Chapter 194: Third-Rank Talisman Treasure

"Hmm, you may leave."

Wei Wuyan replied indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming did not bother with formalities and immediately flew away from the Lei Yuanzong's vessel.

Then.

The Lei Yuanzong fleet vanished rapidly from Qin Ming's sight.

"I thought I'd be dragged off as conscript labor."

"Didn't expect even this man came."

"It seems Lei Yuanzong takes this matter very seriously—after all, the Nie family they just installed has suffered such a blow."

If Lei Yuanzong doesn't show a stance, other families may also back out.

Encountering the Lei Yuanzong fleet was merely a minor detour for him; Qin Ming no longer dwelled on it and continued on his way.

With Lei Yuanzong's involvement, the chaos on Qianye Lingdao should be quelled soon.

After half a day, having taken a long detour.

Qin Ming restored his original appearance and safely returned to Wangyue Island.

"Qin Dao You, you're unharmed—how wonderful!" Wu Jiang and his wife, seeing Qin Ming return, were overjoyed.

Wu Jiang, well-informed, had naturally heard of the great upheaval on Qianye Lingdao.

He had been restless on the island, deeply worried for Qin Ming.

After all, he'd heard that even Nie's fake Golden Core ancestor had perished on the spot—clearly, the situation was grave.

"Hmm, this trip nearly cost me my life—hard to explain in words!" Qin Ming sighed deeply.

"Before Qianye Lingdao stabilizes, you'd best not leave. I suspect Zhao Wuyang is extremely strange—perhaps even a Golden Core elder might not be able to subdue him."

Qin Ming spoke with solemn expression.

"What?! They say Zhao's ancestor was possessed by a demon—could that really be true?" Wu Jiang was startled.

Qin Ming nodded. "Yes, very likely. But in my view, it's probably something even more troublesome than an ordinary demon."

"If Qin Dao You says so, we'll certainly follow your advice." Wu Jiang now understood the gravity of the matter.

After exchanging a few words with Wu Jiang, Qin Ming returned to his cave.

"Phew～"

"My own nest is truly safe!"

Qin Ming immediately slapped his spirit beast bag and released his two spirit beasts.

The Xuan Shui Eel and the Yin Yi Shuangfeng had performed astonishingly well on this journey.

Now released, the two spirit beasts did not rush off, but gazed expectantly at Qin Ming.

Why this was so was obvious.

"Alright, alright!"

"You won't be shortchanged."

Qin Ming promptly pulled two premium Dragon Blood Divine Fruits from his storage bag and gave one to each spirit pet.

The Xuan Shui Eel and Yin Yi Shuangfeng, upon receiving the divine fruits, happily sought out spots to enjoy them.

After dismissing the two spirit pets.

Qin Ming wore a peculiar smile and retrieved the storage ring dropped by Zhao Wuji.

Compared to a storage bag, this ring offered greater storage capacity and far greater convenience.

Only someone of Zhao's wealth, like the Zhao family's eldest son, could afford to wear one.

Qin Ming unleashed his spiritual sense and forcibly erased Zhao Wuji's imprint on it.

He then immersed his spiritual sense to examine its contents.

"Hahaha! Fortune awaits!" "What a fat sheep!"

Qin Ming's eyes gleamed with excitement; a quick glance revealed over a hundred thousand spirit stones.

In a corner of the ring's space, he also discovered an object radiating terrifying fluctuations.

The object was a small, black, ancient inkstone, no more than an inch long.

Qin Ming picked it up, turned it over, and his face twisted with profound dread.

"Third-rank Talisman Treasure: Azure Dragon Seal!"

He sensed it briefly—it was a third-rank talisman treasure, never used before!

Each use of this talisman treasure unleashes a full-power strike equivalent to a true Golden Core beginner's attack! "Good thing I acted fast—didn't let Zhao Wuji get the chance to use it."

"Otherwise, I'd be dead."

Of course, a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator requires time to activate a third-rank talisman treasure; Zhao Wuji's failure to use it immediately likely stemmed from his own calculations.

Qin Ming happily toyed with the Azure Dragon Seal—henceforth, this powerful talisman treasure was his, a new trump card.

He continued examining the storage ring; its contents were truly abundant, including even one upper-grade magic weapon—a black long spear—along with several lower- and mid-grade magic weapons.

The rest consisted of cultivation manuals, elixirs, and spirit materials. Most unexpectedly, the few spirit materials still missing to brew "Yulin Wine" were all present.

Additionally, several types of beast essence blood needed for his body refinement were also there—all mid-stage second-rank—but, somewhat disappointingly, none came from primate beasts.

"If all else fails, I'll just substitute with other beast essences."

"Though not perfect," Qin Ming muttered, stroking his chin.

He also acquired materials from three second-rank great beasts, along with three beast cores.

Of course, there were also blood pearls—obtained not only from the three second-rank great beasts, but also collected during his breakout and slaughter, totaling dozens of low-rank beast blood pearls.

Qin Ming stepped out of his cave and approached his life-spirit plant, the Changsheng Teng, tossing all the blood pearls toward it.

Instantly, the Changsheng Teng, like a shark scenting blood, surged forth countless vines, snatching up the blood pearls and greedily absorbing them.

Gudong! Gudong! The heartbeat-like sound echoed again; the runes swirling around the Changsheng Teng grew denser.

New black vines sprouted rapidly, and vast quantities of plant essence began emanating from them.

Qin Ming immediately sat cross-legged and began cultivating the "Ancient Wood Evergreen Body" according to the "Ancient Wood Evergreen Scripture."

Several hours later.

Behind Qin Ming, the silver spirit plant had grown another zhang taller—signifying further progress in his spirit body cultivation.

The Xuan Shui Eel, drawn by the scent, arrived again, quietly lying beside him, greedily absorbing the plant essence leaking from the Changsheng Teng.

After cultivation ended, Qin Ming left the Xuan Shui Eel beneath the Changsheng Teng to continue training.

Several days later.

Qin Ming sent Wu Jiang out to gather information.

"Qin Dao You, the chaos on Qianye Lingdao was swiftly quelled under the intervention of Canghai True Person and Lei Yuanzong."

"But the island's spiritual vein has been damaged—likely irreparable."

"Also, Zhao Wuyang proved truly elusive—despite being surrounded by Canghai True Person and a fake Golden Core True Person, he still escaped."

"Even Wei Wuyan of Lei Yuanzong arrived. It's said he fought a three-hundred-round battle with the double-pupiled demon monkey, nearly slaying it with his sword."

"But the double-pupiled demon monkey activated a self-damaging escape technique and ultimately fled—now its whereabouts are unknown."

"Wei Wuyan of Lei Yuanzong has issued a bounty and deployed a vast net across the spiritual energy Archipelago, hunting the wounded demon monkey everywhere."

"I heard Wei Wuyan is making such a fuss because he covets the demon monkey's two piercing, law-breaking eyes."

Qin Ming frowned upon hearing this—he had anticipated Zhao Wuyang's escape.

But he hadn't expected the demon monkey to still be alive.

(End of Chapter)