"What?! Fellow Daoist Lii is simultaneously cultivating two Tier Four cultivation techniques..."

"And also proficient in the Path of Spiritual Plants, that’s quite rare indeed!"

"Truly a remarkable person! I apologize for any disrespect earlier!"

Upon hearing Qin Ming’s words, Master Yaochen and the others immediately showed solemn respect!

Cultivators proficient in two Tier Four cultivation techniques are rare, and are esteemed guests in any region.

Practicing just one technique to the fourth tier can consume much of a cultivator’s life and effort, let alone two.

They, having their own Tier Four techniques, deeply understand the arduous process involved.

Master Yaochen and the others guessed that the Netherworld Sect had likely tried to recruit this ’Fellow Daoist Lii’, yet this new neighbor had not agreed to join any sect.

Even Poison Cultivator Luoo Jinghong and Puppet Master Que Tianyin showed shock and began to reassess the ordinary-looking cultivator before them.

Qin Ming’s first impression among them instantly elevated to a higher level.

Holding the cultivation of Mid-stage Nascent Soul and mastering two high-tier techniques, his status and position far surpassed theirs.

Consequently, their words and attitudes subtly shifted, showing increased cordiality toward Qin Ming.

Immediately after,

Master Yaochen took the lead, flipping his hand to take out a delicate jade bottle from his storage pouch, smiling as he presented it to Qin Ming, "Fellow Daoist Lii, this is a small token of my regard for our first meeting, please accept it."

"This pill is called ’Miaoqing Pill’, a Tier Four Low-Grade Spirit Pill, which can enhance a Nascent Soul cultivator’s mana."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yaochen. Then I shall graciously accept it." Qin Ming expressed his gratitude after receiving the pill, not refusing the goodwill.

Subsequently,

Shii Susu, Luoo Jinghong, and Que Tianyin each also presented their gifts.

After receiving gifts from the four, Qin Ming naturally couldn’t be impolite.

He promptly took out an altar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid from his storage pouch and filled four jade cups for them.

Instantly, the rich fragrance of the Immortal Brew spread, with a misty, dreamlike radiance emanating from the spirit wine cups.

Master Yaochen and others felt immediately invigorated!

Their gazes fixed on the jade dew-like spirit wine, their throats moving involuntarily.

"Please, Fellow Daoists, have a taste. This Tier Four Top-Grade Spirit Wine, called ’Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid’, is brewed exclusively by me," Qin Ming introduced.

"The materials used for brewing this jade liquid include the demon pill of a Tier Four variant Nether Water Giant Snake, complemented with Red Sun Deer Antler and Tier Three Top-Grade Bee King Honey, crafted with care over a century."

"This wine significantly benefits the enhancement of Nascent Soul stage cultivations, effective even for Mid-stage Nascent Soul as well."

"However, the key lies in its unique flavor, which you’ll know with one taste..."

Listening to Qin Ming’s introduction, the four also showed astonishment.

After all, Tier Four spirit wine is uncommon even in the cultivation realm.

The four immediately lifted their jade cups and began tasting the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid...

In an instant, their expressions transformed into immense shock and delight, immersed in its taste... unable to calm down for a long time.

As the medicinal power of the spirit wine took effect, waves of warm spiritual qi circulated through their bodies.

"Such marvelous wine! I’ve tasted many spirit wines, but Fellow Daoist Lii’s Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid can be considered the finest Immortal Brew, unmatched!" Master Yaochen exclaimed, his face flushed, holding the wine cup in awe.

The others similarly praised in admiration.

Qin Ming smiled lightly, "No need for formalities, Fellow Daoists, feel free to have more."

As they exchanged drinks, they soon became familiar with each other, bridging their distance.

The four, being high-tier cultivators long residing in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp, were well-versed in the happenings there.

Qin Ming took the opportunity to inquire about the situation.

After tasting the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, the four showed a lingering desire and a strong willingness to purchase more.

Qin Ming, with plenty of brewed spirit wine left, now only found it to satisfy his culinary cravings, given his mid-stage Demon Infant Divinity Transformation body refining cultivation.

