Chapter 327: Term: Creation-Washing Pill

Several days later.

Qin Ming rode the Silver-Winged Frost Bee to the frigid northern lands; if he continued northward, he would reach the misty marshes where even Jin Dan cultivators vanished without a trace.

He descended toward a massive ice mountain in the distance.

This place was one he had searched for a long time to find.

Qin Ming directly slipped into a crack halfway up the mountain, then twisted and turned until he reached its deepest interior.

Half a stick of incense later.

Deep within the ice cave, a massive yin-cold pool, several zhang in size, emitted a hazy white chill that came into Qin Ming's view.

Upon entering, even with his cultivation base, Qin Ming felt an icy sting pierce his bones.

He took from his storage pouch the spiritual seed of the Youyou Zhen Yin Flower and planted it on a spot beside the pool.

These two precious seeds had been given to him by Lu Liang, his friend, just before his death.

When Qin Ming took them out again, seeing the objects stirred memories of the man, and he could not help but sigh deeply.

Then, Qin Ming applied five 【Temporal-Spatial Leaf】 entries to the spiritual seed.

In an instant.

Two ice-blue spiritual herbs burst from the ground, frantically absorbing the extreme yin energy of the pool.

The entire plants were nearly transparent, as if carved from ice-blue Liuli, their internal veins clearly visible, with jade-marrow-like spiritual energy flowing within—stunning to behold.

Three days later.

Both Youyou Zhen Yin Flowers had grown to five hundred years in age and bloomed seven or eight ice blossoms.

At the same time.

Two golden entries appeared before Qin Ming's eyes.

【Name】: Youyou Zhen Yin Flower 【Term】: Magic Power Source X1 (Maturity 94%) 【Name】: Youyou Zhen Yin Flower 【Term】: Creation-Washing Pill X1 (Maturity 95%) 【Creation-Washing Pill】: After use, strengthens the cultivator's Dao foundation; during Core Formation, it refines the Golden Core, purifies impurities, and has a forty percent chance of enhancing the Golden Core's quality.

"No wonder it's a third-rank spiritual plant—it can strengthen the Dao foundation and enhance the quality of the Golden Core formed! This term is even more potent than ordinary Core Formation spiritual items!"

Qin Ming's eyes lit up, a smile of delight spreading across his face.

His goal was at least a mid-grade Golden Core; with this term, he now felt far more confident.

After blooming, the Youyou Zhen Yin Flowers would continue absorbing extreme yin-cold energy until they bore spiritual fruit and condensed the legendary "Youyou Zhen Water," a process requiring two to three years—there was no rushing it.

Qin Ming immediately released the Devouring Sky Rat.

The Devouring Sky Rat emerged, glanced around the surroundings, and shivered violently.

It had a bad feeling, exhaled a puff of air, rubbed its paws, then asked Qin Ming:

"Sss~ Haa~"

"Master, what do you need me to do?"

Qin Ming pointed to the Youyou Zhen Yin Flowers beside the pool and said calmly, "I planted these spiritual herbs here, but they still need time to mature."

"During this time, I have other matters to attend to. While I'm gone, guard these flowers for me. When the fruit begins to condense the Youyou Zhen Water, notify me."

"Huh?!"

"Oh."

"Master… how long must I guard them?"

"Three years."

"."

The Devouring Sky Rat reluctantly agreed, its face drooping in misery.

After giving his instructions, Qin Ming took off on the Silver-Winged Frost Bee.

The Devouring Sky Rat watched Qin Ming's figure vanish into the horizon.

It immediately deflated like a punctured ball, sighing heavily: "Ahh~ My fate is truly miserable! I'd just escaped the daily grind of farming."

"And now I'm banished to this godforsaken frozen wasteland to guard spiritual herbs—for three whole years…"

"What did I ever do to deserve this?"

…

Meanwhile.

Qin Ming rode the Silver-Winged Frost Bee toward Canghai Xiancheng, planning to rent a third-rank fire vein cave to cultivate and accelerate the growth of the Bathing-Fire Golden Lotus.

With the Devouring Sky Rat, a third-rank beast king, guarding the spiritual herbs in the northern ice mountains, he felt utterly at ease.

