Time turns, and the seasons change.

Two years pass in the blink of an eye.

After much exploration, Qin Ming finally succeeded in refining the Tier Five Middle-Grade Realm Transformation Pill.

When the pill was successfully crafted, a strange phenomenon still surrounded the Cave Mansion atop the Little Spirit Realm.

In these two years, he consumed several precious spiritual materials and altogether succeeded in refining eight times, crafting more than ten pills.

Afterward.

Qin Ming, to ensure safety, took another Realm Transformation Pill himself.

After all, the previous pill was ingested by the Demon Infant, and he wasn’t entirely sure he had completely removed the Otherworldly aura.

After taking the pill, as the medicinal power dispersed, Qin Ming could feel that its effect was exactly the same as that of the pill obtained from the Wood Crystal Race by the Demon Infant.

Immediately.

He then took out the Realm Transformation Pill and gave each of his Spirit Pets a dose.

Thus, Qin Ming ensured utmost stability, no longer needing to worry about being recognized as an Ascension Cultivator from the Lower Realm.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat and the others could now venture outside the Spirit Realm.

This fellow, extremely excited, ran outside the Cave Mansion to roam around after removing the Otherworldly aura.

Furthermore, when Xiao Xun and the others ascend to the Spirit Realm from the Human Realm in the future, they won’t need to worry about the Realm Transformation Pill.

Having solved the issue, Qin Ming was in a good mood, instructing the Heaven-Devouring Rat and the others to prepare a lavish feast for celebration among master and servants.

On this day.

Qin Ming was leading several beasts, including the Heaven-Devouring Rat, to cultivate a new Spirit Medicine Field on Black Obsidian Peak, ready to plant and cultivate new Spirit Plants.

But at the next moment.

The sky suddenly darkened, and a massive shadow instantly enveloped the sky above Qianji City.

Qin Ming put down the Divine Hoe in his hand and looked up.

He saw a large gilded palace emitting dazzling and splendid light, its grandeur overwhelming, ignoring the Tier Five Defense Array of Qianji City, appearing above the city.

Around this moving palace, there stood ranks of dark-armored guards holding long spears, all riding Tier Three Magical Beast mounts, numbering over a thousand, resembling celestial soldiers descending to the mortal world.

Such a spectacle intimidated the numerous Loose Cultivators in the city, leaving them speechless.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat shaded its eyes with its hand, looking up and exclaiming, "The forces of the Spirit Realm truly have wealth! Such a grand entrance, truly magnificent."

Qin Ming, however, did not impulsively release his Divine Thought to probe the gilded palace, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

"It should be the cultivators from the Netherworld Sect; their armor bears the Sect’s emblem."

At this moment.

Lan Bing Fairy also finished her secluded cultivation, walked out of the Cave Mansion, and gazed at the sky with a soft voice.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat, seeing her emerge, quickly greeted, "Oh! Long time no see, Elder Lan Bing."

Lan Bing Fairy nodded slightly in response.

Qin Ming withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "It seems the Six-Tier Poisonous Ore produced by the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp finally attracted the overlord-level sect of Demon Ancient Wasteland."

Sure enough.

Soon after, a black-robed, purple-haired youth emerged from the gilded palace, his features strikingly handsome, with a somewhat eerie charm.

He exuded a Late-stage Divinity Transformation Cultivation and stood in the air.

Then, the high-ranking members of the Netherworld Sect and Loose Alliance respectfully greeted the eerie youth.

The Nascent Soul Cultivators who previously dominated in Qianji City now bowed humbly before the black-robed eerie youth, flattering him.

Soon, people from the Netherworld Sect ushered him into the Immortal City.

After the purple-haired eerie youth left, the Dark Demon Armor Guards orderly retreated and camped near Qianji City.

Qin Ming’s eyes flickered incessantly, immediately sending a Communication Talisman, inviting Baili Hui to the Cave Mansion.

There were some matters that he might have more insight on.

...

Half an incense stick later.

Baili Hui, in the guise of a dwarf elder, appeared atop Black Obsidian Peak.

After entering the Cave Mansion and settling down.

Qin Ming immediately asked him, "Do you know who from the Netherworld Sect visited the Immortal City today?"

Baili Hui, upon arrival, surprisingly found that several Gold Boy and Jade Maiden had appeared in Qin Ming’s small courtyard...

Although he couldn’t discern their cultivation level now, based on his past experience during the Divinity Transformation Stage, it wasn’t hard to deduce that these child-like figures should be Tier Four Transformation Demon Beasts.

Realizing this, he had a new perspective on the strength of ’Elder Lii’.

It’s likely not as simple as an ordinary Nascent Soul level.

Baili Hui hurriedly said, "Reporting to Elder Lii, I was about to inform you of this matter. The one who came from the Netherworld Sect today is an illustrious prodigy cultivator from the Demon Ancient Wasteland—Profound Nine Yin."

"It’s said that this person took less than fifteen hundred years to cultivate to Late-stage Divinity Transformation and possesses the Yin-Transforming Profound Corpse Spirit Body, making him exceptionally adept at practicing the Netherworld Sect Technique."

"His background is also incredibly deep, with a father as the Sect Leader of the Netherworld Sect and a grandfather who is a Supreme Elder at the Void Refining Stage..."

