Qin Ming’s mind went blank.
"What?!"
"All the fellow Daoists have actually perished?"
"What about Fellow Daoist Lin?"
Qin Ming’s heart churned violently.
Among them, besides the Fengg Brothers who were at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, the other three were all at Qi Cultivation Perfection.
Even then.
With such a lineup, only Fengg Yuan survived.
"Ah, it’s shameful to say, if it weren’t for me escaping with Fellow Daoist Lin Zixiao, using his Array to cover us, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have made it back..."
"As for Fellow Daoist Lin...when I was fleeing, I saw him surrounded by several cultivators at Qi Cultivation Perfection, I’m afraid his chances are slim." Fengg Yuan sighed gently and said.
Just as he finished speaking.
Fengg Yuan’s face suddenly turned flushed, and a trace of black blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He showed an expression of great pain, clutching his chest, gasping heavily.
From Qin Ming’s point of view, he clearly saw a shadow of death pass through Fengg Yuan’s pupils.
Qin Ming, seeing this, hurriedly took out a Healing Elixir, preparing to administer to him.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Fellow Daoist Qin, don’t waste your pill, I have suffered mortal wounds. My meridians are completely severed, my Qi Sea Dantian shattered, no amount of Healing Pills can save me." Fengg Yuan coughed out a mouthful of black blood and reached out to stop Qin Ming’s actions.
"I know it well, I’m already a dying man, just holding onto life with the pomoc of the Genxue Pill."
Qin Ming looked at Fengg Yuan with a complex expression, though their relationship was only average, they had been neighbors for many years.
The straightforward nature of the Fengg Brothers always left a good impression on him.
"Attacked by a group?"
"Weren’t the fellow Daoists supposed to go to the ruins to seek Foundation Establishment opportunities?" Qin Ming frowned and asked, puzzled.
Fengg Yuan wiped the black blood from the corner of his mouth, glanced at Qin Ming, then explained: "We did go to the ruins, but we only entered the outer region. Even so, we did obtain Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, the Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid."
"Besides that, there were considerable gains."
"But just as we were about to leave, we were ambushed and attacked by numerous sect cultivators."
"Among them, mostly were cultivators from the Hundred Flowers Sect and Divine Herbal Sect, also some from the Spirit Feather Sect and Golden Cloud Valley. Everything we gained from the ruins was snatched by these sect members."
"Our efforts were in vain, just gifting others with our gains."
"My brother and fellow Daoists also perished at their hands." Fengg Yuan’s eyes were filled with hatred as he spoke.
Qin Ming heard this and realized he was right.
These sects spread the news of the Ancient Ruins, revealing the presence of Foundation Establishment resources.
Their purpose was to lure Loose Cultivators to become disposable pawns, and even if they managed to benefit, they couldn’t escape the sect’s control.
"Ah! Fellow Daoist Fengg, my condolences." Qin Ming didn’t know how to comfort him.
For a moment.
Silence fell between them, the atmosphere heavy.
Fengg Yuan hesitated for a long time, seemingly making a decision.
Then he suddenly raised his head, gazed at Qin Ming, and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a transaction I wish to discuss with you, are you willing?"
"Oh? What kind of transaction?" Qin Ming was taken aback by the proposal.
He saw Fengg Yuan take out a jade bottle, a Dragon-shaped Token, and a tattered map from his storage pouch, laying them on the table.
He then spoke slowly, "These are the greatest gains of our journey, the jade bottle contains the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid."
"However, this Spirit Liquid was discovered and secretly kept by me alone, not even my brother knew."
"As for the token and map, they were discovered by the five of us in the outer region of the ruins, on an ancient corpse in a cave, presumably related to entering the ruins."
When Qin Ming heard these were the legendary Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object ’Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid’, his heart pounded wildly.
His Dao Heart wavered.
Cultivators, when trying to break through to Foundation Establishment Stage, besides using a Foundation Establishment Pill, supplementing with the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object ’Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid’ can increase the success rate by another twenty percent.
For breakthroughs to Great Realm, a twenty percent increase is a significant boost.
"I can gift these three treasures to Fellow Daoist Qin, but in exchange, Qin Daoist must promise me two conditions," Fengg Yuan said with a serious expression.
"First, should Fellow Daoist Qin have the opportunity to reach Foundation Establishment Stage, avenge us by killing a core disciple from those sects!"
"Second, the Fengg Brothers, in the Cultivation Realm, have no family, only in a mundane mortal realm in Wei Country, a remaining bloodline descendant. If possible, help take care of them within your ability."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming furrowed his brows deeply.
Even though he was tempted by the Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid, the conditions were to avenge them, and the targets were sects.
He pondered a while, then refused:
"Fellow Daoist Fengg, I cannot agree to the first condition, I am merely a Spirit Plant Master, weak in power, and dare not go against multiple sects."
"I can agree to the second condition, if truly possible."
"As for the token and relic map...I cannot accept them either."
Qin Ming immediately saw that the Dragon-shaped Token and tattered map were real trouble.
He knew countless people outside were searching for these items.
The last thing he wanted was to invite trouble and become a target.
Fengg Yuan listened to Qin Ming’s answer, showing disappointment.
Yet he was powerless, knowing Qin Ming’s cautious nature, such attitude was expected.
He struggled and hesitated, finally gritting his teeth:
"Alright! Then as Fellow Daoist Qin says, I hope you won’t break your word."
With that, Fengg Yuan put away the Dragon-shaped Token and tattered map.
Then pushed the jade bottle containing the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object ’Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid’ gently to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming’s eyes burned as he took the jade bottle, opened the lid, and scanned its contents with his Spiritual Sense.
Inside, a small half bottle of flame-like Spirit Liquid radiated an astonishing spirit charm, truly extraordinary.
"It’s really the Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid!" Qin Ming rejoiced immensely, closing it tightly and quietly slipping it into his storage pouch.
After all, receiving this Spirit Liquid he felt fairly justified since he had personally slain Jiang Kun, the Spirit Feather Sect core disciple.
Fengg Yuan took out a handwritten note and a Jade Pendant, handing them to Qin Ming with a few words.
Soon after.
Their conversation ended.
"Well, I should take my leave, Fellow Daoist Qin doesn’t need to see me off." Fengg Yuan said goodbye to Qin Ming and got up to leave.
Qin Ming watched Fengg Yuan’s faltering departure, feeling a complex mix of emotions, a strange kinship.
The Fengg Brothers were once prominent figures in Qingyang Market, yet fell to such fate.
As Fengg Yuan reached the door.
He suddenly turned, forced a smile at Qin Ming, and said self-mockingly:
"I know my time is running out, this departure is probably to find a place to die, the token and map will likely be buried with me, if Fellow Daoist Qin changes his mind, feel free to retrieve them."
With that, he quietly told Qin Ming of a location.
Then, Fengg Yuan no longer lingered, leaving Qingyang Market.
Watching Fengg Yuan leave, Qin Ming chuckled bitterly:
"Going to rest in peace is fine, but why tell me?!"
...