Chapter 8: New Neighbor

The Lingyu Sect’s newly opened lands lie in Yunze Wilderness, deep in the southwest reaches of the Southern Wilderness cultivation realm, far from human habitation.

Winters here are exceptionally cold.

Had Qin Ming not been reborn into the cultivation world, he never would have known that cultivators could also fear the cold.

They too needed to eat, drink, and relieve themselves.

At Yin Zheng, light snow began drifting over the shantytown.

The alleyways were eerily quiet, with only a few birds foraging in the trash piles.

After winter set in, the cultivation fields entered a brief two-month rest period.

The next season’s spirit rice would be sown before Qingming, or frost and cold winds would cause a high rate of empty grains.

Though winter was cold, this chill brought a sense of peace.

The changing seasons told Qin Ming that warm spring was drawing nearer.

Qin Ming was clearing snow from his doorstep.

Creak!

The wooden door of his neighbor Li Yanli swung open.

She wore a crimson peach-blossom coat, exuding grace, her body perfumed with a distinctive rouge scent, carrying a wooden basin to dump her washwater.

“Good morning, Sister Li.”

Seeing her emerge, Qin Ming smiled faintly and greeted her.

“Good morning, Brother Qin—you’re truly diligent!” Li Yanli smiled with pursed lips.

“I heard your spirit rice yield last season was astonishing—surely you made a fortune in spirit stones?”

“Heh, just lucky.”

Qin Ming finished his greeting and turned to go back inside.

But his female neighbor called out to stop him: “Brother Qin, please wait.”

Li Yanli’s face flushed with shyness as she spoke hesitantly: “Lately, my noises disturbed your rest. If you don’t mind, why not come inside? I’ll give you a free session.”

“Ah, this—”

Qin Ming was stunned, his face instantly flushing red.

To be honest, as a young man brimming with vitality, how could he withstand such a test of human nature?

‘Has spring’s warmth arrived too soon?’

‘Or is the economy really that bad?’

‘Do we have to start morning exercises this early?’

‘Stay calm. Stay calm!’

She probably didn’t crave his manhood—she wanted his spirit stones.

Qin Ming’s Dao heart began to waver again.

Suddenly—

A powerful figure flashed into his mind: the Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivator, “Brother Long.”

Too dangerous. Better not get involved.

Qin Ming instantly deflated, regaining his composure.

“Er, thank you for your kindness, but I’ve been digging spirit fields lately—my lower back’s been aching these past two days.”

Without looking back, he slipped inside.

Sigh—beauty is a skull; it disturbs the mind’s moral clarity!

Qin Ming quickly washed his face, still lost in thought, when—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A knock came at the door.

‘Could it be? Did she come to me?’

‘That flirtatious thing really is tormenting me!’

‘If that’s how it is, then I’ll fight you!’

Qin Ming opened the door and saw Cai Laojiu standing there.

He glanced left and right, confirmed no one else was around, then said casually:

“It’s you?”

Cai Laojiu, carrying two packages, had been grinning—but froze at this tone.

He looked around, then grew annoyed.

“Wait, what’s that supposed to mean? Why can’t it be me?”

“I brought you a bottle of my own sweet potato liquor.”

“Fine, I’m leaving.” Cai Laojiu turned to go.

Qin Ming hurried to apologize: “Hey hey hey, that’s not what I meant—come in, come in!”

Cai Laojiu handed him the bottle, grumbling: “What’s the point of sitting?”

“Don’t you know a new neighbor moved in?”

Qin Ming took the bottle, utterly bewildered.

“New neighbor?”

Seeing his expression, Cai Laojiu knew the boy had been cooped up too long and was out of the loop.

He sighed, pointing at Qin Ming: “Sigh, I don’t even know what to say about you.”

“A few days ago, a new cultivator moved into the alley—actually a genuine Alchemist!”

“An Alchemist?”

Among the hundred arts of cultivation, alchemy, artifact forging, talismans, and arrays stood supreme.

Elixirs were vital cultivation resources for cultivators.

Whether for daily practice, breaking through bottlenecks, curing illness, healing injuries, or extending lifespan and preserving youth—

One would inevitably need an Alchemist.

Cultivating good relations might prove useful someday.

