"Thank you for your kind intentions, fellow Daoists, but I, Qin, am shallow in cultivation skills, so I won’t take the risk."
Qin Ming almost didn’t think about it and refused directly.
He had already learned from Guu Qingzhao that the inside story was not trivial, far from being as simple as it seemed. If he wasn’t careful, he might end up with a shattered body and obliterated soul.
Not to mention any Foundation Establishment opportunities.
Moreover, he could steadily enhance his strength by cultivating, so there was no need to join in the excitement.
Huang Xishan and several other neighbors looked astonished.
They didn’t expect Qin Ming to refuse so decisively.
"Ah, well, since Fellow Daoist Qin is unwilling, we won’t force it, so we’ll take our leave first." Huang Xishan said with a face full of regret, cupping his hands to Qin Ming, preparing to leave.
Qin Ming looked at the figures of his neighbors and hesitated, saying, "Do you really have to go, fellow Daoists? With two sects involved, even if there is an opportunity, it might not be so easy to compete for."
Upon hearing this, Huang Xishan turned his head and sighed:
"Alas, we can’t compare to Fellow Daoist Qin. You are still so young. If we weren’t of this age, we wouldn’t need to be so desperate."
"If we can’t establish Foundation before sixty, our path will end here."
"Although we hold some status in the market now, when our lifespan runs out, it will all be in vain in the end."
"It’s better to take this opportunity and make a desperate attempt."
...
Qin Ming heard this, pursed his lips, knowing he couldn’t persuade them, and said no more.
He saw them off.
He glanced at the two acres of Spirit Grass in the courtyard.
[Name]: Divine Essence Fruit [Entry]: Soul Power Crystal X5 (Maturity 1%)
[Name]: Demon Flame Grass [Entry]: Ripening X5 (Maturity 92%)
[Name]: Ephemeral Crystal Bloom [Entry]: Ripening X5 (Maturity 95%)
[Name]: Seven-leaf Yellow Ling [Entry]: Bloodline Ancestor (Maturity 94%)
The Spirit Grass he planted this year, except for the Tier Two Spirit Plant Divine Essence Fruit, were all near maturity.
He felt slightly relieved.
After tending to the herb field, he left the courtyard.
Qin Ming was preparing to head to the Alchemy Room in the shanty area to refine Spirit Storage Pills. After several failures, he could now proficiently refine this pill.
Moreover, his pill formation rate was maintained above seventy percent, which was quite impressive for such a difficult pill for him.
As Qin Ming walked on the main road of Qingyang Market, he encountered an old acquaintance.
"Hey! Fellow Daoist Qin! Long time no see!" Du Haifu, with his belly, strolled up in front of Qin Ming, followed by several Spirit Feather Sect disciples.
Judging by his appearance, he should be here for business in the market.
Qin Ming put on a smile and responded, "Fellow Daoist Du, long time no see."
Du Haifu was full of joy, unconsciously patting his sleeve.
Only then did Qin Ming notice his attire: a blue Dharma Robe of a Spirit Feather Sect Outer Sect Steward.
He got promoted!
"Oh, I must apologize, I should address you as Steward Du!" Qin Ming quickly corrected himself.
Du Haifu nodded slightly, not minding at all, "Fellow Daoist Qin, your status isn’t low now, calling me Daoist is fine, no need to care."
"When did you get promoted to Outer Sect Steward, Fellow Daoist Du? I didn’t get the news." Qin Ming smiled and asked.
Du Haifu waved his hand and said, "It’s normal if Fellow Daoist Qin doesn’t know; it happened just recently."
He went on to mention news that surprised Qin Ming greatly.
"Just two days ago, Steward Gue broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and jumped to Inner Sect Elder."
"Considering I’ve served beside him for so many years, Elder Gue gave me the Steward position." Du Haifu said with a look of pride as he spoke of Steward Gue’s success.
Qin Ming also showed an astonished expression.
"Did Steward Gue really establish Foundation?!"
He remembered that Steward Gue had been stuck at Qi Cultivation Perfection for decades and was almost sixty years old.
Unexpectedly, Steward Gue achieved the Foundation Establishment at the limit, adding up to over two hundred years to his lifespan.
"Indeed, Elder Gue is truly fortunate, discovering the whereabouts of the bandits who attacked Elder Zhuang’s medicine garden during a mission."
"After reporting to the sect, he completed his contribution points accumulation and was directly awarded a Foundation Establishment Pill," Du Haifu said with some envy.
Qin Ming suddenly understood that only the sect controlled resources like Foundation Establishment Pills, making it understandable.
"In a few days, there will be a small Foundation Establishment celebration for Elder Gue. I came to the market to procure some supplies for the banquet."
Du Haifu was obviously quite pleased with himself, likely having attached himself closely to Elder Gue.
As the two chatted.
Suddenly.
A commotion arose on the street of the market.
An exceptionally ornate and luxurious carriage slowly moved on the main road, its doors intricately carved, its exterior elegantly decorated, drawn by four dragon horses, followed by several guards.
Qin Ming peered through the curtains and caught a glimpse of a beautifully contoured young female cultivator inside the carriage, with a captivating figure.
The carriage gradually moved away in the direction of Juxuan Pavilion.
"It’s the Hundred Flowers Saintess from the Hundred Flowers Sect!" Du Haifu seemed to recognize the person inside the carriage, and his face turned extremely grim.
He turned and hurriedly cupped his hands to Qin Ming, saying:
"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have matters to attend to and won’t keep you for long; come visit me in the sect any time."
Qin Ming returned the gesture, "Fellow Daoist Du, go ahead with your duties."
After speaking, Du Haifu left in a hurry with his disciples.
Qin Ming frowned, murmuring to himself, "Even the Hundred Flowers Sect is getting involved."
"Just as Fellow Daoist Guu predicted, a storm is brewing."
...
A month later.
Qin Ming harvested the entries from the three Spirit Plants in the courtyard.
Then.
He went to the five-acres Tier Two Spirit Field, using up six [Ripening] entry leaves, ripening the four Spirit Plants with entries.
The moment he harvested the Spirit Plants.
A green leaf, two blue leaves, and a purple leaf appeared in Qin Ming’s Sea of Consciousness.
"Wait!"
"It’s actually a purple leaf!" Qin Ming was astonished, not expecting the entry’s grade to be so rare.
He looked at the purple [Spell Duplication] entry leaf.
Qin Ming’s face showed a pensive expression, with a sudden terrifying thought flashing in his mind.
"This [Spell Duplication], could it be that there are no restrictions on the spells duplicated?"
"Could any spell witnessed be perfectly duplicated?"
"Then if... I could witness a Golden Core Stage great power in action, wouldn’t I be able to..."