### Chapter 21: Greed

"Why has Fellow Daoist Ruan gone out again!?"

Qin Ming never expected that he would miss him once more.

Having experienced the changes brought by the "Hundred Treasures Glazed Sutra," he was itching to get his hands on the remaining techniques. It seemed he would have to wait a little longer.

Qin Ming wandered around the market, purchasing a spirit beast bag and some meat before returning to the shantytown.

The next day, Qin Ming prepared a breakfast using Golden Spirit Rice and demon beast meat. Just as he was about to eat, a knock sounded at his door.

Peeking through the crack, he saw a neighbor who rarely interacted with him. Out of courtesy, Qin Ming invited him in.

"Hehe, I heard that Fellow Daoist Qin has become a first-rank spirit planter. I've come to congratulate you!" the neighbor said, handing over a small bag of gifts.

Qin Ming, not wanting to refuse the gesture, thanked him and accepted the gift. When the neighbor's gaze fell on the meal of demon beast meat and spirit rice on Qin Ming's table, his face couldn't hide a look of envy.

After some small talk, the neighbor left. Qin Ming finished his meal and was about to wash the dishes when another knock came at the door.

Qin Ming frowned. "What's going on today?!" he muttered.

He peeked outside again and was startled to see his female neighbor, Li Yanli, standing there. She was dressed elegantly and carried a small package.

Qin Ming sighed in relief. 'Good, she's probably just here to visit. Just socializing, nothing more.'

Li Yanli entered, congratulated Qin Ming, and chatted for a while before leaving. Though she wore makeup, Qin Ming could see the weariness in her face.

"It seems she hasn't recovered from Fellow Daoist Long's death," Qin Ming thought. Without Long as her backer, her future would likely be difficult.

Li Yanli left with a sorrowful glance.

Over the next few days, many nearby cultivators came to visit Qin Ming. He found the situation quite bothersome, as he disliked such social interactions. Though the gifts weren't valuable, Qin Ming politely thanked everyone.

One day, while Qin Ming was meditating on his cushion, his communication talisman buzzed. He opened his eyes and checked the message.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, are you available? I'm near the market but have urgent business to attend to. I won't be returning for at least a year, possibly three to five years. If you're free, we can complete our transaction. Don't worry, I'm with a friend from the Spirit Feather Sect's patrol team."

Qin Ming hesitated for a moment before replying, "Where should we meet?"

"On the road east of the market."

"Alright, I'll come."

After sending the message, Qin Ming packed his things and left. As he passed by the river in the shantytown, several middle-aged female cultivators were washing clothes. They didn't greet him but whispered sarcastically once he was out of earshot.

"Hmph, so what if he's a first-rank spirit planter? It's not like he's a first-rank alchemist. What's there to be proud of?"

Qin Ming ignored them and continued on his way.

After a short while, Qin Ming arrived near the location Fellow Daoist Ruan had specified. He didn't reveal himself immediately, instead observing from a distance.

A cold wind brushed his face as the wild grass swayed. The road stretched endlessly through the wilderness. In the distance, several figures came into view.

Fellow Daoist Ruan was chatting amiably with two members of the Spirit Feather Sect's patrol team. Qin Ming recognized them—they often patrolled the shantytown's alleys.

"So it's them," Qin Ming thought, his suspicions easing.

He stepped out and walked toward the group.

"Ah, Fellow Daoist Qin is here. Please wait a moment," Fellow Daoist Ruan said with a smile, bowing slightly to the patrol members before approaching Qin Ming.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I apologize for being so busy lately. I've been swamped with urgent matters."

Qin Ming forced a smile. "No problem. Do you have the item with you?"

"Of course. By the way, has your Beast Tooth Rice ripened?" Fellow Daoist Ruan asked eagerly.

Qin Ming tapped his storage bag and pulled out a small sack containing exactly ten pounds of Beast Tooth Rice. He opened it to show the rice—white grains the size of dog teeth, with a reddish hue and a fragrant aroma.

"This is indeed Beast Tooth Rice, and of excellent quality!" Fellow Daoist Ruan's eyes gleamed with a hint of greed.

"May I ask, Fellow Daoist Qin, if your harvest was bountiful? Surely you have more than just ten pounds?"

Qin Ming frowned. "Fellow Daoist Ruan, how much Beast Tooth Rice I've grown is none of your concern, is it?"

"Haha, of course. I was just making conversation," Fellow Daoist Ruan replied awkwardly.

He then took out a beast hide scroll containing the "Hundred Treasures Glazed Sutra" from his storage bag. The two exchanged items—Qin Ming handed over the rice, and Fellow Daoist Ruan gave him the scroll.

As Qin Ming inspected the scroll, he suddenly felt a surge of killing intent. His heightened senses picked up on five distinct sources of malice closing in on him.

Three came from Fellow Daoist Ruan and the two patrol members. The other two were still hidden.

In an instant, Qin Ming realized his predicament. However, his expression remained calm.

'Fellow Daoist Ruan is at the fifth level of Qi Refining. The two patrol members are at the fifth and sixth levels, respectively. As for the other two, I can't sense their cultivation yet. '

Countless thoughts raced through Qin Ming's mind. In just a few breaths, a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

He had made his decision.

(End of Chapter)

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