Chapter 579: Exposure and Conditions

In the courtyard's main hall.

Hua Tianxiong, sensing the other's displeasure, quickly explained to Elder Luo Xi:

"Hehe! Elder Luo, don't be angry—we're all one family, all of us."

"No need for formalities."

Seeing the Luo family's dissatisfaction, Hua Tianxiong displayed his full merchant's cunning, weaving elaborate lies and excuses.

"Let me introduce you two."

This is Manager Lu of the Jingxue Pavilion of the Wanda Trade Alliance; everything Elder Luo seeks depends entirely on Brother Lu's assistance.

Upon hearing this, the Luo family exchanged uneasy glances.

With no other choice, they reluctantly followed the host's lead and entered inside to assess the situation.

"Elder Luo, welcome!"

"Greetings, Young Master Luo!"

"Cough! Cough! Manager Lu, your courtesy is appreciated."

After Hua Tianxiong's lively efforts, the atmosphere in the hall eased considerably. Qin Ming smiled and rose to greet each member of the Luo family in turn.

But when his gaze fell upon the severely wounded "Young Master Luo," a wave of suspicion stirred within him.

For he had just secretly activated the Yin-Yang Mystic Mirror technique, scanning the Luo family's inner energies.

Elder Luo Chen showed no irregularities—his body brimmed with lush green vitality, at least two hundred years of abundant lifespan remaining.

But this Young Master Luo, grievously injured and traveling countless miles to seek medicine, raised serious concerns.

Ordinary cultivators might not notice.

Yet under Qin Ming's divine scrutiny, he saw the young man's dantian teeming with vibrant green vitality.

Luo Chen's true age was small—barely in his twenties, still possessing over a hundred years of lifespan.

This man had concealed not only his cultivation level, but his true realm.

Luo Chen's actual cultivation was Foundation Establishment late stage.

Yet he bore some powerful treasure that masked his spiritual power and aura—even Hua Tianxiong, a Gao Jie cultivator, detected nothing amiss.

Had Qin Ming not awakened the Yin-Yang Mystic Mirror through the Wood Talisman's origin within his flawless Jin Dan, and possessed spiritual sense rivaling a Nascent Soul elder's,

He likely wouldn't have noticed either.

Qin Ming instantly realized.

'This Luo Chen is definitely suspicious!'

Immediately, he secretly activated his Break-Method Reborn Eyes, silently gazing at the man.

He saw Luo Chen had used a secret technique to alter his appearance—his true face was that of a handsome, sharply featured youth, utterly unlike his current guise.

Then,

Qin Ming silently observed the man's soul, discovering a faint wound upon it—clearly a carefully crafted illusion.

'The Luo family's actions suggest their quest for medicine hides another purpose.'

'And all the Luo family members are normal cultivators, their spiritual power pure—not demonic.'

'This is truly strange.'

In mere seconds of subtle manipulation, Qin Ming had uncovered the Luo family's true nature.

Since they were not demonic, Qin Ming chose not to expose them.

He wanted to see what the Luo family intended.

He also refrained from whispering to Hua Tianxiong, lest he reveal his awareness.

After brief exchanges,

Luo Xi and Luo Chen learned from Hua Tianxiong's account that securing Su Yuqing's aid required the current 'Manager Lu's' assistance.

Their tone and demeanor immediately grew more courteous.

Elder Luo Xi raised his wine cup and apologized to Qin Ming: "Hehe! Old man failed to grasp the situation earlier—my apologies for any rudeness, Manager Lu, please forgive me!"

Luo Chen feigned weakness: "Manager Lu, please be lenient!"

"Elder Luo need not worry," Qin Ming replied without revealing his thoughts. "If there's a chance to cooperate with the Luo family, I welcome it wholeheartedly."

His speech and bearing perfectly matched a merchant's demeanor, easing Elder Luo Xi's suspicions.

Then,

Qin Ming sought to probe their limits, speaking with deliberate gravity: "Lu Mou has indeed conducted business with Master Su Yuqing."

"But business is business, and favors are favors."

"Even if I were to request Master Su to brew an elixir, it would demand a considerable price."

"Moreover, Young Master Luo seeks a third-rank superior-grade elixir—the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill. I've heard of it during my years in trade."

"Cough! Cough! As for compensation, anything is negotiable—as long as the elixir is brewed, paying a price is only natural!" Luo Chen interrupted before Elder Luo Xi could speak.

His words radiated reckless determination.

'This guy's a wealthy bastard?'

'He doesn't even plan to haggle—clearly desperate.'

Qin Ming mused inwardly.

He even suspected the man's true identity was far more complex than a mere Luo family scion.

Could he be one of the core disciples who fled with Han Ya the Immortal from the Grand Qing Sect of the Great Zhou? Qin Ming sipped his spiritual tea.

He probed further: "In that case, I can ask Master Su to prioritize brewing the third-rank superior-grade 'Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill' for Young Master Luo—but the terms…"

"You know, third-rank superior-grade elixirs are far harder to obtain than ordinary ones—even in the Great Jin cultivation realm, only a handful of elixir masters can brew them, and even then, success isn't guaranteed."

"Young Master Luo surely knows Master Su's elixir craftsmanship is unmatched in all of Great Jin—if he claims second, no one dares claim first."

