Chapter 145: True Person Canghai

Stepping into the hall, Qin Ming immediately saw a female cultivator dressed in cyan Daoist robes. Her hair was bound by a high coronet and her attire was simple and unadorned. Though she maintained the appearance of a middle-aged woman, her actual age was likely several centuries.

The person before him was none other than True Person Canghai—Nalan Xi.

She was the vital pillar that allowed this Canghai Immortal City to stand firm and unyielding for so many years amidst the confluence of four nations.

Nalan Xi appeared fair-faced and retained her graceful charm. Her entire body bore no superfluous ornaments, and the aura of her cultivation was restrained within, making her seem like an ordinary person whose depth was utterly unfathomable.

Yet, the very first moment Qin Ming laid eyes on her, he felt a deeply unsettling sense of palpitations.

"Greetings, True Person!"

Entering the hall, Qin Ming bowed deeply in salute.

"No need for such formalities."

Nalan Xi smiled faintly, raising a hand to gesture. "Please take a seat, Little Friend Qin, and have some spiritual tea."

In truth, she had heard of Qin Ming long ago, seeing as he was a rogue cultivator capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

Before Qin Ming even stepped into the hall, she had already reviewed all the records concerning his origins and background.

He had initially been conscripted from his clan to do corvée labor for a sect as a spirit farmer, cultivating spiritual rice, before stepping by step growing into a Tier 2 Master of Spiritual Planting. From severing ties with the Spirit Feather Sect, to outshining all rivals in the Spirit Perch Archipelagos and claiming Moon-Watching Island; living in seclusion, keeping aloof from worldly affairs, and peacefully farming and cultivating spiritual plants on his island—his background could be said to have been investigated with utmost thoroughness.

This man had a clean slate, and was by no means some fugitive cultivator.

On the contrary, he was someone who had endured arduous hardships and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to bitter cultivation.

Having just observed Qin Ming, she found that this young man was indeed no ordinary figure. His inner spiritual power was exceptionally dense and solid, far surpassing cultivators of the same realm, already comparable to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It was likely he would break through before long.

*To be able to cultivate to such a degree with merely four-element spiritual roots, he can be considered quite remarkable.*

After taking his seat, Qin Ming appeared slightly restrained. He could already roughly guess the purpose behind her invitation.

"Little Friend Qin, the spiritual plant you cultivated just now in the vegetation illusion trial was likely a Tier 3 spiritual plant, the Fiery Golden Lotus, am I correct?" A trace of a smile flashed across the face of True Person Canghai, Nalan Xi.

Qin Ming had just sensed a strand of divine sense sweeping across his body, instantly causing the hairs all over him to stand on end.

"Replying to Senior, that is indeed correct. I merely succeeded by a stroke of luck." Knowing that concealment was utterly impossible before a Core Formation True Person, Qin Ming simply acknowledged it generously.

Nalan Xi nodded with a kindly expression. "Splendid! For Little Friend Qin to attain such mastery in the Dao of Spiritual Planting is truly extraordinary."

"Among all the peers I know, there has never been a Master of Spiritual Planting capable of cultivating this particular spiritual plant."

"With Little Friend Qin's proficiency in spiritual planting, becoming a Tier 3 Master of Spiritual Planting is likely only a matter of time."

Qin Ming pondered inwardly. It seemed True Person Canghai already regarded him as a reserve candidate for a Tier 3 Master of Spiritual Planting.

That was why she thought more of him; otherwise, he would never have been able to walk into this grand hall today.

"Senior flatters me too much. The Dao of Tier 3 spiritual planting is unfathomable, and this junior is still merely groping in the dark." Qin Ming replied with modest humility.

Shortly after,

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Nalan Xi got straight to the point. "Little Friend Qin possesses exceptional attainments in both the Dao of Spiritual Planting and the art of alchemy. Moreover, you originate from the rogue cultivator community. I wish to invite you to become an honored patron of Canghai Immortal City. What do you think?"

"I can grant you special approval for a cave dwelling and spiritual fields blessed with a Tier 3 spiritual vein directly beneath Canghai's main peak, to be used for your daily spiritual planting and cultivation."

Upon hearing these words, Qin Ming's entire spirit received a jolt.

A cave dwelling and spiritual fields in a Tier 3 spiritual vein environment—such lavish conditions would make anyone else eager to nod and agree on the spot.

Although Qin Ming was deeply tempted, he could not accept her offer.

Living right under the watchful eyes of a Core Formation True Person carried an immense risk of exposing his secrets.

