Chapter 391: Seeking Ground for Tribulation Crossing

Several days later, Qin Ming returned to Wangyue Island.

The first thing he did upon returning was to cast the Great Five Elements Spell to summon spiritual rain over the spirit plants.

Then he arrived before the cave of the Blackwater Crocodile.

Qin Ming sensed the sleeping Blackwater Crocodile's aura—it seemed on the verge of breakthrough.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Second Brother's ascent to the third-rank realm took this long to brew?"

"Back in my day, after sleeping half a year, I immediately faced the Thunder Tribulation."

"This kid's got some serious trouble ahead."

The Devouring Rat chimed in from the side.

Hearing this, Qin Ming frowned—he'd poured countless resources into raising his two spirit beasts.

He'd fed them nearly all the rare second-rank spirit materials and third-rank transformed-spirit fruit, almost like daily meals, and even fed them Golden Core cultivators' Golden Cores.

If they still couldn't break through, he'd be seriously out of pocket.

"Looks like you haven't done enough work? Still got energy to stand around making snide remarks?"

Qin Ming suddenly kicked the Devouring Rat.

"Eh-heh, I just mean Second and Third Brother have top-tier talent—breaking into the third rank is just a natural progression! A sure thing! They'll have a bright future ahead! A very bright future!"

It rubbed its rear end, then chuckled nervously and immediately changed its tune.

Qin Ming stroked his chin, thinking for a moment—he had no intention of letting the Blackwater Crocodile and Silverwing break through on Wangyue Island.

Two third-rank spirit kings breaking through here in succession would be utterly shocking.

Wouldn't that reignite the entire Southern Wilderness cultivation world? He was already famous enough—he didn't want to be thrust back into the spotlight.

If this kept up, even the major sects would grow restless.

"The Blackwater Crocodile and Silverwing's breakthroughs are imminent."

"I need to find a place for them to undergo the Thunder Tribulation."

Then Qin Ming remembered something and turned to the Devouring Rat: "Where exactly did you break through in the Beiming Mountain Range?"

"Hehe, I've got the Treasure-Seeking Bloodline—finding a third-rank spiritual vein is child's play."

"Only I know the location."

The Devouring Rat immediately caught on and asked: "Are you planning to take Second and Third Brother to the Beiming Mountain Range to break through?"

"Exactly." Qin Ming nodded without confirmation.

The Devouring Rat's eyes rolled thoughtfully, then said: "That's no problem at all."

"Right inside my den is a third-rank spiritual vein—perfect for their breakthrough."

While waiting, three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Qin Ming was meditating in his cave when suddenly he received a message from the Blackwater Crocodile—it was ready to break through to the third rank.

"So it's finally come to this?"

"I hope you don't disappoint me."

Qin Ming slowly opened his dark eyes and spoke calmly.

He ended his meditation, rose, and stepped outside—there, the Blackwater Crocodile had already been waiting, its aura refined to the peak of second-rank completion, nearing the third rank.

It now needed only one final step to become a third-rank spirit king.

"Excellent! All my painstaking cultivation has not been in vain."

Qin Ming immediately sealed the Blackwater Crocodile into his Spirit Beast Bag.

At that moment,

Silverwing Frost Bee also flew out from its hive—after consuming the Golden Core, its aura had likewise surged to the brink of breakthrough, and it sent Qin Ming a message.

Qin Ming's face lit up with delight, and he immediately took it along.

Then,

He communicated mentally with his life-spirit plant, Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.

In the next instant, the towering black tree instantly dissolved into a pool of pitch-black ink, coiling around his arm.

Having done this,

Qin Ming went to the spirit fields and activated a newly generated 【Ripen】 term to accelerate the growth of the dozen or so third-rank Jade Emperor Spirit Rice plants.

He intended to ripen these spirit plants, harvest their seeds, and take them with him.

Instantly,

A dozen emerald-green Jade Emperor Spirit Rice plants, resembling bamboo, shot upward, emitting a unique spirit-rice fragrance.

