A month passed quietly within Cloud Mist Market.
The excitement surrounding the rebuilding of Phoenix Ridge Market had gradually settled. Most cultivators had already returned to their daily routines, while those seeking new opportunities had long since migrated toward Phoenix Ridge.
Meanwhile, Lin Sheng remained within Cloud Mist Market.
Apart from cultivation, opening acupoints, studying the Yang Jade Script, and refining his martial path, he rarely left his immortal abode.
His life had become unusually peaceful.
Of course—
Peace within the cultivation world was often temporary.
On this particular day, a familiar figure arrived at his courtyard.
Seeing the visitor, Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow.
"You're still alive?"
Zhao Feng's face immediately darkened.
"What kind of greeting is that?"
Lin Sheng calmly poured himself tea.
"The kind reserved for troublesome people."
"..."
For a brief moment, Zhao Feng wondered whether visiting had been a mistake.
Snorting, he sat opposite Lin Sheng.
"I brought a gift."
"Oh?"
That immediately attracted Lin Sheng's attention.
For Zhao Feng to voluntarily offer something, it either meant he was feeling generous—
Or he wanted something.
Most likely the latter.
Without another word, Zhao Feng removed a jade box from his storage pouch and pushed it forward.
Lin Sheng opened it.
Inside were several silver-green leaves that emitted a faint spiritual fragrance.
The moment he smelled them, he felt a cool sensation enter his mind.
His thoughts became clearer.
His perception sharpened.
Even his Mental Field seemed slightly more active.
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed.
Interesting.
Zhao Feng smiled smugly.
"Not bad, right?"
"What is it?"
"Spirit Clarity Herb."
Lin Sheng remained silent.
Waiting.
As expected, Zhao Feng continued.
"It's a Rank-2 medicinal herb."
"Rare."
"Very rare."
"It only grows in certain special environments, mostly secret realms."
"Some ancient inheritances cultivate them, but they rarely circulate outside."
Lin Sheng picked up one of the leaves.
The Chip immediately began analysis.
[Unknown Herb Detected.]
[Mind Enhancement Properties Confirmed.]
[Estimated Cognitive Increase: 8%-12%.]
His eyes brightened slightly.
Anything capable of increasing comprehension and perception possessed immense value to him.
After brewing the herb into tea, both men sat quietly.
Several minutes later, Lin Sheng slowly placed the cup down.
His mind felt remarkably clear.
Not true emptiness.
Not the profound state achieved through Entering Samadhi.
Yet it resembled roughly ten percent of that condition.
For ordinary martial artists, such a state would already be a tremendous opportunity.
Opening acupoints while under this clarity would undoubtedly become easier.
Unfortunately—
The effect wasn't permanent.
Nor could it be abused endlessly.
After explaining the herb's limitations, Zhao Feng casually added,
"One cup per week."
"More than that and the effects rapidly diminish."
"I only brought enough for three cups."
Lin Sheng nodded.
That sounded reasonable.
If such a herb could be consumed without limits, its value would be terrifying.
Silence descended.
Both men continued drinking tea.
Ten minutes passed.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Lin Sheng looked at Zhao Feng's unusually serious expression.
Then he glanced at the familiar goofy smile.
"You want something."
Zhao Feng coughed.
"Why would you think that?"
Lin Sheng stared at him.
"..."
"..."
Five seconds later, Zhao Feng sighed.
"Fine."
"I do."
Lin Sheng wasn't surprised.
He had known it from the moment Zhao Feng arrived.
People didn't give away rare Rank-2 herbs for free.
Especially Zhao Feng.
Putting down his teacup, Zhao Feng's expression gradually became serious.
The playful demeanor vanished.
The change was subtle.
Yet Lin Sheng immediately noticed it.
This wasn't the Zhao Feng he usually saw.
This was someone much closer to his true self.
"How much do you know about the structure of Dragon Yuan Province?"
Lin Sheng leaned back slightly.
"Enough."
"Golden Core Lin Family."
"Purple Palace powers beneath them."
"Foundation Establishment powers beneath those."
"Then the countless smaller factions."
Zhao Feng nodded.
"Correct."
"But incomplete."
He slowly began explaining.
The Lin Family stood at the peak of Dragon Yuan Province.
A Golden Core force.
The undisputed rulers of the province.
Beneath them existed several Purple Palace powers.
Rank-3 sects.
Rank-3 families.
Cultivator alliances.
All possessing Rank-3 Spiritual Veins.
All owing tribute to the Lin Family.
Below them existed numerous Rank-2 powers.
These organizations generally possessed Foundation Establishment cultivators and controlled Rank-2 Spiritual Veins.
Many survived by attaching themselves to stronger organizations.
Some relied upon sects.
Others relied upon families.
Others relied directly upon the Lin Family.
As Zhao Feng explained, Lin Sheng listened quietly.
Eventually, Zhao Feng shifted the topic.
"North of Cloud Mist Market."
