As for Tian Ling’er, she is a Transformed Spirit Plant. After consuming Demon Grain Spirit Rice, she naturally entered the Late-stage Tier Four Realm, without needing to cross a Celestial Tribulation.

It is estimated that with a period of further growth, she might give birth to a trace of divinity, completely transforming into a Tier Five Transformed Spirit Plant.

However, when she breaks through to Tier Five, she will also face her own tribulations, as she has grown to such an extent as the essence of plants, which easily attracts the envy of the heavens.

As for that Heaven-Devouring Rat, it devoured several bowls of Demon Grain Spirit Rice, looking unperturbed, casually picking its teeth.

It just broke through to the Late-stage Tier Four a few decades ago, yet now it’s not far from the Realm of Perfection, showing a rapid progress in cultivation.

After Qin Ming and several Spirit Pets completed their breakthrough, he took them and left here, returning to Qianji City.

After they left, from within the poison swamp permeated by Nether Mist, some Demon Beasts crawled out tremblingly, looking at the Tribulation Crossing Land with deep fear.

On the way back.

Qin Ming estimated in his heart that from now on, with the continuous supply of Demon Grain Spirit Rice, as long as he continues to stay here cultivating, farming for entries, coupled with the assistance of several pills, within less than a hundred years, he could cultivate to the Late-stage Divinity Transformation, or even the Perfection Realm...

And drink Dao Thunder Tribulation Tea, gaining sudden insight...

The next step is to gather the other materials for the Tribulation-defying Treasure, and plan for Void Refining... in this way, the Immortal Dao seems hopeful...

After Qin Ming returned to Qianji City, he did not directly return to his Cave Mansion.

Instead, he followed the main road, taking twists and turns, towards the Mist Immortal Tower. He had earlier promised Vice Alliance Leader Zuo of the Mist Concealment Loose Alliance to exchange a complete Demon Grain Spirit Rice for the "Spirit Realm Treasures Record" by Cloud Wanderer.

Now that the Spirit Rice is mature, it is naturally time to fulfill his promise.

Besides, he made his reputation through his reliability, and would never break his word.

Additionally, Qin Ming must also deliver the Ghost-faced Silver Hemp planted for Nine Profound Ascendant

Thanks to Nine Profound Ascendant’s favor, Qin Ming also harvested five entries of "Time Flies".

At that time, when Qin Ming manages to obtain some rare Spirit Plants from the Spirit Realm, he can use them for accelerated ripening and cultivation.

Not long after.

Qin Ming arrived outside the Mist Immortal Tower.

The shopkeeper, Shopkeeper Chen, was in the first-floor hall greeting guests. Seeing Qin Ming approached, he quickly put aside what he was doing and warmly welcomed him with a smile.

"Oh!! Fellow Daoist Lii, long time no see! You’re here just in time. Alliance Leader Zuo is upstairs. He would be very pleased to know you’ve arrived!"

"Oh? Is it so? Then it’s truly a fortunate coincidence, as I came precisely to find Alliance Leader Zuo. Indeed, coming early is no match for coming at a fortunate moment!" Qin Ming said.

Shopkeeper Chen smiled as he welcomed Qin Ming: "Please come in, please come in! I’ll go inform Alliance Leader Zuo."

Qin Ming followed Shopkeeper Chen upstairs.

But as he reached the fourth floor, he encountered one man and two women descending the stairs.

Both female cultivators were quite attractive, dressed skimpily, emitting a strange fragrance as they clung to the male cultivator, displaying behavior that was wanton and seductive.

As for the male cultivator, Qin Ming was very familiar with him. He had planned to seek him out after meeting with Alliance Leader Zuo.

The person before him was his neighbor, ’Nine Profound Ascendant’.

At this moment, Nine Profound Ascendant no longer had the look of an ethereal immortal, his steps seemed weak, as though his body had been drained by indulgence.

Previously, Shopkeeper Chen had introduced the services here to Qin Ming, and the Spirit Stone cost was quite high...

It seemed Nine Profound Ascendant had really become wealthy overnight, as he could afford such prolonged indulgence at Mist Immortal Tower.

Nine Profound Ascendant was highly enjoying himself, embracing joyfully on both sides. Upon seeing Qin Ming, he paused in surprise and awkwardly pushed the two female cultivators away.

Finding the stairway narrow and unavoidable, he had no choice but to greet Qin Ming: "Oh! Fellow Daoist Lii, such a coincidence! Ha ha!"

Qin Ming smiled playfully at him: "Fellow Daoist Nine Profound is truly in high spirits! Your health seems robust!"

