Chapter 459: Qilin Island

Six months later.

The Qilian Trading House's Du Yuan magic ship sailed steadily across the Black Sea, drawing ever closer to Qilin Island.

The Black Sea was treacherous, with endless hurricanes and towering waves, and fierce sea beasts lurking deep beneath.

These sea beasts frequently attacked passing vessels; despite the presence of numerous cultivators aboard the Du Yuan ship, the journey had been grueling.

During this long sea voyage, the fleet endured several crises, finally escaping the dangerous waters.

Once, they even encountered a massive school of Blood Sea Rampaging Sharks—numbering in the thousands—with over a dozen leaders reaching the late Second Stage, their bodies stretching a hundred zhang in length.

One collision would have sunk them to the ocean floor.

Had it not been for a sudden storm, the Qilian Trading House's magic ship would have directly encountered the shark swarm.

Even so, everyone aboard had been left breathless with fear.

Sinking in the Black Sea was no joke.

Han Yuan and the other two were also visibly tense—they had clearly never faced anything like this before.

"It seems traveling to Da Jin truly isn't easy—far from it, and the only route is riddled with peril."

"Only powerful factions can cross it."

Qin Ming stood on the deck, gazing at the furious, boundless Black Sea, and spoke with deep reflection.

"Naturally—only Da Jin's specially crafted Du Yuan ships can withstand the storms here. All others would be torn apart."

"Even notorious pirates dare not appear on the Black Sea."

"The greatest dangers are natural disasters and sea beasts."

The tall, thin middle-aged cultivator Gao Feng smiled as he explained beside Qin Ming.

Qin Ming nodded, recalling everything he'd endured during this time.

For the past half-year, his cultivation and farming had not been neglected.

After all, he now possessed the Xiao Ling Realm, a paradise where he could cultivate and farm at will—extremely convenient.

His life plant, Yin-Yang Mystic Vine, continued to grow vigorously.

The three spirit beasts needed no supervision; with the environment of a third-stage supreme spirit vein, they were all diligently cultivating.

During this time, Qin Ming assigned the Devouring Rat to farming, sending it to clear unopened land within the Xiao Ling Realm.

This caused it to constantly grumble inside—while Qin Ming stood on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze.

At that moment.

Suddenly, a deep, bell-like alarm echoed across the entire magic ship.

"All personnel return to your cabins immediately. Ahead lies the Spirit-Nullifying Phantom Mist zone, approximately five hundred li in extent."

"Reminder once more: all personnel—"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming and the others frowned and turned back into the cabin, sealing the windows and doors.

"May I ask, Brother Han, is this mist similar to the Northern Wastes' marshes?" Qin Ming asked.

Han Yuan sat down, sipped tea, and replied calmly: "Precisely. The sea we're crossing lies northeast of the Spirit-Nullifying Zone, and under certain weather conditions, the mist occasionally spreads onto the ocean."

"But rest assured, Brother Lu, the Du Yuan ship is protected by a specially crafted defensive array—safe enough."

"Ah, so the Northern Wastes' marshes are called the Spirit-Nullifying Zone." Qin Ming nodded in understanding.

At his side, the plump woman Liu Ye chuckled softly and added: "The Spirit-Nullifying Zone, as the name implies, is where the mist devours a cultivator's magic power until they die—even a Golden Core True Person cannot withstand its erosion."

"I see."

Qin Ming nodded—this finally clarified things.

Half a day later.

The Qilian Trading House's magic ship passed through a stretch of gray mist so thick that not even a hand could be seen. From within, cultivators gazed outward to see an aura of chilling dread, as if ready to swallow all things whole.

Qin Ming silently released a tendril of spiritual sense toward the mist outside—but the next instant, he was stunned: his spiritual sense, equivalent to that of a perfected Golden Core, was instantly devoured, vanishing without a trace.

He hastily retracted it, his face pale.

'This Spirit-Nullifying mist is truly formidable—even stronger than the mist illusions on my Wangyue Island by several times.'

It seemed Han Yuan noticed Qin Ming's distress.

Across from him, Han Yuan asked: "Brother Lu, are you unwell?"

