Chapter 737: Fourth-Rank Saint

Qin Ming stared at the silver spiritual patterns on the Shitian Rat’s body, each glance making them feel increasingly familiar.

“Aren’t these the same silver spiritual patterns on my life-plant, the Everlasting Immortal Vine?”

“Could this guy have absorbed my fortune?”

Above the heavens, gray tribulation clouds loomed overhead, saturated with the destructive aura of the Dao.

Terrifying Soul Transformation heavenly tribulation struck one after another.

The Shitian Rat now stood a thousand zhang tall, exhaling and inhaling demonic energy, using every trick to withstand the heavenly lightning.

This stunning scene perfectly fulfilled its own words: to make the world see it rise to prominence—now, it had truly stolen the spotlight.

Meanwhile.

Within the Beast Roar Mountains, the Ancient Mountain Saint and the Silver Moon Saint, among others, had reached the borders of Wei State, all sensing the overwhelming aura of this Soul Transformation heavenly tribulation from afar.

Behind them stood a middle-aged man in black feather robes and an elderly man with golden hair, both radiating the aura of a fourth-rank Saint.

It seemed they had been together and simply came along to observe the tribulation.

After all, being fellow demonic beasts, they naturally had to pay attention.

Yue Lingyan wore a palace gown, her beauty captivating, her posture elegant and noble, her aura extraordinary.

She had long known the Shitian Rat was about to undergo tribulation, only she hadn’t expected it so soon.

“I never imagined that the third-rank Shitian Rat King would one day reach this point,” said the Ancient Mountain Saint, his iron-tower frame strikingly prominent, his voice tinged with emotion.

Beside him, Yue Lingyan’s ethereal voice echoed: “It was inevitable. Following Qin’s friend has been its greatest fortune.”

“Otherwise, with its abilities, it wouldn’t have even escaped the Qing-faced Poisonous Dragon’s grasp, let alone achieved Soul Transformation.”

The black-feathered man and the golden-haired elder remained silent, saying nothing, merely gazing calmly at the colossal figure within the Soul Transformation tribulation, their expressions thoughtful.

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within the core of the Beast Roar Mountains, a land severed by deep rivers and vast marshes.

This place resembled a paradise beyond the world, rarely visited by mortals.

Almost no demonic beasts or humans could penetrate here.

A small cottage, like a peasant’s dwelling, hid within, serene and undisturbed.

By a pond of emerald green, a handsome young man in white robes lay lazily on a wooden chair, one hand holding a bamboo fishing rod, the other pouring spirit wine from a gourd into his mouth.

At this moment.

A figure entered, draped in a seven-colored feather robe—it was the Fourth-Rank Saintess of the Peacock Clan, the Peacock Saintess.

She passed through the outer bamboo gate, then walked gracefully to the white-robed man’s side, bowing deeply before reporting:

“Lord, the Shitian Rat King you specifically watched over today attempted Soul Transformation at Moon Gazing Lake.”

“Would you like to go and observe?”

The white-robed man fell silent for a moment, then, without looking up, smiled faintly and said: “Oh? So soon?”

“If it has such fortune, it’s no harm to let it proceed.”

“Soul Transformation holds no interest for me—I won’t go now. We’ll see later.”

“Yes!” The Peacock Saintess bowed again, then respectfully withdrew, leaving the cottage.

After she left.

The white-robed man’s narrow eyes flickered slightly; he took a sip of wine and murmured softly:

“Moon Gazing True Person… that’s somewhat interesting.”

…

On Moon Gazing Island, the tribulation site crackled with lightning and thunder.

After swallowing the Heavenly Tribulation Tea, the Shitian Rat was wreathed in electric light, like a primordial beast devouring the tribulation lightning, enduring fourteen strikes.

The final few tribulations were several times more powerful; the Shitian Rat dared not absorb them with its body anymore.

It instantly shook its paw, revealing a massive black steel fork—the upgraded fourth-rank magic treasure, “Zhanxian Zhan,” enhanced by Qin Ming with celestial metal.

Holding the great fork, the Shitian Rat struck repeatedly at the descending purple-gold tribulation lightning.

BOOM-KRAK! The final terrifying tribulations roared like a scene of apocalypse.

The watching cultivators trembled inwardly.

The Shitian Rat, by this point, was covered in wounds, its body torn and bleeding from head to toe.

Yet, remembering Qin Ming’s words, it refused to activate the Turtle Shell Mystic Armor.

“Does this Shitian Rat’s bloodline truly possess such strength? To withstand all tribulations with sheer physical power alone?”

“This defies logic—rat demons aren’t known for physical defense,” said the black-feathered man beside the Ancient Mountain Saint, puzzled.

The Ancient Mountain Saint replied without turning: “What’s surprising? If it’s consumed enough celestial treasures, enduring tribulation isn’t impossible.”

As he spoke.

Before the stunned gazes of all.

The Shitian Rat spat out a jet-black, dark demonic core.

The moment the core appeared, the heavenly lightning above grew even fiercer.

Suddenly.

From the dark core erupted a lifeless force, like a black hole, absorbing and devouring the final two strongest purple-gold lightning strikes.

The lightning vanished without a trace.

The ominous tribulation clouds dissipated swiftly.

