Chapter Five: The New Neighbor

The area that the Lingyu Sect was pioneering lay in the Cloud Marsh Wilds, deep within the southwestern interior of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world—a remote and sparsely inhabited land.

Winter here was particularly bitter.

Had Qin Ming not crossed over into the cultivation world, he never would’ve known that even cultivators could feel the cold. Nor would he have realized that they, too, required food and drink, and had ordinary bodily needs.

At dawn, a light snow began to fall over the shantytown.

The alley was desolate and quiet, with only a few sparrows foraging among the rubbish heaps.

With the onset of winter, the spiritual fields entered a brief two-month resting period. The next season’s spiritual rice would be sown before the Spring Festival; otherwise, a late frost could ruin the crop, leading to empty husks.

Though the winter was cold, there was a certain peace in its chill. The turning of the seasons reminded Qin Ming that the warmth of early spring was drawing near.

He was shoveling snow from his doorstep when—creak!—the wooden door next door swung open.

Out stepped his neighbor, Li Yanli, dressed in a rose-pink jacket adorned with peach blossom patterns, her charm enhanced by a delicate fragrance. She carried a wooden basin to pour out her washing water.

“Good morning, Daoist Li,” Qin Ming greeted her with a faint smile.

“Good morning! Daoist Qin, you’re certainly diligent!” Li Yanli replied, lips curving into a playful smile. “I’ve heard your spiritual rice harvest last season was quite astonishing. You must have sold it for a good sum of spirit stones, yes?”

“Heh, just a bit of luck, nothing more,” Qin Ming replied, preparing to head back inside.

But Li Yanli called after him, “Daoist Qin, wait a moment.”

With a touch of bashfulness, she said, “I’m afraid I was a bit noisy the other day and disturbed your rest. If you don’t mind, would you like to come inside? I can offer you a free visit.”

“Uh—” Qin Ming was taken aback, his face flushing red.

Frankly, as a young man full of vigor, how could he withstand such a test of temptation?

‘Isn’t the warmth of spring arriving a bit too soon?’ he wondered. ‘Or is the economy just that bad? Out here, people are starting their morning exercises before dawn!’

‘Calm down, stay calm!’

He suspected it wasn’t his body she was after, but rather the spirit stones in his pocket.

Qin Ming’s resolve wavered.

Suddenly, a powerful figure flashed through his mind: Fellow Daoist Long, a cultivator at the late eighth stage of the Qi Refining realm.

‘Not someone I can afford to offend… Best to forget it.’

Instantly, Qin Ming’s enthusiasm vanished. He composed himself.

“Ah… Thank you for your kindness, but I was out weeding and turning the spiritual fields recently, and my back’s been aching these past two days,” he deflected, slipping back inside without another word.

“Alas, beauty is but a skeleton in rouge—enough to disturb one’s Dao heart!” he muttered, hastily washing his face as his mind continued to wander.

Bang, bang, bang!

A knock sounded at the door.

‘Could it be? Is she coming to me after all? Vixen, you’re truly relentless! If that’s the case, I’ll just have to face you head-on!’

Opening the door, he was surprised to find Old Cai standing there.

Old Cai looked around to make sure no one else was present before speaking.

“So it’s you?” Qin Ming asked, a little disappointed.

Old Cai, carrying two bags, had been all smiles, but at those words, he froze.

He glanced around and protested, “Now see here, why can’t it be me? I came all this way to bring you a jug of my homemade sweet potato liquor! Fine, I’ll just go then.”

“Wait, that’s not what I meant! Come in, have a seat,” Qin Ming hastened to apologize.

Grumbling, Old Cai thrust the jug into his hands. “Sit? Why sit? Did you know we’ve got a new neighbor?”

Qin Ming accepted the wine, puzzled. “A new neighbor?”

Old Cai could tell by his bewildered look that Qin Ming had been holed up too long, out of touch with the latest news.

With a sigh, he said, “Honestly, what am I to do with you? Just a few days ago, a new cultivator moved into the alley—a genuine alchemist!”

