Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

260: Feng Xixi’s invitationThe Southeast Market Town was as bustling as ever.

Cultivators of all stripes rubbed shoulders, the spiritual light of Magical Artifacts mixed with the shouts of vendors. The air was filled with the fragrance of Medicinal Pills, the earthy smell of spiritual materials, and a subtle, hard-to-detect scent of sweat and anxiety belonging to the low-level Loose Cultivators.

Sunlight filtered through the gigantic, translucent protective light barrier high above the market, casting mottled shadows that illuminated the hurried or avaricious faces of the pedestrians.

However, beneath this clamor, an undercurrent was surging.

All eyes, whether openly or covertly, were fixed on the towering, circular structure in the very center of the market—the Alchemist Association Pavilion.

After more than ten days of intense competition and struggle, the Southeast Market Town’s triennial Pill Refining Grand Competition officially entered the final round.

This was not only a stage for Alchemists to gain fame and standing, but also an arena where major powers displayed their strength and divided up interests.

Every person who managed to reach the finals was an Alchemy Genius found once in ten thousand.

Yet, at this moment, Lin Family Village was enveloped in an unusual tranquility.

The Spirit Gathering Plants in the Spiritual Fields swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a faint, refreshing spiritual light.

On the expanded Martial Arts Practice Ground in the village, only a few young Disciples were diligently practicing their punches, their shouts echoing across the empty field, adding a sense of solemnity.

Lin Jingyu sat alone beneath the mottled shadow of the old locust tree in his small courtyard; a cup of thoroughly cooled tea rested on the stone table.

His fingertip gently caressed a warm Jade Slip. His Divine Sense sank into it, and the essence of the “Seventy-Two Variations of Pill Condensation Heat Control” chapter from the Taihao Elixir Canon slowly flowed through his mind.

His expression was calm and undisturbed, as if all the outside disturbances had nothing to do with him.

But if someone could peer into his Sea of Consciousness, they would find that the three Mental Lakes were slightly rippling, not due to Cultivation.

Rather, they were rapidly simulating various Pill Formula combinations and the subtle changes that might occur during the refining process.

He appeared leisurely, but in reality, his mind was already immersed in the vast ocean of the Pill Dao.

Suddenly, a faint but hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, breaking the tranquility of the small yard. Lin Jingyu slowly opened his eyes, and a flash of brilliance left over from his deduction quietly faded from his gaze.

The courtyard door was gently pushed open, and three graceful figures quickly walked in.

The one leading them wore a sky-blue flowing cloud satin long dress. As her skirt brushed the threshold, it stirred up a faint, elusive cold fragrance. It was precisely Feng Xixi, the Shopkeeper of Miaoling Pavilion.

Today, she wore little makeup, and her face was still exquisite, but a layer of deep solemnity that couldn’t be dispersed hung between her brows.

Her Phoenix eyes, which usually held three parts smile and seven parts shrewdness, were now filled with worry.

“Shopkeeper Feng, Sister Yue, Momo, why have you come?”

Lin Jingyu stood up to greet them, his tone calm, though he had already guessed their purpose.

For the Shopkeeper of Miaoling Pavilion, who was accustomed to weathering storms, to be in such a hurry, a major event concerning her vital interests must have occurred.

The biggest matter right now was naturally the Pill Refining Grand Competition.

Previously, he had paid close attention to it, hoping to use it to solidify his ties with Miaoling Pavilion.

This would give him an extra layer of security for his future.

However, after the events in the spirit eye Secret Realm.

He no longer placed importance on this; the gains he had made were enough for him to consolidate for a long time.

“Jingyu, the situation is urgent, so I won’t beat around the bush.”

Feng Xixi walked up to Lin Jingyu and spoke directly, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible hoarseness.

“The finals of the Southeast Market Town Pill Refining Grand Competition are imminent, but Elder Liu, who was representing my Miaoling Pavilion, suffered a setback yesterday while attempting to refine a crucial Medicinal Pill.”

“He was unfortunately hit by Pill Fire Backlash, injuring his Divine Soul. He needs at least a month of rest and absolutely cannot participate in the finals.”

