Chapter 401: Oxen, Ghosts, Demons, and Snakes Gather at Five Elements Mountain

In the years since Great Li invaded Great Zhou, countless refugee cultivators have flooded into the border regions.

Even the southern domain of Great Jin was no exception; no matter how strictly it was controlled, many Great Zhou cultivators still managed to smuggle themselves across.

In recent years.

The Five Elements Mountain Market has become a place where fish and dragons mingle.

Since the establishment of the Dao-Protecting Alliance, this situation has alleviated considerably.

Although the powerful forces assembled by the Dao-Protecting Alliance have kept the Great Jin Immortal Realm relatively stable, friction with Great Li's forces still occurs from time to time.

Of course, this is also related to the fall of the Demonic Saint Son, which has instilled deep apprehension in both the Blood Refining Demonic Sect and the Yin Demon Sect regarding this region.

They have continuously dispatched personnel to Great Jin to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Saint Son's demise.

Yet, despite the passage of much time, they have still gained nothing.

Furthermore, with the outbreak of war, the influx of wounded into the borderlands has grown ever larger, making healing pills and life-preserving items highly sought-after commodities in the Five Elements Mountain Market.

High-grade healing medicines are even more so, commanding high prices yet remaining unavailable on the market.

After refining the Heaven Net Powder, Qin Ming handed it over to Old Jia to sell at the Five Elements Mountain Market.

He also instructed him that if high-grade spiritual materials could be obtained in exchange for the Heaven Net Powder, that would be acceptable as well, not limiting transactions to spirit stones alone.

After all, last time Old Jia had exchanged Soul-Cleansing Incense for the subsequent secret formula of the "Wine Immortal Divine Formula," which proved extremely worthwhile.

That opportunity allowed him to brew the legendary Demonic Flame Wine, capable of aiding cultivators in breaking through to the Jin Dan perfection realm.

As a third-grade top-tier precious medicine, Heaven Net Powder would surely convince many Jin Dan cultivators to exchange spiritual materials for it.

Within the Small Spirit Realm, Qin Ming was guiding the Earth Heart Spirit Spring to irrigate his spiritual plants.

In this medicinal field, where spiritual energy was most dense, he had planted Embryo-Nurturing Fruits, Five Elements Spiritual Ginseng, Taiyi Bodhi, and Hualing Yao Cao, along with an entire bottle of Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Saliva obtained from that surnamed Qiu demonic cultivator.

The five main ingredients required to refine the Embryo-Condensing Pill had already been accelerated by his trait ability to produce several batches, ensuring absolute safety.

Each of these five spiritual materials, if found individually in the Immortal Realm, would be exceedingly rare treasures, held only by Nascent Soul sects.

They constitute the foundation necessary to nurture a Qin Zhenjun.

Yet here with Qin Ming, acquiring just one sample of a spiritual material allowed him to continuously accelerate its growth using his trait.

Five rare main ingredients, plus over a dozen fourth-grade rare auxiliary materials, and more than a hundred types of third-grade auxiliary materials.

Such a vast quantity of high-grade resources would be difficult for even the Li Li Huogong of Great Jin to assemble with the full power of their sect without several hundred years.

Yet through a series of fortuitous encounters, and with the help of Hua Tianxiong and Su Yuqing in gathering them, Qin Ming had spent several decades finally collecting the vast majority of spiritual materials needed to refine the Embryo-Condensing Pill.

As for the materials required to refine the Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill, they had already been fully gathered.

"At present, only the final few types of third-grade auxiliary materials for refining the Embryo-Condensing Pill remain; Hua Tianxiong's side should likely be finished soon as well."

On this day.

After completing his daily cultivation exercises, Qin Ming came to the spiritual fields.

Of the two hundred mu of fourth-grade tributary spiritual fields on Five Elements Mountain, only the one hundred mu of third-grade Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice planted by Li Lan remained unripe.

The maturation cycle of Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice is generally around ten years, though with careful tending, it can be harvested slightly earlier.

Observing the conditions within the spiritual fields, Qin Ming saw that the emerald-green Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice had grown to over one zhang in height, resembling a vast bamboo forest.

Under Li Lan's meticulous care, the growth was quite good, suggesting the yield upon harvest would not be poor.

