Chapter 577: Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Sap, the Luo Family of Da Zhou

The Beast Roar Mountains, not long after Qin Ming departed.

The air where the battle with the demonic cultivators had just taken place began to ripple, like water disturbed, then violently trembled.

At that moment.

Two streaks of brilliant light shot from afar and halted instantly above the vicinity.

The light faded, revealing two figures with no trace of magic power, as if ordinary mortals.

Yet none but an extraordinary being could hover in midair without emitting even a whisper of spiritual pressure.

One of them, a giant like a iron tower, was Gu Shan, the ancient beast sage of the Mountain Giant Ape Clan, whom Qin Ming had once met briefly at the Fox Clan's sacred grounds during the grand ceremony.

Beside him, floating in empty air, stood a demonic cultivator clad in black feather robes, his black hair tied into a crown; apart from a horned, chitinous nose, his features were nearly identical to those of a human.

Clearly, he too was a fully transformed beast sage.

"Brother Gu Shan, the destruction here seems to have been caused by a high-level beast of late third-rank or above."

"I've never heard of any such demonic cultivator existing in this region of the Beast Roar Mountains."

Gu Shan did not directly answer, but narrowed his eyes and carefully probed with his beast sense for a moment.

Then his brow furrowed slightly.

He murmured in confusion: "Strange—I sense a faint trace of my own clan's aura."

"What? Brother Gu Shan, you're not mistaken, are you?" the black-feathered beast cultivator exclaimed. "Don't joke—could your clan be producing a new beast sage seed?"

After searching without result, Gu Shan abandoned his perception: "No, I merely suspected."

"What do you make of this, Da Heitian?"

The figure beside him was Da Heitian, the fourth-rank early-stage transformed beast sage of the Riftwind Eagle Clan.

Upon hearing this, Da Heitian's small, emerald eyes narrowed slightly, and he said indifferently: "These petty beasts squabbling below are irrelevant."

"What I care about is the ancient Qingyuan Sect's secret realm—I've heard it may contain high-rank opportunities, even treasures capable of breaking through the fourth-rank bottleneck. Surely, Brother Gu Shan, you're not unmoved?"

"What do you think of my earlier proposal?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Shan remained utterly unmoved.

"This matter need not be mentioned again. I advise you: don't meddle in human affairs, or you'll burn yourself."

Then, without further regard for the other's reaction, his figure blurred and vanished from the spot.

He came swiftly, and left just as quickly.

Da Heitian's emerald eyes flickered several times; he made no further pause, his form fading as he departed.

"Hmph! How utterly dull."

"Since none of you will join forces, I'll go alone."

…

On the other side.

After several days of flight, Qin Ming returned to the Five Elements Mountain spirit fields.

To be safe, he took a longer detour.

Only after confirming no one was following did he return to the spirit field outpost.

Upon returning, Qin Ming first inspected the fields: dozens of spirit farmers were going about their daily work, Li Lan was tending the Jade Emperor Spirit Rice—all was normal.

Old Jia had gone to manage the Mirror Snow Pavilion's business.

The Mirror Snow Pavilion's business had grown steadily better; he was barely keeping up.

Gu Qingzhao had dispatched additional personnel from the southern wastelands headquarters.

The first thing Qin Ming did upon returning was to take out the Shennong Hoe and clear the weeds from his ten mu of Tianluo Grass, then irrigate it with the Five Elements Spirit Rain Technique.

The spirit fields were lush and verdant; overall, the growth was quite healthy.

After tending the fields, he entered the Small Spirit Realm and began examining the storage bags of the two Blood Refining Sect's core disciples.

But what followed—

Even Qin Ming, well-traveled and experienced, froze in place.

"Damn! This is too rich!"

"I never imagined it'd be this bad."

"These two demonic cultivators must have looted half the factions in Da Zhou!"

At these words, the Shi Tian Rat, who had been polishing his black steel fork, perked up his ears, dropped the fork, and hurried over.

He glanced at the storage bags and gasped in surprise.

"My turtle! We're rich, Master! Didn't expect these two were such fat lambs! Hehehe!"

Inside the two storage bags lay a dazzling array of high-rank spiritual treasures and rare materials, piled into small mountains.

Alongside the demonic cultivators' own transmissions were numerous looted spiritual materials.

Alone, the high-grade spirit stones totaled over a thousand, the mid-grade numbered in the tens of thousands, and the low-grade were too numerous to count.

The two personal demonic treasures of the Mo cultivator—Blood Bat Demon Tower and Blood Spirit Drill—were both third-rank high-grade demonic artifacts.

The personal demonic weapon of the Qiu cultivator was a third-rank supreme-grade demonic bone banner.

Several other third-rank low- and mid-grade magic treasures were also present.

Qin Ming had little interest in these demonic cultivation methods or demonic artifacts.

What intrigued him were the rare spiritual treasures looted from Da Zhou—some of which he could actually use.

As he rummaged through them, one item in the Qiu cultivator's storage bag caught the Shi Tian Rat's attention.

Born with a natural treasure-sensing ability, the Shi Tian Rat's sense for treasures was extremely sharp; it sniffed hard, its eyes suddenly brightening.

