Changes in the Situation

Changes in the Situation

Qin Ming looked at the Affix with some confusion.

Rebirth Spirit Seed: After use, it could restore a dead Spirit Plant to life and grant it rebirth.

"Even my divine soul can be strengthened now."

"And this 'Rebirth Spirit Seed' can actually bring even dead Spirit Plants back to life."

"If any precious Spirit Plant gets cultivated to death in the future, this will be tremendously useful."

Qin Ming stared at the Affix before him, pondering in silence.

After finishing his work, he tidied up and began cooking.

He was only halfway through preparing the meal.

When the Message Talisman on Qin Ming suddenly stirred.

He took it out and saw that it was a message from Manager Liao.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have an important matter to discuss. Come to the shop at once."

Qin Ming frowned. "Could something have happened again?"

Manager Liao's messages often concerned shifts in the situation at Qingyang Market.

That was very important to him.

Qin Ming tossed aside his cooking utensils, washed his hands, and left.

In the sunny third month of spring.

At Juxuan Pavilion in Qingyang Market.

Manager Liao sat by the second-floor window. The moment he saw Qin Ming arrive, he hurried downstairs and welcomed him into a private room on the fourth floor.

He then instructed someone to brew a pot of the finest Spirit Mist Tea.

"Manager Liao, you called me over in such a hurry."

"Did something happen?"

Qin Ming asked doubtfully.

Manager Liao did not answer at once. He first poured Qin Ming a cup of spirit tea.

Then he took out a Soundproof Talisman and cast a small soundproof barrier.

Only then did he speak to Qin Ming with a grave expression. "The struggle between the Spirit Feather Sect and Goldcloud Valley has produced a result."

"Huh? So soon?" Surprise appeared on Qin Ming's face.

"I'm afraid something major is about to happen this time."

"Just half a month ago, the War Camp the Spirit Feather Sect had sent to open up the frontier was wiped out again. Only a few cultivators escaped back alive."

"I heard that even two Foundation Establishment Realm seniors fell!"

Manager Liao revealed an even more explosive piece of news.

Qin Ming was even more shocked and quickly asked, "Are those Barbarians really that formidable? They can even kill Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators?"

"That's right. The Spirit Feather Sect had previously underestimated the strength of those Barbarians. Among them are quite a few barbarian cultivators with strength comparable to Foundation Establishment."

Manager Liao took a sip of tea and continued, "Once this happened, the Spirit Feather Sect could no longer sit still."

"They suffered defeat at the front, while Goldcloud Valley kept dragging them down from behind."

"In the end, the higher-ups of the Spirit Feather Sect made a decision."

"They would temporarily compromise with Goldcloud Valley, and the two sects would jointly develop the Tier 3 Spirit Vein occupied by those barbarian cultivators."

Qin Ming said in astonishment, "They were fighting so fiercely before that they even destroyed the teleportation array, and now they're turning swords into plowshares?"

"Ah, that's reality. Before profit, if they can fight, they can also negotiate," Manager Liao sighed.

"I heard that this time, the Spirit Feather Sect and Goldcloud Valley have mobilized most of their elites and are preparing for a grand campaign."

"Of course, beyond that, they are also recruiting even more independent cultivators."

"Five thousand independent cultivators have joined the first batch of recruits alone."

Manager Liao spoke up to this point.

Then a playful smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he posed a riddle. "Does Fellow Daoist Qin know what price the two sects paid to recruit so many cultivators this time?"

Qin Ming shook his head.

"Foundation Establishment Pills!"

Manager Liao spoke each word slowly and clearly.

"What? Foundation Establishment Pills?!" Qin Ming was greatly startled.

It seemed the Spirit Feather Sect and Goldcloud Valley were truly prepared to bleed heavily this time.

But on second thought.

Those Foundation Establishment Pills were probably not so easy to obtain.

The two sects must have been in cahoots, using spiritual pills such as Foundation Establishment Pills as bait to lure large numbers of low-level independent cultivators into serving as cannon fodder to clear the way.

Once Foundation Establishment Pills were offered, low-level independent cultivators would stream in without end.

