Chapter 746

Blood Realm, deep within the forbidden grounds of the Blood Refining Devil Gate.

Upon a massive stone platform stood several Jin Dan devil cultivators, bowing in solemn reverence.

Before the platform stretched an endless abyss, where lightning crackled and thunder roared, and terrifying void storms howled; faintly visible were black stone peaks rising from the unfathomable depths.

“They’ve arrived! Prepare to welcome the Devil Lord’s return!”

The Jin Dan devil cultivators immediately grew solemn, bowing low toward the front.

Hum~ Suddenly—

A violent ripple echoed through the void; a black vortex abruptly appeared atop the platform, followed by a network of blood-red runes igniting all around.

As crimson light flashed across the Reception Platform, several towering figures materialized upon it.

It was the Seven Sorrows Devil Lord and Crown Prince Xuan Ce’s party.

“Disciples welcome Elder Seven Sorrows Devil Lord back!”

As the first few Jin Dan devil cultivators bowed, the vast crowd of Devil Gate disciples behind them also paid reverent homage.

The Seven Sorrows Devil Lord’s face was expressionless; he nodded slightly, gazing at the dark, heavy sky, sensing the dense devil energy around him.

He thought silently: ‘This is the Blood Realm.’

…

Meanwhile.

In the eastern region of the Blood Realm, a vast desert erupted with fierce battle energy.

Hundreds of magic ships from the Eastern Sea cultivation realm hovered in midair, led by over a dozen transcontinental spirit vessels each a thousand zhang in length, radiating suffocating pressure.

The desert floor was littered with corpses—all devil cultivators of the Blood Realm.

“Report, Elder Grandmaster: the devil faction’s vanguard force has been completely eradicated!”

On the stern face of the Canghe True Person, his cold eyes narrowed, and he ordered: “Issue the command: press northward and rendezvous with the Ice God Palace of the Northern Cold cultivation realm.”

“Yes!”

At that moment,

Another Yuan Ying True Person from the Starry Palace could not help but say: “Elder Grandmaster Canghe, are we truly going to ally with the Ice God Palace? Those people are stubborn, arrogant, and nearly impossible to communicate with.”

“Hmm. This time, besides the ‘Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao’ strategy, we have another major mission: to seek the Ascension Platform or suitable Void Nodes left by the Spirit Realm for our Ancestor.”

“The Ice God Palace’s Ancestor shares this intent and has already reached consensus with our Ancestor.”

“Sigh! I never imagined it was for this,” sighed the Yuan Ying Elder. “Since the decline of the ancient Qingyuan Sect, not a single cultivator has ascended in over five thousand years.”

Canghe True Person gazed into the distance, his eyes deep, and nodded.

Ordinarily, cultivators in the Mortal Realm reach their limit at the Soul Transformation realm, repelled by the power of the world itself.

To advance further, only Ascension remains possible.

The means: through the Ascension Platforms left by the Spirit Realm in the Mortal Realm.

Upon reaching the Spirit Realm—a grand realm—where spiritual energy is abundant, the barrier of dimensional repulsion vanishes, even allowing one to strive for realms beyond Soul Transformation.

Of course, in ancient times, some supreme beings ascended directly through sheer physical power, without Ascension Platforms.

But such a feat demands extraordinary cultivation: one must reach Soul Transformation’s peak before daring to attempt it.

Generally, Soul Transformation Elders would never risk it.

For if one were caught in the Void Chaos, even a Soul Transformation Master would perish, body and Dao destroyed.

Yet since the ancient wars, the Ascension Platforms left by the Spirit Realm have either been destroyed or their locations lost.

Coupled with countless dimensional convergences over tens of thousands of years, repeated Heavenly Demon Cataclysms invading the Mortal Realm, and the resulting devil energy pollution that has caused spiritual energy to decline, many Soul Transformation cultivators have been trapped, dying in early Soul Transformation.

