Chapter Ninety-Six: Scheming for Foundation Establishment

Qin Ming was taken aback.

He had not expected that even the Spirit-Soaking Rice seeds could not be obtained, not even by the Frostmirror Pavilion.

“No matter. Then I must trouble the shopkeeper to help me gather the other items. I shall think of another way for the Spirit-Soaking Rice.”

The middle-aged woman smiled faintly and nodded, then asked, “May I ask what requirements you have for a second-tier defensive array?”

“The lowest-priced second-tier low-grade defensive array sold by our pavilion starts at five thousand spirit stones per set.”

“The second-tier mid-grade defensive array can withstand attacks from a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, and starts at eight thousand spirit stones.”

“The second-tier high-grade defensive array can block the full-force attack of a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, and starts at ten thousand spirit stones.”

“Of course, as a guest elder purchasing from our pavilion, you are entitled to a twenty percent discount across the board.”

Qin Ming thought for a moment, then said at once, “I want one set of second-tier high-grade defensive array, and I want the best one.”

Safety was of the utmost importance; he would spare no expense for it.

On this point, Qin Ming would never begrudge spirit stones.

The middle-aged woman’s face brightened, and she immediately agreed.

This month’s performance would rise considerably again.

“Rest assured, Guest Elder Qin. I will arrange it properly for you.”

“However, these resources must be drawn from the upper warehouse. Since you are a guest elder, there is no need to go through any formal procedures.”

“Still, it will take some time for the goods to arrive here, roughly three days.” She explained patiently.

Qin Ming nodded. “No problem. I’ll be in the market these next few days. When the goods arrive, just send me a message.”

Then he asked again, “May I ask whether your pavilion sells any secret methods for refining a heavenly flame?”

“This... I’m afraid not. Such secret methods are usually closely guarded and would not easily circulate beyond private circles, so our pavilion does not have any.” The middle-aged woman looked surprised.

The conversation ended there.

Under the shopkeeper’s respectful farewell, Qin Ming left the store.

He then went to other places in the market and continued asking about Spirit-Soaking Rice and the secret methods used to refine spirit flames.

Yet three days passed in a row.

He still came away empty-handed.

“If nothing else works, I’ll have no choice but to plant something else.” Qin Ming felt a little regretful.

After learning of this rice from Gu Qingzhao, he had also hoped to cultivate it himself.

At the same time, he received a message talisman from the shopkeeper.

It seemed that the things he had ordered had arrived.

Qin Ming made another trip to the Frostmirror Pavilion, paid the spirit stones, and took away the second-tier high-grade defensive array, as well as Spirit-Gathering Tea and the young Purple-Gold Bamboo seedlings.

His bag of spirit stones had also deflated by more than half.

Still, Qin Ming believed he would soon earn them back.

The second-tier mid-grade spirit plant Spirit-Gathering Tea was an extremely rare variety of spiritual tea. It could increase one’s magical power while also slightly strengthening a cultivator’s divine sense; even a single liang of its leaves was worth a fortune.

The second-tier mid-grade spirit plant Purple-Gold Bamboo was the main material for refining top-grade magical artifacts, and its value was self-evident.

...

When he returned to Moonwatch Island, Qin Ming saw Wu Jiang directing a large group of skilled artisans to construct a cave dwelling on the main peak, building pavilions and towers as well.

He himself had taken up the role of overseer, and worked with impressive efficiency.

Qin Ming had now become the master of an island, and he did, in daily life, lack just such a man to run errands for him.

Wu Jiang currently seemed rather good.

However, Qin Ming intended to observe him for a while longer before deciding.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, you’re back!”

“I’ve already followed your instructions and had them begin building the cave dwelling in the most simple and restrained style possible.”

“When everything is finished, it should only take a little over half a month.” Wu Jiang ran over with great eagerness.

Qin Ming smiled and nodded. He was very satisfied with such efficiency.

Then he thought of something.

