Longevity: Start Farming with Entries-Chapter 312 - 294: Settling Past Affairs

Zhao Ling’er’s beautiful eyes moved as she warmly invited Qin Ming:

"Elder Qin, you’ve come from afar. Elder Wei asked me to properly entertain you. Recently, a new Deyue Tower has opened at Qingyang Market, and the taste of the Immortal Mansion’s delicacies is second to none. Would you like to try it?"

Originally, Qin Ming planned to leave right after his business was done, but upon hearing about Qingyang Market, he changed his mind.

"Qingyang Market... wasn’t it destroyed in the chaos back then? Has it been restored and rebuilt?" Qin Ming asked faintly.

Seeing his interest, Zhao Ling’er quickly explained:

"Indeed, after the Thunder Origin Sect took over the Yunze Wilderness, they rebuilt the market, still naming it Qingyang Market."

"Elder Wei knows you once lived here, so they’ve almost retained the original appearance."

"Additionally, the courtyard you used to live in and the spirit fields near the market attract many cultivators to visit daily."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was stunned, thinking: Indeed, Wei Wuya has a sharp business mind, using my reputation to develop it into a tourist attraction...

After all, his influence and prestige among Wei Country cultivators are still quite high now.

Qin Ming nodded, expressing contemplation, and then said, "In that case, let’s go visit."

"It’s been a long time since I’ve returned; I might as well see the changes here."

Hearing this, Zhao Ling’er was delighted and immediately said:

"Elder Qin, please!"

Then the two transformed into streams of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Half an hour later.

Qin Ming and Zhao Ling’er arrived near Qingyang Market.

At the archway entrance of the market, the cultivators coming and going were like a tide. The shops inside were bustling, in close proximity, with the calls of various vendors ringing non-stop.

Even the shantytown was still there, though significantly changed.

The scene before him made Qin Ming feel an illusion as if he had returned to decades ago...

The two then landed and walked into the market.

The nearby Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators, seeing the mana emanating from these powerful cultivators, voluntarily made way.

The guards at the market entrance, seeing it was Zhao Ling’er of the Hundred Flowers Sect, hurriedly opened the passage array.

"It’s Elder Zhao, quickly let them pass."

Qin Ming and Zhao Ling’er entered the market, walking along the main road for a while.

He felt the lively and bustling atmosphere.

Even the ’Cool Small Residence’ that was destroyed during the war has been restored...

A large group of loose cultivators were eagerly watching as an old man explained.

"Look! This is where Master Wangyue once lived."

"It can be said it’s a feng shui treasure. Master Wangyue rose to prominence precisely from this courtyard."

"Now, the annual rent is just one thousand spirit stones, deposit one, pay three months in advance. Interested individuals can contact this old man..."

Qin Ming: "..."

Zhao Ling’er, seeing this scene, couldn’t help but blush.

Then, the two walked through the streets, arriving in front of a elegantly and antique-designed tower.

"Elder Qin, this is Deyue Tower."

"It is an industry under the Qilian Commerce Association."

"Qilian Commerce Association?" Qin Ming felt rather surprised, for this association is a major force, with businesses across the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm.

Qin Ming’s Golden Core Ceremony was even celebrated by them.

After Zhao Ling’er introduced it, the two stepped into the restaurant, and someone immediately came out to arrange a private room for them.

Once the two entered.

The cultivators on the street started discussing incessantly.

"Isn’t that the Hundred Flowers Saintess? Who is the person beside her?"

"Judging by the aura, it seems to be another elder with deep mana."

"I seem to remember, but I can’t recall at the moment."

"Eh? Why does he look somewhat like the legendary Master Wangyue!"

"You’re hallucinating, how could a Golden Core Ancestor come to such a place."

"..."

Inside a private room at Deyue Tower.

A middle-aged shopkeeper in a dark profound robe was humbly noting down the dishes, beaming as he respectfully said to Qin Ming:

"Elder Qin, I’ll surely instruct the kitchen to serve our signature dishes to host the two elders."

"Your visit truly brings radiance to our humble store! Haha! We’ll waive the fees as a welcoming gift for Elder Qin."

