Chapter 80: Five-Color Rice and Red-Silver Yellow Hemp

Qin Ming arrived at Juxuan Pavilion.

He was immediately greeted by Shopkeeper Liao and escorted to a private suite on the seventh floor.

“Qin Daoist, please have some tea,” Gu Qingzhao said gently, pouring it for him herself.

Qin Ming lifted the Lingwu tea, took a small sip, and the fragrance permeated his heart and soul.

“Gu Daoist, I’ve come here to purchase some spirit seeds from your pavilion.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhao’s starlike eyes instantly brightened. “May I ask what spirit plants Qin Daoist plans to cultivate this year? Our inventory of spirit seeds is quite comprehensive.”

Qin Ming stated plainly: “Second-rank low-grade spirit plant, Five-Color Rice, and second-rank low-grade spirit plant, Red-Silver Yellow Hemp.”

Gu Qingzhao’s faint smile vanished the moment she heard these two spirit seeds.

She froze, her expression slackening.

Long moments passed.

Finally, Gu Qingzhao regained her composure and asked uncertainly: “Qin Daoist, are you certain? You truly intend these two second-rank spirit plants?”

Qin Ming nodded without reply.

“Aren’t you no longer cultivating Beast-Tooth Rice?”

“Jumping straight to second-rank spirit plants carries great risk—isn’t this somewhat unwise?”

Gu Qingzhao had never expected Qin Ming, having just become a high-grade spirit cultivator, would immediately attempt second-rank spirit plants.

She knew full well how difficult second-rank spirit plants were to cultivate.

Not to mention distant examples—even ordinary second-rank spirit cultivators from Lingyu Sect would likely struggle with these two.

These two spirit plants are among the most difficult in the low-grade second-rank category.

Qin Ming nodded seriously: “I’ve made my decision.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingzhao’s expression grew complex; though she found Qin Ming’s spirit cultivation talent astonishing,

she still doubted he could successfully grow second-rank spirit plants.

Then Gu Qingzhao ordered someone to bring two different spirit seeds.

To preserve their spiritual essence, the seeds were sealed in two exquisite jade boxes.

Qin Ming opened the boxes: one held multicolored spirit rice, the other dark green seed grains.

He nodded—these seeds were sufficient for cultivating five mu of spirit fields.

Second-rank Five-Color Rice is said to greatly enhance the magic power of Qi Refining cultivators and even offers some benefit to Foundation Establishment cultivators; its yield is extremely low, nearly priceless.

Its maturation cycle is three years, and its growth conditions are exceedingly demanding.

As for second-rank spirit plant Red-Silver Yellow Hemp, its outer bark is a primary material for crafting high-grade talismans, fetching a high price; its leaves and ripe fruit can be used in medicinal elixirs—truly invaluable throughout. Its maturation cycle is also three years.

Though Red-Silver Yellow Hemp’s growth requirements aren’t as extreme, its wood-scented emissions during growth attract a particularly troublesome spirit insect, one even the Advanced Spirit Rain Technique cannot repel.

If mishandled, it will lead to pest infestation or the death of the spirit plant.

“Gu Daoist, how many spirit stones for these seeds?”

Gu Qingzhao smiled faintly: “Second-rank spirit seeds are rare. Our pavilion holds only these two boxes—originally intended for auction.”

“Since Qin Daoist has need, we shall prioritize you.”

“After an eight-tenths discount—”

“The spirit seeds of second-rank Five-Color Rice are priced at fifteen hundred spirit stones.”

“The spirit seeds of second-rank Red-Silver Yellow Hemp are priced at two thousand spirit stones.”

“Qin Daoist, consider carefully: if cultivation fails, you won’t just lose this large sum of spirit stones—you’ll waste time and energy too.”

Gu Qingzhao advised gently.

Qin Ming smiled slightly and swiftly pulled out spirit stones from his storage bag to pay her.

Gu Qingzhao accepted the spirit stones, then asked suddenly: “If Qin Daoist truly succeeds in cultivating these two second-rank spirit plants, might you sell us a portion?”

“Of course, but I’m merely experimenting—don’t expect too much,” Qin Ming replied, sipping his spirit tea.

The transaction concluded. Qin Ming did not rush to plant the seeds in his spirit fields.

Before deciding to cultivate these two plants, he had already studied every available spirit cultivation text, memorizing every step and critical detail.

Before planting Five-Color Rice, the spirit seeds must be soaked for a time in a specially prepared cultivation solution.

The materials needed to brew this solution were not hard to obtain.

Qin Ming purchased them from several nearby shops.

Returning to Qingliang Cottage,

Qin Ming prepared the cultivation solution and carefully placed only a few grains of Five-Color Rice seed into it—he had never brewed it before and didn’t know if he’d succeeded.

The results would reveal themselves in a few days.

Having completed this,

Qin Ming went out again, heading to the southern district of Qingyang Marketplace.

He wound through alleys until he reached a shop.

Spirit Beast Pavilion.

Qin Ming stepped inside.

The hall was spacious, furnished in ancient elegance.

The shop was thriving; several cultivators already waited at the counter to reserve spirit beasts.

A young female cultivator with a sweet face stepped forward politely, her voice clear as a bell: “Welcome, Daoist. Are you here to purchase a spirit beast?”

Qin Ming cleared his throat lightly and asked: “I’m not here to buy a spirit beast. Do you sell manure from Black-Maned Dragon Brown Horses?”

The moment he spoke,

the cultivators in the hall turned to stare; several smirked knowingly.

Who comes to a Spirit Beast Pavilion not to buy a beast, but to buy manure? Just then,

a middle-aged cultivator in fine robes emerged from the inner chamber. The receptionist beside Qin Ming immediately bowed: “Shopkeeper.”

“Oh my, if it isn’t Qin Daoist! Please, come right in!”

“Xiao Qin, why are you standing there? Go brew Qin Daoist some spirit tea at once!”

The shopkeeper clearly recognized Qin Ming and greeted him warmly.

Qin Ming waved his hand: “I won’t drink tea. I just asked about—”

The shopkeeper paused, then laughed: “Of course we have it. As much as you need. This small matter—no spirit stones needed. Consider it a goodwill gesture, hehe!”

“No, business is business. If you do this, I’ll go elsewhere,” Qin Ming said, unwilling to owe a favor.

The shopkeeper chuckled awkwardly: “Then… just give me a few spirit stones, then.”

Qin Ming sought Black-Maned Dragon Brown Horse manure for a clear purpose.

Before planting second-rank Red-Silver Yellow Hemp, the spirit field must be prepared by mixing ash from burned plant stalks with horse manure and several other spirit materials to enrich the soil.

To lay a solid foundation for the spirit plant’s growth.

At this moment, the cultivators in the hall, having observed Qin Ming’s conversation with the shopkeeper, began recognizing him.

They approached to greet him: “Qin Daoist, hello!”

“Qin Daoist, hello!”

“Ah, it’s Qin Daoist—I thought so.”

“Qin Daoist buying manure must be for spirit cultivation—that makes perfect sense, right?”

“Who was laughing just now?”

…

(End of Chapter)