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Chapter 968 Immortal Yuan Clan, Abnormal Changes in the Desolate Realm
Jiang Tian was surprised and flattered that Qin Ming would invite him in.

He bowed deeply to Qin Ming and said, "Thank you, Senior Qin, for your help in killing the Golden Feather Monster in one fell swoop. This can be considered as avenging my father's blood feud."

Jiang Tian's words revealed his extreme sincerity, clearly showing his deep gratitude towards Qin Ming.

Qin Ming casually helped him up and said indifferently, "Elder Jiang devoted himself to the safety of the human race until his death. I am able to avenge him in a convenient way, so you don't need to thank me."

"Elder Kui Mu, what brings you to Tianxing City and why do you specifically seek me out?"

"Reporting to Senior Qin, I heard from Elder Yun Gu Zi and the others that there is supposedly a summons from the Immortal Yuan Clan. As the calamity of the alien races intensifies, in order to deal with the Demon Clan, the higher-ups are planning to convene races of the same camp to discuss a major plan. I estimate that it is mostly related to this matter."

"The Immortal Yuan Clan?" Qin Ming had also heard of them. This clan was considered a super clan in the Spirit Realm. In the previous several great calamities against other races, the Immortal Yuan Clan was the leader in fighting against the Demon Clan.

It is said that this clan has an incredibly profound foundation, with more than ten Mahayana-level beings and even a Tribulation Transcending Ancestor.

"Indeed, the gap between our human race and the Immortal Yuan race is still quite large."

"However, the Immortal Yuan Clan has always been aloof from worldly affairs, and even when a great calamity occurs among other races, they rarely take action themselves."

"It's probably because they saw the overwhelming force of the demon army here that they couldn't sit still any longer. With just our human and demon races plus a few other races around us, we're not enough to stand up to the demon army."

"For specific details, I'm afraid you'll have to ask Senior Qin and Elder Yun Gu Zi. My status is not high, and my knowledge is limited."

Qin Ming nodded slightly, chatted with Jiang Tianxian for a while, and then followed them onto the magic ship to Tianxing City.

Not long after.

Inside the Temple of Starshine.

When Qin Ming arrived, Yun Gu Zi, Bei Ling Lao Zu, Che Qu Lao Zu, and Elder Kui Mu of Xing Gong were already waiting in the main hall.

Yun Gu Zi's injuries did not seem to have fully healed, and her face was still slightly pale.

When Qin Ming walked in, everyone immediately stood up to greet him:

"Fellow Daoist Qin has arrived. Please have a seat. We old folks have been waiting for you."

They were all impressed by Qin Ming's strength, so they didn't dare to put on airs in front of him and all adopted an extremely polite and flattering demeanor.

Only after Qin Ming nodded in response and took his seat did the old monsters sit down again.

After exchanging pleasantries...

"I wonder what important matter you gentlemen have summoned me for?" Qin Mingming took a sip of the spiritual tea brewed by the servant and asked directly.

Elder Kui Mu forced a smile onto his stern face and said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, it's like this: two years from now, the Immortal Origin Clan will hold an alliance conference in their ancestral lands to unite all races against the invasion of the Demon Clan. Our human race is among them."

"Furthermore, each of the major cities needs to send two combined elders to participate."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming looked enlightened.

Currently, there are only four Nascent Soul stage elders in Tianxing City, including Yun Gu Zi.

"I see. Those fellow Daoists can make the decision. I have no objections," he said calmly.

The implication was that he didn't want to join in the fun with the Immortal Yuan Clan.

Besides, he was merely a guest retainer, only nominally serving in Tianxing City. Such an important matter concerning a major clan should naturally be handled by Yun Gu Zi and his companions.

Upon hearing this, Yun Gu Zi gave a wry smile: "I'm afraid I must humbly request Fellow Daoist Qin to come with me this time."

"Fellow Daoist Beiling and Fellow Daoist Chequ need to remain in the city to guard against a sneak attack from the demonic forces."

"Oh? Why does it have to be me, Qin? I can continue to help keep an eye on Tianxing City," Qin Ming asked, raising an eyebrow.

Seeing Qin Ming's reaction, Elder Kui Mu explained with a wry smile:
"Fellow Daoist Qin, please do not misunderstand. The Immortal Origin Clan has convened a meeting of the alliance of all races. Many old monsters from the great races of the Spirit Realm will be present. You will inevitably have to deal with them. Therefore, it is best for those of you who are stronger to go, so as not to be looked down upon by other alien races."

"We have all witnessed Fellow Daoist Qin's cultivation level and strength. Only you are the most suitable candidate for this trip."

"Most importantly, I heard that Fellow Daoist Qin is looking for some rare spiritual materials that cannot be found elsewhere, but perhaps he can obtain some at this Immortal Yuan Clan Conference."

"That's why I invited you here."

"Of course, if Fellow Daoist Qin is busy with other matters, we will not force you. It all depends on Fellow Daoist Qin's wishes."

