Chapter 667: Star-Moon Marketplace

Han Ya Shangren was momentarily stunned by Qin Ming.

'So this kid isn't here to settle scores with me.'

He let out a long breath, then smiled and accepted the Jade Emperor Spirit Rice.

Qin Daofriend, you're too polite—how could I possibly accept this? I saw you two deep in conversation, and since I had my own matters, I left early.

'Not that I'm leaving without a word, heh.'

He spoke those words, yet showed not the slightest shame, quietly stowing the bag of spirit rice, his smile deepening.

'Ah! I should've realized sooner—you're the Lu Shopkeeper! Otherwise, how could a Foundation Establishment late-stage "Lu Shopkeeper" be so close to the Silver Moon Demon Saint?'

Now that we meet again, Qin Daofriend, and we are all fellow cultivators, it is truly moving.

'I hope you won't hold past matters against me.'

The green-robed youth, Han Ya Shangren, looked deeply sentimental.

'What past matters?'

Qin Mou and Han Ya Daofriend met like old friends, regretting we didn't meet sooner—we'll certainly need to stay closely connected," Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

Han Ya Shangren's face twitched; he thought inwardly: I'd better never see him again.

Every time he met Qin Ming, disaster followed.

And.

The way Qin Ming looked at him always sent a chill down his spine.

Han Ya Shangren had resolved: he must stay far away from this man forever.

Qin Ming, meanwhile, pondered inwardly how to cultivate goodwill with this cultivator blessed with extraordinary fortune.

He always brought good luck.

He might even become a mobile treasure vault.

Since Han Ya Daofriend has urgent matters, Qin Mou won't keep you.

'I originally planned to invite you to stay longer on the island, to experience the charm of the spiritual energy Archipelago.'

'Looks like it'll have to wait for next time.'

Seeing the other had no intention of lingering, Qin Ming made no further effort to persuade him.

Han Ya Shangren smiled warmly and replied: "Qin Daofriend, don't see me off—the day is short, and I must return to the Weidao Alliance to handle the demonic tribulation. We'll meet again when fate permits."

Without another word, he transformed into a streak of lightning and vanished into the horizon.

Only after he was far away did Han Ya Shangren mutter curses: 'This brat always drags trouble upon me. His debt of gratitude is settled—let's never meet again. I've done my duty!'

Then he pulled out the bag of third-rank Jade Emperor Spirit Rice, weighed it in his hand, and grinned like he'd scored a bargain: 'I hope that brat discovers the flaw in that Void Essence Stone and still stays this calm—heh.'

Qin Ming watched Han Ya Shangren depart, then returned to Wangyue Island.

The Nascent Soul Ceremony had ended; the island had returned to quiet.

Yet the entire spiritual energy Archipelago remained bustling, as many sects and cultivators, drawn by the renown of Wangyue Zhenjun, chose to relocate their entire clans here.

Even though most of the land here held only first-rank spirit veins, under the leadership of the Four Nations Alliance and the Seventy-Two Islands Alliance, they jointly established a grand marketplace—the Star-Moon Marketplace.

To facilitate trade between the spirit islands.

It even attracted powers from the three neighboring kingdoms to establish outposts.

Merchants and wandering cultivators seeking profit flooded in by the thousands.

In no time, the scale of the Star-Moon Marketplace surpassed any major immortal city in the Four Nations.

Thus, with several central islands as the core, bridges spanning the sea were erected, linking dozens of surrounding islets.

Countless magnificent and dazzling structures rose from the spiritual energy Archipelago, forming a vast maritime marketplace.

This Star-Moon Marketplace was jointly managed by the Seventy-Two Islands Alliance and the Four Nations Alliance.

All forces in the Southern Wastelands considered it an honor to establish a presence here.

The native immortal families of the spiritual energy Archipelago rode this wave of fortune and soared to new heights.

With an influx of resources.

Even some lowly Qi Refining families produced Foundation Establishment cultivators, rising to become Foundation Establishment clans.

Foundation Establishment Pills were auctioned off one or two every few years within the Star-Moon Marketplace.

Under the influence of Wangyue Island's fourth-rank spirit vein, several nearby third-rank spirit branches, rich in spiritual energy, began to emerge.

…

Upon the main peak of Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming's life-spirit plant, Yin-Yang Xuan Teng, thrived under the fourth-rank spirit vein—its vines lush and dense, its canopy blotting out sun and sky, silver runes swirling and shifting.

Like an ancient, eternal World Tree.

Even more mystical than the Seven-Miracle Treasure Tree guarding the entrance to Qingyuan Sect's secret realm.

