Chapter 185: Disagreement

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

A short while later.

He rode his beloved Silver Wing Frost Bee to 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!"

"Master Qin, you are the pride of the spiritual energy Archipelago—no other island has a Second-Rank Superior Spirit Plant Master."

"Master Qin is truly formidable! Your name has spread throughout Canghai Xiancheng; it's said even Canghai True Person personally received you."

"What? The Jin Dan True Person received you? That's quite an honor!"

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

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

"Indeed, indeed—lately, many 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 ones asking him to write a book—it made him feel embarrassed.

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

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

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

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

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 solemnly: "Yes. According to reliable intelligence, in half a month, the Seventy-Two Island Alliance and the Nie family newly backed by Lei Yuanzong will host a major trading fair on Qianye Spirit Island, lasting seven days."

"They've invited various factions to participate."

"I 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 Alliance and the Nie family jointly host such a fair? And why sell third-rank spirit plant seeds?"

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

"Since the Zhao family of Qianye Spirit Island was destroyed, the Alliance and Lei Yuanzong clashed for a long time over resource allocation."

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

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

"Qianye Spirit Island doesn't just house a third-rank spiritual vein—it also contains the Core Formation spiritual substance 'Xuanyin Earthly Demon Spirit Liquid,' which produces a fixed quantity every hundred years."

"Disputes over resource allocation resurfaced between the Alliance and the Nie family; 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: the Alliance and the Nie family can't reach an agreement on the surface, and Lei Yuanzong doesn't want the stability to unravel, so they'll settle matters behind closed doors."

"The Alliance and the Nie family will likely send agents to place covert bets at this fair."

"Meanwhile, the Seventy-Two Island Alliance has invited other islands in the spiritual energy Archipelago to attend, aiming to restore post-war trade ties across the islands."

Qin Ming nodded in understanding: "I see."

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

Long Yi smiled faintly: "Smaller clans naturally lack the qualification to be invited. Only spirit islands within the Alliance and major powers from the Tianhe Bazaar are invited."

"Jingxue Pavilion is on the invitation list."

"As our honored guest minister, Master Qin is 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 on his face: "Brother Long, thank you!"

"Master Qin is our esteemed guest minister; this is merely my duty—no need to thank me."

"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—no matter how glorious your deeds, time will fade them."

"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.

Her black conical hat was peculiar—it appeared to be a magic treasure blocking spiritual sense probes.

But before Qin Ming's powerful spiritual sense, it was merely decorative.

Qin Ming intensified his spiritual sense, instantly piercing through the hat's defenses, revealing the delicate face beneath.

To his surprise, he had never seen the woman inside the hat.

'Huh? I don't recognize her...'

'I must've been presumptuous...'

The woman seemed to sense someone spying on her; when she turned and saw a Foundation Establishment elder, she panicked and hurried away.

"Cough!" Qin Ming cleared his throat, feigning innocence as he calmly left the bazaar.

Within Tianhe Bazaar.

The woman in the black conical hat circled several alleys, confirming no one followed her.

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

The wooden door opened, and she slipped inside.

"Why are you so late?" A slightly hoarse voice asked from the darkness.

The woman hesitated, then whispered: "I ran into an acquaintance at the bazaar entrance, so I took extra detours for safety."

"Huh?!"

"Did he recognize you?" the hoarse voice demanded coldly.

"No—I have a spirit artifact that alters my appearance."

"Good."

"Did you get the item?"

"Yes, it's all here."

(End of Chapter)