Chapter 147: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

This Hualing Yao Cao is truly a fine treasure.

His two demonic beasts could make good use of it right now.

Qin Ming naturally would not miss this opportunity, yet he could not agree too easily.

Otherwise, it would seem he was showing off excessively.

Thus, with a look of difficulty on his face, he said, "Reporting to Senior, although I know a little about this spiritual plant, this is my first time seeing one in person."

"I fear..."

"Within Yunze Xiancheng, if even Qin Xiaoyou cannot cultivate it, then others certainly have no hope," Nalan Xi stated unequivocally. "I trust in Qin Xiaoyou's spiritual planting skills; you may proceed without hesitation."

"Even if the cultivation fails, I will not blame you; it would simply be the will of heaven."

"Should Qin Xiaoyou succeed, you could even advance to become a third-tier spiritual planter. Would that not be killing two birds with one stone?"

Since True Person Canghai had spoken so plainly, Qin Ming would be unreasonable to refuse any longer.

So he clasped his fists and said, "In that case, I will do my utmost to try."

Hearing this, Nalan Xi smiled faintly, closed the long jade box in her hand, and sent it flying toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming gently caught the jade box and stored it within his storage bag.

Just as he was about to speak, someone hurried into the main hall from outside.

Qin Ming saw that it was the mid-stage Foundation Establishment steward who had escorted him in earlier.

The steward seemed to have urgent matters to report to True Person Canghai, but seeing Qin Ming still present, he glanced uncertainly at True Person Canghai seated at the head.

"It is no trouble; speak directly."

True Person Canghai spoke lightly.

"Yes!" The middle-aged steward nodded upon hearing this, then continued, "Reporting to the City Lord, small groups of demonic beasts have appeared in the western region of the Beast Cry Mountain Range, near the area close to the Immortal City; there seem to be some unusual movements."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

But Nalan Xi seemed to have anticipated this, giving a calm order: "Order the Scout Camp to continue monitoring closely; report any news to me immediately."

"Any demonic beasts that cross the boundary are to be slain on the spot."

"Yes!"

Seeing that Nalan Xi and the middle-aged steward still had important matters to discuss, Qin Ming promptly said, "Since Senior still has affairs to handle, I will take my leave."

"Mm, indeed, unexpected matters have arisen today, so my hospitality has been lacking. Qin Xiaoyou is welcome to visit Canghai Peak often; I will not see you out," Nalan Xi nodded.

"Once there is any progress on Qin Xiaoyou's end, please send someone to notify me."

"Senior, rest assured!"

A hint of surprise flashed in the middle-aged steward's eyes as well; he had not expected that Qin Ming and the City Lord had clearly reached some kind of agreement.

To be valued so highly by a Jin Dan True Person meant he would need to treat Daoist Qin with even greater closeness in the future.

Afterwards, Qin Ming bowed to Nalan Xi and withdrew from the main hall.

Breathing the air outside, he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Facing a Jin Dan True Person, he had to be cautious at every turn; even replying felt like walking on thin ice.

Qin Ming once again sensed the environment of the third-tier upper-grade spiritual vein on Canghai Peak, then departed from there.

Half an hour later.

Qin Ming returned to the inner city and walked in the direction of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

Along the way, he heard various rumors concerning himself.

In particular, news from the Spiritual Planter Guild had just spread like wildfire.

After everyone learned that the strange phenomenon in Yunze Xiancheng today was caused by Qin Ming, discussions about him in every street and alley reached a fever pitch.

Listening to these discussions, Qin Ming shook his head and quickened his pace until he arrived at the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

But just as he approached the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, he discovered that not only were Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao there to welcome him, but behind them followed Master Huangfu and his Dao companion Chen Qiaoling, along with several young Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

Qin Ming had met them before when Gu Qingzhao held her small celebration for advancing to Foundation Establishment.

Seeing such a large reception, Qin Ming could not help but feel slightly embarrassed. "Congratulations, Daoist Qin, on advancing to a second-tier upper-grade spiritual planter, making your name known throughout Yunze Xiancheng, and taking another step forward on the Immortal Path," Gu Qingzhao said, rarely showing a smile as she offered her congratulations to Qin Ming.

"Daoist Qin, congratulations, congratulations!"

"Qin Keqing, congratulations on advancing to a second-tier upper-grade spiritual planter."

"Hahaha! After many years apart, Daoist Qin has actually become a Foundation Establishment cultivator like us."

"And I hear that in the path of spiritual planting, you have almost no rivals left in the Wei Kingdom's Immortal Realm."