Upon arriving at the Xiancheng, Qin Ming dismissed his spiritual pet and headed straight for Canghai Peak to find Lu Wanjun.

"Qin Daoist, it's been a long time."

"Congratulations, Qin Daoist, your cultivation has advanced further on the Immortal Path!"

"Is there anything I can assist you with?"

Over the years, Lu Wanjun had lost some of her playfulness and gained more poise and maturity.

Seeing Qin Ming had broken through to Foundation Establishment mid-stage, she couldn't help but envy him.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, every step forward was excruciatingly difficult without abundant cultivation resources.

Especially for cultivators like them—solitary cultivators.

Qin Ming had deliberately concealed his magic power aura, raising it from Foundation Establishment early-stage to mid-stage before coming to Canghai Xiancheng.

To avoid drawing too much attention when he eventually advanced to Jin Dan.

"I wish to rent a third-rank fire vein cave, preferably mid-grade or higher."

Qin Ming smiled slightly and said to her.

"With your current status and the Canghai Permit granted by the City Lord, there's no issue."

"Qin Daoist, please follow me."

Lu Wanjun smiled warmly and led Qin Ming to the cave district atop the main peak.

Upon entering, the ambient fire spiritual energy surged dramatically, thick and dense.

Qin Ming briefly sensed the spiritual vein's environment and was quite satisfied—this place was perfect for nurturing the Bathing-Fire Golden Lotus.

"Qin Daoist, the three caves with the strongest fire vein energy are currently rented."

"But in three days, Sun Dadan's Cave Jia will expire—he should be leaving then."

"Would you be willing to wait three days?"

Lu Wanjun explained the cave situation to him.

"Heh, three days is no problem." Qin Ming nodded, then asked Lu Wanjun, "By the way, how have you been these years? I sense your magic power is pure—you've clearly trained hard."

Hearing Qin Ming's concern, even though she knew it was out of respect for her master Lu Liang, her heart still warmed. "Thank you for remembering me, Qin Daoist. I'm doing well in the Xiancheng, thanks to my master's and your protection—the City Lord has been quite kind to me."

Qin Ming nodded slightly. "Good."

"If you ever need help, come find me on Wangyue Island anytime."

"Hehe, thank you so much, Qin Daoist!" Lu Wanjun reverted to her old self, grinning playfully.

"By the way, may I ask something impertinent?"

"Qin Daoist, are you renting a top-grade third-rank fire vein cave to refine elixirs? Or…"

Lu Wanjun's curiosity was piqued, for only a handful of cultivators could afford a top-grade third-rank fire vein cave.

The daily rent was a hefty sum—even for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

It was practically burning spirit stones.

"Yes, indeed. I've recently been studying an ancient elixir formula and intend to refine it using a high-grade fire vein." Qin Ming spoke calmly, naturally withholding his true intent.

Boom! As Qin Ming and Lu Wanjun chatted, the barrier of Cave Jia opened, and out stepped a gray-faced, robed elder—Sun Dadan, a highly respected alchemist in the Xiancheng.

"Master Sun, you've emerged from seclusion!"

"May I ask if you'll be renewing your cave lease?"

Lu Wanjun hurried forward to bow and inquire.

Sun Jinian brushed dust off his robe, cleared his throat, then glanced at Qin Ming and gave a slight nod in greeting.

"Cough! I won't be renewing."

"Qin Daoist, are you here to rent the fire vein cave?"

Lu Wanjun nodded. "Precisely. That means it's now available for Qin Daoist."

Qin Ming noticed Sun Jinian's magic power was chaotic, faintly tinged with the scent of burnt herbs—clearly, his elixir refinement had failed.

Based on his keen spiritual sense and alchemical experience, Sun Jinian had been attempting to refine a third-rank elixir, aiming to become a third-rank Alchemy Master—but had failed.

Sun Jinian looked deeply frustrated; he had spent nearly half his life's savings gathering the third-rank ingredients.

This failure was a devastating loss, a crippling blow to a Grand Alchemist like him.

Add to that the steep daily rent of a top-grade third-rank fire vein cave.