Above, the sky cleared, and a radiant, multicolored mist of spiritual clouds rose over Lingdao Island, dazzling and magnificent.

A terrifying aura of a fourth-rank Soul Transformation demon radiated outward from Moon Gazing Island.

“It succeeded! A fourth-rank Saint has emerged in the Southern Wastes!”

“A Soul Transformation demon!”

All present stared in disbelief.

Especially the Jin Dan elders of the Southern Wastes—Gu Qingzhao, Nalan Xi, Wei Wuyi, and Xuan Yu True Person—who had dealt with it many times.

Now, the Shitian Rat had soared beyond them, becoming a being they must look up to.

From the heavens, celestial music sounded, as if celebrating the birth of a new Saint.

Great Dao nectar descended from the mist, healing and restoring the Shitian Rat post-tribulation.

Qin Ming’s expression brightened: “This fellow hasn’t wasted my efforts—let’s see what form it’s taken.”

His figure blurred and vanished.

When he reappeared, he stood before the Shitian Rat.

There, the Shitian Rat sat in its cave, its tribulation wounds swiftly mending under the Dao’s restoration, regaining vitality.

The charred patches on its body peeled away like a molted shell, revealing fresh, gleaming fur.

Gradually, its form shifted, beginning to manifest as a human shape.

Half a cup of tea later.

A naked, plump child appeared—his body sculpted like jade, his tiny frame brimming with immense demonic might, his breath resonating with heaven and earth.

The aura of a fourth-rank Soul Transformation demon compelled all cultivators to bow.

Qin Ming stroked his chin, smiling warmly at the plump child before him.

“I never expected it would take this form after Soul Transformation—truly unexpected.”

The Shitian Rat had already noticed Qin Ming’s arrival; it opened its unusually lively eyes, bursting with joy.

“Master! I’ve done it!!”

“Hahaha!”

Qin Ming nodded approvingly, lavish with praise: “Good, very good!”

“I didn’t expect you had this much grit—actually using the tribulation to temper your body.”

“But… why did you take the form of a child?”

Saying this, Qin Ming reached out and patted its belly—soft and plump, just like a real child’s.

Overjoyed from succeeding, the Shitian Rat suddenly realized it was naked; it waved its hand, pulling a white jade robe from its storage pouch and quickly putting it on.

“Hehe! This… must be tied to my innate bloodline. Even after Soul Transformation, I’m still in the juvenile stage,” the Shitian Rat scratched its head with its tiny hand, embarrassed.

Qin Ming, surprised, asked: “Juvenile stage? Even a Soul Transformation Saint is still juvenile?”

“What will you be like when you mature?”

“You’re a Shitian Rat, right? But the demonic beast records… never mentioned this.”

“I recall the Bestiary of Demonic Beasts stating Shitian Rats max out at fourth rank.”

Hearing this, the Shitian Rat’s cute little face turned proud; it puffed out its chest and said:

“During my tribulation, I awakened more ancestral memories. I am a Shitian Rat, yes—but there are exceptions. Some carry noble bloodlines from ancient clans. Hehe.”

“But my current cultivation can’t fully awaken the bloodline—I still don’t know all the details.”

“Noble…” Qin Ming heard the word and knew this thing was about to get arrogant.

He quickly changed the subject.

He now understood why, after breaking through to late third rank, it had refused to show even partial human form.

‘So that’s why—he looked like this plump little boy with a rat tail. Probably feared Little Silver Fox wouldn’t find him worthy.’

Thinking of this, Qin Ming couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

This thing was truly a clever rascal.

"Hmph! There's nothing wrong with being a page; from now on, I appoint you as my personal immortal page."

"I'll find you a jade maiden later—perfect pair."

"Hmm, having an immortal page and a jade maiden serve me, plus tending the spiritual plants—quite excellent indeed!"

Qin Ming wore an expression of great satisfaction and spoke with calm assurance.

The Devouring Rat, upon hearing this, was startled and quickly said:

"Serving my master is naturally my duty, but... that jade maiden? There's no need to introduce one to me."

Qin Ming glanced at him and asked curiously: "So you don't want the little silver fox from the Silver Moon Tianhu clan?"

"Hmph! Since it's so, relieving my master's troubles is my solemn duty!" The Devouring Rat's face turned solemn. "I, little rat, am willing to make a sacrifice."

"Master, when shall we go to fetch the little silver fox to join us on Wangyue Island?" he asked eagerly.

Qin Ming: "."

"Let's not talk about that for now."

"By the way, now that you've advanced to the fourth-stage transformation beast, what changes have occurred in your strength?" Qin Ming asked immediately.

The Devouring Rat, upon hearing this, beamed and nodded vigorously: "Of course! My awakened bloodline power this time is related to eating."

"Related to eating?"

Qin Ming frowned at this, silently wondering: Could this guy be pulling my leg, planning to gorge himself endlessly from now on?

A gold-devouring beast? That would be disastrous. Seeing Qin Ming's expression, the Devouring Rat understood his doubts, then his eyes darted toward the two figures trapped in the Blood Pagoda beyond Lingdao, and he pulled out a black trident.

"Aren't these two perfect offerings right at our doorstep? Let me demonstrate for my master."

(End of Chapter)