"Alright, if there’s nothing else, you may leave now." Qin Ming instructed plainly.

Baili Hui was about to leave when something seemed to suddenly occur to him.

"Oh, right, Elder Lii, there’s something I forgot to mention to you. While investigating the intelligence related to Inspector Huang Chao of Celestial Star City, I happened to hear about another matter."

"It is said that this incident... caused quite a stir in the Kunlun Realm."

Qin Ming asked curiously, "Oh? What is it?"

"Hehe! It is said that decades ago, a Star Guard from Celestial Star City tampered at the Immortal Welcoming Platform during the reception of ascension cultivators from the Spirit Realm, secretly harming two ascension cultivators from the Human Realm. Now the truth has come to light, and it has been uncovered."

"To think of it, those two ascension cultivators from the Human Realm should have had boundless paths to immortality, but they unfortunately encountered such a malicious person, what a rotten luck!"

Qin Ming felt a sudden jolt at those words, the timing and location matched, were those unfortunate cultivators not himself?

He then said, "Go on, what happened afterward?"

Baili Hui sighed emotionlessly, "To do such a thing at the Ascension Platform, that’s a capital offense!"

"However, that Star Guard named Jiang Tian from Celestial Star City, has an unusual background. He’s supposedly the son of a Void Refining Stage Elder from Celestial Star City. Even so, the crime he committed was heinous and he couldn’t escape a death sentence, but he couldn’t escape his punishment either."

"It’s said that he was forcibly exiled to the Barbaric Land, to participate in the battles against Demon Beasts in the most perilous and hostile regions where even Divinity Transformation cultivators often fall. I guess it’s self-inflicted!"

Immediately.

Qin Ming asked again, "But why would this Star Guard named Jiang Tian risk harming the ascension cultivators from the Human Realm?"

"I heard this person had long coveted the position of Star Abyss Guard Captain, and those who can successfully ascend from the Lower Realm to Human Realm are exceptionally powerful, far surpassing same-tier cultivators. Prior, there was an ascension cultivator who conveniently took his position."

"Jiang Tian had waited for a hundred years, his chance finally came, but just as he was about to be appointed, two more ascended all of a sudden, so..." Baili Hui reached this point, and Qin Ming didn’t need much thought to grasp the entire situation.

Unexpectedly, the timing of his ascension was truly unfortunate, clashing precisely with the star selection of the Human Race Main City for the Star Abyss Guards.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to smuggle his way up sneakily.

But it was also mixed blessings, which allowed Qin Ming to avoid being conscripted for city labor service.

The position of Star Abyss Guard Captain was undoubtedly good, with abundant resources, but it surely came with various constraints, as he would have to comply with missions assigned by Immortal City for the Realm Transformation Pill, serving for an extended period like an ox or horse.

However, now having acquired the Realm Transformation Pill from the Wood Crystal Race, he thoroughly resolved the otherworldly aura on him, living freely and delicately in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp... isn’t it splendid?

There’s absolutely no need to obey the command of anyone or any faction.

"This news is quite good as well." Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction and immediately rewarded Baili Hui.

His words finally unraveled the long-standing perplexity within his heart.

Baili Hui was extremely grateful, unexpectedly getting an unexpected reward, he respectfully and gratefully left Black Obsidian Peak.

Shortly after.

Qin Ming returned to the Cave Mansion, studying a jade scroll left behind by Huang Chao...

...

...

Human Realm.

Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm, Wangyue Island.

Qin Ming’s true self leisurely watched the Heaven-Devouring Rat and others tend to the Spirit Field on the island, while he himself leisurely sipped Spirit Tea.

This little Heaven-Devouring Rat, through diligent cultivation over this period, also advanced to the late-stage Tier Four Realm, proving that his nurturing was not in vain.

If future opportunities are sufficient, breaking through to Tier Five Demon Venerable is very possible.

And the True Spirit Egg in the Little Spirit Realm, after being watered continuously with Cangming Demon Venerable’s essence blood by the Heaven-Devouring Rat, has revived with rich vitality. However, it seems it still needs a bit more before truly hatching.

Qin Ming’s eyes twinkled continuously, having learned about the jade scroll from the defected ascension cultivator, he decided to explore the Void Profound Abyss once more.

He immediately called upon the Heaven-Devouring Rat, then activated the Nine Heavens Cyan Yuan Marvelous Response True Talisman in his hand.

When Qin Ming exited there, he had already left a mark, allowing him to teleport directly using the ancient talisman.

Otherwise, without Lan Bing Fairy’s incarnation as the Ice Crystal Nether Sparrow leading the way, it would be truly difficult for Mana Cultivation focused Qin Ming to traverse the terrifying Void Turbulence there.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat immediately became thrilled and excited upon hearing that it was going to collect treasures from that Immortal Mansion Treasure, tossing aside the Divine Hoe and rushing over.

The next moment.

Qin Ming activated the ancient talisman, countless golden runes enveloped him, and he disappeared instantly from his original spot.

Only after a few breaths.

Qin Ming’s vision blurred and he appeared outside the large floating island in the Void Profound Abyss.

He released the Heaven-Devouring Rat to stay alert, then headed to the outer entrance of this Immortal Mansion Treasure.

Shortly after, Qin Ming, following the rune instructions in the jade scroll, inscribed the runes using mana in a specific sequence and finally cast them on the cyan light screen at the entrance.

Rumble!!

Suddenly a thunderous sound echoed, and the cyan mist around the outer region of the Immortal Mansion Treasure dissipated instantly.

Revealing the astonishing sight within.

The outermost region of this Immortal Mansion Treasure appeared to be a extremely ancient herbal garden.

Qin Ming and the Heaven-Devouring Rat immediately expanded their Divine Thought and entered, spotting a massive three-zhang stone stele beneath a colossal withered tree just as they entered, engraved with the four large characters: "Sumeru Spirit Garden."