After all.

Breaking through from the Qi Refining Stage into the Foundation Establishment Realm was a hurdle that most cultivators at the bottom could never cross.

In any case, the Immortal Cultivation World never lacked people like them. Kill off one batch, and another would come; they could be harvested forever.

"So, Fellow Daoist Qin, Qingyang Market certainly won't be able to accommodate so many cultivators when the time comes."

"The Spirit Feather Sect and Goldcloud Valley will jointly build an Immortal City in the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness as the base for both sects."

Each piece of news from Manager Liao was more explosive than the last, and Qin Ming was nearly unable to process it all.

"That truly is a grand undertaking."

"The first batch of elite cultivators from the Spirit Feather Sect and Goldcloud Valley will arrive at Qingyang Market today."

Hearing this, Qin Ming asked, "Could it be that the Spirit Feather Sect's teleportation array has been repaired?"

Manager Liao gently shook his head. "Not yet, but I heard it will be soon. It should be completed within this year."

Qin Ming rested his chin on his hand and pondered to himself, Then the price of spirit rice won't drop back down, will it?

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not worry about the price of spirit rice. There won't be any major changes in the short term."

"After all, with the two sects building an Immortal City this time, the number of cultivators there will be anything but small. Their logistical Supplies will also be a major issue."

Manager Liao seemed to have seen through Qin Ming's concerns and said it outright.

Hearing this, Qin Ming was much relieved.

"With the situation on the verge of change, Fellow Daoist Qin should make preparations early."

"Besides all that, there is another important matter I need to discuss with Fellow Daoist Qin."

Manager Liao abruptly changed the subject.

"What Matter?"

"It's like this. After we purchased one hundred jin of Beast Fang Rice from Fellow Daoist Qin last time, it attracted the pavilion master's attention."

"The higher-ups mean that, as long as Fellow Daoist Qin agrees to sell half of the Beast Fang Rice harvested each season to our pavilion when it matures—"

"We can add another twenty percent to the original price, making it nine Spirit Stones per jin."

"Of course, Fellow Daoist Qin will need to sign an agreement with our pavilion."

Qin Ming curled his lips almost imperceptibly.

This old bastard is playing his tricks again.

Yet this time, he nodded and agreed immediately.

"Fine."

Manager Liao's information was important, and Qin Ming would still need to ask him about things in the future.

Seeing Qin Ming agree so readily, Manager Liao could not help but freeze. He had already prepared his arguments for haggling.

For a moment, none of them had any use.

"Ha ha ha, Fellow Daoist Qin is truly straightforward!"

Manager Liao immediately struck while the iron was hot and took out the paper and brush he had prepared long ago.

The two parties signed the agreement.

"I wonder how many mu of Beast Fang Rice Fellow Daoist Qin planted this year?" Manager Liao asked expectantly.

"Three mu."

Qin Ming did not hide it. The other party would learn sooner or later anyway.

Upon hearing the reply, Manager Liao's face immediately blossomed like spring breezes, and he smiled even more happily.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first." Qin Ming rose to his feet.

"Manager Liao, if you receive any news afterward, remember to tell me."

"Certainly, certainly."

"I'll see Fellow Daoist Qin out."

After the two finished speaking, they opened the door.

Just as they were about to leave, a man and a woman came down the stairs toward them.

Qin Ming recognized the man. He wore a white robe and was none other than Su Yuqing.

As for the woman at his side.

She looked to be around twenty years old, with a delicate and ethereal beauty, like a lotus rising fresh from the water. Her figure was graceful, with alluring curves.

Her eyes were clear and limpid, yet beneath that clarity lay an unmistakable cold nobility.

She wore no solemn, luxurious attire, only a plain-colored long dress.

As for her cultivation, Qin Ming could not see through it at all. She should be in the Late Qi Refining stage.

The woman noticed Qin Ming's gaze.

Yet she paid it no mind and ignored him as she continued downstairs.

Qin Ming withdrew his gaze.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"

At that moment, Manager Liao beside him hurriedly bowed deeply to the woman.