Chapter 218: Blood Curse Demon Vine

Inside the private cabin of the Alliance transport vessel.

Qin Ming, upon learning that even the Alliance's Supreme Leader Huo Qianqiu had perished, asked in astonishment: "Huh? Master Huo also fell? Could a third-rank beast king have appeared?"

Li Yuanqing ordered servants to bring spiritual tea, personally poured Qin Ming a cup, then sighed, shook his head, and asked in return: "Qin Daoist, do you still remember? Who was the chief culprit behind the Thousand Leaf Island incident?"

"Naturally, it was Zhao Wuyang, Zhao Wuji, and the remaining Zhao clan traitors," Qin Ming answered almost instinctively.

At these words, he suddenly realized something.

"Could it be that the corrupted Zhao Wuyang has returned?"

Li Yuanqing nodded. "Precisely. But this 'Zhao Wuyang' is no longer the original Zhao Wuyang—not merely corrupted."

"He has been parasitized by a third-rank demonic variant. Its power is terrifying; no cultivator in the spiritual energy Archipelago can stand against it. Had this demonic plant not reappeared, even facing the largest beast tide, our Alliance would never have retreated so swiftly."

"Elder Zhou Ping and Master Huo both encountered this demon during a defensive battle and were swallowed whole."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's heart tightened. He had personally witnessed Zhao Wuyang when possessed—those uncanny, unpredictable powers could easily slay pseudo-Jin Dan elders; no ordinary cultivator could resist.

Yet this matched his earlier suspicion: it had indeed been parasitized by a demonic plant.

"Alas! Elder Zhou Ping and Master Huo fought to defend against the beast tide, only to die uselessly at the hands of this demon—how tragic!" Qin Ming sighed sincerely.

Through over a year of elixir transactions with Zhou Ping, he had come to deeply respect the man's character.

Though Zhou Ping never acted out of some grand ideal for the survival of the cultivation world—he merely fulfilled the responsibility he bore, risking his life to transport supplies across the death line of the spiritual energy Archipelago, refusing to flee like other cultivators at the first sign of danger.

It was truly admirable.

He then asked:

"Do you know the origin of this demonic plant, Li Daoist?"

Li Yuanqing's stern face darkened with hatred. "To blame, ultimately, is the Zhao clan."

"This demonic variant is called the Blood Curse Demon Vine. Originally, it was a mid-grade third-rank spiritual plant with immense potential, which spontaneously developed sentience. After being soaked in demonic blood from the Thousand Leaf Island demon cave, it gradually transformed into a demonic beast capable of advancing by consuming cultivators' essence."

"Its growth rate is horrifying. Intelligence gathered indicates its current power rivals the peak of early Jin Dan cultivation."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's lips curled inwardly: "This bears resemblance to my own Life-Extending Vine." "Originally, this demonic vine had no mobility. After demonic transformation, it can parasitize cultivators or beasts, using its host to move freely—the stronger the host, the stronger the vine becomes."

"At first, the Blood Curse Demon Vine parasitized the pseudo-Jin Dan elder Zhao Wuyang. But after the beast tide erupted, it somehow found a third-rank early-stage Moon Howl Beast King and secretly parasitized it."

"Now, the entire Thousand Leaf Island has been retaken by this fiend, which has gathered tens of thousands of beasts under its command, entrenched on Lingdao, hunting cultivators for blood offerings."

"The Zhao clan knew of the demon cave's ruins on Thousand Leaf Island and the birth of the demon vine, yet greed blinded them. They concealed the truth and even attempted to control the demon."

"They have brought such calamity upon the cultivation world—they deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

After hearing Li Yuanqing's words, Qin Ming frowned deeply—he had not expected the Blood Curse Demon Vine's origins to be so grave.

He had also learned from the third-rank spiritual plant master's legacy that certain rare spiritual plants, upon maturation, could directly become spiritual treasures or awaken sentience—but such plants were exceedingly rare.

Suddenly!

As he recalled the spiritual plant master's legacy,

Qin Ming suddenly remembered something and said solemnly: "This is bad. If this demonic vine remains entrenched on Thousand Leaf Lingdao, it must have another purpose!"

Li Yuanqing froze.

The intelligence he had just shared had cost countless cultivators' lives to gather. Could Qin Daoist, after hearing it once, already discern the demon's intent? Yet he reconsidered—this man was the famed spiritual plant master of the spiritual energy Archipelago; he would not speak recklessly.

He hurriedly asked: "Qin Daoist, do you know this demon vine? What is its purpose?"

"I don't know the specifics of this demon."

