This is utterly absurd!

’Could it be that this person has been possessed by some old monster?’

’Or perhaps he is some Great Power reincarnated to cultivate anew?’

Qin Ming’s gaze glinted continuously, his thoughts racing.

Baili Hui was a shrewd person and sensed that something in the atmosphere was off, causing his hand to tremble slightly as he poured tea.

But he thought he had never offended, this newly arrived Elder Lii in Qianji City?

The map he sold to the other was definitely worth its price.

Usually sold to Low-Tier Cultivators, it started at fifteen Spirit Stones. Considering the deep cultivation of the other, he only charged ten Spirit Stones...

That was already a friendly price.

"This fellow Daoist hides quite well... Why not be honest?" Qin Ming, not wanting to waste words, directly pointed out.

Baili Hui was stunned in place, then stammered: "Elder... Elder Lii... What do you mean? How could I deceive you?"

"I have a unique divination Secret Technique that can perceive others’ lifespan fortunes... Your remaining lifespan of over two thousand six hundred years doesn’t seem fake, right? You owe me an explanation, don’t you?" Qin Ming finished, immediately spreading his Divine Thought to envelop the whole courtyard, to prevent any unexpected turns.

With these words, Baili Hui was as if struck by lightning, frozen in place...

Qin Ming just stared at him silently.

For a long time.

Baili Hui let out a long sigh, like a deflated balloon.

He adjusted the small melon skin cap on his head, and with a bitter smile, said, "Ha ha! Who would have thought the Cultivation Realm is full of wonders, such as this divination lifespan Secret Technique..."

"Since Elder Lii has already seen through it, I cannot hide much. Frankly, my current dwarf appearance is due to going mad while trying to break through the Void Refining Stage..."

"Alas! In my prime, I too had my moments of glory, reaching Divinity Transformation Perfection, just one step away from breaking through to Void Refining. But I didn’t expect to end up this way; fate truly toys with people!"

"If I hadn’t dispersed all my cultivation in time, I wouldn’t have barely saved my life..."

"As a result, my original lifespan of over six thousand years was cut in half, leaving only over two thousand years..."

"As for my origin, I can only say I come from a great Sect in the Spirit Realm. The specifics I cannot reveal to Elder Lii, as in my youth I made many enemies within the Sect and feared they would kick me when I’m down after hiding here incognito..."

"It took nearly a hundred years to barely regain Mid-stage Foundation Establishment... I can see that although Elder Lii is of the Devil Path, you are reasonable, so what I say is not fictitious at all, and I can even make a Heart Demon’s Oath to it."

Qin Ming, taking back his Divine Thought Power upon hearing this, couldn’t help but think:

’Who would have thought this old rascal is actually one of those who cling to life...’

’This person was once a Divinity Transformation Perfection Cultivator... His life’s ups and downs have indeed been vividly played out.’

Given that the other party could even speak of a Heart Demon’s Oath, such a vicious vow, and after Qin Ming’s thorough investigation, he could basically confirm the truth of the other’s words.

Thus, after considering it over and over, he said, "I am not interested in your past, but Fellow Daoist Baili, you are quite familiar with the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp area. I have some matters to cooperate with you on..."

"Although my abilities are limited and I cannot restore your cultivation, passing the current hurdle is no problem. This is a kind of fate between us."

"What do you think?"

Having said that, Qin Ming awaited his response.

The once mighty Divinity Transformation Great Cultivator, falling into such dire straits, it’s truly unmatched.

Only then did Baili Hui show a smile more difficult than crying, cupping his hands to Qin Ming and said, "What does Elder Lii want me to do?"

"Surely not placing a Divine Soul Restriction on me?"

After all, his years of disguise had been seen through, even though this Nascent Soul Great Power in front seemed not of a violent disposition, it still worried him greatly...

Qin Ming waved his hand, "No need, just have you run some errands and gather some intelligence for me."

Upon hearing this, Baili Hui immediately breathed a sigh of relief, "That is naturally a request I would not refuse, haha! Recently, I am indeed a bit tight on funds."