"Huh? What's this?"

The Shi Tian Rat pointed to a green jade bottle lying at the very bottom.

Qin Ming paused his search.

He summoned the green bottle into his hand; its exterior was ancient and elegant, engraved with several ancient spirit runes.

Merely holding it felt extraordinary.

Had its appearance not been so plain and unadorned, Qin Ming would have overlooked it entirely without the Shi Tian Rat's prompt.

He was about to unseal the bottle when he noticed a tightly sealed forbidden seal on it.

He could forcibly break it, but feared damaging its contents.

So—

He turned and handed the green bottle to the Shi Tian Rat.

"Break the seal."

The Shi Tian Rat beamed, took the bottle, and exhaled black mystic light to unravel it.

Only half a quarter-hour later,

a dim glow flickered across the bottle, then dissolved like a bubble into the air.

"Master, it's done."

"Hehe!"

The Shi Tian Rat happily returned the jade bottle to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming smiled and nodded; with the Shi Tian Rat's ability, he'd saved himself considerable effort in breaking seals and arrays.

He then uncorked the bottle and peered inside.

Instantly, a brilliant emerald radiance burst forth; a pure, spiritual aura emanated from within, invigorating the spirit, while a shimmer of five-colored aurora appeared at the mouth—clear signs of a heavenly-spirit treasure.

Inside lay a full bottle of emerald spirit fluid, glowing with crystalline translucence, its colors shifting constantly, profoundly mystical.

"This thing—"

"The Dao essence of a fourth-rank heavenly-spirit treasure!"

Suddenly, Qin Ming's eyes flashed bright! "It's the Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Sap!"

"And in such a full bottle."

"Hahahaha!"

Qin Ming was stunned and delighted—his cultivation of the Nascent Soul Pill's fifth main ingredient, the Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Sap, had come into his hands so easily! Indeed, killing and looting paid off!

Otherwise, he might have spent years searching for this item.

"The Yuying Fruit Tree, Ten-Thousand-Year Green Spirit Sap, Shape-Shifting Demon Grass, Taiyi Bodhi—four main ingredients are now gathered."

"Only the final one remains: Five Elements Spirit Ginseng."

"I never expected progress to come this fast."

Qin Ming was overjoyed—this meant he was drawing ever closer to the Nascent Soul realm.

In high spirits, he patted the Shi Tian Rat's head and asked: "Pick any treasure you want."

"Thank you, Master! So generous! Hehe!"

The Shi Tian Rat was ecstatic—rarely had Qin Ming been so generous, letting him choose freely from the spoils.

Half an incense stick later,

the Shi Tian Rat clutched a heap of rare spiritual treasures in his arms, strutting over to the Xuan Shui Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bees, boasting incessantly.

Qin Ming resumed his usual routine of cultivation, farming, and pill refining.

Yet these past few days, while cultivating, he felt an inexplicable unease, his mind unsettled.

"Did I overlook something when I exterminated the Blood Refining Sect's demonic cultivators?" He recalled every detail repeatedly, confirmed he'd left no trace, then shook his head and dismissed it.

…

Several months later.

Since the Daoist Alliance eradicated the demonic cultivators with thunderous force, the Five Elements Mountain Marketplace, once filled with panic, has regained its former bustle and prosperity.

Cultivators from all corners of Great Jin have once again gathered here to trade and interact.

Old Jia of Jingxue Pavilion has also assembled a team and opened a branch of his business within the Five Elements Mountain Marketplace.

Today, Jingxue Pavilion is no longer what it once was—it is now one of the well-known trading houses in Great Jin.

It has opened over ten branches in nearby markets, and as its reputation grows, its annual revenue continues to rise steadily.

On this day.

Qin Ming had just finished his daily cultivation routine and sat leisurely by the spirit field, sipping tea.

A table beside him held a spread of spirit melons and spirit fruits, with a pot of Xuepo Spirit Tea steeping.

He resembled a hermit far from the clamor, contentedly enjoying the pastoral scenery before him.

At that moment.

Hua Tianxiong contacted Qin Ming via a Black Talisman.

"Master, I have something of utmost importance to report to you in person."

"Oh? Where are you?"

"I've been staying within the Five Elements Mountain Marketplace this whole time."

"Alright, I'll come in two days."

Qin Ming slowly set down his teacup, a hint of surprise on his face.

"I didn't expect Hua Tianxiong had gotten hold of something truly significant."

Two days later.

Qin Ming arrived as agreed, returning to the Five Elements Mountain Marketplace.

Compared to before, the marketplace was now patrolled and guarded by Daoist Alliance cultivators, with heightened vigilance.

Its safety level had risen by an entire tier.

At the marketplace entrance, the glow of spirit beasts and carriages filled the air, while below, a long line of cultivators waited for identity verification to enter.

When Qin Ming landed, the guards on duty quickly stepped aside to let him pass.

"Oh! It's Master Lu from Jingxue Pavilion!"

"Please, come right in!"

Qin Ming was well acquainted with Han Yuan and others from the Wan Dao Trading Alliance; over time, these cultivators at the Five Elements Mountain Marketplace naturally recognized him.

