Chapter 695: Spiritual Plant Takes Form: Shen Yin Zhi (6k, Requesting Monthly Votes)

Tian Linger arranged the tea set, and as the spiritual spring water boiled, a misty aura of spiritual essence drifted from the black earthen pot.

With her delicate pink hands, she held a reed fan, gently fanning to control the heat.

Soon, an exceptionally unique aroma of spiritual tea filled the entire thatched hut, instantly sharpening the mind.

It felt as if bathing in an endless sea of clouds, the spirit sinking deep within.

As the water boiled, the steam, refracted by sunlight, transformed into a lush emerald mist, swirling and lingering without dispersing.

Gulu gulu~

When the tea boiled, the misty emerald essence suddenly condensed and returned entirely into the pot—remarkably mystical.

“Master, the Ling Sang Bitter Tea is ready.”

Tian Linger’s face broke into a sweet smile as she placed a delicate teacup before each person.

Even the Shi Tian Rat received one.

Without ceremony, she lifted the black earthen pot from the stove and carefully poured tea for everyone.

The clear emerald tea flowed out, its rich spiritual energy brewing within—clearly holding hidden depths.

Qin Ming lifted the spiritual tea, took a sip, and his eyes brightened as he praised: “Truly an excellent tea!”

“Master Long Mu’s Ling Sang Bitter Tea has a truly unique flavor—bitterness giving way to sweetness, the finest spiritual tea I’ve tasted in nearly a century. More importantly, it even enhances a trace of Nascent Soul magic power.”

“Surely it’s a fourth-rank spiritual tea?”

Long Mu Zhenjun smiled and nodded: “Precisely. If Qin Ming enjoys it, drink more.”

At this moment,

Tian Linger and the Shi Tian Rat sat at another small wooden table, sipping tea.

After drinking, the Shi Tian Rat also found the aftertaste endless, its cultivation base growing noticeably more solid.

It stole a furtive glance at Qin Ming and Long Mu Zhenjun, who were conversing.

Then, the Shi Tian Rat crept close to Tian Linger’s ear and whispered in a low voice: “Little girl, this old grandmaster has a fine treasure—how about trading some of your tea leaves for it?”

Saying this, it pulled out a spiritual mussel pearl and waved it before her.

“Esteemed elder, this Ling Sang Bitter Tea is grown by my master himself—it’s a fourth-rank tea famed throughout the Eastern Sea cultivation world, growing atop a ten-thousand-year spiritual rock, and the Penglai Sect possesses only this single plant.”

“And it yields only ten catties of tea leaves every sixty years—extremely scarce,” Tian Linger said, sipping her tea with a crisp voice.

“So I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”

“Huh? Only that little?” The Shi Tian Rat sighed dejectedly. “That’s not even enough to fill a tooth gap.”

In its mind, Qin Ming’s spiritual garden was overflowing with Gao Jie spiritual tea—more than enough to drink endlessly.

Third-rank spiritual tea, which others begged for, it could step on and drink at will. Qin Ming and Long Mu Zhenjun both observed this silently, saying nothing.

They continued sipping tea and exchanged insights on spiritual plant cultivation.

Both were deeply accomplished in this art, losing track of time in the thatched hut, conversing for three full days and nights.

“By the way, Master Long Mu, I’ve come here to gather materials for cultivating Blood Serpent Green Rice. Do you have any?”

Qin Ming set down his teacup and asked with a faint smile.

“Sigh—don’t mention it. Though I have methods to cultivate spiritual rice, over the years I’ve traveled far and wide, yet only managed to collect third-rank late-stage Serpent Serpent blood.”

“The other ingredients? I’ve found nothing.”

“How about you, Qin Dao You ?”

Qin Ming hadn’t expected even an Elder-level sect to lack such rare materials.

Yet after a moment’s thought, he understood—Blood Serpent Green Rice is a fourth-rank mid-grade spiritual rice, beneficial for Nascent Soul cultivators, not easily cultivated.

Its cultivation materials were all exceedingly rare in the cultivation world; even a cultivator like Long Mu Zhenjun struggled to gather them.

