Chapter 270: Uninvited Guests

In the Guest-Welcoming Tower, sandalwood incense curled upward in wisps.

"Hehehe! These few days of exchanging insights with Daoist Qin have truly benefited this old man immensely."

"For the State of Wei to produce a Grandmaster of the Dao of Pills like you is indeed a great fortune."

Gongsun Yang stroked his goat-horn beard, a smile hanging on his face as he spoke to Qin Ming.

Over these past few days, he had been completely convinced by Qin Ming's insights into the Dao of Pills.

"Daoist Gongsun is too polite; it was merely an exchange of ideas."

Through indirect probing, Qin Ming had also gathered considerable experience from Gongsun Yang regarding the refinement of the Golden Core Formation Pill.

This exchange had yielded significant benefits.

After all, Gongsun Yang had immersed himself in the Dao of Pills for several hundred years; his rich experience surely included unique insights.

Currently, throughout the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm, only the two of them were third-tier Alchemists, and at this moment, they felt a mutual appreciation between kindred spirits.

Thus, once they began exchanging views, they nearly forgot the passage of time.

"This old man is already in his twilight years; the future belongs to young people like yourselves."

"Daoist Qin, having ascended to Grandmaster at such a young age, your path of immortality knows no bounds."

After expressing these sentiments, Gongsun Yang patted the head of Fang Han, who stood beside him, and said:

"Fortunately, in my late years, I have accepted a rather promising disciple who can inherit my mantle."

"Daoist Qin, this disciple is one of the few juniors whom I believe has the potential to reach the realm of the Dao of Pills that you and I have attained."

"In the future... I hope you will look after him somewhat."

"Fang Han, in the future, whenever you have the opportunity, you must learn more from your Senior Qin."

Fang Han nodded obediently and replied, "This disciple respectfully obeys Master's teachings!"

"Hehe! Daoist Gongsun, your disciple's aptitude is truly excellent; you have a worthy successor!" Qin Ming said with a smile.

Gongsun Yang likely had little lifespan remaining; he had pinned almost all his hopes on this exceptionally gifted disciple.

Subsequently, Gongsun Yang spoke to Qin Ming without beating around the bush:

"By the way, on this visit, this old man also carries a mission from the sect."

"The four Jin Dan Ancestors are busy dealing with the ghost calamity at the Taihu Ruins and truly cannot spare the time to come themselves."

"Thus, this old man must convey their message on their behalf."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's heart stirred; indeed, the situation of the ghost calamity was more severe than he had imagined.

At the same time, he roughly guessed what Gongsun Yang was about to say.

"I wonder if Daoist Qin has any interest in joining the Profound Creek Valley? The terms offered by the Grand Elder are equal to those granted to this old man."

Qin Ming politely declined once again.

"Qin Mou fears he must disappoint your sect's kind intentions; I do not currently plan to leave Moon-Gazing Island."

Before arriving, Gongsun Yang had already learned about Qin Ming's character: low-key and cautious, with no intention of joining any faction, a solitary cultivator standing alone like a crane among chickens.

His unwillingness to join a sect was therefore expected.

Finally, having exchanged enough, Gongsun Yang proposed his departure to Qin Ming.

As Gongsun Yang passed by Qin Ming's spiritual fields, looking at the high-grade spiritual plants covering the ground, a look of envy appeared on his face.

The high-grade spiritual plants here were even more diverse in variety than those in the Profound Creek Valley's medicinal garden.

Furthermore, most of them were rare spiritual plants seldom seen in the outside world.

Qin Ming escorted Gongsun Yang out of Moon-Gazing Island.

Following this.

Moon-Gazing Island regained a rare period of tranquility.

Based on the experience gained from Gongsun Yang, Qin Ming continued his research into the formula for the Golden Core Formation Pill.

In addition to this.

The progress of solidifying the magic power within his sea of qi and dantian had already reached two-thirds, with only the final portion remaining.

Yet on this day.

Two figures flew in from outside Moon-Gazing Lake.

As the light of their fleeing escape scattered, the forms of a young male and female cultivator emerged.

The young female cultivator possessed a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation; dressed in a long black skirt, her skin was fairer than snow, her figure graceful, and her features exquisite, exuding an air of captivating charm.

