Chapter 478: Transmission

After seeing the demonic race contingent off, Qin Ming met separately with Elder Black Crow.

Having not seen each other for many years, the two privately caught up on old times.

"Brother Qin, to be honest, I truly envy you; now that you have such a powerful fourth-rank sacred beast as a spiritual pet, your Southern Desolate Region can be said to be as stable as Mount Tai."

"Unlike me; although Great Zhou has been retaken from the demonic path, the pressure remains immense. If a major upheaval occurs in the battle situation in the future, I hope Brother Qin will look out for me then!"

Elder Black Crow spoke with sincere words, cupping his fists toward Qin Ming.

"That goes without saying; if Qin Mou has the capacity, he will certainly assist. However, Fellow Daoist Black Crow has also seen that the scale of the descent is constantly expanding; even within our Southern Desolate Immortal Realm, Nascent Soul Demonic Lords have begun descending one after another."

"Beyond that, Qin Mou has also gathered internal intelligence; it is said that Qishang Mojun has already set his sights on our Southern Desolate Region. I fear there will be major movements soon, and I am afraid Qin Mou will be too busy attending to his own affairs to help others," Qin Ming sighed.

Immediately afterward, he added casually, "I had originally planned to ask Fellow Daoist Black Crow for some support at that time."

"What?! Qishang Mojun?" Elder Black Crow's reaction was utterly genuine.

He then stood up quickly and said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, mountains and waters always meet again; let us part ways here!"

Immediately, disregarding Qin Ming's attempts to detain him, Elder Black Crow hurriedly caught up with Wanbao Zhenjun and the others, departing in haste...

Several days later.

The shocking news that Wangyue Island had given birth to a fourth-rank demonic saint spread like a towering wave across the four kingdoms of the Southern Desolate Region and the surrounding Immortal Realm.

Many large factions and immortal cultivation families arrived one after another to visit and offer congratulations.

Qin Ming summoned Mo Lingwei and Hua Tianxiong back, assigning them the task of receiving and entertaining the visiting guests.

"Reporting to Island Lord, a Nascent Soul senior from the Tianhai Alliance of the East Sea Immortal Realm has come to offer congratulations."

Mo Lingwei and Hua Tianxiong had been bustling about these past few days, thoroughly worn out by the effort.

Indeed, there were simply too many cultivators coming out of admiration.

Nevertheless, the two of them had also shown off brilliantly before numerous immortal cultivation forces, becoming extremely popular figures.

Qin Ming had long sensed that Xia Yuangong and the others had come to visit, so he hurriedly went out to personally greet the group.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, congratulations, congratulations."

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Qin, on acquiring a fourth-rank sacred beast."

After a round of pleasantries, Qin Ming ushered them into the Green Wood Pavilion.

Besides Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi, representatives from the other four major sects of the East Sea Immortal Realm had also all arrived.

Shi Tian Shu's presence would have certainly added immense prestige, but unfortunately, he was currently in closed-door cultivation consolidating his cultivation base and could not witness it personally.

Back when Qin Ming held his Nascent Soul ceremony, only Long Mu Zhenjun from the Penglai Sect had come from the East Sea.

"Besides coming to offer congratulations on this trip, we must also thank Fellow Daoist Qin for the timely demonic path intelligence provided earlier; otherwise, our Tianlan Xiancheng might have suffered heavy losses."

"Originally, Alliance Lord Chancellor Canghe wished to come personally to pay his respects, but recently the demonic path has been rampant in the East Sea, leaving him no time to spare, so he sent us in his stead."

"Here is a small congratulatory gift from our Alliance; we congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on his spiritual pet advancing to form transformation and ranking as a fourth-rank demonic saint."

Having said this, Xia Yuangong handed a long jade box to Qin Ming.

"Then many thanks."

Qin Ming put away the jade box and opened it, only to find three items emitting astonishing spiritual essence inside.

A spirit ganoderma emitting a fiery red halo, a green jade slip, and a porcelain bottle.

