Fellow Daoist Qin did not blame the Heaven-Devouring Rat, as hatching a True Spirit Egg is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

So there was no need to rush at this time.

Then he said to it, "Hmm, I am aware of this matter. I will think of a way regarding the Tier Five Essence Blood."

"Next, go and help Little Silver Fox and the others tend to the Spirit Plants."

The Heaven-Devouring Rat breathed a long sigh of relief, its chubby white face breaking into a smile, imitating a human by cupping its hands and bowing:

"Hehe! Yes, Master!"

Then it left cheerfully to find Little Silver Fox and the others.

Qin Ming returned to his Cave Mansion.

He took out the jade scroll he obtained from the Sumeru Spirit Garden.

This jade scroll records an Artifact to resist the Celestial Tribulation, named the "Five Extremes True Spirit Stele."

The level of this Artifact even reached the legendary Tier Six Returning Void Treasure.

Artifacts beyond Tier Six correspond to the Void Refining Stage of the "Refining Spirit Returning Void" cultivation stage, and are thus named.

As a masterpiece of Master Fire God, a leader in the Path of Artifact Refining in the Spirit Realm, the crafting of this top-tier tribulation-defying treasure requires five types of True Spirit Blood, along with the refining of top-tier Divine Stones of five different attributes.

Among these Divine Stones, having one with the Thunder Attribute is best, as it greatly enhances resistance to Thunder Tribulation.

Qin Ming had already memorized the method for refining this Returning Void Treasure.

Just obtaining five types of True Spirit Blood, even in the Spirit Realm, is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

After all, the power of True Spirits is not something ordinary cultivators can covet, let alone five types.

If noticed by the True Spirit Race, life in the Spirit Realm would not be easy.

But Qin Ming was different; he now possessed a True Spirit Egg, from which he could take a bit of blood once it hatched.

Moreover, Lan Bing Fairy also carried two powerful True Spirit Bloodlines.

If the Heaven-Devouring Rat, Little Silver Fox, Silver-winged Frost Bee, or Profound Water Crocodile were lucky, one or two of them might awaken a True Spirit Bloodline, directly gathering five types of True Spirit Blood...

Without offending the True Spirits of the Spirit Realm, it would be a huge advantage.

However, obtaining the five different attribute Divine Stones is quite challenging.

Fortunately, according to the Artifact Refining jade scroll left by Master Fire God, to initially refine this "Five Extremes True Spirit Stele," only one Divine Stone is needed.

Which would be enough to face the Great Celestial Tribulation of the Void Refining Stage.

"Just one attribute’s Divine Stone can achieve a Tier Six Returning Void Treasure; when the five Divine Stones are completely unified, what level will it reach then?"

"This Elder Fire God truly possesses extraordinary talent in the Path of Artifact Refining..."

Qin Ming sighed with emotion.

Suddenly, he thought of the Primordial Extreme Mountain in the Northern Cold Cultivation Realm of the Human Realm, which holds the heaven-defying divine power to isolate the Power of the Five Elements, wondering if it could be refined.

However, Qin Ming quickly dismissed this idea.

Within the Primordial Extreme Mountain lies another sealed Saint Ancestor from the Ancient Demon Realm. Previously, just a Split Soul of the Six Paths Saint Ancestor almost threw the entire Human Realm into chaos before it even emerged.

If anything went wrong during refining, it would be a disaster.

At the very least, Qin Ming needed to reach beyond the Void Refining Stage to possibly conquer this mountain.

Thinking of this.

Qin Ming immediately instructed the Demon Infant in the Spirit Realm to focus on the matter of the Divine Stones and the Five Elements Ultimate Items, and began planning for the Void Refining endeavor.

After all, these items are extremely rare even in the Spirit Realm and should be gathered as early as possible.

He himself took out the "Profound Nether True Water Scripture" from the five attribute cultivation methods and began to cultivate.

The days of cultivation passed swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, several years had passed.

After some extensive study, Qin Ming cultivated this water attribute method to the Minor Achievement Introduction stage, then left the Cave Mansion.

Over these years, he had considered it repeatedly, and the resources in the Human Realm for his cultivation were already scarce.

Even though he could continue cultivating in the Human Realm methodically, he might reach the Peak of Divinity Transformation Perfection...

But after breaking through to the Mid-Stage Divinity Transformation, he realized his strength had now greatly exceeded his past self.

Currently, Qin Ming’s Mana Cultivation and Body Refining Cultivation both simultaneously broke through to the Mid-Stage Divinity Transformation, far surpassing those of the same tier.

Under the Divinity Transformation Perfection, even without deploying the Eight Gates Golden Light Mirror or the three Spiritual Treasures, he could easily handle opponents.

If he did use the Spiritual Treasures, there would be essentially no one under the Void Refining Stage who could withstand a single blow.

Not to mention he had a powerful trump card in the form of the Eight Gates Reincarnation Mirror.

With over ten thousand years of full-health capability, he might even challenge elderly Void Refining cultivators with dwindling lifespans.

Void Refining Cultivators are considered High-Tier Cultivators even in the Spirit Realm.

Qin Ming’s Demon Infant had navigated the Spirit Realm for decades without encountering one.

Even if he did meet a Void Refining Cultivator, Qin Ming wasn’t the type to fight at the drop of a hat...

Besides, even if he couldn’t win, Lan Bing Fairy could transform into an Ice Crystal Nether Sparrow to help him escape.

Once entering the endless void, even those High-Tier Cultivators couldn’t catch him, nor dare chase into the Void Turbulence.

Thus, his self-preservation ability was more than sufficient.

