Chapter 585: Five Element Spirit Ginseng and Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold

On the square of the Black Stone Cave.

Qin Ming had long suspected that the one behind Xuanqing Pavilion seeking the medicine was most likely Han Ya the True Lord, severely wounded by the Demoness.

But now, upon actually seeing the Nascent Soul True Person, he was still somewhat taken aback.

This was Qin Ming's first time ever laying eyes on a human Nascent Soul True Person.

Yet perhaps due to his grave injuries and having recently possessed a new body, he felt no great pressure.

For the moment he set eyes on the green-robed youth, he used the Yin-Yang Mystic Mirror technique and saw that atop the youth's three-inch spiritual platform sat a Nascent Soul.

Only, the Nascent Soul's aura was weak and listless, wreathed in a layer of pitch-black demonic light.

These threads of black light, like parasitic worms clinging to bone, were slowly eroding the Nascent Soul's spiritual essence—clearly, his current power was less than one-tenth of his full strength.

The magic power aura radiating from the green-robed youth now hovered at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

He posed no serious threat to Qin Ming.

Yet he remained a Nascent Soul elder, even in such a degraded state.

Facing Han Ya in this condition, Qin Ming remained cautious, silently raising his vigilance to the utmost.

If the elder harbored ill intent—

After all, Nascent Soul cultivators could teleport instantly, and with Qin Ming's late Foundation Establishment cultivation—

Completely killing him was plainly impossible.

Unless he used the Hooked Jade Golden Light Mirror. But Qin Ming had examined the Nascent Soul's life state: the emerald aura of vitality was thick, indicating at least eight hundred years of lifespan remaining.

Clearly, the Shorten-Life Technique could not be used on him.

For a cultivator one major realm above you, the lifespan exchange ratio is ten to one.

He himself would die first. Still, seeing Han Ya showed no ill intent, Qin Ming stayed cautious and decided to wait and see.

The green-robed youth opened his deep, starlike eyes and gazed directly at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming immediately felt a crushing spiritual pressure surge forth.

After his spiritual sense lingered over Qin Ming for a moment, it receded like a tide.

Then—

Han Ya let out a faint smile.

"You're truly a hidden gem! So young, yet already at the Golden Core stage."

"Not only that—you've even seen through the illusionary treasure I bestowed upon my disciples."

Qin Ming bowed and stepped forward in salute. "Elder, you flatter me. I never expected it to be Han Ya True Lord."

"My apologies for the rudeness!"

"Merely some self-defense tricks—nothing to amuse an Elder."

Qin Ming had deliberately revealed his Golden Core magic power aura.

As for his True Demon Illusion technique, even a Nascent Soul beginner could not see through it.

"No need for formalities. I suppose you've seen—I've fallen this far, nothing but a stray dog."

As he spoke—

The green-robed youth remained motionless, still seated in meditation.

At this moment, Qin Ming also noticed—

It seemed Han Ya had to continuously channel his energy to resist the black demonic light's erosion of his Nascent Soul.

And the reason he could sustain this for so long was due to the straw mat beneath him.

This object was extraordinary—certainly a remarkable life-preserving magic treasure, seemingly linked to the mysterious Black Stone Array.

It continuously channeled surrounding heavenly spiritual energy to Han Ya.

Clearly, Han Ya could not leave the mat even a step, unless his life hung by a thread.

"I heard you have a big appetite—you demand Five Element Spirit Ginseng just to trade for the Nine Yang Soul-Recovering Pill."

The green-robed youth's refined face wore an air of ancient wisdom.

"Do you know what the Five Element Spirit Ginseng is used for?"

Qin Ming naturally could not tell him the truth.

So he feigned ignorance and replied:

"Elder, I urgently need the Five Element Spirit Ginseng to brew a rare medicine called 'Jin Yu Ling Gao' to save a younger relative of my clan."

"Jin Yu Ling Gao?" Han Ya frowned.

As a Nascent Soul True Person, he naturally knew a little about it—it was indeed a divine medicine requiring Five Element Spirit Ginseng as its primary ingredient.

If Qin Ming had told him he needed the Ginseng to brew a Nascent Soul Pill, Han Ya would never have given it to him.

Then the green-robed youth reconsidered.

The formula for the Nascent Soul Pill was controlled by several major Nascent Soul sects—even if Qin Ming had the Ginseng, he couldn't use it.

So he spoke calmly to Qin Ming:

"Had I not urgently needed to restore my cultivation, I would never have traded Five Element Spirit Ginseng for the Nine Yang Soul-Recovering Pill."

"Since you have your own difficulties, let us each get what we need."