Yet only Qin Ming could see this.

After completing his daily cultivation, Qin Ming's magic power exuded an abyssal depth, unfathomable and immense.

After practicing the Green Emperor Scripture, a vibrant, emerald vitality swirled and clung to his body.

Echoing in harmony with his life-spirit plant.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, his life-spirit plant's ability, the Four Seasons Divine Light, underwent another transformation.

Now he could generate seventy-two strands of Four Seasons Divine Light at once.

He tested it—he could instantly restore life to dying spirit beasts or plants, regenerating flesh and bone, reviving them fully.

'Wow, wow, wow—your ability is truly formidable! In all my years, I've never heard of such a thing! Could it work on me?' Qingyang Lomo exclaimed in awe from within the Blood Pagoda.

He looked eager to serve as a test subject.

'If so, then let's try.'

Hearing this, Qin Ming was also curious—he activated a strand of emerald Four Seasons Divine Light and sent it into the Blood Pagoda.

Instantly, Qingyang Lomo's previously dim soul-shadow grew noticeably more solid.

Qingyang Lomo felt a surge of vital energy flood through him—he felt invigorated, utterly refreshed! "Qin Daofriend, it actually works!"

'More! Give me more!'

As he excitedly urged, Qin Ming abruptly halted the Four Seasons Divine Light and retracted it.

Qingyang Lomo froze. "Qin Daofriend, what is the meaning of this? I once fought to the death shielding you from the heavenly tribulation!"

'I've bled for you, risked my life—my soul is now in your hands. What more do you doubt?'

Qin Ming chuckled lightly. 'The Four Seasons Divine Light is exceedingly rare—I can only gather a few strands after long periods. Wasting them all on you is not worth it.'

'Unless you can show me value worthy of my interest. Tell me your origins.'

At this, Qingyang Lomo fell silent, as if burdened by a secret. Then he changed his request: 'Then let me rest for a while atop the Star-Sea Divine Vine—let my soul be nourished. Surely that's reasonable?'

Qin Ming nodded. 'That's acceptable.'

Qingyang Lomo had indeed rendered notable service during Qin Ming's tribulation; granting him this small favor was justified.

Immediately, Qingyang Lomo's spirit form drifted from the Blood Pagoda and settled upon the radiant Divine Vine, sitting in meditation to recover.

Though the healing effect was not as dramatic as the Four Seasons Divine Light, it slowly nourished his spirit form. Then.

He took out the jade slip exchanged from Longmu Zhenjun, studying the method for cultivating fourth-rank spirit rice: Blood Serpent Green Rice.

If successfully grown, this spirit rice would greatly aid Qin Ming's future Nascent Soul cultivation.

It might also trigger new entries—what kind of entries would fourth-rank spirit rice yield?

'Essential conditions for cultivating Blood Serpent Green Rice in its early stages: fourth-rank spirit vein environment, Qingkong Spirit Soil, Xuanhuang Essence Qi, Earthheart Spirit Spring, and several units of blood-soul essence from third-rank late-stage or higher snake-serpent-type spirit beasts.'

After reading the jade slip, Qin Ming realized cultivating this mid-tier fourth-rank spirit rice was extraordinarily complex, with high difficulty.

The listed cultivation materials were certainly unavailable in the Southern Wastelands.

He'd have to seek them out beyond its borders.

Such mid-tier fourth-rank spirit rice could not be grown on a large scale—the required materials were too scarce and restrictions too numerous.

It was even measured by individual plants.

Qin Ming then compiled a list of these items and entrusted Wei Wuyan to monitor them closely.

After all, Qin Ming was now a Nascent Soul elder—he needn't trouble himself with such matters.

The entire Southern Wastelands relied on his title as a Nascent Soul True Person; naturally, he deserved the proper offerings.

Within the Four Nations Alliance, a special treasure vault had been built, filled with rare treasures gathered from across the land, for Qin Ming's cultivation.

Yet the Southern Wastelands were truly impoverished; Qin Ming didn't expect them to acquire anything of high quality.

Qin Ming was a hands-off master—he held no official position in any faction, drifting through a thousand flowers without a single petal sticking to him.

He had no burdens, no entanglements like other Nascent Soul True Persons.

Thus, Qin Ming remained utterly alone, free to come and go as he pleased—truly carefree.

The Southern Wastelands needed only his title as a Nascent Soul True Person to deter all threats.

'Fight and die for the Southern Wastelands? That's impossible.'

…

Several days after the ceremony.