Qin Ming knew that since the Demon Infant had already planted the Tier Five Demon Rice, staying longer in the Human Realm might cause his Mana Cultivation to lag.

This was something Qin Ming did not want to see.

Thus, he made the decision that the time for his body to ascend to the Spirit Realm had come...

Firstly, it’s about collecting spiritual materials to refine the "Five Extremes True Spirit Stele" and the ultimate items of the Five Elements, such as Innate Fire Essence and Taiyi Geng Gold, to prepare for cultivating the "True Primordial Yin Yang Technique".

Secondly, in the Spirit Realm, divine techniques can be freely used without suffering backlash from interface power, thus reducing the lifespan.

Thirdly, it’s to seek the Essence Blood of a Tier Five Demon Venerable to hatch the True Spirit Egg in the Little Spirit Realm, which might become a powerful trump card for oneself in the future.

Finally, cultivating in the Spirit Realm, where the environment for Spiritual Qi is superior, even Black Obsidian Peak in Qianji City possesses a Tier Five High-Grade Spiritual Vein, significantly accelerating the cultivation speed.

It might expedite the process to reach the late-stage Divinity Transformation.

Importantly, the Spirit Realm is full of opportunities, as Qin Ming’s Demon Infant deeply realized within just decades.

Having thought through these matters.

Qin Ming, not one to hesitate, found Xiao Xun and discussed this matter with her.

The two had developed feelings over time.

Although Xiao Xun had long expected it, and despite her reluctance, she gently nodded, agreeing with Qin Ming’s thoughts.

After all, the Immortal Dao is endless, and there will be time for reunion in the future.

"Don’t worry, I still need things from the Human Realm, like the Primordial Extreme Mountain and the Void Profound Abyss in the East Sea. When my cultivation advances further, I must return." Qin Ming gently held her soft hands and then embraced her.

"Mm." Xiao Xun nodded, leaning against Qin Ming’s chest.

Subsequently, Qin Ming told her the place he would settle after ascension, in the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp.

When she breaks through to Divinity Transformation in the Human Realm, they can meet again in the Spirit Realm.

It’s not that Qin Ming didn’t want to take her along, but crossing the Vast Sea’s outer realm starry sky, even he wasn’t entirely confident.

The flesh of Human Race Nascent Soul cultivators isn’t as robust as beings like the Heaven-Devouring Rat, and, when unable to withstand the impact of Void Power, the risk of perishing is significant.

Across the long cosmic star river, fraught with danger, there are also disturbances by Outer Heaven Demons.

Even Qin Ming wouldn’t be able to care for everything.

Last time, when the Demon Infant and the Lan Bing Fairy ascended to the Spirit Realm, they almost failed.

If not for Lan Bing Fairy transforming into a Nether Sparrow, with her powerful bloodline, even though the Demon Infant fell into the chaotic void turbulence, the probability of perishing was high.

Qin Ming dared not gamble.

Thus, it’s best to wait for her to break through her realm, possess the body and mind of the Divinity Transformation Stage, and ascend via the Ascension Platform, which would be much safer.

As for Qin Ming’s few spirit pets, they had long signed a Divine Contract with him, if he was unfortunately killed during the journey, they would perish together, the risk nearly the same.

Alongside, the Heaven-Devouring Rat quickly covered the Little Silver Fox’s and Tian Ling’er’s eyes, pulling them aside: "Let’s go, let’s go, don’t look, this is too mushy..."

...

Half a year later.

Within Primordial Extreme Mountain, at the Ascension Platform of Luotian Hall.

Qin Ming stood on the White Jade Platform at the edge of the cliff.

Those coming to bid farewell included longstanding acquaintances from the Human Realm; besides Xiao Xun, there were also Qi Xiaoyu and Su Yuqing, two close friends who were both teacher and friend.

As well as Cold Crow Ascendant, Master Qianji, Mo Lingwei, and Hua Tianxiong.

Their eyes rested on Qin Ming at the Ascension Platform, deeply moved.

The attendees were cultivators well acquainted with Qin Ming, having witnessed his journey to the pinnacle of the Human Realm step by step, now facing parting.

Beyond this, it’s uncertain if they’ll ever meet again.

Each was inevitably touched.

Now witnessing his ascent to the Spirit Realm, besides envy, they carried deep blessings.

"Fellow Daoists, there’s no banquet in the world that lasts forever; Qin here takes the first step this time, if fate allows, we shall meet again in the Spirit Realm."

Qin Ming addressed everyone, then revealed a slight smile.

"Wish Fellow Daoist Qin, a long-lasting Immortal Dao!"

"Wish Lord Island Master, a long-lasting Immortal Dao!"

"Wish Elder Qin, a long-lasting Immortal Dao!"

"..."

Immediately following.

As a white light pillar descended from the celestial vault, penetrating endless star realms, it directly landed on the Ascension Platform, engulfing Qin Ming’s figure.

As the brilliance faded.

Everyone gazed at the breathtaking scene before them, unable to compose themselves for a long time.

It further stirred their unyielding hearts towards the Dao.

"Cultivation is like rowing against the current, against there’s immortality, with there’s mortality..."

On the other side.

Qin Ming didn’t plan to head to the Immortal Welcoming Platform of Celestial Star City, so he had already notified the Demon Infant and Lan Bing Fairy to come to meet him.

After passing through numerous transitions.

Qin Ming looked up.

The outline of the Immortal Welcoming Platform back then had already appeared in his vision.

Almost at the same location as when the Demon Infant ascended last time.

He immediately deployed the Profound Crow Void Escape divine technique, his whole body exploded into countless blood crows, flying towards all directions of the outer realm starry sky.

...