"But before the trade, I require you to swear a Dao Heart Oath—you will never reveal today's events to anyone."

Qin Ming hadn't expected this old devil to let him meet him without preparation.

For the higher a cultivator's realm, the stronger the Heavenly Oath's binding power.

To break such an oath would bring demonic backlash during a major realm breakthrough.

But this was understandable—Han Ya was a walking treasure trove.

Countless others outside would kill him to seize the secrets of the Nascent Soul Sect Xuanqing Pavilion.

Han Ya had already ordered his disciples, like Bai Yuhan, to secretly investigate Jingxue Pavilion and Lu the Shopkeeper's background.

Learning his reputation was decent, he had directly invited Qin Ming for a face-to-face meeting.

Today, whether Qin Ming liked it or not, he had to swear the Dao Heart Oath.

Otherwise, Han Ya would never let him leave alive.

"Agreed." Qin Ming nodded instantly.

After all, the one swearing was "Lu the Shopkeeper"—what did that have to do with Qin Ming? So he didn't care.

Then—

The green-robed youth formed a hand seal and traced an arcane rune in the air, its essence swirling with the aura of the Dao.

Qin Ming followed suit, mimicking the oath.

After Qin Ming finished his Dao Heart Oath, Han Ya seemed to exhale a breath of relief.

He pulled out a long wooden box from his robe and tossed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming reached out, dispelled the spiritual seals on the box, then opened the lid.

*Wum~* Instantly, a golden radiance burst forth from the box, accompanied by a profound spiritual aura.

Merely this spiritual phenomenon confirmed the contents were at least a fourth-rank spiritual item.

Qin Ming's heart surged with excitement, yet his expression remained calm.

Inside lay a single spirit ginseng, radiating Five Element spiritual energy.

Most importantly, its roots were perfectly preserved, its spiritual power fully intact.

Yet Han Ya did not know—

Qin Ming could use the 【Regenerative Spirit Seed】 and 【Leaf of Time-Space】 to grow as many ginsengs as he needed.

He carefully closed the lid and reapplied the spiritual seals.

Thus, Qin Ming had now gathered all five primary ingredients for the Nascent Soul Pill.

Only a few minor components remained to be collected before he could begin brewing.

Hua Tianxiong would surely gather those soon.

Qin Ming put away the Five Element Spirit Ginseng, then pulled out a delicate jade vial and guided it toward the green-robed youth.

Han Ya took the vial, and as he uncorked it, even his deep composure flickered with slight surprise.

"Indeed, a top-tier third-rank Nine Yang Soul-Recovering Pill."

"Superior quality, medicinal power fully intact."

"Youngster, you haven't disappointed me."

Qin Ming bowed politely. "I'm glad Han Ya Elder is satisfied."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave and not disturb your cultivation."

Having obtained the Ginseng, Qin Ming naturally wanted to flee—staying another moment beside this old monster felt like sitting on needles.

The green-robed youth tucked the pill away, then spoke calmly: "Wait."

Huh? Qin Ming immediately frowned, freezing mid-step.

He had no idea what this old monster was planning. He forced a smile and asked:

"Elder, is there something else?"

The green-robed youth paused, then said softly:

"You don't have just this one Nine Yang Soul-Recovering Pill, do you?"

"I can trade you other resources—or I can owe you a favor."

"You may call upon this favor anytime, as long as it's within my ability and not excessive—I will honor it."

"As for the Five Element Spirit Ginseng—don't even think about it. There was only that one."

The words fell silent.

Qin Ming could not help but show a look of surprise.

Master Han Ya probably thought one Soul-Returning Pill wasn't enough to secure his safety, and wanted to trade for several at once.

Qin Ming hesitated for a moment, pondering carefully.

Cultivating steadily, building good ties, avoiding enmity—this was his principle in dealing with others.

Though Master Han Ya was now down on his luck and utterly broken, he might still rise again someday.

As for favors, Qin Ming already had Yue Lingyan, a great sage of the demonic races, as his powerful patron.

He had no use for Master Han Ya's favor.

Better to be practical and trade for rare spiritual materials now.

Moreover, the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill held little value for him.

The two he still had left were likely meant to be exchanged for other cultivation resources—or sold.

It would be better to do him a favor.

Master Han Ya was indeed just as Hua Tianxiong had described: wise beyond appearances.

He had endured humiliation and survived amid the demonic sects of the Da Li Dynasty and the invasion of the Heavenly Demon Tribulation.

And he had preserved the core of Xuanqing Temple intact.

Who knows when he might rise again and reclaim his former peak?

Cultivating a good relationship with him now would not be a bad move.

With this thought, Qin Ming had already made his decision.