"Fourth-rank middle-grade Red Essence Spirit Ganoderma."

"Fourth-rank top-grade Ascending Dragon Pill formula."

"And ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Spirit Liquid."

After examining them one by one with his divine sense, Qin Ming found that the gift sent by the Tianhai Alliance was undeniably valuable.

Especially that Ascending Dragon Pill formula; it should have been a top-secret formula within the Tianhai Alliance, yet unexpectedly, they had directly brought it out this time to present to Qin Ming as a congratulatory gift.

It was said that this pill's inheritance dated back to ancient times; it was brought out from an underwater ruin by a sea-exploring cultivator who risked death to retrieve it.

Only after research was conducted did they discover that this pill was a supreme medicinal elixir for advancing Nascent Soul stage cultivation.

It had been kept in the Tianhai Alliance's treasure vault all along, forbidden from being transmitted externally; only the two fourth-rank top-grade Pill Kings from the Star Palace and the Penglai Sect had successfully refined this pill.

When the Ascending Dragon Pill first appeared, it once shocked the entire East Sea Immortal Realm; many Nascent Soul old monsters traveled thousands of miles to seek the spirit pill.

Unfortunately, even obtaining a single pill was difficult.

"Fellow Daoist Qin need not be polite; this was personally ordered by Alliance Lord Chancellor Canghe to be prepared, serving as a reward for your contributions."

"Alliance Lord Chancellor Canghe hopes that we will continue to maintain contact with Fellow Daoist Qin; in the future, if Fellow Daoist Qin has any important intelligence, we hope you can share more with us."

"If the Southern Desolate Region has needs, our Tianhai Alliance will also spare no effort to provide support."

Putting away the congratulatory gifts, Qin Ming wore a smile and said modestly, "Qin Mou merely happened upon the opportunity and contributed a slight effort; after all, during the alliance meeting on Long Yuan Island, Fellow Daoist Zhi Yang stated that we should watch over and assist each other."

"It is just that the two informants I placed on Demon Abyss Island do not hold very high positions; the intelligence regarding the previous surprise attack on Tianlan Xiancheng was something they only happened to overhear."

"Furthermore, as far as Qin Mou knows, after the previous incident, Lord Tianhen has already begun investigating this matter; I fear that gathering intelligence in the future will not be easy."

Hearing this, Xia Yuangong and the others nodded; what Qin Ming said was only reasonable.

If such a massive leak of information occurred and the demonic path had absolutely no reaction, that would truly be strange.

"It matters not; as long as Fellow Daoist Qin sends us news when available, it is fine; if there truly is none, there is no need to take risks."

Following this, representatives from the Penglai Sect, the Crystal Palace, Dongji Island, and the Ancient Sword Gate also presented their congratulatory gifts one by one.

Qin Ming instructed Mo Lingwei to serve the specialty fine wine and delicacies of Wangyue Island to the guests who had traveled far from the East Sea.

Afterwards, drinking spirit wine, he began exchanging words with them.

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Beast Cry Mountain Range.

Brother Hei Feng Demonic Saint's eyes flashed; with considerable resentment, he asked Brother Gushan, "Gushan, why did you stop me during the banquet earlier?"

"Could it be that for the sake of joining forces to resist the enemy, you would disregard our race's long-term grand strategy?"

"The reason I stopped you was simply to prevent you from losing face in public; if you truly believe you have the confidence to defeat True Monarch Wangyue, you may go back and challenge him right now—I will absolutely not stand in your way," Brother Gushan stated indifferently, showing him no courtesy whatsoever.

Upon hearing these words, not only did Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint startle, but Moon Lingyan and the golden-haired elder standing nearby were also suddenly shocked.

"Fellow Daoist Gushan, what do you mean by this?" the golden-haired elder asked with a puzzled expression.

For judging by Brother Gushan's tone, if a fight truly broke out, he actually favored True Monarch Wangyue from the Southern Barrens more.

Yet the opponent was merely a human cultivator who had only recently advanced to the early Nascent Soul realm less than a few decades ago.

