Chapter 305: The Golden Core Elixir Formula in Hand

At the base of the cliff.

Two massive spiritual energy vortices reappeared in the sky; the Blackwater Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bees had reached the brink of breakthrough.

Boom! Spiritual energy surged in like an endless flood.

Two astonishing spiritual pressures suddenly manifested at the cliff's base.

Under Qin Ming's resource accumulation, both the Blackwater Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bees broke through to Second Stage Peak Great Demons.

They were now only one step away from becoming Third Stage Demon Kings.

"Though this Third Stage Zhu Rong Elixir isn't specifically designed to boost demonic beasts' cultivation, as a medicine that restores primordial energy, it still offers significant enhancement to Second Stage demons."

Seeing his long-time spiritual pets break through, Qin Ming felt deeply satisfied.

The moment they broke through, the Blackwater Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bees flew straight back to Qin Ming's side, shrinking their bodies and rubbing against him eagerly.

Qin Ming could feel their overwhelming excitement after the breakthrough.

Especially the Silver-Winged Frost Bee—having risen from an ordinary, unranked queen bee to a Second Stage Peak Great Demon, her journey was unimaginably arduous.

"All is ready."

"Now we can act."

With the Third Stage elixir boosting their strength, Qin Ming's spiritual pets were now powerful enough to stand against even Foundation Establishment cultivators without fear.

Yet he did not return immediately to Xuanxi Valley; instead, he spent several days resting in the cliffside cave, allowing his three spiritual pets to consolidate their new realms.

Three days later.

Qin Ming mounted the Silver-Winged Frost Bee, stored the Blackwater Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bee inside his spiritual beast bag, and flew toward Xuanxi Valley.

After its breakthrough, the Silver-Winged Frost Bee's flight speed surged again; carrying Qin Ming, it became a silver streak that vanished instantly into the horizon.

Its current speed rivaled the full-speed dash of a Golden Core cultivator at the early stage.

After flying at breakneck speed for two days, Qin Ming returned near Xuanxi Valley, recalled the Silver-Winged Frost Bee, transformed into the appearance of Yu Changqing, and descended into the mountain gate.

His first act upon returning to the sect was to report and register at Qianyuan Peak; only after completing registration did he return to Yuzhu Forest.

Yet during his return, Qin Ming noticed Xuanxi Valley was mobilizing large numbers of cultivators, boarding magical ships for unknown missions.

A tense atmosphere permeated the entire sect.

Qin Ming merely shook his head slightly—it had nothing to do with him.

…

Inside Yuzhu Forest.

The moment Qin Ming returned, he saw Yan Ruyan diligently weeding and eliminating pests in the spirit rice fields.

Dozens of mu of Purple Crystal Spirit Rice were meticulously tended by her.

Seeing Qin Ming return, she hurriedly bowed respectfully: "Master Yu."

"Hmm." Qin Ming responded indifferently and returned to his house.

Yan Ruyan watched the retreating back of "Yu Changqing" and muttered to herself: "Master Yu is truly peculiar."

Then she picked up her spiritual hoe and resumed work in silence.

Inside the house.

Qin Ming had just sat down when the Spirit Devouring Rat's voice came from the spiritual beast bag: "Master, shall I steal back the Golden Core Elixir Formula now?"

"Hmm. Wait two more days. I sense something off about Xuanxi Valley's current situation." Qin Ming pondered briefly.

"Understood."

After a while alone in the house, Qin Ming called Yan Ruyan inside from the fields.

Yan Ruyan cast a purification spell to clean herself before entering.

She bowed gracefully to Qin Ming: "Master Yu, you summoned me?"

Qin Ming looked at Yan Ruyan—how could this be the same ethereal immortal maiden he once knew? After half a year of tending fields for him, she had gradually transformed into a village woman. "Sit." Qin Ming said indifferently, then poured her tea.

Yan Ruyan was taken aback, puzzled by Master Yu's sudden kindness.

He rarely invited her over—and never with such warmth.

It was as if the sun had risen in the west.

"I went out on business and returned to find the sect's atmosphere unusually tense."

"During my absence, did anything happen?" Qin Ming asked.

Yan Ruyan nodded respectfully and replied honestly: "A few days ago, demonic beasts from Shouming Mountain Range attacked Moyuan Immortal City and the sect's outer regions."

"I don't know the full details, but I heard from my senior sisters that several Third Stage Demon Kings were involved."

"A great battle erupted, but all were forcefully repelled by Elder Qingxuan."

"With Xuanxi Valley's strength, those beasts should be wiped out soon."

Qin Ming fell into deep thought.

The situation seemed more complex than it appeared—his instincts had never failed him.

After chatting with Yan Ruyan and offering her some advice on spirit rice cultivation, he dismissed her.

Five more days passed.

That day.

As Qin Ming had predicted, the alarm bell of Xuanxi Valley rang loudly, echoing throughout the entire sect.

Countless Xuanxi Valley disciples braced for battle; the sect's grand formation activated fully, its blue energy barrier radiating terrifying power.