Qin Ming had originally planned to exchange resources with her to quickly assemble the materials and grow the rice, while also gaining some term entries.

But upon inquiry, her progress was even slower than his own.

“I’m still missing one final ingredient—Qing Kong Spiritual Soil. As for Xuan Huang Essence, I luckily obtained a small vial, but I doubt it’s enough,” Qin Ming said.

He didn’t mention the origin of the Xuan Huang Essence—after all, Li Huo Shangren had already perished.

Long Mu Zhenjun didn’t dwell on it, merely smiling: “Qin Dao You , don’t rush. When the Immortal Mansion Gathering is held, these materials will surely appear.”

“I’m certain of it.”

Qin Ming nodded, then glanced at Tian Linger, who sat quietly inside, reading a herbal scripture.

“Master Long Mu, your disciple seems to have an unusual origin, doesn’t she?”

Long Mu Zhenjun smiled slightly—since she’d brought Qin Ming here, she had no intention of hiding it.

“Heh! Indeed. Qin Dao You , you truly have keen insight! How did you discern it? Most Nascent Soul cultivators can’t sense even the slightest anomaly.”

“It shows your affinity for plants has reached an extraordinary depth.”

Qin Ming smiled faintly: “I’ve cultivated a spiritual plant technique, allowing me to sense a little. But forgive my limited knowledge—I don’t know what exactly your disciple is.”

Long Mu Zhenjun’s eyes lit up with pride.

“This was a stroke of fortune for me. Long ago, while meditating on the Penglai Immortal Tree’s inheritance, I obtained a Shen Yin Zhi. Under the Tree’s nurturing, this spiritual plant underwent a transformation—it condensed a Essence of Ten Thousand Trees and gained sentience, then took form.”

“Raising Tian Linger to maturity? That’s the greatest achievement of my life.”

“This isn’t a secret within our sect.”

Qin Ming was secretly astonished—this little girl was born from the Penglai Immortal Tree.

“Essence of Ten Thousand Trees? Impressive!”

“Who’d have thought this old woman had such a stroke of fortune, receiving such a legacy.”

“Though this Shen Yin Zhi looks small, it’s likely thousands of years old—and still in its juvenile stage, already fourth-rank mid-grade. If it grows further, who knows? It might even reach a higher rank.” Even Qing Yang Laomo was secretly startled.

“Don’t be fooled by her words—her current mastery in spiritual plant cultivation is mostly due to the Shen Yin Zhi’s nourishment.”

“When you eventually seek Soul Transformation, you might have to return and trade with this old woman.”

Qin Ming finally understood, marveling at the wonders of the Dao—such a sentient, transformed plant could be born.

He was deeply envious.

“How does this relate to my Soul Transformation? That’s too far ahead!” Qin Ming silently asked.

But Qing Yang Laomo seemed to realize he’d spoken too much and fell silent. Qin Ming then pulled out the “Penglai Immortal Token” and asked Long Mu Zhenjun:

“Master Long Mu, when you spoke of meditating on the Immortal Tree’s inheritance, can this token be used for one such opportunity?”

“Correct. But the Penglai Immortal Tree’s Dao meditation imposes restrictions on outsiders,” Long Mu Zhenjun replied honestly. “The number of Penglai Immortal Tokens given to outsiders is extremely limited.”

Qin Ming asked in surprise: “What restrictions?”

“Cultivators outside the sect who possess the Penglai Immortal Token may only meditate below the fifth canopy layer and cannot receive the sect’s core inheritance.”

“But for our own Elders or disciples, there are no such limits—if their cultivation base is sufficient, they may ascend higher into the canopy to receive the inheritance,” Long Mu Zhenjun explained.

Then she suddenly changed tone, smiling warmly: “Why not join the Penglai Sect, Qin Dao You ? With your mastery of spiritual plants, you might gain great fortune upon the Penglai Immortal Tree.”

Qin Ming’s lips twitched—here we go again?

“The Shi Tian Rat was right—I’m already this outstanding, and now every Nascent Soul sect wants to recruit this lone cultivator.”

“Heh! Thank you for your kindness, Master Long Mu, but I’m not interested in joining any faction,” Qin Ming politely declined.