Thus, he divided two altars among the four in exchange for some intelligence and unique spiritual objects of this place.

Master Yaochen and others were utterly surprised by Qin Ming’s generosity.

Half a day later, as it grew late.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lii, for the hospitality! It’s a pity we met so late; we’ll stop here for today and won’t disturb further. We shall gather again soon!" Master Yaochen first stood to say goodbye.

"Very well, then I shall not keep you, Fellow Daoists," Qin Ming replied.

"Fellow Daoist Lii, please stay, no need to see us off."

As she was about to leave, the young woman Shii Susu suddenly remembered something and turned to Qin Ming, saying:

"Since Fellow Daoist Lii is a High-Tier Spirit Plant Master, have you heard of the ’Demon Grain Spirit Rice’ when you came to the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp?"

"Demon Grain Spirit Rice? I do not know of it. Could Master Shii introduce it to me?" Upon hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart was stirred, it seemed she knew some secrets.

Shii Susu smiled gently and said, "This Demon Grain Spirit Rice is said to be a unique Tier Five Spirit Rice of the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp, extremely rare. It’s even rumored that the Nether Sect has been trying to cultivate it secretly but has never succeeded."

"When the Nether Sect first settled in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp, they accidentally obtained a few strains of Demon Grain Spirit Rice near the Nine Nether Rift, causing quite a stir at the time."

"It even attracted the covetous eyes of several major forces nearby. However, upon learning that no one could successfully cultivate it, they all gave up the idea of competing for it."

Qin Ming was also quite intrigued by this Tier Five Demon Rice, but still asked in surprise, "Hasn’t Master Shii already joined the Nether Sect? Why would you tell Lii such information?"

"Haha! I only hold the title of an Honored Guest Elder, not deeply involved with the sect. It’s just been a long time since I met a Spirit Plant Master above Tier Four, and meeting Fellow Daoist Qin reminded me of this matter." Shii Susu explained with a graceful smile. "Besides, this is something everyone knew, not really a big secret. Time has simply made everyone forget it."

Qin Ming replied, "Thank you, Master Shii, for informing me. However, as for such Tier Five Spirit Rice, even if Lii is fascinated, I’m afraid I can’t obtain a Spirit Seed."

"That may not necessarily be the case. Opportunities abound in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp; you might just come across one someday, Fellow Daoist Lii." As Shii Susu finished speaking, she immediately took out a jade scroll from her storage pouch and handed it to him. "Here is the compendium of the Demon Grain Spirit Rice. Perhaps it will be useful to you, a token of appreciation for allowing me to enjoy some of your Spirit Wine, Fellow Daoist Lii."

Qin Ming did not hesitate and accepted the jade scroll from her hand.

With a smile, Shii Susu then said to Lan Bing Fairy, who stood beside Qin Ming, "Sister Linglong is truly fortunate! To have found a partner like Fellow Daoist Lii, who is not only proficient in Spirit Plants and Alchemy Dao but also brews the rare Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid... "

Hearing this, Lan Bing Fairy’s expression turned peculiar, she simply replied with a faint smile.

...

After some social interactions, Qin Ming gained a general understanding of the situation within Qianji City.

Returning to his cave mansion, he devoted himself to cultivation for several months before leaving Black Obsidian Peak alone, flying towards the city.

Following a circuitous path, Qin Ming arrived at a traditionally-styled pavilion.

Guided by the map purchased from Baili Hui, he had tracked his way here.

The shop before him was named ’Mist Immortal Tower’, said to be established by the Loose Alliance organization ’Mist Concealment Loose Alliance’. The shop offered various specialties from the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp and sold cultivation technique books from the Spirit Realm, all collected over thousands of years.

The ’Cyan Emperor Technique’ that Qin Ming cultivated had reached the eighteenth layer and lacked further techniques.

Therefore, he intended to try his luck here, and even if he couldn’t find any, he hoped to find techniques suitable for cultivation to the Void Refinement Stage.

