Chapter Seventy-One: The Trump Card

The night was deep, and all was silent.

For Qin Ming, this was destined to be a sleepless night.

He lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Qin Ming could never have imagined it. In the blink of an eye, several of his neighbors had been mysteriously wiped out.

His mind kept replaying the information Feng Yuan had relayed to him; eventually he gave up on sleep altogether, carefully planning his next steps.

...

The next morning, as the sun rose and all things awakened, Qin Ming got up, opened the window, and exhaled a long, heavy breath.

After a night of contemplation, he had made up his mind.

After breakfast, Qin Ming went to the seventh floor of Gathering Pavilion.

Opposite him sat Gu Qingzhao, ethereal and detached from the world.

"Friend Gu, the situation is chaotic and stormy; I wish to purchase some powerful items for protection. Do you have any recommendations?"

Gu Qingzhao smiled gently, her breath fragrant as orchids, and replied, "Of course I do."

With that, she drew several items from her storage pouch and placed them before Qin Ming.

"Shadow Thunder Seeds—single-use items. Once released, even Foundation Establishment cultivators must avoid their blast."

"Spirit Seal Treasure: Gold Spirit Brick. Can still be used three times, its power equal to a full-strength blow from an early Foundation Establishment cultivator."

...

Qin Ming spent a fortune in spirit stones, purchasing five Shadow Thunder Seeds and the Gold Spirit Brick seal treasure. His storage pouch was now half empty.

But it was not enough.

As he gathered the items from the table, he casually asked Gu Qingzhao, "By the way, Friend Gu, I'd like to ask something."

"What is the strength of Elder Huangfu in your pavilion?"

Gu Qingzhao was slightly surprised by Qin Ming's question, but answered candidly, "Protector Huangfu is the strongest among our pavilion's three guardians in Wei Country."

"To be frank, although his cultivation is only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, his strength places him among the top ten Foundation Establishment cultivators in Wei Country."

Qin Ming was astonished; he hadn't expected Huangfu Qi, with his scholarly demeanor, to be so formidable!

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt reassured.

The transaction with Gu Qingzhao concluded; Qin Ming took his leave.

As he reached the first-floor hall, he overheard disciples from various sects discussing over drinks.

"Hey, we've been stuck in this godforsaken place for over half a year. Why hasn't the sect ordered us to seize that third-grade spirit vein yet?"

"Exactly! It's pointless to just sit around like this!"

"Are you guys stupid?"

"Whoever dares to move on that third-grade spirit vein first will have the sect's blade fall upon their head."

"Look at Spirit Feather Gate and Gold Cloud Valley—even though they've occupied the vein, do they dare openly exploit its resources?"

"Do they even realize what they're dealing with? That third-grade spirit vein and the ancient relic are not so easily taken."

"Do you know why the main sect, despite knowing about the third-grade vein, hasn't sent anyone to the Wilds of Yunze?"

"They're waiting to see who can't resist jumping out, so they can set an example."

Qin Ming paused momentarily before leaving Gathering Pavilion.

He was well aware of the "main sect" those disciples referred to.

In Wei Country, the undisputed hegemon was Thunder Origin Sect, guarded by a Golden Core Patriarch.

Under its command were Spirit Feather Gate, Gold Cloud Valley, Hundred Flowers Sect, Divine Farmer Gate, and three other cultivation families with False Core cultivators—seven second-tier powers in all.

Qin Ming's own family belonged to the third tier—cultivation families that could produce a Foundation Establishment cultivator each generation.

But even so, the Qin family could only barely nurture one Foundation Establishment cultivator with all its resources.

Below that were countless Qi Refining families and other forces.

Gu Qingzhao had long hinted to him that the strange situation was likely orchestrated by Thunder Origin Sect.

None of the seven second-tier sects dared to act against the third-grade spirit vein or the ancient relic, because Thunder Origin Sect had not yet made its intentions clear—they all hesitated.

They could only target rogue cultivators.

There was always the possibility that a third-tier power secretly authorized by the main sect was eyeing their position, ready to replace them.

For now, the Wilds of Yunze were locked in a delicate balance. No one wished to be the first to break it.

After all, whoever made the first move for the prize could be beset and destroyed by the combined forces of the other sects.

Qin Ming left the Azure Sun Market directly.

He mounted his spirit-light flying shuttle and sped toward Dreamcloud Mountain.

After half an hour of rapid flight, he arrived at Dreamcloud Mountain, shrouded in mist.

Landing midway up the mountain, he notified the guards.

Soon, a guard returned, respectfully saying, "Friend Qin, Protector Huangfu invites you!"

Following his previous memory, Qin Ming quickly arrived at the entrance to Huangfu Qi's cave dwelling.

The restrictive array outside rippled, revealing an entrance.

Qin Ming stepped inside.

Within the study pavilion, Huangfu Qi was practicing calligraphy, the brush dancing with vigorous strokes.

Seeing Qin Ming arrive, Huangfu Qi put down his brush and called out warmly, "Young Qin, you're here! Come, come, take a look at my new calligraphy today."

Qin Ming respectfully greeted him, then walked over to examine the calligraphy.

Truth be told, he couldn't discern much.

...

"Beautiful script! As graceful as startled swans, as agile as swimming dragons—truly, the ink flows freely, and the brushwork is powerful!" Qin Ming recited every phrase he could think of, flattering appropriately.

After all, he was about to ask a favor.

Huangfu Qi chuckled, pointing at Qin Ming, "You certainly know how to speak."

"So, what brings you here?"

"Elder Huangfu, I'd like to redeem the promise you made me," Qin Ming said, getting straight to the point.

Huangfu Qi smiled kindly, "Tell me, what do you wish for me to do?"

A hint of nervousness flickered in Qin Ming's eyes; he cleared his throat and gathered his courage. "I've heard that Elder Huangfu is among the strongest in Wei Country's cultivation world."

"I've long admired you, and I'd like to redeem your promise to witness your power."

"Elder Huangfu... may I see your strongest spell?"

Huangfu Qi: "???"

"Young Qin, are you sure that's all you want?"

Huangfu Qi was baffled, unable to grasp the youth's intentions.

"Very well, since I promised, I won't go back on my word."

"Follow me outside; this place is too small for such a display."

Qin Ming was delighted to see his request granted.

The two left the cave and flew out on their magical instruments.

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, even Dreamcloud Mountain was out of sight.

Qin Ming wondered—was it really necessary to go so far just to display a spell?

Finally.

Huangfu Qi stopped, his robes fluttering, standing with hands clasped behind his back.

He turned to Qin Ming and said, "Watch closely, I will perform it only once."

Qin Ming's heart raced; it was his first time witnessing a Foundation Establishment master cast a spell. He nodded obediently.

In the next instant, Huangfu Qi began.

And so,

Qin Ming witnessed, for the first time since crossing into the cultivation world,

the most awe-inspiring sight!

...

Immediately afterward, the purple leaf named [Spell Copy] in Qin Ming's sea of consciousness vanished...