Chapter 735

Off the coast near Tianlan Xiancheng in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm.

Above the sky, a dense mass of pitch-black magical ships from the Xuehuan Realm filled the heavens; massive warships radiated chilling yin energy, continuously launching devastating magical techniques.

Various powerful demonic methods—blood-red light, demonic flames, Gang wind, black water—constantly tore through the sky and struck the luminous barrier formed by Tianlan Xiancheng’s protective island array.

Had Qin Ming not earlier transmitted the intelligence to Tianhai Alliance, the demonic forces’ massive surprise attack would likely have already breached Tianlan Xiancheng.

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi stood respectfully behind a silver-haired middle-aged man clad in a white feather robe, his hair bound by a wooden crown, a single vermilion lock tied atop his head, exuding the aura of late Nascent Soul cultivation.

“Grand Elder Canghe, I never expected Qin Daoist’s extraordinary abilities—his covertly transmitted intelligence was genuine.”

This man was the Grand Elder of Xingchen Palace—Canghe Shangren—the highest-cultivated individual aside from the Soul Transformation elders.

With the Eastern Sea situation shifting unpredictably and the demonic side deploying a major figure like Tianhen Mojun, Tianhai Alliance could not stand idly by.

“Hmm, continue maintaining contact with the Southern Wastelands. It seems this Wangyue Zhenjun has placed a high-ranking mole within the demonic side—capable of obtaining such strategic intelligence.” Canghe Shangren’s gaze flickered slightly as he nodded in quiet agreement.

“I have spent decades in seclusion, cultivating and seeking opportunities to break through to Soul Transformation. I never imagined that after centuries away, such talent would emerge—truly a pity I never had the chance to meet him in person.”

Long Yangzi explained: “I once heard Qin Daoist mention he left marks on two demonic cultivators. I never expected these marks to prove so crucial.”

“Indeed, the events surrounding Longyuan Island seemed connected to those two.” Xia Yuangong nodded. “But we never anticipated that Liu Yu, favored by Zhiyang Shangren, would betray us—nothing could change the fall of Longyuan Island.”

“Zhiyang Shangren has committed grave errors and returned to the sect to accept his punishment.” Canghe Shangren gazed at the distant demonic warships and spoke calmly: “Enough words now. What surprises me is that several major sects of the Xuehuan Realm have united—and behind it all stands Tianhen Mojun.”

“I’ve heard rumors of this individual—he is no good soul. In the Xuehuan Realm, he is considered among the elite.”

“The time has come. Order the counterattack.”

At Canghe Shangren’s command.

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi immediately moved to execute it.

BOOM! The demonic cultivators outside Tianlan Xiancheng, still commanding their magical vessels to assault the array, suddenly heard a sound like mountains collapsing and oceans surging.

From the peak of Tianlan Shengshan, a massive orange light cluster suddenly ignited, rising like a second sun.

The blinding radiance illuminated everything, forcing all to avert their eyes. Then, six smaller suns flared one after another above the sacred mountain; countless golden runes wove together in midair, connecting to the two colossal pillars at the city gate.

BOOM! A colossal beam of orange light erupted from the seven suns, instantly sweeping across the opposing demonic fleet, obliterating countless demonic cultivators and their vessels into ash and fragments.

Even the Nascent Soul demonic lords aboard the black ships wore expressions of terror, abandoning all else to flee for their lives.

The power of this beam far surpassed any Nascent Soul cultivator’s technique; even the sea was split in two, carving a vast, bottomless trench dozens of li long.

This was the foundation of Tianhai Alliance’s enduring supremacy in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm—the Fantiande Ri Guang.

A single strike fueled by an unimaginable quantity of top-grade spirit stones, combined with a fourth-rank superior array and the spiritual vein’s core beneath Tianlan Shengshan.

Immediately after, countless sea clan and human cultivators emerged from surrounding waters, surrounding the remnants of the demonic forces in a pincer and launching a one-sided massacre.

