The map in Qin Ming’s hand was purchased from Gu Qingzhao.
It cost him a full hundred Spirit Stones.
After all, such a comprehensive map is rare in the market.
Not only does it depict the geographical features, but it also records the cultural products, climate, and Spirit Vein distributions clearly.
This map has been updated and perfected over time by Mirror Snow Pavilion.
The map is very large, covering not only the Wei Country but also the surrounding Jin Country, Wuu Country, and Liang Country.
The four countries are in a standoff like the corners of a square, with Wei Country at the southernmost part.
Qin Ming carefully focused his gaze, looking at the smallest mark at the southernmost part of Wei Country - Qingyang Market.
Then he looked northward.
The junction of the four countries is divided by a gigantic mountain range in an "X" shape.
This is the "Beast Roar Mountain Range," rumored to be full of dangers, with various Demon Beasts appearing endlessly, even including Tier Three Great Demons.
At every passable entrance to the mountain range, there are fortresses and Cultivation Markets set up along the way.
These scattered markets link together like a path, eventually pointing to a major city at the intersection of the four countries, clearly marked with the four large red characters "Vast Sea Immortal City."
This is the Sacred Land for Independent Cultivators.
Within the four countries of Wei, Jin, Liang, and Wuu, there are Golden Core Ancestors who suppress everything, serving as the peak combat force.
Other powers have to bow their heads in submission.
Even the sources of Foundation Establishment Pills are monopolized by them, with Major Sects enjoying the benefits, while many Loose Cultivators struggle to survive, unable to even get scraps.
Because this place belongs to the ungoverned area, and with the rich resources backed by the Beast Roar Mountain Range, it has rapidly become the center of transactions for Loose Cultivators.
Later on, Master Vast Sea successfully formed a Golden Core here as a Loose Cultivator and established a Cultivation City.
Attracting the settlement of various forces, including Tier Two Alchemists, who, as long as they have the raw materials, have the capability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
So to speak.
Vast Sea Immortal City is also the only place where many Loose Cultivators might obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, thus regarded as a Sacred Land for Loose Cultivators.
According to Gu Qingzhao, the largest branch of Mirror Snow Pavilion is set in Vast Sea Immortal City, and her destination for this trip is also there.
Learning from this lesson, he naturally won’t go to such a place filled with all walks of life.
Moreover, inside the Immortal City, there are Golden Core Masters whose powerful Divine Senses can uncover some secrets.
It’s definitely not an ideal choice for farming, browsing entries, and cultivating the Ancient Wood Longevity Technique.
His current cultivation principle is to avoid conflict, grow steadily, farm and manage, transforming it into his strength.
Such a place, entangled with complex forces and frequent disputes.
Is not suitable for excessive involvement.
Over the years, Qin Ming has continuously gathered a lot of intelligence from Gu Qingzhao and has researched the territory of Wei Country extensively, having already formed a plan in his mind.
His gaze continued to move northward, finally landing on a place called "Spirit Nest Islands."
This is a massive archipelago with many rivers and lakes interwoven into a dense water network.
These water networks connect at the junction of the four countries.
This Spirit Nest Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Zhao Clan, a Cultivation Family.
The Zhao clan is one of the three Cultivation Families in Wei Country’s Seven Great Powers, each with Fake Pill Stage Masters.
The Spirit Rice and Spirit Fish produced here are renowned far and wide.
They are immortal mansion delicacies often found in many restaurants.
However, Spirit Nest Islands only have Tier One Spirit Veins, and Tier Two Spirit Veins are relatively rare and scattered, so some major powers don’t fancy this place.
They have no interest in competing for resources here.
It’s just right for him to develop steadily by farming.
Qin Ming plans to wait until he breaks through to the perfection of the Qi Refining Stage before going to Vast Sea Immortal City to pursue the matter of acquiring a Foundation Establishment Pill.
The waters of Spirit Nest Islands flow northward, leading into a constant eerie fog, even impenetrable to the Divine Sense of the Gold Core Stage, with no return for those entering it.
It is rumored that beyond the mysterious fog and further north is the ’Great Jin Immortal Dynasty’ that Su Yuqing mentioned before leaving, a richer land for cultivation.
And within it exists the Nascent Soul True Monarchs only seen in books, who unify the four countries.
...
Now that Qin Ming has achieved the requirements for the Spiritual Consciousness Barrier and Qi Blood Barrier,
only the final barrier remains, which is the Mana Barrier.
With his pseudo-four affinity, without fully cultivating the ’Supreme Wood Dharma Body’ and without a Foundation Establishment Pill,
even with the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object ’Celestial Fire Spirit Liquid’ obtained from Fellow Daoist Fengg, the probability of failure in Foundation Establishment is still high.
This time heading to the Spirit Nest Islands, he naturally intends to rent Spirit Fields of Tier Two or above Spirit Veins.
As a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master, it is already sufficient for him.
He will plant his Lifebound Spirit Plant and cultivate the "Ancient Wood Longevity Technique," naturally the higher the grade of the Spirit Vein, the better.
Since he cannot find a better place at present, a Tier Two Spirit Vein is something he can reluctantly accept.
After all, his Lifebound Spirit Plant, Black Vine, does not require a high-growth environment in Spirit Veins, as long as there is a Blood Pearl...
Of course, if there is a chance later, he should still provide it with a Spirit Vein of better quality.
That would be the icing on the cake.
Additionally,
Qin Ming’s development in Spirit Nest Islands is not very far from Vast Sea Immortal City.
He will still maintain close contact with Gu Qingzhao.
To a certain extent, she is now a key link for Qin Ming to obtain high-level information in the Cultivation Realm.
She is also an important part of his network.
Having decided on his future destination, Qin Ming took out a Spirit Storage Pill and began to cultivate in meditation.
The next day.
Qin Ming found Gu Qingzhao and stated his intended destination.
"Spirit Nest Islands?"
Gu Qingzhao showed a hint of surprise but then said, "It’s actually a good choice for Fellow Daoist Qin to develop in Spirit Nest Islands, it’s not far from us, and we can look out for each other."
"Moreover, the Spiritual Soil there is fertile, also quite suitable for Fellow Daoist Qin to plant Spirit Plants."
"Speaking of which... does Fellow Daoist Qin know why it’s called Spirit Nest Islands?" Gu Qingzhao smiled slightly, with a hint of testing in her question.
Qin Ming revealed a wry smile, "Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know the reason for the time being."
"It’s rumored that when these islands first formed, a type of bird accidentally brought Spirit Seeds from Spirit Rice from somewhere, which fell into the islands and grew into a previously unknown Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Rice. It can significantly enhance the Mana Cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage, was extremely rare, and was named Spirit Nesting Rice."
"This Spirit Rice was once a sensation, but unfortunately, no one was able to cultivate it, and it gradually disappeared. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to see," Gu Qingzhao explained with regret.
Qin Ming realized, "I see, I didn’t expect there to be such a story."
"By the way, the Dharma Ship of our pavilion will set out in two days. Does Fellow Daoist Qin need to prepare anything?" Gu Qingzhao asked.
Qin Ming shook his head, "Everything is ready on my side, I can set off anytime."
"On the journey to Vast Sea Immortal City, it will take quite some time, and our pavilion will hold an auction on the ship then, Fellow Daoist Qin can participate," Gu Qingzhao said slowly.
"Of course, if Fellow Daoist Qin has any items to sell, you can also entrust me to auction them on your behalf."