Chapter 493: Heading to Zhongzhou

In mid-May, the weather grew warmer.

After tending to the spirit fields, Qin Ming called Li Lan over.

During this time, Li Lan had witnessed the astonishing spirit-planting skills of "Master Lu," and was thoroughly convinced by him.

He had originally thought Master Lu was merely a shrewd merchant, but never imagined his spirit-planting expertise far surpassed his own.

When Master Lu first gave him the cultivation method for spiritual energy Rice, he had been puzzled—how could someone possess such detailed techniques for growing spiritual energy Rice?

After some time passed,

all his doubts were resolved.

Li Lan had once believed that, as a second-rank superior spirit-planting master, he could live comfortably within the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

But when he saw the third-rank spirit plants thriving in those ten mu, he instantly understood—Master Lu was the true hidden master!

Thus, Li Lan became even more humble, dared not show off, and worked diligently under Qin Ming's guidance to cultivate and nurture spirit plants.

Fortunately, hard work bore fruit—he finally succeeded in growing spiritual energy Rice.

This gave him a glimmer of hope to ascend to third-rank spirit-planting master; if Master Lu would occasionally offer him guidance, it would be immensely beneficial.

He even considered becoming Master Lu's disciple, but feared his master might look down on him and drive him away, so he never dared speak up.

"Li Lan, I'm going out to handle some matters. While I'm away, remember to summon a light spirit rain over the ten mu every two days—no need for much." Qin Ming said calmly.

Li Lan hurried forward and said, "Master Lu, rest assured—I'll see to your spirit plants with all my care."

"Mm, go about your duties."

Then,

Qin Ming used his spiritual sense to contact the Devouring Sky Rat.

But after sending messages for a long while, he received no response.

Qin Ming frowned, his expression shifting several times—luckily, he still felt the spiritual bond with the Devouring Sky Rat, so he relaxed.

"What the hell is that traitor up to?"

"Patrolling the mountains shouldn't be this dangerous, right?"

The next instant, Qin Ming's figure vanished from where he stood.

Following the spiritual bond deep within his soul, he flew straight to the Beast Roar Mountains south of the spirit fields.

Half a stick of incense later,

Qin Ming arrived before a slope—but when he saw the scene before him, he wore an expression of utter disbelief: the Devouring Sky Rat lay sprawled atop a massive boulder, its rear end raised, basking in the sun, hugging the Vermilion Bird Flag as it snored loudly.

Judging by the drool pooling beneath it, it was clearly dreaming something delightful—and even Qin Ming's earlier message hadn't woken it.

"Little beauty, your hand technique is amazing—give this great master a shoulder massage."

It mumbled in its sleep, utterly lacking the dignity of a demon king.

Qin Ming stepped forward and kicked its rear end squarely.

The Devouring Sky Rat jolted awake, leaping up in fright, instinctively grabbing the black steel fork beside it and scanning the surroundings while shouting, "Who! Who is it! Which bastard dares ambush this great master!"

When it saw it was Qin Ming, it wore an embarrassed expression and forced a smile, approaching to flatter him: "Hehe! Master, you're here! Why didn't you warn me?"

"I called you for ages—you wouldn't wake up."

"Is this how you patrol for me?" Qin Ming's face held a sly expression.

The Devouring Sky Rat wiped the drool from its mouth and hurriedly explained: "Master, I patrolled all night last night—no anomalies at all. I just dozed off during the day, didn't realize I overslept, hehe."

Qin Ming didn't bother scolding it and simply instructed: "I'm going out to visit an old acquaintance—I'll return soon. While I'm gone, I'm leaving the spirit fields in your care."

"Stay alert—if anything goes wrong with the fields, I'll hold you responsible!"

"Huh? You're leaving?"

"Can you take me with you?"

"Let Lao Er and Lao San take turns? This place is so boring—no demons dare show up. I'm dying of boredom!"

The Devouring Sky Rat's eyes lit up with anticipation as it heard Qin Ming was visiting an old friend.

"No. The spirit fields are too important to risk. That's final." Qin Ming said without room for argument.

The Devouring Sky Rat reluctantly agreed and returned to its patrol, guarding the spirit fields.

After settling the affairs of the spirit fields,

Qin Ming shot into the sky as a streak of azure light.

Half an hour later, he arrived again at the Five Elements Mountain Bazaar. Large bazaars operated by the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance all had teleportation arrays capable of reaching any location in Great Jin—extremely convenient.

Flying there would take weeks—the distance from Great Jin's southern frontier to Zhongzhou was immense.

"Oh! Master Lu is here!"

"It's been ages! How's your spirit field business going?"

Han Yuan and the other two were on duty at the Five Elements Mountain Bazaar and warmly greeted Qin Ming as he entered the bazaar's administrative hall.

"Long time no see, gentlemen. The spirit fields are just beginning to show promise—nothing special, just slow progress." Qin Ming smiled and bowed in return to each of them.

"Ah, I heard your fields border demon territory. I wish you hadn't bought that plot—it's too dangerous, even if the spirit land is rare."

"If you need help, just tell us three—we'll do whatever we can."

Han Yuan assumed Qin Ming was hiding the truth out of pride.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Of course, of course."

"By the way, I've come here to use the bazaar's teleportation array." Qin Ming got straight to the point.

"Oh? I see."

Nearby, Liu Ye smiled sweetly. "Master Lu, follow me—I'm on duty today and responsible for the array."

Then,

Qin Ming followed the three into a building within the inner courtyard, heavily guarded.

Inside,

a black-stone array shaped like a Bagua appeared before Qin Ming's eyes.

"Where would Master Lu like to go?" Liu Ye asked.

Qin Ming replied immediately: "I wish to go to Litian Xiancheng, in Zhongzhou."

He had already studied the map before arriving.

Litian Xiancheng was the largest xian city in Zhongzhou of Great Jin, built by the Li Huo Palace, near Longting Lake—just three days' travel away.

"Oh? Master Lu is going to Zhongzhou? That's quite a distance—the spirit stones required to activate the array won't be cheap."

Liu Ye sounded surprised but didn't ask why Qin Ming was going to Zhongzhou.

After all, everyone had their secrets.

"No problem, Brother Liu—how many spirit stones are needed?" Qin Ming asked with a calm smile.

Liu Ye considered and said: "I can give you an 80% discount. To Litian Xiancheng, it will cost three thousand mid-grade spirit stones."

"Understood. Thank you, Brother Liu." Qin Ming said, taking spirit stones from his storage pouch and handing them over.

Liu Ye took the stones, then pulled out an ancient-looking token and handed it to Qin Ming: "Master Lu, this is a special teleportation token issued by the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance—keep it safe."

Then,

Qin Ming took the token and stepped into the center of the array.

After the Ten Thousand Paths Alliance cultivators had filled the array with spirit stones,

"Hum!" The eight corners of the array blazed with blinding light, engulfing Qin Ming—then, in a flash, he vanished.

Watching Qin Ming disappear, Gao Feng sighed: "Master Lu's Mirror Snow Pavilion truly has deep pockets!"

"After purchasing a fourth-rank branch spirit field, he still spends three thousand mid-grade spirit stones just to travel to Zhongzhou…"

…

After a moment, a dizzying whirl of sensation passed.

When Qin Ming opened his eyes again, he stood inside a magnificent, grand hall.

"Welcome, Daoist friend, to Litian Immortal City!"

A middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator with yellow hair and a childlike ponytail smiled warmly as he approached Qin Ming.

Thank you to "Donghuang's Brother" for the 100-coin tip.

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