Thousand Eye Island's market was even more bustling than five years ago.
Newly expanded streets were lined with shops, and hawking cries rose and fell.
Qin Guiya didn't linger on the outskirts, walking straight to the central area—where several well-established boutique stores were located.
"A fire-attribute Magic Treasure?"
An old shopkeeper with white hair and beard scrutinized Qin Guiya, "Fellow Daoist, you've come at a good time. I just acquired a 'flame heart mirror' the other day, a Medium Grade Tier 3 item, capable of both offense and defense."
The elder took out a red jade box from under the counter; when opened, a palm-sized bronze mirror lay quietly on red silk.
The mirror surface was blood-red, and its edges were carved with nine fire Dragon patterns.
"Three hundred thousand Spirit Stones, no bargaining."
Qin Guiya took the bronze mirror and infused a trace of fire spiritual power into it.
The mirror surface immediately lit up, and a scorching red light shot out, leaving a deep burn mark on the test pillar.
"Not bad."
Qin Guiya nodded in satisfaction, "Do you have anything better?"
The old shopkeeper's eyes lit up:
"Fellow Daoist is generous!"
He lowered his voice, "There is indeed a treasure in the back hall, but the price..."
"Let me see the item first."
On a display shelf in the back hall, a long sword, entirely crimson, floated within a transparent light shield.
Molten lava seemed to flow within the sword.
"The 'Molten Crystal Sword,' a High Grade Tier 3 item, refined from core fire crystals, with a Low Grade Tier 3 fire Dragon Dragon soul sealed inside."
The old shopkeeper introduced proudly, "Five hundred thousand Spirit Stones, no bargaining."
Qin Guiya's heart skipped a beat.
This sword was of excellent quality and perfectly suited for use with the Heavenly Flame Incineration Art.
But the problem was—buying two high-tier Magic Treasures at once was too conspicuous, especially for him, a "mere" collateral branch Golden Core cultivator.
"I'll take the flame heart mirror."
Qin Guiya feigned hesitation, "As for this sword... I'm not very well-off at the moment, so I'll pass for now."
The shopkeeper nodded, making a mental note of the customer's appearance, then completed the transaction.
After leaving the shop, Qin Guiya immediately sent a communication Talisman to his twelfth brother, Qin Guiheng.
This cousin had a wide network of friends and often ran errands for others, making him the most suitable person to buy sensitive items.
Half a day later, in a secluded teahouse on Peach Forest Island.
"Eighth Brother, you want to buy the 'Molten Crystal Sword'?"
Qin Guiheng's eyes widened, "That's a High Grade Tier 3 item! Where did you get so many Spirit Stones?"
Qin Guiya was prepared: "I've accumulated a small fortune from Alchemy over the years."
As he spoke, he took out a Storage Pouch, "There are three hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones inside; I'll pay the remaining one hundred and fifty thousand once I receive the sword."
Qin Guiheng swept his Divine Sense over it and gasped:
"Brother, this is hardly a 'small fortune'..."
His eyes darted, "Could it be that you've refined Tier 3 Medicinal Pills?"
Qin Guiya neither confirmed nor denied:
"Remember, the sword is to be bought in your name. Don't let anyone know it's for me."
"Don't worry!"
Qin Guiheng patted his chest, assuring him, "I know the shop assistant there; I guarantee it'll be done without anyone knowing!"
Three days later, Qin Guiya inspected the two newly acquired Magic Treasures in the secret chamber of his Immortal Cave.
These two treasures had almost exhausted most of the Spirit Stones he had accumulated over three years, but for safety, it was worth it.
"Next is the Fire Dragon Palm Divine Ability..."
Qin Guiya took out an Enlightenment Leaf and held it in his mouth.
A cool sensation instantly swept through his body, and the contents of the Heavenly Flame Incineration Art's Golden Core chapter became incredibly clear in his mind.
Every detail of the Fire Dragon Palm, every trajectory of spiritual power circulation, felt as familiar as if he had practiced it millions of times.
He formed hand Seals, and the fire spiritual power in his body circulated along a specific route.
Gradually, a wisp of crimson flame appeared in his palm, twisting and deforming, eventually forming a phantom image of a Fire Dragon about an inch long.
"Condense!"
The phantom Fire Dragon suddenly expanded, transforming into a foot-long flaming Dragon claw, its intense heat causing the walls of the secret chamber to begin to redden.
