Chapter 92: Not Selected

On Qingxiadao.

Waterfalls hung like white silk, emerald waters rippled, lush trees provided shade, green mountains stood dark and majestic, the blue sky was washed clean, white clouds drifted lazily, and the reclaimed spirit fields were arranged in terraces, scattered yet orderly...

The entire island held several hundred mu of fertile land.

Within the spirit fields, many low-tier spirit farmers labored diligently.

These low-tier spirit farmers, noticing someone flying overhead, all looked up, their eyes filled with envy.

Qin Ming glanced down at the spirit farmers beneath his feet and couldn't help but let out a silent sigh.

He recalled how he once stood in their place, instantly feeling as though lifetimes had passed.

Qingxiadao truly deserved its reputation as an island possessing a second-tier middle-grade spirit vein; the moment the two entered, they felt abundant spiritual energy brushing against their faces.

A faint green spiritual mist permeated the air, intertwining with the light like flowing time, hazy and dreamlike.

Gazing down from the sky at the island's terrain, Qin Ming discovered its shape resembled a brush rest, comprising three mountain peaks.

Wu Jiang explained from the side, "Within Qingxiadao lie three spirit peaks; the central one is Danxia Peak, boasting a spiritual environment supported by a second-tier middle-grade spirit vein."

"On either side are Hanhai Cliff and Sangmu Peak, both possessing second-tier lower-grade spirit vein environments."

Qin Ming nodded.

Immediately afterward, the two landed halfway up the central Danxia Peak.

At the sect gate, several Mo clan cultivators immediately emerged, expressions vigilant, stepping forward to interrogate, "May we ask what business brings two fellow Daoists to our island?"

Wu Jiang stated their purpose.

The guards then went inside to report.

A moment later.

An elderly man with silver hair walked out, radiating the magic power fluctuation of the ninth layer of Qi Condensation.

"Oh! So it really is young Wu who has arrived!"

"It's been many years; didn't I hear from your honorable father that you went to Yunze Dahuang to seek opportunities? How is it you returned so quickly?"

Hearing this, Wu Jiang's old face flushed red; he scratched the back of his head and said awkwardly, "Elder Mo, chaos erupted over there, so I returned early."

"Hahaha! Returning is fine too; even if there are opportunities, one must have the life to enjoy them." Elder Mo nodded.

Then he looked at Qin Ming, observing his ordinary appearance, and asked with a furrowed brow, "I presume this young friend is the co-renter you intended to introduce?"

Wu Jiang hurriedly nodded and said, "This is Fellow Daoist Qin Ming, late eighth layer of Qi Condensation, and a second-tier spirit planter."

At these words.

A trace of shock, imperceptible to most, flashed across Elder Mo's expression, yet he concealed it quite well.

"I did not expect Fellow Daoist Qin to be a second-tier spirit planter; my apologies, my apologies!"

Qin Ming returned the bow, "Greetings, Elder Mo."

"In that case, please invite the two of you to the main peak for a discussion; the family head is currently selecting co-renters, and several other fellow Daoists have already arrived in response to the summons." Having said this, Elder Mo welcomed them inside.

The three ascended along the winding stone path through the mountains.

The forested mountain road was as fresh as a poem, with tea plantations on both sides so verdant they seemed like emeralds embedded into the island.

Numerous cave dwellings and courtyards were built along the mountainside; hidden realms within the mountains stayed far from worldly clamor, with only the chirping of insects and birds echoing softly through the valleys.

Morning sunlight fell upon the tallest building on the main peak, as if gilding its edges, making it shine brilliantly.

Such a spiritually blessed land, brimming with immortal aura, made one's heart soar with longing.

In an instant.

Qin Ming immediately made up his mind; even if it meant co-renting, he would lease a mountain peak here.

Farming here would indeed make for an excellent location.

Half an incense stick later.

The three entered the main hall of the mountain peak's building.

At this time, several people were already seated inside the hall.

Seeing newcomers enter, everyone's gaze converged upon Qin Ming and his companion.

After entering, Elder Mo reported to a woman seated at the head of the hall, "Family Head, Qin Xiao You Wu has also introduced a Fellow Daoist Qin, who is interested in co-renting."

Qin Ming's gaze immediately fell upon her as well.

Seated on the main seat was a beauty of unparalleled countenance, in her twenties, wearing a gown of green gauze, her demeanor gentle, elegant, and composed.

This woman was Qingxia Xianzi, Mo Lingwei.

Earlier on the way here, Wu Jiang had mentioned to Qin Ming that Mo Lingwei possessed cultivation at the late seventh layer of Qi Condensation.

Yet now, upon seeing her, Qin Ming discovered she had concealed her true cultivation.

Her true cultivation was actually the Perfected stage of Qi Condensation.

Only one step remained before Foundation Establishment.

Had Qin Ming not possessed divine sense comparable to that of the Foundation Establishment stage, he likely would have struggled to detect anything unusual.

It seemed she employed some extremely sophisticated method of concealing her breath.

Mo Lingwei offered Qin Ming a faint smile, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin; please, sit wherever you like."