“Disaster! We’ve been ambushed! Retreat at once!”

A bald Nascent Soul demonic lord, unwilling but forced, ordered a retreat.

The demonic army of the Xuehuan Realm instantly reacted, scattering like startled birds and beasts, fleeing for their lives.

Mo Yuan Island.

Inside the Blood Demon Palace’s grand hall, the atmosphere had grown heavy.

Nascent Soul demonic lords from the Blood Refining Demon Gate, Ghost Realm Palace, Changsheng Guan, Wuliang Mountain, and Wan Hun Cliff regarded each other with grim expressions.

“The surprise attack on Tianhai Alliance’s main city has failed. Those among you responsible—do you owe me an explanation?”

Tianhen Mojun’s icy voice echoed through the hall, causing the temperature to plummet instantly, leaving every demonic lord feeling as if plunged into an icy abyss.

A middle-aged monk from Wuliang Mountain rose, holding prayer beads, clasped his hands in reverence toward Tianhen Mojun, then explained: “Om Amitabha, Lord Alliance Head, this plan was indeed our miscalculation. We never expected to be the ones ambushed by the human and sea clans—they clearly prepared a grand array in advance.”

“Something must have leaked—the secret details of our surprise attack were compromised, leading to such heavy losses.”

“This monk bears full responsibility.”

A green-robed Daoist from Changsheng Guan also rose to defend the monk:

“Lord Alliance Head, Master Wuxiang did his utmost.”

Tianhen Mojun’s gaze turned icy; he sneered: “If every failure is met with such excuses, what becomes of my authority?”

Suddenly—

From Tianhen Mojun’s third eye, a powerful spiritual force erupted; a colossal invisible hand, dozens of zhang tall, appeared and casually seized the Wuliang Mountain monk, Wuxiang Shangren.

CRACK!

The middle-aged monk’s face twisted in terror, yet under the crushing spiritual pressure of a late Nascent Soul cultivator, he could not move or resist.

Before the horrified eyes of all in the hall, Wuxiang’s physical body was violently crushed into a bloody mist.

A golden Nascent Soul shot out at blinding speed, its tiny face filled with terror, instantly teleporting toward the hall’s exit.

Wuxiang Shangren’s Nascent Soul teleported hundreds of li away, just as he began to breathe a sigh of relief.

Then a cold, familiar voice echoed beside his ear: “Do you think you can escape my five fingers?”

Wuxiang Shangren turned sharply—his expression froze in shock on his tiny Nascent Soul face.

He realized he had fled nowhere—he was still trapped atop five colossal Xukong fingers. “Lord… spare me!”

Tianhen Mojun’s eyes flickered with contempt—no mercy, no hesitation.

His five fingers closed—crushing Wuxiang’s Nascent Soul instantly, annihilating body and soul!

Ssshh~ The demonic lords inside the Blood Demon Palace drew sharp, chilled breaths.

They had never imagined Tianhen Mojun was so ruthless, so heartless—he killed a Nascent Soul demonic lord on a whim.

Instantly—

The air grew suffocating; no one dared raise their eyes to meet his gaze.

Qin Ming secretly sneered—he could only pity the Wuliang Mountain Nascent Soul lord for drawing such a task, only to be betrayed so swiftly. But after this, the demonic alliance would surely launch a strict investigation; he could no longer secretly transmit intelligence.

Having done this, Tianhen Mojun acted as if he’d merely brushed off dust; his cold gaze swept the hall. “Should such incidents recur, it won’t be merely annihilation.”

“My Qihun Pagoda needs more fuel—your Nascent Souls will do nicely.”

At the mention of “Qihun Pagoda,” every lord shuddered.

Rumor claimed it was Tianhen Mojun’s famed demonic treasure, an ancient relic passed down from the Demon Realm.

Once a Nascent Soul is sealed within, it endures endless torment from Gang wind and toxic flames, becoming fuel for the demonic tower, forever denied reincarnation, burning in soul-deep agony for ten thousand years.

