Chapter 217: Advancing to Second-Rank Late-Stage Great Beast

Outside the cave, beneath the life-vine, the practitioner's life plant.

Qin Ming silently practiced the Ancient Wood Life Art, completed his daily cultivation, exhaled slowly, and opened his eyes.

A fragrance of flora and wood emanated from him, accompanied by an ancient force of elapsed time.

As Qin Ming concluded his practice, the silver phantom of the life-vine behind him vanished, transforming into a silver rune that sank into his third eye.

After the spiritual vein environment of Wangyue Island improved, the growth rate of the life-vine increased significantly.

Qin Ming obtained more plant essence and temporal force.

The silver rune representing the Ancient Wood Evergreen Body had now completed two-thirds of its formation, nearing full completion.

In addition, under the effects of the Blood-Bone Pill and the Fiery Blood Pill, Qin Ming's blood qi and true Gang had grown rapidly; he estimated he would soon meet the requirements for the third transformation of True Gang Manifestation.

Although Qin Ming's magic power and body cultivation base could now crush Foundation Establishment cultivators across realms, he still maintained a low profile, quietly cultivating on Wangyue Island.

"Sigh! That Zou Ping of the Loose Alliance hasn't come to Wangyue Island to buy pills in nearly two years."

"Could he be dead?"

"Why hasn't there been any word at all?"

"I wonder how Haishen Xiancheng is doing—Gu Qingzhao still hasn't sent me the materials needed to cultivate the third-rank spiritual plant, Three Crimson Soul-Returning Grass."

"Could something have happened to him too?"

Over these two years, Wangyue Island had rarely encountered beast tribes, but all had failed to even enter the outermost mist illusion, allowing Qin Ming to harvest many low-grade blood pearls, all fed to the life-vine.

Qin Ming stepped out of the cave and reclined comfortably beneath the spirit peach tree at the cave entrance, savoring Yulin Wine.

Yet he noticed that the wine's effect on boosting cultivation wasn't limitless—its enhancement was most potent at first.

After drinking seven or eight jugs, the increase in liquid magic power began to gradually diminish.

Even so, it had propelled his cultivation forward significantly, expanding his magic power lake by more than double.

Now, Qin Ming's life-vine magic power was not only extremely pure but also several times greater than that of ordinary cultivators of the same realm, surpassing even ordinary Foundation Establishment peak cultivators.

In addition, since Qin Ming had brought back the Primordial Breath Soil two and a half years ago and buried it deep within Wangyue Island,

perhaps the Wu family hadn't noticed any change.

But Qin Ming, possessing spiritual sense strength comparable to a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator, discovered that the entire territory of Wangyue Island had quietly expanded over a hundred zhang.

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

Since swallowing Lei Peng's demon core and consuming the third-rank transformation spirit fruit, the Blackwater Crocodile had slept for two years.

This worried Qin Ming, as his method of raising beasts was crude and direct—simply feeding them resources.

He had no idea how to handle such a situation.

"Is this forcing me to eat crocodile meat?"

Perhaps the Blackwater Crocodile sensed its master's thoughts.

In an instant,

the sky above Wangyue Island darkened once more with dense clouds.

A massive vortex of spiritual energy gathered above the Blackwater Crocodile's cave.

The spiritual energy supplied by the third-rank middle-grade vein was now incomparably richer than before.

Roar! The Blackwater Crocodile slowly awakened.

"This brute has slept so long—is he finally breaking through?" Qin Ming arrived outside the cave, releasing his spiritual sense to observe its condition.

The Silverwing Frost Bee also heard the commotion, flashing forth as a silver streak to appear nearby.

Seeing the Blackwater Crocodile about to break through before it, it seemed deeply resentful.

This breakthrough of the Blackwater Crocodile was far more imposing than before.

Vast torrents of heavenly spiritual energy poured endlessly into its body.

Several hours later,

Zhum～ The Blackwater Crocodile's demonic power surged abruptly, rising a full tier.

A supreme great beast's pressure descended upon Wangyue Island, rivaling that of the former Twin-Pupil Demon Ape.

Low-rank beasts on the island—snakes, insects, ants—all froze in place, trembling and motionless.

