NOVPUBHaving finally calmed down, Chen Fei courteously said, "I am Chen Fei, an Inner Sect Disciple of Zhenyang Sect. Could the two Daoist friends please declare their cultivation levels so that I may complete the registration procedures?"
"I am at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Level, and my younger sister is at the Foundation Establishment Second Layer!" Lin Tianming replied.
Hearing Lin Tianming declare his cultivation level, Chen Fei nodded, his expression becoming even more amiable, clearly different from his attitude toward other cultivators entering the city.
While registering Lin Tianming and his companion, he cast a Law Decree, etching their names onto the Zhenyang Sect Token.
As a light flashed across the Zhenyang Sect Token, the token visibly changed.
After completing these steps, he handed the three tokens back to Lin Tianming, then warmly said, "Daoist friends, your information has been successfully registered."
"This token has been specially crafted to serve as proof of your identity and strength, and can also be used for communication."
"If all goes well, once the recruitment deadline passes in a few days, there should be instructions issued by a senior sect brother. At that time, the two of you should assemble at the designated location to await further arrangements."
"In the meantime, you are free to move about within Qianchuan Market. Just do not leave the market area on your own, and if you have any issues, feel free to head to the Market Hall for inquiries."
Listening to this detailed explanation, it was clear that Chen Fei was intent on forging a relationship with the Lin Family; otherwise, he would not have been so patient in his introduction.
Knowing this, Lin Tianming naturally wouldn’t reject his kindness. He clasped his hands in a salute, taking the tokens from Chen Fei’s hands.
Then, with a smile, Lin Tianming said, "Daoist Chen, I thank you in advance!"
"Luoyun Pavilion is a property of the Lin Family. If Daoist Chen has time, please come over for a visit. You are welcome at any time!"
"Haha... Certainly, certainly!" Chen Fei replied with a clasped hand as well.
Lin Tianming nodded, then continued deeper into the market with Qin Xi, disappearing from Chen Fei’s sight.
Within the market, the familiar streets and the hustle and bustle of the crowd allowed Lin Tianming to breathe a sigh of relief.
With the outbreak of the beast tide, a large number of cultivators had flooded into Qianchuan Market, and the overall quality of these cultivators’ cultivation was quite high.
Typical Qi Refining Cultivators simply couldn’t travel in the perilous outside world, so those who could move around on a large scale were generally cultivators above the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement.
In a very short period of time, loose cultivators from over a dozen surrounding mountain ranges had sought refuge in Qianchuan Market, causing its population to reach a peak, almost comparable to the market’s decennial grand assembly.
If one were to add up the collective strength of these cultivators, Qianchuan Market at that time was even more powerful than during the grand market gatherings.
Walking along the wide streets, watching the endless stream of people, Qin Xi’s gaze wandered around, seeming quite excited.
Lin Tianming was much more composed. He led Qin Xi through several streets before pausing in front of Luoyun Pavilion.
At that moment, Luoyun Pavilion didn’t appear to be very popular. Occasionally, some cultivators would enter, but upon leaving, they seemed disappointed, evidently having failed to find any satisfactory treasures, hence leaving disheartened.
To this, Lin Tianming wasn’t surprised.
Several months prior, when the beast tide had fully erupted, Lin Xingmin had taken the vast majority of Luoyun Pavilion’s assets back to the family, leaving Lin Xingyan and three Xing Clan Members to hold the fort at Luoyun Pavilion.
In the subsequent months, Luoyun Pavilion didn’t replenish any treasures. With the increased flow of people in the market and the threat of the beast tide, all resources for warfare were incredibly scarce.
As a result, after several months of selling, there was probably not much left in Luoyun Pavilion’s inventory.
Under these circumstances, entering Luoyun Pavilion now and hoping to find good items was hardly possible.
Upon further thought, the shops of other familial powers were likely in a similar situation.
After all, the reaction of the Lin Family had also occurred to other families, who surely would have moved most of their treasures back to their own clans.
However, it was hard to say for certain. Although the risks were significant at this time, it was also an opportunity to make a fortune, and inevitably some families would take the gamble to earn Spirit Stones by going against the norm.
