Chapter 86: Unexpected News

"Thank you all for your kind intentions, but Qin Mou’s cultivation is shallow; I shall not risk myself in this matter."

Qin Ming didn’t even hesitate—he refused outright.

Long before, he had learned from Gu Qingzhao that the situation was far more serious than it appeared; one misstep could easily lead to total annihilation—body shattered, Dao extinguished.

Not to mention any Foundation Establishment opportunity.

Besides, he could steadily enhance his strength through careful cultivation; there was truly no need to join this frenzy.

Huang Xishan and several other neighbors stared in shock.

They had never expected Qin Ming to refuse so decisively.

"Ah, well then, since Brother Qin refuses, we won’t force you. We’ll take our leave now." Huang Xishan said with obvious regret, bowing to Qin Ming before preparing to depart.

Qin Ming watched the neighbors’ retreating figures, then hesitated and said, "Must you all go? With two sects involved, even if there’s an opportunity, it won’t be easy to claim."

Hearing this, Huang Xishan turned back and sighed, "Alas—we can’t compare to Brother Qin. You’re still so young; we old ones wouldn’t be risking our lives like this if we weren’t already at this age."

"If you haven’t achieved Foundation Establishment by sixty, your Dao path ends here."

"Though we hold some status in the marketplace now, when our lifespan runs out, it’ll all amount to nothing."

"So better to seize this chance and fight for it."

…

Qin Ming bit his lip, realizing he couldn’t dissuade them, and fell silent.

He saw them off.

He glanced at the two mu of spirit herb fields in his courtyard.

【Name】: Shen Yuan Fruit 【Term】: Soul Force Crystal ×5 (Maturity 1%)

【Name】: Mo Yan Grass 【Term】: Accelerate Growth ×5 (Maturity 92%)

【Name】: Tan Jing Flower 【Term】: Accelerate Growth ×5 (Maturity 95%)

【Name】: Seven-Leaf Huang Ling 【Term】: Bloodline Regression (Maturity 94%)

The spirit herbs he planted this year in his courtyard—aside from the second-rank Shen Yuan Fruit—were nearly ripe.

He felt slightly reassured.

After tending the herb field, he stepped out the gate.

Qin Ming headed toward the shantytown’s alchemy chamber to brew Yun Ling Pills; after several failures, he could now craft them proficiently.

His success rate remained above seventy percent—a remarkable figure for such a difficult elixir for him.

As Qin Ming walked along the main road of Qingyang Marketplace, he unexpectedly met an old acquaintance.

"Oh! Brother Qin! Long time no see!" Du Haifu waddled up, belly jiggling, followed by several Lingyu Sect disciples.

Judging by his appearance, he was in the marketplace on business.

Qin Ming smiled and replied, "Brother Du, it’s been a while."

Du Haifu beamed, unconsciously patting his sleeves.

Qin Ming’s gaze fell on his clothing—he suddenly realized Du Haifu was wearing the blue robe of a Lingyu Sect outer sect steward.

This fellow had been promoted!

"Oh dear! My apologies—I should call you Steward Du!" Qin Ming quickly corrected himself.

Du Haifu nodded slightly, unconcerned. "Brother Qin, your own status is no lower; call me Brother Du, no need for formality."

"When did you rise to outer sect steward? I never heard the news," Qin Ming smiled, then asked.

Du Haifu waved his hand. "It’s no surprise you didn’t know—it happened just these past two days."

Then he delivered another piece of news that stunned Qin Ming deeply.

"Two days ago, Elder Gu broke through to Foundation Establishment—and was immediately promoted to inner sect Elder."

"Considering my years of service to him, Elder Gu granted me his steward position." As Du Haifu spoke of Elder Gu’s breakthrough, his plump face glowed with pride. Qin Ming’s expression turned utterly astonished.

"Elder Gu broke through to Foundation Establishment too?!"

He remembered Elder Gu had been stuck at Qi Refining peak for decades; by his age, he was barely a few years from sixty.

Yet somehow, Elder Gu had achieved Foundation Establishment at the very limit—his lifespan now extended to over two hundred years.

"Exactly. Elder Gu had great fortune—he accidentally discovered the trail of the bandits who attacked Elder Zhuang’s herb garden during a mission."

"After reporting it to the sect, he accumulated enough merit to be granted a Foundation Establishment Pill," Du Haifu said, envious.

Qin Ming suddenly understood—only a sect controlled such resources; it made sense.

"In a few days, there will be a small celebration for Elder Gu’s breakthrough. I’ve come to the marketplace to buy banquet supplies."

Clearly, Du Haifu was riding high—no doubt he had firmly clung to Elder Gu’s coattails.

As the two chatted—

Suddenly—

A commotion erupted along the marketplace road.

A lavishly decorated carriage, its carved doors exquisitely detailed, its exterior elegantly adorned, glided slowly down the main road, pulled by four dragon steeds, followed by several guards.

Qin Ming glanced through the curtain—he glimpsed a stunningly beautiful young female cultivator inside, her figure slender and alluring.

The carriage moved farther away, heading toward the Juxuan Pavilion.

"That’s the Baihua Sect’s Baihua Holy Maiden!" Du Haifu recognized the occupant—his face instantly darkened.

He turned to Qin Ming and quickly bowed.

"Brother Qin, I have urgent matters—I can’t linger. Come find me at the sect another day."

Qin Ming returned the bow. "Brother Du, go ahead."

Du Haifu hurried off with his disciples, visibly flustered.

Qin Ming frowned, murmuring to himself, "So even the Baihua Sect has gotten involved?"

"Just as Brother Gu predicted—the winds are shifting."

…

A month later.

Qin Ming harvested the terms from the three spirit plants in his courtyard.

Then—

He went to the five mu of second-rank spirit fields and spent six 【Accelerate Growth】 term leaves to ripen the four spirit plants bearing terms.

The instant he harvested them—

One green leaf, two blue leaves, and one purple leaf appeared in Qin Ming’s spiritual sense.

"Wait!"

"A purple leaf?!" Qin Ming was stunned—he hadn’t expected such a rare term tier.

He stared at the purple 【Spell Replication】 term leaf.

Qin Ming’s face grew thoughtful; a terrifying thought flashed through his mind.

"Could this 【Spell Replication】 have no restrictions on the spells it copies?"

"Could it perfectly replicate any spell I’ve witnessed?"

"Then if I could witness a Jin Dan cultivator in action… would I…?"

(End of Chapter)