Chapter 291: Return to the Old Ground

On Wangyue Island, peace had returned to its former state.

Although he had advanced to the rank of Third-Rank Spirit Plant Master, visitors still came, but only from major powers, and very few at that.

Now that Qin Ming had achieved Jin Dan, smaller factions and low-level cultivators knew their place.

Thus, Qin Ming enjoyed peace; these days, besides his daily cultivation and farming, he devoted himself to pill refining.

He spent nearly half a year using the three batches of spirit materials exchanged with Wei Wuyan to re-refine three batches of Mie Chen Pills.

In total, sixteen pills were produced, four of which were premium grade.

These pills would suffice for Qin Ming's daily cultivation for a long time.

Pills that other Jin Dan Laozu dreamed of were, in his hands, plentiful as dirt.

It filled him with a strange sense of reflection.

"I can't possibly eat them all."

"Mie Chen Pills are best taken in no more than five doses—resistance builds after that; the extras can be traded with peers of the same realm for scarce resources."

In his cave dwelling, Qin Ming took out one premium Mie Chen Pill and swallowed it, beginning his cultivation.

A pure, stream-like medicinal force flowed into his limbs and hundred bones.

Instantly, Qin Ming felt a profound calm, as if his spirit had been cleansed of all karmic dust and worldly stains.

Deep within, his heart-mind underwent a great transformation, becoming like a bright, pure moon—clear, untainted, invulnerable to all demons.

At the same time, the medicinal force of the Mie Chen Pill reached its peak, an endless stream of spiritual energy converging toward his dantian.

Qin Ming's magic power aura steadily rose over time.

Since his Qingdi Mu Huang Body had just begun to take root, he could feel cultivation had become as natural as a fish in water.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushed into him as if reuniting with kin, vying to enter his body.

After three months of seclusion, his cultivation had advanced significantly.

One could say he had progressed a thousand li in a single day.

He opened his eyes; a faint emerald green glow lingered in his pupils before fading gently.

"This cultivation speed is incomparably faster than before."

"This is the terrifying power of a top-tier spirit body!"

Normally, without great fortune, Jin Dan cultivators must advance step by step through sheer time and effort—purely a matter of slow, grinding progress.

Yet now, Qin Ming's cultivation advancement had not slowed—it had actually accelerated beyond his previous pace.

When Qin Ming finished cultivating, he stepped out of his cave dwelling.

First, he tended to the dozen or so Yu Huang Spirit Rice plants, then summoned a spirit rain over his herb fields.

During his seclusion, the Shi Tian Shu had watched over the spirit plants; he needn't worry excessively.

Qin Ming sat beneath the Spirit Peach Tree and took out Bai Yulin Wine, drinking alone.

He quietly planned his next steps.

His current short-term goal was to reach Jin Dan Late Stage.

Even with steady cultivation alone, with over two thousand years of lifespan ahead, he would surely reach it.

During this time, if he could find a Nascent Soul opportunity, that would be ideal.

The Wild Immortal Realm of the South, though resource-poor, still held some hidden opportunities.

Next, Qin Ming planned to wait until the Xuan Shui Eel and Yin Yi Shuangfeng broke through, then head to the Beast Roar Mountains to seek the Lei Chi to repair the Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror.

Then, en route, he would visit the Xuanxi Valley in Liang State to deliver the Shouguo Pill to Elder Yuheng.

He was nearing the end of his life, with only about four years of lifespan remaining.

But before that,

he still needed to gather a piece of alchemical material: the "Bǔtiān Hún Huǒ Yè" mentioned by Jin Lingzi.

Such a top-tier third-rank spirit item would be hard to find.

"Jin Lingzi, do you know where I can find this Bǔtiān Hún Huǒ Yè?"

The spirit's voice replied calmly: "I recall that in the southwest of Wei State, near the border, there is a third-rank spirit vein containing a Tian Gang Lie Feng Cave, where perpetual heavenly gang winds rage; every thousand years, it produces dozens of drops of Butian Hun Huo Ye—enough for you."

"But after all these years, I'm not sure if that place still exists."

The direction Jin Lingzi then gave him left Qin Ming stunned.

For the place he pointed to was precisely the third-rank spirit vein originally discovered by Lingyu Sect in Yunhuang Daze.

It was also the source of conflict between Lingyu Sect and Lei Yuanzong.

It had now fallen back into Lei Yuanzong's hands.

"Looks like I'll have to negotiate with Wei Wuyan again," Qin Ming murmured with a faint smile. Since it was a familiar territory, acquiring it wouldn't be difficult for him.

