Chapter 278: Jin Dan Grand Ceremony

On Moon-Gazing Island, inside a cave dwelling.

The Shi Tian Shu moved with practiced skill, its small hands diligently massaging Qin Ming's leg as it grinned and said, "Master... um... now that you've broken through to the Jin Dan realm, do you think you could give that Jin Dan to..."

Qin Ming naturally understood what it wanted; it was simply eyeing those two human Jin Dan.

It was now only one step away from breaking through to the mid-stage of a Tier-3 Demon King, allowing its strength to leap forward once again.

As Qin Ming's number-one yes-man warrior, the Shi Tian Shu was certainly someone Qin Ming was willing to invest resources in cultivating.

However, the time was not yet right.

"Mm, I know you're anxious, but don't be anxious just yet."

"Wait until I've finished handling my Jin Dan Grand Ceremony, then I'll help you break through," Qin Ming told it indifferently.

The Shi Tian Shu grinned widely. "Hehehe! Alright, I'm not anxious at all; I was just asking casually."

Several days later.

A beam of blue fleeing light approached from afar, emitting a terrifying spiritual pressure as it arrived near Moon-Gazing Island.

It was none other than Wei Wuya of Lei Yuanzong.

In an instant.

The air distorted, and the Shi Tian Shu's figure materialized; it spoke to Wei Wuya, "Wei Wuya, aren't you a bit early?"

"The Jin Dan Grand Ceremony won't begin for another month."

Seeing the Shi Tian Shu speak, Wei Wuya couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Thinking back to when the beast tide surrounded the city, he and three other Jin Dan Laozu had fought this creature for three hundred rounds at Canghai Xiancheng, locked in an indecisive battle.

Yet now, this famous Tier-3 Demon King had actually become Qin Ming's spirit pet... this was somewhat difficult for him to accept for a moment. "I came this time specifically to discuss some matters with Daoist Qin," Wei Wuya explained.

Qin Ming also noticed Wei Wuya's arrival, so he transmitted a voice to the Shi Tian Shu, 'Invite him in.'

After receiving Qin Ming's instruction, the Shi Tian Shu led Wei Wuya into the spirit island.

"Daoist Wei has traveled far to come here; may I ask what brings you?" Qin Ming asked after inviting Wei Wuya to take a seat.

Wei Wuya took a sip of tea and spoke plainly: "Daoist Qin must surely be aware that the current situation within the Wei Kingdom's Immortal Realm is far from optimistic."

"Does Brother Wei refer to the invasion by the Jin Kingdom?" Qin Ming asked indifferently.

Wei Wuya nodded. "Precisely; ever since Lingyun Sect acquired two Jin Dan cultivators, they have become dissatisfied with the status quo and harbor great ambitions for external expansion."

"I came this time to discuss with Daoist Qin how to deal with this matter, after all, within the Wei Kingdom, only you and I are Jin Dan cultivators capable of taking charge."

Wei Wuya knew clearly that Qin Ming's current strength was certainly not comparable to that of an ordinary Jin Dan realm cultivator.

Not to mention possessing a peak early-stage Tier-3 Demon King, the other party's magic power aura was concealed so profoundly it remained unfathomable.

Even he could not gauge its depth.

The golden Lei Jie from that day was something even he had never heard of before.

Therefore, if Qin Ming was willing to act, the Wei Kingdom's perilous situation might still have a turning point.

Hearing this, Qin Ming had already expected it; after pondering for a moment, he said indifferently, "That Duan-something from Lingyun Sect?"

"Duanmu Sheng."

"Oh right, Duanmu Sheng; leave this person to me, as I happen to have a slight grievance with him," Qin Ming said lightly.

His tone was so relaxed, as if he were discussing something trivial.

Hearing this, Wei Wuya was stunned; he hadn't expected Qin Ming to agree so readily.

This made him even more curious about Qin Ming's strength.

So he asked, "Wei Mou takes the liberty of asking Daoist Qin: was the Jin Dan you formed but high-grade?"

Qin Ming smiled slightly and nodded. "Precisely."

Naturally, he would not lay out everything completely but would hold something back.

