Preparing to Depart (Please Keep Reading, We've Entered the Second Round of PK)

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin has made up his mind."

"Then I won't press the matter any further. I only hope that, going forward, we can strengthen our cooperation with Fellow Daoist Qin."

Gu Qingzhao could see that Qin Ming's attitude was quite resolute. She knew full well that it would be impossible to recruit him in a short time.

But she was not in any hurry.

There was plenty of time ahead; getting to know him gradually was not a bad option either.

As long as Qin Ming remained in Qingyang Market, opportunities would always arise.

Their discussion came to an end.

Gu Qingzhao rose and escorted Qin Ming downstairs.

She then instructed Manager Liao to hand over the spiritual materials Qin Ming required.

After Gu Qingzhao left.

Qin Ming said to Manager Liao, "Manager, I'd like to buy a flying artifact. Does your establishment have anything better?"

Manager Liao's expression dimmed. He had just been lamenting Qin Ming's refusal to become a guest elder.

"Of course we do! Fellow Daoist Qin, to be frank, our pavilion's flying boat artifacts are among the very best in the market." The moment Manager Liao heard there was more business, he perked up at once, his face once more piling on an eager smile.

In a few days, Qin Ming would be heading to the Spirit Feather Sect's branch in the Cloud Wasteland Marsh. Though it was not terribly far from the market, he still needed to travel there by flying boat.

Beyond Qingyang Market, within the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness, marauder cultivators, high-rank demon beasts, and all manner of dangers emerged one after another. Peril lurked on every side, and the risks were extreme. An accident could happen easily, so caution was paramount.

Although his Storage Bag contained the dharma boats belonging to those four men, they were all standard-issue artifacts of the Spirit Feather Sect. He did not dare use them openly.

Qin Ming intended to buy a better one in a single stroke.

Manager Liao brought him to the Artifact Pavilion and introduced them one by one:

"This is the most common low-grade Green Leaf Dharma Boat. At present, this type is used by the majority of cultivators, and it costs fifty Spirit Stones."

"A mid-grade flying artifact, the Five-Ridge Wind-Chasing Chariot. Its greatest strength is value for money, and it is quite popular among independent cultivators with a modest financial foundation. It costs one hundred Spirit Stones."

"A high-grade flying artifact, the Radiant Flying Carpet. It has three wind-element Formation Restrictions imbued within it, making it incomparably fast. Its speed rivals that of a Qi Refining Stage cultivator at full completion flying at full speed. It is the work of Master Jin from the Treasure Refining Hall, and costs six hundred Spirit Stones."

Flying artifacts were somewhat cheaper than other types of artifacts.

Qin Ming carefully examined these flying artifacts, then got straight to the point. "Do you have anything faster?"

"Huh?"

Manager Liao was left somewhat dumbfounded by the question. This was still too slow for him?

"Yes, yes! Of course!" He hurriedly nodded.

He then took out two artifacts: a flying sword and a flying shuttle artifact.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, these two flying artifacts are no small matter. Both are masterful creations by the artifact-refining grandmaster Fang Yezi."

"This supreme flying sword artifact is called the Sky-Piercing Shadow-Hiding Sword. It contains five Gale Restrictions and specializes in explosive speed. At its fastest, it rivals the ordinary flight speed of a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator."

"It costs nine hundred Spirit Stones."

After Manager Liao finished, he stole a glance at Qin Ming's reaction. Seeing that Qin Ming remained silent, he immediately began introducing the next item.

"A supreme flying shuttle artifact, called the Spirit Light Shuttle. It has no fewer than six Gale Restriction formations within it, along with one defensive restriction formation. It has a certain degree of defensive capability, and when pushed to its limits, its speed rivals a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator flying at full speed."

"However, flying at full speed consumes an enormous amount of spiritual power."

"It costs one thousand three hundred and fifty Spirit Stones."

"Thankfully, artifact prices dropped a while ago. Otherwise, this Spirit Light Shuttle would have cost quite a bit more than it does now."

