Chapter 415: Settling Scores, the Old Demon of Qingyang

In the main hall, after hearing this, Qin Ming vaguely connected the dots to a familiar figure.

Yet he did not interrupt Nalan Xi's words, only listening as she continued:

"Whether in courage or capability, this person far surpasses any previous figure within the demonic path; originally, he belonged to no demonic sect."

"Yet within mere decades he rose to power, and now his cultivation has even broken through to the late-stage Jin Dan realm, making him the highest-cultivated individual among the Modaoliu Sect."

"Of course, Daoist Friend Qin, since your return, things are vastly different."

Hearing this, Qin Ming immediately asked bluntly, "Is that person's name Lin Zixiao?"

At these words, Nalan Xi and Gu Qingzhao exchanged a glance, both stunned on the spot.

"Uh, yes, exactly."

"Could it be... Daoist Friend Qin knows this demonic tyrant?" Gu Qingzhao asked in surprise.

Qin Ming slowly nodded. "Mm, correct. We are more than just acquainted; when I was at Qingyang Market, Qin Mou and he were neighbors for several years."

Afterwards, he recounted to them the grievances and entanglements he once had with Lin Zi, omitting certain matters inconvenient to reveal.

Hearing Qin Ming's detailed account truly exceeded the expectations of the two women.

"I never expected that Daoist Friend Qin would share such grievances and entanglements with this peerless demonic tyrant," Nalan Xi said after listening, unable to calm her emotions for a long time.

Gu Qingzhao hesitated slightly before asking, "Then, Daoist Friend Qin, what exactly is your current cultivation level upon this return?"

Since they were about to face a demonic tyrant of such ruthless nature and supreme cultivation, she felt a slight worry.

"Jin Dan perfection," Qin Ming stated lightly.

Buzz~ Even though they dared not believe it, hearing confirmation directly from Qin Ming's mouth left both their minds blank, unable to recover for a long time.

The looks they cast toward Qin Ming were filled with extreme complexity.

Beyond heartfelt congratulations, there was also a thick sense of envy.

Furthermore, with him guarding the Four Kingdoms of the Southern Wilderness, there was now hope; they no longer needed to struggle to hold on alone.

"Congratulations, Daoist Friend Qin; you are only one final step away from the Nascent Soul Great Dao. Truly, this is most worthy of celebration," the two women congratulated once more.

Qin Ming smiled slightly, without being overly modest.

They might not know that his purpose in returning this time was precisely to condense his Nascent Soul in the Southern Wilderness.

In their understanding, even if Qin Ming had reached Jin Dan perfection, without eighty or a hundred years of preparation, it would be very difficult to attempt the Nascent Soul realm.

After all, for a Jin Dan cultivator to breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage requires not only talent and opportunity but also corresponding vast resources and fortune.

This is precisely why those who pursue the Dao are as numerous as carp crossing the river, while those who achieve the Dao are few and far between.

As they spoke, Qin Ming raised his hand and waved.

A flash of blood-red light passed, and two huge black pig heads rolled onto the floor.

Immediately, he cast a spell, striking a technique seal toward the heads on the ground.

Puchi!

The two huge beast heads burst open like watermelons at the sound, revealing a fragment of a pitch-black crystal from within, emitting a nauseating odor.

Complex runes were inscribed upon it.

Qin Ming raised his hand and summoned the demonic crystal before him to observe it closely, then spoke to the two women with an extremely determined expression:

"In Qin Mou's opinion, this beast tide differs from previous ones; someone must be manipulating events from behind the scenes."

Seeing this scene, Nalan Xi and Gu Qingzhao deeply agreed, their eyes revealing a grave expression.

"In my view, nine times out of ten, it is the work of that demonic path figure Lin Zi; now that Qin Mou has returned, I will also take this opportunity to resolve this matter thoroughly." Qin Ming's gaze turned slightly cold; he made a grasping motion with his empty palm, turning the black crystal in mid-air into dust.

He was very clear that Lin Zi's fortune was indeed substantial, with an old grandpa residing within his body... truly not to be underestimated.

After exchanging information with the two women for half a day, Qin Ming had roughly grasped the situation in the Southern Wilderness.

Without lingering further, he immediately prepared to take his leave.

At the moment of parting, Gu Qingzhao suddenly approached and bowed deeply to Qin Ming, saying with heartfelt gratitude, "For several decades, thank you, Daoist Friend Qin, for looking after our pavilion's business in Great Jin; otherwise, it would not have developed so rapidly."

"Old Jia has told me everything; without you, Daoist Friend Qin, the Mirror Jing Xue Ge's business would likely not be what it is today."

"Hehe! Daoist Friend Gu need not be polite; we simply each took what we needed. I did not lose out either, having gained quite a few benefits."

"Moreover, if Qin Mou returns to Great Jin in the future, I will still need to utilize this identity of the Mirror Jing Xue Ge," Qin Ming said with a faint smile.

