Chapter Sixty: Acquiring Another Millennium-Old Spiritual Herb! (Please Vote for Recommendations!)

"Thank you for the information!"
"Qin is new to officialdom, so I ask Commander Lin to look after me in the days to come."
Qin Feng replied with a faint smile.
He felt a genuine affinity for Lin Xiaozhong, sensing that Lin was a man worthy of friendship.
"The Lord Prefect holds Commander Qin in high regard. It may be that, in time, it is you who will be looking after me."
Thinking of the Lord Prefect's esteem for Qin Feng, Lin Xiaozhong quickly replied.
"In the future, let us care for each other."
"I also ask Commander Lin to convey my gratitude to the Lord Prefect. His kindness is immeasurable, and Qin Feng is deeply thankful."
Qin Feng spoke in a grave tone.
Lin Xiaozhong then returned to Yuntian Prefecture ahead of Qin Feng, reminding him to arrive in Yuntian within half a month.

...

"Master Qin, the Baozhi Pavilion has sent word that the millennium spirit herb has arrived in Xuanzhou City. They ask us to retrieve it."
"This spirit herb is of utmost importance and rarity, certain to attract the attention of many martial practitioners. I dare not act without your approval, so I have come to report to you."
Yan Chonghu hurried in and spoke to Qin Feng.
"I will go myself!"
Qin Feng made his preparations, donned the Black Yin gloves, and armed himself with the Fangtian halberd, striding out of his room toward the Baozhi Pavilion.
Yan Chonghu invited Mr. Liu to accompany them to Baozhi Pavilion.
Once the millennium spirit herb was in his hands, Qin Feng could harness its medicinal power to break through to the rank of Commander, thereby strengthening his body to better contain the force within.
"With Master Qin attending in person, nothing can go awry!"
Yan Chonghu quickly followed behind Qin Feng, speaking in a tone of flattery.
"Greetings, Commander Qin!"
Inside Baozhi Pavilion, Jin Wu gazed at Qin Feng with a complex expression. Who could have imagined that the young man he once thought extraordinary would now be renowned throughout Yuntian Prefecture, a formidable figure who slew the famed Old Ancestor Qinghe.
Jin Wu clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and awe.
"Manager Jin, where is the millennium spirit herb?"
Qin Feng nodded, speaking loudly.
"Commander Qin, please follow me inside."
Jin Wu swiftly led Qin Feng toward the pavilion's inner courtyard.
The two Commanders who escorted the spirit herb rested in the courtyard, the precious herb kept close at hand.
"Commander Chen, Commander Liu, this is Commander Qin, the purchaser of the millennium spirit herb."
Jin Wu introduced the three Commanders to each other with utmost respect.

"Commander Chen greets Commander Qin."
"Commander Liu greets Commander Qin."
Upon Jin Wu’s introduction, Chen Yunlong and Liu Xiang’s eyes lit up as they looked to Qin Feng with reverence, clasping their hands and speaking in solemn tones.
The tale of Qin Feng slaying Old Ancestor Qinghe had spread throughout Yuntian Prefecture, and they too had heard of his renown.
Their cultivation was only at the initial stage of Commander, so facing Qin Feng, who could defeat a late-stage Commander, they naturally felt awe.
"Qin Feng greets you both!"
Qin Feng returned the greeting loudly.
The deep foundation of Baozhi Pavilion was evident, for they could dispatch two Commanders to escort the millennium spirit herb.
"Commander Qin, please inspect the spirit herb. Once you confirm its authenticity, our task will be complete!"
Chen Yunlong opened the package he carried, revealing an ornate brocade box, which he handed to Qin Feng with a solemn expression.
"Mr. Liu."
Qin Feng took the box and passed it to Mr. Liu.
Qin Feng knew he could not match Mr. Liu’s twenty years of expertise in medicinal herbs.
Mr. Liu’s hands trembled as he received the millennium spirit herb. He had never imagined he would handle such a treasure in his lifetime.
Jin Wu ordered refreshments and tea to be served as Mr. Liu conducted his examination.
"Commander Qin, it is indeed the millennium spirit herb."
After a careful inspection lasting ten minutes, Mr. Liu’s face was filled with excitement as he nodded heavily to Qin Feng.
"Yan Chonghu!"
Qin Feng’s joy grew, and he signaled Yan Chonghu to hand over the remaining banknotes to Jin Wu.
Altogether, the purchase of the spirit herb had cost a total of one hundred and twenty thousand taels of gold.
"Commanders, I bid you farewell!"
Qin Feng held the brocade box firmly, speaking loudly.
"Please!"
"Commander Qin, should you visit Yuntian Prefecture in the future, come find us for a reunion."
Chen Yunlong and Liu Xiang, recognizing Qin Feng’s potential, wished to forge a connection and extended their invitation to him.
"Certainly!"
Qin Feng nodded to Chen Yunlong and Liu Xiang, then departed in haste with the millennium spirit herb.
He could no longer contain his eagerness to consume the millennium spirit herb and cultivate, breaking through to the Commander realm and becoming one in name and deed.

