Chapter 383: Returning to the Old Ground

On Wangyue Island, peace had returned to its former state.

Though he had advanced to the rank of Third-Rank Spirit Plant Master, visitors still came, but only from a few major powers.

Now that Qin Ming had achieved Golden Core, smaller factions and low-level cultivators knew their place.

Thus Qin Ming enjoyed peace; these days, besides his daily cultivation and farming, he devoted himself to pill refining.

He spent nearly half a year using the three batches of spirit materials exchanged with Wei Wuyan to re-refine three batches of Miechen Pills.

In total, sixteen pills were produced, four of which were of premium quality.

These pills would suffice for Qin Ming's daily cultivation for a long time.

Pills that Golden Core elders dreamt of were now plentiful in his hands.

It filled him with a strange sense of reflection.

"I can't possibly eat them all."

"Miechen Pills are best taken in no more than five doses—after that, resistance builds. Extra pills can be traded with peers for scarce resources."

In his cave dwelling, Qin Ming took a premium Miechen Pill and began his cultivation.

A pure, stream-like medicinal force flowed through his limbs and meridians.

Instantly, Qin Ming felt a profound calm, as if his spirit had been cleansed of all karmic dust.

Deep within, his heart-mind underwent a great transformation—like a bright, clear moon, pure and untainted, impervious to all demons.

At the same time, the medicinal force of the Miechen Pill reached its peak, an endless stream of spiritual power converging toward his dantian.

Qin Ming's magical power aura steadily rose over time.

Since he had barely entered the initial stage of the Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Body, he felt his cultivation was as natural as a fish in water.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushed into him as if reuniting with kin.

After three months of seclusion, his cultivation base had advanced considerably.

One could say he had progressed a thousand li in a single day.

He opened his eyes; a faint emerald green glow lingered in his pupils before fading gently.

"This cultivation speed is incomparably faster than before."

"This is the terrifying power of a top-tier spiritual body!"

Ordinarily, without great fortune, Golden Core cultivators could only advance slowly, step by step, relying on time and patience.

Yet now, Qin Ming's advancement had not slowed—it had actually accelerated beyond his previous pace.

When Qin Ming finished cultivating, he stepped out of his cave.

First, he tended to the dozen or so Jade Emperor Spirit Rice plants, then summoned a spirit rain over his herb fields.

During his seclusion, the Shitian Rat had watched over the spirit plants, so he needn't worry overly.

Qin Ming sat beneath the Spirit Peach Tree and poured himself a cup of Yulin Wine.

He quietly planned his next steps.

His current short-term goal was to reach Golden Core Late Stage.

Even with steady cultivation alone, his two-thousand-year lifespan would surely let him reach it.

During this time, finding a Nascent Soul opportunity would be ideal.

Though the Southern Wastelands were spiritually barren, they still held hidden opportunities.

Next, Qin Ming planned to visit the Beast Roar Mountains after the Azure Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bees broke through, to seek the Washing Thunder Pool and repair the Gouyu Jin Guang Mirror.

Then, en route, he would go to the Xuanxi Valley in Liang State to deliver the Longevity Fruit Pill to Jade Balance Old Ancestor.

He now had little time left—perhaps only four years of life remaining.

But before that,

he needed to gather a piece of alchemical material: the "Supreme Soul-Fire Fluid" mentioned by Jin Lingzi.

Such a top-tier Third-Rank spirit item would be hard to find.

"Jin Lingzi, do you know where to find this Supreme Soul-Fire Fluid?"

The spirit artifact's voice replied calmly: "I recall that in the southwest of Wei State, near the border, lies a Third-Rank spirit vein containing a Tian Gang Lie Feng Cave. Constant heavenly Gang winds rage there, producing dozens of drops of Supreme Soul-Fire Fluid every thousand years—enough for you."

"But after all these years, I'm unsure if the place still exists."

The direction Jin Lingzi gave him left Qin Ming stunned.

