Chapter 167: Visitors from the Upper Echelons

The matter of the two spirit beasts had come to a temporary close.

Qin Ming finally set his mind at ease and began a new cycle of farming.

In his original three mu of spirit fields, he had once again planted Spirit-Perching Rice and raised Rice-Flower Spirit Fish.

As for the seeds of the third-tier spirit plant, the Three-Crimson Soul-Returning Grass, which he had auctioned off at the Thousand-Leaf Spirit Island trading fair, they required several specific spirit materials to grow normally.

What was particularly strange was that this spirit plant did not grow in spirit soil, but only upon a type of rock known as "Demon Bone Demon Stone."

This kind of demon stone was a fossil formed after high-tier demon beasts died several thousand years ago, making it extremely rare.

Such stones occasionally appeared in certain regions deep within the Beast Cry Mountain Range, and in the past, demon-hunting cultivators in Canghai Xiancheng had obtained them.

"Those two fellows have mostly recovered by now; I currently have a heap of blood and flesh from the Demon Ape, which could perhaps be refined into high-tier spirit pills to enhance qi and blood, thereby improving my body-refining cultivation."

"Perhaps the core region of Canghai Xiancheng sells alchemical formulas for such pills."

"I also need to go gather the spirit materials required for planting the third-tier spirit plant, the Three-Crimson Soul-Returning Grass."

"It seems that no matter what, I must make a personal trip to Canghai Xiancheng."

After finishing his work in the spirit fields, Qin Ming stood by the ridge, one hand leaning on his spirit hoe while the other held a Dragon Blood Divine Fruit, gnawing on it like an ordinary fruit as he pondered his future cultivation plans alone.

Three days later.

Qin Ming gave some instructions to Wu Jiang, then took two jars of Spirit Fire Wine, summoned his Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng, mounted it, and departed from Moon Gazing Island.

After breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, Silver Wing's maximum flight speed had surpassed that of the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm, even exceeding most flying demon beasts renowned for their speed.

Its speed was more than several times faster than that of the Wind-Splitting Beast from back then, which had been at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

With an excited expression, Qin Ming felt the scenery beneath him blurring past; after a journey swift as wind and lightning, he arrived at Canghai Xiancheng in just over one double-hour this time.

While still in the sky above the outer perimeter of the Xiancheng, he stored the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng inside his spirit beast bag.

He then concealed his magic power aura down to the early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation level before descending toward the main gate of the Xiancheng.

At the entrance of Canghai Xiancheng, dazzling flight trails crisscrossed, various mounts and carriages shuttled back and forth, and cultivators and merchant caravans entering and exiting the city formed a bustling, teeming crowd.

Since numerous upheavals had occurred in the Spirit-Perching Archipelago Immortal Realm, the popularity here had instead grown even more vigorous.

It was indeed worthy of being the foremost loose cultivator great city located at the junction of four kingdoms.

As usual, Qin Ming intended to queue up properly to enter the Xiancheng.

Just then.

Some cultivators nearby first noticed a Foundation Establishment expert descending and wisely made way one after another.

Immediately afterward, sharp-eyed cultivators recognized Qin Ming.

"Oh! Qin Qianbei!"

"Master Qin has arrived!"

"Look, it's Island Master Qin from the Spirit-Perching Archipelago."

"Qin Qianbei, please go first!"

"What? Spirit Plant Master Qin from Moon Gazing Island has come to the Xiancheng!"

"..."

In an instant, the awestruck gazes of the surrounding cultivators all converged upon Qin Ming, while the crowd ahead parted like a tide to both sides, respectfully clearing a path.

Qin Ming smiled and exchanged greetings with the cultivators around him; when traveling outside, one must always be kind to others.

He carried no airs of a great cultivator; overall, his reputation in Canghai Xiancheng remained quite favorable.

"Qin Qianbei, when do you plan to open your furnace again to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Indeed, indeed, we loose cultivators have been eagerly awaiting this!"

Qin Ming still replied with a smile: "Next time, definitely next time!" Foundation Establishment Pills touched upon the core interests of major sects, so he could not blatantly refine and sell them on a large scale.

In his storage bag, he still had one common-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and one premium Foundation Establishment Pill remaining.