"But I know that any spiritual plant of mid-grade third-rank or higher, once it awakens sentience, will quickly seek an opportunity to produce its first batch of spiritual seeds."

"If my guess is correct—"

"This Blood Curse Demon Vine is preparing to gestate demonic seeds. Once it has enough blood offerings, it will give birth to new demonic vines!"

"The speed of seed formation varies according to the plant's inherent potential, but it usually occurs within fifteen years."

"The good news is: before the demonic seeds are born, this Blood Curse Demon Vine will not leave Thousand Leaf Lingdao unless compelled by special circumstances."

The moment Qin Ming finished speaking,

a soft "plop" echoed.

Li Yuanqing's teacup slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.

One demonic vine was already unbearable—what if more appeared? Would the spiritual energy Archipelago not be doomed? "Qin… Qin Daoist, are you certain?" Li Yuanqing asked, voice tense.

Qin Ming nodded firmly. "Eight or nine out of ten."

"By the way, Li Daoist—if even a third-rank demonic plant has appeared, why have the Jin Dan elders of Wei's cultivation world shown no concern?"

"And why hasn't Canghai Xiancheng sent reinforcements?"

Qin Ming was deeply puzzled: if the demon vine's existence was known, why not destroy it early? One Jin Dan might not win, but a group assault should suffice.

Li Yuanqing sighed helplessly. "Qin Daoist, you don't understand—this beast disaster is unprecedented. Every faction is overwhelmed, unable to spare resources for this front."

"The moment I discovered this, I reported it immediately to Lei Yuanzong and Canghai Xiancheng."

"Yet, for reasons unknown, we've received no response."

"Alas! That's precisely why I was planning to travel to Canghai Xiancheng myself, to personally meet Canghai True Person and explain the gravity of this situation."

Qin Ming nodded thoughtfully. "I also happen to have business in Canghai Xiancheng."

"Then it's perfect—come with me," Li Yuanqing said, his expression softening.

"Agreed."

"By the way, congratulations on your official appointment as Supreme Leader of the Alliance," Qin Ming said with a smile, bowing in tribute.

Li Yuanqing gave a wry, helpless smile. "Don't mock me, Qin Daoist. If Master Huo hadn't perished and no one else would take the position, I'd never have dared to step up."

"Qin Daoist, as a great elixir master, you must have noticed—my cultivation base was forcibly elevated during a battle against beasts using a breakthrough pill. Alas—"

"My foundation is damaged. My path ends here."

"…."

Ever since Li Yuanqing learned from Qin Ming that the third-rank demonic vine would soon split into demonic seeds, he had become restless and uneasy.

Qin Ming's words had only added to his despair.

The atmosphere inside the cabin grew heavy.

For a moment, Qin Ming didn't know how to comfort him—even if he faced the third-rank demonic vine himself, he could only flee; he had no power to change anything.

The transport vessel flew through the sky for a time, encountering no formidable beasts along the way.

After more than two hours,

they reached the skies above Canghai Xiancheng. But what followed—

stunned everyone aboard. Outside Canghai Xiancheng,

thousands of beast tide creatures fearlessly slammed against the third-rank upper-grade formation barrier.

The barrier emitted a faint blue glow, occasionally unleashing powerful spells that rained down upon the beast horde below.

Boom! Countless low-rank beasts instantly turned to blood mist.

"Kill!"

"Slaughter these beasts!"

Outside the city, spells danced wildly through the air; beast roars and cultivator shouts shook the heavens; the stench of blood filled every corner.

Vast hordes of beasts surged forward like waves, seemingly endless.

Moo! Boom! Boom! Boom! At that moment,

the earth trembled with a deafening roar. From the rear of the beast horde, three colossal beasts emerged—over ten zhang tall.

Three Mountain Colossus Elephants, their bodies radiating thick earth demonic energy! The giant beasts stirred violent winds, charging forward with thunderous steps, trampling the ground, swinging their trunks, and smashing indiscriminately through both enemies and allies in a berserk rampage!

In an instant, flesh and blood flew everywhere—the scene resembled hell on earth.

"Ahh!"

One cultivator screamed as his entire body was impaled through by an elephant tusk, his internal organs spilling out—dead instantly.

Several cultivators, terrified, had just taken to the air when they were struck by the massive trunks—split cleanly in half, their blood spraying as they fell.

Many more cultivators died beneath the feet of the Mountain Colossus Elephants, crushed to death.

Immediately after, countless beasts surged forward like ravenous wolves, frenziedly devouring the cultivators' corpses.

To beasts, cultivator flesh and blood, rich in spiritual energy, were potent nourishment.

…

Qin Ming gazed at the scene outside the city, utterly stunned. If not for this rare journey, he never would have realized how chaotic the outside world had become.

