Chapter 91: Market Rumors

Qin Ming paid his spirit stones and entered the market.

This Chu Tianhe Market was also something he had learned about from the map purchased from Gu Qingzhao.

Its scale was considerably smaller than that of the Qingyang Market.

However, the shops within were quite distinctive, with every type of establishment fully represented.

Qin Ming casually stepped into a restaurant.

"Honored guest, do you require anything? Our shop's Green Dragon Spirit Fish is famous far and wide; would you like to try one?" the waiter asked eagerly as he approached.

Hearing this, Qin Ming became interested; he had long heard that the Spirit Perch Islands produced a special spirit fish found only locally.

Its spirit fish soup had a significant effect on increasing the magic power of those in the Qi Condensation stage, making it a rare delicacy of the immortal abode known as "Little Green Dragon Soup."

"How much is this Green Dragon Spirit Fish?" Qin Ming asked.

Seeing the other party respond, the waiter assumed he was another wealthy patron and immediately piled smiles onto his face, saying, "This Green Dragon Spirit Fish is extremely difficult to catch and cannot be artificially bred, so the price is somewhat high."

"One jin of Green Dragon Spirit fish costs one hundred and eighty spirit stones."

Clearly, this special spirit fish was something ordinary cultivators could not afford to consume.

"Uh, then just bring me a few home-style dishes." Although Qin Ming currently had ample spirit stone wealth and could afford a full fish banquet even now,

considering he had just arrived in this place, it was unwise to reveal too much wealth and thus invite covetousness.

It was better to remain low-key.

As for this spirit fish... he would catch one himself another day to try.

Afterwards,

Qin Ming briskly ordered several dishes.

The waiter gave an embarrassed smile, not expecting the other party to change his mind the instant he heard the price.

Nevertheless, he still warmly brewed a pot of tea for Qin Ming, asked him to rest briefly, and then went to prepare the dishes.

A short while later,

several dishes unique to the Spirit Perch Islands were served, all of them seafood.

The prices were very affordable, within reach of ordinary cultivators, and not as expensive as the Green Dragon Spirit Fish.

Qin Ming's appetite surged, and he picked up his chopsticks to begin tasting.

When he was halfway through his meal,

he heard cultivators at the neighboring table begin to discuss something.

"Hey! Have you heard the news?"

"The Yu family of Bailang Island, who make their living by fishing, caught a Green Dragon Spirit Fish King yesterday in the Min River basin that actually carries a trace of flood dragon bloodline."

"A sight rarely seen in a hundred years!"

"It is said that the Big Green Dragon Soup made from this Green Dragon Spirit Fish King greatly benefits the cultivation progress of those in the Foundation Establishment stage."

"The Yu family has struck it rich now!"

"How many spirit stones will that sell for?"

"It is said it was immediately bought by a Foundation Establishment senior for the high price of over two thousand spirit stones."

"How much?!"

"Did I hear that wrong? Two thousand spirit stones!"

Picking up food with his chopsticks, Qin Ming ate while pondering.

Could one fish really sell for two thousand spirit stones? If he caught a Green Dragon Spirit Fish himself and used the 【Bloodline Atavism】 attribute on it, would it perhaps give birth to a Green Dragon Spirit Fish King containing flood dragon bloodline? But he immediately dismissed this thought.

Attributes refreshed from planting spiritual crops should only affect spiritual plants or himself, right?

He shook his head and continued eating.

"There's another piece of news."

"I heard the lease for the Qingxiadao owned by the Mo family in the north is about to expire."

"Now, several Qi Condensation families are all eyeing this treasure land greedily, watching it like tigers eyeing their prey."

"After all, it's a second-rank spiritual island; who wouldn't want it?"

"Compared to that, I suppose you're even more interested in the Qingxia Xianzi, hahaha!"

"After all, Mo Lingwei of Qingxiadao is the number one beauty of the Spirit Perch Islands."

"It is said that Qingxia Xianzi is going all out this time; to keep the spiritual island, she is recruiting two capable rogue cultivators to jointly renew the lease for Qingxiadao."

