Chapter Twenty: Inquiries

Qingyang Market.

Inside a private room at Gathering Pavilion.

Qin Ming had ordered a table full of fine wine and dishes, feasting together with Cai Laojiu as if devouring a storm. Manager Liao sat nearby, his face adorned with a pleasant smile, accompanying them in their drinking.

Naturally, he knew that their visit was not simply for food and drink.

Manager Liao had been coveting Qin Ming’s Beast Fang Rice for quite some time.

After a few rounds of wine, Qin Ming and Cai Laojiu were both full and satisfied. Only then did Manager Liao rub his hands together, smiling as he said, “Friend Qin, about what you promised… that Beast Fang Rice…”

Qin Ming raised his cup, drained it, and unhurriedly took out the Golden Spirit Rice and Beast Fang Rice.

“There are over five hundred pounds of Golden Spirit Rice and one hundred pounds of Beast Fang Rice, all here.”

Manager Liao’s eyes shone, barely glancing at the Golden Spirit Rice, his gaze fixed solely on the bag of Beast Fang Rice.

He picked out a few grains, white tinged with red, and examined them closely.

For a long moment.

“Friend Qin, your Beast Fang Rice is truly well cultivated, of excellent quality, almost reaching the level of premium!” he exclaimed, looking at the bright blood-red streak inside the rice.

Even Manager Liao, usually composed and capable, could not help but show a hint of excitement on his face.

He had managed this place for many years, yet it was the first time he had encountered Beast Fang Spiritual Rice of such outstanding quality.

If handled well, the price of this batch could easily multiply several times, with vast profit potential!

The key was—

Now that he had established a good relationship with Qin Ming, he could secure an exclusive supply channel for Beast Fang Rice.

With Qin Ming’s expertise in spiritual planting, it was likely he could continue cultivating Beast Fang Rice for a long time to come.

In this way—

Manager Liao’s record at Gathering Pavilion would be marked with a bold and glorious achievement.

If the Pavilion Master were pleased, perhaps his long-held position could even be elevated.

With these thoughts, Manager Liao suddenly came to a resolution.

“Friend Qin, I can take charge and purchase this batch of Beast Fang Rice at a price twenty percent higher than the market rate.”

“That is, six spirit stones per pound. What do you think?”

Qin Ming pondered for a moment, not replying immediately.

Seeing this, Manager Liao hurried forward, took out a jade token from his storage pouch, and solemnly handed it to Qin Ming. “This is a discount token for Gathering Pavilion.”

“With this token, Friend Qin will enjoy a twenty percent discount on all purchases here or at any branch.”

Qin Ming took the jade token, examined it carefully, and nodded in agreement. “Deal.”

Manager Liao’s face lit up with joy as the deal was made.

He immediately brought out a large scale artifact and began weighing.

“Five hundred and ten pounds of Golden Spirit Rice, at a price of one hundred seventy spirit stones.”

“One hundred and five pounds of Beast Fang Rice, at a price of six hundred thirty spirit stones.”

“The total is eight hundred lower-grade spirit stones.”

Manager Liao finished the calculations, swiftly handed the spirit stones to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming placed the stones into his storage pouch.

The transaction brought him a windfall of eight hundred spirit stones, leaving him with newfound confidence.

Cai Laojiu, watching the pile of spirit stones, nearly drooled, his face full of envy.

Manager Liao, still smiling, asked, “Is there anything Friend Qin wishes to purchase?”

“Not for now,” Qin Ming replied expressionlessly.

“By the way, has anything happened lately?” Qin Ming suddenly inquired.

Manager Liao paused, then answered in a low voice, “Same as always. The Feather Gate is busy repairing the teleportation array; it’ll take some time before it’s fixed.”

Qin Ming nodded.

This time, Qin Ming had sold one hundred pounds of Beast Fang Rice to Manager Liao, intentionally showing a hint of his own value.

Manager Liao’s background was substantial, granting him access to upper-level news and trends.