Long Mu Zhenjun sighed regretfully: “Ah~ What a pity. If Qin Dao You has no interest, I won’t force you.”

“Then, rather than ascending the Immortal Tree to meditate, I suggest you use this Penglai Immortal Token to visit our scripture library.”

“Why so, Master Long Mu?” Qin Ming asked.

“Because Dao meditation atop the Immortal Tree is not easily gained—the higher the canopy, the harder the reward.”

“Even among our own disciples, only a handful in a thousand years have gained anything.”

“It’s better not to waste a Penglai Immortal Token. Visit the scripture library instead—our sect, as an ancient spiritual plant powerhouse, holds many books on fourth-rank spiritual plants. I’m certain they’ll aid your cultivation.”

“But how you use the token is entirely your choice.”

Long Mu Zhenjun genuinely wished to befriend Qin Ming and laid out the pros and cons clearly.

“I see. So the higher the canopy, the greater the reward?” Qin Ming asked.

Long Mu Zhenjun nodded: “Correct. Rewards from the Penglai Immortal Tree are random—sometimes rare treasures, sometimes elixir or herbal scriptures, sometimes high-rank pills, or even a complete set of techniques—not limited to spiritual plant cultivation.”

Qin Ming thought of how her one meditation had yielded a sentient plant, and his heart stirred.

He had his own life-plant, Yin Yang Xuan Teng—even if he gained nothing, letting it absorb some of the aura from this fifth-rank divine tree would still be worthwhile.

Qin Ming’s calculations rang clearly in his mind.

So he said to Long Mu Zhenjun: “Then I’ll use this Immortal Token to meditate once atop the Penglai Immortal Tree.”

“Since I’ve come this far, I must personally experience the Tree’s mystery.”

Long Mu Zhenjun was surprised—she’d said everything, yet Qin Ming still chose this path.

“Qin Dao You , think carefully—outsiders who ascend have the highest chance of gaining nothing.”

“Yes. Even so, I accept it.”

“Very well. But you cannot enter the fifth canopy layer yet,” Long Mu Zhenjun added.

Qin Ming asked: “Why not?”

“Our Elder Chen Mu has just entered that layer to meditate. He’ll likely remain for some time—shortest a few months, longest up to one or two years,” Long Mu Zhenjun explained.

Qin Ming understood: “I see. But if it’s only that short a wait, I can wait. The Immortal Mansion Gathering won’t begin for another two and a half years.”

He hadn’t expected meditating atop the Immortal Tree required a queue.

“I’ll send you word when the time comes.”

“If you have nowhere else to go, why not stay here? We have many vacant dwellings and caves,” Long Mu Zhenjun invited warmly.

Qin Ming bowed: “Thank you for your kindness, Master Long Mu, but I’ve come to the Eastern Sea cultivation world for the first time—I wish to travel and see more.”

“Hmm, very well,” Long Mu Zhenjun nodded.

Then.

Qin Ming exchanged information with the other party, traded a few spiritual plant seeds, and then took his leave.

From then on, the Devouring Sky Rat learned that Tian Linger was a rare transformed spiritual plant: the Divine Infant Mushroom.

It drooled incessantly, sniffing her all over, as if merely breathing her in would grant some great benefit, leaving the little girl embarrassed.

“What are you doing? Look at yourself! You haven’t been whipped in three days and you’re already climbing onto the roof again.”

Qin Ming seized the Devouring Sky Rat with one large hand and, without mercy, tossed it straight into the Little Spirit Realm.

“My failure to discipline my subordinate truly amuses you, Dragon Wood Daoist.”

“Hahaha! No matter. Your rat king pet has developed great spiritual awareness—it’s quite rare, and it’s even broken through to the peak of the third stage. Surely, it won’t be long before it ascends to the realm of transformed great demon?” Long Mu Zhenjun didn’t mind.

Qin Ming smiled faintly: “He’s still far from it. The transformation tribulation isn’t easy to survive.”

