Chapter 581: Seeking Elixir in Vain, Star-Sea Divine Vine

Great Jin, Zhongzhou, Longting Lake, Su family.

After being rebuffed at the Five Elements Mountain bazaar, the Luo family arrived here without delay.

Since the other side demanded too high a price, they could only come here to try their luck.

Perhaps things might still turn around.

"Hmph! Hua Tianxiong and that Lu shopkeeper have too much greed!"

"In my view, they're trying to take advantage of this opportunity to extort us—demanding fourth-rank spiritual materials just to trade."

"Do they really think I'm a fool?"

Luo Chen, having shed his earlier sickly appearance, sat inside the magic vessel, deeply aggrieved.

"Young Master, we aren't entirely without fourth-rank spiritual materials ourselves."

"But if we use them, and word gets out, it will inevitably bring unnecessary trouble."

"If the Da Li demonic sects take notice, it won't be worth the cost!"

"And those demonic cultivators who descended from the fallen realms."

At this moment, Luo Xi changed his address to Luo Chen, his tone filled with respect—clearly, they were not father and son.

It resembled more the exchange between master and servant.

"Hmm, let's see first."

"If all else fails, we'll think of another way."

"This matter cannot be delayed any longer—you understand."

Luo Chen pondered for a moment, his expression grave.

"Yes, Young Master." Luo Xi replied.

But when they arrived at the Su family's mountain gate in their magic vessel, they were utterly stunned by what they saw.

Truly, the Luo family witnessed firsthand what "a gate thronged with visitors" meant—before the Su family's main gate, aristocrats, clan heirs, and disciples from countless sects came in an unbroken stream, including several renowned figures from the cultivation world.

Compared to this, the humble Zhou Luo family was merely a mid-to-lower-tier force.

Seeing this scene, Luo Chen and Luo Xi's hearts sank—Luo Chen silently cursed his misfortune.

How long would it take before they could even meet the legendary Su Dadan?

So then.

He had Elder Luo Xi find an opportunity to secretly slip a large sum of spirit stones to one of the household stewards, asking him to pass along their request.

The old steward had never encountered such a generous cultivator; after taking the money, he happily went inside to deliver the message.

After all, it was only to pass on a word—so long as the message reached them, whether the young master would see them or not was no longer his concern.

Inside Su Yuqing's study, incense curled gently—still the third-rank Soul-Cleansing Incense Qin Ming had given him.

Wisps of mist filled the room, soothing the spirit into tranquil stillness.

Dressed in white, Su Yuqing was poring over an ancient book.

At that moment,

a respectful voice came from outside the door:

"Young Master Su, a visitor from the Zhou Luo family, a Jin Dan clan, seeks an audience to request an elixir."

"And the Luo family says they are willing to pay any price."

"Their tone is earnest—they seem to have urgent business. Would you care to see them?"

Su Yuqing set down his book, murmuring in surprise: "They actually came here?"

"I wonder what trick Qin Ming is up to now."

"But since he reached out, I might as well..."

He then called out to the steward outside: "Tell the Luo family to leave. My elixir appointment slots for this year are full."

"Huh? But—" The old steward was helpless.

Young Master Su spends his days burning incense, brewing tea, or tending flowers—what appointments?

Still, he dared not defy Su Yuqing's words and did as he was told.

"Yes, Young Master Su!"

Moments later,

the Su family steward returned to the mountain gate, found the Luo family, and said awkwardly: "Senior Luo, my young master says his elixir appointment slots for this year are full."

"He cannot accept any new requests or allow priority insertion. Perhaps you should try elsewhere?"

"So as not to delay your urgent matter."

Luo Chen and Luo Xi had been waiting outside, anxious and desperate, eyes fixed on the gate.

Instead, they received this reply—"Senior Su, could you please ask Grandmaster Su to make an exception?"

"The Luo family will pay any price."

"If this is accomplished, the Zhou Luo family will owe Grandmaster Su a tremendous debt of gratitude."

"We will fulfill any request in the future!"

Elder Luo Xi still tried one last time, unwilling to give up.

The old steward sighed again: "Senior Luo, please return. I've already tried—I'm certain Young Master Su has no time."

"I'm afraid I must decline your kind offer."

Luo Chen gazed longingly into the Su compound, then gritted his teeth and told Luo Xi: "Let's go."

Their faces dark, they left the place in disgrace.

Having traveled thousands of miles to Great Jin and suffered two consecutive rejections, anyone would be in low spirits.

On the magic vessel, Luo Chen's voice was gloomy.

"What now? Time is running out—I never imagined the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Elixir would be so hard to obtain."

Elder Luo Xi paused briefly, then spoke slowly:

"Young Master, perhaps we can consider alternatives—there are other ways to heal the soul, not just the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Elixir."

"Other celestial and terrestrial treasures can work too, though their effects are inferior."

"We'll have to settle for second best."

"We can quietly monitor the bazaars of major immortal cities for such treasures."

"If all else fails... even if we suffer losses and take greater risks, we'll have to ask the Mirror Snow Pavilion to intervene."

"Sigh... I still don't understand why Lu Shopkeeper has such influence—why can't we even get an audience with Su Danshi?"

Luo Chen slowly nodded.

…

…

Several days later.

News came from Hua Tianxiong—he entered the main hall with a sly grin and reported to Qin Ming: "Hehehe! Master, word's come back from Grandmaster Su—the Luo family did come seeking an elixir, but Su Danshi turned them down."

"Apparently, the Luo family, refusing to give up, is now scouring every immortal city bazaar for spiritual materials." Hua Tianxiong held Qin Ming in deep admiration, as if he had already counted the Luo family as his prey.

"Hmm, wait until they come to you again, then see."