“But… how could an Alchemist move into the shantytown?” Qin Ming asked, puzzled. After all, learning alchemy was the true drain on spirit stones—raising even a gifted Alchemist required vast quantities of spirit materials, something only major sects could afford.

Poor sects couldn’t sustain them.

“Maybe he’s just an unranked ordinary Alchemist?”

“I heard he’s only staying for a year—no one knows why.”

“Quickly prepare a gift—we should go pay our respects and get acquainted.”

Cai Laojiu urged impatiently.

“So you brought me this liquor just as an excuse? You’re riding on the Alchemist’s coattails,” Qin Ming said, dumbfounded.

Soon after—

The two passed through several alleyways.

They arrived at a house; Cai Laojiu knocked.

A moment passed.

The wooden door opened from within.

A young white-robed cultivator, around twenty, appeared—Qi Refining fifth layer.

Qin Ming and Cai Laojiu hadn’t expected him to be so young.

“We heard a new Alchemist had moved in, so we came to pay our respects, introduce ourselves—we’re neighbors now, heh,” Cai Laojiu said cheerfully.

After some polite exchanges and self-introductions,

they presented their gifts.

Qin Ming offered five catties of spirit rice; Cai Laojiu added his own liquor to his portion.

“A small token, unworthy of your attention.”

The white-robed youth accepted the gifts, stepped aside, and invited them in.

“No need for such formalities.”

“I’m Su Yuqing. Here’s a little something in return.” He pulled out two ordinary jade vials.

He handed one to each.

Qin Ming politely took his vial and glanced inside.

Inside was a single Qi Refining-grade Soul-Returning Pill, aiding rapid restoration of spiritual power.

A low-grade Soul-Returning Pill sold for five spirit stones each.

No wonder he was an Alchemist—generous to the point of extravagance.

In contrast, Qin Ming and Cai Laojiu exchanged glances, feeling slightly awkward.

Compared to his return gift, their handful of spirit rice seemed pitifully inadequate.

‘Feels like we came just to beg for pills.’

Fortunately, Su the Alchemist didn’t seem to mind.

“I am indeed an Alchemist—recently just broke through to First-Rank Mid-Grade Alchemist. I’m out here for some rest,” Su said, with quiet pride.

Alchemists commanded high status—even unranked apprentices who could brew basic elixirs earned substantial spirit stones.

Not to mention a First-Rank Mid-Grade Alchemist—such a cultivator was always a honored guest wherever he went.

Moreover, Su Danshi is so young—he must be someone with extraordinary alchemical talent and is very likely to advance further.

His potential is limitless; his future is promising.

Such individuals are often sought after by major factions.

They are not people Qin Ming or Cai Laojiu, mere insignificant figures, could ever hope to befriend.

Their destinies are simply not on the same level.

“So Su Danshi is actually a First-Rank Mid-Grade Alchemist.”

“My apologies!”

“Forgive us for our rudeness just now.”

Cai Laojiu and Qin Ming quickly bowed.

Su Danshi sat calmly in his chair, sipped tea, and looked as if this were entirely expected.

He waved his hand at the two of them.

At that moment.

Someone walked in through the door; all three turned to look.

It was Long Dao you as well.

Su Danshi rose to greet him.

Long Dao you also bowed respectfully.

After exchanging greetings, Long Dao you took out two jade boxes in front of Qin Ming and the others and presented them to Su Danshi as a greeting gift.

“First-Rank Mid-Stage beast cores—and Xuan Ling grass!” Su Danshi’s face broke into a faint smile.

He tapped his storage bag and pulled out a delicate jade vial, offering it to Long Dao you as a return gift.

“Two Ju Ling Pills.”

“They enhance Qi Refining cultivation and are equally effective for late-stage cultivators.”

Afterwards, Long Dao you and Su Danshi began chatting warmly.

They completely ignored Qin Ming and the other man…

Half a quarter-hour later.

Qin Ming and Cai Laojiu took their leave; both wore grim expressions.

“That was too presumptuous.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before that Su Danshi was this young—and a Mid-Grade Alchemist?”

“How was I supposed to know?”

“Next time there’s something like this, don’t call me.”

…

(End of Chapter)