Chapter 167: Arrival of Someone from the Upper Echelon

Chapter 167: Arrival of Someone from the Upper Echelon

The matter of the two spirit beasts came to an end.

Qin Ming also felt relieved and began a new round of farming.

In the original three mu of spirit fields, he still planted Lingqi Rice and raised Dao Flower Spirit Fish.

As for the spirit seed of the third-rank spirit plant, the Three-Petal Soul-Returning Grass, which he had auctioned off at the Thousand Leaf Spirit Island trade fair, it also required several specific spirit materials to grow normally.

What was particularly strange was that this spirit plant did not grow in spirit soil, but only on a type of rock called "Demon Corpse Magic Stone".

This kind of magic stone was a type of fossil formed after the death of high-level demon beasts thousands of years ago, making it extremely rare.

It occasionally appeared in some areas deep within the Beast Roar Mountain Range, and demon-hunting cultivators in Canghai Immortal City had obtained it before.

"Those two fellows have pretty much recovered. I have a pile of demon ape flesh and blood on me now. Perhaps I can refine it into high-rank spirit pills that enhance vital energy and blood, to improve my body refinement cultivation."

"Perhaps, the core area of Canghai Immortal City should have such pill recipes for sale."

"I also need to gather the spirit materials for planting the third-rank spirit plant, the Three-Petal Soul-Returning Grass."

"It seems that no matter what, I have to make a trip to Canghai Immortal City myself."

After tending to the spirit fields, Qin Ming stood by the edge, leaning on a spirit hoe with one hand, while holding a Dragon Blood Spirit Fruit in the other, munching on it like a regular fruit, contemplating his future cultivation plans alone.

Three days later.

Qin Ming gave some instructions to Wu Jiang, then took two jars of Spirit Fire Wine, summoned the Silver Wing Frost Bee, mounted it, and left Wangyue Island.

After Silver Wing broke through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, its maximum flight speed had already surpassed late-Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even exceeded most bird-type demon beasts known for their speed.

It was several times faster than the mid-Foundation Establishment Wind Ripping Beast from that day.

Qin Ming looked excited, feeling the scenery below rushing backwards. After a journey swift as lightning, this time it only took him a little over an hour to reach Canghai Immortal City.

In the sky outside the immortal city, he recalled the Silver Wing Frost Bee into his spirit beast pouch.

Then, he restrained his mana aura to that of an early-Foundation Establishment cultivator before descending towards the immortal city's gate.

At the entrance of Canghai Immortal City, dazzling streaks of flight light crisscrossed, various mounts and carriages shuttled back and forth, and the flow of cultivators and merchant caravans entering and exiting the city was like a bustling, weaving crowd.

Since the many changes occurred in the Lingqi Archipelago cultivation world, the popularity here had actually increased.

Truly worthy of being the number one major city for rogue cultivators located at the border of four nations.

Qin Ming, as usual, planned to queue up properly to enter the immortal city.

Just then.

Some cultivators nearby first noticed a Foundation Establishment expert descending and sensibly moved aside.

Immediately after, sharp-eyed cultivators recognized Qin Ming.

"Yo! Senior Qin!"

"Master Qin is here!"

"Look quickly, it's Island Master Qin from the Lingqi Archipelago."

"Senior Qin, please go ahead!"

"What? Senior Qin, the Spirit Plant Master from Wangyue Island, has come to the immortal city!"

"..."

For a moment, the respectful gazes of the surrounding cultivators all converged on Qin Ming. The crowd of cultivators ahead parted like a tide towards both sides, respectfully clearing a path.

Qin Ming smiled and greeted the surrounding cultivators; when away from home, it was always good to be friendly.

He didn't put on the airs of a great cultivator. Generally speaking, his reputation in Canghai Immortal City was currently quite good.

"Senior Qin, when do you plan to start refining Foundation Establishment Pills again?"

"Indeed, indeed, we rogue cultivators have been eagerly waiting!"

Qin Ming still responded with a smile: "Next time, definitely next time!"

This thing, Foundation Establishment Pills, touched upon the core interests of major sects, so he couldn't openly refine and sell them in large quantities.

