```
"If it weren’t for our trip to the market city, Ninth Brother specifically asked me to bring a few jars for you, Daoist Ye, insisting that I treat you to a banquet. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the chance to enjoy such a delight myself!"
```
```
Hearing Lin Shilu’s words, Ye Pinghai let out a chuckle, a look of anticipation appearing on his face.
```
```
"Is that so? I must savour them properly then. It would be disrespectful to Shi Gong’s kindness otherwise!"
```
```
The enthusiastic Lin Shilu entertained Ye Pinghai, while Lin Tianming sat beside Lin Shilu.
```
```
While indulging in spirit beast meat, Lin Tianming also made sure to rise and pour drinks for the two of them.
```
```
Drink rounds passed thrice, dishes varied in five courses.
```
```
Under the warm reception, with cups of spiritual wine going down one after another, Ye Pinghai was also pondering Lin Shilu’s intentions.
```
```
Having lived nearly a hundred years and seen all sorts of people, he knew that Lin Shilu’s enthusiasm today must have been driven by a request.
```
```
Knowing this, he took the initiative to ask.
```
```
"Lin, if you have any requests where you need assistance, just speak frankly. If I can help, I will, as a way to repay the Lin Family’s life-saving favor!"
```
```
Seeing that he directly brought up the matter, Lin Shilu replied with a wry smile:
```
```
"As you have guessed, Daoist Ye, I indeed have a matter to discuss!"
```
```
"Oh?"
```
```
Ye Pinghai was somewhat intrigued. The Lin Family’s requests for his assistance in the past were almost always for alchemy, which for him was merely a matter of expending some time, and he would also charge a basic fee. His efforts could hardly be considered a great contribution.
```
```
As for today’s matter, which Lin Shilu was handling with such gravity, he wondered what it could be.
```
```
Seeing Ye Pinghai’s expression, Lin Shilu decided not to hide anything further, to avoid displeasing him.
```
```
With his mind set, he directly cut to the chase and repeated the purpose of the Lin Family’s trip to the market city.
```
```
"Leasing a shop, to establish a foothold in Qianchuan Market?"
```
```
"The Lingxiao Tower of the Gao Family might change hands?"
```
```
Ye Pinghai was somewhat astonished, but after Lin Shilu’s further explanation, he understood the Lin Family’s farsightedness.
```
```
The Lin Family had not lacked this ambition in the past, but they truly didn’t have the strength. Even the Jin Family, once the number one family of the Luoyun Mountain Range, had not been able to secure a foothold in Qianchuan Market.
```
```
Now with eight members of the Lin clan at the Foundation Establishment level, such strength allowed them to surpass all others in the Luoyun Mountain Range, and they naturally would not be content to just stagnate in obscurity.
```
```
Thinking of this, he very much understood the Lin Family’s demands. However, securing a position in Qianchuan Market was by no means an easy task.
```
```
Currently, the powerhouses backing the shops in the market were among the top tier of Foundation Establishing Families. Without real strength and connections, the market wouldn’t give them the time of day.
```
```
Furthermore, the leases for the market’s shops start at ten years and with more than two years left until the next cycle, it would be quite a wait for that gap unless they hoped for a mid-term transfer opportunity, which was exceedingly rare. Normally, such a transfer would only occur if a shop could not continue operating.
```
```
"If the Gao Family really does transfer their shop, certainly many forces will have their eyes on it—it’ll surely lead to fierce competition," said Ye Pinghai.
```
```
Seeing Ye Pinghai’s eyebrows raise and his expression turn grave, falling into silence, Lin Shilu did not dare to rush him, only waiting anxiously.
```
```
At that moment, the private room was silent except for the sound of their even breathing.
```
```
After more than a dozen breaths passed, Ye Pinghai finally spoke languidly:
```
```
"Lin, while this task is challenging, it’s not impossible. If Lingxiao Tower indeed changes hands, we could try. Having spent decades in the market city, I’ve established some connections that might be of use. Perhaps we can negotiate something."
```
```
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Shilu was overwhelmed with joy.
```
```
He had intended to make an attempt, but had not expected Ye Pinghai to readily agree to the matter. Although success was not guaranteed, the sheer willingness to help was already invaluable.
```
```
Otherwise, left to their own devices, they might ramble around aimlessly like headless flies, uncertain of when they would achieve any result.
```
```
"Rest assured, Daoist Ye. I will confirm this matter immediately. Once it is true, I will ask for your assistance in navigating it. Regardless of the outcome, I assure you, you will be handsomely rewarded!"
