Chapter 120: Rejected

On Qingxiadao.

Waterfalls cascaded like silk ribbons, emerald waters rippled, green trees cast shade, blue-green mountains stood dark as ink, the sky was washed clean, white clouds drifted lazily, and the cultivated spirit fields were arranged in terraced layers, orderly and balanced…

The entire island held several hundred mu of fertile land.

Within the spirit fields, numerous low-grade spirit farmers labored diligently.

These low-grade spirit farmers, sensing someone flying overhead, looked up with eyes filled with envy.

Qin Ming glanced down at these spirit farmers beneath him and let out a quiet sigh.

He remembered how he, too, had once been just like them—suddenly feeling as if centuries had passed.

Qingxiadao was indeed an island blessed with a second-rank mid-grade spirit vein; the moment the two entered, they felt a surge of abundant spiritual energy brushing against them.

The air was thick with faint green spiritual mist, interwoven with light, as if flowing time itself—hazy and dreamlike.

Qin Ming gazed across the island’s terrain from the air and saw its shape resembled a calligraphy brush rest, with three peaks.

Wu Jiang explained beside him: “This Qingxiadao has three spirit peaks within its borders. The central one is Danxia Peak, with a second-rank mid-grade spirit vein’s environment.”

“The two sides are Hanhai Cliff and Sangmu Peak, both with second-rank low-grade spirit vein environments.”

Qin Ming nodded.

The two then landed halfway up the central Danxia Peak.

At the mountain gate, several Mo Clan cultivators emerged immediately, alert and wary, stepping forward to ask: “May I ask what brings you two to our island?”

Wu Jiang stated his purpose.

The guards went inside to report.

Moments later.

An elderly man with silver hair stepped out, radiating the spiritual power of Qi Refining ninth layer.

“Oh! So it really is little Wu!”

“We haven’t seen you in years—didn’t your father say you went to the Yunze Wilds seeking opportunities? How did you return so soon?”

Wu Jiang’s face flushed red; he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Old Master Mo, chaos broke out over there, so I came back early.”

“Hahaha! Returning is fine—even if opportunities arise, you must have the life to enjoy them.” Old Master Mo nodded.

He then turned to Qin Ming, observing his ordinary appearance, and frowned: “I assume this young friend is the one you recommended for shared tenancy?”

Wu Jiang quickly nodded: “This is Qin Ming, a Qi Refining eighth layer cultivator and a second-rank spirit planter.”

At these words.

Old Master Mo’s expression betrayed a faint flicker of shock, though he concealed it well.

“I didn’t realize Brother Qin is a second-rank spirit planter—my apologies!”

Qin Ming returned the bow. “Greetings, Old Master Mo.”

“If so, please come to the main peak for a discussion—the clan head is currently selecting tenants, and several other cultivators have already arrived.” With that, Old Master Mo ushered them inside.

The three ascended along the winding stone path through the mountains.

The forest trail was as fresh as poetry; the tea terraces on either side shimmered emerald green, like jade inlaid upon the island.

Numerous cave dwellings and courtyards clung to the mountainside, secluded sanctuaries far from the world’s clamor, where only the chirps of insects and birds echoed softly through the valleys.

Morning light spilled over the tallest building on the main peak, gilded at its edges, shining brilliantly.

Such a spiritually exquisite land, brimming with immortal aura, stirred the heart and soul.

In an instant.

Qin Ming made his decision: even if sharing tenancy, he would rent a peak here.

Cultivating here was truly a fine choice.

Half a stick of incense later.

The three entered the grand hall of the peak’s pavilion.

Several people were already seated inside.

Seeing newcomers, all eyes turned toward Qin Ming and Wu Jiang.

After entering, Old Master Mo bowed to a woman seated at the head of the hall: “Clan Head, the young Wu has brought a potential tenant, Brother Qin.”

Qin Ming’s gaze immediately settled on her.

Seated at the main seat was a woman of breathtaking beauty, in her twenties, dressed in a pale green silk gown, her demeanor gentle, refined, and composed.

This woman was Qingxia Xianzi, Mo Lingwei.

Earlier on the way, Wu Jiang had told Qin Ming that Mo Lingwei was Qi Refining seventh layer, late stage.

But now, Qin Ming saw she had concealed her true cultivation.

Her actual realm was Qi Refining full stage.

Just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

Had Qin Ming not possessed spiritual sense comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he too might have missed the discrepancy.

Clearly, she employed an extremely refined method of concealing her aura.