"Thus, securing his rare intervention will demand a steep price."

"Moreover, the ingredients for the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill are mostly top-tier third-rank materials—extremely costly, let alone the finished elixir."

"Therefore, to obtain this Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill, you'll need at least one fourth-rank spiritual material."

"Spirit stones? Master Su doesn't lack them—even superior spirit stones may not suffice." Hearing this, the Luo father and son froze in shock.

They wondered if they'd misheard.

"F-f-fourth-rank spiritual material?"

"Manager Lu, are you certain? That's the kind of material Nascent Soul True Persons hoard!"

"And while the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill is rare, surely not worth this?"

Elder Luo Xi said, embarrassed.

Qin Ming feigned firmness, sighing: "Alas, Elder Luo, I'm not unwilling to help."

"But reality is reality—if you find the terms unreasonable, I'm powerless to assist."

This remark left the Luo father and son speechless.

Elder Luo Xi seethed inwardly:

Who the hell did Hua Tianxiong introduce us to? He demands a lion's share from the start, offers zero room for negotiation—who does this kind of business? Hua Tianxiong, unaware of the stakes, frets helplessly—but even he thinks demanding fourth-rank spiritual material is outrageous! After all, such resources are controlled only by Nascent Soul sects—how could a mere Luo family possess one?

Yet even knowing this, he dared not argue with Qin Ming.

Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, he quickly intervened:

"Hehe! Business may fail, but goodwill remains!"

"Brother Luo, you don't understand—Master Su's temperament is extremely eccentric."

"Every day, countless clans and sects from Great Jin's Central Continent flock to the Longting Lake Su family seeking elixirs."

"Yet only a handful ever gain an audience with Master Su."

"Naturally, a price is required."

The Luo father and son fell into thought, then exchanged glances—as if reaching a decision.

"Manager Lu, is there no other way besides a fourth-rank spiritual material?"

"Indeed, I have no other option," Qin Ming replied firmly.

His tone carried regret, feigning helplessness.

Silence returned to the hall.

"Sigh! Very well, then—we'll seek other solutions."

After a long pause, Elder Luo Xi sighed.

After brief pleasantries, the Luo father and son took their leave.

Once they departed, Hua Tianxiong asked, puzzled: "Master, why—"

"Luo Chen is an impostor—he used secret arts to disguise his identity. He seeks the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill for another purpose."

"Don't worry—they'll come back to you eventually," Qin Ming said calmly.

Hua Tianxiong suddenly understood. "Ah?! That old Luo dared deceive me!"

Then he thought of something else.

"But what if they seek another elixir master?"

Qin Ming gave a knowing smile.

"The Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill is uniquely rare—a soul-healing elixir. Even beyond Great Jin's borders, in the other two cultivation realms—"

"Only Su Yuqing and I can brew it. No other elixir master can."

"It barely circulates on the market—by the time they acquire it, the opportunity will be long gone."

"Cough! Go personally and tell Brother Su—should anyone come asking for the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill, refuse them outright."

I'd like to see what tricks this Luo family father and son are up to with their sneaky behavior.

Of course, Qin Ming had another plan—if the Luo family truly wished to exchange fourth-rank spiritual materials for the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill.

He wouldn't mind making the deal. This transaction was guaranteed profit; if he could secure the final main ingredient for refining the Nascent Soul Pill—the Five Element Spirit Ginseng—he could leave this place of turmoil at once.

"Hehehe! Master is truly brilliant! Your humble servant is utterly awed—prostrate with admiration!" Hua Tianxiong grinned slyly after hearing Qin Ming's words.

Immediately, Hua Tianxiong set off without delay to carry out Qin Ming's instructions.

Qin Ming, with nothing else to do, closed his eyes and cultivated in Hua Tianxiong's courtyard.

…

Meanwhile.

At the border between the Great Zhou Immortal Realm and the Great Li Dynasty.

A dark demonic-patterned spiritual carriage, pulled by eight six-winged demonic bats, sped through the sky like a thunderbolt.

Far faster than the magical ships of major sects and clans.

The demonic carriage was extravagantly adorned, its curtains woven from third-rank demonic spider silk, emitting a crimson-black glow.

The roof was crafted from the wings of rare demonic creatures, and the entire carriage seemed forged from the skeleton of a dragon.

It was inlaid with demonic crystals, carved into intricate patterns.

Luxury pushed to its extreme.

Though its exterior appeared merely a carriage, its interior space was vast, spanning dozens of zhang.

Its furnishings were opulent, resembling a palace.

Yet only two sat inside: the Holy Son and Holy Daughter of the Blood Refining Demon Sect.

"Sister Lan, where do you think the Cold Crow Elder fled after being struck by your Ice Soul Demon Light?" Jiang Yuan idly tossed a red fruit into his mouth.

The Ice Holy Daughter sat quietly, eyes closed, cultivating.

After a long while, her crimson lips parted: "She's surely searching for a way to heal her spiritual soul."

"Once struck by my Ice Soul Demon Light, even a Nascent Soul elder will steadily drain and corrode their Nascent Soul unless treated immediately."

"I see."

…

(End of Chapter)