He still had one ordinary-quality Foundation Establishment Pill and one fine-quality Foundation Establishment Pill left in his storage pouch.

After entering the immortal city.

The major shops lining the street stood side-by-side, their business still booming, with the endless cries of vendors hawking their wares.

And the discussions about Qin Ming's initial rise to fame had gradually been replaced by other news over time.

For example, some rogue cultivator accidentally stumbled into an ancient cultivator's leftover cave residence somewhere, obtained an inheritance, and immediately soared.

Which rogue cultivator hunted and killed a Foundation Establishment great demon in the Beast Roar Mountain Range, became famous in one battle, and luckily obtained the demon core.

Several powerful and long-famous cultivators met with misfortune while exploring a secret realm, resulting in total annihilation.

Where some astonishing spirit treasure had appeared again, causing major powers to fight fiercely over it.

Even more so, a reclusive peak Foundation Establishment expert, who hadn't shown themselves to the world, suddenly appeared, directly challenged a False Core ancestor, and successfully defeated them.

Hearing this latest news from the cultivation world, Qin Ming couldn't help but feel quite emotional.

"Truly impressive! Defeating a False Core with Foundation Establishment cultivation, I'm afraid they are not much inferior to geniuses like Wei Wuyah, right?"

He slowed his pace along the way, lingering for half a day to listen about the recent changes in the cultivation world.

In the outer areas of Canghai Immortal City, all sorts of cultivators, good and bad, mingled together, and gossip was often most abundant.

Afterwards, Qin Ming unhurriedly arrived at Mirror Snow Pavilion located in the inner city.

Gu Qingzhao and Manager Liao, having received Qin Ming's message, had been waiting at the shop entrance for a long time.

Qin Ming followed the main road towards Mirror Snow Pavilion. From afar, he saw that besides Gu Qingzhao and Manager Liao, there was a middle-aged cultivator in a green robe beside them.

Even someone as strong as Huangfu Qi stood behind him, looking respectful.

Not only were the several Foundation Establishment cultivators from Mirror Snow Pavilion very deferential and awed by this person, but nearby rogue cultivators passing by also immediately showed looks of astonishment upon seeing the middle-aged cultivator.

Qin Ming also sensed the middle-aged cultivator's cultivation level – he was impressively a peak Foundation Establishment great cultivator!

However, judging by how he interacted with Gu Qingzhao, he seemed to be someone very close to her.

When Qin Ming walked closer.

Gu Qingzhao, dressed in an elegant, simple long green dress, her beautiful eyes brightened, and she immediately introduced enthusiastically to Qin Ming: "Daoist Friend Qin, this is my Second Uncle, Gu Tongshan. He is also the managing director of Mirror Snow Pavilion's headquarters in the Wei Kingdom's capital cultivation world."

Hearing this, Qin Ming didn't dare to be impolite. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his fists towards Gu Tongshan, and bowed: "Greetings, Senior Gu!"

"How could I, Qin, be worthy enough to trouble Senior Gu to wait here."

Gu Tongshan was tall, his gaze incredibly deep, with a short beard on his face. His mana aura was exceptionally thick; clearly, he was no ordinary peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Hahaha! Daoist Friend Qin, there's no need to be so reserved. With Daoist Friend Qin's abilities, addressing me as an equal is perfectly fine."

"I happened to come to Canghai Immortal City and wanted to personally meet you, the recently famous young talent. Seeing you today, Daoist Friend Qin is truly elegant and otherworldly, fully deserving the title of Master!" Gu Tongshan's voice was deep and resonant, full of vigor, as he laughed heartily.

What he said was also the truth, not intentional flattery. The current Qin Ming was like an ancient tree; his temperament was already vastly different from before.

He had an aura of having weathered the years, like an ancient tree remaining evergreen.

A smile appeared on Qin Ming's face as he humbly said: "Daoist Friend Gu praises me too much. It's all just empty reputation, not worth mentioning."

Then, surrounded by the group, Qin Ming followed them into a private room in Mirror Snow Pavilion.

As Qin Ming walked, he pondered inwardly.

'Did a major figure like Gu Tongshan really come here by coincidence, as he claimed? I'm afraid he came specifically for me.'

...

(End of this chapter)