In a hidden location within the Beast Roar Mountains along the border of Wei State, Yousha Zhenjun and Li Huo Shangren, who had departed the Nascent Soul Ceremony, secretly communicated.

Dressed in yellow robes, Yousha Zhenjun was gaunt, his gaze sharp. After casting a barrier, he spoke with grave seriousness to Li Huo Shangren:

'Well? Li Huo Old Ghost—what do you think of my proposal?'

'If you can't bring yourself to act, I'll strike first.'

'The demon serpent's core from the newly risen Wangyue Zhenjun is an irreplaceable treasure—once this chance passes, it won't come again.'

"Besides, there are several other priceless treasures—this opportunity won't come again!"

"I've investigated thoroughly—he has no sect or clan; apart from knowing those two Spirit Saints, he has no other connections."

"As long as we make it flawless, no one will avenge a lone Nascent Soul cultivator."

"With our combined strength, even if he passed the Earthly Sha Heavenly Tribulation, he's still a newly minted Nascent Soul—without years of adaptation and cultivation, he cannot master Nascent Soul-level magic power, let alone magic treasures."

After hearing this, the Lord of Discharge's expression darkened instantly.

"I thought you sought me out privately for some other reason—turns out it's this."

"Friend Yousha, don't mention this again—I will never cooperate with you."

"Not to mention that humans and demons have just reached a truce and are preparing for deeper joint cooperation—right at this critical moment, to target Qin, this vital link, I could never agree."

"Moreover, out of our long-standing acquaintance, I'll warn you, Friend Yousha: although the Wangyue True Person has just passed the Thunder Tribulation, his spiritual abilities are not to be underestimated."

"Even I feel a chill in my bones—I can't fathom his depth at all."

"If you strike once and fail, letting him escape, you'll bear the full brunt of his wrath."

"The retaliation of a lone Nascent Soul cultivator with no ties and no liabilities to hold him back—imagine how terrifying it would be."

"All your disciples and grand-disciples combined wouldn't be enough for him to slaughter in one go."

"Treasures are precious, but one must think thrice before acting."

"I've said all I have to say—may you act wisely."

"I must return to attend to palace affairs—I'll take my leave now."

Thereafter, the Lord of Discharge said no more, transforming into a crimson rainbow that vanished into the horizon.

The Yousha True Person gazed pensively at the direction the Lord of Discharge had departed, his waxen face still tinged with reluctant dissatisfaction.

"My *Youming Chongshui Jing* has reached a critical stage—if I had this special water attribute demon core from the Ming water Great Snake, I could surely break through to Nascent Soul Mid-Stage—who then could stand against me?"

"The old devil Lihuo has grown even more timid with age. If you won't do it, I'll find someone else to partner with—hmph!"

Yousha True Person pondered long and hard, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him—he remembered one person.

…

Another half-year passed.

One day.

Qin Ming was tending to the medicinal herbs in the main peak's spirit garden.

Shitian Mouse carried the Shennong Hoe behind him, assisting as a laborer.

According to Qin Ming, it had been eating and drinking too well lately and needed proper exercise.

After all, the three of them had consumed no small share of the spirit herbs and fruits here.

While working,

Qin Ming stirred his spiritual sense, then smiled: "Shitian Mouse, stop working—guests have arrived. Go welcome them."

"Five hundred li northwest of the spiritual energy Archipelago."

Shitian Mouse grinned widely and tossed the Shennong Hoe aside: "Yes, Master! I'll go greet them right away!"

"Who's here? What level of reception should we arrange?"

"Su Yuqing and Hua Tianxiong have come," Qin Ming replied.

"I understand!" Shitian Mouse immediately patted his chest.

Then it summoned Xianshui Crocodile, boarded the Lingxiao Noble Carriage, had it pull the vehicle, with eight Azure Wave Sea Horses leading the way, radiating five-colored divine light, transforming into a magnificent streak of light that gradually vanished above the Lingdao.

Outside the spiritual energy Archipelago,

inside the Golden Throne Carriage, the space was spacious, holding only Su Yuqing and Hua Tianxiong.

"Sigh! I closed myself off for so long to refine elixirs and missed Qin's Nascent Soul Ceremony—what a pity I didn't witness it."

"After so long, I never expected he'd reach Nascent Soul before me."

Su Yuqing, clad in white robes, gazed deeply and sighed involuntarily.

The two who had once walked out of Qingyang Market never imagined they'd arrive at this point.

At this moment, the magic power aura radiating from him was already at Golden Core peak, only one final step away from Nascent Soul.

…

(End of Chapter)