Chapter Eighty-One: Pursuit and Escape Routes

High above, among the clouds.

Qin Ming let out a joyful, resounding cry.

At this very moment, he felt an indescribable exhilaration. The freedom from relying on others for shelter was a pleasure he had never truly tasted before.

His next plan was to seek out Gu Qingzhao, hoping to board the Mirror Snow Pavilion's magical vessel and leave behind the chaotic expanse of Yunze Wilds.

Guiding his spirit-light shuttle, Qin Ming gazed down at the rapidly receding landscape below. Memories began to surface—his bitter journey after being exiled here as a spirit farmer, every hardship still vivid in his mind.

Now, as a second-tier spirit plant master, he could be a guest of honor wherever he went, welcomed by any power.

Yet, Qin Ming resolved to find a place rich in spiritual energy, to cultivate his fields alone and grow steadily, preparing for his foundation establishment.

Suddenly, while pondering these plans, his powerful spiritual sense detected two formidable cultivators, surging after him from behind!

“Foundation Establishment stage!” His heart tightened instantly; he knew exactly what was happening.

Expanding his spiritual sense, he discovered, hundreds of yards away, Elder Gu from the Spirit Feather Sect and another Foundation Establishment elder, both closing in at full speed.

Without hesitation, Qin Ming pushed his spirit-light shuttle to its limits, transforming into a streak of light that vanished across the sky.

“That brat actually has a supreme-grade flying artifact!”

“Don’t hold back, let’s catch up at full speed. We must stop him before he enters Qingyang Market.”

“But let’s be clear: the Mother Qi of Ten Thousand Woods on him is mine. The man is yours to deal with.”

“Agreed!”

Qin Ming frowned, sensing the two Foundation Establishment elders rapidly approaching. He knew they would soon catch up.

Gritting his teeth, Qin Ming retrieved two spherical objects from his storage pouch, waited for the right moment, and—when skirting a mountain peak—hurled them back.

Instantly, Elder Gu was seized by a strong sense of unease, hurriedly pulling out a defensive artifact to shield himself.

Boom! Thunderous explosions echoed, blue arcs of lightning flashing through the air behind him.

The mountain shook violently; a small mushroom cloud rose slowly in midair.

Caught off guard, the other Foundation Establishment elder beside Elder Gu had his arm blown off.

Neither elder from the Spirit Feather Sect had expected Qin Ming to possess such a thing.

“Damn! That brat actually has Yin Thunder Seeds!”

The wounded elder, pale-faced, quickly took out a healing pill and swallowed it, performing a spell to staunch the bleeding.

A rare look of fear appeared on his face; he had no idea how many more such weapons Qin Ming might have.

If they continued the chase, they might stumble into disaster.

Elder Gu, watching Qin Ming flee, was furious.

“Hmph! Lucky bastard!”

...

An incense stick’s worth of time later.

Qin Ming returned to Qingyang Market.

He knew the two elders would never dare pursue him inside; after all, the Spirit Feather Sect still cared about its reputation.

Moreover, Qingyang Market was now a volatile mix of all kinds, a powder keg needing only a spark.

One wrong move could provoke intense reactions from other factions within the market.

Qin Ming made his way back to the Cool Retreat.

His expression was grim; he hadn’t expected the Spirit Feather Sect to resort to such vile methods. If he hadn’t been prepared, escape would have been impossible.

“I only want to quietly farm.”

“If you insist on forcing me, you’ve only yourselves to blame.”

Burning with anger, Qin Ming suddenly conceived a wicked plan.

He began harvesting all the spirit herbs in his courtyard that could be taken.

But when it came to his life-bound spirit plant, Black Vine, Qin Ming hesitated. Living things couldn’t be put directly into the storage pouch; what if it died?

He had painstakingly refined this life-bound spirit plant and couldn’t abandon it.

While he was pondering, the Black Vine seemed to sense his intentions.

To his astonishment, it twisted and danced, crawling up his arm like spilled ink, tightly coiling around him as if forming a tattoo-like vine.

“Incredible, is this even possible?”

Qin Ming stared at the Black Vine wrapped around his arm in awe.

...

Yunmeng Mountain.

Qin Ming visited Gu Qingzhao’s cave residence once more.

“Fellow Daoist Qin! Have you finished your trial?” Gu Qingzhao invited him to sit, pouring him tea.

Qin Ming nodded, producing his spirit plant master’s wooden badge, the spirit plant on its reverse side now illuminated, shining brilliantly.

“Congratulations on advancing to second-tier spirit plant master!” Gu Qingzhao’s eyes sparkled with genuine delight. Though she had long known Qin Ming could cultivate second-tier plants of high quality, his successful completion of the grass-and-wood illusion trial still impressed her.

“Fellow Daoist Gu, I am now freed from the Spirit Feather Sect’s servitude, a free man once more.”

“I wish to ask—is there any way to leave Yunze Wilds?” Qin Ming sipped the mist tea, gently inquiring.

Gu Qingzhao’s eyes flashed subtly as she stood, sincerely inviting him again: “I would like to invite you once more to become a guest elder of our pavilion. Any requests, feel free to mention.”

“As for leaving…”

“In half a month, our pavilion will withdraw from Yunze Wilds. When the time comes, you may travel with us aboard the magical vessel.”

Gu Qingzhao’s warm invitation made it hard for Qin Ming to refuse.

“Fellow Daoist Gu, forgive me for not agreeing to join your pavilion. I dislike restraints—otherwise, I wouldn’t have left the Spirit Feather Sect. But for future dealings, I can prioritize cooperation with your pavilion.”

A trace of disappointment flickered in Gu Qingzhao’s star-like eyes. After a moment’s thought, her eyes brightened and she said, “Then, would you consider becoming an honorary guest elder? It’s merely a title—no obligations. You would enjoy certain privileges and benefits, with priority access to resources.”

Qin Ming pondered for a moment; Gu Qingzhao had made every effort. To refuse further would be ungracious.

He nodded. “As you wish, Fellow Daoist Gu.”

Gu Qingzhao’s heart soared with joy. She raised her teacup, saying, “Then, to a fruitful partnership.”

They drank a symbolic toast.

“Where does Fellow Daoist Qin plan to go next?” Gu Qingzhao asked, setting down her cup.

Qin Ming smiled. “Truthfully, I haven’t decided where to settle yet. There are still matters to attend to; once finished, I’ll make my choice.”

Then, he took fifty pounds of second-tier Five-Colored Spirit Rice from his storage pouch, placing it before Gu Qingzhao. “Since I’ve agreed to be your honorary guest elder, please handle the auction of this spirit rice on my behalf.”

Gu Qingzhao gazed at the dazzling Five-Colored Spirit Rice, momentarily lost in thought.

After a long pause, she collected the rice with a wave, smiling with delight. “Rest assured, you will not be disappointed. Coincidentally, when our magical vessel departs, we’ll host an auction aboard, attended by many cultivators.”

They conversed for a long while.

Having secured his escape route, Qin Ming took his leave.

He then visited Huangfu Qi’s cave, delivering the promised half strand of Mother Qi of Ten Thousand Woods to Chen Qiaoling.

With these matters settled, Qin Ming returned to the shantytown, retrieved the purple pill furnace, and buried the earth fire beneath the alchemy room.

He looked up at the starry night, murmuring,

“That’s enough. Let me help you kindle the flames.”