"Shopkeeper Lu, you've arrived!" Seeing Qin Ming approach, Li Lan hurried over to greet him.

Qin Ming said indifferently, "Mm, you have done well."

"This batch of Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice can likely be harvested two years early; I had originally planned for you to farm this land for another thirty years."

"However, the current situation is becoming chaotic; although these two hundred mu of spiritual fields are excellent, we will have to abandon them once the Jade Emperor Spiritual Rice is harvested."

"Over these past two years, I have already had Old Jia begin moving the Mirror Jing Xue Ge's assets to the Central Province; once this season's spiritual plants are harvested, you will go along with them as well."

Hearing Qin Ming's words, Li Lan hurriedly agreed.

"Shopkeeper Lu, rest assured; Li Mou will certainly fulfill the promises made previously."

"Being able to move to the Central Province to work is something countless rogue cultivators dream of; I will devote myself wholeheartedly and surely will not betray Shopkeeper Lu's great kindness."

Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction.

Afterwards, he flew towards the Five Elements Mountain Market.

Just as Qin Ming approached the vicinity of the Five Elements Mountain Market, he could clearly sense that the number of cultivators entering and exiting had increased.

Even some cultivators bearing severe injuries were rushing inside.

However, for these outside cultivators to enter the market, they must pay a substantial fee in spirit stones to enjoy the protection of the Dao-Protecting Alliance.

After entering the market, Qin Ming headed straight for the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

He found the Mirror Jing Xue Ge surrounded so tightly that not even water could leak through, with no shortage of cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage among the crowd.

Old Jia and the shop assistants were all busy as could be, sweating profusely.

Just as he hesitated whether to enter, he happened to run into an old acquaintance on the street.

"Yo! Fellow Daoist Lu, long time no see."

"Your Mirror Jing Xue Ge is exceptionally popular these days! Hahaha! I didn't expect to bump into you here."

The newcomer was Han Yuan, who at this moment was leading a squad of Dao-Protecting Alliance cultivators on patrol within the market.

"Hehe! Has Fellow Daoist Han been promoted? Congratulations, congratulations!" Seeing Han Yuan dressed in the blue-and-white attire of the Dao-Protecting Alliance, Qin Ming couldn't help but ask, "Where are Fellow Daoists Gao Feng and Liu Ye?"

"Alas! Don't mention it; isn't it because the number of cultivators in the Five Elements Mountain Market has surged recently, causing a severe shortage of manpower? This old man is simply filling in wherever needed."

"Gao Feng and Liu Ye have both been dispatched to the outer patrol camps."

Although Han Yuan said this, Qin Ming could still detect a hint of high spirits and vigor in his expression.

Clearly, being responsible for patrols within the market was considered a lucrative post.

Usually, the three of them, including Han Yuan, were quite decent; relying on this personal connection with Qin Ming, they had often looked after the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, why not go to the Wind-Riding Tower for a chat?"

"I find your Mirror Jing Xue Ge far too bustling; with so many people, eyes are everywhere," Han Yuan suggested.

Qin Ming nodded in agreement: "That works well."

He also intended to ask Han Yuan about some recent insider news.

Shortly after.

The two arrived at a window-side table on the third floor of the Wind-Riding Tower, ordered a full spread of wine and dishes, and began conversing.

As it was not yet mealtime, their table was the only one occupied on the entire third floor.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, I never expected your connections to be so extensive! You even managed to obtain Heaven-Net Powder, such a life-restoring treasure medicine."

"Nowadays, cultivators lining up at Mirror Jing Xue Ge to beg for medicine stretch for two li every day; truly exaggerated, hehe!"

"Currently, a single bottle of Heaven-Net Powder has been bid up to twenty top-grade spirit stones, yet numerous factions still compete fiercely to purchase it!"

"Fellow Daoist Han overpraises me; it is merely a small business."

Although Qin Ming had anticipated that life-saving spirit medicine would be in high demand, he never expected it to reach such an absurd level.

Immediately, he drew a jade bottle from his robe, placed it before Han Yuan, and said with a chuckle, "Hehe! Over these years, I owe much to the care shown by you three fellow Daoists toward my pavilion; here is a small token of gratitude from Lu."

