68: Its sharpness is concealed, its path revealed only through bloodshed.

Qi Xuanlin held his sword, staring at Old Man Hu Cha's corpse, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He turned to look at his elder brother:

"Fifth Brother... he was already like that."

Qi Xuanqing was crouching, using the tip of his spear to push aside the clothing, checking for any remaining identifiers.

He didn't stop his movements upon hearing this: "Like what?"

"He begged for mercy, and he returned the items."

Qi Xuanlin's voice lowered, "We've already taught him a lesson, why must we..."

Qi Xuanqing stood up and kicked out the last cluster of embers.

His voice was flat:

"If we were in a tavern, I would have let him go, but you insisted on making a move.

Now we are in the middle of nowhere. He has exhausted his means, and he must feel resentful.

Do you really think he would just accept his loss?"

He walked up to his younger brother, looking into eyes that still held a youthful air:

"He can't touch us, but Concubine Ye often travels outside. What about our other brothers at home who haven't cultivated?

Can you guard against the retaliation of a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator?"

Qi Xuanlin opened his mouth but couldn't find the words, yet a sudden chill ran down the back of his neck.

"Some lines," Qi Xuanqing turned, looking toward the blurred outline of the market.

"Once they are pulled out, they must be severed. If they aren't, they will entangle our own Family."

The forest was silent, with birds chirping in the distance.

"Fifth Brother," Qi Xuanlin suddenly looked up.

"When did you Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and develop Spiritual Sense?"

His voice carried a delayed shock:

"I didn't have time to think about it just now... But thinking back, if you hadn't been hiding your true strength,

and let him believe you were only at the Qi Refining Third Layer to lower his guard, that final flying spear strike couldn't have wounded him so easily."

He spoke faster and faster, his eyes burning bright:

"If not for that move of yours, I'm afraid I would have suffered a great loss!"

Qi Xuanqing was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. He retracted his long spear into his Storage Pouch.

"I just broke through last month."

His voice was calm, "My Spiritual Sense is still very weak, barely able to attach to an object for an instant.

If I hadn't hidden my strength just now and caught him off guard, that flying spear might not have worked."

A moment later, the faint sound of breaking wind came from outside the forest.

A green shadow flickered across the treetops and landed silently in front of the two.

When Qi Yuan swept into the forest, he saw Xuan Qing and Xuan Lin huddled together, passing a dull grey Jade Slip between them.

On the ground nearby, a pile of fresh ashes still emitted wisps of blue smoke, and the air was filled with the smell of char and a faint scent of blood.

Qi Yuan sighed inwardly. These two boys were still too green.

After killing someone and getting the items, they didn't think to flee immediately, but instead stayed on the spot to inspect their loot.

If the opponent had companions following their trail, or if a market patrol happened to pass by, it would be a huge trouble.

"Let's go."

He didn't say much. With a sweep of his sleeve, a gentle surge of Qi lifted his two somewhat dazed sons, and they quickly left this place of trouble... Inside the "Old Elm" Inn's Heaven grade room in Yunliao Prefecture City.

The windows were closed, keeping the bustle of the streets outside.

The halo of the oil lamp illuminated three faces.

Qi Xuanqing recounted the events, glossing over many details to cover for his younger brother. Finally, he lowered his head and said:

"It was my lack of consideration and impulsive action that caused this trouble.

Sixth Brother is young, and as his elder brother, I failed to restrain him."

Qi Xuanlin opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by Qi Yuan raising his hand.

Qi Yuan's gaze swept across his two sons' faces, finally landing on Xuan Qing.

He knew his fifth son had a steady temperament and deep thoughts. If not for The Sixth's reckless behavior today, he wouldn't have made such a killing move.

That decisiveness, though risky, was the kind of ruthlessness a Cultivator should have in the wilderness.

"Since things have come to this, there's no use saying more."

Qi Yuan's voice was steady, "Just remember the lesson. Do not wander far from the market area alone for the time being."

