304: The boldness of the Zhang family, Feihu Ling

Despite his doubts, Lin Shiming didn’t dare to hesitate.

His body also suddenly transformed into a streak of Spirit Light, swiftly moving through the valley, then sweeping up Lin Zekong.

The peach blossom river scenery painting and the five-colored silkworm coffin within the Grotto-heaven World flashed and appeared in his hands.

With a series of circulating peach blossoms, Lin Shiming's body completely vanished.

Meanwhile, within the valley's Cliff Wall, a transparent shadow appeared, then disappeared into the Void Realm.

Lin Shiming and Lin Zekong appeared inside it, the two of them retracting their Divine Sense; one was somewhat puzzled, while the other was even more bewildered.

He wasn't even sure where they were, but seeing Lin Shiming's serious face, Lin Zekong chose to remain silent and didn't ask any questions.

Calming down, Lin Shiming didn't forget to have Golden Wings and the Wood Demon prepare themselves.

This System prompt indicated an even more advanced concealment!

Therefore, at a critical moment, even if he was recognized, he had to use the war treasure ship.

Between exposure and demise, he naturally knew which to choose.

The Family's growth would inevitably face countless risks, and at least the Lin Family still had Shuangmu Island as a fallback.

However, taking that fallback path also meant abandoning the Lin Family's massive Mortal population base, as well as a large number of ordinary Cultivators.

Unless absolutely necessary, he naturally didn't want to take that path.

After making preparations, Lin Shiming activated the Three Purities Qi Concealment Art to its limit.

This moment felt incredibly long.

The valley remained silent, and the startled Swift Wind Wolves were leisurely strolling around again.

The wind blew quietly, the clouds drifted quietly.

The plants grew naturally... but in the next moment, a pair of transparent hands suddenly grabbed a Swift Wind Wolf.

With a casual squeeze, the Late Second-Order Swift Wind Wolf instantly turned into a pool of blood.

A Daoist-robed figure was the first to appear in the valley.

Lin Shiming's eyes shifted from tension to surprise; the Daoist-robed figure before him was none other than Yunling Daoist, who was still recuperating from his injuries.

At this moment, Yunling Daoist held a token in one hand, while the other was clasped behind his back, as if strolling leisurely.

Each step seemed to shrink the ground, covering a great distance, until he finally stood still before the valley.

The token in his hand also began to emit Spirit Light.

At first, Lin Shiming thought this token belonged to the Qingxuan Sect, but as the Spirit Light became brilliant, what it revealed was the phantom of a snow-white spiritual fox.

A layer of radiant white light spread out again, like ripples on a lake after a stone had been dropped.

Yunling Daoist's gaze also swept around.

After a long while, perhaps growing impatient, a clear hint of annoyance appeared in his expression, and he activated the token again.

He spoke calmly.

"Is the legendary flying fox token no longer effective, or does the Azure Cloud Fox Clan also pity a mere Swift Wind Wolf?"

Yunling Daoist's words greatly startled Lin Shiming.

This flying fox token was not a good token; legend had it that it was a token of the Azure Cloud Fox Royal Clan of the Qingyun Mountain Range, and holding it allowed one to trade items with the Azure Cloud Fox Royal Clan.

Yao Beasts could use Magic Treasures, but Yao Beasts could not refine Magic Treasures—this was a law of the Cultivation World.

Without Magic Treasures, Yao Beasts, though physically powerful, were still somewhat lacking when facing Cultivators.

And the Azure Cloud Fox Clan, as the wise ones among the Yao Kings of the Qingyun Mountain Range, understood this crucial point even more clearly.

So, they contacted Human Race Artifact Refiners and issued flying fox tokens.

Holders of the token could trade with those Purple Mansion Great Demons!

This was naturally strictly forbidden by all Human Race forces in the Eastern Domain, as if every Great Demon and Yao King had Magic Treasures, coupled with their already powerful Physical Bodies, even Immortal Masters and Daoists of the same Realm might not be a match for the Yao Beasts.

And the Yunling Daoist before him was clearly negotiating a trade for Magic Treasures.

Lin Shiming's shock was immeasurable.

