Chapter 333: Sensation

On Canghai Peak, inside the grand hall.

After inviting Qin Ming to sit, Nanlan Xi personally brewed him a pot of spiritual tea.

Qin Ming did not react with awe as he had the first time he met Nanlan Xi True Person.

After all, his current strength and status were plainly evident.

It was likely that, in the past hundred years, Qin Ming was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator ever served tea by a Jin Dan elder.

"Qin Daofriend, try this Yunwu tea."

Nanlan Xi smiled gently and lightly pushed the teacup toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming picked up the cup, took a sip, and immediately felt a refreshing, otherworldly coolness spread from his mouth throughout his body.

It even felt like a sudden enlightenment.

"Excellent tea—this one must be at least Second-Rank Mid-Grade," Qin Ming praised.

Nanlan Xi smiled faintly. "Qin Daofriend, no wonder you're a Gao Jie Spirit Plant Master—you hit the mark at once."

She did not rush to barter for Miechen Dan; instead, she chatted casually with him to ease the atmosphere.

"By the way, congratulations on your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage."

"Heh, just lucky."

To Nanlan Xi, Qin Ming had forcibly pushed his cultivation base with pills.

After all, his alchemical skill had already reached the Third-Rank Master level—what kind of pill couldn't he brew?

Yet even pill-fueled cultivation has its limits: consuming large quantities works in early stages, but beyond Jin Dan, you can't simply climb higher by swallowing pills.

Except for a few rare spiritual elixirs—such as Miechen Dan.

After roughly half an hour.

Nanlan Xi finally spoke: "Qin Daofriend's breakthrough to Third-Rank Alchemical Master will surely cause a great stir in the cultivation world, heh!"

"After all, in the past few hundred years, Wei State has produced only you as a Master."

"The sects coming to pay their respects will likely be countless."

"Ah~ Nanlan Daofriend flatters me. You know I dislike the spotlight—this breakthrough was unexpected. After returning to Wangyue Island, I plan to shut myself away for a long while and decline all visitors," Qin Ming shook his head.

Nanlan Xi True Person, hearing his reply, was genuinely surprised and sighed:

"People like Qin Daofriend, who pursue the Dao with single-minded devotion, refine their craft with tireless effort, and treat fame and fortune as fleeting clouds—there are truly few left."

Then she abruptly shifted topics, her gaze earnest: "I have a humble request—how many Miechen Dan did you successfully brew this time?"

"Could you sell me one? Or I can exchange it for celestial spiritual materials."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's expression remained unchanged—he had expected Nanlan True Person to make this request.

After a brief pause, he nodded: "Since Nanlan Daofriend asks, Qin Mou naturally agrees to the trade."

"I brewed two Miechen Dan—I can trade one to you, but I require spiritual materials in exchange."

"Oh? What spiritual materials do you need?" Nanlan Xi's eyes lit up at his quick agreement, and she hurried to ask.

"I require Third-Rank spiritual material—Solar Essence Gold. Do you have any?" Qin Ming sipped his tea, speaking calmly.

Nanlan Xi froze. Though she knew Miechen Dan was priceless and had prepared to pay dearly, she never expected Qin Ming to ask for Solar Essence Gold.

This Third-Rank top-tier material was something Jin Dan cultivators dreamed of—rare and precious beyond measure.

"Heh! Solar Essence Gold, the material you seek, is among the top three most yang and forceful Third-Rank spiritual materials—even in the entire Southern Wasteland, its quantity is vanishingly small."

"But I happen to have a small piece—I originally planned to use it to enhance my life treasure."

"If you wish to trade for it now, I can agree—but I have very little of it."

Then,

Nanlan Xi True Person pulled out a fist-sized golden spiritual ore and handed it to Qin Ming; it radiated a thick golden aura.

Qin Ming took the Solar Essence Gold and saw intricate spiritual patterns covering its surface. The moment he touched it, a powerful yang energy surged into him.

"This is indeed Solar Essence Gold—but the quantity is insufficient. This piece can barely suffice to consecrate three Wood Emperor Nails."

The spirit's voice suddenly echoed in Qin Ming's mind.

Qin Ming remained silent on the surface, but internally he was stunned—how much Solar Essence Gold would he need to fully consecrate all eighty-one Wood Emperor Nails?

Yet with his current cultivation, he could only activate three at most.

After a moment's thought, he said: "This piece is acceptable—but add five thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

"No problem." Nanlan Xi's eyes gleamed. As the ruler of a city in the hermit-saint stronghold, she had no shortage of spirit stones.

Qin Ming's proposed price was reasonable.

After handing over the full amount of spirit stones, Qin Ming gave Nanlan Xi one Miechen Dan.

The trade concluded—both sides got what they needed.

"By the way, Nanlan Daofriend, I've exceeded the lease term for my cave dwelling—how much in spirit stones do I owe?" Qin Ming asked.

"You, a Third-Rank Alchemical Master, achieved your breakthrough in this city—Canghai Xiancheng is honored. How could we possibly charge you spirit stones?"

Saying this,

Nanlan Xi returned all the spirit stones Qin Ming had paid for the two-and-a-half-year cave lease.

