Chapter 358: Return

Next.

Qin Ming and Yue Lingyan did not stay in this place for long, as the commotion was too great and might have already attracted the attention of other great transformed demons.

Thus, the two left the valley.

Afterwards, they found a spot with clear waters and lush mountains, where Qin Ming set out a table of spiritual wine and spiritual fruits, having the Shi Tian Shu cook several fresh and delicious Rice-Flower Spiritual Fish, serving as a celebration for Yue Lingyan.

Originally, her breakthrough to the fourth realm should have been celebrated with great fanfare within the demon race, with congratulations arriving from all directions.

However, with the current turmoil inside the demon race, such a celebration would likely have to wait until Yue Lingyan regained control of the Fox Tribe.

The Shi Tian Shu, Silver Moon, and the others also ate and drank to their heart's content.

Half a day later.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I still have some important matters to attend to back home, so I shall not delay any longer; let us part ways here," Yue Lingyan said after drinking a cup of Bai Yulin Wine.

Qin Ming could see that she bore a blood-soaked vendetta; now that her strength had greatly advanced, she naturally intended to return to the Beast Cry Mountain Range to settle old scores with those enemies who had kicked her while she was down.

Therefore, he also stood up to bid her farewell.

"Then I wish Fellow Daoist Lingyan smooth sailing in all things."

"I also wish Fellow Daoist Qin an eternal Dao path; I hope that when we meet again, you will have achieved the Nascent Soul realm," Yue Lingyan said with a faint smile.

Qin Ming gave a bitter smile. "I am still far from that; I do not know if I will ever have the chance to touch the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime."

"Thus, I truly envy Fellow Daoist Lingyan for achieving the fourth realm this time, hehe."

Yue Lingyan shook her head. "Why does Fellow Daoist Qin belittle himself? In my opinion, your strength and fortune are rare in my life; reaching the Nascent Soul stage is merely a matter of time."

"Then I shall borrow Fellow Daoist Lingyan's auspicious words," Qin Ming said with a cupped-fist salute and a smile.

"Yue'er, let us go."

Yue Lingyan called for the little silver fox, bid farewell to Qin Ming once more, and then the space nearby suddenly rippled; a flash of spiritual light appeared, and she vanished instantly.

The Shi Tian Shu gazed longingly in the direction where the silver fox had departed, still reluctant to let go.

"What are you looking at? She's already gone." Qin Ming tapped the Shi Tian Shu on the head.

"What's this? It seems you truly like that little fox; shall I send you to the Fox Tribe to become a matrilocal son-in-law?"

The Shi Tian Shu snapped back to reality and quickly gave an awkward, sheepish laugh. "How could that be? I was just feeling a bit sentimental."

"How could I possibly bear to leave my Master?"

"I once swore an oath to fight for my Master throughout this life!"

As the Shi Tian Shu said this, its tone was sonorous and powerful, utterly firm!

"Mm, you have performed a great merit this time; I will refine those two demon cores into pills for you, which will be more effective than swallowing them raw," Qin Ming said lightly, in a good mood.

"Additionally, regarding the spiritual materials you need to refine the Five Elements Command Flags, I have acquired some from the black market; once we gather enough of the required items, we can begin refining them for you."

The Shi Tian Shu was immediately overjoyed. "Ehehe! Thank you for Master's reward!"

"This time, I guarantee I will patrol the mountain diligently and not let even a single mosquito escape!"

The Black Water Crocodile and the Yin Yi Shuangfeng also rubbed vigorously against Qin Ming nearby, constantly seeking credit for their efforts.

"Alright, alright, you all will get your share."

Afterwards, Qin Ming recalled the three spiritual pets into his Small Xiao Lingjing, his figure blurring as he transformed into a green rainbow and vanished into the horizon.

Subsequently, Qin Ming recalled his three spirit pets into the Small Xiao Lingjing; his figure blurred, transforming into a green rainbow that vanished into the horizon.

Qin Ming rushed without stopping back to the spiritual fields of Five Elements Mountain.

"I never expected that, through a twist of fate, the gains from this journey would be so immense!"

First and foremost were the Infant-Nurturing Fruit Tree and the Earth-Heart Spiritual Spring, both fourth-rank heavenly and earthly treasures, which were crucial to him.

Just these two items alone made all of Qin Ming's efforts worthwhile.

Secondly, he had gained Yue Lingyan's favor; she now owed him a significant favor, establishing a connection with a fourth-rank Demon Saint-level resource.

This would prove extremely useful before he himself reached the Nascent Soul realm.

It would not be an exaggeration to call it a major backing.

Although he was not one to live off others, such connections would be foolish not to use.

At critical moments, they could even save his life.

However, Qin Ming also understood that in this Immortal Realm, where cultivation strength is supreme, everything ultimately depends on one's own power; favors like this are used up with each use, and she could not help him every day.

Yue Lingyan's favor must be used on the edge of the blade.

