Chapter 308: Gratitude

This time, Qin Ming slew demonic cultivators and reaped a bountiful harvest.

"Truly, ten years without a deal, but one deal feeds you for ten years."

"As soon as I stepped out, I pulled off a huge job."

One wave, three kills, straight to takeoff.

Along the way, he tallied his spoils; merely from Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, he obtained several thousand blood beads in one go, plus three Jin Dan-level blood beads.

This is more than enough to let his natal spiritual plant, Yin-Yang Xuanteng, grow another significant leap.

Besides that.

From Yang Jian, he also obtained a Black Flame Evil-Feather Fan, a third-grade upper-tier magical treasure, and from the black-faced burly man, a black steel fork, likewise a quite remarkable third-grade upper-tier magical treasure.

"Master, may I have this black steel fork to use?"

"I happen to lack a handy magical treasure."

Shi Tian Shu seemed very interested in it and openly asked Qin Ming for it.

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt quite surprised; the item was of little use to him anyway, so he tossed it over.

Shi Tian Shu happily took the black steel fork, brandished it in his hands for a while, and indeed looked the part, imposing and majestic.

Qin Ming also realized that the material of this black steel fork seemed somewhat peculiar; it could actually withstand one of his punches without breaking, which fully demonstrated its toughness.

Moreover, this fellow Shi Tian Shu was naturally sensitive to treasures, so he was probably plotting something again.

Shortly after, it returned to the spirit beast bag and began refining this magical treasure.

The blood-colored jade bracelet held by that flamboyant female cultivator was also a third-grade upper-tier magical treasure, and that black bone umbrella, named the Bone-Eroding Umbrella, was a third-grade middle-tier magical treasure integrating offense and defense.

However, it had been pierced by the Black Water Crocodile's divine ability; once repaired, it could still be used.

For the three Jin Dan demonic cultivators, the most valuable items were naturally their natal magical treasures and their respective Jin Dan.

Apart from these.

From the three storage bags, Qin Ming rummaged out over a hundred upper-grade spirit stones and tens of thousands of middle-grade spirit stones.

Everything else consisted of demonic cultivation techniques, secret manuals, pills, spiritual materials, and so on, too numerous to count.

As the superior sect among the Six Demonic Sects, the Yin Demon Sect stood as a Nascent Soul sect; the three of them, being elders, could rightly be called three fat sheep.

Three days later.

Qin Ming arrived at Beast King Valley once again.

When he reached this place, he saw the area around the mountain range in complete disarray, seemingly having suffered a sneak attack by the demonic path as well.

However, with two Jin Dan old ancestors guarding Beast King Valley, its foundation was far beyond comparison with Jin Kuizong, so holding back the demonic path's assault was no difficult task.

Subsequently.

Two rays of rainbow light flashed and vanished from within the valley, stopping before Qin Ming.

Pei Qing and Lu Xiao personally came out to welcome him.

"Hehehe! Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin, on breaking through to the mid-Jin Dan stage; your cultivation has greatly advanced, and your immortal path has progressed further."

"Fellow Daoist Qin is truly a genius among those at the Jin Dan stage, actually possessing three demon king-level spirit pets."

"It truly makes we of Beast King Valley feel ashamed! Hahaha!"

The two old ancestors had naturally heard about what happened in recent days.

They had not expected that Qin Ming had already broken through to the mid-Jin Dan stage, and furthermore, that his cultivation and strength were now unfathomable.

Seeing Qin Ming again this time, their attitudes had changed slightly, adding a touch of awe reserved for the powerful.

Since he could slay three Jin Dan demonic cultivators from a superior demonic sect, the two of them naturally would not be his match.

Qin Ming merely smiled faintly. "It was just coincidence; I simply lent a hand."

After some polite exchanges.

The three entered Beast King Valley.

Pei Qing and the other hosted a welcoming banquet for Qin Ming, setting out a table of feast dishes, and then poured him spirit wine.

"Come, Fellow Daoist Qin, we two toast you with this cup."

"If not for you this time, the Wu Kingdom would truly have fallen into calamity."

"My junior brother and I admit we would absolutely not be a match for those three demonic envoys."

"Thanks entirely to Fellow Daoist Qin's intervention."

Then the three raised their cups and drained them in one gulp.

Amidst the clinking of cups, Qin Ming and the two discussed the situation within the Immortal Realm.

Speaking of this topic.

Pei Qing and Lu Xiao both wore serious expressions.

"Currently, the situation for the human race in the Southern Desolate Immortal Realm is truly precarious!"

"No one expected that the ghostly entities from the Taihu Ruins would collude with the demonic beasts of the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range."

"This is something no one could have anticipated." "The strength of that Green-Faced Poisonous Flood Dragon and Old Ancestor Golden Toad is simply beyond what cultivators like us can oppose."

