Chapter 148: Master of Formations and Artifact Refining, Clear Wind Escapes

Duan Mingda believed his younger brother, but seeing Qin Xiao still made him uneasy. This fellow did not keep his word. Duan Mingda still remembered how he had taken the Spirit Stones at the sect gate, then released only half the people.

“Bodyguard, lock him up.”

Qin Xiao instructed Zhang Zuo to move without hesitation.

“What is the meaning of this? My brother assured me you would save me, which is why I came.”

Duan Mingda panicked when Zhang Zuo took out a small tower-shaped treasure.

“Don’t worry, Brother. This treasure can block the restrictions. He’s saving you.”

Realizing his elder brother had misconstrued the act, Duan Mingfei hastened to explain.

“So that is how it is. My apologies, I have made a spectacle of myself before you all.”

After his brother’s explanation, Duan Mingda spoke in embarrassment.

With that, Zhang Zuo swept him into the Soul-Locking Tower.

“Senior, we still have three days. Shall we head to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion first and leave matters here to Senior Sister Ye?”

Seeing that Duan Mingda’s restrictions also required dismantling, Qin Xiao proposed an early return to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.

“That works as well. The last time I set foot in Tianyi City was over a century ago; a stroll will do no harm.”

Han Mingyuan did not mind. He had agreed to keep Qin Xiao safe for three days; where they went made no difference.

They returned to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion, and Qin Xiao sent Yun Man to invite Master Ji Ci again.

“Qin Xiao, does what you mentioned really work?”

Though Han Mingyuan had chosen to place his trust in Qin Xiao, the notion stretched credibility.

“Senior, observe my disciple’s current cultivation.”

Unable to easily articulate the matter, Qin Xiao let the results speak for themselves.

“Hm? Late Nascent Soul?”

Han Mingyuan had not paid attention to the younger cultivators, focusing instead on Chen Shunyi and the others. Now that he checked, he was startled.

“Indeed. Does Senior still harbor doubts?”

Qin Xiao knew that piling on words paled beside direct experience.

“Now I believe you. Never mind thirty percent—even twenty percent would satisfy me.” Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.

Han Mingyuan now fully believed Qin Xiao. Lin Shimeng had only been at mid Nascent Soul during the quota contest, and now she was at late Nascent Soul. He could not believe she had advanced so quickly without some immortal treasure’s help.

Qin Xiao was taking a great risk. There was nowhere to buy an Immortal Comprehension Fruit. Unlike the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit, which was rare but at least had a market price, it was priceless.

Spirit Stones would not persuade a Body Integration cultivator. Offer too few and he would refuse; offer too many and he would not believe it.

Spirit Liquid was an option, but how could Qin Xiao explain it? Too little would not interest him; too much, and Qin Xiao could not explain where it came from.

The Saint Origin Spirit Fruit was another possibility, but Qin Xiao was uncertain. What if Han Mingyuan’s Primordial Spirit was already strong and he did not need it? Helping meant offending a Body Integration Grand Commander; he might not come just for a Saint Origin Spirit Fruit.

Ultimately, Qin Xiao had decided to leap. An Immortal Comprehension Fruit was bound to stir desire; who could remain unmoved?

Yet three full days had dragged by without a word or sign. Qin Xiao had begun to assume the gamble had failed. While the fruit’s efficacy defied imagination, its sheer heaven-defying nature likely bred skepticism regarding its authenticity.

Qin Xiao had actually sent two letters. The other went to Wei Jian, the Mysterious Yin Sect’s Great Elder. One invitation was not enough insurance, so he had sent two. Either arrival would resolve the crisis. If neither came, he would have to rely on himself. Evidently, Wei Jian had not believed him. Fortunately, Han Mingyuan had.

“Master, are you mad? You’ve even offered that?”

Overhearing their exchange, Lin Shimeng had deduced the truth, astonished that Qin Xiao had played such a card.

Qin Xiao could not send voice transmissions, so he could only roll his eyes at Lin Shimeng.

What use was a treasure, however good, if he died? Could it bring her master back to life? Staying alive had to come first.

“Qin Xiao, now that you have severed ties with the Tianyuan Sect, would you have any interest in joining my Pure Yang Sect?”

Sizing up the opportunity, Han Mingyuan sought to draw Qin Xiao into his fold. Not only did Qin Xiao possess rare talent, but his disciple was equally monstrous-a double blessing for any sect.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Senior. But I’ve only just left a sect, and the experience has left me wary of sect life. I have no plans to join another for now.”

Anxious to avoid the constraints of sect hierarchies where elders and ancestors weighed upon him from above-not to mention a labyrinth of rigid rules-Qin Xiao offered a polite refusal.

“To decline is understandable. Living free and unfettered as a rogue cultivator has its own charm.”

Recognizing the refusal for what it was, Han Mingyuan chose not to press the matter.

A heavy awkwardness settled over the room as the company fell silent.

The arrival of Ji Ci finally broke the tension. This story is hosted at nоvelping.com.

“Old man Han, it has been quite some time. What brings you to Tianyi City?”

Ji Ci knew why he was here, but greeted him as though he did not.

“Old man Ji, what brings you to Tianyi City as well?”

Han Mingyuan was surprised to see Ji Ci come in.

“Haha, Qin lad asked me for help. I happened to have time, so I came. Are you here to help too?”

Old acquaintances traded casual jests with ease.

“What a coincidence, I am here for precisely that reason. I thought you were buried in your Formations in Qingzhou City-could Tianyi City harbor some ancient array worth your time?”

Han Mingyuan realized he had once again underestimated Qin Xiao. Securing the services of someone as elusive as Ji Ci was no small feat.

“Pleasantries can wait; I have work to attend to.”

Eager to inspect another restriction after wrestling with lingering doubts from his previous endeavor, Ji Ci could barely contain his impatience.

“By all means, attend to your work first.”

Knowing Ji Ci’s obsession with his craft, Han Mingyuan felt no need for rushed small talk.

After Ji Ci entered the Soul-Locking Tower, Han Mingyuan asked Qin Xiao, “Just what else can you do? You even managed to invite Ji Ci?”

“Ah, to be entirely honest, that wasn’t my doing-it was arranged by the Eldest Miss of the Ling Family. Though, judging by Senior’s tone, is Master Ji Ci truly so formidable?”

Qin Xiao knew Ji Ci was an expert of high standing, but how high, exactly? Three or four stories high?

“Ji Ci is one of the few masters in the Immortal Dao Merchant Association who can lay out Tribulation Transcendence formations. He’s only at mid Body Integration, but his skill with formations is extraordinary. Many people ask him to set up formations and get nowhere. He only helps when the mood and affinity are right.”

Ji Ci had improved the Pure Yang Sect’s protective formation. He and Han Mingyuan had known each other for a long time and become friends because they got along. Even so, Han Mingyuan could not be sure Ji Ci would come if he asked.

“And he’s not just skilled with formations. His artifact refining is exceptional too. He might even be the one repairing your Black Tortoise Armor.”

Fearing Qin Xiao still failed to grasp the master’s worth, Han Mingyuan added the detail for emphasis.

“What? That Ling Ruoxue claimed finding a repair master was fraught with danger and difficulty, bleeding me dry with exorbitant intermediary fees!”

Realizing he had been fleeced once more by Ling Ruoxue, Qin Xiao could only swallow his resentment. After all, lacking access to such circles meant paying the price for connections.

Soon afterward, Ye Qiuyue returned in a fury. Of course she was angry: the Clear Wind old ghost had escaped.

“I didn’t expect that old ghost to be so fast. I was a step too late. He escaped back into his formation.”