Chapter 732

Qin Ming gazed at the “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord” across from him, studying him closely—he was extremely satisfied with this new disguise.

Originally, his demonic nascent soul had focused on cultivating the physical body; his Yuan Sha True Demon Body could crush same-level body cultivators.

If he continued cultivating to higher realms, he could literally walk unchecked through the cultivation world.

The whole point was being both tough and violent.

“My second nascent soul wearing this disguise is truly seamless—perfectly matched.”

“Looks like I’ll bring peace to the Blood Refining Demon Sect.”

The “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord” smirked strangely and spoke to the Sky-Devouring Rat on his shoulder: “Then why not come with me to cultivate in the demon sect?”

“According to this man’s memories, the demon sect has many alluring demon pets and demonic cultivators.”

The Sky-Devouring Rat instantly panicked, leaping back behind Qin Ming, laughing nervously: “No no no, I’ll stay with my master to cultivate.”

“The demon path isn’t suited for me, hehehe.”

Then.

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Qin Ming and his demonic nascent soul split up, flying out of the underwater canyon toward the sea surface.

…

Meanwhile.

In the Blood Huan Realm, within a deep, secluded hall of the Blood Refining Demon Sect’s forbidden zone.

On the rack housing the sect elders’ soul lamps, the life lamp representing the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord flickered suddenly, then blazed brightly again.

An old man with long eyebrows, seated on a mat, exuded an unfathomable aura; he opened his cloudy eyes and glanced at the rack.

“Hmm?”

Seeing the soul lamp still burning, the long-browed elder closed his eyes once more; silence returned, and he seemed to dissolve into the world, as if he never existed.

…

The Eastern Sea cultivation realm.

After emerging from the sea, Qin Ming released his spiritual sense to scan.

He found that the old man Tianji Zi was still as genuine as ever—everyone fled for their lives at the first sign of disaster, long gone.

As for Han Ya Shangren, Qin Ming still intended to save him, since he doubted Han Ya could defeat that Blood Refining Sect’s Holy Maiden.

After all, Han Ya Shangren possessed many valuable items, including a treasure vault left behind by the Xuanqing Temple; it would be a pity if it fell into others’ hands. Then.

He extended his spiritual sense slightly, quickly detecting a faint trace of energy left behind by Han Ya Shangren as he fled.

Immediately, Qin Ming shot forward as a blue streak of light, following the trail.

After flying for half a day.

He discovered Han Ya Shangren was heading toward Tianlan Xiancheng.

Just as he continued chasing, a vast crowd appeared from afar in the sky.

Yet Han Ya Shangren was returning with a group.

Seeing Qin Ming, Han Ya Shangren was greatly startled: “Young Brother Qin, you’re still alive? That’s wonderful!”

“I went ahead to fetch reinforcements, but it seems none were needed.”

Behind him stood Xia Yuangong, Long Yangzi, and others, leading the Tianlan Xiancheng cultivators to provide aid.

Han Ya Shangren never imagined Qin Ming could survive the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s pursuit—and he even looked more at ease than Han Ya himself.

He felt deeply frustrated.

To escape that demoness’s pursuit, he had paid a terrible price.

And the one chasing Qin Ming and the others was a mid-stage Nascent Soul Demon Lord—far more terrifying.

“Just luck,” Qin Ming feigned great relief. “I specialize in a secret water-dodging technique; after much trouble, I managed to shake off that mid-stage Nascent Soul demon cultivator.”

Then, he added meaningfully to Han Ya Shangren: “But Young Brother Han Ya, you’re truly blessed—you escaped unscathed from that demon sect’s Holy Maiden.”

“How could I compare to you, Young Brother Qin? I barely escaped using a Divine Travel talisman, and just happened to meet the two city lords of Tianlan Xiancheng—otherwise, I’d be dead today,” Han Ya Shangren replied, still shaken.

“That bitch is truly dangerous—her ice arts gave me a terrible beating.”

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi and others had received the rescue signal from Long Yuan Island; a flood of intercontinental spirit ships rushed toward Long Yuan Island, coincidentally meeting Han Ya Shangren.

Qin Ming also exchanged pleasantries with the two.

He immediately recounted the full situation on Long Yuan Island.

The Tianlan Xiancheng group.

Upon hearing that the entire Long Yuan Island had been corrupted by demonic energy and a massive Void Eye had formed.

Both city lords turned grim; they quickly bid farewell to Qin Ming and Han Ya and departed to report to the Star Palace for action.

“Such large-scale demonic corruption—Long Yuan Island will surely become Demon Abyss Island from now on,” Han Ya Shangren sighed heavily.

