"Why has Fellow Daoist Ruan gone out again!?"
Qin Ming didn't expect that he would once again come up empty-handed.
Having experienced the changes brought by the "Hundred Treasures Glaze Scripture," he was itching to get the remaining cultivation techniques...
It seemed he could only wait a little longer.
Qin Ming strolled around other shops in the market, bought a Spirit Beast Bag, and some meats, and returned to the shanty district.
The next day.
Qin Ming made a breakfast using Golden Spirit Rice and Demon Beast Meat.
He was just about to start eating.
Knock, knock, knock!
There was a knock at the door outside.
He peeked through the crack in the door.
It was a neighbor from nearby, someone he usually didn't have much interaction with.
However, out of courtesy, Qin Ming still invited him in.
"Haha, I heard Fellow Daoist Qin has become a Tier One Spirit Plant Master, so I came specially to offer my congratulations!"
"A small gift, just a token, please accept it."
After saying this, the visitor handed over a small bag of gifts to Qin Ming.
Seeing the other party's enthusiasm, Qin Ming couldn't refuse, so he thanked him and accepted.
When that neighbor's gaze fell on Qin Ming's dining table and saw the meal made with Demon Beast Meat and Spirit Rice, a look of undisguised envy appeared on his face.
After a bit of small talk, the man considered his visit a success and took his leave.
Qin Ming finished eating and was about to wash the dishes.
Knock, knock, knock!
There was another knock at the door.
!!!
Qin Ming furrowed his brows, muttering, "What's happening today?!"
He, as usual, took a peek through the door crack.
What a surprise!
It turned out to be his female neighbor, Li Yanli.
At that moment, she was dressed exquisitely and also holding a small package.
Seeing her like this, Qin Ming relaxed.
'Fortunately, she must be here just to visit.'
'Just socializing.'
'Not here for anything else.'
Li Yanli entered the house, also congratulated Qin Ming, and left after chatting briefly.
Her face had become somewhat haggard recently, and although she had some makeup on, Qin Ming noticed it immediately.
"It seems she still hasn't gotten over Fellow Daoist Long's death..."
Without Fellow Daoist Long, her major support.
Her future days are probably going to be tough.
Qin Ming didn't ask her to stay.
As she left, Li Yanli cast a sorrowful and resentful glance back.
In the following few days.
Quite a few nearby cultivators came by to visit and socialize.
This gave Qin Ming a bit of a headache.
He was not fond of these sorts of social obligations.
Although their gifts weren't particularly valuable, Qin Ming couldn't refuse their goodwill and thanked them all.
On this day.
Qin Ming was sitting on a mat, cultivating.
His Communication Talisman suddenly activated.
He stopped cultivating, opened his eyes, and checked the message.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, are you available now?"
"I'm just passing by the market, but I have urgent matters to attend to and don't have time to go home."
"I won't be returning to the market for a short one to two years, maybe even three to five years."
"If you are available, we can complete the transaction."
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Qin, I happened to meet some acquaintances in the Spirit Feather Sect patrol team who are here right now."
Qin Ming hesitated for a moment and sent a message.
"Where shall we meet."
"On the road east of the market."
"Alright, I'm coming over."
After sending the message, Qin Ming packed up his things and left the house.
As he passed the river by the shanty district.
Several middle-aged female cultivators were doing laundry.
When they saw Qin Ming, they didn't greet him.
Only after he walked away did they look askance and say sourly:
"Huh, just a Tier One Spirit Plant Master, right?"
"It's not like he became a Tier One Alchemist."
"What's there to be so arrogant about!"
Her voice was quite loud, and Qin Ming wasn't too far away, so he heard it all.
Qin Ming curled his lips and ignored her.
…
A cup of tea's time later.
Qin Ming arrived near the location given by Fellow Daoist Ruan.
He didn't rush to show himself but observed from a distance first.
Cold wind brushed his face, the wild grass swayed.
On both sides of the road were endless stretches of wild grass and open fields.
Not far on the road.
A few silhouettes appeared in his view.
Fellow Daoist Ruan was smiling as he chatted with two members of the Spirit Feather Sect patrol team.
Qin Ming focused his gaze.
He recognized the two Spirit Feather Sect patrol members.
They often patrolled the alleys of the shanty district and were familiar faces.
"So it's them."
This dissolved his doubts.
Qin Ming stepped out and walked directly towards the group.
"Oh! Fellow Daoist Qin is here, please wait a moment,"
"I have a little thing to handle, I'll be right back."
As soon as Fellow Daoist Ruan saw Qin Ming, he showed a delighted expression and quickly excused himself from the two Spirit Feather Sect patrol members, walking towards him.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, apologies, I've been busy with important matters recently and cannot free myself."
Fellow Daoist Ruan cupped his hands towards Qin Ming.
"No problem, Fellow Daoist Ruan, you have the goods with you, right?" Qin Ming forced a smile on his face.
"Of course, by the way, Fellow Daoist Qin's Beast Fang Rice should be mature by now, right?" Fellow Daoist Ruan asked expectantly.
Qin Ming patted his storage pouch and took out a small bag of Beast Fang Rice, just ten pounds.
He opened the bag to show the other party.
The white Spirit Rice, the size of a dog's tooth, with a red tinge inside and a captivating fragrance.
"Indeed, it's Beast Fang Rice, and of excellent quality!"
A trace of barely noticeable greed flashed in Fellow Daoist Ruan's eyes.
"May I ask Fellow Daoist Qin, the yield of this Beast Fang Rice... must be quite good, not just these ten pounds?"
Hearing this, Qin Ming frowned.
"Fellow Daoist Ruan, however much Beast Fang Rice I cultivated doesn't seem to concern you, does it?"
"Haha, of course not, I was just casually asking." Fellow Daoist Ruan laughed awkwardly.
With that, he took the piece of Beast Hide inscribed with the "Hundred Treasures Glaze Scripture" from his storage pouch.
Both parties exchanged the hide for the rice.
With the Beast Hide in hand.
After confirming it was authentic, Qin Ming was about to let out a sigh of relief.
"Something's wrong!"
The aura circulating his Qi Blood suddenly sensed a strong killing intent!
This information was directly and accurately transmitted to his mind.
Although Qin Ming noticed something was amiss.
He remained calm, pretending to be engrossed in the Beast Hide Scripture.
'One... two... three... four... five...'
There were actually five distinct threads of killing intent focused on him.
Among them, three came from Fellow Daoist Ruan and the two Spirit Feather Sect patrol cultivators.
The sources of the other two killing intents had not yet revealed themselves.
In just a moment.
Qin Ming realized his perilous situation.
Yet his face showed no sign of panic.
'Fellow Daoist Ruan is at Qi Cultivation Middle Stage Fifth Layer, while the two from the Spirit Feather Sect patrol are at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer and Sixth Layer.'
As for the two hidden figures, Qin Ming couldn't sense their Mana.
Soon.
Countless thoughts flashed through Qin's mind.
In just a few breaths.
A barely discernible fierce glint appeared in Qin Ming's eyes.
He immediately made a decision.