Chapter 26: The Storm

Having cast the Golden Immortal Cow into the Nine-Dragon Heaven-Burial Cauldron, Qin Ming did not depart but instead remained in hiding. However, divine metals like the Golden Immortal Gold were exceedingly rare. To have encountered even one was already a stroke of fortune that defied the natural order of the Immortal Gold Caverns. Qin Ming knew it was highly unlikely that a second one would appear. Nevertheless, there were still some metals of decent quality to be found. By feigning death, he managed to swindle a few more pieces of divine metal.

A few days later, Qin Ming gazed into the depths of the Immortal Gold Caverns, lost in thought. Yet, he did not venture further. There, he sensed a power that made his heart tremble. According to the Golden Immortal Cow, a coffin was buried in that place. At present, he was only at the first level of the Bitter Sea Realm, capable of challenging practitioners at most at the eighth or ninth level. That was not a place he could set foot in.

"It is time to leave." Qin Ming silently calculated the time. He knew he didn't have long. If he stayed any longer, the process of being assimilated into metal would become permanent. At that point, his consciousness would be severed, leaving him in a muddled state until he eventually became one of the metallic lifeforms of this place. Qin Ming had no desire to follow such a path.

He exited the Immortal Gold Caverns. As he stepped out into the world, sunlight bathed his body, and his metallic muscles gradually softened. As they softened, his blood began to flow again with a rumbling sound like rolling thunder, drawing the attention of many cultivators. Finally, Qin Ming completely reverted to his flesh-and-blood form. His hair, each strand crystalline and dark, cascaded to his waist, lending him a look of masculine handsomeness.

"Eh? You actually made it out alive, kid?" The white-haired elder who had previously tried to dissuade him noticed Qin Ming and let out a sigh of disbelief.

"Just lucky," Qin Ming replied with a smile. The elder nodded repeatedly, praising Qin Ming's heaven-defying luck. He then warned Qin Ming to leave immediately before the cultivators of the Cloud Heaven Sect emerged, or he would be in trouble. The Cloud Heaven Sect was notorious for their greed, especially toward rogue cultivators; typically, these rogues were forced to hand over a portion of whatever treasures they found to the sect's disciples.

"Many thanks for the warning, senior, but I believe they won't be able to extort anyone ever again," Qin Ming said with a smile, offering no further explanation. That pack of bastards from the Cloud Heaven Sect had already been slaughtered by him, every last one. With that, he turned and left. The white-haired elder shook his head. Never extort anyone again? That would only happen if the sun rose in the west or the Immortal Realm collapsed. Otherwise, the Cloud Heaven Sect would never let go of such a lucrative opportunity.

However, something was indeed strange this time. Usually, the Cloud Heaven Sect cultivators would come out periodically to get fresh air and prevent themselves from turning into metal. Yet, not a single one had appeared yet. Could it be... that they had all been killed? Or had they met with disaster inside the caverns? But that possibility was near zero. The sect had several elders guarding the area, all of whom were Bitter Sea Realm cultivators! They were a formidable force. Who would have the capability to suppress the Cloud Heaven Sect? The elder smiled; he must have been led astray by that kid's nonsense to even entertain such an unrealistic thought.

Just then, another group of cultivators emerged from the caverns, bringing with them terrifying news. "Have you heard? The Cloud Heaven Sect's cultivators seem to have been wiped out. Even the elder at the eighth level of the Bitter Sea Realm has been killed!" one of them stated with conviction. Many did not believe it, dismissing it as a rumor. But soon, others came forward with explosive explanations. "It is true, I saw it with my own eyes. The strongest among them, the red-haired elder, was slain by a humanoid entity radiating golden light. It was brutal and overwhelming; its golden Bitter Sea illuminated the world."

This news spread like wildfire. Undoubtedly, it caused a great commotion. Who was the red-haired elder? He was a powerhouse, a cruel and ruthless figure in the Immortal Gold Caverns. And yet, he had been slain so forcefully? Who was this golden, humanoid entity? Was it an outsider or a metallic lifeform from within the caverns? The question sparked endless debate. Beneath the dappled shadows of a tree, the white-haired elder stood stunned. After a long silence, he looked toward the direction where Qin Ming had departed. Could the cultivators of the Cloud Heaven Sect have been slain by that youth? Alas, that would remain a question without an answer.

...

The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was located on the most prosperous street in Azure Province, where cultivators came and went. A man in green robes was particularly eye-catching, his features so handsome he seemed like an exiled immortal from the heavens. This man was Qin Ming. Having traveled all the way from the Immortal Gold Caverns, he had finally returned to Azure Province. With his strength now elevated to a new level, his natural aura was even more alluring. As he walked down the street, he drew the attention of many female cultivators, many of whom cast longing glances his way. Qin Ming, however, remained unmoved and focused as he walked into the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

"Daoist Qin Ming?" many cultivators whispered in surprise. Recently, Qin Ming’s reputation in Azure Province had soared. He had single-handedly challenged the entire Liu family and slain their ancestor, his true strength remaining an unsolvable mystery.

The manager of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion hurried over upon hearing the news. The Heaven-Piercing Immortal Sect was the largest sect in the province, and rumors had it that Qin Ming had regained his cultivation, so the pavilion dared not offend him. "Daoist Qin Ming, what brings you to our pavilion? Are you looking to purchase a suitable magical treasure? We have a wide variety to choose from," Manager Li said with a flattering smile.

Magical treasures were categorized into Spirit Treasures, True Treasures, Ancient Treasures, King Treasures, Saint Weapons, and Emperor Weapons, each divided into four grades: supreme, high, middle, and low. Saint and Emperor weapons were the two most formidable grades below Immortal Treasures.

Qin Ming shook his head. "Does your pavilion have a smithing room? I'll take the top-tier one."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. They all looked at him with strange expressions. They knew Qin Ming could cultivate again and was not weak, but cultivation and smithing were two entirely different systems. A layman wanting to smith? That was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Manager Li looked troubled. "Daoist Qin Ming, as you know, our pavilion not only sells treasures but also serves as an institution for certifying smiths. The top-tier smithing room has already been reserved, so..."

Qin Ming waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter; the next level down will suffice." With the Nine-Dragon Heaven-Burial Cauldron to assist in the refining process, even the most rudimentary furnace would be enough to forge peerless treasures.