Chapter 517: Return

Next.

Qin Ming and Yue Lingyan did not remain in this place long, for the commotion had been too great and might have drawn the attention of other shape-shifting great demons.

Thus, the two left the valley.

Afterwards, they found a scenic spot with clear mountains and pure waters; Qin Ming laid out a table of spirit wine and spirit fruits, and had Shitian Rat cook several fresh, delicious Dao-flower spirit fish, offering a modest celebration for Yue Lingyan.

Originally, her breakthrough to the fourth-rank realm should have been marked by grand festivities and tributes from all corners.

But with current upheavals within the demon race, it would have to wait until Yue Lingyan reclaimed leadership of the fox clan before such a ceremony could be held.

Shitian Rat and Yin Yue and the others feasted heartily.

…

…

Half a day later.

"Qin Daofriend, I have some urgent matters to attend to and cannot delay any longer. Let us part here."

Yue Lingyan said, drinking a cup of Yulin wine.

Qin Ming could see she carried a blood-deep grudge; now that her power had surged, she naturally intended to return to the Beast Roar Mountains to settle old scores with those who had once kicked her when she was down.

So he rose to bid her farewell.

"Then I wish you every success, Lingyan Daofriend."

"I also wish you eternal longevity on the Immortal Path. I hope when we meet again, you will have already attained the Nascent Soul realm," Yue Lingyan said with a faint smile.

Qin Ming chuckled bitterly, "I'm still far from it—I don't even know if I'll ever touch the Nascent Soul realm in this lifetime."

"So I truly envy your achievement in reaching the fourth-rank realm, hehe."

Yue Lingyan shook her head, "Qin Daofriend, why speak so modestly? In my view, your strength and fortune are rare even among the greatest I've ever known—reaching the Nascent Soul realm is merely a matter of time."

"Then I accept your auspicious words," Qin Ming said, bowing with a smile.

"Yue'er, let's go."

Yue Lingyan called to the little silver fox, bid Qin Ming farewell once more, and then the surrounding space suddenly rippled—a flash of spiritual light, and they vanished.

Shitian Rat stared longingly at the direction the silver fox had left, still reluctant to let go.

"What are you staring at? She's gone," Qin Ming tapped Shitian Rat's head.

"What's the matter? You clearly fancy that little fox—should I send you to the fox clan as a son-in-law?"

Shitian Rat snapped back to himself and hastily chuckled awkwardly, "How could I? I was just feeling a little sentimental."

"How could I ever leave my master?"

"I swore an oath to fight for my master in this life!"

As he spoke, his tone rang strong and resolute!

"Hmm, you've done a great deed this time. I'll refine those two demon cores into pills—it'll be more effective than you swallowing them raw," Qin Ming said casually, in good spirits.

"Also, I've acquired some of the spirit materials you need for crafting the Five Elements Flag Standards from the black market. Once I gather the rest, I'll begin refining them for you."

Shitian Rat burst into joy, "Hehe! Thank you, Master!"

"This time, I swear I'll patrol the mountains thoroughly—not a single mosquito will slip past!"

The Xianshui Crocodile and Yin Yi Frost Bees also rubbed against Qin Ming, eagerly seeking praise.

"Alright, alright, you all get your share."

Then Qin Ming recalled his three spirit pets into the Xiao Lingjing; his figure blurred, transformed into a green streak, and vanished into the horizon.

Half a month later.

Qin Ming returned without pause to the spirit fields of Wuxing Mountain.

"Who would've thought—by sheer accident—this journey yielded such a tremendous harvest!"

First, for him, the crucial Yunying Fruit Tree and the Earthheart Spirit Spring were both fourth-rank heavenly treasures.

Just these two items alone made all his efforts worthwhile.

Second, he had gained Yue Lingyan's favor—she owed him a significant debt and provided him with a fourth-rank demon-saint-level network.

Even before he himself reached Nascent Soul, this connection would prove immensely useful.

She might as well be called a powerful patron.

Though he was no man who lived off others' strength, such connections were too valuable to leave unused.

At critical moments, they could save his life.

But Qin Ming understood that in this cultivation world, where strength reigned supreme, everything ultimately depended on oneself. Such favors were finite—used once, they diminished—and she couldn't aid him daily.