"There are several mortal kingdoms."
"Beyond those kingdoms lies Jade Haven City."
Lin Sheng immediately paid attention.
He had heard the name before.
Unlike Cloud Mist Market, Jade Haven City was a true cultivation city.
Older.
Larger.
Far wealthier.
"The city is jointly controlled by three families."
"The Qian Family."
"The Zheng Family."
"And the Wu Family."
Lin Sheng nodded.
Three families sharing one city.
That arrangement practically guaranteed conflict.
As expected, Zhao Feng continued.
"Each of those families is a genuine Rank-3 family."
"They all possess Purple Palace cultivators."
"The reason they've managed to coexist for so long is because none of them possesses a decisive advantage."
His expression became serious.
"Beneath Jade Haven City lies a Mid Grade Rank-3 Spiritual Vein."
"The three families jointly control it."
Lin Sheng immediately understood.
A Mid Grade Rank-3 Spiritual Vein wasn't something an ordinary Purple Palace force could casually obtain.
Such a resource was enough to sustain multiple Purple Palace cultivators.
No wonder all three families refused to give up control.
"The balance has remained stable for decades."
"Perhaps centuries."
"But if one family gains another Purple Palace cultivator..."
Zhao Feng paused.
Then finished calmly.
"The balance breaks."
Lin Sheng nodded.
The consequences were obvious.
The strongest faction would gradually dominate the others.
Resources.
Territory.
Influence.
Everything would slowly tilt in their favor.
And once the balance disappeared—
Conflict would inevitably follow.
The Lin Family naturally didn't want such instability.
Yet fate often enjoyed creating problems.
"The issue began after the destruction of the Blood River Demonic Sect."
Lin Sheng's gaze sharpened slightly.
That conflict had involved countless powers across the province.
Purple Palace cultivators had died.
Major contributions had been earned.
"The three families contributed heavily."
"Especially in battles involving Purple Palace experts."
"Naturally, they accumulated enormous contribution points."
Lin Sheng already knew where this was going.
Contribution points.
The Lin Family's reward system.
A mechanism used to motivate subordinate forces.
Foundation Establishment Pills.
Rare inheritances.
Alchemy manuals.
Formation legacies.
Talismans.
Secret arts.
Breakthrough resources.
Almost anything could be exchanged.
Provided one possessed sufficient contributions.
Then Zhao Feng smiled.
"The problem began there."
Lin Sheng immediately understood.
Too many contributions.
Too few suitable rewards.
"The three families accumulated enough contributions to request Rank-3 breakthrough resources."
The atmosphere became slightly heavier.
Purple Palace resources.
Treasures capable of changing the fate of entire organizations.
Naturally, the Lin Family wasn't eager to hand them out.
Especially not to all three families simultaneously.
After all—
Today's subordinate might become tomorrow's rival.
Of course, neither man openly said those words.
They didn't need to.
Both understood.
"The Lin Family delayed."
"Saying suitable spiritual items weren't available."
"The three families refused to accept that answer."
"Because they already knew something."
Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes.
"A spiritual item?"
Zhao Feng nodded.
"A Purple Jade Pearl."
The name alone sounded valuable.
"It naturally forms within the Mid Grade Rank-3 Spiritual Vein beneath Jade Haven City."
"One recently matured."
"A cultivator at Peak Foundation Establishment can use it regardless of spiritual attribute."
"On its own, it increases breakthrough success by roughly thirty percent."
Lin Sheng immediately understood its value.
A universal Purple Palace breakthrough treasure.
Such items were exceedingly rare.
Most breakthrough treasures were attribute-specific.
This one worked for everyone.
Combined with pills, formations, and preparation—
A talented cultivator could potentially push their success rate beyond seventy percent.
For any Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, such a treasure was worth fighting over.
No wonder the three families refused to back down.
Eventually, a compromise was reached.
"The Purple Jade Pearl will go to one family."
"Not all three."
Lin Sheng remained silent.
Predictable.
The Lin Family preserved balance.
The three families received a chance.
Everyone saved face.
At least on the surface.
"When?"
"Three months."
Lin Sheng's eyes flickered slightly.
Three months.
Then Zhao Feng added another piece.
"The representatives are limited."
"Foundation Establishment Or Xuan Gang."
"Beneath age 30"
Now Lin Sheng understood why Zhao Feng had come. Finally.
The true reason emerged.
Zhao Feng looked directly at him.
For once, there was no joking.
No teasing.
No nonsense.
Only seriousness.
"A hidden genius appeared within the Zheng Family."
"He defeated Wu Yuanhua in a single move."
Lin Sheng immediately remembered the name.
Wu Yuanhua.
An inner disciple of the Qingmu Sword Sect.
A Golden Core power.
Defeating such a person in a single exchange wasn't something ordinary geniuses accomplished.
"Their identity remains unknown."
"Their strength remains uncertain."
"But they're dangerous."
Lin Sheng tapped the table lightly.