Having dealt with the responsible parties, Tianhen Mojun’s gaze flickered, then turned to the “Qishang Mojun”: “Qishang Elder, perhaps you should take charge of the Eastern Sea affairs? I trust no one else. Set aside the Southern Wastelands for now.”

“Qishang Mojun” frowned but replied calmly: “Lord Tianhen, I’ve invested deeply in the Southern Wastelands—I cannot withdraw now.”

Tianhen Mojun nodded, then scanned the hall again, selecting the next unfortunate soul. The other Nascent Soul demonic lords dared not refuse his assignment as Qishang Mojun had.

They could only obediently await orders.

…

Three months later.

A black streak shot across the sky above Wangyue Island; the island’s protective array automatically parted, allowing the black aura to pierce the barrier and land swiftly on the island.

The aura dissipated, revealing the gray form of Shitian Shu.

It wore a triumphant grin, striding proudly into the Qingmu Pavilion.

“Master, I’m back!!”

Qin Ming set down his teacup, watching its eager demeanor with interest: “You look like your tail’s about to fly into the sky—did you find another easy score?”

“Hehehe! Nothing escapes your wise eyes, Master~” Shitian Shu stepped forward and explained: “Earlier, you warned Gu Shan Yaosheng and others that Changsheng Guan demons would stir trouble in the Shouming Mountain Range. With your tip, the beast clans and Weidao Alliance set an ambush, severely crippling them—two Nascent Soul demonic lords nearly perished on the spot.”

After your warning, the demon tribes and the Wei Dao Alliance set an ambush in the Beast Roar Mountains, inflicting heavy losses on them; two Nascent Soul demon lords nearly perished on the spot.

“I followed behind and picked up some spoils, hehehe!”

“Besides, I learned a powerful transformation technique from Silver Moon Yaosheng.”

Shitian Shu spoke, then shook its small hand, producing several storage bags, all bulging. “Hmm. Prepare on the island. Over the next six months, focus on breaking through to the Transformation realm.” Qin Ming nodded.

The Devouring Rat finished speaking, shook its small hand, and produced several storage bags, all bulging with contents. “Alright, prepare yourself on the island—over the next six months, focus on breaking through to the Form-Shifting realm.” Qin Ming nodded.

Afterwards,

Qin Ming ordered Mo Lingwei to evacuate all cultivators from Wangyue Island, relocating them temporarily to Xingyue Market.

To avoid the Transformation Tribulation’s impact on them.

These low-level cultivators, even caught in the residual waves, could be instantly obliterated.

Mo Lingwei departed to carry out the order; as she walked, her sharp mind quickly grasped the underlying reason.

She suddenly gasped inwardly: “Could it be… the island master’s third-rank peak demonic beast is about to ascend to fourth-rank Transformation status using the island’s spiritual vein?”

She immediately startled, thinking inwardly: ‘Could it be that the Island Master’s third-stage peak beast king intends to use the island’s spiritual vein to ascend to the fourth-stage Form-Shifting beast sage?’

Mo Lingwei acted swiftly, evacuating all cultivators and spirit farmers from the island at maximum speed.

Soon, Mo Lingwei complied, swiftly dispersing all the cultivators and spirit farmers on the island.

Qin Ming arrived at Shitian Shu’s meditation cave, releasing his spiritual sense to sense its condition.

Its essence, energy, and spirit were all perfected to peak; its dark demonic core was perfectly smooth, the timing ripe.

Qin Ming brewed a pot of “Great Dao Tribulation Tea,” then used his magic power to present it before Shitian Shu, advising: “This fourth-rank superior spirit tea aids your Transformation tribulation—it deepens your Dao comprehension and shields you from several more heavenly strikes.”

“Rather than relying on Xuanling Armor to withstand the tribulation, if you use the heavenly lightning to refine your body now, your future potential will grow far greater.”

“Still, your final choice depends on your own judgment.”

