Chapter 119: Revelation and Offers from All Sides

The moment Qin Ming spoke these words,

he immediately clashed with the atmosphere of the scene, appearing extremely out of place.

"Hold on!"

At this moment,

before the three alliance leaders of the San Alliance could speak, Yu Wanhe of Bicang Island stood up directly and coldly questioned Qin Ming: "Such a major incident has occurred in the Lingxi Archipelago; all islands are united as one, yet only your Wangyue Island is backing out. What is the meaning of this?"

"Could it be that you are involved with the bandits who committed the crime, or perhaps with the Zhao family?"

That burly middle-aged man from the San Alliance also instantly stepped forward, blocking Qin Ming's path.

Yu Wanhe was extremely aggressive, reasoning not at all, slapping a huge accusation onto Qin Ming's head without hesitation.

"Island Lord Yu, one may eat carelessly, but one cannot speak carelessly."

"Without evidence, do not point fingers at Qin Mou," Qin Ming replied expressionlessly.

In his words, he gave absolutely no face to this old Foundation Establishment cultivator.

To tell the truth, he had just swept the area with his divine sense; among the cultivators present, only Huo Qianqiu, at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, could exert even a slight pressure on him.

The others, including the newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator Yu Wanhe, were all inadequate.

Some were even inferior to Luo Rong, whom Qin Ming had instantly killed with poisonous flames.

Qin Ming simply did not wish to invite unnecessary trouble; this did not mean he would forever hide his strength.

In any case, his matter of reaching Foundation Establishment could not remain hidden for long.

Hearing this, Yu Wanhe was furious beyond measure; he never expected a mere Qi Condensation junior to speak so insolently and dare to contradict him.

In the Immortal Realm, the hierarchy of status and seniority is strict; how could he allow such arrogance?!

"Hmph! What an ungrateful junior."

"Previously, I heard you dared to oppose my Yu family; today, I shall teach you a lesson to help you remember your place."

Boom! As soon as Yu Wanhe finished speaking, the magic power fluctuations belonging to the Foundation Establishment stage were fully released, causing everyone present to feel startled.

They had never expected Qin Ming to dare to be so rude and disrespectful toward a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Yu Wanhe circulated his magic power and reached out! The powerful aura of the Foundation Establishment stage locked onto Qin Ming, attacking with a speed too fast to cover one's ears.

His gaze was sinister and vicious; he struck ruthlessly, leaving almost no room for maneuver.

The burly middle-aged man from the San Alliance standing before Qin Ming immediately retreated several steps upon seeing the situation, putting on an air of wanting to watch the show.

The three Foundation Establishment alliance leaders at the head exchanged glances, showing no intention of intervening to stop it.

Several cultivators of the Yu family from Bicang Island, seeing their Yunxi Laozu about to display his mighty power and teach the other a lesson, felt they were about to vent their pent-up anger.

Each one looked extremely excited.

Qin Ming's expression remained calm, but his eyes grew sharp.

He no longer concealed his cultivation; his formidable magic power, comparable to that of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment expert, erupted violently! Boom! A far more massive Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure suddenly descended upon the great hall.

Its momentum exceeded Yu Wanhe's by several times over.

It intimidated the nearby Qi Condensation cultivators, causing them to fall to the ground one after another, looking wretched and disheveled.

Qin Ming's eyes turned slightly cold; with a single hand forming a seal, a huge wooden thorn spell over ten zhang long instantly condensed in the empty space ahead, emitting a terrifying fluctuation.

The myriad scattered cultivators behind were frightened by the might of this spell, their hearts pounding in terror.

He pointed with his finger; the wooden thorn transformed into a emerald-green rainbow, piercing through the void and striking directly at the charging Yu Wanhe.

Swish! Yu Wanhe was caught off guard by the sudden change, expressions of shock and bewilderment appearing on his face.

He simply could not understand how the small cultivator at late-stage Qi Condensation from just moments ago had suddenly transformed into a Foundation Establishment cultivator just like him.

Seeing the horrifyingly powerful spell approaching,

Yu Wanhe, in haste, switched from attack to defense, releasing an earth-yellow magic power shield that enveloped his entire body.

