Chapter 237: Nanlan Xi

"Indeed!"

"Seven days ago, Elder Wei successfully broke through to the Golden Core realm within our sect and assumed the position of Supreme Elder."

Han Lin's words carried an air of immense pride.

First, Elder Ao sacrificed himself for the stability of the cultivation world; now, a newly ascended Golden Core elder has emerged.

The succession of old and new is orderly, and the Lei Yuanzong's Dao lineage endures.

Wei Wuyan, with his Heaven-grade spiritual root and young age, achieving Golden Core, can protect Lei Yuanzong for centuries without decline, ensuring the sect's continued dominance in Wei State.

"Hehe! Then congratulations to your sect on the birth of another powerful Golden Core elder!" Qin Ming smiled, accepted the gilded invitation from Han Lin, and returned his congratulations.

Han Lin held Qin Ming in high esteem and smiled with deep implication: "Actually, Qin Daoist, it is you whom we envy."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Qin Ming asked, showing a hint of confusion.

Han Lin explained: "Hehe! Qin Daoist is one of the few cultivators personally designated by Elder Wei for special invitation after his successful Golden Core breakthrough."

"Including Canghai True Person, the list of those personally invited by Elder Wei numbers no more than five—and you are among them."

"This alone shows how highly Elder Wei regards you."

"Oh? Hehe, I never expected such honor for Qin Mou." Qin Ming was also surprised.

The Golden Core ceremony of Lei Yuanzong was not open to ordinary factions or cultivators.

Solitary cultivators could only look on from afar.

Only major factions and the pinnacle cultivators of Wei State's cultivation world received invitations to witness this grand event.

After all, Golden Core experts were already the ceiling of Wei State's cultivation world—there were only three in total.

Qin Ming not only had the privilege of being invited, but was personally invited by Wei Wuyan—this alone granted him the utmost prestige.

"Hehe! If I hadn't been assigned to deliver invitations in Canghai Xiancheng, I'd never have had the chance to meet Qin Daoist."

"Han Mou has long heard of Qin Daoist's name; today's meeting fulfills a long-held wish for me, hahaha!" Han Lin flattered.

"Now that the invitation has reached your hands, I must proceed to the next destination. When you arrive at our sect, we shall sweep the mats and welcome you!"

"In half a month, our sect's magic ship will depart from Canghai Xiancheng to escort invited guests to our main hall. You may board it—or come on your own."

Qin Ming nodded. "Then I won't see you off. I shall certainly attend the ceremony as invited."

After bidding farewell to Qin Ming, Han Lin's magic ship became a streak of light and vanished into the horizon.

"Who would have thought? Wei Wuyan is truly an extraordinary talent."

"Under such desperate circumstances, he managed to break through to Golden Core—his core formation quality must be exceptionally high."

Upon hearing of Wei Wuyan's breakthrough, Qin Ming could not help but show a trace of envy.

In the following days,

the monumental news of Wei Wuyan's ascension to Golden Core True Person swept across Wei State's cultivation world like a hurricane.

Its magnitude nearly overshadowed the ongoing beast tide.

"Sigh~"

"Attending Lei Yuanzong's banquet means I must bring a gift."

"Wei Wuyan's Golden Core ceremony demands a worthy offering—not something shabby or unworthy."

"What should I give?"

Qin Ming paced back and forth at the entrance of his cave dwelling, pondering what gift to prepare.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Qin Ming left the Xuan Shui Eel to guard his dwelling, then summoned his Silver-Winged Frost Bee, departed from Wangyue Island, and set off for Lei Yuanzong to attend the ceremony.

Riding the Silver-Winged Frost Bee at breakneck speed, Qin Ming arrived at Canghai Xiancheng within an hour.

After the suppression of the spiritual energy Archipelago, the surrounding beasts had calmed considerably.

No large-scale beast tides had attacked the city since.

After sending a message to Lü Liang, he soon emerged to activate the formation and let Qin Ming enter the city.

"Qin Daoist, you've also been invited to attend Lei Yuanzong's Golden Core ceremony?" Lü Liang asked with a smile, clearly envious.