Furthermore, his natal spiritual plant was still deeply rooted in Moon-Watching Island. Even though the Longevity Vine could conceal its traces on its own, whether it could remain hidden before a Core Formation True Person was still a question.

Though his own Moon-Watching Island only possessed a Tier 2 mid-grade spiritual vein, it could still be considered an isolated sanctuary for cultivation blessed by heaven and earth. After he reinforced its defenses, its safety was by no means inferior to Canghai Immortal City.

"Thank you for Senior's kind intentions, but I have long been accustomed to a free and leisurely life, and have no desire to join any faction."

"I still prefer the life of farming on my island."

After hesitating for a moment, Qin Ming politely declined True Person Canghai.

Nalan Xi had not expected Qin Ming to refuse her invitation.

Yet she had also heard beforehand that Qin Ming had once rejected the retention offers of the Spirit Feather Sect before coming to the Spirit Perch Archipelagos.

After succeeding in Foundation Establishment, he had likewise declined the recruitment bids of many major surrounding forces.

It seemed this young man did not like being bound—a trait that could also be glimpsed from his detached and leisurely temperament.

Which of the cultivators who reached such heights in the hundred arts of cultivation didn't have at least a bit of temperament and individuality?

Pondering briefly, she spoke up, "What a pity then. Since Little Friend Qin's aspirations lie elsewhere, I will not force you."

With that, Nalan Xi flicked her hand, and a gold-inlaid token materialized. With a flick of her finger, it flew through the air and came to a halt right in front of Qin Ming.

Qin Ming caught the token and saw the two seal-script characters for "Canghai" engraved in gold leaf upon it.

"Senior, this is..."

"This is the Canghai Token. Aside from the inner and outer cities, the core region beneath the main peak will also be open to the bearer," Nalan Xi explained calmly.

Naturally, Qin Ming understood the true value of this token. With it, the core region of Canghai Peak—including the Tier 3 earthly fire veins, breakthrough meditation chambers, high-level trading venues, and more—would all be open to him.

However, he also knew the principle that there is no free lunch in this world.

For True Person Canghai to act thusly, there must certainly be conditions attached.

"Thank you, Senior, for such a generous gift. Is there something I can assist you with?" Qin Ming stood up, cupped his fists, and asked.

Seeing how perceptive Qin Ming was, Nalan Xi smiled indifferently. "I do indeed have a matter I must ask Little Friend Qin to help me with."

Then, waving her fair hand, she produced an elongated, exquisite jade box that instantly exuded an extraordinary quality.

Gently lifting the lid, she revealed a ginseng-shaped spiritual plant inside. In an instant, a rich, earthy-yellow spiritual charm welled forth from within the jade box.

Even from afar, Qin Ming could sense the astonishing spiritual energy emanating from the plant.

However, when he cast his divine sense forward to take a closer look, he discovered that the spiritual plant's spirituality was damaged, and its roots appeared to have been forcibly snapped off by a section.

After producing this item, Nalan Xi fell silent, seemingly intending to test Qin Ming.

"Senior, could this be the Tier 3 lower-grade spiritual plant, the Spirit-Transforming Demon Herb?" Qin Ming deliberated for a moment before speaking without hesitation.

Hearing this, Nalan Xi's eyes brightened with praise. "Indeed! It is precisely this herb. I did not expect Little Friend Qin to be so broadly read as to recognize such an obscure spiritual plant."

Qin Ming had learned of it from that inheritance of a Tier 3 Master of Spiritual Planting.

Although this Spirit-Transforming Demon Herb was a Tier 3 spiritual plant, it held little use for human cultivators. For demonic beasts, however, it was a supreme treasure of heaven and earth.

Not only could this spiritual herb heal severe injuries in demonic beasts, but every decade it would also bear several demonic fruits capable of drastically boosting a beast's cultivation and strengthening its foundation.

It was a spiritual herb regarded as a priceless treasure by beast-taming sects.

If properly utilized, a single Tier 3 Spirit-Transforming Demon Herb could even nurture a high-tier demonic beast.

"To not keep it from Little Friend Qin, when I fought that demonic ape some time ago, one of my spirit pets sustained severe injuries during the battle, which damaged its foundation."

"Unless Spirit-Transforming Demon Fruit is used as medicine, it will be difficult to recover fully, and its future potential will be compromised."

"That spirit pet has followed me for many years, and I cannot bear to watch it go to waste in vain."

"Therefore, I wish to entrust Little Friend Qin with reviving this Spirit-Transforming Demon Herb and cultivating its demonic fruit."

Nalan Xi requested with an expression of utmost sincerity.