Chapter 294 Settling Past Karma
Ling'er Zhao's beautiful eyes fluttered, and she warmly invited Qin Ming,
"Senior Adept Qin has come from afar. Old Ancestor Wei instructed me to entertain you properly. Recently, a Moon Viewing Pavilion has newly opened in Qingyang Market City. The Immortal Abode Delicacies inside are said to be amazing. Why not go and have a taste?"
Qin Ming originally intended to leave after finishing his business, but when he heard Qingyang Market City mentioned, he changed his mind.
"Qingyang Market City… wasn't it destroyed in the chaos back then? Has it been repaired and rebuilt?" Qin Ming asked indifferently.
Seeing his interest piqued, Ling'er Zhao hurriedly explained,
"Indeed, after the Thunder Origin Sect took over the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness, they rebuilt the Market and named it Qingyang Market City, just as before."
"Old Ancestor Wei knows that you once lived here, so they preserved its original appearance as much as possible."
"Furthermore, the Courtyard you once occupied and the Spirit Field near the Market attract many Cultivators who come to visit every day."
Qin Ming was stunned upon hearing this, thinking to himself, 'This Wei Wuyai truly has a business mind. He actually developed it into a tourist attraction by leveraging my reputation.' After all, his influence and Reputation among Wei Kingdom Cultivator today were quite high.
Qin Ming nodded, appearing thoughtful, and then said, "In that case, let's go and have a seat."
"This Seat has also been away for a long time and would like to see the changes here."
Ling'er Zhao was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately said,
"Senior Adept Qin, please!"
Then, the two transformed into two Streams of Light and disappeared into the Horizon.
Half an Incense Stick Duration later.
Qin Ming and Ling'er Zhao arrived near Qingyang Market City.
At the Archway entrance of the Market, Cultivator trading back and forth were as numerous as weaving fabric. The Shops inside were bustling, row upon row, and the hawking cries of various vendors were incessant.
Even the Slum Area was still there, though it had undergone a great transformation.
The scene before his eyes gave Qin Ming an illusion of returning to several decades ago for a moment. Then, the two descended and walked into the Market.
The Qi Condensation Stage Cultivator nearby, seeing two Cultivator with powerful Magic Power Aura descending, proactively made way.
The guards at the Market Entrance, seeing that it was Ling'er Zhao from the Hundred Flowers Sect, quickly released the Passage Formation.
"Hundred Flowers Holy Maiden Zhao is here, quickly open the passage."
Qin Ming and Ling'er Zhao entered Within the Market and walked along the Main Street for a while.
He sensed the bustling Market for a moment.
Even the 'Refreshing Abode' that was destroyed in the war was restored to its original state. At this moment, a large group of Rogue Cultivator were strongly surrounding it, listening to an Old Man explaining.
"Look! This is where Perfected Person Wangyue used to live."
"It can be said to be an Auspicious Burial Place! Perfected Person Wangyue rose completely from obscurity in his early years precisely because of this Courtyard."
"The Rent for one year is only one thousand Spirit Stone, pay three months deposit and three months in advance. Those interested can contact this old man…"
Qin Ming: "…"
Ling'er Zhao couldn't help but blush slightly when she saw this scene.
Afterward, the two passed through the Street and arrived in front of a Pavilion with simple and elegant decorations.
"Senior Adept Qin, this is Moon Viewing Pavilion."
"It is a property under the Qilian Merchant Guild."
"Qilian Merchant Guild?" Qin Ming was quite surprised because this Merchant Guild was also a large Power, with businesses all over the Southern Wilderness Cultivation World.
The Qilian Merchant Guild also came to offer congratulations during Qin Ming's Golden Core Grand Ceremony.
After Ling'er Zhao introduced it to him, the two stepped into the Restaurant. Immediately, someone came out to welcome them and arrange a Private Room for them.
After the two went inside.
The Cultivator on the Street were constantly discussing.
"Isn't that the Hundred Flowers Holy Maiden? Who is the person beside her?"
"Judging by that Aura, he also seems to be a Senior with profound Magic Power."
"I seem to have some impression, but I can't remember for a moment."
"Huh? Why do I feel like he looks a bit like the legendary Perfected Person Wangyue!"
"Are you hallucinating? How could a Golden Core Ancestor come to such a place."
"…"
Inside the Private Room of Moon Viewing Pavilion.
A middle-aged Shopkeeper in an Ink-Black Mystic Robe was bowing and noting down the dishes, saying to Qin Ming with a face full of smiles and respect,
"Senior Adept Qin, I will definitely instruct the Kitchen to bring out our Shop's signature dishes to entertain you two Seniors."
