Chapter 470: Return

Qin Ming stared at the opposite figure, the Seven Sorrow Mojun, studying him for a long while, thoroughly satisfied with this new disguise.

Originally, his demonic nascent soul primarily cultivated the physical body; his Yuan Sha True Demon Body could utterly crush other cultivation base cultivators of the same realm.

If he continued cultivating toward an advanced realm, he could literally walk unchecked through the Immortal Realm.

The main focus is on being both meaty and violent.

"My second nascent soul wearing this disguise is truly seamless—perfectly matched."

"It seems I shall bring peace to the Blood Refining Demon Sect."

The Seven Sorrow Mojun smirked strangely and said to the Shi Tian Shu on his shoulder: "Then why not come with me to cultivate in the Demon Sect?"

"According to this man's memories, the Demon Sect has many alluring demon pets and demonic cultivators."

Upon hearing this, the Shi Tian Shu was instantly terrified, leaping back behind Qin Ming and laughing nervously: "No no no, I'd rather cultivate with my master."

"The path of the demonic arts doesn't suit me, hehehe."

Then.

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Qin Ming and his demonic nascent soul split up, flying out of the underwater canyon toward the sea surface.

…

Meanwhile.

In the Blood Huan Realm, within a deep, secluded hall of the Blood Refining Demon Sect's forbidden zone.

On the rack housing the sect elders' soul lamps, the life lamp representing the Seven Sorrow Mojun suddenly flickered, then blazed brightly again.

An old man with long eyebrows, seated on a meditation cushion, radiated an unfathomable aura; he opened his cloudy eyes and glanced at the rack.

"Hmm?"

Seeing the soul lamp still burning, the long-browed elder closed his eyes once more, silence returning, the man merging into the world as if he never existed.

…

The Eastern Sea Immortal Realm.

After emerging from the sea, Qin Ming released his spiritual sense to scan the area.

He found that the old man Tianjizi was indeed genuine—when disaster struck, everyone fled for themselves, long gone.

As for Han Ya Shangren, Qin Ming still intended to rescue him, since he doubted Han Ya could defeat that Blood Refining Demon Sect's Holy Maiden.

After all, Han Ya Shangren possessed many valuable items, guarding a treasure vault left behind by the Xuanqing Temple; it would be a pity if it fell into others' hands. Then.

He extended his spiritual sense slightly, quickly sensing a faint trace of energy left behind by Han Ya Shangren as he fled.

Immediately, Qin Ming transformed into a streak of emerald lightning, following the trail.

After flying for half a day.

He discovered Han Ya Shangren was heading toward Yunze Xiancheng.

Just as he continued chasing, a vast crowd appeared densely across the distant sky.

Yet Han Ya Shangren was returning with a group.

Seeing Qin Ming, Han Ya Shangren was greatly startled: "Young Brother Qin, you're still alive? That's wonderful!"

"I went ahead to fetch reinforcements for you, but it turns out they weren't needed at all."

Behind him stood Xia Yuangong, Long Yangzi, and others, arriving with cultivators from Yunze Xiancheng to provide aid.

Han Ya Shangren never imagined Qin Ming could survive the Seven Sorrow Mojun's pursuit—and seemed even more at ease than himself.

He felt deeply frustrated.

To escape the demoness's pursuit, he had paid a terrible price.

And the one chasing Qin Ming and others was a Mojun of Nascent Soul mid-stage—far more terrifying.

"Just luck," Qin Ming feigned great relief. "I specialize in a secret water-dodging technique; after much effort, I managed to shake off that Nascent Soul mid-stage demon cultivator."

Then, he added meaningfully to Han Ya Shangren: "But Young Brother Han Ya, you're truly blessed—you escaped unscathed from the hands of that Demon Sect Holy Maiden."

"How could I compare to you, Young Brother Qin? I barely escaped using a Divine Speed Talisman, and just happened to meet the two city lords of Yunze Xiancheng—otherwise, I'd be dead today," Han Ya Shangren replied, still shaken.

"That bitch is truly dangerous—her ice techniques gave me a terrible beating."

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi and others had also received the rescue signal from Long Yuan Island; a flood of intercontinental spirit ships rushed toward Long Yuan Island and happened upon Han Ya Shangren.

Qin Ming also exchanged pleasantries with the two.

He immediately recounted the full situation on Long Yuan Island to them.

The people of Yunze Xiancheng.

Upon hearing that the entire Long Yuan Island had been corrupted by demonic energy and that a massive Void Eye had formed.

Both city lords turned pale, immediately bade farewell to Qin Ming and the others, and departed for the Star Palace to report and handle the matter.

"Such a scale of demonic corruption—Long Yuan Island will likely become Demon Abyss Island from now on, sigh!" Han Ya Shangren sighed heavily.

Qin Ming frowned and asked: "Why do you say that, Young Brother Han Ya?"

"The Eastern Sea Immortal Realm and the Dragon Palace of the Sea Tribes both have Huashenzong Sects stationed—surely they can cleanse this Void Eye?"

