Chapter 119: The Visit of Mo Lingwei

Half a month later.

Moon-Gazing Island had returned to its customary tranquility. However, within the Lingqi Archipelago and the Canghai Immortal City, the inspiring tale of Qin Ming—starting as a simple spirit farmer and achieving Foundation Establishment despite having a pseudo-spiritual root—remained a hot topic of conversation. It was a favorite subject for cultivators to discuss over tea.

After all, for a cultivator to master two different "Hundred Arts of Cultivation" to the second tier was rare, even across the entire cultivation world of the State of Wei. Mastering just one art was enough to occupy a cultivator for an entire lifetime, let alone two—especially when one of those was the notoriously difficult art of alchemy.

A rumor had even begun to circulate quietly: many speculated that Qin Ming’s alchemical prowess had reached the level required to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. After all, it was common knowledge among many cultivators in the city that he had spent time collecting spirit materials for such pills before his own breakthrough. This speculation further elevated his reputation, at one point even overshadowing the esteemed Master Sun. Yet, Qin Ming’s style remained low-key; he lived in seclusion on Moon-Gazing Island and refused to be recruited by any faction, which only made him appear more mysterious.

Still, even the most popular topics fade with time. Beyond that, the major factions' demand for Lingqi Rice remained insatiable, but once they discovered they could purchase small quantities through the Mirror Snow Pavilion, few dared to disturb Qin Ming any longer.

There was another matter: since Wu Jiang had taken on the role of Qin Ming’s gatekeeper, many families on the various spirit islands had begun to curry favor with the Wu family. According to Wu Jiang, their family’s White Rock Island had been bustling with guests lately, and they had certainly basked in the glory of their association with Qin Ming. Wu Jiang had hidden nothing and reported all of this to Qin Ming.

On this day, Qin Ming and Wu Jiang sat outside the wooden cabin by the lake, enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Mu Ruyin.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, there is one more piece of news I must share," Wu Jiang said between bites. "On the day you severely wounded Yu Wanhe on Fengqi Island, I heard that the old scoundrel lost half his life, and his dantian was shattered. His cultivation has fallen back to the Qi Condensation stage; I fear he will never achieve Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. The Yu family had offended many neighboring island clans, and they are likely in for a difficult time ahead."

Qin Ming listened without a ripple of emotion, even though he was the primary cause of the Yu family’s rise and fall. If they dared to disturb his farming in the future, he would simply feed them to the Everlasting Vine.

"By the way, I see you’ve nearly finished harvesting the Golden Spirit Rice. What are your plans next?" Qin Ming asked, picking up a piece of vegetable.

Wu Jiang’s eyes lit up, sensing an opportunity. "I await your instructions, Fellow Daoist Qin. What do you think—"

Qin Ming smiled, set down his chopsticks, and took a small pouch of Beast-Tooth Rice seeds from his storage bag, placing it on the table. "You have managed to use the Advanced Spirit Rain Art occasionally now. Why not try planting Beast-Tooth Rice? There are plenty of vacant spirit veins on the island; you can bring your clansmen over to continue cultivating the Golden Spirit Rice as well."

Wu Jiang was overcome with excitement. "Truly?"

Qin Ming nodded. "Of course. But these seeds are not free; you must purchase them at market price. The same goes for the spirit fields; I can lease them to you, but—ahem—I will collect a thirty percent tax on the harvest."

Wu Jiang and Mu Ruyin exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with joy. The environment on Moon-Gazing Island was far superior to their own White Rock Island. Wu Jiang felt deeply moved; his loyalty and hard work had finally been rewarded. He knew he had firmly secured his place under Qin Ming's protection.

As the three were eating, a streak of cyan light descended from the sky in the distance. Qin Ming looked up to see a woman of breathtaking beauty landing gracefully before them.

"Fellow Daoist Qin truly has a refined spirit, enjoying a meal while admiring the lakes and mountains," the woman said. She wore a long cyan dress, her demeanor gentle and quiet, her smile radiant. "I heard that you have successfully reached Foundation Establishment and have become famous throughout the Lingqi cultivation world. I represent the Mo family of Qingxia Island and have come specifically to pay my respects."

"Fellow Daoist Mo, please don't be so formal. Just call me Fellow Daoist Qin," Qin Ming said, rising to welcome her. "Please, take a seat on the island."