"Your esteemed presence at our humble Shop is truly an honor! Hehe! The expenses will be waived, consider it a welcome reception for Senior Adept Qin."
An Incense Stick Duration later.
A dazzling array of Immortal Abode Delicacies were successively brought up.
Most of them were unique products of the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness.
Qin Ming also developed an appetite looking at them and slowly began to drink and taste them.
During the meal, Ling'er Zhao also introduced Qin Ming to the various changes that had taken place in the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness over the years.
After drinking for a while, Qin Ming wanted to go out and wander alone, so he bid farewell to Ling'er Zhao,
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."
"Thank you for your Hospitality."
Ling'er Zhao hurriedly got up to see him off, "Senior Adept Qin, you are too kind. If you have the opportunity, you can often come here for a visit."
A moment later.
Qin Ming flew to the Slum Area, but the Old Man there were no longer present, everything had changed.
He also strolled around the Spirit Field, and scenes from the past emerged in Qin Ming's mind.
There were still many Low-Level Spirit Farmer diligently cultivating there. When they saw High-Level Cultivator flying across the Sky, they all revealed envious expressions of longing.
'The past has become the wind, and there is nothing to miss now.'
Qin Ming immediately left without stopping, transforming into an Azure Rainbow Escape and departing.
It has been so many years since his Family Clan abandoned him and he followed the Spirit Feather Sect to the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness to perform Labor Duty. "The Qin Family people have never come looking for me again."
"Such a big event as my Core Formation, the Family Clan should all know about it."
"They probably don't dare to acknowledge me…"
…
Several days later.
Qin Ming returned to Cloud Marsh Immortal City and boarded the Thunder Origin Sect's Abyss Crossing Dharma Ship, returning to the central area of Wei Kingdom.
He was not in a hurry to return to Moon Gazing Island, but got off the Magic Ship midway and flew towards the west of Wei Kingdom.
Half a day later.
Bian Province, a frontier Immortal City, not large in scale, only several hundred miles in radius.
"Five Immortals City."
Memories of the past emerged in Qin Ming's mind.
After Qin Ming transmigrated, his original body's parents had long since passed away in order to find Resources for his Cultivation. The Qin Family's affection for him was already weak, and he did not miss it.
However, he still planned to return to the Qin Family for the last time to settle these Mortal Ties.
Within Five Immortals City, there were three small Foundation Establishment Clan, and the Qin Family was one of them. Since Qin Ming became a Golden Core True Person, the Qin Family's Reputation in Five Immortals City had reached its peak, faintly becoming the leader of the three Families.
Moreover, many large and small Power came to the Qin Family to show goodwill and seek connections, but they were all politely rejected by the Qin Family Family Head.
The Qin Family Clan Leader knew that these people were all coming for Perfected Person Wangyue's reputation. Once the situation turned bad and they suffered backlash, the small Qin Family would not be able to withstand it.
On this day.
Ancestor Worship ceremony was being held in the Ancestral Hall of the Qin Family.
Dozens of Qin Family Clan Members, presided over by an Old Man with a weathered face, respectfully worshipped their ancestors.
Portraits of Qin Ming and his parents were prominently displayed among them.
After the Ancestor Worship ended.
The Qin Family Clan Leader Qin Xiao, and several Clan Members of higher seniority sat in the Main Hall and began to talk.
"Clan Leader… otherwise, in my opinion, we should still send someone to Moon Gazing Island to pay respects to Ninth Grand-Uncle Ancestor, right?"
"After all, we are of Bloodline Inheritance."
"Ninth Grand-Uncle Ancestor might also consider some sentiment."
"Regarding the matter back then, the Spirit Feather Sect forcibly Conscription from the Family Clan. Even if he didn't go, there must have been Clan Members who had to go…"
"Alas! Who would have thought that his Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root could actually Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, and he is also a Tier 3 Alchemy Dao Grandmaster and Spirit Plant Grandmaster."
"If we had known this earlier, why did we do what we did!"
"Third, decades have passed, it is too late to regret now."
Qin Xiao, as the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Qin Family, had been stuck at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage for decades.
His Immortal Path stopped here, and in a few more years, he would almost be buried.
Recently, Qin Xiao was also worried about the lack of successors in the Clan.
Currently, there are very few Cultivator who can Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
Foundation Establishment Resources are even harder to come by.
"Ming'er being able to reach this step must be his Good Fortune, Heaven's Will is at play."