```
```
After speaking earnestly, Lin Shilu then took out a storage bag and handed it to Ye Pinghai.
```
The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.
```
Seeing this, Ye Pinghai waved his hand and said:
Stay updated via freewebnovel.com
```
```
"The matter has yet to be confirmed—if the Gao Family is unwilling to sell, I would be of no help. It would be better to confirm the veracity of this matter in the coming days. Afterward, it’s not too late to make further plans."
```
```
Seeing his determination, Lin Shilu had no choice but to give up and reluctantly took back the storage bag.
```
Lin Tianming, standing to one side, also tastefully stepped forward to fill their cups with Spiritual Wine.
After that, the two tactfully changed the subject, starting to exchange insights and occasionally chatting about some trivial family matters.
Lin Tianming, on the other hand, was frantically sweeping through the delicacies on the table, with large amounts of Spirit Beast meat being devoured into his stomach, the smidgen of Spiritual Power contained within the meat nourishing his flesh.
The banquet continued for over half an hour, and as the sky gradually darkened, Ye Pinghai prepared to take his leave.
"Lin Brother, you and I should each inquire whether the news about Lingxiao Tower changing hands is true or false. Once there’s any news, you can directly come to my cave dwelling, and we can discuss and plan!"
Lin Shilu nodded vigorously, his expression excited as he said:
"Thank you, Elder Brother, for your concern. The moment I have news, I will immediately send a message to you!"
"Good!" replied Ye Pinghai.
Subsequently, the three got up, and after leaving the welcoming building, they each gave a salute and walked toward their respective cave dwellings.
Upon returning to the temporarily rented cave dwelling, Lin Tianfeng and the others had already returned to the courtyard.
Gathering everyone together, they summarized the information they had collected.
The information gathered by all was almost identical; within the entire Market City, only the news of the Gao Family’s Lingxiao Tower being transferred had spread.
Thus, for the time being, the Lin Family could only pin their hopes on this Lingxiao Tower.
In the courtyard, seeing everyone fall into silence, Lin Tianfeng asked:
"What should we do next?"
After another few moments of silence, Lin Shilu, also without any clue, felt somewhat helpless.
At that moment, Lin Tianming spoke up:
"Tomorrow, you all should still go out to wander the streets and alleys, gossiping around, and befriend some cultivators to help us establish a foothold in the market. As for the matter of Lingxiao Tower, tomorrow I and Fifteenth Grandfather will go there in person to take a look and then inquire at the Market City Hall. Meanwhile, Elder Ye will confirm the matter through a friend, and I believe it won’t be long before we have an answer!"
It was the only option for now. Hearing Lin Tianming’s arrangement, Lin Shilu felt very reassured and then comforted everyone.
"Indeed, worrying won’t help. Let’s not be so pessimistic, with Daoist Ye lending us a hand, there is still a considerable hope."
Hearing these words, the tension eased significantly from Lin Tianfeng and the others.
Throughout the day, they had mingled in various parts of the Market City, gaining some understanding of the rental situation of shops and becoming thoroughly familiar with the name of Ye Pinghai.
It could be said that apart from Golden Elixir Experts, within the powerful Qianchuan Market, Ye Pinghai stood out among Foundation Establishment Cultivators, relying on his exquisite Alchemy skills to enjoy unlimited glory and full house of esteemed guests.
With his assistance, the task indeed became much more manageable.
Seeing the improved countenance of his companions, Lin Shilu instructed:
"Let’s proceed according to Tianming’s plan. Tomorrow, everyone will take action on their own, and be careful when you go out!"
"It’s getting late, everyone should rest now!"
"Yes!"
Lin Tianming and the others stood up, bowed, and then headed to their rooms.
Returning to his room, Lin Tianming sat on the jade-like stone bed, then brought his hands together and started a Grand Circulation.
Having consumed a lot of Spiritual Wine and a great amount of Spirit Beast meat, a surge of energy within him began to be refined.
After more than an hour of cultivation, he finally refined most of the energy in his body.
In the deep quiet of the night, he sat at the bedside, pondering.
Considering the overall strength of the Lin Family, it was above average among Foundation Establishment families in the Wei Kingdom, and they qualified for sure.
What mattered most was the attitude of Zhenyang Sect behind Qianchuan Market; this was the crux of the issue. As long as they could manage this connection, the task would become simple.
"Enough, I’ll go take a look tomorrow and see..."
Muttering to himself, Lin Tianming lay down to sleep, and soon his snores filled the room.