Chapter 68: Unexpected News

"Thank you all for your kind intentions, but Qin Mou's cultivation is shallow; I shall not risk myself in this endeavor."

Qin Ming didn't even hesitate—he outright refused.

Long before, he had learned from Gu Qingzhao that the situation inside was far more serious than it appeared on the surface; one misstep could easily lead to shattering of body and dissolution of Dao.

Let alone any Foundation Establishment opportunity.

Moreover, he could steadily enhance his strength through diligent farming; there was truly no need to join this frenzy.

Huang Xishan and the other neighbors stared in stunned disbelief.

They had never expected Qin Ming to refuse so decisively.

"Ah, well then, since Brother Qin refuses, we won't force you—farewell for now," Huang Xishan said with evident regret, bowing to Qin Ming before preparing to leave.

Qin Ming watched the neighbors' retreating figures, then hesitated and said: "Must you all go? With two sects involved, even if there's an opportunity, it won't be easy to claim."

Huang Xishan turned his head and sighed: "Alas—we can't compare to Brother Qin. You're still so young; we old ones wouldn't be risking our lives like this if we weren't already at this age."

"If you haven't established your Foundation by sixty, your Dao path ends here."

"Though we hold some status in the marketplace now, when our lifespan runs out, it'll all amount to nothing."

"So better to seize this chance and fight for it."

…

Hearing this, Qin Ming clenched his lips, realizing he couldn't dissuade them, and fell silent.

He saw them off.

He glanced at the two mu of spirit herb fields in his courtyard.

【Name】: Shen Yuan Guo 【Entry】: Soul Force Crystal ×5 (Maturity 1%)

【Name】: Mo Yan Cao 【Entry】: Accelerate Growth ×5 (Maturity 92%)

【Name】: Tan Jing Hua 【Entry】: Accelerate Growth ×5 (Maturity 95%)

【Name】: Qi Ye Huang Ling 【Entry】: Bloodline Reversion (Maturity 94%)

The spirit herbs he planted this year in his courtyard, aside from the second-rank Shen Yuan Guo, were nearly ripe.

He felt a slight sense of relief.

After tending the herb field, he stepped out the gate.

Qin Ming headed toward the shantytown's alchemy chamber to brew Yun Ling Dan; after several failures, he now could reliably craft this pill.

His success rate remained above seventy percent—a remarkable figure for a pill this difficult even for him.

As Qin Ming walked along the main road of Qingyang Marketplace, he unexpectedly met an old acquaintance.

"Oh! Brother Qin! Long time no see!" Du Haifu waddled up, belly protruding, followed by several Lingyu Sect disciples.

Judging by his appearance, he was here on business.

Qin Ming smiled and replied: "Brother Du, it's been a while."

Du Haifu beamed, unconsciously patting his sleeves.

Qin Ming's gaze fell on his clothing—he suddenly realized Du Haifu was wearing the blue ceremonial robe of a Lingyu Sect outer sect steward.

This fellow had been promoted!

"Oh dear! My apologies—I should call you Steward Du!" Qin Ming quickly corrected himself.

Du Haifu nodded slightly, unfazed: "Brother Qin, your own status is no lower—call me Brother Du, no need for formality."

"When did you rise to outer sect steward? I never heard the news," Qin Ming smiled and asked.

Du Haifu waved his hand: "It's no surprise you didn't know—it happened just these past two days."

Then he delivered another piece of news that shocked Qin Ming deeply.

"Two days ago, Elder Gu broke through to Foundation Establishment—and was immediately promoted to inner sect elder."

"Considering my years of loyal service to him, Elder Gu granted me his steward position," Du Haifu said, his plump face glowing with pride as he spoke of Elder Gu's breakthrough; Qin Ming's expression mirrored his astonishment.

"Elder Gu broke through to Foundation Establishment too?!"

He remembered Elder Gu had been stuck at the peak of Qi Condensation for decades; by his age, he was barely a few years from sixty.

Yet somehow, Elder Gu had achieved Foundation Establishment at the very limit—his lifespan now extended to over two hundred years.

"Exactly! Elder Gu is truly blessed—he accidentally discovered the whereabouts of the bandits who attacked Elder Zhuang's herb garden during a mission."

"After reporting it to the sect, he accumulated enough contribution points and was directly awarded a Foundation Establishment Pill," Du Haifu said, his tone tinged with envy.

Qin Ming suddenly understood—only sects controlled such resources as Foundation Establishment Pills; it made sense now.

"In a few days, there will be a small celebration for Elder Gu's breakthrough—I'm here to purchase banquet supplies."

Clearly, Du Haifu was riding high, having firmly clung to Elder Gu's coattails.

As the two chatted—

Suddenly—

A commotion erupted along the marketplace road.

A lavishly decorated carriage, its carved doors exquisitely detailed, its exterior elegantly adorned, was slowly advancing down the main road, pulled by four dragon steeds, followed by several guards.

Qin Ming glanced through the curtain and glimpsed within—a stunningly beautiful young female cultivator, her figure slender and perfectly proportioned.

The carriage gradually moved farther away, heading toward the Juxuan Pavilion.

"That's the Baihua Sect's Baihua Holy Maiden!" Du Haifu recognized the occupant, his face instantly darkening.

He turned to Qin Ming and quickly bowed:

"Brother Qin, I have urgent matters to attend to—let's not linger. You may visit me at the sect another day."

Qin Ming returned the bow: "Brother Du, go ahead and attend to your business."

Du Haifu hurried off with his disciples, clearly flustered.

Qin Ming frowned, muttering to himself: "So even the Baihua Sect has gotten involved?"

"Just as Fellow Daoist Gu predicted, the winds and clouds are about to shift."

……

One month later.

Qin Ming harvested the inscription leaves from the three spirit plants in the courtyard.

Afterwards.

He went again to the five mu of second-grade spirit fields, using up six 【Ripening】 inscription leaves to ripen the four spirit plants that bore inscriptions.

The instant the spirit plants were harvested.

One green leaf, two blue leaves, and one purple leaf appeared within Qin Ming's sea of consciousness.

"Wait!"

"A purple leaf!" Qin Ming was quite startled; he had not expected this inscription's grade to be so rare.

He gazed at that purple 【Spell Replication】 inscription leaf.

A contemplative look appeared on Qin Ming's face, and a terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"This 【Spell Replication】—could it be that there is no limit whatsoever on the spells it can replicate?"

"As long as it's a spell I have witnessed with my own eyes, it can be perfectly replicated?"

"Then if I could personally witness a Jin Dan stage great expert take action, wouldn't I myself—"

(End of chapter)