Mo Lingwei smiled faintly at Qin Ming. “Brother Qin, please sit wherever you like.”

Qin Ming, hearing this, chose a chair at random and sat down.

Then Mo Lingwei began explaining the terms of the shared tenancy on the island, including rent. Every gesture, every smile of hers was like a phoenix dancing, a lotus blooming.

“Now, please each introduce yourselves—I must carefully consider my choice.”

“And before we proceed, let me be clear: if anyone has ulterior motives, my Mo Clan reserves the right to terminate the tenancy agreement at any time.”

Next,

The cultivators who had come to apply for shared tenancy began introducing themselves one by one.

These were all cultivators who had passed the Mo Clan’s screening to enter this hall.

None were ordinary free cultivators.

The first to speak was a middle-aged cultivator named Tang Feng, Qi Refining seventh layer, a first-rank high-grade talisman artist.

He had a clean background, having struggled for over a decade in Canghai Xiancheng; he sought this island to find a quiet place to meditate and break through to second-rank talisman artist.

The second to rise was an elderly man in Confucian robes, named Duan Haishan, Qi Refining eighth layer, also a spirit planter like Qin Ming.

But he was only a first-rank high-grade spirit planter—lower in rank than Qin Ming.

Immediately after,

After seven or eight cultivators had finished their introductions,

It was finally Qin Ming’s turn.

Qin Ming stood, nodded respectfully to Mo Lingwei at the main seat, then began speaking.

When he revealed his identity as a second-rank spirit planter, everyone in the hall was stunned. “Brother Qin, do you have your spirit planter credential plaque?” asked Duan Haishan, his expression conflicted—he found it hard to believe such a young man could be a second-rank spirit planter.

He had spent his entire life cultivating spirit plants and had barely reached first-rank high-grade.

All eyes turned to Qin Ming, seeking verification.

A second-rank spirit planter was treated as an honored guest by any major sect or power.

Qin Ming nodded, and a wooden credential plaque materialized in his hand; he gently infused it with spiritual power.

The image of a spirit plant on the back of the plaque instantly glowed with a green aura.

“Truly a second-rank spirit planter!”

“A hero among the young! Brother Qin, your achievements at such a young age—I am truly impressed!” Duan Haishan’s doubts vanished; he rose and bowed to Qin Ming.

Mo Lingwei’s heart stirred; her beautiful eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

But she quickly regained composure, her expression thoughtful.

When all had finished introducing themselves, Mo Lingwei spoke softly: “Please wait a moment—have some spirit tea and rest.”

“I will confer with our clan elders and return with a final decision shortly.”

With that, Mo Lingwei bowed slightly to all present and entered the inner chamber.

Two sticks of incense later.

Mo Lingwei reappeared and announced: “Brother Tang Feng and Brother Duan Haishan will remain.”

“To the others, I apologize—feel free to tour the island or depart as you wish.”

As her words fell,

Tang Feng’s face lit up with joy.

Duan Haishan first froze, a look of confusion crossing his face, then broke into a warm smile.

The unselected cultivators sighed in disappointment and took their leave, bidding farewell to Mo Lingwei.

Qin Ming was equally stunned by the outcome.

He could not fathom Mo Lingwei’s reasoning—why choose the first-rank high-grade spirit planter Duan Haishan over him, a second-rank spirit planter?

If so,

He could only take his leave.

Wu Jiang looked utterly bewildered, puzzled, confused.

After bidding farewell to Old Master Mo, he hurried after Qin Ming.

…

After arranging Tang Feng and Duan Haishan’s accommodations,

Old Master Mo voiced his confusion: “Clan Head, why didn’t you heed our advice and choose Brother Qin? He is…”

Mo Lingwei’s eyebrows tightened; she waved her hand to cut him off, then said firmly: “To lead our clan forward, I must be cautious—no room for even the slightest error.”

“Tang Feng and Duan Haishan—you and I know their backgrounds well. Their origins are clean, they have good reputations in Canghai Xiancheng, their character is reliable, and crucially, they are within our control.”

As for Qin Ming, to be honest, I observed him closely inside the hall, yet I still couldn't quite fathom him.

Moreover, a second-rank Spirit Herbalist has far exceeded our control.

This is our first meeting; I had never heard of any of his deeds before.

At least before my Foundation Establishment, having such a mighty figure living next door would make sleep and meals uneasy.

Master Mo smiled with relief: "The head of the family is increasingly taking on the demeanor of the former head."

Mo Lingwei smiled faintly at this, then a flicker of gloom passed over her expression.

(End of Chapter)