Chapter 239: The Tide Turns

After spending a day at Lei Yuanzong.

Qin Ming's horizons greatly expanded, and he encountered many top-tier cultivators from the Wei Kingdom.

More importantly, his relationship with Wei Wuya had never been poor to begin with, and this trip further deepened his bond with this Golden Core elder ancestor.

Just this alone made Qin Ming's journey worthwhile.

It was also not hard to see.

Wei Wuya held Qin Ming in high esteem and had repeatedly expressed interest in recruiting him into Lei Yuanzong.

But Qin Ming had politely declined each time.

"Oh, by the way."

"I heard from Elder Tian and the others that your two disciples, Wu Wangfeng and Wu Wangyue, have some prior connection with you, Qin Daoist?" Wei Wuya sipped the Jade Phoenix Wine Qin Ming had offered, his expression filled with lingering delight, as if recalling something, and asked casually.

Once everyone else had left and only the two of them remained, Wei Wuya dropped his earlier formality, eagerly pulled out the spirit wine to taste, and then chatted with Qin Ming in a relaxed manner.

Qin Ming smiled faintly, "Oh? Haha, yes, those two are my island's spirit farmers, members of the Wu clan."

"Hahaha! I never expected Qin Daoist to be so generous—handing over two disciples with exceptional talent to Lei Yuanzong!"

"For this alone, I must toast you," Wei Wuya laughed.

"Ah, Elder Wei, don't tease Qin Mou—my humble cultivation is hardly fit to guide disciples."

"Qin Daoist, you're being too modest. In the entire Wei Kingdom, no one surpasses you in alchemy or spirit plant cultivation."

"If you lack the qualification, then no one else does."

"By the way, Qin Daoist, when no outsiders are present, you needn't be so formal—we can simply address each other as Daoists."

"Your fortune is considerable—you've risen from a mere spirit farmer of Lingyu Gate to where you are today. Combined with your peerless talent in alchemy and spirit plant cultivation, I believe Core Formation is merely a matter of time."

"Er—Qin Mou is truly undeserving of such praise; I've only just reached Foundation Establishment, let alone dare to dream of the Golden Core path."

Qin Ming's Ancient Wood Longevity Technique's concealment art concealed his true cultivation level even from Wei Wuya, a Golden Core elder ancestor.

Otherwise, advancing too quickly with a pseudo-five-element spiritual root would have drawn too much attention.

Even with the most trusted individuals, one must still modestly conceal one's true strength.

"Since those two Wu clan youths have joined our sect, I will naturally offer them some care, Qin Daoist, rest assured."

"Haha, then thank you, Wei Daoist."

After this ceremony, Qin Ming had fully established connections among the Golden Core elders.

First, True Person Canghai, Nanlan Xi, had entrusted him with spirit plant cultivation and spirit elixir trade; now he had also forged ties with Wei Wuya, a major cultivator and sect master.

Any developments in the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world could now be learned directly through these two.

"Qin Daoist, feel free to visit our sect more often."

"I may even need to trouble you to brew elixirs."

After the previous incident, Wei Wuya was deeply impressed by Qin Ming's alchemical skills.

He hadn't expected Qin Ming to successfully brew the Soul-Returning Pill using only a single set of materials.

"Qin Daoist, you're welcome to visit my Wangyue Island anytime."

…

Qin Ming stayed one day at Lei Yuanzong.

He had broadened his horizons and witnessed the depth of a great sect.

Next,

After the Golden Core Ceremony ended, all factions dispersed.

Qin Ming bid farewell to Wei Wuya and set off on his return journey to the island.

On the return voyage to Canghai Xiancheng aboard the sect's spiritual vessel.

Gu Qingzhao's beautiful eyes flickered, "I never expected Qin Daoist to not only earn True Person Canghai's favor but also to have such a close relationship with Wei Zuyou, the newly elevated elder ancestor of Lei Yuanzong!"

"Haha, it's merely that both True Persons had matters requiring Qin Mou's assistance—nothing more than that," Qin Ming replied honestly.

"Oh, by the way, I've successfully cultivated the Five Elemental Qi Spirit Peach Tree—it's alive, but it will take some time before the spirit peaches ripen."

Gu Qingzhao smiled faintly, "No wonder Qin Daoist is so renowned—my second uncle will be delighted to hear this news." "I heard you presented a jar of spirit wine, rare even in the cultivation world, as a gift to Elder Wei?"

Qin Ming's face twitched inwardly—he hadn't expected this news to spread so quickly.

He immediately pulled another jar of Jade Phoenix Wine from his storage bag and handed it to Gu Qingzhao, "This spirit wine is called Jade Phoenix Wine—it surpasses the Spirit Fire Wine I brewed previously."

"I entrust this jar of spirit wine to you for auction—preferably in exchange for top-grade spirit stones."

Gu Qingzhao accepted the Jade Phoenix Wine, and for once, her exquisite face revealed a hint of delight.

Qin Ming knew she had broken through to Foundation Establishment mid-stage a year ago—likely from the spirit pills he had entrusted for auction.

Whether the Mirror Snow Pavilion kept the jar or sold it was none of his concern.

All Qin Ming needed to do was collect the spirit stones later.

After seven days of long travel,

Lei Yuanzong's spiritual vessel returned to Canghai Xiancheng.

Fortunately, no beast hordes had attacked the vicinity of the city in these days—the situation remained stable.

After bidding farewell to True Person Canghai and Gu Qingzhao, Qin Ming returned alone to Wangyue Island.

In the days that followed,

As Qin Ming had heard firsthand at Lei Yuanzong,

The Xuanxi Sect of the Liang Kingdom dispatched two Golden Core True Persons, hundreds of high-grade spiritual vessels, and thousands of cultivators—including over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators—to support the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world, joining forces with numerous Wei sects to purge the rampant beast disasters.

Under the Liang Kingdom's strong intervention, within half a year, two third-rank beast kings of the Beast Roar Mountains were slain by the combined efforts of several Golden Core cultivators.

Since then, most of the beast tide within the Wei Kingdom had been driven back near the Beast Roar Mountains.

The human counteroffensive was showing significant progress.

Two third-rank beast cores were sufficient to catalyze two pseudo-Golden Core elder ancestors.

All signs pointed toward a promising situation.

…

Yet,

Deep within the Beast Roar Mountains,

Two figures stood in midair.

One of them was a third-rank Sky-Devouring Rat King.

"My lord, the Golden Light Cave's Golden Peng Beast King ignored our warnings and insisted on avenging his Thunder Peng tribe—he attacked Canghai Xiancheng on his own."

"He fell into the humans' trap and was slain by their combined forces."

"He even dragged the Fire Feather Clan's Red Spirit Beast King into the same trap."

The gray rat king spoke with extreme deference to the figure beside him.

Beside the rat king stood a man with a green face, horns sprouting from his head, his body bulging with explosive muscle, covered in green scales across his arms and torso, and a green dragon tail trailing beneath him.

An ancient, superior bloodline aura radiated from him, commanding respect without a word—making the third-rank rat king tremble before him.

This half-transformed, monstrous beast, with a human upper body and dragon lower body, was at least a late-stage third-rank cultivator.

"Just a foolish, ignorant bird."

"Irrelevant."

"How are negotiations going with the Silver Moon Clan and the old one from the Deer Clan?"

"My lord, the Deer Clan elder has agreed to ally, but the Silver Moon Clan… remains difficult… I'm still negotiating."

"Continue pressing."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The Sky-Devouring Rat King, facing the green-faced man, was cautious, drenched in sweat.

…

(End of Chapter)