The map in Qin Ming's hand was purchased from Gu Qingzhao.
It had cost him a full hundred Spirit Stones.
After all, such a comprehensive map was very rare on the market.
Not only did it depict the geographical features, but even the local customs and products, climate environment, and Spirit Vein distribution were clearly recorded.
This was created by the Mirror Snow Pavilion through years of continuous updates and improvements in its charting.
This map was very large, not only containing the territory of Wei Kingdom, but also covering the surrounding Jin Kingdom, Wu Kingdom, and Liang Kingdom.
The four kingdoms presented a four-legged stand-off, with Wei Kingdom located in the southernmost part.
Qin Ming carefully fixed his eyes on it, his gaze landing on the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness at the southernmost edge of Wei Kingdom, a very small mark – Green Sun Market.
Then he continued to look northwards.
At the junction of the four kingdoms, a huge "X" shaped Mountain Range divided them.
This was the "Beast Roar Mountain Range", rumored to be full of dangers, with various Demonic Beasts emerging one after another, and even Tier 3 great demons existing.
Every Mountain Range pass that could be traversed had fortresses and Immortal Cultivation Markets set up along the way.
These scattered Markets were strung together like road signs, eventually pointing to a junction of the four kingdoms, where the largest city was marked, clearly depicting four large red characters "Vast Sea Immortal City".
This place was the Rogue Cultivator Sanctuary.
Within the Wei, Jin, Liang, and Wu Kingdoms, there were Core Formation Grandmasters suppressing everything, the ceiling of the highest combat power.
All other forces had to bow their heads in submission.
Even the source of Foundation Establishment Pills was monopolized by them. Great Sects ate meat, and many Loose Cultivators had difficulty even getting soup, and could only seek survival in the cracks.
Because this place belonged to a no-man's-land, coupled with the abundant resources and products of the Beast Roar Mountain Range behind it, it rapidly became the center of Rogue Cultivator trade.
Later, True Person Cang Hai, with his identity as a Rogue Cultivator, successfully formed his Golden Core here, and then established the Immortal City.
It attracted the entry of forces from all sides, including Master Alchemist (Level 2). As long as there were Raw Materials, they had the ability to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
Speaking of which.
Vast Sea Immortal City was also the only place where many Loose Cultivators could possibly obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, hence it was regarded as a Cultivator Sanctuary.
According to Gu Qingzhao, the largest Branch Store of the Mirror Snow Pavilion was located in Vast Sea Immortal City, and her destination this time was also there.
Having learned his lesson this time, he naturally would not go to such a place where Various Factions gathered again.
Moreover, there were Golden Core True Persons in the Immortal City. Under the sweep of their powerful Divine Sense, some secrets might be exposed.
Therefore, it was definitely not the best choice for Farming to accumulate entries and cultivate the Ancient Wood Longevity Art.
His current Immortal Cultivation principle was to avoid contention and fighting, Steady Development through Farming and Management, and transform it into his own Strength.
Such a place with Entrenched and Complex Factions and frequent disputes.
Was not suitable for excessive involvement.
Over the years, Qin Ming had continuously collected a lot of Information from Gu Qingzhao, and had also studied the Wei Kingdom territory in depth. He already had a plan in mind.
His gaze continued to move northwards, eventually landing on a place called "Spirit Dwelling Islands".
This place was a huge Island Cluster, with numerous rivers and lakes, interwoven into a dense Water Network.
These Water Networks connected at the junction of the Four Nations.
This Spirit Dwelling Islands was within the Jurisdiction of the Zhao Family, an Immortal Cultivation Clan.
And the Zhao Family, belonged to one of the Seven Great Sects/Clans of Wei Kingdom, one of the three Immortal Cultivation Clans that possessed Pseudo-Core Stage True Persons.
The Spirit Rice and Spirit Fish produced here were Famous Far and Wide.
They were Immortal Abode Delicacies that often appeared in many restaurants.
However, the Spirit Dwelling Islands were all First Grade Spirit Veins, and Second-Order Spirit Veins were also relatively Sparse and Scattered, so some Major Powers looked down on this place.
They also had no interest in competing for any Resources here. It was just right for his Steady Development through Farming.
