A few days later.

Qin Ming rode the Silver-winged Frost Bee and arrived at the harsh cold region of the Northern Domain. If he continued north, it would lead to the Mist Marsh, a place where even Golden Core Cultivators often never return.

He descended towards a massive ice mountain not far away.

This place was one he had searched for a long time to find.

Qin Ming directly squeezed into an ice crevice halfway up the mountain and, after several twists and turns, entered the deepest part inside.

Half an incense stick later.

In the depths of the ice cave, a large pool of Extremely Yin Cold Pool, emitting a hazy white cold aura, appeared in Qin Ming's view.

Upon entering here, even with Qin Ming's cultivation, he instantly felt a biting cold assaulting him.

He took out the Spirit Seeds of the Returning Nether True Yin Flower from his storage pouch and planted them in a spot by the cold pool.

These two precious Spirit Seeds were given to him by Fellow Daoist Lvu Liang before he died.

When Qin Ming took them out again, the sight of them invoked deep emotions in him.

Subsequently, Qin Ming used five entries of the Leaf of Space-Time on the Spirit Seeds.

In an instant.

Two ice-blue Spirit Grasses burst out of the ground, frantically absorbing the Extremely Yin Qi from the cold pool.

The whole Spirit Grass was almost transparent, as if carved from ice-blue glass, with visible veins inside. Spiritual Qi, like Jade Marrow, flowed within, quite beautiful.

Three days later.

The two Returning Nether True Yin Flowers had grown to five hundred years and blossomed seven or eight ice flowers.

At the same time.

Two golden entries appeared in Qin Ming's eyes.

[Name]: Returning Nether True Yin Flower [Entry]: Mana Spring X1 (Maturity 94%)

[Name]: Returning Nether True Yin Flower [Entry]: Creation Washing Pill X1 (Maturity 95%)

[Creation Washing Pill]: Upon use, it can strengthen a cultivator's Dao Foundation. During Core Formation, it can purify the Golden Core and eliminate impurities, with a forty percent chance to enhance the quality of the Golden Core.

"As expected of a Tier Three Spirit Plant, it can strengthen the Dao Foundation and enhance the quality of the achieved Golden Core. This entry is even sharper than a Core Formation Spiritual Object!"

Qin Ming's eyes lit up, showing a delighted expression.

His goal was at least a Middle-Grade Golden Core or above, and with this entry, he felt even more confident.

After the Returning Nether True Yin Flower blooms, it will continue to absorb the Extremely Yin Qi until it bears Spirit Fruit and condenses the legendary 'Returning Nether True Water.' This process takes two to three years and cannot be rushed.

Qin Ming immediately released the Heaven-Devouring Rat.

Once the Heaven-Devouring Rat emerged, it surveyed the surroundings and shivered.

It had a bad premonition, exhaling a breath, rubbing its hands, and then asked Qin Ming:

"Sss~ Ha~"

"Master, is there anything you need me to do?"

Qin Ming pointed at the Returning Nether True Yin Flower by the cold pool and said lightly, "I have planted Spirit Plants here, but it will take some time to harvest."

"During this time, I have other important matters to attend to. You shall guard this flower for me during this period. When the Returning Nether True Water in the fruit gathers sufficiently, notify me."

"Ah?!"

"Oh..."

"Master... how long do I need to guard it?"

"Three years."

"..."

The Heaven-Devouring Rat reluctantly agreed, its face drooping and full of sorrow.

After Qin Ming instructed it, he flew away from here on the Silver-winged Frost Bee.

Seeing Qin Ming's figure disappear into the horizon,

The Heaven-Devouring Rat sighed like a deflated ball and lamented, "Alas~ This grandpa is really unfortunate! I didn't expect to just be freed from the daily farming life."

'Only to be exiled to this godforsaken harsh cold land to guard spirit grass, for three long years...'

'What enmity, what grievance...'

...

On the other side.

Qin Ming rode the Silver-winged Frost Bee towards Vast Sea Immortal City, intending to rent a Tier Three Fire Vein on the main peak to ripen the Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus.

With the Heaven-Devouring Rat, a Tier Three Demon King, watching over the Spirit Grass in the Northern Ice Mountain, he felt extremely at ease.

Upon arriving at the Immortal City, Qin Ming put away his Spirit Pet and headed straight to Vast Sea Peak, where he found Lvu Wanjun.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, it has indeed been a long time."