This also gave Qin Ming another powerful safeguard in the unfamiliar Great Jin Immortal Realm.

Inside the spiritual fields.

Jia Heyi of the Mirror Snow Pavilion and the spiritual planter Li Lan saw that upon Qin Ming's return this time, his face was brimming with a faint smile, looking truly in high spirits.

It seemed he had completely forgotten the previous incident where the spiritual plants were destroyed.

The two also approached, coming forward respectfully to pay their respects.

"Shopkeeper Lu, you have returned."

"Greetings, Shopkeeper Lu."

Qin Ming nodded slightly and asked lightly, "Mm, no need for excessive courtesy; has anything else gone awry recently?"

"Reporting to Shopkeeper Lu, everything within the spiritual fields is well, and the growth of the spiritual plants in all plots is quite excellent," Li Lan hurriedly reported.

During this period, he had been thinking constantly about how to make up for his faults, and thus had been extremely diligent in sprinkling spiritual rain and tending to the spiritual fields.

Qin Ming thought for a moment and said, "I have already investigated the cause of the incident some time ago; it cannot be blamed on either of you for dereliction of duty, so there is no need to blame yourselves."

"Alright, you may both return to your tasks."

"Alright, you all go attend to your own affairs."

Li Lan and Jia Heyi were overjoyed upon hearing this; they immediately expressed their gratitude, withdrew, and went about their respective tasks.

In the days that followed.

Qin Ming returned to his life of farming and cultivation.

At the same time, through the channels of Hua Tianxiong's Thousand Mechanisms Merchant House, he kept abreast of the latest intelligence within the Immortal Realm.

Secretly, Hua Tianxiong was busily gathering and refining the spiritual materials needed for Qin Ming to produce the Divine Wood Pill and the Nascent Soul Condensation Pill, and everything was progressing quite smoothly.

In just two months, he had already secured several types of scarce auxiliary materials.

Qin Ming also took time to use the cores, flesh, and blood of the Bull Demon King and the Black Scorpion Demon King to refine a type of "Beast Emperor Pill" for his three spiritual pets.

This pill formula was one he had previously obtained through an exchange with Pei Qing of the Beast King Valley.

The Beast King Valley specialized in the path of beast taming, so naturally, it possessed numerous inheritances regarding the nurturing of spiritual beasts.

This third-rank mid-grade Beast Emperor Pill was one of them.

Unfortunately, all those alchemists in the Beast King Valley had limited skills; even with the formula and spiritual materials, they could not refine such a miraculous elixir.

It was a windfall that benefited Qin Ming alone.

In the time that followed, Qin Ming studied the "Source Dao Pill Classic" transmitted to him by Su Yuqing while refining the Beast Emperor Pill, applying knowledge to practice and achieving a thorough understanding.

Several days later, a strange fragrance emanated from the alchemy room within the Small Xiao Lingjing, immediately attracting the three beasts, including the Shi Tian Shu.

Qin Ming opened the door and walked out, a smile on his face.

"Master, has the spiritual pill been refined?" the Shi Tian Shu asked, its eyes revealing anticipation.

Qin Ming nodded, then distributed the six Beast Emperor Pills in his hand among the three spiritual pets.

After receiving the spiritual pills, they each happily went to consume the medicine and cultivate.

This Beast Emperor Pill could greatly increase a demon beast's physical strength, elevate its cultivation rank, and enhance its aura and pressure.

For ordinary demon beasts, it was something one might encounter by chance but could not seek out.

Among the demon races, it was said that only great demons who had assumed human form could refine it.

The Shi Tian Shu was already at the third-rank mid-stage; consuming two Beast Emperor Pills, while insufficient for breaking through to the late stage, would still allow its cultivation to grow significantly.

As for the Profound Water Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bee, both were at the third-rank early stage; having been fed by Qin Ming all along, they had already consumed many heavenly treasures and earthly delights.

After consuming the Beast Emperor Pill this time, there was a high probability they would advance again, breaking through to the third-rank mid-stage realm.

After attending to the three spiritual pets, Qin Ming shifted his gaze to the fourth-rank Nascent Soul Nurturing Fruit tree.

The environment of the third-rank top-grade spiritual vein within the Small Xiao Lingjing, supplemented by the supply of the Earth Heart Spiritual Spring, barely satisfied the growth requirements of this spiritual plant.

Since refining the Nascent Soul Condensation Pill required several other major fourth-rank spiritual materials, Qin Ming was in no hurry to force-ripen the two spiritual fruits on the tree, instead allowing them to grow naturally.

Furthermore, Qin Ming had diverted the Earth Heart Spiritual Spring to irrigate the spiritual fields within the Small Xiao Lingjing; its irrigation effect was even many times stronger than when he cast the Five Elements Spiritual Rain Technique.

Within the Small Xiao Lingjing, nourished by the spiritual spring and brimming with spiritual beauty, it now resembled an immortal cave dwelling.

(End of Chapter)