Chapter 377: Small Gathering

Three days later.

Qin Ming accepted the invitation and departed on time for the banquet at Canghai Xiancheng.

When he reached the outskirts of the city, he found the entire metropolis adorned with lanterns and decorations, brimming with festive energy.

It must be because Nalan Xi, the True Person, had broken through to Golden Core mid-stage; the cultivators of the city had spontaneously organized a grand celebration.

This also indirectly revealed the stature Canghai True Person held among these lone cultivators.

Around the city, a kaleidoscope of cultivation light streaked through the sky, with cultivators constantly coming and going.

Before Qin Ming even entered the city, a brilliant azure cultivation light flew from the direction of Canghai Peak and came to a steady stop before him.

The light dispersed, revealing the figure of a beautiful woman—Nalan Xi smiled faintly and extended her hand in invitation: "Qin Daoist has arrived; the other Daoists are already inside. Please come in."

"Hehe! Congratulations, Nalan Daoist, on breaking through to Golden Core mid-stage and advancing further on the Immortal Path." Qin Ming also smiled and offered his congratulations.

He hadn't expected Nalan Xi to come out herself to greet him.

"This is all thanks to Qin Daoist's Miechen Elixir; otherwise, reaching mid-stage would still be far off." Nalan Xi's eyes shone with gratitude.

With that, the two flew toward the peak of Canghai Peak.

Below the city, many had witnessed this scene.

The cultivators began whispering among themselves.

"Was that elder just now Wangyue True Person? Even the city lord came out to greet him."

"Of course—he's the only one worthy of such treatment."

"I saw Wan Laozu from Xuexi Valley arrive earlier, yet Canghai True Person didn't go out to meet him."

"This alone proves Wangyue True Person's standing among the Golden Core elders!"

"."

At the mist-shrouded summit of Canghai Peak, outside an ancient, elegant cave dwelling.

Emerald bamboo shaded the scene, a stream murmured softly, and pavilions and terraces were arranged with elegant precision.

When Qin Ming and Nalan Xi arrived, three figures were already seated in the pavilion, each radiating the spiritual power of Golden Core cultivators.

Of the three, Qin Ming recognized two—Wei Wuyan of Lei Yuanzong and Wan Laozu of Xuexi Valley. The third was unknown to him.

Those invited by Nalan Xi True Person to this small gathering were naturally all Golden Core cultivators.

Including Qin Ming, half the Golden Core elders of the Southern Wastelands were gathered here.

"Qin Daoist, I've long heard of your great name!"

"I am Lu Xiao, the Beast King Valley of Wu State. When you held your Golden Core ceremony, I happened to be in seclusion and couldn't attend personally—what a regret!"

"Now that I've finally met you, Qin Daoist, you're truly young and accomplished—let's drink many cups together!"

Beside Wei Wuyan and Wan Laozu, an elderly man with silver hair and a wrinkled face bowed warmly to Qin Ming.

His skin was withered, his hair thin, yet his eyes were sharp as a hawk's, radiating vigor despite his age.

Qin Ming silently activated the Yin-Yang Xuanjian technique, gazing at Lu Xiao—though his appearance was aged, his body pulsed with lush, verdant vitality, suggesting at least another hundred years of life.

Clearly, he cultivated a longevity-enhancing scripture.

"Lu Daoist, you're too kind. Thanks to Nalan Daoist's invitation, we've met now, haven't we? Hehe!" Qin Ming smiled faintly and returned the bow.

"Qin Daoist, it's been a long time!"

"Qin Daoist, be sure to drink plenty tonight."

Wei Wuyan and Wan Laozu also came forward to greet Qin Ming.

In the cultivation world, strength commands respect. Since Qin Ming single-handedly slew two Golden Core cultivators from Lingyun Sect,

his status among Golden Core elders had soared; thus, the elders of the four states treated him with great courtesy.

"My fellow Daoists, don't stand—please sit, eat, and drink."

Nalan Xi invited them to take their seats.

Soon after, servants from the city brought forth a full table of delicacies.

Nalan Xi retrieved a jar of spiritual wine, uncorked it, and a rich, intoxicating aroma of nectar filled the air.

The elders present all perked up, their eyes gleaming.

"Hehe! Try Qin Daoist's Yulin Wine."

"I'm merely borrowing flowers to offer incense—I went to great lengths to acquire just this one jar from Jingxue Pavilion."

Wei Wuyan knew this spiritual wine intimately; in his mind, Yulin Wine was without doubt the finest brew in the Southern Wastelands.

"So Qin Daoist's spiritual wine is truly masterful in every aspect!"

"Wan I am deeply impressed."

Then the five raised their cups, clinked them together, and drained their wine in one gulp.

They all wore expressions of rapturous delight.

"Truly an excellent wine!"

Cups clashed, wine flowed through three rounds.

Then Wei Wuyan first produced a brocade box and handed it to Nalan Xi: "A modest gift—here is one Huiyang Talisman, to congratulate Nalan Daoist on reaching Golden Core mid-stage and to wish you boundless Immortal progress."

The others, seeing Wei Wuyan's opening gift,

kept their expressions calm, yet inwardly marveled.

The Huiyang Talisman was a third-rank middle-grade talisman, its greatest power being life preservation.

As long as the injury wasn't instantly fatal, it could heal most wounds and restore the user to peak condition within moments.

Its rarity was self-evident.