Following the address Hua Tianxiong gave him, Qin Ming followed the main road to the eastern district of the marketplace, turned through several alleys, and arrived at a small courtyard gate.

He immediately sent Hua Tianxiong a message talisman.

Moments later.

The gate opened, and Hua Tianxiong, belly protruding, bowed with obsequious deference: "Master, you've arrived."

"Mm. Outside, call me Master Lu," Qin Ming said coolly.

"Hehe! Understood, Master Lu."

With Jingxue Pavilion's influence greatly expanded, it was perfectly normal for a shopkeeper like him to have business dealings with Qianji Trading House.

After entering the courtyard with Hua Tianxiong, Qin Ming realized this place held hidden depths.

The entire courtyard was sealed by a high-grade isolation barrier, capable of blocking even a Golden Core True Person's spiritual sense.

A third-rank upper-grade array also guarded the compound.

Privacy and security had been pushed to the extreme.

Clearly, Hua Tianxiong had spared no expense or effort.

"Speak," Qin Ming said, sitting on a wicker chair. "What is it you want?"

Hua Tianxiong brewed Qin Ming a pot of premium spirit tea before taking his seat opposite and explaining.

"Hehe! Master, a big opportunity has come knocking!"

"Recently, several of my Qianji Trading House's Duanyuan Magic Ships, fleeing conflict, retreated from Great Zhou into Great Jin."

Besides our own people, the ships carried many cultivators fleeing from Great Zhou."

"Among them were several wealthy young masters from Great Zhou."

"One of them is Luo Xi, an elder of the Luo family of Great Zhou."

"He secretly contacted me, saying he came to Great Jin seeking medicine."

"His precious son, a top-tier spiritual root, was gravely wounded by demonic cultivators during the chaos, damaging his foundation."

"This old man somehow learned of my close ties with Master Su, and begged me to plead with Master Su on his behalf."

"He wants him to brew a spirit pill called 'Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill.'"

"Upon success, the Luo family will pay an extremely generous reward—any conditions you name."

"Further trade cooperation can also be discussed afterward."

"I thought you might have use for something like this, so I came to consult you."

"Luo Xi has also arranged to meet me here; he should arrive within the next two days."

"Master, would you like to meet him first before deciding?"

Hua Tianxiong finished, rubbing his fat hands and smiling expectantly at Qin Ming.

He knew that Su Yuqing, a Grandmaster of Pill Crafting, even deigned to speak with him solely because of Qin Ming's favor.

"The Luo family of Great Zhou?"

"Have you investigated their background?"

Qin Ming had only recently slain two demonic cultivators from the Blood Refining Sect who had disguised themselves and sneaked in.

Thus, upon hearing cultivators had come from Great Zhou, he instinctively remained cautious.

"I've already sent people to investigate—their origins are clean," Hua Tianxiong said, pouring Qin Ming more tea.

"I'm just uncertain, so I wanted you to take a look."

Qin Ming nodded, accepting the matter.

Hua Tianxiong consulting him before acting was quite wise.

"The Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill is a third-rank upper-grade spirit pill—only a third-rank upper-grade Pill Grandmaster could possibly brew it."

"And this pill is specifically for healing soul damage—could it be that the Luo heir's spiritual essence was injured?"

As a third-rank Pill Grandmaster himself, and one who possessed Su Yuqing's "Source Dao Pill Scripture," Qin Ming was no stranger to such pills.

Hence his question.

"I… I met the Luo young master once," Hua Tianxiong said awkwardly. "He looked very weak; his spiritual essence was indeed damaged, but I don't know the details."

Qin Ming pondered briefly, then said: "Mm. We'll see when the time comes."

Afterward, Qin Ming and Hua Tianxiong discussed other matters.

One day later.

Hua Tianxiong came walking over, smiling: "Master, Luo Xi just sent me a message."

"They've arrived in the marketplace with the Luo heir—should be here any moment."

"Mm," Qin Ming sipped his tea, calm and composed, and gave a slight nod.

Another half incense stick passed.

Hua Tianxiong received a message talisman and went out himself to open the gate—presumably, they had arrived.

A group was ushered into the courtyard by Hua Tianxiong.

Leading them was an elderly man with golden hair, clad in a golden-threaded jade silk robe, eyes sharp and radiant, at the early stage of Golden Core cultivation.

This must be Luo Xi, elder of the Luo family of Great Zhou.

Behind him walked a sickly youth in a jade robe, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, his face as pale as paper, yet still clearly bearing strikingly handsome features.

"Elder Luo Xi!"

"Young Master Luo Chen!"

"You're too kind, Master Hua."

Beside the frail young man, two beautiful maids followed closely, one on each side, supporting him.

Upon entering the courtyard, they warmly greeted Hua Tianxiong.

But when Elder Luo Xi stepped into the main hall and saw other strangers inside,

His smile vanished instantly.

His expression darkened as he turned to Hua Tianxiong and demanded: "Master Hua, what is this?"

"Why are there outsiders here?"

"I specifically warned you, and you promised me this matter would be kept absolutely secret."

……

(End of Chapter)