Chapter 341: Uninvited Guests

In the Guest Reception Tower, sandalwood incense curled gently in the air.

"Hehehe! These past few days conversing with Brother Qin have truly benefited me greatly."

"It is a great fortune for Wei State to produce a master alchemist like you."

Gong Sunyang stroked his goat-like beard, smiling as he spoke to Qin Ming.

Over these past days, he had been utterly convinced by Qin Ming's alchemical insights.

"Brother Gong Sunyang is too kind—it was merely mutual exchange."

Through careful probing, Qin Ming had also gained much experience from Gong Sunyang on refining Golden Core Pills.

This exchange had yielded substantial gains.

After all, Gong Sunyang had immersed himself in alchemy for centuries and possessed rich, unique insights.

In the entire Southern Wasteland cultivation world, only the two of them were third-rank alchemists, and at this moment, they felt a quiet mutual admiration.

Thus, when they conversed, they nearly forgot the passage of time.

"I am already an old man nearing the end of my days; the future belongs to you younger generations."

"Brother Qin, so young and already a master—your immortal path is boundless."

Gong Sunyang sighed, then patted the head of Fang Han beside him:

"Fortunately, in my old age, I have taken on a disciple who is decent enough to inherit my legacy."

"Brother Qin, this disciple is one of the very few juniors I believe has the potential to reach our level of alchemical attainment."

"In the future, I hope you can offer him some guidance."

"Fang Han, when you get the chance, learn as much as you can from your Senior Qin."

Fang Han nodded obediently and replied, "Disciple humbly accepts Master's instruction!"

"Hehe! Brother Gong Sunyang, your disciple's talent is truly impressive—you have a worthy successor!" Qin Ming also smiled.

Gong Sunyang likely had little life left; he had poured all his hopes into this gifted disciple.

Then, Gong Sunyang turned directly to Qin Ming and said:

"By the way, I came here with another mission from my sect."

"The four Golden Core elders are occupied dealing with the ghost disaster in the Taihu Ruins and cannot come themselves."

"So I have been sent to deliver their message."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's heart stirred—he had suspected the ghost disaster was worse than he imagined.

He also guessed what Gong Sunyang was about to say.

"Do you have any interest in joining the Xuanxi Valley? The Supreme Elder has offered you the same terms as I received."

Qin Ming declined again.

"I'm afraid I must decline your sect's kind offer—I have no intention of leaving Wangyue Island for now."

Before coming, Gong Sunyang had already studied Qin Ming's character: quiet, cautious, uninterested in joining any faction, a lone cultivator standing apart.

His refusal to join a sect was entirely expected.

Finally, after sufficient exchange, Gong Sunyang took his leave from Qin Ming.

As Gong Sunyang passed through Qin Ming's spirit fields, he gazed at the abundant high-grade spirit plants covering the fields, his face showing envy.

The variety of high-grade spirit plants here surpassed even the spirit herb gardens of Xuanxi Valley.

Most were rare specimens rarely seen outside.

Qin Ming escorted Gong Sunyang out of Wangyue Island.

Next,

Wangyue Island returned to a rare period of peace.

Qin Ming continued studying the Golden Core Pill formula using the experience he gained from Gong Sunyang.

In addition,

The solidification of his spiritual power within his dantian had reached two-thirds completion, leaving only the final portion.

But on this day,

Two figures flew toward Wangyue Lake.

As their light faded, two young male and female cultivators appeared.

The young female cultivator was at the late Foundation Establishment realm, dressed in a black long robe, her skin like snow, her figure graceful, her face exquisite, exuding a delicate, alluring charm.

The young male cultivator beside her had sharp eyebrows and star-like eyes, his expression proud and aloof, clad in a blue silk robe with golden threads and a noble jade crown, his cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment—qualified to attempt Golden Core formation.

"Lady Luo Feixue, is the master of Wangyue Island, whose name has been buzzing these past days, truly here?" the young male cultivator asked.

The woman named Luo Feixue nodded gently and said softly, "Yes, this must be it, Master Duanmu Sheng. It seems we must announce ourselves before visiting the Wangyue Island Master."

Duanmu Sheng stared at the misty illusion outside the island and frowned.

Then, Luo Feixue sent a message talisman toward the island.

Inside Wangyue Island,

Wu Jiang received the message talisman, opened it, and immediately frowned.

He hesitated for a moment, then flew toward the main peak.

Qin Ming was sipping wine beneath a spirit peach tree, studying the pill formula. Seeing Wu Jiang arrive, he asked calmly, "Another visitor?"

"Indeed," Wu Jiang replied at once. "Senior Duanmu Sheng of Lingyun Sect in Jin State and Senior Luo Feixue of Tianyin Pavilion have traveled ten thousand miles to pay their respects."

Qin Ming waved his hand without hesitation. "Tell them I'm in seclusion and not receiving guests."

Wu Jiang hurriedly agreed, but before leaving, he hesitated and added, "Island Master, Duanmu Sheng is said to be Lingyun Sect's top true disciple, hailed as a Golden Core seed."

"Lingyun Sect is Jin State's only Golden Core-level faction—shouldn't you reconsider?"

"No need. Do as I say. If they won't leave, ignore them." Qin Ming said calmly.

"Yes!"

Wu Jiang then went out to carry out Qin Ming's orders.

As soon as he stepped out of the mist illusion, he saw the two figures standing in the sky, elegant and imposing.

Wu Jiang was no Qin Ming—he couldn't afford to ignore even a peak Foundation Establishment Golden Core seed. He hurried forward and bowed deeply, then awkwardly said, "My apologies, Seniors. The Island Master is in seclusion and not receiving visitors. Please return."

