Yun Shuiyao continued, "However, some people awaken talents that are rather useless. For example, someone in our Five Elements Alliance once awakened a cooking talent. His dishes were exceptional—he could learn any dish just by looking at it. But when it came to cultivation, he was completely clueless. Some travelers might awaken talents related to things like dancing."
Qin Ming immediately understood. If talents were awakened in this way, some of them could indeed be quite useless! For instance, what use was dancing in such a cruel world?
"There's another question, Senior," Qin Ming asked. "Can talents be upgraded?"
As soon as the question was asked, Yun Shuiyao, Qingxuan, Ma Qiang, and Liu Zonghuo all turned their heads.
"Qin Ming, you really are insightful. Before joining the organization, we didn't even know about the possibility of talent upgrades. You figured it out on your own."
Qin Ming thought to himself that the interface on his Heavenly Locking Gourd had displayed it clearly. His talent, duplication, was currently at level one, which meant there must be levels two and three.
"You're right. Qin Ming, talents can indeed be upgraded, but upgrading requires something called essence soul."
"Essence soul? What's that?"
"Have you ever seen those fiery red Soul-eating Birds flying in the sky?"
Qin Ming nodded. He had often seen these strange birds in the palace. Every time he saw them, he felt a chill.
"These birds are called Soul-eating Birds. Whenever a traveler dies, they come to devour the traveler's head. What they eat is not flesh, but essence soul."
Qin Ming remembered when Jingxiang died. Indeed, the Soul-eating Birds had flown down from the sky and eaten her head clean. At the time, many White Feather Guards had shouted that Jingxiang's soul had been eaten. So it was essence soul that these birds consumed.
"Senior, are you saying we need to kill travelers to obtain essence soul?"
"Of course not," Yun Shuiyao waved her sleeve dismissively. "Over the past thousand years, the wars between travelers and indigenous people have been endless. Every battlefield is filled with lingering souls and resentment. Over time, these lingering souls and resentful spirits gradually condense and form a realm we call the Spirit Realm. Essence soul is something we must search for within the Spirit Realm."
She continued, "In a sense, essence soul comes from the conflict and resentment between travelers and indigenous people. Entering the Spirit Realm might even reveal the secret behind the mortal enmity between travelers and indigenous people."
Qin Ming had never heard of the concept of the Spirit Realm before, and he was surprised at how many secrets this world held. He was very interested. After all, his talent was duplication. If it could be upgraded, he could duplicate two, three, or even more talents. Then, his cultivation would become even more powerful!
"Qin Ming, you're from the Grand Princess's mansion, right? That place is a hundred times more dangerous than anything outside. Have you considered joining our Five Elements Alliance?"
Qin Ming hesitated in his heart.
Yun Shuiyao continued, "Perhaps you currently have your own special method to hide in the Taiyin Palace without being discovered. But once you reach the Spirit Realm, you will inevitably be exposed."
Qin Ming stared at Yun Shuiyao with a serious expression.
"Senior Yun means that the aboriginals will develop animal nature after they cultivate to the spiritual realm.
But this phenomenon is impossible for me to have, so I will be exposed?"
"Yes! Qin Ming, you're very smart!"
Qin Ming had originally thought that by using his concealment talent, he could stay hidden forever. He hadn't expected that once he reached the Spirit Realm, he would inevitably be exposed. What should he do?
If he didn't return to the palace and stayed outside secretly, that didn't seem like a good plan either. Not only would he be betraying Lingyin's kindness, but it wouldn't necessarily be safe outside either.
After thinking it over, Qin Ming decided it would be best to stay in the palace for now and also join the Five Elements Alliance.
At the very least, it would give him access to more useful information. In a world full of mysteries and dangers, the more information and experience he had, the greater his chances of survival.
Qin Ming nodded. "Senior, I'm willing to join."
"Good! To join the Five Elements Alliance, you must go through the Spirit Realm trial. You also need the Spirit Realm to enhance your talent," Yun Shuiyao replied. "In three days, I'll arrange for you to enter the Spirit Realm."
Qin Ming nodded in agreement.
"It's getting late, so I'll leave now. If I stay too long, the Taiyin Palace will raise suspicions."
After saying this, Qin Ming bowed to the others and left.
Qingxuan, holding the Wujin Sword, came to Yun Shuiyao's side.
"Master, why are you being so polite to him? His cultivation is so low."
"His cultivation is low because he's just crossed over," Yun Shuiyao explained. "I'm treating him with respect because, just like your martial uncle, I believe he will be the key to breaking the deadlock."
"Why? Why is he the key to breaking the deadlock?"
Before arriving at the Imperial City, their leader, Jin Yangzi, had already foreseen through divination that there would be someone with great fortune in the city who could break the deadlock.
The moment Yun Shuiyao saw Qin Ming, she felt that he was the one. Of course, Yun Shuiyao had not told anyone about the divination!
"He's very smart, and he's kind-hearted. Plus, he's hiding in the Taiyin Palace, which is controlled by the Second-most Powerful Boss of the indigenous people, the Grand Princess.
If we have his help, the travelers may actually manage to turn the tide! This nightmare war that has lasted for a thousand years could finally come to an end!"
"You three remember—Qin Ming's identity must be kept strictly confidential. If anyone leaks it, I will hold them accountable!"
"Yes, Master!"
Qin Ming bought four jars of Drunken Immortal wine and hung them on the Snow Steed.
He also bought four portions of osmanthus cake, four portions of candied hawthorn, four portions of iced snow beans, four portions of honey dates rice dumplings, and four portions of fried cakes...
All in all, it cost him ten taels of silver.
He then went to the Yunu Pavilion, which sold women's items, and bought a Tianxi wood comb for Lingyin. It cost nearly twenty taels!
The Tianxi wood comb had special effects that made hair smoother and darker.
Just as Qin Ming was about to leave the Yunu Pavilion, he accidentally glanced at a pot of red, flame-like plants on the counter.
As soon as a person got close, they could feel the heat emanating from it.
Shopkeeper, what is this plant?"
"This is the Flamegrass, which comes from Aurora City."
"Flamegrass? It looks quite strange. As soon as you get close, it feels very warm."
"Guest, you have a keen eye! Because the city of Yingshi is cold, I specifically bought this pot of Flamegrass and placed it at the door to warm up the shop.
The Flamegrass has a natural affinity with fire, and it has special effects for those with cold constitutions."
Qin Ming couldn't help but suddenly think of something. The day the Grand Princess tested his bloodline, her face had turned pale, and she was surrounded by an icy aura. It seemed she had likely been cultivating ice-type techniques for a long time, which had caused the cold energy to accumulate.
She must need this Flamegrass.
Regardless of whether she's a beast or not, she had given him a cultivation technique and a sword. It was only right to return the favor!
"Shopkeeper, could you sell this to me for a cheaper price?"