Qin Ming walked over and tapped one of the jade-like stalks—inside, he heard the sound of rice grains rolling.

He smiled faintly: "Looks like they're ripe."

A strand of blood-colored qi appeared in his hand, slicing through the emerald stalk.

Whoosh! Spiritual energy spilled out—a small pile of emerald-colored rice grains tumbled forth; each grain of Jade Emperor Spirit Rice was twice the size of ordinary spirit rice.

Crystal-clear, like tiny emeralds.

Qin Ming immediately pulled out a jade box and collected these precious third-rank spirit rice grains.

Next,

He repeated the process, slicing open the remaining dozen or so spirit rice plants and harvesting all their Jade Emperor Spirit Rice.

After harvesting the Jade Emperor Spirit Rice, Qin Ming found its yield extremely limited—after processing the dozen plants, he'd gathered barely two catties total, enough for just one or two meals. "It's understandable—higher-grade items are always rarer."

But once he preserved these seeds, he could later cultivate enough Jade Emperor Spirit Rice to meet his needs.

Enough to sustain his daily Golden Core cultivation.

Having finished this, Qin Ming summoned Wu Jiang.

"Wu Dao friend, I plan to travel soon—possibly for several years, maybe even over a decade."

"While I'm away, I rely on you to oversee the spirit island."

"If any problems arise you can't handle, seek out Nanlan Xi of Canghai Xiancheng—I'll have already informed her."

Wu Jiang paused, startled, but understood: Master Qin's cultivation had reached the Golden Core realm—he could go anywhere under heaven.

He must be leaving to seek greater opportunities.

"Master, rest assured—I'll handle everything on the island."

"By the time you return, the spirit island will be even more prosperous."

"With those words, I'm at ease." Qin Ming nodded, then handed him two vials of pills.

"These are two vials of Zengyuan Pills—they'll aid your cultivation in early Foundation Establishment."

"Though you're quite aged, don't settle here—try to break through to the next realm if you can."

Wu Jiang trembled as he accepted the pills: "Thank you, Master, for the pills—I'll remember your teachings and strive to reach mid-Foundation Establishment."

"Hmm. That's all. Go about your duties."

"Yes!"

… Qin Ming soared into the air above the spirit island, surveying Wangyue Island.

"Before I knew it, I've lived and cultivated on this island for over sixty years."

"Time flies."

Then he became a streak of green light and flew out from the island.

More than half an hour later,

Qin Ming arrived at Canghai Xiancheng.

The gate guards, seeing a Golden Core True Person arrive—specifically, the Wangyue True Person—immediately activated the protective array and bowed respectfully.

"Hail Wangyue True Person!"

The cultivators entering and exiting the gate, upon seeing the legendary figure, all wore expressions of awe and reverence.

Qin Ming nodded slightly in response, then entered Canghai Xiancheng and headed straight for Canghai Main Peak.

"Qin Dao friend, you've come from afar yet didn't even notify me ahead of time." Nanlan Xi flew out from the main peak to greet him.

Qin Ming smiled faintly: "Heh, I have a favor to ask of Nanlan Dao friend, so I came abruptly."

"Oh?" Nanlan Xi was surprised—she never expected Qin Ming to need her help.

But such an opportunity was exactly what she desired—earning a debt from this dual Grandmaster was a guaranteed win.

"No need. I'm preparing to travel. Though Wu Jiang manages Wangyue Island, if any matters arise he can't handle, I ask you to watch over them."

As he spoke, Qin Ming pulled out a jade vial and handed it to her.

"This is one Miechen Pill—consider it my payment for the favor, heh."

Nanlan Xi, though deeply tempted by the Miechen Pill, said: "Qin Dao friend, you're being too formal."

"It's a minor matter—I'll certainly look after it. No need for such a generous gift."

Qin Ming insisted: "I'm going far away—I don't know when I'll return. Don't refuse."

Hearing this,

Nanlan Xi hesitated briefly, then accepted the jade vial and bowed to Qin Ming: "Then thank you, Qin Dao friend."

