Chapter 331: The Quiet Splendor

Inside the cave dwelling, Qin Ming gazed blankly at the scene before him.

He had never expected that the completion of the Miechen Elixir would produce such a violent phenomenon.

It was even more extravagant by several times than the spectacle when he previously succeeded in refining the third-rank Zhurong Elixir.

Originally, he had merely intended to refine it secretly—after all, he wished to avoid drawing attention, and everything was to be done with discretion.

"Sigh! Judging by this, it's bound to become common knowledge throughout the city."

"But it doesn't matter—there's still something even more shocking coming later."

"It was inevitable anyway."

"Let it be."

Qin Ming sighed, dismissed his thoughts, then gestured toward the Xuan Jade Furnace; three Miechen Elixirs radiating golden light fell into his palm.

Only then did he notice that one of the Miechen Elixirs bore nine Dao lines, reaching the premium grade.

"No wonder such a commotion occurred."

This was something Qin Ming could not control.

Yet, through refining the Zhurong Elixir last time and now the Miechen Elixir, Qin Ming had gained considerable experience in crafting third-rank elixirs.

It had built his tactile sense for the upcoming refinement of the Jin Dan Elixir.

After all, as a top-tier strategic cultivation resource, the difficulty of refining the Jin Dan Elixir was certainly no lower than that of the Miechen Elixir.

Qin Ming's success in alchemy left him in high spirits.

He took out two delicate jade vials and sealed the premium and ordinary Miechen Elixirs separately.

Any single elixir within could spark a fierce battle among Golden Core elders.

In addition,

During these two and a half years, while refining elixirs, Qin Ming had not neglected his own cultivation.

The solidification of his magical power sea within the dantian had reached the halfway mark.

Qin Ming put away the third-rank Shilin Poison Flame and the Xuan Jade Furnace, then walked toward the Molten Heart's Flame-Bathing Golden Lotus.

Six crimson-gold lotus pods, saturated with intense fire spiritual energy, bloomed silently within the lava.

The spiritual plant thrived in the flames, revealing the wondrous artistry of the Dao.

【Name】: Flame-Bathing Golden Lotus 【Entry】: +5x Lifespan (Maturity 100%, harvestable). Qin Ming immediately released his spiritual sense, retrieving both the Zhong Huang Spirit Soil and the six Flame-Bathing Golden Lotuses.

In an instant,

A blue entry leaf appeared quietly within his spiritual sea.

Without hesitation, Qin Ming activated the five 【Increased Lifespan】 entries.

Somewhere beyond perception, a force of time descended upon him.

Qin Ming's lifespan surged abruptly to one thousand four hundred and sixty years. Having completed these tasks, his purpose here was fulfilled—he was ready to leave.

"Oh, by the way, the cave's rental period has been exceeded by half a year."

"I need to pay additional spirit stones."

"Hmm, Lu Wanjun is quite thoughtful—she didn't send anyone to disturb me."

"Though I'd rather not leave now—staying here lets me temporarily avoid the spotlight—I must return to the Shi Tian Rat; the Youyou True Yin Flower should be ready for harvest by now."

"I have no choice but to leave!"

Qin Ming sighed helplessly, cast a Cleansing Talisman to clean himself, deactivated the seals, and stepped out of the cave dwelling.

The moment he emerged,

He found a large crowd gathered outside, all staring at him as if he were a gorilla.

Their gazes carried admiration, shock, envy, bitterness, and a host of other complex emotions.

To his surprise, standing at the front of the crowd was a middle-aged female cultivator—Nalan Xi, the Canghai True Person.

Seeing her, Qin Ming stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, True Person Nalan."

"Hehe! Congratulations!"

"Qin Daofriend, no need for such formalities. Since you've successfully ascended to the rank of third-rank Alchemy Master, your status in the cultivation world now equals mine—henceforth, address each other as peers." Nalan Xi's usually stern face softened into a faint smile as she offered her congratulations.

Nalan Xi spoke these words in this context for a reason: a third-rank Alchemy Master is not merely esteemed in the Southern Wastelands.

Even among the Nascent Soul sects of the Upper Sect, they are highly sought-after guests, holding status equal to that of Golden Core Elders within the sect.