Qin Ming looked at the plain and unadorned Spirit Light Shuttle. After a moment's consideration, he decided, "All right, I'll take it."

"Oh my, Fellow Daoist Qin truly has a discerning eye!" Manager Liao beamed. Having closed another major deal, he promptly laid on the flattery.

"After the discount, the total comes to one thousand two hundred and fifteen. I'll round it down for Fellow Daoist Qin—one thousand two hundred Spirit Stones will do."

The transaction was completed.

Manager Liao enthusiastically saw Qin Ming off. He watched until Qin Ming's figure vanished from sight, then could not help muttering with feeling, "Fellow Daoist Qin really is different after becoming a Mid-Grade Alchemist! He spends Spirit Stones like a true magnate!"

Now, whenever he saw Fellow Daoist Qin take out Spirit Stones, the gesture looked dashing from every angle.

Qin Ming followed Qingyang Market's main street back to the Secluded Cool Abode.

Just as he was about to open the restriction and enter.

Creak!

The gate to the neighboring courtyard suddenly opened, and a white-haired, bald old man stepped out.

The aura of spiritual power emanating from him revealed cultivation at Qi Refining Stage full completion.

The other man was also startled upon seeing Qin Ming.

Then, a smile appeared on his face as he walked over. He gave Qin Ming a cupped fist salute and said politely, "You must be Fellow Daoist Qin? This old man's surname is Yan. I moved here not long ago, so we'll be neighbors from now on."

"Senior Yan." Qin Ming hurriedly returned the salute, and the two were thus acquainted.

Qin Ming then chatted with him for a while.

Through their conversation, he learned that this Elder Yan was also a Mid-Grade Alchemist.

Wasn't that quite the coincidence?

However, Qin Ming did not reveal that he himself was also a Mid-Grade Alchemist.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, when I went to register at the Hall of Affairs, they said you were a mid-grade Spirit Planter."

"To see someone so young today—your immortal path is boundless!" Alchemist Yan praised.

"Oh, right, Fellow Daoist Qin. I've already gotten acquainted with all the neighbors nearby. The courtyard beside yours belongs to the Feng Brothers, who are demon beast hunters."

"The two courtyards opposite us."

"The D-numbered courtyard belongs to Fellow Daoist Huang. He is at Late Qi Refining and is a Superior Artifact Refiner, serving as the chief Artifact Refiner of the Treasure Refining Hall in the market."

"The C-numbered courtyard belongs to Fellow Daoist Lin. He is also at Qi Refining Stage full completion and is an intermediate Formation Master. They are all independent cultivators."

Other than the Feng Brothers, whom he had met once, Qin Ming did not know any of the others.

Only after hearing Alchemist Yan say this did Qin Ming learn that so many new neighbors had suddenly moved in around him.

And all of them were independent cultivators with formidable skills in hand.

Seeing Qin Ming's astonished expression, Alchemist Yan could not help but say, "Hehe, forget you, Fellow Daoist Qin—even this old man was quite shocked when I first arrived."

"This old man has already spoken with the others. We independent cultivators do not have it easy, and for us to gather here from all corners of the world is a kind of fate."

"We plan to hold a small exchange gathering so we can get acquainted and exchange insights. We'll spend a day together in this old man's courtyard. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Qin Ming was taken aback. Personally, he was not particularly fond of such social gatherings.

But since they were all neighbors, he replied, "Then let us do as Senior Yan suggests. Though the next few days may not be convenient, as I need to leave town in two days."

"No matter! The Feng Brothers have also gone out to hunt demon beasts, so let's set it for one month from now." Alchemist Yan pondered briefly, then asked for Qin Ming's opinion. "What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qin? This old man will send you a Message Talisman when the time comes."

"That will work. I will certainly arrive on time." Qin Ming nodded in agreement.

Afterward, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Alchemist Yan had matters to attend to, so he bade farewell and departed.

After entering the courtyard and closing the door.

Qin Ming let out a heavy sigh.

Why had so many highly cultivated cultivators suddenly appeared? The pressure was a little much!

I can't get too carried away. I still need to keep a lower profile.