Beneath the spiritual island,

the Wu family's spiritual farmers trembled in fear.

Wu Jiang's face turned pale as he stared at the sky above the main peak, disbelieving: "How long has it been?"

"Qin's companion, the Blackwater Giant Crocodile, must have advanced to a second-rank late-stage great beast."

After completing its breakthrough, the Blackwater Crocodile grew to over thirty zhang in size, resembling a primordial beast, dominating the beast realm.

It shrank its body to half a zhang, shook its head as usual, trotted over to Qin Ming's feet, rubbed against them, and let out several triumphant roars.

Qin Ming communicated with the Blackwater Crocodile and learned that after advancing to late-stage, it had fully assimilated Lei Peng's demon core.

It had also gained a new divine ability—Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

In addition, it had learned Lei Peng's innate demonic technique—Thunder Dash.

Now, it was not only thick-skinned and immensely powerful, but had also mastered three thunder bloodline abilities: Gui Water Divine Thunder, Wu Earth Divine Thunder, and Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

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

Yet, the Dao values life; Qin Ming had no intention of letting it rampage across the land.

Unless he couldn't help himself. He patted the Blackwater Crocodile's massive head and teased, "You brute, living by my side is truly a stroke of fortune—your bloodline talent has risen to heavenly grade, and your cultivation has even surpassed your master."

The Blackwater Crocodile rubbed against Qin Ming, conveying through thought its vow of lifelong loyalty—to follow his every command. Qin Ming smiled; he had no doubt of this, as evidenced by the beast's fearless defiance of the Twin-Pupil Demon Ape, far stronger than itself.

Moreover, Qin Ming had used the Beast Taming Scripture and forged a spiritual pact with it—there was no possibility of betrayal or rebellion.

Afterwards,

"It's time to head to Haishen Xiancheng."

"Besides gathering spiritual materials and gathering intelligence,"

"I must also begin contacting the Dan Ding Pavilion."

"Hmm—I'll reveal just enough to gain more resource information, while keeping most of my cards hidden."

"With the Blackwater Crocodile rivaling the Twin-Pupil Demon Ape, and the Silverwing Frost Bee, as long as I avoid clashing with Jin Dan elders or encountering third-rank beast kings, I can go anywhere under heaven."

Qin Ming pondered, then made his decision.

Next, he brewed some second-rank upper-grade elixirs based on Su Yuqing's formula, all highly effective for boosting the magic power of Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivators. He packed these elixirs, several Dao Flower Spirit Fish, and the last four jugs of Spirit Fire Wine, preparing to depart for Haishen Xiancheng.

Before leaving, he gave Wu Jiang a final instruction.

"Huh? Master Qin, you're leaving the island?"

"Yes. First, I have matters I must attend to; second, I want to see how the outside world has changed."

"Then I wish you a safe journey. With your cultivation and your spiritual pets, you'll face no problems."

"Hmm, by the way, your five-color spirit rice is growing well—you've clearly put in effort." Qin Ming smiled.

Wu Jiang scratched his head and chuckled: "Heh, it's decent. Thanks to your planting experience—I never would've succeeded on my first try without it."

"The survival rate of this batch is still low, but I guarantee next time I'll be more skilled. When the spirit rice matures, I'll deliver the land rent and taxes to you."

"Heh! No rush, no rush. The fact you've held on this long is already remarkable—keep going." Qin Ming patted Wu Jiang's shoulder.

…

Qin Ming summoned the Silverwing Frost Bee and brought the Blackwater Crocodile along, then activated the formation and left Wangyue Island.

The moment he stepped out of the island,

Qin Ming felt as if he had crossed through time—the surroundings of Wangyue Lake remained as tranquil as ever.

The beast tribes, unless by chance passing nearby, showed no interest in this remote corner.

He mounted the Silverwing Frost Bee, becoming a silver streak that vanished into the horizon in a flash.

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

The Wangyue Lake region was still fine.

But after traveling a distance, he saw that the spiritual energy Archipelago was now overrun with beasts.

As Qin Ming flew over Tianhe Market, the ground below lay in ruins—the once-bustling market had vanished, replaced by broken walls and rubble, now serving as dens for unknown beasts.

