The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

Then, Mu Fangxu glanced around at everyone and slowly said, "The situation is delicate right now. Nobody knows for sure what that skeleton is after."

We can't wait until it's right at the market entrance before we react.

He paused, his voice deepening, "So I plan to send out scouts to monitor the thing's movements in advance."

If it really comes to the market, we can prepare in advance.

After he finished speaking, the courtyard became even quieter.

Several team leaders lowered their eyes in unison, some staring at the blue bricks under their feet, others gazing absently at the eaves, as if there were some rare things on them.

Mu Fangxu's gaze swept over each person, and each person turned their head slightly to avoid his gaze.

He knew in his heart that these people were not without courage.

They would not hesitate to fight against ordinary demonic beasts or against cultivators who had undergone tribulations.

But this time it's different; the opponent is a skeleton with bizarre methods, suspected to be in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Having these people keep an eye on it is no different than putting their heads on the line.

Mu Fangxu sighed inwardly, his tone softening slightly: "I know this is dangerous, but I haven't asked you to fight that thing head-on. Just watch from a distance, keep an eye on its movements, and don't get too close."

"Those who are willing to go can take three second-tier talismans from the storeroom to deal with emergencies."

Three second-tier talismans.

Once this price was announced, finally someone raised their head.

A second-tier talisman is as powerful as a strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and in the overseas market, a single one can sell for a considerable amount of spirit stones.

Three cards is indeed not a small amount.

They looked up, but no one uttered a sound.

Talismans are good things, but you need to be alive to use them.

Mu Fangxu looked at the scene before him, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

Just then, a voice rang out from the crowd.

"I'll go."

Everyone turned to look in the direction of the sound, and saw Li Ping walk out from the crowd, his expression calm.

All eyes in the courtyard immediately turned to him.

Someone recognized Li Ping, and was taken aback at first, then showed a strange expression.

How dare someone at the mid-stage of Qi Refining take on this task?

Is he so desperate for attention that he's gone mad?

Several team leaders looked ashamed, their lips moved, but they ultimately did not speak.

Their cultivation was higher than Li Ping's, and their seniority was longer than Li Ping's, but when it came to getting serious, it was this usually inconspicuous son-in-law who stepped forward.

Mu Fangxu glanced at Li Ping, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which quickly turned into relief.

Because of a misunderstanding, he had a neutral opinion of Li Ping at the time.

Later, when the misunderstanding was cleared up, he simply felt that this person was quite resourceful.

After the purge of the bandit cultivators, Mu Fangxu saw Li Ping's potential.

Today, his words "I'm going" made him feel that the letter he sent back to his clan was not written in vain.

"Okay." Mu Fangxu didn't say anything more, he just reached out and patted Li Ping on the shoulder.

He turned and walked into the house, but after taking two steps, he turned back and waved to Li Ping: "Come with me."

Everyone made way for Li Ping and watched him follow Mu Fangxu into the inner room.

Mu Fangxu did not sit down. He turned to look at Li Ping, and the worry between his brows deepened.

"Just now I asked about the skeleton's strength, and you heard what they said, which was also present."

Upon hearing this, Li Ping nodded.

"Late Foundation Establishment, that's just an estimate." Mu Fangxu's voice lowered a few decibels. "Ji Zhou said that the highest estimate would be the Perfect Foundation Establishment, and that's not an exaggeration."

"I asked several disciples who had witnessed it firsthand about its methods afterward, and the more I asked, the more sinister it seemed."

"That's why I told you to keep your distance. I'm not just being polite. Don't be reckless. If things go wrong, run if you need to."

Li Ping's heart stirred slightly.

These words were absolutely true; Mu Fangxu genuinely didn't want anything to happen to him.

"I understand," Li Ping nodded.

Mu Fangxu took out three talismans from his pocket and placed them on the table one by one.

"This is the Vajra Talisman. Once activated, it provides a protective golden light that lasts for the duration of an incense stick, making it difficult to break through for those of the same level," he said, pointing to the first talisman.

"This is a speed talisman. Stick it on your leg, and you can travel ten miles in an instant."

"This is a Thunderfire Talisman, used for offensive purposes, and it's quite powerful. In a truly desperate situation, it can be used as a form of defense to fight for a sliver of hope."

Li Ping carefully put away the three talismans and kept them close to his body.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Fang Xu."

Li Ping cupped his hands in greeting, picked up the talisman, and turned to leave the inner room.

The people in the courtyard hadn't left yet, and when they saw him come out, they all cast complicated glances at him.

Li Ping ignored it and walked straight out of the courtyard gate.

……

……

Back at his residence, Li Ping closed the door and then took out the three talismans from his pocket, going through them again.

The Vajra Talisman, the Swift Travel Talisman, and the Thunderfire Talisman are all second-tier low-grade items.

The three talismans were brimming with spiritual energy; they were all good items.

He composed himself and began packing his belongings.

Li Ping's decision to step forward and take on the surveillance was not an impulsive act.

The team leaders in the compound dared not go, for fear of death.