Participating in such a ceremony was a major milestone on any cultivator's path.

Qin Ming nodded, and after a brief chat, they parted ways. He learned that major factions like Jingxue Pavilion and Canghai Xiancheng had also received invitations.

He decided to join the group rather than stand out.

Half a day later,

Qin Ming boarded Lei Yuanzong's magic ship with Gu Qingzhao and Huangfu Qi; Jingxue Pavilion was represented by her and Huangfu Qi.

On the other side, he saw Xu Jing and others from Dan Ding Pavilion.

Several respected cultivators from Canghai Xiancheng were also aboard, such as Grand Alchemist Sun Jinnian and Master Artificer Fang Yezi.

Finally, a white light streaked across Canghai Peak, and the spiritual pressure of a Golden Core True Person descended upon the magic ship.

It was none other than Canghai True Person Nanlan Xi herself.

Lei Yuanzong's Elders respectfully escorted Nanlan Xi into the ship's chamber.

The sun dipped low.

When the timing was right, Lei Yuanzong's magic ship activated, instantly becoming a streak of light and vanishing into the horizon.

The journey ahead was still long—even with Lei Yuanzong's large magic ship, it would take several days to reach.

Along the way, Qin Ming chatted with Gu Qingzhao and Huangfu Qi.

During this time, amid the others' surprised glances, Canghai True Person summoned him alone for a private conversation.

Nanlan Xi was primarily concerned about her spiritual pet and inquired about the progress of Qin Ming's cultivation of the Hua Ling Yao Fruit.

Qin Ming could not yet hand over the fruit—he needed to delay further.

"Please, Elder, rest assured. After my careful cultivation, the Hua Ling Yao Fruit has begun to bear fruit and will mature in two years."

Upon hearing this, Nanlan Xi's usually solemn face broke into a rare smile.

"By the way, I heard the high-quality Soul-Returning Pill from Elder Ao was crafted by you, Qin Xiao?" Nanlan Xi suddenly shifted topics.

Qin Ming silently considered: every whisper in Canghai Xiancheng escaped this woman's notice—his visit to Lei Yuanzong's Linglong Pavilion had surely been thoroughly investigated.

He swiftly weighed his words, then admitted honestly: "Respected Elder, yes. The Soul-Returning Pill was secretly commissioned by Elder Wei, who originally sought me out to refine it."

"Fortunately, I succeeded—without delaying the matters of the Elders."

"Qin Xiao, you misunderstand. Let me be frank: without your high-quality Soul-Returning Pill, Elder Ao's power would not have surged briefly to exterminate the demon."

"Otherwise, in the Yiling Valley battle, the three of us could not have guaranteed the annihilation of the Demon Vine—it likely would have fled into the Beast Roar Mountains."

"The consequences would have been dire."

"In truth, you deserve credit for this."

"I never expected your alchemical skill had reached the peak of Second Rank—perhaps, next, Wei State's cultivation world will see its first Third-Rank Alchemy Master?"

Nanlan Xi gazed at Qin Ming with deep implication.

"Hehe, Elder, you flatter me. Slaying demons and purifying evil is our duty; assisting the Elders is my great honor."

"No need to count this as credit."

"As for becoming a Third-Rank Alchemist—it is still far beyond me. I have a long road ahead." Qin Ming replied with humble precision.

Nanlan Xi smiled slightly. "Qin Xiao, are you truly willing to forgo this credit? I originally intended to reward you with superior spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's spirit instantly sharpened.

"Cough! Since the Elder insists I deserve this credit, I leave it entirely to your discretion!"

"..."

"Also, I wish to purchase Soul-Returning Pills from you. Do you still have any left?" Nanlan Xi asked bluntly.

Qin Ming did not conceal it and nodded quickly: "I was fortunate enough to refine four. After giving two to Lei Yuanzong, I still have two remaining."

He then produced one ordinary Soul-Returning Pill and one high-quality Soul-Returning Pill, handing them both to Nanlan Xi.

"Hmm, indeed excellent."

Nanlan Xi then withdrew five superior spirit stones and completed the transaction with him.

(End of Chapter)