Chapter Forty-Two: Not Really in the Mood to Go Out
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Within the cool, tranquil courtyard.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
Qin Ming gripped the Black Wind Blade, diligently practicing the Blood-Fire Blade Technique over and over.
He hadn’t expected this technique to be so exceptionally difficult. Qin Ming had trained tirelessly for half a month without pause, yet hadn’t even grasped the basics of the first form.
This blade art demanded not only precision, accuracy, and ferocity in exerting force, but also a mastery of one’s vital energy and blood. Without such control, one could not trigger the fiery blade aura, and its power would be greatly diminished.
Previously, Qin Ming relied on brute strength when wielding the blade, resulting in inefficiency. Now, he needed to correct this approach.
Knock, knock, knock!
As Qin Ming trained, the sound of knocking came from outside the gate.
He quickly put away the Black Wind Blade and peered through the peephole.
“Why is it him again?” Qin Ming frowned as he recognized the visitor.
It was none other than Chen Zi’ang.
Half a month ago, Qin Ming had fallen out with Chen’s master, Jiang Kun, and their parting had been unpleasant.
Why was this fellow seeking him again so soon?
Qin Ming hesitated briefly, then opened the door.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, what brings you here?”
Chen Zi’ang’s face brightened upon seeing Qin Ming.
He looked around cautiously before speaking.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, may I come in and speak?”
Qin Ming frowned slightly, uncertain of Chen’s intentions, but stepped aside. “Please, come in.”
Chen Zi’ang entered the courtyard, glanced around, and exclaimed, “Fellow Daoist Qin, this courtyard is truly unique!”
“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Chen. It’s nothing compared to the houses of the Lingyu Sect headquarters. Please, let’s go inside and have a cup of tea,” Qin Ming replied modestly.
Chen Zi’ang shook his head and lowered his voice. “No need for tea.”
“Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a secret to tell you.”
“But first, let me explain.”
“A few days ago, Senior Brother Jiang spoke harshly to you—please don’t take it to heart. That’s just his temperament: blunt and straightforward. He even scolds me sometimes, haha.”
Qin Ming: "......"
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Those words sounded oddly familiar... He seemed to recall Jiang Kun saying something similar himself.
“Let’s set that aside for now,” Chen Zi’ang continued.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, listen carefully to what comes next. It might turn out to be a great opportunity for you!”
Qin Ming was inwardly skeptical.
‘A great opportunity? Would this fellow be so generous?’
Chen Zi’ang cleared his throat and went on: “In half a month, Elder Zhuang Xiran, our sect’s Tier Two Superior Spirit Plant Master, will give a public lecture at the headquarters on spirit plant knowledge, and will most likely be selecting a personal disciple.”
“There are limited seats for this lecture, and few know about it.”
“I went to great lengths to obtain an entry token.”
“I wish to give it to you, Fellow Daoist Qin, as a gesture of apology. This will be invaluable for advancing to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master, and if Elder Zhuang favors you, you could soar to new heights!”
With that, Chen Zi’ang retrieved a jade talisman from his storage pouch, engraved with the character “Zhuang,” radiating a distinctive magical aura—clearly genuine.
He beamed and offered the talisman to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming did not reach for it.
He understood well the saying: “A sudden gift, without reason, must be for ulterior motives.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not convenient. The mountain’s spirit fields are busy with farmwork this month, and I truly cannot spare the time.”
“I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist Chen, but perhaps you should give the token to someone else?”
Qin Ming finished his words with an apologetic gesture.
Chen Zi’ang, who had just delivered an eloquent pitch and seemed certain of success, was left speechless when Qin Ming rejected him outright.
‘This is a Tier Two Superior Spirit Plant Master’s lecture!’
‘Is this fellow out of his mind? Or did I not explain clearly enough?’
‘He just refused, without hesitation?’
Chen Zi’ang forced a smile, then suddenly asked, “Fellow Daoist Qin... are you not planning to advance to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?”
“I heard this year you’ve been assisting Master Su Dan in cultivating superior and exceptional spirit plants. If successful, your next step would be crossing into the Tier Two threshold.”
“What does that have to do with advancing to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?” Qin Ming asked, puzzled.
Chen Zi’ang looked surprised. “Ah? Surely you don’t mean you don’t know the requirements for advancing to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?”
“Uh... I actually don’t. I planned to consult the Steward’s Hall in the coming days, but haven’t had the chance yet,” Qin Ming replied honestly, without embarrassment.
Chen Zi’ang was enlightened and smiled, “Ah, that explains it.”
“No need to go to the Steward’s Hall, I can tell you now.”
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“Advancing to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master is a bit different from Tier One.”
“You must satisfy three conditions.”
“First, you need to successfully cultivate any Tier Two spirit plant.”
“Second, you must receive a recommendation from any Tier Two Spirit Plant Master, which ties into the third condition.”
“Third, enter the Lingyu Sect’s Herb Mirage and complete the trial.”
“The seats for the trial are controlled by the Tier Two Spirit Plant Master elders.”
“Each elder can recommend three spirit plant masters for the Herb Mirage trial.”
“Fellow Daoist Qin, don’t miss this opportunity! It’s rare for an elder to give a public lecture and accept disciples.”
Chen Zi’ang finished speaking.
Now it was Qin Ming’s turn to be surprised.
He hadn’t realized the requirements for advancing to Tier Two Spirit Plant Master were so complicated—not only a recommendation from a Tier Two master, but also participation in some Herb Mirage trial.
What a headache.
Qin Ming returned from his contemplation and replied, “Thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist Chen. But I am inexperienced, and I don’t know if I’ll break through to Superior Spirit Plant Master this year. Tier Two is still too far for me to consider right now.”
“......” Chen Zi’ang’s face darkened. He had almost exhausted his good words, but Qin Ming’s single sentence blocked him completely.
He was inwardly furious, but remembering his plan, he forced a smile and said, “If that’s the case, I won’t disturb you further.”
“I’ll hold on to the token. If you ever need it, just come find me at Mingzhen Pavilion.”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Qin Ming smiled, “Farewell, Fellow Daoist Chen.”
Their conversation ended.
Chen Zi’ang left the cool little abode.
On the marketplace road.
After walking some distance, Chen Zi’ang finally lost his composure and muttered angrily, “Damn that kid! I’ve been keeping watch for days, and he just hides inside all day, never stepping out. What on earth is he doing? Unbelievable!”
“I finally came up with a brilliant plan to lure him out of the marketplace, but he didn’t react at all.”
“Ah, damn, this is infuriating!”
“Senior Brother Jiang wants me to do this quietly...”
“Why doesn’t he try it himself?”
...
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