Forced to seek other solutions…

In the Southern Wastelands, within the cave mansion of Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming manipulated the Spirit King Cauldron; three-colored ancient poison flames surged beneath it, swirling ceaselessly.

As he flicked his dantian seal, the Spirit King Cauldron erupted in a spectacle of dragon roars and tiger howls, wreathed in radiant clouds.

A strange, potent elixir fragrance instantly filled the entire cave mansion.

Three pure white elixirs emerged, each bearing sixteen Dao patterns, radiating astonishing elixir halos and brilliant treasure light.

Within the elixirs, a semblance of sentience stirred, as if trying to escape the cauldron.

Qin Ming casually reached out; the three fourth-grade superior elixirs instantly landed in his palm.

“I never expected the Shenglong Elixir to be so difficult to refine—I wasted dozens of batches of materials before finally producing just these three.”

Qin Ming gazed at the elixirs in his hand, sighing with deep emotion.

To refine this elixir, he exhausted every single ripening term in his current spiritual sense.

Just as he thought all his materials would be wasted, he finally succeeded in producing three.

Not entirely in vain.

As for the materials of the Shenglong Elixir, Qin Ming had already acquired the main ingredient’s seed during the Immortal Mansion Fair.

The remaining auxiliary ingredients, he had his Four Kingdoms Alliance and Hua Tian Xiong’s trading house gather swiftly.

Since taking charge of the Southern Wastelands, cultivation resources naturally flowed up to him from subordinates.

The Shenglong Elixir, as a fourth-grade superior elixir for enhancing Yuan Ying cultivation base, was even more potent than the Hunyuan Elixir by several times.

After all, as a fourth-grade superior elixir, its refinement difficulty and low success rate had surpassed Qin Ming’s expectations.

Meanwhile, after this refining session, another strand of Yi Wood Essence formed within the Spirit King Cauldron.

Qin Ming directly fed it to his life-plant, the Everlasting Immortal Vine; the black vines writhed, and its growth progressed significantly.

Now, refining elixirs would produce Yi Wood Essence to nourish his life-plant—he no longer needed to hunt Yuan Ying devil cultivators.

One strand of Yi Wood Essence contained spiritual essence equivalent to a single Yuan Ying-level blood pearl.

“Killing and fighting is always undesirable. Yuan Ying cultivators are scarce anyway; there aren’t enough to harvest blood pearls from.”

Afterwards,

Qin Ming stored two of the Shenglong Elixirs, took one, and swallowed it, immediately beginning cultivation.

A vast, pure medicinal force unfolded within his body, continuously converging toward his Nascent Soul.

He immediately activated the “Green Emperor Scripture,” refining the elixir’s power.

Time passed; the seasons turned.

One year later,

Qin Ming’s body resonated with a grand magic power aura, harmonizing with the celestial spiritual energy.

The green spiritual plant shadow formed by his Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Body grew another chi taller.

The celestial spiritual energy of the fourth-grade spiritual vein on Wangyue Island flowed like a whale drinking water, continuously transformed by the spiritual body into part of Qin Ming’s Nascent Soul magic power.

“Green Emperor Scripture, Level Thirteen!”

“I never imagined you’d advanced this ancient Qingyuan Sect core scripture to such a profound level!”

Qingyang Devil Demon wore an expression of disbelief.

“After the ninth level, the Green Emperor Scripture becomes increasingly difficult to break through—is this because of the completion of the Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Body?”

Qin Ming ended his cultivation, slightly sensing the enhanced magic power within his Nascent Soul—he had advanced one-third toward Yuan Ying Mid-Stage.

Such rapid progress—

Across the entire cultivation realm, only he could achieve it.

“The Shenglong Elixir is truly extraordinary; its medicinal power even surpasses the Qingxu Elixir of the Penglai Sect. I wonder which ancient supreme being created it.”

“This elixir is likely the most effective among all elixirs designed to enhance Yuan Ying cultivation—even beneficial to Yuan Ying Late-Stage,” Qin Ming declared after personally experiencing the Shenglong Elixir’s effects.

