Chapter 477: Turmoil, Spirit Venerable

Inside the Green Wood Pavilion.

All the fellow Nascent Soul cultivators present, along with the four great demon beasts who had come to offer congratulations, stepped forward one after another to extend their wishes, immediately presenting gift offerings to Qin Ming.

These items were originally intended for the Heaven-Devouring Rat, so Qin Ming could only accept them on its behalf.

As the saying goes: raise a rat for a thousand days, use it for a single moment.

Now was the time for it to repay the debt.

The treasures sent by everyone were a dazzling array of rare items seldom seen in the outside world.

At that moment, these top-tier figures of the Immortal Realm spoke with extreme politeness toward Qin Ming.

After all, a fourth-stage shapeshifting great demon beast, plus a Nascent Soul Qin Qin Zhenjun of considerable strength, made for a formidable combination.

Such combat power, viewed across the entire Immortal Realm, was not to be underestimated.

Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators simply could not afford a fourth-stage spirit pet.

Leaving aside the difficulty of cultivation itself, raising such a fourth-stage great demon beast required such a vast amount of resources that it could drain the very foundations of a major sect.

Only a Nascent Soul Qin Qin Zhenjun like Qin Ming, whose attainments in both spirit planting and the Dao of alchemy were unparalleled, possessed the financial means to cultivate such a heaven-defying spirit beast.

Furthermore, the requirements for the Dao of Beast Taming were even higher.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin! Don't tell me you are also a fourth-stage Beast Tamer? You've hidden this from us so well!" Tianjizi said with a sour tone.

They had just witnessed with their own eyes the scene where the Heaven-Devouring Rat displayed its divine might, defeating two Nascent Soul cultivators of the demonic path simultaneously while fighting alone.

This made the cultivators present feel even more apprehensive.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat's great divine ability to devour Nascent Souls was simply unforgettable for the rest of their lives; of course, while some offered sincere congratulations, others were green with envy but refrained from speaking out due to saving face.

Qin Ming indeed held no good feelings toward that old fellow Tianjizi.

Back when everyone had fled from Dragon Abyss Island, regarding the speed of selling out comrades, how could one word "fast" suffice? Yet just at that moment.

The black-feathered demon cultivator who had arrived together with Demon Saint Gushan and the others spoke with noticeable dissatisfaction: "I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Qin's great name, and I am aware that you share a good relationship with Brother Gushan and Fellow Daoist Silver Moon."

Saying this, the black-feathered demon cultivator paused for a moment, then continued:

"However, although the Heaven-Devouring Rat King was formerly a spirit pet under Fellow Daoist Qin's command, now that he has ascended to the position of Demon Saint, Fellow Daoist Qin should release him, shouldn't he?"

"After all, for a dignified fourth-stage Demon Saint to remain subservient under your human race is a disgrace to the reputation of our demon race."

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally harmonious atmosphere in the main hall was shattered, and the expressions on everyone's faces froze.

Instantly, silence fell, so profound that the drop of a needle could be heard.

The old Nascent Soul monsters present wore strange expressions but dared not make a sound.

The reason was that this black-feathered demon cultivator before them was Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint, the clan leader of the Gale Condor tribe, whose cultivation realm was at the mid fourth-stage.

Although his strength did not compare to that of a late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivator of the human race, he was still slightly superior when facing an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Once human cultivators reached the late Nascent Soul stage, they were qualified as great cultivators of the Human Realm, and their divine abilities and methods differed little from those of late fourth-stage great demon beasts.

Therefore, upon reaching this stage, whether one was of the demon race or the human race, it all depended on their respective treasures and divine abilities.

Upon hearing this, Demon Saint Gushan did not offer much opinion either.

Because just as Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint had stated, for a Demon Saint of their Beast Cry Mountain Range to become a beast pet of a human Nascent Soul cultivator was indeed somewhat unreasonable.

Standing from the perspective of the demon race.

This matter concerned the reputation of the demon race, so he found it difficult to say much, and even agreed somewhat with Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint's viewpoint.

Furthermore, a fourth-stage Demon Saint was certainly capable of influencing the situation across various factions.

"That is not quite right, is it? Fellow Daoist Brother Hei Feng, do you think I do not know what is on your mind?"

"If the Heaven-Devouring Rat King had not received the resources poured in by Fellow Daoist Qin, let alone becoming the fourth-stage great demon beast he is today, he might not even have had the chance to reach the late third-stage."

"Now that he has achieved the status of Demon Saint, yet you wish to pluck the peach that Fellow Daoist Qin worked so hard to grow, that is hardly reasonable, is it?"