“The Transformation Tribulation is no ordinary trial—it’s your leap from carp to dragon, becoming a demonic saint, or your utter annihilation. All hinges on this moment.”

Qin Ming reminded it again—he dared not guarantee Shitian Shu’s success.

The path of immortality is long, each tribulation following the last; the Dao’s trials are brutally harsh. He could not promise any would be survived.

Since ancient times, demonic beasts among the beast clans who successfully crossed the Transformation Tribulation to become Transformation-grade demonic sages were rarer than human Nascent Souls.

If it succeeds, I’ll gain another powerful ally.

“Master, rest assured—I have over a fifty percent chance this time.”

"Master, rest assured—I have more than a fifty percent chance this time."

The Devouring Rat patted its chest and spoke with full confidence.

Qin Ming nodded and patted its shoulder.

It now has many protective methods, and with me, a Nascent Soul True Person, watching over it from outside—if it still fails to attain the rank of Demon Saint,

it would be an outrage beyond heaven’s tolerance! Even the Azure Crocodile and the Silver-Winged Frost Bee came over, their eyes brimming with deep envy, offering the Devouring Rat words of encouragement.

“Enough, Second and Third.”

“This great master will prove to the world that the once-hunted street rat can still rise to greatness!”

“No need for sentimental words—today, listen to the dragon’s roar!”

The Devouring Rat waved its small paw, its expression resolute, every gesture radiating commanding authority, its emotion soaring with passion!…

Three days later.

On Wangyue Island, the previously clear sky suddenly churned with wind and clouds, darkening instantly.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth formed a colossal vortex, funnel-shaped, rushing wildly toward Lingdao.

The range of the spiritual energy aurora expanded continuously—from ten li, to dozens of li, to a hundred li, finally stretching a full eight hundred li.

It rivaled the scene when Yin Yue Tianyue’s Ling Yan underwent her tribulation.

After all, the Devouring Rat had followed Qin Ming for over two hundred years—it had deep roots.

Amidst the swirling winds and clouds, a terrifying demonic king’s malevolent aura erupted from Wangyue Island, sweeping outward.

As spiritual energy continued pouring in, the demonic aura kept climbing higher.

This celestial phenomenon heralding the transformation of a great demonic beast immediately drew the attention of nearby cultivators.

“Look! Such a powerful spiritual tide—some demonic king is undergoing the Transformation Tribulation!”

“It’s coming from Wangyue Island! I heard the cultivators on Lingdao moved out recently—turns out a great demonic beast was about to undergo tribulation!”

“That’s almost certainly the spiritual pet under Wangyue True Person’s command, about to cross the Transformation threshold.”

“Exactly! Old man here once heard that Wangyue True Person’s subordinate is a Devouring Rat with extremely high bloodline potential, who has repeatedly intervened to save our Southern Wastes.”

“Far back, it aided Liang State’s Taihu Ruins ghost disaster, defeating and slaying six demonic sect Golden Core cultivators.”

“Closer to now, it aided Lord Wei’s Four-State Alliance to purge Xukong anomalies, slaying several powerful demonic Golden Core cultivators, yet rarely showed its face before the public.”

“Truly, it departs without a trace, concealing its merit and fame.”

“So that’s how it is—no wonder it’s Wangyue True Person’s spiritual pet.”

“Its conduct is just as low-key as the True Person’s.”

“If the Devouring Rat King succeeds in breaking through to Gao Jie Demon Saint, won’t our Southern Wastes gain another powerful combat force?”

“It’s highly likely it will pass this Heavenly Demon Tribulation unscathed!”

For a moment, all eyes in the cultivation world turned once more toward Wangyue Island.

Inside the cave dwelling.

The Devouring Rat closed its eyes, sat cross-legged like a human, forming a strange hand seal, its demonic power and malevolence surging wildly; within its body, the black demonic core was wreathed in a dark aura.

The next instant.

A strange silver rune blazed open on its forehead!

…

(End of Chapter)