The journey was calm and uneventful; Tian Xiaobao and his group successfully arrived at Lingjiao Market.
As soon as he entered the Inner Ward of the market, Tian Xiaobao heard someone shouting loudly:
"Is anyone going to the Family Hall? If so, we can go together!"
Upon hearing this, Tian Xiaobao's heart stirred, and he quickly responded loudly, "I am!"
Although his current experience points were not enough for him to Breakthrough to Qi Cultivation Third Layer, as the saying goes, it's better to be prepared.
If he were to plant some other Spirit Plant in the winter, he might also gain some experience points.
This way, he would be one step closer to Qi Cultivation Third Layer!
Tian Xiaobao thought happily to himself, while looking at his attribute panel:
Name: Tian Xiaobao
Age: 16
Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Second Layer (1/200)
Cultivation Technique: Thick Earth Art (Initiation 39/100)
Spell: Spirit Rain Technique (Proficient 18/500)
Experience: 137.18
...
Not long after, Tian Xiaobao arrived at the Family Hall established by the Tian Family in Lingjiao Market.
This grand hall was magnificent, solemn, and majestic, showcasing the Tian Family's heritage and strength.
One must know that although the Tian Family was merely a Foundation Establishment Family, it had stood firm on the Lingjiao Archipelago for over a thousand years.
Over such a long period, the Family had not only avoided decline but had become even more prosperous; the hardships and efforts involved were immense.
It was precisely because of the Tian Family's long-standing presence on the Lingjiao Archipelago that the number of Tian Family here was extremely large.
However, due to the Spiritual Vein Rank of the Family's territory being only High Grade Two, its contained Spiritual Qi was limited and could not meet the Cultivation needs of all Cultivatable Clan members within the Family territory.
To solve this problem, the Tian Clan, after careful consideration, made a wise decision—to arrange a portion of its collateral Clan members to Cultivate in Lingjiao Market and some other Spirit Island.
This way, they could fully utilize resources from various locations while ensuring the overall development of the Family.
At the same time, to ensure the safety of the Family territory, the Tian Family also specially set up a branch of the Family Hall in Lingjiao Market.
This branch hall was functionally and facility-wise almost identical to the main hall in the Clan territory, with no differences except for items involving Family secrets or special purposes.
Family Hall, Lingjiao Branch.
Family deacons and several Clan Elders were constantly moving about; they were responsible for various affairs concerning the Tian Clan in Lingjiao Market and the surrounding islands.
Tian Xiaobao followed the instructions and arrived at the place where the Family acquired Spirit Rice.
There were still many people here, and the crowd was constantly chatting about something, their faces beaming with the joy of harvest.
When it was Tian Xiaobao's turn, a slightly aged Family Elder saw him, looked up, and asked.
"Which Tian Clan junior are you from? You look unfamiliar."
"Lingjiao Market, Tian Xiaobao."
Tian Xiaobao took out his Family Jade Slip, infused Spiritual Qi into it, and instantly revealed his appearance, age, and other information.
Seeing that Tian Xiaobao had over two thousand five hundred contribution points, the Clan Elder immediately thought of something.
"You are the child of Tian Ming and Tian Min, aren't you?"
"Sixteen years old, Qi Cultivation Second Layer, not bad."
Tian Xiaobao just smiled and said nothing.
After all, not many Tian Clan died exploring the Secret Realm last year, let alone a couple dying, which would leave a deep impression.
"You're here to sell Spirit Rice, right? How much do you plan to sell?"
Seeing Tian Xiaobao remain silent, the Clan Elder continued to ask.
"Replying to Clan Elder, this junior wishes to sell two thousand jin of Spirit Rice."
As Tian Xiaobao spoke, he took out two thousand jin of Spirit Rice from his storage bag and placed it in a corner nearby.
The Clan Elder stood up, touched the Spirit Rice, and said with a satisfied expression:
"It seems the Spirit Rice is quite good. I can give you eighty-five fragmented Spirit Stones for ten jin of Spirit Rice. Are you willing?"
Tian Xiaobao did not hesitate in the slightest; he agreed without even thinking.
The Clan Elder then took out one hundred and seventy Spirit Stones from his storage bag and handed them to Tian Xiaobao.
And recorded one hundred and seventy contribution points on Tian Xiaobao's Jade Slip.
After putting away the Spirit Stones and Jade Slip, Tian Xiaobao planned to head to the Scripture Pavilion.
His parents died exploring a Secret Realm, so the Family compensated Tian Xiaobao with two thousand contribution points and one free opportunity to receive a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation Technique.
This visit to the Scripture Pavilion was because Tian Xiaobao had thought of a Cultivation Technique and intended to retrieve it this time.
The Scripture Pavilion was quite empty, with few people, and even the Tian Family Elder responsible for guarding it was nowhere to be found at this moment.
"Tian Xiaobao from Lingjiao Market, here to receive a Cultivation Technique. Please be aware, Clan Elder."
Since Tian Xiaobao did not detect the presence of a Formation, he walked straight into the Scripture Pavilion.
Although he didn't find a Formation or a Clan Elder, Tian Xiaobao was certain that someone was monitoring the area.
Tian Xiaobao spoke aloud because he was afraid of letting people know he had arrived, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Tian Xiaobao didn't know how many floors the Scripture Pavilion had; all he knew was that he could only enter the first and second floors for now.
Because all of the Tian Family's Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation Techniques were on the first and second floors, as for whether the third floor contained Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Techniques, that was not something Tian Xiaobao knew at the moment.
On the first floor, seven or eight tall bookshelves were neatly arranged. Tian Xiaobao immediately saw the most prominent bookshelf, and in the most conspicuous spot on the bookshelf, there was a Jade Slip.
Next to the bookshelf was the name of this Jade Slip Cultivation Technique and its effects.
Lian Qi Arts.
Upon seeing this name, he knew roughly what it was for without even looking at the content!
Lian Qi Arts is an auxiliary Cultivation Technique for the Qi Refinement Stage.
Upon reaching Initiation, one can initially conceal their Aura;
Upon reaching Proficiency, one can slightly conceal one minor Rank of their Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation, undetectable by Cultivators of the same Rank;
Upon reaching Minor Achievement, one can conceal three minor Ranks of their Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation, undetectable by Cultivators not higher than three minor Ranks or one major Realm;
Upon reaching Major Achievement, one can conceal their entire Cultivation. Undetectable by Cultivators not one major Realm higher;
As for Perfection, undetectable by Cultivators not two major Realms higher. (Limited to before Golden Core Stage)
...
Upon seeing this, Tian Xiaobao lost interest in looking at other Cultivation Techniques and happily left with the Lian Qi Arts.
"Why would the Family place this kind of Cultivation Technique in the most obvious position? And it doesn't seem like a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation Technique?"
Tian Xiaobao actually had many questions.
"Since I don't understand it, I won't think about it. The Family has its own ways."
Tian Xiaobao shook his head and walked out of the Scripture Pavilion.
However, what Tian Xiaobao might not have known was that just after he left the Scripture Pavilion, an Elder appeared in the Scripture Pavilion and placed another Jade Slip of Lian Qi Arts back in its previous position.