Chapter 728: Demon Energy Contamination

Qin Ming put away the two pages of the Golden Gate Scripture and said coolly to Liu Yu: “For the sake of this item, you may exchange for one more thing—a third-rank magic treasure or something that enhances spiritual power.”

“Then, this junior dares to ask Elder Qin for another spiritual item that enhances spiritual power,” Liu Yu stepped forward and bowed.

He had intended this all along; had he not judged Qin Ming to be upright and not a man who seized things by force, he would never have handed over his last two pages.

After all, before an insurmountable gap in cultivation, a Nascent Soul True Person taking his belongings would not dare utter a single word of protest.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming suddenly summoned a jade vial in his hand, tossed it gently to Liu Yu, and continued in his cool tone:

“This is Demon Flame Wine. The first sip can propel a Core Formation late-stage cultivator to the peak realm.”

“As you are at Core Formation early-stage, it will allow you to break through to mid-stage.”

“Exactly! That’s it!”

In an instant, the Core Formation Elder was swallowed whole. Even though he reacted swiftly and unleashed several life-saving techniques, all of them proved useless against these purest demonic energies.

The marks Qin Ming had left on the two Foundation Establishment disciples in the Ghost Realm Palace responded once more.

The mark Qin Ming left on the two Foundation Establishment cultivators in Ghost Realm Palace once again responded.

Half an incense stick later.

Liu Yu gave a cold order to the shrimp and crab soldiers.

Since Han Ya the Hermit arrived on Long Yuan Island and met Qin Ming again, the two had feasted and chatted for over half a month, growing much closer—now he even called Qin Ming “Young Brother Qin.”

Since Han Ya Shiren arrived on Long Yuan Island and met Qin Ming again, the two drank together for over half a month, growing much closer in tone and manner—now he even called him “Brother Qin.”

“Hehe! Ever since I drank the Spirit-Link Jade Wine brewed by Young Brother Qin, I’ve been unable to forget it,” Han Ya the Hermit smiled warmly, his intent obvious.

Qin Ming, meanwhile, gazed listlessly at the fierce battle below.

“Rest assured, my lord, my brother and I have already placed Dark Demon Stones along the relevant areas of Long Yuan Island according to the Summoning Array, and no one has noticed,” the shrimp and crab soldiers said with fawning deference.

Liu Yu, as if granted pardon, bowed and withdrew respectfully.

“Legends…” Qin Ming smiled indifferently and ushered him into his cave dwelling.

After he left, Han Ya the Hermit frowned and asked: “Could it be that Young Brother Qin has taken a fancy to this youth’s talent?”

Then he greeted each of the fellow cultivators in turn.

The spiritual tea had been mostly consumed.

Immediately, the two began chatting and exchanging ideas.

The three underground began performing a joint ritual, as if activating some ceremony.

Moreover, he had obtained from Qin Ming the Spirit-Link Jade Wine—a heavenly-grade spiritual liquor.

The two entered the circular plaza and took their seats on the main viewing platform, amid the reverent gazes of thousands of cultivators.

Qin Ming scanned him and saw his spiritual power had broken through to Core Formation mid-stage—clearly, he had taken the Demon Flame Wine early.

The crab soldier replied mysteriously: “It’s a hidden agent planted by the higher-ups on Long Yuan Island. He’s coming to meet us soon.”

Qin Ming observed this man as one of considerable fortune: not only had he succeeded in cultivation, but he also had children at his side and a virtuous spiritual partner.

Half a day later, Han Ya the Hermit sighed:

Qin Ming pulled out a vial’s worth of spiritual wine and handed it to Han Ya the Hermit, then probed casually: “My Spirit-Link Jade Wine is nearly gone. If Elder Han Ya has any fourth-rank beast cores, we could brew another batch—I’d give you an extra jar.”

Qin Ming then took out a vial’s worth of spiritual wine and handed it to Han Ya Shiren, probing casually: “I don’t have much spiritual wine left myself. If Brother Han Ya has any fourth-stage demon cores, we could brew another batch of Lingxi Jade Liquid—I’d give you an extra jar.”

