Chapter 135: Zhao Wuji’s Intentions

Qin Ming pondered for a moment after hearing this and politely declined: "I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist Zhao, but I have grown accustomed to staying on this island and living as a carefree hermit."

"Furthermore, my natural aptitude is limited. I fear that in this life, I shall stop at the early Foundation Establishment stage, and the Golden Core path is something I dare not even dream of."

Although Qin Ming found the Zhao family's conduct despicable, as long as they did not trouble him, he was willing to keep the peace. Even if they had leaked information about Moon-Gazing Island to the wandering cultivators, this was by no means the right time to burn bridges.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, are you truly not going to reconsider?" Zhao Wuji asked, clearly surprised. Under normal circumstances, it was difficult for any Foundation Establishment cultivator to resist the temptation of an item that could assist in forming a Golden Core. He had not expected that even with such conditions, he would fail to move Qin Ming.

In truth, Zhao Wuji had come under the orders of his clan leader, with the goal of binding Qin Ming to their faction’s warship. The Zhao family had long coveted Qin Ming’s skills in spirit plant cultivation and alchemy. They valued the immeasurable worth of his cultivation expertise. As for his future potential, as long as he could grow Spirit-Perch Rice, the Zhao family cared little for his personal progress.

Had the war in the Spirit-Perch Archipelago not been so dire, the Zhao family would have preferred to slowly approach Qin Ming and win his favor step by step. They were somewhat wary of his status as an honorary guest of the Mirror Snow Pavilion—though it was merely a title, the Pavilion would not easily let a cultivator with such dual expertise be handed over to others. But now, the situation had changed; with the war ignited, the Zhao family was pushed to a life-or-death juncture and forced to resort to any means necessary.

Zhao Wuji had secretly tipped off the "Evil-Faced Old Monster" and his gang of rogues, hoping they would target Moon-Gazing Island. He intended to step in at the critical moment, dispose of the rogues, and save Qin Ming’s life. By doing so, he would have gained a significant favor from Qin Ming, making him easier to manipulate. Yet, to his surprise, the Evil-Faced Old Monster’s group had vanished inexplicably before he could even arrive.

Zhao Wuji realized then that the waters of Moon-Gazing Island were far deeper and less tranquil than they appeared. This seemingly harmless spirit planter was not so simple. He began to shed his condescending attitude.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, there is no need to persuade me further. My mind is made up," Qin Ming replied with a clear and firm rejection. This was the second time he had refused the Zhao family's overtures despite the heavy incentives offered. Zhao Wuji tried a few more tactics, but to no avail.

More than an hour later, Zhao Wuji departed Moon-Gazing Island. The calm, professional mask he wore vanished, replaced by a sullen expression as he pondered his next move.

***

Watching Zhao Wuji leave, Qin Ming’s gaze flickered. He already knew that the Zhao family was behind the rogues targeting his island, yet he could not act rashly. As a prodigy of the Zhao family—one of the seven major powers in the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation world—Zhao Wuji possessed not only a formidable background but also unfathomable strength. It was said that he rarely met an equal among mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators and had even fought to a draw against late-stage ones. Until Qin Ming reached the late Foundation Establishment stage himself, he had to keep a low profile.

"I must hurry and complete the third-tier illusion array using the Mist-Illusion Mushrooms!" Qin Ming thought. "This Zhao fellow keeps eyeing my affairs; who knows what kind of malice he is harboring." With that, his resolve was set.

***

Spring turned to autumn, and the harvest season arrived. However, it was not Qin Ming’s own spirit fields; he grew high-grade second-tier plants, and his Spirit-Perch Rice still required more time to mature. This harvest belonged to the spirit fields he had leased to the Wu family.

Wu Jiang arrived early that morning to find him. "Heh! Fellow Daoist Qin, the spirit rice in the fields my family rented from you has ripened."

Qin Ming nodded with a smile. Wu Jiang led him down to the fields at the base of the island. Over a hundred acres of Golden Spirit Rice shimmered with a dense, intoxicating fragrance, glowing with a brilliant golden luster. Beyond that, Wu Jiang had successfully cultivated five acres of Beast-Tooth Rice, which, while not as prolific, was a successful harvest nonetheless.

Under Qin Ming’s supervision, Wu Jiang ordered his clansmen to begin the harvest. By the end of a long day, the spirit farmers were completely drained of their spiritual energy. Wu Jiang eventually delivered over ten *shi* of Golden Spirit Rice and a little over one *shi* of Beast-Tooth Rice to Qin Ming. This would fetch a handsome profit once sold to the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Qin Ming felt the satisfaction of being a landlord, recalling his own days of paying rent, and felt a wave of nostalgia. He patted Wu Jiang on the shoulder. "Fellow Daoist Wu, you have done well. Keep up the hard work next year. There is plenty of vacant land on the island; strive to rent more. The rise of the Wu family is within reach!"

Wu Jiang looked ashamed, as he had exhausted his clan’s strength just to tend these hundred acres. Nevertheless, it was not a loss for the Wu family; not only had they generated income, but they also enjoyed the protection of Moon-Gazing Island. After collecting the rent, Qin Ming returned to his cave dwelling to cultivate.

***

During this time, the conflict between the Seventy-Two Rogue Alliance and the Zhao family remained deadlocked. Every so often, Qin Ming would send Wu Jiang to gather the latest news. It was always the same: large-scale confrontations were avoided, while small skirmishes occurred incessantly. The Lingyu Sect and the Thunder Origin Sect, standing in the shadows, showed no sign of intervening directly, preferring to manipulate the situation from behind the scenes.

One day, Qin Ming went to the back mountain of the main peak, surveying the vast expanse of Mist-Illusion Mushrooms emitting pink vapor. He used a dozen [Ripen] tags—refreshed from tending low-grade herbs—to fully mature the three mushrooms that possessed specific status effects.

In an instant, three blue status tags appeared in his consciousness:
[Soul Strength Crystal] x5
[Time-Space Leaf] x5
[Spirit Plant Symbiosis] x5

Seeing these powerful tags, Qin Ming’s spirit surged. He sat cross-legged and immediately consumed the [Soul Strength Crystal] tags to continue reinforcing his soul.

*Boom!*

The moment the tags were used, the pain was excruciating—a tearing sensation in his mind that no ordinary cultivator could endure. Yet, he could clearly feel his soul growing stronger. With it came a massive increase in his divine sense.

*Crack! Crack! Crack!*

It sounded as if glass were shattering within his mind. After consuming all five [Soul Strength Crystal] tags, his soul reached an unfathomable level. His divine sense broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, allowing him to project his consciousness to cover a radius of about ten miles.

Qin Ming tested his new range. He could clearly perceive the Wu family members toiling in the fields and even detected a Black-Water Crocodile lurking behind a reef in the lake seven or eight miles away, squinting as it dozed.

Just then, the crocodile opened its eyes, glanced around in confusion, found nothing amiss, and closed them again.

"That blockhead actually dares to slack off." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Qin Ming’s lips. He ignored the creature, as he now intended to use the Time-Space Leaves and ripening tags to cultivate a massive field of Mist-Illusion Mushrooms around the entire island, forming the legendary Mist Illusion Array.