Chapter 675: Spiritual Rhyme Elixir

Time flowed gently, and five years passed.

Qin Ming awoke from his cultivation, slowly opening his ink-black eyes.

A sliver of emerald green flickered through his pupils, then vanished.

He now possessed a terrifying lifespan of four thousand five hundred years; five years meant nothing more than a blink to him.

After these years of cultivation, Qin Ming had fully mastered and stabilized his Nascent Soul domain technique.

"The technique is perfected, but after all this time, my Qing Emperor Wood Emperor Sacred Body still hasn't broken through to the Great Completion stage."

"It seems I need the Yin-Yang plant to absorb more blood pearls."

"Perhaps it requires blood pearls from Nascent Soul cultivators to continue growing."

Qin stepped out of the cave dwelling, gazing at the pitch-black vines outside, lost in thought.

Yet suddenly—

A potent, fragrant aroma of spiritual honey emanated from the hive on the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.

"Whoa! The scent of spiritual honey! It's incredibly fragrant!" The Devouring Rat's nose was extremely keen.

The moment it caught the scent, it rushed over, staring longingly at the hive.

Qin Ming activated his spiritual sense, sweeping it into the hive—and inside, he saw a cluster of spiritual honey, golden liquid glowing with enchanting radiance, exuding swirling mist.

"Third-rank supreme-grade royal jelly!"

After a century of maturation, these spiritual bees had gathered nectar from hundreds of high-rank flowers in the Small Spirit Realm, finally producing this ultra-premium royal jelly.

This nectar of the gods, even if eaten raw, was sufficient to serve as a Core Formation elixir.

The Small Spirit Realm teemed with countless high-rank spiritual plants, concentrating the essence of hundreds of high-rank flowers; such royal jelly was virtually impossible to find elsewhere—this single hive was the only one.

Qin Ming immediately summoned the Silver-Winged Frost Bees, ordering all the spiritual bees to vacate the hive.

Then he retrieved several jade vials and collected every drop of this priceless supreme-grade royal jelly.

The Devouring Rat watched him gather the honey, drooling incessantly.

Qin Ming plucked a piece of honey from the hive and handed it to him: "That's all. This royal jelly is vital for me."

"Hehe! Thank you, Master!" The Devouring Rat snatched the honey, immediately sticking a finger into it and tasting a drop.

His eyes flared bright! He immediately wore an expression of deep bliss, eyes narrowing into slits.

A dense surge of spiritual energy flowed through his body as a warm current, transforming into pure demonic power.

Then he took the royal jelly and called the Mystic Water Crocodile, vanishing into some hidden corner to enjoy it.

As Qin Ming obtained this royal jelly, he suddenly recalled a spiritual liquor from the "Immortal Brewer's Divine Formula," called "Spiritual Rhyme Elixir."

This liquor possessed immense efficacy in enhancing Nascent Soul magic power.

After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, few spiritual items could still increase one's cultivation base.

This liquor was especially rare and precious.

Originally, Qin Ming planned to use demonic cores to refine a Hunyuan Pill suitable for Nascent Soul beginners.

But now that he had third-rank supreme-grade royal jelly, he changed his mind on the spot.

After all, according to the liquor formula, the Spiritual Rhyme Elixir was effective even for Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators.

One could drink it continuously up to mid-stage, with no toxic residue.

Of course, once he acquired a fourth-rank demonic core later, he could still refine Hunyuan Pills.

"That fourth-rank demonic core from the Ming Water Giant Snake as the main ingredient, supplemented with Crimson Sun Deer antlers and royal jelly—other auxiliary materials are easy to find. Perfect for brewing this spiritual liquor."

Without delay, Qin Ming gave the ingredient list to Wei Wuya, ordering him to mobilize manpower to gather the remaining auxiliary materials.

Just half a month later, all spiritual materials were assembled.

Qin Ming immediately began brewing the "Spiritual Rhyme Elixir" using the secret method in the liquor formula.