“An alchemist?”

Among the myriad arts of cultivation, alchemy, artifact forging, talismans, and formations reigned supreme.

For cultivators, medicinal pills were essential for advancement—whether for everyday cultivation, breakthroughs, healing, or prolonging life. At some point, everyone would seek an alchemist’s aid. Building good relations now might prove invaluable in the future.

“But… why would an alchemist move into the shantytown?” Qin Ming wondered.

After all, the art of alchemy was a true devourer of spirit stones. Training an alchemist, no matter how talented, required an abundance of rare spiritual materials—a luxury only the most powerful sects could afford. Poorer sects simply couldn’t manage it.

“Must be just an ordinary, uncertified alchemist,” Qin Ming guessed.

“Word is, he’s only staying for a year. No one knows the real reason. Hurry up and prepare a gift—we should go pay our respects,” Old Cai urged, impatient.

“So the wine was just an excuse, and I’m only here to tag along for the alchemist’s sake,” Qin Ming muttered, resigned.

Before long, the two made their way through several alleys and stopped before a house. Old Cai knocked on the door.

Moments later, it swung open.

A young man, dressed in white and barely in his twenties, stood before them. He was at the fifth stage of the Qi Refining realm.

Neither Qin Ming nor Old Cai had expected the alchemist to be so young.

“We heard there’s a new alchemist in the neighborhood and wanted to pay our respects. We’re all neighbors now, after all!” Old Cai said cheerfully.

After some polite introductions, they presented their gifts: Qin Ming offered five catties of spiritual rice, and Old Cai, in addition to spiritual rice, brought a jug of his homemade wine.

“A small token, nothing more.”

The young man accepted their offerings with a smile and invited them in. “You’re too polite,” he said. “My name is Su Yuqing, and please, accept these as a gesture of goodwill.”

He produced two plain jade bottles and handed one to each of them.

Qin Ming accepted his and peeked inside: a single Qi Restoration Pill—capable of swiftly replenishing spiritual energy, and worth five spirit stones apiece. As expected of an alchemist, his generosity was impressive.

By comparison, Qin Ming and Old Cai felt a bit embarrassed; their gifts of spiritual rice seemed paltry indeed.

‘Feels like we’re just here to cadge pills…’

Thankfully, Alchemist Su didn’t seem to mind.

“Yes, I am an alchemist. I recently advanced to a mid-grade first-tier alchemist and came here for a change of scenery,” he said with a hint of pride.

The status of alchemists was lofty— even apprentice alchemists who could concoct only basic pills earned a handsome income. A mid-grade first-tier alchemist like Su, especially at his young age, was a rare and valuable talent, sure to attract the attention of major powers.

Such people were destined for greatness, far beyond the reach of small-timers like Qin Ming and Old Cai.

“We didn’t realize you’re already a mid-grade first-tier alchemist, Master Su. Forgive our earlier impudence!” they both said, hurriedly bowing.

Master Su sat with easy composure, sipping his tea and waving them off as if it were only natural.

At that moment, the door opened again.

The three turned to see Fellow Daoist Long entering.

Master Su rose to greet him, and Fellow Daoist Long offered a respectful salute.

After exchanging pleasantries, Long produced two jade boxes as gifts for Master Su—one containing a mid-tier beast core, and the other, a stalk of Xuan Spirit Grass.

Master Su smiled, patted his storage pouch, and presented Long with an exquisite jade bottle in return.

“Two Spirit-Gathering Pills,” he explained. “They can enhance Qi Refining cultivation, and are effective even for late-stage cultivators.”

Long and Master Su soon launched into an animated conversation, completely ignoring Qin Ming and Old Cai…

Half a cup of tea later, Qin Ming and Old Cai took their leave, both looking somewhat out of sorts.

“That was too forward of us,” Qin Ming sighed.

“How was I supposed to know Master Su was so young—and already a mid-grade alchemist?” Old Cai grumbled.

“Well, next time there’s such a good opportunity, don’t drag me along,” Qin Ming replied.