Qin Ming knew he would need to consult him for information about the cultivation world in the future.

Cai Laojiu also sold two hundred pounds of Golden Spirit Rice to Manager Liao.

With the transactions complete, Qin Ming prepared to pay and leave. Manager Liao generously gave him a twenty percent discount, charging only five spirit stones, and even gifted him a small jug of spiritual wine.

Manager Liao then warmly escorted them out of the shop.

After leaving, Qin Ming headed toward the Feather Gate’s Steward Hall to take the spiritual planting knowledge assessment and advance to First-Grade Spiritual Planter.

He bade farewell to Cai Laojiu, and the two parted ways, each attending to their own affairs.

Qin Ming arrived at the Steward Hall alone.

The assessment went smoothly, taking only an hour.

It consisted mainly of basic knowledge about cultivating spiritual plants, plus an essay on experiences growing a first-grade spiritual plant.

The examiner quickly graded him—he passed.

He then stamped Qin Ming’s spiritual planter identity wooden token with the official mana seal.

On the token’s reverse, a leaf on the depicted spiritual plant lit up, marking Qin Ming’s status as a First-Grade Lower Spiritual Planter.

“To advance to Middle Grade Spiritual Planter, you must successfully grow at least three types of First-Grade Middle Spiritual Plants.”

“When the time comes, return here to advance,” the Feather Gate Steward said, giving the young Qin Ming a second glance and reminding him.

“Yes, thank you,” Qin Ming replied respectfully, and left the Steward Hall.

…

Walking through the market streets, Qin Ming played with the spiritual planter identity token for a while, then tucked it away.

“Oh my—”

“Such fate we have!”

“Don’t rush off, friend! Two spirit stones per turn, want to play?”

On the way to the Ruan Family Manor, he again passed by the nearby brothel.

Still the same seductive woman in green, casting him flirtatious glances.

She kept calling out.

Qin Ming ignored her, eyes straight ahead, heading for the Ruan Family Manor.

“Bah! No fun at all!” the woman spat.

She had just finished speaking when two men emerged from the doorway behind her, one of them the burly, bearded man.

“Another one didn’t take the bait.”

…

Ruan Family Manor stood near the heart of Qingyang Market.

Along the way, several alleys had been built full of houses, each an independent courtyard with generous space.

Inside, all sorts of facilities were complete—private cultivation chambers, rooms for refining various cultivation arts and techniques.

In addition, each courtyard was equipped with an array to shield against spying, ensuring privacy.

After all,

In the cultivation world, privacy and security were crucial for cultivators.

Those who could rent here were usually mid- to late-stage cultivators, or even those at the peak of the Qi Refining stage.

Qin Ming inquired about the housing situation here.

He learned that, since last year, rent prices in the market had soared several times compared to previous years.

“Nowadays, even the poorest houses in Qingyang Market cost three hundred spirit stones per year in rent.”

Qin Ming clicked his tongue in amazement.

“But now, all the houses in the market are fully rented. If any courtyards become available, one must apply for a slot at the Feather Gate Steward Hall.”

“I’ve heard that this year, the queue for housing slots in the market has reached over nine hundred…”

Qin Ming: “…”

He had thought the rents in the market were outrageously high. Now he realized that, despite the price, slots still had to be fought for!

“If not for the protection of the second-grade formation in the market—”

“Even a dog wouldn’t rent here!”

“He—tui—”

…

At the entrance of the Ruan Family Manor.

Knock knock knock!

Qin Ming knocked for quite a while, but no one responded inside.

He immediately sent a message talisman to Ruan.

A short while later,

Qin Ming received a reply.

“Friend Qin, apologies. I am dealing with some matters outside and won’t be home for a while.”

“Would you mind if I give you an address? It’s not far, but I’d trouble you to make a trip.”

Qin Ming frowned, his brows forming a crease.

After a moment’s thought,

He cautiously replied, “Friend Ruan, things aren’t very peaceful outside right now. Perhaps I’ll wait a bit longer.”

“Let me know when you return home.”