The Zhang Family had played too grand a game, orchestrating such a scene within three years of retreating to Yunzhou!

The market competition was a feint, attacking the Purple Mansion Great Demon was a feint.

Dividing the Fourth-Order Spirit Vein, showing greed was a feint, and even his injuries were a feint!

The purpose was to trade with the Azure Cloud Fox Clan!

The Zhang Family's cunning was simply too terrifying.

If he hadn't been hiding here today, no one would have known the Zhang Family's scheme.

And no one would have dared to think so, as there were clear benefits: the Zhang Family benefited from the market, and from slaying demons, which was all too logical.

Now it seemed that the Zhang Family's retreat to Yunzhou was a strategic withdrawal; others would only think Yunling Daoist was recuperating.

But little did they know that Yunling Daoist, in his capacity as a Fourth-Order Artifact Refiner, was selling Magic Treasures.

And what he was exchanging them for were the Yao Beasts of the entire Qingyun Mountain Range!

This was not good news for the Lin Family; whether the Zhang Family grew stronger or the Yao Race grew stronger, the outcome was the same.

Lin Shiming suppressed the surging emotions within him and, with a swift motion, sealed Lin Zekong's mouth with a talk-sealing talisman.

He was afraid the other party would make a sound at this moment; although the Five-Colored Spirit Coffin could block Divine Sense and eliminate influence.

But before them was a Purple Mansion Cultivator, and even the Azure Cloud Fox Royal Clan of the Qingyun Mountain Range Yao Race!

He himself was incredibly surprised by this flying fox token; for Lin Zekong, unless he didn't know the full story, once the Azure Cloud Fox appeared and the transaction with Yunling Daoist began, he would surely be unable to hold back.

Lin Shiming continued to watch.

Inside the valley, there was silence for three breaths.

Then, a white-robed female Cultivator, who had appeared before Yunling Daoist at some unknown time.

She seemed to have materialized out of thin air, or perhaps she had been standing there for a long time.

Only a faint fragrance indicated the time of her arrival.

This white-robed female Cultivator wore a white dress, like a Fairy from a celestial palace, with snow-white skin and an astonishingly beautiful face; just her profile alone left Lin Shiming stunned, even causing his heart to race slightly.

This was absolutely the most stunning woman he had ever seen!

However, three large tails were revealed beneath her skirt.

And the identity of the stunning female Cultivator before him became clear.

This was an Azure Cloud Fox that had undergone the Transformation Lightning Tribulation!

Lin Shiming had seen the appearance of the Taiqing Purple Jade Python after its Transformation Lightning Tribulation, so he naturally understood the identity of this Azure Cloud Fox.

"Human, how audacious you are, killing my Purple Mansion kin and still daring to use the flying fox token!" The white-robed female Cultivator's voice was not as delicate as her appearance, but rather as cold as frost.

In the air, it felt as if ice and snow had suddenly descended.

The temperature dropped immensely in an instant!

"Fairy, forgive me, Zhang dared to act only after investigating thoroughly. This Blazing Griffin was once driven out by ordinary spiritual foxes that had mistakenly swallowed an Azure Cloud Fox; otherwise, Zhang would never dare to offend the Azure Cloud Griffin Clan!"

Yunling Daoist showed no surprise and continued to speak with extreme calmness.

As expected, the Azure Cloud Fox Clan female Cultivator's expression softened slightly, but she remained extremely cold: "So, you mean I should thank you?"

"Thanks are not necessary, but, Immortal Master Divine Machine of the Qingxuan Sect, if he can take that step, do your Six-Tailed Yao King and Nether Dragon Yao King truly not care? This is what the entire Eastern Domain should be most concerned about!"

"The future war is bound to begin; you need Magic Treasures, and I, Zhang, can provide you with Magic Treasures!" Yunling Daoist spoke each word distinctly, which made the woman's face turn utterly cold while also causing her to waver.

Currently, what the entire Eastern Domain feared most was Immortal Master Divine Machine.

Although no True Monarch had appeared in the Eastern Domain for over a thousand years, every appearance of Immortal Master Divine Machine had brought a huge shock to everyone.