Yue Lingyan, standing to one side, remarked with deep implication.

Upon hearing this, Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint's face turned iron-green; he had not expected Yue Lingyan to disregard his face and speak up for Qin Ming, a human.

'Fellow Daoist Silver Moon, what is the meaning of this?' he secretly transmitted a voice to question her.

But before Yue Lingyan could answer.

Qin Ming revealed a smile harmless to both humans and beasts, looking at Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint with a grin as he said:

"When the Heaven-Devouring Rat initially entered under my command, indeed only a blood prohibition divine contract for two sixty-year cycles was signed."

"That time limit has long since passed; whether he stays or leaves depends entirely on his own whim."

"However, my affairs are not yet something for an outsider like you to interfere with."

"If Fellow Daoist Brother Hei Feng feels this disgraces the face of your demon race, you are entirely welcome to fight a round with me; speak of it only if you can defeat me."

Qin Ming's words were overwhelmingly domineering, showing not the slightest regard for Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint.

His own younger brother, the Great Black Heaven Demon Saint, had already been taken by him to soak in wine; would he fear threats from this one?

Although the other party might not yet know that this deed was his doing, Qin Ming indeed held no good feelings toward the Gale Condor tribe.

Nowadays, even someone as powerful as Qishang Mojun of the Blood Universe Realm was not his match, so Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint need not even be mentioned.

At worst, he would simply unleash a fire and teach him how to be a demon!

As Qin Ming's voice fell, not only did Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint's face turn extremely iron-green, but even the old Nascent Soul monsters of the human race were shocked.

They had not expected that Qin Ming would dare to speak such words to Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint.

Either he was extremely confident in his own cultivation and strength, or he was relying on the large number of fellow cultivators present to dare utter such ruthless words.

After all, Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint was at the mid fourth-stage realm, slightly stronger than an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

They did not believe that Qin Ming could truly defeat Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint.

In the seating area, Cold Crow Shangren, dressed in a green robe, seeing the situation developing in an uncontrollable direction, hurriedly stood up to smooth things over: "Hehehe! Fellow Daoist Qin, Fellow Daoist Brother Hei Feng..."

"Today is a day of great joy; let us not hurt our harmony."

"Now is a critical moment of the demonic path's invasion; our cooperation between the human race and the demon race must continue, don't you agree?"

Upon Elder Han Ya saying this, Brother Gushan, the Demon Saint beside him, also nodded and turned to speak to Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng:

"Brother Hei Feng, let this matter end here."

"Fellow Daoist Qin has already stated that his divine contract with Saint Shi has concluded; when Saint Shi emerges from closed-door cultivation, we can simply ask for his opinion then."

Provoked in such a manner, Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng was filled with rage and unwilling to yield, yet constrained by Brother Gushan's persuasion, he forced himself to suppress the emotions about to erupt.

He merely coldly tossed out a sentence:

"Hmph! This seat only wished to warn you slightly; do not bring ruin upon yourself! If you provoke the displeasure of my lord Ling Zun, do not blame this seat for failing to remind you."

His ink-green, bean-like pupils cast a cold glance at Qin Ming before he fell silent and spoke no more.

As for Qin Ming, his expression remained utterly unruffled, appearing as calm as a gentle breeze and drifting clouds.

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This inevitably caused the Nascent Soul True Monarchs present to feel even greater astonishment.

Could it be that this fellow truly fears not a fourth-stage mid-level demonic cultivator? Elder Han Ya, aware of some of Qin Ming's capabilities, could not quite restrain himself and secretly transmitted his voice to ask, "Fellow Daoist Qin, could it be that you believe yourself capable of dealing with that old bird, Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng?"

"Is it not that with Fellow Daoist Han Ya and the others here, we can all rush up together to gang up on him? Why should we fear not winning?" Qin Ming deliberately replied, leaving Elder Han Ya choked and unable to speak.

Qin Ming could actually see clearly that among these old fellows present, apart from Yue Lingyan and Elder Han Ya,

every single one wore the look of someone eager to watch a good show, wishing nothing more than for him to clash with Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng.

This was because after the Sky-Devouring Mouse advanced to become a fourth-stage shapeshaped Demon Saint, its impact on the various Immortal Realms was quite significant.

Without saying much, those great Nascent Soul sects would exhaust countless top-tier resources and undergo hundreds or even thousands of years before being able to produce a single Nascent Soul Qin Zhenjun.

And even then, this required an orderly lineage and the discovery of disciples possessing both supreme immortal talent and extraordinary fortune.

Yet the strength of the Sky-Devouring Mouse was evident to all present, and with such a great demon born in the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, it would be false to claim that the various Nascent Soul sects felt not the slightest envy.

