Chapter 361: The Sacred Flame Token

Shortly after, the emissary from Li Huo Palace presented their congratulatory gifts.

"Li Huo Palace offers: thirty high-grade spirit stones, one third-rank high-grade alchemy furnace named 'Feng Lei Ding,' five third-rank mid-grade spiritual materials, ten third-rank low-grade spiritual materials, and various other gifts."

"Presented by Elder Zhou Yu of Li Huo Palace."

Sss~ Upon hearing this, the crowd gasped in astonishment at such an extraordinary array of rare treasures offered as gifts.

This clearly showed that the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty was truly abundant in resources and astonishingly lavish in its generosity.

Especially that Feng Lei Ding—it was a third-rank high-grade alchemy furnace, and they gave it away so casually.

In the Southern Wastes, wouldn't that be considered the sect's treasured artifact? "Elder Zhou, you've traveled such a great distance—it truly humbles me. Please be seated."

"Taste our island's specialties: Yu Lin wine and Dao Hua Spirit Fish."

Qin Ming immediately summoned a serving maiden to present Zhou Yu with spirit wine.

"Hehehe! Excellent!"

"A Daoist friend who has achieved Golden Core—I must drink a cup with you," Zhou Yu said with a faint smile.

"Elder Qing Xuan, Elder Yu Heng, long time no see—let's share a drink together."

Then, Zhou Yu of Li Huo Palace turned to the two of them.

After welcoming this distinguished guest, the banquet continued.

…

Outside the white jade square, the congratulatory gifts of subsequent guests were announced in succession.

The Wei Kingdom's cultivator families and sects, eager to curry favor with Qin Ming, the Golden Core True Person, spared no expense.

Fortunately, Qin Ming had no intention of joining any faction and merely wished to remain a lone cultivator.

He had no desire to establish a sect or compete with these powers for resources or territory.

Otherwise, given the current situation in the Wei Kingdom, this newly ascended Golden Core True Person on Wang Yue Island, coupled with his status as a third-rank alchemy master,

Could alter the future trajectory of the four kingdoms' cultivation realms—hence everyone had to tread carefully in courting Qin Ming.

The festive atmosphere lasted until nightfall.

Around midnight.

The Golden Core celebration ended, and the guests departed one by one, deeply impressed by what they had witnessed on Wang Yue Island.

When they returned home, the events of today's celebration would become major news.

A few cultivators wished to privately visit Qin Ming, the newly ascended Golden Core, including Zhou Yu of Li Huo Palace and the two elder ancestors of Xuan Xi Valley.

In the reception pavilion atop the main peak.

Qin Ming ushered the guests into the main hall.

Zhou Yu of Li Huo Palace spoke: "I wish to speak privately with Elder Qin."

Qing Xuan and Yu Heng understood immediately and smiled faintly: "Elder Zhou, you two talk first—we'll wait outside."

Soon, only Zhou Yu and Qin Ming remained in the hall.

Zhou Yu gazed at Qin Ming, who stood before him like an evergreen tree—calm, unassuming—and spoke first:

"Hehe! Elder Qin, you truly deserve your reputation as the first lone cultivator in Wei Kingdom in centuries to form a Golden Core—meeting you confirms what I've heard."

"Hehe! Elder Zhou flatters me—I merely had some luck and fortuitous circumstances that allowed me to reach this realm," Qin Ming replied with perfect composure.

Zhou Yu shook his head: "Elder Qin, no need for modesty. Three years ago, when you broke through to third-rank alchemy master, our palace already intended to send someone to approach you."

"But certain matters delayed us."

"No matter—now is the perfect time to speak of it."

"I've heard you've always been solitary, unwilling to join any sect."

"And I've come here on my sect's orders, bearing the Sacred Flame Token, to personally invite you to join Li Huo Palace."

"If you agree, your status will be immediate appointment as an inner sect Elder."

Qin Ming: "..."

Though he had anticipated something, he never expected Li Huo Palace to offer such a high position.

The value of an inner sect Elder in a Nascent Soul sect was self-evident.

Seeing Qin Ming hesitate, Zhou Yu continued: "Elder Qin, have you ever been to Great Jin?"

