Chapter 265: Low-Key Splendor

Inside the cave dwelling, Qin Ming stared somewhat blankly at the scene before him.

He had not expected that the successful formation of the Dust-Quelling Pill would generate such a fierce phenomenon.

It was even several times more exaggerated than the scene when he had previously refined the third-tier Zhurong Pill.

Originally, he had intended to refine it successfully in secret, after all, he did not wish to stand out too much; everything was based on keeping a low profile.

"Sigh! Looking at this, I estimate it will once again become known throughout the entire city."

"But it does not matter; in any case, what will astonish them even more is yet to come."

"It is only a matter of time."

"Let nature take its course."

Qin Ming sighed, gathered his thoughts, then beckoned toward the Profound Jade Furnace; three Dust-Quelling Pills radiating golden light fell into his hand.

Only then did he discover that one of the Dust-Quelling Pills actually displayed nine Dao runes, reaching the level of fine quality.

"No wonder it caused such a huge disturbance..."

This was something even Qin Ming could not control.

However, through refining the Zhurong Pill last time and this Dust-Quelling Pill now, Qin Ming had gained much experience in refining third-tier spiritual pills.

This accumulated the necessary feel for him to refine the Golden Core Formation Pill next.

After all, as a top-tier strategic cultivation resource, the difficulty of refining the Golden Core Formation Pill was certainly no lower than that of the Dust-Quelling Pill, but higher.

With his pill refining greatly successful, Qin Ming was in quite a good mood.

He took out two exquisite jade-paste bottles and separately sealed the fine-quality Dust-Quelling Pill and the ordinary-quality Dust-Quelling Pills inside.

Any single pill within these containers was sufficient to make Jin Dan Laozu fight fiercely over it.

Besides this.

During these two and a half years, aside from refining pills, Qin Ming had not fallen behind in his cultivation either.

Within his Qi Sea and dantian, the progress of solidifying his sea of magic power had already reached five-tenths completion.

Qin Ming stored away the third-tier Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame and the Profound Jade Furnace, then walked toward the Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus at the Heart of Molten Fire.

Six crimson-gold lotus pods, brimming with dense fire spiritual energy, quietly bloomed amidst the magma.

The spiritual plants thrived vigorously within the fierce fire, displaying the miraculous creation of the Great Dao.

【Name】: Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus 【Attribute】: Abundant Lifespan x5 (Maturity 100%, Harvestable); Qin Ming immediately extended his divine sense, retrieving both the Central Yellow Spiritual Soil and the six Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus plants.

In an instant.

A blue attribute leaf quietly appeared within his sea of consciousness.

Qin Ming did not hesitate; with a thought, he immediately used these five 【Abundant Lifespan】 attributes.

From the unseen depths, a power of years descended upon him.

Qin Ming's lifespan suddenly increased to one thousand four hundred and sixty years; having done this, Qin Ming's purpose for coming here was fulfilled, and it was about time to leave.

'Oh, right, the rental time for the cave dwelling has already exceeded by half a year.'

'I still need to pay additional spirit stones.'

'Hmm, that woman Lu Wanjun was quite thoughtful; she did not send anyone to disturb me.'

'Although right now I really do not want to go out—at least staying here allows me to temporarily avoid the spotlight—the Youyin Nether Flowers owed by the Sky-Devouring Mouse side, judging by the time, should also be ready for harvest.'

'I have no choice but to go out!'

Qin Ming was also extremely helpless; he cast a Dust-Removing Talisman to clean himself, withdrew the protective formation, and stepped out of the cave dwelling.

The moment he stepped out.

He saw a large crowd gathered outside, each one looking at him as if he were a gorilla, their gazes all focused on him.

Worship, shock, envy, bitterness, and so on—various complex emotions were mixed within.

What surprised him was that standing before the crowd was a middle-aged female cultivator, none other than True Person Nalan Xi of the Cang Sea.

Upon seeing her, Qin Ming stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Greetings, True Person Nalan."

"Hehe! Congratulations!"

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not be overly polite; since you have successfully advanced to become a third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster, your status in the Immortal Realm is no different from mine; from now on, we may address each other as equals." A faint smile appeared on Nalan Xi's usually dignified face as she offered her congratulations to Qin Ming.

Nalan Xi speaking these words on such an occasion had its reasons; namely, a third-tier pill refining grandmaster was not merely significant within the Southern Desolate Immortal Realm.

Even within the Nascent Soul sects of the Upper Sects, they were sought-after honored guests, their status and position equal to that of Jin Dan elders within the sects.

The value of a third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster was immeasurable; they could even catalyze the emergence of numerous high-stage cultivators for a sect, serving as a symbol of a major power's foundational strength.

