Chapter 119: Rumors of the Marketplace

Qin Ming paid spirit stones to enter the marketplace.

This Tianhe marketplace was something he learned about from the map he bought from Gu Qing.

Its scale was considerably smaller than the Qingyang marketplace.

Yet the shops within were quite distinctive, with all manner of stores available.

Qin Ming casually stepped into a restaurant.

“Esteemed guest, would you like to order something? Our Qinglong spirit fish is famous far and wide—would you care to try a whole one?” The waiter eagerly introduced.

Qin Ming’s interest stirred; he had long heard that the spiritual energy Archipelago produced a unique spirit fish found nowhere else.

Its fish soup greatly aids Qi Refining cultivators in boosting magic power, making it a rare and precious delicacy known as “Little Qinglong Soup.”

“How much does this Qinglong spirit fish cost?” Qin Ming asked.

The waiter, seeing the customer respond, assumed another wealthy patron, and immediately smiled broadly: “The Qinglong spirit fish is extremely difficult to catch and cannot be farmed artificially, so the price is somewhat high.”

“One jin of Qinglong spirit fish is one hundred and eighty spirit stones.”

Clearly, this special fish was far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

“Uh, then give me a few simple home-style dishes,” Qin Ming said. Though his spirit stone reserves were ample—even a full fish banquet was affordable.

But considering he was new here, it was wiser not to flaunt wealth and risk attracting envy.

Better to remain discreet.

He’d catch a Qinglong spirit fish himself another day.

Afterwards,

Qin Ming swiftly ordered several dishes.

The waiter smiled awkwardly, surprised the customer changed his mind the moment he heard the price.

Still, he warmly brewed a pot of tea for Qin Ming and asked him to rest while preparing the food.

Moments later,

Several specialty dishes of the spiritual energy Archipelago arrived—all seafood.

The prices were reasonable, affordable even to ordinary cultivators, nothing near the cost of Qinglong spirit fish.

Qin Ming’s appetite surged; he picked up his chopsticks and began tasting.

He was halfway through his meal

when he heard the cultivators at the next table begin discussing.

“Hey! Have you heard?”

“The Yu family of Bailang Island, who make their living fishing, caught a Qinglong spirit king yesterday in the Min River—its bloodline carries a trace of dragon essence.”

“A once-in-a-century find!”

“The Great Qinglong Soup made from this spirit king is said to greatly aid Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

“The Yu family is set for life now!”

“How much will they sell it for?”

“Reportedly, a Foundation Establishment elder bought it on the spot for over two thousand spirit stones.”

“How much?!”

“Did I hear right? Two thousand spirit stones?!”

Qin Ming, chopsticks in hand, chewed and pondered.

Could one fish really sell for two thousand spirit stones? If he caught a Qinglong spirit fish and used the [Bloodline Reversion] term on it, would it produce a Qinglong spirit king with dragon blood? But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Terms that spawn from cultivating spirit plants should only affect spirit plants or himself, right?

He shook his head and continued eating.

“There’s another piece of news.”

“It’s said the lease for Mo Family’s Qingxiadao is about to expire.”

“Several Qi Refining families are now coveting this precious land, watching it with hungry eyes.”

“After all, it’s a second-rank spirit island—who wouldn’t want it?”

“But compared to that, you’re probably more interested in the Qingxiadai, right? Hahaha!”

“After all, Mo Lingwei of Qingxiadao is the number one beauty of the spiritual energy Archipelago.”

“It’s said the Qingxiadai has made up her mind—to keep the island, she’s recruiting two capable hermits to co-rent with her.”

“No way! Is that really possible? Should I go apply?”

“Don’t be ridiculous—you don’t meet the Qingxiadai’s requirements for co-renters.”

“You need stable spirit stone income.”

“And you must be vouched for by someone trustworthy, with impeccable character. After all, in recent years, some Qi Refining families hired outside retainers, only to invite wolves into their homes—had their entire clans usurped, more than once.”

…

Qin Ming finished his meal leisurely and gathered some useful information.

He still planned to visit the island in person.

But before that,

Qin Ming intended to dispose of some of the contraband he had acquired earlier.

Next,

he visited three or four shops in succession, selling off all the low-grade magic treasures, elixirs, and cultivation techniques he didn’t need.

He gained several thousand spirit stones.

After finishing this,

Qin Ming checked into an ordinary inn in the marketplace.

The next day,

Qin Ming rose, completed a round of the Changchun Technique, washed up, ate, and received a message from Wu Jiang.

He promptly told Wu Jiang his location.

A stick of incense later,

Wu Jiang arrived at Qin Ming’s room as directed.

He entered, looking uneasy, stammering:

“Qin Daoist, I have bad news—your plan to rent the island probably won’t work.”

“I’m sure you heard some rumors in the marketplace yesterday.”

“The Qingxiadai, Mo Lingwei, clearly intends to find someone to co-rent the island, and she’s determined.”

Qin Ming nodded, then said:

“I’ve heard of this too.”

“But could you take me to Qingxiadao in person, Wu Daoist? I’d like to see it before deciding.”

Wu Jiang, who had been gloomy, instantly brightened, his spirits lifting.

“No problem! Qin Daoist, I’m a local expert in the spiritual energy Archipelago.”

“Even if you want to approach the Qingxiadai about co-renting, I can introduce you.”

Wu Jiang patted his chest, assuring him with confidence.

After their conversation ended,

the two left the Tianhe marketplace and flew northward on a flying magic treasure.

“Brother Wu, I have a question.”

“Since Canghai Xiancheng is so close to you, why go so far away to the Yunze Wilds instead?” Qin Ming asked casually.

Wu Jiang chuckled bitterly: “Don’t laugh, Qin Brother—but once you reach Canghai Xiancheng, you’ll see how brutal the competition is for low-level hermits.”

“I spent a few years there, but my cultivation wasn’t outstanding, and I had no notable skills—achieved little, and my progress stalled.”

“Sigh! Even opportunities belong to those with connections and strength.”

“That kind of life, with no horizon in sight—you, a high-rank spirit cultivator, probably can’t imagine.”

“That’s why I decided to venture out and seek my chance.”

Wu Jiang spoke with deep emotion.

“Brother Wu, you flatter me—I understand that feeling. To be honest, a few years ago I was a lowly spirit farmer, struggling just to survive.”

“Now I’ve reached this point through my own hard work in farming,” Qin Ming smiled, offering comfort.

But he didn’t say the final sentence.

Besides that, he also had a bit of help from his golden finger!

Wu Jiang’s expression brightened with excitement: “Really? I never expected Qin Daoist to be so inspiring!”

“I’ve been lazy—I see now my Dao heart isn’t firm enough.”

“From now on, I’ll look to Qin Daoist as my example and learn from you.”

Qin Ming smiled but said no more.

Two hours later,

A spirit island wreathed in mist appeared before their eyes.

(End of Chapter)