Chapter 720: Did You Kill Xue Yan Mo Jun?

Inside the grand hall.

Qin Ming silently pondered: the words of Zhiyang Shiren had revealed to him certain secrets of the upper echelons of the cultivation world, even touching upon the Upper Realm.

This made him inwardly grumble: ‘I thought reaching the Nascent Soul realm meant I could walk with impunity—but turns out I’m still not safe. Clearly, I must advance to Nascent Soul late stage as soon as possible.’

‘Enough. I’ve said all I need to. Does anyone have questions?’ Zhiyang Shiren’s cold gaze swept lightly over the assembly, then added, ‘If you have objections, voice them now—don’t regret it later.’

‘On this occasion of the Immortal Mansion gathering, in the name of the Eastern Sea Star Palace, I declare that all Nascent Soul factions present shall form an alliance, effective immediately.’

‘With the Demon Gate descending upon our realm, we must stand together—cease all hostilities among our factions and unify under a single command.’

Until the descent of the Blood Realm ends.

‘I will notify the Nascent Soul factions not present. But if any of you here break this alliance after stepping out this door, don’t blame me for being ruthless.’

‘Our sect’s Ancestor has spoken: even a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator who dares betray the mortal realm will be hunted down and executed by the Ancestor himself, no matter how far he flees!’

As Zhiyang Shiren spoke these words, a chilling aura surged around him—he unveiled his peak Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivation base without restraint, causing the faces of the elders present to freeze.

His Nascent Soul domain then unfolded, making these centuries-old veterans turn pale.

Even Long Mu Zhenjun of Penglai Sect and Xia Yuangong were similarly stunned.

Yet Qin Ming’s expression remained calm, unchanged.

A few breaths passed.

The Nascent Soul domain retracted; the immense spiritual pressure receded like a tide.

Zhiyang Shiren’s overwhelming show of force was meant to discipline these scheming old devils.

The Star Palace is one of the few Soul Transformation sects in the mortal realm—facing pursuit by a Soul Transformation elder, the outcome is obvious. ‘Currently, the situation in Zhongzhou is most critical. The Tianhai Alliance has sent reinforcements, but it’s still far from enough.’

‘The Da Li demonic sect willingly serves as the Demon Gate’s vanguard, betraying the mortal realm—we’ll make an example of them.’

‘Liu Yu, my junior disciple, record this alliance meeting’s proceedings carefully and transmit them to all factions.’

‘Yes, Senior Grandmaster!’

After speaking, Zhiyang Shiren summoned a young cultivator stationed at the hall’s entrance—a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator with a pale, clean face, resembling a refined scholar.

The gazes of the Nascent Soul elders present fell, intentionally or not, upon Liu Yu.

Clearly, this youth had earned Zhiyang Shiren’s trust and favor—obviously being groomed for promotion, hence his presence here.

Qin Ming also glanced briefly at Liu Yu; the youth’s composure was impressive—he showed no excessive nervousness despite the pressure from multiple Nascent Soul True Persons.

Instead, he calmly began taking notes.

Next,

Zhiyang Shiren assigned tasks to each present faction.

Even the idle, free-roaming Nascent Soul cultivators reluctantly complied, crushed under the Star Palace’s overwhelming authority.

Under the prevailing tide, these top-tier cultivators could no longer remain aloof or preserve their own interests.

Inside Long Yuan Hall, the Nascent Soul True Persons of various factions engaged in heated debate over their assigned duties.

Some were dispatched to reinforce regions severely affected by the descent.

Others were tasked with logistics and supply.

The few Nascent Soul hermits dressed as rustic peasants fared worse—they were explicitly ordered to garrison a city plagued by frequent Void anomalies, and had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept.

Behind their backs, they muttered bitterly.

Fortunately, they weren’t alone—should the moment demand it, allies would come to their aid.

Even Guang Lingzi of the Xuanming Sect, long known for his haughty pride in the Northern Cold cultivation realm, silently accepted his assignment.

Presumably, the Star Palace had already contacted the Northern Soul Transformation sect, ‘Bing Shen Palace.’

The alliance, under Zhiyang Shiren’s leadership, proceeded smoothly.

He was the undisputed number one in the Star Palace among late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, his divine abilities legendary, his reputation echoing across the Eastern Sea cultivation world—truly deserving of his fame. In mere words, he subdued these unruly Nascent Soul factions.

Qin Daofriend, in the Southern Wastelands, you’re the only Nascent Soul cultivator, correct?

‘Speaking of which, we owe you thanks for your intelligence—it helped us root out numerous moles before the Immortal Mansion gathering and eliminate a batch of poisons.’

Suddenly,

Zhiyang Shiren’s face broke into a rare smile as he asked Qin Ming.

‘Correct.’

‘The previous matter was merely coincidence—I merely lent a small hand.’

‘For now, I still have some authority over affairs in the Southern Wastelands.’

Qin Ming rose and bowed to Zhiyang Shiren.