The young male cultivator beside her had sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, his expression quite aloof; he wore a blue robe with golden threads and an ornate jade crown, his cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment, also possessing the qualifications to breakthrough to the Jin Dan stage.

"Daoist Luo Feixue, is the owner of Moon-Gazing Island, whose name has been spreading like wildfire these days, located here?" the young male cultivator asked.

The female cultivator named Luo Feixue nodded gently and said in a soft voice, "Indeed, this should be the place. Daoist Duanmu Sheng, it seems that to visit the owner of Moon-Gazing Island, we must first send word."

Duanmu Sheng gazed at the misty illusion realm surrounding the island and could not help but frown.

Subsequently, Luo Feixue sent a message talisman toward the island.

Inside Moon-Gazing Island.

Wu Jiang received the message talisman, opened it to read, and immediately furrowed his brows.

After reading for a while, feeling uncertain, he flew toward the main peak.

Qin Ming was tasting wine under a spiritual peach tree while studying a pill formula; seeing Wu Jiang arrive, he asked indifferently, "Has someone come to visit again?"

"Hehe, indeed, Senior Duanmu Sheng of the Soaring Cloud Sect from the State of Jin and Senior Luo Feixue of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion have traveled ten thousand li specifically to pay a visit," Wu Jiang replied immediately.

Qin Ming waved his hand and, without a second thought, said, "Do not see them; just say I am in closed-door cultivation and receive no guests."

Hearing this, Wu Jiang hastily agreed, yet before leaving, he hesitated and reminded him, "Island Owner, this Duanmu Sheng is said to be the true disciple of the Soaring Cloud Sect, hailed as a Jin Dan seed."

"The Soaring Cloud Sect is the sole Jin Dan-level power in the State of Jin; do you wish to reconsider?"

"It matters not; handle it as I instructed. If they do not leave, then simply ignore them," Qin Ming said indifferently.

"Yes!"

Immediately, Wu Jiang went out to carry out Qin Ming's orders.

The moment he stepped out of the Mist Illusion Realm, he saw the two heroic figures soaring in the sky.

Wu Jiang was not like Qin Ming, who would even ignore a Golden Core seed at the peak of Foundation Establishment; he hurried forward, bowed respectfully to Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue, then said awkwardly, "Senior predecessors, please forgive us. The Island Master is in secluded cultivation and receives no guests. Please return."

At these words,

Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue, hovering in mid-air, exchanged a glance and instantly understood each other's meaning.

Luo Feixue asked softly yet indifferently, her voice alluring: "What does Island Master Qin mean by this? On our way here, we heard that the Xuanyi Valley of Liang Kingdom had just visited and left."

"Could it be that Island Master Qin looks down upon the sects of our Jin Kingdom?"

Duanmu Sheng's gaze turned slightly cold, a hint of displeasure appearing on his face.

Ever since he became a true disciple of the Lingyun Sect, no one had ever dared to reject him so directly.

Suddenly, he released the spiritual pressure of a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Wu Jiang felt as if a massive mountain had crashed down upon him, leaving him gasping for breath.

Naturally perceiving the ominous atmosphere, facing two Foundation Establishment cultivators, he stood frozen in terror, sweat streaming down his back.

His eyes darted about, and he quickly gritted his teeth, saying:

"S-senior predecessors, please wait a moment; this junior will go report again."

Then, without looking back, Wu Jiang opened the Mist Illusion Realm and returned to the island.

Patting his chest, he exclaimed with lingering fear, "Hmph! I'm never going out again. If you have the guts, come in yourselves!"

Qin Ming, of course, had witnessed all of this, though he did not take it too much to heart.

Nowadays, a mere peak Foundation Establishment cultivator posed no threat to him; even if a Jin Dan old ancestor from the Lingyun Sect came, he wouldn't bother paying them any mind.

What mattered now was the crucial matter of forming his pill; being harassed like this every day was untenable.

Those people outside couldn't get in anyway; given time, they would scatter on their own.

Outside the Spirit Island,

half an hour passed.

Seeing that the errand-boy Wu Jiang had not emerged after so long, Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue realized they had been played.

Frost instantly covered both their faces; Duanmu Sheng's eyes grew especially gloomy as he took out a purple spiritual cover artifact and flew toward the mist.

