Chapter 62

Qin Ming arrived at Juxuan Pavilion.

He was warmly greeted by Shopkeeper Liao and escorted to a private suite on the seventh floor.

"Qin Daoist, please have some tea," Gu Qingzhao said gently, pouring the tea for him herself.

Qin Ming lifted the Lingwu tea, took a small sip, and the fragrance permeated his heart.

"Gu Daoist, I've come here to purchase some spirit seeds from your pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhao's starlike eyes instantly brightened. "May I ask what spirit plants Qin Daoist intends to cultivate this year? Our pavilion's spirit seed inventory is quite comprehensive."

Qin Ming stated plainly: "Second-rank low-grade spirit plant: Five-Color Rice, and second-rank low-grade spirit plant: Red-Silver Huang Ma."

Gu Qingzhao's faint smile vanished the moment she heard these two spirit seeds.

She stopped smiling and froze in place.

Long moments passed.

Finally, Gu Qingzhao regained her composure and asked uncertainly: "Qin Daoist, have you truly decided? Are you certain you want these two second-rank spirit plants?"

Qin Ming nodded without answering.

"Aren't you no longer cultivating Beast Tooth Rice?"

"Jumping straight to second-rank spirit plants is extremely risky—wouldn't that be unwise?"

Gu Qingzhao had never imagined Qin Ming, just newly elevated to a top-grade spirit cultivator, would immediately attempt second-rank spirit plants.

She knew full well how difficult second-rank spirit plants were to cultivate.

Not to mention distant examples—even ordinary second-rank spirit cultivators of the Spirit Feather Sect would likely be unable to handle these two.

These two spirit plants are among the most difficult to grow within the second-rank low-grade category.

Qin Ming nodded seriously: "I've made my decision."

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhao's expression grew complex; though she found Qin Ming's spirit cultivation talent astonishing,

she still doubted he could successfully grow second-rank spirit plants.

Then Gu Qingzhao ordered someone to bring forth two different spirit seeds.

To preserve their spiritual essence, the seeds were sealed in two delicate jade boxes.

Qin Ming opened the jade boxes: one held multicolored spirit rice, the other dark green seed grains.

He nodded—these spirit seeds were sufficient for cultivating five mu of spirit fields.

Second-rank Five-Color Rice is said to greatly enhance the magic power of Qi Condensation cultivators, and even offers some benefit to Foundation Establishment cultivators; its yield is extremely low, nearly priceless and unavailable on the market.

This rice has a three-year maturation period and extremely demanding growth conditions.

As for second-rank Red-Silver Huang Ma, its outer bark is a primary material for crafting high-grade talismans, commanding a high price; its leaves and ripe fruits can be used in medicinal pills—truly valuable throughout; its maturation period is also three years.

Although Red-Silver Huang Ma's growth conditions are not as strict, its wood-scented emissions during growth easily attract a particularly troublesome spirit insect, one even the Advanced Spirit Rain Technique cannot repel.

If mishandled, it will result in pest infestation or the death of the spirit plant.

"Gu Daoist, how many spirit stones for these seeds?"

Gu Qingzhao smiled faintly: "These second-rank spirit seeds are rare—our pavilion only has these two boxes in stock, originally intended for auction."

"Since Qin Daoist requires them, we shall prioritize your supply."

"After applying an eight-percent discount for you—"

"The spirit seeds of second-rank Five-Color Rice are priced at one thousand five hundred spirit stones."

"The spirit seeds of second-rank Red-Silver Huang Ma are priced at two thousand spirit stones."

"Qin Daoist, consider carefully—if cultivation fails, you won't just lose this large sum of spirit stones, but also waste time and energy."

Gu Qingzhao advised gently.

Qin Ming smiled slightly, swiftly took out spirit stones from his storage bag and paid her.

Gu Qingzhao accepted the spirit stones, then suddenly asked: "If Qin Daoist truly succeeds in cultivating both second-rank spirit plants, might you sell some to our pavilion?"

"Of course, but I'm merely experimenting—Gu Daoist shouldn't expect too much," Qin Ming replied, sipping his spirit tea.

The transaction concluded. Qin Ming did not rush to plant the seeds in his spirit fields.

Before deciding to cultivate these two spirit plants, he had already studied every available spirit cultivation text, memorizing every step and critical detail.

Before planting Five-Color Rice, the spirit seeds must be soaked for a period in a specially prepared cultivation solution.

The materials needed to brew this cultivation solution were not difficult to obtain.

Qin Ming purchased them from several nearby shops.

He returned to Qingliang Cottage.

Qin Ming prepared the cultivation solution, carefully placing only a few grains of Five-Color Rice seed inside—he had never brewed it before, and didn't know if it had succeeded.

The results would become clear in a few days.

Having completed this,

Qin Ming went out again, heading to the southern district of Qingyang Market.

He wound through alleys until he reached a shop.

Spirit Beast Pavilion.

Qin Ming stepped inside.

The hall was spacious, furnished in ancient elegance.

The shop was thriving; several cultivators already waited at the counter, reserving spirit beasts.

A sweet-faced young female cultivator stepped forward with polite grace, her voice clear as a bell: "Welcome, Daoist, are you here to purchase a spirit beast?"

Qin Ming cleared his throat lightly and asked: "I'm not here to buy a spirit beast. Does your pavilion sell manure from Black-Maned Dragon-Horses?"

The moment he spoke,

the cultivators in the hall turned to stare; several smirked with amusement.

Who comes to the Spirit Beast Pavilion not to buy spirit beasts, but to purchase horse manure? Just then.

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in splendid robes walked out from the inner hall; upon seeing this person, the female cultivator greeter beside Qin Ming hurriedly called out, "Shopkeeper."

"Aiyo, isn't this Fellow Daoist Qin! Quick, quick, please come inside."

"Xiaoqin, why are you standing there dazed? Hurry and brew a pot of spirit tea for Fellow Daoist Qin."

The Shopkeeper seemed to have recognized Qin Ming and greeted him warmly.

Qin Ming hurriedly waved his hand, "I'll skip the tea; regarding what I just asked..."

The Shopkeeper paused in surprise, then laughed, "Of course we have it! However much Fellow Daoist Qin wants, we have that much. For such a trivial matter, I won't charge any spirit stones; consider it forming a favorable connection with Fellow Daoist Qin, hehehe!"

"No, let's keep things separate. If you insist on this, Shopkeeper, I'll go ask elsewhere." Qin Ming did not wish to owe the other party a favor.

The Shopkeeper gave an embarrassed smile, "In that case, Fellow Daoist Qin, just give me a few spirit stones, whatever you deem fit."

Qin Ming obtaining this manure from the Black-Maned Dragon-Brown Horse naturally served a significant purpose.

Before planting the second-tier spirit plant, Red-Silver Huang Ma, one must first prepare the spirit field by mixing plant ash formed from burning spirit plant stalks with horse manure and several other spirit materials to enrich the soil.

This lays a solid foundation for the growth of the spirit plants.

At this moment, the various cultivators in the main hall, observing his conversation with the Shopkeeper, gradually began to recognize Qin Ming as well.

They stepped forward one after another to greet Qin Ming: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

"So it is Fellow Daoist Qin; that explains it."

"Fellow Daoist Qin buying horse manure is naturally for planting spirit plants; this should be quite reasonable, yes?"

"Who was snickering just now?"

(End of Chapter)