Dense hordes of beasts had built nests and reproduced across the islands of Tianhe Market.

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

But when it saw the Silverwing Frost Bee beneath him, the surge of murderous intent instantly faded, and it abandoned any thought of pursuit.

The Seventy-Two Island Loose Alliance's former coalition defense line against beasts had been shattered.

"Sigh—it seems the beast tide has flooded into the core region of the spiritual energy Archipelago." Qin Ming observed the islands now occupied by beasts and deduced the general situation.

"This beast tide erupted with such ferocity—the damage to the cultivation world is incalculable."

"What caused it?"

"Rapid beast reproduction is only one factor."

"Could a new third-rank beast king have emerged in the Beast Roar Mountains?"

"Or worse—has a beast king already advanced to third-rank mid-stage, dominating its clan and preparing to unify the Beast Roar Mountains?"

"At present, only these possibilities could explain such a massive beast tide—compressing the survival space of other beast groups."

"It seems the situation is far grimmer than I thought."

In the spiritual energy Archipelago now, wherever Qin Ming's eyes could reach—sky, water, land—beasts moved in swarms.

During his flight, less than a quarter-hour passed before he encountered several foolish avian beasts—each became a blood pearl in his storage bag.

Suddenly! Qin Ming's spiritual sense detected a massive magic vessel ahead, five li away, speeding toward Haishen Xiancheng.

On the vessel's mast flew the flag of the Seventy-Two Island Loose Alliance.

Qin Ming's eyes instantly brightened; he retracted the silver wings beneath him into his spirit beast bag, then unleashed his movement technique, transforming into a streak of green light as he sped toward the vessel.

Only a few breaths passed.

Qin Ming arrived before the warship; the cultivators on deck, spotting a Foundation Establishment aura approaching, immediately tensed as if facing a dire threat.

"Don't act rashly! It's Senior Qin from Wangyue Island!"

At that moment,

the squad leader—a Qi Refining cultivator at the peak of his realm—raised his hand, halting the others' panicked reactions.

Qin Ming's figure flickered faintly, appearing instantly before the cultivator, and he asked with puzzlement, "You know me?"

The Qi Refining cultivator bowed deeply to Qin Ming with utmost respect, then replied, his face flushed with excitement, "Respectful Senior Qin, over two years ago, I too was led by Elder Zhou Ping to Wangyue Lake."

"Had it not been for your spirit beast's overwhelming might, which crushed that Lei Peng demon beast, we would not be standing here speaking today."

"Oh—I see!" Qin Ming nodded in understanding, then asked, "By the way, where is Elder Zhou Ping? Is he aboard now?"

Upon hearing this, the squad leader's expression darkened with sorrow, his voice faltering as he struggled to speak.

Seeing his reaction, Qin Ming already guessed the truth.

"Alas! Elder Zhou Ping has perished."

At that moment,

a familiar voice reached Qin Ming's ears; a blue streak of light shot out from the ship's tower and landed before him, revealing its owner.

"Senior Qin, it's been a long time!"

"What a rare guest! How have you been lately?"

Facing Qin Ming was Li Yuanqing, vice-leader of the Seventy-Two Islands' Loose Alliance, who bowed warmly in greeting.

"Vice-Leader Li, it's been a long time."

"How did Elder Zhou meet his end? Was it…?"

Qin Ming returned the bow and could not help but ask.

Moreover, Qin Ming observed that Li Yuanqing had broken through to the late Foundation Establishment realm, yet his magic power aura was wildly unstable; his once vigorous face now bore traces of weariness, his temples streaked with gray.

Qin Ming instantly realized: Li Yuanqing must have taken some breakthrough elixir, sacrificing his essence and lifespan to forcibly elevate his cultivation base.

But such a method would create irreversible obstacles to advancing beyond this realm.

"Senior Qin, given your current reputation, simply call me 'Brother.' Don't humble me so."

"Please step inside; I shall explain everything to you, Senior Qin."

"Alas! Not only has Elder Zhou perished—Master Huo Qianqiu has perished as well…"

……

(End of Chapter)