Chapter 190: Xu Zhanglao of Profound Creek Valley

Qin Ming simply delivered the Soul-Returning Pill; how Lei Yuanzong used it was no longer his concern.

Immediately after, Shopkeeper Mei handed a package to Qin Ming, beaming with flattery: "Master Qin truly is a rare dual-skilled grandmaster in the Wei State Immortal Realm, having successfully refined the Soul-Returning Pill so quickly."

"It truly exceeds this old man's imagination."

"In accordance with the agreement between Master Qin and our Weishao Sect Master, these are the items promised to Master Qin."

"Please count them!"

Qin Ming took the package, opened it, and took a glance; inside were various rare spiritual materials he needed, along with five top-grade spiritual stones emitting astonishing wood-attribute spiritual qi, shining like bright pearls in the night, extremely eye-catching.

"Mm, correct!"

Qin Ming, fully satisfied, put the items away and prepared to take his leave.

"Now that the spiritual pill has been delivered, Qin Mou will take his leave."

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Mei detained him, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin is here, why not allow this old man to fulfill his duties as a host?"

"Qin Mou still has matters to attend to; next time, certainly."

After leaving the Exquisite Pavilion, Qin Ming followed the street to the Alchemy Pavilion.

"The Soul-Returning Pill has been delivered."

"It probably won't be long before Lei Yuanzong dispatches troops to Thousand Leaves Island, correct?"

"Sigh, I hope that demonic vine can be exterminated; at least I have contributed my share of effort."

Along the way, Qin Ming pondered silently to himself.

Half an incense stick later.

Qin Ming arrived at the entrance of the Alchemy Pavilion and stepped inside.

Xu Jing was at the front counter verifying the account books; upon seeing Qin Ming arrive, her face first showed surprise, then she immediately rushed out with immense joy.

"Fellow Daoist Qin! You have finally arrived!"

"The spiritual materials for refining the Jade Profound Pill have already been transported over from Profound Creek Valley."

"Do you know who delivered these spiritual materials to Canghai Immortal City this time?"

She smiled gently, even playing a little coy.

Qin Ming smiled slightly and said, "Qin Mou truly does not know."

"Hehe! It was my grandfather."

"He has long admired Fellow Daoist Qin's great name and wished to personally deliver this shipment of supplies, while also taking the opportunity to exchange ideas with Fellow Daoist Qin, hehe."

Xu Jing said with considerable excitement.

"My great-grandfather is upstairs; Fellow Daoist Qin, please follow me."

Qin Ming nodded, then followed her upstairs.

Inside a simply decorated private room.

An elderly man with crane-white hair, dressed in a gray robe, sat in a chair drinking tea, his entire demeanor appearing vigorous and spirited.

Yet upon seeing this person, Qin Ming's pupils suddenly contracted.

'A False Jin Dan Ancestor!!'

After seeing the elder, Xu Jing happily introduced him: "Great-Grandfather, the Fellow Daoist Qin Ming whom you specifically wanted to meet has arrived."

"Greetings, Xu Zhanglao!" Qin Ming bowed to Xu Zhanglao within the room.

He had not expected that Xu Jing's grandfather would possess False Jin Dan cultivation, which truly startled him.

However, thinking about it, it made sense.

As an inner sect elder of the number one great sect in the Liang State Immortal Realm, having False Jin Dan stage cultivation was not surprising.

"Oh? Hahaha!"

"So it is Young Friend Qin who has arrived?"

"This old man only just arrived yesterday."

"Young Friend Qin need not stand on ceremony; as fellow spirit planters, regarding the level of spirit planting skill, this old man is still far inferior to you!"

Upon seeing Qin Ming arrive, Xu Zhanglao stood up and warmly invited him to take a seat.

He displayed none of the airs of a great cultivator.

"Great-Grandfather, you and Fellow Daoist Qin chat first; I will have those downstairs prepare some food."

After introducing both parties, Xu Jing went downstairs to busy herself. Qin Ming naturally sat opposite Xu Zhanglao and began conversing with him.

This brought him one big step closer to discovering the whereabouts of the Golden Core formation formula.

Xu Zhanglao first personally brewed a pot of spiritual tea, then handed a cup to Qin Ming, saying with a smile: "This is spiritual tea planted by this old man's own hands; please taste it and see how it is?"

"Hehe, when I came last time, Fellow Daoist Xu had already given me some to drink."