...

"Aunt, I believe Grandfather was right to oppose that marriage back then."
"Look at Chen Xuanhao: he was a dark force martial artist twenty years ago, and now, after all this time, he remains just that. He is utterly useless—a failure."
Wang Taoyun had come from the Wang clan to visit his aunt Wang Xiaohua. Upon learning of Chen Xuanhao’s level, he spoke with disdain.
"Taoyun, you do not understand."
Wang Xiaohua shook her head, preparing to tell Wang Taoyun that the Chen family was no longer ordinary, that Qin Feng had become a Commander and Chen Xuanhao would soon rise to greatness.
Previously, when she and Chen Xuanhao visited the Wang clan, they suffered gossip and ridicule from relatives.
This year, upon returning, she was determined to hold her head high.
"By the way, Aunt, let me share some good news: Grandfather’s cultivation is about to break through to the Guardian realm!"
"In the future, the Wang family will be a great clan with a Guardian to protect it!"
Wang Taoyun spoke with excitement.
"Taoyun, when you return, congratulate my father on his breakthrough for me."
Wang Xiaohua’s heart lifted, and she spoke with joy.
Had she heard before that her father had broken through to the Guardian realm, she would have celebrated extravagantly, letting all the powers of Xuanzhou City know.
But now, with Qin Feng a Commander and a powerful figure, her reaction was far more subdued.
"Aunt Wang!"
Qin Feng emerged from Baozhi Pavilion, just in time to encounter Wang Xiaohua. He offered a polite greeting and hurried away.
"Madam Wang."
"Madam."
Yan Chonghu and Mr. Liu bowed respectfully to Wang Xiaohua, then followed Qin Feng in haste.
"Aunt, who is he? A relative of Chen Xuanhao?"
Wang Taoyun sensed that Qin Feng had ignored him—not greeting or even asking about him. He watched Qin Feng’s departing figure and questioned Wang Xiaohua.
"Taoyun, you must not be disrespectful, or the Wang family may face utter destruction because of you!"
Wang Xiaohua had long been displeased with Wang Taoyun’s attitude and now wished to assert herself.
"Aunt, is it really so serious? Grandfather is about to break through to the Guardian realm; the clan will soon be a great power!"
Wang Taoyun curled his lip, feeling Wang Xiaohua was making too much of it and spoke dismissively.
"Taoyun, have you heard of Qin Feng, Commander Qin, since you arrived in Xuanzhou City?"
A faint smile appeared on Wang Xiaohua’s lips as she spoke.
"Aunt, you mean Commander Qin, who reached the Commander realm at fifteen and slew Old Ancestor Qinghe, a late-stage Commander?"
On his way to the city, Wang Taoyun had heard Qin Feng’s name multiple times, been awed by his reputation, and now, hearing Wang Xiaohua’s words, his face changed dramatically.
He recalled Qin Feng’s youthful features and suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.