"Since Fellow Daoist Qin has made up his mind."
"I won’t insist any further. I just hope that in the future, we can strengthen our cooperation with Fellow Daoist Qin."
Guu Qingzhao noticed Qin Ming’s resolute attitude. She knew it was impossible to win him over quickly.
However, she wasn’t in a hurry.
There is plenty of time ahead, and slowly engaging with him would not be a bad idea.
As long as Qin Ming remains in Qingyang Market, opportunities will always arise.
The negotiation between the two parties concluded.
Guu Qingzhao stood up and escorted Qin Ming downstairs.
She then instructed Shopkeeper Liao to deliver the spiritual materials Qin Ming needed.
After Guu Qingzhao left.
Qin Ming said to Shopkeeper Liao, "Shopkeeper, I want to purchase a flying spiritual artifact. I wonder if your pavilion has any good ones."
Shopkeeper Liao’s expression was somewhat gloomy; he was just regretting that Qin Ming didn’t agree to become an honored guest elder.
"Of course, we do! Fellow Daoist Qin, not to brag, but our flying ship spiritual artifact is one of the best in this market." Shopkeeper Liao, hearing about new business, instantly perked up, his face radiating an enthusiastic smile as he responded.
In a few days, Qin Ming was going to the Spirit Feather Sect’s branch in Yunhuang Marsh. Although it’s not far from the market, he still needed a flying ship to get there.
Leaving Qingyang Market, the Yunze Wilderness was crawling with various tribulation cultivators, high-tier demon beasts, and many unpredictable dangers, requiring extreme caution.
Though he had the Dharma Ship from those four people in his storage pouch, they were standard magical artifacts of the Spirit Feather Sect, and he dared not use them openly.
Qin Ming planned to buy one that was better.
Shopkeeper Liao led him to the Artifact Refining Pavilion and introduced him one by one:
"This is the most common Low-Grade Cyan Leaf Dharma Ship, which most cultivators use; priced at fifty Spirit Stones."
"The Middle-Grade Flying Spiritual Artifact, Type-V Gale Pursuit Carriage, is highly cost-effective and popular among loose cultivators with certain financial means; priced at a hundred Spirit Stones."
"The High-Grade Flying Spiritual Artifact, Flowing Light Flying Carpet, has three imbued wind array restrictions. Its speed is incredibly fast, comparable to the full-speed flight of a perfection cultivator; it’s the work of Master Jinn from the Refining Hall and priced at six hundred Spirit Stones."
Flying spiritual artifacts are relatively cheaper than other types of magical artifacts.
Qin Ming carefully examined these flying spiritual artifacts and straightforwardly asked: "Do you have anything faster?"
"Uh?"
Shopkeeper Liao was briefly bewildered by his question—he found them slow?
"Yes, yes! Of course, we do!" He promptly nodded.
He then presented two artifacts, a flying sword and a flying shuttle spiritual artifact.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, these two flying spiritual artifacts have quite a reputation, both are the masterpieces of the Artifact Refining Master Fang Ye."
"This Top-Grade Flying Sword Spiritual Artifact is called the Sky-Piercing Shadow-Stealing Flying Sword. It contains five gale restriction arrays, designed for speed bursts; at its fastest, it’s comparable to the normal flight state of an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."
"Priced at nine hundred Spirit Stones."
Shopkeeper Liao observed Qin Ming’s reaction from the corner of his eye, seeing him silent, he proceeded to introduce the next.
"The Top-Grade Flying Shuttle Spiritual Artifact, named Spiritual Light Shuttle, is equipped with an impressive six gale restriction arrays and an additional defense restriction array, providing some defense capabilities. At full exertion, its speed matches that of an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in full flight."
"However... at full speed, it consumes mana significantly."
"Priced at one thousand three hundred fifty Spirit Stones."
"Lucky for you, the price of artifacts decreased recently; otherwise, this Spiritual Light Shuttle would be much more expensive."
Qin Ming, after a brief deliberation, decided: "Alright, I’ll take it."
"Oh～ Fellow Daoist Qin indeed has a discerning eye!" Shopkeeper Liao exclaimed joyfully, having clinched a big deal, and thoughtfully offered, "After discounts, the total is one thousand two hundred fifteen Spirit Stones; we’ll round it down to one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones for Fellow Daoist Qin."
The transaction concluded.
Shopkeeper Liao graciously saw Qin Ming out, watching until his figure disappeared, and couldn’t help but marvel: "Fellow Daoist Qin is truly different since becoming a Middle-Grade Alchemist; he spends generously!"
These days, he finds Fellow Daoist Qin’s manner of spending Spirit Stones utterly composed.
...
Qin Ming followed the main street of Qingyang Market back to Cool Small Residence.
He was about to activate the restriction and open the door.
Squeak!
The courtyard gate of the neighboring residence suddenly opened, and an elderly man with white hair and a bald head emerged from inside.
Emitting the mana of a Qi Cultivation Perfection cultivation.
The person was also startled to see Qin Ming.
Then his face bloomed with a smile as he approached Qin Ming, cupping his hands in a friendly gesture: "You must be Fellow Daoist Qin? I am Yen, just moved here, we’ll be neighbors from now on."
"Elder Yen." Qin Ming promptly returned the salutation, and the two acquainted with one another.
Then Qin Ming chatted briefly with him.
Through their conversation, he learned that this elderly man with the surname Yen was also a Middle-Grade Alchemist.
Wasn’t this a coincidence?
Nevertheless, Qin Ming did not reveal to him that he was also a Middle-Grade Alchemist.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, when I registered at the Steward Hall, they mentioned you are a Middle-Grade Spirit Plant Master."
"Seeing you today, so young, your Immortal Path is boundless!" Master Yann praised.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist Qin, I’ve familiarized myself with the neighbors around here. The courtyard next to yours belongs to the Fengg Brothers, demon beast hunters."
"The two courtyards opposite."
"Ding Courtyard is Fellow Daoist Huang, late-stage Qi Cultivation, a High-Grade Refiner, serving as Chief Refiner at the Refining Hall in the market."
"Bing Courtyard is Fellow Daoist Lin, also a Qi Cultivation Perfection cultivation, a Middle-Grade Array Master, and they are all loose cultivators."
Except for meeting the Fengg Brothers once, he didn’t know anyone else.
Upon Master Yann’s revelation, Qin Ming realized that many new neighbors had moved nearby.
And they were all skilled loose cultivators.
Master Yann, noticing Qin Ming’s astonishment, couldn’t help but say: "Haha, not just you, Fellow Daoist Qin; I was quite taken aback when I first arrived."
"I’ve communicated with them; we loose cultivators aren’t easy, gathering from all corners for such a connection."
"I’m planning a small exchange meeting to get acquainted and interact, just a day’s gathering at my place. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin?"
Qin Ming hesitated, as he personally wasn’t fond of such gatherings.
But he relented considering they were neighbors, responding: "Let’s go along with Elder Yann, but it might be inconvenient for the next few days; I have to go out."
"It’s fine! The Fengg Brothers are out hunting demon beasts, so let’s set it for a month later." Master Yann thought for a moment and consulted Qin Ming, "Fellow Daoist Qin, what do you think? I’ll send a Communication Talisman to notify you."
"Alright, I’ll make sure to attend on time then." Qin Ming nodded in agreement.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries.
Master Yann had matters to attend to, so he excused himself.
He entered his courtyard and closed the door.
Qin Ming sighed heavily.
"Why did so many highly cultivated cultivators suddenly move in? The pressure is big!"
"Can’t get too complacent, better stay low-profile."