Immortality Start with Farming - chapter 818 (Patreon)

Chapter 818: Five-Colored Peacock Natal Feather, Devourer Rat Advances

Inside a private room at the restaurant.

Qin Ming steered the conversation elsewhere.

The three met again after a long separation and drank together while chatting freely.

“This spirit wine from the restaurant is good, but it just doesn’t have any real flavor!”

“It’s nowhere near Fellow Daoist Li’s Moon-Inviting Skybrew!”

Gu Chang’an smacked his lips and spoke with lingering nostalgia.

Qin Ming looked at him and knew that unless he brought out some spirit wine today, the man would never let it go. He simply took out a gourd of spirit wine and poured him a cup.

The moment the sixth-grade immortal brew was poured out, its intoxicating fragrance filled the entire room.

Even Venerable Hanya swallowed several times.

Unfortunately, a sixth-grade spirit wine was far beyond what a Soul Transformation cultivator like him could handle. He could only watch Qin Ming and Gu Chang’an raise their cups and drink while he sat there helplessly.

After drinking for a while,

the potency of the sixth-grade immortal brew began to take effect, and the two started calling each other brothers.

Gu Chang’an then took something from his storage pouch and tossed it directly to Qin Ming.

“Brother Li, don’t worry. I’m not going to take advantage of you for nothing. This is called the Purelight Glazed Treasure Bottle. There’s also a sixth-grade top-grade spirit-locking talisman I personally made attached to it.”

“Once the Mount Sumeru Dharma Assembly begins, this will be extremely useful to you.”

Qin Ming accepted the item and examined it carefully.

The bottle was neither metal nor jade. It felt cool to the touch and was covered in a layer of glazed treasure light, making it appear remarkably extraordinary.

He knew Gu Chang’an’s true identity was merely an external incarnation of some major figure. Though he only appeared to be at the late Void Refinement stage, his background was anything but ordinary.

Anything Gu Chang’an produced was certainly no common treasure.

Gu Chang’an took a sip of spirit wine and savored it before explaining casually:

“Isn’t that group of old bald monks from Mount Sumeru about to start preaching and holding their Dharma Assembly? When the time comes, things like the lingering echoes of Dao sounds and Marvelous Radiant Qi will be born.”

“If I’m not mistaken, Brother Li came for those things, didn’t he? Surely you’re not actually planning to sit there listening to Buddhist scriptures and suddenly achieve enlightenment?”

“This bottle can help you collect those two forms of qi. Ordinary methods won’t work.”

“Otherwise, with your cultivation, how would you compete with everyone else?”

Seeing that Gu Chang’an was becoming increasingly uninhibited after drinking, Venerable Hanya hurriedly poured him a cup of spirit tea to sober him up.

“Senior Gu, we’re on someone else’s territory right now! Please be careful with your words!”

Gu Chang’an paid no attention.

Qin Ming also accepted the gift without ceremony and stored the bottle away.

“Then I’ll gladly accept it.”

The bottle could collect all kinds of special spiritual objects. Spending some spirit wine on it was hardly a loss.

“By the way, what did that person from the Infinite Dao Palace want with you earlier, Brother Li?”

Gu Chang’an asked casually.

Qin Ming did not hide anything from him.

“Brother Gu means Fellow Daoist Lu? A small exchange gathering among fellow cultivators just ended. We traded some spiritual materials privately.”

“He also wanted to invite me to join them on a trip into demon territory to obtain the legendary Witheredheart Demonfall Grass.”

“Right now, the insect disaster is raging through demon territory. It’s far too dangerous, so I didn’t agree.”

That would have been fine if he had said nothing.

But the moment Gu Chang’an heard the words “Witheredheart Demonfall Grass,” the normally calm and composed man reacted with unusual excitement.

“What did you say? There’s news of the Witheredheart Demonfall Grass?”

“I urgently need that immortal herb right now. I’ve searched everywhere without success. I never expected to find a lead here.”

Qin Ming was surprised by his reaction.

Could it be that this incarnation of some mysterious major figure also needed to sever his “illusory self”?

Yet what happened next left Qin Ming regretting everything.

For some reason, the Profound Tortoise Divine Lord, Gu Chang’an, seemed to have gone completely mad.

Not only did he insist that Qin Ming introduce him to Lu the Daoist, but after the Dharma Assembly ended, he also wanted Qin Ming to accompany him into demon territory to obtain the Witheredheart Demonfall Grass.

“Brother Gu, introducing Fellow Daoist Lu is no problem. They’re short-handed anyway. But I’m not going,” Qin Ming said, immediately feeling a headache coming on as he waved his hands in refusal.

Yet in the end, he simply could not argue his way out of it.

Gu Chang’an insisted that only a sixth-grade Spirit Plant Diviner could obtain those herbs and absolutely had to drag Qin Ming along.

“Brother Li, I must obtain this immortal herb. I’ll have to trouble you to make the trip with me. Once it’s done, whatever conditions you want, just name them,” Gu Chang’an said.

