Chapter 104: Pursuit and Escape Route

Among the clouds.

Qin Ming let out an excited long cry.

At this moment, he felt an indescribable sense of freedom.

The feeling of not being under someone else’s roof was truly wonderful.

He planned to seek out Gu Qingzhao next, to see if he could board a mirror-snow pavilion magic vessel and leave this chaotic land of Yunze Great Wilderness.

Qin Ming rode the Spirit Light Flying Shuttle, gazing down at the scenery rushing past below.

Memories of his initial exile here as a spirit farmer, the hardships along the way, still lingered vividly in his mind.

Now, as a second-rank spirit cultivator, he could be welcomed as an honored guest wherever he went.

Yet.

Qin Ming still decided to find a place rich in spiritual energy, to farm alone and grow steadily, preparing for Foundation Establishment.

Suddenly!

He was lost in thought.

Qin Ming’s powerful spiritual sense sensed two powerful cultivators behind him, chasing after him at full speed!

“They’re Foundation Establishment!”

His heart instantly tightened—he knew without a doubt what was happening.

Qin Ming spread his spiritual sense again and confirmed that hundreds of zhang behind him were indeed the Ancient Elder and another Foundation Establishment Elder of Lingyu Gate, racing toward him at full speed.

Without hesitation, he fully activated the Spirit Light Flying Shuttle, turning into a streak of light that vanished into the horizon.

“This brat actually has a top-grade flying magic treasure!”

“Don’t hold back—let’s chase at full speed. We must intercept him before he reaches Qingyang Bazaar.”

“Agreed in advance—he’s got the Ten Thousand Trees Mother Qi, that’s mine. You can do what you want with the man.”

“Fine!”

Qin Ming frowned, sensing the two Foundation Establishment cultivators rapidly closing in.

He knew they would catch up soon.

Qin Ming gritted his teeth.

He pulled two spherical objects from his storage bag, timing his move precisely.

As he circled a mountain peak, he hurled them sharply backward—suddenly—

The Ancient Elder suddenly felt a strong unease and hastily pulled out a defensive magic treasure to shield himself.

BOOM! A violent explosion erupted, blue lightning arcs flashing through the air behind them.

In an instant, the earth shook and mountains trembled—a small mushroom cloud slowly rose into the sky.

Unprepared, the other Foundation Establishment Elder of Lingyu Gate had one arm completely blown off.

Neither of Lingyu Gate’s two Foundation Establishment Elders had expected him to possess such a thing.

“Damn it! That brat actually has Yin Thunder Substances!”

The other Foundation Establishment Elder, wounded, turned pale and immediately swallowed a healing elixir.

He then chanted a spell to stop the bleeding.

A rare look of caution appeared on his face.

Because he had no idea how many of these things Qin Ming still had left.

If they kept chasing, they might end up drowning in a ditch.

The Ancient Elder stared at the direction Qin Ming had fled, furious.

“Hmph! He got lucky!”

…

A quarter-hour later.

Qin Ming returned to Qingyang Bazaar.

He knew the two Ancient Elders would never dare follow him into Qingyang Bazaar—Lingyu Gate still had its reputation to maintain.

Besides that.

Qingyang Bazaar was now a chaotic mix of factions, like a powder keg ready to explode, needing only a spark.

One misstep could trigger fierce reactions from other powers within the bazaar.

Qin Ming returned to Qingliang Xiaozhu.

His face was grim—he hadn’t expected Lingyu Gate to resort to such underhanded tactics. Had he not prepared a backup plan,

He might not have escaped. “I just wanted to farm in peace.”

“Since you’re pushing me so hard, don’t blame me!”

Qin Ming’s heart burned with rage—he suddenly conceived a sinister idea!

Afterwards,

He harvested every single spirit herb he could carry from his courtyard.

But when it came to his life-spirit plant, the Black Vine, Qin Ming hesitated.