Bang! The wooden thorn vanished in an instant; a tremendous crashing sound exploded within the great hall! A figure flew backward, slamming heavily into the wall of the hall, smashing a large hole, instantly filling the area with swirling dust.

Yu Wanhe, who had been so arrogant and unruly just moments before, now lay inside the crater, motionless, his life or death unknown.

Even among Foundation Establishment cultivators, there are differences! The degree of liquid condensation of their magic power, in both quality and quantity, was completely not on the same level.

Gasp! "Foun... Foun... Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

Everyone from the Lingxi Archipelago present was shocked beyond measure.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the San Alliance at the head of the hall similarly displayed extremely shaken reactions; this sudden change had somewhat exceeded their expectations.

Li Yuanqing was secretly startled.

To heavily wound a peer Foundation Establishment cultivator in a single strike—is this the strength of a spirit planter?

Even Huo Qianqiu stared at Qin Ming, his gaze flickering uncertainly, unknown what he was thinking.

The members of the Yu family, who had thought their Yunxi Laozu was about to display his Foundation Establishment might before the various island lords of the Spirit Islands,

found the situation suddenly reversed, their Yunxi Laozu having been slapped by the opponent into the wall.

Yu Pinghai and Yu Tao both stared blankly, their faces pale, their hearts filled with horror.

Their legs trembled uncontrollably.

They never expected that this ordinary-looking scattered cultivator, silently and without notice, had actually broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Furthermore, his level of strength was clearly not on the same tier as their Yunxi Laozu.

Subsequently,

Qin Ming's gaze slowly fell upon that burly middle-aged man from the San Alliance, and he asked in an icy tone: "Someone like you? Also wants to block me?"

The burly middle-aged man instantly broke out in a cold sweat, bitterly lamenting in his heart.

He never in a million years expected that the scattered cultivator with false spiritual roots, whom he had once looked down upon, had shifted positions in status and actually become an old Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"S-s-sorry, Qin Qianbei, I..."

Before the burly middle-aged man could finish speaking,

Qin Ming raised his hand and swept it forward, launching a blade of fierce wind straight at the burly middle-aged man!

The burly middle-aged man looked as if his throat had been seized; his pupils suddenly contracted, and his face turned ashen as death!

Boom! Just at this critical moment, Huo Qianqiu made his move; he raised his hand and summoned, causing a small cyan-golden shield to appear spinning, instantly expanding to shield the burly middle-aged man, barely neutralizing the attack.

The burly middle-aged man had saved his life and was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.

Slap! Huo Qianqiu slapped him across the face, sending the burly middle-aged man flying far away while spewing fresh blood from his mouth.

Having done all this.

Huo Qianqiu finally turned around, clasped his fists toward Qin Ming, and said:

"So Fellow Daoist Qin has already advanced to Foundation Establishment; one who does not know cannot be blamed. I hope you will spare his life, and I will punish him on your behalf."

With a calm expression, Qin Ming said, "Alliance Leader Huo, may Qin Mou take his leave now?"

"Naturally. Since Fellow Daoist Qin is unwilling to join the San Alliance, coming and going are entirely up to your freedom."

"At the same time, I must congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on breaking through to Foundation Establishment; once matters here are settled, I will personally visit your island to pay my respects."

Qin Ming nodded; facing a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he still needed to show some face, so he returned the bow, saying, "Then I shall await Alliance Leader Huo on the island."

He then called for Wu Jiang, and under the awestruck gazes of the crowd seeing them off, the two walked out of the main hall.

Wu Jiang's expression was extremely exhilarated and filled with pride; he had never expected that Fellow Daoist Qin, who had only recently advanced to Foundation Establishment, would possess such formidable strength.

Not only did a single spell severely injure Yu Wanhe.

But even Alliance Leader Huo, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, had to yield three parts of respect.

Once the two of them, Qin Ming and his companion, departed.

The main hall descended into chaos.

"I never expected the Island Lord of Wangyue to actually break through to the Foundation Establishment stage!"

"Ah! Now that you mention it, I suddenly remember: wasn't it Qin Qianbei who cultivated the spiritual energy Rice half a year ago?"

"At that time, many fellow cultivators wanted to visit Wangyue Island to beg for rice, but were all rejected outside the island, unable to meet him even once."

