Chapter 144: The Reappearance of Lingxi Rice

Previously.

When the herbalist guild's registrar first came to the island for routine registration, Qin Ming had not yet planted Lingxi Rice.

At that time, only Shennan Tea and Purple Gold Bamboo were registered—both second-rank mid-grade spiritual plants.

Thus, when the registrar returned now and saw the vast expanse of mature Lingxi Rice, he was utterly stunned.

Yet, the origin of Qin Ming's Lingxi Rice is verifiable, since he purchased the seeds from Mo Lingwei of Qingxiadao.

In that case,

Given the rarity of Lingxi Rice, Qin Ming securing a spot in the Verdant Illusion Realm is a foregone conclusion.

Even the name of the Lingxi Archipelago derives from this rice.

It had lain dormant for over a hundred years.

One can imagine what the return of Lingxi Rice means to the local cultivators.

The next day.

The news of Lingxi Rice's reappearance exploded across the Tianhe Marketplace like a thunderclap.

"What?!"

"Finally, a herbalist has successfully cultivated Lingxi Rice!"

"Could this be a lie?"

"How could it be fake?"

"The news came straight from the herbalist guild."

"Absolutely certain."

"Which herbalist master cultivated it?"

"Supposedly, it was Master Qin of Wangyue Island."

"Wow, how enviable!"

In an instant, Wangyue Island—a remote frontier isle in Jibei—became the center of attention.

"Sigh, I really wanted to keep a low profile, but I'm just too outstanding." Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, gazing outward and letting out a heavy sigh.

All cultivators who came seeking him were barred from the island by his second-rank upper-grade protective array.

Qin Ming refused to receive any visitors.

Even Wu Jiang below was thoroughly startled by the commotion.

"Master Qin, is there… some kind of trouble?"

He asked cautiously.

"No issue. Unless a Jin Dan elder arrives, no one can enter the island." Qin Ming's words immediately reassured him.

Wu Jiang now regarded Qin Ming with profound admiration. "Master Qin, you're truly incredible—you've revived Lingxi Rice, nearly extinct for a hundred years."

"If only I could grow it too."

…

Of course, during this time, some bold souls dared to attack Wangyue Island's protective array.

Qin Ming naturally wouldn't tolerate that.

After killing several groups and feeding them to the Evergreen Vine, those petty villains never dared approach Wangyue Island again.

Six months later.

Since Qin Ming had remained sealed inside, the frenzy over Lingxi Rice gradually subsided.

The onlookers dispersed.

During these six months, Qin Ming was far from idle.

In his cave dwelling, he used the 【Regenerative Seed】 term to revive the defective Jade Marrow Fungus.

Then, he used the 【Temporal-Spatial Leaf】 to accelerate it to three hundred years of age.

He then obtained its seeds.

Following the same method, he acquired six batches of three-hundred-year potency Jade Marrow Fungus.

After preserving the seeds of the Jade Marrow Fungus,

Qin Ming revived and accelerated other spiritual herbs and materials around these six plants.

Because the other materials didn't require such high potency.

Progress moved swiftly.

In the end, Qin Ming obtained six complete sets of materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

Yet, he did not rush to refine them.

He planned to handle matters concerning the Verdant Illusion Realm before beginning refinement.

The black demonic fruit on the Evergreen Vine had also matured.

Qin Ming immediately used the 【Weak Lifespan】 ×5 term he harvested.

Instantly, his lifespan increased by fifty years. Now, at his Qi Refining stage, he possessed over two hundred and ten years of lifespan.

Comparable to the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Once his magic power advanced past Foundation Establishment, his lifespan would increase by another two hundred years or so.

As for the Evergreen Vine's contact with the black skull fruit, it still contained the seed for the Thorn Spell.

But he didn't know what power this new seed possessed, since the Evergreen Vine had already advanced once.

Presumably, the Thorn Spell's power had also strengthened.

One day,

Qin Ming summoned Wu Jiang.

"Wu Daozhi, I'm going to Canghai Xiancheng to take care of some matters."

"This trip may take anywhere from three to five days, or up to ten days or half a month."

"I'm entrusting Wangyue Island to your care."

"The onlookers outside have already left; as long as you don't leave the island, there shouldn't be any major issues."

After speaking, Qin Ming pulled several bags of spirit beast meat and a vial of Spirit-Feeding Pills from his storage pouch and handed them to Wu Jiang.

Then,

he turned to look toward his cave.

A black-golden Xuan Shui Crocodile, over two zhang long, trotted out eagerly.

Its aura had reached late-stage first rank.

This was the result of Qin Ming's months of feeding it Spirit-Feeding Pills and demonic beast meat.

Of course, after acquiring the 【Beast Taming Scripture】 term, he immediately used its secret method to form a master-servant pact with the Xuan Shui Crocodile.

From then on, the crocodile recognized him as its master.

Wu Jiang was so startled by this sudden sight that his face turned pale.

"Master Qin, this—"

Qin Ming smiled. "Don't be afraid, Wu Daozhi. This is my spirit beast, the Xuan Shui Crocodile. While I'm away, it will guard Wangyue Island with you."

"With it as your ally, your safety is assured."

"Just remember to feed it spirit beast meat and Spirit-Feeding Pills daily."

Wu Jiang trembled as he asked: "What if I forget to feed it?"

"It will find food on its own."

"Huh?!"

…

After giving Wu Jiang his instructions,

Qin Ming left Wangyue Island.

With the Xuan Shui Crocodile and the Six-Winged Frost Bee—both late-stage spirit beasts—guarding the island, nothing would go wrong.

First, he rode his Spirit Light Shuttle to Qingxiadao.

Because when he originally purchased the Lingxi Rice seeds, Qin Ming had promised Mo Lingwei that if he succeeded in cultivating Lingxi Rice, he would give her fifty jin.

From his three mu of Lingxi Rice—even though second-rank spiritual rice yields are extremely low—he harvested over twelve hundred jin total.

Fifty jin was but a drop in the ocean to him.

Qin Ming sent Mo Lingwei a message; by the time he arrived at Qingxiadao's mountain gate,

Mo Lingwei and the several Mo clan elders had all come out to greet him.

Additionally, Duan Haishan and Tang Feng, who rented the other two peaks on Qingxiadao, also arrived.

Presumably, they had heard the rumors.

Qin Ming had urgent matters to attend to, so he couldn't linger.

He directly produced fifty jin of Lingxi Rice and handed it to Mo Lingwei. "Mo Lingwei, I've kept my word. Our transaction is complete."

Before Mo Lingwei could speak,

Duan Haishan, also a herbalist, witnessing the Lingxi Rice in person, exclaimed in excitement:

"Master Qin, your skill is truly extraordinary—you actually succeeded! I am deeply impressed!"

Tang Feng's gaze toward Qin Ming was complex.

"Thank you, Master Qin. I knew I wasn't mistaken in you." As Mo Lingwei accepted the Lingxi Rice, her heart surged with emotion.

How many years had passed?

The Lingxi rice has been grown again; surely, if the Ancestor knew, he would be deeply comforted.

"Mm. With this matter settled, I have urgent business to attend to—I'll take my leave." With that, Qin Ming bowed to all present and departed.

Mo Lingwei's beautiful eyes watched Qin Ming's retreating figure, revealing a rare complexity of expression.

(End of Chapter)