Chapter 265: The Dominant Long Dao Ren

Hearing this, Qin Ming thought: if even the Devouring Sky Rat says so, it's almost certainly a valuable item.

With this thought, he made his decision.

Qin Ming turned and stepped into a nearby empty alley, activating the "True Demon Illusion" from the *True Demon Seed Scripture*, transforming into a fearsome, bearded giant.

It was none other than the famed Long Dao Ren of the Wei Kingdom's cultivation world! Since he revealed the truth about the Beiming Mountains, even the Golden Core elders had begun taking notice of him.

Yet he vanished like a dragon's head appearing and disappearing—no one could find his trail.

Before the Feng family's talisman shop, Feng Sihai had already passed half of the bronze mirror to the other side.

On the opposite side, Guan Mo's square face wore a satisfied expression, inwardly proud—how easy it was to bully a Qi Refining family!

He reached out to take it.

Feng Sihai's face twisted in bitterness; though he resented it deeply, under these circumstances, he had no choice but to part with it—not only losing a fortune in spirit stones, but also enduring humiliation. The brutal reality of the cultivation world—survival of the fittest—was laid bare.

But just then! His peripheral vision caught a familiar figure approaching from afar.

Feng Sihai's bitter expression instantly turned to delight; he yanked back his hand, which had already passed halfway.

Guan Mo's outstretched hand froze helplessly in midair.

He felt his Foundation Establishment mid-stage authority challenged; his face darkened, and he prepared to erupt in fury.

But then Feng Sihai beamed, shouting warmly toward the crowd's edge: "Master Long! What brings you here?"

A fierce, overwhelming aura suddenly erupted before them—the bearded giant Qin Ming strode forward with thunderous steps, radiating raw, untamed dominance.

"What? Can't I come?"

"Of course we welcome you with open arms! Since our last meeting in Jialing City, every member of the Feng family has never forgotten Master Long's boundless grace!"

"I've longed for the day I might meet Master Long again."

Feng Sihai spoke to Qin Ming with utmost reverence.

"I just happened to acquire a treasure—I was about to set it aside for you, and here you are!"

With all eyes watching, Feng Sihai placed the bronze mirror fragment into Qin Ming's hands.

Lu Wanjun, witnessing this, showed surprise—"Could Master Long be...?"

Guan Mo of the Spirit Sword Mountain was treated like air; his face darkened like a spilled soy sauce vat.

He had never heard of Long Dao Ren.

Just as he extended his spiritual sense to probe the bearded giant's depth—

*Wum! His spiritual sense struck like a wall of mountains—his mind reeled, stunned.

Qin Ming smirked inwardly, then twisted his spiritual sense slightly—the incoming probe shattered.

A searing agony tore through Guan Mo's mind; he clutched his head, nearly collapsing.

He stared at the bearded giant, face pale with terror: "Who are you? Are you truly interfering in our sect's affairs?"

The "Long Dao Ren" paid him no mind, growling in a deep, rumbling voice: "Three breaths. Disappear before me—or I'll break your legs."

Since he was wearing a disguise, any fallout would fall on "Long Dao Ren"—Qin Ming didn't care.

At this moment, he was utterly brazen.

The Spirit Sword Mountain disciples, accustomed to seeing themselves as superior, had never endured such humiliation. Instantly, Guan Mo's disciples bristled with rage, drawing their magic treasures like they faced an army.

"Stop!"

"Let's go!"

Guan Mo gritted his teeth, suppressing his pain, and raised his hand to halt his disciples. He gave Long Dao Ren one last long look, dared not utter another word, and quickly fled, head hung low.

*Ssshh! The onlookers nearby gasped in shock.

"Who is this giant?"

"That Foundation Establishment mid-stage disciple from the Jin Kingdom's Spirit Sword Mountain just ran off without a word?"

"Wasn't he just acting so tough?"

"This bearded giant—could he be the legendary Wei Kingdom cultivator—Long Dao Ren?"

"The one who defeated Lingfu Yang with a single blow at Zijin Ridge?"

"Only he could force a mid-stage Foundation Establishment elder to retreat so easily."

"I never thought I'd live to see one of the top three Foundation Establishment masters of the Wei Kingdom! This trip was worth it!"