He had perfectly navigated the etiquette of cultivation society.

"Thank you, Wei Daoist," Nalan Xi said, her eyes bright as she accepted the gift. Next came Wan Laozu, who presented twenty high-grade spirit stones and a third-rank middle-grade alchemical material.

Lu Xiao of the Beast King Valley of Wu State then produced a delicate porcelain bottle and handed it to Nalan Xi: "Congratulations on your great advancement, Nalan Daoist. This third-rank low-grade Beast Soul Elixir enhances a spiritual beast's cultivation—it's my humble offering."

All knew Nalan Xi owned a third-rank spiritual turtle; Lu Xiao's gift struck precisely at her heart.

"Thank you, Lu Daoist."

Nalan Xi's expression revealed rare delight—clearly, she cared deeply for her spiritual beast.

Now it was Qin Ming's turn.

All eyes turned to him.

The elders wondered what gift Qin Ming would offer; after all, he was not only a third-rank alchemical master but also highly accomplished in spiritual plant cultivation.

He would surely have something exceptional.

Qin Ming smiled calmly and withdrew a delicate jade bottle, handing it to Nalan Xi.

"Congratulations on your great advancement, Nalan Daoist. This is a Shouguo Elixir—my humble offering."

A high-grade longevity elixir!

At his words, the other Golden Core elders all held their breath! They knew the name of the third-rank middle-grade Shouguo Elixir, but had only heard of it—none had ever seen one, let alone consumed it.

It was an elixir capable of extending life by eighty years—who among the Golden Core elders didn't crave it? "I never imagined that in such a short time, Qin Daoist had already ascended to the rank of third-rank middle-grade alchemical master!"

"Truly worthy of celebration!"

The elders recovered and lavished praise upon Qin Ming.

"Hehe! I was merely fortunate."

Nalan Xi accepted the jade bottle with trembling emotion, sincerely thanking Qin Ming.

For her, lifespan was of immeasurable importance.

"Qin Daoist, such a generous gift—I thank you deeply!"

"Should you ever need anything in the future, simply ask."

The other elders watched this scene, their expressions filled with envy.

Qin Ming had brewed four Shouguo Elixirs; he had consumed one himself and still had three left.

After setting aside the one promised to Yuheng Laozu, two remained—he decided to offer one as a gesture of goodwill.

When Nalan Xi attended Qin Ming's Golden Core ceremony, her gift had been substantial; his return gift could not be meager.

With this single gift, Qin Ming's standing among them rose dramatically.

For even within the Nascent Soul sects of Da Jin, masters capable of brewing third-rank middle-grade elixirs were exceedingly rare.

Especially longevity elixirs—among the most difficult high-grade elixirs to craft.

After the gifts were presented, the five Golden Core True Persons raised their cups and drank freely, exchanging words.

After all, these elders were each occupied with sect affairs; such gatherings were rare.

"By the way, Qin Daoist, what are your plans after achieving Golden Core?" Wei Wuyan set down his cup and asked suddenly.

"I heard you turned down the Li Huo Palace's invitation—do you truly intend to remain on Wangyue Island in solitary cultivation?"

Qin Ming paused briefly before replying: "Originally, I planned to travel through Da Jin Imperial Realm—to broaden my horizons and seek the chance to condense a Nascent Soul."

"But I heard Li Huo Palace is currently at war with another great enemy; traveling to Da Jin now would be unwise, so I've postponed it."

"Thus, I intend to travel through the four states—but the timing is still undecided."

At this moment,

Lu Xiao of the Beast King Valley cautiously raised his hand and cast a barrier before speaking: "Indeed, Qin Daoist is correct."

"According to my sources, the upper sect's war situation is dire. Had our Southern Wastelands not been so barren in resources, with so few high-level cultivators and no Nascent Soul powers worth coveting, we'd likely have been forcibly conscripted into the war."

"When immortals fight, common folk suffer."

"Throughout history, such examples are countless."

"Alas, as a vassal cultivation realm, when a Nascent Soul sect issues an order, we have no choice but to obey."

Fortunately, the Li Huo Palace has not interfered in the southern wastelands' cultivation world for thousands of years.

The ghost calamity in Liang State is growing worse by the day.

I only hope the upper sect's war ends soon too—alas! Truly a time of turmoil!

The several Ancestors present also grew solemn upon hearing this news.

If a Nascent Soul sect goes to war, our subordinate sects caught in it will surely meet a grim fate.

After Lu Xiao finished speaking, he seemed to notice the atmosphere had grown too heavy for today.

He changed the subject with a smile:

"If Brother Qin ever comes to Wu State, be sure to inform this old man—Beast King Valley will gladly prepare a bed for you!"

"Liang State welcomes you wholeheartedly too! Hehe, but now is hardly a good time," Old Ancestor Wan said bitterly.

Qin Ming thanked them all in turn, then paused, recalling something, and spoke to those present:

"Brothers, during my recent extermination of Linyun Sect's Duanmu Sheng, I obtained some intelligence."

"Decades ago, Jin State was already infiltrated by the 'Yuan Mo Men,' one of the Six Demon Sects, and they have secretly colluded ever since. This invasion against Wei State was long planned."

"They are also behind the breaking of the seal deep within Taihu Ruins in Liang State."

"The demon sects' ambitions are vast—we cannot afford to be careless."

Qin Ming gave the Ancestors of every sect present a warning.

……

(End of Chapter)