Chapter 448: Great Dao Lightning Tribulation Tea

"May I ask how this Daoist friend should be addressed?"

Above this boundless sea, everything is decided by strength alone.

Constrained by the overwhelming pressure exerted by the bearded giant before him, Elder Hei Xuan had no choice but to lower his stance and inquire.

"This one bears the surname Long," Qin Ming replied in a resonant, muffled voice.

"Oh ho ho! So it is Daoist Long; long have I heard your name!" Elder Hei Xuan did not probe into the other's origins or background; after all, everyone who came to this place was here to sell stolen goods or purchase supplies at the black market.

Then he immediately continued, "As for the fourth-rank or higher extraterrestrial strange metals that Daoist Long requires, Black Abyss Island indeed possesses none at present; however, this old man does have channels for obtaining information."

"Currently, there are two methods: the first is for Daoist Long to issue a bounty, and this old one will order people to gather them up."

"As for what price Daoist Long can afford to offer, that depends entirely on yourself."

"How long will it take?" Qin Ming asked indifferently.

Smiling broadly, Elder Hei Xuan said, "If fast, a few days; if slow, a few months; regarding this point, this old man still has confidence."

"However, the price offered by Daoist Long cannot be too low; at minimum, it must match the value of fourth-rank or higher extraterrestrial strange metals."

"And the second method?" Qin Ming nodded.

Chuckling softly, Elder Hei Xuan said, "The second method is for us to provide Daoist Long with specific information regarding the extraterrestrial strange metals; whether you can obtain them or not will depend entirely on Daoist Long yourself."

"This old man will only charge a small fee for the information; it will not be too high."

"Heh heh heh!"

After only a brief moment of consideration, Qin Ming leaned forward, his gaze burning like torches, and declared, "I want them all!"

"Ah?" Even Elder Hei Xuan had not expected such a major customer to arrive today; putting on a smiling face, he said, "That is naturally also possible."

"I wonder what various prices Daoist Long is willing to pay to search for fourth-rank extraterrestrial strange metals?"

Qin Ming took out an exquisite jade bottle and placed it before Elder Hei Xuan, saying, "So long as there is fourth-rank extraterrestrial strange metal of sufficiently good quality, it can be exchanged for this Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill in my hand."

"An Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill!!"

Elder Hei Xuan took the jade bottle, opened it to inspect the contents, and after confirming everything was correct, he felt slightly shocked.

After all, this was a fourth-rank miraculous pill used to traverse the Nascent Soul heart-demon tribulation.

As the saying goes, under a heavy reward, there will surely be brave men! He believed many people would be willing to bring out their most treasured items for exchange.

"Daoist Long, please rest assured."

"Leave this matter entirely to this old man; within these two days, I will deliver the items you need."

Elder Hei Xuan said with a hint of excitement in his eyes; through this back-and-forth transaction, he too could skim off quite a bit of profit in the middle.

"And what about the other extraterrestrial strange metal intelligence you mentioned?" Qin Ming asked indifferently.

Elder Hei Xuan immediately froze, then took a jade slip from his storage bag, flicked it with his finger, and handed it to Qin Ming, saying:

"Since Daoist Long is so straightforward."

"This piece of intelligence shall be gifted to Daoist Long free of charge."

"According to confirmed information from several decades ago, a meteorite once fell upon Turtle-Tortoise Island, emitting the aura of a fourth-rank spiritual ore; presumably, high-grade strange metals are hidden within it."

"However... this Turtle-Tortoise Island occupies a special geographical location; it lies within the territory of the East Sea Long Gong sea races, and furthermore, this island serves as the old nest of a shape-shifting great demon; thus, acquiring this treasure will be quite difficult..."

"Therefore, one can only succeed through cunning: lure away the shape-shifting great demon, then seize the opportunity to enter the island and retrieve the extraterrestrial meteoric gold."

While providing the intelligence, Elder Hei Xuan also reminded Qin Ming of the complex situation on the island.

'This Elder Hei Xuan actually shows some integrity; no wonder he has been able to operate this black market here for so long.'