Qin Ming flew out of his house to observe, and saw Di Shan from nearby Wusong Ridge also emerging. Their gazes met. Seeing "Yu Changqing," Di Shan approached and said: "Master Yu, do you know what's happening?"

"I suspect it's related to the demonic beast tide," Qin Ming replied indifferently.

Di Shan walked closer and erected a soundproofing barrier between them, then whispered mysteriously: "You only know half the story."

"I heard that last time, a terrifying Third Stage Late-Stage semi-formatted Great Demon appeared near Shouming Mountain Range and battled Elder Qingxuan for three days and nights."

"Elder Qingxuan even got injured."

"Sigh. It seems we joined Xuanxi Valley at a terrible time."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's heart stirred.

'So even a Late-Stage Golden Core Elder was wounded—almost certainly the Muhou Third Stage Late-Stage Green-Faced Poisonous Cobra has acted.'

"Master, it's definitely the Green-Faced Poisonous Cobra. Only it possesses such power among the demonic beasts," the Spirit Devouring Rat, overhearing their conversation, transmitted urgently to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming's mind raced with thoughts; he secretly transmitted to the Spirit Devouring Rat: "Xuanxi Valley is in chaos now—likely the defenses on Luoyun Peak have been weakened."

"Let's prepare to strike."

"Hehe! Good!"

After a brief exchange with Di Shan, Qin Ming returned to his wooden house.

Among these recruited guest cultivators, only those with high cultivation—like Late-Stage Foundation Establishment—were sent to the front. Elders like Di Shan and "Yu Changqing," old spirit farmers, were assigned only to logistics.

Qin Ming transformed again into the appearance of a logistics disciple, slipped out of Yuzhu Forest, and arrived at the foot of Luoyun Peak.

He released his spiritual sense, enveloping the entire peak. After careful observation, he noticed far fewer patrol disciples than before.

More astonishingly, the Golden Core Elder Wan, who had always guarded the Scripture Pavilion, was gone—replaced by an unfamiliar False Golden Core Elder.

Yet Qin Ming judged that Elder Wan wouldn't be away long—he'd return soon.

Qin Ming immediately released the Spirit Devouring Rat and whispered: "Elder Wan is absent. Your turn. Go quickly and return swiftly."

"Leave it to me."

The Spirit Devouring Rat wasted no time; it activated its ability and vanished into the void.

Qin Ming stood guard outside, ready to signal if the Golden Core Elder returned.

Time passed slowly.

In the darkness, the Spirit Devouring Rat moved stealthily, even passing directly before the False Golden Core Elder guarding the Scripture Pavilion—yet the elder detected nothing.

It exhaled black mystic light, creating a tiny opening in the Scripture Pavilion's protective barrier without damaging it, then slipped inside.

"If the Golden Core Elixir Formula is this important, it must be on the top floor," the Spirit Devouring Rat reasoned, heading straight upward.

After a quarter-hour.

The Spirit Devouring Rat bypassed layer after layer of seals and reached the top floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

Upon entering, it immediately sensed this place was vastly different from the rest.

It began searching through the shelves.

Soon, it found a plain, pale-yellow ancient jade slip on one of the bookshelves.

It immediately infused its demonic awareness into it; its slender whiskers trembled as it exclaimed in delight: "Found it!"

Following Qin Ming's instructions, it did not take the original—instead, it pulled out a blank jade slip and copied the entire Golden Core Elixir Formula perfectly.

As it prepared to leave, it suddenly paused.

The Spirit Devouring Rat turned back, gazing at the countless jade slips and books lining the room. During its search, it had noticed many Third Stage elixir formulas.

"Might as well go all the way."

"Copy them all."

It resumed its work, copying every remaining elixir formula it found.

More than half an hour passed.

With its powerful demonic awareness, the Spirit Devouring Rat detected a powerful magical energy signature approaching the Scripture Pavilion.

It must be Elder Wan of Xuanxi Valley.

Calmly, it activated its ability once more, vanishing into the void and retracing its path.

At the staircase, it even crossed paths with Elder Wan—but the elder noticed nothing.

Half a quarter-hour later.

The Devouring Rat sneaked back to Qin Ming's side.

"Why did you take so long?"

"Didn't I send you the signal? Old Man Wan came back—you nearly had me sweating," Qin Ming said.

Hearing this, the Devouring Rat chuckled: "Hehe! Master needn't worry—the item's been secured."

Qin Ming, pleased, tucked the Devouring Rat into his spirit beast pouch.

He returned to the jade bamboo forest cottage.

But when Qin Ming took the pile of jade slips from the Devouring Rat, he frowned: "Why did you bring back so many?"

"I saw plenty of good things there, so I copied them all—heehee!" the Devouring Rat sneered.

After examining the jade slips, Qin Ming wore a strange expression, then smiled calmly and said to the Devouring Rat: "Well done!"

He held one of the jade slips in his hand, studying it repeatedly—this was the Core Formation Elixir formula he had long yearned for! (End of chapter)