Chapter 268 Yuwen Hong's Test
Qin Ming pondered for a moment.
He put away his three Spirit Pets, then opened the Formation and welcomed Yuwen Hong into the Island.
As soon as Yuwen Hong entered Moon Gazing Island, he was deeply shocked by the scene before him. Was this still the rumored barren and desolate island? Qin Ming flew out from Inside the Grotto and stopped opposite Yuwen Hong, cupping his hands in greeting, "Welcome, Fellow Daoist Yuwen, please come in."
"Fellow Daoist Qin, although we have never met before, decades have passed… you are still as young as ever!"
Yuwen Hong gazed at this 'Spirit Farmer' who was once under his sect.
He was like an Evergreen Ancient Tree, carrying a tranquil and peaceful aura, his entire being as calm as water.
Even a Core Formation Grandmaster like him could not quite fathom him at a glance.
Although Qin Ming's Cultivation on the surface was only Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, Yuwen Hong's seasoned intuition told him that this person was not simple.
"Fellow Daoist Yuwen, you flatter me. Qin only took a Youth Preservation Pill." Qin Ming smiled faintly and welcomed Yuwen Hong into the Guest Welcoming Pavilion on the island.
After they were seated.
Yuwen Hong stretched out his hand, and a delicate Jade Box appeared in his palm. He then handed it to Qin Ming, saying with a smile, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin, on breaking through to the Tier 3 Alchemy Dao Grandmaster realm. This is a small token of our sect's appreciation, I hope you will accept it."
Qin Ming did not refuse his kindness, took the Jade Box, and opened it.
Inside, there were a dozen or so Spirit Seeds emitting emerald light.
"Tier 3 Jade Emperor Spirit Rice Spirit Seeds!!"
Even with Qin Ming's current Mind State, he couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart.
Yuwen Hong came bearing such a generous gift right from the start, it seemed his purpose for visiting was not simple.
"Fellow Daoist Yuwen… this…"
"Fellow Daoist Qin, no need to be concerned, just accept it."
"These Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds have been in our sect's Treasure Vault for hundreds of years, and no one has been able to cultivate them."
"Leaving them there is just collecting dust, it's better to give them to Fellow Daoist Qin as a Congratulatory Gift."
Qin Ming nodded upon hearing this and put away the Jade Box.
Afterwards.
He brewed a pot of Snow Soul Spirit Tea for Yuwen Hong and handed a teacup to him, saying, "This is Snow Soul Tea that Qin cultivated on the island, Fellow Daoist Yuwen, please try it."
Yuwen Hong gently picked up the teacup, gazing at the snowy white tea soup in the cup, which was surrounded by an Aura of Vapor, with Spirit Qi overflowing from it.
Just one look and he knew that this must be High-Tier Spirit Tea.
At least, apart from Qin Ming's Moon Gazing Island, it was impossible to find it anywhere else.
Yuwen Hong smelled the tea fragrance, then took a sip, and instantly his entire body felt a strange warm current flowing through him. Even for a Core Formation Stage Cultivator like him, it had a certain effect.
His entire Mental Focus felt as if it had been nourished by spring rain on Green Grass, becoming fresh and tranquil.
All kinds of distracting thoughts were swept away in an instant!
"Good Tea! I didn't expect this Snow Soul Tea to actually have the effect of reducing the growth of Inner Demons and cleansing the Divine Soul!" Yuwen Hong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he praised without reservation.
At the same time.
Yuwen Hong was also filled with emotion in his heart. He never expected that Qin Ming, this Spirit Farmer who was once under the Spirit Feather Sect, could step by step reach where he was today.
Tier 3 Alchemy Dao Grandmaster, his Status was on par with Golden Core Cultivators, not to mention even when he met Qin Ming, he needed to show him due respect.
After all, Qin Ming was now a hot figure in Wei Kingdom, and the only Grandmaster of Alchemy in the entire Wei Kingdom.
It was a pity that the Spirit Feather Sect failed to keep him back then!
Otherwise, he would be the Grandmaster of their Spirit Feather Sect.
Now, what's done is done, and there's no use saying anything. Fortunately, the Spirit Feather Sect had not offended Qin Ming later.
The Connections between the two sides were not as bad as imagined.