Mo Lingwei’s beautiful eyes rested on Qin Ming. She felt he now possessed a serene, water-like quality, standing like an ancient evergreen tree. Since she had met him years ago, his appearance had not changed, but his cultivation level was now unfathomable. She had never expected that the young cultivator she had once declined to share a spirit island with would become someone she now had to look up to.

After exchanging a few words with Wu Jiang and his wife, Qin Ming escorted Mo Lingwei to the guest pavilion. Along the way, she was deeply drawn to the scenery—the second-tier mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Tea bushes covering the mountainside and the lush purple-gold bamboo forests. These were rare treasures indeed.

On the terrace of the guest pavilion, overlooking Moon-Gazing Lake, Qin Ming brewed a pot of Spirit-Gathering Tea. Mo Lingwei took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise as she praised the quality. She then presented a box as a congratulatory gift.

They chatted for a while, but Mo Lingwei seemed hesitant, as if she had something on her mind. Qin Ming waited patiently, continuing to pour tea.

Finally, Mo Lingwei’s jade-like fingers tightened around her dress. She bit her lip and asked, "I wish to ask you something, Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Please, speak freely," Qin Ming replied, refilling her cup.

Mo Lingwei hesitated before asking directly, "There is a rumor that you are capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills. May I ask if this is true?"

Qin Ming was taken aback by the question but decided not to hide it. He nodded. "That is correct. I can refine them."

In his storage bag, three standard Foundation Establishment Pills and one premium-grade pill lay waiting. He dared not refine too many; such strategic resources were tightly controlled by major sects. If they found out, he would become a target. Occasionally letting one or two slip out was usually tolerated, but he had to be careful.

"Then... does Fellow Daoist Qin have any spare Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Qin Ming frowned slightly; this was encroaching on his privacy. Seeing his displeasure, Mo Lingwei quickly added, "I mean, if you have any extras, I wish to acquire one at any cost." Her gaze was resolute.

*At any cost?* Qin Ming wondered. The Mo family could barely afford their island rent; what could she possibly offer? He understood her desperation—as the talented young head of the Mo family, she needed to lead her people in this cruel world, and remaining at the peak of Qi Condensation was not enough.

"Fellow Daoist Mo, I am afraid I must disappoint you," Qin Ming sighed. "The materials I painstakingly gathered only yielded one pill, and I used it during my own breakthrough."

Mo Lingwei seemed to have anticipated this. She calmly took a piece of black, withered wood from her storage bag—it looked rotten and decayed—and placed it on the table. She then produced a simple, ancient jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please don't refuse me yet. I wish to trade these two items for a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Qin Ming didn't agree immediately, curious about the value of her offerings.

Mo Lingwei pointed to the black wood, explaining, "This is Profound Yin Black Wood, formed from the decay of a second-tier superior spirit plant. It is quite rare. But the true value is not the wood itself, but the spirit seed sealed within: the seed of the 'Mist Illusion Mushroom,' a second-tier peak spirit plant. While not edible, it is an excellent material for illusion arts, crafting illusion-type spiritual artifacts, and feeding related spirit beasts. Moreover, as it grows, it releases a hallucinogenic mist; it is said that over time, it can form an illusion barrier comparable to a third-tier formation, creating a domain of its own."

Qin Ming was stunned. A third-tier formation was something money couldn't buy. If he could cultivate such a barrier around Moon-Gazing Island, even a Golden Core ancestor would be unable to touch him.

"And this?" Qin Ming asked, pointing to the jade slip.

"This contains the legacy of a third-tier spirit planter," Mo Lingwei replied. "My father died trying to retrieve these from a secret realm." Her expression dimmed with sadness.

Qin Ming realized then why the Mo family had never produced a third-tier spirit planter—they hadn't survived long enough to use it.

He fell into deep thought. The value of these items was undeniable. He considered whether to trade a pill.

Seeing his hesitation, Mo Lingwei bit her lip. "If you feel these are not enough, I can add another condition. The Mo family will pledge its allegiance to Moon-Gazing Island for the next ten years. Whatever you command, we will obey. Including... including myself. If you have any request, I will not refuse."

As she finished, her voice became a whisper, and she lowered her head, blushing deeply.

"What?!" Qin Ming exclaimed, completely taken aback.