Chapter 439: Trade for a Core Formation Elixir

Qin Ming saw Gu Qingzhao awaken and laid her on the bed.

"Comrade Gu, the venom in your body has just been purged; your body is still weak and needs time to recover."

After speaking, Qin Ming slipped a high-grade recuperative elixir into Gu Qingzhao's mouth.

The elixir dissolved instantly, and in an instant, Gu Qingzhao felt a warm current flow through her entire body, her injuries healing seven or eight tenths.

This was clearly an extremely refined third-grade healing elixir.

Color returned to Gu Qingzhao's pale face as she thanked Qin Ming: "Thank you, Senior Qin, for saving my life—I am unable to repay you."

"It's merely a small matter," Qin Ming smiled faintly. "I've known you for many years; when you faced such a dire crisis, I could never stand idly by."

"By the way, how did you come to be poisoned by such a venom? I heard you went to Liang Country for training, but from my observation, your injuries don't seem to stem from a ghostly attack."

Gu Qingzhao fell silent for a moment before saying: "I vaguely recall that while clearing ghosts near the Taihu Ruins, a Gao Jie demonic cultivator ambushed me when I was unguarded."

"Luckily, I had a few life-saving items to escape; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it back."

Qin Ming frowned at this. "Oh? A demonic cultivator?"

"I didn't expect the demonic sects' reach to extend so far."

"It seems they have some agenda."

The three senior emissaries of the Yin Mo Sect Qin Ming previously eradicated had one clear goal: the Jade Light Mirror from the White Bone King's Palace.

The presence of the Six Demonic Sects' people there likely stemmed from the same motive.

But this made Qin Ming think of something troubling.

That is, Qingxuan the Ancestor and others had already joined forces with two Gao Jie emissaries from the Li Huo Palace, entering the Taihu Ruins to eliminate the White Bone True Person.

Even if a Gao Jie Completion cultivator intervened, the reappearance of demonic shadows at such a critical moment could bring unforeseen complications.

"Congratulations, Senior Qin, on advancing to Jin Dan Mid-stage—your immortal path has progressed further." Gu Qingzhao sat up and said.

During this time, she had naturally heard some of Qin Ming's deeds.

She hadn't expected the gap between them to widen so greatly.

"I observe your cultivation base has also improved significantly—you've broken through to Foundation Establishment Completion, just one step away from the Jin Dan path."

"It seems cultivating through real combat does have merit."

Gu Qingzhao's expression darkened slightly. "Though only one step away, that step is like a heavenly abyss, blocking most cultivators."

Qin Ming naturally understood her meaning: without sufficient opportunity, most Foundation Establishment Completion cultivators could never cross the mountain to Jin Dan.

He pondered carefully, raised his hand to form a barrier, then took out an exquisite jade vial and handed it to Gu Qingzhao:

"Comrade Gu, I have one Core Formation Elixir here—I can trade it to you."

*Hum~* Upon hearing the words "Core Formation Elixir," Gu Qingzhao's mind went utterly blank.

Wasn't this precisely the object countless cultivators dreamed of?

At the same time, she had already guessed that Qin Ming must be capable of refining even such a heavenly-reversing item.

Qin Ming knew that if he simply gifted her the Core Formation Elixir, her proud and independent nature would likely reject it.

So he chose to frame it as a trade—this way, Gu Qingzhao could accept it.

Gu Qingzhao's heart quickened as she gently took the Core Formation Elixir from Qin Ming's hand, incredulous: "Senior Qin, this is far too precious…"

"I…"

"Comrade Gu, take it. The Core Formation Elixir is useless to me now; I'll eventually need to exchange it for resources anyway."

"Might as well trade it to you now—you're precisely what needs it most," Qin Ming said with a smile.

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhao no longer hesitated. After steadying her composure, she asked: "What conditions do you require for this exchange, Senior Qin?"

"One hundred and twenty high-grade spirit stones, or equivalent resources—whenever you're ready, bring them to me," Qin Ming said.

"Keep this matter between us," Gu Qingzhao heard this and felt a warmth in her heart—she knew Qin Ming had offered her a vastly discounted price.

Core Formation Elixirs are priceless and scarce; they rarely circulate externally. Whenever one appears, its value instantly surges far beyond this."

"Thank you so much, Senior Qin—I will never forget this great favor," Gu Qingzhao nodded in acceptance.

Qin Ming said calmly: "Comrade Gu, no need for formalities. I won't stay long after returning—I plan to visit Da Jin, and I don't know when I'll return."

"I hope the next time we meet, we can address each other as comrades."

Upon hearing Qin Ming was leaving again—this time for the Da Jin Immortal Dynasty—Gu Qingzhao's expression flickered with a barely perceptible hint of disappointment.

In her heart, she had already developed an inexplicable feeling toward Qin Ming.

But she understood him well.

He pursued the path of immortality above all else; before reaching Nascent Soul, he would never be bound by romantic entanglements.

Moreover, their cultivation bases were separated by a heavenly abyss.

So she said to Qin Ming: "Then I wish you a smooth path on your immortal journey."

Qin Ming nodded, then rose and said:

"Enough. Your second uncle and the others are probably anxious—allow me to take my leave."

"I still need to discuss the Taihu Ruins matter with Comrade Nalan—I hope we can act before the demonic sects strike."

"Understood."

…

Qin Ming exited the seventh-floor room and had just reached the ground floor when Gu Tongshan, Huangfu Qi, and others hurried over.

"Senior Qin, how is she?"

Gu Tongshan asked with eager anticipation.

"Comrade Gu is no longer in danger. Go see her."

Upon hearing this, everyone present wore expressions of relief.

"Thank you, Senior Qin, for your great kindness!"

Then the Jingxue Pavilion members ascended.

"Comrade Nalan, come here—I need to speak with you alone," Qin Ming called out to Nalan Xi.

Nalan Xi looked puzzled but walked over and asked: "Comrade Qin, what's happened?"

Qin Ming's request for private conversation must have a reason.

"It's like this—I just heard Comrade Gu say upon waking…"

He recounted the entire incident to Nalan Xi.

After listening, Nalan Xi's expression turned grave: "Trouble! Qingxuan and his group have already entered the Taihu Ruins. If the old demons of the Six Demonic Sects interfere…"

"The consequences would be catastrophic."

After a moment's thought, she declared decisively: "I intend to travel to Liang Country to support our comrades. What do you think, Comrade Qin?"

"Then I'll go as well," Qin Mou said. "But I won't descend into the ruins."

"If we encounter demonic cultivators on the periphery, we can act."

"That's excellent! With your help, our chances improve greatly."

Then,

Qin Ming and Nalan Xi flew toward Liang Country.

(End of Chapter)