"Turtle-Tortoise Island, East Sea demon races?" Qin Ming took the jade slip and began browsing its contents.

A moment later.

He asked again, "Does Daoist Hei Xuan know clearly what specific cultivation level the shape-shifting great demon on Turtle-Tortoise Island possesses?"

"Uh... that sea region is extremely dangerous, and few cultivators venture there; however, there have been those who luckily escaped with their lives and returned alive; the great demon on Turtle-Tortoise Island should be at the peak of the early fourth-rank realm, only one step away from breaking through to the mid fourth-rank."

"However, so many years have passed that now it is hard to say for certain; it depends on how Daoist Long plans to proceed," Elder Hei Xuan said, detailing every matter meticulously.

"If Daoist Long does not require a large quantity of extraterrestrial strange metals, would it not be better to wait on the island for two days? This old man should be able to deliver some to you by then."

"There is hardly any need to take risks by going to that Turtle-Tortoise Island."

Qin Ming, however, paid it no mind; he simply stood up and said to him, "Daoist Hei Xuan, please help gather them first; this one will return in a few days to collect them."

Having said this, he exchanged a few more words with the other party, then rose and departed.

After Qin Ming left, the female cultivator in the purple robe tremblingly asked, "Island Master, could it be that this person will truly go to that Turtle-Tortoise Island to retrieve the treasure?"

"Hmph! This old man has said all that needed to be said; whether he listens or not is his own affair; if he dies on Turtle-Tortoise Island, then it has nothing to do with me," Elder Hei Xuan said dismissively.

The female cultivator in the purple robe asked again, "This person's strength is so formidable; he must be an extremely powerful figure even among those at the early Nascent Soul realm? I wonder what his origins are."

"The Immortal Mansion Grand Meeting is about to convene; all sorts of demons and monsters are emerging, including some reclusive old fellows with strange temperaments who have not appeared for ages; from now on, you must learn to read the situation before acting."

"If this old man had not rushed back in time today, I fear you would have already died at the hands of that fellow surnamed Long; if it had truly come to blows, even this old man would likely have been forced to retreat three paces," Elder Hei Xuan said, his eyes flashing.

The female cultivator in the purple robe repeatedly agreed; she was still filled with lingering fear over everything that had just occurred.

On the other side.

After leaving Black Abyss Island, Qin Ming, following the map on the jade slip given by Elder Hei Xuan, flew straight toward Turtle-Tortoise Island.

Nowadays, even when facing a shape-shifting great demon, so long as it was not at the late realm, he no longer felt any fear.

Furthermore, with the Gou Yu Jin Guang Mirror in his possession, boasting a full-health killing threshold of over four thousand years, so long as he did not encounter a beast with absurdly long lifespan or a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could basically walk horizontally anywhere.

This was a strong confidence in his current strength. "It is merely finding a piece of strange metal, not fighting a shape-shifting demon saint to the death; at the very worst, I can just exchange treasures for it."

Thus thought Qin Ming.

After all, he loved peace and enjoyed forging good connections with others; he would not readily resort to violence, and if a peaceful exchange was possible, that would naturally be best.

One day later.

Piloting the Lingxiao Precious Carriage, he entered the territory of the East Sea Long Gong demon races.

After entering this sea region, the number of cultivators visible began to gradually decrease.

This area was classified as a dangerous sea region, where many Sea King-class beasts with terrifying cultivation strength roamed.

Half a day later, Qin Ming entered a pitch-black sea region.

But immediately afterward, his expression suddenly changed! In the distance appeared a small-scale black island, shaped like a giant turtle.

The island was covered in black rock spires, yet above it hovered a massive cloud of spiritual energy mist, funnel-shaped, frantically pouring into the interior.

"Master, what is happening?"

The Shi Tian Shu stood on Qin Ming's shoulder, raising a paw to gaze toward the island from afar.

"Wasn't it said that Ao-Bie Island only had one form-transforming great demon? The phenomenon before us... why does it look somewhat off?"

Just as its voice fell, the spiritual energy mist cloud in the sky dispersed.

Immediately following.

Boom-crack! Suddenly.