Han Ya Shangren explained slowly: "Young Brother Qin, you're unaware—I've studied this before. Ancient texts mention cases of demonic corruption."

"When the ancient demonic realms invaded other minor realms, they brought vast amounts of demonic energy. Ordinary human cultivators couldn't utilize or refine it—they were merely corrupted and suffered greatly."

"Yet some humans adapted to this environment, using the demonic sects' powerful demonic arts to refine them into cultivations suitable for humans; those who practiced these methods became demon cultivators, forming the demonic path."

"Strictly speaking, the Blood Huan Realm evolved precisely this way."

"A Void Eye-level demonic corruption—even a Soul Transformation elder would struggle to purge the released demonic energy in a short time; it will soon contaminate nearby seas, bringing another wave of mass slaughter."

"In my view, the Eastern Sea Immortal Realm now faces an extremely powerful demonic descent; the future may leave them unable to help themselves."

"Zhongzhou and the Southern Wastes—we must handle it ourselves."

"Young Brother Qin, this is no place to linger—we must return quickly and prepare for the coming upheaval."

After listening to Han Ya Shangren's words, Qin Ming also nodded thoughtfully.

"Mm, although the distance between our Southern Wild Immortal Realm and Great Jin is vast, we must still watch out for and assist each other."

"After cooperating with the Demon Beasts, passing directly through the Beast Cry Mountain Range has reduced the journey between us by more than half."

"That goes without saying," Han Ya Shangren nodded and said.

Before departing, he instructed Hua Tianxiong to settle and arrange the shops within Yunze Xiancheng, which could serve as a foothold in the Eastern Sea in the future, facilitating the collection of spiritual materials.

Hua Tianxiong, however, returned to the Southern Wild together with Qin Ming.

Subsequently.

Qin Ming ordered Shi Jin to set sail, and together with Han Ya Shangren, they boarded the Black Sail Ship, embarking on the journey home.

……

……

On the other side.

Dragon Abyss Island was a scene of devastation, filled everywhere with broken walls and ruined structures.

Ghostly entities hovered, and demonic qi raged wildly.

A massive Blood Demon Palace hung high above the floating island. At this moment.

The Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun, whose body Qin Ming's demonic infant had possessed, transformed into a streak of black light and returned to the vicinity of Dragon Abyss Island.

He halted his form, observed the situation on the island, and saw that the originally magnificent and grand island was now shrouded in dense ghostly qi, with demonic disciples everywhere busy looting and harvesting the aftermath.

It seemed this place would soon, just as Han Ya Shangren had said, completely transform into a demonic island.

"Disciples pay respects to Lord Qishang Mojun!"

Upon seeing the towering figure of the 'Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun' appear, the numerous demonic cultivators on the island all displayed expressions of piety, welcoming his arrival with postures of respect and worship.

Even two Nascent Soul Demon Lords came forward to pay their respects, illustrating just how lofty the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's status was within the Blood Refinement Demon Sect.

However, in the next instant.

Just as Qin Ming was about to land on the island, his fierce countenance shifted slightly as he detected another streak of ice-blue fleeing light following closely behind.

The fleeing light dispersed, revealing the slender figure of the Sister Lan Bing Saintess; upon seeing the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun, she also nodded slightly, acknowledging the greeting.

In the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's memories, this woman's personality had always been thus: taciturn and aloof.

Moreover, she was highly favored by the Soul Transformation Old Ancestor; although she was only at the early stage of Nascent Soul, her status within the Demon Sect was nearly equal to his own.

Therefore, he did not pay it too much heed.

Instead, his deep and powerful voice rang out as he deliberately asked her, "Fairy Sister Lan Bing, why were you relentlessly pursuing that Nascent Soul cultivator in green robes?"

"Could it be that you made some significant gain?"

"That person possessed a high-grade fleeing talisman treasure; just as I was about to catch up, reinforcements arrived from Yunze Xiancheng, allowing him to escape," the Sister Lan Bing Saintess replied indifferently.

Speaking of which.

She suddenly countered with a question, "I presume Fellow Daoist Seven Sorrow had quite a fruitful harvest?"

Qin Ming, adopting the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's tone, explained briefly: "This seat only managed to hunt down two human Nascent Soul cultivators; there was a young human male proficient in water-dodging divine abilities who managed to escape."

Upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared on the Sister Lan Bing Saintess's face, which had remained unchanged for ten thousand years.

For she knew all too well the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's strength; escaping from this mid-Nascent Soul Qishang Mojun, who specialized in demonic body-refining cultivation, was no small feat.

Without some genuine capability, such a thing would be utterly impossible.

Nevertheless, she did not harbor excessive suspicion.

Subsequently, the two flew back to the Blood Demon Palace together.

After entering the main hall, Qin Ming finally got a clear look at the true appearance of the Six Desires Qishang Mojun from the Ghost Domain Palace: he was a middle-aged cultivator with a deathly pale complexion.

"Fellow Daoist Six Desires, how did the battle situation fare on your end?" Qin Ming asked aloud.