“Speaking of which, I noticed the black steel fork in the rat king’s hand. Its material is extraordinary—it’s forged from Black Essence Meteor Iron. If you can find some fourth-rank or higher extraterrestrial exotic metal to alloy into it, you might upgrade it to a fourth-rank spiritual treasure.”

“Black Essence Meteor Iron and extraterrestrial exotic metals are both highly effective at resisting thunder tribulations,” Long Mu Zhenjun said slowly.

Qin Ming hadn’t expected Long Mu Zhenjun to notice the black fork in the Devouring Sky Rat’s hand.

He immediately summoned the Devouring Sky Rat out and said: “Take out your black steel fork and show it to Dragon Wood Daoist.”

The Devouring Sky Rat had just been scolded by Qin Ming and felt awkward; it immediately forced a smile, bowed repeatedly, pulled out the black steel fork, and respectfully handed it to Long Mu Zhenjun.

Long Mu Zhenjun took the fork, gently brushed his magic power over it to test it, then nodded: “Mm, correct. Confirmed as Black Essence Meteor Iron.”

“This iron is highly malleable, extremely tough, and can absorb thunder energy.”

Qin Ming took the black steel fork and examined it for a long time—he’d never paid much attention before, but now he realized the fork the Devouring Sky Rat always waved around was a rare exotic treasure.

Had it not been for the Devouring Sky Rat’s fierce attachment to this item, begging and pestering endlessly, Qin Ming might never have granted it to him.

He never imagined it was something as rare as extraterrestrial Black Essence Meteor Iron.

“Hahaha! Qin Daoist, don’t be surprised. This item is only mentioned sparingly in our sect’s Library of Strange Objects.”

“Not even you, but other Nascent Soul cultivators may not even know of it.”

“I suspect the alchemist who forged this black fork didn’t even know its true purpose, hence why it was crudely crafted into this crude form,” Long Mu Zhenjun said with a smile.

Upon hearing that his black steel fork was a great treasure capable of aiding in resisting the transformation tribulation, the Devouring Sky Rat was overjoyed.

“I knew it! When I first smelled it, I felt that long-lost, rich aura of a treasure. Hehehe!”

Qin Ming tossed the black steel fork back to it and let it revel in its private delight.

Then.

Qin Ming took his leave from Long Mu Zhenjun and departed from Penglai Sect.

Long Mu Zhenjun was still quite courteous, escorting him all the way out of the island.

…

Not long after Qin Ming had departed.

A golden lightning streak arrived belatedly, landing near Penglai Island, just as Wang Jingqiu and others were patrolling nearby.

Wang Jingqiu had already encountered two Nascent Soul True Persons; as a mere Jin Dan cultivator, she was trembling. Now she’d met a mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse—she didn’t know what misfortune had befallen her lately.

“Disciple Wang Jingqiu of Penglai Sect bows before Elder Long Yang Zhenjun!”

Long Yangzi’s hair and beard were white; his expression was frantic as he asked: “Has Wangyue Zhenjun visited your sect?”

“Elder, Wangyue Zhenjun departed just this morning,” Wang Jingqiu replied truthfully.

“Ah? Alas! These demonic cultivators have truly delayed my affairs!” Long Yangzi sighed heavily.

He had originally followed Qin Ming closely; with his mid-Nascent Soul cultivation, he should have caught up quickly.

But who knew? He’d encountered a void anomaly en route and was delayed for several days—truly frustrating.

“Fate has not yet aligned. Enough. Wangyue Daoist will eventually return to Tianlan Xiancheng,” Long Yangzi shook his head.

Seeing his demeanor, Wang Jingqiu timidly asked: “Elder Long Yang Zhenjun, should I report your arrival to my Grandmaster?”

“No, no. I don’t want to see that madwoman.”

Long Yangzi scowled, then his figure blurred and vanished instantly from the spot.

Only Wang Jingqiu remained, awkwardly frozen in place, unsure what to do.

It took a full incense stick before she confirmed Long Yangzi had truly left far away—only then did she wipe away a cold sweat.

“Sigh! I’ll never take this patrol duty again. For such a meager contribution point, I keep running into Nascent Soul True Persons—who can endure this?”

…

On the other side.