From now on, with another powerful figure capable of stirring the situation added to the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, hesitating due to concerns over damaging the vessel was inevitable.

Were it not for the current crisis of the Descending Realm, Qin Ming would likely have already clashed with Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng just now.

Henceforth, with the addition of two Nascent Soul-level combat powers in Qin Ming and the Sky-Devouring Mouse, it meant that the Southern Wild Immortal Realm could now contend for resources and stand as an equal against other great immortal nations.

This was precisely the point they were guarding against.

However, what they did not know was that Qin Ming had absolutely no interest in such struggles over resources.

As long as he continued farming, sooner or later he would reach a higher realm.

By that time, if he farmed out a Soul Transformation Venerable, every single one of these old fellows would have to obediently offer up their treasures, none daring to dictate terms to him.

After this brief interlude,

Qin Ming unhurriedly took out a jar of Lingxi Jade Liquid and said to the crowd present, "Since today is a day of great joy, we ought to drink a full cup."

"You have all traveled from afar; let this Qin Mou play host and invite you, fellow daoists, to taste this fourth-stage spiritual wine, 'Lingxi Jade Liquid,' personally brewed by this seat."

"After consuming this wine, one's Nascent Soul magic power cultivation will increase."

Hearing Qin Ming's introduction, the various Nascent Soul old monsters completely forgot about the earlier incident.

They shifted all their attention entirely onto the spiritual wine in Qin Ming's hands.

After Qin Ming had filled cups for everyone one by one with the Lingxi Jade Liquid, they all stared at the nectar flowing within their wine vessels, struck speechless by shock.

When it came time for Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng, the spiritual wine in Qin Ming's jar happened to be exactly depleted down to the last drop, so he deliberately feigned an embarrassed expression and said, "Oh dear, this is truly awkward; Qin Mou failed to gauge the portion correctly, and the spiritual wine has all been poured out."

"I can only trouble Fellow Daoist Brother Hei Feng to taste other spiritual wines instead."

Having said this, Qin Ming took out a jar of Foundation Establishment wine, poured some for him, and then walked away without even looking at the other's reaction, leaving Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng with an expression of utmost complexity.

Having received such fourth-stage spiritual wine as Lingxi Jade Liquid, who cared about others? The crowd hurriedly raised their wine vessels and began to taste it.

"Excellent wine! Fellow Daoist Qin is truly a master of this art; such wine should exist only in the heavens!"

"Such immortal brew truly lives up to the name 'Jade Liquid'; it is the most wonderful spiritual wine this old man has ever drunk in his life."

"For this wine, I am willing to call it the finest in the Human Realm."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I wonder if you might have any surplus Lingxi Jade Liquid here? This seat is willing to exchange heavy treasures for it."

"Hehe! That truly was the last jar just now; Qin Mou has no more either."

More than half a day later,

after much exchanging of cups and clinking of goblets, the crowd successively bid farewell to Qin Ming and departed.

Just before leaving, Qin Ming called Yue Lingyan aside alone and then stuffed a jar of Lingxi Jade Liquid into her hands.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, what is this?" Yue Lingyan's beautiful eyes flashed as she spoke with slight surprise.

Qin Ming smiled gently, "Some days ago, I must thank Fellow Daoist Lingyan for training that fellow Sky-Devouring Mouse on my behalf; otherwise, he could not have successfully shapeshaped so quickly."

"Consider this a small token of Qin Mou's gratitude."

"In that case, this palace shall not stand on ceremony; to speak honestly, Fellow Daoist Qin's spiritual wine is also of great use to me." Yue Lingyan accepted the spiritual wine from Qin Ming's hands.

Then she revealed a stunningly beautiful smile: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin."

"Fellow Daoist Lingyan need not be so polite." Qin Ming then secretly transmitted his voice to ask, "By the way, that 'Ling Zun' mentioned earlier by Demon Saint Brother Hei Feng, could it be...?"

Yue Lingyan had not expected him to ask this question; after hesitating for a moment, she still answered, "That is correct; Bai Lin Ling Zun is a senior among our demonic race, whose origins date back long ago and whose cultivation realm is unfathomable, at the very least reaching the fifth-stage Venerable realm."

"When Fellow Daoist Qin previously held your Nascent Soul ceremony, the Blood Serpent Green Rice spiritual seeds sent to you were obtained precisely in exchange from Senior Ling Zun."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, rest assured; since Senior Ling Zun did not come today to interfere in this matter, it shows he has no intention of managing these affairs and will not cause you any trouble."

(End of Chapter)