Chapter 202: Visitors from Above

The matter of the two spiritual beasts was settled.

Qin Ming also settled his mind and began a new round of farming.

In the original three mu of spiritual fields, he planted spiritual Qixi rice and raised Dao-flower spiritual fish.

As for the third-grade spiritual plant, Three Crimson Soul-Returning Grass, whose seeds he had bid for at the Thousand Leaf Spiritual Island Trading Society, it required several specific spiritual materials to grow normally.

Particularly strange was that this spiritual plant did not grow in spiritual soil, but only on a type of rock called "Demon Corpse Magic Stone."

This kind of magic stone was a fossil formed from the death of high-grade demonic beasts thousands of years ago, extremely rare.

In certain areas deep within the Beast Roar Mountains, such stones occasionally appeared; hunters in Canghai Xiancheng had once obtained them.

"Those two fellows are nearly healed. I now have a pile of Monkey Demon flesh on me—perhaps I can refine it into a high-grade spiritual pill to enhance blood and qi, boosting my body cultivation."

"Perhaps the core district of Canghai Xiancheng sells such pill formulas."

"I also need to gather the materials required to cultivate the third-grade spiritual plant, Three Crimson Soul-Returning Grass."

"It seems I must make the trip to Canghai Xiancheng myself, no matter what."

After tending to his spiritual fields, Qin Ming stood at the field's edge, one hand resting on his spiritual hoe, the other biting into a Dragon Blood Divine Fruit like a snack, pondering his future cultivation plans alone.

Three days later.

Qin Ming gave Wu Jiang instructions, then took two jars of Spirit Fire Wine, summoned Silver Wing Frost Bee, and rode it out of Wangyue Island.

After breaking through to Foundation Establishment mid-stage, Silver Wing's maximum flight speed had surpassed Foundation Establishment peak, even exceeding most bird-type demonic beasts known for speed.

It was several times faster than the Foundation Establishment mid-stage Wind-Splitting Beast from that day.

Qin Ming's face lit up with excitement as he felt the scenery blur past beneath him; after a swift rush, he arrived at Canghai Xiancheng in just over an hour.

In the skies outside the Xiancheng, he retrieved Silver Wing Frost Bee into his spiritual beast pouch.

Then he suppressed his magical energy aura to match Foundation Establishment early-stage, before descending toward the Xiancheng's gate.

At the gate of Canghai Xiancheng, dazzling flight auras crisscrossed, all manner of mounts and carriages shuttled back and forth, and the stream of cultivators and merchant caravans entering and leaving was thick and bustling.

Since the many upheavals in the Qixi Archipelago's cultivation world, its population had only grown more vibrant.

No wonder it was the first major free cultivator city at the crossroads of four nations.

As usual, Qin Ming prepared to line up orderly to enter the Xiancheng.

At that moment.

Nearby cultivators first noticed a Foundation Establishment elder descending, and promptly moved aside respectfully.

Then, some sharp-eyed cultivators recognized Qin Ming.

"Oh! Elder Qin!"

"Master Qin has arrived!"

"Look, it's the Lord of Qixi Archipelago, Qin!"

"Elder Qin, please go ahead!"

"What? The spiritual plant master from Wangyue Island, Elder Qin, has come to the Xiancheng!"

"..."

In an instant, the surrounding cultivators' reverent gazes all converged on Qin Ming; the crowd ahead parted like a tide, respectfully clearing a path.

Qin Ming smiled and greeted the nearby cultivators—out in the world, one must always be amiable.

He had no airs of a great cultivator; overall, his reputation in Canghai Xiancheng remained quite favorable.

"Elder Qin, when will you open your furnace again to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Indeed, indeed! We free cultivators have been waiting for this!"

Qin Ming still smiled in reply: "Next time, next time!" Foundation Establishment Pills touched on the core interests of major sects—he could not openly refine and sell them in large quantities.

He still had one ordinary-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and one premium-quality Foundation Establishment Pill left in his storage pouch.

After entering the Xiancheng.

Along the streets, shops lined up like fish scales, still thriving, with merchants' cries echoing continuously.

As time passed, the discussions about Qin Ming's earlier fame had gradually been replaced by other news.

For instance, a free cultivator had accidentally stumbled into an ancient cultivator's ruin and received a legacy, instantly soaring in power.

Another free cultivator had slain a Foundation Establishment-grade demonic beast in the Beast Roar Mountains, gained fame in one battle, and luckily obtained its demonic core.

Several powerful, long-established cultivators had perished entirely while exploring a secret realm.

A miraculous spiritual treasure had appeared somewhere, sparking bloody battles among major factions.

Even a reclusive Foundation Establishment peak elder had suddenly appeared and challenged a False Core Ancestor, defeating him successfully.

Listening to these latest cultivation world news, Qin Ming couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

"Truly impressive! To defeat a False Core with only Foundation Establishment cultivation—could he rival talents like Wei Wuyan?"

He slowed his pace along the way, lingering for half a day to gather information on recent changes in the cultivation world.

In the outer districts of Canghai Xiancheng, cultivators of all kinds mingled, and rumors were most abundant.

Afterwards, Qin Ming calmly arrived at the Mirror Snow Pavilion in the inner city.

Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao, having received Qin Ming's message, had been waiting at the shop's entrance for some time.

As Qin Ming followed the main road toward the Mirror Snow Pavilion, he spotted from afar that, besides Gu Qingzhao and Liao, a middle-aged cultivator in a green robe now stood beside them.

Even the mighty Huangfu Qi stood behind him, looking deeply respectful.

Not only did the Mirror Snow Pavilion's several Foundation Establishment cultivators treat this man with great deference, but nearby free cultivators who saw him instantly showed expressions of shock.

Qin Ming also sensed the middle-aged cultivator's cultivation—clearly Foundation Establishment peak!

Yet his manner of speaking with Gu Qingzhao suggested an intimate relationship.

As Qin Ming approached.

Gu Qingzhao, in her elegant green robe and plain long dress, her eyes brightened, and she immediately introduced warmly: "Brother Qin, this is my second uncle, Gu Tongshan—the head of the Mirror Snow Pavilion's headquarters in the Wei Kingdom's capital."

Hearing this, Qin Ming did not dare to be disrespectful; he hurried forward and bowed to Gu Tongshan: "Greetings, Elder Gu!"

"What merit do I have to warrant Elder Gu waiting here for me?"

Gu Tongshan was tall, his gaze profound, with a short beard and an exceptionally thick aura of magical energy—he was clearly no ordinary Foundation Establishment peak.

"Hahaha! Brother Qin, no need to be so formal. With your abilities, you may address me as an equal."

"I happened to come to Canghai Xiancheng and wished to see firsthand this young prodigy whose name has recently spread far and wide. Now that I've met you, Brother Qin, you truly are ethereal and transcendent—your reputation as a master is well-deserved!" Gu Tongshan's voice was deep and resonant, and he laughed heartily.

He spoke truthfully—not flattery. Today, Qin Ming himself resembled an ancient tree, his aura utterly different from before.

He carried the quiet, enduring quality of a tree weathered by time.

Qin Ming smiled modestly: "Elder Gu overpraises me—these are all empty titles, not worth mentioning."

Then, surrounded by the group, Qin Ming followed them into the Mirror Snow Pavilion's private chamber.

As he walked, Qin Ming pondered inwardly.

'Could such a great figure really have come here by chance, as he claimed? Likely, he came specifically for me.'

…

(End of Chapter)