After all, even if one possessed third-tier pill formulas and heavenly spiritual materials just lying there, if no one could refine them, they were merely a useless piece of paper.

For instance, the Xuanyi Valley of the Liang Kingdom placed such emphasis on cultivating Dandao talent precisely for this reason.

Moreover, possessing Gongsun Yang, a third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster capable of refining Golden Core Formation Pills and third-tier spiritual pills that enhance Jin Dan stage cultivation.

Not only did this allow the Xuanyi Valley to produce newly advanced Jin Dan cultivators, but it also enabled Elder Qingxuan to break through to the late Jin Dan stage.

Thus becoming a unique top-tier sect among the Four Kingdoms.

Therefore, the significance of a third-tier grandmaster was absolutely extraordinary.

"Greetings, Grandmaster Qin!"

"Greetings, Grandmaster Qin!"

"How fortunate we are today, to witness Grandmaster Qin ascend to the ranks of grandmasters here at the Cang Sea Xiancheng, the sacred land of the number one rogue cultivator!"

"A third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster; it has been several hundred years in the Wei Kingdom; finally, another genius of breathtaking talent has reached this step."

"Grandmaster Qin also originated as a rogue cultivator; truly, this is a great fortune for the Wei Kingdom Immortal Realm!"

The crowd continuously offered congratulations and flattery to Qin Ming.

Among the crowd were none other than Grand Alchemist Sun Dadan and great cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

"Congratulations, Daoist Qin, your skill has reached its peak, attaining the status of a Zhenzhi Sect master!" Lu Wanjun's eyes also sparkled as she offered her congratulations with admiration.

"Daoist Qin, would it be convenient for you to ascend the main peak for a conversation?" True Person Nalan's warmly inviting attitude made Qin Ming feel as though he were bathed in a spring breeze.

The scene was now completely different from when he had first met Nalan Xi.

Qin Ming knew that such a gracious invitation was impossible to refuse, so he nodded gently in response: "Since Daoist Nalan extends the invitation, it is naturally convenient."

Subsequently.

Qin Ming clasped his hands to bid farewell to the crowd; he disliked such occasions, and Nalan Xi had effectively rescued him from the situation.

Just then.

"Grandmaster Qin, please wait."

Sun Dadan, the Great Alchemist, stepped forward and respectfully asked True Person Nalan Xi: "True Person, please forgive my intrusion!"

"Might this old man ask Grandmaster Qin what kind of third-tier spiritual pill was refined this time?"

"Allow us alchemists, who have been trapped at the second tier our entire lives, to behold the appearance of a third-tier spiritual pill; this would also fulfill a long-cherished desire."

Alchemist Sun Jinnian's words voiced the inner thoughts of most alchemists present.

After all, no cultivator who had devoted their entire youth to studying the Dao of Alchemy would not wish to witness the legendary third-tier spiritual pill with their own eyes; once this opportunity passed, there would be no other.

Upon hearing this, Nalan Xi looked toward Qin Ming to seek his opinion: "Daoist Qin, it depends on your wishes."

Qin Ming remained calm and composed, replying lightly to Alchemist Sun and the others: "The pill successfully refined this time is the Dust-Extinguishing Pill."

The moment his words fell.

Whoosh! Everyone was shocked; even Nalan Xi beside him felt a storm rising within her heart.

Among lower-grade third-tier spiritual pills, this was one of the rarest, renowned not only for enhancing cultivation but also for its ability to cleanse the qi of root dust.

Even within Moyuan Yunze Xiancheng, its circulation was extremely scarce.

Its benefit for a Jin Dan cultivator's improvement was incomparable to that of ordinary third-tier spiritual pills.

Qin Ming immediately took a jade bottle from his storage bag, poured out a Dust-Extinguishing Pill, and placed it upon his palm.

The golden third-tier spiritual pill, wreathed in a spiritual halo, attracted the gaze of everyone the instant it appeared.

"A full seven dao marks; this is the legendary third-tier spiritual pill!"

These alchemists all displayed dazed, envious, and jealous expressions, becoming utterly lost in the sight of the Dust-Extinguishing Pill.

After familiarizing themselves with it.

Qin Ming put away the spiritual pill and departed alongside True Person Canghai.

Nalan Xi's thoughts were also churning violently.

She had never expected that the pill Qin Ming refined would actually be the Dust-Extinguishing Pill!

Nalan Xi had been stuck at the early stage of Jin Dan for over a hundred years; with the aid of a Dust-Extinguishing Pill, breaking through to the middle stage of Jin Dan was not impossible.

She had already decided that no matter the cost, she must obtain a Dust-Extinguishing Pill from Qin Ming.

……

(End of Chapter)