Longevity: Start by refreshing your entries through farming.

Chapter 1022 Shepherd God's Grotto, Great Ascension Secrets

"Oh? What kind of big secret is it?" Qin Ming felt a sense of unease when he heard the old man surnamed Wu say this.

Every time he heard about a great opportunity or a great secret, there was often a huge pitfall hidden behind it.
Therefore, he had to be extremely cautious.

This group of alien tribes from the Wind and Waves Grassland have gathered together; who knows what they're plotting?

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so interested in the Green Pine Essence in Qin Ming's possession.

Just then.

A burly, yellow-faced man wearing a beast-patterned robe said in a rough voice:
"We need to confirm whether you truly possess a Xuanpo Essence that is over ten thousand years old before we can share this matter with an outsider like you. Otherwise, hmph!"

This person's words and attitude were far inferior to those of the old man surnamed Wu, and he appeared somewhat arrogant.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming glanced at the person without changing his expression and discovered that the other person's cultivation level was the highest among them, at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm. This was not surprising.

Seeing this, the elderly man surnamed Wu quickly stepped forward to smooth things over:

"Alas, Fellow Daoist Qin, please don't mind. Clan Chief Wu has always been so straightforward, but what he said makes sense. We need to confirm this before deciding whether to share it with you."

Seeing this, Qin Ming didn't say anything more. He wanted to see what these guys were really up to.

So he took out another ten-thousand-year-old green pine essence from his storage bag.

"Qin only has a few pieces of this kind left."

This scene directly shocked all the veterans present.

You should know that this essence of the Profound Soul is hard to find even in the Myriad Spirits Realm, yet he took such a large quantity of it.

The old man surnamed Wu's eyes lit up, and he immediately beamed with joy, saying:
"Fellow Daoist Qin is truly blessed! You have so many of these rare items."

"Since that's the case, I won't hide anything from you anymore."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, have you ever heard of the first divine miracle of our Wind and Waves Grassland, the 'Shepherd God's Grotto'?"

"Shepherd God's Grotto?" Qin Ming looked puzzled. "I am new here and have not been here long. I have not heard of this great name."

The old man surnamed Wu wasn't too surprised, and then explained, "It's not surprising that Fellow Daoist Qin doesn't know, because only a few of us old folks know the secrets behind this."

"Originally, the various tribes on our Wind and Waves Grassland were ruled by a 'Shepherd God' who was extraordinary and powerful. Legend has it that his cultivation and strength had already reached an extremely high level, and he was even able to compete with the sixteen great true spirit races."

"Even our Shepherd Clan's 'Soul Shepherd Scripture' is merely one branch of the lineage left behind by the Shepherd God."

"The blessed land where the Shepherd God once cultivated is called 'Shepherd God's Grotto,' and it will reappear in a few years to bless the grasslands."

"We old fellows have gathered here for this very reason: to enter the cave and seek opportunities. Legend has it that within the Shepherd's Cave, there lies a supreme treasure belonging to the Shepherd God—'Soul Shepherd's Nine Songs'—and even the remains of True Spirits who have been bound by contracts."

"Therefore, for us cultivators, this is also an immense opportunity and good fortune."

After listening, Qin Ming's face showed a look of realization, and then he asked:
"Why are you fellow Daoists so certain that the treasure must exist within this Divine Miracle Grotto-Heaven?"

"Because the Shepherd God's Cave Heaven is derived from the Soul Shepherd Nine Songs Immortal Artifact, and it only appears once every ten thousand years. The spiritual tide flowing beneath the veins of the Wind and Waves Grassland is drawn by this treasure, thus manifesting the strange phenomenon," the old man surnamed Wu explained calmly.

Qin Ming became interested after hearing this. He had originally gone to great lengths to enter the Myriad Spirits Realm in order to find an opportunity.

Since we've stumbled upon this once-in-a-millennium special blessed land, we might as well take a look at it.

So he agreed: "In that case, I, Qin, will go with you fellow Daoists to explore the Shepherd God's Cave Heaven. But I wonder what the use of the Green Pine Mystic Soul Essence is?"

When the burly man in the beast-patterned robe with a yellow face saw that Qin Ming had agreed, his expression immediately softened, and he said:
"The entrance to the Shepherd God's Cave Heaven is protected by a powerful restriction. Fellow Daoist Wu is a seasoned array master, and he needs a high-level restriction of the seventh rank or above to break the array. To create an array of this caliber, a large number of rare materials are required, one of the core materials being the Essence of Profound Soul."

Qin Ming then understood and immediately nodded.

"However, I need to wait for someone to do something first before I can go with you fellow Daoists. It shouldn't take too long."

Upon hearing this, the veterans present all frowned, clearly displeased.

After all, the fewer people who know about entering blessed lands to seek opportunities, the better, so as to avoid causing trouble.