Lin Jingyu’s gaze narrowed slightly, his mind racing with thoughts.

This Elder Liu was an Alchemist Great Master whom Miaoling Pavilion had specifically recruited from outside in the past few days to handle the Grand Competition—a top-tier First-rank Alchemist, capable even of refining Second-rank Medicinal Pills.

However, there was a discrepancy with the original intelligence. Previously, Miaoling Pavilion had sent a woman, but this Elder Liu was a male Cultivator.

He wondered if this change was due to Lin Jingyu, this butterfly, flapping his wings.

He spoke, “Pill Fire Backlash? Given Elder Liu’s attainment, which is close to a Second-rank Alchemist, refining ordinary Medicinal Pills shouldn’t lead to this. Could it be...”

Feng Xixi gave a wry smile, her expression carrying a mixture of fatigue and helplessness:

“That’s right, he was refining the Second-rank ’Spiritual Marrow Pill’ prepared for the finals. He was too eager to win and rushed the heat control... Alas, dwelling on that now is pointless.”

“The urgent matter now is that we must find an Alchemist who can replace him and is capable of securing a ranking for my Miaoling Pavilion in the finals.”

Her eyes burned as she looked at Lin Jingyu, filled with unprecedented earnestness and expectation:

“Jingyu, after much thought, among everyone capable in the market town whom I can trust, you are the only one.

I have personally witnessed your Alchemy skills. Your Foundation is solid, your technique is exquisite, and your understanding of medicinal properties is certainly no less than that of an ordinary Second-rank Alchemist.”

“This Grand Competition concerns Miaoling Pavilion’s status in the Southeast Market Town for the next three years, and even the right to host the next Large-Scale Auction. It is critically important to me. Could you... help me this time?”

The courtyard instantly fell silent, only the rustling sound of the wind passing through the locust leaves could be heard. Lin Jingyu did not answer immediately. He sat down again, his fingertip unconsciously tapping lightly on the stone table.

He knew this matter was no small affair.

The Pill Refining Grand Competition was a grand event for the Southeast Market Town, gathering the most elite Alchemists from hundreds of miles around, including old monsters who had specialized in the Pill Dao for decades, and Genius Disciples cultivated by major Sects.

Although he possessed the Taihao Elixir Canon Legacy and the augmentation of the Spirit Refining Art, he was young, and his practical experience might not give him an advantage compared to those veteran Alchemists.

Moreover, once he participated, he would inevitably be exposed to the scrutiny of all major powers. He needed to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Currently, he could be said to be highly prominent, which caused a feeling of unease in his heart.

After all, a powerful Demonic Cultivator was hidden within Black Mountain.

Seeing his contemplation, Feng Xixi’s heart tightened, and she quickly raised the stakes:

“Jingyu, I know this is a difficult request, and you dislike these conflicts. But please rest assured, I, Feng Xixi, would never let a friend exert effort in vain.”

“As long as you agree to compete, regardless of the final ranking, you may choose any three spiritual materials or Medicinal Pills from Miaoling Pavilion’s inventory! Furthermore...”

She paused, lowering her voice slightly, yet making it clearer and more forceful:

“I guarantee you, using my dual identity as the Direct Daughter of the Feng Family and the Shopkeeper of Miaoling Pavilion, that if you can help Miaoling Pavilion enter the top three.”

“I will mobilize all my personal connections and resources to secure you an opportunity to enter the Qinglan Sect and become an Inner Disciple!”

“Inner Disciple of Qinglan Sect?”

Lin Jingyu’s finger, tapping the table, abruptly stopped, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

The Qinglan Sect was the true overlord within a thousand miles, possessing a complete Legacy system and abundant Cultivation resources.

It was the best springboard for him to rapidly increase his strength and access the higher levels of the Immortal Cultivation World. This condition truly hit the deepest need of his heart.

If he wanted to forge a perfect Dao Foundation, what he needed most was the enhancement of his Cultivation Background.

Besides, Xu Li and “Fat Sheep” Fei Yangyang were also both in the Qinglan Sect!