Chapter 180: Advancing to a Second-Tier Late-Stage Great Demon

Outside the cave dwelling, beneath the native spiritual plant, the Longevity Vine.

Qin Ming silently circulated the "Ancient Wood Longevity Art," completed his daily cultivation, slowly exhaled a breath, and opened his eyes.

A fresh fragrance of grass and trees radiated from his body, accompanied by a power of aged time.

As Qin Ming finished his cultivation, the silver illusory image of the spiritual plant behind him vanished, transforming into a silver rune that merged into the center of his forehead.

After the spiritual vein environment of Moon Gazing Island improved, the growth speed of the Longevity Vine increased significantly.

Qin Ming obtained more essence of grass and trees, as well as power of time.

The silver rune representing the "Ancient Wood Evergreen Body" has now completed two-thirds of its construction; it is not far from fully taking shape.

In addition, under the medicinal effects of the Blood Bone Pill and the Fiery Blood Pill, the blood and qi true force within Qin Ming's body grew rapidly; he estimated that it would not be long before he could meet the requirements for cultivating the third transformation of True Force Shaping.

Although the current Qin Ming, whether in terms of magic power cultivation or body-refining cultivation, could crush Foundation Establishment cultivators across realms, he still maintained a low profile, silently developing and cultivating on Moon Gazing Island.

"Sigh! That Zhou Ping of the San Alliance hasn't come to Moon Gazing Island to purchase pills for nearly two years."

"Could he have kicked the bucket?"

"Why is there absolutely no news or movement?"

"I also don't know what has happened in Canghai Xiancheng; Gu Qingzhao still hasn't handed over the several types of spiritual materials needed for planting the third-tier spiritual plant, the 'Three-Crimson Soul-Returning Grass,' to me."

"Could some mishap have occurred there as well?"

Over these past two years, Moon Gazing Island rarely encountered a few batches of demonic beasts, but none of them could even enter the outermost Mist Illusion Realm, allowing Qin Ming to harvest quite a few low-tier blood beads, all of which he fed to the Longevity Vine.

Qin Ming left the cave dwelling, leaned comfortably under the spiritual peach tree at the entrance, and savored the Bai Yulin Wine with endless aftertaste.

However, he discovered that the effect of Bai Yulin Wine on increasing cultivation was not unlimited; the effect of boosting cultivation was most significant only at the very beginning.

After he had drunk seven or eight jars, the increase in liquid magic power began to gradually diminish.

Nevertheless, even so, it had pushed his cultivation forward by a large step, causing the lake of magic power within his body to expand by more than double once again.

Nowadays, Qin Ming's longevity magic power was not only extremely pure but also several times greater than that of other cultivators of the same tier, already surpassing ordinary peak Foundation Establishment great cultivators.

In addition, it had been two and a half years since Qin Ming brought back the "Primordial Breath Soil" and buried it deep within Moon Gazing Island.

Perhaps the Wu family could not feel any changes yet.

But Qin Ming possessed spiritual sense strength comparable to a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he discovered that the territorial area of the entire Moon Gazing Island had, unknowingly, expanded outward by over a hundred zhang.

Furthermore, as time passed, it continued to slowly grow larger.

Ever since the Black Water Crocodile swallowed that Lei Peng's demon core and ate the third-tier Spirit-Transforming Demon Fruit, it had been sleeping for two years.

This made Qin Ming somewhat worried, as his method of raising demonic beasts was simple and crude: directly force-feeding them resources.

Faced with this situation, he was completely clueless.

"Isn't this forcing me to eat crocodile meat?"

Perhaps the Black Water Crocodile also sensed its master's thoughts.

In an instant.

Dark clouds once again began to gather densely over the sky of Moon Gazing Island.

A massive vortex of spiritual energy continuously accumulated above the cave dwelling of the Black Water Crocodile.

The abundance of spiritual energy provided by the third-tier middle-grade spiritual vein was now incomparable to the past.

Roar! The Black Water Crocodile slowly woke up.

"This blockhead has slept for so long; is it finally about to break through?" Qin Ming arrived outside the Black Water Crocodile's cave, released his spiritual sense, and observed the conditions on its body.

The Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng also heard the commotion; it transformed into a streak of silver light and appeared nearby.

Seeing that the Black Water Crocodile was about to break through before it again, it seemed very unconvinced.

Compared to before, the momentum of the Black Water Crocodile's breakthrough this time was even more magnificent.

Heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, like collapsing mountains and tsunamis, poured continuously into its body.

Several hours later.

Buzz~ The demonic force aura of the Black Water Crocodile suddenly surged, directly rising by a full tier.

An overwhelming pressure of a supreme great demon descended upon Moon Gazing Island, comparable to that Heavy-Eyed Demon Ape from before.

It startled some of the low-tier demonic beasts on the island, snakes, insects, crawling creatures, and ants, causing them to freeze in place, daring not to move.