Qin Ming's current status made him a coveted figure wherever he went.

Her intent to curry favor with him was unmistakable.

In the future, Nanlan Xi would surely need Qin Ming's help—after all, he was Wei State's only cultivator capable of brewing Jin Dan-grade spiritual elixirs.

"Nanlan Daofriend, then I shall take my leave."

"If you have time, do visit Canghai Peak often—I'll always keep a bed ready for you."

"Would you like me to send someone to escort you back?" Nanlan Xi asked, considering the chaos likely outside.

"Heh! No need—I'll return on my own."

After half a day of conversation with Nanlan Xi, Qin Ming took his leave from Canghai Peak.

Nanlan Xi True Person personally saw him out the gate.

Back on her throne in the grand hall, she took out the Miechen Dan she had traded for, her eyes flickering with thought.

"I never expected Qin Daofriend's alchemical skill had reached this level—he likely rivals even the Master-level patrons of Li Huo Palace."

"He has probably fully inherited all of Su Yuqing's teachings."

"In this chaotic age, two Masters have emerged simultaneously!"

…

After leaving Canghai Peak, Qin Ming spoke briefly with Lü Wanjun outside, then handed her a vial of Huanglong Dan beneficial to Foundation Establishment Early-Stage cultivators.

The vial had been looted from Linghu Yang's storage bag.

"Thank you, Qin Zhenjun, for your generous gift!" Lü Wanjun's face lit up as she hurried to thank him.

Qin Ming smiled faintly. "It's nothing. When Lü Liang was alive, he entrusted me to look after you. Over these years, you've lived peacefully in the Xiancheng—I've had little to worry about. This is just a small repayment."

"Focus on your cultivation here. Lü Liang, if he knew, would be pleased."

"Wanjun will remember Qin Zhenjun's teachings—I will strive to cultivate and honor my Master's legacy!" Lü Wanjun said firmly.

"Hmm." Qin Ming nodded, exchanged a few more words with her, then departed Canghai Peak.

Nanlan Xi True Person had observed all of this.

Then,

She summoned Lü Wanjun.

"My Lord, you wished to see me?"

"Yes, Wanjun—you've served in the Xiancheng for decades, haven't you?"

"Starting today, you will assume the position of Elder in the Inner City's Executive Hall."

"You may also choose a cave dwelling on one of the main peaks for your cultivation."

Upon hearing Nanlan Xi's words, Lü Wanjun stood frozen, unable to believe her ears.

…

After leaving Canghai Peak, Qin Ming's message talismans began ringing incessantly.

He frowned and retrieved them.

They were from Gu Qingzhao of Jingxue Pavilion and Xu Jing of Dan Ding Pavilion.

All of them invited him to meet.

Both were long-term business partners—future acquisitions of high-grade materials and spirit seeds would require continued cooperation, so he couldn't easily refuse.

He concealed his aura, avoided crowded areas, and headed toward Jingxue Pavilion.

Throughout Canghai Xiancheng, news of Qin Ming's breakthrough to Third-Rank Alchemical Master spread like wildfire.

Streets and alleys buzzed with chatter—hermits and sect disciples alike discussed this historic event destined to leave a lasting mark on Canghai Xiancheng's annals.

"Breaking news! Breaking news!"

"Lord Qin of Wangyue Island has achieved Third-Rank Alchemical Master status today in the Xiancheng!"

"After three hundred years since Master Li Qingyang's passing, Wei State has produced another Alchemical Master—his name shall echo through eternity!"

"Master Qin has become the second Alchemical Master in the Southern Wasteland, following Master Gongsun Yang of Xuánxī Valley!"

"My turtle! Master Qin broke through to Third-Rank Alchemical Master while still at Foundation Establishment—what kind of alchemical talent is that?"

"Could he possess some hidden Alchemical Sacred Body?"

"Indeed, Daofriend—you're right! I think so too!"

"Master Qin is barely a hundred years old—is he the youngest Alchemical Master in history?"

"Not necessarily—I heard from my sect's Elder that a Su alchemist from Da Jin recently achieved Master status as well."

His talent was so extraordinary that even the big shots of Li Huo Palace revered him utterly.

One mountain towers above another, yet our Master Qin is by no means inferior.

Because I heard word that Master Qin has forged the Mie Chen Elixir, one of the most difficult to craft among third-rank elixirs.

"Sss~"

Won't every major faction now scramble to recruit him?

After all, a third-rank elixir master's breakthrough is even harder than achieving Golden Core.

In terms of influence, a third-rank master far surpasses an ordinary Golden Core Ancestor.

After all, an elixir master can bring prosperity to a sect and sway its rise or fall.

Master Qin, too, rose from being a lone cultivator—he is truly a model for all of us!

"…"

Qin Ming listened to these gossiping remarks and couldn't help but sneer, "Ah, what a misstep!"

Thus, Qin Ming's prestige among the cultivators of Canghai Xiancheng reached its peak.

So much so that when he visited Jing Xue Pavilion, he slipped in quietly through the back gate.

(End of Chapter)