breath Talismans, which need to be replenished quickly.

However, he only painted until noon. After a simple meal, Li Shen prepared to head to the Zhao family, as today was the day to hand over the talismans and go to the Talisman Academy to provide guidance.

Li Shen pushed open the door and stepped out, only to bump into Su Qing, who was also preparing to leave.

Thinking of his deductions from the night before, he gave a brief greeting and quickly left.

There was more than one person lurking in the demonic path. Su Qing was also present at the time, and she worked at the Sleeping Immortal Pavilion just like Yan'er from the Hehuan Sect.

Li Shen felt a sense of vigilance subconsciously, but he didn't show it outwardly.

Upon arriving at the Zhao residence, after handing over the talismans, he paused on his way to the Talisman Academy, his face darkening, and a flash of blue light flickered in his eyes.

He saw Zhao Yuan, the head of the Zhao family, walking towards him.

The fact that the opponent's aura of being in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage made Li Shen's heart tighten.

He quickly stepped aside to make way, keeping his head down to avoid any eye contact.

Although he was a guest master of the Zhao family, he had never had any contact with Zhao Yuan.

When you don't know the other person's temperament, the best course of action is to take the initiative to avoid them.

The cultivation world is strictly hierarchical, and juniors should be aware of their place. Without the permission of their seniors, it is easy to cause unnecessary trouble by looking directly at them.

Zhao Yuan swept past him step by step.

After walking for a while, Li Shen felt a little relieved and was about to continue.

A strong, resonant voice came from behind him, stopping him.

"Wait, you're Li Shen, the new guest master talisman master Zhao Yue just recruited, right?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shen took a deep breath, his lips twitched, and he turned around, smiling, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Greetings, Patriarch Zhao. It is indeed I."

Zhao Yuan turned back and walked up to Li Shen.

His gaze lingered on Li Shen for a moment, then he said in a calm voice:

"No need for formalities. Zhao Yue told me that you have an exceptional talent for talisman making. In a short period of time, you have been able to consistently provide mid-grade talismans and even draw high-grade talismans. This is truly remarkable."

Li Shen replied humbly:

"You flatter me, Master. I was just fortunate enough to receive some guidance and have been practicing diligently."

"Just lucky?"

Zhao Yuan gave a light snort, a slight smile playing on his lips, his tone unchanged:

"In the path of talismanic cultivation, there's no room for luck. While talent is important, temperament and perseverance are equally indispensable. When Zhao Yue mentioned it to me before, he said your cultivation level was at the mid-stage of Qi Refining. Now, it seems you've already reached the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Li Shen's heart tightened instinctively, but he said in a steady voice:

"This is also thanks to Elder Zhao Yue for allowing me to use the Zhao family's training room."

As he spoke, Zhao Yuan seemed to have thought of something, and a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes:

"Not bad, not bad. Although your talent is average, you are humble and composed. Cultivating immortality is also about cultivating your mind. With such a heart that yearns for the Dao, it is not impossible for you to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Patriarch."

Li Shen bowed his head politely, but was secretly on guard.

Zhao Yuan suddenly called out to him; could it just be a compliment?

Zhao Yuan nodded.

A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. He sighed softly and said in a low voice:

"If all the sons of my Zhao family had your temperament, that would be wonderful."

Li Shen did not respond, quietly waiting for further developments.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yuan said solemnly:

"Have you ever considered becoming a revered talisman master for my Zhao family?"

A master of offering sacrifices?

Li Shen was startled. If the guest talisman masters were outside the official staff, then the enshrined talisman masters were truly on the official staff.

In Foundation Establishment families, the status of the talisman master is not much different from that of the elder.