Chapter Twenty-Five: Shifting Tides
Qin Ming gazed at the entry before him, a trace of doubt flickering in his eyes.
[Seed of Rebirth]: Upon use, it can restore a withered spiritual plant to life, granting it rejuvenation.
“Now even the soul can be strengthened,” he mused. “And this ‘Seed of Rebirth’—it can bring even dead spiritual plants back to life. If I ever lose a rare spirit plant, this will be invaluable.”
He stared at the entry, pondering in silence.
After finishing his chores, he tidied up and began preparing his meal.
He was halfway through cooking when the communication talisman at his side suddenly lit up.
He took it out and checked—it was a message from Manager Liao.
“Daoist Qin, I have an urgent matter to discuss. Please come to the shop at once.”
Qin Ming’s brows furrowed. “Is something happening again?”
Messages from Manager Liao were almost always about changes in the situation at Qingyang Market—a matter of great importance to him.
Without hesitation, Qin Ming put down his utensils, washed his hands, and left.
It was early spring—March, when the sun was gentle.
At Gathering Hall in Qingyang Market, Manager Liao sat by the window on the second floor. Upon seeing Qin Ming arrive, he hurried down and welcomed him into a private room on the fourth floor.
He then ordered the servants to brew a pot of the finest Spirit Mist Tea.
“Manager Liao, you summoned me in such haste,” Qin Ming asked, puzzled. “Has something happened?”
Manager Liao didn’t answer immediately. He poured Qin Ming a cup of spirit tea, then took out a soundproofing talisman and set up a small sound barrier.
Only then did his expression turn grave as he said, “The struggle between the Spiritfeather Sect and Goldencloud Valley has reached its conclusion.”
“So soon?” Qin Ming’s face betrayed his surprise.
“This time, something serious is about to happen,” Manager Liao said. “Just half a month ago, the Spiritfeather Sect’s frontier camp was utterly destroyed again—only a few cultivators managed to escape. It’s said that even two Foundation Establishment elders fell in battle!”
This news was even more shocking.
Qin Ming quickly asked, “Are those barbarians truly so formidable? Even Foundation Establishment cultivators were slain?”
“Indeed,” Manager Liao replied. “The Spiritfeather Sect had underestimated the strength of these barbarians. Among them are wild cultivators as powerful as Foundation Establishment experts.”
He took a sip of tea and continued, “After this incident, the Spiritfeather Sect could no longer sit idle. Their defeat at the front, coupled with Goldencloud Valley’s constant obstruction from behind, forced them to a decision. The upper echelons of the Spiritfeather Sect have resolved to temporarily compromise with Goldencloud Valley. The two sects will jointly develop the third-grade spiritual vein currently occupied by the wild cultivators.”
Qin Ming said in astonishment, “They fought so fiercely before, even destroying the teleportation array—now they’re suddenly making peace?”
“That is the reality,” Manager Liao sighed. “When profit is at stake, those who can fight can also bargain.”
“I hear that this time, the Spiritfeather Sect and Goldencloud Valley are mobilizing most of their elites, preparing for a major undertaking,” he continued. “And beyond that, they are recruiting even more itinerant cultivators. Just the first batch numbers five thousand rogue cultivators.”
As he spoke, a playful smile appeared on Manager Liao’s face, and he posed a riddle, “Daoist Qin, do you know what price the two sects are paying to recruit so many cultivators?”
Qin Ming shook his head.
“Foundation Establishment Pills,” Manager Liao enunciated each word clearly.
“What? Foundation Establishment Pills?!” Qin Ming was astounded.
It seemed the Spiritfeather Sect and Goldencloud Valley were truly willing to pay dearly this time.
But then it occurred to him—such pills would not be so easily obtained. Undoubtedly, the two sects were colluding, dangling Foundation Establishment Pills as bait to lure countless low-level cultivators to act as expendable pawns.
With the promise of Foundation Establishment Pills, streams of low-level loose cultivators would flock to join.
After all, breaking through from the Qi Refining stage to Foundation Establishment was an insurmountable barrier for most cultivators at the bottom. In the cultivation world, there was never a shortage of such people—one batch dies, another takes their place, an endless cycle.
“So, Daoist Qin, Qingyang Market will soon be unable to accommodate so many cultivators,” Manager Liao said. “The Spiritfeather Sect and Goldencloud Valley will jointly build an Immortal City in the Wilds of Yunze, to serve as their base.”
Each of Manager Liao’s revelations was more shocking than the last, and Qin Ming struggled to process it all.
“That is quite a grand undertaking.”
“The first group of elite cultivators from the two sects will arrive in Qingyang Market today,” Manager Liao continued.
Qin Ming asked, “Have they repaired the Spiritfeather Sect’s teleportation array?”
Manager Liao shook his head lightly. “Not yet, but it’s expected to be done within the year.”
Qin Ming propped his chin, thinking to himself, ‘Will the price of Spirit Rice fall back, then?’
“Daoist Qin, you needn’t worry about the price of Spirit Rice,” Manager Liao said, noticing his concern. “There won’t be any drastic changes in the short term. With the two sects building an Immortal City and so many cultivators, logistical supplies will be a major challenge.”
Qin Ming felt reassured at these words.
“With the situation changing so rapidly, Daoist Qin, you should make preparations,” Manager Liao advised. “Besides, there is another important matter I must discuss with you.”
“What is it?” Qin Ming asked.
“Last time, after acquiring one hundred catties of Beast Fang Rice from you, our Pavilion Master took note,” Manager Liao explained.
“The higher-ups have decided that if you agree to sell half of each season’s Beast Fang Rice harvest to our pavilion, the price can be increased by twenty percent over the original offer—nine spirit stones per catty. Of course, this would require you to sign an agreement with us.”
Qin Ming’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
‘This old fox is up to his tricks again.’
But this time, he nodded in agreement without hesitation.
“Very well.”
Manager Liao’s information was invaluable; he would need to keep a good relationship with him for future news.
Seeing how readily Qin Ming agreed, Manager Liao was taken aback—he had prepared a whole argument for haggling, but now it was useless.
“Haha, Daoist Qin, you are truly decisive!”
Taking advantage of the moment, Manager Liao produced paper and ink he had prepared in advance, and the two quickly signed the agreement.
“How many acres of Beast Fang Rice have you planted this year, Daoist Qin?” Manager Liao asked expectantly.
“Three acres.”
Qin Ming did not hide it; after all, they would learn in due time.
Hearing his reply, Manager Liao’s face lit up with delight.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave,” Qin Ming said, standing up. “If you hear any new information, do let me know.”
“Certainly, certainly,” Manager Liao replied. “Let me see you out.”
As they opened the door to leave, they were met on the staircase by a man and a woman.
Qin Ming recognized the man—dressed in white robes, it was none other than Su Yuqing.
As for the woman beside him—
She appeared to be around twenty, her features pure and refined, as if a lotus blooming from clear water. Her figure was graceful, with delicate curves; her eyes shone with clarity, yet behind their transparency was a trace of cold nobility.
She wore not stately, ornate attire, but instead a simple, elegant dress.
As for her cultivation, Qin Ming could not discern it at all—she must be in the late stage of Qi Refining, if not higher.
Sensing Qin Ming’s gaze, the young woman cast a glance his way, her almond eyes flashing with a hint of displeasure.
Qin Ming quickly averted his eyes.
“Greetings, Pavilion Master!”
At that moment, Manager Liao beside him hurriedly bowed deeply to the young woman.