Chapter 635: The Mountains and Rivers Change, But I Remain Unchanged

Northern Wei border, spiritual energy Archipelago.

Upon the Moon Gazing Lake, ten thousand hectares of emerald waves stretched under a misty veil, refracting sunlight into a rainbow glow, dreamlike and illusory.

At the lake's center, Moon Gazing Island remained shrouded in an impenetrable veil of illusion.

After decades of development by the Primordial Spirit Soil, the island's area had more than doubled from its original size.

Moon Gazing Island had become a medium-sized spiritual isle, and even rarer was its internal third-rank supreme spiritual vein—a cultivation paradise in the Southern Wastes.

Within the island, a blue aura streaked gracefully down to the outer spiritual farmlands.

As the aura dissipated, a radiant young maiden appeared, exuding the aura of Foundation Establishment mid-stage—Wu Wangyue.

Wu Wangyue had always possessed high cultivation potential and a primordial spiritual body, and with support from Lei Yuanzong, her progress had been swift.

In just a few decades, she had reached Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

Her face lit with excitement as she spoke to an elderly man with white hair among the fields: "Father, I heard the Island Master has returned to the Southern Wastes?"

"I heard that upon his return, he swiftly slew the great beast besieging Canghai Xiancheng."

"These past two days, his complete eradication of the Six Demon Sects has stirred uproar across all the immortal cities."

"And… could you please stop working the fields? You're past your prime—leave such tasks to the spiritual farmers."

The white-haired elder paused his work, his face lined with the marks of time—clearly Wu Jiang. He smiled faintly: "He's back? I thought these old bones would never see the Island Master again."

"Father, how can you say that!"

As they spoke, another purple aura flew in from outside, landing before them, revealing a young man with sharp brows and starlit eyes—also at Foundation Establishment mid-stage: Wu Wangfeng.

Wu Wangfeng possessed a Earth-grade spiritual root, making him a prodigy even within Lei Yuanzong.

The white-haired Wu Jiang nodded approvingly at his children.

In his life, he had two greatest sources of pride.

First, when young, he had chosen the right path by clinging to Qin Ming.

Second, he had sired this pair of gifted children—his entire hope and legacy embodied.

Wu Jiang knew well his own mediocre spiritual roots; his Foundation Establishment at seventy was already divine grace.

Though his cultivation had halted here, he was content.

Wu Jiang asked his son: "Feng'er, have you heard any news? Has the Island Master truly returned?"

"Should we go to Canghai Xiancheng to welcome him?"

"According to the rumors, after finishing affairs in Jin State, the Island Master vanished."

"He's likely on his way back to the spiritual isle—perhaps he has his own reasons," Wu Wangfeng mused.

"Then let us prepare properly and await his return here on the island," Wu Jiang said calmly.

With that, he put away his spiritual hoe and, with his two children, organized the many spiritual farmers to begin preparations.

Meanwhile,

Qin Ming, accompanied by his spiritual familiars, had swept through the Southern Wastes with thunderous force—eradicating demonic remnants, crushing beast hordes, and rescuing Pei Qingzhen of Beishou Valley. The news spread like a tidal wave.

Thus, the legendary status of True Person Moon Gazing had reached its zenith in the hearts of all Southern Wastes cultivators.

…

Seven days later.

"Finally… I'm back."

A radiant, colorful Lingxiao Bao Nian floated through the sky, its front led by a colossal Xuan Shui Crocodile, pulled by Azure Sea Horses—grand and majestic beyond measure.

As the imperial carriage reached the skies above Moon Gazing Island, the pink mist enveloping the isle parted like a loyal subject greeting its master.

The Lingxiao Bao Nian instantly entered the island.

Simultaneously, several auras shot from within the island, landing mid-air and bowing deeply toward Qin Ming's carriage:

"We humbly welcome the Island Master's return! Wu Jiang, with all disciples of the island, pay homage!"

Wu Jiang gazed at the Xuan Shui Crocodile—he had fed it as a child. Now its aura had transformed utterly, radiating overwhelming dominance, and he sighed deeply.

Truly, when one ascends, even dogs and chickens rise with him.

Long moments passed, then a voice, unmistakably familiar, emerged from within the carriage:

"Hmm. Come to Qingmu Pavilion on the main peak."

"Yes, Master!"

Qin Ming casually waved his hand, dissolving the illusionary veil surrounding Moon Gazing Island entirely.

"From now on, Moon Gazing Island no longer needs this illusion. Perhaps we should install a higher-grade protective array."

He recalled the methods for crafting fourth-rank arrays in The Art of Demonic Engineering.

Once more, a paradise unfolded before Qin Ming's eyes—lush with spiritual energy, the island's area expanded by more than double.

Spiritual plants blanketed the peaks; the outermost ring held thousands of acres of fertile farmland, where lush spiritual rice swayed in the wind. The spiritual farmers below stared skyward, prostrating themselves before the Lingxiao Bao Nian. "The changes here are immense!" The Shitian Rat poked its head out, gazing at the idyllic scenery, sighing.

Upon returning to the main peak, everything felt familiar and warm.