"The Cold Crystal Tea planted by Xu Zhanglao possesses a unique flavor; it indeed belongs among the top-tier spiritual teas." Qin Ming sipped the tea and offered timely praise.

"Hahaha! Is that so? I didn't expect that girl to be even more generous than me in sharing it." Xu Zhanglao said with a carefree laugh.

Qin Ming's words of approval, coming from a second-rank top-grade spirit planting grandmaster, went straight to his heart.

With spirit planting as the topic, the distance between the two parties instantly narrowed.

Xu Zhanglao had long been eager and immediately began discussing the Dao of spirit planting with Qin Ming.

Although his own cultivation had reached the False Jin Dan stage, his attainments in spirit planting had long been stuck at second-rank middle grade, a great regret of his life.

Finding a spirit planting grandmaster with such supreme talent as Qin Ming to exchange ideas with might perhaps help him break through his bottleneck.

Subsequently.

Xu Zhanglao of Profound Creek Valley, like a student thirsting for knowledge, continuously asked Qin Ming numerous questions about spirit plant cultivation encountered in daily life.

Qin Ming, without ever growing impatient, patiently answered them for him.

He possessed a third-tier spiritual plant inheritance; let alone Xu Zhanglao, even if the person sitting opposite him right now were a third-tier spiritual planter, Qin Ming could still handle it with ease.

Gradually.

After a full day of exchange.

Xu Zhanglao discovered with shock that this young cultivator of ordinary appearance before him possessed such unique insights into the path of spiritual plants that he was undoubtedly among the very best of all the spiritual plant masters he had ever encountered.

In the meantime.

Xu Jing also served them exquisite food.

Seeing the two still engaged in such lively conversation, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle secretly.

Two days later.

Qin Ming's mouth had gone dry several times before he finally satisfied Xu Zhanglao's thirst for knowledge.

Xu Zhanglao had also benefited greatly from this exchange, his entire person radiating excitement.

Qin Ming's answers to his questions had resolved many long-standing puzzles that had troubled him, suddenly bringing him clarity and enlightenment.

He believed that after returning this time, there was hope he could break through the bottleneck restricting him as a second-tier upper-grade spiritual plant master.

Finally.

Xu Zhanglao took a bag of spiritual materials from his storage pouch and placed it before Qin Ming. "Qin Xiaoyou, here are the spiritual materials you need to refine the Yu Xuan Dan."

"It is a pity that one main ingredient, the Seven-Leaf Nether Ganoderma, is still missing, but this old man will keep an ear out and inquire about it for you."

"Then many thanks, Xu Zhanglao. Please tell me, how many spirit stones do these spiritual materials cost?" Qin Ming accepted the materials; he had already obtained the Seven-Leaf Nether Ganoderma at the Lei Yuanzong and could begin refining the pill once he returned.

Hearing this, Xu Zhanglao frowned. "Alas~ Qin Xiaoyou, what kind of talk is this? Compared to your patience in accompanying this old fool and answering questions continuously for two days..."

"What do these few spiritual materials amount to? Consider it merely a small token of appreciation from this old man."

"Xu Zhanglao, that won't do; one thing is one thing, and another is another," Qin Ming said.

Xu Zhanglao waved his hand, insisting that Qin Ming accept them, so he could only express his thanks once more.

Afterwards, Xu Zhanglao sighed with emotion: "Qin Xiaoyou is not only a second-tier upper-grade spiritual plant master, but his skills in the Dao of Alchemy have also reached the pinnacle of perfection."

"If not for hearing that girl say Qin Xiaoyou had no intention of joining a sect or faction, this old man would have wanted to invite you again; with your level of skill, serving as an inner sect elder in the Inner Sect Spiritual Plant Garden of Xuanxi Valley or on the Pill and Artifact Peak would be more than sufficient."

"What a true pity~"

"By the way, does Qin Xiaoyou have the confidence to refine this Yu Xuan Dan?"

As the Yu Xuan Dan could increase the cultivation of cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage, or even those at Foundation Establishment perfection, one could imagine its rarity.

However, since the topic had finally turned to pills, Qin Ming smiled faintly and said, "I still have some confidence."

Hearing this, Xu Zhanglao could no longer remain seated.

"Then I fear that Fellow Daoist Qin's attainment in the Dao of Alchemy must be approaching the threshold of a third-tier Alchemy Grandmaster?"

"Hehe, as for being a third-tier alchemist, I still lack a bit of skill."

"Mainly because I do not possess any third-tier pill formulas in my hands."

(End of Chapter)