Qin Ming narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Gu Chang’an’s tone was unwavering.

Qin Ming immediately took the opportunity to ask for an outrageous price.

“This is no trivial matter. If I go with you, I’ll be risking my life.”

“Ahem. If Fellow Daoist Gu happens to possess the natal feather of some avian True Spirit above late Void Refinement level, or perhaps the skeleton of a seventh-grade demon beast, then maybe it could be discussed...”

The True Spirit feather was needed to unlock the third great divine ability of the Immortal-Slaying Gourd.

As for a high-grade demon beast skeleton, it would be used to upgrade the spiked club belonging to the Blackwater Crocodile Demon King.

The moment those words were spoken, even Venerable Hanya was stunned.

Qin Ming truly had not lost the style he displayed back in the mortal world. He could actually say something like that with a straight face.

Subconsciously, he immediately covered his own storage pouch.

Yet Gu Chang’an did not reject the request at once.

Qin Ming had only said it casually, hoping such an excessive condition would allow him to avoid the trip altogether.

But what happened next left him speechless.

Gu Chang’an waved a hand over the table.

A long jade box appeared in midair.

“Fellow Daoist Li, this item just happens to satisfy your requirements. You can take it right now.”

Qin Ming accepted the jade box and opened it.

An astonishing demonic aura rushed out, accompanied by the pressure of an ancient True Spirit bloodline.

Even Venerable Hanya shivered.

“T-This is...” Venerable Hanya stared at the object inside with wide eyes.

Within the jade box lay a vibrant five-colored feather overflowing with spiritual aura.

“Wait, I was only joking. You actually have one?” Qin Ming said with a bitter smile. It seemed there was no avoiding this trip.

Gu Chang’an smiled.

“This natal feather from an ancient True Spirit Five-Colored Peacock took me quite a bit of effort to obtain. It has reached the peak of the sixth grade. I believe it should satisfy Brother Li’s requirements.”

Qin Ming had never expected to acquire the item he needed in such a manner.

After all, True Spirit feathers were incredibly difficult to gather.

Since a suitable one was now right before him, there was no way he would pass it up.

“In that case, I’ll risk my life to accompany a friend.”

Qin Ming stored the Five-Colored Peacock’s natal feather and clinked cups with Gu Chang’an before draining his wine in one gulp.

Logically speaking, the feather was worth far more than the Witheredheart Demonfall Grass. Yet Gu Chang’an was willing to part with it, which only proved how important that herb was to him.

Still, Qin Ming did not pry into the man’s private affairs.

The three had talked enough after their reunion.

They rose together and descended toward the guest monastery prepared by Mount Sumeru.

After returning to the courtyard, Qin Ming first introduced Gu Chang’an and Venerable Hanya to Lord Zichen and Master Kongzhi.

Then he sought out Lu the Daoist from the Infinite Dao Palace and informed him that he wished to join the expedition for the Witheredheart Demonfall Grass.

When Master Kongzhi saw that Qin Ming and the others were going, he changed his mind and decided to accompany them as well.

With so many powerful cultivators suddenly joining, Lu the Daoist was grinning from ear to ear.

“Haha! I couldn’t ask for anything better than having all of you join us!”

“You could’ve agreed earlier. Why make such a fuss?”

He could tell these people were joining largely because of Qin Ming. Turning to him, he added:

“Fellow Daoist Li, this is the right choice. Once you reach peak Void Refinement, you’ll have to take this step sooner or later anyway. Better to prepare in advance.”

Both Lord Zichen and Qin Shujian wore puzzled expressions.

After all, Lu the Daoist had practically talked himself hoarse during the exchange gathering without persuading Qin Ming.

Yet after returning with Gu Chang’an, Qin Ming had suddenly volunteered to join.

No one knew what kind of deal the two had struck.

Soon afterward,

once all arrangements had been finalized,

everyone returned to their rooms to rest and wait for the Dharma Assembly to begin.

Not long after returning to his room, Qin Ming could not help thinking:

This trip into demon territory... surely it won’t end up like the Linglong Immortal Estate Secret Realm and wipe out the entire group, right...

Probably not. I’m a peace ambassador of the cultivation world, not some disaster magnet. Gu Chang’an came back alive too, didn’t he?

At worst he only spent a while recovering from severe injuries.

As though hearing Qin Ming’s thoughts,

Old Devil Qingyang burst into laughter.

“Heh heh heh! That kid simply has a ridiculously tough life!”

Just then,

knock knock knock!

A series of knocks sounded from outside the room.

Qin Ming gathered his thoughts, walked over, and opened the door.

To his surprise, the visitor was Qin Shujian.

He immediately stepped aside and invited him in.

Then he raised a hand and set up an Isolation Barrier.

“So it’s Hall Master Qin. It’s quite late. What important matter brings you here?”

Qin Shujian smiled.

“Naturally, I’ve come because of your Taiyi Void Origin Rice. I’m quite interested in it myself. Lu the Daoist probably traded for some privately, didn’t he?”

