Chapter 716: Meeting an Old Friend in a Foreign Land [Thank you, Comrade

Qin Ming immediately walked over.

He smiled and greeted the young man in blue robes: “Comrade Han Ya, you’re here too!”

Hearing the unmistakable voice, the young man in blue robes, his back turned to Qin Ming, trembled violently. Without a word, he quickly set down the goods in his hands, feigned not hearing, and tried to slip away.

“Comrade Han Ya, don’t rush off?”

“It’s been over a decade—finally meeting again after all this time, we must catch up!”

Qin Ming’s form blurred, and when it reappeared, he had blocked the blue-robed youth’s path.

Han Ya Shiren looked at Qin Ming and forced a stiff smile. “Oh! It’s Comrade Qin! What a coincidence!”

“I thought I misheard—truly, my apologies.”

“No matter. Meeting an old friend in a foreign land—when did you arrive, Comrade Han Ya?” Qin Ming asked with a smile.

Han Ya Shiren replied with a hollow grin: “I just arrived a moment ago. Didn’t expect to run into you right away.”

“Then since we’ve met by chance, why not stroll together? I’ll treat you, and we can find a place for a drink.” Qin Ming immediately proposed.

Han Ya Shiren had been his good omen—he must exchange words properly.

Perhaps the thing he had struggled so hard to find was right in this man’s possession.

At the last Nascent Soul ceremony, even the rare Void Spirit Stone had been given as a gift.

Truly generous in both gift and sentiment—it left him deeply uneasy.

“W-well, alright, hehe.” Han Ya Shiren reluctantly agreed.

Then the two began walking and browsing.

Indeed, as Qin Ming followed behind Han Ya Shiren, he acquired several rare spiritual materials.

All of them were herbs and plants usable for refining fourth-rank elixirs.

Then he could simultaneously grind his skill lines while refining elixirs to advance his cultivation—perfect.

After wandering long enough, Qin Ming and Han Ya Shiren entered a tavern.

A fish-tribe waiter, draped in a white towel, hurried over with a beaming smile: “Elders, what would you like?”

“Our Banyue Pavilion’s dishes and drinks are famed across the Eastern Sea—we have every kind of celestial delicacy!”

Han Ya Shiren calmly took the menu, skimmed it in a glance, casually ordered a few dishes, then added:

“Bring us two pitchers of your finest spiritual wine.”

He thought: since Qin Ming is treating, why not drink the most expensive? He might as well order everything top-tier.

“Got it!” The waiter beamed and eagerly accepted.

“Our Bailing Nectar is a third-rank spiritual wine—it slightly boosts Jin Dan cultivation and helps unblock meridians. Elders might like some.”

“Though it’s rather pricey—150 mid-grade spirit stones per pitcher.”

“Hmm. Today Qin Comrade is treating—bring the Bailing Nectar. Hurry up,” Han Ya Shiren said without looking up.

The waiter’s joy deepened.

Clearly, these two guests were big spenders—this meal alone could match several tables downstairs.

But just as he turned to leave, Qin Ming called out:

“Wait—no wine. Just serve the dishes.”

The waiter could only smile awkwardly and went downstairs to prepare.

Soon after, a full table of celestial delicacies was brought up.

Qin Ming dismissed the waiter and attendants: “That’s all. No one is to disturb us in this private room.”

Only the two remained inside.

Han Ya Shiren didn’t understand Qin Ming’s move—he wondered inwardly: Could this man really be stingy with a few hundred spirit stones?

“Could Qin Comrade be planning to treat me to your secret stash of Demon Flame Wine? That flavor was truly the most unforgettable spiritual wine I’ve ever tasted.”

“That would be too much trouble—hehe!”

Qin Ming raised his hand and cast a barrier around the room, then took out a set of crystal goblets from his storage pouch, placed them on the table, and pulled out a flask of spiritual wine, smiling:

“Ordinary spiritual wine no longer suits me. Even Demon Flame Wine is outdated.”

“Comrade Han Ya, today I invite you to taste my newest brew—Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar—a fourth-rank spiritual wine that enhances Nascent Soul magic power.”

“Its main ingredient is the fourth-rank demon core of the Ming water serpent, ground into fine powder, blended with other rare spiritual materials, and meticulously aged over long time and effort.”

“As for taste—I won’t claim it’s the finest in the mortal realm, but I believe it ranks among the top three.”

“Had it not been for Comrade Han Ya, I’d never have shared this with anyone else.”

“Huh? Fourth-rank spiritual wine? Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar?” Han Ya Shiren froze.

Even his chopsticks trembled slightly.