Qin Ming planned to wait until he Breakthrough to the Perfected Qi Condensation Stage before going to Vast Sea Immortal City to plan for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
The water flow of Spirit Dwelling Islands continued northwards, and was shrouded by a Strange Mist all year round. Even Golden Core Stage Divine Sense could not penetrate it, and entering it was No Return.
Legend has it that passing through the Strange Mist and going further north was the 'Great Jin Immortal Dynasty' that Su Yuqing mentioned when she left, which was a more resource-rich place of Immortal Cultivation.
And there existed Nascent Soul True Monarchs, only seen in books, unifying the Four Nations.
…
Now Qin Ming's Divine Sense Barrier and Qi and Blood Barrier had already met the requirements.
Only the last barrier remained, which was the Magical Power Barrier.
With his pseudo four-element Aptitude, without fully cultivating the 'Supreme Wood Dharma Body', and without the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Even with the Foundation Establishment Spirit Item 'Skyfire Spirit Liquid' obtained from Daoist Friend Feng, it was estimated that the probability of Foundation Establishment failure was still very high.
This trip to Spirit Dwelling Islands was naturally to rent Spirit Fields above Second-Order Spirit Vein.
For a Second-Rank Spirit Plant Master like him, it was already enough.
He would plant his Life-Bound Spirit Plant next, and cultivate the "Ancient Wood Longevity Art". Naturally, the higher the grade of the Spirit Vein, the better.
Since he could not find a better place at the moment, he could reluctantly accept Second-Order Spirit Vein.
After all, his Life-Bound Spirit Plant Black Vine did not have high requirements for the Spirit Vein growth environment, as long as there was Blood Bead. Of course, if there was a chance in the future, he would still replace it with a Spirit Vein of a better grade.
It would also be Gilding the Lily.
And also.
Qin Ming developing in Spirit Dwelling Islands was not very far from Vast Sea Immortal City.
He would still maintain close contact with Gu Qingzhao.
To a certain extent, she was now the Key Link for Qin Ming to obtain Upper Layer Information of the Cultivation World.
She was also his important Network of Connections.
Having considered his future destination, Qin Ming took out an Essence Nurturing Pill and sat down to cultivate.
The Next Day.
Qin Ming found Gu Qingzhao and explained his destination.
"Spirit Dwelling Islands?"
Gu Qingzhao revealed a hint of surprise, but then said, "Fellow Daoist Qin going to Spirit Dwelling Islands to develop is actually not bad. It's not far from us, and we can take care of each other."
"Moreover, the Spirit Soil here is fertile, and it is also very suitable for Fellow Daoist Qin to plant Spirit Plants."
"Speaking of which… Fellow Daoist Qin, do you know why this place is called Spirit Dwelling Islands?" Gu Qingzhao Gently Smile, asking with a hint of Examination.
Qin Ming smiled wryly upon hearing this, "Excuse my Ill-informed nature, I don't know the Origin for a moment."
"Legend has it that when this Island Cluster was first formed, it was a kind of bird that carried Spirit Seeds of Spirit Rice from somewhere, which accidentally fell into the islands, thus growing a kind of unknown Mid Grade Second Tier Spirit Rice, which could greatly enhance the Magical Power Cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage, and was extremely rare, named Spirit Dwelling Rice."
"This Spirit Rice was once All the Rage, but unfortunately no one could cultivate it later, and it gradually became Extinct here, and it is almost impossible to see it now." Gu Qingzhao explained with some regret.
Qin Ming suddenly understood, "So that's how it is, I didn't expect there to be such an Origin Story."
"By the way, the Dharma Boat of our Pavilion is about to Set Off in two days, does Fellow Daoist Qin still have anything to prepare?" Gu Qingzhao asked.
Qin Ming shook his head, "I am already prepared on my side, and can depart at any time."
"This trip to Vast Sea Immortal City will take a long time. Our Pavilion will hold an Auction on board at that time. Fellow Daoist Qin can come and participate then," Gu Qingzhao slowly said.
"Of course, if Fellow Daoist Qin has other items that need to be sold, you can also entrust them to me for Auction on Behalf."
End of Chapter