"No way, can there be such a good thing! Do you think I could go?"

"Forget it; Qingxia Xianzi has requirements for those she rents to."

"Not only must they have a sufficiently stable income of spirit stone wealth,

but they must also be introduced by someone trustworthy and possess impeccable character. After all, in previous years, some Qi Condensation families recruited external Qin Keqing only to invite wolves into the house, resulting in magpies occupying the magpie's nest and disaster befalling the entire clan; such incidents have happened more than once or twice."

Qin Ming finished his meal at a leisurely pace, having also gleaned some information.

He still intended to conduct an on-site investigation.

However, before that,

Qin Ming prepared to dispose of some stolen goods he had acquired earlier.

Next,

he visited three or four shops in succession, fencing off all the low-grade magical treasures, pills, cultivation techniques, and other items he had no use for.

This brought in several thousand more spirit stones.

Having done this,

Qin Ming found an ordinary inn within the market to stay at.

The next day.

Qin Ming rose, completed one cycle of the Longevity Spring Art, washed up and ate, then received a message from Wu Jiang.

He immediately told the other party the location.

One incense stick later.

Wu Jiang followed the guidance and arrived at Qin Ming's room.

As soon as he entered, his expression became somewhat unnatural, and he stammered:

"Fellow Daoist Qin, there is bad news; the matter of renting the island you are plotting on will likely not succeed."

"I believe that yesterday, you should have also heard some rumors within the market."

"That Qingxia Xianzi, Mo Lingwei, seems intent on continuing to seek someone to rent the island, and her determination is quite strong."

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded, then said:

"I have also learned of this matter."

"However, could Fellow Daoist Wu take me to Qingxiadao to see it in person, so that Qin Mou can make a decision?"

Wu Jiang, whose expression had been quite dejected, instantly lit up upon hearing Qin Ming's words, his whole body filled with energy.

No problem! Fellow Daoist Qin, no need to say more—I, Wu Jiang, am a local expert in this area of the spiritual energy Archipelago.

"Even if you wish to seek a joint rental with Qingxia Xianzi to discuss matters of cooperation, I can also make an introduction or two."

Having said this, Wu Jiang patted his chest, looking as if to say, "Rest assured."

The conversation ended.

The two left Chu Tianhe Market and mounted their flying artifacts, heading north.

"Brother Wu, there is something I do not understand."

"Since Canghai Xiancheng is so close to you, why would you bypass the near for the far, traveling a thousand li to develop in Yunze Dahuang?" Qin Ming casually voiced the doubt in his heart.

Hearing this, Wu Jiang smiled bitterly: "I fear you will laugh at me, Brother Qin, but only upon arriving at Canghai Xiancheng does one realize just how cruel the competition is for low-level rogue cultivators in the Immortal Realm."

"I also muddled around in the Xiancheng for a few years, but since my cultivation was not outstanding and I possessed no presentable skills, my achievements were few, and my cultivation remained stagnant."

"Alas! Even if there were opportunities, they belonged to those rogue cultivators with backgrounds, roots, and strength."

"That kind of life where one can see the end at a single glance is something a high-grade spirit planter like Fellow Daoist Qin probably cannot comprehend."

"Therefore, I decided to venture outside to strive for a chance."

Wu Jiang spoke with considerable emotion.

"Brother Wu jokes; I can comprehend that feeling. To be honest with you, Brother Wu, a few years ago I was also a low-level spirit farmer, struggling bitterly for survival."

"Nowadays, it is only by relying on my own efforts in farming that I have step by step reached this stage." Qin Ming broke into a smile and offered a word of comfort.

But he did not speak the final sentence.

Besides that, he also relied on a little help from his golden finger!

Hearing these words, Wu Jiang's expression became excited: "Really? I never expected Fellow Daoist Qin to be so inspiring!"

"It seems I have been negligent; alas! My Dao Heart is still not firm enough."

"From now on, I will take Fellow Daoist Qin as my role model and learn much from you."

Qin Ming smiled and said nothing more.

Two hours later.

A spirit island shrouded in spiritual mist appeared within their line of sight.

(End of Chapter)