"You, a dignified Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivator, don’t you have some savings stashed away?" Qin Ming asked.

Baili Hui replied without reservation, "To be honest, I spent all my family resources coming here to escape."

Qin Ming nodded slightly, then flipped his hand to reveal a white jade scroll, handing it to the other, saying:

"As long as you can obtain any useful intelligence or information recorded on this jade scroll, you can come to my Cave Mansion to receive a handsome reward of Spirit Stones. We each benefit mutually, which I believe can solve your urgent needs."

"Of course, these matters are for your awareness only, otherwise... I believe Fellow Daoist Baili understands the consequences."

Baili Hui immediately felt a chill in his heart, promptly taking the jade scroll with his small hands, "Rest assured, Elder Lii, certainly, I will handle it. Absolutely."

Afterward.

He infused his Divine Thought into the jade scroll to browse through it, and his expression became strange.

"Firstly, investigate any information about the Tier Five ’Demon Grain Spirit Rice’..."

"Secondly, gather intelligence on the Spirit Realm Inspector Huang Chao..."

"Thirdly, run errands for him..."

"Fourthly..."

Baili Hui, having finished looking at the contents of this jade scroll, saw that each item was no simple matter!

If it were in the past, with his Divinity Transformation Stage cultivation, holding a high position in the Sect, these tasks would have been a breeze.

But now, it was quite difficult.

Fortunately, having been mixed up in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp for nearly a hundred years, Baili Hui did have some connections.

Therefore, he immediately agreed, "Rest assured, Elder, I will inquire about these matters, and if any news arises, I will send you a Communication Talisman right away."

Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction, then stood up and left.

The once dignified Divinity Transformation Great Cultivator, reduced to this pitiful state, it’s truly unique.

Baili Hui then showed a smile more difficult than crying as he cupped his hands toward Qin Ming and said, "I don’t know what Elder Lii wants me to do?"

"You won’t place a Divine Soul Restriction on me, right?"

After all, his long-concealed past had been uncovered, and even though the current Nascent Soul Great Power before him seemed not to be of a violent disposition, it still made him anxious...

Qin Ming waved his hand, "No need, just some errands to run and information to gather for me."

Baili Hui was immediately relieved, "That’s definitely something I’d be more than happy to do, haha! Lately, I’ve been quite tight on funds."

"You, a distinguished Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivator, surely don’t have some savings?" Qin Ming asked.

Baili Hui responded, "To be honest, when reaching for the golden core, my reserves were almost entirely exhausted just to make ends meet."

"But don’t worry, Elder Lii, I know how to handle this."

Qin Ming gently motioned with his hand and, with a turn of his palm, produced a bottle of white Detoxification Pills, handing it to him and saying:

"All you need to do is gather any useful information contained in this jade scroll, you may come to my Cave Mansion to receive a substantial reward of Spirit Stones."

’You can use your method to solve a few temporary problems.’

"Thank you, Elder Lii, rest assured, I will handle your tasks." Baili Hui happily accepted the Detoxification Pill.

Immediately.

Qin Ming left and departed from this place.

Sometime later.

In his Cave Mansion on Black Obsidian Peak, where Qin Ming cultivated flowers and grasses, he received a Communication Talisman from Baili Hui, and upon reading its content, he couldn’t help but exclaim:

"This old rascal really has some skills, managing to obtain some information in such a short time."

He took the Communication Talisman, skimmed the contents, and couldn’t help but be surprised:

"Who would have thought this old rascal could actually pull through, even reacting so quickly, we’ll head over there immediately,"

In previous years, it was said that in a region on the southern side of the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp, there were some immature Demon Grain Spirit Rice emerging, and he immediately headed in that direction.

If he could get ahold of the Spirit Seed of this Demon Rice, and successfully cultivate it, it would be worth a lot in the Spirit Realm for cultivation.

It took a few more days before they managed to reach their destination, a region named Four Winds Valley, known for perpetual strong winds mixed with Nether Mist, often fatal and terrifying.

Only those with Golden Core Stage cultivation and above can barely enter this place.

........

"""