Chapter 223: Unexpected Visitor

Another half month passed.

Qin Ming had nearly finished studying the Jade Xuan Pill formula and was only waiting for the materials to arrive before beginning its refinement.

In addition,

he was also studying the Gao Jie pill formula Su Yuqing had sent him earlier, a spirit pill requiring the second-stage peak demon monkey's core, called "Po Xu Pill."

This pill could greatly enhance blood and qi, transform the body, and surely meet the conditions needed to push his primordial gang qi to its third transformation.

However, the spirit materials required for this pill were quite complex; yet Qin Ming had already planted all the required second-stage materials in the herb garden before his cave, and they would be ready for harvest in another two years.

If a rapid-ripening term refreshed, it would be even faster.

For Qin Ming, the most crucial second-stage peak demon core was already secured, and the other spirit herbs were not hard to gather.

That day,

Qin Ming had completed his daily cultivation and was by the lake, playing with a Dragon Blood Divine Fruit in his hand, teasing the Xuan Shui Crocodile.

Zou! Outside Wangyue Lake,

a purple light streaked from afar, arriving instantly, flying toward Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming frowned and extended his spiritual sense to probe—then his face twisted in utter shock.

A plain-looking magic vessel had docked outside the island; inside the cabin sat one person.

"It's Wei Wuyan!"

"Wasn't he secretly cultivating to break through to Core Formation?"

"Why has he come to me?"

Qin Ming's expression turned puzzled, utterly baffled.

Then, a streak of light pierced through the mist illusion and landed in Qin Ming's hand.

He opened the message talisman.

"Qin Daoist, please come out for a word."

Though Qin Ming had no idea why Wei Wuyan sought him, he decided to meet him.

"Go play!" Qin Ming hurled the Dragon Blood Divine Fruit far away with force—it splashed into the water. The Xuan Shui Crocodile's eyes gleamed and shot off like lightning after it.

Then Qin Ming opened the mist illusion, flew out of Wangyue Island, and landed atop the magic vessel.

Two ordinary-looking guards stood on deck; seeing Qin Ming, they immediately bowed respectfully: "Island Master Qin, our master awaits you inside!"

Qin Ming glanced at the two and realized they were both Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivators.

"Hmm."

He replied curtly, then stepped into the cabin.

The interior was spacious, decorated simply yet majestically.

"Qin Daoist, long time no see!"

Wei Wuyan still wore his tall crown and jade-faced visage, his sword-like brows sharp, radiating a powerful aura.

Yet when Qin Ming probed his cultivation base with his spiritual sense, he remained at Foundation Establishment peak—though his spiritual power seemed far purer than before.

"Hehe! Wei Daoist, long time no see. Why not come to my island for a visit?" Qin Ming smiled and bowed politely.

Wei Wuyan waved his hand. "No need, Qin Daoist. I won't stay long today—let's speak right here."

"Oh? What urgent matter brings you all the way to me, Wei Daoist?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Wei Wuyan did not immediately answer.

Instead, he invited Qin Ming to sit, poured him a cup of spirit tea himself, then spoke: "I've come with a matter of great importance, and I need your help."

Qin Ming's expression turned surprised. He wondered inwardly: What matter could even Lei Yuanzong not handle, requiring him—a mere outsider—to assist? "Oh?"

"Wei Daoist, speak freely. If I can offer even the slightest aid, I will do my best," Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

Then,

Wei Wuyan produced a set of silver array flags, flicked his hand, and the flags shot out as silver streaks, embedding into the cabin's surroundings.

Instantly, all sound around them was sealed off—a high-grade soundproof array, blocking all surveillance.

"Qin Daoist, this matter is of great consequence. What we discuss today must be kept strictly confidential," Wei Wuyan said gravely.

Qin Ming nodded. "Since Wei Daoist trusts me, rest assured."

His impression of Wei Wuyan was quite favorable.

"This is it—I'd like you to refine a pill. A second-stage supreme-grade spirit pill."

Immediately,

Wei Wuyan pulled out an ancient pill formula and handed it to Qin Ming.

"Return Soul Pill?"

Qin Ming took the formula, glanced up—and three crimson seal script characters immediately caught his eye.

He continued reading—and his shock deepened with every line.

This "Return Soul Pill" could exhaust remaining lifespan to restore one's cultivation to its peak.

But once a cultivator ingested it, upon the pill's effect ending, their soul would immediately drift into the void. Moreover, it was an exceptionally rare pill, with an extraordinarily high refinement difficulty.

Qin Ming stared at the dense, intricate refinement method—and his head throbbed. "Wei Daoist, this..." He frowned after reading the formula.

Wei Wuyan seemed to anticipate this reaction and immediately promised: "If you can help refine this pill, name any condition."

"Also, I've already gathered all the spirit materials needed for the Return Soul Pill."

Even so, Qin Ming still dared not agree outright.

"Cough! Wei Daoist, it's not that I refuse—I just looked at the formula. The refinement difficulty of the Return Soul Pill is the highest among all second-stage pills. I dare not make promises lightly, in case I ruin your important matter," Qin Ming said helplessly.

Wei Wuyan frowned slightly, then sighed. "You're right, Qin Daoist. If it weren't so difficult, I wouldn't have come to you."

"In fact, our sect's top pill master, Elder Yan, has tried refining it over a dozen times—and all failed."

"Oh? The famed second-stage upper-grade pill master of Wei Kingdom—Yan Changkong?" Qin Ming had heard of such figures.

Wei Wuyan sipped his tea and nodded. "Yes."

"May I ask bluntly—does your sect have no third-stage pill master?"

Puff! Wei Wuyan spat out the spirit tea he'd just swallowed.

He awkwardly wiped his mouth. "Cough! Elder Yan is our sect's highest-ranked pill master."

"We have no third-stage pill master."

"Nor does the entire Wei Kingdom's cultivation world."

Qin Ming "oh"ed, nodding thoughtfully, then thought inwardly: 'So my pill refinement skill is already the pinnacle of the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world...'

'Only places like Liang Kingdom, with proper lineage, have third-stage pill masters—and even then, only one.'

'Third-stage pill masters are truly rare in the Southern Wasteland's cultivation world!'

In addition,

Qin Ming had already guessed who Wei Wuyan intended to use the Return Soul Pill for. (End of Chapter)