For it pointed to the very Third-Rank spirit vein originally discovered by Lingyu Sect in Yunhuang Marsh.

The same vein that had sparked the war between Lingyu Sect and Lei Yuanzong.

It had now fallen back into Lei Yuanzong's hands.

"Looks like I'll have to negotiate with Wei Wuyan again," Qin Ming murmured with a faint smile. Since it was a familiar territory, acquiring it wouldn't be difficult for him.

Then Qin Ming summoned the Shitian Rat.

The Shitian Rat was currently squatting, carefully weeding the spirit field.

Having had nothing to do lately, the Third-Rank Mid-Stage Demon King had become little more than a field mouse. "Hehe! Master, what do you need?"

"Come with me on an errand."

"Finally! I've been cooped up too long!"

…

Five days later.

Qin Ming, without pause, unleashed his full Golden Core speed and arrived before Lei Yuanzong's mountain gate.

A hundred li from Lei Yuanzong, he had already sent a message talisman to Wei Wuyan.

A blue aura shot from within the gate, flickering through the air before arriving instantly.

The aura dissipated.

Wei Wuyan himself came out to greet him, a look of surprise on his face: "Welcome, Master Qin."

For Wei Wuyan had always thought Qin Ming preferred seclusion on Wangyue Island, rarely venturing out like this.

"Haha! Master Qin, please come inside!"

"I heard that just days ago, after we left, you broke through to Third-Rank Spirit Plant Master. I missed witnessing it—what a pity."

"Merely luck, nothing worth mentioning," Qin Ming replied with a faint smile.

"Master Qin is too modest. Who doesn't know your name now reigns supreme in Wei State's cultivation world?"

The two then went to Wei Wuyan's cave dwelling in the rear mountains, where tea was served.

"Master Qin has traveled far—what brings you here?"

"I heard that within the spirit vein your sect controls in Yunhuang Marsh, there is a Tian Gang Lie Feng Cave?" Qin Ming sipped his tea and asked.

"Correct."

"Are you here for that?" Wei Wuyan said.

Qin Ming nodded. "I need a spirit material for pill refining, and it happens to be there. Could you allow me to collect some?"

"As for terms, Master Wei, name your price."

"Since Master Qin has asked, no terms are needed. I still haven't thanked you for your help with Lingyun Sect," Wei Wuyan hesitated, then added, "But I once explored that Gang wind cave myself."

"The heavenly Gang winds inside are so fierce they pierce even Golden Core magical shields. I only went a few hundred zhang in before retreating—found nothing."

"Master Qin must be cautious—or perhaps you need a specific material? Let me see if I have it, so you won't have to make the trip."

Qin Ming paused, then said: "I need the Supreme Soul-Fire Fluid. Do you have any?"

"Supreme Soul-Fire Fluid?" Wei Wuyan froze, his expression turning serious in thought.

Qin Ming saw his expression—he clearly didn't know the material.

"Forgive my ignorance, Master Qin—I've never heard of this spirit item."

"There is no record of it in our sect's treasure vault."

"Then I'll accompany you," Wei Wuyan decided.

Qin Ming said: "No need to trouble yourself—I'll go alone. Just inform your disciples."

Then Qin Ming placed a delicate jade vial before Wei Wuyan. "Here is one Miechen Pill—as payment for this favor."

Wei Wuyan had intended to refuse Qin Ming's gift, but when he saw it was a Miechen Pill, his gaze could not leave the jade vial.

"Then I thank you, Master Qin."

"Go ahead. I'll arrange everything below."

"If you need any help, just say the word."

With that, he swiftly tucked away the Miechen Pill. In mere words,

both sides reached a silent agreement.

…

Two days later, Qin Ming boarded Lei Yuanzong's Duanyuan Spirit Vessel.

"Who would have thought, after so many years, I'd return to this place?"

Standing before the cabin window, Qin Ming watched the scenery recede, filled with quiet reflection.

(End of Chapter)