Chapter 698: Chapter 542: Outer Sea Cultivator
On the fourth layer of the canopy of the Penglai Immortal Tree.
After offering their respects to True Monarch Dragon Wood, Qin Ming and his companion followed Chen Muzhi to his cave mansion for a brief rest.
Chen Muzhi was relatively familiar with Qin Ming.
The Penglai Sect, a major sect with a Tier Five legacy Divine Tree, once produced a Divinity Transformation cultivator.
According to Qin Ming, there is supposed to be a Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivator in seclusion within the sect, supported by the foundation of the Penglai Immortal Tree, preparing to challenge the Divinity Transformation stage, likely within the next one or two hundred years.
Generally, they rarely show themselves, and the affairs inside and outside the sect are managed by Chen Muzhi.
Currently, Qin Ming is enjoying a wave of public attention within the Righteous and Demonic Dao, and even when everyone proposed him as the alliance leader, he refused, so naturally, the Penglai Sect dared not neglect him.
After a round of pleasantries and introductions.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, having traveled from afar, must have another purpose besides paying respects to Elder Dragon Wood?" Chen Muzhi inquired.
Qin Ming straightforwardly said, "Indeed, I came with another for the disciple of Fellow Daoist Dragon Wood, Tian Ling’er. I need three drops of her essence blood for alchemy, which will not harm her origin. As for conditions, your sect can propose them as you please."
Beside him, Qi Xiaoyu also spoke, "Fellow Daoist Chen, I’m looking to exchange for some spiritual materials from your sect, specifically Deep Sea Profound Iron and Late-stage Tier Four Flood Dragon Demon Beast Essence Blood..."
"If available, I can offer a complete set of Tier Four Top-Grade Array in exchange."
After hearing the two, Chen Muzhi couldn’t help but be slightly stunned.
After all, what they sought was no small matter.
And hearing Qi Xiaoyu offer a complete set of Tier Four Top-Grade Grand Array as an exchange was indeed surprising.
Then he gave a wry smile and said, "The two items Fellow Daoist Qi needs are strategic resources within our sect. We don’t have Deep Sea Profound Iron, and as for the Tier Four Flood Dragon Essence Blood, a small portion exists but is held by the Supreme Elder, and I can’t make that decision."
Immediately after.
Chen Muzhi turned to Qin Ming and said, "As for what Fellow Daoist Qin seeks, I invite you to come and see."
Qin Ming and Qi Xiaoyu exchanged a glance and reluctantly followed him.
An incense stick of time later.
Chen Muzhi led them to the former cave mansion of True Monarch Dragon Wood. The familiar small courtyard appeared before them, yet now it displayed an additional desolate atmosphere.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat jumped out, peered around inquisitively, and then asked, "Where’s that little girl Tian Ling’er?"
Chen Muzhi sighed and pointed towards a nearby pond. In the lotus pond grew a wilting white Lingzhi, almost withered.
It was the true form of the Transformed Spirit Plant, Tian Ling’er — the Divine Infant Mushroom.
"Huh? How did Tian Ling’er end up like this?" The Heaven-Devouring Rat exclaimed in surprise.
Chen Muzhi shook his head, sighing, "Ever since Senior Sister Dragon Wood fell in Primordial Extreme Mountain, Tian Ling’er has been grief-stricken, losing all interest in food and drink. Now she’s reverted to her original form. I examined her and found her essence rapidly depleting, and she’s on the brink of withering..."
Hearing this, a green light flashed in Qin Ming’s pupils. He secretly used the Yin Yang Profound Mirror Divine Technique to scan the Lingzhi in the pond. Indeed, its vitality was faint and its breath was as thin as a thread, just as Chen Muzhi had described.
Chen Muzhi also lamented, as the birth of intelligence and successful transformation in a spirit plant was exceedingly rare.
In the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm, it was likely the only one.
It was a real pity that it was about to die.
The spirit plant masters within the Penglai Sect had no means to save it and were at a loss.
On the other hand, there were sentimental ties between Tian Ling’er and the sect cultivators, and to follow True Monarch Dragon Wood just like that was truly heartbreaking.
But at this moment.
Qin Ming blandly announced, "What if I had a way to save this spirit plant?"
This remark surprised even Chen Muzhi.
Soon, he beamed with joy, "That would naturally be most welcome!"
However, what Qin Ming said next left him stunned once more.
"Yet even if saved, it’s only temporary unless your sect has a specific method for long-term cultivation. Therefore, I wish to take the entire spirit plant away. As for conditions... I can offer a bottle of ’Heaven-Continuing Pill’ in exchange. Could Fellow Daoist Chen agree?"
After speaking, Qin Ming directly took out a jade bottle and handed it to Chen Muzhi.
"Heaven-Continuing Pill?!"
Chen Muzhi even doubted his ears, as it was a Tier Four High-Grade spiritual pill, an extremely precious longevity pill.
Lifespan, for a Nascent Soul cultivator, was an undeniable allure.
After opening the jade bottle, a mist-like glow wafted out, and the fragrance of the pill filled the air, calming one’s heart.
Inside lay five Tier Four High-Grade Spirit Pills detailed with Dao Patterns, unmistakably the Heaven-Continuing Pill.
Possessing a whole bottle, likely only Qin Ming, the famous cultivator, could accomplish this.
Additionally, Chen Muzhi’s mind was racing, realizing that Qin Ming likely refined these pills himself, signifying his elevation to Tier Four High-Grade Pill King Realm.
He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
Moreover, he found truth in Qin Ming’s words. Without a High-Tier Spirit Plant Master’s care, the Divine Infant Mushroom might wither again, rendering them empty-handed.