“What conditions would it take for Fellow Daoist Li to exchange some with me?”

Qin Ming could not help finding it strange.

Every old monster seemed to be seeking him out to trade for spirit rice.

It appeared the Taiyi Void Origin Rice truly held immense appeal for Void Refinement cultivators.

So he answered directly.

“There’s little else I need. However, I’m extremely interested in Fellow Daoist Qin’s extraordinary sword arts.”

“I wonder whether Hall Master Qin would be willing to exchange some guidance and experience regarding how you cultivated your sword path to the realm of Sword Soul.”

“In return, I can offer Hall Master Qin the remaining small amount of Taiyi Void Origin Rice I have left.”

Upon hearing Qin Ming’s condition,

even Qin Shujian was momentarily stunned.

He had not expected Qin Ming to be so shameless as to ask for his sword path insights.

Those were the very foundation of a sword cultivator.

Still, Qin Shujian did not reject him outright. Instead, he took out a fragment of black iron from his storage pouch.

“My Sword Soul realm was comprehended from this fragment after a thousand years of study. It cannot be taught through words and instruction—it can only be realized through personal enlightenment.”

“This sword manual fragment was found within my sect’s Sword Tomb.”

“As for my sword path experience, it is among my most important secrets and not something I can easily pass on. I hope Fellow Daoist Li can understand.”

“I’ve already thoroughly studied this fragment, and it is of little use to me now. If you are interested, we can use it for the exchange.”

“Perhaps you may be able to comprehend something from it.”

Qin Ming accepted the foot-long fragment.

It was inscribed with Spirit Realm characters and appeared to contain part of a sword manual, though only half remained.

He sent his divine sense into it and examined it repeatedly, yet found nothing unusual.

It felt no different from an ordinary piece of iron.

Is Qin Shujian trying to fool me with a scrap of junk metal?

But after thinking it over, he dismissed the idea.

As the newly appointed Hall Master of the Hall of Heaven’s Mandate in Celestial Star City, Qin Shujian would hardly stoop to such behavior.

They would be seeing each other often in the future.

Besides, Qin Ming could always refresh the Sudden Insight trait. When the time came, a single enlightenment session would reveal whether it was genuine or not.

With that thought, he agreed to the exchange.

After obtaining some Taiyi Void Origin Rice, Qin Shujian was overjoyed and soon took his leave.

After he departed, Qin Ming studied the fragment further.

It was impervious to water and fire and possessed astonishing hardness.

Even with a body-refinement cultivation comparable to peak Void Refinement, he could not damage it in the slightest.

It was clearly an extraordinary object.

As for the sword manual recorded on it, it lacked even a title, let alone instructions for cultivation.

He stored the fragment away, then took out a small portion of the Extreme Baleful Yin Soil obtained during the gathering and handed it to Old Devil Qingyang.

The old devil had coveted the material for a long time and had been waiting impatiently.

The moment he received it,

he lavished Qin Ming with praise before departing to restore his soul-body cultivation.

As he left, he could not help adding:

“If only this Extreme Baleful Yin Soil could settle for another ten thousand years. Then it might produce the legendary Nether Emperor Yin Earth. It could even allow fallen mighty cultivators to escape reincarnation and cultivate the path of ghost immortals after corpse liberation.”

Qin Ming’s heart stirred at the words.

He immediately buried the remaining Extreme Baleful Yin Soil beneath the roots of the Profound Yellow Myriad Qi Blood Mother Vine.

If he later nourished it with enough demonic blood and corpses, perhaps he really could produce the legendary soil Old Devil Qingyang mentioned.

Inside the Lesser Spirit Realm,

after tending to his spirit fields,

Qin Ming suddenly noticed the world’s spiritual energy surging.

It flowed toward a cave dwelling halfway up the mountain in the shape of a massive funnel.

A tremendous demonic essence accompanied it.

Even Little Silver Fox and Tian Ling’er were startled.

Looking more closely, Qin Ming realized the source was the cave dwelling of that fellow, the Devourer Rat.

“So after accumulating power for so long, it’s finally breaking through to the sixth grade.”

High above, spiritual clouds gathered across tens of thousands of miles.

A colossal gray rat king phantom thousands of feet tall appeared in the sky, its body covered with mysterious spirit patterns.

Opening its abyss-like mouth, it suddenly inhaled.

Like a black hole, it devoured the surrounding heaven-and-earth spiritual energy without end.

This continued for several days.

Qin Ming even began to suspect that if things went on this way, the Devourer Rat would drain the entire Lesser Spirit Realm dry.

Fortunately, it eventually stopped.

Several more days passed.

Then an overwhelming aura belonging to a sixth-grade demon beast spread throughout the Lesser Spirit Realm.

It carried the pressure of an ancient True Spirit bloodline.

“Hahaha! This great lord has finally broken through to the sixth grade!”

A wild and arrogant laugh echoed from within the cave dwelling.

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