Chapter 740: Transmission

After sending away the demonic race’s contingent, Qin Ming met with Han Ya Shangren alone.

The two had not seen each other in many years and exchanged pleasantries in private.

“Brother Qin, to be honest, I truly envy you—now you’ve acquired such a powerful fourth-rank sacred beast as a spiritual pet; your Southern Wastes are as stable as a mountain.”

“Unlike me—though the Great Zhou has been reclaimed from the demonic sects, the pressure remains immense. Should the battlefield shift dramatically in the future, I hope Brother Qin will lend me a hand.”

Han Ya Shangren spoke with sincere earnestness, bowing to Qin Ming.

Of course, if I have the capacity, I will certainly assist. But Han Ya Daofriend, you’ve seen it yourself—the scale of the incursion keeps expanding; even within our Southern Wastes, Nascent Soul demonic lords have begun descending.

“Moreover, I’ve gathered internal intelligence—I’ve heard Qi Shang Mo Jun has already set his sights on our Southern Wastes. He’s likely preparing a major move, and I fear I’ll be too preoccupied to help myself,” Qin Ming sighed.

He then added, “I had originally planned to ask for your assistance at that time.”

“What?! Qi Shang Mo Jun?” Han Ya Shangren’s reaction was utterly genuine.

He immediately rose and hurriedly said, “Brother Qin, may our paths cross again—let us part here!”

Without heeding Qin Ming’s attempts to detain him, Han Ya Shangren hurried after Wan Bao Zhenjun and the others, leaving in haste…

Several days later.

The shocking news of a fourth-rank demonic saint being born on Wangyue Island spread like a towering tidal wave across the four nations of the Southern Wastes and surrounding cultivation realms.

Numerous major factions and cultivation families flocked to pay their respects and offer congratulations.

Qin Ming summoned Mo Lingwei and Hua Tianxiong back to handle the reception of visiting guests.

“Report, Island Master: a Nascent Soul elder from the Tianhai Alliance of the Eastern Seas has come to pay homage.”

Mo Lingwei and Hua Tianxiong had been running themselves ragged these past days.

The number of cultivators arriving out of curiosity was simply too great.

Yet both had also gained great prestige before the many cultivation factions, becoming highly sought-after figures.

Qin Ming had long sensed Xia Yuangong and the others arriving and hurried out to greet them personally.

“Brother Qin, congratulations!”

“Congratulations, Brother Qin, on acquiring a fourth-rank sacred beast!”

After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Ming ushered them into the Green Wood Pavilion.

Besides Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi, representatives from the other four major Eastern Seas sects had all arrived.

Shi Tian Shu had certainly received full honors—but he was currently in seclusion consolidating his realm and could not witness it firsthand.

During Qin Ming’s Nascent Soul ceremony, only Long Mu Zhenjun of Penglai Sect had come from the Eastern Seas.

“This visit, besides offering congratulations, we also wish to thank you for the timely intelligence on the demonic sects. Had it not been for you, Lanxiancheng might have suffered heavy losses.”

“Originally, Chancellor Canghe wished to come in person, but demonic activity has surged recently in the Eastern Seas—he cannot spare the time, so we’ve come in his stead.”

“Here is a small token of our congratulations, wishing your spiritual pet’s advancement to fourth-rank demonic saint status.”

Xia Yuangong handed Qin Ming a long jade box.

“Thank you.”

Qin Ming took the box and opened it to find three items radiating astonishing spiritual energy.

A lingzhi mushroom glowing with crimson light, a blue jade slip, and a porcelain bottle.

“Fourth-rank middle-grade Chi Jing Lingzhi.”

“Fourth-rank top-grade Shenglong Dan formula.”

“And ten-thousand-year Xuanbing Spirit Liquid.”

After examining them with his spiritual sense, Qin Ming realized the Tianhai Alliance’s gift was extraordinarily valuable.

Especially the Shenglong Dan formula—it was likely a top-secret secret within the Tianhai Alliance, yet they had directly presented it as a congratulatory gift.

Legend said this elixir originated in ancient times, brought forth by ocean-exploring cultivators who risked death to retrieve it from a sunken ruin.

After research, they discovered it was the supreme elixir for enhancing Nascent Soul cultivation.

It had been preserved in the Tianhai Alliance’s treasure vault, strictly forbidden from being leaked; only the two fourth-rank top-grade alchemists of Xingchen Palace and Penglai Sect had ever successfully brewed it.

When the Shenglong Dan first emerged, it had shocked the entire Eastern Seas cultivation world, with many Nascent Soul elders traveling thousands of miles to beg for a single pill.

Yet even so, one pill was nearly impossible to obtain.

“Brother Qin, no need to be modest—this was personally prepared by the Chancellor himself, a reward for your contributions.”