He released his three spiritual beasts—Xuan Shui Crocodile, Shitian Rat, and Silver-Winged Frost Bee—outside the island to roam.

After decades apart, they were too eager to contain their longing for home.

Inside Qingmu Pavilion on the main peak,

The Wu family stood respectfully before the grand hall.

When they saw Qin Ming's face, they all stared in awe.

Decades had passed, yet the Island Master remained unchanged—like an evergreen tree, identical to when he left. Only his cultivation had become unfathomably profound; merely standing before him brought crushing pressure.

Wu Wangfeng and Wu Wangyue felt the same—such overwhelming aura, they had never sensed even from their Supreme Elder.

Likewise, Qin Ming gazed at them, his heart stirred.

Especially Wu Jiang—now a frail, white-haired elder, his verdant vitality thinning, perhaps only twenty years of life left.

And Wu Wangyue and Wu Wangfeng—these two children he had watched grow from mischievous toddlers into mature, accomplished disciples.

After a brief glance, Qin Ming asked Wu Jiang: "Where is your father, Wu Hanyuan?"

"Report, Island Master: my father passed away thirty years ago."

Qin Ming had not expected so many old friends to have passed during his absence.

'Time flies—years slip away. Amidst sea changes, one generation of old friends fades after another.'

'The waves wash away all—but I remain standing.'

Next,

Qin Ming inquired of Wu Jiang and the others about the past decades, exchanging brief words.

When conversation waned, he withdrew a pill from his storage pouch and offered it to Wu Jiang: "This is the Longevity Fruit Pill—it will extend your life by decades. Beyond that, your fate lies in heaven's will."

"When I returned, the cultivation cave on the main peak remained unchanged, the farmlands and spiritual plants meticulously tended."

"You've guarded this island for decades—your devotion is noted."

Even with his age, Wu Jiang's eyes reddened, tears nearly spilling.

He trembled as he accepted the jade vial: "A high-rank longevity elixir! Island Master, how can I accept this?"

"This old man is already at twilight. These bones are useless—better left for those who still have purpose."

"Hmm. Decide for yourself," Qin Ming said coolly.

"Thank you, Island Master, for the pill!"

After meeting the islanders, Qin Ming dismissed them.

Suddenly, he remembered something and called out to Wu Wangfeng:

"By the way, I heard Brother Wei suffered injury while attempting to break through. What happened?"

Wu Wangfeng turned immediately, bowed, hesitated, then replied: "Report, Island Master: Supreme Elder Wei indeed failed his breakthrough to Golden Core late-stage, resulting in reversed meridians and severe injury. He has been suppressing it these years."

He dared not speak carelessly—this concerned sect secrets, and Wei Taishang had always treated him well.

Wei Wuyan was Lei Yuanzong's anchor—if he fell, the sect would collapse.

Yet he knew the Island Master had a good relationship with his ancestral elder.

And since Qin Ming had asked, Wu Wangfeng answered truthfully, withholding nothing.

"Here. This is a Li Yun Pill—it can repair and restructure damaged meridians. Deliver it to Brother Wei on my behalf," Qin Ming said after a moment's thought, handing him a delicate jade vial.

"Li Yun Pill?"

Wu Wangfeng trembled. He had never heard of such a pill—but if the Island Master offered it, it could not be ordinary.

He dared not refuse, and carefully accepted the pill.

"Your humble servant thanks the Island Master on behalf of Supreme Elder Wei!"

"Hmm. Go now."

After dismissing them, Qin Ming stood atop the main peak pavilion, gazing at the peach groves, bamboo seas, and emerald tea gardens.

He pulled out a flask of Demon Flame Wine and drank alone.

…

Fengqi Island, headquarters of the Seventy-Two Islets Alliance.

A servant hurried into the council hall and presented a jade slip to the one seated above, bowing:

"My Lord, confirmed news: True Person Moon Gazing, Qin Ming, has returned to his island."

The current Alliance Lord was Ren Tianqi—he had assumed the position under Qin Ming's witness before Qin left the Southern Wastes.

When Ren Tianqi took power, he was young; now he had matured into a middle-aged man, composed and dignified, radiating the aura of a regional authority.

Under his leadership, the spiritual energy Archipelago had undergone several reforms and grown more prosperous than ever.

But more importantly, the emergence of True Person Moon Gazing as a legendary cultivator had drawn countless cultivators to settle and develop here.

Ren Tianqi received the news and immediately rose from his seat, his eyes flashing with sharp light; he waved his hand and said:

"Hurry! Deliver a formal invitation to Wangyue Island, prepare generous gifts, and I shall personally visit Elder Qin."

"Yes, my lord!"

Such scenes unfolded repeatedly across the four nations of the Southern Wilderness's cultivation world.

Many prominent major factions were also scrambling to send envoys to Wangyue Island to pay their respects.

In the following months, Wangyue Island, which had lain dormant for decades, once again became thronged with visitors—but Qin Ming declined every single one.

He had Wu Jiang spread word that he would be entering seclusion to cultivate for a time, and would receive no guests.

For Qin Ming had something far more important to do next.

That was to refine the Nascent Soul Condensation Pill and the Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill to overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation.

……

(End of Chapter)