Chapter 186: The Turmoil Caused by a Single Sentence

Inside the ship's cabin.

Seeing Qin Ming's hesitant expression, Wei Wuya sighed and then spoke: "Sigh~ To be honest with Daoist Qin, there is actually nothing I need to hide from you."

"This Soul-Returning Pill is requested by our sect's Grand Elder—Elder Ao."

As he said this, a subtle fluctuation appeared in his emotions; it was not hard to see that this was also an extremely helpless move.

"Ah?!"

Qin Ming opened his mouth wide, pretending to be completely unaware.

"Sigh! Speaking of which, the Grand Elder making such a major decision... is actually thanks to Daoist Qin, hehe." Wei Wuya's words were startling, followed by a bitter smile.

"???"

Hearing this, Qin Ming was completely stunned.

"If Daoist Qin had not reminded Alliance Leader Li of the San Alliance, that third-tier demonic vine on Thousand Leaf Island might soon nurture a new demonic seed."

"After Daoist Qin's words were transmitted back to the sect..."

"Several second-tier spiritual plant masters within our sect reviewed historical records regarding third-tier spiritual plants, and combined with intelligence data from Alliance Leader Li's side as corroboration..."

"The final conclusion matched exactly what Daoist Qin stated."

"Furthermore, the birth of the demonic seed will occur within the next five years."

"If not dealt with promptly, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Under these urgent circumstances, Elder Ao also made this decision."

Qin Ming suddenly realized and asked in surprise: "Could it be that Elder Ao is preparing to personally eliminate that demonic vine?"

"Correct. Not only Elder Ao, but also Elder Yuwen of the Lingyu Sect and True Person Nalan of Canghai Immortal City—the three Jin Dan True Persons of the State of Wei have reached a consensus."

"They will temporarily set aside sectarian differences to join forces and eliminate this huge hidden danger within the Wei State Immortal Realm first."

"To be frank with Daoist Qin, the reason our sect's Elder Ao needs to consume the Soul-Returning Pill is precisely because the Elder has little lifespan left; regardless of victory or defeat in this battle, he already harbors the will to die!"

"Naturally, it would be best to eradicate this demon in one stroke, permanently removing the future threat."

Hearing this, Qin Ming couldn't help but feel a trace of respect rise within him for this living fossil of the Wei State Immortal Realm.

And the fact that Wei Wuya was willing to share such confidential news with him was sufficient to demonstrate his recognition of him.

Of course, after some time, when the great battle begins, this will no longer be any secret.

'Sigh! Other people's elders are about to risk their lives fighting demons.'

'If I refuse, it seems a bit too heartless.'

'Moreover, I can name any conditions I want with Lei Yuanzong.'

'Hmm, I can take this opportunity to gather those missing spiritual materials.'

'More importantly, Wei Wuya, this Jin Dan seed of Lei Yuanzong, will owe me a significant favor.'

'Even the alchemy materials are readily available...'

'Considering everything comprehensively...'

'It's not impossible to do this.'

'However, having just reviewed that pill formula, this pill is only a hair's breadth away from reaching the third tier.'

'Among them are several key refining points that even I cannot understand; it is indeed quite challenging.'

'Also, Moon Gazing Island is located within the range of the Lingxi Archipelago, very close to Thousand Leaf Island; if the third-tier Blood Curse Demonic Vine grows powerful and the demonic seeds run rampant, I might even have to flee.'

'If the three True Persons can eradicate this fiend in one stroke, that would naturally be the best outcome.'

Thoughts raced through Qin Ming's mind, and he had already made his decision.

"Cough! Since Daoist Wei trusts Qin Mou so much, I am willing to do my best to try."

"Refining the pill for Elder Ao is an honor for Qin Mou, and it also counts as contributing my share to the Wei State Immortal Realm."

Qin Ming spoke with an air of undeniable duty, his voice firm and resonant.

Seeing Qin Ming agree so readily, Wei Wuya's face lit up with joy; he immediately raised his teacup and said, "Daoist Qin is truly righteous; for the Wei State Immortal Realm to have a master of such virtue and skill as Daoist Qin is indeed rare. Let Wei Mou offer you a toast with tea instead of wine." "Daoist Wei is too polite."

