Meeting Yunxiu Again

"Why lock down the city out of the blue?"

"Yes, the barbarian soldiers have already retreated."

"Let me out! I have urgent business to attend to!"

There were quite a few Rogue Cultivator trapped inside the city, and they were all indignant at the moment.

This is the first time since the existence of Shangyu Market that a city has been placed under lockdown.

Hunting Demon Beast and gathering resources both need to be done outside the city; otherwise, how would the Rogue Cultivator survive?

"The lockdown was a joint decision made by the Lin and Lu families. The reasons will be announced in a few days. Anyone who dares to cause trouble during this period is welcome to try."

The defending troops were extremely resolute, and the Rogue Cultivator had no choice but to retreat.

Qin Fei and the others exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.

Tiezhu then approached a leading officer and transmitted his voice:

"Fellow Daoist, we're on the same side. We'd like to take care of some important business outside the city. Could you please make an exception?"

Tiezhu took out his centurion's order and waved it in front of the man.

Then, without making a sound, he took out a few Spirit Stone and put them into the man's hand.

He is currently in a period of rest and has not received any military orders, so he does not understand what the lockdown is all about.

Upon seeing the token, the leading officer's expression softened somewhat, but he still pushed the Spirit Stone back.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't be offended. It's not that I'm being unreasonable, but the higher-ups have given a strict order that no one is allowed to leave the city."

Tiezhu moved closer and forcibly stuffed the Spirit Stone into the man's armor.

"Fellow Daoist, do you know what happened? Don't worry, I won't lie."

The leading officer hesitated for a moment, but after glancing at the Spirit Stone, he switched to telepathy and said:

"War is about to break out, and everyone has to participate, even the cultivators from the Lin and Lu Lineage cannot avoid it."

"If anyone escapes, they will be punished for treason, and the entire clan will be on their wanted list. Fellow Daoist, do not bring trouble upon yourselves."

Tiezhu was startled upon hearing this and replied:

"Is it that serious that they're forcing people to join the army?"

The leading officer nodded and continued:

"Fellow Daoist, leaving the city is definitely not an option. After the reconstruction, a unified register was created, and everyone's name has been submitted. The list will be checked one by one. You don't want to become a fugitive in the future, do you?"

"I advise you, fellow Daoist, to seize this opportunity to cultivate your connections. If you are assigned to the front lines, you will surely die!"

Tiezhu returned with a heavy heart and shared the information he had just gathered with everyone.

"Brother Qin, what should we do?"

Qin Fei pondered for a long time before answering:

"That man is right. We can't become fugitives, otherwise, let alone the border, we'll have nowhere to go in the entire Great Qi."

A clan-wide manhunt is no joke; these few Qi Refinement Realm cultivators simply cannot withstand it.

"The only way to resolve this is to seek help from Senior Caiyi. Most of us are members of the merchant guild, so she shouldn't ignore this, but..."

He turned to look at Tiezhu, a questioning look on his face.

Since Tiezhu Zhu chose to join the army and completely withdrew from the Chamber of Commerce, he might not be able to get the help of the Fairy Caiyi.

Tie Zhu smiled honestly and showed his Centurion brand.

"I joined the Lin Household's army a long time ago, unlike those Rogue Cultivators who were temporarily recruited. I doubt the Lin Household will assign me any dangerous missions."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt there was some truth to it, and their worries subsided somewhat.

After everyone dispersed, Qin Fei approached Tiezhu alone and slipped a few Puppet Ball into his hand.

Tiezhu and he had a good relationship.

Previously, when the barbarians raided the border, I even went to his courtyard to help deal with the Bandit Cultivator.

Qin Fei kept it all in mind.

Those Puppet Ball were the Desolate Rock Ghost Python he had crafted, each possessing the strength of the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.

Hopefully, these puppets will be of some help when Tiezhu is in danger.

After parting ways, Qin Fei returned alone to the puppet scrapyard.

I never imagined that after going around in circles, I would end up back here.

This failed attempt to leave left him quite depressed, making military service inevitable.

They could only hope that the Fairy Caiyi would be helpful and arrange a safer job for everyone.

A few days later, an explosive piece of news ignited the Shangyu Market.

All registered Rogue Cultivator within the garrison, regardless of their cultivation level, were required to participate in the defense and counterattack against the barbarian army.

At the same time, the Military Merit Exchange Center will be opened, where you can exchange Military Merit for various heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

The Rogue Cultivator were initially full of complaints, but after seeing the exchange notes for the treasures, they all fell silent.

Elixirs to enhance cultivation, spiritual materials to replenish Qi and Blood, top-grade Law Artifact, talismans, and more—everything imaginable is available.

Even more outrageous, someone actually saw Foundation Establishment Pill on it!

However, the required military merits are astronomical.

However, this still ignited the enthusiasm of some Rogue Cultivator, making them less resistant to being sent to the army.

The other person was still unwilling, but had no way to refuse.

In an instant, Shangyu Market transformed into a massive war machine, slowly coming into operation.

At this moment, Qin Fei was holding a token in his hand, deep in thought.

Thanks to the intervention of the Fairy Caiyi, the tasks they were assigned were all quite good.

Qin Fei was responsible for patrolling outside the neighborhood, which he carried out once a month, and the rest of the time was for rest.

Although they might encounter small groups of barbarian troops, Qin Fei's current strength should ensure his escape.

Tang Zhan and the others also had good tasks; some were stationed at the spirit fields, and others were guarding the mines, all of which were not far from Shangyu Market.

This was also arranged by the Fairy Caiyi Clothes, so that there would be someone to do the work for him.

Tiezhu wasn't so lucky; he was in charge of escorting supplies to the front lines.

As the saying goes, an army without food will perish; these supplies are extremely crucial and easily vulnerable to surprise attacks by barbarian armies.

Now all I can do is be thankful that I wasn't assigned to the front lines, otherwise I would have been doomed.

The first patrol mission would begin in a few days, and Qin Fei needed to make some preparations beforehand.

With a flip of his hand, a bone appeared in his palm.

He hasn't formally refined this Mustard Seed Space since acquiring it.

So much so that the puppets inside can only be controlled to work when the device is turned on.

This is a bit too useless; you can't keep it on all the time, that's practically suicide.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to complete the ritual of refining this item.

This way, even when he is performing a mission, the puppets in the space can continue to work.

Each time you store or retrieve items, you no longer need to summon that small light curtain door, greatly improving your concealment.

Qin Fei sat cross-legged on the ground, continuously channeling his Spiritual Power into the Mustard Seed Space.

The bones floated in the air, their light flickering.

Time passed slowly, and it wasn't until late at night that Qin Fei completed the refining of this item.

With a thought, the scene within the space immediately appeared in his mind.

As soon as my Divine Sense entered, the puppet that had been lying on the ground immediately began to work.

Qin Fei plans to transform this space into his own puppet manufacturing plant.

Just as he was planning the factory area, the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Array suddenly showed unusual activity.

Qin Fei frowned, only to find that the visitor was an acquaintance.

Yunxiu, a successor of the Heavenly Secrets Sect.

This woman had tried to persuade him to explore the hidden realm together, but he refused.

Now that the secret realm has been occupied by the barbarian army, why bother looking for him?

Qin Fei was puzzled, but after thinking for a while, he still went to see her.

Yunxiu was in a very sorry state.

She was covered in blood, though it was unclear what she had been through, but the bloodstains did not appear to be hers.

And the first thing she said to Qin Fei was:

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a great fortuitous opportunity to offer you!"