Chapter 178: Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist Trial

During this time.

The spiritual plants Qin Ming planted on his island also gradually matured.

In the spiritual pond beneath the main peak, over a dozen lotus pods hung like jadeite, each whole Yuhua Spirit Lotus brimming with value—its seeds, pods, and rhizomes all usable as medicinal ingredients and highly rare primary components for alchemy, scarce even in the cultivation world.

Even Su Yuqing, residing in the richly endowed Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, had to entrust Qin Ming to cultivate them.

On the back slope of the main peak, over a hundred second-rank decaying logs bore mature clusters of Mist Illusion Mushrooms, each pink fungus exuding continuous wisps of pink mist.

Qin Ming guided them all into the Mist Illusion, and as time passed, if this trend continued, the mist guarding Wangyue Island would reach a terrifying scale.

Next.

Qin Ming had to leave Wangyue Island.

Because he was preparing to advance to Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist and undergo the Trial of the Plant Illusion to obtain the Ten Thousand Trees' Primordial Qi.

After informing Wu Jiang, Qin Ming summoned his Silver-Winged Frost Bees and departed Wangyue Island.

Having been away from the island for so long, he gazed at the outside world and suddenly felt as if he had stepped across a lifetime.

After its bloodline enhancement, the Silver-Winged Frost Bees' flight speed increased significantly.

In the blink of an eye, less than half an hour passed before Qin Ming arrived at the Tianhe Marketplace.

After passing inspection, he entered the marketplace.

This time, he did not conceal his appearance or identity—he was going to the Spiritual Botanists' Guild to handle his promotion.

He walked along the main thoroughfare.

"Did I see that right?"

"Wasn't that just the Lord of Wangyue Island, Master Qin?"

"What? Isn't Wangyue Island shrouded in strange mist, where even Foundation Establishment experts vanish without return?"

"It really is Master Qin!"

"He's heading toward the Spiritual Botanists' Guild."

"Could he be preparing to advance to Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist?"

"What incredible spiritual plant has Master Qin grown this time?"

"I knew it—I always said Master Qin wouldn't meet with misfortune."

"First he cultivated Spirit Resting Rice, then refined Foundation Establishment Pills."

"He's already a major figure in the Spirit Resting cultivation world."

"He can't possibly die young."

…

Within the marketplace, Qin Ming's appearance sparked renewed speculation and rumors about Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming ignored these whispers and went straight to the Spiritual Botanists' Guild.

When he reappeared, the guild's registration officer was greatly startled.

The white-haired, bald old officer, upon hearing Qin Ming had come to prepare for his Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist promotion, immediately bowed in deep respect.

Then Qin Ming, accompanied by the officer, flew toward Wangyue Island under the gaze of countless onlookers.

As they neared Wangyue Island, the sky-blocking pink mist appeared.

The white-haired, bald old man halted, hesitating to advance.

"Heh, no need to worry," Qin Ming waved his hand, and the mist instantly parted, revealing a passage wide enough for two.

The guild officer stared in stunned disbelief at the impossible sight before him.

"Master Qin, truly remarkable!"

Then.

The two entered Wangyue Island.

When the officer saw the island's rare, high-rank spiritual plants, his register slipped from his hands with a soft *plop*.

"This—"

"Fully matured Second-Rank Supreme spiritual plant—Yuhua Spirit Lotus!"

"Second-Rank Supreme spiritual plant—Mist Illusion Mushroom! So this is what generates the illusion that blocks Golden Core elders!"

"And this… I didn't imagine—"

"My heavens—the legendary Dragon Blood Divine Tree!"

"And countless other Second-Rank spiritual herbs and medicinals…"

The guild officer was numb—he'd been stunned before, when he'd first witnessed Spirit Resting Rice in person.

Yet this time, his horizons expanded even further.

Some of these plants existed only in texts, nearly impossible to find in the outside world.

This was his first time seeing them with his own eyes.

"Master Qin, no—Great Master Qin, I've completed the registration."

"Forgive this old man's bluntness, but you are the most extraordinary Spiritual Botanist I've ever encountered in my decades as a recorder—without exception," the white-haired, bald old man lavished praise upon Qin Ming. "As for the promotion trial slot for Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist, no one else could possibly compete with you."

After finishing the matter, the guild officer walked backward, glancing over his shoulder repeatedly, as Qin Ming escorted him out of Wangyue Island.

Next.

Qin Ming would depart for Canghai Immortal City to undergo the Trial of the Plant Illusion.

Before leaving, he again gave Wu Jiang detailed instructions.

This time, Qin Ming brought both his Spirit Beasts—Xuanshui Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bees.

After so many major events over the past year, caution was paramount.

With two powerful Foundation Establishment spirit beasts at his side, he could retreat safely even if danger arose.

Qin Ming mounted the Silver-Winged Frost Bees, stored the Xuanshui Crocodile in his Spirit Beast pouch, and shot toward Canghai Immortal City as a streak of silver light, vanishing instantly.

What once took a full day's journey now took less than two hours to reach Canghai Immortal City.

Upon arriving in Canghai Immortal City, Qin Ming did not rush to find Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Instead, since the Trial of the Plant Illusion was about to begin, he went directly to the headquarters of the Spiritual Botanists' Guild in Canghai Immortal City.

This time, the guild's president, Liu Guchang, personally received Qin Ming.

He had been greatly startled by the news transmitted from the Tianhe Marketplace.

This young cultivator was about to become a Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist like himself.

After some polite exchanges,

Qin Ming learned that, including himself, only three Second-Rank Mid-Grade Spiritual Botanists had registered for the Trial of the Plant Illusion.

The other two were also elderly—clearly demonstrating how rare Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanists were.

Both came forward to greet Qin Ming warmly.

Having arrived earlier, they had heard rumors that Qin Ming stood a high chance of successfully advancing to Second-Rank Superior.

As for themselves, they had little confidence—only old age drove them to risk one final attempt.

Spiritual Botanists who reached this stage were growing ever rarer.

Under the president's direction, the ancient, grand Wood Array activated.

Green light bathed the three botanists, and their figures vanished from sight.

President Liu Guchang gazed deeply at the Wood Array, lost in thought.

"President, what are the chances these three will pass the promotion trial?"

"Hmm, the other two are uncertain, but I have high hopes for Master Qin."

"As long as he doesn't choose an overly difficult illusion, he should be fine."

"So Wei Kingdom's cultivation world will gain another Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist?"

"No such talented newcomer has appeared in decades."

"We old men should step aside and make way."

…

Yet in an instant,

President Liu Guchang's gaze fell upon the wooden tablet representing Qin Ming's entry.

His expression twisted into profound confusion and astonishment.

"Master Qin chose the Class-A difficulty Plant Illusion trial."

"If it were a Second-Rank Low-Grade trial, fine—but this is the Second-Rank Superior trial! Alas!"

"In the history of Wei Kingdom's cultivation world, no one has ever passed a Class-A difficulty trial for Second-Rank Superior Spiritual Botanist."

"Since the Plant Illusion's inception, only a handful of Second-Rank Mid-Grade botanists have ever succeeded."

"Master Qin's skill in spiritual botany is extraordinary, but isn't this overconfidence?"

"Ah, let's wait and see."

…

Within the Plant Illusion.

The same small wooden hut remained. After Qin Ming selected the Class-A Plant Illusion difficulty,

The wooden door creaked open.

BOOM!

A deafening roar shook Qin Ming's ears.

Countless scorching lava and ash clouds erupted skyward!

A magnificent and awe-inspiring mountain range of flame appeared before Qin Ming's eyes.

A scorching wave of heat immediately rushed toward him!

(End of Chapter)