Chapter 236: Succession of the Old and New, the New Jin Dan

Qin Ming carefully examined the black fragment in his hand.

It bore numerous strange spiritual runes and was stained with a few drops of dark red blood, radiating an evil power filled with intense craving for blood.

After a long while.

He suddenly realized, "Could this be a fragment of some demonic artifact?"

"According to Lord Li's investigation, a demonic lair was originally sealed within Qianye Island, and that demonic vine was corrupted by demonic blood, gradually becoming monstrous."

Qin Ming dared not probe it with his spiritual sense; after some thought, he took out a box and sealed it with talismans.

He planned to study it thoroughly once he had time.

Having finished all this.

Qin Ming turned his gaze to the nearby Longsheng Vine, which, after consuming the remnants of the third-rank Blood Curse Demon Vine, seemed to have gained immense benefits.

The entire Longsheng Vine shrank back into a tattoo, coiling around Qin Ming's arm.

Qin Ming could feel that, after this consumption, his life-spirit plant was about to undergo unpredictable changes.

He then erased all traces from the scene, cast a fireball spell at the corpse, and left.

On the way back.

Qin Ming was exhilarated—he hadn't expected such a harvest from this outing.

When he returned above the spiritual energy Archipelago, he briefly surveyed the situation within the islands.

He found that the cultivators of the three factions had nearly eradicated the escaped beasts from Qianye Island.

The Seventy-Two Islands Alliance members had also joined in hunting the beasts, seeking vengeance for the fallen cultivators.

With this poisonous tumor rooted in the spiritual energy Archipelago removed, the various spirit islands would surely recover soon.

After returning to Wangyue Island, the Wu family gathered around him.

When they learned that the three Gao Jie elders of Wei State, leading numerous disciples, had utterly destroyed the demon vine and cleared all beasts from the spiritual energy Archipelago.

Every member of the Wu family beamed with joy, overflowing with delight.

Only Wu Wangfeng and Wu Wangyue showed grim expressions upon hearing that Lei Yuanzong's Ao Laozu had perished fighting the demonic beasts.

This was not merely because they had spent many years in Lei Yuanzong and developed affection for the sect; more importantly, the death of a Gao Jie elder would have profound and far-reaching consequences for the sect.

"Uncle Qin, is this really true?"

"Has the Supreme Elder truly perished?"

Wu Wangfeng still struggled to believe it—in Lei Yuanzong, Ao Laozu was their sky; now being told the sky had fallen left him stunned.

"Yes, it's true—I witnessed it myself," Qin Ming said calmly, patting his shoulder and adding, "But you two needn't be overly distressed."

"Ao Laozu dared to take this step because the sect must have made preparations—someone must be ready to take his place, or he would never have embraced death to perish alongside the demons."

Qin Ming spoke no further, leaving it at that.

Yet with their intelligence, the two should already guess who would now carry Lei Yuanzong's banner.

"Now that the beasts beyond the spiritual energy Archipelago have been largely cleared, you two may proceed to Canghai Xiancheng to reunite with Lei Yuanzong's people."

"Your sect's elders will explain the details to you."

Wu Wangfeng and Wu Wangyue had already spent enough time visiting family—it was time to return to their sect.

"Wu Daozhi, although the spiritual energy Archipelago is now safe, the beast flood crisis in Canghai Xiancheng remains unresolved."

"You should escort them."

Qin Ming turned to Wu Jiang and instructed him; Wu Jiang immediately nodded in agreement.

Soon after, Wu Jiang and his wife set off with their child toward the Xiancheng.

The beast flood crisis in the spiritual energy Archipelago, under the thunderous cleansing by Lingyu Men, Lei Yuanzong, and Canghai Xiancheng, gained breathing room. Reconstruction and defense efforts on each spirit island began in full swing.

…

In the following days.

News of the three Gao Jie elders' joint extermination of the demon spread like wildfire through Wei State's cultivation world.

Since the demon extermination operation had been secretly planned and erupted suddenly, the outside world initially knew nothing of such a major event.

Only days later, when the lone cultivators who had witnessed the Yiling Valley demon extermination battle spread the news, it ignited a massive uproar in the cultivation world.

Along with it, rumors began to circulate.

For instance: "Lei Yuanzong's Gao Jie has perished; the sect faces a generational gap—Wei State's dominance may soon change hands."

Worse still, false tales spread: "Ao Laozu perished; Wei Wuya's attempt to break through to Gao Jie was ruined, causing qi deviation."

"During the demon extermination, Canghai True Person suffered grave injuries; the Xiancheng is on the brink."

"Lingyu Men may become the greatest beneficiary."

Qin Ming shook his head at these rumors and refocused his mind on his spirit fields.

After consuming the core of the Blood Curse Vine, his life-spirit plant, Longsheng Vine, returned to his spirit field to take root and grow; though it had gained benefits, it had remained silent for days, as if sinking into some dormant state.

Qin Ming had a strong premonition.

"This time, when Longsheng Vine fully awakens, it will likely ascend again."

"When that happens, changes may arise that even I won't anticipate."

"And most importantly, if Longsheng Vine ascends, my Ancient Wood Long Life Spirit Body will surely reach completion!"

"In that case, breaking through to Foundation Establishment's late stage will be effortless."

As Qin Ming immersed himself in the pastoral rhythm of his cultivation life.

A more explosive piece of news arrived at Wangyue Island.

On this day.

Qin Ming was tinkering with the two turtle golems, replacing and adding new spirit materials.

A massive magic vessel approached and docked near Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming frowned and immediately activated the formation, flying out of Wangyue Island.

When he emerged, he discovered the vessel belonged to Lei Yuanzong.

A cultivation light shot from the vessel and landed before Qin Ming, revealing a cultivator he recognized—the shopkeeper Han Lin from Yunhuo Pavilion in Fangcun Mountain Market.

Yet when Qin Ming had previously visited Yunhuo Pavilion to purchase a third-rank formation, he had disguised himself as the bearded man "Long Daoren"; Han Lin likely couldn't recognize him now.

"Heh! You must be Lord Qin Ming of Wangyue Island?"

Seeing Qin Ming emerge from the mist illusion and sensing his Foundation Establishment cultivation, Han Lin bowed respectfully and asked.

Qin Ming nodded: "This is Qin Mou. What brings you here?"

Han Lin immediately produced a gilded invitation, offering it with reverence, then said: "In half a month, our Lei Yuanzong's Wei Laozu will hold a Jin Dan Ceremony; he has specifically ordered us to deliver this invitation to you, Lord Qin."

"We sincerely invite you to attend the banquet and ceremony."

Qin Ming, upon hearing this, sighed in astonishment: "A Jin Dan Ceremony?!"

"Has Lord Wei Wuya successfully broken through to the Jin Dan realm?"

(End of Chapter)