"Fellow Daoist Lu, speaking like this makes you seem far too distant," Han Yuan replied, then opened the jade bottle only to freeze on the spot.

"Heaven-Net Powder!!"

"Fellow Daoist Lu, this item is far too precious; how can Han accept it?"

Han Yuan knew clearly that all three of them currently held patrol duties, making confrontations with others inevitable.

This medicine could save their lives in critical moments. "Just a trivial spirit medicine; Fellow Daoist Han, please do not decline," Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

Han Yuan, visibly stirred, half-resisted before accepting the spirit medicine, then stated solemnly, "In that case, many thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu; should you need anything in the future, simply name it."

"This old man also raises a cup on behalf of Gao Feng and Liu Ye to toast Fellow Daoist Lu; this is the newly released Green-Wave Wine from Wind-Riding Tower; please taste it."

"Those two are on duty outside, burdened with affairs, and thus lack such fortune of taste."

Afterwards, Han Yuan began telling Qin Ming about certain matters within the Guarding Dao Alliance.

First, he poured a cup of spirit wine for Qin Ming, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, I heard that a Nascent Soul True Lord once visited your spirit fields; is this true?"

Qin Ming had not expected the other party to know even this, so without hesitation, he nodded in confirmation.

"Indeed, but that senior came solely to order some high-grade spirit rice."

"He did not linger long."

Hiss~ Han Yuan, having confirmed this matter from Qin Ming's mouth, remained somewhat astonished.

After all, that was a top-tier existence in the Immortal Realm, a true chess player controlling the board.

"Could Fellow Daoist Lu conveniently reveal which True Lord senior it was?" Han Yuan's gossiping heart was instead stirred first.

"It was Senior Cold Crow from the Profound Clear Observatory of Great Zhou."

"I never expected it to be Senior Cold Crow!" Han Yuan sighed deeply, then continued, "Not long ago, True Lord Cold Crow already led the Profound Clear Observatory into joining the Guarding Dao Alliance."

"Rumors said Senior Cold Crow suffered severe injuries, yet he recovered so quickly."

"Truly baffling."

Speaking of this.

Han Yuan raised his hand to cast a sound-isolating barrier and said to Qin Ming, "I have learned some insider news from within the Alliance; recently, the Five Elements Mountain Range seems quite abnormal; I fear something major is about to occur."

"This old man suggests that if Fellow Daoist Lu has any means, it would be better to stay far from this hotspot of trouble, alas!"

"Oh? On what grounds does Fellow Daoist Han say this?" Qin Ming asked involuntarily, seeing the other had turned to serious matters.

"It seems that spies planted by the upper echelons of the Li Li Huogong within Divine Dao Mountain have secretly uncovered extremely crucial intelligence regarding the Five Elements Mountain Range."

"Nowadays, the interior of the Guarding Dao Alliance is filled with panic and suspicion, carrying a rather ominous feeling."

"Additionally, it is confirmed that Divine Dao Mountain has completely sided with the Great Li Yin Mo Sect; even without the Five Elements Mountain affair, the long-standing grievances between both sides will inevitably erupt again in the near future."

"Once Divine Dao Mountain changes its stance."

"A great war will likely be unavoidable."

"Therefore, the current Southern Region of Great Jin is no longer a safe place."

"We three are bound by circumstances and can no longer choose to extricate ourselves."

"Fellow Daoist Lu must have seen it; nowadays, the number of cultivators in the Five Elements Mountain Market has surged abruptly, and among them, some are undoubtedly various major factions secretly deploying troops and generals."

After finishing, Han Yuan let out a sigh.

"So that is how it is; many thanks to Fellow Daoist Han for informing me."

Qin Ming drank a cup of spirit wine, his mind filled with contemplation.

'It seems paper ultimately cannot wrap fire; Divine Dao Mountain and the Yin Mo Sect failed to conceal the matter of the Ancient Guqingyuan Sect's secret realm, and it was detected by the Li Li Huogong.'

'In that case, to contend for this secret realm, many more cultivators will surely die; a great war has become unavoidable.'

