Chapter 268: Master Yuwen's Probe

Qin Ming pondered for a moment.

He stored away his three spiritual pets, then deactivated the formation and welcomed Master Yuwen onto the island.

The moment Master Yuwen entered Moon-Gazing Island, he was profoundly shaken by the scene before him; was this truly the barren, isolated island of legend? Qin Ming flew out from his cave dwelling, halted opposite Master Yuwen, cupped his fists, and greeted him, saying, "Welcome, Daoist Friend Yuwen; please, come inside."

"Daoist Friend Qin, although we have never met, decades have passed, yet you remain as youthful as ever!"

Master Yuwen gazed at the man who had once been a 'spirit farmer' under his sect.

He resembled an evergreen ancient tree, radiating a tranquil and serene aura, his entire being as calm as still water.

Even for him, a Jin Dan old ancestor, a single glance revealed someone difficult to fathom.

Although Qin Ming outwardly displayed only mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, Master Yuwen's seasoned intuition told him that the other party was not simple.

"Daoist Friend Yuwen overpraises me; Qin Mou has merely consumed a single Face-Preserving Pill," Qin Ming said with a faint smile, ushering Master Yuwen into the island's reception pavilion.

Once they were seated.

Master Yuwen extended a hand, causing an exquisite jade box to materialize in his palm, which he then handed to Qin Ming, saying with a smile, "Congratulations, Daoist Friend Qin, on breaking through to the realm of a third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster; this is a humble gift from our sect; I hope you will accept it."

Qin Ming did not refuse his kindness; he took the jade box and opened it to look inside.

Within lay clearly over a dozen spirit seeds radiating an emerald luster.

"Spirit seeds of third-tier Jade Emperor Spirit Rice!!"

Even with Qin Ming's current state of mind, he could not help but feel a ripple stir within him.

For Master Yuwen to make such a grand gesture immediately upon arrival suggested that the purpose of his visit was likely far from simple.

"Daoist Friend Yuwen... this..."

"Daoist Friend Qin need not worry; simply accept it."

"These spirit seeds of Jade Emperor Rice have sat in our sect's treasury for over a hundred years, yet no one has been able to cultivate them."

"Leaving them there only lets them gather dust; it is better to gift them to Daoist Friend Qin as a congratulatory present."

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded and stored the jade box away.

Shortly after.

He brewed a pot of Snow-Soul Spirit Tea for Master Yuwen, handed the teacup to him, and said, "This is Snow-Soul Tea cultivated by Qin Mou on the island; Daoist Friend Yuwen, please taste it."

Master Yuwen gently lifted the teacup, observing the snow-white color of the tea soup within, around which swirled a misty vapor, with spiritual energy spilling forth.

With just one glance, he knew this must be high-grade spirit tea.

At the very least, apart from Qin Ming's Moon-Gazing Island, such a thing could be found nowhere else.

Master Yuwen inhaled the tea's fragrance, then took a small sip; instantly, he felt a strange warm current flow through his entire body, producing an effect even on him, a Jin Dan stage cultivator.

His entire mind and spirit became fresh and tranquil, like green grass nourished by spring rain.

All manner of anxious thoughts and stray notions were swept away in that instant!

"Excellent tea! I never expected this Snow-Soul Tea to possess the efficacy of reducing the birth of heart demons and cleansing the divine soul!" Master Yuwen's eyes suddenly brightened as he praised without reservation.

At the same time.

Master Yuwen felt deeply moved in his heart; he had never anticipated that Qin Ming, once merely a spirit farmer under the Lingyu Sect, could step by step reach his current position.

As a third-tier Dandao Sect Grandmaster, his status and standing were equal to that of a Jin Dan cultivator; indeed, even when Master Yuwen encountered Qin Ming, he needed to show him considerable respect.

After all, Qin Ming was now a highly sought-after figure in the State of Wei, the sole Grandmaster of his kind.

It was a pity that the Lingyu Sect had failed to retain him back then!

Otherwise, he would have become the Lingyu Sect's Grandmaster.

Now that the die was cast, speaking of it was useless; fortunately, the Lingyu Sect had not offended Qin Ming afterward.

The relationship between the two sides was not as bad as one might imagine.