"Uh... ha ha! Fellow Daoist Lii, don’t misunderstand, I’m just relaxing here, only having a light drink..." Nine Profound Ascendant hurriedly explained.

He feared that if this incident were to spread among their small circle of neighbors, it might affect his reputation.

Qin Ming didn’t inquire further, but took out a storage pouch and handed it over, saying immediately: "Since I met you here, I should deliver the Ghost-faced Silver Hemp that Fellow Daoist Nine Profound entrusted me to plant, fulfilling a task."

"Oh? So quick... Fellow Daoist Qin is indeed an expert in the Path of Spiritual Plants, that’s wonderful! What’s needed for my endeavors was only missing this item." Nine Profound Ascendant took the storage pouch, checked the Spirit Plants inside, and smiled with delight.

Just as the two were conversing in the stairway.

A middle-aged man in a jade robe, with a wooden crown fastening his hair, descended from upstairs—he was Vice Alliance Leader Zuo of the Loose Alliance.

Seeing Vice Alliance Leader Zuo come down, everyone present hurriedly paid respects with great reverence: "Greetings, Alliance Leader Zuo!"

Qin Ming also paid his respects: "Greetings to Alliance Leader Zuo."

Alliance Leader Zuo ignored the others but smiled at Qin Ming, saying: "I just saw Friend Lii arrive, so I came out to meet you. Please come upstairs for a detailed talk."

Nine Profound Ascendant aside, having heard that Alliance Leader Zuo personally came out to greet ’Fellow Daoist Lii’, was deeply shocked.

No one expected that their neighbor, usually a recluse, was held in such high regard by the Loose Alliance’s Venerable Divinity Transformation, and it was apparent that they weren’t meeting for the first time...

As Alliance Leader Zuo was about to leave, he glanced at Nine Profound Ascendant and asked, displeased: "Why are you still here? Did you complete the tasks assigned by me?"

Nine Profound Ascendant shuddered, cold sweat dripping down his back, quickly explaining: "Alliance Leader Zuo... I have arrangements with Fellow Daoist Lii for a specific matter, hence waiting here to collect goods, which will be completed promptly."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming was slightly surprised, not expecting Alliance Leader Zuo to have dealings with Nine Profound Ascendant, seemingly involving some form of transaction.

However, he didn’t want to pry.

Just seeing Nine Profound Ascendant as a neighbor, Qin Ming said: "Ha ha! It happened that I came by to deliver items to Fellow Daoist Nine Profound."

After hearing this, Vice Alliance Leader Zuo’s frown relaxed, and he didn’t reprimand much, immediately dismissing the others.

Then he moved upstairs with Qin Ming.

Within the elegant room.

Qin Ming went straight to the point, taking out a complete Demon Grain Spirit Rice, placing it in a refined long jade box, and handed it to Vice Alliance Leader Zuo, saying:

"Alliance Leader Zuo, I have fortunately fulfilled my promise, successfully cultivating the Demon Grain Spirit Rice, specially to complete the transaction with the senior."

Alliance Leader Zuo was overjoyed, immediately taking the jade box, gazing at the perfectly intact Demon Grain Spirit Rice inside, appearing somewhat incredulous.

He hadn’t expected that Qin Ming managed not only to cultivate the Tier Five Spirit Rice but also matured it so quickly.

"Friend Lii’s talent and skill in Spiritual Plants is truly astonishing, rarely seen in my lifetime."

"I must also congratulate Friend Lii on becoming a Tier Five Spirit Plant Master. A cultivator with such skills would hold significant status in a Void Refining Sect."

"Indeed, people shouldn’t be judged by their appearance, and sea waters cannot be measured in scoops! Ha ha ha!"

"I wish to again invite you to join the Mist Concealment Alliance. After all, our alliance is a loose cultivator organization with little restriction, primarily working for the welfare of loose cultivators."

Qin Ming promptly but politely declined.

Whether the welfare is fulfilled or not, he knows that countless loose cultivators have died in the pioneering teams of the Red Flame Wilderness...

In this Thousand Mechanism Poison Swamp, whether it’s the Netherworld Sect or the Mist Concealment Loose Alliance, none are trustworthy...

After discussing a bit.

Qin Ming had no intention of staying longer, so he bade farewell and left Mist Immortal Tower, as he was only here to complete a transaction.

Before he departed, Vice Alliance Leader Zuo gave Qin Ming thirty Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

Qin Ming accepted them with a smile; the more Top-Grade Spirit Stones, the better.

Shopkeeper Chen and Vice Alliance Leader Zuo together saw him off out of the shop.

...