“Chancellor Canghe hopes we maintain close ties with you. Should you acquire any vital intelligence in the future, we hope you’ll share it with us.”

“If the Southern Wastes requires aid, the Tianhai Alliance will spare no effort to support you.”

Qin Ming put away the gift and smiled humbly, “I merely happened upon it and offered a small effort. After all, when the Longyuan Island Alliance convened, Zhiyang Daofriend explicitly pledged mutual aid.”

“But my two spies stationed on Moyuan Island held low positions—they merely stumbled upon the intelligence about the surprise attack on Lanxiancheng.”

“Moreover, according to my knowledge, after that incident, Tianhen Mo Jun has already begun investigating. Future intelligence will be harder to obtain.”

Xia Yuangong and the others nodded—they found Qin Ming’s words reasonable.

If the demonic sects had shown no reaction to such a massive leak, that would have been truly strange.

“No matter. As long as you send us word when you have information, there’s no need to risk yourself if none is available.”

Following this, representatives from Penglai Sect, Crystal Palace, Dongji Island, and Gujian Gate each presented their own congratulatory gifts.

Qin Ming instructed Mo Lingwei to serve the visiting Eastern Seas guests with Wangyue Island’s specialty spirits and delicacies.

They drank spirit wine and conversed together.

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Shouming Mountain Range.

Hei Feng Sheng stared with flickering eyes and asked Gu Shan Sheng with resentment: “Gu Shan, why did you stop me at the banquet?”

“Must you disregard our tribe’s long-term interests just to unite against enemies?”

“I stopped you because I didn’t want you to humiliate yourself in public. If you truly believe you can defeat Wangyue Zhenjun, go challenge him now—I won’t stop you,” Gu Shan Sheng replied coldly, showing no mercy.

At these words, not only Hei Feng Sheng, but also Yue Lingyan and the golden-haired elder were stunned.

“Gu Shan Daofriend, what do you mean?” the golden-haired elder asked, puzzled.

For from Gu Shan Sheng’s tone, he clearly favored Wangyue Zhenjun of the Southern Wastes in a fight.

Yet the opponent was merely a human cultivator who had only recently entered Nascent Soul, less than a few decades ago.

Gu Shan Sheng seemed unwilling to explain further, merely saying calmly, “Is my intuition enough?”

“Intuition?” Hei Feng Sheng clearly didn’t believe it, sneering, “I won’t let this go.”

“Hei Feng Daofriend, don’t think your demonic heritage protects you—I won’t hesitate to act. You know how Da Heitian died,” Gu Shan Sheng’s massive frame suddenly unleashed a crushing spiritual pressure, causing all present to change expression.

“Da Heitian allied with the demonic sects—he brought his own doom. But if you dare shatter the alliance between our two races, your Lie Feng Diao clan will become the target of all, and may be completely erased from the four great demonic royal clans!”

Hei Feng Sheng’s face twitched as he forced a strained smile. “I was merely speaking offhand—how could I ever commit such an unforgivable act?”

“I only acted for the benefit of our race, Gu Shan Daofriend—don’t take it to heart.”

“Enough, enough—I don’t wish to meddle in these matters anymore.”

Saying this, he felt increasingly uncomfortable staying with them and vanished in a streak of black light.

After Hei Feng Sheng left, his gaze turned dark and his expression shifted unpredictably. He did not return to his Lie Feng Diao clan’s territory, but flew toward another direction.

Moments later.

Yue Lingyan asked Gu Shan Sheng, “Do you think he’ll repeat Da Heitian’s mistake?”

“He dares not—I’ve already dispatched watchers,” Gu Shan Sheng replied, eyes glinting.

…

Time flew swiftly—another half-year passed.

This work is compiled and uploaded by Liuji Book Bar~~

Wangyue Island had been bustling for nearly half a year, and finally quieted down somewhat.

All the cultivator farmers had returned to the island to resume their daily cultivation and farming.

One day.

Shi Tian Shu had fully consolidated his realm, and with the aid of the Lingxi Jade Fluid, even made slight progress beyond his previous foundation.

This was something countless external demonic cultivators could only envy.

Shi Tian Shu transformed into a white-robed child, grinning broadly, looking exceedingly festive as he approached Qin Ming.

“Master, I’ve emerged from seclusion.”

“Mm, over these past half-years, many factions and fellow cultivators came to pay homage and congratulate you on becoming a demonic saint,” Qin Ming nodded with a smile.

“Several demonic saints from the Shouming Mountain Range also came—they believe that now you’ve become a saint, you shouldn’t remain under human control and wish for you to return to the demonic race.”

“Your original agreement to serve me for two full cycles has long since expired.”