Several days later—

An intoxicating aroma of divine liquor spread throughout the Small Spirit Realm.

Each jar of spiritual liquor was shrouded in a misty, rainbow-hued glow, dreamlike and ethereal.

Qin Ming then stored all the spiritual liquor in the earth beneath his life-plant, the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.

While brewing, Qin Ming infused a few strands of the Four Seasons Divine Light technique, discovering that its cyclical temporal power not only aided pill refinement but also enhanced the aging and maturation of liquor.

Thus, he needed only a few years of fermentation to enjoy the legendary Spiritual Rhyme Elixir.

The original formula stated that fermenting this liquor required at least thirty to fifty years.

After brewing the liquor, Qin Ming began planning his next steps.

First, he must travel to Great Jin and resolve the Blood Ring Curse imprint on his body.

"The spiritual essences of those Blood Refining Sect's true disciples were tampered with—they cannot be soul-searched."

"Now that I've broken through to Nascent Soul, if I capture another true disciple and attempt soul-searching, I should uncover the method to break the curse."

Second, he needed to find the several spiritual materials required to cultivate Blood Serpent Green Rice.

"The Southern Wastes are truly impoverished. I've sent people to search for years—still not a single spiritual item found. I'll have to go myself."

Third, he must personally investigate the Descent phenomenon.

Lastly, his life-plant, the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine, had stopped growing; his cultivation of the Qing Emperor Scripture and Qing Emperor Wood Emperor Sacred Body had stalled—he needed to fertilize it.

So far, no Void Rift channels have appeared in the Southern Wastes; no invasion has occurred.

But according to intelligence Qin Ming had gathered over the past few years, other major cultivation regions of the mortal realm have begun experiencing continuous "Void Anomalies."

Though currently, Great Jin and Great Zhou in the Central Continent still stand before the Southern Wastes, no one knows how long they can hold out.

The Southern Wastes' cultivation realm will inevitably face the Descent problem.

Qin Ming ordered Wei Wuya to command the Four Nations Alliance to pay special attention to this matter—any appearance of Void Anomalies must be reported immediately.

He had also instructed the Four Nations Alliance to begin preparing in advance for the Descent.

Yet the Southern Wastes' cultivation strength was too weak—he doubted it could withstand even one wave of assault. Qin Ming had already decided: if things turned dire, he, a Nascent Soul grand cultivator, would be ready to flee at any moment.

During this time, one event occurred.

That was, Qin Ming's old subordinate Wu Jiang, years ago, ultimately could not withstand the erosion of time and exhausted his lifespan.

Wu Jiang, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, lived over three hundred years—an exceptionally long life.

After all, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators rarely exceeded two hundred years.

This longevity was due to the longevity elixirs and fruits Qin Ming had provided.

One day—

Qin Ming summoned Mo Lingwei alone to the Green Wood Pavilion on the island.

"Mo Lingwei of Qingxiadao, pays homage to Wangyue True Person!"

Mo Lingwei looked anxious and uneasy, unsure why Qin Ming had suddenly summoned her.

Qin Ming had only recently broken through to Nascent Soul—surely he wouldn't urgently need her Fengyin body yet.

"I will be leaving Wangyue Island for a time. During my absence, you will oversee the Spirit Island." Qin Ming spoke bluntly.

Mo Lingwei was clearly surprised—he wanted her to manage the island? She hesitated briefly: "Master Qin, isn't Wu Daoist still managing Wangyue Island?"

"Could it be…"

"Correct. Wu Jiang passed away four years ago. Wangyue Island needs someone to manage it. I entrust this task to you. Will you accept?" Qin Ming said calmly.

Mo Lingwei immediately bowed deeply: "Lingwei will obey every command of Wangyue True Person!"

She was overjoyed—Wangyue Island possessed a fourth-rank spiritual vein, granting cultivation efficiency doubled.

"You've reached Foundation Establishment peak?" Qin Ming studied her.

