Chapter 150: Disagreement

After receiving Long Yi's message, Qin Ming greeted Wu Jiang and left Wangyue Island.

A short while later.

He rode his beloved Yin Yi Shuangfeng to Chu Tianhe Bazaar.

This time, he made no effort to disguise himself—he was going to meet Long Yi to discuss matters.

After passing the checkpoint and entering the bazaar, Qin Ming followed the main road straight toward Jingxue Pavilion.

On the streets, wandering cultivators who recognized Qin Ming stared in astonishment and warmly greeted him.

"Senior Qin! Congratulations!"

"Congratulations on your promotion to Second-Rank Superior Spirit Plant Master!"

"Island Master Qin, you are truly the glory of our spiritual energy Archipelago—only one Second-Rank Superior Spirit Plant Master in the entire archipelago."

"Senior Qin is truly formidable! Your name has stirred the entire Canghai Xiancheng; it's said even the Canghai True Person received you personally."

"Ah? The Jin Dan True Person received you? That's quite the prestige!"

"Senior Qin, would you consider writing a book on spirit plants?"

"Many of our fellow cultivators in the spiritual energy Archipelago wish to learn and emulate you."

"Indeed, indeed—recently many cultivators have switched careers and gone to farm."

"…"

Compliments and congratulations poured endlessly into Qin Ming's ears.

Qin Ming smiled politely in response while quickening his pace toward Jingxue Pavilion.

He disliked such public scenes.

Especially the last request—for him to write a book—left him deeply embarrassed.

What should have taken half a teacup's time stretched into over an hour due to delays on the road.

At the entrance of Jingxue Pavilion, the still-elegant Long Yi had been waiting for quite some time.

She warmly ushered Qin Ming inside and brewed him spirit tea.

"Hehe, Senior Qin, your name has become quite famous in the bazaar lately!" Long Yi poured his tea with a smile.

Qin Ming chuckled bitterly: "Ah, it's all just fleeting clouds."

"By the way, have you found any leads on the two items you mentioned?"

Long Yi nodded lightly, her expression turning serious: "Yes. According to reliable intelligence, in half a month, the Seventy-Two Island San Alliance and the Nie Clan newly backed by Lei Yuanzong will host a major trading fair on Qianye Lingdao, lasting seven days."

"They've invited all major factions to participate."

"I've learned that among the items listed for trade are high-grade primate beast blood and third-rank spirit plant seeds."

Qin Ming sipped his spirit tea, puzzled: "Why would the San Alliance and the Nie Clan jointly host such a fair? And why sell third-rank spirit plant seeds?"

Long Yi seemed to have anticipated his question: "Of course, because they can't agree on how to split the spoils."

"Since the Zhao Clan's fall on Qianye Lingdao, the San Alliance and Lei Yuanzong have been deadlocked for a long time over resource allocation."

"Though Lei Yuanzong ultimately secured the majority and gained control of Qianye Lingdao, the resources the San Alliance received were still substantial."

"As both sides deepened their development of Qianye Lingdao, they gradually discovered many resources the Zhao Clan never had time to take, along with other treasures."

"Remember, Qianye Lingdao doesn't just house a third-rank spirit vein—it also contains the Jin Dan-grade spiritual substance 'Xuanyin Disha Spirit Fluid,' which produces a fixed quantity every hundred years."

"On certain resource allocations, the San Alliance and the Nie Clan clashed again—neither wanted to give the other an advantage, so they devised this trading fair."

"They'll split the spirit stones evenly; no one can complain."

"But everyone knows: on the surface, the San Alliance and the Nie Clan can't reach an agreement; Lei Yuanzong doesn't want the stability to unravel, so they must maneuver behind the scenes."

"For this fair, both the San Alliance and the Nie Clan will likely send agents to place covert bets."

"Meanwhile, the Seventy-Two Island San Alliance has invited other islands in the spiritual energy Archipelago to join, promoting mutual exchange on Qianye Lingdao—to restore post-war trade between the islands."

Qin Ming understood, nodding: "I see."

"Then surely many spirit islands and factions will attend this fair?"

Long Yi smiled faintly: "The too-small clans naturally lack the qualifications to be invited. Only spirit islands that joined the San Alliance and major powers within Chu Tianhe Bazaar are eligible."

"Our Jingxue Pavilion is on the invitation list."

"As our honored Qin Keqing, you are naturally welcome to attend."

Long Yi then produced an invitation from Qianye Island and handed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming accepted the invitation, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Long Dao you, thank you!"

"Senior Qin is our esteemed Qin Keqing; this is merely my duty—no need for thanks."

"When the time comes, you'll depart with us—I'll notify you in advance."

After their conversation, Qin Ming ate a meal at Jingxue Pavilion, then left the shop.

He had originally planned to stroll the bazaar stalls after finally stepping out—but remembering his recent fame, he decided against drawing attention.

"Stay low-key; even the most brilliant achievements fade with time."

"Besides, I haven't done anything earth-shattering."

Qin Ming prepared to leave the bazaar and return to his Wangyue Island.

But just then.

A slender figure wearing a black conical hat brushed past him.

Suddenly!

Qin Ming frowned—he sensed the female cultivator felt strangely familiar.

He immediately extended his spiritual sense to observe her.

The black conical hat she wore was peculiar—it appeared to be a device capable of blocking spiritual sense probes.

Yet before Qin Ming's powerful spiritual sense, it was merely an empty facade.

Qin Ming increased the intensity of his spiritual sense, instantly piercing through the straw hat's defenses and seeing the delicate face within.

What surprised him greatly was that the woman inside the black straw hat was someone he had never seen before.

'Uh, how don't I recognize her?'

'Truly, I was impolite.'

The female cultivator seemed to sense someone spying on her, but when she turned around and saw it was a Foundation Establishment elder, she panicked and quickly left the place.

'Cough!' Qin Ming cleared his throat softly, face calm and heart steady, pretending nothing had happened as he left the marketplace.

……

Inside Chu Tianhe Marketplace.

The woman in the black straw hat had circled several alleys, confirming no one was following her.

She turned again and again, then gently tapped a rhythmic pattern on the door of a closed shop in the alley.

The wooden door opened, and she slipped inside sideways.

'Why are you only here now?' A slightly hoarse voice asked from the darkness.

The straw-hat woman hesitated, then whispered an explanation: 'I ran into an acquaintance at the marketplace entrance, so I took extra detours for safety.'

'Hm?!'

'Didn't he recognize you?' the hoarse voice demanded coldly.

'No, I have a spiritual artifact that alters my appearance.'

'Good.'

'Did you get the item?'

'Yes, it's all here.'

……

(End of Chapter)