“Assign him the least dangerous logistical task in the Southern Wastes.”

He was, indeed, a winner in life.

Qin Ming’s gaze sharpened instantly; he secretly sent a spiritual thought to the Supreme Yang Hermit at the center of the viewing platform.

After returning to his cave dwelling,

Liu Yu ultimately won the match, bowed, and withdrew to prepare for the next round of advancement.

“You’ve got it easy, Young Brother Qin! Not only are your cultivation and abilities formidable, but you’re a free spirit, unbound by any ties—no wonder Supreme Yang Hermit holds you in such high regard.”

“You’ve got it easy, Brother Qin! Not only are your cultivation and abilities formidable, you’re a free spirit, unbound by any ties—no wonder Zhiyang Shiren holds you in such high regard.”

The shrimp soldier could barely contain his excitement; their Demon Spirit Talismans would expire in two days, and then they’d face certain death.

The Core Formation Elder’s eyes turned bloodshot, consumed by wild madness, instantly corrupted and assimilated by the overwhelming demonic energy.

“Now, legends about you are spreading everywhere…”

Han Ya the Hermit, seeing this, remained calm and slowly pulled four golden scripture pages from his robe, placing them before Qin Ming: “When have I ever deceived Young Brother Qin?”

A loud, ill-timed rumble of hunger echoed.

“Liu Yu thanks Elder for your great kindness! I shall never forget this!”

“Liu Yu thanks the elder for your great kindness! I shall never forget this in this life!”

“I’ll use you to offer blood!” Liu Yu merely reached out, seized the Core Formation Elder, and flung him mercilessly into the void rift.

When Liu Yu took the stage, Qin Ming paid slight attention; the man cultivated ink-and-wash spiritual arts, using brush and ink as the core of his technique—Qin Ming nodded inwardly.

When it was Liu Yu’s turn to compete, Qin Ming paid slight attention—he cultivated a sumi ink technique, using brush and ink as the core of his cultivation system, causing Qin Ming to nod inwardly.

The yellow-haired elder hurriedly refused: “Go away, you old ghost! You think your divination arts give you the right to cheat me? All here may, but I won’t gamble with you.”

Passing through layers of array guards, they arrived before a colossal array nexus.

Han Ya the Hermit, upon hearing this, clutched his storage bag tightly and coughed lightly: “I have no fourth-rank beast cores left—what a pity.”

Qin Ming and Han Ya the Hermit walked side by side into the arena.

Supreme Yang Hermit and Qin Ming arrived instantly at the deep underground of Long Yuan Island.

Zhiyang Shiren and Qin Ming arrived instantly at the deep underground beneath Long Yuan Island.

Unexpectedly, fortune turned for the better.

“I have no such intentions—this youth and I merely crossed paths. It’s just fate,” Qin Ming replied with a faint smile.

“I have no such intentions—merely a slight connection with this youth, nothing more than a chance encounter,” Qin Ming replied with a faint smile.

Because Liu Yu enjoyed Supreme Yang Hermit’s trust and was entrusted with major responsibilities in the Tianhai Alliance, his path was unimpeded.

With Supreme Yang Hermit’s favor, as long as no major mishap occurred, his future immortal path was boundless.

With Zhiyang Shiren’s favor, as long as no major mishaps occur, his future immortal path is boundless.

…

Seeing Qin Ming’s formidable strength, their impression of him had improved greatly.

Before he could finish speaking, the demonic energies surged forth like sharks scenting blood, rushing toward their target!

He then turned to the Green Yang Old Devil in the Blood Pagoda and asked: “Old ghost, do you recognize this spiritual script?”

He opened the door, and the person outside stepped in.

Liu Yu stopped him: “Elder Qin, my spiritual partner has prepared wine and food—why not have a simple meal before leaving?”

Qin Ming wasn’t worried about not understanding the Golden Gate Scripture pages, because he possessed the Great Dao Thunder Tribulation Tea; once the [Great Enlightenment] keyword refreshed again, everything would be resolved. Though he couldn’t read the spiritual script, he could simply keep farming. Then,

Even the Green Yang Old Devil, who had seen much of the immortal world, shook his head in reply.

