Chapter 669: Remains of the Treasure Tree

Inside the carriage, Hua Tianxiong, his belly protruding, smiled warmly as he flattered Su Yuqing.

"Hehe! With your talent, reaching the Nascent Soul realm is merely a matter of time—when that day comes, be sure to lend this humble one a hand."

When Hua Tianxiong heard in Da Jin that Qin Ming had broken through to Nascent Soul True Person, he was utterly stunned.

After some thought,

he finally realized: Qin Ming had earlier ordered him to gather so many rare spiritual materials—likely to secretly prepare for crafting the legendary ancient elixir, the Nascent Soul Pill!

Coupled with Qin Ming's frequent interactions with the prodigy alchemist Su Yuqing, it was easy to deduce that both had mastered the method of crafting the Nascent Soul Pill.

Hua Tianxiong's spirits soared. With his decades of experience in commerce, if he could properly serve these two great deities,

perhaps one of them, in a moment of benevolence and joy, might bestow upon him a single Nascent Soul Pill.

Though the hope was slim, one must still have dreams.

"The Nascent Soul realm is beyond reach for all but those blessed with immense fortune—even I have little confidence in achieving it."

"Qin Brother's disposition and fortune are both extraordinary. Even back in Yunze Wildlands, I saw his uncommon nature—he pulled a true dragon from the shallow waters of Wangyue Lake. What a grand destiny!" Su Yuqing spoke with clear-headed clarity.

He did not assume he could reach Nascent Soul merely because he had reached Golden Core completion.

In Da Jin's cultivation world, cultivators reaching Golden Core completion were already few; those who broke through to Nascent Soul without fortune or destiny were rarer still.

In a thousand years, only the Li Huo Immortal had done so.

One could imagine how difficult it was.

"Su Alchemist speaks truly—I am deeply instructed," Hua Tianxiong hastily agreed.

At that moment,

both their expressions changed simultaneously.

Outside, celestial music echoed, followed by a voice slowly drifting in: "Ahem! Is this the carriage of Alchemist Su, and Brother Hua? My master has sent me personally to welcome you."

As he spoke, Shi Tian Shu flashed outside, standing with arms behind his back, poised and proud. Su Yuqing and Hua Tianxiong turned to look—and were left speechless by the extravagant scene before them.

Before them stood a more magnificent Lingxiao Imperial Carriage, resembling a splendid pavilion floating in the sky.

In front, three late-stage Xuan Shui Giant Crocodiles pulled the carriage, while eight Bi Bo Sea Horses—rare even in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm—followed closely on either side.

Qin Ming's spiritual pet, Shi Tian Shu, had already reached third-stage completion and warmly welcomed their arrival.

"So it's Brother Shi Tian Shu! It's been some time—your aura has grown even more unfathomable. Surely you're not far from true fourth-stage Demon Saint status?" Hua Tianxiong stepped out of the Golden Throne Carriage and bowed respectfully.

Shi Tian Shu greatly enjoyed this flattery, so he lifted his chin and replied coolly: "Brother Hua knows how to speak—clearly a man of the world."

"Fourth stage… is not far off."

"Both of you, follow me—my master awaits you on the island."

Soon after,

under the guidance of Shi Tian Shu's Lingxiao Imperial Carriage, they returned to Wangyue Spirit Island.

Half a stick of incense later,

as Su Yuqing and Hua Tianxiong gazed upon the idyllic island, they could not help but sigh in awe.

"How did Qin Brother manage to cultivate such a precious cultivation ground?"

"A fourth-stage spiritual vein—no wonder he succeeded in forming his Nascent Soul."

The next instant,

space rippled, a green streak shot across the sky, and suddenly appeared before them Qin Ming's unremarkable figure, his aura profound and impenetrable.

Neither Hua Tianxiong nor Su Yuqing had even seen how he appeared.

Still, both quickly bowed and congratulated: "Congratulations, Qin Brother, on achieving Nascent Soul True Person—your immortal path is boundless!"

"Congratulations, Qin True Person, on completing Nascent Soul formation—may your immortal way endure!"

