Chapter 561: Heavenly Demon Tribulation [Combined]

Upon hearing the Ancient Mountain Beast Saint speak thus, Yue Lingyan and the Peacock Holy Maiden both sharpened their focus tenfold.

"Could the demonic sect of the Da Li Dynasty be..."

"Are events from thousands of years ago about to repeat themselves?"

The Peacock Holy Maiden also asked with grave expression.

"Precisely. This matter is indeed tied to the upper realm of the Da Li demonic sect—the Blood Huan Realm," the Ancient Mountain Beast Saint nodded slightly.

"And this crisis is urgent—it may arrive soon. Our beast clans must prepare early, lest we be drawn into its turmoil."

"Silver Moon, though you have grievances with the Riftwind Condor clan, this concerns the safety of all beastkind. You must set aside your personal feuds and unite against a common foe."

"That young upstart, Da Heitian, suffered great losses at your hands—consider it karmic retribution. Your anger should have cooled by now."

Yue Lingyan fell silent for a long while, then said, "Ancient Mountain, rest assured. Before matters of great right and wrong, I know well what is weighty and what is trivial."

Thereafter, the Ancient Mountain Beast Saint proceeded to reveal the hidden details to the two of them.

…

On the other side, at the banquet on the white jade plaza.

Amidst the clinking of cups and exchanged toasts, the dozen or so great beasts at Qin Ming's table each pulled out treasured items to barter and trade.

Those seated at the front tables were all major beasts of the Beiming Mountain Range, long-lived, each older than the last, having hoarded wealth for centuries—naturally, they possessed many formidable artifacts.

"Since I proposed this, I shall begin," said Yangjiao, elder of the Horned Deer clan, stroking his beard with a smile as a pair of crimson-gold antlers materialized in his hand.

"These are a pair of Crimson Sun Antlers shed by myself years ago—considered high-grade third-rank heavenly-spirit materials."

"I wonder if any of you fellow cultivators are interested in this item?"

The Devouring Rat blurted out, "Damn, Yangjiao, you're really willing to part with your own body parts?"

"Hehe! This item is useless to me now, but for you fellows, it might prove immensely useful," Yangjiao explained softly.

Qin Ming's gaze fixed on the pair of antlers radiating crimson light in Yangjiao's hand; merely glancing at them, he sensed their extraordinary spiritual energy.

The instant he saw these high-grade third-rank Crimson Sun Antlers, a recipe from the *Divine Wine Immortal's Manual* flashed into his mind—a brew called Jade Dew.

One of its key ingredients required high-grade antlers aged over eight hundred years.

Judging by Yangjiao's age—he'd likely lived over a thousand years—these antlers' potency was more than sufficient.

"Yangjiao, I have use for this item. What do you wish to trade for it?" Qin Ming asked immediately.

At that moment, a fourth-eyed scaled leopard beast king, late third-rank, also showed keen interest and spoke up: "Old Yangjiao, I'm also interested. Name your terms."

"Then I'll join in too, hehe!" laughed the Diamond Giant Elephant Beast King, clearly intrigued.

Seeing how fiercely the antlers were being contested, the Devouring Rat blinked in surprise and muttered, "Yangjiao, I never knew your old horns were worth so much."

"Naturally," Yangjiao lifted his head proudly. "My Crimson Sun Antlers shed only once every thousand years—they embody the essence of my entire Horned Deer lineage."

"They're ideal for refining high-grade blood-boosting elixirs or forging artifacts."

"Beyond that, their uses are numerous."

"In human lands, they'd draw fierce competition from Nascent Soul elders."

"Hehe! If steeped in liquor, they're especially potent for... certain matters."

"Devouring Rat, care to try?"

As he spoke, Yangjiao gave him a knowing glance.

The Devouring Rat snorted dismissively, "Pfft! I've no use for your trash."

"Since three of you are interested in my high-grade third-rank Crimson Sun Antlers," Yangjiao said after teasing the Devouring Rat, "state your trade offers. I'll consider them carefully."

The Diamond Giant Elephant Beast King produced a crystal stone streaked with purple and gold. "This is high-grade third-rank Mystic Pattern Gold. I offer it as trade."

"I have a high-grade third-rank Phoenix Marrow Fruit to trade," said the four-eyed scaled leopard, speaking coolly, clearly confident his offering was superior.

As expected.

The moment the spirit fruit appeared, all the beasts at the table gasped in awe.

"It's a Phoenix Marrow Fruit! Old Leopard, you've been hiding this!"

"Do you have more Phoenix Marrow Fruit?"

"Leopard, I have a mid-grade third-rank beast treasure—willing to trade?"

"I have ten drops of Lanxiang Jade Dew—also high-grade third-rank spirit material. Would that suffice?"

One beast king after another offered trade items, yet the four-eyed scaled leopard remained unmoved, merely saying coldly, "I seek only Yangjiao's Crimson Sun Antlers. Nothing else will do."

Seeing this, the other beasts fell silent.