"Alas… Did I leave too soon? Maybe I should return to the island and hide for a while…"

Li Yuanqing stood frozen, silent for a long time.

He had come to Canghai Xiancheng seeking aid—but now, seeing this scene, he prayed the city wouldn't beg him for help instead. Just then,

a familiar figure appeared in Qin Ming's line of sight among the city defenders.

Lü Liang wielded a golden fly-whisk spiritual artifact, engaged in combat with two early-stage Second-Rank Leopard-Scale Beasts.

He chanted a spell, flicked his wrist—and dozens of powerful golden beams shot forth from the fly-whisk, slaughtering the surrounding beasts.

One beam struck the abdomen of a Leopard-Scale Beast, hurling it dozens of zhang away with a thunderous "Boom!" as it crashed into the ground, kicking up dust.

Just as he exhaled in relief, two more second-rank beasts with strong auras closed in on him.

Lü Liang groaned in despair.

"Hah!"

Nearby, a feminine cry rang out—a graceful figure manipulated a golden needle spiritual artifact, darting and weaving as the needle transformed into countless golden streaks, piercing a Crimson Flame Demon Falcon.

Another second-rank early-stage beast.

Qin Ming stared closely—it was Lü Liang's disciple, Lu Wanjun. Her spiritual power aura confirmed she had broken through to Foundation Establishment.

"So it's her? She must have taken the premium Foundation Establishment Pill I crafted for her—and succeeded."

Kiu! Boom! The crimson-flame demon falcon let out a piercing shriek, unleashing concentric sonic waves around it.

Arc-shaped sonic waves, like invisible blades, rippled through the air, spraying blood wherever they passed; nearby buildings were instantly sliced into countless fragments.

The attack from the Golden Needle spirit artifact was completely shattered and vanished under the demon falcon's sonic waves.

Boom! The demon falcon's body erupted in roaring crimson demonic flames; it spread its fiery wings and launched a massive fireball, as thick as a water barrel, straight at Lu Wanjun—its power terrifying! After casting her previous spell, Lu Wanjun's magic power plummeted by one and a half points; the Golden Needle spirit artifact wobbled back through the air and returned to her hand.

She furrowed her dark brows, treating the incoming fireball spell as a dire threat, and hastily pulled out a second-rank inferior protective spirit shield, encasing herself in its defense.

Boom! The fireball exploded in midair; Lu Wanjun was flung backward, flying dozens of zhang before stumbling to a halt.

Her face turned pale, a trickle of blood seeped from her lips, and several burns marred her body—but beneath her outer robes, she wore a magical garment that absorbed most of the spell's power.

"Jun'er, retreat back into the city!"

"These demons are acting strangely!"

Lu Liang, seeing his beloved disciple injured, fought the demons even as he urgently sent a mental message to Lu Wanjun.

Lu Wanjun was no timid woman; already on the verge of exhaustion, she heard her master's words and began to retreat.

But suddenly, the crimson-flame demon falcon dove straight down, whipping up a storm of flame, its iron-like talons outstretched toward Lu Wanjun.

The situation was dire—Lu Liang was pinned down by several great demons and could not break free; sweat poured from his brow. At that moment—

In her panic, Lu Wanjun's gaze accidentally fell upon a figure standing on a spirit vessel hovering nearby in the sky.

Her face lit up with relief: "Senior Qin! Save me!"

The moment she spoke—

A streak of green light shot through the air in an instant; the arrival was Qin Ming.

Qin Ming couldn't help but smile wryly—he'd been planning to observe the situation and slip away unnoticed.

Yet this girl had spotted him at once.

"Ah, so it's Senior Qin, a Foundation Establishment cultivator and spirit gardener. Sigh! Even if he came, what good would it do?" Lu Liang, seeing someone come to help, first showed relief.

But when he recognized Qin Ming, he sighed heavily.

As the renowned second-rank superior spirit gardener of Canghai Xiancheng, Qin Ming's status was naturally revered.

But in actual combat, spirit gardeners were vastly inferior—especially against a powerful second-rank great demon like this! Qin Ming stared at the diving crimson-flame demon falcon, his gaze sharp; he pointed upward, forming the Green Void Sword Art in his hand.

Hss! A streak of emerald light flashed and vanished, transforming into a Green Void sword qi over ten zhang long.

One strike—and the blazing demon falcon was cleaved cleanly in two; a rain of blood rained down from the sky.

"Wha—"

Lu Liang stared, dumbfounded, at what had just happened; he immediately shouted to Qin Ming: "Senior Qin! Help me!"

……

(End of Chapter)