Chapter 67: The Situation Is Mysterious

Qin Ming returned to the marketplace.

He immediately used the 【Regenerate Spirit Seed】 entry to revive the pot of Flame-Heart Seven-Leaf Flower.

After another dozen days, he returned the spirit flower to Huangfu Qi.

Huangfu Qi, delighted, was genuinely astonished that Qin Ming had truly revived the spirit flower, and held Qin Ming in much higher regard.

As a result, Qin Ming gained the favor of a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator.

This kind of favor could save your life in a critical moment.

As for what request he would make, he had not yet decided.

Huangfu Qi agreed, saying he could make the request whenever he wished.

Meanwhile.

Qin Ming's transactions with Gu Qingzhao gradually became more frequent.

The Gathering Spirit Pills he refined became a bestseller at Juxuan Pavilion, because the pills he produced were significantly superior in quality to those from other sources.

A few months later, in his shack-area alchemy room, Qin Ming successfully refined a batch of top-grade Cleansing Marrow Pills.

This meant he had officially become a top-grade alchemist.

However, having learned from his previous mistake, he temporarily said nothing about this to anyone.

According to the alchemy notes left by Su Yuqing, Qin Ming found a better pill formula than the Gathering Spirit Pill.

That was the top-grade pill, 【Nourishing Spirit Pill】, the best spirit pill Qin Ming had so far encountered for enhancing Qi Condensation cultivation.

……

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Another half-year passed.

On this day, Qin Ming came to his spirit field as usual.

"Second-rank spirit plants grow so slowly!"

This time, Qin Ming planted second-rank spirit plants without relying on the 【Ripen】 entry, but instead relied entirely on his own experience and trial-and-error.

The Spirit Feather Sect's record-keeper occasionally came to the spirit field to log growth progress.

Qin Ming was confident, certain he could succeed in cultivation.

Yet the growth cycle of second-rank spirit plants was far too long, and their迟迟 not emerging left him anxiously waiting.

As usual, Qin Ming prepared to cast the Advanced Spirit Rain Technique onto the spirit field.

But Qin Ming's sharp eyes spotted, in the spirit field, vast patches of tender green seedlings breaking through the soil!

Simultaneously, four golden entries appeared in his vision.

【Name】: Five-Color Rice 【Entry】: Spell Replication x1 (Maturity 2%)

【Name】: Five-Color Rice 【Entry】: Blood Qi Crystals: x5 (Maturity 1%)

【Name】: Red-Silver Yellow Hemp 【Entry】: Quality Enhancement x5 (Maturity 1%)

【Name】: Red-Silver Yellow Hemp 【Entry】: Faint Lifespan x5 (Maturity 2%)

【Spell Replication】: After use, you may replicate and store any spell previously cast before you, but may use it fully only once.

【Blood Qi Crystals】: Contain terrifying blood qi power.

【Faint Lifespan】: After use, increases lifespan by ten years.

Qin Ming stared at these entries, his spirit soaring!

Even lifespan could be increased! "If more lifespan entries appear in the future, the Immortal Dao may be within reach!"

Suppressing his inner ecstasy, Qin Ming began to rain and fertilize the spirit field.

He worked hard for half the day, finally finishing everything.

Qin Ming returned from the spirit field.

Upon arriving home, he received a message talisman from Liao the Shopkeeper.

"Comrade Qin, the situation has changed recently. The Pavilion Master wishes to speak with you in person."

Hearing this, Qin Ming furrowed his brow.

'What else has happened?'

Half a stick of incense later, Qin Ming arrived at Juxuan Pavilion without delay, ascending directly to the seventh-floor chamber.

"Comrade Qin, please have some tea." Gu Qingzhao's frosty face revealed a rare smile—strikingly beautiful.

Qin Ming took the teacup, sipped lightly, and without any formalities, asked directly: "Comrade Gu, is there new news?"

Gu Qingzhao raised his hand and cast a soundproof barrier, then spoke calmly: "Indeed. Yesterday, under the joint assault of the Spirit Feather Sect and the Jin Yungu, their frontline camps breached the barbarian tribe."

"So the third-rank spirit vein has fallen into their hands?" Qin Ming was genuinely startled.

He had not expected that, with both sects allied and bolstered by masses of disposable cultivators, they had still managed to defeat the barbarian tribe.

A third-rank spirit vein could nurture a Jin Dan cultivator.

Its allure was unimaginable.

Gu Qingzhao nodded slightly. "The moment the two sects seized the vein, they reaped tremendous benefits. Rumors say they found countless rare spirit herbs and materials, several high-quality spirit stone veins, and even a complete ancient ruin."

"Merely at the ruin's outer edges, they discovered Foundation Establishment resources: Heavenly Fire Spirit Liquid."

"Next, besides dividing the spoils, the two sects will likely continue recruiting personnel to develop the ruin."

Qin Ming digested Gu Qingzhao's news, then frowned in confusion. "How is it that these two sects remain so calm before such immense gains? Why haven't they clashed?"

"The current situation is far from simple. I summoned you here specifically to warn you: do not be deceived by surface appearances."

"According to reliable intelligence gathered by our Mirror Jing Xue Ge…"

"Yunze Dahuang will soon face an even greater upheaval."

"Even our Mirror Jing Xue Ge has postponed the opening of our branch in Yunze Xiancheng and is preparing to withdraw."

Gu Qingzhao, with a grave expression, offered Qin Ming this earnest advice.

Qin Ming could naturally tell that the other party was being sincere and genuinely cared for him; a slight warmth rose in his heart, and he cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Gu for informing me."

At the same time, he was profoundly shocked within; he had never expected that a power as formidable as the Mirror Jing Xue Ge would choose to abandon its assets and withdraw, unwilling to become entangled in the coming turmoil.

The matter likely far exceeded his expectations.

He pondered silently, and a plan had already formed in his mind.

Next.

The two sides exchanged words for a while.

Under Gu Qingzhao's escort to the door, Qin Ming left the shop.

Carrying a somewhat suppressed mood, he recalled Gu Qingzhao's advice in his mind.

A sense of urgency rose in his heart once more.

Ten days later.

Qin Ming was watering two mu of medicinal fields in his courtyard.

Boom, boom, boom! A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate.

Qin Ming withdrew his technique and peered out through the crack in the door.

It was actually several of his next-door neighbors, and they had all arrived.

Qin Ming hurriedly opened the door and welcomed them all inside.

"Aiyo! Fellow Daoist Qin's spiritual plants are growing better and better!" As soon as Master Yan entered, his gaze was captured by the lush spiritual herb fields, where spiritual bees darted about amidst colorful spiritual grasses, a scene brimming with vitality.

He could hardly conceal the envy in his words.

"Hehe! Fellow Daoist Qin is quite a remarkable person." Lin Zi also revealed a faint smile and greeted Qin Ming.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with his neighbors, Qin Ming still did not know why they had suddenly come to find him today.

Before he could ask, Huang Xishan took the lead in stating their purpose.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, what I am about to tell you concerns a matter of great importance; know it yourself only, and absolutely do not spread it lightly to others."

"Just ten days ago, the Spirit Feather Sect and Jin Yungu achieved a great victory against the barbarians at the front lines, having seized that third-tier spiritual vein and discovered an ancient ruin."

"Merely at the periphery, they have already found opportunities for Foundation Establishment!"

"Currently, very few people in the market know this news; we have come together to invite Fellow Daoist Qin to seek these opportunities with us. With the combined strength of us few, I believe there is still some chance of success."

After Huang Xishan finished speaking, he and the others turned their gazes toward Qin Ming, awaiting his decision.

(End of Chapter)