"Daoist Friend Qin will still leave?... Yes, that makes sense; with your abilities, the mere Southern Wilderness would never become a place that binds you," Gu Qingzhao said with a hint of desolation.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with her, without waiting to see her reaction, Qin Ming once again released the Lingxiao Precious Carriage, which transformed into a streak of five-colored flowing light and departed from Canghai Immortal City.

Nalan Xi and Gu Qingzhao watched Qin Ming depart, their gazes complex, silent for a long time.

At the same time.

Within Canghai Immortal City, the blockbuster news of the return of a legendary cultivator from the Southern Wilderness had already exploded throughout the city.

"What?! The Island Lord of Moon Gazing Island has returned?"

"Correct! The one who previously killed the Black-Maned Demon King with a single move was True Person Moon Gazing."

"What terrifying strength is this? Surely he has reached the late-stage Jin Dan realm?"

"Far more than that; didn't you see how majestic the giant crocodile demon beast pulling your carriage was? It must be at least a third-stage mid-level or higher Demon King."

"There were even people saying True Person Qin was in a life-or-death secluded cultivation; it seems those were all rumors!"

"Just now, that supreme scene of instantly killing the Black-Maned Demon King and crushing the beast tide—even if someone said a Nascent Soul Qin Qin Zhenjun had descended, I would believe it!"

"With True Person Qin's powerful return, perhaps he can even resolve the great calamity facing our Southern Wilderness."

"..."

In an instant, the news of True Person Moon Gazing's powerful return swept through the Southern Wilderness Immortal Realm like a tidal wave.

Inside the Lingxiao Precious Carriage, Qin Ming's eyes flickered constantly.

After gaining some understanding, he decided that before returning to the island, he would first eliminate the Modaoliu Sect, this poisonous tumor.

Meanwhile, settle all past grudges with Lin Zixiao once and for all.

Only then can he focus peacefully on the upcoming Nascent Soul formation.

Otherwise, given Qin Ming's cautious nature, he greatly dislikes the feeling of a thorn in his back.

Now that Qin Ming has acquired the Lingxiao Noble Carriage, with the Blackwater Crocodile and Greenwave Sea Horse pulling it, his flight speed is no slower than that of a Nascent Soul Qin Qin Zhenjun.

Just over ten days later, he arrived at the Jin Kingdom's border.

……

Behind the Yuanmo Sect, Mo Ya Cave.

Dressed in a black robe, Lin Zixiao stroked a Buddha mask in his hand and muttered to himself: "Before I knew it, I've had over a hundred years of dealings with Brother Qin."

"I never expected! I even thought Brother Qin had vanished forever after the Taihu battle."

"Yet somehow, without my noticing, he's returned to the Southern Wilds."

"Over these past decades, just how far has Brother Qin advanced?"

At that moment, an ancient, withered voice emerged from within Lin Zixiao:

"Hehehe! The Blackmane Beast King, grown through the demonic transformation art I taught you, was easily slain by him—clearly, this brat has come into his own, likely no weaker than you now."

"Worse still, you're no longer his match. Better start thinking about how to flee. Forget your dream of unifying the Southern Wilds Immortal Realm."

"Such a petty patch of land—your vision is truly narrow. All my careful planning, embedding myself in you, has been wasted." On Lin Zixiao's stern face, his eyes flickered, and he said reluctantly: "Old Ghost, that's impossible. I've reached the late Jin Dan realm in less than two hundred years."

"How could Qin Ming be faster than me?"

The ancient voice dripped with contempt: "That's because you're ignorant. I've observed this boy's extraordinary destiny—he must have inherited some incredible legacy."

"He may well be stronger than you now."

"Listen to me: abandon your grand dream of unifying the Immortal Realm. Better let me regain some strength—it's far more practical."

"Hehehe!"

Lin Zixiao's gaze turned icy, and he roared: "Shut up, Old Ghost! Do you think I won't throw you into the Soul-Refining Pool and condemn you to eternal damnation?"

"Fine, fine, fine! I offered good advice, and you treat me like donkey's liver. Do as you please!" With that, the ancient voice in the air fell silent.

Just then.

A black-robed cultivator entered and reported to Lin Zixiao: "Big Brother, fresh intelligence has come in—he's left Canghai Xiancheng."

"Oh? Did you find out where he went?" Lin Zixiao's eyes flickered slightly.

The black-robed cultivator looked awkward: "Uh… his evasion technique is too fast. Our outer watchers lost him. Nine out of ten times, he's returned to his old lair—Wangyue Island."

"Send some men from the Modaoliu Sect to probe his strengths. As long as he remains alive, my unification plan cannot succeed," Lin Zixiao said after a moment's thought.

"Once I control the four kingdoms and gather resources, with Old Ghost's help, I could even reach the Nascent Soul realm—not just Jin Dan perfection. All I need is to eliminate him."

"At that point, kill anyone who stands in my way—Buddha or mortal, who dares oppose me?"

"The chaos in the Southern Wilds now is my opportunity!"

Lin Zixiao was ruthless and cunning—he clearly intended to use the Modaoliu Sect cultivators as cannon fodder to uncover Qin Ming's true abilities before responding.

The black-robed cultivator's face lit up with joy; he was about to bow and withdraw.

But the next instant.

