Chapter 280: Sacred Fire Token

Subsequently, the envoy from the Li Li Huogong presented the congratulatory gifts.

"From the Li Li Huogong: thirty pieces of high-grade spiritual stones, one third-grade high-grade alchemical furnace 'Feng Lei Ding', five types of third-grade mid-grade spiritual materials, ten types of third-grade low-grade spiritual materials, and various other congratulatory gifts."

"Presented by Elder Zhou Yu of the Li Li Huogong."

Hiss~ Upon hearing this, the crowd collectively gasped in shock at such an abundance of extremely rare treasures offered as gifts.

From this, it was evident that the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty was truly rich in resources and acted with immense generosity.

Especially that Feng Lei Ding; it was a third-grade high-grade alchemical furnace, yet they gave it away so casually.

In the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, wouldn't that be considered a sect's supreme treasure? "Elder Zhou has traveled from afar, truly making Qin Mou feel ashamed; please, take a seat."

"Taste some of this island's local specialties: Bai Yulin Wine and Rice Flower Spiritual Fish."

Qin Ming immediately summoned the attending maidens to serve spiritual wine to Zhou Yu.

"Hehehe! Excellent!"

"With Daoist Friend Qin having successfully formed his Jin Dan, how could I not share a drink?" Zhou Yu said, a slight smile appearing on his face.

"Daoist Friends Qingxuan and Yuheng, it has been a long time; let us all share a drink together."

Subsequently, Zhou Yu of the Li Li Huogong turned and spoke to the two of them.

After attending to this heavyweight guest, Qin Ming allowed the banquet to continue.

……

Outside the White Jade Plaza, the gifts from subsequent guests were announced one after another.

These cultivation families and sects of the Wei State had spared no expense to curry favor with Qin Mou, this newly formed Jin Dan True Person.

Fortunately, however, Qin Mou had no intention of joining any faction, wishing only to be a leisurely rogue cultivator.

He harbored no thoughts of founding a sect or establishing a clan, so he would not compete with these powers for resources or territory.

Otherwise, given the current situation in the Wei State, this newly advanced Jin Dan True Person of Moon Gazing Island, coupled with his status as a third-grade Alchemy Grandmaster,

would be sufficient to alter the future trajectory of the Four States' Immortal Realm; thus, everyone had to carefully cultivate good relations with Qin Mou.

The lively atmosphere persisted until nightfall.

In the early evening.

The Jin Dan celebration concluded, and the numerous guests departed one by one; the sights and experiences on Moon Gazing Island had truly broadened their horizons.

Once they returned home, the events that occurred at today's celebration would surely become major news.

There were also a few cultivators who wished to visit Qin Mou, this newly formed Jin Dan, in private, including Zhou Yu of the Li Li Huogong and the two Laozu of the Profound Stream Valley.

Inside the Guest Reception Pavilion on the Main Peak.

Qin Mou welcomed the few individuals into the main hall.

Zhou Yu of the Li Li Huogong spoke first: "I wish to have a private word with Daoist Friend Qin."

Qingxuan and Laozu Yuheng naturally understood; they smiled slightly and said, "Elder Zhou, you two chat first; we two will wait outside for a while."

Subsequently, only Zhou Yu and Qin Mou remained in the main hall.

Zhou Yu looked at Qin Mou, who stood before him like an evergreen tree, calm and approachable, and spoke first:

"Hehe! Daoist Friend Qin is indeed the first person in the Wei State in nearly hundreds of years to form a Golden Core as a rogue cultivator; seeing you now, your reputation is truly well-deserved."

"Hehe! Daoist Friend Zhou overpraises me; Qin Mou was merely somewhat fortunate, reaching this realm by chance and coincidence," Qin Mou replied with perfect diplomatic caution.

Zhou Yu shook his head and said, "Daoist Friend Qin need not be so humble; originally, three years ago, when you broke through to become a third-grade Alchemy Grandmaster, our palace intended to send someone to make contact."

"However, certain matters caused a delay."

"But it matters not; now is just as good a time to discuss it."

"I have previously heard that Daoist Friend Qin has always operated alone and is unwilling to join any sect."

"My purpose in coming here is to follow my sect's orders, bearing the Sacred Fire Token, to specially invite Daoist Friend Qin to join the Li Li Huogong."

"As long as Daoist Friend Qin agrees to join, regarding the conditions... you would directly become an Inner Sect Elder of our palace."

Qin Mou: "……"

Although he had anticipated this, he had not expected the Li Li Huogong to offer such high conditions.

The value of an Inner Sect Elder within a Nascent Soul sect was imaginable.

Seeing Qin Mou still hesitating, Zhou Yu continued, "Daoist Friend Qin has presumably never been to the Great Jin, correct?"

"Even the Southern Wild Immortal Realm is merely a small vassal territory of our Great Jin Immortal Dynasty."

"In terms of cultivation resources, the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty exceeds the barren Southern Wild by countless folds."

"Furthermore, without the Sacred Fire Token issued by our Li Li Huogong, no cultivator from the vassal Immortal Realms has the qualification to enter the Great Jin."