Qin Guiya quickly withdrew his spiritual power, and the Dragon claw slowly dissipated.
"The power is good, but the control isn't precise enough."
He muttered to himself.
It was a pity that the effect of the Enlightenment Leaf was too short-lived; otherwise, it would have been enough to cultivate this Divine Ability to Minor Achievement.
In the following days, Qin Guiya spent Enlightenment Leaves, practicing the Fire Dragon Palm during the day and refining the two new Magic Treasures at night.
The flame heart mirror needed to be nurtured with spiritual power, while the Molten Crystal Sword required cleansing with the unique fire spiritual power of the Heavenly Flame Incineration Art.
Both required meticulous effort and could not be rushed.
A year and a half passed, and Qin Guiya was not only able to cast the Fire Dragon Palm at will but had even reached the Perfection level, capable of near-instantaneous casting.
To achieve such a degree, he relied on his Enlightenment Leaves, having spent a full ten of them.
"With this Perfection Divine Ability, as long as a Nascent Soul Cultivator doesn't appear, I should be completely able to protect myself."
He smiled with satisfaction.
【Divine Ability Proficiency: Beginner, Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, Perfection.】
At this time, the Family mission order arrived as expected.
"Investigate the anomaly in the Black Mist Sea?"
Qin Guiya frowned as he looked at the contents of the Jade Slip.
The Black Mist Sea was located at the edge of the Qin Family's influence, perpetually shrouded in strange black mist, and occasionally Cultivators would disappear there.
This kind of mission was much more dangerous than guarding a Spirit Stone mine.
"When do we depart?"
Liu Qingchan asked with concern.
"In three months."
Qin Guiya put away the Jade Slip, "There's still time to make more preparations."
He already had a plan in mind.
The Black Mist Sea had heavy Yin Qi, and fire-attribute Magic Treasures and Divine Abilities would effectively counter it.
But to be safe, he still needed to prepare some special Talismans and Medicinal Pills.
"Husband..."
Liu Qingchan suddenly hugged him, "You must come back safely."
Qin Guiya gently stroked her back, looking at Lin Mushuang, who was studying Formations not far away.
The black-clad woman seemed to sense his gaze, looking up to meet his eyes, which held unspoken concern.
"Don't worry, I will."
Qin Guiya promised solemnly.
He was no longer alone; he had too many reasons to return alive.
Late at night, Qin Guiya entered the Ancient Tree Space.
The four acres of Spirit Fields were lush and green, and the Tier 3 Spirit Medicine were thriving.
The Family information on the stone tablet had been updated again:
【First Generation】
Qin Guiya (Four Spiritual Roots) Golden Core Middle Stage
Liu Qingchan (Five Spiritual Roots) Foundation Establishment Late Stage
Lin Mushuang (Three Spiritual Roots) Foundation Establishment Late Stage
【Second Generation】
Qin Yuexian (Azure Wood Spirit Body) None
Qin Yueqi (Five Spiritual Roots) None
Qin Yuelin (Five Spiritual Roots) None
Qin Yuexian was now six years old. He had exchanged a wood-attribute Cultivation Technique, the Azure Wood Longevity Art, from the Family specifically for Liu Qingchan to teach her the basics.
Over the years, the children had Spirit Rice at every meal, as well as various pastries made from Spirit Vegetables, and even Medicinal Pills for cleansing meridians and marrow; Qin Guiya had bought many of them.
He thought that by the time he returned from this mission, Yue Xian would probably have become a Cultivator.
Leaving Peach Forest Island, Qin Guiya instructed his two Dao Companions to look after the children, especially Qin Yuexian.
He also left them Medicinal Pills and two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.
If they needed to purchase any resources, they were to send a message to his twelfth brother on the island, asking for his help, and to remember not to leave the Formation and not to let any Golden Core cultivators from other factions enter.
Afterward, he headed to Thousand Eye Island to rendezvous with the clansmen who would be investigating the sea area...
The morning light spilled onto the Spirit Fields of Peach Forest Island.
Liu Qingchan stood at the edge of the field, watching six-year-old Qin Yuexian sit cross-legged beneath a blue heart grass, her small hands forming awkward hand Seals.
Faint green Spiritual Qi gathered from all directions, forming a thin halo around the child.