Additionally, Qin Ming took time to ferment the two fourth-grade demonic core pearls he had exchanged for at the Immortal Mansion Fair into Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine—now he had an endless supply.

After cultivation ended, Qin Ming was in high spirits.

He stepped out of the cave mansion, retrieved a set of wine utensils, poured himself Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Wine, and began savoring it alone.

The Devouring Rat, busy at work, caught the scent of wine, immediately dropped his Shennong Hoe, and rushed to Qin Ming’s side to serve him wine.

Qin Ming enjoyed the Devouring Rat’s massage and generously rewarded him with several cups of spirit wine.

Then,

Qin Ming suddenly remembered something and sent a message summoning Mo Lingwei to the island.

After a while,

A green aura streaked from afar and landed atop the main peak.

“Lingwei bows before the Island Master!”

Qin Ming scanned her; he noticed her Jin Dan cultivation had advanced rapidly—likely due to her spiritual body’s enhancement.

Although her Phoenix Song Body offered far less benefit for cultivation than other spiritual bodies, it was still an extremely rare and unique constitution.

Qin Ming had originally planned to use her unique body to break through to Yuan Ying Mid-Stage, but now it seemed unnecessary.

If she lived until his own breakthrough to Yuan Ying Late-Stage, she might still prove useful.

Still, she was a capable and astute subordinate; over the past decades, Mo Lingwei had managed Wangyue Island with impeccable order.

Qin Ming was highly satisfied.

“I’ve been in seclusion for years. How is the current situation with the devil faction’s descent into the cultivation realm?” Qin Ming asked calmly, seated beneath a spirit peach tree.

Mo Lingwei raised her head—and saw a plump white child standing atop a stone stool, vigorously massaging Qin Ming’s shoulders.

A fourth-grade demonic saint serving so humbly—only the Wangyue True Person could command such devotion.

She quickly bowed and replied: “My Lord, aside from our Southern Wastelands, which remains relatively stable, all other regions are grim, facing a second wave of devil faction descent.”

“In some areas, void anomalies have opened widely, devil pollution is severe, and entire regions have become uninhabitable.”

“However, according to intelligence from Lord Wei and others, the Soul Transformation sects of the Eastern Sea and Northern Cold cultivation realms have secretly discovered several void passages leading to the Blood Realm and have already begun operations.”

The invasion by these two major demonic factions from the cultivation worlds has also lessened the pressure, likely because they’ve achieved some success in their operations within the Blood Realm.

Only a Soul Transformation sect like this could reverse the decline of the mortal realm.

After listening, Qin Ming pondered for a moment and nodded.

He immediately pulled out a vial of Divine Wood Pills for Foundation Establishment cultivators, flicked his finger, and the vial floated to her Mianqian , “You’ve worked hard managing Lingdao these years—take this vial of Divine Wood Pills.”

Strive to advance to Core Formation mid-stage as soon as possible.

Mo Lingwei took the jade vial and immediately bowed with visible excitement, “Thank you, Island Master, for your generous gift!”

She had naturally heard rumors of this legendary Core Formation elixir.

It was a divine medicine passed down from ancient times.

One such pill was once auctioned at the Star-Moon Bazaar, crafted personally by Su Yuqing, the Elixir King of Great Jin, and sold for an astronomical price.

Cultivators with modest means like us could only look up in awe.

Then Mo Lingwei withdrew respectfully.

“I wonder how Su’s attempt at Nascent Soul is progressing?” Qin Ming thought of this and immediately summoned Hua Tianxiong to inquire.

“Master, Elixir King Su is now a renowned Core Formation cultivator in Great Jin. After his previous failure, he spent decades honing his abilities on the demonic frontlines, slaying countless demonic cultivators, and re-entered seclusion two years ago.”

“Before entering seclusion, I met Elixir King Su once. He said his chances this time are greater than before, but Nascent Soul is no easy realm to break through—it also depends on his performance under pressure.”