Brother Gushan seemed too lazy to explain, merely stating indifferently, "Based on my intuition—is that enough?"

"Intuition?" Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint clearly did not believe it, saying in a cold voice, "In any case, I will absolutely not let this matter rest."

"Fellow Daoist Brother Hei Feng, do not think that just because you are a demon beast I will not act against you; you should know in your heart exactly how Great Black Sky met his end." A massive spiritual pressure suddenly surged from Brother Gushan's tower-like body, causing the expressions of the several people present to change.

"Great Black Sky colluded with the Devil Dao and sought his own death, so there was no helping it. But if you dare to break the cooperative relationship between our two races, then your Split-Wind Condor clan will also become the target of everyone's arrows, and you might even be completely erased from the four Great Demon Clans!"

Hearing this, Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint's facial skin twitched, and he forced an extremely reluctant smile onto his face, saying, "I was merely speaking off the cuff; how could I possibly commit such an act of supreme treason?"

"I was only thinking of the interests of the demon race; Fellow Daoist Gushan, please do not take it to heart."

"Enough, enough; I do not wish to meddle in these matters anymore."

Having said this, he felt uncomfortable staying with the others any longer, so he transformed into a streak of black light and departed first.

After Brother Hei Feng Demon Saint left, his gaze turned sinister and his expression fluctuated between gloom and anger; he did not return to the Split-Wind Condor clan grounds but instead flew in another direction.

A moment later.

Moon Lingyan asked Brother Gushan, "Could he be intending to follow in Great Black Sky's footsteps?"

"I doubt he would dare; I have long since sent people to monitor him," Brother Gushan said, his eyes flashing.

Time flew swiftly; in the blink of an eye, another half-year had passed.

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Wangyue Island had been bustling for a full half-year, but finally quieted down considerably.

Those cultivator spirit farmers had all moved back onto the island to carry out their daily farming.

On this day.

Shi Tian Shu had thoroughly consolidated his cultivation realm, and with the aid of that jar of Lingxi Jade Liquid, his cultivation had even improved slightly beyond its original foundation.

This was something that countless demon cultivators outside could only envy and never attain.

Shi Tian Shu transformed into a white-robed child, wearing a beaming, festive expression as he approached Qin Ming.

"Master, I have exited seclusion."

"Mm, over these past six months, many powers and fellow cultivators have come to visit and congratulate you on becoming a Demon Saint," Qin Ming said with a nod and a smile.

"Several Demon Saints from the Beast Cry Mountain Range also came; their meaning is that now that you have become a Demon Saint, it is improper for you to continue serving under a human, and they wish for you to return to the demon race."

"The two sixty-year terms you originally promised to serve under me have actually already expired long ago."

"Whether you continue to stay by my side or leave depends entirely on your own choice."

Hearing this, Shi Tian Shu's small face froze over with frost, revealing an expression of rage: "Which bastard said that? How could I possibly leave my Master?"

"To dare to sow discord between me and my Master is truly detestable!"

"I, Shi Tian Shu, have long stated that I am willing to campaign for my Master all my life and will absolutely never depart."

Hearing this, Qin Ming revealed a slight smile, feeling greatly comforted in his heart; at least raising this fellow for so many years had not been in vain.

Shi Tian Shu was no fool either and could naturally see clearly where his future lay.

Of course, he would not return to the Beast Cry Mountain Range to become its mountain king again.

"Mm, by the way, now that you have broken through to the fourth-stage Form Transformation realm, you should also have an honorific title; do you have a preferred appellation in mind?"

Hearing this, Shi Tian Shu scratched his head and thought for a moment, saying, "Let's just call me 'Devouring Heaven Demon Saint'; I cannot think of anything else."

Qin Ming immediately nodded, saying, "Then let it be as you wish."

"Additionally... since the Devil Dao is currently invading the Blood Universe Realm, your Form Transformation Ceremony will not be held on a grand scale."

