Chapter 168: Five Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peaches

Inside a private room on the seventh floor of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

Except for Gu Qingzhao, Gu Tongshan, Hu Fuqi, and Qin Ming, everyone else had withdrawn.

During the banquet, amidst the clinking of cups and exchange of toasts, Gu Tongshan showed no intention of discussing serious matters, merely smiling as he continuously exchanged drinks with Qin Ming.

Upon their arrival earlier, Hu Fuqi had secretly informed Qin Ming that Gu Tongshan's strength was not trivial; among Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Wei State's Immortal Realm, he ranked within the top three, even one place ahead of Wei Wuya.

Qin Ming had originally assumed that Gu Tongshan had traveled all this way to Canghai Xiancheng likely to invite him to join the Mirror Jing Xue Ge again.

However, Hu Fuqi had secretly told him that Gu Tongshan's visit was indeed specifically for Qin Ming.

Yet, Gu Tongshan had long heard of Qin Ming's character; he had even rejected an invitation from True Person Canghai.

This first meeting was likely just for a preliminary understanding and acquaintance, simply to become familiar faces.

Of course, they might also casually discuss some matters of cooperation.

After all, over so many years, as an honorary guest elder of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, cooperation between both parties had been extremely harmonious.

Merely the titles of Qin Ming as a Grade Two Upper-Tier Spirit Planter and a Grade Two Mid-Tier Alchemy Grandmaster could bring considerable profits to the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

For Gu Tongshan, such a prominent figure of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, to personally come meet him despite being busy was only reasonable.

"Hehe! Since Fellow Daoist Gu also enjoys tasting wine, I brewed some spirit wine during my idle moments on Moon Gazing Island."

"Why not taste it together?"

Having said this, Qin Ming took out two jars of Spirit Fire Wine and placed them on the table; these two jars of spirit wine were originally intended as a gift for Gu Qingzhao.

This was because he next planned to ask Gu Qingzhao for help with some matters.

"Oh? I didn't expect that besides spirit planting and alchemy techniques, Fellow Daoist Qin is also deeply versed in the way of brewing; I must taste it then." A look of surprise appeared on Gu Tongshan's sharp face.

Immediately, without standing on ceremony, he directly lifted the seal of one jar of Spirit Fire Wine.

Instantly, a heart-penetrating mellow fragrance struck deep into the souls of everyone present.

A white misty qi spread out from within the wine jar.

Merely smelling it created a feeling that made one unable to stop.

"Good wine!" Hu Fuqi was also greatly invigorated; he knew that anything Qin Ming offered must be something good.

Qin Ming immediately poured a cup for each of the few people present.

"Ai! Truly good wine; it can actually increase the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment stage. It must be extremely rare, yes?" Gu Tongshan took a sip of the Spirit Fire Wine and asked, "If it could be mass-produced, relying solely on this wine would probably earn no small amount of spirit stones."

Qin Ming naturally understood the meaning behind the other's words; he had repeatedly rejected invitations from various forces because he did not wish to become a tool, and this applied even to the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

Wasn't being the Great Island Lord of Moon Gazing Island delightful enough?

"Hehe! Indeed, this was merely a few jars successfully brewed by chance on a whim; there are no extras." Qin Ming replied.

Hearing this, Gu Tongshan nodded, as if this was within his expectations, then looked at Qin Ming with eager eyes and asked, "I see. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin could part with them? I, Gu, am willing to purchase these two jars of spirit wine at a high price."

"These were originally prepared as a gift for Fellow Daoist Gu Qingzhao; I have come this time with some matters to trouble her with," Qin Ming said with a smile.

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhao's eyes brightened, a smile appearing on her pretty face, and she teased Gu Tongshan, "Did you hear that, Second Uncle?"

"This Spirit Fire Wine is a gift from Fellow Daoist Qin to me."

Gu Tongshan's expression froze; he cleared his throat lightly and said, "Cough! Share one jar with your Second Uncle; you know I also have a fondness for this."

After three rounds of drinks, Gu Tongshan finally said to Qin Ming with satisfaction, "Regarding this visit, I indeed have another matter I wish to discuss with Fellow Daoist Qin."

Seeing that the other party was turning to serious matters, Qin Ming put down his wine cup and listened attentively.