"Hehe, if Fellow Daoist Yuwen likes it, Qin can give you a box." Qin Ming refilled his Spirit Tea and said.
He did not have much aversion to Yuwen Hong, after all, after he left the Spirit Feather Sect, they also fulfilled the agreement and returned his freedom, and never bothered him again.
Subsequently, Yuwen Hong and Qin Ming gradually became familiar and started chatting.
As they chatted, they talked about the recent Situation in the Cultivation World.
From their conversation, Qin Ming could sense that Yuwen Hong was extremely cunning and deep, not comparable to ordinary Cultivators.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to develop and grow the Spirit Feather Sect within a few decades to the point where it could contend with the Thunder Origin Sect.
"Alas! Speaking of which, if I hadn't Breakthrough to Golden Core back then, the Spirit Feather Sect would have long ceased to exist under the siege of the Seven Great Sects/Clans."
"But once I chose to Breakthrough, I was bound to embark on the Road of confrontation with the Thunder Origin Sect."
"Presumably, Fellow Daoist Qin, having experienced so many years, with your insight, you should also realize that the Cultivation Resources of Wei Kingdom do not allow the simultaneous existence of two Golden Core Sects."
"Most of the time, I am in the tide of the overall Situation, involuntarily, and pushed to move forward."
"Mischief of Fate!"
Qin Ming couldn't help but curl his lips after listening to him.
Even though Yuwen Hong spoke eloquently, in the end, wasn't it still because he was ambitious and wanted to climb higher?
Ultimately, it was his own desires at play.
However, from Yuwen Hong's tone, Qin Ming faintly sensed some information.
Although the Southern Wilderness Cultivation World had been affected by the Ghost Plague of Liang Kingdom in recent years, and the Four Nations were seemingly calm on the surface, undercurrents had always been surging in secret.
The conflict between Yuwen Hong and Wei Wuyai, as well as between the Spirit Feather Sect and the Thunder Origin Sect, would probably usher in changes soon, and one side was destined to come to an end.
However, these disputes had nothing to do with Qin Ming.
Next.
Yuwen Hong's words completely confirmed Qin Ming's thoughts.
"The winner becomes king, the loser becomes villain, there will eventually be a conclusion."
"I take the liberty to ask Fellow Daoist Qin, I heard before that Wei Wuyai… has he ever come to you?"
"Did he purchase Dust Vanquishing Pill from you here?"
Qin Ming put down his teacup upon hearing this and raised an eyebrow.
"Daoist Wei did come to me seeking Pills, but in the past two years or so, because it was the first time trying, Qin only refined one Worldly-Dust Cleansing Pill."
"It was exchanged away by True Person Cang Hai as soon as it was produced, and there were no extra Worldly-Dust Cleansing Pills to Trade to Daoist Wei." Qin Ming explained in a calm tone, without any discernible abnormality.
Of course, he couldn't tell Yuwen Hong the truth, otherwise, he would come to him again to ask for Pills.
Wei Wuyai's Cultivation Strength would definitely increase after exchanging for the Worldly-Dust Cleansing Pill.
If Qin Ming told the truth, wouldn't it be equivalent to indirectly helping the Thunder Origin Sect? Yuwen Hong would definitely feel uncomfortable.
Rather than being caught in the middle, it was better not to tell the truth.
Anyway, even if Yuwen Hong went to True Person Nalan Xi to verify, with Qin Ming's Connections with True Person Nalan Xi, she would understand instantly and would not reveal too much to him.
Seeing Qin Ming say this, although Yuwen Hong was somewhat disbelieving in his heart, he could do nothing about it.
Towards the end of their conversation, Yuwen Hong suddenly said to Qin Ming seriously, "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin would be willing to return to the Spirit Feather Sect?"
"From now on, your Status in the sect will be equal to mine, enjoying the Benefits and City Patron treatment of a Supreme Elder."
"Moreover, the High-Rank Resources you need will be supplied with priority, and there will be Disciples of the sect to help you collect them."
"You don't need to trouble yourself at all."
"You only need to focus on researching the Dao of Alchemy and Spirit Plant Cultivation."
"After all, Fellow Daoist Qin has had a karmic bond with our sect, and it can be considered destiny in the dark."
"This is also my sincere invitation, I wonder what Fellow Daoist Qin's intention is?"