"Now that he has become a Golden Core True Person, he has probably been disheartened for many years. His decision not to return to the Family Clan is already made."
"If we go to acknowledge him now, it will only backfire."
"Let fate decide everything."
"The Qin Family being able to receive the protection of Perfected Person Wangyue's reputation is already a great gift from heaven. We should not ask for anything more."
As soon as Qin Xiao said this, silence fell in the Main Hall.
"You are quite self-aware."
Suddenly, a faint voice eerily echoed from the air.
The Qin Family members present were immediately shocked.
Before they could even get up, they saw ripples like water waves spontaneously arise in the air.
A Young Cultivator with an ordinary appearance appeared before everyone's eyes.
The Qin Family members could not sense any Spiritual Power Fluctuation from him, as if he were a mortal.
When Qin Xiao clearly saw the appearance of the person, he was immediately stunned, and stammered, "Qin… Qin… True Person Qin Ming."
"You're back."
The others, upon hearing this, were also surprised and delighted! "Qin Family Juniors, pay respects to Ninth Grand-Uncle Ancestor!"
After speaking, the people in the Main Hall, including Clan Leader Qin Xiao, were about to bow down.
Qin Xiao was also extremely excited in his heart, he did not expect that after Qin Ming became a Golden Core True Person, he would still be willing to return to the Family Clan for a visit.
This meant that there was still room for maneuver.
Qin Ming casually waved his hand and said indifferently, "No need."
"This time I have come, it is only to settle Mortal Ties."
Qin Xiao and the others felt lifted by a force, unable to bend down no matter what.
But when they heard Qin Ming's words, the Qin Family members were all stunned.
It turned out that their Grand Elder was not here to recognize his ancestors and return to the Clan, but to sever ties with the Qin Family. In an instant, Qin Xiao's Expression turned pale and he slumped back into his Chairs in despair.
"Ming'er, what happened back then was indeed the Family Clan's fault. Now we regret it, but it is too late."
"We are willing to accept any decision you make."
"Now that you have advanced to Golden Core, we old bones are already a burden and cannot help you much anyway."
"We will only be a drag on you."
Qin Ming did not say much to them, but went to the Ancestral Hall and burned incense to worship his parents' Spirit Tablet.
Only then did he turn around and say to Qin Xiao and the others,
"I will continue to pursue the Great Dao, but I still have some sentiment for the Qin Family."
"Although I was sent to the Spirit Feather Sect to perform Corvée back then, if it wasn't for you still having some conscience and pulling some Connections, I'm afraid I wouldn't even have become a Spirit Farmer…"
"I would have been sent to the Frontline War Camp long ago."
Qin Ming took out a Jade Bottle from his Storage Bag and tossed it to Qin Xiao, saying, "Inside are two Foundation Establishment Pill, enough for you to nurture another Foundation Establishment disciple and continue the Family Clan line."
"More would instead bring disaster upon you."
"If even two Foundation Establishment Pill cannot produce another Foundation Establishment Cultivator, then that is the Qin Family's Heaven-Sent Fate."
Qin Xiao held the Jade Bottle in his hand, his body trembling slightly, and said gratefully to Qin Ming, "Thank you for the Pill, True Person!"
Qin Ming glanced at the other party and saw that Qin Xiao's Qi Aura was failing, and the Verdant Vitality in his body was already running out.
Immediately, he took out two Five Elements Primordial Spirit Peach and two Porcelain Bottle from his Storage Bag and handed them to him, saying, "These two Spirit Peach can replenish some of your Lifespan."
"Alright, this matter is concluded, and the Qin Family's affairs will have nothing to do with me from now on."
"You all take care."
Before his voice faded, Qin Ming's figure had already disappeared from the Qin Family's sight.
Qin Xiao looked at the Sky outside, his heart filled with mixed feelings, and he was speechless for a long time.
…
On the other side.
Qin Ming transformed into an Azure Rainbow Escape and flew towards the Spirit Perching Archipelago in the north.
"Master, are you really not planning to return to the Qin Family?"
"I think those Old Man are quite heartbroken and regretful."
Devouring Heaven Rat's voice rang in Qin Ming's ears.
Qin Ming said indifferently upon hearing this, "What? Do you want to return to the Qin Family? Or should I send you to guard the Qin Family for a thousand years to taste the saltiness?"
"No, no, no! Hehehehe, I didn't mean that."
"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!"
Devouring Heaven Rat hurriedly explained, then obediently shut his mouth, not daring to say more, for fear that Qin Ming would really send him to guard the Qin Family.
…
End of Chapter