After the two drank a cup together, Qin Ming wiped his mouth and got straight to the point: "By the way, Daoist Wei, as conditions for my stepping in to refine the pill, I need several types of spiritual materials, specifically Seven-Leaf Nether Ginseng, Red Jade Crystal Sand, Phoenix-Roosting Spiritual Grass, Cold Marrow Precious Flower..."

Qin Ming rattled off a long list of rare spiritual materials in one breath, until his mouth felt dry, forcing him to pause and take a sip of spiritual tea.

Wei Wuya was completely stunned.

But Qin Ming's next sentence shocked this eldest senior brother of Lei Yuanzong even more.

"Finally, Qin Mou also needs fifty pieces—no, let's make it thirty pieces."

"Thirty high-grade spiritual stones will suffice."

"Daoist Wei, what do you think?"

Coming back to his senses, Wei Wuya's facial skin twitched slightly; forcing a faint smile, he said, "Daoist Qin, I can agree to your request for those spiritual materials mentioned earlier."

"However, regarding these high-grade spiritual stones, please forgive me, but I cannot agree to give you so many."

"Five pieces at most."

Qin Ming nodded calmly, "Five pieces it is, deal!"

He answered crisply and cleanly, without any hesitation or dragging things out.

Originally, he hadn't expected Wei Wuya to agree to such excessive conditions; five high-grade spiritual stones already far exceeded his psychological expectations.

Subsequently...

Wei Wuya handed a bag containing the spiritual materials needed to refine the Soul-Returning Pill to Qin Ming.

However, moments later...

"Daoist Wei, something's not right?"

"Why is there only one set of spiritual materials for refining the Soul-Returning Pill?" Qin Ming took the package, opened it, and immediately asked in confusion.

Hearing this, Wei Wuya revealed an awkward expression and explained unnaturally: "Originally there were over ten sets of spiritual materials, but Elder Yan accidentally failed to refine all of them, so only this last set remains..."

"Furthermore, if Fellow Daoist Qin fails to refine the pill from this single portion of spiritual materials, our sect will be unable to gather any extra materials within a short time."

Qin Ming: "..."

'So Elder Yan failed with over ten portions of spiritual materials? Not just ten attempts.'

'Lei Yuanzong has reached a dead end and only thought of me as a last resort?'

In fact, it was only recently that Wei Wuya learned that the Jingxue Pavilion in Canghai Xiancheng had auctioned off second-tier upper-grade spiritual pills and Foundation Establishment Pills, which led him to think of Qin Ming, who cooperated closely with them.

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not feel pressured; regardless of whether this pill refining succeeds or fails, I, Wei Mou, will owe you a favor," Wei Wuya said sincerely.

Only then did Qin Ming store the spiritual materials into his storage bag and ask, "In that case, Fellow Daoist Wei, roughly when will you need this pill?"

The quantity of this portion of materials was enough to start the furnace and attempt refining Soul-Returning Pills more than ten times; for him, that was sufficient, so he was not in a hurry at all.

"Naturally, the sooner the better; let us set the deadline within one year. What does Fellow Daoist Qin think?"

"Mm, that works," Qin Ming pondered for a moment before agreeing.

"At that time, regardless of the refining result, Fellow Daoist Qin may simply send someone to the core district of Canghai Xiancheng, locate the 'Linglong Pavilion' established by our Lei Yuanzong, and deliver the message there," Wei Wuya said.

Qin Ming nodded, then suddenly remembered something and, after hesitating slightly, asked, "Fellow Daoist Wei, forgive my presumption, but if your sect's Yunxi Laozu Ao consumes the Soul-Returning Pill, then in the future..."

"Hehe! Is Fellow Daoist Qin worrying about the future of our Lei Yuanzong?"

"To be honest, upon my return this time, I will enter a closed-door cultivation until death to break through to the Jin Dan realm." When Wei Wuya spoke these words, he radiated a powerful confidence, as if his entire will had reached its peak.

Hearing this, Qin Ming said with great envy, "Then I wish Fellow Daoist Wei great success in achieving the Jin Dan and an eternal Dao!"

After the two had negotiated and settled the matter,

Wei Wuya departed with his entourage.

Gazing deeply at the dharma boat disappearing into the distant horizon, Qin Ming mused to himself:

"It seems I have no choice but to... invite Great Alchemist Sun to provide answers and resolve my doubts again."

(End of Chapter)