Chapter 655: Influence

The woman in sunglasses below trembled slightly.

But suddenly, she was frozen in place, as if held by an invisible force, unable to move.

As if time itself had halted. The next instant.

Only to see Qin Ming above, behind whom a faint shadow of an ancient, verdant tree emerged, its branches stretching wide, spreading emerald light like divine marvel.

The lingering emerald glow settled upon Mo Lingwei.

In an instant.

From within Mo Lingwei, a strange resonance suddenly responded—a stream of crimson light coalesced, forming the silhouette of a spreading phoenix.

"Li!" A clear, ethereal phoenix cry echoed through the hall, jolting the spirit.

Accompanied by faint, peculiar incense.

Then, the crimson phoenix silhouette spiraled upward, as if ascending to the ninth heavens, finally dissolving into a red rune that settled upon Mo Lingwei's forehead.

At this moment, Mo Lingwei's aura transformed utterly—ethereal and divine, like a goddess descending from heaven, radiating a soul-stirring spiritual grace.

"So it truly is the legendary Fengyin Body."

"Indeed, quite intriguing."

Qin Ming raised his hand slightly, withdrawing his technique; all the strange phenomena in the hall vanished instantly.

The Shìtiān Rat stood nearby, visibly disappointed, muttering in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's: "So this is how they check?"

With Qin Ming's technique withdrawn, the aura around Mo Lingwei faded, and she returned to normal.

She now looked like a startled fawn, flustered and at a loss.

In that single moment, Mo Lingwei felt as if she had been stripped bare before him.

"I've saved you multiple times already. Shouldn't you offer something in return?"

"When I break through to Nascent Soul mid-stage, I'll take your primordial yin. Will you agree?"

Qin Ming spoke bluntly, in these exact terms.

The Shìtiān Rat: "."

Below, Mo Lingwei blushed deeply, stammering: "True Person, isn't this… isn't this just the one time?"

"Where is this so-called debt of multiple rescues?"

Qin Ming smiled faintly, then summoned a True Demon Illusion, transforming into the form of a bearded giant.

It was none other than the famed "Long Dao Ren" of the Southern Wastelands! "This—" Mo Lingwei froze in place.

She was no stranger to this man.

She never imagined such a formidable figure had once been Qin Ming himself. "Mo Immortal, besides the time Zhao Family unleashed demonic plants to chaos the spiritual energy Archipelago, I also saved you when you secretly entered the demonic caverns of Qianye Spirit Island with those fellows from Wan Hun Valley."

"Ever since you boarded the Zhao Family's sinking ship, the spiritual energy Archipelago Alliance has been hunting you. You've fled with your clan across the land, even journeyed ten thousand miles to seek survival in the demonic territories of the Jin Kingdom."

"You must have suffered greatly."

"If you agree to my proposal, all your current troubles will vanish."

"Moreover, before I break through to Nascent Soul mid-stage, I won't take your primordial yin—I'll even provide you with resources to support your cultivation."

"After all, your current Foundation Establishment late-stage realm is far too low."

"You may return and consider it carefully. You can tell me later."

Qin Ming gazed at her with a smile, seemingly in no hurry for her immediate reply.

Mo Lingwei's eyes were complex, but she was no timid woman, nor a rigid chastity martyr; after weighing pros and cons, she nodded gently: "Lingwei thanks True Person's grace!"

These years, she had endured enough of hiding, fleeing, and exile. Better to return to her roots and stay by Qin Ming's side—perhaps even gain a chance at Core Formation.

Qin Ming then produced several spirit elixirs and gave them to her, saying: "You may recall your clan and return to your Qingxiadao."

"I'll inform the Alliance. You may return openly, without fear."

Mo Lingwei gratefully accepted the gifts and withdrew.

As she stepped out of the Green Wood Pavilion, she still felt as if living in a dream.

Mo Lingwei let out a bitter laugh: "I never thought I'd one day lead my clan back to this ancestral land."

In truth, Qin Ming's actions were merely preparing another fallback path.

He already possessed two Nascent Souls; reaching Nascent Soul mid-stage was merely a matter of time.

But Nascent Soul late-stage—or even perfection—would be different.

After everyone had left.

The hall grew empty, leaving only Qin Ming and the Shìtiān Rat.

The Shìtiān Rat, quick as lightning, grinned and stepped forward: "Master, I've had new insights into my ancestral massage technique—want to try it? Hehe!"

"Hmm. Arrange it." Qin Ming closed his eyes to rest.

The Shìtiān Rat leapt onto Qin Ming's shoulder and quietly performed its ancestral art.

…

Just days later.

The shocking news that Qin Ming had successfully crossed the heavenly tribulation on Wangyue Island and attained Nascent Soul True Person status spread like thunder through the Southern Wastelands.

More importantly, under his decree, the four nations of the Southern Wastelands united, forming the Four Nations Alliance.

