Chapter 266: Sensation

On Canghai Peak, inside the main hall.

After inviting Qin Ming to take a seat, Nalan Xi personally brewed a pot of spiritual tea for him.

Qin Ming was not as flattered as he had been during his first meeting with True Person Nalan Xi.

After all, his current strength and status were plain for all to see.

It was estimated that in the past century, Qin Ming was the only one privileged enough to have a Jin Dan old ancestor brew tea for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please taste this Yunwu Tea and tell me what you think?"

Nalan Xi said with a smile, gently pushing the teacup toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming picked up the teacup and took a sip, immediately feeling a fresh, otherworldly coolness spread from his mouth throughout his entire body.

It even carried a sensation of sudden enlightenment.

"Excellent tea; this batch has likely reached the grade of second-tier middle quality," Qin Ming praised.

Nalan Xi smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist Qin truly deserves the title of high-tier spiritual planter; you hit the mark with a single remark."

She did not rush to propose exchanging for the Dust-Quenching Pill with Qin Ming immediately, but instead chatted casually with him for a while to ease the atmosphere.

"By the way, I must congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Hehe, it was merely a fortunate breakthrough."

In Nalan Xi's view, Qin Ming had forcibly piled up his cultivation by consuming pills.

After all, his current level of Pill Dao proficiency had already broken through to the realm of a third-tier Grandmaster; what kind of pill could he not refine?

However, piling up cultivation with pills also had its limits; consuming large quantities of pills worked at lower realms, but beyond the Jin Dan stage, one could not raise cultivation solely by eating pills.

Of course, this excluded a few miraculous elixirs, such as—the Dust-Quenching Pill.

After about half an hour had passed.

Nalan Xi finally said, "Fellow Daoist Qin's recent breakthrough to the status of a third-tier Pill Dao Grandmaster will likely cause quite a stir in the Immortal Realm, hehe!"

"After all, in several hundred years, you are the only Grandmaster Wei Kingdom has produced."

"At that time, the number of powers coming to pay their respects will be countless."

"Alas~ Fellow Daoist Nalan overpraises me; you know I do not care much for the limelight. This breakthrough was unexpected, and after returning to Wangyue Island, I expect I will remain in closed-door cultivation for a long time, refusing to see guests," Qin Ming said, shaking his head.

Hearing Qin Ming's reply, True Person Nalan Xi was somewhat surprised and sighed:

"Nowadays, there are truly few people like Fellow Daoist Qin, who wholeheartedly pursue the Great Dao, diligently study their arts, and regard fame and fortune as floating clouds."

Then she suddenly changed the subject, looking earnest as she asked, "This seat has an impertinent request; I wonder how many pills successfully formed when Fellow Daoist Qin refined the Dust-Quenching Pill this time?"

"Could you sell one to me? Or this seat can exchange it for heavenly and earthly spiritual materials."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's face showed little change; in truth, he had long expected True Person Nalan to make such a request.

Thus, after pondering briefly, he nodded and agreed: "Since Fellow Daoist Nalan has spoken, Qin Mou can certainly conduct this transaction."

"This refinement of the Dust-Quenching Pill yielded two successful pills; I can trade one to Fellow Daoist Nalan, but Qin Mou requires spiritual materials in exchange."

"Oh? I wonder what kind of spiritual materials Fellow Daoist Qin needs?" Hearing Qin Ming agree so readily, True Person Nalan Xi's expression brightened with joy, and she hurriedly asked.

"Qin Mou needs to exchange for the third-tier spiritual material Solar Essence Gold; I wonder if Fellow Daoist Nalan has any on hand?" Qin Ming took a sip of tea and said lightly.

Upon hearing this, Nalan Xi was stunned; although she knew the Dust-Quenching Pill was invaluable and had prepared for a heavy loss, she had not expected the item Qin Ming desired to be Solar Essence Gold.

This top-tier third-tier spiritual material was also something Jin Dan stage cultivators dreamed of obtaining, making it even more precious and rare.