Especially his scheme six years ago, where one sect designed against six others—this was simply not something other Immortal Masters could accomplish.

And Yunling Daoist didn't care how the other party recalled it, or if she believed him!

With a flick of his hand, one Magic Treasure after another appeared.

There were spears, hooks, sabers, and swords, as well as paintings and strange pagodas.

The last Magic Treasure was a pair of Griffin Spirit Wings.

They shimmered with intense firelight, and the temperature in the entire air significantly increased.

"This treasure is called the Blazing Wind Wings, Fairy, are you willing to make an offer?"

This Magic Treasure was clearly just refined; it only needed to be nurtured for a period of time before it could be used at will.

And the color and material of this Magic Treasure all indicated that it was refined from a slain Griffin.

This also meant that Yunling Daoist was not an ordinary Fourth-Order Artifact Refiner, but at least a Medium Grade Fourth-Order Artifact Refiner.

"What do you want to exchange for?"

"taiqing purple jade fruit, fushou fruit, and other treasures and Spirit Medicines for Breakthrough to Purple Mansion or increasing lifespan!"

Yunling Daoist said.

"Alright, I happen to have a fushou fruit that increases lifespan by thirty years. I'll exchange it for your Blazing Wind Wings and an ordinary longsword Magic Treasure. If the appraisal is satisfactory, we can certainly continue in the future!"

Yunling Daoist's face was somewhat ashen, but then he saw the woman continue to speak:

"Human, don't use your mercantile haggling methods. We Yao Race always either succeed or fail, there's no in-between!"

Yunling Daoist nodded, agreeing to the exchange.

As for only exchanging one item the first time, he understood that both he and the Azure Cloud Fox needed to verify it.

And his lifespan was nearing its end, so he indeed needed a longevity-extending Spirit Fruit!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken such a risky action.

Moving into Yunzhou, colluding with the Yao Race.

If the Yao Race became powerful, their Zhang Family would likewise be in dire straits, surrounded by crises!

The two exchanged treasures, and the white spiritual fox woman was the first to disappear.

Like a gust of wind, she came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

Aside from the lingering fragrance, that white shadow seemed to have never appeared at all.

Yunling Daoist put away the fushou fruit, a relaxed smile on his face, and then also vanished from the valley.

And Lin Shiming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The crisis was resolved, and these secrets finally revealed the Zhang Family's objective to him.

In this grand scheme, the Lin Family was still deeply entangled.

Two hours passed, and after confirming there was no movement, Lin Shiming removed the talk-sealing talisman from Lin Zekong.

Stepping out of the five-colored silkworm coffin, the trial naturally ended.

And if his guess was correct, within three days, the Zhang Family would leave, then gather Cultivators to excavate the Spirit Mine.

As long as the Spirit Mine remained, Yunling Daoist would have a reason to continue staying here and trading Magic Treasures.

This was undoubtedly playing with fire.

But it was undeniable that the Zhang Family truly had the potential to soar to greatness through this.

The vast resources of the Qingyun Mountain Range were coveted even by the Qingxuan Sect.

However, this could also prematurely trigger a major purge by the Qingxuan Sect.

If possible, he would rather seize such a method for himself.

Lin Shiming put away the five-colored silkworm coffin, but did not deactivate the peach blossom river scenery painting; he changed direction, preparing to circle back to the garrison.

He didn't want the Zhang Family to know that he had also been to this place.

Regardless of how he thought about it, the Lin Family's primary goal for now was to become a Purple Mansion Family, and he and Lin Xianzhi must first step into the Purple Mansion Realm!

However! Just as he exited the hundred-mile range.

Lin Shiming saw a corner of the peach blossoms in the peach blossom river scenery painting suddenly tear open, and a white-skirted female Cultivator, with a pair of agile, icy-cold eyes, walked in.

It was the Azure Cloud Fox Great Demon from before!

"Oh, it's only Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!"

Lin Shiming's expression suddenly changed.

He hadn't expected the peach blossom river scenery painting and the five-colored silkworm coffin to fail in their concealment.

