Chapter Eighty-Five: Aftermath
Mid-air.
A staggering figure suddenly shifted beyond the range of the thunder. Lin Zixiao spat out a mouthful of blood, his entire body bathed in crimson, scorched outside and tender within. His eyes revealed a profound sense of dread.
His heart raced with lingering fear. If not for a technique to substitute calamity, he too would have been reduced to ashes on the spot, just like the others.
Lin Zixiao turned back and cast a deep glance at Qin Ming, then forced his severely wounded body to transform into a streak of black light and vanish.
Qin Ming was startled—he survived?
He had distinctly seen Lin Zixiao within the thunder, suddenly turn into a burning paper figure and disintegrate, then instantaneously escape the spell's range.
Such methods were truly astonishing.
Qin Ming’s spiritual sense left his body, sweeping over the site of the recent battle. To his dismay, he found that the last strike had obliterated Elder Gu and the green-robed elder, along with their storage bags—nothing remained but dust.
He curled his lip in regret, “Ah! What a pity.”
The commotion here was significant; it was likely that others would soon arrive. The fact that he had slain that old fox Elder Gu filled him with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. A chapter had been closed.
Qin Ming promptly urged his flying shuttle and disappeared from the spot.
“What happened?”
“What was that golden thunder just now?”
“Terrifying! Was someone undergoing tribulation?”
“What are you thinking? Thunder tribulation only happens when breaking through to the Golden Core stage.”
Some cultivators near Qingyang Market looked up at the sky, full of astonishment and doubt.
As Qin Ming piloted his flying shuttle past Qingyang Market, the scene was unrecognizable. Once bustling, it was now a wasteland.
Ruins and broken walls sprawled everywhere, the air thick with the scent of blood. Landmarks like Mingzhen Tower and Juxuan Pavilion had collapsed in thunderous ruin.
The spiritual fields surrounding Qingyang Market had been plundered, leaving devastation in their wake.
Qin Ming’s own Cool Retreat had been leveled by spells, and even his two acres of medicinal fields now held a gaping crater.
He sighed inwardly.
Had he not diligently cultivated his fields to gain new abilities, reaching the late stage of Qi Refinement and acquiring several powerful trump cards, he would surely have been swept up in the chaos, his fate uncertain.
Within the shattered Qingyang Market, the scent of blood lingered, and only a few scattered cultivators busied themselves cleaning the battlefield.
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The cultivators of the seven major factions and the Lingyu Sect had vanished without a trace.
Most likely, they had joined forces to exterminate Lingyu Sect.
How that battle unfolded was no longer his concern.
Qin Ming ceased his observations and urged his shuttle onward.
...
Half an hour later.
Qin Ming returned to Yunmeng Mountain.
Now an honorary guest of Snow Mirror Pavilion, the guards bowed upon seeing him and immediately let him pass.
He walked through verdant bamboo groves and straight to Gu Qingzhao’s residence.
After sending her a message, the outer wards dissipated, and Gu Qingzhao emerged gracefully in plain attire, her skirt floating, exuding elegance.
“Fellow Qin, you’re back so soon?” Gu Qingzhao’s voice was calm as water, clear as bells. “I’m glad you returned safely.”
In recent days, she had learned of all that transpired outside and seemed to harbor a subtle worry.
Qin Ming smiled broadly. “Indeed, but Qingyang Market has been destroyed, so I must trouble you for a few days.”
“No matter. I’ll have a superior guest room readied for you, so rest assured.” Gu Qingzhao’s fair face was frosty, her words brimming with unshakable confidence. “No matter how chaotic it gets outside, no one would dare make trouble here.”
Qin Ming trusted her completely.
After all, he had personally witnessed the awe-inspiring powers of Huangfu Qi, one of Snow Mirror Pavilion’s three great guardians. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators would stand no chance against such might.
Here was true authority!
Soon after, Gu Qingzhao warmly invited Qin Ming into her residence for tea.
Her furnishings were refined and elegant, with a classic simplicity that did not lack grace.
Gu Qingzhao moved with gentle composure, brewing a cup of Spirit Mist tea for Qin Ming.
“Please, Fellow Qin.”
Qin Ming smiled, lifting the cup and sipping.
“By the way, Fellow Gu, how is the current situation?” Qin Ming inquired.
Gu Qingzhao seemed to have anticipated this question and replied sweetly, “Honestly, you left Lingyu Sect at just the right time. Otherwise, you would have been swept up in the next conflict.”
“The next conflict?” Qin Ming asked, bewildered.
Gu Qingzhao explained, “Last night, Yu Wenhong of Lingyu Sect secretly underwent Golden Core tribulation and broke through successfully.”
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“Though Snow Mirror Pavilion had some inkling, none expected him to actually succeed.”
“Didn’t the seven major factions try to stop him?” Qin Ming asked, puzzled.
Gu Qingzhao nodded, “Yu Wenhong is truly brilliant—his golden spiritual roots formed a core, and under thunder tribulation, no one dared approach. It was fate, the tide of destiny.”
“Next, Lingyu Sect will establish itself around that third-tier spirit vein, elevating its overall strength.”
“Soon, they will rival Lei Yuan Sect in the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation world.”
Qin Ming was secretly astonished. It seemed Lingyu Sect not only escaped its doom but rose stronger from the ashes.
“Two tigers cannot share a mountain. There will be fiercer clashes between the two factions ahead.”
“Those who once struck at Lingyu Sect will find the days ahead grim.”
...
After a lengthy conversation with Gu Qingzhao, Qin Ming returned to his assigned guest room.
He took out the treasures acquired from the ancient ruins and began to study them carefully.
First was the beast-hide scripture, which recorded the subsequent cultivation methods of the ‘Hundred Treasures Glazed Scripture.’
Qin Ming had already cultivated the method to the eighth level. Upon reaching the ninth, he would be able to project true qi externally.
Beyond that, his physical body would achieve Foundation Establishment, and his vital energy would further transform, attaining the legendary stage where true qi takes shape.
However, after achieving physical Foundation Establishment, the required spiritual materials to enhance his qi and blood would become even rarer and more numerous.
Even the finest Blood Locust Rice might not suffice.
Qin Ming would have to seek higher-grade spiritual plants.
He was still some distance from the ninth level, so he was in no hurry to plant now.
The Blood Locust Rice would support him to reach full mastery of the ninth level of the ‘Hundred Treasures Glazed Scripture.’
Qin Ming put away the beast-hide scripture.
He then examined a jade bottle containing blue spiritual flame.
Having scoured all available texts, he found no record of such a flame.
He had no choice but to store it for future investigation.
Next, he took out a long scroll map and unfurled it on the table.
Landscape after landscape was revealed before Qin Ming’s eyes.
Now, it was time for him to consider where to plant his fields next.
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