Below the spiritual island.

The group of spiritual farmers of the Wu family were also trembling with fear.

Wu Jiang's entire face turned pale; gazing at the sky above the main peak, he dared not speak confidently: "How much time has passed?"

"That Black Water Giant Crocodile of Daoist Friend Qin has probably advanced to a second-tier late-stage great demon."

Having completed its breakthrough, the Black Water Crocodile's body grew to over thirty zhang in size, resembling a primordial giant beast, dominating the demonic world with disdain.

It shrank its body down to half a zhang in size, ran to Qin Ming's feet, shook its head and wagged its tail as usual to rub against him, and let out several rather proud roars.

Qin Ming communicated with the Black Water Crocodile and learned that after breaking through to the late stage, it had completely refined and absorbed the Lei Peng's demon core.

Furthermore, it had once again acquired a divine ability—Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

In addition, it had also learned the Lei Peng's native demonic art—the Thunder Escape Technique.

Nowadays, not only was its skin thick and flesh tough with explosive strength, but it had also gathered three thunder bloodline divine abilities: Gui Water Divine Thunder, Wu Earth Divine Thunder, and Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

Coupled with its unexpected speed, it was simply a perfect killing machine.

However, since the Daoist path values life, Qin Ming had no intention of letting it go out to slaughter in all directions.

Unless he could not hold back. Qin Ming patted the Black Water Crocodile's big head and teased it with a smile, "You blockhead, you are truly enjoying great fortune by my side; not only has your bloodline talent risen to Heaven Grade, but your cultivation has even surpassed me, your master."

The Black Water Crocodile rubbed against Qin Ming, communicating with its intent that it would swear eternal loyalty to him, striking wherever he pointed! Qin Ming smiled; he was quite reassured about this point, as could be seen from the Black Water Crocodile's fearless performance when facing the Heavy-Eyed Demon Ape, whose strength far exceeded its own, back then.

Moreover, Qin Ming had used the Beast Taming Art on it and signed a spiritual contract, so there was absolutely no possibility of rebellion or devouring its master.

Subsequently.

"I should calculate; it is about time to make a trip to Canghai Xiancheng."

"Besides gathering spiritual materials, I must also gather intelligence."

"I need to start making contact with the Alchemy Pavilion as well."

"Mm, while keeping most of my trump cards hidden, I will reveal a few things to obtain more resource information."

"Now that I have a Profound Water Crocodile comparable to a Heavy-Eyed Demon Ape, plus the Silver-Winged Frost Bees, as long as I do not make enemies with a Jin Dan old ancestor or encounter a third-rank Demon King, there is nowhere under heaven I cannot go."

Qin Ming pondered for a moment and silently made his decision.

Afterwards, following the pill formula Su Yuqing gave him, he refined some second-rank upper-grade spiritual pills, which would be of immense benefit for increasing magic power at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Taking these spiritual pills, several Rice Flower Spiritual Fish, and the final four jars of Spiritual Fire Wine, Qin Ming prepared to depart for Canghai Xiancheng.

Before leaving, he gave Wu Jiang a final instruction.

"Ah? Fellow Daoist Qin, you are leaving the island?"

"Mm, firstly, there are some matters I must attend to; secondly, I wish to see how the outside world has developed."

"Then I wish Fellow Daoist Qin a smooth journey; given your cultivation and spiritual pets, there should be no problems."

"Mm, by the way, your Five-Colored Spiritual Rice is growing quite well; it seems you have put in considerable effort," Qin Ming said suddenly with a smile.

Wu Jiang scratched his scalp and smiled: "Hehe, it's passable; thanks largely to Fellow Daoist Qin's planting experience, otherwise I could never have succeeded on my first attempt."

"The survival rate of this batch is still somewhat low, but I guarantee I will be more skilled during the next planting; when the spiritual rice matures, I will deliver the land rent and taxes to Fellow Daoist Qin together."

"Hehe! No rush, no rush; it is commendable that you have persisted until now; keep up the good work." Qin Ming patted Wu Jiang on the shoulder.

Qin Ming summoned his Silver-Winged Frost Bees, brought along the Profound Water Crocodile, then activated the formation to leave Wangyue Island.

The moment he left the island.

Qin Ming felt as if ages had passed, yet the area around Wangyue Lake remained as peaceful as ever.

Those beast herds, unless accidentally detouring through this place, showed almost no interest in this remote corner.

He mounted the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng, transformed into a streak of silver light, and vanished into the horizon with the speed of lightning.

Along the way, Qin Ming gazed down at the scenery receding below.

The scope of Wangyue Lake was still manageable.

However, after traveling some distance, he saw that the spiritual energy Archipelago was now infested with demonic beasts.

