Chapter 51: Elder Zhuang Xiran

Two days later, at dawn.

After making some preparations, Qin Ming stepped out of the courtyard gate.

Outside Qingyang Market.

Qin Ming tapped his storage pouch, and an exquisite flying shuttle floated before him.

He could barely contain his excitement as he stepped onto it and activated his magical energy.

Whoosh!

The flying shuttle transformed into a streak of green light, vanishing into the horizon in an instant.

This wasn't Qin Ming's first time riding a flying artifact, but he still felt a bit nervous.

After fumbling with the controls for a while, Qin Ming grew accustomed to the sensation and began to maneuver with ease.

As he gazed down at the rapidly retreating scenery below, a sense of exhilaration and freedom washed over him.

Below lay the vast wilderness of Yunze Marsh, with its endless forests, swamps, and towering mountain ranges shrouded in lush greenery.

Some areas were perpetually covered by toxic miasma that blocked out the sun, forming natural barriers where dangerous beasts lurked.

Half an hour later.

Qin Ming arrived at a massive mountain range aboard his flying shuttle.

The tallest peak pierced the clouds, flanked by steep cliffs that stretched endlessly into the distance.

The mountains were faintly visible through the mist, their slopes wrapped in thin layers of fog that spiraled upward.

The higher one went, the thicker the mist became, eventually coalescing into dense clouds.

The main peak of Yunmang Mountain resembled a mighty dragon coiled atop the sea of clouds.

The branch sect of Lingyu Sect was located here, built upon a second-grade spirit vein.

On the mountaintop stood numerous palaces and ancient-style halls and residences, exuding unparalleled grandeur.

Even though this was just a branch sect, it displayed immense prestige.

As Qin Ming approached on his flying shuttle, countless cultivators passed by, riding various magical vessels.

At the foot of the main peak, protected by defensive formations, Qin Ming landed on a large jade plaza outside the gates.

Within the plaza, a large group of cultivators had already gathered, all invited to attend Elder Zhuang's lecture.

The cultivators lined up in an orderly fashion, waiting to have their identities checked before entering the gates.

When it was Qin Ming's turn, he presented his jade token.

After inspection, the guards allowed him entry, though they gave him a few extra glances when they saw he was a spirit farmer from Lingyu Sect.

With the guidance jade slip provided by the guards, Qin Ming followed the winding stone steps up the mountain until he reached a massive hall.

The Hall of Enlightenment.

This was where the elders of Lingyu Sect usually gave lectures.

As Qin Ming entered, he found the interior spacious and simply decorated, with rows of ancient-style tables and chairs neatly arranged.

By now, over three hundred cultivators had gathered inside the hall, most of them from Lingyu Sect, along with a few independent cultivators like himself who had come from Qingyang Market.

While waiting for the lecture to begin, many cultivators gathered in small groups, chatting amongst themselves.

Qin Ming casually took a seat near the back.

With nothing else to do, he pulled out a book on spiritual plants and began reading.

Just then,A voice sounded behind him.

"Hey, fellow Daoist, hello! I see you're a spirit farmer from Lingyu Sect, right?"

Qin Ming turned around to see a lean middle-aged independent cultivator addressing him.

"I'm just a spirit farmer," Qin Ming replied straightforwardly.

The lean cultivator feigned surprise and said, "Then it seems you've been quite fortunate to receive a jade token."

"Sigh, I wasn't so lucky.I spent nearly all my savings to get one of these tokens from Treasure Pavilion.It was such a rip-off."

The lean cultivator made a pained expression, then lowered his voice and asked, "Do you know why Elder Zhuang of Lingyu Sect is suddenly holding a public lecture?"

Qin Ming shook his head, confused.

"I don't know."

"Isn't it obvious? They're using this public lecture to select disciples!" another cultivator nearby chimed in.

The lean cultivator shot him a disdainful look and said, "What are you thinking?

Do these sects really care about outsiders?

They'd rather take in their own disciples than give opportunities to strangers."

"What are you even saying? Don't be so naive, friend!"