“Hmm, it’s about time we returned,” Qin Ming said.

Liu Yu then pulled out a pitch-black sphere and replaced the core of the Nine-Curve Heavenly River Array.

It was the Devouring Rat, squatting on Qin Ming’s shoulder, clutching its belly and grinning awkwardly.

“Hehehe, how embarrassing!”

This was the critical point of Long Yuan Island’s fourth-rank supreme array; at its center was a massive pale blue light sphere, surrounded by intricate array patterns.

“No need for formalities. The exchange is complete—we owe each other nothing now,” Qin Ming waved his sleeve and prepared to leave. Han Ya the Hermit had originally avoided Qin Ming at all costs, for every encounter brought him terrible misfortune.

“No need for formalities—the transaction is complete; we owe each other nothing henceforth.” Qin Ming swept his sleeve and prepared to leave. Han Ya Shiren had originally avoided Qin Ming at all costs, for every encounter brought him nothing but misfortune.

“Such power—it can easily defeat the Grand Elder of the Ancient Sword Sect.”

“His technique is so powerful, he easily defeated the Grand Elder of Gujian Gate.”

But before he could finish speaking.

“I have a piece of fourth-rank inferior Azure Gold Stone. It’s highly useful for crafting golems or arrays.”

As Liu Yu and the others performed the ritual, a vast black void rift suddenly split open at the center of the array, as if something was about to emerge.

“But… which Demon Lord contacted you?” the shrimp soldier asked, restraining his emotions.

The man next door, Han Ya the Hermit, immediately came calling.

Supreme Yang Hermit sat sternly at the upper seat, overlooking the multitude.

“Initiate the plan. Welcome the Demon Lord’s descent.”

After meeting, they swiftly arrived at a massive underground array nexus.

Liu Yu was surprised to see two Nascent Soul True Persons and immediately bowed deeply: “Junior Liu Yu, greetings to the two True Person Elders!”

The top ten prodigies of the Eastern Sea immortal world would soon compete here to determine supremacy and gain fame across the land.

The ten greatest prodigies of the Eastern Sea cultivation world will vie here for supremacy and make their names known across the land.

After feasting, Qin Ming bid farewell and left with the Devouring Rat.

A Core Formation guard elder of the Tianhai Alliance shot in like a streak of light, witnessing all that had occurred, his face filled with disbelief.

The two shrimp and crab soldiers were now pretending to patrol the circular plaza’s buildings, then wound their way into a hidden underground chamber.

Dark demonic energies began seeping out of the void rift—outside, the guards sensed the anomaly.

“Didn’t you just exchange two of them with the Dragon Palace’s Third Prince at the Exchange Society?”

“Is that so? That’s wonderful!”

Qin Ming held a decent impression of this man.

“Liu Yu! What are you doing?!”

But as they passed the corner behind the backstage building, they encountered someone.

But as they passed the corner of the backstage building, they encountered someone.

The yellow-haired old man watched the combat below with great interest.

It was Liu Yu, preparing to participate in the combat.

Liu Yu nodded, then clenched his hand—a dark golden jade talisman appeared in his grasp, which he crushed instantly, severing the entire space from the outside world.

Liu Yu’s expression was slightly unnatural as he forced a smile: “I thought Elder Qin had left Long Yuan Island; I didn’t expect you to come for the ceremony.”

“Hehehe! With this opportunity of our sect’s disciples fighting, we old folks have nothing better to do—why not join in and place a few bets?”

The two men felt like they had grasped a lifeline in an endless sea, trembling with emotion, nearly on the verge of tears. “Brother Yan, we’ve finally made it! Once this mission is done, we’ll rise to greatness!”

That day, Long Yuan Island was exceptionally lively.

“What’s going on?” Han Ya Shiren was baffled.

Qin Ming asked Han Ya Shiren: “By the way, Han Ya, I heard you still have other Jin Que pages—don’t tell me you’re joking with me?”

