Chapter 51: Talks Break Down

Qin Ming was secretly astonished; Jiang Kun’s display of resources and resolve was no small matter.

The other party’s intentions were already crystal clear.

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

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

Such a high price could easily attract a top-grade spirit cultivator.

“I trust you, Brother Qin, understand the art of choice—you are a rare talent of our sect, and you ought to stand with your own. I can also purchase Beast Fang Rice at the same price; does Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Snow Pavilion even promise you a Bone-Marrow Cleansing Pill, a breakthrough elixir?”

Jiang Kun smiled as he spoke, 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 elixir.

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

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

Yet Jiang Kun did not know Qin Ming had already broken through to low-grade alchemist; with his spiritual soul strengthened, crafting a Bone-Marrow Cleansing Pill was merely a matter of time.

Moreover, Qin Ming now primarily cultivated body refinement arts, and his magic power remained at Qi Refining Stage Four—he had no immediate need for it.

“I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Brother Jiang. My cultivation is shallow, and I have no use for the Bone-Marrow Cleansing Pill. As for the spirit rice, I wish to decide for myself.”

Qin Ming took a deep breath and returned all the items to the jade box.

Jiang Kun’s smile froze instantly.

He had 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 spirit cultivation talent—having risen to mid-grade spirit cultivator in just a few years.

And he mastered the most difficult of spirit cultivation techniques: the Advanced Spirit Rain Scripture—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 Spirit Cultivator Registry of the Shen Yu Sect’s Executive Hall recorded Qin Ming cultivating top-grade and supreme spirit plants for Su Yuqing.

Based on past experience,

Qin Ming’s chances of advancing to top-grade spirit cultivator by year’s end were very high.

Moreover, he possessed Su Yuqing’s network of influential connections.

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

Second, Jiang Kun’s own Ming Zhen Pavilion competed directly with the Mirror Snow Pavilion; binding Qin Ming firmly to his side would deal a significant blow to Gu Qingzhao.

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

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

It was said Qin Ming’s three mu of Beast Fang Rice would yield this year—all of it premium quality.

Not only did Gu Qingzhao covet it; Jiang Kun himself was equally eager.

Simply leveraging the exclusivity of this premium Beast Fang Rice could instantly establish the Ming Zhen Pavilion’s reputation, carrying considerable strategic significance.

“Oh? Hah!”

“That’s true—I forgot you currently have no use for the Bone-Marrow Cleansing Pill.”

“How about this: I replace it with an equivalent quantity of Spirit Gathering Pills?”

Jiang Kun’s mind raced—he suddenly understood.

“Thank you for your kindness, Brother Jiang, but my decision is final. I wish to manage my spirit fields myself. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” Qin Ming declined outright.

He saw clearly—he was not fooled by the offerings before him.

None of Jiang Kun’s crowd were trustworthy; aligning with them would one day force him to return everything, plus interest.

“Hah! Brother Qin, have you truly thought this through? If you choose to cooperate with Gu Qingzhao, the sect’s rules will not spare you.”

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

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

A little bribe would have sufficed to bring him to heel.

Yet this boy was utterly impervious to persuasion.

Jiang Kun’s patience began to evaporate; frost settled on his face.

Suddenly! He unleashed his full Qi Refining Stage Nine magic power aura!

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

“Brother Qin, are you certain you won’t reconsider?”

Seeing bribery had failed, Jiang Kun switched to intimidation.

In the past,

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

But now, his body refinement art was one step from entering the late stage; the pressure meant little to him.

Yet Qin Ming feigned unbearable strain, his face pale, forcing himself upright as he staggered out in farewell.

Outside the private room,

the short cultivator Chen Ziang spotted Qin Ming emerging and hurried over with a grin. “How’d it go? Did you seal the deal?”

Qin Ming ignored him entirely and descended the stairs.

“Huh? What?” Chen Ziang’s eyes darted, then he rushed into the private room.

Seeing all the items still on the table and Jiang Kun’s murderous expression, he instantly understood: the negotiation had collapsed.

“Brother Jiang, that kid—” Chen Ziang ventured cautiously, steeling himself.

He knew Jiang Kun’s temper well—angering him meant becoming his immediate scapegoat.

“An ungrateful wretch. Give him an inch, and he thinks he’s a lord!” Jiang Kun’s voice dripped with cold venom.

“Since this brat refuses to cooperate, we won’t let him benefit Gu Qingzhao. Find the right opportunity—take him out.”

Chen Ziang’s face twisted in unease. “Brother Jiang, this kid’s not easy to touch—he’s a mid-grade spirit cultivator. Word is several Elders from the Inner Sect’s Spirit Herb Valley have begun taking notice of him.”

“Hmph. I want it cleaned up—leave no trace. Do I need to teach you how?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! I understand—I’ll lead the team myself. Afterward, blame it on bandits. Hehehe!”

…

Leaving Ming Zhen Pavilion,

along the main street of Qingyang Marketplace,

Qin Ming’s expression shifted between dark and light—he had fully enraged Jiang Kun and his crew.

He pondered long and hard.

Finally, he made his decision.

He turned and walked toward Ju Xuan Pavilion.

Ju Xuan Pavilion.

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

“Brother Qin, what brings you here today?”

“A drink? Or something you wish to purchase?”

Qin Ming stated his purpose: “I have urgent business—I wish to see Lord Gu.”

Liao froze. Seeing Qin Ming’s grave expression, he dared not delay and immediately led him upstairs to report.

In the seventh-floor private room,

after receiving permission, Qin Ming entered.

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

Qin Ming entered and spoke bluntly, laying out the entire matter to her.

He had decided: rather than fail to deliver Beast Fang Rice at year’s end, he’d explain everything now.

To prevent Jiang Kun from sowing discord.

After listening, Gu Qingzhao’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. She set down her scripture; the spirit incense beside her began to drift and scatter erratically.

The room’s atmosphere grew heavy and still.

(End of Chapter)