Chapter 427: Influence

Standing below, Mo Lingwei's delicate body trembled.

But suddenly, her entire person seemed frozen by an invisible force, unable to make any movement.

As if time had stood still... In the next moment.

Only Qin Ming, seated at the head, was visible; behind him appeared the illusory image of a lush ancient tree, its branches spreading wide, as emerald light continuously spread and rained down like a divine miracle.

The emerald afterglow spread and fell upon Mo Lingwei.

In an instant.

Inside Mo Lingwei's body, a strange fluctuation suddenly responded; strands of crimson rosy light condensed, then transformed into the illusory image of a phoenix spreading its wings.

Screech! A clear and ethereal phoenix cry echoed within the great hall, causing everyone's spirits to lift.

Accompanied by wisps of a strange, subtle fragrance.

Immediately after, the fiery red illusory phoenix circled and danced as if soaring straight up to the nine heavens, finally transforming into a red rune mark that landed between Mo Lingwei's eyebrows.

At this moment, Mo Lingwei's demeanor changed drastically; she appeared ethereal and floating, like a goddess descending from the heavens, radiating a soul-stirring spiritual charm.

"It truly is the legendary Phoenix Cry Body."

"Indeed, somewhat interesting."

Qin Ming slightly raised his hand, withdrawing his divine ability, and all the strange phenomena within the great hall immediately vanished without a trace.

Standing not far away, Shi Tian Shu felt greatly disappointed, muttering in a voice finer than a mosquito's: "So this is how one checks..."

As Qin Ming withdrew his divine ability, the rosy light on Mo Lingwei dispersed, and she returned to normal.

At this moment, she resembled a frightened little deer, at a loss and knowing not what to do.

Just from that single move earlier, Mo Lingwei could feel that she had been thoroughly scrutinized by the other party.

"This seat has saved you several times; surely you should give something in return?"

"When this seat breaks through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, I intend to take your primordial yin; are you willing?"

Qin Ming came straight to the point, speaking thus.

Shi Tian Shu: "..."

Hearing this, Mo Lingwei below blushed deeply; she stammered and asked, "Senior Zhenjun, wasn't it... wasn't it just this one time?"

"Where did these several lifesaving graces come from?"

Qin Ming smiled faintly, then activated his True Demon Illusion, transforming into the appearance of a burly man with a curly beard.

It was precisely the once-renowned 'Long Daoist' of the Southern Wild Immortal Realm! "This..." Mo Lingwei stood there completely stunned.

She was no stranger to this person.

She never expected that such a formidable figure from the past would actually be the same person as Qin Ming... "Fairy Mo, aside from the time the Zhao family unleashed demonic plants to wreak havoc on Lingxi Islands, when you secretly followed those fellows from the Ten Thousand Souls Valley into the demonic cave on Qianye Spirit Island, it was also this seat who saved you."

"Ever since you boarded the Zhao family's pirate ship, from the time the Lingxi Islands San Alliance issued a warrant for your arrest until now, you have been dragging your clan around in hiding, even traveling ten thousand li to seek survival in the territory of the demonic path of the Jin Kingdom."

"The taste of all this hasn't been too pleasant, has it?"

"As long as you agree to what this seat has said, all these problems currently facing you will cease to exist."

"Furthermore, this seat can promise you that before I attempt to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, I will not take your primordial yin body; instead, I will even provide you with some resources for support."

"After all, your current realm of late-Foundation Establishment is indeed far too low."

"You may go back and consider it carefully before giving this seat your answer."

Qin Ming looked at her with a smiling expression, seemingly in no hurry for Mo Lingwei to reply immediately.

Mo Lingwei's eyes were filled with complex emotions; she was not a coy person, nor some chaste martyr, and after weighing the pros and cons, she immediately nodded lightly and replied, "Lingwei thanks Zhenjun for your grace!"

Over these years, she had grown tired enough of the bitter life of hiding and fleeing; it would be better to return to her roots and stay by Qin Ming's side, where there might even be a sliver of chance to reach Golden Core.

Immediately after, Qin Ming took out some spirit pills and bestowed them upon her, saying, "You may recall your clansmen and move back to your Qingxia Island."

"Regarding the San Alliance, this seat will communicate with them; you may return openly without any worries."

Subsequently, Mo Lingwei gratefully accepted the bestowed treasures and withdrew.

As she walked out of the Green Wood Pavilion, she still felt as though she were living in a dream.

Mo Lingwei gave a bitter smile: "I never expected that one day I would be able to lead my clansmen back to this native soil..."

In truth, Qin Ming did this merely to prepare an additional backup plan.

With two Nascent Souls currently within him, reaching the mid-Nascent Soul stage was only a matter of time.

However, reaching the late-Nascent Soul stage, or even the Great Perfection, would be entirely different.

After everyone had left.

The great hall became empty, leaving only Qin Ming and Shi Tian Shu.

Shi Tian Shu, quick-eyed and fast-handed, scurried forward with a grin and asked, "Master, recently I have gained new insights into my ancestral massage techniques; would you like to try? Hehe!"

"Mm, arrange it." Qin Ming immediately closed his eyes to rest his spirit.

Shi Tian Shu nimbly climbed onto Qin Ming's shoulder and stealthily performed his ancestral specialty.

Mere days later.

The shocking news that Qin Ming had successfully survived the heavenly tribulation on Wangyue Island and achieved the status of a Nascent Soul Zhenjun spread throughout the Southern Wild Immortal Realm like a thunderclap.

