Chapter 167: Delivered to the Doorstep

BOOM!

A blinding streak of snowy white light filled the sky above Wangyue Island.

It made it hard for people to open their eyes.

Golden lightning arcs and silver runes collided and wove together in midair.

After a moment, the brilliant light faded, and the sky returned to calm.

The Lei Jie dispersed; first to come into view was the towering, majestic Evergreen Vine, as if transformed into the island's guardian, silently gazing over the land.

Dozens of zhang long, black tendrils of the Evergreen Vine lashed wildly, blocking the final golden tribulation lightning—and remained utterly unscathed.

The silver six-winged Frost Bee, curled beneath the Evergreen Vine, also noticed this sight.

Its mood, once fallen into stillness, instantly reignited with the exhilaration of survival.

Having weathered nine Lei Jie, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to replenish its body.

Gradually.

In an instant, the six-winged Frost Bee grew to the size of a young ox.

Its aura also solidified firmly at the early stage of the Second Stage.

It let out an excited screech and flew toward Qin Ming, nuzzling him affectionately.

Qin Ming reached out and patted its head, deeply pleased.

"Hmm, with this new look, I can't call you Six-Winged Frost Bee anymore."

"From now on, you're Silver-Winged Frost Bee."

"I wonder what abilities it's gained after breaking through to Second Stage Great Demon?"

The Silver-Winged Frost Bee seemed to understand Qin Ming's words; it screeched once, transmitting a stream of information directly into his mind.

He briefly filtered the data, then a smile of delight spread across his face.

After ascending to Second Stage Great Demon, the Silver-Winged Frost Bee gained not only its ultra-strong defensive capabilities and spell-resisting property.

Its overall power surged a full tier—ordinary Foundation Establishment beasts were no longer its match.

Most notably, its flight speed reached an unimaginable level, rivaling that of a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator flying at full speed.

Secondly, a new tail stinger had formed—different from before—a Soul-Annihilating Poison Spike capable of bypassing all defenses to strike directly at an enemy's spiritual core.

Utterly ruthless! The celestial phenomena of the tribulation had naturally been seen by the Blackwater Crocodile; it dashed back to the island, its haughty head sizing up the Silver-Winged Frost Bee, emitting low growls.

As if congratulating its breakthrough.

Qin Ming waved his hand to dismiss the Blackwater Crocodile, then leapt forward and landed on the Silver-Winged Frost Bee's back.

The Silver-Winged Frost Bee immediately understood Qin Ming's intent and let out a joyful screech.

Its six silver wings flared—"whoosh!"—and it vanished from the spot, carrying Qin Ming away.

In an instant, a silver streak slashed across the sky.

Qin Ming felt the lightning-fast speed of the Silver-Winged Frost Bee, his spirit soaring.

With this Second Stage Great Demon as a flying mount, he'd never need the Spirit Light Flying Shuttle again.

Their speeds were worlds apart—one in the heavens, one on the ground.

And with this beast as his steed, he wouldn't even need to expend his own magic power.

Qin Ming rode the Silver-Winged Frost Bee in a high-speed circuit around Wangyue Lake; its energy remained abundant, showing no need to rest.

After experiencing the Silver-Winged Frost Bee's ultimate speed, Qin Ming guided it back to Wangyue Island.

He then tossed it a Nieling Pill, instructing it to continue consolidating its realm.

From now on, he had another powerful beast companion.

Wu Jiang also saw Qin Ming returning on the Silver-Winged Frost Bee; he gazed at the majestic flying mount, radiating deep envy—another Foundation Establishment Great Demon!

"Hehehe! Congratulations, Qin Daoist, on your spiritual pet's advancement again!"

Wu Jiang's heart was now fully at ease—Wangyue Island now had two Foundation Establishment Great Demons.

Foundation Establishment Great Demons typically possessed several times the power of human Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level.

Moreover, Qin Daoist's two spiritual pets clearly weren't ordinary Second Stage beasts—they were likely among the elite.

Their true strength was incalculable. Wangyue Island's security had risen dramatically.

Qin Ming was in good spirits; he smiled and nodded, rewarding Wu Jiang with a Yunling Pill.

Wu Jiang joyfully accepted the pill and withdrew.

In the days that followed.

Beyond his cultivation, Qin Ming began studying the Third Stage Spirit Plant Master inheritance he had obtained from Mo Lingwei.

This inheritance recorded methods for cultivating various high-grade spirit plants, even touching on obscure and esoteric species—immensely beneficial and elevating for Qin Ming.

Time slipped by, and another half-month passed.

The clashes between the Seventy-Two Scatter Alliance and the Zhao Clan occurred frequently across the spiritual energy Archipelago.

With war raging, many bandit cultivators and dark Dao practitioners rushed in to plunder.

Many scattered cultivators were forced to flee, temporarily seeking refuge in Canghai Xiancheng.

Within the Tianhe Marketplace, due to the presence of major factions, petty criminals dared not cause trouble, so it remained intact—though rents for shops had skyrocketed.

Within a single month, prices in the marketplace had surged several-fold.

A few more days passed.

Shadows moved near the usually tranquil Wangyue Lake.

Bold bandits had set their sights on the remote Wangyue Island.

These men were one of the notorious bands of Foundation Establishment bandit cultivators active in the spiritual energy Archipelago—the Evil-Faced Old Monster's gang.

Led by the Foundation Establishment early-stage Evil-Faced Old Monster, they committed unspeakable atrocities, killing without mercy.

Rumors whispered that the massacres of Kongdongdao and Yushuidao were very likely their doing.

Previously,

The Evil-Faced Old Monster had accidentally learned that this unremarkable, secluded spirit island harbored a spirit plant master who had cultivated the legendary spiritual energy Rice—his eyes burned with greed.

Through a secret channel, they had confirmed the island held only one Foundation Establishment cultivator: Wangyue Island's master, Qin Ming.

Though rumors claimed this man was formidable in battle, they had two Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivators.

Surely, catching Wangyue Island by surprise would be as easy as plucking fruit.

On a dark, wind-swept night, the Evil-Faced Old Monster's gang stealthily infiltrated the vicinity of Wangyue Lake.

"Boss!"

"It's right ahead, isn't it?"

"Correct, this is the place. Who'd have thought such a desolate spot—"

"Could hide a spirit island so rich in spiritual energy! We've struck gold!"

"There must be a protective array on the island. Brother Two, bring out that Second Stage Break-Seal Talisman!"

"Huh? There seem to be quite a few low-level Qi Refining cultivators on the island?"

"Standard procedure—kill them all. Leave no survivors!"

But before the Evil-Faced Old Monster's gang could enter Wangyue Island's territory, they were detected by the patrolling Blackwater Crocodile.

The Blackwater Crocodile suddenly opened its cold-blooded eyes and surfaced silently.

Suddenly,

In midair, the Evil-Faced Old Monster felt a chill down his spine—he sensed something terrifying watching him.

"Something's wrong!"

Having survived for years as a bandit cultivator, the Evil-Faced Old Monster owed his life to his innate instinct for danger.

"ROAR~"

A thunderous roar echoed; from within Wangyue Lake, a monstrous beast over ten zhang long burst forth.

Its gaping maw opened wide, lunging straight at them!

(End of Chapter)