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Xu Jiuling's gaze sharpened, his knuckles tapping lightly three times on the jade armrest.

"I've secured six months for you. After six months, you must travel to Xuan Yue Island and secretly investigate the Xu family's affairs on Haichang Island."

"Remember, everything requires concrete evidence. If this succeeds, it will not only resolve your own predicament but also be a great achievement for the sect. I will use this task as a special assessment for your promotion to inner disciple."

He paused briefly, seeing Qing Chen listening intently, and continued, "Xuan Yue Island is strategically located, a vital resource hub. The Yue family on the island is far superior to the Xu family!

The Yue family has a pseudo-Dan ancestor, making them a powerful force in the Canglang Islands.

You must act with extreme caution. If anything happens to you, you will bear the consequences. The sect will not allow any problems to arise on Xuan Yue Island."

"Your mission is to infiltrate and investigate whether the Xu family is using Xuan Yue Island as a springboard to infiltrate the sect, or if they have other motives. At the same time, gather all intelligence related to the Xu family, especially their true purpose in gathering information about the sect's movements."

Xu Jiuling's sleeve flickered slightly, and a jade slip floated before Qing Chen: "This journey is perilous, but it also holds hidden opportunities.

If you succeed, not only will you obtain an inner disciple position, but I will also petition the sect for recognition on your behalf. At that time, even being granted a Foundation Establishment Pill is not impossible."

"Prepare for six months, and you must depart in six months. Remember to act cautiously and plan carefully before you act. During this period, no one in the sect can harm you."

Having said this, Xu Jiuling waved his hand, indicating that Qing Chen could leave.

Qing Chen secretly rejoiced; his careful planning had not been in vain.

He suppressed his excitement, respectfully bowed, and left the cave with Li Feiyu.

........

"Thank you so much for your introduction today, Senior Brother," Qingchen said sincerely. "Without your introduction, I probably wouldn't have been able to meet Hall Master Xu, let alone obtain this mission."

Li Feiyu looked ashamed: "Junior Brother, you flatter me. It's all thanks to your own abilities; I really couldn't have helped much."

"Senior Brother is too modest."

Qing Chen replied solemnly, "If Senior Brother has any requests in the future, I will certainly do my utmost to assist you without hesitation."

After exchanging pleasantries, Qing Chen bid farewell to Li Feiyu and headed straight for the market.

Six months was still a bit too short; secluded cultivation was no longer feasible. His immediate priority was to improve his strength as quickly as possible.

After disguising himself and donning a bamboo hat, he stepped into the Hundred Forging Pavilion once more.

The shopkeeper, Cao Banxian, greeted his regular customer with a beaming smile: "Oh, fellow Daoist, you've come again. Are you here to patronize our humble shop once more?"

Qingchen replied with a smile: "Shopkeeper, you flatter me. I've actually come to fulfill a wish I had before.

Last time, I couldn't fulfill my wish due to lack of funds, but this time, my brothers and I have finally gathered enough spirit stones to acquire that Mystic Mirror."

However, Cao Banxian looked troubled: "Fellow Daoist Li, to be honest, I've already agreed to give the Mystic Mirror as a reward to a fellow Daoist who helped me explore the mansion."

Qingchen's heart skipped a beat: "Oh? Does it already have an owner? If it hasn't been handed over yet, I wonder if the shopkeeper could make an exception? My brothers and I have indeed coveted this mirror for a long time."

Cao Banxian sighed and explained the reason in detail:

"Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but over the years I've stumbled upon a clue to a cave dwelling. However, my cultivation is limited; I'm only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and I'm trapped by its array.

Time waits for no one; I'm already over fifty, and I shouldn't be venturing into dangerous places to search for treasure. But if I don't try my best to achieve my Foundation Establishment dream, I fear I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

His eyes burned with determination: "Of the three stages of Foundation Establishment, the physical body stage is the most perilous for me. Now over sixty, my qi and blood are declining, and I simply cannot withstand the dangers of mana liquefaction and spiritual energy backflow.

According to my extensive research, that cave dwelling may contain a supreme treasure for reshaping the physical body and nourishing qi and blood. If I obtain this item, even an eighty-year-old man could hope to overcome the physical body stage."

"I have invited several fellow Daoists to join me in breaking the formation. Whatever else remains in the cave, as long as we obtain the treasure of the physical body, all the other magical artifacts will be given to you as a reward."

"If you still yearn for the Mysterious Light Mirror, you might as well come along. With your cultivation at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining, you are perfectly suited. Regardless of success or failure, the Mysterious Light Mirror will certainly be presented to you."

He cupped his hands and said, "This humble Daoist is Cao Banxian. May I ask your name, fellow Daoist?"

Qingchen returned the greeting: "So it is Fellow Daoist Cao. My apologies for my rudeness. My name is Li Muyun. May I ask the exact location of the cave you mentioned, Fellow Daoist Cao?"

"If you're participating, when will we set off to break the formation? And where will we meet? What are the cultivation levels of your fellow cultivators?"

Cao Banxian smiled slightly and explained, "Fellow Daoist Li, there's no need to be so polite. It's indeed inconvenient to disclose the specific location to avoid any complications.

We've decided to reunite here in three days and head together. All of you are fellow cultivators at the sixth or seventh level of Qi Refining; each has your own strengths."

Qingchen nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Regarding breaking the formation, does Fellow Daoist Cao have any good strategies? Is the cave's formation dangerous?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, you worry too much."

Cao Banxian shook his head. "The formation outside the cave is merely a trapping array; it possesses no killing power. Over the years, I have devoted countless efforts to finally assembling a counter-array. With the assistance of a few fellow Daoists in managing the array, breaking it with an array should not be difficult."

Qingchen feigned hesitation for a moment before making a request to Cao Banxian:

"Fellow Daoist Cao, my friends and I have always acted together. Would it be possible to bring one fellow Daoist along, so we can look out for each other?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Banxian frowned slightly and asked hesitantly, "Fellow Daoist Li's kindness is admirable. May I ask what this fellow Daoist's cultivation level is?"