This meant that for the next thousand years, protected by a Nascent Soul True Person, the Southern Wastelands would enter an unprecedented era of prosperity.

Upon this earth-shattering news, the entire Southern Wastelands was bathed in celebration. From now on, the name "Wangyue True Person" would soon reach the Three Nations of Zhongzhou—and eventually become known to all major human cultivation factions.

"Alas! Wangyue True Person truly is our Southern Wastelands' inspirational legend!"

"He truly climbed step by step to the Nascent Soul realm—his legend continues!"

"Of course! If someone else became a Nascent Soul, what's it to me? But Wangyue True Person? He's saved the Southern Wastelands from disaster multiple times."

"He's now our spiritual pillar as wandering cultivators!"

"Brother, you're right! Rumor has it that Wangyue True Person detained the Li Huo Palace's Nascent Soul seed, forcing Li Huo Shangren himself to come retrieve him—what a satisfying blow for our Southern Wastelands!"

"What? That happened too? This meal's on me—tell us the full story, brother!"

Such scenes unfolded in every alley and street of every spirit city, as all praised Wangyue True Person's name, his reputation growing ever richer.

And.

With the Southern Wastelands now producing a new Nascent Soul cultivator, the cultivation world's balance had shifted.

Even the war-torn Three Nations of Zhongzhou were affected.

They even paused their fighting for a time.

After all, Li Huo Palace had forcibly conscripted Southern Wastelands cultivators to fight—but now their precious Nascent Soul seed was held by a newly risen True Person, forcing them to return all those expendable troops.

For even thousands of expendable soldiers could not match the immense resources Li Huo Palace had invested in cultivating a single Nascent Soul seed.

…

Half a month later, Qin Ming emerged from his cave after completing his seclusion.

"I suppose… Brother Su, Hua Tianxiong, and Yue Lingyan in Da Jin have received the news by now?"

At that moment.

The Shìtiān Rat rushed back in and said: "Master, Wei Wuyan is here to see you."

Qin Ming had already sensed him: "Have him enter."

Moments later.

A blue aura descended onto the main peak, revealing Wei Wuyan's figure.

"Wei Wuyan, bows before Wangyue True Person!"

Qin Ming waved his hand, smiling faintly: "No need for formalities. What brings you, Wei Alliance Leader?"

Wei Wuyan gazed at Qin Ming's Nascent Soul-level magic power, filled with envy yet dared not overstep.

He sighed and explained his purpose: "I owe you thanks for this position—if not for you, Lei Yuanzong would need centuries more to reach such status."

"I've come to ask when you plan to hold the Nascent Soul Ceremony?"

As Alliance Leader now, he must be perceptive—these matters must be handled properly, to honor True Person's investment. Qin Ming's head throbbed at the mention of it; he despised such formalities.

Besides, to break through to Nascent Soul, he had already stripped every possible resource from the Southern Wastelands.

This backwater region now held nothing worth his attention.

He'd already held one Core Formation ceremony—enduring another round of low-level cultivators' flattery was utterly tedious.

His network was already broad enough; he had no need to host a ceremony to accumulate wealth.

Thus, after brief thought, he said: "No need for a Nascent Soul Ceremony. Tell the sects not to waste resources—just send your goodwill. I accept it."

"What? True Person, how can you do that?" Wei Wuyan blinked, then smiled bitterly: "You don't understand."

"Your breakthrough to Nascent Soul is the first in the Southern Wastelands in thousands of years."

"Its significance is immense."

"It will greatly elevate our Southern Wastelands' influence."

"Even neighboring cultivation realms have reached out, inquiring about this."

At that moment.

The Shìtiān Rat could no longer hold back and stepped forward to say:

"Alas, Master, I know you're a humble man who dislikes the spotlight—but now that you've broken through to Nascent Soul, you've already begun reshaping the cultivation world's balance, even affecting the war in Da Jin."

"Your strength no longer permits you to remain low-key!"

Qin Ming and Wei Wuyan nearly broke their composure.

Qin Ming slapped the Shìtiān Rat's head and scolded: "Don't think I don't know your little scheme—you're just eager for the feast, aren't you? And that little silver fox you're pining for."

The Shìtiān Rat, caught out, scratched its head and chuckled awkwardly.

Immediately after hearing Wei Wuyang and the Devouring Rat speak, Qin Ming found their reasoning sound and agreed.

"Then entrust the arrangements to you, Master Wei, and Gu Qingzhao. Decide the exact date of the ceremony yourselves."

"Simply notify this seat when the time comes."

"Yes! We humbly obey the True Person's edict!" Wei Wuyang's expression brightened at last seeing Qin Ming agree.

After reporting to Qin Ming on recent developments in the cultivation world, he set off to carry out his orders.

Thank you, friend Xu Xiaoyu, for the 100 Qidian coins tip.

Yesterday, despite no recommendation, we made it into the top five hundred on both the monthly vote and bestseller charts—thank you all again for your support.

(End of chapter)