Chapter 337: Yuwen Hong

Qin Ming pondered for a moment.

He retracted his three spiritual familiars, then activated the formation and welcomed Yuwen Hong onto the island.

As soon as Yuwen Hong stepped onto Wangyue Island, he was deeply stunned by the sight before him—was this truly the barren, isolated island of legend? Qin Ming flew out from his cave dwelling and halted opposite Yuwen Hong, clasping his fists in greeting: "Welcome, Master Yuwen. Please come inside."

"Master Qin, though we've never met before, decades have passed—and you still look as youthful as ever!"

Yuwen Hong gazed at this former disciple of his, once a "Spirit Farmer."

Like an evergreen ancient tree, he exuded a tranquil, serene aura, his entire being as still as water.

Even this Jin Dan elder could not fully fathom him at a glance.

Though Qin Ming's surface cultivation base was merely Foundation Establishment mid-stage, Yuwen Hong's seasoned intuition told him the man was far from ordinary.

"Master Yuwen flatters me," Qin Ming smiled faintly. "I merely took a Youth-Preserving Elixir." He ushered Yuwen Hong into the island's reception pavilion.

After they sat down.

Yuwen Hong extended his hand, and a delicate jade box materialized in his palm; he handed it to Qin Ming with a smile: "Congratulations, Master Qin, on attaining the rank of Third-Rank Elixir Master. This is a modest gift from our sect—please accept it."

Qin Ming did not refuse his goodwill, taking the jade box and opening it.

Inside lay over a dozen spirit seeds radiating emerald light.

"Third-Rank Jade Emperor Spirit Rice seeds!!"

Even with his current composure, Qin Ming felt a faint ripple within.

Yuwen Hong opened with such a grand gesture—his visit must have a deeper purpose.

"Master Yuwen, this—"

"Master Qin, no need to hesitate. Just take it."

"These Jade Emperor Rice seeds have sat in our sect's treasure vault for over a century—no one has ever managed to cultivate them."

"Letting them gather dust is useless. Better to gift them to you as a congratulatory present."

Qin Ming nodded and stowed the jade box away.

Then,

he brewed a pot of Snow Soul Spirit Tea and offered a cup to Yuwen Hong: "This is Snow Soul Tea, grown on my island. Try it, Master Yuwen."

Yuwen Hong gently lifted the cup, gazing at the snow-white tea broth, its mist swirling with spiritual energy seeping out.

One glance told him this was undoubtedly a Gao Jie spirit tea.

At least, nowhere else but Qin Ming's Wangyue Island could such a thing be found.

Yuwen Hong inhaled the tea's fragrance, then sipped—and instantly felt a strange warmth spread through his entire body, even affecting a Jin Dan cultivator.

His spirit felt like newly watered grass in spring rain, refreshed and serene.

All scattered thoughts and distractions vanished in an instant!

"Excellent tea! I never imagined Snow Soul Tea could suppress demonic thoughts and purify the soul!" Yuwen Hong's eyes brightened sharply, praising without restraint.

Meanwhile,

Yuwen Hong internally marveled—he had never expected that this former Spirit Farmer of Lingyu Sect could rise to this stature.

A Third-Rank Elixir Master, equal in status to a Jin Dan cultivator; even he, meeting Qin Ming, must show him due respect.

After all, Qin Ming was now the most sought-after figure in Wei State—the sole Elixir Master of his kind.

What a pity Lingyu Sect failed to keep him back then!

Otherwise, he would have been Lingyu Sect's own Elixir Master.

But the deed was done; nothing could be changed. Fortunately, Lingyu Sect had never offended Qin Ming since.

Their relationship was not nearly as bad as imagined.

"Heh, if Master Yuwen likes it, I can gift you a box," Qin Ming said, refilling his tea.

He held no strong resentment toward Yuwen Hong—after all, since leaving Lingyu Sect, they had honored their agreement, granted him freedom, and never disturbed him again.

Soon, Yuwen Hong and Qin Ming grew more at ease in conversation.

As they spoke, the topic turned to recent developments in the cultivation world.

From their dialogue, Qin Ming sensed Yuwen Hong possessed extraordinary depth—far beyond ordinary cultivators.

Otherwise, he could never have grown Lingyu Sect in decades to rival Lei Yuanzong.

"Sigh. Had I not broken through to Jin Dan, Lingyu Sect would have been erased long ago under the seven factions' assault."

"But once I chose to break through, I was inevitably thrust onto a path of confrontation with Lei Yuanzong."

"Master Qin, after all these years, your vision must have made you realize: Wei State's cultivation resources cannot sustain two Jin Dan sects."

"Most times, I am swept along by the tide of fate, pushed forward against my will."

"Fate is cruel indeed."

Qin Ming listened, then slightly curled his lips.

No matter how eloquently Yuwen Hong spoke, in the end, it was still his own ambition driving him.

Ultimately, it was merely his own desires at work.

Yet from Yuwen Hong's tone, Qin Ming sensed an underlying message.

Though the Southern Wastelands had been affected by Liang State's ghost calamity, and the four states appeared calm on the surface, beneath lay turbulent currents.

Soon, Yuwen Hong and Wei Wuyan, Lingyu Sect and Lei Yuanzong, would face upheaval—only one side would remain standing.

But these conflicts had nothing to do with Qin Ming.

Next,

Yuwen Hong's words fully confirmed Qin Ming's suspicions.