Then Qin Ming poured the wine into his own goblet—the golden liquid flowed slowly, filling the air with an intoxicating, ethereal fragrance.

Powerful spiritual energy radiated from the wine, shimmering with a faint golden mist—utterly divine.

Merely gazing at it sent Han Ya Shiren’s spirit soaring.

He was stunned—and secretly thrilled.

An ancient being like Han Ya Shiren, who had lived so long, knew Qin Ming wouldn’t offer such a divine brew without wanting something.

No good deed comes without motive. So he inhaled the wine’s aroma, swallowed hard, and asked suspiciously: “Qin Comrade, you’ve got something to ask, don’t you? Just say it outright—why go to such expense, hehe?”

“Comrade Han Ya, you’re overthinking. I took to you at first sight—can’t I treat you to a drink?” Qin Ming smiled.

“Come, I toast you.”

Qin Ming raised his crystal goblet.

“How could I refuse? Thank you, Qin Comrade,” Han Ya Shiren, unable to resist the allure of the Nascent Soul wine, raised his own cup, smiled, inhaled deeply, then drank it all.

The Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar entered his throat, and a cascade of flavors surged through him.

In an instant! Han Ya Shiren’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Then he felt weightless, euphoric, lost in lingering aftertaste.

Most importantly—he clearly sensed a faint stirring in his Nascent Soul’s magic power, dormant for decades! “Excellent wine!”

Han Ya Shiren’s eyes gleamed as he bluntly praised:

“I never knew Qin Comrade, besides cultivating spiritual plants, was also a master brewer—I’m truly impressed.”

“Such a divine brew—rarely heard in this world—true nectar of the immortals!”

“I declare Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar the finest spiritual wine in the mortal realm—without exception.”

“I thought your earlier words were exaggerated—but now I see you were being modest.”

After downing one cup, Han Ya Shiren’s gaze could not leave Qin Ming’s flask. “Another cup,” Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

Cups clashed.

Half a day passed. “Comrade Han Ya, don’t just drink—eat some dishes.”

“Oh, right, right—eat, eat!”

After finishing one flask of Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar, Han Ya Shiren’s face flushed red—he longed to leave immediately to absorb the overwhelming medicinal power.

But he never imagined that after drinking, Qin Ming showed no sign of intoxication—calm as ever.

Still, after savoring it, half of Han Ya Shiren’s soul had already been stolen by Qin Ming’s wine.

He eagerly asked: “Qin Comrade, do you have any more of this Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar?”

“Could you trade me some? Hehe!”

Qin Ming knew this old devil’s treasury was full of treasures—he’d been waiting for this exact line. He smiled and said: “I do have some left, but Comrade Han Ya knows the main ingredient is exceedingly rare.”

“I know that well,” Han Ya Shiren gritted his teeth. “Tell me what you need—I’ll see what I can offer.”

He had resolved—even if he bled today—he must obtain this divine brew.

Qin Ming asked: “Do you have Qingkong Spirit Soil?”

“Qingkong Spirit Soil? Qin Comrade intends to use it for cultivating fourth-rank spiritual plants?” Han Ya Shiren paused, startled.

Then a mysterious smile appeared. He pulled a purple-skinned gourd from his storage pouch and handed it to Qin Ming with pride: “I guarantee—Qingkong Spirit Soil, a rare fourth-rank mid-grade material, is nowhere else to be found.”

“But I happen to have some—originally meant to trade at this Celestial Mansion gathering for items that boost magic power.”

“Yet you have Spiritual Insight Jade Nectar—I couldn’t possibly miss this chance.”

“This gourd holds Qingkong Spirit Soil passed down by my sect’s former ancestors—about three feet cubed. More than enough for your cultivation needs.”

Qin Ming took the purple-skinned gourd and was instantly delighted.

He’d only asked casually—yet Han Ya Shiren actually had it.

But then—

Qin Ming’s gaze returned to the purple-skinned gourd in his hand, his pupils shrinking sharply. He suddenly sensed this container, too, was no ordinary treasure.

“Isn’t this a Yunling Gourd?” Qingyang Lomo whispered. “Damn—he’s using this to store mere Spirit Soil? This old devil is absurdly generous.” Qin Ming kept his face calm, asking inwardly: “Old Ghost, you recognize this?”

“Yes. This is a fourth-rank upper-grade Yunling Gourd. When mature, it can nurture a thread of Yuan Yang Purple Qi—the main ingredient for Shenglong Pills.”

“Gah! Fourth-rank upper-grade Shenglong Pill?” Qin Ming sucked in a breath—never expected such a grand origin.

