Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

A treasure-hunting team of more than twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators encountered a third-stage early-stage Ink Poison Python deep in the Prison Mountain, fifty miles from the former residence of the Xuanhuo Venerable.

Although they successfully escaped separately, three Foundation Establishment cultivators perished as a result.

Then, outside the former residence of Master Xuanhuo, they were blocked by the [Separation Fire Spirit Transformation Array] left behind by Master Xuanhuo.

Fortunately, this formation was not a killing formation but a defensive formation, and it was eventually broken by the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Zhou family working together.

However, this gave the Zhou family the right to choose one more item.

But this is only the first hurdle.

Then the group encountered the Fire Devouring Toad, a third-tier early-stage demonic beast kept by Master Xuanhuo in his cave.

With victory in sight, the group had no choice but to grit their teeth and surround and kill the beast.

The Song family used a talisman crafted by a Core Formation cultivator who extracted one-third of the power of his natal magic weapon, and combined this with their numerical advantage to successfully destroy the Fire Devouring Toad.

However, two cultivators in the early stages of Foundation Establishment were also sacrificed.

In the end, although the group successfully obtained the treasure left by Master Xuanhuo, the losses were considerable.

As for who obtained those treasures, no information was provided, and Li Shen had no idea.

There seems to be no shortage of magical treasures, or perhaps there was a situation where information was not communicated.

Li Shen didn't care.

As for what will happen next, whether these surviving Foundation Establishment cultivators will engage in open and covert struggles in the market is still a long way off for Li Shen.

His current focus is on searching for Breakthrough Pills or refining materials to try and break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Since undergoing the cleansing of the Meridian Cleansing Fruit, Li Shen's body has been gathering spiritual energy much faster than before, and he soon felt a bottleneck.

But now a big problem is facing him.

The spiritual materials needed to refine a high-grade Qi Gathering Pill have been completely exhausted.

Therefore, he had to suspend his cultivation and focus his attention on searching for resources.

Even if the intelligence system didn't generate the relevant information, Li Shen didn't intend to sit and wait.

He first offered to teach Zhang Hong and Zhao He the second level of the Thousand Refinements Hand technique as a condition for them to keep an eye out for some information on materials.

Later, when he went to the Treasure Pavilion to strengthen his inner armor with the golden leopard hide of the late-stage peak of the first tier, he naturally mentioned this to the shopkeeper, Du Shanyan.

Du Shanyan readily agreed to the offer from a major client like Li Shen.

Li Shen himself went to the black market several times, but came up empty-handed.

However, this predicament did not last long.

That morning, Li Shen went to Duobao Pavilion as promised to retrieve the reinforced inner armor.

As soon as I stepped into the Duobao Pavilion, Du Shanyan greeted me with a beaming smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you're always one step ahead of us! I was just thinking of sending someone to inform you."

As he spoke, he led Li Shen to the second floor, lowering his voice at the same time:

"The animal hide provided by Fellow Daoist Li is truly a fine item. The weapon refiners in my shop are vying to work on this order for Fellow Daoist Li. This animal hide has been processed exceptionally well, elevating the quality of this inner armor to the superior level. Moreover, its defensive capabilities are three points higher than ordinary superior-grade magic weapons."

Li Shen took the inner armor handed to him by Du Shanyan. It wasn't as heavy as he had imagined, and the texture was more supple and delicate than before. Upon closer inspection, a very faint layer of golden patterns flowed on the originally gray armor, indicating the presence of spiritual energy. What the other party said was clearly true.

He was satisfied, put it away, and nodded, saying:

"Thank you for your trouble, Manager Du."

"Not at all, it's my duty."

Du Shanyan rubbed his hands together, his smile widening, but then he changed the subject:

"Speaking of which, those spiritual materials that Fellow Daoist Li asked me to keep an eye out for a few days ago... are indeed in short supply on the market, especially the older ones. In recent months, even our Duobao Pavilion's channels haven't been able to get many."

Li Shen's heart sank, but his face remained expressionless:

"Even the multi-treasure pavilion is like this, it seems it is indeed hard to find."

As soon as he finished speaking, a glint flashed in Du Shanyan's eyes, and he moved closer on his own:

"However, fellow Daoist, there's no need to be too disappointed. There are always ways; it just depends on whether you're willing to take the plunge."

Li Shen looked up at him:

"What advice does Manager Du have?"

"I dare not presume to offer my guidance."

Du Shanyan smiled:

"I'm just providing you with some information. Have you heard of Linlang City, which is about three hundred miles south of Yunhe Mountain?"

Li Shen had been staying at Yunhe Mountain and had never heard of Linlang City, but he didn't act like he knew nothing. Instead, he nodded and carefully chose his tone, saying:

"I've heard a little about it, Manager Du, please tell me more."

"On the fifteenth of this month in Linlang City, several of the larger chambers of commerce will take turns leading an exchange meeting."

Du Shanyan paused for a moment, then continued:

"This exchange fair is only open to Foundation Establishment cultivators and prominent late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, so the entry requirements are quite high. Most of the items traded there are rare items that are inconvenient or undesirable to circulate openly, including various spiritual materials, pills, magic tools, and even some ancient artifacts and secret techniques of dubious origin. The chances of finding the spiritual materials that Fellow Daoist Li needs in such a setting are much greater than in ordinary shops or black markets."

Li Shen's heart stirred.

I've participated in an auction once before, but this is the first time I've ever heard of an exchange event.

It looks like a place where all sorts of people mingle; we need to be extra careful.

Is it convenient for outsiders to participate in this exchange?

Li Shen hesitated for a moment, then asked directly.

"An introduction is naturally necessary."

Du Shanyan took out a jade pendant, about half the size of a palm, from his sleeve. It was warm, smooth, and translucent.

The top is intricately carved with cloud patterns and a miniature pavilion.

"I have some connections with the manager of Jubao Pavilion in Linlang City, and I can introduce you. This jade token is the proof. Bring this to Jubao Pavilion before the fifteenth of this month, pay the entrance fee of twenty low-grade spirit stones, and you will be qualified to participate in this exchange meeting."

Li Shen took the jade tablet, probed it with his divine sense, and carefully felt it. There was a special mark inside the jade tablet.

He hesitated for a moment, with some concerns:

"Linlang City... is quite far away, and the round trip plus attending the meeting will probably take several days."

"What a rare opportunity, Fellow Daoist Li."

Du Shanyan advised:

"Normally, finding such a channel is not easy. Moreover, Linlang City itself is the largest gathering place for independent cultivators within hundreds of miles, with abundant resources of all kinds. Even if you don't get anything at the exchange meeting, you can go and visit other shops in the city and perhaps you can find something. It's better than waiting here in vain."

That makes perfect sense.

If we continue to wait idly, who knows how much more of our cultivation will be wasted.

Li Shen carefully put away the jade pendant and bowed to Du Shanyan, saying:

"Thank you for your guidance, Manager Du. I will remember this favor."

"Of course, of course!"

Du Shanyan beamed with joy:

"I wish you a safe journey, fellow Daoist. By the way, if you need any assistance in Linlang City, you can use this to find Manager Fei at Jubao Pavilion and mention my name; it may be of some help to you."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Li Shen took his leave and departed from Duobaoge.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Li Shen already had a plan in mind.

There are still seven or eight days until the fifteenth, so there is plenty of time.

However, the exact location of Linlang City is fraught with dangers along the way, so I will need to inquire about it carefully.