After entering the Xiancheng.

Shops lined the streets row upon row, business remained booming, and the clamor of vendors hawking their wares was incessant.

As for the discussions about Qin Ming's former fame, they gradually faded with the passage of time, replaced by other news.

For instance, some loose cultivator had accidentally stumbled upon an ancient cultivator's abandoned cave dwelling somewhere, obtained a legacy, and skyrocketed in power.

Some loose cultivator had hunted down a Foundation Establishment great demon beast in the Beast Cry Mountain Range, made a name in a single battle, and luckily obtained a demon core.

Several powerful, long-famous cultivators had met with misfortune while exploring a secret realm, resulting in their complete annihilation.

Somewhere, an earth-shaking spiritual treasure had appeared, sparking fierce contention among various major forces.

Even more astonishingly, a reclusive Foundation Establishment late-stage great expert had suddenly emerged, directly challenging a False Golden Core Old Ancestor, and successfully defeated him.

Listening to these latest pieces of news from the Immortal Realm, Qin Ming couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

"Truly incredible! Defeating a False Golden Core with Foundation Establishment cultivation; this feat is probably no less impressive than that of a genius like Wei Wuya?"

He slowed his pace along the way, lingering for half a day to inquire about the many recent changes in the Immortal Realm.

In the outer region of Canghai Xiancheng, cultivators from all walks of life mingled together, making it the place where rumors and unofficial news were most abundant.

Afterwards, Qin Ming proceeded at a leisurely pace to the Mirror Jing Xue Ge located in the inner city.

Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao, having received the message sent by Qin Ming, had long been waiting at the shop entrance.

Following the main avenue to the vicinity of Mirror Jing Xue Ge, Qin Ming spotted from afar that besides Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao, there was now a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a green robe standing beside them.

Even someone as formidable as Master Huangfu stood behind him, wearing an expression of utmost respect.

Not only did the several Foundation Establishment cultivators of Mirror Jing Xue Ge show great reverence and awe toward this person, but passing loose cultivators nearby also immediately displayed looks of terror upon seeing the middle-aged cultivator.

Qin Ming also sensed the middle-aged cultivator's cultivation base; it was clearly that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert!

However, judging by the manner in which he conversed with Gu Qingzhao, they seemed to be extremely close.

When Qin Ming approached closer.

Gu Qingzhao, dressed in an elegant green shirt and plain long skirt, her beautiful eyes lighting up, immediately introduced him warmly to Qin Ming: "Fellow Daoist Qin, this is my second uncle, Gu Tongshan, who also serves as the person in charge of Mirror Jing Xue Ge's headquarters in the capital of the Wei Kingdom Immortal Realm."

Hearing these words, Qin Ming dared not be rude; he hurried forward, clasped his hands, and bowed to Gu Tongshan, saying, "Greetings, Senior Gu!"

"What virtue or ability does Qin Mou possess that he would dare trouble Senior Gu to wait here?"

Gu Tongshan was tall and imposing, his gaze profoundly deep, with a short beard on his face; his aura of magic power was exceptionally thick, clearly indicating he was no ordinary Foundation Establishment peak cultivator.

"Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Qin need not be so constrained; given Fellow Daoist Qin's abilities, you may address me as an equal."

"I happened to come to Canghai Xiancheng and wished to see with my own eyes this young hero who has recently gained such fame; seeing you today, Fellow Daoist Qin is truly elegant and otherworldly, fully deserving your reputation as a great master!" Gu Tongshan's voice was deep and resonant, full of vitality, and he laughed heartily immediately after.

His words were also the truth, not deliberate flattery; nowadays, Qin Ming resembled an ancient tree, his temperament entirely different from before.

He possessed an air of having been tempered by the passage of time, like an evergreen ancient tree.

A smile appeared on Qin Ming's face, and he said modestly, "Fellow Daoist Gu overpraises me; these are merely empty reputations, not worth mentioning."

Subsequently, surrounded by the group, Qin Ming followed them into the elegant room of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

As he walked, Qin Ming pondered silently to himself.

For a prominent figure like Gu Tongshan to arrive, could it really be mere coincidence as he claimed? It was likely he came specifically for me.

……

(End of Chapter)