Once an Immortal Realm cultivator reaches the Jin Dan realm, breaking through each minor realm becomes incredibly difficult.

The disparity in strength among Jin Dan cultivators is evident from this.

Taking previous events as an example, when Wei Wuya used the Thunder Armor Technique to briefly enter the mid-stage Jin Dan realm, he battered Yuwen Hong and Muhe Laogui until they could hardly fight back.

It was simply a one-sided crushing.

Furthermore, the quality of the formed pill directly concerns a Jin Dan cultivator's subsequent breakthroughs in realm.

Relatively speaking, with a high-grade Jin Dan, breaking through to the mid and late stages is considerably easier.

In contrast, for a low-grade Jin Dan, the difficulty of breaking through to the mid-stage Jin Dan is immense, with slim chances of success.

Without good opportunities and a supply of cultivation resources, one might be trapped forever in the early-stage Jin Dan.

Most Jin Dan cultivators are exactly like this.

Let alone scattered cultivators; even True Person Canghai, possessing an Xiancheng as a backing, remains stuck in the early-stage Jin Dan.

However, it is estimated that Nalan Xi has not yet consumed the Dust-Extinguishing Pill Qin Ming traded to her; otherwise, by rights, she should have already broken through to the mid-stage Jin Dan.

"Wei Mou must also thank Daoist Qin; if not for that Dust-Extinguishing Pill you traded to me back then, in that life-or-death battle, it would have been my Lei Yuanzong that was eliminated," Wei Wuya said, expressing immense gratitude toward Qin Ming.

Qin Ming waved his hand. "Brother Wei need not be polite; we met once and simply exchanged what each needed."

"Besides, you also provided three portions of spiritual materials for refining the Dust-Extinguishing Pill in exchange."

"For me, it was no loss."

The two exchanged a few more words.

After receiving Qin Ming's reply, Wei Wuya felt greatly reassured; after conversing for a while longer, he departed.

Qin Ming watched Wei Wuya leave, his mind filled with thoughtful consideration.

In the past, he naturally would not have concerned himself with such matters.

But now, things were different.

That Lingyun Sect had actually come here, daring to dig at the head of the God of Age.

Then he could not blame himself....

One month later, the day of the Jin Dan grand ceremony arrived.

The entire spiritual energy Archipelago suddenly became lively.

Representatives from various factions, as well as invited individuals, came to Wangyue Island to offer congratulations and witness the ceremony.

This border spirit island, which had previously been nearly forgotten, would from now on likely become a landmark of the spiritual energy Archipelago.

Today, Wangyue Lake was exceptionally bustling; Qin Ming withdrew all the misty illusion realms surrounding the spirit island.

Beams of escaping light, flying magical treasures, spirit-horse carriages, and spirit-light precious carriages, shimmering with colorful radiance, arrived in a continuous stream as cultivators came to offer congratulations.

They were all cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage, representing major merchant houses and sects or families of first-rate status or higher within the four kingdoms.

They were primarily forces from the State of Wei.

The venue for the Jin Dan grand ceremony was set on a vast open ground beneath the spirit island, already arranged in perfect order by people from the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

On the main peak, guests of high status and rank, such as Jin Dan cultivators, were received.

Qin Ming sat on the throne at the head, looking down from above at the square below, which was filled to capacity with no empty seats.

Wu Jiang led his clansmen in managing the reception affairs in an orderly manner, requiring no worry from Qin Ming whatsoever.

On the square paved with white jade, the closer one sat to the front, the higher the guest's status.

After Gu Qingzhao sent someone to deliver an opening address, the celebration officially began.

Qin Ming also spoke a few words, eliciting an enthusiastic response that erupted from the entire crowd.

This caused cultivators watching from the periphery of the spirit island to scratch their ears and cheeks in frustration, regretting only that they had not been invited.

Subsequently, announcements of congratulatory gifts continued to arrive: "The San Alliance of the Seventy-Two Islands congratulates True Person Wangyue on the great completion of his Jin Dan; one third-tier White Whale Pearl, presented by Alliance Leader Li Yuanqing!"