"It is like this: in the Imperial Capital, a spirit planting family owes our Mirror Jing Xue Ge a large debt they cannot repay, so they used several precious Grade Two Upper-Tier spirit plants under their possession to offset the debt."

"This spirit plant is named the Five Elements Primordial Qi Peach Tree; every eight years, it bears several Primordial Qi Peaches, which not only enhance the magic power cultivation of the mid-to-late Foundation Establishment stage but also possess the miraculous effect of extending lifespan." "It is an extremely rare item, encounterable but not seekable."

"However, this spirit plant requires a highly skilled spirit planter to carefully cultivate and tend to it; otherwise, forget about bearing spirit peaches."

"Even ensuring the survival of the spirit peach trees is a major problem."

"I originally invited a Grade Two Mid-Tier spirit planter from the Shennong Sect to help tend to them."

"But who could have expected that after eight years, not only did these Primordial Qi Peaches fail to bear fruit, but one tree actually died."

"I was so angry!"

"I, Gu, have come this time specifically to invite Fellow Daoist Qin to come out of seclusion and help go to the Imperial Capital to cultivate a batch of Five Elements Primordial Qi Peaches."

"As for conditions, Fellow Daoist Qin, name whatever you wish."

Having said this, Gu Tongshan looked at Qin Ming with eyes revealing anticipation, awaiting his reaction.

After hearing the other's words, Qin Ming could not help but fall into deep thought.

To be honest, he was quite interested in this Grade Two Upper-Tier spirit plant, the Five Elements Primordial Qi Peach.

However... traveling all the way to the Imperial Capital of the Wei State to stay for eight or nine years was slightly beyond his range of acceptance. After pondering for a long time, Qin Ming replied, "Fellow Daoist Gu, to be honest, I am quite interested in these Five Elements Primordial Qi Peaches, but I still have many spirit plants on my Moon Gazing Island that need tending to, so I cannot leave for the time being."

Hearing this, Gu Tongshan also revealed a trace of disappointment, though he could anticipate such a situation.

But Qin Ming's next sentence reignited his hope.

"If Fellow Daoist Gu trusts me, you could transplant those few Five Elements Primordial Qi Peach trees to my Moon Gazing Island..."

"As for the conditions!"

"After the first batch of Five Elements Primordial Qi Peaches matures, I can hand them all over to your sect for disposal, but as for the spirit peach trees... those will belong entirely to me, Qin."

Hearing this, Gu Tongshan first showed joy, then frowned and asked uncertainly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, but these spirit peach trees, after being transported over a long journey... can they still be planted and survive?"

"I heard them say that this spirit plant is exceptionally delicate; the slightest carelessness will cause it to wither and die."

"Moreover, this involves completely changing its environment for growth."

Qin Ming replied with full confidence, "Regarding the matter of cultivating the spirit peach trees, Fellow Daoist Gu need not worry too much; just send them to my Moon Gazing Island."

"That's right; I actually forgot that Fellow Daoist Qin's spirit planting level is unmatched in the Wei State." Gu Tongshan clapped his hands and laughed.

"However... these Five Elements Primordial Qi Peaches are extremely precious; could we discuss the conditions Fellow Daoist Qin proposed a bit further?"

Qin Ming smiled slightly and said, "Although these Five Elements Primordial Qi Peaches possess the effects of increasing cultivation and extending lifespan..."

"However, starting from the second pill consumed, the effects will diminish; each cultivator can consume at most three."

"Although they are indeed rare, their effects are not limitless."

"How about this: I can add another condition. Henceforth, whenever the spirit peaches ripen, your pavilion shall have priority to purchase five of them."

Gu Tongshan pondered for a long time, knowing that if he could not find a suitable spirit planter to cultivate these few rare spirit peach trees, they would sooner or later become a burden in his hands.

"Uh, hehe! Fellow Daoist Qin truly lives up to his reputation as a grand master of spirit planting; even the Five Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peaches are understood by you with perfect clarity."

Immediately turning to look at Qin Ming, he stated decisively, "Deal!"

"I will immediately order someone to deliver the spirit peach trees to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Qin Ming instantly felt a surge of joy in his heart and raised his wine cup to toast Gu Tongshan.

He had not expected that venturing out this one time would still yield such a harvest.

……

(End of Chapter)