Chapter 140: The Power of Poison Flame (Fifth Update)

Qin Ming felt a flicker of caution.

In fact, not long ago, he had already sensed through his powerful spiritual sense that the other had been tailing him.

He had merely pretended not to notice.

Canghai Xiancheng is so vast—how could it be mere coincidence to meet here?

"Senior Luo, this isn't coincidence, is it? You've followed Qin Mou this long—speak plainly if you have something to say." Qin Ming directly exposed the man's actions.

Luo Rong, caught out, gave an awkward chuckle. "I forgot Senior Qin is a second-rank Alchemy Master—your spiritual soul is extraordinary. I never thought such a petty trick could fool you."

"Sigh, Senior Qin, I'm still after that Jade Marrow Fungus—I truly need it. Could you let it go to me?"

"Name your price."

Qin Ming hadn't expected the man to still be fixated on the Jade Marrow Fungus.

What was he really after?

"Senior Luo, forgive my frankness—this Jade Marrow Fungus is vital to me as well. No matter the price, I won't sell it." Qin Ming refused outright.

Luo Rong, rejected twice in a row, grew furious. "You brat! I've been treating you politely out of respect for Chief Gu! Never thought you'd be so ungrateful!"

"Do you really think I won't dare touch you?"

Qin Ming remained expressionless. "Within Canghai Xiancheng, you truly dare not touch me."

"Hah! Good! Good!" Luo Rong laughed bitterly with rage.

Qin Ming hadn't expected the man, after failing to bribe him, would now resort to intimidation.

"I'm curious—Senior Luo, why are you so obsessed with this inferior Jade Marrow Fungus? What do you plan to use it for?"

"Care to tell Qin Mou?"

"Perhaps I might agree."

Luo Rong snorted. "Still trying to wheedle secrets out of me?"

"You're too green."

"Since Senior Luo won't speak, I'll take my leave." Qin Ming turned and walked out of the shop, ignoring the man entirely.

Left behind was Luo Rong, seething with fury.

Luo Rong gritted his teeth, grinding them audibly. No Qi Refining cultivator had ever dared speak to him like this.

…

Qin Ming returned to Jingxue Pavilion and told Gu Qingzhao about the incident.

He wanted to hear her opinion.

"Luo Rong was originally an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator of the Hundred Flowers Sect. He was expelled for breaking sect rules."

"Then he got lucky—found an unnamed cave dwelling with a Foundation Establishment Elixir, and successfully established his foundation."

"He's petty."

"Shall I intervene and warn him?"

Qin Ming waved his hand. "No need. I've been out three days—I must return to tend the spirit fields. I'll head straight back to Wangyue Island."

"Very well. I'll send someone to escort Senior Qin, just in case." Gu Qingzhao's tone carried faint concern.

Qin Ming waved again. "No need. I have my own way to handle him. Senior Gu needn't worry."

Seeing this, Gu Qingzhao said no more.

With his main goal achieved, Qin Ming took his leave from Gu Qingzhao.

Before he left, Gu Qingzhao returned the courtesy.

She gave him several jars of fine aged spirit wine.

"The other three Youth-Preserving Elixirs you entrusted for auction will be sold at Canghai Xiancheng's largest auction in three months—you may come to watch."

Qin Ming accepted the fine wine with a smile. "Just auction them for me, Senior Gu. Any extra spirit stones, have Long Yi send them to me."

Gu Qingzhao nodded.

"Then I'm off. Senior Gu, feel free to visit Wangyue Island sometime."

After bidding her farewell,

Qin Ming stepped onto the main road of Canghai Xiancheng.

He passed through the city gate, then activated his Spirit Light Shuttle and flew full speed toward the spiritual energy Archipelago.

Behind him, a shadow followed.

Qin Ming extended his spiritual sense and quickly identified the pursuer.

It was Luo Rong. Qin Ming's lips curled slightly—he hadn't been surprised the man followed.

He pushed his Spirit Light Shuttle to full speed; with his current cultivation, flight required no effort.

The shuttle left a long trail of blue-green light, vanishing into the horizon.

Behind him, Luo Rong chased, drenched in sweat, the distance widening steadily.

Qin Ming sensed his surroundings with his spiritual sense.

Confirming no one else was near,

he suddenly slowed, circled a hill, and stopped.

He had deliberately lured Luo Rong out—to see what the man was truly after.

"Enough. This place will do."

Half a cup of tea later,

Luo Rong caught up. As he scanned the area with his spiritual sense,

BOOM! A burst of ice-blue flame erupted from the side, striking his face.

The intense heat of the flame startled Luo Rong—his hairs stood on end from the sudden attack.

This ice-blue flame gave him a profound sense of dread.

Luo Rong hastily summoned a black umbrella as a defensive magic treasure, barely blocking the strike.

Yet several blue flames still landed on his body.

Instantly, searing pain flared—he frantically channeled magic power to smother the blue flames.

Just as he prepared his next move,

Luo Rong's face froze in horror.

He felt his magic power draining at an alarming rate.

The Soul-Consuming Poison Flame, once attached, clung like a parasitic worm—like sparks falling into oil, it rapidly burned through his magic power.

Only a few breaths passed.

Luo Rong felt his magic power gushing away like a breached dam.

His face turned ashen; over half his magic power was already gone.

The more he tried to use magic power, the faster it burned.

Even maintaining flight was becoming impossible.

"W-what kind of devilry is this?!"

Luo Rong, pale with terror, staggered downward toward the hillside.

Qin Ming watched coldly, then flashed forward.

With a wave of his hand, the Soul-Consuming Poison Flame returned to his palm.

Qin Ming landed before Luo Rong, his tone calm. "Senior Luo, where are you headed? A moment ago, you were chasing me so eagerly."

"Senior Qin, it's a misunderstanding…" Luo Rong's face was drained, his magic power utterly depleted.

His lips trembled—he was begging.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator with no magic power was like a tiger without teeth.

This strange, unpredictable flame that burned magic power—he had never encountered it before, and had no idea how to counter it.

"Tell me—why do you need this inferior Jade Marrow Fungus?"

Luo Rong collapsed like mud, trembling as he spoke: "For brewing Foundation Establishment Wine! Senior Qin, I was wrong—please spare me!"

"I'll give you the brewing method!"

At this moment, he no longer cared about his dignity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Watching Qin Ming approach step by step, he was filled with utter dread.

Qin Ming froze at the words.

Foundation Establishment Wine? Does such a thing exist?

He flicked a black seed toward the writhing Luo Rong and cast a Thorn Spell.

After several screams, a desiccated corpse and a blood pearl the size of an egg lay on the ground.

He collected the blood pearl, then picked up Luo Rong's storage bag, erased its seals with his spiritual sense, and opened it.

After searching, he finally found what he sought in a corner.

(End of Chapter)