Chapter 44 - 42: Not Really Wanting to Go Out

In the Cool Small Residence.

Swish swish swish swish!

Qin Ming tightly gripped the Black Wind Saber, diligently practicing the "Blood Burning Blade Technique."

But he didn’t expect that this "Blood Burning Blade Technique" would be so difficult to master.

Qin Ming practiced continuously for half a month and hadn’t even grasped the basics of the first move.

This sword technique not only demands precision, accuracy, and harshness in exerting force, but also mastering the control of Qi Blood Power.

Otherwise, the Flaming Blade Aura cannot be triggered, severely reducing its power.

Previously, Qin Ming’s exertion relied on brute force, which was inefficient.

Now, he needed to adjust this state.

Knock knock knock!

While Qin Ming was practicing, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

He quickly put away the Black Wind Saber and peeked outside through the door’s eyehole.

"Why is it him again?" Qin Ming furrowed his brows when he saw who was outside.

The visitor was none other than Chen Ziang.

Half a month ago, Qin Ming had a falling out with his master Jiangg Kun, and it was a bit unpleasant.

Why is this guy coming to see me again so soon?

Qin Ming hesitated slightly but still opened the door for him.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Ziang smiled gladly when he saw Qin Ming come out.

He cautiously looked around before asking.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, may I come in and have a talk?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming frowned lightly, not knowing what Chen Ziang was up to.

But he still stepped aside, "Please come in!"

Chen Ziang entered the courtyard, first glancing around and then commenting, "Fellow Daoist Qin, this courtyard is truly unique!"

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you jest, there’s no comparing it to the headquarters of the Spirit Feather Sect. Please come in for a cup of tea," Qin Ming replied modestly.

Chen Ziang shook his head and lowered his voice, "No need for tea."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a secret to tell you."

"But first, let me explain something to you."

"A few days ago, Brother Jiangg may have spoken to you quite harshly, but please don’t take it to heart. He’s just like that, straightforward. Sometimes, he even scolds me, hehe."

Qin Ming: "..."

The words sounded very familiar... It seemed like he’d heard Jiangg Kun say them himself once.

"Let’s not talk about that," Chen Ziang continued.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, the next matter, you’d better listen carefully, as it might just bring you a great opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was inwardly skeptical.

’A great opportunity? Is this guy really so kind-hearted?’

Chen Ziang cleared his throat and went on, "In half a month, Elder Zhuang Xiran, our Sect’s Tier Two High-Grade Spirit Plant Master, will publicly deliver a lecture on Spirit Plant knowledge at the headquarters, and there’s a good chance he’ll choose a closed-door disciple."

"The slots for this lecture are limited, and few people know about it."

"I spent a lot of effort to get an entrance slot."

"I wish to gift it to Fellow Daoist Qin as a token of apology. This will greatly benefit Fellow Daoist Qin for advancing to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master, and perhaps if selected by Elder Zhuang, you could soar to great heights!"

Having said that, Chen Ziang pulled out a Jade Talisman from his storage pouch. It was engraved with the character "Zhuang" in seal script, emitting a unique mana fluctuation, seemingly genuine.

He then beamed with a smile, stretching out his hand to pass the Jade Talisman to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming didn’t hastily reach out to take it.

He understood the principle that unsolicited kindness often comes with ulterior motives.

"It’s really unfortunate. This month, the Spirit Field on the mountain has started the busy farming season, and I’m terribly occupied."

"I appreciate Fellow Daoist Chen’s kindness,"

"Perhaps Fellow Daoist Chen could give it to someone else?"

After speaking, Qin Ming clasped his hands apologetically towards the other party.

Chen Ziang had just given a lengthy persuasive speech, seemingly certain of the outcome.

However, Qin Ming rejected the offer outright without a second thought, leaving him momentarily embarrassed.

’This is a lecture from a Tier Two High-Grade Spirit Plant Master?’

’Is this guy’s brain malfunctioning? Or did I not explain it clearly?’

’Just rejected, just like that?’

Chen Ziang forced a smile, suddenly thinking of something, he asked abruptly, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin... has no plans to advance to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?"

"I heard that this year, Fellow Daoist Qin has been assisting Master Su in cultivating High-Grade Spirit Plants and Top-Grade Spirit Plants."

"Presumably, if successful, the next step would be stepping into the threshold of a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master."

"What does that have to do with advancing to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?" Qin Ming asked in confusion.

Chen Ziang looked surprised, "Oh? Don’t tell me, Fellow Daoist Qin doesn’t know the conditions required to advance to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master?"

"Uh... I honestly don’t know. I had planned to consult the Steward Hall about it in the coming days, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet." Qin Ming confessed honestly, without feeling embarrassed.

Chen Ziang realized suddenly and grinned, "Ah, that explains it."

"No need for Fellow Daoist Qin to visit the Steward Hall, I will tell you everything you need to know."

"Advancing to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master is somewhat different from advancing to a Tier One Spirit Plant Master."

"It requires satisfying three conditions simultaneously."

"First, you must successfully cultivate any Tier Two Spirit Plant."

"Second, you need a recommendation from any Tier Two Spirit Plant Master, as this relates to the third condition."

"Third, you must enter the Plant Illusion Realm within the Spirit Feather Sect and complete the trial assessment."

"Participation slots for the trial recommendation are naturally in the hands of Tier Two Spirit Plant Master Elders."

"Each Elder can recommend three Spirit Plant Masters into the Plant Illusion Realm."

"Fellow Daoist Qin must not miss this opportunity! Rarely do Elders give public lectures to accept disciples."

Chen Ziang finished speaking.

Now it was Qin Ming’s turn to be surprised.

He had not expected the requirements for advancing to a Tier Two Spirit Plant Master to be so troublesome, needing not only a recommendation but also to participate in the Plant Illusion Realm trial.

It truly was a headache.

Qin Ming snapped out of his contemplation and still said to Chen Ziang, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen, for informing me, but at the moment, my skills are limited. I don’t know if I’ll even manage to break through to become a High-Grade Spirit Plant Master this year. A Tier Two Spirit Plant Master seems too distant for me, so I won’t consider it for now."

"..." Upon hearing this, Chen Ziang’s expression turned a bit unpleasant. He had almost exhausted all his good words, yet the other party blocked him with just one sentence.

He was already quite irritated, but reminding himself of the plan, he kept a fake smile and said, "If that’s the case, then I won’t disturb you further, Fellow Daoist Qin."

"I’ll keep this slot for now. Should Fellow Daoist Qin need it anytime, you can come to Mingzhen Tower to retrieve it from me."

"Then I’ll take my leave now."

Qin Ming maintained a smile, "Fellow Daoist Chen, take care."

The conversation ended.

Chen Ziang left Cool Small Residence.

On the road in the market.

Walking a short distance, Chen Ziang lost his temper and yelled, "Damn that kid! I’ve been keeping an eye on him for days, and he’s been hiding in his house every day, doors shut. Not sure what he’s been up to, I’m really fed up!"

"I finally thought of a great idea to lure him out of the market, and damn it, he didn’t react at all."

"Ugh, it’s really frustrating!"

"Brother Jiangg told me to do it silently without causing a scene..."

"Why doesn’t he give it a try himself?"

...