"Hehe, if Daoist Friend Yuwen likes it, Qin Mou can gift you a box," Qin Ming said as he refilled the spirit tea for him.

As for Master Yuwen himself, Qin Ming felt no great aversion; after all, since he had left the Lingyu Sect, they had fulfilled their agreement, restored his freedom, and never disturbed him again.

Subsequently, Master Yuwen and Qin Ming gradually became more familiar and engaged in conversation.

As they chatted, their discussion turned to the recent situation within the Immortal Realm.

From their dialogue, Qin Ming could sense that Master Yuwen possessed profound scheming, far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could match.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to develop and strengthen the Lingyu Sect over several decades to the point where it could stand toe-to-toe with Lei Yuanzong.

"Alas! Speaking of which, if I had not broken through to the Jin Dan stage back then, the Lingyu Sect would have long ceased to exist under the siege of the seven major powers."

"But once I chose to break through, I was inevitably destined to walk the path of confrontation with Lei Yuanzong."

"I believe that after experiencing so many years, Daoist Friend Qin, with your perspective, must also realize that the cultivation resources of the State of Wei cannot allow two Jin Dan sects to coexist simultaneously."

"Most of the time, I am within the tidal waves of the grand situation, unable to control my own fate, pushed forward against my will."

"Fate toys with people!"

After hearing him finish, Qin Ming could not help but curl his lips.

No matter how eloquently Master Yuwen spoke, in the end, was it not simply his own boundless ambition driving him to climb even higher?

Ultimately, it was merely his own desires at play.

However, from Master Yuwen's tone, Qin Ming faintly perceived a certain message.

Although the Southern Wild Immortal Realm had been affected by the ghost calamity in the State of Liang over the past few years, making the four states appear calm on the surface, in reality, undercurrents had been surging all along.

Between Master Yuwen and Wei Wuya, as well as between the Lingyu Sect and Lei Yuanzong, a transformation would likely arrive soon; inevitably, one side was destined to meet its end.

Yet, these conflicts had nothing to do with Qin Ming anymore.

Next.

Master Yuwen's following words completely confirmed Qin Ming's thoughts.

"The victor becomes king, the vanquished becomes a bandit; ultimately, a final outcome must be reached."

"I venture to ask Daoist Friend Qin: previously, I heard that Wei Wuya... did he ever come to visit you?"

"Did he purchase a Dust-Extinguishing Pill from you?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming set down the teacup in his hand and raised an eyebrow.

"Fellow Daoist Wei did indeed come here seeking pills, but over the past two years and more, as it was my first attempt, I, Qin Mou, refined only a single Dust-Extinguishing Pill."

"It was exchanged by True Person Canghai the moment it left the furnace; there were no extra Dust-Extinguishing Pills to trade with Fellow Daoist Wei," Qin Ming explained in a calm tone, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Of course, he could not tell Master Yuwen the truth, or else he would come seeking pills again.

Since Wei Wuya had exchanged for the Dust-Extinguishing Pill, his cultivation strength would surely increase.

If Qin Ming spoke the truth.

Would that not be tantamount to indirectly helping Lei Yuanzong? Master Yuwen would certainly feel uneasy in his heart.

Rather than pleasing no one, it was better simply not to speak the truth.

In any case, even if Master Yuwen went to verify with Nalan Xi, given Qin Ming's relationship with True Person Nalan Xi, she would understand instantly and would not reveal too much to him.

Seeing Qin Ming speak thus, although Master Yuwen harbored some disbelief in his heart, he could do nothing about it.

After the two conversed for a while longer, Master Yuwen suddenly spoke to Qin Ming with serious earnestness: "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin would consider returning to Lingyu Sect?"

"From now on, your status within the sect will be equal to mine, enjoying the treatment and stipend of a Supreme Elder."

"Moreover, the high-grade resources you lack will be supplied with priority, and disciples under the sect will help you gather them."

"There will be no need for you to labor personally or worry yourself."

"You need only devote yourself wholly to researching the Dao of Pills and spirit plants."

"After all, Fellow Daoist Qin once shared a fate with our sect; perhaps it is destiny working in mysterious ways."

"This is my sincere invitation; I wonder what Fellow Daoist Qin thinks?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming was momentarily stunned; he had not expected Master Yuwen to invite him to return to Lingyu Sect again.