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Qin on advancing your cultivation and furthering your path on the Immortal Dao!"

"Is there anything you need my assistance with?"

Lvu Wanjun had become a bit more composed and mature over the years, losing some of her playful nature.

Seeing Qin Ming had broken through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, she truly envied him.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, progressing any further without abundant cultivation resources was quite difficult.

Especially for loose cultivators like them.

Before coming to Vast Sea Immortal City, Qin Ming deliberately concealed his mana aura, seemingly advancing from early-stage to mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

To avoid being too shocking when he advances to the Golden Core Stage in the future.

"I wish to rent a Tier Three Fire Vein cave mansion, preferably of Middle-Grade or above."

Qin Ming smiled slightly and said to her.

"With Fellow Daoist Qin's current status and the Vast Sea Order specially approved by the City Lord, that is naturally no problem."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please follow me."

Lvu Wanjun smiled warmly and then eagerly led Qin Ming to the cave mansion area on the main peak.

Upon entering here, he instantly felt the Fire Spirit Qi between heaven and earth increase dramatically, extremely dense.

Qin Ming sensed the spiritual vein environment and was quite satisfied; it was a fitting place to nurture the Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, currently the three cave mansions with the densest Fire Vein Qi are all rented out."

"However, in three days, Master Sunx Jinnian's rented No. A cave mansion will be vacated, and he should be coming out."

"Could Fellow Daoist Qin wait for three days?"

Lvu Wanjun introduced the situation of these cave mansions to him.

"Haha, I can certainly afford to wait three days." Qin Ming nodded, then asked Lvu Wanjun, "By the way, how have you been these years? I observe that your mana is pure, indicating you have put in significant effort in cultivation."

Hearing that Qin Ming was concerned about her, even though she knew he was considering her due to her master Lvu Liang, she still felt very happy inside.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin, for your concern. I've been doing well in the Immortal City, thanks to the care from my master and Fellow Daoist Qin, the City Lord has also been kind to me."

Qin Ming nodded slightly, "Mm, that's good."

"If you ever need my help, feel free to come find me on Wangyue Island."

"Hehe, thank you so much, Fellow Daoist Qin." Lvu Wanjun returned to her usual self, giving a playful smile.

"By the way, may I ask a bold question?"

"Is Fellow Daoist Qin renting the Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion to refine pills? Or..."

Lvu Wanjun's curiosity was piqued because only a handful of cultivators could afford to rent a Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion.

The daily rent here was quite a considerable expense even for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

One could say it was akin to burning Spirit Stones.

"Yes, indeed, I am currently studying an ancient Pill Formula and intend to rent a High-Tier Fire Vein to refine pills," Qin Ming said calmly, naturally not revealing his true intentions.

Rumble!

Just as Qin Ming and Lvu Wanjun were chatting, the array of the No. 1 Cave Mansion opened, and out walked an elderly man in luxurious clothes with a disheveled look, who was a highly respected Great Alchemist in the Immortal City.

"Master Sun, are you out of seclusion now!"

"May I ask if you still need to continue renting the Cave Mansion?"

Seeing someone come out, Lvu Wanjun hurriedly went up to greet him.

Sunx Jinnian dusted off his Dharma robe, then coughed lightly, his gaze falling on Qin Ming as he nodded slightly in greeting.

"Cough! I will not continue renting for now."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, are you looking to rent the Fire Vein Cave Mansion?"

Lvu Wanjun nodded in response: "That's right, it's just right to rent the Cave Mansion to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Qin Ming noticed the mana fluctuations on Master Sun's body were chaotic, with a faint smell of scorched medicine, indicating a failed pill refinement.

Additionally, based on his keen spiritual sense and alchemy experience, Sunx Jinnian seemed to have been attempting to refine a Tier Three Spiritual Pill, aiming to become a Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster, yet failed.

Sunx Jinnian was indeed dejected. He'd almost exhausted a significant portion of his savings over many years to gather the Tier Three Spiritual Materials needed for alchemy.

This failure in pill refinement was a huge loss, even for a Great Alchemist like him, causing substantial pain.

Moreover, renting a Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion, with its daily rent, was no small expense.

Even as a Tier Two High-Grade Grand Alchemist, who could rapidly earn Spirit Stones, he couldn't sustain such expenditure indefinitely, hence he came out early.