The burly man in the yellow robe surnamed Wu stood up and said, "No, you have to stay with us until we enter the Shepherd God's Cave. If you spread this around, won't we be creating a lot of trouble for ourselves?"

"Is the person you're waiting for more important than us?"

There was a subtle undercurrent of coercion in this person's words.

The implication was that Qin Ming knew their secret and was no longer in control of his own destiny.

Qin Ming frowned, his expression somewhat displeased, and said, "So what if you know? It's none of your business to interfere in my affairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere became a little awkward.

The native cultivators of the Wind and Waves Grassland were all suspicious when they saw that Qin Ming was just a rogue cultivator with a cultivation level of only the early stage of the Integration Realm and a mediocre amount of magical power, yet he dared to challenge the beast-robed giant who was at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm.

After pondering for a moment, the elder surnamed Wu from the Shepherd Spirit Clan decided to act as a peacemaker and offered his advice:
"Fellow Daoists, please don't be angry. We are all looking for opportunities, so let's not hurt each other's harmony."

"If Fellow Daoist Qin really has important matters to attend to, then you must give us a clear explanation. After all, such an opportunity is fleeting and will only last for a few years. We cannot afford to waste any more time."

After considering it for a moment, Qin Ming replied, "How about this, I'll give you two pieces of Xuanpo Essence first, and I'll give you the rest in person after I finish my business."

The cultivator surnamed Wu turned around and discussed it with the others, and then agreed to Qin Ming's conditions.

Qin Ming took out two pieces of Green Pine Essence, handed them to the other party, and then returned to the inn he was renting in the city.

After he left.

The burly man in the beast-patterned robe coldly said to the group, "I didn't expect this rogue cultivator from another race to have so much Xuan Soul Essence. If you ask me, we should just capture him and take him by force."

"With the combined strength of the four of us, it would be enough to silently kill a cultivator in the early stages of the Integration Realm."

“Alas, Fellow Daoist, please be careful with your words. We do not know this person’s background. If he is just an unknown rogue cultivator, that’s fine. But if he has a hidden identity, we will be biting off more than we can chew.” The old man surnamed Wu raised his hand to interrupt him.

"I refuse to believe that any cultivator could resist the temptation of the Shepherd God's Cave Heaven."

"Anyway, this person is still in the city. Let's observe for a while first. Once we find out his background and there are any unusual movements, it won't be too late for us to take action."

The other alien cultivators also agreed with the old man surnamed Wu, and then began to discuss other matters.

Several more months passed.

This day.

Above the Azure Orchid Immortal City, the sky was clear and blue. Just like any other day, caravans and cultivators came and went in an endless stream.

Suddenly, an immense spiritual energy of heaven and earth appeared, a change that only cultivators at the Integration Stage or above could perceive.

Qin Ming, who was meditating with his eyes closed in the inn, seemed to sense something. He immediately opened his dark eyes, finished his meditation, got up, and got off the bed.

Inside the main hall in the center of the city, several alien beings who had merged with the Wu clan, led by the old man surnamed Wu, also sensed the almost imperceptible changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

"This aura... it's the arrival of a Great Ascension Stage Celestial Venerable!" "We'd better hurry out to greet him and see what's going on."

The several Nascent Soul stage cultivators present immediately became extremely nervous, wondering why a Mahayana Celestial Venerable had suddenly descended upon this immortal city.

He immediately got up and hurried outside.

Above the Azure Orchid Immortal City, all that could be seen was...

Yellow light spots echoed in the void, and in a flash of rainbow light, they coalesced into a middle-aged Taoist priest dressed in a yellow robe, holding a whisk, like an immortal from the celestial realm, giving people a sense of holiness that dared not look directly at him.

Ignoring the seventh-order grand formation of the immortal city, this person appeared directly above the inner city, his entire body shrouded in a layer of misty spiritual energy.

The lower-level cultivators below were completely unaware of him and continued to busy themselves with their own tasks.

"Young friend Qin, I have finished dealing with my business. You may depart now, as I promised you."

After arriving, Liu Yunzi surveyed everything in the Immortal City and sent a message to Qin Ming.

After receiving the message, Qin Ming transformed into a streak of azure light and landed in front of Liu Yunzi, bowing respectfully.
"Then I'll have to trouble you to introduce me, senior."

"It's alright. You are Qingyi's good friend, and you've come all the way to the Myriad Spirits Realm. I should at least take care of you," Liu Yunzi said calmly.

As the two were talking.

Several beams of light flashed by and landed steadily in front of them, revealing the figures of the old man surnamed Wu and his companions.

"This junior respectfully welcomes Celestial Venerable Liuyun to our city!!"

The Great Vehicle Immortal, Liu Yun Tianzun, has always lived in seclusion in the Hidden Immortal Valley on the Wind and Waves Grassland. He is rarely seen by mortals, and most cultivators know this.

Therefore, the old man surnamed Wu recognized him at a glance.