A quarter of an hour later.

The table was filled with an exquisite array of Immortal Mansion delicacies, continuously being served.

Most were exclusive to Yunze Wilderness.

Seeing this, Qin Ming’s appetite also arose, and he began to slowly drink and taste.

During the meal, Zhao Ling’er also introduced to Qin Ming the various changes in Yunze Wilderness over the years.

After three rounds of drinks, Qin Ming wished to stroll alone, so he bid farewell to Zhao Ling’er:

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I still have matters at hand, so I’ll take my leave first."

"Thank you for the hospitality."

Zhao Ling’er quickly stood up to see him off, "Elder Qin, don’t mention it. If there’s a chance, please visit here often."

Moments later.

Qin Ming flew to the shantytown, but the elders there, everything had changed, and all were gone.

He then wandered around the spirit field, scenes of the past appearing before his eyes.

There were still quite a few spirit farmers diligently cultivating, and when they saw a high-tier cultivator flying above, they revealed an envious look of yearning.

"The past is like the wind... there’s nothing left to linger for now."

Qin Ming promptly didn’t linger, transformed into a cyan rainbow and departed.

Back then, his family abandoned him, and he followed the Spirit Feather Sect to serve in the Yunze Wilderness. In a flash, so many years have passed...

"No one from the Qin Family ever came to find me again."

"My Core Formation is such a big event, the family should know about it."

"Probably they dare not recognize me anymore..."

...

A few days later.

Qin Ming returned to Cloud Marsh Immortal City and took the Thunder Origin Sect’s Crossing Abyssal Dharma Ship, returning to the central area of Wei Country.

He didn’t in haste return to Wangyue Island but disembarked midway and flew towards the western part of Wei Country.

Half a day later.

Bianzhou, a frontier cultivation city, not large, spanning several hundred li.

"Five Immortals City..."

Past memories surged in Qin Ming’s mind.

After crossing over, the original parents died long ago in search of resources for his cultivation...

The Qin Clan, to him, the feelings have become distant, and he does not linger.

However, he finally decided to return to the Qin Family to conclude this Chapter of earthly ties.

Within Five Immortals City, there are three small Foundation Establishment clans, and the Qin Family is one of them.

Since Qin Ming achieved the status of a Golden Core Master, the Qin Family’s prestige in Five Immortals City has reached its peak, subtly becoming the leader among the three families.

Many forces, big and small, have come to the Qin Family to build connections, but they have all been politely declined by the family patriarch.

The Qin Family leader knows that these people are drawn by Master Wangyue’s reputation. If the situation turns, the backlash wouldn’t be something the small Qin Family could withstand.

On this day.

Inside the Qin Family’s ancestral hall, a ceremony for honoring ancestors was taking place.

Several dozen Qin family members were respectfully paying homage to their ancestors, under the guidance of a scarred elder.

The portraiture of Qin Ming and his parents was notably included among them.

After the ancestral ceremony concluded.

Qin Xiao, the leader of the Qin Family, sat in the main hall with several senior family members and began discussing.

"Patriarch...perhaps we should send someone to Wangyue Island to pay respects to Ninth Ancestor?"

"After all, we are connected by blood."

"The Ninth Ancestor might still hold some sentiment."

"Back then, when the Spirit Feather Sect enforced recruitment on the family, even if he didn’t go, someone from the family had to..."

"Alas! Who would have thought that his Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root could break through to the Golden Core Realm, becoming both a Tier Three Alchemy Grandmaster and Spirit Plant Grandmaster."

"If we had known, why act as we did?"

"Third Elder, it’s been decades now, regretting won’t change anything."

Qin Xiao, the sole Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Qin Family, has remained at the early stage of Foundation Establishment for decades.

His Immortal Path stops here, and it won’t be long before he departs this life.

Lately, Qin Xiao is also worrying that there is no successor within the family.

Currently, cultivators capable of breaking through to Foundation Establishment are few and far between.

Foundation Establishment resources are even more scarce.

"Ming’er could reach this level, surely it’s his destiny, guided by fate unseen."

