On the west side of Tingyu Market, a faint sandalwood fragrance filled a temporary cave dwelling, where Yu Daoist sat cross-legged.

He wore a moon-white long robe, gently twisting a teacup with his fingers, presenting a cultured and refined demeanor, though a trace of fierce expression occasionally flashed in his eyes.

He had come here this time to break through his cultivation, complete the Blood Banner ritual, and gather information.

"Hmm?"

Yu Daoist suddenly opened his eyes, frowning slightly.

He clearly felt the heaven and earth spiritual qi around him converging rapidly in one direction, forming an invisible tide of spiritual qi rushing straight to the sky.

"Could it be... someone is forming a Golden Core?"

His heart stirred, and a trace of greed flashed in his eyes.

When a cultivator tries to form a Golden Core, if they fail, not only will they suffer great loss of primordial qi, but their treasures will also become ownerless, which is a perfect opportunity for plunder.

Yu Daoist stood up, transforming into a faint red escape light, silently flying towards the source of the spiritual qi convergence.

The escape light moved swiftly, yet deliberately concealed its presence, like a phantom slipping through the streets and alleys of the market, soon arriving in the woods near Celestial Capital Peak.

As soon as he landed, he saw two figures standing on a large rock, intently gazing in the direction of Celestial Capital Peak.

These two were wearing family magic robes, their auras steady, both of Foundation Establishment Early-stage cultivation, namely the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhou and Wang families of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range—Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui.

Zhou Guanglu was the first to notice Yu Daoist's arrival. He turned around, scrutinizing this unfamiliar scholarly face with vigilance, cupping his hands and asking:

"Fellow Daoist, are you a cultivator from the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range? May I ask your Daoist title?"

Yu Daoist put on a warm smile, returning the gesture with cupped hands:

"I am Yu Daoist, traveling from Fenghua Immortal City. Upon hearing the famed Tingyu Market, I've decided to rest here for a few days."

"I did not expect to encounter such unusual phenomena upon my arrival. Do you know which fellow Daoist is forming a Core here?"

His tone was natural, his eyes clear, showing no sign of anomaly.

Wang Juhui sighed, looking complicatedly towards Celestial Capital Peak:

"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be Brother Tingyu."

Yu Daoist feigned surprise:

"Brother Tingyu?"

"When I was in Fenghua Immortal City, I heard that Master Tingyu was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator. Why is he suddenly attempting Golden Core formation?"

What he said was half-true, which fitted the identity of an "outside cultivator" while skillfully probing for information.

Zhou Guanglu shook his head:

"Brother Tingyu has always been deeply reserved and exceptionally good at self-preservation. If not for the large spiritual qi tide from this Core Formation attempt, we wouldn't know he had already reached Foundation Establishment Perfection."

Yu Daoist showed a look of admiration on his face, but secretly cursed:

"This Sword Cultivator is monstrous! Luckily, I was cautious and didn't rashly seek him out; otherwise, with his strength, I wouldn't have gotten away easily!"

But on second thought, he looked at the Array Light flickering around Celestial Capital Peak, greed rekindling in his eyes.

"However, forming a Core is not so easy. No matter how strong you are, once you fail, it's my opportunity!"

Zhou Guanglu suddenly spoke:

"This place is too close to Celestial Capital Peak. If Brother Tingyu misunderstands us as harboring ill intentions, it would be troublesome. Why don't we wait at the pavilion ahead, to clear ourselves of suspicion?"

He was well aware of Tingyu Daoist's capabilities and wished not to get into trouble during this sensitive period.

Wang Juhui nodded repeatedly, turning to Yu Daoist with a questioning look.

In their view, all three of them were Foundation Establishment Early-stage Cultivators. Even if Tingyu Daoist failed in forming his Core, they were not ones to provoke; rather than hovering around, it was better to keep a safe distance.

"We shall go together, we shall go together!"

Yu Daoist agreed with a smile, though harboring different intentions within.

The pavilion offered a broad view, which suited him for observing the situation and acting swiftly if the opportunity arose.

The three transformed into three escape lights, landing several miles away at the mountain pavilion.

Zhou Guanglu waved his hand, and a delicate spirit wood tea set appeared on the stone table. He skillfully boiled water and brewed tea, pushing two steaming cups of spirit tea towards Yu Daoist and Wang Juhui, cupping his hands:

"Please enjoy the tea, fellow Daoists."

Yu Daoist picked up the teacup, taking a gentle sip, but secretly observed the surroundings of the pavilion.

The pavilion was built in a mountain hollow, surrounded by lush vegetation, well-suited for concealing one's presence.

And the tea seemed to contain a faint, almost undetectable addition—clearly, these two weren't as harmless as they appeared.

"I heard that Celestial Capital Peak only possesses a Tier Two High Grade Spirit Vein. How can it support the spiritual qi needed for Core Formation?"

"Could the rumor be false!"

Yu Daoist asked with feigned confusion, subtly baiting to uncover more about the Celestial Capital Peak arrays.

Wang Juhui, without much thought, replied truthfully:

"The High Grade Spirit Vein is indeed true. However, fellow Daoist may not know, Brother Tingyu's Mountain Protection Array is said to be Tier Two Top Grade. If all the array's power is used for Gathering Spirit, it might barely meet the spiritual qi requirements for Core Formation."

"I see, thank you for clearing my doubt, fellow Daoist."

Yu Daoist displayed a look of sudden realization, becoming more determined within—using the Tier Two array fully for Gathering Spirit would significantly weaken the defenses.

Even if the opponent had a Quasi-Tier Three Array concealed, without the support of a Tier Three Spiritual Vein, it could never stand against his Blood God Banner!

The three sipped tea and chatted casually in the pavilion, discussing cultivation insights and the situation of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range, seemingly harmonious but each harboring their own schemes.

Gradually, the expressions of Zhou Guanglu and Wang Juhui grew increasingly disturbed, hands under the table silently pinching spells, their glances occasionally drifting towards Yu Daoist's teacup.

By right, it should have taken effect, yet Yu Daoist remained composed, even leisurely sipping his tea.

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