“Whether you stay by my side or leave—it’s your choice.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Tian Shu’s face turned icy with anger. “Who said that? How could I ever leave you?”

“Who dares sow discord between me and my Master? How despicable!”

“I, Shi Tian Shu, have always said—I’ll serve you for life, and never depart.”

Qin Ming smiled faintly, deeply relieved—he had not wasted all these years raising the brute.

Shi Tian Shu was no fool—he clearly saw where his future lay.

He certainly had no intention of returning to the Shouming Mountain Range to become a mountain king.

“Mm, by the way, now that you’ve reached fourth-rank transformation, you should have a noble title. Do you have a preferred appellation?”

Shi Tian Shu scratched his head, thinking. “Call me ‘Shi Tian Sheng’—I can’t think of anything else.”

Qin Ming immediately nodded. “Fine, as you wish.”

"Additionally, the Demon Dao is currently invading the Xuehuan Realm, so your Transformation Ceremony will not be held on a grand scale."

"Besides, all the Daoists who were supposed to come have already arrived, and their gifts have been delivered."

The Sky-Devouring Rat wore an indifferent expression: "Then don't bother. I'll follow my master's arrangements."

"Besides, we wouldn't get any decent treasures anyway."

Over the years, the Sky-Devouring Rat had eaten well and lived luxuriously alongside Qin Ming, raising his horizons and aspirations.

At that moment,

Qin Ming cleared his throat lightly, then glanced at the Sky-Devouring Rat with a peculiar expression: "Ahem! Now that your cultivation break has ended, I have a demanding task for you."

"Huh? What kind of demanding task?" The Sky-Devouring Rat's face froze, a sense of foreboding creeping in.

Qin Ming's next words quickly confirmed his worst fears.

Qin Ming pulled from his storage pouch three Dark Xuan Stones and an ancient talisman—the Nine Heavens Azure Primordial Divine Response Talisman.

This talisman had been nurtured for years within Qin Ming’s life-spirit plant, the Everlasting Immortal Vine, and its missing corner had been fully restored.

Even Qingyang the Old Demon had been speechless with shock, unable to believe it had truly happened.

He had pressed Qin Ming repeatedly for an explanation, but Qin Ming naturally gave him none.

For this was no ordinary talisman—it was an ancient talisman originating from the Spirit Realm.

Qin Ming had never used this talisman before and did not know what unforeseen consequences might arise.

Since the Sky-Devouring Rat had emerged, he was the perfect candidate to serve as a test subject.

"Don't worry—it's just testing the talisman's function. There won't be any major problems," Qin Ming said calmly, revealing the talisman in his hand.

Though he spoke confidently, he himself had no certainty. Upon hearing this, the Sky-Devouring Rat shrank his head, realizing he was being assigned something perilous.

But under Qin Ming’s command, he could not refuse—he had no choice but to grit his teeth and proceed.

"Sigh! I’ve barely stepped out—may fate decide my fate!"

"I’m really asking for trouble myself!"

The Sky-Devouring Rat grumbled inwardly, his tiny hands trembling as he accepted the three Dark Xuan Stones from Qin Ming—knowing full well these were his own creation. Then Qin Ming drew forth the ancient talisman, cast a spell toward the cave, and a mysterious golden rune floated from the talisman, leaving a spatial coordinate imprint within the cave.

Having finished, Qin Ming shoved the ancient talisman into the Sky-Devouring Rat’s hands and instructed: "When you’re ready, use the method I taught you to activate this talisman and attempt long-range teleportation."

"I’ve already left a spatial marker on the Demon Nascent Soul’s body on the Demon Abyss Island—try to reach him."

"Remember, hold onto this talisman tightly—if you lose it, you won’t be able to return."

"Huh??" The Sky-Devouring Rat had just ascended to the Fourth-Stage Great Demon, and hadn’t even had time to celebrate for a few days.

Now his first task was this dangerous.

Qin Ming patted his shoulder encouragingly: "Don’t worry—I’ve already had the Demon Nascent Soul waiting outside Demon Abyss Island."

"I won’t let you get hurt."

"T-then... alright..." The Sky-Devouring Rat forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

Then,

He took one Dark Xuan Stone, recited the incantation Qin Ming had taught him, and with his tiny fingers forming a spell, pointed at the talisman.

The Dark Xuan Stone glowed with a golden mystic light, and a powerful spatial force, like a thread, flowed into the talisman.

Hum—

The next instant, the Nine Heavens Azure Primordial Divine Response Talisman erupted with golden runes, weaving into a radiant veil that enveloped the Sky-Devouring Rat’s entire body.

Shh!

In a flash of light, the Sky-Devouring Rat vanished from his spot.

(End of Chapter)