After leaving Penglai Sect, Qin Ming rode the Lingxiao Treasure Chariot across the boundless sea.

The Xuan Shui Crocodile and eight Bi Bo Sea Horses strained to pull the chariot forward.

Qin Ming enjoyed the Devouring Sky Rat’s service as he retrieved the Eastern Sea map jade slip to examine.

“Master, where to next?”

The Devouring Sky Rat stood on Qin Ming’s shoulder, peeling a spiritual fruit and placing it gently into his mouth.

“Hmm. Head to Heiyuan Island in the northeastern waters.”

Qin Ming said calmly.

Heiyuan Island was a place in this sea region akin to a black market, where many illicit transactions took place.

Thus, the likelihood of finding high-rank extraterrestrial exotic metals was highest—and he could also offload or exchange some items he currently held.

Several days later.

A pitch-black island appeared within Qin Ming’s spiritual sense.

He immediately recalled the Lingxiao Treasure Chariot and transformed into a bearded, burly man, yet did not conceal his cultivation—he revealed his Nascent Soul realm.

After all, he was here to procure fourth-rank exotic metals and would inevitably need to interact with peers of the same level.

Heiyuan Island was small, desolate, and lacked even protective arrays. Its buildings were dense, all constructed from black stone.

Qin Ming descended as a crimson lightning streak; upon seeing such a powerful cultivator land, the surrounding cultivators scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing in panic.

Following the jade slip’s records, he walked straight toward a nine-story pavilion at the island’s center.

The pavilion, too, was built entirely of black stone, with no sign hanging outside.

Qin Ming stepped inside, and all cultivators around him retreated.

But before he entered, a purple aura streaked down before him, revealing a middle-aged female cultivator in purple gauze robes, at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

“Welcome, Esteemed True Person, to Heiyuan Island. Please come inside for a chat.”

Qin Ming said nothing, merely nodded, then followed the woman in purple gauze robes into the pavilion.

Inside, he found the furnishings extremely plain, and began to doubt whether they possessed what he needed.

For as soon as he entered, he had already scanned the entire Heiyuan Island with his spiritual sense—and checked everything.

He discovered the strongest cultivator present was this very middle-aged woman in purple robes, at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Sensing his skepticism, the woman in purple robes poured him a cup of spiritual wine and smiled: “Elder, do you have something to sell? Or something you wish to acquire? Just tell me.”

“We can obtain anything. Heiyuan Island has always built its reputation on trust within the Eastern Sea cultivation world.”

Qin Ming nodded, cutting straight to the point: “I need some fourth-rank or higher extraterrestrial exotic metals—the higher the grade, the better. Do you have any?”

“No matter the price, I can afford it.”

“Fourth-rank extraterrestrial exotic metals?”

The woman in purple robes hesitated, looking embarrassed: “Elder, such high-grade exotic metals… we likely don’t have any here.”

“Hmph! Then how dare you boast?”

“Are you mocking me?”

The bearded man Qin Ming had assumed erupted in fury; his terrifying spiritual pressure made the woman in purple robes turn pale.

At that moment.

“Esteemed Daoist, please don’t be angry.”

“I’ll provide what you need.”

A black aura streaked into the stone chamber, revealing a bald, black-robed old man, gaunt and hunched, yet radiating the unmistakable aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator at the initial stage.

The black-robed elder waved his hand, snatching the woman in purple robes away and casting a spiritual light barrier to shield her.

Qin Ming’s eyes narrowed sharply; his spiritual power, rivaling mid-Nascent Soul, surged forth. The black-robed elder’s face changed—he felt a tidal wave of spiritual pressure crashing over him.

He could no longer protect the woman.

His composure shattered; he cried out: “Daoist, please hold back!”

As the black-robed elder yielded, the immense spiritual pressure receded like a tide.

“Hahaha! I am Heixuan Shangren, owner of this black market. If my subordinates offended you, please don’t take it to heart,” the bald, black-robed elder chuckled dryly to Qin Ming.

Meanwhile,

Heixuan Shangren was secretly stunned—he had no idea where such a powerhouse had come from.

His strength seemed far beyond his own.

(End of Chapter)