Chapter 198: Visit and Response

After mastering the Demon Ape Transformation, Qin Ming's physical recovery ability strengthened once more.

The internal and external injuries from his earlier battle had already healed seven or eight out of ten; he was lively and energetic again.

This clearly showed that after achieving the second transformation of Qi Blood True Gang, the benefits were countless, and he became increasingly eager to see what the third transformation would entail.

Probably even a Jin Dan elder couldn't stop him now. Next, Qin Ming performed a spell to erase the traces from the back mountain of Wangyue Island.

He remembered there were still members of the Wu family hiding on the island.

Qin Ming immediately sent Wu Jiang a message, asking him to come over—there were still matters he needed to explain to him.

Moments later.

Wu Jiang approached Qin Ming with caution, carefully sizing him up several times; seeing his calm expression, he let out a long breath and said, "Qin Daofriend, you're unharmed—that's wonderful!"

"The commotion just now was truly terrifying!"

To be honest, Wu Jiang had been tormented inside when he heard the mountain collapses and ocean surges from the back of Wangyue Island, along with beast roars and dragon roars, feeling the ground shake violently.

He nearly thought Wangyue Island might sink. At the same time, now that he saw Qin Ming again, he felt an inexplicable unease, yet couldn't say what had changed.

"Hmm, just a minor matter—it's already been settled," Qin Ming said calmly.

Then he fixed Wu Jiang with a piercing gaze and said seriously, "Wu Daofriend, I hope you keep today's events buried deep in your heart. Otherwise, you and your clan will invite disaster. Understood?"

Wu Jiang broke into a cold sweat and nodded frantically like a chicken pecking rice. "Qin Daofriend, rest assured—I swear by my heart demon! I won't utter a word. When I return, I'll make my clan forget everything about today."

"Cough! Hmm, very good," Qin Ming said with deep meaning, patting Wu Jiang's shoulder—causing the man to shudder violently.

"It's not as serious as you imagine. Still, more people may come to investigate near Lingdao soon. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Qin Ming had already guessed roughly: this double-pupiled demon ape wouldn't have come to Jibei for no reason, nor would it have fled in panic into Wangyue Island.

Clearly, it had been chased here.

And in the entire spiritual energy Archipelago, only Lei Yuanzong had the power to threaten a severely wounded demon ape.

Seeing Qin Ming had no intention of revealing more, Wu Jiang took the hint and took his leave.

After scolding Wu Jiang, Qin Ming gazed deeply at the boundless blue waves of Wangyue Lake.

'Though I now fear no one like Wei Wuyan, I still avoid antagonizing him.'

'Otherwise, like Zhao Wuji, he'll keep targeting me every few days, disrupting my farming.'

…

Three days later, as Qin Ming had predicted.

Lei Yuanzong's people had indeed come calling.

The massive magic ship Qin Ming had encountered before—its hundreds-of-zhang hull blotting out the sky—appeared above Wangyue Lake.

On the uppermost deck, Wei Wuyan, with his tall crown and handsome face, stared at the pink mist illusion ahead and furrowed his brow.

"Master, the Spirit Tracking Disc shows traces of the demon ape's activity in this region," a Lei Yuanzong disciple reported respectfully beside him.

"But…"

"The demon ape's aura vanished after arriving here."

"Could it have turned around and fled elsewhere?" the disciple ventured cautiously, glancing at the mist illusion even Jin Dan elders couldn't enter.

Wei Wuyan pondered long, then spoke succinctly: "Since we've come this far, let's pay a visit to the famed Lord of Wangyue Island."

"Uh—yes!" The disciple paused in surprise, then quickly nodded.

He then pulled out a message talisman and tossed it into the mist.

…

Inside Wangyue Island.

"They've come after all!" Qin Ming's powerful spiritual sense had already detected Lei Yuanzong's magic ship.

Below on the island, Wu Jiang hurried to Qin Ming's side, handing him a message talisman, then spoke urgently: "Qin… Qin Daofriend, Wei Wuyan of Lei Yuanzong is here to pay his respects."

For several days, Wu Jiang hadn't slept a single peaceful night—he was constantly uneasy.

Now, even Wei Wuyan, called the "Sword of Wei Kingdom," had come. Qin Ming took the talisman, opened it, and nodded.

"Hmm, I'm already aware. No major issue—I'll handle it. You needn't worry."

"Go attend to your own affairs."

Wu Jiang looked skeptical. 'Even this great figure from Wei Kingdom has come—and he says nothing's wrong? That's too unbelievable!'

But he only muttered this inwardly—he dared not show it before Qin Ming.

Wu Jiang then took his leave and returned to tend the spirit fields below.

Qin Ming immediately cast a spell, opening a passage through the mist illusion.

The two wounded spirit beasts were also retrieved into his Spirit Beast Bag.

On Lei Yuanzong's magic ship.

Wei Wuyan, watching the strange sight, couldn't help but praise: "Impressive skill."

He then casually instructed his disciples behind him and flew into the passage. As he flew, he tried extending his spiritual sense into the mist—but was shocked to find it vanished like oxen sinking into clouds. He hastily retracted it.

Within mere breaths, Wei Wuyan passed through the mist illusion, becoming a white streak of light as he appeared on Wangyue Island.