For instance, some deeply entrenched shops, such as the auction houses set up by Zhenyang Sect and Sky Pavilion established by the Tang Family of Qingzhou, with their powerful backgrounds, normal attacks by Demonic Beasts were unlikely to impact their business significantly. On the contrary, they could take advantage of the situation to make a substantial profit.
Thinking about these matters, Lin Tianming couldn’t help but reflect inwardly.
"This is the advantage of being powerful, for ordinary cultivators, the beast tide is a crisis, yet also an excellent opportunity for development."
"However, the current situation is not suitable for the Lin Family to take risks, the lives of my clan members are simply not comparable to those Spirit Stones!"
Regaining his focus, Lin Tianming took the lead in entering Luoyun Pavilion, with Qin Xi hurrying to follow his footsteps.
Inside Luoyun Pavilion, Li Rong was settling accounts with a troubled expression.
In the few months since the beast tide erupted in Wei Kingdom, Luoyun Pavilion’s business had suffered greatly, all the items of slightly higher value had been taken away by the Lin Family.
Without outstanding treasures to attract clientele, the business of Luoyun Pavilion was dismal, barely maintaining basic cash flow, unable to generate much value.
As a clerk, the quality of business was heavily tied to his salary. During better times, he and his sibling could earn nearly a hundred Spirit Stones each month on average.
In addition to generous rewards from some well-off patrons, their income was considerable, almost comparable to clerks of major powerhouse shops.
It was with this substantial income that he could exchange for a large amount of resources, allowing him to reach the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement in just under ten years, and the Eighth Level was not far off.
He had thought that guarding Luoyun Pavilion, which was like a cash cow, he could cultivate to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining Stage in another ten or so years.
If he was lucky enough to get a Foundation Establishment Pill, he might even be able to impact the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Once successful, he could become a somewhat famous cultivator, with a lifespan of over two hundred years.
Unfortunately, the beast tide’s attack on Wei Kingdom’s Cultivation World had disrupted his plans, and with things going the way they were, he didn’t know how many years his dream would be delayed.
"Ah... this damned demonic beast attack!" Li Rong cursed inwardly.
Just then, a figure silently approached, startling the distracted Li Rong. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
He looked up displeasedly, and seeing Lin Tianming’s calm face, he jumped up in a panic.
Seeing that Lin Tianming had a calm demeanor and seemed not to blame him for his previous absentmindedness, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I’ve seen... Elder... Elder Lin!"
Li Rong bowed with clasped hands, paying respect to his employer with an exceptionally reverent manner.
Lin Tianming nodded slightly, gestured for him to sit, and then began to inquire about the whereabouts of Lin Xingyan and the others.
"To report to Elder Lin, in recent days Daoist Lin Xingyan is on duty at Luoyun Pavilion and is currently cultivating in seclusion on the third floor. As for the whereabouts of the other Daoists, this junior does not know!"
Li Rong answered honestly. Although Lin Xingyan and the others were also Qi Refining Cultivators, their status was much higher than his. He only knew that many cultivators from the Lin Family had not shown their faces recently, and he did not know their whereabouts, nor did he need to know.
Being a clerk recruited by the Lin Family, he was very clear about his status and what he should and should not do.
It was precisely because of his reliably dutiful character and his ability to read the room that he had managed to secure his position in Luoyun Pavilion and had been validated by several batches of Lin Family members.
At this moment, hearing Li Rong’s reply, Lin Tianming nodded in satisfaction.
He had spent several years in Qianchuan Market; Li Rong was clever, had boldness coupled with meticulousness, but most importantly, he was reliable.
After working together for several years, Li Rong had given him a satisfactory impression. His talent was not bad either; he practiced cultivation diligently and might have the chance to succeed in Foundation Establishment in the future.
Supporting him with some resources now could foster his gratitude and nurturance towards the Lin Family, tying him firmly to the Lin Family’s camp.
Regathering his thoughts, Lin Tianming took out a bottle of Lingshen Pills he had previously refined and placed it in Li Rong’s hand before speaking.
"The shop cannot be neglected, and neither can your cultivation, go attend to your duties!"
With that, Lin Tianming, without waiting for Li Rong’s reaction, led Qin Xi towards the Luoyun Pavilion’s third floor, leaving Li Rong standing there, at a loss for what to do.