Qin Ming nodded—he suspected the Luo family would return to him soon enough.

"Yes, Master!" Hua Tianxiong bowed respectfully. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Should you need anything here, just give the order."

Qin Ming immediately stopped him, took a list from the table, and handed it to Hua Tianxiong: "Go gather these spiritual herbs and materials for me."

"Yes!" Hua Tianxiong took the list and saw dozens of materials listed in dense script.

He hesitated and asked: "Master, are these the materials required to brew the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Elixir?"

"Correct. I already have part of them—what I need you to collect are the remaining auxiliary materials. They shouldn't be hard to find," Qin Ming said calmly.

Hearing this, Hua Tianxiong realized Qin Ming intended to brew the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Elixir himself.

He knew Qin Ming's alchemical skill was extraordinary, nearly equal to Grandmaster Su Yuqing's.

He said no more and went to the bazaar to procure the materials.

In the meantime,

Qin Ming left his courtyard and visited the Mirror Snow Pavilion branch in the Five Elements Mountain bazaar.

Old Jia was at the front desk, clacking his abacus, checking accounts. Seeing the "Lu Shopkeeper" enter,

he immediately dropped his work, beamed, and hurried over.

"Lu Shopkeeper, have you finished tending your spirit fields?"

"Lv E, hurry and brew the finest spirit tea for Lu Shopkeeper!"

"Never mind—I'll do it myself."

Old Jia swiftly led Qin Ming to a private room on the fourth floor, brewed him a pot of spirit tea, and arranged some spirit fruits and snacks.

"Old Jia, how's business at the shop lately?"

Qin Ming sipped his tea, set down the cup, and asked casually.

"Hehehe! Thanks to you, this quarter's revenue has risen significantly," Old Jia hurriedly handed Qin Ming the ledger.

Qin Ming flipped through it casually, then nodded in satisfaction: "Good."

"By year's end, Master Gu will surely reward you again."

"My humble skills are nothing compared to yours. Without you, Lu Shopkeeper, how could Mirror Snow Pavilion have gained such influence in Great Jin?"

"You are truly indispensable."

Jia Heyi replied with great tact, though what he said was true.

If Qin Ming hadn't secured the Five Elements Mountain spirit fields, grown various spirit rice, and crafted the unique third-rank Soul-Cleansing Incense to build his reputation,

Jingxue Pavilion would still be scrabbling in some corner of the Spirit Ruins Marketplace.

"Hmm, let's not talk about that."

"By the way, have there been any major events in the marketplace these past few days?" Qin Ming asked next.

Jia Heyi paused to recall, about to shake his head, when his eyes suddenly lit up.

"If you hadn't asked, Master Lu, I'd almost forgotten about this."

"There's actually been quite a stir in the Five Elements Mountain marketplace lately."

"Oh? What's that?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Jia Heyi explained: "I heard the Wanda Trading Alliance is organizing an auction, and someone has entrusted them to sell a segment of Star Sea Divine Vine."

"And it appears to be of considerable age and grade."

"Many cultivators have come specifically for it, likely drawn by this item."

"The Star Sea Divine Vine—one of the Five Great Divine Trees of the cultivation world?"

"Is this information reliable?" Qin Ming set down his teacup, surprised.

Yet it stirred a faint sense of unease in him.

For the Star Sea Divine Vine's greatest effect, like that of the Soul-Nourishing Wood, is to strengthen and repair the spiritual soul.

Combined with the fact that the Luo family has recently been scouring the market for spirit-soul healing medicines,

Qin Ming even suspected someone might be setting a trap, using the Star Sea Divine Vine as bait to lure someone in.

Jia Heyi seemed to sense Qin Ming's keen interest in the legendary Star Sea Divine Vine, and ventured cautiously:

"Master, are you interested in the Star Sea Divine Vine? If so, Jingxue Pavilion could also join the bidding—we've got ample funds on our books lately."

"What the Wanda Trading Alliance announces is certainly trustworthy."

"If you need it, I'll bid it back for you."

Qin Ming shook his head. "The situation isn't clear yet. No need to act rashly—let's wait and see."

"When does the auction begin?"

"The Wanda Trading Alliance has set the date for the fifteenth of next month," Jia Heyi replied.

"Alright, I understand. Go about your business."

Qin Ming waved his hand to dismiss Jia Heyi, then sat alone in thought.

……

Half a month later.

Hua Tianxiong had gathered all the spirit materials on the list and delivered them to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming then took time to review the Nine Yang Soul-Resuscitation Pill formula several times, and began refining it in his courtyard.

This formula was recorded in Su Yuqing's "Origin Dao Elixir Scripture," with extremely detailed descriptions of the refining steps and experience.

Clearly, Su Yuqing had refined it more than once.

For Qin Ming, refining this pill posed no difficulty whatsoever.

It was far simpler than the Divine Tree Pill.

Only three days later.

A rich, unusual fragrance filled Hua Tianxiong's courtyard, accompanied by celestial phenomena signaling the formation of a high-rank elixir.

Yet all of it was concealed and sealed by the advanced array barriers set up in the yard.

Inside the house, Qin Ming gestured toward the third-rank superior Wind-Thunder Cauldron, and three elixirs glowing with multicolored light landed in his palm.

Hua Tianxiong watched eagerly from the side, having witnessed Qin Ming's refining process.

It had been utterly smooth, fluid as flowing clouds.

It truly opened his eyes.

When he had once served Senior Gan at Lihuo Palace, he had been lucky enough to observe a Nascent Soul sect's third-rank elixir grandmaster refining.

But compared to Qin Ming's skill, that was like a dwarf comparing himself to a giant.

……

(End of Chapter)