"No issue—just unaccustomed to such a long sea voyage, a bit fatigued." Qin Ming forced a laugh.

The silver-haired elder Han Yuan nodded, pulling a vial of pills from his robe and handing it to Qin Ming: "This is normal. When I first sailed, I was worse than you—no one adapts to half a year of continuous travel on their first attempt."

"These Feng Lin Pills can ease fatigue."

"Also, remember this: while passing through the Spirit-Nullifying Mist, never probe with your spiritual sense—otherwise, you risk spiritual injury, or worse, your soul being devoured. Do not forget!"

Qin Ming broke into a cold sweat—his curiosity had nearly killed him.

He didn't refuse; over these past six months, he'd grown close to the three. He took the jade vial, poured out a pale greenish-blue spirit pill, and swallowed it.

'It's even a second-stage pill.'

……

Several days later.

The Qilian Trading House's ship emerged from the mist; sunlight once again bathed the deck, dispelling the earlier gloom.

Gradually,

A vast island appeared before their eyes.

Towering upon it was a massive volcano, continuously spewing thick smoke.

At first glance, it resembled a giant chimney standing in the sea—strikingly prominent.

"Brother Lu, Qilin Island has arrived!"

Han Yuan and the other two gazed at the distant island, their expressions brightening as they exhaled deeply.

"Finally—we're here. I thought I'd suffocate."

"This job is no easy one."

"Once we deliver our cargo to the Trading Society's headquarters, we'll rest properly."

"Brother Lu, we've taken to each other instantly, and you've treated us to fine wine—when we reach Da Jin, the three of us will host you, and you must accept."

Han Yuan said warmly.

"Of course, of course."

Qin Ming smiled in reply—these three from the Wanda Trading Society were straightforward and worth befriending.

An hour later.

The full view of Qilin Island expanded before Qin Ming's eyes.

The Qilian Trading House's ship slowly docked at the island's pier.

Hundreds of cultivators clad in crimson-and-purple robes stood ready, their sleeves and lapels embroidered with three interwoven flames—the emblem of Li Huo Palace.

Symbolizing their status as a Nascent Soul sect's dominant power.

Li Huo Palace's stationed cultivators appeared at the port, beginning to verify identities.

After identity checks and surrendering the Sacred Flame Token to enter the island,

Qin Ming followed the crowd ashore.

The moment he stepped onto Qilin Island, he was immediately struck by an overwhelming wave of scorching heat.

As far as he could see,

The island was barren, littered with black-gray rocks and ash from volcanic eruptions, a desolate, mottled wasteland.

Yet—

"Such intense fire spiritual energy…"

"This is… a pure third-stage supreme fire spirit vein!"

He was secretly stunned, marveling at the wonders of the Dao.

Instantly, he felt this journey had been worth it.

"I never imagined that across the endless Black Sea lay such a fiery land, blessed with a high-grade spirit vein—it's truly magnificent."

Hearing Qin Ming's awe, the tall, thin cultivator Gao Feng leaned over and chuckled: "Brother Lu, you may not know—this Qilin Island was first discovered by a Nascent Soul adept who attempted to cross the Black Sea."

"Though the island appears desolate, it's rich beyond measure—not just with the third-stage supreme fire spirit vein, but with countless spirit mineral resources."

"Especially the Qilin Jade Crystals, rare materials invaluable for alchemy, spirit plant cultivation, and artifact forging."

"The transit fees from the teleportation array are trivial—the real wealth lies in the island's resources."

"It's also a critical stronghold of Li Huo Palace, for Qilin Island's location is strategically vital—the teleportation array here connects Da Jin with all other cultivation realms, a crucial hub."

As Qin Ming listened to Gao Feng's explanation, he walked inward.

Before him appeared a shimmering blue protective array, within which countless buildings of black obsidian stone formed two vast districts, connected by a network of stone pathways.

Many cultivators shouted loudly, selling all manner of goods.

This gave Qin Ming a sense of unique cultural flavor.

"Passersby, come take a look!"

"Freshly Chulu second-stage mid-level Deep Sea Demon Eel—essential for body-refining cultivators, and also grants lasting potency! Only ninety-nine!"

……

(End of Chapter)