The Six Desires Qishang Mojun coughed lightly and said with an uncertain expression, "I did not expect that Supreme Yang Shangren actually possessed some real strength; he exceeded this seat's expectations."

Qin Ming could easily see that the Six Desires Qishang Mojun must have suffered some losses, as he even appeared to have sustained minor injuries.

"Next, those people from the human Tianhai Alliance will likely organize a large army to come over; the Sea Race is close to us and will also send people to attack Dragon Abyss," the Six Desires Qishang Mojun said with a gloomy gaze.

Qin Ming remarked indifferently, "It matters not; with the Eye of the Void, the Void Fissures will continue to expand."

"Lord Tianhen, an elder of our Holy Sect, will descend upon the island soon; he will personally oversee the overall situation here."

"Lord Tianhen?" Upon hearing this name, even the Six Desires Qishang Mojun's expression flickered with a trace of imperceptible dread.

Qin Ming had also grasped some of the circumstances within the Demon Sect from the Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's memories.

Lord Tianhen was a late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivator of the Blood Refinement Demon Sect; his strength placed him among the absolute peak Demon Lords within the Blood World Realm, second only to the Soul Transformation Demon Venerables.

A late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivator possessed cultivation and power far surpassing those of the early and middle stages, capable of killing with a single strike in almost any encounter.

"So it is Elder Lord Tianhen who will oversee the overall situation; in that case, there is nothing to worry about."

Subsequently.

The three of them summoned the other Demon Lords back to the hall to jointly discuss the major matter of invading the Human Realm next.

"Next, let us discuss the plan together."

"Now that the overall situation on Dragon Abyss Island is settled, even if the humans send more reinforcements, it will be of no use."

"Mm, Elder Seven Sorrow, what should we do next?"

"Would it not be better to increase the number of Void passages in the Southern Wild Immortal Realm? What is your opinion?"

On the dignified countenance of 'Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun', a slight movement occurred as he said, "This seat has already grasped the situation in the Human Realm; the Southern Wild Immortal Realm is resource-poor and not worth our major exertion; for now, we should focus our main efforts on other regions."

"Yes! We respectfully obey Lord Seven Sorrow's divine decree!"

The Seven Sorrow Qishang Mojun's authority was immense; with just a few words, he alleviated the pressure of the descending realm upon the Southern Wild Immortal Realm.

……

……

On the other side.

Qin Ming and Elder Han Ya, aboard the Black Sail, had journeyed for nearly half a year and finally returned to the seas near the Three Kingdoms of Zhongzhou.

"Fellow Daoist Han Ya, would you care to visit my Moon-Gazing Island for a while?" Qin Ming asked with a welcoming smile.

Elder Han Ya shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Not this time; next time for certain. This seat must hurry back to the Dao-Upholding Alliance to handle affairs; this trip has already delayed many matters."

"That old fellow, True Monarch Wanbao, will likely mock me again."

Qin Ming could only nod. "Then let us part here; we shall meet again another day."

"Mm, Younger Brother Qin need not see me off further; mountains and rivers always meet again, and I am sure we will soon cross paths once more." Elder Han Ya smiled, cupping his fists toward him.

Yet Qin Ming suddenly remembered something and asked Elder Han Ya, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Han Ya, Qin Mou wishes to inquire about exchanging an item; do you happen to have such a spiritual treasure as 'Mysterious Dark Stone,' or perhaps news of it?"

"Qin Mou is willing to trade an entire jar of Lingxi Jade Liquid for it."

"Mysterious Dark Stone? This seat has never heard of such a thing," Elder Han Ya said, feigning contemplation with a bewildered expression.

Upon hearing that Qin Ming was willing to give up an entire jar of Lingxi Jade Liquid, his expression shifted dramatically.

Qin Ming immediately recorded the appearance and basic information of the Mysterious Dark Stone onto a jade slip and handed it to him.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Han Ya, please keep an eye out for Qin Mou when you have time; if there is any news, this exchange offer still stands."

Elder Han Ya was instantly overjoyed at these words and hastily took the jade slip from his hand.

"Rest assured, Younger Brother Qin; this seat will definitely keep watch over this matter for you."

Afterwards, the two parted ways on the Black Sea, and Elder Han Ya hurriedly returned to Great Jin.

Qin Ming continued aboard the Black Sail, and after about half a month, he too arrived in the seas near the Southern Wild Immortal Realm.

"Qin Qianbei, we have reached the Southern Wild," Shi Jin said, coming out with a face full of respect.

Qin Ming nodded and casually rewarded him with a bottle of pills to advance Jin Dan cultivation.

"Continue your duties in Tianlan Yunze Xiancheng, responsible for maritime cargo trade; Hua Tianxiong will be in contact with you."

"Yes! I strictly obey Qin Qianbei's instructions!"

Then Qin Ming waved his sleeve, mounted the Ling Xiao Imperial Carriage, transformed into a five-colored escape light, and vanished from the sky in an instant.

Shi Jin offered a thousand thanks, watched him depart, and then shouted orders to his Merfolk crew to return once more to the boundless sea...

(End of Chapter)