Mo Lingwei quickly replied: "I barely broke through recently."

"Hmm. In a few days, the Four Nations Alliance will issue a special mission. You may claim it—if you gather enough merit points, you might exchange them for a Golden Core Pill." Qin Ming revealed to her.

"Of course, such missions carry risk. Your fortune depends entirely on yourself." "Golden Core Pill reward!" Mo Lingwei's eyes sparkled with hope.

This stirred a flicker of hope within her—perhaps she could break through before her lifespan expired.

"Precisely. Such opportunities must be seized by yourself. But managing my Spirit Island also counts as a task, granting you steady merit points."

"It's a small favor from me."

"Thank you, True Person!"

After giving his instructions, Qin Ming handed her the token to activate the Spirit Island's formation.

The protective formation on Wangyue Island had been upgraded to a fourth-rank array—the gift he received from Li Huoshangren.

Then Qin Ming stepped out of the Spirit Island and ordered those outside: "I will be away on business for a time. Wangyue Island is now under the management of Qingxia Immortal. You will obey her commands without question until my return."

"Yes! We obey the Island Master's command!"

…

Several days later.

Qin Ming retracted his life-plant, the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine, from the main peak, summoned the Lingxiao Treasure Chariot and the Mystic Water Crocodile, called the Devouring Rat, and shot into the sky as a streak of five-colored light, leaving Wangyue Island behind.

"Honor the Island Master's departure!"

Behind him, Mo Lingwei and the others bowed deeply in farewell.

With Mo Lingwei, a capable and astute female cultivator, managing and guarding the Spirit Island, Qin Ming felt quite at ease.

After leaving Wei State, Qin Ming flew directly toward the Beast Roar Mountains.

He once dared not take this route, but now his cultivation had changed beyond recognition—he could go anywhere under heaven.

Even the northern region of gray mist, the Spirit-Dead Zone, could not halt his steps.

Several days later, Qin Ming directly crossed the gray mist marshland.

Since achieving Nascent Soul, his speed was astonishing; within half a month, he had reached the heart of the Beast Roar Mountains.

Qin Ming sat leisurely in the spacious carriage, sipping spiritual wine and flipping through a book.

The Tian Shi Rat beside him had already eaten and drunk his fill, lying flat on the table, snoring soundly.

The Xuan Shui Crocodile toiled faithfully, pulling the Lingxiao Bao Nian ahead, its terrifying aura deterring all beasts below, who fled in terror.

This spared them many troubles along the way.

"If I calculate the time correctly, we should be nearing the border between Beast Cry Mountains and the southern reaches of Great Jin, won't we?"

At that moment.

His vast spiritual sense suddenly stirred.

Three hundred li beyond Beast Cry Mountains, in the sky.

Two streaks of light cut across the heavens, fleeing in disarray, startling birds and beasts in the dense forest, who scattered in panic.

Behind them, several streaks of surging demonic energy pursued with blazing speed, tightly clinging to the two, clearly closing in fast.

"Brother Han, I never expected our reconnaissance mission zone would harbor a Void Anomaly. Let's split up—maybe one of us can still find a sliver of survival."

A voice of a female cultivator Qin Ming knew well rang out.

"Sigh! Sister Liu, perhaps this is our fate—we've stumbled upon an event with odds so low it's nearly impossible."

"Useless. They're too many, and they seem to possess a tracking technique—we can't shake them. Better to stay together and look for a chance to break out as one."

Han Yuan let out a bitter laugh, gripping his magic sword tightly, preparing to fight to the death.

These two fleeing for their lives were Han Yuan and Liu Ye, who had joined the Weidao Alliance; Gao Feng was nowhere to be seen.

The pursuers behind them wore dark-patterned demonic robes—clothing Qin Ming recognized instantly as belonging to disciples of the Blood Refining Demon Sect.

Compared to the first wave of demon cultivators who descended, these four or five disciples were all merely at Foundation Establishment peak.