Qin Ming frowned and asked: “Why do you say that, Young Brother Han Ya?”

“The Eastern Sea cultivation realm and the Dragon Palace of the sea clans both have Soul Transformation sects stationed—surely they can cleanse this Void Eye?”

Han Ya Shangren explained slowly: “Young Brother Qin, you’re unaware—I’ve studied this before. Ancient texts mention demonic corruption events.”

“When the ancient demonic realms invaded other minor realms, they brought vast amounts of demonic energy. Ordinary human cultivators couldn’t utilize or refine it—they were merely corrupted and suffered greatly.”

“Yet some humans adapted to this environment, using the demon race’s powerful demonic arts to refine them into cultivations suitable for humans; those who practiced these methods became demon cultivators, forming the demon path.”

“Strictly speaking, the Blood Huan Realm evolved in this way.”

“A Void Eye-level demonic corruption—even a Soul Transformation elder would struggle to purge the released demonic energy quickly; it would soon contaminate nearby seas, causing another massacre.”

“In my view, the Eastern Sea cultivation realm now faces a formidable demonic descent—future self-preservation may be impossible.”

“Zhongzhou and the Southern Wastes? We must handle them ourselves.”

“Young Brother Qin, this isn’t a place to linger—we must return quickly to prepare for the coming upheaval.”

After hearing Han Ya Shangren’s words, Qin Ming nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes. Though our Southern Wastes and Great Jin are far apart, we must watch over each other.”

“After allying with the beast clans, we can pass directly through the Beast Roar Mountains—cutting travel time nearly in half.”

“Naturally,” Han Ya Shangren nodded.

Before leaving, he ordered Hua Tianxiong to arrange the Tianlan Xiancheng shops as future outposts in the Eastern Sea, convenient for gathering spirit materials.

Hua Tianxiong then returned to the Southern Wastes with Qin Ming.

Then.

Qin Ming ordered Shi Jin to set sail; together with Han Ya Shangren, they boarded the Black Sail and began their journey home.

…

…

Meanwhile.

Long Yuan Island was a wasteland, littered with ruins.

Ghosts circled; demonic energy raged.

A massive Blood Demon Palace hung suspended above the floating island. At this moment.

Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul, possessing the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord, returned as a streak of black light near Long Yuan Island.

He halted, surveying the island: once a magnificent, beautiful land, now a ghostly wasteland, where demon sect disciples hurriedly looted and harvested the aftermath.

This place would soon become, as Han Ya Shangren said, a true demon island.

“Disciples bow before Demon Lord!”

The numerous demon cultivators on the island, seeing the towering figure of the “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord,” all wore reverent expressions, respectfully welcoming his arrival.

Even two Nascent Soul Demon Lords came to pay homage—evidencing the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s exalted status in the Blood Refining Demon Sect.

Yet the next moment.

Just as Qin Ming was about to land, his fierce expression twitched—he sensed another blue-white light streak approaching.

The light faded, revealing the slender form of the Blue Ice Holy Maiden; she nodded slightly at the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord, a brief greeting.

From the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s memories, this woman was always like this—silent, aloof.

And she was highly favored by the Soul Transformation elder; though only early-stage Nascent Soul, her status in the sect rivaled his own.

So he paid her little mind.

Yet his deep voice rang out, deliberately asking her: “Blue Ice Immortal, why pursue that green-robed Nascent Soul cultivator so relentlessly?”

“Did you gain something valuable?”

“He possessed a high-grade escape talisman. Just as I was about to catch him, reinforcements from Tianlan Xiancheng arrived—he escaped,” the Blue Ice Holy Maiden replied coolly.

At this point,

she suddenly asked: “Did you, Seven Sorrows Daoist, gain much?”

Qin Ming, speaking in the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s tone, replied briefly: “I chased only two human Nascent Souls. One human youth used water-dodging arts and escaped.”

Upon hearing this, the Blue Ice Holy Maiden’s eternally expressionless face showed a strange flicker.

For she knew well the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s strength—escaping from this mid-stage Nascent Soul demon cultivator, who specialized in demonic body cultivation,

required genuine ability.

Yet she didn’t suspect further.

Then, the two flew together back into the Blood Demon Palace.

Entering the hall, Qin Ming finally saw the true face of the Six Desires Demon Lord of the Ghost Realm—a pale-faced middle-aged cultivator.

“Six Desires Daoist, how is your battle going?” Qin Ming asked.

The Six Desires Demon Lord coughed lightly, his expression shifting uncertainly: “I didn’t expect the Supreme Yang Shangren to be so powerful—he exceeded my expectations.”