"Hehe! The Solar Essence Gold that Fellow Daoist Qin requires is among the top three most yang and rigid substances within third-tier spiritual materials; even throughout the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm, its existing quantity is exceedingly scarce."

"However, this seat happens to have a small piece here, which was originally intended for upgrading my innate magical treasure."

"If Fellow Daoist Qin wishes to exchange for it now, that is acceptable, though this seat does not have much Solar Essence Gold on hand."

Subsequently.

True Person Nalan Xi took out a fist-sized golden spiritual ore and handed it to Qin Ming, emitting a thick golden halo.

Qin Ming took the Solar Essence Gold; seeing the peculiar spiritual runes covering its surface, the moment he held it, he felt a surge of supreme yang energy transmit to him.

"This is indeed Solar Essence Gold, but the quantity is completely insufficient; this piece is barely enough to refine three Wood Emperor Nails."

The artifact spirit's voice abruptly rang out in Qin Ming's mind.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming remained silent on the surface, but inwardly he was utterly shocked; this meant that if he were to complete the refinement of all eighty-one Wood Emperor Nails, how much Solar Essence Gold would he need to gather?

However, with his current cultivation and strength, activating three was already the limit.

Thus, after pondering for a moment, he said, "This piece of Solar Essence Gold is acceptable, but you must add five thousand middle-grade spiritual stones."

"No problem." True Person Nalan Xi's eyes lit up; as the city lord of a scattered cultivator holy land, she naturally did not lack spiritual stones.

The transaction price proposed by Qin Ming was also quite reasonable.

After handing over the full amount of spiritual stones to Qin Ming, Qin Ming also handed one Dust-Quenching Pill to True Person Nalan Xi.

The transaction concluded, with both parties obtaining what they needed.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Nalan, I previously exceeded the time limit for renting my cave dwelling; I wonder how much spiritual stone I need to pay additionally?" Qin Ming asked.

"With a Pill Dao Grandmaster like yourself breaking through and advancing in this city, Canghai Xiancheng shares in the honor; how could we possibly charge Fellow Daoist Qin spiritual stones?"

Having said this.

Nalan Xi returned all the spiritual stones Qin Ming had paid for renting the cave dwelling for two and a half years.

Nowadays, with Qin Ming's status, he was a sought-after figure wherever he went.

Her intention to curry favor with Qin Ming could not have been more obvious.

In the future, Nalan Xi estimated she would inevitably have requests of Qin Ming, after all, he was the only cultivator in Wei Kingdom capable of refining Jin Dan stage spiritual pills.

"Fellow Daoist Nalan, then Qin Mou will take his leave."

"If Fellow Daoist Qin has time, you are welcome to visit Canghai Peak often; this seat will always sweep the mat to welcome you."

"Does Fellow Daoist Qin require this seat to send someone to escort you back?" Considering that things outside were likely already in a complete mess, Nalan Xi proactively asked.

"Hehe! No need; Qin Mou will return on my own."

After exchanging words with Nalan Xi for half a day, Qin Ming took his leave of Canghai Peak.

True Person Nalan Xi personally escorted Qin Ming to the gate.

Returning to her throne in the main hall, she took out the Dust-Extinguishing Pill she had traded for from Qin Ming, her eyes flickering incessantly.

"I never expected Fellow Daoist Qin's pill arts to have reached such a level; I fear he is in no way inferior to the Grandmaster-level suppliers of the Brother Li Huo Palace."

"He has likely fully inherited the true teachings of Su Yuqing of the Su family."

"In this chaotic era, two Grandmasters have emerged simultaneously!"

After leaving Canghai Peak, Qin Ming chatted briefly with Lu Wanjun, who was guarding outside, then took out a bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills, useful for those at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and handed them to her.

This bottle of pills had also been scavenged from Linghu Yang's storage bag.

"Thank you for the generous gift, Grandmaster Qin!" Lu Wanjun's pretty face lit up with joy, and she hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

Qin Ming smiled faintly. "This is nothing. When Fellow Daoist Lu Liang was alive, he entrusted me to look after you. Over these years, you have been quite stable in the Xiancheng, requiring little worry from me; consider this a small compensation."

