Chapter 115: Wu Jiang

After the two entered the room.

They appeared somewhat nervous, hands and feet at a loss.

Clearly, they had spent too long in the cramped cabin below and were unaccustomed to this space.

Meanwhile, the young cultivator secretly sized up Qin Ming.

He couldn’t help but feel uneasy—hadn’t expected the other’s identity to be so significant, likely a person of great importance.

He understood the social customs of the cultivation world well and could easily guess who this person was.

Unless he was hiding his cultivation base, he must be a guest of honor at the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Qin Ming boiled the spirit spring water and brewed Spirit Mist Tea for the two; after pouring the tea, he said, “No need for formalities—let’s just chat a while. Please, have some tea.”

The young cultivator carefully took the spirit tea from Qin Ming’s hand, sipped lightly, savored it, and said, “Excellent tea!”

Then he introduced himself to Qin Ming: “I am Wu Jiang, and this is my cultivation partner, Mu Ruyin.”

“May I ask what questions you have? I can’t claim to know everything, but I’m well-informed on all manner of news and hidden channels within the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago.”

“Also, I’d like to ask—since you’re staying here, your identity must not be ordinary, correct?”

Qin Ming was surprised—he hadn’t expected the other to be a local expert on everything; this suited him perfectly.

“You flatter me—I am Qin Ming, merely a spirit gardener. I came to the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago seeking a quiet place to farm and cultivate in solitude.”

“Oh? So you’re a spirit gardener?” Wu Jiang’s eyes widened in surprise.

His gaze flickered toward the luxurious guest room, as if implying something.

Qin Ming replied frankly, “I have joined no sect or faction.”

Wu Jiang’s eyes darted, then he asked again, “Then, after arriving in the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago, have you considered joining a local family?”

“Many Qi Refining families are constantly recruiting spirit gardeners, and the compensation is quite good.”

“To be honest, I have no desire to live under someone else’s roof and be bound by their rules,” Qin Ming shook his head firmly.

“Then if I understand you correctly,” Wu Jiang mused, “you wish to rent a cave dwelling or cultivation site on your own?”

Qin Ming nodded. “But… I’ve been a spirit farmer in the Yunze Wilds long enough. This time, I want to rent a larger plot of land and be a landlord myself.”

He had now reached the late stage of Qi Refining and could naturally manage more spirit fields.

“What? A landlord… So you mean you want to rent a large expanse of spirit fields?” Wu Jiang’s lips twitched slightly—he hadn’t expected this man’s spirit stone reserves to be so vast!

He took a sip of tea.

Qin Ming shook his head, his voice utterly calm. “Wrong, wrong, Wu Daoist. I mean I want to rent an entire island.”

“Pfft!”

Wu Jiang spat out his tea, nearly choking.

His cultivation partner, Mu Ruyin, also looked stunned, her mouth slightly open.

“What? Is there something wrong with that, Wu Daoist?” Qin Ming smiled at the other’s reaction.

Wu Jiang cleared his throat, took a moment to compose himself, then said, “I was blind—I didn’t realize you meant to find an unclaimed island and become its master.”

“A few years ago, there might still have been some islands with spirit veins available for rent.”

“But in recent years, most islands with first-tier spirit veins have been seized by numerous Qi Refining families and lone cultivators; unclaimed islands are now rarely heard of.”

“Moreover, the Zhao family hasn’t rented out any spirit-vein islands to outside lone cultivators in years.”

“It’s likely—”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was taken aback; he frowned slightly. “What about second-tier spirit vein islands?”

Wu Jiang froze.

The other’s questions kept challenging his understanding.

No.

Second-tier spirit vein?

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him—he realized where he was sitting. Wu Jiang’s mind cleared instantly—he understood!

This Qin Daoist must be a highly esteemed second-tier spirit gardener. That explained everything.

He had foolishly thought he could haggle over a guide fee… Realizing this, he immediately rose and bowed deeply to Qin Ming.

“So you are a second-tier spirit gardener! Forgive our earlier presumption.”

Mu Ruyin, upon hearing this, was also startled and quickly rose to bow gracefully.

Qin Ming waved his hand. “No need for such formality—please sit.”

The two sat down.

“Qin Daoist, to be honest, there are only a handful of second-tier spirit vein islands in the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago, and most are already under Zhao family control.”

“The rest are occupied by powerful cultivation families or lone cultivators.”

“It’s unlikely you could rent one.”

“Moreover, renting an entire island requires a substantial annual payment of spirit stones.”

Wu Jiang glanced at Qin Ming’s reaction and added,

“But for a second-tier spirit gardener like yourself, it should be no issue.”

Qin Ming frowned slightly—he hadn’t expected the actual situation in the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago to differ so greatly from his expectations.

Not even an ordinary island could be rented, let alone one with a spirit vein.

“Ah… That’s truly unfortunate.”

Qin Ming sighed softly.

If all else failed, he’d have to choose one of his other backup destinations.

Wu Jiang watched Qin Ming’s expression and his mind raced.

To be honest, he had never met someone as exalted as a second-tier spirit gardener before.

Such a powerful ally—he absolutely could not let slip away!

He had carefully observed Qin Ming’s words and demeanor; though not a paragon of virtue, he was clearly an open and upright man.

Wu Jiang quickly said, “Qin Daoist, although second-tier spirit vein islands are rare, they’re not entirely out of reach.”

“Oh? Please go on, Wu Daoist.” Qin Ming perked up—he sensed there was still hope.

Wu Jiang explained, “Qin Daoist, the minimum rental term for any second-tier spirit vein island in the Spirit Dwelling Archipelago is ten years.”

“I’m not familiar with the others, but a distant relative of mine once visited me and mentioned in passing that a second-tier spirit vein island on the northern edge of the archipelago was previously rented by the Mo family.”

“Unfortunately, the Mo family head died in an accident a few years ago; since then, the family has declined, losing its pillar. The remaining members likely cannot afford the costs of renting a second-tier spirit vein island.”

“And the lease on that spirit island expires this year.”

“If the Mo family cannot pay the rent, the Zhao family will very likely rent it to someone else.”

“Coincidentally, my father has old ties with the Mo family and can inquire about the situation.”

Qin Ming fell into thought.

The situation seemed to have a glimmer of opportunity, but it was still slim.

Yet after careful analysis, he decided.

He would go and see for himself.

He was a stranger here and needed a local guide.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Wu Daoist, to take me and see what the situation is like. If it works out, you’ll be well rewarded,” Qin Ming said after a moment’s thought.

“Hehe!”

“You say that as if it’s a favor to me—meeting a second-tier spirit gardener is already my honor!”

(End of Chapter)