Chapter 40: Talks Broke Down

Qin Ming was secretly astonished by Jiang Kun's scale and boldness.

The other party's intentions were already crystal clear.

He simply wanted to win over Qin Ming, this mid-grade plant cultivator.

To hand over the exclusive channel for Beast Fang Rice to Jiang Kun.

Such a high price could easily lure even a top-grade plant cultivator.

"I trust Brother Qin understands the art of choice—you're a rare talent of our sect, and you ought to stand with your own kind. I can also buy Beast Fang Rice at the same price; does Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge even promise you a Breakthrough Pill like the Bone-Washing Pill?"

Jiang Kun's lips curled into a smile, his words earnest and reasonable.

If Qin Ming were an ordinary cultivator, he would find it nearly impossible to resist the temptation of this breakthrough pill.

Jiang Kun was right—Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge had only offered Qin Ming a permit to reside in the marketplace.

Compared to Jiang Kun's offer, it was worlds apart.

But Jiang Kun didn't know Qin Ming had already broken through low-grade alchemist; with his soul force enhanced, producing the Bone-Washing Pill was merely a matter of time.

Moreover, Qin Ming's main cultivation was body refinement, and his magic power remained at Qi Condensation Stage Four—he had no immediate use for it.

"I'm afraid I'll disappoint Brother Jiang—I'm still shallow in cultivation and have no use for the Bone-Washing Pill. As for the rice, I'd still like to decide for myself."

Qin Ming took a deep breath and returned every item to the jade box.

Jiang Kun's smile froze instantly.

He never imagined such generous terms could fail to sway Qin Ming.

His elaborate efforts to win Qin Ming over stemmed from two reasons.

First, he valued Qin Ming's plant cultivation talent—having risen to mid-grade plant cultivator in just a few years.

And he mastered the most difficult advanced technique among plant arts—the High-Level Rain Spell—truly remarkable.

Meanwhile, Jiang Kun had already sent people to investigate and confirmed Qin Ming's close ties with Su Yuqing, the top-grade alchemist.

This year's records in the Sect's Farming Office showed Qin Ming had cultivated top-grade and premium-grade plants for Su Yuqing.

Based on past experience,

it was highly likely Qin Ming would ascend to top-grade plant cultivator by year's end.

Moreover, he possessed the network and resources of Su Yuqing.

Such a talent was well worth Jiang Kun's investment and recruitment into his camp.

Second, Jiang Kun's own Teahouse of Fine Flavors competed directly with the Mirror Jing Xue Ge; binding Qin Ming firmly to his side would deal a serious blow to Gu Qingzhao.

Although the sect had already banned private sales of spirit rice,

if Qin Ming hoarded the Beast Fang Rice and refused to sell to either side, Jiang Kun could find no fault—he had no leverage over him.

It was said Qin Ming's three mu of Beast Fang Rice would be harvested this year, all of premium grade.

Not only did Gu Qingzhao covet it—Jiang Kun himself was drooling over it.

Simply leveraging the exclusivity of premium-grade Beast Fang Rice as a selling point could instantly launch the Teahouse of Fine Flavors' reputation, carrying immense strategic significance.

"Oh? Hahaha!"

"That's true—I forgot for a moment Brother Qin has no immediate use for the Bone-Washing Pill."

"How about this—exchange it for an equivalent quantity of Spirit Gathering Pills?"

Jiang Kun's mind raced, suddenly enlightened!

"Thank you, Brother Jiang, for your kindness, but my decision is final—I wish to manage my own fields. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Qin Ming declined outright.

He saw clearly—he was not fooled by any of these offerings.

None of Jiang Kun's crowd were trustworthy; aligning with them would one day force him to return every last bit—with interest.

"Hahaha! Brother Qin, have you truly thought this through? If you choose to cooperate with Gu Qingzhao, the sect's rules won't spare you."

Jiang Kun's smile vanished; his expression turned dark.

He had assumed Qin Ming, a mere lowly farmer, would be easy to manipulate.

A little bribe would have him begging to join.

Yet this boy was utterly impervious to persuasion.

Jiang Kun's patience was wearing thin; frost settled on his face.

Suddenly! He unleashed his full Qi Condensation Stage Nine magic power!

His cold, piercing eyes locked onto Qin Ming, as if trying to crush him with pressure.

"Brother Qin, are you absolutely certain you won't reconsider?"

Seeing persuasion fail, Jiang Kun switched to intimidation.

In the past,

facing the aura pressure of a Qi Condensation Stage Nine cultivator, Qin Ming would have been unable to stand.

But now, his body refinement technique was one step away from late stage; the pressure from this man was virtually meaningless.

Still, Qin Ming feigned inability to withstand it—his face paled, he forced his body upright, staggered, and took his leave.

Outside the private room,

the short cultivator Chen Ziang spotted Qin Ming emerging and hurried over with a grin: "Well? Did you make the deal?"

Qin Ming ignored him entirely and walked past down the stairs.

"Huh? What?" Chen Ziang's eyes darted, then he rushed into the private room.

He saw everything still on the table, and Jiang Kun's murderous expression—he instantly understood the talks had collapsed.

"Brother Jiang, that kid—" Chen Ziang swallowed hard and asked cautiously.

He knew Jiang Kun's temper well—angering him meant becoming his scapegoat in an instant.

"An ungrateful fool—he thinks a little favor makes him someone important!" Jiang Kun's voice dripped with cold venom.

"Since this brat refuses to play along, don't let Gu Qingzhao benefit—find the right opportunity and take him out with your men!"

Chen Ziang frowned and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, isn't this brat hard to touch? He's now a Mid-Grade Spirit Gu Zhishi—rumor has it several elders from the Inner Sect's Spirit Herb Valley have begun paying attention to him."

"Hmph. That's precisely why you must clean it up—leave no trace. Do I have to teach you how to do it?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I understand—I'll take men myself, and after it's done, blame it on the bandit cultivators. Hehehe!"

……

He left Mingzhen Pavilion.

On the main road of Qingyang Marketplace.

Qin Ming's expression shifted between dark and light—he had truly angered Jiang Kun and his group this time.

He pondered for a long while.

Finally, he made a decision.

He turned and walked toward Juxuan Pavilion.

Juxuan Pavilion.

Shopkeeper Liao, seeing Qin Ming arrive, immediately set down his ledgers and rushed out with a smile.

"Comrade Qin, what brings you to the shop today?"

"Want a drink? Or need something to buy?"

Qin Ming stated his purpose: "I have something important—I wish to see Lord Gu."

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liao froze. Seeing Qin Ming's serious expression, he dared not delay a moment and immediately led him upstairs to report.

In a private room on the seventh floor.

After receiving permission, Qin Ming entered the room.

Gu Qingzhao was as usual—burning spirit incense, sipping tea, and studying a scripture.

After entering, Qin Ming got straight to the point and told Gu Qingzhao everything.

He had decided: rather than failing to deliver Beast Tooth Rice by year's end, it was better to explain the full truth to her now.

To prevent Jiang Kun from stirring up trouble.

After listening to Qin Ming, Gu Qingzhao's delicate brows slightly furrowed. She set down the scripture in her hand, and the spirit incense beside her began to drift and scatter erratically.

The atmosphere in the room grew suddenly heavy.

(End of Chapter)