Living things couldn’t be stored directly in a storage bag—if it died, what then? This was his hard-won, fully consecrated life-spirit plant—he couldn’t abandon it.

As Qin Ming pondered a solution, the Black Vine seemed to sense his thoughts.

In his stunned gaze,

The Black Vine twisted and writhed like ink, slithering up his arm and coiling tightly around it, resembling a vine tattoo.

“No way, this works?”

Qin Ming stared at the Black Vine wrapped around his arm and exclaimed in shock.

…

Yunmeng Mountain.

Qin Ming returned to Gu Qingzhao’s cave dwelling.

“Comrade Qin! Your trial assessment is over?” Gu Qingzhao invited him to sit and poured him tea.

Qin Ming nodded and pulled out his Spirit Cultivator identity wooden plaque—the spirit plant on its reverse glowed brightly.

“Congratulations, Comrade Qin, on advancing to Second-Rank Spirit Cultivator!” Gu Qingzhao’s eyes sparkled with sincere congratulations.

Though she had long known Qin Ming could grow second-rank spirit plants of high quality,

His success in the Grass and Tree Illusion trial still deeply impressed her.

“Comrade Gu, I’ve now been released from Lingyu Gate’s corvée labor and regained my freedom.”

“May I ask—is there any way to leave Yunze Great Wilderness?” Qin Ming took the Spirit Mist Tea Gu Qingzhao poured and sipped it.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhao’s eyes flickered with sudden light. She stood up immediately and earnestly invited again: “I wish to invite you once more to become a guest advisor of our pavilion—any request, please name it.”

“As for leaving,”

“In half a month, our pavilion will withdraw from Yunhuang Great Marsh. At that time, you may join us aboard our magic vessel.”

Qin Ming, faced with Gu Qingzhao’s such warm invitation, found it hard to refuse.

“Comrade Gu, I’m sorry—I cannot accept your offer to join your pavilion. I refuse to be bound, otherwise I wouldn’t have left Lingyu Gate. But in future trade dealings, I’ll gladly prioritize cooperation with your pavilion.”

Gu Qingzhao’s starry eyes showed a trace of disappointment. After a brief pause, her eyes lit up again: “Then, could you become an honorary guest advisor of our pavilion?”

“Merely a title on our roster—you won’t be burdened with any duties.”

“You’ll enjoy certain privileges and discounts within our pavilion, and priority access to resources.”

Qin Ming considered this—Gu Qingzhao had spoken so sincerely, refusing now would be unreasonably cold.

He nodded. “Then as you say, Comrade Gu.”

Gu Qingzhao smiled inwardly and raised her teacup: “Then let us toast to a fruitful partnership.”

The two each took a symbolic sip.

“Where do you plan to go next, Comrade Qin?” Gu Qingzhao set down her cup and asked suddenly.

Qin Ming smiled faintly. “To be honest, I haven’t decided yet. I still have a few matters to settle—after that, I’ll make my choice.”

Afterwards,

Qin Ming took fifty jin of second-rank Five-Color Spirit Rice from his storage bag and placed it before Gu Qingzhao: “Since I’ve agreed to become your honorary guest advisor, I entrust you to auction and sell these spirit rice.”

Gu Qingzhao stared at the multicolored Five-Color Spirit Rice, momentarily stunned.

Long moments passed.

She finally waved her hand to collect the rice and said joyfully: “I won’t let you down. Coincidentally, our magic vessel will host an auction during our departure—many cultivators will attend.”

The two spoke at length.

Having secured his escape route, Qin Ming took his leave.

He then visited Huangfu Qi’s cave dwelling and delivered the half strand of Ten Thousand Trees Mother Qi he had promised to Chen Qiaoling.

Having settled these matters,

Qin Ming returned to the shantytown, retrieved the purple alchemy furnace, then buried the ground fire beneath the alchemy chamber.

He looked up at the starry night and murmured: “Almost ready. Let me add a little more fire.”

(End of Chapter)