"If not for Old Ancestor Qingxuan of Profound Stream Valley struggling to hold the line, I fear all four kingdoms would have fallen into the hands of the demon race."

"Alas! What a pity regarding Fellow Daoist Yuheng and Fellow Daoist Wan."

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded slightly, then waved his hand, causing five bags to appear on the ground.

He then said to the two: "Here are the five hundred jin of Jade Emperor Spirit Rice that Qin Mou promised you both when renting the Small Xiao Lingjing."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qing and Lu Xiao could not help but show emotion; although as supreme elders of their respective sects they long ago ceased to easily reveal joy or anger on their faces.

Yet upon hearing 'Jade Emperor Spirit Rice,' they could hardly conceal their excitement.

After all, this was spirit rice capable of promoting one's Jin Dan stage cultivation.

Nowadays, within the entire Southern Desolate Wild Immortal Realm, it is likely that only Qin Ming would be capable of cultivating it.

Pei Qing opened one of the bags, and instantly a stream of emerald brilliance flowed out, while dense spiritual energy rushed toward their faces, intoxicating anyone who encountered it.

"Then many thanks to Fellow Daoist Qin!"

Pei Qing immediately stored the spiritual rice away.

"It was merely an exchange of needs; there is no need for either of you to be so polite," Qin Ming said with a smile.

Just then, Pei Qing and Lu Xiao exchanged a glance.

Subsequently.

Pei Qing, with a solemn expression, said to Qin Ming:

"Fellow Daoist Qin, Junior Brother Lu and I have seriously considered and discussed the matter."

"We have decided to gift the Small Xiao Lingjing to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Upon hearing these words, even Qin Ming could not help but stare in astonishment.

"Fellow Daoist Pei, as the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit; this is..."

Pei Qing shook his head and said, "If Fellow Daoist Qin had not chivalrously lent a hand this time, the Wu Kingdom would also have fallen into peril."

"Please do not decline, Fellow Daoist Qin; even if this Small Xiao Lingjing returned to our hands, at most it would merely add another third-rank cave dwelling."

"But in Fellow Daoist Qin's hands, it will be different."

"Since Fellow Daoist Qin is capable of cultivating third-rank spiritual plants, this would truly be making full use of its potential."

"It can also be regarded as a small token of gratitude from the Wu Kingdom to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Hearing this, Qin Ming fell into contemplation.

He understood that the two Yunxi Laozu of the Beast King Valley were willing to hand over the Small Xiao Lingjing so readily primarily because they valued his strength.

Pei Qing and Lu Xiao had already thought this through carefully before Qin Ming arrived.

If a mid-stage Jin Dan cultivator of such formidable power as Qin Ming remained in the Wu Kingdom, accompanied by three demon king-level spiritual pets under his command,

then in the future, when the Wu Kingdom faced crises from the Immortal Realm, they would have gained a major source of assistance.

They could not wait more for Qin Ming to stay in the Wu Kingdom forever.

By using the Small Xiao Lingjing to thoroughly tie Qin Ming down here, they could secure the safety and stability of the Wu Kingdom, earn Qin Ming's goodwill, and simultaneously strengthen the relationship between both parties.

Achieving multiple goals with one move; why would they not do it? The two Yunxi Laozu were calculating with great shrewdness.

"Qin Mou is merely traveling this time and will not reside long-term in the Wu Kingdom."

"However, in the future, I will still visit the Wu Kingdom occasionally."

"Since the two Yunxi Laozu have such intentions, how about this: Qin Mou is willing to contribute additional resources and spiritual stones as supplementary payment, effectively purchasing the Small Xiao Lingjing."

"What do the two Fellow Daoists think?"

Pei Qing and Lu Xiao had not expected Qin Ming to speak thus; clearly, he had seen through their intentions without exposing them and had guessed their motives.

Thus, Pei Qing gave a dry laugh, "Hehe! There is no need for spiritual stones or resources."

"This Small Xiao Lingjing shall belong to Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Consider it a reward for Fellow Daoist Qin."

"No matter when."

"Our Wu Kingdom will always welcome Fellow Daoist Qin to visit."

Having said this, he directly took out the original spirit contract, destroyed it, then drafted a new one that included the valley near Wuxia Mountain, and solemnly handed it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming pondered briefly, ceased declining, and immediately accepted the spirit contract.

"Then many thanks to the two Fellow Daoists."

Qin Ming had not expected that delivering a shipment of spiritual rice to the Beast King Valley would result in gaining a top-grade third-rank cave heaven.

"It seems this Small Xiao Lingjing was destined to be affiliated with me."

"I just wonder if there is any method to take it away directly..."

(End of Chapter)