Chapter 222: Return to Huidao to Farm

Xu Jing extended another olive branch to Qin Ming, her intent to recruit him unmistakable.

Qin Ming certainly couldn't truly join the Xuanxi Valley.

If he went, he might once again become a mere farmhand, just like when he followed the Lingyu Sect.

Moreover, Qin Ming was certain that the person who would deliver the spiritual materials needed for the Yuanyuan Pill to the Xuanxi Valley would be Xu Jing's grandfather.

After all, no spiritual cultivator could resist the chance to speak face-to-face with a second-rank superior spiritual cultivator.

As an inner sect elder, he surely possessed far more information than Xu Jing; with just a brief exchange, Qin Ming could advance his next plan.

Thus, Qin Ming politely declined Xu Jing's invitation.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Xu Jing's face.

Yet she did not give up. "Hehe! If Qin Daoist has no intention of joining any faction, I cannot force you."

"But Qin Daoist could strengthen cooperation with our guild—here is your guest credential token. Please accept it."

Xu Jing pulled out an ancient jade token from her sleeve and handed it to Qin Ming.

She naturally hoped to deepen her ties with Qin Ming in the future.

With Qin Ming's level of skill, even if she couldn't recruit him, she couldn't let this chance for cooperation slip away.

"With this credential, you may enjoy a twenty percent discount at all shops established by the Xuanxi Valley, and qualify to purchase restricted resources within our guild."

Qin Ming took the jade token and saw a character "Xi" engraved in seal script on the front, and a three-legged cauldron on the back.

"Then thank you, Xu Daoist," Qin Ming said without modesty.

Xu Jing gathered her thoughts and continued: "The Yuanyuan Pill formula you just purchased is one of our restricted resources."

"Normally, only clients who have cooperated with us for over twenty years and maintained steady business qualify for guest status."

"Hehe! But Qin Daoist possesses dual master-level skills, so you are exempt."

Qin Ming nodded, finally understanding the token's true value.

"Since Xu Daoist is so sincere, Qin Mou cannot be stingy—if the Yuanyuan Pill is successfully refined, I will sell a portion to your guild."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

"I toast you with tea, Qin Daoist!"

Then Xu Jing settled the accounts for Qin Ming's pill sales and formula purchase.

"Qin Daoist, the Yuanyuan Pill formula is valued at twenty thousand spirit stones; after discount, it's fourteen thousand."

"I'll give you ninety-six thousand spirit stones."

"Would you prefer low-grade spirit stones, or should I exchange them for mid-grade ones?"

"Do you have high-grade spirit stones?"

"..."

"High-grade spirit stones are high-tier resources; even our guild doesn't circulate them."

"Then exchange them for mid-grade spirit stones."

Xu Jing then retrieved nine hundred and sixty mid-grade spirit stones from her storage pouch and handed them to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming put away the spirit stones, then asked curiously: "By the way, Xu Daoist, with the beast tide in Canghai Xiancheng so dire, won't you return to Liang Kingdom for safety?"

"Hehe! Qin Daoist worries too much. When our guild settled here, we reached an agreement with the Xiancheng: if the city falls, we may use its teleportation array to escape—far away." Xu Jing smiled, then revealed a purple-gold token in her hand.

Qin Ming glanced at the teleportation token in her hand—he hadn't expected such a thing existed. No wonder the major factions in the core zone remained calm amid the beast tide; they had escape routes prepared.

Unlike cultivators from the outer and inner cities, who faced certain death if the Xiancheng fell. "Three months from now, Qin Mou will return to your guild to collect the spiritual materials. If you have any leads on the Seven-Leaf Dark Lotus, please keep an eye out for me."

"I shall certainly await you then. I'll keep your matters in mind."

The transaction concluded.

Under Xu Jing's respectful farewell, Qin Ming left the shop.

Passing through the inner city, Qin Ming noticed a medium-sized talisman shop.

Several familiar figures inside caught his attention—Feng Sihai and his clan were busily at work; with the beast tide, talisman prices had soared.

Moreover, Feng family had heeded Qin Ming's early warning; Feng Sihai, sharp-minded, had stockpiled vast quantities of talisman-making materials before the beast tide even began.

This allowed the Feng family to make a fortune over these years, with their business thriving.

"Esteemed elder! Would you like to purchase talismans?"

"Please feel free to browse inside."

"Our shop offers fine quality at fair prices, trustworthy to young and old alike; our talismans enjoy the finest reputation in the Xiancheng."

Feng Sihai beamed, seeing a Foundation Establishment cultivator lingering before his shop, and hurried forward with respectful greeting.

"Hehe! I'm just browsing," Qin Ming smiled at him, then walked away without lingering.

Feng Sihai watched Qin Ming's retreating figure and scratched his head in confusion.

"Why does this elder feel familiar?"

When Qin Ming had visited the Feng family, he had taken the Hundred Illusion Pill and appeared as a bearded man—Feng Sihai certainly couldn't recognize him. Yet Feng Sihai, leading his clan through years of struggle, had built a vast fortune and raised his own cultivation from Qi Refining mid-stage to late-stage.