Yue Lingyan's favor must be used wisely.

This gave Qin Ming another strong safeguard in the unfamiliar Da Jin cultivation world.

In the spirit fields.

Jia Heyi and the spirit cultivator Li Lan of Jingxue Pavilion noticed Qin Ming's return; his face bore a faint smile, clearly in good spirits.

It seemed he had entirely forgotten the earlier destruction of the spirit plants.

Both approached respectfully to pay their respects.

"Master Lu, you've returned."

"Greetings, Master Lu."

Qin Ming nodded slightly and asked coolly, "Hmm, no more trouble lately?"

"All is well in the spirit fields, Master Lu. The growth of all spirit plants is quite robust," Li Lan reported quickly.

During this time, he had been focused on making amends and worked diligently to irrigate the fields with spirit rain and tend to the crops.

Qin Ming considered and said, "I've investigated the earlier incident. It wasn't your fault—no need to blame yourselves."

"Alright, get back to your duties."

Li Lan and Jia Heyi were overjoyed, immediately bowed and thanked him before returning to their tasks.

In the days that followed.

Qin Ming resumed his life of farming and cultivation.

At the same time, he used the Huatian Xiong Qianji Trading House's network to stay informed of the latest developments in the cultivation world.

Huatian Xiong secretly and urgently gathered the spirit materials needed to refine the Shenmu Pill and Ningying Pill for Qin Ming—all progress was smooth.

Within just two months, he had acquired several rare auxiliary materials.

Qin Ming also took time to refine a "Beast Emperor Pill" using the inner cores and flesh of the Ox Demon King and Black Scorpion Demon King for his three spirit pets.

This pill formula had originally been exchanged with Pei Qing from the Beast King Valley.

The Beast King Valley specialized in spirit beast taming and naturally possessed many inherited methods for cultivating spirit beasts.

This third-rank middle-grade Beast Emperor Pill was one of them.

Unfortunately, the pill masters of the Beast King Valley were all limited in skill; even with the formula and materials, they could never refine such a divine pill.

It had simply benefited Qin Ming.

In the following days, Qin Ming studied the "Yuan Dao Pill Scripture" passed to him by Su Yuqing while refining the Beast Emperor Pill, applying what he learned and integrating it fully.

Several days later, a strange fragrance emanated from the pill chamber within the Xiao Lingjing, drawing all three spirit pets running over.

Qin Ming opened the door and stepped out, smiling.

"Master, have you finished refining the spirit pill?" Shitian Rat asked, eyes bright with anticipation.

Qin Ming nodded and handed each of the three spirit pets two Beast Emperor Pills.

They took the pills and happily retreated to consume them and cultivate.

The Beast Emperor Pill greatly enhances a beast's physical strength, raises its cultivation rank, and amplifies its aura and pressure.

For ordinary demons, it was a rare and unattainable treasure.

In the demon race, it was said only shape-shifting great demons could refine it.

Shitian Rat was already third-rank middle-stage; consuming two Beast Emperor Pills wouldn't push him to late-stage, but would significantly boost his cultivation.

As for the Xianshui Crocodile and Yin Yi Frost Bees, both were at third-rank early-stage and had already consumed many heavenly treasures under Qin Ming's care.

Now, after taking the Beast Emperor Pills, they had a high chance of advancing again, breaking through to third-rank middle-stage.

After tending to his three spirit pets, Qin Ming turned his gaze to the fourth-rank Yunying Fruit Tree.

The third-rank supreme spirit vein environment within the Xiao Lingjing, combined with the Earthheart Spirit Spring's supply, barely met the tree's growth needs.

Since refining the Ningying Pill required several other fourth-rank spirit materials, Qin Ming did not rush to ripen the two spirit fruits on the tree, allowing them to grow naturally.

The Earthheart Spirit Spring had also been diverted to irrigate the spirit fields within the Xiao Lingjing, its effect far surpassing even Qin Ming's Five Elements Spirit Rain Technique by many times over.

With the spirit spring nourishing it, the Xiao Lingjing had become lush and divine, resembling an immortal's cave sanctuary.

(End of Chapter)