But Li Ping had carefully considered the matter and concluded that the risk to him was minimal.

Firstly, his own strength is far beyond that of ordinary Qi Refining cultivators.

With all three spells at a high level of mastery, and the dual cultivation of magic and body, plus the Thousand-Pound Pearl by his side, there are very few people in the Qi Refining stage who can consistently overpower him.

Secondly, there is the Formless Array Flag.

During this period of time, he devoted himself to studying formations and has mastered two formations: one for trapping and one for killing.

Even if they were to actually run into that skeleton, they should be able to escape unharmed thanks to the formation.

Thirdly, there is the Iron-Covered Sea.

With its ability to control the swimming fish to scout ahead, Li Ping only needed to stay far away and listen to Tie Fuhai's reports; there was no need for him to personally approach the white skeleton.

To put it bluntly, other people are risking their lives to do this job.

For him, this job was no different from going out for a stroll.

I also got three second-tier talismans for free.

This is a deal we might as well make.

After tidying up, Li Ping checked everything again to make sure nothing was missed before pushing the door open and leaving.

When he reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly stopped and turned back into the house next door.

An oil lamp was lit inside the room, casting a dim, yellowish light.

Mu Ming and Mu Junyi lay on the couch, their bodies wrapped in bandages, their faces still somewhat pale.

But compared to when he was carried back, he was barely breathing, which was a huge improvement.

Li Ping didn't linger any longer; he only glanced at it before turning and leaving.

……

……

Night had fallen, and the market was deserted; most of the shops that used to stay open all night were closed.

The few pedestrians who did pass by hurried along, their faces filled with anxiety.

After the news of the white skeleton spread, the entire Xikou market seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and everyone held their breath.

Li Ping continued without stopping until he reached the ferry crossing.

The dock was sparsely lit, and boats of all sizes were kept outside the cordon.

The Mu family disciples on duty bowed to him upon seeing him.

Li Ping released the spirit boat, leaped onto it, and sat down cross-legged.

The spirit boat glided out silently, leaving a thin white trail on the sea.

Li Ping did not head straight for the underwater cave, but instead prepared to find Tie Fuhai first.

After traveling for about fifteen minutes, a black dot suddenly appeared on the sea under the moonlight.

Li Ping looked closely and saw that it was a small boat.

The boat was small, swaying with the waves, and several figures could be vaguely seen sitting inside.

Li Ping had no intention of paying attention and was about to walk around when someone on the boat suddenly spoke up.

"Fellow Daoist, have you not yet entered the market area?"

Li Ping turned his head and saw the small boat slowly approaching.

There were two men and one woman on the boat. Their clothes were torn and covered in blood. They looked disheveled, as if they had just escaped from an underwater cave.

Li Ping calmly withdrew his gaze, nodded, and remained silent.

The male cultivator who had spoken earlier appeared to be in his early thirties, with a square face and a wide mouth. Seeing Li Ping nod, he pressed on, "May I ask if you have anywhere to go, fellow Daoist?"

Li Ping pondered for a moment and said, "I was just about to find a place to hide."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in the male cultivator's eyes, and he hurriedly said, "The sea is not peaceful these days, and you are all alone. Why don't you come with us? We have a place to hide."

Li Ping raised an eyebrow, a look of suspicion on his face. He sized up the three people on the boat and said slowly, "Since you have a hiding place, why aren't you going there? Why are you still here telling me this?"

"Fellow Daoist, you're overthinking it." The male cultivator gave a wry smile and shrugged. "We recruited you because we naturally wanted more people to contribute more strength."

You've probably heard about how powerful those skeletal figures are. If you accidentally run into one, it's always better to have a few people looking out for each other than fighting alone.

He spoke sincerely, and there was no flaw in his tone.

Li Ping did not respond, but silently observed the three of them.

"Fellow Daoist is overthinking things," the square-faced male cultivator said again, sighing. "The three of us are all injured like this, what else can we do? If we were in our prime, it would be fine, but in our current state, we're only asking for your help to join us."

Li Ping remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Where is your hiding place located?"

The male cultivator's face lit up with joy, and he pointed to the east: "There is a group of reefs over there, and the water is treacherous. Ordinary people would not go near it."

There were some hollows under the rocks, perfect for hiding.

Li Ping glanced in the direction he was pointing, then immediately set up the spirit boat and headed in that direction.

As soon as the spirit boat started moving, the male cultivator hurriedly called out, "Fellow Daoist, please wait."

Li Ping stopped and turned around to look at him with a puzzled expression.

The male cultivator forced a smile and said, "Why do you need to expend your own magical power, fellow Daoist? Why not take our boat and save some energy?"

Li Ping shook his head and smiled, "It's alright. I'll take the pills while navigating the spirit boat; it won't cause any problems."

Seeing that he said this, the male cultivator could no longer persuade him, so he could only smile awkwardly and shrink back to the bow of the boat.

Li Ping turned around, his smile fading slightly.

Under the moonlight, the sea breeze blew fiercely, causing his robes to flutter.

The square-faced male cultivator turned his head and exchanged a glance with the other two.