Chapter 50: Preparing to Depart 

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin has made up his mind."

"I won't force you. I just hope that in the future, we can strengthen our cooperation further."

Gu Qingzhao could see that Qin Ming's attitude was firm. She knew it would be impossible to win him over in a short time.

But she wasn't in a rush.

There was plenty of time in the future. Slowly building a relationship with him was also an option.

As long as Qin Ming remained in the Green Sun Market for one more day, opportunities would always arise.

The negotiation ended.

Gu Qingzhao stood up and personally escorted Qin Ming downstairs.

She then instructed Shopkeeper Liao to deliver the spirit materials Qin Ming needed.

After Gu Qingzhao left.

Qin Ming said to Shopkeeper Liao, "Shopkeeper, I want to buy a flying artifact. Does your pavilion have any good ones?"

Shopkeeper Liao's expression dimmed. He had been lamenting that Qin Ming hadn't agreed to become a guest elder.

"Of course we do! Fellow Daoist Qin, to be honest, our flying boats are among the best in the market." At the mention of another business opportunity, Shopkeeper Liao instantly perked up, his face lighting up with enthusiasm as he replied.

In a few days, Qin Ming would head to the Spirit Feather Sect's branch in the Cloud Marsh Wilderness. Though it wasn't far from the market, he would still need to use a flying boat.

Beyond the Green Sun Market, the Cloud Marsh Wilderness was filled with wandering cultivators, high-level demonic beasts, and countless dangers lurking everywhere.

The slightest carelessness could lead to disaster, so everything had to be handled with extreme caution.

Though Qin Ming had four flying boats in his storage bag, they were all standard-issue artifacts of the Spirit Feather Sect, and he dared not use them openly.

Qin Ming decided to buy a better one outright.

Shopkeeper Liao led him to the Artifact Refinement Hall and began introducing the options:

"This is the most common low-grade Green Leaf Flying Boat. Most cultivators use this type. It costs fifty spirit stones."

"The mid-grade flying artifact, the Five-Rhombus Wind-Chasing Carriage, offers great value for money and is quite popular among independent cultivators with some financial means. It costs one hundred spirit stones."

"The high-grade flying artifact, the Flowing Light Flying Carpet, is imbued with three wind-based array restrictions, making it incredibly fast—comparable to a Qi Refining peak cultivator flying at full speed. It's a masterpiece by Master Jin of the Treasure Refinement Hall. It costs six hundred spirit stones."

Flying artifacts were generally cheaper than other types of artifacts.

Qin Ming carefully examined these flying artifacts and directly asked, "Do you have anything faster?"

"Huh?"

Shopkeeper Liao was momentarily stunned by the question. Wasn't this fast enough?

"Yes, yes! Of course we do!" He quickly nodded.

He then took out two artifacts—a flying sword and a flying shuttle.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, these two flying artifacts are no ordinary items. They are both masterpieces crafted by the renowned artifact refiner Fang Yezi."

"This top-grade flying sword is called the Void-Piercing Shadow Sword. It contains five wind-based restrictions, focusing on explosive speed. At its fastest, it can match the normal flight speed of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"It costs nine hundred spirit stones."

After speaking, Shopkeeper Liao glanced at Qin Ming's reaction out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Qin Ming didn't respond, he quickly moved on to introduce the next item.

"This top-grade flying shuttle is called the Spirit Light Flying Shuttle. It has six wind-based restrictions and one protective restriction, offering some defensive capabilities. When fully activated, its speed can match an early Foundation Establishment cultivator flying at full speed."

"However, flying at full speed will consume a tremendous amount of magical energy."

"It costs one thousand three hundred and fifty spirit stones."

"Thankfully, artifact prices have dropped recently. Otherwise, this Spirit Light Flying Shuttle would have been much more expensive."

Qin Ming looked at the unassuming Spirit Light Flying Shuttle and, after a brief moment of thought, decided, "Alright, I'll take it."

"Oh~ Fellow Daoist Qin truly has a discerning eye!" Shopkeeper Liao beamed with joy, having closed another big deal. He flattered Qin Ming appropriately.

"After the discount, the total comes to one thousand two hundred and fifteen spirit stones. For Fellow Daoist Qin, I'll round it down to one thousand two hundred spirit stones."

The transaction was complete.

Shopkeeper Liao enthusiastically saw Qin Ming off. He watched until Qin Ming's figure disappeared from sight, then muttered in admiration, "Fellow Daoist Qin becoming an intermediate alchemist really makes a difference! His spending is so bold!"

Now, whenever he saw Qin Ming take out spirit stones, it looked effortlessly stylish.

...

Qin Ming followed the main road of the Green Sun Market and returned to the Cool Breeze Abode.

Just as he was about to open the door and disable the restriction.

Creak!

The neighboring courtyard gate suddenly opened, and a white-haired, bald-headed old man walked out.

His presence exuded the aura of a Qi Refining peak cultivator.

Upon seeing Qin Ming, the old man was momentarily surprised.

Then, with a smile, he approached Qin Ming, gave a slight bow, and politely said, "You must be Fellow Daoist Qin. My surname is Yan. I've just moved here not long ago. From now on, we'll be neighbors."

"Elder Yan." Qin Ming quickly returned the courtesy, and the two became acquainted.

They then engaged in casual conversation.

Through their dialogue, Qin Ming learned that this Elder Yan was also an intermediate alchemist.

Wasn't this a coincidence?

However, Qin Ming didn't reveal that he was also an intermediate alchemist.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, when I registered at the steward's office, they mentioned that you're an intermediate spirit planter."

"Seeing you today, so young and promising, your immortal path knows no bounds!" Alchemist Yan praised him.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Qin, I've already familiarized myself with the neighbors around here. The courtyard next to yours belongs to the Feng Brothers, beast hunters."

"The two courtyards across from us—"

"The courtyard labeled 'Ding' belongs to Fellow Daoist Huang, who is at the late stage of Qi Refining. He's a high-grade artifact refiner and serves as the chief artifact refiner at the Treasure Refinement Hall in the market."

"The courtyard labeled 'Bing' belongs to Fellow Daoist Lin, who is also at the peak of Qi Refining. He's an intermediate array master. Both are independent cultivators."

Aside from the Feng Brothers, whom Qin Ming had met once, he didn't know any of the others.

Hearing Alchemist Yan's explanation, Qin Ming realized that many new neighbors had moved in nearby, and they were all skilled independent cultivators.

Alchemist Yan, seeing Qin Ming's surprised expression, couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, don't be surprised, Fellow Daoist Qin. Even I was shocked when I first arrived."

"I've already communicated with them. We independent cultivators don't have it easy. Meeting here from all corners of the world is a kind of fate."

"We plan to hold a small exchange gathering to get to know each other better. It'll be a casual meeting at my place for a day. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Qin Ming was momentarily taken aback. He wasn't particularly fond of such social gatherings.

But since they were neighbors, he replied, "Then I'll follow Elder Yan's suggestion. However, I'm afraid I won't be available in the next few days. I'll be leaving on a trip in two days."

"No problem! Coincidentally, the Feng Brothers have gone hunting demonic beasts. Let's set it for one month from now." Alchemist Yan thought for a moment and consulted Qin Ming, "What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin? I'll send you a communication talisman to notify you when the time comes."

"That works. I'll make sure to arrive on time." Qin Ming nodded in agreement.

Afterward, they exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Alchemist Yan had matters to attend to and bid farewell.

Once inside, Qin Ming closed the door and let out a heavy sigh.

"How did so many powerful cultivators suddenly appear? The pressure is mounting!"

"I can't get too carried away. I still need to stay low-key."

(End of Chapter)