Chapter 96: Planning for Foundation Establishment

Qin Ming was stunned upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected that even the Mirror Jing Xue Ge could not obtain the spiritual seeds of the Spirit-Perching Rice.

"It matters not; then I must trouble the Shopkeeper to gather the other few items for me, and I will think of another way to obtain the Spirit-Perching Rice."

The middle-aged woman smiled slightly, nodded, and then asked, "I wonder what requirements Guest Qin has for a second-tier protective formation?"

"The second-tier lower-grade protective formations sold by our pavilion start at a minimum price of five thousand spirit stones per set."

"Second-tier middle-grade protective formations can withstand attacks from mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, starting at eight thousand spirit stones."

"Second-tier upper-grade protective formations can withstand full-force attacks from late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, starting at ten thousand spirit stones."

"Of course, Guest Qin enjoys a twenty percent discount on all purchases made at our pavilion."

Qin Ming pondered briefly and immediately said, "I want a set of second-tier upper-grade protective formations, and I want the best ones."

Safety is of paramount importance, so naturally one must be willing to spend heavily.

In this regard, Qin Ming would never be reluctant to part with spirit stones.

The middle-aged woman's face lit up with joy, and she immediately nodded in agreement.

This month's performance figures were about to rise significantly again.

"Rest assured, Guest Qin, everything will surely be arranged properly for you."

"However, mobilizing these resources requires shipment from the superior warehouse; although your status as a guest elder means you need not go through any formal procedures..."

"... it will still take some time for the goods to arrive here, approximately three days or so," she explained patiently.

Qin Ming nodded. "No problem; I will remain in the market town these few days. Once the items arrive, Shopkeeper, just send me a transmission message."

Subsequently.

He immediately followed up by asking, "I wonder if the pavilion has any secret methods for refining and sacrificing Heavenly Spirit Flames available for sale?"

"I fear not; such secret methods are generally closely guarded secrets not easily circulated to the outside world, hence our pavilion does not possess them either," the middle-aged woman said, showing a look of surprise.

The conversation ended.

Under the Shopkeeper's respectful send-off, Qin Ming left the shop.

He then went to other places within the market town to continue inquiring about the Spirit-Perching Rice and the secret methods for refining spiritual flames.

Yet three consecutive days passed.

Still, he found nothing.

"If it truly comes to it, I can only choose to cultivate other spiritual plants instead," Qin Ming said with considerable regret.

Ever since learning about this spiritual rice from Gu Qingzhao, he had also hoped to cultivate it himself.

At the same time, he received a transmission talisman from the Shopkeeper.

Presumably, the items he wished to purchase had all arrived.

Qin Ming went to the Mirror Jing Xue Ge once again, paid the spirit stones, and secured the second-tier upper-grade protective formation, along with the Gathering Spirit Tea and the young Purple-Gold Bamboo saplings.

His bag of spirit stones deflated by more than half.

However.

Qin Ming believed he would soon earn it all back.

The second-tier middle-grade spiritual plant, Gathering Spirit Tea, is an extremely rare variety of spiritual tea; while increasing one's magic power, it can also slightly strengthen a cultivator's divine sense, making even a single tael of its tea leaves exceedingly valuable.

The second-tier middle-grade spiritual plant, Purple-Gold Bamboo, is the primary material for refining top-grade magical tools, so its value goes without saying.

Upon returning to Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming saw Wu Jiang directing a large group of skilled craftsmen to construct cave dwellings, pavilions, terraces, and towers on the main peak.

He himself had taken on the role of supervisor, and the efficiency was quite high.

Now that Qin Ming had become the master of an island, he usually lacked someone like this to run errands for him.

This Wu Jiang seemed quite satisfactory for now.

However, he planned to continue observing him for a while longer before making any final decisions.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you have returned!"

"I have already ordered people to begin constructing the cave dwellings in the most simple and concise style, just as you instructed."

"Once everything is completed, it should take only about half a month," Wu Jiang said, running over with an eager expression.

Qin Ming smiled and nodded; he was very satisfied with such efficiency.