"So he is a second-tier, middle-grade spiritual planter; it is no surprise he successfully founded his foundation."

"The Yu family truly has terrible luck; just as they became a Foundation Establishment family, they kicked an iron plate."

"What do you mean terrible luck? They were simply too arrogant and unrestrained; Qin Qianbei taught them a good lesson, and I have long been unable to stand them."

"There will be a good show to watch this time."

"In two days, my Xiaoye Island will prepare to visit Wangyue Island to pay respects to Qin Qianbei and establish a favorable connection."

After the meeting.

The three alliance leaders of the San Alliance from the Seventy-Two Islands sat together in an elegant room.

Li Yuanqing spoke first, sighing with emotion: "I never expected this youth to be so extraordinary; back during the island-seizing duel, he suppressed all heroes, forced back Zhao Chanzhen of the Zhao family, and seized the spiritual island in one stroke—the scene remains vivid in my eyes."

"Now, with a single turn, he has become a Foundation Establishment cultivator just like you and me."

Alliance Leader Huo stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window, and nodded: "Mm, I fear Fellow Daoist Qin's strength is far from as simple as it appears on the surface! If we were to truly fight, at best I could only draw with him."

That elderly woman, looking decrepit and dragon-like, shook her head in disbelief: "How is that possible? How long has it been since he broke through to Foundation Establishment?"

"."

"By the way, what shall we do about the Yu family?"

"Originally, we intended to use Yu Wanhe by turning his scheme against him, but unexpectedly he was crippled by Fellow Daoist Qin; this too is heaven's will."

"The Yu family no longer amounts to anything; let us deal with them after current matters are concluded."

"Hurry and prepare for the subsequent affairs."

Two days later.

The news that the Island Lord of Wangyue had achieved Foundation Establishment and displayed divine might at the San Alliance headquarters on Fengqi Island of the Seventy-Two Islands spread everywhere.

Even within Canghai Xiancheng, the sacred land of rogue cultivators, rumors boiled over.

Here, every rogue cultivator who successfully founded their foundation became a topic of eager discussion and a focal point of attention.

For the countless rogue cultivators in the city, this was also a tremendous encouragement.

Jingxue Pavilion.

Gu Qingzhao had received this news immediately on the very day the incident occurred.

However, recently she had been busy with pavilion affairs and could not spare any time.

On this day.

Her beautiful eyes revealed joy as she instructed Shopkeeper Liao: "Go ahead and prepare some generous gifts; in a while, I will visit Wangyue Island to pay respects to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Shopkeeper Liao agreed, then said enviously: "I never expected it! Things remain but people have changed; Fellow Daoist Qin is truly extraordinary, having unknowingly reached this step."

On Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming tasked Wu Jiang and his wife with handling the reception of visiting cultivators.

"News of my Foundation Establishment will spread within these few days, and many visitors will surely come; I dislike noise, so for ordinary factions, you need only accept their name cards."

"If you encounter anyone difficult to refuse, I will personally come out to receive them."

Wu Jiang patted his chest and guaranteed: "Fellow Daoist Qin, rest assured; I have stayed in the spiritual energy Archipelago for thirty years and am thoroughly familiar with all factions, large and small, here; I will certainly handle this matter properly."

Being able to serve as a greeter for a Foundation Establishment cultivator was something ordinary Qi Refining cultivators begged for but could not obtain.

After all, to some extent, this represented close interactions with this Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Moreover, the couple was renting residence on Wangyue Island.

In the following few days.

Spiritual island factions from nearby areas came one after another to Wangyue Island to deliver name cards.

The couple Wu Jiang handled matters quite well, arranging everything in perfect order.

Occasionally, larger powers came to visit, and Qin Ming personally received each one.

The three from the Huo Alliance of the Seventy-Two Islands San Alliance also arrived, staying on the island for a small half-day.

Several days passed.

Almost everyone who was supposed to come had already arrived.

On this day.

Qin Ming finally found a moment of peace and was tending to his spiritual fields.

Wu Jiang approached Qin Ming with a strange expression and reported, "Fellow Daoist Qin, one of the seven great powers, the Zhao family, has come to pay respects."

"Look, how... how should this be handled?"

Upon hearing this.

Qin Ming stopped what he was doing, his brows slightly furrowed. "Why has the Zhao family come as well?"