Qin Ming realized that going to the Immortal Origin Clan was actually a good thing. He had previously killed the Demon Clan and the Golden Feather Ancestor twice, so they owed him a lot of favors.

These old monsters wanted to take this opportunity to do me a favor.

He currently needs to collect materials for alchemy and farming.

It will be at least three hundred years before we can enter the Realm of Ten Thousand Spirits.

With this thought in mind, Qin Ming felt that it might be worthwhile to go and see the Immortal Yuan Clan for what it was like.

So he nodded and agreed, "In that case, I, Qin, will go with Fellow Daoist Yun Gu Zi."

"Hehe! That would be best, I'll submit the list." Elder Kui Mu smiled with delight.

After some discussion, the people in the main hall finalized the matter.

Finally, Elder Kui Mu took out a white jade token for attending the meeting and handed it to Qin Ming.

There are still two years left.

Qin Ming had almost finished his business in Tianxing City and Xiaogui Peak, and planned to return to Lingmiao Sect.

Before leaving, he told Yun Gu Zi to come find him at Lingmiao Sect when he set off.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please go ahead. I still need to recuperate. I will come to call you when it's time to depart." After saying this, Yun Gu Zi personally escorted Qin Ming to the teleportation hall.

……

Several months later.

Qin Ming returned to the Lingmiao Sect. There were no major problems within the sect. On the contrary, influenced by his legendary reputation as a cultivator, cultivators came in droves to seek his guidance and enlightenment.

It's on a completely different level from the Lingmiao Sect of the past.

The nine peak masters are all extremely busy and can no longer enjoy their leisure time as before.

After Qin Ming returned, he only glanced around briefly and didn't greet anyone before heading back to the Spirit Herb Garden.

A streak of azure light pierced the sky, and the two enormous demonic trees guarding the entrance to the herb garden made way on their own.

In the past, the Spirit Herb Garden was an unknown place, but since Qin Ming broke through to the Integration stage here and chose to open a cultivation cave in the Spirit Herb Garden, it has become a sacred place of the sect.

Especially in Cuixu Garden, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter at all.

Old Chen, who was in charge of guarding the gate, was registering the spiritual medicine production records when he saw the gate outside open by itself, revealing the figure of a young cultivator.

His eyes widened, and he quickly put down what he was holding, ran forward, and bowed respectfully:

"Welcome back to the clan, Ancestor!"

Qin Ming nodded casually and said, "Okay, you can go ahead and get busy."

He then returned to Cuixu Garden.

Only after Qin Ming left did Old Man Chen dare to straighten up, and even now his heart is still in turmoil.

He used to be the local tyrant of the Spirit Herb Garden, and he even acted like a senior in front of Qin Ming.

But now their roles have reversed; the other party has not only broken through to the Fusion stage but has also become their ancestor. Old Man Chen has worked diligently here for so many years; he's truly seen it all in his lifetime.
Inside Cuixu Garden, everything was as usual.

Qin Ming had the Devouring Sky Rat and the other beasts tend to the spiritual plants again, while he took out the True Dragon Pill formula and continued his research.

But just then...

He sensed something was wrong in the desolate realm, so he immediately put away the jade slip in his hand and disappeared on his own.

Seeing this, the Devouring Rat immediately threw down the Shennong Hoe and said to Tian Ling'er, "Tian Ling'er, you keep working, I'll go see what happened."

Having said that, it also entered the desolate realm.

As soon as the master and servant entered the desolate realm, they felt the surging of the天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) within, frantically gathering towards a certain place.

Qin Ming sensed it only slightly and immediately realized that it was the territory of the Fiend Clan.

"Someone is actually undergoing the Great Tribulation of Integration." The Devouring Rat shaded its eyes with its hand and looked into the distance, exclaiming in surprise.

Qin Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, and wherever his divine sense passed, everything was revealed in perfect detail.

"It is the Demon of Hatred from the Demon Clan."

In the desolate realm, the eyes of all races were startled by this astonishing phenomenon.

Several major clans, including the Barbarian Bone Clan, all looked up at the sky.

"A combined celestial phenomenon! It's actually a combined celestial phenomenon!"

"Clan leader, isn't it said that our Desolate Realm is restricted by the rules of heaven and earth, and that it does not allow the birth of cultivators at the Integration stage?"

"How could someone trigger a combined celestial phenomenon?"

Chief Wuliman said with a solemn expression, "Not long ago, the Azure Emperor Immortal Vine underwent changes, causing changes throughout the entire Desolate Realm. Perhaps this is related to it."

"However, the one attempting to merge this time is actually that guy, the Demon of Hatred. If he succeeds, I wonder what will happen."

"What? They're actually from the Demon Clan."

The words of the Barbarian Bone Clan revealed a hint of unease. If the Fiend Clan were to be the first to form a fusion, wouldn't that disrupt the balance of the Desolate Realm?
"Not necessarily. With the Azure Emperor present, even the Demon Clan would never dare to disobey His will."

