Chapter 78: A Turn in the Dark Willows Brings Bright Flowers [Thank you all for following along; we've entered the fourth round]

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Gu has a way to obtain a quota for entering the Plant Illusion Realm," Qin Ming stated bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhao's dark eyebrows knitted slightly together.

She naturally understood that Qin Ming asked this because he surely wished to advance to a second-tier spirit planter.

Instead of seeking a quota from a second-tier spirit planter of the Spirit Feather Sect, Qin Ming had come to find her instead.

One did not need to think to know that he must have been obstructed by the Spirit Feather Sect.

After all, no one was willing to easily let go of such talent.

"If anyone else had asked, the answer would certainly be no."

"However, if it is Fellow Daoist Qin... there is still a chance."

Gu Qingzhao pondered for a long while before speaking.

Qin Ming's expression brightened with joy, and he immediately said, "Then we have a deal."

"For this matter, you must go in person; I can put in a good word for Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Do you still recall that Protector Huangfu has a Dao companion?" Gu Qingzhao asked.

Although Qin Ming had never met her, the impression was profound; all the second-tier spirit plants in Senior Huangfu Qi's cultivation cave were cultivated by his Dao companion.

"Mm, I have heard Senior Huangfu mention her," Qin Ming nodded.

Gu Qingzhao continued, "Protector Huangfu's Dao companion, Fellow Daoist Chen Qiaoling, is also a second-tier spirit planter, and she has an old acquaintance with an elder within the Spirit Feather Sect."

"Perhaps you could try approaching her."

"Better today than any other day; come with me back to Cloud Dream Mountain shortly to pay a visit."

In the end, Qin Ming secured Gu Qingzhao's referral at the cost of selling two Divine Yuan Fruits.

The transaction concluded.

The two left the market town and flew toward Cloud Dream Mountain.

Half an hour later.

Qin Ming and Gu Qingzhao got their wish and met Huangfu Qi's Dao companion, Chen Qiaoling.

The other party was a beautiful woman with a plump figure, possessing a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivation.

The two explained their purpose.

Chen Qiaoling pondered for a moment and said, "Since the Pavilion Master personally brought him to discuss this matter, I will reluctantly agree."

"However, after the matter is accomplished, I have one condition."

Hearing this, Qin Ming was delighted. "Senior Chen, please speak."

"I want half a wisp of the Mother Qi of Ten Thousand Trees," Chen Qiaoling stated directly while looking at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming pondered for a moment and replied just as directly, "Agreed; as long as I can obtain this item, I will definitely not break my word."

"With Fellow Daoist Qin Xiao You's talent in spirit planting, ranking among the top should not be difficult," Chen Qiaoling said with a faint smile, her words carrying deep meaning.

"For the sake of your affair, I even have to swallow my pride and beg an old fellow from the Spirit Feather Sect."

"You are not losing out."

"In three days, come to me again to collect the quota."

With the matter settled, a heavy stone lifted from Fellow Daoist Qin's heart.

In this way, all preparations were complete.

They only waited for the second-tier spirit plants in the five mu of spirit fields to mature.

Returning to Qingyang Market Town.

Qin Ming went to tend to the spirit fields as usual.

Just as he arrived near the spirit fields, he saw several spirit planters pointing and commenting at his fields.

Qin Ming's brows furrowed, and he quickened his pace to approach.

"This Five-Colored Rice is grown just average; compared to the two mu of second-tier Jade Crystal Rice I planted, it is still slightly inferior."

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in the Spirit Feather Sect's spirit planter attire stood on the Tian Geng by the irrigation ditch, his expression arrogant as he offered a light critique.

The other several spirit planters beside him chimed in: "Naturally so; Fellow Daoist Li Yan's spirit planting skills are exceedingly exquisite, and as a disciple of Elder Zhuang Xiran, his promotion to second-tier spirit planter is already a certainty."

"When Fellow Daoist Li's Jade Crystal Rice matures, it will surely be the day the Spirit Feather Sect's Mingzhen Tower echoes across Yunze Dahuang!"

"Among all upper-grade spirit planters, I still favor Fellow Daoist Li more."

"That country bumpkin from who-knows-where, in my opinion, just got lucky."

"Even if he managed to grow second-tier spirit plants, so what? Without obtaining a quota from the elders, he will still have to honestly farm here."

