Chapter 205: Beast Tide Migration

After obtaining the formula, Lü Liang took Qin Ming to several shops to purchase other auxiliary materials for alchemy.

"The resources in this core zone are truly richer than outside," Qin Ming said as he walked with Lü Liang.

Lü Liang smiled faintly. "Naturally—high-quality goods from all four nations flow through here. Today's tour is only a small portion."

"You can come often, Qin Daoist. Every so often, the core zone hosts exchange gatherings among Foundation Establishment cultivators from various nations."

After finishing their business, Lü Liang warmly invited Qin Ming to his residence.

Qin Ming could not refuse, so he agreed.

Lü Liang's cultivation residence was in the upscale residential district of the core zone; though inferior to the cave dwellings on Canghai Peak, it was still rich in spiritual energy.

He led Qin Ming through the alleyways of the residential district to a tranquil villa, its grounds quite expansive.

Far superior to the houses in the inner and outer cities.

"Lü Daoist, no wonder you're a senior official of Canghai Xiancheng—this environment is truly excellent. It must be built atop a second-rank high-grade spiritual vein, correct?" Qin Ming glanced around his estate and asked casually.

Lü Liang, hearing this, looked slightly proud. "Qin Daoist, this villa was directly granted to me by the city lord upon my promotion."

Inside the courtyard, Lü Liang personally brewed a pot of spiritual tea for Qin Ming and ordered servants to prepare a full table of wine and dishes—all local specialties.

As they ate halfway through, Lü Liang seemed to have something to say. He pulled out a jade box and placed it before Qin Ming. "Qin Daoist, take a look at this."

Qin Ming took the jade box, opened it, and exclaimed in surprise: "A second-rank mid-grade demon core? And wind-aspected?"

"I have an awkward request—could you possibly agree, Qin Daoist?" Lü Liang asked hesitantly.

Qin Ming frowned. "Are you asking me to use this demon core to refine an elixir?"

"Heh! Exactly—but I'd like you to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill," Lü Liang explained, then pulled out a formula and handed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming stared at the formula in his hand and said in astonishment: "A formula for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill using a demon core?"

"Lü Daoist, are you refining this Foundation Establishment Pill for your junior?"

Lü Liang sighed. "Ah! You're right, Qin Daoist. I have a beloved disciple—her talent is decent. She's been at the peak of Qi Refining for years, but without a Foundation Establishment Pill, she can't break through."

"She's been risking her life to gather resources, joining the city's demon-hunting squads and rushing to Shouming Mountain Range every few days. I can't stop her."

"I've been driven to desperation—I've now obtained the formula and gathered all the required spiritual materials."

"Originally, I planned to ask Sun Dadan to help refine it."

"But now that you're here, I'd be honored if you'd assist."

"As for compensation, the formula is yours. And if the Foundation Establishment Pill succeeds, I'll take only half—the rest is yours."

"Qin Daoist, what do you say?"

After hearing Lü Liang's words, Qin Ming considered briefly. Since the materials and formula were provided by the other party, he'd gain both a formula and a Foundation Establishment Pill for free.

That wasn't bad.

So Qin Ming nodded. "Lü Daoist, your devotion to your disciple moves me—I'll help you refine it."

"Really? That's wonderful, Qin Daoist!"

"I won't speak of gratitude, but if you ever need me, Lü Liang, just say the word." Lü Liang immediately rose and bowed deeply to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming was caught off guard. "Lü Daoist, no need for such formality—we both gain what we need. Besides, I'm quite interested in this formula myself."

"But… I've never before refined a Foundation Establishment Pill using a demon core. I must warn you beforehand."

"Huh? Then this would be your first time?"

Lü Liang's face twitched. The other materials were manageable, but the second-rank mid-grade demon core was the only one he had—if it failed, he'd have nothing left. As he hesitated, a beautiful female cultivator burst into the room, full of vitality, around twenty-one or twenty-two years old, her face glowing with excitement.

"Master, I'm back! Look what I got!"

"Wow! So fragrant!"

"Hmph! You're sneaking drinks while I'm gone, aren't you? What delicacies are you preparing?"

Lü Liang, seeing her brazen demeanor—utterly lacking feminine reserve—blushed and snapped: "What's all this commotion? How old are you? Where's your decorum?"

"Can't you see we have a guest?"

The woman, holding something in her hand, looked around and finally noticed Qin Ming. She stuck out her tongue, bowed respectfully, and said: "I didn't realize a senior was here. My apologies for my rudeness."

"No matter," Qin Ming smiled, unfazed.

Lü Liang turned to Qin Ming. "Forgive my disciple's behavior—this is my apprentice, Lu Wanjun. I raised her since childhood."