"You two needn't be so formal with me. Brother Su, it's been a long time. You've both come to my Wangyue Island for the first time—stay as long as you like."

Qin Ming smiled warmly at them.

Su Yuqing and Hua Tianxiong were both filled with wonder—meeting Qin Ming again, they never imagined the gulf between past and present. Even those once familiar now felt a touch of restraint.

Qin Ming led them into the Greenwood Pavilion, had Shi Tian Shu bring forth spiritual melons and fruits, and served them spiritual wine.

"I never expected that after our last parting, you truly would achieve Nascent Soul—it truly humbles me," said Su Yuqing, the proud Alchemist, rarely uttering such words.

Qin Ming smiled slightly. "I assume Brother Su has already crafted the Nascent Soul Pill?"

"Correct. Had I not been in seclusion refining this elixir, I wouldn't have missed Qin Brother's Nascent Soul ceremony," Su Yuqing nodded, not hiding the truth.

As Qin Ming had expected, with materials at hand, there was almost no spiritual elixir Su Yuqing, the alchemical prodigy, could not craft.

His profound understanding of alchemy even surpassed ancient sages.

"No matter. I never intended to hold such a grand ceremony—but you know the situation in the Southern Wastes. With only one Nascent Soul among us, I had to make some noise." Qin Ming said.

"By the way, since Brother Su now has the Nascent Soul Pill, you're preparing to break through as well?"

Su Yuqing shook his head. "It's difficult… I'm no match for Qin Brother. Even with my clan's full support, my current state means even with the Nascent Soul Pill, my chance of success is under forty percent—still too unstable."

"Oh? What troubles you? Is there anything I can assist with?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

It seemed Su Yuqing, like himself, was extremely cautious—forty percent success was considered extremely high by others.

Worth a gamble.

Yet to him, it still felt unstable.

"It's not about that. These years, I've focused entirely on alchemy—my progress there has been swift—but I've neglected my cultivation of spells and divine arts, and lack protective magic treasures."

"Even if I form the Nascent Soul, I may not survive the Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation—the risk of perishing is high."

"So I plan to return and undergo trials and refinement before attempting another breakthrough," Su Yuqing explained.

Then he remembered something.

"I heard Qin Brother braved the most perilous Earthly Demon Heavenly Tribulation. I never imagined that someone who spends his days farming could wield such formidable techniques."

"Truly beyond my expectations!"

Beside them, Hua Tianxiong's face fell. Comparing himself to Qin Ming, he realized that even with the Nascent Soul Pill, he had no hope of ever reaching Nascent Soul. Still, he understood Qin Ming's strength well.

At Golden Core, he had crushed the Demon Sect's Holy Son—his failure to form Nascent Soul would defy cosmic justice. As they spoke, both presented their gifts.

Qin Ming did not wish them to spend, but could not refuse, so reluctantly accepted.

Su Yuqing's gift was a vial of fourth-stage elixir: the Hunyuan Pill—perfect for Qin Ming's early Nascent Soul stage to enhance his magic power.

Seeing such a high-grade elixir, Hua Tianxiong's expression was filled with envy.

Then,

he slowly pulled from his storage pouch a blackened piece of charcoal, its base still bearing a few sparse roots, and offered it to Qin Ming with deep respect:

"Qin True Person, this is this humble one's meager gift—please accept it."

The instant Qin Ming took the object, he instantly sensed an astonishing surge of spiritual energy.

He had never felt such energy from any other spiritual plant except his own life-plant, Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.

Even the Star Sea Divine Vine—one of the five divine trees of the cultivation world—could not compare.

"Brother Hua, what is this?" Shi Tian Shu, seeing Qin Ming's rare solemn expression, asked.

Even Su Yuqing beside him was deeply curious.

Hua Tianxiong grinned mysteriously. "Hehe! This is what remains of the Seven Marvelous Treasure Tree from the Five Elements Mountains."

"I spent immense effort to trade for it from Elder Gan."

"What?!"

Everyone present was stunned—even Qingyang the Old Devil, whose soul-body had recovered on the Star Sea Divine Vine, involuntarily opened his eyes.

(End of Chapter)