"What an imposing Island Master of Wangyue! Such great airs, daring to deny even me face!"

"I, Duanmu Sheng, must see for myself just how intimidating this so-called Mist Illusion Realm truly is."

Duanmu Sheng activated the artifact, enveloping himself within the purple spiritual cover, and within moments arrived near the Mist Illusion Realm.

But just as he was about to advance further,

from beneath the waters of Wangyue Lake ahead,

a ferocious and chilling demonic intent swept over recklessly; its domineering force made Duanmu Sheng feel utterly chilled, as if plunging into an ice cave! He hastily mobilized the magic power within his body to resist the erosion of this demonic intent.

"A peak Stage Two great demon!"

Duanmu Sheng was terrified; disregarding whether his posture looked dignified, he hastily retreated in flight, scurrying back under Luo Feixue's puzzled gaze.

There was no time to explain.

"Go, quickly!"

Duanmu Sheng grabbed Luo Feixue, and they fled like escaping fugitives beyond the horizon.

Above the lake surface, the massive body of the Black Water Crocodile emerged; its cold vertical pupils glanced at the two retreating figures before it dove back into the water.

After flying thousands of li away, Luo Feixue finally asked Duanmu Sheng puzzledly, "Fellow Daoist Duanmu, what exactly happened just now?"

"Beneath that lake lies a peak Stage Two great demon; it is likely the island-protecting spiritual pet of that Island Master of Wangyue," Duanmu Sheng said with a gloomy expression.

"What?!"

Luo Feixue was also greatly shocked; if it truly was a peak Stage Two great demon, the two of them would not even suffice to fill its teeth.

"It seems this Island Master of Wangyue is not as simple as we imagined."

"Not only has his pill refining artistry reached the level of a grandmaster, but his true cultivation base is likely also high," Duanmu Sheng speculated.

"Then what should we do?"

"Since that's the case, perhaps we should return to the Jin Kingdom? Once you break through to Jin Dan, let's see if this person still dares to slight us," Luo Feixue said.

Duanmu Sheng's eyes flickered; then, as if thinking of something, he said coldly, "I cannot swallow this insult. We need not act ourselves; someone will naturally seek trouble with him. Hmph!"

"Let's go!"

Immediately, the figures of the two vanished once more beyond the horizon.

Qin Ming, of course, had witnessed everything that just occurred; he also understood that among the cultivators coming to pay respects, there were all kinds of people.

Take the two from the Jin Kingdom, Duanmu Sheng and his companion; clearly accustomed to being superior to others, they were somewhat arrogant.

Therefore, he chose to lie low and not emerge; anyway, with the Mist Illusion Realm in place, even a Jin Dan old ancestor could not enter.

Several more days passed.

However, before Qin Ming could enjoy even two days of peace,

another person arrived outside Wangyue Island.

Wu Jiang rushed excitedly to Qin Ming, holding a message talisman, and reported: "Island Master, Senior Gu from the Jingxue Pavilion has arrived and is waiting outside."

"Oh? Why has she come?"

Qin Ming put away the pill formula in his hand, then released his divine sense to look; outside Wangyue Island, a familiar graceful figure stood hovering in the air.

It was undoubtedly Gu Qingzhao.

Although Qin Ming was somewhat puzzled, he personally activated the formation and went out to greet the visitor.

After coming out, he smiled indifferently at Gu Qingzhao opposite him and said, "Fellow Daoist Gu, why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming?"

"Hehe! I just happened to be passing by, so I came to see you," Gu Qingzhao said with a gentle smile.

'Hmm? Something's wrong!'

Gazing at the Gu Qingzhao before him, Qin Ming immediately activated his Law-Breaking Heavy Pupils to scan.

The next moment.

Without another word, Qin Ming formed a sword seal with his fingers and slashed toward the 'Gu Qingzhao' opposite! A green sword light swept across, and the 'Gu Qingzhao' opposite instantly dissipated into a cloud of black mist.

"Since you were able to see through this old ancestor's Thousand Illusions Demonic Art?!"

After a familiar rustling sound, the black mist recondensed, and a human figure slowly walked out from within.

"Foundation Establishment perfection? This magic power aura is somewhat off... It seems the information that boy Duanmu gave this old ancestor was incorrect."

(End of Chapter)