Then he thought of something.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, I wish to ask you something: do you know where one might obtain the spiritual seeds of the Spirit-Perching Rice?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jiang looked surprised, then replied, "Fellow Daoist Qin must be thinking of cultivating the Spirit-Perching Rice, yes?"

Qin Ming nodded; originally, he had not held high expectations.

"Hehe! To be honest, if Fellow Daoist Qin asked others, you would likely find nothing. But since you asked me, there is indeed something to discuss," Wu Jiang said with a mysterious smile, then continued, "Does Fellow Daoist Qin still remember Qingxia Xianzi, Mo Lingwei?"

"Her ancestors included a second-tier spiritual farmer, who was also the only cultivator within the Spirit-Perching Archipelago range to have successfully cultivated the Spirit-Perching Rice."

"Although no one has been able to cultivate the Spirit-Perching Rice since that spiritual farmer passed away..."

"... I dare say the Mo family must still retain the spiritual seeds of the Spirit-Perching Rice; however, regarding the specific details, I fear Fellow Daoist Qin will need to discuss them with her personally."

After hearing him finish, Qin Ming felt a surge of excitement.

He hadn't expected that there was truly nothing this fellow did not know.

He immediately praised him a few more times.

However.

He planned to visit Mo Lingwei only after the matter of the cave dwellings was completed.

Half a month later.

All the cave dwellings within Wangyue Island were completed.

Supplemented with various pavilions, terraces, and towers, it finally looked the part, truly resembling a spiritual island.

Qin Ming stood at the highest point of the main peak, gazing into the distance from a pavilion.

Snow-capped peaks towered up, while green slopes met dark forests.

On one side were lush, green Shanfeng; on the other, rippling blue lake waters.

Looking down, the lake surface was vast, deep, and calm, displaying a sapphire hue, as a few waterbirds glided across, trailing long, slender white wakes.

The breathtaking scenery was intoxicating, making one feel as though transported into a fairyland.

Qin Ming had Wu Jiang settle the spirit stone payments for the workers, then took out another hundred spirit stones as a reward and handed them to him.

These past days, rushing about inside and out had not been easy for him.

Furthermore, he had provided quite a bit of useful information.

Wu Jiang accepted the spirit stones, deeply moved in his heart.

Once the cave dwellings were finished, Qin Ming immediately arranged a second-grade upper-tier protective formation within the main peak's area.

With this in place, unless a Jin Dan old ancestor came attacking here,

no one else could threaten him anymore.

His sense of security was now maxed out.

With everything prepared, he could finally farm his land in peace of mind.

Qin Ming picked a day and sent Wu Jiang to Yunze Xiancheng to deliver an invitation letter to Gu Qingzhao of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

He invited her and the Shopkeeper to visit the island for a sit-down, and also to learn the route.

It could also be considered a housewarming celebration.

The range of communication talismans was always limited, and Qin Ming was busy reclaiming the several dozen mu of second-grade spiritual fields below the main peak.

He could only ask Wu Jiang to make the trip on his behalf.

Upon hearing that he was to deliver an invitation to an important figure from the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, Wu Jiang immediately dashed off without even asking for a running fee.

Two days later.

Gu Qingzhao and the Shopkeeper arrived at Wangyue Island as invited.

The moment the two set foot on the island, their first reaction was to be captivated by the stunning scenery.

Qin Ming opened the formation's restrictions and welcomed the pair into the cave dwelling.

"Fellow Daoist Qin! You are making others green with envy; silently becoming the master of an entire island like this."

"With an environment like this... I wouldn't bear to leave, hahaha!"

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

After speaking, the Shopkeeper presented the small gifts the two had prepared.

Qin Ming gladly expressed his thanks and accepted them.

Of course, his reason for inviting Gu Qingzhao to the island was not merely to eat and drink.

After three rounds of wine.

Qin Ming opened his mouth and asked, "Fellow Daoist Gu, could you help me keep an eye out and gather materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Even auxiliary materials would work, or perhaps spiritual seeds of spiritual plants."

Thanks to "20210301106610066548" for the donation of 100 coins! Also, thanks to all the fellow Daoists who voted.

Additionally, after discussing with the editor, the VIP launch is set for June 1st.

(End of Chapter)