With this bottle of Demon Flame Wine, I can break through to Golden Core mid-stage on the spot, and then the combat competition—

Qin Ming put away the Jin Que pages and said to Han Ya Shiren: “I’ll take these pages. What do you require in return?”

“But judging by the patterns, design, and the age of the pages, you’ve acquired something valuable.”

The crab general’s half-talisman, upon touching that wisp of green smoke, ignited spontaneously without wind.

Suddenly—

Liu Yu and his wife and children respectfully saw Qin Ming off at the door, watching his departing figure with complex eyes.

The Nascent Soul elders from all sects attending, along with the few remaining cultivators, had all come at Yang Shiren’s invitation to observe the ceremony.

Before the stunned gazes of the elders, Yang Shiren and Qin Ming’s figures blurred, vanishing simultaneously from the viewing platform, nowhere to be found—leaving the Nascent Soul True Persons staring blankly.

Even Qin Ming’s powerful spiritual sense could not penetrate it—clearly some special demonic technique.

Tian Ji Zi of the Xiyu Cultivation Realm’s Kushu Sect, his cloudy eyes suddenly brightened, and he smiled slyly: “I’ll take that bet.”

Upon hearing Qin Ming’s telepathic message, his expression changed instantly! Flash! Flash!

Liu Yu’s wife had prepared delicious spiritual dishes, uniquely flavorful.

“This Han Ya Shiren truly has some heavy weapons hidden!” Qin Ming thought inwardly, deeply startled.

“Elder Qin is truly a true cultivator who hides his true strength!”

“Unlike me—I’ll have to fight those demons again when I return. Without more survival tools, I simply feel unsafe.”

“Brother Ling! Hard work pays off—the online contact has finally reached us!” The crab general first carefully set up a barrier, then excitedly shouted to the shrimp soldier.

“These two demon cores are vital to me—I can’t use them to brew wine right now!” Qin Ming sighed.

Qin Ming carefully examined each page one by one, comparing them with the three he had obtained from Liu Yu—and suddenly realized they were identical. These seven Jin Que pages formed a complete scripture, though the dense, hieroglyphic script upon them was entirely unfamiliar to him.

A shadowed figure cautiously approached the underground chamber where the two men were.

“Hmm, no need for formalities.” Qin Ming gave him a faint smile. “Do well later.”

Qin Ming stayed for a meal at Liu Yu’s home. Liu Yu had two half-grown children who sat with the Shi Tian Rat, each clutching a large sea bowl, devouring food like a whirlwind.

Han Ya Shiren pondered briefly: “Didn’t the Alliance Master invite us to observe the final battle of the sect’s prodigies?”

“Hmm, why do you ask? Is there something wrong with us observing?” Han Ya Shiren asked calmly. “No, no, no! I’m just curious,” Liu Yu quickly added.

Qin Ming waved his hand: “Go about your business. Prepare well.”

“Stay three more days and watch. Otherwise, we’ll seem disrespectful to the Tianhai Alliance.”

The man took out half a talisman, infused it with magic power, and as it burned to ash, a wisp of green smoke drifted inside.

He briefly exchanged a few words with the other over dinner.

Now, Golden Core combat looked to him like two children squabbling—full of flaws.

“How are the preparations going?”

But over this period, he had felt refreshingly clear-headed, with no recurrence of such incidents.

“No need.” Qin Ming said, turning to leave.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu’s expression brightened instantly; he bowed deeply to Qin Ming.

Meanwhile—

Boom! The earth trembled. The entire Long Yuan Island roared as the circular combat arena split open with a bottomless chasm.

Qin Ming narrowed his eyes, clearly recognizing the figure—it was Liu Yu!!

Then—

Meanwhile—

Liu Yu, presiding below, sensed two immense energies descending; his face turned pale.

“What’s going on? Why did that old man react so quickly!”

“Something must have gone wrong.”

He then gasped in shock and fury, glancing at the shrimp and crab generals, suddenly realizing: “Damn it! You two exposed us!”

(End of Chapter)