Upon hearing this,

Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue exchanged glances in midair, instantly understanding each other's thoughts.

Luo Feixue asked softly but coldly, "What does Master Qin mean by this? On our way here, we heard that Xuanxi Valley of Liang State just visited and left."

"Does Master Qin look down on the sects of Jin State?"

Duanmu Sheng's gaze turned cold, a trace of displeasure on his face.

Since becoming Lingyun Sect's true disciple, no one had ever directly refused him like this.

He suddenly unleashed his peak Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure.

Wu Jiang felt as if a mountain had crushed onto him, struggling to breathe.

He sensed the tension immediately; facing two Foundation Establishment cultivators, he stood frozen, drenched in sweat.

His eyes darted, and he gritted his teeth and said:

"Seniors, please wait a moment—I'll go inform him again."

Wu Jiang then turned and rushed back into the mist illusion without looking back.

He patted his chest, relieved. "Hmph! I'm never going out again—come in yourselves if you dare!"

Qin Ming had seen all of this, but paid it little mind.

Peak Foundation Establishment no longer threatened him—even if a Lingyun Sect Golden Core elder came, he wouldn't bother.

Right now, the crucial matter was Core Formation. Being disturbed daily like this was unacceptable.

Those outsiders couldn't enter anyway; eventually, they'd leave on their own.

Outside the spirit island,

Half an hour passed.

Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue, seeing that Wu Jiang had not returned after a long time, realized they had been tricked.

Their faces darkened instantly; Duanmu Sheng's gaze grew gloomy. He pulled out a purple spiritual veil artifact and hurled it toward the mist.

"What an arrogant Wangyue Island Master! So high and mighty he won't even grant me face!"

"I, Duanmu Sheng, shall see just how impressive this so-called mist illusion really is."

Duanmu Sheng activated the artifact, enveloping himself in the purple veil, and swiftly reached the edge of the mist illusion.

But as he prepared to advance further,

From beneath Wangyue Lake,

A violent, icy demonic aura swept over without restraint—its dominance chilled him to the bone, as if plunged into an icy abyss! He immediately mobilized his spiritual power to resist the demonic intrusion.

"A second-rank peak demon beast!"

Duanmu Sheng was utterly horrified. He forgot his dignity, spun around, and fled back as fast as he could, returning to Luo Feixue's side in disgrace.

He had no time to explain.

"Go!"

Duanmu Sheng grabbed Luo Feixue and fled like a startled bird into the distant horizon.

On the lake's surface, the massive form of Xuan Shui E appeared. Its cold, vertical pupils glanced at the fleeing figures, then sank back into the water.

…

After flying over a thousand li, Luo Feixue finally asked, puzzled, "Master Duanmu, what exactly happened back there?"

"There's a second-rank peak demon beast beneath that lake—likely the Wangyue Island Master's guardian spirit beast," Duanmu Sheng said grimly.

"What?!"

Luo Feixue was also greatly startled; if this were truly a second-rank peak great demon, neither of them would be enough to satisfy its appetite.

"It seems the Lord of Wangyue Island is far more complex than we thought."

"Not only has his alchemical skill reached the Master level, but his true cultivation base is likely no low either," Duanmu Sheng speculated.

"Then what do we do?"

"If that's the case, why don't we return to Jin State? Wait until you break through to Golden Core—then see if he dares to treat us with disrespect," Luo Feixue said.

Duanmu Sheng's eyes flickered, then he suddenly remembered something and coldly said, "I won't swallow this insult. We don't need to lift a finger—someone else will surely come seeking his downfall, hmph!"

"Let's go!"

Instantly, their figures vanished once more into the horizon.

Qin Ming had seen everything that just transpired, and he understood that among those who came to pay respects, there were all kinds of people.

For instance, just now, Duanmu Sheng and the other from Jin State clearly were accustomed to being treated as superior, and had grown arrogant.

Thus, he chose to remain hidden—after all, with the Mist Illusion Array in place, even a Golden Core elder couldn't enter.

…

Several more days passed.

Yet, Qin Ming hadn't even enjoyed two days of peace.

Another person arrived outside Wangyue Island.

Wu Jiang rushed up to Qin Ming, holding a transmission talisman excitedly, and reported, "Island Master, the Lord of Jingxue Pavilion, Elder Gu, has arrived and is waiting outside."

"Oh? Why did she come?"

Qin Ming put away the elixir formula in his hand and immediately sent out his spiritual sense to scan—outside Wangyue Island stood a familiar, slender silhouette.

It was undoubtedly Gu Qingzhao.

Though Qin Ming felt puzzled, he still personally opened the formation and stepped out to greet her.

When he emerged, he smiled coolly at Gu Qingzhao across from him: "Elder Gu, if you've come, why didn't you inform me ahead of time?"

"Hehe! I just happened to be passing by, so I came to see you," Gu Qingzhao smiled gently.

'Hmm? Something's wrong!'

Qin Ming stared at the Gu Qingzhao before him and immediately activated his Break-Method Reborn Eyes to scan her.

The next instant.

Without a word, Qin Ming formed a sword incantation and slashed toward the 'Gu Qingzhao' before him! A blue sword light cut through the air—the 'Gu Qingzhao' instantly dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.

"You managed to see through my Thousand Illusion Demon Art?!"

After a moment, the black smoke reformed into a single figure, slowly stepping out from within.

"Foundation Establishment peak? This spiritual power feels off… It seems Duanmu's boy gave me incorrect information."

…

(End of Chapter)