"In any case, all the fellow Daoists who were supposed to come have already visited, and the congratulatory gifts have been delivered."

Shi Tian Shu displayed an indifferent expression, saying, "Then there is no need to hold it; I will follow whatever arrangements my Master makes."

"Besides, we probably would not be able to collect any decent treasures anyway."

Over these years, following Qin Ming and enjoying the finest food and drink, Shi Tian Shu's horizons and perspective had also grown higher.

Just at this moment.

Qin Ming raised his hand, coughed lightly, and then looked at Shi Tian Shu with a strange expression, saying, "Ahem! Now that your seclusion has ended, I happen to have an arduous task to assign to you."

"Ah? What arduous task?" Shi Tian Shu's small face froze in shock, a vague sense of foreboding arising within him.

Qin Ming's subsequent words quickly confirmed that his intuition was correct.

Qin Ming took out the three pieces of Profound Dark Stone from his storage bag, along with an ancient talisman—the 'Nine Heavens Cangyuan Marvelous Response True Talisman'.

This talisman had been nurtured for years within Qin Ming's life-spirit plant, the Ageless Immortal Vine, and its missing corner had now been fully restored to its original condition.

At that time, even Old Demon Qingyang had been so shocked he was speechless, unable to believe this was actually happening.

He repeatedly questioned Qin Ming on how this had been achieved, but naturally, Qin Ming would not tell him.

For one must know that this was no ordinary talisman, but an ancient talisman originating from the Spirit Realm.

Since this was Qin Ming's first time using this talisman, he did not know if there would be any adverse effects.

Now that Shi Tian Shu had emerged, it was perfect to draft him as a laborer and use him as a test subject.

"Rest assured, we are merely testing the function of this talisman; there will absolutely be no major problems," Qin Ming said with an air of serene confidence, displaying the talisman in his hand.

Although he said this, he actually had no confidence in his heart... Hearing this, Shi Tian Shu shrank his head back, never expecting that he would be tasked with such a dangerous job.

But under Qin Ming's command, he could not refuse and could only steel himself and go through with it.

'Sigh! I have only just come out, so I can only leave everything to fate!'

"This great master really did bring trouble upon himself!"

Shi Tian Shu inwardly groaned, his little hand trembling as he took the three Dark Mystery Stones from Qin Ming's hand — after all, this was his own handiwork. Immediately after, Qin Ming took out the ancient talisman and cast a spell toward the cave dwelling; a mysterious golden rune drifted out from the talisman paper, leaving a void-mark coordinate inside the cave dwelling.

After finishing all this, he stuffed the ancient talisman into Shi Tian Shu's hand and instructed, "In a moment, follow my method of activation and use this talisman paper to attempt a long-distance shift."

"On the other side, I previously left a void coordinate on the Demon Infant's body. In a moment, try and see if you can teleport over to his side."

"Remember, you must hold onto this talisman well. If you lose it, you won't be able to come back."

"Huh?? This…" Shi Tian Shu had only just advanced to a fourth-rank Great Demon, and hadn't even had time to be happy for a few days.

He never expected the very first mission to be so dangerous.

Qin Ming patted his shoulder and encouraged him, saying, "Don't worry, I've already had the Demon Infant waiting outside Demon Abyss Island."

"I won't let anything happen to you."

"W-well then…" Shi Tian Shu's face broke into a smile uglier than crying.

Afterwards.

He took out a Dark Mystery Stone, and following the method of activating the ancient talisman that Qin Ming had taught him, muttered an incantation, his little hand forming a hand seal and pointing at the talisman paper.

That Dark Mystery Stone lit up with a ball of golden mysterious light, and a powerful void force, like silk threads, poured into the talisman paper.

Hum~ The next moment.

The Nine Heavens Cangyuan Marvelous Response True Talisman erupted with streaks of golden runes, weaving together into a sheet that enveloped Shi Tian Shu's entire body.

Whoosh! A flash of light blazed in the air.

Shi Tian Shu vanished on the spot. (End of Chapter)