"I always thought Daoist Qin was extraordinary," Master Huangfu said, still dressed as a refined scholar, smiling cheerfully as he greeted Qin Ming.

"Daoist Qin, this time, no matter what, you must stay in the pavilion for a couple more days; I wish to discuss the Dao of spiritual planting with you thoroughly," Chen Qiaoling said with a smile.

Back when Qin Ming left the Spirit Feather Sect, he owed much to Chen Qiaoling's assistance.

"Next time, certainly; next time, certainly," Qin Ming promised.

Qin Ming secretly sized up Master Huangfu a few times and discovered that the fluctuation of magic power on the other party had remarkably advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

It should be known that back when he was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, his strength was already rarely matched in the Wei Kingdom's Immortal Realm.

Now that he had broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he should be utterly invincible.

Qin Ming still vividly remembered that move of his, the Divine Sword Lightning Summoning Technique.

Its terrifying power was such that even Lin Zi could not withstand it; had Lin Zi not possessed a Substitute Tribulation Technique, there likely would be no demonic hero like him today.

Qin Ming had also learned from Gu Qingzhao that Master Huangfu primarily cultivated lightning techniques, supplemented by ancient sword formations; that lightning technique was a bloodline art passed down from the Huangfu family ancestors, which others simply could not learn.

Afterwards, Qin Ming entered the pavilion surrounded by the crowd.

Gu Qingzhao had long prepared a large table of wine and dishes to wash away the dust of his journey.

At the dinner table, everyone chatted about the various encounters they had experienced during this period.

The other young Foundation Establishment cultivators of Mirror Jing Xue Ge also held Qin Ming in special respect, taking turns to toast him.

Although his current status was merely that of an honorary Guest Elder, his actual influence had long since far exceeded that.

"Hehe! Daoist Qin, I heard you have spiritual energy Rice here. I've long admired its great reputation — might you be willing to sell me some?" Huangfu Qi raised a cup to Qin Ming, rubbing his hands together as he spoke expectantly.

Qin Ming smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Of course. Even if I wouldn't sell to others, I would still sell to you, Daoist Huangfu."

After wine and food had been had to the full.

The others of Mirror Jing Xue Ge left first.

In the private room, only Gu Qingzhao, Shopkeeper Liao, and Huangfu Qi and his wife remained.

"Daoist Qin, I heard True Person Canghua summoned you personally?" Gu Qingzhao hesitated for a moment, but still asked.

She was naturally worried that such a closely cooperating master spirit-plant cultivator and master alchemist might be poached by someone else.

Qin Ming nodded without concealing anything: "That's right. Senior Nalan did indeed intend for me to join Yunze Xiancheng, but I didn't agree."

"Daoist Gu also knows that I, as a person, prefer peace and freedom, and dislike being bound."

Hearing these words, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"By the way, how is the current situation?" Qin Ming asked again.

"Sigh, this time it looks like things are going to blow up big." Before Gu Qingzhao could speak, Huangfu Qi spoke first.

"Now that the Zhao Family of spiritual energy Archipelago has fallen, the conflict between Lingyu Gate and Lei Yuanzong is bound to escalate. What comes next is the final moment to decide a winner."

"It's just that we don't know where the main battlefield will be."

"However, one thing is certain: the decisive battle between the Jin Dan ancestors of the two sects will directly determine the outcome of this war."

"No matter who wins or loses in the other small battlefields, it's all just minor skirmishes — irrelevant."

Qin Ming fell into thought upon hearing this as well.

"What about spiritual energy Archipelago over there?"

He was still more concerned about the safety of the area around his own base.

"The results from Thousand Leaf Lingdao are out. Lei Yuanzong has newly propped up a Foundation Establishment family, preparing to take over."

"The San Alliance of the Seventy-Two Islands gave up its claim to the spirit island, in exchange for some resources on the island and other conditions."

"In the short term, spiritual energy Archipelago will still return to peace. Daoist Qin's Moon-Gazing Island should be fine, in any case." Gu Qingzhao said.

Qin Ming felt considerably more at ease hearing them say this.

"By the way, I just came down from Canghua Peak and heard that the nearby mountain ranges are showing unusual movements from demon beasts."

"Although you spend all year within Yunze Xiancheng, you won't be in any danger."

"Still, you must stay alert at all times."

"If another demon beast like that Double-Pupiled Demon Ape appears, that would be extremely dangerous as well."

Qin Ming suddenly thought of this and reminded Gu Qingzhao and Huangfu Qi.

Thanks to Daoist "Zuiyu Dingxiang" for the 100-coin tip.

(End of this chapter)