Chapter 741: Defection

Off the coast of the Eastern Sea cultivation realm, hundreds of miles from Demon Abyss Island.

A burly, bearded man stood midair—this was none other than the “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord,” whose name struck terror into the hearts of countless cultivators from both orthodox and demonic sects.

Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul was waiting quietly at this moment.

Moments later.

Suddenly, a spatial vortex appeared several zhang before him; as space twisted, countless golden runes burst forth from within.

Hum~ As space rippled, the golden radiance instantly faded.

Before the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord appeared, stumbling forward, a plump, white child-like creature—the Devouring Sky Rat.

Judging by the strain of the ultra-long-distance teleportation, the Devouring Sky Rat spun dizzily in place several times upon arrival.

He shook his head, dispelling the discomfort, then regained his composure, his gaze falling on the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord before him, a gleeful smile spreading across his face: “Master, it truly worked! I never expected this ancient talisman to be real, just as Qingyang the Old Devil said!”

“To traverse such a vast distance in the span of a single thought—truly inconceivable!”

What normally took half a year to travel was accomplished in an instant.

The Devouring Sky Rat clutched the talisman in his hand, glanced around, and immediately realized he had arrived near Demon Abyss Island.

“Hmm, did you feel anything unusual just now?” Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul smiled and asked.

The Devouring Sky Rat scratched his head and replied: “No major discomfort—just a bit dizzy after landing.”

Then.

He pulled out the dark abyss stone to inspect it, only to find its spatial energy completely depleted—it crumbled to dust at his touch.

The “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord” had observed this too; after a brief thought, he said: “I didn’t expect using this ancient talisman just to teleport from the Southern Wastes to the Eastern Sea would consume one dark abyss stone—if we were to cross realms, we’d need far more.”

The Seven Sorrows Demon Lord’s gaze returned to the Devouring Sky Rat; he reached out, snatched the white, plump child into his hand, and patted his belly: “Think carefully—besides those two Nascent Soul cultivators, what else did you consume before? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have produced something as rare as a dark abyss stone.”

The Devouring Sky Rat allowed Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul to examine him, wearing a slightly embarrassed smile:

“Master, I ate so much before returning—I can’t recall it all.”

“But it was only after swallowing those two demonic Nascent Souls that I felt a strong reaction inside.”

Hearing this, Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul wore a thoughtful expression, then set the Devouring Sky Rat down.

“Hmm, so this must be tied to devouring Nascent Souls.”

“Return to Moonwatch Island.”

“We’ll deliberate further.”

The Devouring Sky Rat nodded, immediately pulling out another dark abyss stone and activating the ancient talisman again.

…

Inside the cave dwelling on Moonwatch Island.

At the spot where Qin Ming had left the spatial coordinate, a vortex suddenly erupted—the Devouring Sky Rat reappeared.

“Master, I’m back! This talisman truly can traverse time and space!”

The Devouring Sky Rat returned the ancient talisman to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming smiled broadly, stowing the talisman away.

After this test, he was certain the “Nine Heavens’ Primordial Marvelous Response True Talisman” could still be used.

With this ancient talisman, if he could gather more dark abyss stones, he’d have a powerful escape route.

If the cultivation realm descended into chaos, lost control, or if he encountered a Soul Transformation elder he couldn't defeat,

Qin Ming could use this talisman to secure his escape.

Then.

Qin Ming granted the Devouring Sky Rat leave—he’d just broken through to the fourth-rank demonic saint, so let him wander freely.

He knew this creature’s nature well—he’d surely head to the Silver Moon Fox Clan to show off before Little Silver Fox.

“I permit you one month away, but keep a low profile—don’t overdo it.”

“And while you’re out, eat everything you ate before among the foxes—again. You understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Master! I’ll be back soon—I swear I won’t cause trouble, rest assured!” The Devouring Sky Rat vowed earnestly.

…

…

After the Devouring Sky Rat left.

Just as Qin Ming was about to return to the Small Spirit Realm to farm,

his demonic nascent soul in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm delivered shocking news.

Inside the Blood Demon Palace on Demon Abyss Island.

The Nascent Soul Demon Lords of the Five Great Demonic Sects of the Blood Realm were all gathered together.

They whispered among themselves, discussing something incessantly.

“Seven Sorrows, you’re an Elder of the Blood Refining Sect—do you know why Lord Tianhen has summoned us?” asked the Six Desires Demon Lord of the Ghost Realm, addressing Qin Ming’s demonic nascent soul.

At this question, all the Nascent Soul elders fell silent, eager to hear the answer.

After all, the last time Lord Tianhen had ruthlessly exterminated the Nascent Soul Demon Lord of Wu Liang Mountain, the memory was still fresh.

This had left every demonic Nascent Soul cultivator in fear, unsure when the capricious late-stage Nascent Soul master would turn on them next.

The “Seven Sorrows Demon Lord” stared straight ahead, calmly replying: “I don’t know the reason either. Lord Tianhen must have his own intentions—don’t overthink it.” No sooner had he spoken—

Ripples slowly spread through the air of the hall; a massive spiritual pressure, overwhelming everyone present, descended.