"Master Long!"

"Greetings, Master Long!"

"We've long heard of your name, Master Long!"

Instantly, the surrounding cultivators bowed respectfully and greeted Qin Ming warmly.

Inside the Feng family courtyard.

Feng Sihai respectfully brewed spiritual tea for Qin Ming: "Today, thanks to Master Long's intervention, I wouldn't have known how to handle it."

"No need to thank me. I already promised the Feng brothers I'd watch over you." Qin Ming dismissed it, but as he took the bronze mirror fragment, a strange sensation flowed into his hand.

He was now certain—it was no ordinary object.

"It seems, under your leadership, the Feng family has prospered."

"The Feng family's present status is entirely due to Master Long's protection."

"Please allow me to bow to you!" Feng Sihai said with genuine gratitude.

He moved to kneel.

Qin Ming casually lifted him up: "No need. I merely happened to pass through here and dropped by."

He toyed with the bronze mirror fragment and asked Feng Sihai: "You truly intend to give this to me?"

"You know its value."

"Haha! I speak truly—if Master Long hadn't appeared, I'd have lost it to those Spirit Sword Mountain disciples." Feng Sihai smiled.

Qin Ming then tucked the mirror away and studied Feng Sihai: "All these years, besides making talismans, your cultivation hasn't slipped—you're barely a step from Qi Refining peak."

"Master Long's insight is piercing! My humble progress is nothing to mention." Feng Sihai bowed humbly.

Qin Ming paused, then pulled a delicate jade vial from his storage pouch and placed it before Feng Sihai: "When I exchanged that spiritual item with you, I promised that when the Feng family produced a Qi Refining peak cultivator, I'd grant you a boon."

"Today, you've given me another treasure—so I'll give it to you early."

Feng Sihai looked puzzled—he'd assumed Master Long's words were mere politeness, never expecting them to be real.

He cautiously uncorked the vial; an exotic elixir fragrance drifted out, intoxicating the senses.

Feng Sihai swallowed hard, peering inside—the vial held a single azure elixir, swirling with astonishing spiritual aura.

"Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Even as head of the family, Feng Sihai had seen many wonders.

But when the very Foundation Establishment Pill every Qi Refining cultivator dreamed of lay before him, his calm demeanor shattered.

Feng Sihai stared in disbelief, trembling: "Master Long! This—this—"

"Keep it. Fair trade. I don't like taking advantage." The bearded giant's voice remained utterly flat.

Feng Sihai felt dizzy, wondering if he dreamed—he pinched himself hard.

He finally confirmed: it was all real.

Feng Sihai was overjoyed, speechless with emotion.

Qin Ming continued: "You should cultivate to Qi Refining peak on your own—don't use breakthrough pills. Once your spiritual power is refined and pure, then take the Foundation Establishment Pill. Your success rate will be far higher."

"I will surely remember Master Long's teachings!"

"Master Long's grace to the Feng family is beyond repayment! If you ever need me, I'll die without hesitation!" Feng Sihai clutched the Foundation Establishment Pill, voice shaking.

This Foundation Establishment Pill was truly a boon for the Feng family—the very thing countless cultivators fought and died for.

Monopolized by great sects, even with spirit stones, low-level cultivators like them could rarely buy one.

"Enough. If you truly succeed in Foundation Establishment, Feng Yuan and his brother will rest in peace."

"As for the future, I likely won't return to this immortal city. Your path ahead depends on your own destiny." Qin Ming spoke sparingly—he and the Feng family were bound only by transaction, not deeper ties.

He had fulfilled his promise to Feng Yuan. He had no regrets.

After chatting briefly with Feng Sihai, Qin Ming left the Feng household.

…

"Hehe! Master, this Qi Refining cultivator's boon is no small thing!"

The Devouring Sky Rat transmitted a voice into Qin Ming's spirit beast pouch.

"He even received a Foundation Establishment Pill you personally refined."

"But after studying it, this bronze mirror fragment is no ordinary relic—it bears an ancient forbidden seal."

"Can you break it?" Qin Ming's interest stirred.

"Child's play. Give me two days."

…

(End of Chapter)