Next came Qin Ming's turn to reveal his trade item.

He calmly withdrew a jade vial, uncorked it, and poured out a spirit pill radiating astonishing medicinal aura.

The instant the pill appeared, every beast king's gaze locked onto Qin Ming's hand, unable to look away.

"This overwhelming aura—could it be..."

"Beast Emperor Pill!"

"Leopard, you recognize this pill?" a nearby beast king asked, startled by the four-eyed leopard's reaction.

The four-eyed scaled leopard nodded. "In my youth, I traveled through human lands and once saw this pill. As a high-grade third-rank elixir, only a Grand Alchemist of human or beastkind can forge it."

"I estimate fewer than ten alchemists in the Great Jin cultivation realm could produce this."

Upon hearing this, the other beast kings at the table fixed hungry stares on Qin Ming—this was a pill capable of enhancing beast cultivation.

Taking it back to elevate the next generation of beastkind would be ideal.

The Devouring Rat, Abyssal Crocodile, and Silverwing Frost Bee showed no interest—they'd eaten far too many of these; the pill's effects no longer mattered to them.

The ones Qin Ming now produced were leftovers from their own consumption.

"Xuantong, truly, the Black Sea beast clan lives up to its reputation—your treasures are extraordinary. I accept your trade," Yangjiao said, eyes gleaming with delight—he hadn't expected a high-grade pill to appear.

Beastkind's alchemical arts lagged far behind humans', for only semi-transformed great beasts could begin learning pill refinement like humans.

He immediately thrust forward his Crimson Sun Antlers.

Qin Ming promptly exchanged two Beast Emperor Pills for Yangjiao's pair of antlers.

Then,

he turned to the Diamond Giant Elephant and the four-eyed scaled leopard and smiled: "Gentlemen, I have a few more Beast Emperor Pills. Would you like to trade your items for them?"

"We'd be honored!" Both beast kings exclaimed with joy, instantly handing over the Phoenix Marrow Fruit and Mystic Pattern Gold.

"Xuantong, do you have more pills? I have a small segment of thousand-year-old agarwood—high-grade third-rank—willing to trade for pills."

"Of course," Qin Ming replied with a smile.

He hadn't expected these beasts to possess so many rare treasures.

The items they offered would be nearly impossible to find in human lands.

Even if found, they'd fetch astronomical prices as heavenly treasures.

Yet here, these beasts casually laid them all out—Qin Ming secretly rejoiced.

After several rounds of trading, Qin Ming acquired numerous treasures from the beast kings at his table.

He even obtained several auxiliary materials for refining Nascent Soul Pills and spirit ingredients for the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill.

He never imagined this trip would yield such unexpected gains.

The beast kings dining with him now held deep respect for the Abyssal Crocodile from the Black Sea.

After trading ended, the beasts resumed clinking cups. "Come! Who knew we'd meet a hero like Brother Xuan on this journey!"

"Let's drain a cup!"

"More dancing! More music!"

…

The Beast Saint Ceremony was a grand affair among beastkind, typically lasting ten days to half a month.

By the third day, Qin Ming felt the time was right and decided to inform Yue Lingyan and take his leave.

After all, he still had his five-element mountain plot to tend to.

When he found her in the back mountain cave, the Mountain Colossus and the Seven-Colored Peacock King had just departed.

Yue Lingyan, seeing Qin Ming, invited him inside.

"Spiritual Lady Yue, thank you for your hospitality these past days. I've gained much from this journey. My spirit fields need tending—I must take my leave."

"If you ever have time, do visit me at my place."

Yue Lingyan's eyebrows relaxed into a gentle smile.

"Why not stay longer, Xuantong? Was my hospitality inadequate?"

Qin Ming hurried to explain: "No, no—the Mu Xia Mountains are serene, with a fourth-rank spiritual vein. Frankly, I'm reluctant to leave."

"But... I do have matters awaiting me back home. I cannot linger."

After all, this wasn't his own territory; no matter how skilled his disguise, he still felt uneasy.

"Then I won't detain you further."

"Xuantong, come with me—I have something to discuss with you."

Though puzzled, Qin Ming followed.

Half a stick of incense later, Yue Lingyan led him into a treasure vault within the Fox Clan's sacred grounds! Instantly,

Qin Ming was profoundly stunned by the dazzling array of treasures before him.

Not just him—even the Devouring Rat's eyes bulged, drool nearly dripping from his mouth.

After a long pause,

he turned to Yue Lingyan and asked, "Spiritual Lady Yue, what is this...?"

"These are all the gifts presented by various beast clans these past days. Qin Ming, see if anything catches your eye?"

"If you see anything you like, take it without hesitation."

This is what a wealthy woman looks like!

Qin Ming had only this one thought.

Upon hearing this, the Devouring Rat clenched its tiny fists in front of itself and exclaimed excitedly: "I want it all!"

Qin Ming's brow darkened at once; he slapped its head and scolded: "She's being polite to you, and you're taking it as an invitation to be utterly rude?"