On the highest throne, the figure of Lord Tianhen materialized, wearing a white mask, his gaze sweeping slowly over the faces below.

The assembly fell utterly silent.

After surveying the room, Lord Tianhen spoke slowly: “I have summoned you all because I have a grand plan to reveal to you.”

Grand plan? Hearing this, not only Qin Ming, but even the five Nascent Soul Demon Lords of the Blood Realm straightened up.

If Lord Tianhen, a late-stage Nascent Soul master, called it a “grand plan,” it meant he intended serious action.

Then, Lord Tianhen suddenly called out toward the hall’s entrance: “Master Xuan Ce, enter.”

Next, to the astonishment of all, three sea-tribe cultivators stepped into the Blood Demon Palace.

Leading them was a youth in jade robes, with two dragon horns sprouting from his head, strikingly handsome, radiating innate nobility in every gesture.

His cultivation level was clearly mid-fourth rank.

Uploaded and organized~~

Qin Ming’s gaze swept over the three, but when he saw one of them, his pupils sharply contracted.

This was the fourth-rank Azure Lizard King he had encountered before on Ao Bie Island—he had escaped from him then.

“The Second Crown Prince of the Eastern Dragon Palace?” the Six Desires Demon Lord exclaimed in surprise.

Hearing this, Qin Ming sensed something major was about to unfold in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm.

“Allow me to introduce this gentleman—Prince Xuan Ce of the Eastern Dragon Palace. He has chosen to return to the embrace of the Upper Realm’s Demon Dragon Clan and ally with us.”

At this announcement, the hall erupted in murmurs; these seasoned cultivators needed no further explanation—they knew the supreme royal bloodline of the sea tribes had defected.

Simultaneously, the deep-minded elders of the Five Demonic Sects all wore cryptic smiles.

If Prince Xuan Ce defected to the Blood Realm, the Eastern Sea cultivation realm might suffer a crushing blow.

Not only could they reclaim the humiliation suffered at Lanxian City, but perhaps even tear open a breach into the mortal realm.

“Prince Xuan Ce greets you all—please extend your support from now on,” Prince Xuan Ce said with a smile, bowing slightly to the demonic Nascent Soul elders.

After inviting the three to sit, Lord Tianhen revealed his plan: “This plan is of utmost importance—only those present are to know it. I will not tolerate another leak like last time.”

“Thus, I have summoned you here today to execute this plan immediately.”

Then, with thunderous authority, Lord Tianhen issued a series of orders…

On Moonwatch Island.

Qin Ming’s expression shifted between dark and light—he had learned of Lord Tianhen’s plan.

“The Second Crown Prince of the Eastern Dragon Palace has defected. This so-called grand plan targets Dongji Island and the Crystal Palace, both allied with the sea tribes.”

“These two major sects are doomed—they’ll be ambushed hard by the sea tribes.”

“A bloody storm is inevitable.”

But more critical still—

Lord Tianhen’s plan included a strike aimed at the Southern Wastes cultivation realm.

Perhaps due to the recent losses of demonic Nascent Soul cultivators in the Southern Wastes, Lord Tianhen had taken notice.

At the Demon Alliance meeting, Lord Tianhen personally assigned two other demonic Nascent Soul elders to assist the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord, deciding to launch the first large-scale descent attack on the Southern Wastes.

“Sigh! I’ve barely had a few days of peace—why is it so hard to just farm in peace?”

“Since you’re coming to me willingly, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Qin Ming’s eyes flashed; he immediately summoned Mo Lingwei and ordered: “Bring Wei Wuyan to the island.”

“Yes, Island Lord,” Mo Lingwei replied and departed at once.

Half a day later.

A blue aura streaked down onto Moonwatch Island, revealing Wei Wuyan’s figure.

“Wei Wuyan bows before the Moonwatch True Person.”

Qin Ming looked at him and smiled: “Wei brother, long time no see—no need for formalities.”

Wei Wuyan had once failed a breakthrough, but recovered fully thanks to Qin Ming’s Li Yun Pill.

Now at the late Foundation Establishment realm, he appeared as a resolute middle-aged man, tall-crowned and jade-faced, exuding the authority of a Four Kingdoms Alliance leader.

“Why has True Person Qin summoned me so suddenly?” Wei Wuyan knew Qin Ming rarely summoned him unless it was of critical importance.

Qin Ming’s smile vanished; his expression turned grave: “Wei Alliance Leader, what follows concerns the survival of the Southern Wastes—it is of immense consequence.”

"Remember, only the core members of the Four Nations Alliance may know of this matter. After you've read it, go and prepare."

Immediately, Qin Ming handed him a jade slip.

"As for other support, I will contact the demon tribes and the Great Jin Dao Alliance. You need only follow my orders."

On Wei Wuya’s steady, capable face, this was the first time he had seen Qin Ming so solemn.

After taking the jade slip and scanning it, his face instantly turned pale! His voice trembled as he said:

"Seven Sorrow Demon Lord: descending to invade the Southern Wastes"

……

(End of Chapter)