"Having become a Golden Core Master now, he likely became disenchanted over the years, deciding not to return to the family."

"Recognizing each other will only backfire."

"Let everything follow destiny."

"As the Qin Family now enjoys the protection of Master Wangyue’s name, it’s a heavenly blessing; we shouldn’t covet more."

With Qin Xiao’s words, the main hall fell into silence.

"You have quite the insight."

Suddenly, a faint voice astonishingly echoed from the air.

The people in the Qin Family were instantly alarmed.

Before they could rise, a ripple like water waves appeared in the air.

A young cultivator with unremarkable features appeared before them.

The Qin Family sensed no trace of mana from him, as if he were a mortal.

Upon seeing his face, Qin Xiao was dumbfounded, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stammered:

"Qin...Qin...Qin Ming...Master."

"You’ve returned."

The others were startled yet joyful upon hearing this!

"Young Qin Family members, pay respects to Ninth Ancestor!"

Saying this, including Patriarch Qin Xiao, several others in the hall prepared to bow.

Qin Xiao was inwardly thrilled; he didn’t expect that Qin Ming had become a Golden Core Master and was willing to visit the family.

This indicates there is still room for reconciliation.

Qin Ming casually waved his hand, saying lightly, "No need."

"I came this time merely to end earthly ties."

Qin Xiao and others felt themselves lifted by an invisible force and couldn’t bend down no matter how they tried.

But hearing Qin Ming’s words, everyone in the Qin Family was dumbfounded.

It turned out their ancestor wasn’t here to recognize his roots but to sever ties with the Qin Family...

Instantly, Qin Xiao’s face turned pale, slumping dejectedly on his chair.

"Ming’er, back then, it was indeed the family that was in the wrong. Now it’s too late for regrets."

"The decisions you’ve made, the family willingly accepts."

"Now that you’ve advanced to Golden Core, we old bones are burdens...indeed we can’t help you much."

"We’d only become your drag."

Qin Ming didn’t say more to them; he went to the ancestral hall to offer incense and pay respects before his parents’ memorial tablets.

Only then did he turn back to Qin Xiao and the others, saying:

"I will continue to pursue the Great Dao, but I still hold some sentiment for the Qin Family."

"Though sent to serve at Spirit Feather Sect back then, had you not had a bit of conscience to forge some relations, I’d probably never have become a Spirit Farmer..."

"I’d have long been sent to the front line battle camp."

Qin Ming took out a jade bottle and tossed it to Qin Xiao, saying, "Inside are two Foundation Establishment Pills, enough to cultivate another Foundation Establishment disciple, continuing the family."

"Having more might instead invite disaster upon you."

"If two Foundation Establishment Pills can’t yield another Foundation Establishment cultivator, then it’s the fate of the Qin Family."

Qin Xiao held the jade bottle, his hands trembling, gratefully addressing Qin Ming, "Thank you, Master, for the pills!"

Qin Ming glanced at him, seeing the declining vitality and minimal green vitality inside Qin Xiao.

He then took out two Five Elements Primordial Spirit Peaches and two porcelain bottles from his storage pouch, handing them over, "These two spirit peaches can restore some of your lifespan."

"Alas, with my matters here done, from now on, Qin Family’s affairs are unrelated to me."

"Take care of yourselves."

Before his words finished, Qin Ming’s figure vanished without a trace from before the Qin Family members.

Qin Xiao gazed at the sky outside, emotions mixed deeply, and fell silent for a long time.

...

Elsewhere.

Qin Ming transformed into a Cyan Rainbow Escape Light, flying north toward the Spirit Nest Islands.

"Master, are you really not planning to return to the Qin Family?"

"I see those old folks seemed quite remorseful."

The voice of the Heaven-Devouring Rat rang in Qin Ming’s ear.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming replied lightly, "What, you want to return to the Qin Family? How about I station you there for a thousand years, to taste the salt?"

"No no no! Hehe, that’s not what I meant."

"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!"

The Heaven-Devouring Rat hurriedly explained, then obediently shut his mouth, afraid Qin Ming might really send him to guard the Qin Family.

...