The value of a third-rank Alchemy Master is incalculable—they can even catalyze the emergence of numerous high-rank cultivators and symbolize the foundational strength of a major power.

After all, even if one possesses a third-rank formula and all the celestial materials, if no one can refine it, it's merely worthless paper.

For instance, the Xuanxi Valley in Liang State places such emphasis on cultivating alchemy talent for precisely this reason.

It even possesses Gong Sun Yang, a third-rank Alchemy Master capable of refining the Jin Dan Elixir and other third-rank elixirs that enhance Golden Core cultivation.

Not only did this give rise to new Golden Core cultivators, but it also enabled the Qingxuan Ancestor to break through to late Golden Core.

Thus, it became a top-tier sect unique among the four states.

Therefore, the significance of a third-rank Master is truly extraordinary.

"Greetings, Master Qin!"

"Greetings, Master Qin!"

"How fortunate we are today to witness Master Qin's ascension to Master rank at the First Hermit Holy Land, Canghai City!"

"After centuries, Wei State has finally produced another extraordinary talent who has reached this level—a third-rank Alchemy Master!"

"Master Qin is a hermit by origin—truly a great blessing for Wei State's cultivation world!"

The crowd continuously offered Qin Ming congratulations and flattery.

Among them were not only Grand Alchemist Sun Jin and several Foundation Establishment cultivators at the peak.

"Congratulations, Qin Daofriend, your skill has reached its zenith—you've become a Master!" Lu Wanjun's eyes sparkled with admiration as she offered her praise.

"Qin Daofriend, would you be willing to join me on the main peak for a chat?" Nalan True Person's warm invitation made Qin Ming feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

It was utterly unlike the scene when he first met Nalan Xi.

Qin Ming knew this invitation could not be refused, so he nodded gently in reply: "If True Person Nalan invites, then of course I am willing."

Afterwards,

Qin Ming bowed to the crowd and took his leave—he disliked such scenes, and Nalan Xi had effectively rescued him from them.

At that moment,

"Master Qin, wait a moment."

Grand Alchemist Sun Jin stepped forward and respectfully asked Nalan Xi: "Forgive me, True Person!"

"Might I ask Master Qin what third-rank elixir he just refined?"

"Let those of us forever stuck at the second-rank glimpse the true form of a third-rank elixir—it would fulfill a lifelong longing."

Grand Alchemist Sun Jin's words echoed the sentiments of most alchemists present.

After all, no cultivator who had devoted their entire life to alchemy would not wish to see a legendary third-rank elixir with their own eyes—once this chance passes, it may never come again.

Hearing this, Nalan Xi turned to Qin Ming, seeking his opinion: "Qin Daofriend, what do you say?"

Qin Ming remained calm and replied simply to Grand Alchemist Sun and the others: "The elixir I just refined is the Miechen Elixir."

The moment he spoke,

A murmur of shock swept through the crowd—even Nalan Xi beside him felt her inner world stir violently.

Among third-rank low-grade elixirs, it was among the rarest, famed not only for enhancing cultivation but also for purifying the root-dust qi.

Even in Moyuan City, its circulation was extremely limited.

Its benefits for Golden Core cultivators far surpassed those of ordinary third-rank elixirs.

Qin Ming immediately withdrew a jade vial from his storage bag, poured out one Miechen Elixir, and placed it in his palm.

The moment the golden third-rank elixir, wreathed in spiritual aura, appeared, every gaze locked onto it.

"Seven Dao lines—that's the legendary third-rank elixir!"

The alchemists all stared, eyes glazed with longing, envy, and jealousy, utterly entranced by the Miechen Elixir.

After a long moment,

Qin Ming retrieved the elixir and followed Canghai True Person away.

Nalan Xi's thoughts churned uncontrollably.

She had never imagined Qin Ming had refined the Miechen Elixir!

Nalan Xi had been trapped in early Golden Core for over a hundred years—if she had a Miechen Elixir, breaking through to mid-Golden Core might not be impossible.

She had already decided: no matter the cost, she would obtain one Miechen Elixir from Qin Ming.

……

(End of Chapter)