Even as a top-grade second-rank Grand Alchemist with rapid income, he couldn't sustain such expenditure—hence his early exit.

Seeing Qin Ming, the famed dual-master of alchemy and spiritual cultivation, come to rent the cave, Sun Jinian stepped forward, bowed politely, and asked:

"Qin Daoist, long time no see!"

"Congratulations! Your cultivation has advanced further!"

"Are you preparing to refine elixirs?"

"Heh, Master Sun, greetings." Qin Ming returned the bow. "I've had a sudden inspiration and plan to try refining a few batches of elixirs."

"Then I shall wish you success in advance," Sun Jinian said courteously to Qin Ming.

Since Qin Ming had risen to top-grade second-rank Spiritual Plant Master and top-grade second-rank Alchemy Master,

his reputation in Canghai Xiancheng had surpassed even Sun Jinian, the once-revered Grand Alchemist.

Sun Dadan refused to accept his age, hoping to push through and break into the Third-Rank Alchemy Master realm, thereby reestablishing his standing among free cultivators—but heaven did not grant his wish. "Heh, Qin Mou thanks Elder Sun for your good wishes."

Sun Jin and Qin Ming exchanged a few brief words, then turned and walked away.

At that moment.

Lu Wanjun asked Qin Ming, "Qin Daoist, how long do you intend to rent the cave dwelling?"

"Cave dwellings above Third-Rank on Canghai Peak are rented by the month at minimum. The Jia-class, Third-Rank Superior fire vein cave costs three hundred mid-grade spirit stones per month."

"Since you hold the Canghai Token, you qualify for a twenty percent discount."

After a brief pause, Qin Ming said, "Then I'll rent it for two years."

Hearing this, Lu Wanjun thought she had misheard and confirmed again:

"How much did you say?"

"Two years."

"Very well, Qin Daoist. I'll process your paperwork right away."

"After the discount, the total rent for two years is two thousand eight hundred and eighty mid-grade spirit stones."

Without expression, Qin Ming immediately took out the spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to Lu Wanjun.

After counting them, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at the unremarkable-looking Qin Daoist.

Truly, silence unbroken is thunderous! He rented a Third-Rank Superior cave for two full years outright, spending over two thousand mid-grade spirit stones without so much as a blink.

Could this be the joy of a Master-level cultivator? Even Sun Dadan, who had been preparing to leave, paused upon hearing their exchange.

Unlike Lu Wanjun,

a wild thought instantly sprang into his mind—that—

'Could Qin Ming also be preparing to attempt crafting Third-Rank spirit pills, and use this time to break into the Third-Rank Alchemy Master realm?!'

'The only explanation for renting such a long-term, Third-Rank Superior fire vein cave is this.'

Boom.

The cave door sealed shut.

Qin Ming had entered the Jia Cave.

He needed to use alchemy as a cover while cultivating the Third-Rank spirit plant, Bathing-Fire Golden Lotus—this would require time.

Though he held the term, adjusting the spirit herb to a usable state and allowing it to mature still required cultivation time, so the plant could fully absorb the extreme yang energy from the fire vein.

Thus, he publicly claimed to be refining pills, while secretly cultivating the high-grade spirit plant.

Fortunately, the cave dwellings on Canghai Peak, open to outsiders, placed great emphasis on protecting guests' privacy—he need not fear discovery.

Of course, while the cover was necessary, Qin Ming also genuinely intended to attempt refining a Third-Rank pill during the Golden Lotus's maturation period.

The pill formula was stolen by the Devouring Sky Rat from the Xuanxi Valley's Scripture Hall: 'Miechen Pill,' a foundational tonic for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Miechen Pill circulated among Jin Dan True Persons in Moyuan Immortal City; though rare, it was not exclusive to Xuanxi Valley, so Qin Ming chose it as his breakthrough target.

If he truly broke through to the Jin Dan realm, he would need it anyway.

The materials required to refine Miechen Pill were already in Linghu Yang's storage bag and Yan Lao's storage bag.

He needn't go searching elsewhere.

Boom! The instant Qin Ming stepped into the Third-Rank Superior fire vein cave, a wave of searing heat slammed into him.

(End of Chapter)