Another ten years have passed, and the structure of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range has quietly changed.

At the foot of Celestial Capital Peak, a bustling market has sprung up, with three bold and powerful characters inscribed on the archway at the entrance—"Tingyu District."

On both sides of the market street, shops stand in great numbers, and the sounds of haggling and bargaining are endless. Cultivators coming and going make the place a scene of prosperity.

Who could have thought that ten years ago, this place was still a desolate wasteland?

Back then, when the White Bone Demon Sect was destroyed, the remaining Demon Cultivators scattered everywhere. As they passed through the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, they vented their fury on the small clans they encountered, and many Qi Cultivation Clans suffered massacres.

The order within the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range fell into chaos for a time, even impacting the trade routes opened by the Li Fire Pavilion.

Seeing this, Chen Sheng made a decisive decision to establish a market at the foot of Celestial Capital Peak.

Initially, the cultivators harbored concerns, after all, the roving Demon Cultivators made the place unsafe.

It wasn't until one day when three Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators—one of whom was a powerful mid-stage Foundation Establishment—recklessly attacked the market, attempting to seize resources.

At that time, Chen Sheng was cultivating at the peak of Celestial Capital. Upon hearing the news, he didn't make an appearance but merely flicked his finger.

A beam of green light shot down from the peak, splitting into hundreds of streaks that rained down upon the three Demon Cultivators like a storm.

After a few screams, the three Demon Cultivators were cut to pieces!

This battle made the name "Tingyu Daoist" of Chen Sheng resound throughout the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.

The cultivators of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range honored him as "Master Tingyu," acknowledging him as the foremost cultivator of the Thousand Peaks.

Since then, the order in Tingyu Market settled completely, attracting more cultivators to settle and trade, making the market increasingly prosperous.

...

On the outskirts of the market, a two-story tavern called "Zhang's Peach Blossom Brew" was especially thriving.

The tavern's sign was made from Spirit Wood, with a lifelike peach blossom carved on it. From a distance, it seemed as though one could smell a faint aroma of wine.

By the window on the second floor sat a man in blue, none other than Chen Sheng.

His aura was restrained, like an ordinary Qi Cultivator, making it hard for anyone to recognize him as the renowned Master Tingyu.

He ordered a jar of their signature Peach Blossom Brew and quietly watched the bustling crowds outside the window, his gaze calm.

Not long ago, when Li Wu reported the market's situation to him, he mentioned in passing the news of Zhang Chengjiao's passing.

Chen Sheng couldn't help but feel sentimental; that stubborn old fellow did have enduring perseverance!

Zhang Chengjiao's life was indeed full of hardship.

In his youth, the entire clan supported Zhang Cheng'an. Though Zhang Chengjiao was of the direct lineage, he didn't benefit at all, instead bearing even more responsibility.

In his middle age, Zhang Cheng'an's fall led to the decline of the Zhang Clan, and Zhang Chengjiao had to bear the burden of supporting the family, oppressed by the Huang Feng Monster for most of his life.

It was not until Chen Sheng slew three Demon Cultivators with one sword that Zhang Chengjiao could finally breathe easily.

Later, when Chen Sheng established Tingyu Market, Zhang Chengjiao was among the first to respond, opening this tavern in the market.

Over the years, they have earned quite a bit, and the younger generation of the clan now wore brand new Magic Robes, their lives finally improving.

"Guest, your Peach Blossom Brew is here."

A stout man with an honest face carried a jar of wine over. He was Zhang Chengjiao's grandson, Zhang Houming, and now the shopkeeper of this tavern.

He placed the wine jar on the table, expertly opened the clay seal, and a rich peach blossom fragrance immediately filled the air.

Chen Sheng nodded, pouring himself a bowl.

Though the original recipe for this Peach Blossom Brew was left by him, it had long since changed through generations of improvements by the Zhang Clan.

Chen Sheng raised the bowl of wine, took a gentle sip, and his eyes lit up:

"Good wine!"

The wine was mellow as it entered, carrying a faint peach blossom fragrance. Although the spiritual power was thin, it was extremely gentle. As it went down the throat, a warmth spread throughout his body, making him feel relaxed and happy.

He couldn't help but drink a few more sips, quickly finishing off the entire jar of wine.

After setting down the jar, an idea came to Chen Sheng's mind, and he opened his mouth to spit out a ray of green light.

The green light lightly brushed against a nearby beam, leaving behind a few carefree words.

Then, he transformed into a green light and flew toward Celestial Capital Peak, disappearing into the sky.

This scene immediately captured the attention of all patrons in the tavern.

"Who is that? What a superb body technique!"

"Light Manipulation Flight, at least a Foundation Establishment elder!"

A ruddy-faced cultivator snorted coldly:

"So what if he's a Foundation Establishment elder? Below Celestial Capital Peak, he must still abide by Master Tingyu's rules. Is he not afraid of being cleaved by the Sword Master from a distance?"

At this time, a curious cultivator walked up to the beam and softly read:

"Famed for long, I came in high spirits, drank to my heart's content, and returned when joy had ended! The purest of Thousand Peaks; Zhang's Peach Blossom Brew. Left by Tingyu Daoist."

The ruddy-faced cultivator instantly switched his stance:

"Gasp—it's Master Tingyu!"

"No wonder he has such demeanor. Fine wine and flying sword, drinking to the last drop; truly the bearing of a Sword Immortal!"

"I too want to taste the Peach Blossom Brew praised by the Sword Master!"

For a time, the cultivators in the tavern all ordered Peach Blossom Brew, imitating Chen Sheng by downing it in one go, praising incessantly:

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Upon learning the news, Zhang Houming hurriedly instructed someone to protect the beam. Seeing the crowd's enthusiasm, he couldn't help but display a proud smile.