Qin Ming was stunned upon hearing this. He did not expect Yuwen Hong to invite him back to the Spirit Feather Sect again.
He secretly laughed in his heart. Even a good horse doesn't eat going back to old pastures, let alone himself.
Besides, if he didn't personally cultivate Spirit Plants, how would he refresh his Entry?
Entry was his greatest Reliance! "Thank you for Fellow Daoist Yuwen's kindness, but Qin has no intention of joining any Power anymore."
"I just want to be an Unfettered Island Lord here."
"Presumably, Fellow Daoist Yuwen also knows that the reason Qin chose to leave the Spirit Feather Sect in the first place was because I didn't want to get involved in these disputes."
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
Yuwen Hong was not surprised by Qin Ming's refusal, but a trace of regret still flashed across his face.
If Qin Ming could be brought back to the Spirit Feather Sect, within a hundred years, the Spirit Feather Sect would definitely rise completely! From Grandmaster Gongsun Yang emerging from Profound Stream Valley of Liang Kingdom, one could glimpse a thing or two.
In just a short hundred years, two more Golden Core Ancestors were born.
But fortunately, Qin Ming, a Grandmaster of Alchemy sufficient to determine the rise and fall of a Sect, only wanted to be an Unfettered Cultivator.
If he did not rely on any Power, it would not affect the Situation of Wei Kingdom, which also Rest Assured him a lot.
Yuwen Hong did not hesitate to lower his face and come here today, also because of this reason, stemming from his fear of Qin Ming, this Grandmaster of Alchemy.
He was afraid that Qin Ming would completely lean towards the Thunder Origin Sect's side, which would be extremely bad for the Spirit Feather Sect.
However, after today's exchange with Qin Ming, Yuwen Hong dispelled many doubts and worries.
Qin Ming did not like to get involved in right and wrong, and focused solely on studying his Spirit Plant and Alchemy Skill, not interested in Fame and Fortune at all.
Just like just now, Yuwen Hong used the position of Supreme Elder of the Spirit Feather Sect to test Qin Ming.
He refused without batting an eyelid, it didn't seem like he was pretending at all.
Next.
The two exchanged conversation for another half day, and Yuwen Hong also prepared to get up and bid farewell.
"Since that's the case, I won't disturb Fellow Daoist Qin any longer."
"I wish Fellow Daoist Qin Eternal Immortal Path."
Qin Ming also got up and returned a salute, "Qin also wishes Fellow Daoist Yuwen a smooth Immortal Path."
Afterwards.
Qin Ming sent Yuwen Hong out of Moon Gazing Island.
When leaving, Yuwen Hong spent a sum of Spirit Stone at Qin Ming's place and purchased three Five Elements Primordial Spirit Peaches.
Qin Ming also returned the courtesy by gifting him a box of Snow Soul Tea.
After all, Lifespan was more tempting for higher-Rank Cultivators.
Even for Yuwen Hong, whose remaining Lifespan was still very sufficient, it was no exception.
"Phew~"
Seeing off this great god, Yuwen Hong, Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief.
…
In the days that followed.
There were still many Powers who came to visit, but if they were not particularly important people, Qin Ming would have Wu Jiang send them away.
Inside the Cave Residence.
Qin Ming took out the Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds, his eyes flickering.
As Low-Grade Third-Order Spirit Rice, Jade Emperor Rice could enhance the Cultivation of Golden Core Cultivators.
However, this rice, as Third-Order Level Cultivation Resources, had extremely low yield. Unexpectedly, the Spirit Feather Sect's Treasure Trove actually still had more than a dozen Spirit Seeds stored.
Qin Ming held one of the emerald-like Spirit Seeds in his hand and observed it for a while.
"Mm, the Spirit Feather Sect's preservation method is not bad, the Vitality and Spirit Qi within the Spirit Seed are still there."
Qin Ming put away the Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds, and then took out another item from his Storage Bag.
It was precisely the Solar Essence Gold that he had exchanged from True Person of the Vast Ocean Nalan Xi.
Qin Ming used his Intention to communicate with Golden Spirit Child:
"Solar Essence Gold is in hand, how should I refine the Wooden Emperor Nail next?"
"I will impart the complete Treasure Refinement Art to you, just follow the method above and add the Solar Essence Gold."
The Treasure Spirit's voice sounded faintly.
End of Chapter