Their leader was a bearded man, also at Foundation Establishment peak, one step away from pseudo-Golden Core.

Beside him was a seductive female cultivator, dressed provocatively, unrestrained and flamboyant, heavily powdered and rouged, with a green snake coiled around her arm.

"Hahaha! Just as we descend, we encounter two little fish—perfect to feed my little one, to drain their bones and marrow for nourishment."

She laughed lasciviously, stroking the green snake as it flicked its tongue.

"Hahaha! Whoever catches them first gets them, Green Scale Woman—such fine blood food, I won't let you have it!"

The bearded man roared with laughter, eyes blazing with malice; he immediately activated the shuttle-like demonic artifact beneath his feet, accelerating sharply and pulling far ahead of the others.

Swish! He unleashed demonic energy, his Blood Drink Demon Blade flaring crimson, slashing forward violently—dozens of crimson streaks tore through the sky, forming a vast blood-red net that descended upon Han Yuan and Liu Ye.

Seeing this terrifying power, Han Yuan and Liu Ye turned pale—the mere casual slash from the bearded man rivaled a pseudo-Golden Core strike.

Liu Ye's face turned ashen with despair; she pulled out a second-rank superior defensive circular shield to block it.

"Hahaha! How utterly foolish! Do you think your broken shield can withstand my demonic blood blade?"

In the next instant, crimson light flashed.

Clang! Crack! The spiritual shield Liu Ye released was shattered and flung away; her pupils dilated, her face drained of all color.

"Sister Liu!! Watch out!" Han Yuan's eyes bulged with rage; he tried to rush to her aid, but two demon cultivators had already pinned him down.

He could only watch helplessly as the crimson blade streaked toward Liu Ye—she would die on the spot.

Just as both were consumed by despair.

Roar! Roar! Roar! Hum~ The surrounding space suddenly began to violently tremble.

In an instant, a magnificent Lingxiao Bao Nian, pulled by a third-rank late-stage Xuan Shui Crocodile, arrived before them.

The crimson blade about to strike Liu Ye froze mid-air, then dissolved like foam.

"Worse! An Nascent Soul cultivator!"

The bearded man suddenly panicked, shrieking as he tried to flee.

The female cultivator reacted faster—but was instantly immobilized by overwhelming force, unable to even cry out for mercy before exploding into a mist of blood.

The Xuan Shui Crocodile lifted its head and spat a thread of lightning, instantly reducing the remaining demon cultivators to ash.

Within mere seconds.

This sudden reversal left Han Yuan and Liu Ye utterly stunned.

They were relieved to have survived, yet deeply curious—who had saved them?

Just the carriage itself was extravagantly grand.

As the bearded man trembled in terror, the air before him twisted, slowly revealing a plain-faced young man.

The man merely glanced at him—and his mind went numb, instantly blank.

A few seconds later, the bearded man's eyes were vacant, his body lifeless, like a walking corpse—never uttering a single word from start to finish.

Qin Ming used the Thorns Technique to condense him into a blood pearl and collected it.

He had just cast the Mind-Bewildering Art from the Dark Soul Scripture, successfully performing soul-searching.

Though this man was merely a lowly Foundation Establishment peak lackey of the Blood Refining Demon Sect, Qin Ming gleaned much information.

'The method to dispel the Blood Ring Curse Seal is indeed held by those dozen or so Golden Core true disciples.'

Qin Ming mused inwardly.

"Disciples Han Yuan and Liu Ye thank the True Person Elder for saving our lives—we are yours to command!"

Han Yuan and Liu Ye were extremely tense; though saved, they had heard tales of Nascent Soul elders' fickle tempers—killing them outright was entirely possible.

"No need. Meeting me is your fortune."

"By the way, where exactly was this Void Anomaly you mentioned? Take me there."

Qin Ming did not reveal his identity, speaking casually as if dismissing a trivial matter.

(End of Chapter)