Sunx Jinnian, seeing Qin Ming, who was widely known as a dual-skilled master, approach to rent the Cave Mansion, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and politely asked:

"Fellow Daoist Qin, long time no see!"

"Congratulations, congratulations! Your cultivation has improved quite a bit!"

"Are you planning to refine pills?"

"Haha, greetings, Fellow Daoist Sun," Qin Ming returned the gesture. "I've recently had a sudden urge to try my luck in refining a few furnaces of pills."

"Then I shall prematurely congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on success in alchemy," Sunx Jinnian politely remarked to Qin Ming.

Ever since Qin Ming advanced to become a Tier Two High-Grade Spirit Plant Master and Alchemy Master...

Within Vast Sea Immortal City, his reputation overshadowed that of Sunx Jinnian, who was revered as a Great Alchemist.

Master Sun was not resigned to aging, originally intending to fight for a breakthrough to Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster and restore his status in the loose cultivator community, yet alas, things did not go as planned...

"Haha, I thank Master Sun for the auspicious words," Qin Ming responded.

After a brief exchange, Sunx Jinnian turned and left.

At this moment,

Lvu Wanjun asked Qin Ming, "Fellow Daoist Qin, how long do you wish to rent the Cave Mansion this time?"

"Cave Mansions above Tier Three on Vast Sea Peak are rented on a monthly basis. The monthly rent for No. 1 Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion is three hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Hold the Vast Sea Order, Fellow Daoist Qin, and you can enjoy a 20% discount."

After a brief moment of thought, Qin Ming replied, "Let's rent for two years first."

Lvu Wanjun, thinking she misheard, confirmed again:

"How... how much??"

"Two years."

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Qin, I'll handle the paperwork for you."

"After the discount, the two-year rent totals two thousand and eight hundred and eighty Middle-Grade Spirit Stones."

Qin Ming, expressionless, immediately pulled out Spirit Stones from his storage pouch and handed them to Lvu Wanjun.

After she counted the Spirit Stones, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at Fellow Daoist Qin, whose appearance was ordinary.

Truly an astonishing move from unexpected silence!

Casually renting a two-year Tier Three High-Grade Cave Mansion, spending a total of over two thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, without batting an eye.

Is this the joy of a master cultivator?

Even the departing Great Alchemist Sunx Jinnian paused upon hearing their conversation.

Unlike Lvu Wanjun,

An incredible thought suddenly sprouted in his mind!

Which was—

"Could it be that Qin Ming is also planning to attempt refining a Tier Three Spiritual Pill, aiming to break through to a Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster here?!!"

"There is no other explanation for why he would rent a Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion for such an extended period."

With a rumble,

The Cave Mansion closed.

Qin Ming had already entered the No. 1 Cave Mansion.

He needed to use alchemy as a cover to covertly cultivate the Tier Three Spirit Plant, Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus, which inevitably required some time.

Even though he had the Entry in hand, adjusting the Spirit Medicine to a usable state, maturing it afterward, still required cultivation time for the spirit plant to fully absorb the extremely Yang Qi from the Fire Vein.

Thus, he declared refining pills as a guise while secretly fostering High-Tier Spirit Plants.

After all, the Cave Mansions on Vast Sea Peak were highly protective of guests' privacy, with no fear of being discovered.

Of course, disguise aside, Qin Ming did plan to seize the maturing gap of the Fire-Bathing Golden Lotus to try refining a Tier Three Pill.

This pill was a Pill Formula stolen by the Heaven-Devouring Rat from the Scripture Pavilion in Profound Creek Valley, named 'Dust-annihilating Pill,' targeting the Essence-Stabilizing Spiritual Pill for the early Golden Core stage.

The Dust-annihilating Pill flows in the Golden Core Master circles in Moyuan Immortal City. Though rare, it's not a unique Pill Formula of Profound Creek Valley, so Qin Ming chose to attempt this pill for his breakthrough.

Should he breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, the pill would be useful to him.

As for the materials needed to refine the Dust-annihilating Pill, they were available in Linghu Yang's storage pouch and Elder Yane's storage pouch.

This saved him from searching all over.

Thump!

As Qin Ming stepped into the Tier Three High-Grade Fire Vein Cave Mansion, an intense heatwave swept over him.

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