"Continue your cultivation diligently here. If Fellow Daoist Lu Liang knows of this from beneath the springs, he will feel comforted."

"Wanjun will keep Grandmaster Qin's teachings in mind and strive hard in cultivation! I will not fail the expectations of my master!" Lu Wanjun said with determined eyes.

"Mm." Qin Ming nodded, exchanged a few more words with her, and then departed from Canghai Peak.

True Person Canghai naturally observed all of this.

Subsequently.

She summoned Lu Wanjun over.

"City Lord my lord, you summoned me?"

"Mm, Wanjun, you have been serving in the Xiancheng for several decades, haven't you?"

"From today onward, you will take over the position of Elder of the Affairs Hall in the Inner City."

"You may also select a cave dwelling on one of the main peaks for your cultivation."

Upon hearing True Person Canghai's words, Lu Wanjun was almost unable to believe it, standing stunned in place.

After leaving Canghai Peak, the communication talismans on Qin Ming's person began ringing incessantly.

He frowned slightly and took out a communication talisman.

He found they were from Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Snow Pavilion and Xu Jing of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

Without exception, all were invitations for him to come over for a chat.

These two represented major merchant houses Qin Ming had cooperated with for years; since he would definitely need to deepen cooperation with them in the future to gather high-grade materials and spiritual seeds, it would not be good to refuse.

Thus, he concealed his appearance, avoided crowded areas, and headed toward the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Throughout the entire Canghai Xiancheng, the news that Qin Ming had successfully advanced to the rank of third-tier Pill Grandmaster spread everywhere.

In every street and alley, voices clamored; whether scattered cultivators or disciples of grandmaster families, everyone was discussing this event, one worthy of leaving a heavy, colorful mark in the history of Canghai Xiancheng.

"Extra! Extra!"

"Master Qin, the island lord of Wangyue Island, has today achieved the realm of third-tier Pill Grandmaster within the Xiancheng!"

"Three hundred years after the ascension of Grandmaster Li Qingyang, the State of Wei has once again produced a Pill Grandmaster! A name to endure for eternity!"

"Following Grandmaster Gongsun Yang of the Xuanxi Valley, Grandmaster Qin has become the second Pill Grandmaster in the Southern Wild Immortal Realm!"

"Good heavens! Grandmaster Qin broke through to the third-tier Pill Grandmaster realm while still at the Foundation Establishment stage; just how high must his pill talent be?"

"Could it be that he possesses some kind of hidden Sacred Body of the Pill Dao?"

"Mm, Fellow Daoist speaks most correctly; I think it is possible!"

"Grandmaster Qin is barely a hundred years old, is he not? He should be the youngest Pill Grandmaster in history, correct?"

"That is not necessarily so; I heard from an elder within my sect that a pill refiner surnamed Su in Great Jin also broke through to the Grandmaster realm not long ago."

"His talent is so high that even the important figures of the Brother Li Huo Palace admire him utterly."

"There is always a mountain higher than the next, but our Grandmaster Qin is in no way inferior."

"Because I heard news stating that the pill Grandmaster Qin refined was the Dust-Extinguishing Pill, one of the third-tier spiritual pills with extremely high refinement difficulty."

"Hiss~"

"Now all the major powers will be scrambling to recruit him, won't they?"

"After all, breaking through to become a third-tier Pill Grandmaster is even more difficult than breaking through to the Jin Dan stage."

"In terms of influence, a third-tier Grandmaster far surpasses an ordinary Jin Dan old ancestor."

"After all, a Pill Grandmaster can benefit an entire sect, influencing its rise and fall."

"Grandmaster Qin, also having started as a scattered cultivator, is truly a model for us cultivators!"

"..."

Listening to these gossip-filled discussions, Qin Ming couldn't help but purse his lips. "Alas, a miscalculation!"

From this point on, Qin Ming's prestige among the cultivators of Canghai Xiancheng reached its peak.

So much so that when he arrived at the Mirror Snow Pavilion, he had to sneak in quietly through the back door.

(End of Chapter)