“Fellow Daoist Wu, I want to ask you something. Do you know where I might obtain Spirit-Soaking Rice seeds?”

Wu Jiang looked astonished at the question, then answered, “So Fellow Daoist Qin is planning to cultivate Spirit-Soaking Rice?”

Qin Ming nodded. Originally, he had not held out much hope.

“Heh heh! To be honest, if Fellow Daoist Qin asked others, he might come away with nothing.”

“But since you’re asking me, there really is something to say.” Wu Jiang smiled mysteriously, then continued, “Do you still remember Fairy Azure Glow, Mo Lingwei?”

“Her ancestors included a second-tier spirit plant master. She is also the only cultivator within the Spirit-Soaking Archipelago who ever succeeded in cultivating Spirit-Soaking Rice.”

“Though after that spirit plant master passed away, no one else has been able to grow Spirit-Soaking Rice.”

“But I dare say the Mo clan must still possess Spirit-Soaking Rice seeds. As for the particulars, I’m afraid Fellow Daoist Qin will have to discuss it with her in person.”

After hearing him out, Qin Ming felt his spirits lift.

He had not expected this boy to know everything after all.

He praised him a few more times.

However, he planned to wait until the cave dwelling was finished before paying a visit to Mo Lingwei.

...

Half a month later.

The cave dwellings on Moonwatch Island were all completed.

With the addition of the various pavilions and towers, the place finally took on the proper appearance of a spiritual island.

Qin Ming stood in the pavilion at the summit of the main peak and gazed into the distance.

Snow peaks rose steeply; green slopes were veiled in dark forests.

One side was a verdant mountain range, the other a lake rippling with blue waves.

Seen from above, the lake was broad, deep, and tranquil, gleaming with a sapphire hue. A few waterfowl drifted across its surface, trailing slender white wakes behind them.

The breathtaking scenery was enough to intoxicate the heart, as though one had stepped into a realm of immortals.

Qin Ming had Wu Jiang settle accounts with the workers in spirit stones, and he also took out a hundred spirit stones as a reward for him.

It had not been easy for him these past days, busy with one thing after another.

Moreover, he had provided plenty of useful information.

Wu Jiang took the spirit stones and was deeply moved.

Once the cave dwelling was finished, Qin Ming immediately set up the second-tier high-grade defensive array within the main peak area.

From then on, unless a Golden Core ancestor came charging here in person,

no one would ever again be able to threaten him.

His sense of security was fully maxed out.

With everything ready, he could finally settle down and tend his fields in peace.

Qin Ming picked a day and had Wu Jiang go to Azure Sea Immortal City to deliver an invitation to Gu Qingzhao of the Frostmirror Pavilion.

He asked her and Shopkeeper Liao to come to the island for a visit, and to learn the way there as well.

It could be considered a housewarming celebration.

The range of a message talisman was always limited, and Qin Ming was busy developing the dozens of mu of second-tier spirit fields beneath the main peak.

He could only have Wu Jiang make the trip on his behalf.

The moment Wu Jiang heard that he was delivering an invitation to an important figure from the Frostmirror Pavilion, he immediately rushed off without even taking payment for the errand.

Two days later.

Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao accepted the invitation and came to Moonwatch Island.

Upon first arriving, both of them were immediately captivated by the island’s magnificent scenery.

Qin Ming opened the array restriction and welcomed the two into the cave dwelling.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, you really make others envious. To think you became the master of an island without a word.”

“With scenery like this... I almost don’t want to go back, heh heh heh!”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

After saying this, Shopkeeper Liao presented a small gift prepared by the two of them.

Qin Ming accepted it with grateful thanks.

He had invited Gu Qingzhao to the island, of course, not merely for food and drink.

After three rounds of wine.

Qin Ming asked, “Fellow Daoist Gu, could you help me keep an eye out for materials used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?”

“Even auxiliary materials would be fine, or the seeds of spirit plants.”