"The change in the rules of the Desolate Realm and the rules of heaven and earth is actually a great thing for us!"

"This also means that we have a chance to attempt to achieve fusion!"

The barbarian chieftain's cloudy eyes revealed a strong sense of excitement!
"However, let's see if the Demon of Hatred can successfully advance to the Fusion stage first. With him as an example, I would be more than happy to do so."

Qin Ming watched all this without intervening, wanting to see what was going on.

The Azure Emperor's Immortal Vine exudes an ancient and mysterious aura, with gold and silver runes constantly emerging from its dark vines and swirling around its branches.

It seems that, as time goes by, the laws governing this small world are gradually changing.

Such incredible power was something Qin Ming had never seen before since his own natal spiritual plant advanced.

However, the combined phenomena produced by that demonic cultivator at the peak of the Void Refinement stage were nothing compared to Qin Ming's.

It was less than a tenth of Qin Ming's initial attempt at the Fusion stage, after all, the difference in their foundations was obvious.

After a period of time.

As the Demon of Hatred broke through, black tribulation clouds began to gather in the heavens.

The Demon of Hatred sat cross-legged inside the cave, its blood-red eyes staring straight upwards, revealing a fanatical excitement:

"How many years have passed? I have finally waited for this moment!"

Once he survives the Heavenly Tribulation, he will become a Nascent Soul stage being. Looking across the entire Desolate Realm, apart from great beings like the Azure Emperor Venerable, he will be the one with the highest cultivation.

How could I not be excited?
Qin Ming shook his head inexplicably and remained silent.

The Devouring Rat looked on in bewilderment and asked, "What's wrong, Master? Don't you keep an eye on this guy?"

Just then.

The old demon Qingyang floated out and chuckled, "This guy is quite bold. He didn't even prepare a few decent items for his tribulation, yet he dared to rashly attempt to break through to the Fusion stage."

"I must say, their courage is commendable."

"Unfortunately, he couldn't even withstand the first round of lightning tribulation."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tribulation clouds above the nine heavens emitted an extremely terrifying aura, as if the end of the world had arrived.

Boom!
A crimson bolt of lightning transformed into a pillar of light tens of feet thick, crashing down upon the demon and arriving in an instant!

The pillar of light exuded an aura of destruction from the Great Dao.

"Do not!!"

The Demon of Hatred, who was originally full of confidence, revealed fear in his eyes when he saw the terrifying power of the heavenly tribulation.

But it was too late. The crimson beam of light engulfed his figure in an instant, and in a flash, it blasted a bottomless crater into the hundred-mile radius around him!

The infamous Demon of Hatred in the Desolate Realm perished on the spot under the Heavenly Tribulation of Integration.

Soon after, the calamity clouds in the sky dissipated, and the scene was deathly silent.

The Sky-Eating Rat was dumbfounded, pointing downwards with its little finger and saying, "Good heavens! That's it? It was cleaved into nothingness."

The crowd watching the Demon's tribulation within the desolate realm were also speechless with shock from the sudden fusion of lightning tribulations.

"The Great Calamity of Fusion is terrifying indeed!"

"It's simply not something that cultivators like us can overcome."

These natives never imagined that the fusion stage would be so far away.

The chieftain of the Barbarian Bone Clan looked ashen-faced, having witnessed the terror of the Heavenly Tribulation of the Fusion Realm, he felt utterly powerless.
But then he thought again, and a glimmer of hope arose within him. He looked with utmost devotion at the Azure Emperor's Immortal Vine that stood proudly between heaven and earth:
"Perhaps only by praying to the Azure Emperor for a treasure or two to ward off tribulation can we hope to survive the Great Tribulation of Integration."

In a short time.

A vast torrent of faith and willpower, like rivers flowing into a vast ocean, converged towards the black vine.
at the same time.

Qin Ming's mind stirred. Not long after the Demon of Hatred perished in the lightning tribulation, he saw several wisps of dark energy drifting out of the large pit, connecting with a small piece of black crystal, which was then absorbed by his natal spiritual plant.

After the Azure Emperor Immortal Vine absorbed the black energy and crystals, the entire vine seemed to benefit greatly and began to grow gradually.

The black flower buds on the vines bloomed at a speed visible to the naked eye, resembling black lotuses.

With Qin Ming's current powerful cultivation, it's not hard for him to see what was just absorbed by the Azure Emperor Immortal Vine.

Those wisps of black energy must be the primordial essence left behind after the Demon King's fall.

He could also discern from a small black crystal that it was a fragment of a law!
The fragment of the law originated from a sealed area underground, which was blown out by the combined lightning tribulation.

"Has my natal spiritual plant become so extraordinary?"

"The nutrients needed for this stage of growth actually require devouring fragments of laws."

(End of this chapter)