Chapter Seventy-Four: Long Time No See, Fellow Daoist Qin

"Got out of hand?"

Qin Ming stood there, stunned.

"No, that's not it!"

He focused his mind, sensing that the black vine had actually burrowed into the earth. It seemed almost mischievous.

"It can freely shift its form, infiltrating every crevice—utterly inconceivable!"

Qin Ming hastily communicated with the vine, urging it to grow out.

In an instant, a sea of black vines erupted from the ground like tentacles bristling with black eyes, all gazing at him with delight.

Qin Ming was dumbfounded as well. It seemed that for his life-bound spiritual plant to reach maturity, it would require an unimaginably long time. The five "Leaves of Time and Space" he had used had only nudged it ever so slightly out of infancy.

"After five hundred years, it's still only a seedling," Qin Ming couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

In fact, the blood pearls seemed to accelerate the vine's evolution much more effectively.

Nevertheless, Qin Ming had now stepped into the introductory stage of the "Ancient Wood Longevity Art." Yet, there remained a considerable gap before forming the initial 'Supreme Wood Body' spirit form. Perhaps, once he acquired more blood pearls, the vine's growth would truly accelerate.

Now, Qin Ming found not only his affinity with plants vastly improved but also his comprehension of wood-based spells had grown. The "Ancient Wood Longevity Art" was merely a method to cultivate the spirit body; it didn't directly enhance his cultivation. Only once the spirit form was forged would the effects become truly significant.

Swish!

Qin Ming casually formed a basic spell—Wood Arrow.

Boom!

The power of his Wood Arrow spell had grown stronger.

"Even my understanding of Bramble Art has deepened," he mused. After some thought, he resolved that when opportunity allowed, he should find an ideal environment for this life-bound spiritual plant—a place rich in spiritual energy, as that would greatly benefit its growth.

...

Afterward, Qin Ming returned to his meditation chamber, activated the courtyard's protective array, and entered seclusion.

He focused on the "Mana Crystal" entry and began a new round of cultivation.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Qin Ming exhausted all five "Mana Crystal" leaves. That day, a surge of powerful mana erupted within his tranquil abode, resonating with the heavens and earth. Even the isolating array around the courtyard couldn't conceal the aura.

"Late Qi Refinement?"

"Someone nearby has broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refinement!"

"It seems to be Fellow Daoist Qin's courtyard."

"Fellow Daoist Qin? So it's him!"

"No wonder he's a top-tier spiritual cultivator—his cultivation also progresses at such a remarkable pace."

The neighboring residents all sensed the surge of energy. Many cultivators turned their eyes toward Qin Ming's courtyard.

"Twenty-seven years old, seventh level of Qi Refinement!"

Qin Ming slowly opened his eyes, feeling the surging, ever-youthful mana within him, unable to suppress his delight.

"Those old folks in the clan would never have guessed, would they? With merely a pseudo-four-element spiritual root, I've reached this stage."

His heart soared.

The seventh level of Qi Refinement marked his step into the late stage of this realm. After years of patient accumulation, his mana, already far beyond his peers, had multiplied severalfold—now rivaling even those at the peak of Qi Refinement.

Combined with his body-forging cultivation, now advanced to the late stage as well, his abilities had multiplied many times over.

Though at the seventh level of Qi Refinement he would be no more than an inner disciple in a major sect, within his Foundation Establishment clan, he was now among the upper ranks. If his family learned all this, their jaws would surely drop.

Qin Ming didn't dwell on it further, instead calming his breath to stabilize his new realm.

...

That day, Qin Ming went to his spiritual fields to tend his plants. The three acres of Five-Colored Rice and two acres of Red-Silver Hemp were thriving—lush and full of life.

When the Red-Silver Hemp first grew tall, its woody fragrance genuinely attracted a wave of pests—black, thread-like spiritual insects, which clung to the plants like maggots on bones.

Qin Ming had then summoned his swarm of Four-Winged Frost Bees to deal with the infestation thoroughly.

Since he began cultivating the "Ancient Wood Longevity Art," his affinity for plants had grown, making his interactions with the spiritual fields' plants more harmonious. He could even faintly sense which plants were ailing and which needed more nourishment.

At that moment, he was carefully loosening the soil with a spirit hoe.

Bang!

"Enemy attack!"

A signal talisman representing the Feathered Spirit Sect exploded over the spiritual field!

Immediately after, a patrol team from the Feathered Spirit Sect flew overhead—among them, even a Foundation Establishment elder.

Qin Ming's expression changed as he looked skyward.

Dark clouds now shrouded the vast spiritual fields, echoing with screams and cries of terror.

"Run! It's a Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator!"

"Quick, request help from the sect!"

Above the fields, a man shrouded in a black robe hovered in midair, exuding a terrifying aura.

At first glance, Qin Ming's heart pounded with dread, a sense of mortal danger overwhelming him. Without a second thought, he prepared to flee.

But just then, the dark clouds above, as if directed by an unseen hand, began to swirl and gather, encircling those within.

The Qi Refinement disciples of the Feathered Spirit Sect, in their panic, touched the black clouds and were instantly torn apart by fierce gales emitted from their depths, their screams echoing as they were shredded.

"A second-tier trapping array!"

Even the Foundation Establishment elder's face changed dramatically.

The black-robed man flicked his hand, sending forth a black ribbon of energy. The disciples and field guards rushing to assist were instantly sliced to pieces.

"Stop!"

"To think you have such audacity—to run riot within the territory controlled by our Feathered Spirit Sect!"

The elder, watching his disciples slaughtered, was beside himself with urgency. He swiftly formed a seal and struck at the assailant.

The black-robed cultivator sneered, his body erupting with demonic energy as he unleashed another black ribbon of power at the elder.

Boom! Crash!

The spells of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators collided in midair with a thunderous roar.

Yet, the black ribbon shattered the elder's spell and, without losing momentum, struck him squarely in the chest.

"Ah!"

Blood spurted from the elder's chest as his aura collapsed. Staggering, he fell to the ground.

With a single exchange, victory and defeat were decided.

The elder had been gravely wounded in one blow, his face aghast as he cried out, "No! You... you're one of the five demonic cultivators who attacked Elder Zhuang's medicine garden!"

"Enough! How noisy."

The black-robed man extended a hand as white as jade, gripping the air. A giant black blade materialized, several meters long. With a flick, he sent it hurtling toward the fallen elder.

Black light flashed, piercing the air. The blade struck with thunderous speed, cleaving the elder cleanly in two.

From beginning to end, the Foundation Establishment elder hadn't even had time to react. Their strengths were simply worlds apart.

Qin Ming watched, his heart pounding wildly, cold sweat streaming down his back.

What should he do?

There was nowhere left to run.

Moments later, the black-robed cultivator had slaughtered every member of the Feathered Spirit Sect present. Only then did he drift unhurriedly toward Qin Ming.

"So, his true target is me."

Qin Ming withdrew a purple "Spell Copy" leaf from his storage pouch and gripped it tightly.

The black-robed figure arrived in a flash, hovering not far from Qin Ming.

But his next action left Qin Ming utterly astonished.

The man reached up, pulling off his black robe to reveal a face that Qin Ming could not be more familiar with. Grinning, he said,

"Long time no see, Fellow Daoist Qin!"