"To be honest, if I weren't tied down by affairs in the Xiancheng, unable to leave for even a moment, I'd also like to travel like you."

"Even journey to the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty to seek Nascent Soul opportunities."

"Sometimes, even at this level of cultivation, being in such a position means you're not truly your own master."

"Then I wish you, Qin Dao friend, eternal longevity on the Dao. May our next meeting find you greatly advanced."

Qin Ming smiled slightly and returned the bow: "Thank you, Nanlan Dao friend, for your good wishes."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Nalan Xi, he took his leave and departed from Canghai Xiancheng.

……

After exiting the Xiancheng, Qin Ming flew toward the Shouming Mountain Range.

"Shi Tian Shu, are you sure you've got the right direction?"

From the spirit beast pouch came Shi Tian Shu's voice: "Relax, Master—definitely no mistake."

"My old den was extremely well-hidden, hehe!"

The Shouming Mountain Range stretched endlessly, more than worthy of being called a hundred thousand peaks.

Next, Qin Ming entered the depths of the Shouming Mountain Range, following Shi Tian Shu's directions.

Half a day later.

Qin Ming crossed a mist-shrouded mountain ravine and arrived before a valley steeped in spiritual energy.

"This is the place!"

Qin Ming released Shi Tian Shu, which darted ahead and led him into the valley.

The moment he stepped inside, he clearly felt a dense rush of spiritual energy washing over him.

"Indeed, a third-rank low-grade spiritual vein."

"More than enough for Xuan Shui E and Yin Yi to break through."

Shi Tian Shu, familiar with the terrain, brought Qin Ming to a waterfall a thousand zhang tall.

Pointing behind it, he said, "Master, behind that waterfall was my former cultivation site."

"Hmm, not bad—I didn't know you had such refined tastes? A Water Curtain Cave?" Qin Ming nodded, gazing at the valley's magnificent and strange scenery.

Shi Tian Shu modestly replied, "Ah! Just a humble abode, nothing more."

Then Qin Ming released Xuan Shui E.

The instant its massive body appeared, it sensed the external spiritual energy.

Xuan Shui E turned to look at Qin Ming and immediately signaled it was ready to break through.

Qin Ming nodded, then retreated with Shi Tian Shu to a distance, silently observing Xuan Shui E.

Two days later.

A black spiritual energy vortex, shaped like a funnel, churned furiously above the ravine, pouring into Xuan Shui E at the valley's center.

Several more days passed.

The spiritual energy clouds in the sky expanded to a ten-li radius, nearly engulfing the entire ravine.

BOOM! Suddenly—

All the spiritual energy within the valley was instantly drained and channeled entirely into Xuan Shui E's body.

A regal aura of a third-rank beast king radiated from it, causing nearby low-rank beasts to tremble and freeze in place.

"Here it comes—the crucial step!"

Shi Tian Shu, watching from afar, clenched his fists in silent anxiety for Xuan Shui E.

BOOM-ROAR! With a heart-shaking thunderclap, a dark, churning storm cloud instantly formed above the valley.

A destructive, world-rending aura brewed and surged within the clouds.

The third-rank heavenly tribulation for beasts is the hardest to survive, and its power is terrifying.

Fewer than one in ten beasts that attempt it survive to become beast kings.

Xuan Shui E looked up at the heavens, its vertical pupils glowing with unwavering resolve! BOOM! CRACK! A thick purple lightning column, crackling with countless arcs, spanned the distance between earth and sky and struck Xuan Shui E instantly.

Blue electrical sparks danced across Xuan Shui E's scales, spreading over its entire body.

With its incredibly tough armor, it bore the full force of the lightning strike.

Even so, its body was scorched and lacerated, blood seeping continuously from its wounds.

"No way—it's that brutal?"

Qin Ming, watching from afar, raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected the tribulation for a beast to become a beast king to be this terrifying—it was nearly half the power of his own heavenly punishment.

BOOM-CRACK-CRACK! The heavenly lightning continued to strike, a terrifying celestial phenomenon descending over the Shouming Mountain Range.

(End of Chapter)