Qin Ming put everything into the storage pouch and then opened the door.

The moment the door opened.

He saw the visitor and was somewhat surprised, then stepped aside to invite them into the room.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Huangfu, please come in."

"Fellow Daoist Long, it's been a long time."

Huangfu Qi, with a gentle demeanor, greeted him warmly, smiling as he entered the room.

Qin Ming's eyes also fell on him. After more than a year, Huangfu Qi's mana aura was exceptionally strong, clearly having reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage.

Next would be the planning for Core Formation.

Considering the recent situation, Qin Ming roughly guessed the visitor's intention.

It was likely related to the Tai Lake ruins.

After pouring a cup of Spirit Tea for the other, Qin Ming, in the tone of Long Daoist, asked in a deep voice, "I wonder what matter brought Fellow Daoist Huangfu to visit me?"

"Hehe! To be frank, Fellow Daoist Long, I am here to invite you to join us in exploring the newly discovered Tai Lake ruins for an opportunity to form a Golden Core," Huangfu Qi was straightforward, directly stating his intention.

"Besides me, a few other reliable fellows, including Fellow Daoist Xiang Zehao from Divine Herbal Valley, and several other Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators, are planning to go together."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was stunned. He had been avoiding the so-called Tai Lake ruins, let alone planning to go there.

Huangfu Qi clearly valued the strength and cultivation of 'Long Daoist', hence his personal invitation.

The companions he gathered were all renowned Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators in Wei Country.

However, the information Qin Ming obtained from the Artifact Spirit was much more than what Huangfu Qi and his group knew. Even with their strong lineup, they would be no match for the Golden Toad Demon King...

Not to mention, there's a terrifying Master White Bone about to awaken there.

Moreover, after millennia of accumulation, numerous powerful ghosts have been nurtured in the depths of Tai Lake, possibly even containing Core Formation ghosts.

While their strength is formidable outside, exploring the White Bone King's Hall would be akin to courting death.

Qin Ming immediately and politely declined: "Thank you for the invitation, Fellow Daoist Huangfu, but I am afraid I must turn down your kind offer."

"As for that Secret Realm... I have no interest in going."

Qin Ming had already made up his mind never to return to the Tai Lake ruins.

Once he received the spiritual materials from Aunt Long,

he planned to return to his own Wangyue Island and watch the shifts in the cultivation world with a smile...

No opportunity or Secret Realm mattered to him.

The ruins could go to anyone interested.

After all, he had already taken the most valuable Hook Jade Golden Light Mirror artifact fragment and Artifact Spirit from it...

Qin Ming never expected that the allure of the White Bone King's Hall would be so great.

Even a powerful Great Guardian from Mirror Snow Pavilion wanted a part in it.

"Fellow Daoist Long, have you reconsidered? Do you have some concerns?"

"The fellows I recruited for this venture are all powerful individuals."

"With our combined strength, it should be more than sufficient for self-preservation within the ruins."

"Moreover, my primary cultivation is in Thunder Skill, which has a natural restraining effect on ghosts."

Huangfu Qi didn't expect Long Daoist to refuse his invitation without a second thought.

So he continued.

"According to the intelligence from our pavilion, this relic likely was the palace of an ancient great power from ten thousand years ago."

"Its scale is even several times larger than the ancient ruins in Yunze Wilderness that appeared fifty years ago, not even in the same league."

"There are bound to be Core Formation resources inside. Don't you crave Core Formation at all, Fellow Daoist Long?"

Huangfu Qi sincerely said, still hoping to persuade the other to join.

With Long Daoist's strength and character, there was no one like him in the cultivation world of Wei Country.

Thus, he extended such a sincere invitation, otherwise, he wouldn't bother with others.

Qin Ming sighed softly in his heart; Huangfu Qi was one of the few Daoist friends he knew.

Back at Qingyang Market, he had even been a big help to him.

As for Core Formation resources...

He currently had the Golden Core Formation Pill Formula, and the Spirit Seeds for the two main materials, refining the Golden Core Formation Pill was just a matter of time.

Additionally, he had a "Ten Thousand Transformations Spirit Liquid" and Fengyou Ghost Jujube, which could also produce the Core Formation spiritual object "Profound Evil Spirit Liquid."

These two alone could increase the Core Formation success rate by twenty percent.

Moreover, he had the Lifebound Spirit Plant Yin Yang Profound Vine and the Ancient Evergreen Body, comparable to a Celestial-Grade Spirit Root...

The Core Formation resources Qin Ming currently possessed were likely more than what was in the Secret Realm ruins, so there was no need to take risks.

He only needed to return to Wangyue Island to nurture these resources, then he could prepare to breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

The only difference would be the quality of the Golden Core achievement.

Of course,

as a friend,

Qin Ming didn't want to watch Huangfu Qi go to the Tai Lake ruins in vain, risking his life.

After some hesitation, he still advised:

"Fellow Daoist Huangfu, I'll share the truth with you. I have previously explored the vicinity of the Tai Lake ruins."

"I fear it is not a good place. I personally witnessed a Golden Core Ancestor enter the lakebed ruins but never return..."

"It may not be as simple as you think. It's best to think this through carefully."

"My suggestion to you is to avoid going there."

"You can find opportunities for Core Formation elsewhere as long as you have your life."

"Taking a risk for an unknown ruins isn't worth it."

Qin Ming said earnestly, having done all he could.

Whether Huangfu Qi listened was up to him.

"Ah... I see..."

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Long had already scouted it earlier..."

"Even the Golden Core Ancestor didn't make it out..."

"That's truly beyond my expectations."

After hearing Qin Ming's warning, Huangfu Qi was visibly surprised.

He then fell into deep thought.

"Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist Long."

"I'll return to discuss it with the others before making a decision."

After thinking for a while, Huangfu Qi stood up, cupped his hands towards Qin Ming, and then took his leave.

Watching Huangfu Qi's departing figure, Qin Ming shook his head.

In the face of such staggering temptation as the opportunity for Core Formation, not only loose cultivators but also disciples of major forces, how many could stay calm and composed?

All rushed forward like moths to a flame, vying for that sliver of chance.

Despite knowing the peril, they'd still jump in, unwilling to give up until the bitter end.

'If not for my Entry system golden finger, I might have been just like them...'

Qin Ming thought with a sigh.

Another half a month passed.

The traffic within Moyuan Immortal City saw a tenfold increase in a short time, with Qin Ming witnessing cultivators from various countries hustling in and out daily.

Even the inns and taverns nearby were fully booked, with room prices soaring several times, even tenfold in better conditions.

Luckily, 'Long Daoist' was now a super VIP at Mirror Snow Pavilion, and Aunt Long hadn't asked for lodging fees yet.

The surge in the number of cultivators indicated that the cultivation world was about to experience significant turbulence and change.

On this day.

Qin Ming was in the tavern on the first floor, listening to the latest news.

Then he saw Aunt Long, beaming with joy, come over and say to Qin Ming, "Elder Long, I have good news!"

"All the Tier Three spiritual materials on your list have been collected."

...

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