Qin Ming had been in a good mood today, only to run into these depressing fellows right after stepping out. "Sigh, make way, don't block the path?"

He walked straight over and casually used his body to trigger a hidden force, shoving them.

"Splash!"

The spirit planter named Li Yan fell into the nearby irrigation ditch at the sound, looking extremely wretched.

Recovering his senses, he leaped back onto the ground in a flash.

He cast a cleansing technique upon himself and mobilized his magic power to dry his clothes.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, what is the meaning of this?" Li Yan's eyes revealed anger; he had naturally seen Qin Ming approaching and had originally intended to greet him.

As a result, the other party, without a word of disagreement, directly bumped him into the irrigation ditch with his rear.

He had wanted to dodge aside, but found it as if he had been rammed by a demonic beast, leaving him no room to react.

Seeing this situation, the other several spirit planters also became furious and advanced toward Qin Ming with imposing momentum.

Seeing this, Qin Ming suddenly erupted with his late-stage Qi Refining magic power, causing surging and turbulent magic power to surge around his body.

"What's the matter, several fellow daoists? Do you still want to engage in a magical battle or spar?!" Qin Ming was not the least bit afraid; he stepped forward and spoke mockingly.

With just these spirit planters before him, who couldn't even lift a chicken, he could crush them with one hand.

"Late Qi Condensation!"

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, those few spirit planters immediately turned and fled for their lives.

"Hmph! I'll give you credit for having guts!" Li Yan glared fiercely at Qin Ming before slinking away in disgrace.

Qin Ming watched the departing figures, curled his lips, and muttered, "You should say you got lucky; surprisingly, none of you stepped into the Thorn Art trap I set up."

"Otherwise, I would have gained a few more blood pearls."

Winter departed and spring arrived; the four seasons cycled in turn.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

A year and a half later.

With the dual assistance of his attribute panel and medicinal pills, Qin Ming cultivated bitterly day and night.

His magic power cultivation advanced to the eighth layer of Qi Condensation, and the 'Hundred Treasures Glazed Sutra' also broke through to its eighth layer, causing his strength to surge once again.

The situation in Qingyang Market remained exactly as before: deadlocked.

The reason was that despite such a long time passing, the various factions still had not found that dragon-shaped token.

"Could it really be that coincidental? Was it truly the one taken by Fellow Daoist Feng?" Qin Ming couldn't help but let his imagination run wild. "It must be ninety percent certain."

Such a situation was naturally music to the ears of the Spirit Feather Sect.

If Qin Ming's prediction was correct, that heavenly spirit root cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment named Master Yuwen Hong was likely on the verge of breaking through as well.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Because nowadays, the five mu of second-tier spirit plants within his spirit field had all fully matured and were growing remarkably well.

The cultivators from the Duty Hall of the Spirit Feather Sect had already completed their registration and record-keeping.

Thanks to his three years of relentless diligence since planting these five mu of second-tier spirit crops.

In fact, toward the end, Qin Ming had practically moved to the edge of the spirit field, built a shed, and guarded the spirit plants day and night.

This was to prevent anyone within the Spirit Feather Sect from secretly sabotaging him.

After all, among the high echelons of the Spirit Feather Sect, there were still plenty who did not wish to see this grassroots spirit farmer succeed.

Fortunately, hard work pays off; with the harvest imminent, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

In a few days, after participating in the trial of the plant illusion realm and promoting to a second-tier spirit planter,

the Spirit Feather Sect would have nothing left to say.

By then, exempted from corvée labor, the sky would be high enough for birds to fly freely, and the sea vast enough for fish to leap at will.

All the strife here would have nothing to do with him anymore.

Gazing at the colorful five-colored rice in the spirit field, which emitted astonishing spiritual essence, joy surged in Qin Ming's heart.

This was spirit rice capable of greatly enhancing the magic power cultivation of Qi Condensation cultivators, and it even benefited those at the Foundation Establishment stage; it was a rare treasure hard to come by.

There were also two additional mu of earth-yellow Red-Silver Yellow Hemp, every part of which was a treasure, making them incredibly valuable.

Furthermore, Qin Ming could dispose of them freely without having to pay any taxes.

Before long,

the dharma boat sent by the Spirit Feather Sect to collect the spirit rice descended right on schedule.

(End of Chapter)