In the void, a crushing pressure suddenly descended—like an invisible hand squeezing his entire body. Boom! The black-robed cultivator instantly exploded into a mist of blood.

He didn't even manage to scream.

"Brother Lin, you seem quite afraid of Qin Mou? You're willing to mobilize the entire Modaoliu Sect just to probe my techniques."

"Why not test them yourself?"

Suddenly—

A faint voice echoed out of nowhere, startling Lin Zixiao to his core.

Lin Zixiao leapt to his feet, sweeping his spiritual sense—then froze.

Before him, in empty air, stood a plain-looking young man, radiating the vitality of youth, gazing at him with calm indifference.

"It's… you… Qin Ming!"

Lin Zixiao's eyes narrowed sharply; instinctively, he summoned a black demonic blade, unleashing all his late Jin Dan magic power to activate the demonic transformation art.

In an instant, he transformed into a four-winged demonic entity, wielding a demonic blade, slashing a jet-black energy blade that tore across dozens of zhang in an instant—unstoppable, aimed straight at Qin Ming!

This strike channeled Lin Zixiao's entire lifetime of strength—he went all out at once, to be safe.

Yet—

In a flash—

Whirr! Boom! A dark shadow darted out, wielding a black steel trident and sweeping it casually—a flash of black arcane light.

Lin Zixiao's full-power strike was instantly obliterated by a single sweep.

"A third-stage peak semi-form beast!"

Boom! Immediately after—

A colossal spiritual pressure, trembling the soul, surged forth like a collapsing mountain and raging sea.

No resistance could be mustered.

Lin Zixiao, in his demonic form, widened his eyes in disbelief.

Beneath this spiritual pressure—

His entire demonic body froze mid-air, as if petrified; his black blade let out a mournful cry and fell to the ground.

Under this terrifying spiritual pressure, Lin Zixiao's magic power was forcibly shoved back into his dantian.

He stared at the plain-faced Qin Ming with unwilling disbelief:

"Impossible! This is Nascent Soul-level spiritual sense!"

Qin Ming's gaze was as calm as still water; his voice, utterly unruffled: "Nothing is impossible, Brother Lin. You have only yourself to blame—for your ambition was too great."

"The Southern Wilderness is Qin Mou's hometown; how can I allow you to act so recklessly?"

At this moment, Lin Zi's gaze held nothing but unwillingness, shock, and incomprehension.

In merely a few decades, relying on Muhe Laogui's assistance, he had broken through to the late-stage Jin Dan realm, feeling that his growth had been incredibly rapid.

None within the demonic path could compare to him.

Yet who could have expected that Qin Ming, that good neighbor who had walked out of Qingyang Market together with him, would actually step ahead of him first, reaching a realm unattainable to him.

Swish! Giving him no chance whatsoever.

The black steel fork in Shi Tian Shu's hand swept across, a flash of mysterious light erupted, and Lin Zi's head flew straight off, rolling onto the ground.

Thus, a generation of demonic tyrant who had dominated the Southern Wilderness Immortal Realm fell right here.

Even in death, Lin Zi's eyes remained wide open, as if he could not believe all of this.

Qin Ming flicked his finger, cast the Thorn Technique to drain his corpse dry, transforming it into a single blood bead.

However, just at this moment.

Taking advantage of Qin Ming and Shi Tian Shu's inattention, a gray illusory figure actually rushed panic-stricken from Lin Zi's dried corpse, turning into a lingering shadow in its desperate attempt to flee.

Boom! A trace of mockery crossed Qin Ming's lips; with a casual wave of his hand, a blood-colored gauze tent enveloped the entire space.

It was precisely the third-grade top-grade demonic treasure he had obtained from the Holy Son of the Blood Refinement Demonic Sect—the Demon Luo Heavenly Tent.

That gray spiritual body slammed fiercely against the blood-colored light wall, nearly scattering apart.

"Aiyo-wei!"

"Fellow Daoist, spare my life!"

Qin Ming focused his gaze and saw that this spiritual body was actually a ragged, gray, disheveled old man; at this moment, he was in a wretched state, kowtowing repeatedly toward him in sheer panic, displaying not a shred of the demeanor of a high expert...

Although he knew that Lin Zi's ability to grow so quickly was absolutely inseparable from this "old grandfather."

Yet he had not the slightest interest in such matters escaping his control and was about to crush this soul to death.

But that old man hurriedly waved his hands and shouted loudly: "This old man is Qingyangzi of Qingyuan Sect; I am of great use to you, Fellow Daoist! Please show mercy!"

"That heaven-damned Lin Zi, stubbornly going his own way and refusing to listen to this old ancestor's advice, has utterly trapped me; I am truly numb! Wuu-wuu-wuu!"

"I have sensed the magic power aura of the 'Green Emperor Technique' on you, Fellow Daoist; surely we must not let floodwaters sweep the Dragon King's temple!"

"This old man is willing to offer a strand of my fundamental divided soul; from now on, I shall be entirely at your command."

Overcome with emotion, that down-and-out old man actually lost his composure and began to weep.

(End of Chapter)