Then, Qin Ming summoned the Shi Tian Shu.

The Shi Tian Shu was currently squatting with its rear end up, carefully weeding the spirit fields.

Having had nothing to do lately, this once-formidable third-rank mid-stage demon king had become little more than a field mouse. "Hehe! Master, what do you need?"

"Come with me on an errand."

"Finally! I've been cooped up too long!"

……

Five days later.

Without pause, Qin Ming unleashed his full Jin Dan cultivation speed and arrived before the gates of Lei Yuanzong.

A hundred li from Lei Yuanzong, he had already sent a message talisman to Wei Wuyan.

A blue aura shot out from within the mountain gate, flickering through the air before arriving instantly.

The aura dissipated.

Wei Wuya personally came out to welcome him, a slightly surprised smile appearing on his face: "Welcome, Fellow Daoist Qin."

Because the impression Qin Ming had left on him was that of someone who liked to live in seclusion on Wangyue Island, diligently cultivating, rarely venturing out like this.

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Qin, please come inside!"

"I heard that just a few days ago, shortly after several of us had just left, Fellow Daoist Qin broke through to become a third-tier Spiritual Plant Grandmaster; it is a great pity that Wei Mou was not there to witness it."

"It was merely luck, not worth mentioning," Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

"Fellow Daoist Qin is too modest; who does not know that your reputation now dominates the Immortal Realm of the State of Wei?"

Afterwards, the two arrived at the cave dwelling of Wei Wuya in the rear mountain of Lei Yuanzong, where he brewed spiritual tea for him and asked:

"Fellow Daoist Qin has traveled from afar; may I ask what brings you?"

"I heard that within the third-tier spiritual vein occupied by your sect in Yunze Dahuang, there is a Heaven Gang Wind-Cracking Cave?" Qin Ming asked in return after taking a sip of tea.

"That is correct, indeed."

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin has come for this?" Wei Wuya said.

Qin Ming nodded. "Mm, I need a certain spiritual material for pill refining, which happens to be located there; I wonder if Fellow Daoist Wei could kindly allow Qin Mou to retrieve some?"

"As for conditions, Fellow Daoist Wei need only name them."

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin has spoken, what conditions could possibly be needed? Wei Mou has not yet thanked you for the matter involving Lingyun Sect last time," Wei Wuya hesitated slightly before continuing, "However, I once ventured into that Gang Wind Cave myself."

"The ferocity of the gang winds blowing inside is such that even a Jin Dan stage magic power shield struggles to withstand them; I only penetrated a few hundred zhang before retreating, gaining nothing."

"Fellow Daoist Qin must be cautious; or perhaps, what kind of spiritual material do you need? Let Wei Mou see if we have it, saving you the trip."

Hearing this, Qin Ming pondered for a moment before saying: "What I need is Heaven-Mending Soul-Fire Liquid; I wonder if Fellow Daoist Wei has any?"

"Heaven-Mending Soul-Fire Liquid?" Wei Wuya was stunned upon hearing this, his expression turning to one of serious contemplation.

From his expression, Qin Ming could tell that Wei Wuya clearly did not know of this spiritual material.

"Forgive Wei Mou's ignorance; I indeed do not know of this spiritual material."

"There is no record of such an item in the sect's treasure vault either."

"In that case, I will accompany Fellow Daoist Qin on this journey," Wei Wuya said after thinking it over.

Qin Ming said: "There is no need for the trouble; Qin Mou will go retrieve it personally; Fellow Daoist Wei need only inform your disciples in advance."

Afterwards, Qin Ming took out an exquisite jade bottle and placed it before Wei Wuya: "Inside is one Dust-Extinguishing Pill; let this serve as the condition for this transaction."

Wei Wuya had originally intended to refuse accepting anything more from Qin Ming, but upon seeing it was a Dust-Extinguishing Pill, his gaze could no longer shift away from the jade bottle.

"Then many thanks to Fellow Daoist Qin."

"You may go as you please; I will arrange everything below."

"If there is anything requiring Wei Mou's assistance, do not hesitate to tell me."

Having said this, he deftly put away the Dust-Extinguishing Pill before him; in just these few brief words.

Both parties had tacitly completed the transaction.

Two days later, Qin Ming conveniently boarded Lei Yuanzong's Crossing-Abyss Dharma Boat.

"I never expected that after so many years, I would be revisiting this old place!"

Standing before the window on the top deck of the Dharma Boat, Qin Ming gazed at the scenery receding outside, filled with an inexplicable sigh.

(End of Chapter)