And the Azure Cloud Fox Great Demon before him had clearly been following all along, seemingly only acting after confirming he was no longer in danger!

Or perhaps she was looking for a flaw in the peach blossom river scenery painting!

A terrifying Spiritual Pressure suddenly surged towards Lin Shiming; the Spiritual Pressure of a Purple Mansion Great Demon was fully unleashed.

Lin Shiming instantly felt as if he was burdened by an ice mountain.

Even moving became an illusion; the gap between Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment was inherently like a chasm!

Not to mention that Lin Shiming was still at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage at this moment!

Almost without hesitation, the Three Purities Qi Concealment Art was dispelled, Lin Shiming's True Essence expanded dozens of times again, and his Late Foundation Establishment Stage Qi Cultivation and Body Cultivation simultaneously erupted.

Instantly breaking free from the Spiritual Pressure, he swiftly took out the star wood shield, and then a full eighty-one Formation Swords; covering himself with the Purple Wood Mysterious Sky Sword Formation still wasn't enough.

However, what made his hair stand on end was that there was no trace of peach blossoms or Lin Zekong before him, only endless ice mountains.

He had fallen into an illusion.

He bit his tongue and vigorously shook the Soul Protection Jade, but the power to awaken his soul was simply insufficient!

And this made Lin Shiming suddenly recall a term: Minor Divine Ability!

This Azure Cloud Fox Great Demon was a Great Demon who had mastered a Minor Divine Ability.

Lin Shiming's face became increasingly grim, and in the Void Realm, countless ice spears appeared, hurtling towards Lin Shiming.

Lin Shiming could only struggle to defend himself; the star wood shield, Crushing God Plate, and Purple Wood Mysterious Sky Sword Formation all became defensive Magical Artifacts.

Even so, his protective spiritual shield was occasionally shattered around his body, but fortunately, the Body Refining Spiritual Qi condensed by the Mountain Ape Body Refining Art on his body blocked the attacks of the ice blades.

The Soul Protection Jade on Lin Shiming's neck began to release spiritual light, and at the same time, Lin Shiming's Root of Deduction also gradually released waves of mysterious energy.

Covering his mind.

And Lin Shiming, with a resolute heart, formed the Soul Splitting Blade and fiercely slashed at his own Divine Soul.

The pain of his Divine Soul tearing, coupled with the Soul Protection Jade, and the deduction power of the Root of Deduction, finally allowed him to break free from the illusion Minor Divine Ability.

The fox demon was still in place, and Lin Zekong next to her was rushing towards him with a sword.

Suppressing a mouthful of fresh blood, he also knocked Lin Zekong unconscious with the hilt of his sword.

The Azure Cloud Fox demon was clearly extremely puzzled; she didn't know how Lin Shiming had broken free.

Just as she reached out again.

In the next moment, a war treasure ship appeared in the Void Realm; the Spirit Puppet and Golden Wings Wood Demon each performed their duties, guarding a spiritual slot, and Lin Shiming also jumped into the war treasure ship.

The Formation of the Treasure Ship activated.

The Azure Cloud Fox demon also condensed an ice claw and continued to grab at the war treasure ship.

The war treasure ship also began to condense an attacking sword Formation, but the Azure Cloud Fox demon's speed was truly terrifying; Lin Shiming could only catch her afterimages.

The gap in Realms was simply not something a single war treasure ship could compensate for, and the Purple Mansion Great Demon before him was not an ordinary Purple Mansion Great Demon.

Lin Shiming's face was extremely grim.

Although this Azure Cloud Fox demon before him seemed to lack sufficient offensive means to break through the war treasure ship's defenses, and that Minor Divine Ability could not be used casually again.

But dragging out the battle at this moment would be extremely disadvantageous for him.

Yunling Daoist would come, and the Purple Mansion Great Demons within the mountain range would emerge.

Neither situation was what he wanted to see.

"Fairy, I also have something to exchange!" Lin Shiming immediately shouted loudly.

Although he didn't have a flying fox token, he understood even more clearly that the flying fox token was merely a formality, a means for Cultivators to contact the Azure Cloud Fox Yao Race.