"The Baihua Sect, one third-tier Crimson Sky Stone, presented by Fairy Baihua."

"The Shennong Gate, half a bottle of third-tier Moon Shadow Jade Dew, presented by Gate Master Chu Wuwang."

At this moment.

A beam of white escaping light arrived from afar, landed on the square, revealing its occupant's face, who then presented a congratulatory gift.

The crowd of cultivators instantly felt a massive spiritual pressure; "A Jin Dan True Person has arrived!"

"It is True Person Nalan Xi from Canghai Immortal City."

"Canghai Immortal City, ten high-grade spirit stones, one third-tier Purple Nether Profound Wood tree, five third-tier Fire Soul Grass spirit seeds, presented by True Person Canghai."

After presenting the congratulatory gift, True Person Canghai nodded and smiled at Qin Ming in acknowledgment, then took a seat in the first row.

"Whoosh!"

"True Person Canghai is truly generous! To actually present so many extremely precious gifts all at once."

"Not to mention the high-grade spirit stones; that Purple Nether Profound Wood tree is said to have been brought back by a treasure-hunting cultivator from a natural moat and dangerous realm; Canghai Immortal City possesses only this single specimen."

Immediately after, another beam of blue escaping light descended.

"Lei Yuanzong, ten high-grade spirit stones, two third-tier pill formulas, one third-tier Thunder Fire Crystal Gold ingot, presented by Grand Elder Wei Wuya."

Seeing another Jin Dan old ancestor arrive, and one who acted with such extraordinary generosity, the crowd secretly marveled endlessly.

"I heard that when True Person Wangyue was at the Foundation Establishment stage, he maintained close relations with Grand Elder Wei and True Person Canghai; seeing this now, it is indeed so!"

Wei Wuya also nodded slightly toward Qin Ming in acknowledgment, then sat down beside True Person Canghai.

The grand arrival of these two Jin Dan old ancestors immediately made the atmosphere at the scene even more lively.

Just at this moment.

Two beams of green escaping light, coming from the southeast direction of Wangyue Lake and radiating power far exceeding that of early-stage Jin Dan, even pushing aside the colorful clouds on both sides, landed conspicuously on the white jade square.

Once the escaping light dispersed, two human figures were revealed.

A refined middle-aged man in a green robe and an elderly man with silver hair wearing a gray robe appeared before everyone.

Seeing these two dignitaries arrive, Qin Ming could not help but rise from his throne at the head.

Not only him, but even Wei Wuya and True Person Canghai, who had just arrived, also stood up.

The refined middle-aged man in the green robe, his face glowing with ruddy health, spoke in a loud and clear voice: "Qingxuan and Yuheng of Qingxi Valley in the State of Liang congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on the great completion of his Jin Dan; may your immortal path be evergreen!"

As soon as his words fell.

Whoosh! The scene became utterly silent; one could hear a pin drop.

"Could it be?"

"It is actually Grand Ancestor Qingxuan of late-stage Jin Dan personally coming, along with Grand Ancestor Yuheng!"

"True Person Wangyue has such immense prestige!"

"To actually trouble these two old ancestors to come and offer congratulations."

Qin Ming hurriedly went forward to greet them, bowed to the two old ancestors from Qingxi Valley, and ushered them into the seating area.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Qingxuan and Fellow Daoist Yuheng; you two have traveled ten thousand li to come here, making me truly ashamed and deeply moved by your generous sentiment."

Qin Ming slightly perceived their auras; Grand Ancestor Yuheng was acceptable, but Grand Ancestor Qingxuan's cultivation base seemed almost bottomless.

Truly worthy of being a great cultivator of late-stage Jin Dan.

Qin Ming secretly pondered, regarding these two old ancestors; wasn't it said that Grand Ancestor Qingxuan was injured during his battle with that Green-Faced Poisonous Flood Dragon?

And wasn't Grand Ancestor Yuheng nearly killed by the Golden Toad that escaped from the Taihu ruins? Yet looking at them now, both old ancestors appeared to be in fairly good spirits.

This seemed completely inconsistent with the rumors of them being severely injured.

(End of Chapter)