Immediately, he took out another Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill and handed it to the young man in the blue robe.

"Master Han Ya, this is my last remaining Soul-Returning Pill—I have no more."

"If the Five Element Spirit Ginseng is gone, other fourth-rank spiritual materials will do as well."

Master Han Ya was taken aback upon hearing this.

Normally, a cultivator, after hearing his terms, would choose to claim the favor of a Nascent Soul True Person.

After all, spiritual materials are lifeless objects, but favors are different—they can save your life at critical moments.

Yet this Lu Shopkeeper had chosen without hesitation to trade for spiritual materials.

This made him view this "Lu Shopkeeper" with new respect.

Master Han Ya said nothing more and immediately produced several precious fourth-rank spiritual materials for him to choose from.

Qin Ming was stunned by the dazzling array of treasures.

Xuanqing Temple truly lived up to its deep heritage as a Nascent Soul sect—even the scraps leaking from Master Han Ya's fingernails could sustain a low-level cultivator for a lifetime.

No wonder the Blood Refining demonic sects had pursued him relentlessly.

Of course, Qin Ming had no such thoughts—he despised acquiring treasures through plunder.

In the cultivation world, his reputation was his foundation.

Qin Ming immediately selected a piece of fourth-rank low-grade Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold—just a tiny amount of it could greatly enhance a magic treasure's power.

Even in the Da Jin Dynasty, it was exceedingly rare, available only by chance.

It was likely one of Xuanqing Temple's most treasured relics.

When Master Han Ya saw Qin Ming choose the Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold without hesitation, his face twitched.

He realized this boy's eye for value was ruthless.

The trade was complete.

Qin Ming took his leave and exited the cavern.

Master Han Ya made no attempt to hinder him.

The moment he left, the young man in the blue robe inside the cave eagerly swallowed the Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pill and began repairing his Nascent Soul's spirit.

As the pill's potency spread, a strange energy surged toward the demonic aura encasing the Nascent Soul's head, and the corrupted spirit gradually began to heal…

On the other side.

Qin Ming flew back toward the Five Element Mountain Bazaar.

"I didn't expect Master Han Ya to be so different from those capricious Nascent Soul monsters."

"This trip yielded rich rewards—I exchanged only two Nine Yang Soul-Continuing Pills for the Five Element Spirit Ginseng and Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold."

"A massive profit!"

"Under normal circumstances, even more Soul-Returning Pills wouldn't have secured these two items."

"Had Master Han Ya not been gravely wounded, he'd never have parted with them."

"Am I taking advantage of his weakness?"

With the treasures now in hand, Qin Ming was in high spirits and decided to return to the bazaar to see how the auction was progressing.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Wu Fu Auction Hall on Five Element Mountain, the crowd was packed, every seat filled.

The atmosphere was electric, surging higher with each wave.

Hua Tianxiong sat in a refined private booth, popping purple crystal grapes into his mouth, glancing lazily below.

His primary goal for this trip was to follow Qin Ming's instructions and see if he could acquire the Star Sea Divine Vine—one of the five divine woods of the cultivation world.

Qin Ming had warned him: the appearance of this item hinted at hidden schemes—he was to act as the situation demanded.

Inside the auction hall.

After a burst of commotion, the auctioneer waved his hand.

A servant then carried a white jade tray slowly to the center.

The middle-aged auctioneer lifted the red cloth.

Instantly, a segment of spiritual plant radiating a deep blue starlight glow appeared before the crowd.

The entire segment had a translucent quality; countless blue luminescent specks could be seen within, and even its meridian patterns were clearly visible, with several roots still attached at the base.

The auctioneer shouted with passionate intensity:

"Next up is the final, climactic item of this auction."

"The Star Sea Divine Vine—one of the Five Divine Woods!"

"Legend says this divine wood grows only in the most perilous void rifts, rising a mere fraction every three thousand years."

"I need not elaborate on its rarity or utility, do I?"

"Starting bid: eighty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

BOOM!

The cultivators below had been waiting impatiently; though the starting price was astronomical, many factions were already preparing to bid.

The atmosphere grew so heated it nearly spiraled out of control.

Hua Tianxiong's gaze fixed on the Star Sea Divine Vine, ready to act at the right moment.

Suddenly!

Just then—

BOOM! A wild, arrogant laugh echoed through the auction hall!

"HAHAHA! It really is the Star Sea Divine Vine—and such a large segment!"

"I, Huoxu Zi, claim this!"

"Anyone who doesn't want to die, get out of my way!"

As soon as the words ended, a suffocating spiritual pressure descended upon the hall.

Instantly, every cultivator present turned pale!

…

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