"Victory or defeat—there must be a final outcome."

"Forgive my boldness, Master Qin—I've heard Wei Wuyan once visited you?"

"Did he purchase Dust-Dispelling Pills from you?"

Qin Ming set down his teacup, raising an eyebrow.

"Master Wei did come to me seeking pills, but over two years, as this was my first attempt, I only produced one Dust-Dispelling Pill."

"It was immediately exchanged by Canghai True Person—I never sold any surplus to Master Wei," Qin Ming explained calmly, revealing no trace of deceit.

He could not tell Yuwen Hong the truth—otherwise, he'd come begging for pills again.

Wei Wuyan had acquired the Dust-Dispelling Pill; his cultivation would surely rise.

If Qin Ming told the truth,

he'd be indirectly aiding Lei Yuanzong—Yuwen Hong would surely resent it.

Better to say nothing at all than be caught between both sides.

Even if Yuwen Hong asked Nanlan Xi for confirmation, given Qin Ming's relationship with her, she'd understand instantly and reveal nothing.

Yuwen Hong, though skeptical, could do nothing against Qin Ming's words.

As their conversation drew to a close, Yuwen Hong suddenly spoke with solemn seriousness: "Master Qin, would you consider returning to Lingyu Sect?"

"You would hold equal status to myself, honored as a Supreme Elder with full support."

"Priority access to all Gao Jie resources you lack, and disciples assigned to gather them for you."

"No need for you to exert yourself."

"You need only focus on Elixir Arts and spirit cultivation."

"After all, you once had ties with our sect—it was fate's design."

"This is my sincere invitation. What do you say, Master Qin?"

Qin Ming was stunned—he had never expected Yuwen Hong to invite him back to Lingyu Sect.

He internally chuckled—no good horse returns to eat old grass, let alone him.

Besides, if he didn't personally cultivate spirit plants, how would he refresh his attributes?

Attributes were his greatest asset. "Thank you for your kindness, Master Yuwen, but I have no desire to join any faction again."

"I wish only to remain a carefree island master."

"Surely Master Yuwen knows—I left Lingyu Sect precisely to avoid such conflicts."

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

Yuwen Hong, though expecting refusal, could not hide a flicker of regret on his face.

Had Qin Ming returned to Lingyu Sect, the sect would surely rise to dominance within a century—witness how Gongsun Yang's emergence from Liang State's Xuanxi Valley revealed the potential.

Within mere decades, two Jin Dan elders had arisen.

Yet fortunately, a master capable of determining a sect's rise or fall wished only to be a carefree cultivator.

If he allied with no side, he would not sway Wei State's balance—this eased Yuwen Hong's mind.

Yuwen Hong had come here today, lowering his pride, precisely because of this fear—fear of Qin Ming, the Elixir Master.

He feared Qin Ming would fully align with Lei Yuanzong, which would be disastrous for Lingyu Sect.

Yet after speaking with Qin Ming today, Yuwen Hong's doubts and worries had largely dissipated.

Qin Ming disliked entanglement in disputes; he cared only for refining his spirit cultivation and Elixir Arts, showing no interest in fame or power.

For instance, just now, Yuwen Hong had tested him with the offer of Supreme Elder status.

He refused without hesitation—not feigned at all.

Next,

The two conversed for another half-day, and Yuwen Hong prepared to take his leave.

"Then I shall not disturb you further, Master Qin."

"Wishing you eternal immortality."

Qin Ming also rose and returned the bow, "Qin Mou wishes you, Brother Yuwen, a smooth path on the Immortal Dao."

Afterwards.

Qin Ming saw Yuwen Hong off the Isle of Gazing Moon.

Before leaving, Yuwen Hong spent a sum of spirit stones at Qin Ming's place to purchase three Spirit Peaches of the Five Elements.

Qin Ming, in return, gifted him a box of Snow Soul Spirit Tea.

After all, lifespan holds ever greater allure for higher-level cultivators.

Even Yuwen Hong, with ample remaining years, was no exception.

"Phew~"

Having seen off Yuwen Hong, that mighty figure, Qin Ming exhaled deeply.

……

In the days that followed.

Many factions still came to pay their respects; for those not of particular importance, Qin Ming had Wu Jiang handle them.

Inside the cave dwelling.

Qin Ming took out the spirit seeds of Jade Emperor Rice, his gaze flickering with thought.

As a low-grade third-rank spirit rice, Jade Emperor Rice enhances the cultivation base of Golden Core cultivators.

Yet, as a third-rank cultivation resource, its yield is exceedingly scarce—yet somehow, the Spirit Feather Sect's treasury still held over a dozen spirit seeds.

Qin Ming held one emerald-like seed between his fingers and observed it for a while.

"Hmm, the Spirit Feather Sect's storage method is decent—the seed's vitality and spiritual energy remain intact."

Qin Ming put away the Jade Emperor Rice seeds, then took out another item from his storage bag.

It was the Sun Essence Metal he had exchanged with True Person Canghai, Nalan Xi.

Qin Ming communicated with Jin Lingzi through his spiritual sense:

"I've obtained the Sun Essence Metal. How do I refine the Wood Emperor Nail now?"

"I will transmit the complete Art of Artifact Refinement to you. Follow its methods and incorporate the Sun Essence Metal."

The spirit's voice sounded faintly.

(End of Chapter)