Hua Tianxiong reported truthfully.

Qin Ming slowly nodded. “Su’s resolve is firm, his fortune substantial—I hope he succeeds this time.”

Hua Tianxiong suddenly remembered something and added, “By the way, Master, the True Person Nanlan Xi of Canghai Xiancheng recently broke through to Core Formation late-stage and sent an invitation to Wangyue Island. I heard you’re on good terms with True Person Nanlan—would you like to attend?”

“Oh? I didn’t expect Nanlan Daoist to break through either. I’ve been idle lately—then I’ll go.” Qin Ming was slightly surprised.

The Heavenly Demon Tribulation is a disaster for the mortal realm, but it also brings opportunities.

Nanlan Xi must have gained something from fighting the demonic factions—after all, she’d been stuck at Core Formation mid-stage for a hundred years.

“What? A feast?” The fat face of the Shi Tian Rat lit up with excitement.

Years of farming and cultivating on Wangyue Island had driven him mad with boredom.

Although Qin Ming, after reaching Nascent Soul, rarely attended such gatherings, Nanlan Xi was one of the few Dao friends he’d known since early days.

He decided to show up.

Several days later.

Qin Ming arrived at Canghai Xiancheng with the Shi Tian Rat; now, this distance took them only the time of one incense stick.

Inside Canghai Xiancheng, lanterns and decorations adorned the streets, as if celebrating Nanlan Xi’s breakthrough.

Before even entering the city, Qin Ming’s powerful spiritual sense detected Wei Wuya, Gu Qingzhao, and Huangfu Qi among the guests.

On Canghai Peak, everyone was celebrating inside Nanlan Xi’s cave dwelling, raising cups and chatting merrily.

Suddenly, a five-colored luminous Lingxiao Bao Nian carriage flew in from outside the Xiancheng, exuding extraordinary grandeur.

The Core Formation True Persons present all turned pale.

“How did Qin Former Senior arrive?”

Nanlan Xi felt utterly overwhelmed.

It mirrored exactly the reversal of status she’d experienced when she first summoned Qin Ming—just as Qin Ming had felt then.

Before anyone could react, the five-colored light vanished, the carriage retracted, and Qin Ming stood before them.

“Welcome, Former Senior Wangyue Zhenjun! Your humble servant failed to greet you properly!”

“Your humble servant greets Former Senior Shi Tian Yaosheng!”

Everyone bowed hastily.

Qin Ming smiled warmly and waved casually. “No need for formalities, fellow Daoists. I’ve come merely to congratulate Nanlan Daoist—I haven’t gathered with you all in a long time.”

Nanlan Xi, Gu Qingzhao, and the others felt a mix of emotions.

Once, they had sat at the same table, drinking and laughing with Qin Ming as equals.

Now, he had become a being they could only look up to—the gap widened further each day.

Since Qin Ming’s stalemate with Qi Shang Mo Jun at Wangyue Lake, he had become an unreachable figure in the hearts of all cultivators.

After taking his seat, Qin Ming pulled out a jade box and handed it to Nanlan Xi as a gift.

“This is Demon Flame Wine—it will help Nanlan Daoist break through to Core Formation peak next time.”

Hearing this, Nanlan Xi’s expression surged with emotion, and she bowed repeatedly in thanks.

Everyone else wore expressions of intense envy.

“Nanlan Daoist, no need to thank me—my master has plenty of fine wine. By the way, Nanlan Daoist, have you made the Spirit Yam-Braised Chicken? My favorite.”

The Shi Tian Rat waved his sleeve and immediately mingled with the crowd as fine wines and delicacies were served one after another. Meanwhile,

In the Blood Realm, Qi Shang Mo Jun led Xuan Ce and others from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to the edge of a mountain range blazing with demonic energy.

“Dao friend Xuan Ce, we’ve reached Longji Mountain, home of the Demon Dragon Clan.”

……

(End of Chapter)