Chapter 217: Poison of Time

"It's actually the Poison of Time!"

Through mental resonance, Qin Ming learned of this divine ability's poisonous stinger from the Yin Yi Shuangfeng.

This Time Poison Stinger can ignore any defensive measure; any living creature struck by it will exhaust its remaining lifespan within a few breaths and rapidly die of old age.

However, this divine ability also places a heavy burden on the Yin Yi Shuangfeng itself.

Because each time this poisonous stinger divine ability is cast, it requires burning its own lifespan as the price; within the same realm, depending on the opponent's remaining lifespan, burning one year of the Yin Yi's lifespan can exchange for ten years of the opponent's lifespan, a ratio of one to ten.

If crossing a major realm, the situation reverses, with the lifespan exchange ratio becoming ten to one.

This means that when facing a Jin Dan old ancestor or a third-tier Demon King, the Yin Yi Shuangfeng must consume ten years of its own lifespan to trade away just one year of the opponent's lifespan.

It could be called a self-destructive attack: "If the Yin Yi Shuangfeng consumes one year of lifespan, it can shave off ten years of the opponent's lifespan; if encountering some ancient, undead Jin Dan elders with very little lifespan remaining, it might even produce miraculous effects."

"It seems this divine ability's power is astonishing, but it cannot be used frequently; it can only serve as a trump card kept at the bottom of the box, not to be easily employed unless absolutely necessary."

As a late second-tier demonic beast, the Yin Yi Shuangfeng has a lifespan much longer than that of human cultivators, possessing over six hundred years, so it can still activate this ability several times.

"I wonder if the Yang Xuanteng has any way to replenish the lifespan consumed by the Yin Yi Shuangfeng."

"Sigh, if only I had this divine ability; I currently have over eight hundred years of lifespan and can keep farming lifespan attributes, so I would never run out."

"What a pity."

At this moment, three spirit pets surrounded Qin Ming.

'Two late second-tier great demons, and one mid second-tier Demon King whose strength awaits recovery.'

'Two mid-grade second-tier turtle spirit puppets.'

'Plus my own full strength.'

'With such a lineup deployed, it far surpasses even some major powers.'

'Below the Jin Dan realm, one could truly declare oneself 'invincible'.'

'The pressure outside should have eased somewhat; it is time to venture out.'

'The Five Elements Essence Spirit Peaches have been ripened by me once again, and it is about time to deliver them to the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.'

'Along the way, I can purchase a batch of spiritual materials for pill refining.'

To be safe, Qin Ming took all three spirit beasts with him on this outing.

Subsequently, Qin Ming stored the Black Water Crocodile and the Shi Tian Shu into his spirit beast bag and mounted the Yin Yi Shuangfeng.

But just as he was about to command the Yin Yi Shuangfeng to depart, he heard the Shi Tian Shu cursing from inside the spirit beast bag:

"Damn it, you big dummy, shift your butt over a bit!"

"This is freaking too cramped!"

"Ew~ what did you eat this morning? Your breath stinks so bad!"

Listening to the commotion inside, Qin Ming couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

He thought about it and realized this spirit beast bag had been used for a long time; it was bought years ago and was quite cheap, so it seemed time to get them one with a larger space.

Afterward, he informed Wu Jiang and rode the Yin Yi Shuangfeng out of Moon Gazing Island.

Along the way, Qin Ming observed the changes in the outside world.

Various demon-hunting cultivators and beast herds gradually increased in number.

Fortunately, ever since the Spirit Perch Islands were jointly cleared of demonic beasts by the three major powers, the number of demonic beasts coming here had decreased significantly.

The area with the most demonic beasts remained the region surrounding the Canghai Immortal City, where large beast herds constantly watched with hawk-like eyes.

One hour later.

Qin Ming arrived outside the gates of Canghai Immortal City.

He was lucky; today no demonic beasts were assaulting the immortal city, yet the city walls were still packed with defending cultivators, standing ready for battle.

In mid-air, Qin Ming dismissed the Yin Yi Shuangfeng, concealed his magic power aura down to the early Foundation Establishment realm, and then descended.

He had not disguised himself when coming to Canghai Immortal City to handle affairs, appearing exactly as his true self, so the cultivators guarding the city gate recognized Qin Ming at a glance.

After he presented his Canghai Token, they respectfully opened the formation to let him pass.