A tremendously huge and terrifying black tribulation cloud rapidly condensed and formed, emitting Lei Ting filled with a destructive aura; after brewing for a moment, it crashed down with a thunderous roar.

"Damn! A form-transforming Lei Jie!"

The Shi Tian Shu tightly grabbed Qin Ming, ducking behind him while letting out a strange cry.

Qin Ming also gazed at the distant Ao-Bie Island now covered in Lei Ting, unable to help but furrow his brows.

Immediately, he directly expanded his divine sense to sweep inside, only to see a black Profound Turtle, over thirty zhang in size, undergoing its form-transforming heavenly tribulation on the island.

However, the next moment.

His attention fell upon a spiritual plant nearby; judging by its characteristics, it was clearly a small tea tree, emerald green and dripping with vitality.

Yet this small spiritual tea tree not only failed to turn to ash and smoke under the form-transforming Lei Ting, but instead absorbed the power of these thunderbolts, emitting a verdant, misty vital energy!

Silver-blue electric arcs constantly traversed this two-foot-plus tall spiritual tea tree, appearing exceedingly miraculous.

Since this tea tree was not large and grew in a corner of the rock wall, the black Profound Turtle likely hadn't noticed it and was merely striving to cross its tribulation.

As the terrifying web of Lei Ting continuously fell, after absorbing enough lightning power, this strange spiritual tea tree actually grew slowly, increasing by about an inch.

In Qin Ming's knowledge, there had never been any impression related to such a miraculous tea tree.

"To actually sprout and grow during the baptism of a Lei Jie; if it was nurtured into existence, it is likely a spiritual plant of fourth tier or higher..."

Just as he paused to observe.

"Hmph!"

A fierce, cold snort came from the nearby space.

Immediately following, a sharp and overwhelmingly domineering fist shadow attacked!

Qin Ming tossed the Shi Tian Shu into his small spiritual realm, then joined his five fingers together, forming a fist, and blasted toward the left-rear side.

Boom! Crack! A violent collision sound rang out in mid-air, and a terrifying shockwave diffused outward, rolling up massive tsunamis across the sea surface.

A black figure flew backward, barely stabilizing its stance to stand firm.

As for Qin Ming, he remained completely unmoved.

Opposite him materialized the figure of a middle-aged man in a black robe with a square face, who was looking at him with an expression of shock and suspicion.

"Who are you? Why do you covet my Ao-Bie Island?"

Qin Ming's gaze was calm; observing the thick demonic energy emanating from the other party, he needed no further thought to know this person was likely the form-transforming great demon residing on Ao-Bie Island.

Thus, he withdrew his fist and said indifferently, "I am Daoist Long; I came here to conduct some trade with you, to exchange for certain items, and bear no malicious intent."

"May I ask how you are addressed? Could it be that your offspring is undergoing a form-transforming heavenly tribulation on the island?"

Hearing the bearded burly man speak thus, the middle-aged man in black finally breathed a sigh of relief, though he did not relax his vigilance because of it.

For among the human race, there were many cunning individuals who went back on their word.

"I am Ao Feng, the Black Rock Demon Saint of the East Sea; what the fellow Daoist said is correct," the middle-aged man in black stated.

Simultaneously, the Black Rock Demon Saint was secretly astonished; just now, when he exchanged a fist with this human.

Given his powerful demonic body strength, he had actually fallen into a disadvantageous position.

Although he had not used his full strength, judging by the bearded burly man's casual demeanor, it was evident he too had held back.

Furthermore, seeing the other party's confident and fearless appearance, even the Black Rock Demon Saint dared not strike rashly again.

Right now was the critical moment for his offspring's Tribulation Crossing; absolutely no mishaps could occur.

Thus, the Black Rock Demon Saint's thoughts churned, and he immediately said, "Can Daoist Long wait until my son completes his heavenly tribulation before we talk?"

"As long as what you seek is not too excessive, everything is negotiable; I am not an unreasonable person."

Qin Ming's eyes flickered, and in a deep, muffled voice, he briefly replied with two words: "Agreed."

(End of Chapter)