With such achievements, Feng Yuan and his brother could rest in peace.

Qin Ming had once promised Feng Sihai that if any member of his family reached Qi Refining peak, he would grant them a great boon—seems that day was not far off.

After all, the Feng family's gift of primordial soil to him was priceless.

With matters in Canghai Xiancheng nearly settled, Qin Ming planned to return home.

He found Lü Liang and asked him to arrange his departure.

But Lü Liang asked: "Er... Qin Daoist, our city master asked me to inquire—how is the task she entrusted to you progressing?"

"Oh~ Tell Lady Nalan not to worry. In another two or three years, Qin Mou will complete the task," Qin Ming declared confidently.

Lü Liang's eyes lit up with delight. "I never expected Qin Daoist's efficiency to be so high! I'm truly impressed!"

Qin Ming naturally guessed the gist—Lady Nalan owned a third-rank spiritual turtle beast, a rare and invaluable asset.

The turtle had been injured and remained in recovery, but now, amid such turbulent times, she naturally hoped it would regain combat readiness soon.

Although Qin Ming had long since matured the third-rank transformation spirit fruit, he couldn't hand it over too early, lest he draw suspicion.

The third-rank spiritual turtle hadn't even eaten it yet—yet Qin Ming's own two beast companions had gorged themselves. "By the way, Lord Li asked me to tell Qin Daoist—he rushed back to the Alliance to handle affairs and left without waiting for you." Lü Liang suddenly said.

Qin Ming nodded. He was actually curious how Li Yuanqing's talks with Lady Nalan had gone.

Perhaps that was why Lady Nalan was eager to have Lü Liang ask about the progress of the transformation spirit herb cultivation.

It seemed that as Xiancheng's ruler, she didn't want to leave the third-rank blood-cursed demon vine unchecked.

"Qin Daoist, travel safely."

"Hehe! Lü Daoist, perhaps we'll meet again soon—in three months, I'll need to return to the Xiancheng."

"I'll need your help again then."

"Of course, I welcome it wholeheartedly!"

As they spoke, Lü Liang led Qin Ming to a section of the city wall, then drew a token and cast a rune into the protective array.

A blue-hued barrier instantly opened a passage wide enough for one person to pass.

Qin Ming flashed through the opening, becoming a streak of emerald light vanishing into the horizon.

Fortunately, after yesterday's repulsion of the beast tide, nearby monsters had greatly diminished—likely resting and preparing for the next assault.

After exiting the Xiancheng, Qin Ming summoned his Silver-Winged Frost Bee and sped back toward Yue Island at lightning speed.

More than an hour later.

The vast, shimmering Wangyue Lake appeared in Qin Ming's sight.

Qin Ming waved his hand, opening the mist illusion and entering Wangyue Island.

The Wu family still labored diligently in the spirit fields; Wu Jiang greeted him upon seeing him return.

Qin Ming returned to his cave dwelling.

First, he retrieved the spiritual seeds of the third-rank spiritual plant, Sanjiang Huanhun Grass, then stepped outside to the single herb field, picked up his spirit hoe, loosened the spirit soil, and evenly sprinkled the powdered remains of the five spiritual materials across the field.

Finally, he planted the seeds—there were only a few, as Sanjiang Huanhun Grass, a primary ingredient for high-rank longevity elixirs, was exceedingly rare.

Moreover, it was a third-rank longevity elixir; reportedly, its effects were far superior to other longevity pills, granting fifty years of extended life.

That alone matched the lifespan increase from his five 【Faint Lifespan】 entries.

For Golden Core elders nearing their end, the temptation was unimaginable.

Although only a few seeds existed, Qin Ming had his entries—once the first batch matured, he could use the newly generated seeds to cultivate even more Sanjiang Huanhun Grass.

After planting the seeds, Qin Ming cast the Great Five Elements Spell over the herb field, as spiritual rain continuously fell.

His powerful affinity for plants sensed the few seeds in the soil radiating joy.

He smiled faintly. "No major issues. I hope it grants me a powerful entry."

But third-rank spiritual plants grow far more slowly—only after three hundred years can the herbs be used for elixirs. He'd have to wait until the 【Temporal Leaf】 entry in his field refreshed before he could gradually accelerate their growth.

Having finished this,

Qin Ming went to the spirit peach tree before his cave and noticed fresh green buds had regrown on its branches.

He circled the five spirit peach trees several times, for these trees were extremely delicate, prone to disease and stubborn pests.

After inspection, Qin Ming followed the methods from his spiritual cultivator inheritance, pulled out a golden spirit shears, and pruned the peach tree's branches.

"This is getting ridiculous—keep planting like this, I'll turn this place into Huaguo Mountain."

Qin Ming gazed at the five thriving spirit peach trees, his heart brimming with delight.

Then,

He took out the Yuanyuan Pill formula, sat on the stone bench beneath the peach tree, sipped Yulin wine, and studied the formula.

(End of chapter)