But he didn’t examine it further now. He uncorked the gourd and swept his spiritual sense inside.

Inside, the space was surprisingly large, holding a pile of blue-green Spirit Soil, with swirling, dense spiritual energy flowing between the grains—powerfully potent.

‘Indeed Qingkong Spirit Soil—and in such quantity…’

Qin Ming’s heart leapt. Han Ya Shiren truly was the Treasure Master—even Penglai Sect didn’t have this much.

He’d expected to spend great effort even at the Celestial Mansion gathering to acquire Spirit Soil.

Yet on his very first day, he’d secured it outright.

Now he could advance his cultivation of Blood Serpent Green Rice wine without delay.

Qin Ming even wondered whether he still needed to attend the subsequent grand gathering.

After all, he had already achieved his primary goals.

“Indeed, this is Qingkong Spirit Soil. How much Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine does the Han Ya companion wish to exchange for it?” Qin Ming resealed the lid and asked.

Han Ya Shiren hesitated a moment, then said with a bold face: “Well then—one jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine. What do you think, Qin Daoist? Hehe!”

“Wow! Master Han Ya is really being greedy! Clearly, my master’s Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine is worth far more than your Spirit Soil.”

“Though Qingkong Spirit Soil is rare, if one doesn’t know how to use it, it’s ultimately just an inanimate object.”

“And Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine—not to mention its peerless flavor—is a Nascent Soul elixir that enhances magic power. Just this alone makes it more valuable than many fourth-rank spirit pills.”

“Besides, you just drank a whole pot for free.”

“A whole jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine? My master would never agree to that.”

Shi Tian Shu was also alarmed—if all this spirit wine were traded away, what would he drink in the future?

Qin Ming smiled, sharing the same sentiment as Shi Tian Shu.

Upon hearing this, Han Ya Shiren’s face turned green.

He silently cursed: That stinking rat is ruining my plans! But he could do nothing, so he forced a smile and said:

“Hehe! Your pet’s words are reasonable. Very well, I’ll concede—half a jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine, is that acceptable?”

Qin Ming pondered briefly, then nodded decisively: “Then it shall be as Han Ya Daoist suggests.”

He immediately withdrew half a jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine and handed it to the other, quietly stowing away the purple-skinned gourd without a word.

With the transaction complete, both parties were delighted.

Han Ya Shiren’s smile widened, as if he had just struck a tremendous bargain.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food.

He bid farewell to Qin Ming, then directly rented a room in the tavern to absorb the medicinal power of the spirit wine.

Two more days passed.

The Immortal Mansion Grand Gathering officially opened at the center of Long Yuan Island.

This grand event was massive, shaking the entire Eastern Sea cultivation world, drawing participation from all major Eastern Sea factions and numerous sea clans.

By the time Qin Ming and Han Ya Shiren arrived at the venue, the place was already packed with crowds; halls and pavilions were adorned with lanterns and decorations, transformed into a misty, ethereal realm of immortals.

At this moment, powerful cultivators from all directions arrived, riding their aura trails in rapid succession.

The circular plaza was already filled with exhibition booths from the Eastern Sea’s major factions, selling rare treasures from the Immortal Mansion.

Every single spirit item here was unmatched by anything outside.

“Third-rank magic treasure, the Demon-Slaying Dagger—crafted in imitation of the Spirit Treasure Demon-Slaying Blade, it exerts strong suppression against demonic sects. Made by Master Liao of the Ancient Sword Gate. Come take a look, fellow Daoists!”

“Second-rank late-stage Demon-Hunting Hound bred by the Crystal Palace—specialized in treating ghost cultivators and demonic creatures. Only three thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Wow! The Starlight Palace is even selling Nascent Soul cultivation items!”

“Penglai Sect’s Core Formation Pills—three in total. Highest bidder wins.”

“Specialty of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace: Three Yang True Water—immensely beneficial for beast beasts attempting to transform into human form.”

Qin Ming and the others, however, were invited into one of the pavilions.

Inside the vast, grand hall, Nascent Soul cultivators were already seated.

A quick glance revealed over twenty of them, each with an unfathomably deep aura.

Several were Nascent Soul True Persons who had traveled from distant cultivation realms.

Qin Ming was effectively the sole representative of the Southern Wastelands’ cultivation world.

……

Thank you to Daoist “Shi Xiao Zi Wa” for the 15,000 bi donation! Thank you to Daoist “Shuai Qi Da Huang” for the 100 bi donation! Thank you to Daoist “Shu You 160905010717325” for the 100 bi donation! Thank you all for your overwhelming support in voting! (End of Chapter)