‘Indeed, though no Void anomalies have appeared in the Southern Wastelands yet, as the descent progresses, demonic incursions are inevitable.’

The Southern Wastelands are weak and vulnerable—easily exploited by demonic sects. Therefore, Qin Daofriend, you shall unify the Southern Wastelands’ factions and oversee logistics.

‘I will arrange for the Western You cultivation realm and the Zhongzhou Wei Dao Alliance to share intelligence and resources with you; should you encounter trouble, they can swiftly respond and support you.’

Zhiyang Shiren paused, then turned his gaze to Han Ya Shiren and a withered, hemp-robed elder from Western You—the Nascent Soul True Person from Western You, Tianji Laoren of the Ku Zhu Sect.

Two Daofriends, do you have any objections to my arrangement? Speak freely.

Han Ya Shiren, the youth in blue robes seated beside Qin Ming, rose quickly and bowed.

‘No objections, none at all—I follow the Alliance Master’s orders!’

Tianji Laoren also rose, politely bowed to Qin Ming, and spoke in a hoarse voice: ‘I’ve long heard of the name of Wangyue Zhenjun. I shall cooperate fully and obey the arrangement.’

Upon hearing this, even Zhiyang Shiren showed surprise—he hadn’t expected the old devil from Ku Zhu Sect in Western You to agree so readily.

After all, these hardened hermits from cold, remote lands were notoriously stubborn—he’d anticipated needing to pressure Tianji Laoren into accepting the mission to aid the Southern Wastelands.

But this saved him trouble.

‘Could this Tianji old devil have changed his ways?’

‘Why is he so agreeable now? He never used to be like this.’

Even Han Ya Shiren frowned slightly, muttering inwardly.

Qin Ming merely smiled faintly and accepted: ‘Then I shall rely heavily on all of you.’

But at that moment,

Zhiyang Shiren’s eyes flickered, his expression subtly shifting—as if he’d received some message.

He turned to Qin Ming, wearing a knowing, enigmatic smile, and whispered: ‘Did you kill Xue Yan Mo Jun?’

Qin Ming’s pupils sharpened instantly; he whispered back: ‘Why does Zhiyang Daofriend ask this?’

He believed all Nascent Soul cultivators present at the scene had perished in the Xiao Ling Realm, turned to fertilizer.

No one else could possibly know—and the scene left no trace. It was impossible for anyone to trace it back to him.

‘Tianji Zi told me. That’s why I wondered why this old devil suddenly changed his tune and agreed to follow orders.’

‘Turns out he recognized your strength.’

‘How did Tianji Zi know?’

Qin Ming glanced at Tianji Laoren, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

Qin Daofriend, don’t be offended. Had I not encountered you today and felt a sudden resonance, I would never have known.

‘I possess a divination technique. Only under rare cosmic alignments, at great cost, can I glimpse certain truths.’

I never imagined Qin Daofriend possessed such power—you single-handedly slew Xue Yan Mo Jun. Truly admirable!

Qin Ming’s lips twitched. He’d calculated everything—yet hadn’t accounted for these old devils being anything but easy prey.

They possessed such divination arts.

Qin Daofriend, don’t worry. Killing Xue Yan Mo Jun removed a great scourge from the mortal realm—your merit is immense.

‘I didn’t expect your abilities to be so extraordinary. Afterward, you may enter our Alliance’s treasure vault and choose any fourth-rank treasure.’

‘Consider it compensation. And if you have other requests, speak them—so long as I can fulfill them.’

As Zhiyang Shiren whispered again to Qin Ming, his tone now carried clear admiration.

After all, in the cultivation world, strength commands respect—his attitude was fitting for a true powerhouse.

Qin Ming, hearing this, readily admitted it—why not? There was a treasure to be had.

Afterwards,

Zhiyang Shiren assigned tasks to the other Nascent Soul True Persons.

Even the Eastern Sea demonic clans nodded in agreement, committing troops to support the beast clans of Shouming Mountain.

Zhiyang Shiren acted swiftly—each task was settled.

A rare, deeply satisfied smile finally appeared on his stern face: ‘Good. I hope you all understand: now that the Upper Realm’s Demon Gate has united,’

‘We humans and beast clans cannot sit idle. Uniting to cease hostilities is our only path—and the sooner we end this tribulation, the better.’

‘Afterward, each of you may return to your own affairs. The Star Palace has no ambition to unify the mortal realm—we will not interfere in your matters once this is done.’

Hearing this, the Nascent Soul cultivators present remained silent—effectively accepting it.

Zhiyang Shiren then declared: ‘Finally, you’ve all traveled great distances, enduring hardship, for the once-in-a-thousand-years Immortal Mansion gathering.’

‘All essential matters have been settled.’

‘With so many Nascent Soul cultivators gathered together, I now declare the exchange fair officially open.’

‘Our Tianhai Alliance and Star Palace, as hosts, have prepared three treasures for exchange.’

Afterwards,

Under Zhiyang Shiren’s guidance, the Nascent Soul elders each pulled out their prized treasures and traded with one another.

……

(End of Chapter)