"Beyond that, after Daoist Friend Qin joins the Li Li Huogong, your status will be transcendent, nearly equal to my own."

"The resources you require for Jin Dan cultivation will be supplied with priority; and if your contributions are significant enough, our palace may even provide opportunities for forming a Nascent Soul... With Daoist Friend Qin's high-grade Golden Core aptitude, glimpsing the Nascent Soul Great Dao is not impossible."

"I hope Daoist Friend Qin will carefully consider this."

Having said all this, Zhou Yu felt quite confident in his heart; even though Qin Mou had become a Jin Dan cultivator, it would be difficult for him to refuse such temptation.

To tell the truth.

After hearing Zhou Yu's words, even Qin Mou felt somewhat moved.

However, he did not have much interest in joining the Li Li Huogong.

As long as he continued farming, he would possess everything he needed, with absolutely no necessity to join the Li Li Huogong to obtain it.

Moreover.

He currently possessed enough high-grade spiritual stones to upgrade the spiritual vein of Moon Gazing Island to third-grade high-grade, or even to peak grade.

He pondered for a moment, then politely declined:

"Thank you for the Li Li Huogong's kind intentions; Qin Mou's aptitude is mediocre, and forming a Golden Core was already a stroke of great luck; I dare not harbor further hopes regarding the Nascent Soul."

"I am content simply being a leisurely island lord in this region."

"Planning to retire here, hehe."

Hearing Qin Ming's reply, Zhou Yu froze on the spot.

Countless cultivators would break their heads trying to join the Brother Li Huo Palace; never did they expect Qin Ming to actually refuse.

Zhou Yu furrowed his brows and asked again, "Fellow Daoist Qin, are you truly not going to reconsider?"

"Qin Mou has already made up his mind; I fear I must decline Elder Zhou's kind intention, causing you to make this trip in vain." Qin Ming's attitude was extremely clear.

"Alas, since that is the case, so be it; I cannot force Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Hmm, then let us do this: I will hand the Sacred Fire Token to Fellow Daoist Qin; whenever you have a change of heart, just come to the Great Jin Brother Li Huo Palace to find me."

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment; still feeling somewhat regretful, he took out a crimson-gold Profound Fire token and handed it to Qin Ming.

Seeing it was hard to refuse such earnest hospitality, Qin Ming could only accept the Sacred Fire Token from the other's hand.

"Then many thanks to Fellow Daoist Zhou."

After exchanging a few more words with Qin Ming, Zhou Yu immediately rose to take his leave and departed.

The purple-gold spiritual light carriage slowly ascended into the sky, vanishing beyond the horizon under Qin Ming's gaze.

After Zhou Yu of the Brother Li Huo Palace had left,

Elder Qingxuan and Elder Yuheng of the Xuanxi Valley finally approached, saying to Qin Ming with beaming smiles:

"Fellow Daoist Qin is truly a scholar aspiring to transcendence; surprisingly, you did not even accept the Brother Li Huo Palace's invitation, hahaha!"

Qin Ming also offered a faint smile. "Qin Mou is simply accustomed to being unbound and free, alone."

"Moreover, I have managed this Moon-Gazing Island for so long; I do not wish to abandon it."

"Hmm, it is evident; Fellow Daoist Qin possesses profound fortune and destiny—you must have obtained a piece of the legendary 'Primordial Breathing Soil,' correct?"

"I see that the area of the spiritual island's outer perimeter has expanded considerably." Elder Qingxuan had clearly seen through the mechanism.

"Hehe! Indeed, it was merely a fortuitous coincidence." Qin Ming did not hide it.

After chatting for a short while,

next,

Elder Qingxuan raised his hand to cast an isolation formation, enveloping the three of them.

Only then did he say to Qin Ming, "Actually, Fellow Daoist Qin, it was correct not to agree to Zhou Yu's proposal and join the Brother Li Huo Palace at this time."

"Oh?"

"Why does Fellow Daoist Qingxuan say this?" Qin Ming felt quite surprised; he had not expected such words.

Elder Qingxuan explained, "Zhou Yu likely told you only half the story."

"Joining a Nascent Soul-level great sect like the Brother Li Huo Palace and becoming an inner sect elder to enjoy resources and offerings would, in the past, indeed have been excellent."

"But now! Though it appears infinitely glorious, in reality, it hides crises."

"As far as I know, the Brother Li Huo Palace has recently been dragged into warfare, engaging in conflict with another great enemy; who will emerge victorious remains unknown."

Hearing this, Qin Ming was also utterly stunned, secretly rejoicing that his choice had been extremely correct.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxuan... how exactly do you know of this matter?"

"Alas! This relates to the matter in which we two old fellows have a request of Fellow Daoist Qin." Elder Qingxuan smiled bitterly with helplessness.

On Qin Ming's calm face, a trace of surprise could not help but appear.

These two, esteemed Supreme Elders of the Xuanxi Sect, had actually spoken words of having a request of him.

(End of Chapter)