Weighing the options, Chen Muzhi nodded in agreement, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin has the means to save it and offers such sincerity, I’ll agree to exchange the spirit plant for Qin Ming. It may very well be its good fortune."
A slight smile appeared on Qin Ming’s face; he knew how to skillfully handle these Nascent Soul stage veterans’ psychology.
He sent a beam of cyan spiritual light towards the lotus pond, immediately storing the Divine Infant Mushroom into the Little Spirit Realm.
The transaction was complete.
Both parties could accept it.
Just as Qin Ming and the others were about to take their leave.
Suddenly, a pale yellow Sound Transmission Talisman flew in from outside the Penglai Sect’s mountain gate, landing in the hands of Chen Muzhi.
However, after he finished reading its contents, his face suddenly changed!
He murmured, "It’s actually this person, how has this evil star returned?"
"Since Fellow Daoist Chen has visitors, we won’t bother you any further," Qin Ming said, cupping his hands towards him.
But Chen Muzhi said, "It’s no problem, it’s a fellow cultivator from the Outer Sea visiting. How about the two of you come out and meet them together?"
"The Outer Sea is full of rare treasures, he might have what you two need."
Qi Xiaoyu had not traveled far and did not know much about the Cultivation Realm, so he asked, "The Outer Sea?"
Qin Ming had some understanding and explained, "The Outer Sea is a sea region different from the East Sea Cultivation Realm. Though it is rich in resources and materials, without a specific channel, just relying on a cultivator’s Flying Escape Divine Technique, even Nascent Soul Stage cultivators cannot traverse it by themselves."
"What Fellow Daoist Qin said is correct. The Outer Sea is full of opportunities but is also an extremely perilous domain, ruled by a Tier Five Demon Venerable with a violent nature." Chen Muzhi also explained, "Cultivators who practice in the Outer Sea are highly skilled in combat. Otherwise, they can’t survive in such a dangerous sea region."
"The fellow cultivator visiting now is Lii Qianjie. His cultivation and divine techniques are incredibly terrifying. He once reversed the slaying of a Late-stage Tier Four Demon Saint with just Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation. When he was still in the East Sea, I met him several times."
"Lii Qianjie disappeared without a trace hundreds of years ago; I didn’t expect he would end up in the Outer Sea."
"Now, I don’t know what realm his cultivation has reached. With his cultivation and character, I guess he might have reached Late-stage Nascent Soul by now."
After listening to Chen Muzhi, the two quickly grasped the situation.
Such an evil star visiting suddenly, with no other cultivators above Mid-stage Nascent Soul in the sect, Chen Muzhi intended to have Qin Ming and the others present for support.
Qin Ming saw through the intention but said nothing, as he had just exchanged the Divine Infant Mushroom from him.
Qi Xiaoyu’s Deep Sea Profound Iron and Late-stage Tier Four Flood Dragon Essence Blood were still uncertain, so it was a good chance to get to know Outer Sea cultivators.
Shortly after.
Chen Muzhi went out and brought back a cultivator.
This person was a middle-aged cultivator in a gray robe, with a ferocious burn scar on the left side of his face, exuding an overwhelming evil aura, evidently due to having seen too much bloodshed.
His cultivation as a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator was not concealed at all.
Qin Ming couldn’t help but take a few more glances at this person, as he could tell he was a fanatic who cultivated both Dharma and body, deeply hidden and unfathomable.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, these two are..."
Lii Qianjie’s gaze swept over them, lingering on Qin Ming for a moment, a hint of peculiar color flashing in his eyes.
"This is Fellow Daoist Qin, True Monarch Wangyue of the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm."
"And this is Fellow Daoist Qi from Hidden Immortal Valley."
"Both are esteemed guests of our Penglai Sect, here specifically to pay respects to Senior Sister Dragon Wood," Chen Muzhi introduced.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lii."
"Oh? It’s actually True Monarch Wangyue? I’ve long heard of your great name,"
Lii Qianjie also showed a surprised expression, seemingly having heard of Qin Ming’s reputation, and greeted them with cupped hands.
After some polite exchanges.
Chen Muzhi awkwardly said to Lii Qianjie, "Fellow Daoist Lii, you came a bit late. That Divine Infant Mushroom was already dying; I’ve just traded it to Fellow Daoist Qin."
Evidently, Lii Qianjie had come from a long distance also for this matter.
For after all, being a Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, he was likely scheming for Divinity Transformation, and naturally wouldn’t let such Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures slip by.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist Qin, would you be willing to part with it and exchange the Divine Infant Mushroom with me? Feel free to name your terms." Lii Qianjie acted decisively, straightforwardly proposing.
Qin Ming remained calm, showing no intention of backing down even when facing this fierce War Cultivator.
"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint Fellow Daoist Lii. This item is of great use to me, and I cannot trade it."
Lii Qianjie’s eyes flickered slightly at this but did not show any sign of anger.
Afterward.
They changed the topic and spent half a day chatting and exchanging ideas in the Penglai Sect before each taking their leave.
Qin Ming was prepared to take Qi Xiaoyu to Celestial Wave Immortal City to see if he could collect the items he needed.
Above the sea, fierce winds howled.
The Lingxiao Imperial Carriage sliced through the sky, trailing five-colored rays, speeding across the vast sea; its tunneling speed so fast, it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Sitting within the carriage, Qin Ming was resting with his eyes closed.
Suddenly.
A powerful presence abruptly descended, firmly locking onto them.
"Will the two of you please stay!"
