Chapter 101: A Brighter Path Ahead [Thank You for Your Continued Reading—I

"I wonder if you, Brother Gu, have any way to obtain an entry slot for the Verdant Illusion Realm?" Qin Ming said bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing’s dark eyebrows slightly furrowed.

She naturally knew Qin Ming asked this because he wanted to advance to Second-Rank Planesman.

Instead of seeking entry slots from Second-Rank Planesmen of the Spirit Feather Sect, he came to her.

No need to guess—he must have been harassed by the Spirit Feather Sect.

After all, such talent is not easily let go by anyone.

"If anyone else asked, it would certainly be impossible."

"But if it’s Brother Qin, there’s still a chance."

After pondering for a long while, Gu Qing said.

Qin Ming’s expression brightened instantly: "Then it’s a deal."

"You’ll still need to go there in person—I can speak on your behalf to them."

"Do you still remember that Master Huangfu has a consort?" Gu Qing asked.

Though Qin Ming had never met her, he remembered vividly: all the Second-Rank plants in Master Huangfu’s cave were grown by her.

"Yes, I’ve heard Master Huangfu mention her," Qin Ming nodded.

Gu Qing continued, "Master Huangfu’s consort, Sister Chen Qiaoling, is also a Second-Rank Planesman, and she has old ties with an Elder in the Spirit Feather Sect."

"Perhaps you could try asking her."

"Why wait? Come with me to Yunmeng Mountain right now to pay her a visit."

In exchange for selling two Divine Essence Fruits, Qin Ming secured Gu Qing’s introduction.

The deal was concluded.

The two left the marketplace and flew toward Yunmeng Mountain.

Half an hour later.

Qin Ming and Gu Qing successfully met Master Huangfu’s consort, Chen Qiaoling.

She was a beautiful, plump woman with Foundation Establishment cultivation.

They explained their purpose.

Chen Qiaoling thought for a moment, then said, "Since the Sect Master himself brought you to discuss this, I’ll reluctantly agree."

"But after it’s done, I have one condition."

Qin Ming’s eyes lit up: "Sister Chen, please speak."

"I want half a wisp of the Ten Thousand Trees Mother Qi," Chen Qiaoling said directly, staring at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming paused, then replied bluntly: "Agreed. If I obtain it, I won’t break my word."

"With your talent as a Planesman, ranking among the top shouldn’t be hard," Chen Qiaoling smiled faintly, her tone laden with meaning.

"To handle this matter for you, I’ll have to beg a grumpy old man from the Spirit Feather Sect."

"You won’t be the loser."

"Come back to me in three days to collect your slot."

With the matter settled, Qin Ming felt a great weight lift from his heart.

Now, everything was ready.

He only needed to wait for the Second-Rank plants in his five mu of spirit fields to mature.

…

Back at Qingyang Marketplace.

Qin Ming went as usual to tend his spirit fields.

As soon as he neared the fields, he saw several Planesmen pointing and whispering about his crops.

Qin Ming frowned and quickened his pace.

"This Five-Color Rice isn’t that impressive—compared to my two mu of Second-Rank Jade Crystal Rice, it’s clearly inferior."

A middle-aged cultivator in Spirit Feather Sect Planesman robes stood on the field ridge beside the irrigation ditch, his expression haughty as he commented coolly.

The other Planesmen beside him nodded in agreement: "Of course—Brother Li Yan’s plant cultivation skill is unparalleled; he’s a disciple of Elder Zhuang Xiran. His promotion to Second-Rank Planesman is already certain."

"When Brother Li’s Jade Crystal Rice matures, it’ll make the Mingzhen Pavilion of the Spirit Feather Sect famous throughout the Yunze Wilds!"

"Among all top Planesmen, I still favor Brother Li the most."

"That country bumpkin from who-knows-where? He’s just lucky."

"Even if he managed to grow Second-Rank plants, what good is it? Without an Elder’s slot, he’s still stuck farming like a peasant."

Qin Ming had been in good spirits today, and now he ran into these gloomy fools. "Sigh, make way, don’t block my path?"

He walked straight over and casually unleashed a hidden force with his body.

"Plop!"

The Planesman named Li Yan tumbled into the ditch beside him, looking utterly disheveled.

He snapped back to his senses, leapt to the ground,

cast a Cleansing Spell on himself, and used his magic power to dry his clothes.

"Brother Qin, what’s your meaning?" Li Yan glared with anger—he’d seen Qin Ming approach and had even planned to greet him.

Instead, the man said nothing and shoved him straight into the ditch.

He tried to dodge, but felt as if struck by a beast—he couldn’t react in time.

The other Planesmen, seeing this, grew furious and stormed toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming, seeing this, suddenly unleashed his Qi Refining Late-Stage magic power, which surged violently around him.

"What now, brothers? Want to spar?" Qin Ming stepped forward, unafraid and mocking.

These Planesmen, utterly powerless, weren’t worth one of his hands.

"Qi Refining Late-Stage!"

The Planesmen, sensing danger, turned and fled immediately.

"Hmph! You’ve got guts!" Li Yan shot Qin Ming a furious glare and slunk away after them.

Qin Ming watched them go and sneered, "You should thank your luck—you didn’t step on my Thorn Spell traps."

"Otherwise, you’d have added a few more blood pearls."

…

Winter passed, spring arrived, the seasons turned.

Time flew by.

One and a half years later.

With the dual aid of the glossary and elixirs, Qin Ming trained day and night.

His magic power reached Qi Refining Eighth Layer, and the Hundred Treasures Glazed Scripture advanced to its Eighth Layer—his strength surged again.

The situation in Qingyang Marketplace remained unchanged, frozen.

The reason: after so long, no faction had found the dragon-shaped token.

"Could it really be that coincidental? Was it really taken by Brother Feng?" Qin Ming couldn’t help speculating, "It’s almost certainly him."

Naturally, the Spirit Feather Sect was delighted by this situation.

If Qin Ming’s guess was right, the Tianlinggen Cultivator at Foundation Establishment Peak, Yuwen Hong, was likely on the verge of breakthrough.

But none of that mattered.

Because now, his five mu of Second-Rank plants had fully matured—and were thriving.

The Spirit Feather Sect’s Administration Office had already recorded and registered them all.

Thanks to three years of relentless labor since he first planted these five mu of Second-Rank plants.

In the end, Qin Ming nearly moved to the fields, setting up a pavilion to guard the plants day and night.

To prevent anyone in the Spirit Feather Sect from sabotaging them secretly.

Because many high-ups in the Spirit Feather Sect didn’t want this peasant farmer to rise.

Fortunately, hard work paid off—the plants were ready for harvest, and he exhaled deeply.

After attending the Verdant Illusion Realm trial and advancing to Second-Rank Planesman,

the Spirit Feather Sect would have nothing to say.

Then, his corvée labor would be lifted—he’d be free as a bird in the sky, a fish in the sea.

All these struggles here would have nothing to do with him.

Qin Ming gazed at the five-colored rice in his fields, glowing with astonishing spiritual essence, joy swelling in his heart.

This was rice that greatly enhanced Qi Refining cultivation—beneficial even to Foundation Establishment cultivators, rare and priceless.

And the other two mu of earth-yellow Chi Silver Hemp were full of value, each part precious.

Moreover, Qin Ming could dispose of them freely, without paying taxes.

Soon after,

the Spirit Feather Sect’s spirit-boat arrived on schedule to collect the rice.

(End of Chapter)