Yi Region, Lin Training Centre,
Inner Courtyard.
Inside one of the private inner courtyard rooms, five figures sat around a wooden table.
Lin Sheng.
Lin Shou.
Lou Han.
Lin Xiaolu.
And Zhao Feng.
The atmosphere was serious.
A dim spirit lamp illuminated the room while a basic soundproofing formation isolated the surroundings from outside perception.
On the table lay several maps of the Cloud Mist Forest along with handwritten mission notes.
Zhao Feng leaned lazily against his chair while fanning himself with a folding fan artifact.
Despite his casual appearance, everyone present knew that this fellow was probably the one with the deepest hidden background among them.
At this moment, Zhao Feng tapped the table lightly.
"Alright," he said with a grin. "Since we've all decided to work together, I'll explain the basic structure of our future operations."
The others immediately focused.
Even Lin Sheng listened carefully.
After all, although he possessed terrifying combat potential, his understanding of the market's deeper systems was still lacking compared to people like Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng pointed toward one of the maps.
"Within the Bing Region of Cloud Mist Market lie several major establishments."
"The first is the Dan Dao Alliance branch."
"It controls medicinal pill distribution and recruitment of alchemists throughout the market."
"Most official alchemists in the market are affiliated with them in one way or another."
He then pointed elsewhere.
"The second is the Talisman Guild branch."
"They're responsible for the circulation of talismans, talisman masters, and inscription resources."
"Bright Shine Talismans, defensive talismans, communication talismans—most originate from them."
Finally, Zhao Feng tapped the center of the map.
"The third…"
"The Hundred Flowers Alliance."
His tone became slightly more serious.
"The Hundred Flowers Alliance is the most important commercial organization in Cloud Mist Market."
"They purchase almost anything."
"Yao beast corpses."
"Spirit herbs."
"Cultivation manuals."
"Artifacts."
"Rare materials."
"Even information."
Lin Xiaolu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A trading alliance?"
Zhao Feng nodded.
"Yes."
"But not an ordinary one."
"The Hundred Flowers Alliance branch here is merely a small branch."
"Their true headquarters is located at the center of the Eastern Region."
"Their influence spreads across multiple provinces."
"They have connections almost everywhere."
Lin Sheng's eyes flickered faintly.
A giant commercial power spanning multiple provinces…
Such an organization was terrifying.
Especially in the cultivation world.
Because information and resources often mattered more than raw strength.
Zhao Feng continued calmly.
"So apart from completing missions through the General Affairs Hall, we'll also need discreet ways to convert our gains into resources."
"Hunting yao beasts without selling materials is meaningless."
"Thankfully, the Hundred Flowers Alliance has assistants specifically responsible for anonymous transactions."
"We simply hand over the storage pouches containing our loot."
"They handle the processing."
"No identities required."
Hearing this, the others relaxed slightly.
This was important.
If they continuously sold high-quality materials personally, they would quickly attract attention.
Especially from the core courtyard alliances.
"So," Zhao Feng said while leaning back lazily, "any questions?"
Lin Xiaolu immediately spoke.
"What about cultivation pills?"
Her expression remained calm.
"We're martial artists."
"Most medicinal pills in the market are designed for immortal cultivators."
"Some ingredients might even conflict with our meridian systems."
The others also looked over.
This was indeed important.
Martial artists and immortal cultivators cultivated differently.
Immortal cultivators focused on spiritual roots and dantian refinement.
Martial artists focused on meridians, acupoints, and physical strengthening.
Many pills suitable for cultivators could damage martial artists instead.
Zhao Feng smiled mysteriously.
"I already handled that."
His grin widened slightly.
"Don't worry."
"We'll have suitable pills."
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
Handled it?
That answer only deepened his suspicions regarding Zhao Feng's background.
Before anyone could ask further, Lou Han crossed his arms and spoke coldly.
"What about weapons?"
"Most ordinary weapons can't handle Innate true qi properly."
That was true.
Once martial artists entered the Innate Realm, ordinary steel weapons became increasingly useless.
Innate true qi placed tremendous strain on weapon materials.
Zhao Feng waved his fan casually.
"Already prepared."
Lin Shou suddenly laughed.