He chuckled inwardly; even a good horse does not eat the grass it has already rejected, let alone himself.

Besides, if he did not personally cultivate the spirit plants, how could he refresh his attributes?

Those attributes were his greatest asset! "I thank Fellow Daoist Yuwen for your kind intentions, but I, Qin Mou, have no further desire to join any faction."

"I only wish to remain here as an idle island lord."

"Surely Fellow Daoist Yuwen knows that when I chose to leave Lingyu Sect back then, it was precisely because I did not wish to become entangled in such conflicts."

"I fear I must disappoint you."

Hearing this, although Master Yuwen had long anticipated Qin Ming's refusal, a trace of regret still flashed across his face involuntarily.

If Qin Ming could be brought back into Lingyu Sect, within a hundred years, Lingyu Sect would surely rise completely! One could glean as much from the fact that Grandmaster Gongsun Yang emerged from Xuanxi Valley in the State of Liang.

Within merely a hundred years, two more Jin Dan ancestors were born.

Fortunately, however, a grandmaster like Qin Ming, capable of determining the rise or fall of a sect, only wished to be an idle cultivator.

If he pledged allegiance to no faction, he would not affect the situation in the State of Wei, which relieved Master Yuwen considerably.

The reason Master Yuwen today went so far as to humble himself to come here stemmed from his fear of Qin Ming, this grandmaster of the Dao of Pills.

He feared that if Qin Ming completely sided with Lei Yuanzong, it would be extremely unfavorable for Lingyu Sect.

However, after today's exchange with Qin Ming, Master Yuwen dispelled many of his doubts and worries.

This person Qin Ming disliked becoming involved in troubles; he only wished to delve into his spirit plants and pill-refining arts, showing not the slightest interest in fame, profit, or conflict.

For instance, just now, Master Yuwen had used the position of Lingyu Sect's Supreme Elder to test Qin Ming.

He had refused without even blinking, which did not seem at all like a pretense.

Following this.

The two continued their exchange for half a day, after which Master Yuwen prepared to rise and take his leave.

"In that case, I shall not disturb Fellow Daoist Qin any further."

"I wish Fellow Daoist Qin an eternal Dao path."

Qin Ming also rose and returned the courtesy, saying, "I, Qin Mou, also wish Fellow Daoist Yuwen a smooth path on the immortal road."

Subsequently.

Qin Ming escorted Master Yuwen out of Wangyue Island.

Upon departing, Master Yuwen spent a sum of spirit stones with Qin Ming to purchase three Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spirit Peaches.

Qin Ming also returned the courtesy by gifting the other party a box of Snow-Soul Spirit Tea.

After all, for higher-level cultivators, lifespan held an ever-greater temptation.

Even for Master Yuwen, whose remaining lifespan was still abundant, this was no exception.

"Hoo~"

Having seen off this great figure, Master Yuwen, Qin Ming exhaled a breath.

In the days that followed.

Quite a few factions still came to visit; for those who were not particularly important figures, Qin Ming had Wu Jiang go out to dismiss them.

Inside the cave dwelling.

Qin Ming took out the spirit seeds of Jade Emperor Rice, his eyes flashing constantly.

As a third-grade lower-tier spirit rice, Jade Emperor Rice could enhance the cultivation of Jin Dan stage cultivators.

However, as a cultivation resource of the third-grade tier, its yield was extremely scarce; he had not expected that Lingyu Sect's treasury would still retain over a dozen spirit seeds.

Qin Ming picked up one of the emerald-like spirit seeds and observed it in his hand for a while.

"Hmm, Lingyu Sect's preservation method is passable; the vitality and spiritual qi within the spirit seed are still intact."

Qin Ming put away the Jade Emperor Rice spirit seeds, then took another object out from his storage bag.

It was precisely that piece of Sun Essence Gold he had exchanged from True Person Canghai, Nalan Xi.

Qin Ming communicated with Jin Lingzi through thought:

"I've obtained Solar Essence Gold. What's next for refining the Wood Emperor Nail?"

"I will transmit the complete Artifact-Refining Scripture to you; follow its methods and incorporate Solar Essence Gold."

The spirit's voice sounded faintly.

(End of Chapter)