He was slightly stunned by the island's idyllic scenery.

Houses stood neatly arranged, pavilions rose in clusters, tea gardens and bamboo groves thrived lushly, spirit springs and waterfalls shimmered among the hills, misty veils drifted like a dreamlike, isolated paradise.

"Lord Wei, I apologize for not greeting you sooner!"

At that moment, a young cultivator appeared in Wei Wuyan's sight—it was Qin Ming.

Qin Ming had now concealed his cultivation to Foundation Establishment early stage. Wei Wuyan was Foundation Establishment peak—three full sub-levels higher. Following the strict hierarchy of the cultivation world, Qin Ming still respectfully addressed him as "Senior."

Wei Wuyan's gaze fell on Qin Ming, took a quick look, then smiled warmly and bowed slightly. "You must be the famed Lord Qin?"

"Qin Daofriend, no need for formality. I merely happened to pass by Wangyue Lake. I've long admired your reputation but never had the chance to meet. Now, by chance, I've come to pay my respects—if I've intruded, please forgive me."

"Given your current status, just call me Daofriend."

"Very well, Wei Daofriend," Qin Ming smiled slightly, then warmly ushered him into the guest pavilion.

Though both were Foundation Establishment early stage, Wei Wuyan's attitude toward Qin Ming now was worlds apart from how he'd treated the bearded giant Qin Ming had once impersonated.

The reason? Qin Ming was a second-rank superior spirit plant master, renowned across Canghai Xiancheng and the spiritual energy Archipelago cultivation world.

Even now, with only Foundation Establishment early stage displayed, no one dared underestimate him.

After inviting Wei Wuyan to sit, Qin Ming took out a jar of Spirit Fire Wine and poured him a full bowl, smiling: "Wei Daofriend, this is my own brew—Spirit Fire Wine. Unique flavor. Try it."

Without Qin Ming's introduction, the moment Wei Wuyan opened the seal, he was already captivated by the wine's intoxicating aroma.

"Oh? Really? I never expected to taste your exclusive spirit wine—then I won't be polite." Wei Wuyan, possessing the proud, unrestrained aura of a sword cultivator, immediately raised the large bowl, tilted his head back, and drained it in one gulp.

As the Spirit Fire Wine entered his throat, a warm current spread through his body. Wei Wuyan's sword-like brows brightened with delight. "Excellent wine!"

"This wine actually boosts Foundation Establishment cultivation! The ingredients must be costly. Both taste and effect rank among the finest wines—I'm glad I came today, hehe!"

Wei Wuyan was no fool—he understood the value of Spirit Fire Wine.

"If you approve, then my brewing wasn't in vain," Qin Ming laughed, then refilled his bowl.

Soon, the two men chatted casually in the elegant chamber, growing more familiar.

After three rounds of wine, Wei Wuyan had exhausted his small talk.

He then shifted the topic to the double-pupiled demon ape: "Hehe, Qin Daofriend, to be frank, I came here because of something."

"I'd like to ask you a question, if I may."

"Wei Daofriend, ask freely—I'll answer honestly," Qin Ming replied, his expression calm and tone composed.

Qin Ming knew Wei Wuyan's purpose. He understood that unless he dispelled the man's suspicions, Wei Wuyan wouldn't give up.

So he had already erased all traces of the double-pupiled demon ape and covered the back mountain's signs with the mist of Mist Illusion Mushrooms.

Not even Wei Wuyan—or a Jin Dan elder—could detect anything amiss.

"I've been tracking the demon ape that caused chaos across the spiritual energy Archipelago. Recently, I finally caught its trail."

"After chasing it, I found the spirit marker on it vanished near Wangyue Lake."

"So… I'd like to ask you, Qin Daofriend."

Wei Wuyan asked bluntly.

Qin Ming feigned a look of lingering fear and replied: "So you came because of that monster?"

"Ah! That demon ape is truly terrifying—it did come near Wangyue Lake, but thankfully, this mist illusion was in place. Otherwise, Wei Daofriend, you wouldn't be sitting here with me today."

"It likely fled in another direction—I didn't dare go out to investigate."

After all, only Qin Ming knew the double-pupiled demon ape could break illusions. Now, lying came easily—he spoke smoothly, face unblushing.

As Qin Ming spoke, Wei Wuyan watched his expression closely—but found no anomaly.

Moreover, upon entering the island, he had already extended his spiritual sense to scan the entire island thoroughly—there was not a trace of demon ape aura.

Even his Spirit Tracking Disc showed no reaction.

He then reasoned: if that demon ape had entered here, given its violent ferocity, no one on the island could have survived.

Even Wei Wuyan himself, facing the demon ape at full strength, would likely be the one being hunted.

Thinking this, Wei Wuyan smiled and bowed: "Thank you for the information, Qin Daofriend. I have other matters to attend to—I won't trouble you further."

"Hehe, by the way, Qin Daofriend, your Spirit Fire Wine is truly unforgettable. Aside from swordcraft, it's the only thing in life I truly enjoy."

"If you have extra Spirit Fire Wine, would you consider selling me a jar?"

"I can pay with spirit stones or other items."

Qin Ming was startled—he hadn't expected Wei Wuyan to be a wine lover.

Hearing the request, a smile tugged at his lips.

(End of Chapter)