Hearing this, Qin Ming furrowed his brow, finding the man's words somewhat reasonable.

Once the lean cultivator spoke, several others nearby leaned in closer.

"Friend, you seem to know something.Tell us what's going on!"

The lean cultivator cleared his throat, a smug smile appearing on his face as he continued in a hushed tone, "From what I've heard, Elder Zhuang Xiran of Lingyu Sect has a peculiar temperament.

He doesn't flaunt his strength, but his power is unfathomable."

"He rarely involves himself in sect affairs, instead devoting his time to the study of spiritual plants.

He has no heirs, only three disciples: two upper-grade first-tier spirit farmers and one mid-grade first-tier spirit farmer."

"But it's said that his three disciples are inferior in cultivation compared to the disciples of other elders."

"This public lecture and disciple selection must have ulterior motives."

With that, the lean cultivator paused dramatically, glancing around at the crowd and building suspense.

"Come on, stop beating around the bush!

Hurry up and tell us!

The lecture is about to start."

The lean cultivator smirked mysteriously and asked the group, "Do you know what the final trial is for advancing to a second-tier spirit farmer?"

"Of course we do!

It's the Woodland Illusion Trial, isn't it?" everyone responded.

The lean cultivator shook his head and whispered conspiratorially, revealing shocking information that left the crowd stunned.

"You only know half the story.The Woodland Illusion lies within Lingyu Sect, and every ten years, it produces several strands of the legendary 'Primordial Wood Qi.'"

"This 'Primordial Wood Qi' is incredibly beneficial for second-tier spirit farmers."

"Any spirit farmer who ranks highly in the Woodland Illusion Trial has a chance to obtain a strand of Primordial Wood Qi."

"I believe Elder Zhuang's grand gesture this time is aimed at securing this Primordial Wood Qi."

"In a few years, the next cycle of the Woodland Illusion will occur.

So, any spirit farmers below mid-grade first-tier shouldn't bother hoping to become Elder Zhuang's disciple.

At best, they'll listen to a two-day lecture and gain some knowledge about spiritual plants."

As soon as the lean cultivator finished speaking,

"What?

Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I'm only a low-grade spirit farmer!"

"Me too!"

"Oh well, I guess I'll consider it money spent to hear a lecture from a high-grade second-tier spirit farmer.

It's worth it for the experience."

The crowd erupted into sighs of disappointment.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming fell into deep thought.

His primary goal was to pass the Woodland Illusion Trial and successfully advance to a second-tier spirit farmer.

As for the 'Primordial Wood Qi'…

'Ah, I'll worry about that later!'

Whether Elder Zhuang would even consider him remained uncertain.

Though Qin Ming was now a young mid-grade spirit farmer,There were undoubtedly many talented disciples within Lingyu Sect.

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd,It was the hour of Chen.

Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

Three resounding chimes echoed from the bronze bell outside the Hall of Enlightenment.

Under the watchful eyes of all the cultivators,An elderly man with white hair and youthful features entered the hall, hands clasped behind his back.

In an instant, a terrifying presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator filled the air.

The hall fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Elder Zhuang Xiran wore a gray-white robe, his hair and beard snow-white, his complexion rosy, and his gaze profound, exuding an aura of immortality.

This was Qin Ming's first time seeing a Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

His eyes widened, and his mind was slightly shaken.

Elder Zhuang walked to the central seat and sat down.

Slowly, he asked, "I assume everyone here is a spirit farmer."

"Before I begin the lecture, I have a question."

"What is a spirit farmer?"

…

Meanwhile,

Ten miles outside the gates of Lingyu Sect, in a secluded mountain pass.

Five masked figures cloaked in black robes stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing toward Lingyu Sect.

"Big Brother, I didn't expect that old man Zhuang's lecture would attract so many people.

There seem to be quite a few wealthy targets inside!"

"Should we…"

The tall figure standing in the center of the group spoke indifferently, "Focus on our mission.Did you not hear what I said?"

At his words, the black-robed figure who had just spoken shivered and quickly shut his mouth.

(End of Chapter)