He picked up the grey Jade Slip on the table and probed it with his Spiritual Sense. He withdrew it a moment later, a look of realization crossing his eyes.

"'Forest Darting Steps'... a first-tier peak-grade movement technique. It emphasizes concealment and rapid maneuvering, making it suitable for a Cultivator's survival when traveling outside.

The fact that Old Man Hu Cha could succeed and escape repeatedly was likely due to this technique."

He put away the Jade Slip, "This item has some value."

He said no more.

The most important thing right now was the upcoming "Tribute Day" of the market.

The lead on Old Man Hu Cha could only be noted for now and investigated later... Three days later, Qi Yuan entered the core area of the market alone.

When Qi Yuan arrived, over a dozen people were already sparsely seated in the hall, most of whom were Cultivators from various families here to pay their tributes.

There was little conversation between them. Each sat cross-legged, meditating or looking down, waiting for the arrival of the Zhao Family.

This wait lasted a day and a night.

At noon the next day, the sound of breaking air finally came from outside the pavilion.

A Spirit Shuttle pierced through the light screen above the market, entering without any hindrance like a fish into water, and landed directly in front of the hall entrance.

The light of the shuttle faded, revealing Zhao Changqing's figure. He was still wearing the same Brocade-patterned magical robe, his expression indifferent.

He stepped into the hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd without lingering on anyone's face for even a second, and walked straight to the main seat to sit down.

"Pay the tribute."

Zhao Changqing's voice was flat and devoid of emotion.

Everyone stepped forward in turn, offering Spirit Stones and spiritual materials.

When it was Qi Yuan's turn, in addition to the fixed tribute, he also lightly placed a small Cold jade box on top.

Zhao Changqing didn't even lift his eyelids, but a wisp of spiritual light from his fingertip swept over the jade box.

He already knew in his heart that the first-tier High Grade spirit plant inside was worth thirty Spirit Stones.

A hint of contempt flashed in the depths of his eyes, but his face remained expressionless.

"Mhm."

He gave a light hum of acknowledgment, accepting it.

Qi Yuan retreated to his original spot and stood silently with his eyes downcast.

He had expected Zhao Changqing's reaction, but if the man truly held a grudge against him, there was nothing he could do. For now, he could only show weakness to ensure peace.

He had seen clearly the scene of Zhao Changqing's Spirit Shuttle penetrating the market's Formation.

That Formation's light screen was a barrier to others, but to the core disciples of the Zhao Family holding specific tokens, it was as if it didn't exist.

If he hadn't obtained some of the Jiang Family's Formation Legacy and become sensitive to the flow of Qi, it would have been difficult to notice.

"The Zhao Family indeed left a back door in the market Formation they control..."

Qi Yuan noted this to himself.

A colossus like the Zhao Family never fully trusted these Foundation Establishment forces either; they hadn't skipped any of the necessary precautions.

Once the tributes were paid, Zhao Changqing did not stay long. He boarded his Spirit Shuttle and vanished into a streak of light.

The atmosphere in the hall noticeably relaxed.

"The old rules,"

Wu Zhaoyu, the head of the Wu Family who presided over the matter, stood up and said, "Now that the tributes are paid, if anyone is interested, you may exchange what you have for what you need."

The tribute period was a rare occasion when Cultivators from many families gathered, and no one wanted to miss such an opportunity for private trading.

Everyone sat down casually and placed the items they wished to trade in front of them.

The items were indeed not particularly rare, mostly first-tier middle or Low Grade Medicinal Pills, talisman materials, and spiritual ores, with occasional Magical Artifacts whose spiritual light was mostly dim.

Only the Wang Family from Li County brought out a Red copper dharma hammer. The hammerhead had faint flame patterns flowing on it, and it was a first-tier High Grade item, attracting several people's attention.

After several rounds of bidding, it was sold for one hundred and eighty-five Spirit Stones.

Qi Yuan's gaze fell on that Red copper dharma hammer. Which Family would be willing to sell such an ancestral Magical Artifact unless they were in a desperate situation?