Hearing this, Qin Ming casually found a chair and sat down.

Subsequently, Mo Lingwei began explaining the matters regarding the co-renting of the spirit island, including the rent and so forth; between her frowns and smiles, she resembled a phoenix dancing or a hibiscus blooming.

"Then, let each of you introduce yourselves; I also need to consider my choice carefully."

"Finally, let me state the unpleasant truth upfront: if anyone harbors ulterior motives, the Mo family can terminate the co-renting agreement at any time."

Next.

The cultivators present in the hall to co-rent began introducing themselves one by one.

These were all cultivators who had passed the Mo family's screening before being allowed into this hall.

None of them were ordinary rogue cultivators.

The first to introduce himself was a middle-aged cultivator named Tang Feng, possessing seventh-layer Qi Condensation cultivation and the status of a first-tier upper-grade talisman master.

This man had a clean background, having struggled in Canghai Xiancheng for over a decade; this time, renting an island was simply to seek a spiritually quiet place to comprehend and break through to become a second-tier talisman master.

The second to rise and introduce himself was an elderly scholar in robes named Duan Haishan, possessing eighth-layer Qi Condensation cultivation; like Qin Ming, he too was a spirit planter.

However, he was only a first-tier upper-grade spirit planter, a rank slightly lower than Qin Ming's.

Immediately after.

Once seven or eight cultivators in succession had finished their introductions.

It was finally Qin Ming's turn.

Qin Ming stood up, nodded in acknowledgment to Mo Lingwei on the main seat, and then began his introduction.

When he mentioned his identity as a second-tier spirit planter, everyone present was shocked! "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin possesses an identity token for spirit planters?" asked the elder named Duan Haishan, his face showing conflict, as he seemed unable to believe there could be such a young second-tier spirit planter.

After all, he had cultivated spirit plants his entire life, yet had only just barely broken through to first-tier upper-grade.

The others also looked toward Qin Ming, wishing to verify the truth.

A second-tier spirit planter, in any major sect or power, would be treated as an honored guest.

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded, a wooden spirit planter identity token appearing in his hand, into which he subtly channelled his magic power.

Behind the token, the spirit plant symbol representing a second-tier spirit planter instantly lit up with a green halo.

"Truly a second-tier spirit planter!"

"Heroes emerge from the youth! Fellow Daoist Qin has achieved such attainment at such a young age; this old man is truly impressed!" Duan Haishan dispelled his doubts, stood up, and cupped his fists toward Qin Ming.

A ripple surged within Mo Lingwei's heart, and a trace of surprise flashed unnoticed through her beautiful eyes.

But she quickly calmed down, her expression becoming thoughtful.

After everyone had finished introducing themselves, Mo Lingwei spoke in a gentle and graceful voice: "Please wait a moment, drink some spiritual tea, and rest."

"I will go discuss with the clan elders and will soon give everyone the final result."

Having said this, Mo Lingwei bowed slightly to the crowd before entering the inner hall.

Two incense sticks later.

Mo Lingwei walked out again and announced the result: "Fellow Daoist Tang Feng and Fellow Daoist Duan Haishan, please stay."

"As for the other few fellow daoists, I am truly sorry; you may tour the island or depart on your own."

As her words fell.

Tang Feng's face lit up with joy upon hearing this.

Duan Haishan first froze, revealing a hint of confusion, but then a smiling expression appeared on his face.

The cultivators who had not been selected sighed in disappointment one after another, bid farewell to Mo Lingwei, and departed.

Qin Ming was also stunned by this result.

He could not fathom what Mo Lingwei was thinking; instead of selecting him, a second-tier spirit planter, she had chosen Duan Haishan, a first-tier upper-grade spirit planter.

Since it was so.

He had no choice but to bid farewell and leave.

Wu Jiang looked completely bewildered, filled with confusion and incomprehension.

After bidding farewell to Old Man Mo, he hurriedly scampered after them like a puff of smoke.

After arranging accommodations for Tang Feng and Duan Haishan.

Old Man Mo also voiced the doubt in his heart: "Why did the family head not listen to us and select Fellow Daoist Qin? He is..."

Mo Lingwei's delicate eyebrows knitted together; she waved her hand to cut him off, then said with a resolute expression: "To lead the family forward, I must be extra cautious; not even the slightest error can be tolerated."

"Regarding Tang Feng and Duan Haishan, both you and I know their roots clearly; they have clean backgrounds, enjoy a good reputation in Canghai Xiancheng, are reliable in character, and crucially, remain within our sphere of control."

"As for that Qin Ming, to be honest, I observed him carefully in the hall for quite some time, yet I found I could not see through him at all."

"Furthermore, a second-tier spirit planter far exceeds the scope of what we can control."

"This is our first meeting, and I have never before heard of any of his deeds."

"At least until I break through to Foundation Establishment, having such a great figure living nearby would make me unable to sleep or eat in peace."

Only then did Old Man Mo smile with relief, saying: "The family head is increasingly showing the style of the old family head."

Hearing this, Mo Lingwei smiled faintly, but then a trace of gloom flashed across her expression.

(End of Chapter)