Then he glared at his disciple. "Come, pay your respects to Qin Ming Senior! I went to great lengths to ask Qin Daoist to refine your Foundation Establishment Pill, yet you still give me no peace."

Lu Wanjun's clever eyes lit up instantly. "Disciple Lu Wanjun greets Senior Qin!"

She had heard of Qin Ming's fame and deeply admired this self-taught master of both spirit-planting and alchemy.

"Heh! No need for formalities," Qin Ming smiled, then pulled out a vial of Qi Refining pills for strengthening the root and nurturing the origin—he didn't recall which dead cultivator's storage bag he'd found them in—and handed them to Lu Wanjun as a greeting gift.

Lu Wanjun's eyes sparkled. She snatched the jade vial and thanked Qin Ming enthusiastically: "Thank you, Senior Qin, for the elixir!"

"No need to thank me," Qin Ming smiled slightly.

Lü Liang sighed. "Ah! I came to ask Qin Daoist for help—how could I let you spend your own resources?"

"Just a small token, nothing to speak of. Lü Daoist, don't worry about it," Qin Ming said with a smile.

"Master, look what I've got!" Lu Wanjun extended her slender hand before the two.

There, resting in her palm, was a round object the size of an egg.

"A second-rank early-grade demon core!" Lü Liang exclaimed involuntarily. Even Qin Ming beside him looked puzzled.

If this core had appeared in the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would be normal.

But Lu Wanjun was only at the peak of Qi Refining—this was astonishing. "Where did you get this?" Lü Liang asked, frowning seriously.

Seeing her master's seriousness, Lu Wanjun shrank back and whispered: "Master, my demon-hunting squad encountered a severely wounded, dying scaled fire lizard on the outskirts of Shouming Mountain Range. We killed it together, then the team turned on each other. I seized the chance, stole the lizard's core, and fled."

"If not for the life-saving talismans and magic treasures you gave me, I might not have made it back."

Their hearts tightened at her words—this girl had real guts.

"Lü Daoist, your disciple truly has good fortune, heh!" Qin Ming chuckled.

Lü Liang then turned to Qin Ming. "Now we have two demon cores—double insurance. Please begin refining!"

Qin Ming nodded.

"By the way, Wanjun—why would a dying second-rank great demon appear on the outskirts of Shouming Mountain Range?" Lü Liang suddenly remembered something and asked, puzzled.

Lu Wanjun replied seriously: "Recently, Shouming Mountain Range has been abnormal. Many demons have abandoned their territories and migrated outward."

"Many hunting squads have reaped great rewards."

"But some squads have been overwhelmed by large hordes and are now missing."

She described her observations in detail, then looked at the two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"The demons of Shouming Mountain Range are beginning a mass collective migration?!"

Lü Liang's expression turned grave. "This has happened before in Canghai Xiancheng's records. One possibility is a vengeful demon like the twin-eyed demon monkey. The other is that a new third-rank demon king has emerged in the mountain's depths, forcing other demons to expand outward."

"Either way, a new beast tide is likely coming." As a veteran of Canghai Xiancheng, Lü Liang, recalling the recent demon disturbances, could easily deduce the cause.

"Qin Daoist, if it's the second case, this beast tide will be dozens of times larger than the last—not just Canghai Xiancheng, but even the spiritual energy Archipelago will be within its reach. We must prepare early!"

Throughout the history of the four nations in the Southern Wastelands, beast tides had once ravaged entire regions.

The markets and passes near Shouming Mountain Range had always served as barriers against demons.

As the border city of the four nations, Canghai Xiancheng was especially critical—if war came, the city would be the first target.

"But as the first holy land of free cultivators, Canghai Xiancheng has endured hundreds of beast tide attacks over the past few centuries."

"And never once has it fallen."

Qin Ming frowned, but hearing Lü Liang's words, he exhaled slightly.

He had witnessed how the demon monkey once led a vast demonic army to sweep across Qianye Spirit Island, leaving nothing but barren wasteland in its wake.

If this beast tide were even larger, caution was absolutely necessary.

'It seems… the demon monkey's tide was merely an appetizer—the real storm is yet to come.'

Even his Wangyue Island would need to strengthen its defenses.

"Alright, since matters are urgent, I'll begin refining the Foundation Establishment Pill for you, Lü Daoist." Qin Ming felt the situation was pressing—he needed to return to Wangyue Island immediately after.

Hearing this, Lü Liang forced a smile worse than crying. "Qin Daoist… wouldn't you consider staying longer? Study the formula more thoroughly before refining?"

After all, less than half a breath had passed since he'd handed Qin Ming the formula—Qin Ming had barely glanced at it. Could alchemy masters really be this casual? Lü Liang's confidence wavered. To gather the materials, he, a mid-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator, had drained nearly half his savings.

If both second-rank demon cores failed, he'd have no one to cry to. (End of Chapter)