...

A month later, at the peak of Celestial Capital.

Xu Longhu cradled a delicately crafted pill furnace, unable to put it down.

The furnace was a pale cyan, with intricate raindrop patterns carved on its body. As spiritual energy flowed through it, one could almost hear the patter of raindrops.

He explored it with his Divine Sense, admired it closely, and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Brother Tingyu, your artifact refining skills have truly advanced! This 'Spring Rain Dust Transformation Cauldron' is definitely a top-tier piece among Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Artifacts!"

Chen Sheng simply smiled lightly:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you praise me too highly."

This pill furnace was merely a practice work he crafted during his leisure.

He had mastered various Tier Three Artifact Refining Inheritances, and over the years, with extensive practice, his artifact refining skill had steadily reached Tier Two Top Level.

The fact that he refined the thirty-six-sided array banner to Tier Two Top Level quality with new materials was the best testament to that.

Xu Longhu paused, his expression becoming solemn:

"Brother, regarding the matter I spoke of the other day, have you really decided not to reconsider?"

Chen Sheng laughed heartily:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I was born with a carefree nature, unable to tolerate constraints. Furthermore, your sect's True Disciple cannot offer me what I desire, so why should I seek trouble and suffer in vain?"

Xu Longhu sighed:

"Offering the sect's Core Formation Insights as a True Inheritor is already quite commendable!"

"Brother, you might not know, but even a True Disciple might find it difficult to obtain the Tier Three Demon Pill you desire."

Chen Sheng smiled again; he was aware that a True Disciple of the Li Xiao Sect couldn't possibly provide a Tier Three Demon Pill, but it was merely an excuse for his refusal.

"Besides, what else in the world is worth risking my life for?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Longhu was silent for a moment before nodding lightly.

Indeed, Brother Tingyu was solitary, with profound Cultivation, at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment as a Sword Cultivator, with formidable combat power, and skilled artifact refining techniques that amassed wealth—Spirit Stones were abundant.

He could completely protect a region and live carefree!

Aside from the pursuit of a higher path, nothing else in the world seemed capable of moving him.

Xu Longhu's visit was at the request of a True Disciple of the Fake Pill lineage behind him.

After the Qinghua Sect and Li Xiao Sect jointly defeated the White Bone Demon Sect, conflicts quickly arose over the division of spoils, leading to open and covert struggles with continuous friction.

However, the upper echelons intentionally controlled the conflict, restricting it to cultivators at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation stages.

The True Disciple recognized Chen Sheng's combat power and wanted to recruit him into the Li Xiao Sect for their own use, but Chen Sheng refused outright.

After sending Xu Longhu away, Chen Sheng stood at the edge of the cliff, gazed at the distant Cloud Sea, and shook his head lightly.

Indeed, a triangular relationship is more stable than a bipolar one.

When the two sects allied against the Demon Sect, they could cooperate wholeheartedly, but once the Demon Sect was vanquished, they immediately began internal conflicts.

"Let them fight, let them fight, as long as it doesn't affect my Cultivation."

He turned back to the secret chamber, sat cross-legged, and spat out a pale cyan Sword Pill.

The Sword Pill spun rapidly in the chamber, instantly emitting three feet of cyan light, transforming into a sharp cyan Flying Sword that landed in Chen Sheng's hand.

This was his Lifebound Flying Sword, the "Tingyu Sword."

Using Tier Three Middle Grade materials "Western Geng Metal Essence" as its core, supplemented by various rare Spiritual Materials, it was refined, now reaching Quasi-Tier Three status.

Chen Sheng gently stroked the sword's body, feeling the contained fierce Sword Qi, with a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

"Once I form the Golden Core, continuing to refine it with Pill Qi, this sword can quickly ascend to Tier Three Magical Treasure status!"

Outside the secret chamber, a storm was brewing, under the calm surface of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range flowed undercurrents.

But Chen Sheng felt at peace within, knowing that no matter how the outside world changed, only his own strength was the most reliable support.

He gathered his Heart Spirit, once again immersing himself in Cultivation, waiting for the day of Core Formation to arrive.

…

Li Xiao Sect, Lingyun Peak.

Within a beautifully decorated pavilion.

Yuan Shenxiao sat on a chair covered with White Tiger Skin, holding a Communication Jade Scroll as he snorted coldly:

"A mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator dares to ask for a Tier Three Demon Pill? Utterly audacious!"

"Back then, my father brought the Dragon Vein into Li Xiao Sect, and with such a great contribution, was rewarded one Tier Three Demon Pill. How dare a mere Loose Cultivator act so outrageously!"

"It's unfortunate that my father isn't here; otherwise, why would I need to work so hard…"

Yuan Shenxiao's tone held an imperceptible grievance.

Tingyu Daoist wanted a Tier Three Demon Pill?

He wanted one too!

Yuan Shenxiao walked to the window, gazing beyond layers of Cloud Sea towards the Qinghua Sect's direction, with a hint of undeniable envy in his eyes.

"Those guys in the Qinghua Sect truly hit the jackpot!"

The "those guys" in Yuan Shenxiao's mouth referred to the Qi Cultivation Clan cultivators with Earth Grade Spiritual Root, similar to his origin.

Now, they had one by one become Master Fake Pill tier, leading a peak or a hall, wielding great power within the Qinghua Sect.

"Hmph, it's merely because they were born several decades sooner, catching a good time."

Yuan Shenxiao clenched his fist:

"I, Yuan Shenxiao, can achieve the Golden Core Great Dao even without my father's elevation!"

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