"Even the Southern Wastes cultivation realm is merely a small vassal territory of our Great Jin Immortal Dynasty."

"As for cultivation resources, Great Jin dwarfs the barren Southern Wastes by countless times."

"Without the Sacred Flame Token issued by Li Huo Palace, no cultivator may enter Great Jin."

"Moreover, once you join Li Huo Palace, your status will be exalted, nearly equal to mine."

"Your Golden Core cultivation resources will be prioritized; if your contributions are great enough, even the opportunity for Nascent Soul breakthrough may be granted. With your high-grade Golden Core potential, glimpsing the Nascent Soul Dao is not impossible."

"I hope Elder Qin will give this serious consideration."

After speaking, Zhou Yu felt reasonably confident—even a Golden Core cultivator would find it hard to refuse such an offer.

Honestly,

Qin Ming was somewhat swayed after hearing Zhou Yu's words.

Yet he had little interest in joining Li Huo Palace.

As long as he kept farming, everything he needed would come naturally—he had no need to join Li Huo Palace to obtain it.

Moreover,

He already possessed sufficient high-grade spirit stones to upgrade Wang Yue Island's spirit vein to third-rank high-grade, even Jipin.

After a moment of thought, he politely declined:

"Thank you for Li Huo Palace's kindness. I am of mediocre talent; forming a Golden Core was sheer luck—I dare not even dream of Nascent Soul."

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

"Planning to retire here, hehe."

Zhou Yu froze in place upon hearing Qin Ming's reply.

Countless cultivators had fought tooth and nail to join Li Huo Palace—yet Qin Ming had refused.

Zhou Yu frowned and asked again: "Elder Qin, are you certain you won't reconsider?"

"My decision is final. I'm afraid I must decline your generous offer and make you travel in vain," Qin Ming stated clearly.

"Sigh. If that's how it is, I cannot force you, Elder Qin."

"Very well—let me give you the Sacred Flame Token. Whenever you change your mind, come to Li Huo Palace in Great Jin and find me."

Zhou Yu hesitated, still feeling regret, then withdrew a crimson-gold Sacred Flame Token and handed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming, unable to refuse such earnestness, accepted the token.

"Thank you, Elder Zhou."

After exchanging a few more words, Zhou Yu rose and took his leave.

The purple-gold spirit stone palanquin slowly ascended, vanishing into the horizon under Qin Ming's gaze.

After Zhou Yu of Li Huo Palace departed,

Qing Xuan and Yu Heng of Xuan Xi Valley approached Qin Ming with warm smiles:

"Elder Qin, you truly are a cultivator seeking transcendence—to refuse Li Huo Palace's invitation! Hahaha!"

Qin Ming smiled faintly: "I'm simply accustomed to solitude and freedom."

"Besides, I've nurtured this Wang Yue Island for so long—I have no intention of abandoning it."

"Hmm, I can see—you've clearly obtained a legendary 'Primordial Qi Soil,' haven't you?"

"The outer area of your spirit island has expanded noticeably," Qing Xuan observed astutely.

"Hehe! Indeed—just luck and circumstance," Qin Ming did not conceal it.

After a brief exchange,

Next,

Qing Xuan raised his hand and cast a sealing barrier, enveloping the three of them.

He then said to Qin Ming: "Actually, Elder Qin, refusing Zhou Yu's invitation at this time was the right choice."

"Oh?"

"Why do you say that, Elder Qing?" Qin Ming was surprised—he hadn't expected this.

Qing Xuan explained: "Zhou Yu only told you half the truth."

"Joining a Nascent Soul sect like Li Huo Palace and becoming an inner sect Elder, enjoying resource support—once, this would have been excellent."

"But now? It appears glorious, yet hides grave danger."

"I've heard Li Huo Palace has recently been drawn into war, fighting another major enemy—the outcome remains uncertain."

Hearing this, Qin Ming was stunned, silently grateful his choice had been utterly correct.

"Elder Qing... how did you come to know this?"

"Sigh. It's tied to the reason we two old men have come to ask for your help," Qing Xuan said with a wry smile.

Qin Ming's calm expression finally showed a flicker of surprise.

The two Grand Elders of Xuan Xi Sect were asking for his aid.

(End of Chapter)