"Do you know who from the Zhao family has arrived?"

Wu Jiang answered truthfully, "It is the Zhao family's Eldest Young Master, Zhao Wuji, and the Ninth Young Master, Zhao Chanzhen."

Qin Ming knew that since the Zhao family had come, it would not be proper to turn them away at the door, nor would it be fair to make things too difficult for Wu Jiang.

Thus.

He said lightly, "Very well, please invite the two Young Masters of the Zhao family in."

A moment later.

Guided by Wu Jiang, a young man with a rather steady demeanor, along with Zhao Chanzhen whom he had met before, arrived at the Guest Reception Pavilion on Wangyue Island.

Seeing the two arrive, Qin Ming broke into a smile, cupped his fists, and said, "Two Young Masters, I failed to welcome you from afar; please come inside to be seated and have a cup of spiritual tea."

Qin Ming glanced briefly at the two.

Zhao Wuji's cultivation was at the mid Foundation Establishment realm; however, his strength should be among the best in this realm, and even Qin Ming found it somewhat difficult to see through him.

As for Zhao Chanzhen, he had similarly broken through to the early Foundation Establishment realm; several years ago, when he came to compete for the spiritual island, he was already at the peak Qi Condensation.

Considering the other party's aptitude, plus the Zhao family's resources, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was naturally no difficult task for him.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Qin on reaching Foundation Establishment; may your Immortal Path advance further."

"This is a humble gift, just a small token."

After speaking, Zhao Chanzhen smiled slightly and handed Qin Ming an exquisite jade box.

Judging merely by the packaging material of the jade box, one could tell the item inside must be valuable.

Qin Ming took the jade box, did not open it to look, and calmly put it away.

Zhao Chanzhen then introduced to Qin Ming, "This is my elder brother, Zhao Wuji."

"Fellow Daoist Zhao."

"Fellow Daoist Qin."

Both parties exchanged greetings.

Since guests were guests, Qin Ming brewed a pot of Spirit-Gathering Tea for the two.

The Spirit-Gathering Tea brewed with spiritual spring water emitted a misty spiritual essence; the aroma of tea filled the elegant room, spreading everywhere.

Zhao Wuji and the other took just one sip and immediately felt a surge of spiritual energy travel through their entire bodies, slowly nourishing their divine sense, making them feel extremely comfortable and relaxed.

"Excellent tea!"

"As expected of Spirit-Gathering Tea; could Fellow Daoist Qin sell me some of these tea leaves?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao jokes."

He then took out a small box of Spirit-Gathering Tea, gave it to the two, treating it as a return gift.

Next.

The three began to chat casually.

"Thinking back, several years have passed in a flash; Fellow Daoist Qin and I first met and got to know each other on this very island."

"Back then during the magical technique competition, I was truly frightened by Fellow Daoist Qin's Yin Thunder Pellets! Hahaha!" Zhao Chanzhen said jokingly.

Inadvertently, he was trying to draw closer to Qin Ming.

Hearing this, Qin Modestly replied, "Hehe, fortunately Fellow Daoist Zhao yielded; otherwise, I would not have become this island master."

Back then, if Zhao Chanzhen hadn't suddenly appeared like an unexpected obstacle, Qin Ming could never have secured Wangyue Island at such a small cost.

The few chatted for a while.

Seeing that the time was about right.

Zhao Wuji extended an olive branch to Qin Ming at the right moment, offering extremely generous conditions.

The identity of a second-tier middle-grade spiritual planter, plus that of a second-tier grand alchemist, would grant the status and treatment of an inner sect elder in any major power.

Not to mention that Qin Ming had now become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Hearing this, Qin Ming naturally could not agree to the other party.

He politely declined the Zhao family's recruitment.

Just as he had done with the Seventy-Two Islands San Alliance, he did not want to get involved in the struggle between the two sides, clearly stating his neutral stance.

Before the two Young Masters of the Zhao family came, they had actually already understood clearly that Qin Ming had the backing of the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

They never really expected to be able to recruit him.

The main purpose of this visit was merely to probe Qin Ming's attitude.

After exchanging words for a small half-day.

The two Young Masters of the Zhao family took their leave and departed.

……

(End of Chapter)