Qin Ming could easily tell that the Six Desires Demon Lord had suffered some losses and even sustained minor injuries.

“Next, the human race’s Tianhai Alliance will surely organize a large army to come here; the sea tribes, being closer to us, will also send forces to attack Long Yuan,” the Six Desires Demon Lord said with a dark gaze.

Qin Ming replied calmly, “No matter. With the Void Eye, the Void Rifts will continue to expand.”

“The Heaven-Hate Demon Lord of our Sacred Sect will soon descend upon the island and personally oversee matters here.”

“Heaven-Hate Demon Lord?” Upon hearing that name, even the Six Desires Demon Lord’s expression flickered with an almost imperceptible hint of wariness.

Qin Ming had also learned certain details about the Demon Sects from Qi Shang’s memories.

The Heaven-Hate Demon Lord was a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator of the Blood Refining Demon Sect, one of the absolute top few Demon Lords in the Blood Realm, second only to the Soul Transformation Demon Lords.

A late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator’s cultivation base and power far surpassed those of the early and middle stages—almost always capable of killing in a single glance.

“If the Heaven-Hate Elder is overseeing matters, then all is well.”

Afterwards,

the three summoned the other Demon Lords back into the hall to jointly discuss the grand plan of invading the human realm.

“Next, let us collectively deliberate on our strategy.”

“The situation on Long Yuan Island is now settled. No matter how much reinforcement the human race sends, it will be useless.”

“Indeed. Elder Qi Shang, what should we do next?”

“Why not increase the Void Passages into the Southern Wastelands’ Immortal Realm? What do you think?”

On the stern face of “Qi Shang Demon Lord,” a slight change occurred as he said, “I have already gathered intelligence on the human realm. The Southern Wastelands’ Immortal Realm is resource-poor and not worth our major efforts. For now, we should focus our main energy elsewhere.”

“Yes! We humbly obey Elder Qi Shang’s decree!”

Qi Shang Demon Lord wielded great authority; in just a few words, he eased the pressure to invade the Southern Wastelands’ Immortal Realm.

…

…

On the other side,

Qin Ming and Han Ya Shangren, after a half-year-long journey aboard the Black Sail, had once again reached the seas near the Three Kingdoms of Zhongzhou.

“Han Ya, would you care to visit my Wangyue Island?” Qin Ming smiled in welcome.

Han Ya Shangren shook his head like a rattle drum. “Not this time. Next time, for sure—I must return quickly to the Weidao Alliance to handle affairs. My absence has already caused too many delays.”

“That old devil Wanbao True Person will surely scold me again.”

Qin Ming could only nod. “Then let us part here. We’ll meet again another day.”

“Indeed, Brother Qin, no need to see me off. Mountains and rivers will bring us together again—I’m sure we’ll meet soon,” Han Ya Shangren said with a smile, bowing slightly.

But suddenly, Qin Ming remembered something and asked Han Ya Shangren, “By the way, Han Ya, I have an item I’d like to inquire about exchanging with you. Do you happen to have any ‘Youxuan Stone’—or even information about it?”

“I’m willing to offer a full jar of Lingxi Jade Fluid in exchange.”

“Youxuan Stone? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Han Ya Shangren said, feigning thoughtfulness, his expression puzzled.

Upon hearing Qin Ming was willing to offer a full jar of Lingxi Jade Fluid, his expression changed dramatically.

Qin Ming immediately recorded the appearance and basic details of the Youxuan Stone onto a jade slip and handed it to him.

“In that case, if you have time, please keep an eye out for me. If you learn anything, this exchange condition still stands.”

Han Ya Shangren immediately brightened and eagerly took the jade slip from his hands.

“Brother Qin, rest assured—I’ll definitely keep an eye out for you.”

Afterwards, the two parted ways on the Black Sea, and Han Ya Shangren hurried back to Da Jin.

Qin Ming continued aboard the Black Sail, and after another half-month, arrived once more near the seas of the Southern Wastelands’ Immortal Realm.

“Senior Qin, we’ve reached the Southern Wastelands,” Shi Jin said respectfully, stepping forward.

Qin Ming nodded and casually gifted him a vial of pills to enhance cultivation in the Golden Core stage.

“Continue working in Tianlan Immortal City, overseeing maritime trade. Hua Tianxiong will contact you.”

“Yes! I humbly obey Senior Qin’s orders!”

Then Qin Ming swept his sleeve, summoned the Lingxiao Treasure Chariot, and vanished into the sky as a five-colored aura.

Shi Jin bowed repeatedly in gratitude, watched him depart, then shouted orders to his fish-tribe crewmen, returning them to the boundless sea…

(End of Chapter)