"Are you secretly the young master of some Foundation Establishment family or something?"
The room became quiet briefly.
Zhao Feng immediately placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Of course not."
His grin, however, looked completely unconvincing.
Even Lin Xiaolu stared at him suspiciously.
As for Lin Sheng—
He absolutely did not believe him.
Not even slightly.
Someone capable of casually arranging pills, weapons, information networks, and trading channels was definitely not ordinary.
Still—
Everyone had secrets.
As long as Zhao Feng remained an ally for now, there was no need to probe deeper.
Zhao Feng then straightened slightly.
"Now for the actual mission."
"The five of us will head into the outer region of the Cloud Mist Forest tomorrow."
"We'll hunt a Rank-1 Mid Grade yao beast."
The room instantly fell silent.
Lin Shou's eyes widened slightly.
Lou Han frowned.
Even Lin Xiaolu looked surprised.
"A Rank-1 Mid Grade beast?" Lin Xiaolu asked slowly.
"That's equivalent to Qi Refinement Fourth Layer."
"And Innate Inner Strength Realm martial artists."
"We just broke through recently."
"Isn't that too dangerous?"
Lin Sheng also nodded slightly.
"It's reckless."
"We lack actual combat experience against yao beasts."
Although he possessed combat strength beyond his realm, he still understood the danger of yao beasts clearly.
Unlike martial artists, yao beasts possessed naturally stronger physiques.
Their senses were sharper.
Their instincts more brutal.
And many possessed innate abilities.
Zhao Feng, however, remained completely relaxed.
"That's why we won't directly challenge it immediately."
"On the way there, we'll hunt several Rank-1 Low Grade yao beasts first."
"Consider it practical training."
Hearing this, the others finally relaxed somewhat.
That sounded reasonable.
After all—
Martial artists were different from immortal cultivators.
Immortal cultivators valued longevity and self-preservation heavily.
Most avoided direct danger whenever possible.
But martial artists…
Thrived in battle.
Life-and-death combat allowed martial artists to sharpen momentum, temper willpower, and even trigger breakthroughs.
Especially the Lin Family.
Their martial artist training system fundamentally existed to combat yao beasts.
Human cultivators lacked the naturally powerful physiques of yao beasts.
Thus martial artists were cultivated in large numbers specifically to counter them through close combat.
Lin Sheng inwardly understood something.
This mission…
Would probably determine whether their newly formed group could truly survive independently.
The five continued discussing details for another hour before finally dispersing quietly.
…
The next morning.
Cloud Mist Market remained bustling as always.
Cultivators, merchants, mercenaries, and martial artists moved continuously through the streets.
Amidst the crowd—
Five figures quietly departed separately from different directions.
No one traveled together openly.
That would attract too much attention.
Zhao Feng left first.
Then Lin Xiaolu.
Lou Han followed shortly afterward.
Lin Shou departed next.
Lin Sheng intentionally chose to leave last.
Wearing ordinary robes, he walked calmly through the market streets toward the outer gates.
At the same time—
His mental field silently spread outward.
Twenty-five li.
Everything within range entered his perception clearly.
Conversations.
Movements.
Auras.
And almost immediately—
He discovered something.
Two martial artists were following him discreetly.
Their concealment was decent.
Unfortunately for them, against Lin Sheng's terrifying spiritual perception, they were painfully obvious.
His expression remained calm.
"Core courtyard alliances…"
Clearly, the alliance leaders had already begun monitoring them.
Probably to determine whether the five intended to cooperate secretly outside official systems.
Lin Sheng continued walking naturally.
Then—
At a crowded intersection—
He activated Eight Step Cicada silently.
His figure blurred faintly.
Without drawing attention, he slipped through the dense crowd with astonishing speed and precision.
One moment visible.
The next—
Gone.
The two followers immediately panicked.
"Where did he go?!"
"Damn it!"
They hurriedly searched the surroundings.
But Lin Sheng had already vanished completely into the bustling streets.
Several hundred meters away atop a rooftop, Lin Sheng stood silently.
Looking downward at the confused followers below, his expression remained indifferent.
Then—
Without another glance—
He turned and disappeared toward the direction of the Cloud Mist Forest.