More importantly, under his decree, the four kingdoms of the Southern Wild were unified, establishing the Four Kingdoms Alliance.

This meant that for the next thousand years, the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, under the protection of a Nascent Soul Zhenjun, would usher in an unprecedented period of vigorous development.

Once this earth-shaking news emerged, the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm was enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration; from now on, the name 'Wangyue Zhenjun' would, before long, surely spread to the three kingdoms of Zhongzhou, and even become known to the major powers of the entire human Immortal Realm.

"Alas! Wangyue Zhenjun is truly the inspirational legendary cultivator of our Southern Wild!"

"To actually walk step by step to the Nascent Soul realm; the legend continues!"

"That is right; if someone else achieved Nascent Soul, what would that have to do with me? But Wangyue Zhenjun is different; he has saved the Southern Wild from crisis several times."

"Nowadays, he has already become the spiritual pillar in the hearts of us scattered cultivators!"

"Friend, your words hold merit. According to internal rumors, Master Wangyue seized the Golden Core seed from Brother Li Huo Palace and demanded that Master Brother Li Huo come personally to retrieve his disciple—truly avenging the Southern Wilderness for us! It's utterly satisfying!"

"Ah? There's more to this? I'll treat everyone to this meal—friend, please tell us the full story."

Such scenes unfolded in the streets and alleys of every Immortal City, as all spoke of Master Wangyue's name, and his reputation's value continued to rise.

And.

With the Southern Wilderness birthing a new Nascent Soul cultivator, the balance of the Immortal Realm had already shifted.

It even affected the Three Kingdoms of Zhongzhou, now engulfed in war.

They had even paused their fighting for a time.

After all, Brother Li Huo Palace had forcibly conscripted Southern Wilderness cultivators to fight, yet their Nascent Core seed now rested in the hands of this newly ascended Nascent Soul—forcing them to obediently recall all those expendable troops.

For even thousands of expendable soldiers could not match the immense resources Brother Li Huo Palace had spent to cultivate a single Nascent Core seed.

…

Half a month later, Qin Ming emerged from his cave after completing his seclusion.

"I suppose Brother Su, Hua Tianxiong, and Yue Lingyan in Da Jin have already heard the news?"

At that moment.

Shi Tian Shu ran back from outside and said to Qin Ming: "Master, Wei Wuyuan is here to see you."

Qin Ming had already sensed his presence: "Have him enter."

Moments later.

A blue aura streaked down onto the main peak, revealing Wei Wuyuan's figure.

"Wei Wuyuan, pays homage to Master Wangyue!"

Qin Ming waved his hand, smiling faintly: "No need for formalities. What brings you, Wei Mengzhu?"

Wei Wuyuan gazed at Qin Ming, whose Nascent Soul-level magical power radiated outward—envious, yet dare not overstep.

He let out a bitter laugh and explained his purpose: "I owe you thanks for this position—if not for you, Lei Yuanzong would need centuries more to reach such stature in the Southern Wilderness."

"I've come now to ask: when do you intend to hold the Nascent Soul Ceremony?"

As the Alliance Leader of the Four Kingdoms, he naturally had to be astute—these matters must be handled properly, to honor Master Wangyue's investment. Qin Ming's head throbbed at the mention of this—he detested such formalities.

Moreover, to break through to Nascent Soul, he had already scoured every possible location in the Southern Wilderness.

The Southern Wilderness, this backwater, now held nothing worthy of his attention.

He had already held one Jin Dan Ceremony—enduring another round of flattery from low-level cultivators would be utterly tedious.

His network was already broad enough; he had no need to host a ceremony to accumulate wealth.

Thus, after brief thought, Qin Ming said: "Let's skip the Nascent Soul Ceremony. Tell the sects below not to waste resources—your goodwill is enough. I accept it in spirit."

"Ah? My Lord, how can this be?" Wei Wuyuan blinked, then smiled bitterly: "You don't understand."

"Your breakthrough to Nascent Soul is the first in the Southern Wilderness in thousands of years."

"Its significance is extraordinary."

"It will greatly elevate the Southern Wilderness's influence in the Immortal Realm."

"Even neighboring Immortal Realms have reached out, inquiring about this very matter."

At that moment.

Shi Tian Shu, beside him, could no longer stay silent and stepped forward to say:

"Sigh! Master, I know you're a humble soul who dislikes the spotlight—but now that you've broken through to Nascent Soul, you've already altered the balance of this Immortal Realm, even influencing the war in Da Jin."

"Your strength no longer allows you to remain humble!"

Qin Ming and Wei Wuyuan nearly lost their composure.

Qin Ming slapped Shi Tian Shu's head and scolded: "Don't think I don't know your little scheme—you're just eager for the feast, aren't you? And that little silver fox you're pining for."

Shi Tian Shu, caught out, scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly.

Then, after hearing Wei Wuyuan and Shi Tian Shu, Qin Ming conceded they had a point and agreed.

"Then entrust the arrangements to you, Wei Mengzhu, and Gu Qingzhao. Decide the date yourselves."

"Just notify me when the time comes."

"Yes! I humbly obey your Lordship's decree!" Wei Wuyuan's face lit up at Qin Ming's final consent.

After reporting recent developments in the Immortal Realm, he departed to make preparations.

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(End of Chapter)