"I inquired around; it seems the Netherworld Sect doesn’t want to offer up the Tier Six Nether Crystal Stone obtained by the Netherworld Sect, which angered the Upper Sect, even prompting Profound Nine Yin’s personal arrival, likely offering some spectacle to watch this time."

Qin Ming listened, feeling thoughtful.

"But why would the Netherworld Sect act out of character and choose to go against the Yellow Spring Sect at this moment?"

"Well... this junior isn’t too clear on that, but if Elder Lii wants to know the reason, I can find out." Baili Hui said.

Qin Ming raised his hand to stop him: "No need for now, to avoid unnecessary trouble."

After asking, Qin Ming rewarded Baili Hui with some Spirit Stone Pills, then dismissed him.

’Luckily, I was wise enough not to rashly join these factions just because of Venerable Nether Bone’s generous promises.’

’Otherwise, I might also be embroiled in this conflict now.’

A few days later.

Qin Ming received news from Baili Hui that just a few days ago, the negotiations between Yellow Spring Sect’s Profound Nine Yin and Netherworld Sect ended in failure.

But for some unknown reason, Profound Nine Yin led a group from the Yellow Spring Sect towards the Red Flame Wilderness.

Qin Ming also speculated on the reason, likely because the Netherworld Sect was unwilling to hand over the Tier Six Nether Crystal Stone.

After this evil star left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

...

Three months later.

Master Yaochen and his group returned fully loaded, and the first thing they did was to find Qin Ming to exchange resources.

However, this time Qin Ming noticed that they were all injured, and some of the injuries were quite serious.

It seemed that they had suffered a great loss at the Red Flame Wilderness.

After the exchange.

Qin Ming saw the gloomy expressions on their faces and asked, "Fellow Daoists, did you encounter some formidable Demon Beasts?"

Master Yaochen sighed heavily and said: "Alas! It wasn’t that, originally things were going well over there, but who knew... suddenly a group of Yellow Spring Sect cultivators appeared, not only occupying the ring-shaped mountain range but also driving out all the Loose Cultivators inside."

"Major sects act domineeringly, without any reason."

Qin Ming realized this and comforted them: "A setback may lead to good fortune, it’s a blessing that all of you returned alive."

"As long as the Cyan Mountain remains, there’ll be plenty of firewood to burn..."

Wul Zhongxian and Luoo Jinghong were rather dissatisfied and said: "We didn’t expect after working hard for so long, Yellow Spring Sect would pluck the fruit at the end."

"Just missing a few Tier Four Demon Beasts, and I could have exchanged for Three-Striped Nether Crystal Stone, truly infuriating!"

"Forget it, Brother Luoo, such a colossal entity is beyond our power to offend..." others advised.

Qin Ming then calmly asked: "Has the Tier Six Nether Crystal Stone already been extracted?"

"Why does Yellow Spring Sect need such a big commotion? Could it be there’s something underneath the vein?"

Upon hearing this, Master Yaochen immediately cautiously cast a Restriction to block the area, then said:

"Fellow Daoist Lii, this matter is of great importance, you must keep it secret!"

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Yaochen, Lii will definitely keep quiet." Qin Ming saw his cautiousness and became curious.

"It’s heard that the Netherworld Sect’s cultivators, at the ring-shaped mountain range, where they extracted the Tier Six Nether Crystal Stone, discovered a large quantity of Thunder Attribute Ores, judging by the current situation, there might be a remarkable reserve of high-tier Thunder Attribute Ores below... which is why Yellow Spring Sect personally intervened."

"Thunder attribute ores are extremely rare, who would’ve thought even the Tier Six Nether Crystal Stone is nothing but a companion ore vein..."

Qin Ming was enlightened after listening.

The battles between these major sects often involve conflicts of interest, especially these rare resources in the Cultivation Realm.

Even the Netherworld Sect, which has always submitted to the Yellow Spring Sect, harbors thoughts of monopolizing the vein.

After Qin Ming rarely gathered with these neighbors, they bid farewell and dispersed.

Once they had all left.

Qin Ming alone returned to his Cave Mansion, contemplating the recent events.

"Thunder Attribute Ores? Who knew the Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp would produce such rare spiritual objects... and it appears to have a remarkable reserve, could there be something valuable beneath?"

Thinking it over, Qin Ming felt he should secretly investigate.

If he really missed out on some immense opportunity, that wouldn’t be good.

Thus, he summoned the Heaven-Devouring Rat.

"Master, why did you call me?" The Heaven-Devouring Rat, having just used Tier Five Demon Venerable essence blood, watered the True Spirit Egg, came over with a grin.

"I have a task for you, go to the ring-shaped mountain range in the Red Flame Wilderness to gather intelligence, see if the Netherworld Sect truly extracted some valuable treasure." Qin Ming said.

"To play it safe, I’ve arranged for Lan Bing Fairy to accompany you, in case of any trouble you can retreat safely."

The Heaven-Devouring Rat patted his chest and agreed: "Don’t worry, Master, I’ll handle it."

The Little Silver Fox and Tian Ling’er also wanted to go along, but Qin Ming held them back.

A transformed Spirit Plant running around could attract unwanted attention.

Soon after.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat received Qin Ming’s instructions and prepared to head to the Red Flame Wilderness.

Elder Lan Bing transformed into a giant Ice Crystal Nether Sparrow, and the Heaven-Devouring Rat scurried onto her back.

With a ripple of the void, their figures disappeared from the original spot.