'Currently, it is only because the Seven-Wonders Treasure Tree at the entrance of the secret realm has not yet bloomed, preventing the realm from being opened, that these major powers have not immediately torn off their masks of civility.'

After pondering for a long time, Qin Ming asked Han Yuan again, "What is the current composition within the Guarding Dao Alliance?"

Hearing this, Han Yuan replied, "The Guarding Dao Alliance was initiated and led by the Li Li Huogong; the conditions for joining the Alliance remain extremely stringent."

"The Guarding Dao Alliance only accepts factions at the Nascent Soul level to join, representing the most top-tier powers in the Immortal Realm; currently, these are the Li Li Huogong, the Ten Thousand Dao Merchant Alliance, the Profound Clear Observatory, and independent Nascent Soul cultivators."

"However, it is said that some factions guarded by Great Cultivators at the peak of the Jin Dan stage barely qualify as well."

"But they must pass an evaluation by the Alliance members."

"Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Han for informing me; actually, Lu also intended exactly this; within these past two years, I have already secretly transferred the assets of Mirror Jing Xue Ge to the Central Prefecture of Great Jin." Qin Ming raised a cup of wine to toast the other.

"So it was Han who worried unnecessarily; Fellow Daoist Lu possesses far-sighted vision and fundamentally needs no concern from me, hehe!"

After the two exchanged information.

Han Yuan still had to patrol and perform duties within the market, so he bid farewell and busied himself.

Qin Ming sat alone at a table by the windowsill, sipping wine by himself as he watched the bustling crowds on the street below, his mind filled with thoughts.

Before long, more cultivators arrived at the restaurant to eat.

The third floor became fully seated and lively.

Cultivators at the surrounding tables were discussing matters animatedly.

"Sigh, the Tianluo Powder from the Mirror Jing Xue Ge has become ridiculously expensive; in just a few days, the price has risen again to twenty high-grade spirit stones."

"Who can afford that?"

"You may not want it, but plenty of others do! After all, this medicine can instantly heal even a Jin Dan cultivator's injuries and bring the dead back to life."

"With this medicine, as long as the injury isn't instantly fatal, it's like having an extra life; who wouldn't want that?"

"Exactly, exactly; the higher a cultivator's cultivation base, the more they cherish their own life."

"Furthermore, they also said that if one possesses rare spiritual treasures, those can be exchanged for it!"

"Sigh, in any case, such a luxury item is beyond our reach; twenty high-grade spirit stones could buy several high-grade life-preserving magical artifacts."

"By the way, have you heard another explosive piece of news?"

"I heard that Su Yuqing, the Grandmaster of the Yuqingda Sect at Dragon Court Lake in the Central Prefecture of Great Jin, recently refined a fourth-tier lower-grade Yuan Shen Pill and advanced to the realm of a Danwang."

"Master Su truly possesses a breathtakingly brilliant talent in the path of alchemy, becoming the youngest fourth-tier Danwang in the history of the Great Jin Immortal Realm."

"It is said that the Su family of Dragon Court Lake has already received an invitation from the Alliance for Upholding the Dao."

"Wouldn't the Li Li Huogong regret this to death? They initially agreed to let the Su family separate from their sect."

"After all, nowadays the Li Li Huogong has only one fourth-tier Danwang presiding over it."

"The third-tier upper-grade Tianluo Powder is not something just anyone can refine; I heard the Mirror Jing Xue Ge has some connection with Danwang Su."

"Could this medicine have come from his hands?"

"..."

Holding his wine cup, Qin Ming listened to the surrounding news and secretly sighed in his heart:

'I never expected Brother Su to progress so quickly; without making a sound, he has already reached the level of a fourth-tier alchemist ahead of me.'

Just then.

A person slowly ascended the staircase to the third floor.

This person wore a black feathered robe, had a fair complexion, black hair bound in a crown, a slightly sharp nose, and straw sandals on his feet, while a faint smile always hung upon his face.

He looked around the third floor and saw that every seat was taken.

Subsequently, his gaze landed on Qin Ming's table by the windowsill.

Seeing that Qin Ming was drinking alone and that the seat opposite was empty, he walked over, smiled gently and refinedly, and asked:

"Fellow Daoist, I wonder if this seat is available?"

(End of Chapter)