### Chapter 25: Changing Circumstances

Qin Ming looked at the new entry with some confusion.

**[Seed Regeneration]**: When used, it can revive a dead spirit plant, giving it new life.

"Even the soul can be strengthened now," Qin Ming muttered to himself. "And this 'Seed Regeneration' can even bring dead spirit plants back to life. This will be incredibly useful if any precious spirit plants die in the future."

After finishing his work, Qin Ming packed up and started preparing a meal.

Just as he was halfway through cooking, his communication talisman buzzed.

He took it out and saw that it was a message from Manager Liao.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have urgent news. Come to the shop as soon as possible."

Qin Ming frowned. "Could something be happening again?"

Manager Liao's messages often concerned changes in the Green Sun Market's situation, which was crucial for Qin Ming.

He immediately put down his cooking utensils, washed his hands, and headed out.

It was early spring, and the Green Sun Market was bustling.

Qin Ming arrived at the Gathering Pavilion, where Manager Liao was waiting by the window on the second floor.

Seeing Qin Ming, Manager Liao quickly came down and led him to a private room on the fourth floor.

He then ordered a pot of high-quality Spirit Mist Tea.

"Manager Liao, you called me here in such a hurry. Has something happened?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Manager Liao didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he poured Qin Ming a cup of tea and then took out a soundproofing talisman, activating a small soundproof barrier around them.

Only then did he speak with a serious expression.

"The conflict between the Spirit Feather Sect and the Golden Cloud Valley has reached a conclusion."

"What? So soon?" Qin Ming's face showed surprise.

"This could lead to major trouble. Half a month ago, the Spirit Feather Sect's forward camp was completely wiped out during their expansion efforts. Only a few cultivators managed to escape. I heard that even two Foundation Establishment seniors perished!"

Qin Ming was even more shocked. "Are those barbarians really that powerful? They can even kill Foundation Establishment cultivators?"

"Yes, the Spirit Feather Sect underestimated their strength. Among those barbarians are cultivators with power comparable to Foundation Establishment experts," Manager Liao explained,

taking a sip of tea. "After this incident, the Spirit Feather Sect can no longer sit still. With their frontlines collapsing and Golden Cloud Valley pressuring them from behind, the Spirit Feather Sect's higher-ups have decided to temporarily compromise with Golden Cloud Valley. The two sects will jointly develop the third-rank spirit vein occupied by the barbarians."

Qin Ming was stunned. "They were fighting so fiercely before, even destroying the teleportation array. And now they're making peace?"

"That's how it is in the real world. When interests align, even enemies can become allies," Manager Liao sighed. "I've heard that both sects are mobilizing most of their elite forces for this venture. Additionally, they're recruiting a large number of rogue cultivators. The first batch alone has five thousand rogue cultivators."

At this point, Manager Liao's face showed a hint of amusement. "Fellow Daoist Qin, do you know what the two sects are offering to recruit so many cultivators?"

Qin Ming shook his head.

"Foundation Establishment Pills!" Manager Liao said, emphasizing each word.

"What? Foundation Establishment Pills?!" Qin Ming was astonished.

It seemed the Spirit Feather Sect and Golden Cloud Valley were going all out.

However, Qin Ming quickly realized that these pills wouldn't be easy to obtain.

The two sects were likely using the Foundation Establishment Pills as bait to lure low-level rogue cultivators into serving as cannon fodder.

With the promise of Foundation Establishment Pills, countless low-level cultivators would flock to join.

After all, breaking through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment was a hurdle most low-level cultivators could never overcome.

And in the cultivation world, there was no shortage of such people. Even if one group died, another would take their place.

"So, Fellow Daoist Qin, the Green Sun Market won't be able to accommodate so many cultivators. The Spirit Feather Sect and Golden Cloud Valley are planning to build a new immortal city in the Cloud Marsh Wilderness as their joint base," Manager Liao continued, dropping one bombshell after another.

Qin Ming was struggling to keep up.

"That's quite the ambitious project."

"The first batch of elite cultivators from both sects will arrive in the Green Sun Market today," Manager Liao added.

Qin Ming asked, "Has the Spirit Feather Sect's teleportation array been repaired?"

Manager Liao shook his head slightly. "Not yet, but it should be fixed within the year."

Qin Ming stroked his chin, thinking, 'Will the price of spirit rice drop back down?'

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you don't need to worry about the price of spirit rice. It won't change much in the short term. With the two sects building this immortal city, the number of cultivators will be enormous, and supplying them will be a major challenge," Manager Liao said, seemingly reading Qin Ming's mind.

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt more at ease.

"With the current situation changing so rapidly, Fellow Daoist Qin, you should prepare early. Besides this, there's another important matter I need to discuss with you," Manager Liao said, changing the subject.

"What is it?"

"After purchasing a hundred pounds of Beast Tooth Rice from you last time, the higher-ups in the pavilion took notice. They've proposed that if you agree to sell half of your Beast Tooth Rice harvest to us each season, we'll increase the price by twenty percent—nine spirit stones per pound. Of course, this would require you to sign an agreement with us."

Qin Ming's lips twitched imperceptibly. 'This old fox is trying to rope me in again.'

However, this time, he agreed without hesitation. "Alright."

Manager Liao's information was valuable, and Qin Ming knew he would need to rely on him for future updates.

Seeing Qin Ming agree so readily, Manager Liao was momentarily stunned.

He had prepared a whole speech to negotiate but now found it unnecessary.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Qin, you're truly straightforward!" Manager Liao said, seizing the opportunity. He quickly pulled out a pre-prepared contract, and the two signed it.

"How many acres of Beast Tooth Rice have you planted this year?" Manager Liao asked eagerly.

"Three acres," Qin Ming replied honestly. There was no point in hiding it since Manager Liao would find out eventually.

Hearing this, Manager Liao's face lit up with joy. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now," Qin Ming said, standing up. "Manager Liao, if you hear any more news, please let me know."

"Of course, of course. Let me see you out."

As they finished their conversation and opened the door, a man and a woman descended the stairs.

Qin Ming recognized the man—it was Su Yuqing, dressed in a white robe.

Beside him was a woman who appeared to be around twenty years old.

She had a delicate and elegant appearance, like a lotus emerging from water, with a graceful figure.

Her eyes were clear but carried an air of aloof nobility.

She wore a simple, unadorned dress rather than anything extravagant.

Qin Ming couldn't sense her cultivation level, but she was likely at the late Qi Refining stage.

The woman noticed Qin Ming's gaze but paid him no mind, continuing down the stairs without a second glance.

Qin Ming averted his eyes.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master!" Manager Liao immediately bowed deeply to the woman.

(End of Chapter)

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