However, when the old man surnamed Wu and the burly man in the beast robe saw that the person standing next to Liu Yun Tianzun was actually that young rogue cultivator from another race, they were almost speechless with astonishment.
The burly man in the beast-patterned robe who harbored improper thoughts about Qin Ming looked extremely flustered, revealing a look of fear and trepidation.

No one could have imagined that the person Qin Ming was waiting for was actually the renowned Liuyun Tianzun!
"Fellow Daoist Qin Qin."

Faced with the majesty of the Mahayana stage cultivator, none of them dared to raise their heads without Liu Yunzi's permission.

Qin Ming said, "Fellow Daoists, rest assured, I am going with Senior Liuyun to take care of some matters, and we will be back soon."

Liu Yunzi never gave these alien cultivators a second glance. He simply waved his sleeve, enveloping Qin Ming in it before disappearing into the void.
After a long while.

It wasn't until the two had been gone for two incense sticks that the old man surnamed Wu and his companions dared to straighten up.

He looked visibly shaken and turned to the burly man in the beast-patterned robe, saying:

"Who said that Fellow Daoist Qin is just a rogue cultivator who is not worth mentioning and can be easily manipulated?"

"Doesn't this mean they have the backing of someone from the Mahayana stage?"

"I was fortunate that I did not completely heed the advice of my fellow believer back then, otherwise I would have caused a great disaster and made a terrible mistake."

The other three were also terrified.

The burly man in the beast-patterned robe surnamed Meng had an uncertain expression, completely different from his previous arrogant and unruly demeanor. He replied with a hint of bitterness:
"How could I have known that this lad had a connection with Celestial Venerable Liuyun? I truly misjudged him."

……

……

Beyond the Immortal City lies the boundless Wind and Waves Grassland.

After bringing Qin Ming out, Liu Yunzi asked calmly:
"Young friend Qin, do those juniors from the Shepherd Spirit Clan and the Windthroat Clan have something to discuss with you?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming recounted his plans to explore the ruins of the Shepherd God's Cave.

It's also a good opportunity to hear the advice and opinions of this senior colleague.

It might show me the way forward.

After listening, Liu Yunzi looked thoughtful and murmured:

"The Cave Heaven of the Shepherd God?"

"That explains it. This person achieved the Mahayana stage tens of thousands of years later than me, but his luck is indeed remarkable."

"If he left behind a lineage of Daoist teachings on the Fenglan Grassland, then young friend Qin could indeed go and explore it. Perhaps it could offer some helpful opportunities for you juniors."

"However, for me, no matter how great the opportunity is, it is of little use."

"Moreover, the methods we practice are quite different."

Qin Ming could tell that at Liu Yunzi's level, ordinary things were unlikely to arouse his interest or attention.

Just then.

The old demon Qingyang in the Lesser Spirit Realm stroked his beard and smiled:

"Hehehe! Young friend Qin, do you know why Liu Yunzi isn't very interested in this?"

Qin Ming asked calmly, "Old Ghost, stop beating around the bush and just tell me."

The old demon Qingyang then said calmly, "This Liu Yunzi is clearly not an ordinary early-stage Mahayana cultivator; he has at least experienced the second or even third of the Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man."

"For high-level cultivators like these, the next goal is nothing more than to find a way to get past the Tribulation stage or to ascend directly to the True Immortal Realm."

"The failure rate of cultivators in the Spirit Realm in ascending to the True Immortal Realm is extremely high, and very few dare to try."

"Of course, there are also some old guys who are so stubborn that even though they have cultivated to the point where they can ascend to the upper realm, they are unwilling to ascend to the True Immortal Realm and remain in the Spirit Realm."

"The reason why the Six Paths Saint Ancestor of the Ancient Demon Realm whom Young Friend Qin encountered earlier had that Candlelight Dao Avatar cultivate incense and vow power was to use it to resist the Five Decays of Heaven and Man."

"That's why I'm reminding you to start planning your cultivation of incense offerings in advance. Once you advance to the Mahayana stage, you won't have to worry about the Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man."

Upon hearing this, the Devouring Rat scratched its head and said, "I never imagined that there would be people in the Spirit Realm who didn't want to be gods and stayed in the lower realms."

"Hehehe! What's so strange about that? Everyone has their own ambitions. I know several old guys like that." Old Demon Qingyang revealed a smile.

Qin Ming suddenly realized and said, "The power of incense and vows can actually withstand the calamity of Mahayana! No wonder that's the case!"

"Doesn't that mean that the natives in my desolate realm are actually quite useful?"

The old demon Qingyang replied, "That's natural. However, relying solely on the willpower of the natives of the Desolate Realm is far from enough. Once you advance to the Mahayana stage, you can try to bring in more ethnic groups."

"You should know that the Six Paths Saint Ancestor not only harvested the power of one realm of the Ancient Demon Realm of the Three Thousand Great Worlds, but he also extended his reach to other realms."

(End of this chapter)