"Hehe! Yes, yes, yes!" The Devouring Rat scratched its head, forcing a grin. "I was just joking—said it without thinking."

"Hmph! Enough. Go over there and find me Cold Branch Grass, Wind Leaf Dew, Blood Spirit Mushroom, and Purple Vein Spirit Flower." Qin Ming immediately listed a set of items—all spiritual materials for elixir refining.

There were hundreds of them. The Devouring Rat stared blankly at the list in its hands, then at Qin Ming. "Master, you're not being polite either, are you?"

"What are you dawdling for? Get going! Are you itching for another round of fieldwork? Looks like you haven't tilled enough land yet." Qin Ming glared at it fiercely.

The Devouring Rat shrank its head and hurried to rummage through the pile of treasures. Yue Lingyan showed little reaction, but the little Silver Fox covered her mouth and giggled.

Since the other side was offering treasures freely, Qin Ming naturally had no intention of being polite.

Such an opportunity would likely come but once in a lifetime.

Once you pass this village, there won't be another shop like it.

The treasures hoarded by the beast tribes were far beyond what the human cultivators could match—vastly superior.

Not long after.

The Devouring Rat carried two storage bags, both bulging to capacity. "Hehehe! Master, I've retrieved everything you asked for—though a few spiritual materials weren't in the treasury."

Qin Ming took the bags, opened them, glanced inside, and nodded faintly. "Hmm. These will do."

He then bowed to Yue Lingyan. "Thank you, Lady Yue, for your generosity."

"Qin Mou will never forget this!"

"It's nothing—just worldly possessions." Yue Lingyan waved her hand.

Yet these celestial spiritual materials were of immense use to Qin Ming.

Among the treasures the Devouring Rat had gathered, over a hundred of the more than three hundred auxiliary materials needed to refine the Nascent Soul Elixir had already been collected—and most were third-rank spiritual items.

The auxiliary materials for the Ice Heart Jade Soul Elixir, used to cross the Heart Demon Tribulation, were nearly complete—only a few remained missing.

Qin Ming hadn't expected that merely visiting the beast tribes would advance his collection of spiritual materials by more than half.

Truly, this trip was worth it! He sighed inwardly—thankfully he had befriended Yue Lingyan, such an irreplaceable powerhouse! "By the way, Lady Yue, is there anything else you wish to discuss with me?"

"Do you need Qin Mou's assistance?"

Qin Ming instinctively assumed Yue Lingyan's lavish gift came with a request.

Perhaps she even intended to recreate the scene in the icy cave and drain him dry again. But then Yue Lingyan raised her hand and cast a barrier.

She turned to Qin Ming with grave seriousness. "Qin Daoist, great upheaval may soon come to the human cultivation world. You must be cautious."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's heart tightened. "Lady Yue, why say this?"

"This matter was revealed to me by the Ancient Mountain Sage of the Mountain Giant Ape clan."

"The demonic sects of the Da Li Dynasty have invaded the Da Zhou cultivation world and begun war—and will soon crush and annex it. After that, their next target will surely be Da Jin."

"What? Annihilation? Da Zhou has Nascent Soul sects! Even in war, it shouldn't fall so quickly!" Qin Ming's mind reeled—this intelligence was explosive.

Yue Lingyan explained: "Of course, Da Li's Yin Devil Sect alone could not accomplish this. Even with two Nascent Soul demonic elders, they could not destroy Da Zhou in such a short time."

"But what is happening now is tied to Da Li's upper realm—the 'Heavenly Demon Tribulation,' which occurs once every few thousand years."

"Heavenly Demon Tribulation?"

"Correct. Da Li's demonic lineage originates from an upper realm called the Blood Huan Realm, said to be controlled by an immensely powerful Blood Refining Devil Gate."

"Da Li's territory is merely a pasture raised by the Blood Refining Devil Gate—they periodically harvest the flesh and souls of its inhabitants as cultivation fuel."

"When the thousand-year cycle arrives and the tidal forces between realms weaken, that is when the Blood Refining Devil Gate sends its Heavenly Demons to descend."

"I heard from the Ancient Mountain Sage that this upcoming descent appears to be arriving earlier than before, and Da Li's demonic sects seem unusually urgent—there is some hidden purpose."

Qin Ming asked: "The Blood Refining Devil Gate that controls the Blood Huan Realm?"

"If such a powerful demonic realm descends, how could any of the three cultivation worlds possibly resist?"

He paused, then suddenly remembered something! He turned to Yue Lingyan: "Could the Blood Refining Devil Gate's urgency be tied to the secret realm discovered in Divine Dao Mountain?"

"Oh? Is that so? What secret realm are you referring to, Qin Daoist?"

"The ancient mountain gate secret realm of the Qing Yuan Sect."

As Qin Ming spoke, Yue Lingyan froze in place.

Thank you, "Passerby" Daoist, for the 300 coins.

Thank you, "Xiao Liangyi" Daoist, for the 100 coins.

Thank you all Daoists for your votes and support.

(End of Chapter)