As he stepped into the shop, a charming Golden Core Stage female cultivator greeted him, sensing the profound aura surrounding Qin Ming.

She hurriedly said, "Senior, there is a private room upstairs for you. Please have a cup of Spirit Tea and rest while I call the shopkeeper over."

Then, he followed her to the sixth-floor private room. As a Nascent Soul Stage major client, the Golden Core Female Cultivator clearly couldn’t make decisions, so the shop’s shopkeeper personally attended to Qin Ming.

The shopkeeper, a refined mid-aged man in the late Nascent Soul Stage, entered and immediately clasped his hands in greeting to Qin Ming:

"Welcome, Fellow Daoist Lii, to our tower. I am Chen Xiyang, the manager of this shop. What can I assist you with? Suffice to say, our shop is favored by many fellow Daoists in this area, haha."

"Oh? Does Shopkeeper Chen recognize me?" Qin Ming couldn’t help but ask.

Shopkeeper Chen explained, "We have our own intelligence network within the tower. From the first day you, a Nascent Soul Cultivator, entered Qianji City, we took notice. But rest assured, Fellow Daoist Lii, this is the extent of our interest."

"We did not pry into any of your other privacy issues."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart stirred, unexpectedly discovering that the shop established by the Hidden Immortal Loose Alliance had well-connected intelligence.

He then straightforwardly asked, "I wonder if your tower has any techniques suitable for cultivation beyond the Divinity Transformation Stage?"

Shopkeeper Chen was instantly interested, thinking that this Loose Cultivator was indeed a substantial client, seeking high-level techniques upon arrival.

"Fellow Daoist Lii, please proceed to the Library Pavilion upstairs! Our pavilion has a rich collection of main cultivation techniques of various Five Elements Attributes, not just for the Divinity Transformation Stage but also for the Void Refinement Stage." Shopkeeper Chen said enthusiastically, leading Qin Ming to the seventh floor.

Upon entering the Library Pavilion, Qin Ming found that its collection rivaled the Dharma Transmission Halls of large sects.

Not only did they have cultivation technique books, but also ones on artifact refining, talisman-making, alchemy, Spirit Plants, and various other subjects, all in abundance.

The bookshelves, laden with jade scrolls ranging from Low-Tier to High-Tier, numbered in the thousands if not more, all enveloped in restrictive light veils.

"Shopkeeper Chen, given the circumstances, why don’t you focus on introducing the top-tier techniques your pavilion holds?" Qin Ming said, realizing he couldn’t browse through everything.

Shopkeeper Chen’s heart tightened, with a broader smile emerging.

Afterward.

Shopkeeper Chen led Qin Ming to a row of bookshelves and introduced:

"Our tower’s collection of techniques that can be cultivated to the Divinity Transformation Stage only accepts High-Grade Spirit Stones for trade."

"For techniques reaching the Void Refinement Stage, only Top-Grade Spirit Stones are accepted."

"The ’Geng Metal Tribulation-breaking Sword Manual’, a Gold Attribute technique, can be cultivated to the Void Refinement Stage, renowned for its powerful and domineering force, inherited from the Ancient Sword Sect. However, cultivating this technique requires constantly challenging powerful sword cultivators to nurture the Sword Intent of the defeated. Victorious, one can infinitely strengthen their Sword Soul, growing progressively more formidable."

"The ’Profound Nether True Water Scripture’, a Water Attribute yin-variant technique, can be cultivated up to the Void Refinement Stage. It’s said that at profound levels, it can condense ’Profound Nether Heavy Water’, with a single drop freezing Spiritual Qi’s flow, overwhelming rivers and mountains..."

"The ’Cyan Wood Longevity Scripture’, a Wood Attribute technique, capable of cultivation to the Void Refinement Stage, yet a major prerequisite is needed for its cultivation: to communicate with an Ancient Jianmu Residual Spirit, to substitute vitality for mana, and sow a ’Dao Seed’ in the Purple Mansion Dantian..."

...