Upon entering the outer city, Qin Ming could clearly feel that, compared to two years ago, the immortal city was filled with a vast number of additional cultivators.

Besides scattered cultivators from various regions, there were even many cultivators from numerous sects of the other three kingdoms.

Dressed in colorful sect robes, they moved back and forth through the bustling streets.

'It seems that after my message was sent out, it attracted the attention of the upper echelons of the Immortal Realm, who dispatched cultivators to provide aid.' 'After all, as the foremost holy land for scattered cultivators, Canghai Immortal City lies at the junction of four kingdoms, making its geographical location extremely important.'

'Once this natural barrier is breached by demonic beasts, the consequences would be unimaginable.'

Qin Ming merely stood in the outer city and sensed slightly, yet he could detect several unfamiliar Jin Dan old ancestor auras atop the central Canghai Peak.

It appeared these were Jin Dan old ancestors sent as support from the other three kingdoms.

Qin Ming also went to check on the Feng family in the inner city; nothing major had happened, and the talisman shop was still operating vibrantly.

Feng Sihai's cultivation had also improved considerably, lacking only one step to reach the peak of the Qi Condensation realm.

Inside the core district.

Lu Wanjun had also been transferred to logistics, tasked only with simple cultivator scheduling and delivering orders.

Subsequently.

Qin Ming walked along the main avenue, passed through a few alleys, arrived at the entrance of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge, and stepped directly inside.

"Oh! Fellow Daoist Qin has arrived!"

"Fellow Daoist Qin, why have you come?"

"Why didn't you send word in advance?"

Inside the restaurant on the first floor, coincidentally both Master Huangfu and Gu Qingzhao were present.

Seeing Qin Ming enter, they stood up and welcomed him over.

"Hehe, I haven't been to the immortal city for a long time, so I came out to stroll around," Qin Ming said with a smile as he greeted the two.

Subsequently, at Gu Qingzhao's invitation, the three of them stepped up to the private room upstairs.

Two years were but a snap of the fingers for an immortal cultivator; yet when Gu Qingzhao saw Qin Ming again, she revealed a rare look of joy.

For she knew that Qin Ming was the type of ascetic who immersed himself in his spiritual fields, and unless something extraordinary occurred, he would not come out.

It seemed he had more good goods to sell.

Last time, the teleportation array in the core zone had accidentally sent Qin Ming to the Beast Cry Mountain Range.

Gu Qingzhao and the others had been deeply worried, and after Qin Ming returned, he had Wu Jiang report his safety.

He simply lied that he had been teleported to the outskirts of the Beast Cry Mountain Range, offering no further explanation.

Inside the room.

The lingering aftertaste of spiritual tea hung in the air, while sandalwood incense curled upward in wisps.

The few of them first discussed the recent situation.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, since the situation with the beast tide is becoming increasingly severe, why remain in Yunze Xiancheng instead of withdrawing early?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhao replied, "Under the current circumstances, we no longer have the autonomy to decide for ourselves."

"I have previously hinted to Fellow Daoist Qin that the one likely instigating this beast tide from behind the scenes is quite possibly a late-stage Tier-3 Great Demon King from the Beast Cry Mountain Range."

"Let alone other places; even within the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm, there may not be a single safe location."

"We major powers must naturally contribute our strength to counter the beast tide; we can no longer stand aside as we did during the previous occurrences."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming suddenly understood; so even the Mirror Jing Xue Ge had been conscripted.

Subsequently.

Qin Ming took out the Five Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches, more than twenty in total, and after handing these spiritual peaches to Gu Qingzhao, he said, "These are the spiritual peaches I promised to cultivate for Fellow Daoist Gu; now that the first batch has ripened, I hand them over to you."

"The transaction between Fellow Daoist Gu and me is now complete; from this day forward, the spiritual peach trees belong to Qin Mou, hehe!"

Gu Qingzhao and Master Huangfu stared at the spiritual peaches brimming with spiritual energy, their faces filled with shock.

Master Huangfu's throat bobbed; with great difficulty, he tore his gaze away from the spiritual peaches, then turned to ask Qin Ming:

"Are these the legendary Five Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches, which are said to increase a cultivator's cultivation base and possess life-prolonging effects upon consumption?"

Qin Ming smiled faintly. "Indeed; if Fellow Daoist Huangfu doubts it, you may taste one."

(End of Chapter)