When Qin Ming passed over the Tianhe Market, he found it devastated below; the once bustling and lively market no longer existed, reduced to broken walls and ruins, having instead become a nest for a group of unknown demonic beasts.

Countless demonic beasts were building nests, mating, and reproducing on the islands of the Tianhe Market.

Seemingly sensing a human cultivator flying overhead, deep within the Tianhe Market, a terrifying second-rank great beast looked up toward Qin Ming.

But upon seeing the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng Qin Ming rode beneath him, the killing intent that had just surged instantly subsided, and it abandoned any thought of pursuit.

The Seventy-Two Islands San Alliance, which had once united the various islands to establish a defensive line against demonic beasts, had also been shattered and ceased to exist.

'Sigh! It seems the beast tide has surged into the core region of the spiritual energy Archipelago,' Qin Ming observed the spiritual islands occupied by demonic beasts and guessed the general situation.

'This beast tide erupted so fiercely; the damage inflicted upon the Immortal Realm is immeasurable.'

'What exactly is the cause?'

'Excessive reproduction of demonic beasts is only one factor.'

'Could it be that more than one new third-rank Demon King has been born within the Beast Cry Mountains?'

'Or has a Demon King even advanced to the mid third-rank, dominating its kind and preparing to unify the Beast Cry Mountains?'

"From the current situation, it seems only these possibilities exist; compressing the living space of other beast groups is the only way to cause such a large-scale beast tide."

'It seems the situation is far more severe than I imagined.'

In the current spiritual energy Archipelago, as far as Qin Ming could see, whether in the sky, on land, or in the water, groups of demonic beasts were everywhere.

During Qin Ming's flight, in less than a quarter of an hour, he consecutively encountered several short-sighted avian demonic beasts, all of which turned into blood beads inside his storage bag.

Suddenly! Qin Ming's divine sense detected that five li directly ahead of him, a huge Dharma ship was also speeding toward Canghai Xiancheng.

On the mast of the Dharma ship hung the banner of the Seventy-Two Islands San Alliance.

Qin Ming's eyes immediately brightened; he recalled the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng beneath him into his spirit beast bag, then unleashed his movement technique, transforming into a streak of azure escape light, and rapidly flew toward that San Alliance ship.

It took only a few breaths.

Qin Ming arrived before the Dharma ship; the cultivators on duty on the deck, seeing a Foundation Establishment-stage escape light approaching, immediately became tense as if facing a great enemy.

"Do not act rashly! It is Qin Qianbei from Wangyue Island!"

Just then.

On the deck, a squad leader of a cultivator at the peak Qi Refining stage raised his hand to signal, halting everyone's nervous actions.

Qin Ming's figure blurred and flickered, instantly appearing before that cultivator, and he asked puzzledly, "You know me?"

That peak Qi Refining cultivator bowed deeply and respectfully to Qin Ming, then answered with an excited expression: "Reporting to Qin Qianbei, over two years ago, this junior happened to visit Wangyue Lake under the leadership of Elder Zhou Ping."

"If not for Qin Qianbei's spirit pet displaying its divine might back then and crushing that Lei Peng great beast, we would not be standing here speaking today."

"Oh~ I see!" Qin Ming suddenly understood, then continued asking, "By the way, where is Elder Zhou Ping? Is he currently on the ship?"

Upon hearing this, the squad leader revealed a sorrowful expression and stammered, unable to speak.

Seeing this reaction, Qin Ming had already guessed the general situation in his heart.

"Sigh! Elder Zhou Ping has already perished."

Just then.

A familiar voice entered Qin Ming's ears, followed by a streak of blue escape light flying out from the pavilion on the ship and landing before him, revealing the newcomer's appearance.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, it has truly been a long time!"

"What a rare guest! Have you been well recently?"

Opposite Qin Ming, Li Yuanqing, the Fu Wei Mengzhu of the Seventy-Two Islands San Alliance, cupped his fists toward him and greeted him warmly.

"Wei Mengzhu Li, long time no see."

"How did Fellow Daoist Zhou perish? Could it be..."

Qin Ming returned the courtesy and couldn't help but ask.

Furthermore, Qin Ming observed that Li Yuanqing's cultivation had also broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, yet the magic power aura on his person was extremely unstable; a trace of world-weariness now marred his once vigorous countenance, and both his temples had begun to turn gray.

At a glance, Qin Ming could tell that Li Yuanqing must have consumed some sort of realm-breaking pill, forcibly raising his own cultivation realm at the cost of draining his vital essence and lifespan.

But doing so would create an irreversible obstruction to breaking through to subsequent realms.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, with your current reputation, simply calling me 'Fellow Daoist' is enough; do not humble me so."

"Please, step into the room; I, Li, shall recount the reasons behind all this to Fellow Daoist Qin one by one."

"Alas! Not only did Elder Zhou Ping perish, but even Alliance Leader Huo Qianqiu has perished."

(End of Chapter)