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Chapter 980 Stone Scale Temple, Seventh-Tier Spirit Spring

Deep in the vast desert, Qin Ming decided that after some time, he would temporarily return to the Snake-People tribe with the Snake Queen.

They had heard of the three great natural disasters of the Sand Region, so they did not intend to continue taking risks.

As soon as they left, the Black Sand Rift completely collapsed and turned into dust of history.

Two cultivators, exuding powerful auras, arrived from afar and stood in mid-air, their gazes fixed on the ground below.

One of them said calmly, "Wasn't it said that a rare spiritual treasure was born here? How come it's all collapsed?"

"Could it be that someone beat us to it?" another person said thoughtfully.

"It should be impossible. The Xuanling Treasure is so powerful that ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators simply do not have the ability to retrieve it."

"Could it be that the information here is incorrect?"

"Hmm, that junior from Tiansha City should know about this. Go ask him."

After discussing their options, the two powerful alien cultivators headed towards Tiansha Immortal City.

……

Several days later.

Qin Ming and Yun Gu Zi followed the Snake Queen to the Snake-People's Spirit Realm.

But then, in the deserted sands, a magnificent mirage suddenly appeared as the Snake Princess arrived, resembling a temple suspended in the air.

The densely packed, towering stone statues sprang up from the sand dunes like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, exuding a mysterious and exotic atmosphere.

A line of snake-bodied, human-faced tribesmen, wielding long spears, came out to greet them in a grand and impressive display.

"Welcome back, our King!"

The sound, like a landslide or a tsunami, echoed through this sandy land, lingering for a long time.

Looking at the shocking scene before him, Yun Gu Zi couldn't help but say to Qin Ming, "I didn't expect the snake people to be so large. After all, they are a great clan that has been passed down from ancient times, and their foundation is still intact."

Qin Ming nodded slightly: "The Stone Scale Temple is indeed as mysterious and magnificent as rumored. I had heard about it when I was in Tiansha Immortal City."

He had seen some records about the mysterious alien race in the Dizang Pavilion's collection of books.

"I have specially invited you two fellow Daoists to be guests of my clan, which is a rare exception that has been observed for tens of thousands of years, as there have been no outsiders here before," the Snake Queen said, before welcoming the two into the Stone Scale Temple.

After passing through the mirage, the group's view suddenly changed, and they found themselves in a grand hall filled with stone statues.

The main hall exuded an ancient aura, filled with sacred majesty.

Yun Gu Zi's expression was strange. He still had a slight sense of wariness, after all, being among a different race, everything was full of unknowns.

But who would have thought that, thanks to Qin Ming, he would receive such a high level of courtesy among this mysterious alien race.

He was also confused for a moment, not knowing what had happened in the Black Sand Rift that made Qin Ming and Snake Queen's relationship so good.

Snake Queen walked to the throne at the head of the table and sat down. She then ordered people to offer the two of them various spiritual foods and wines, all of which were unique to the depths of the Vast Sea Sand Domain and were rarely seen in the outside world.

If the Sky-Devouring Rat were here, it would be overjoyed, but unfortunately it is still fast asleep in the Little Spirit Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, Fellow Daoist Yun Gu Zi, this is brewed by our clan using the unique sixth-grade superior snake spirit fruit of this place, supplemented by the seventh-grade spiritual spring water of our clan. Only a very small number of jars are produced every thousand years. The first time you drink it, it will also have a certain effect on increasing the cultivation of us Nascent Soul cultivators." Snake Princess introduced, holding up a glass wine cup.

Upon hearing this, Yun Gu Zi was quite surprised and said, "This is the famous 'Snake Spirit Wine' of the Vast Sea Sand Region! I had heard of it when I was adventuring outside in my early years. It is said to have the effect of turning decay into magic. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to taste this immortal wine in my life. Hehehe."

Qin Ming's mastery of spirit wine was extremely profound, but when he heard about the 'Seventh-Order Spirit Eye Spring,' his previously indifferent expression finally changed.

This is the very thing he has been searching for, a creation of heaven and earth, and one of the essential conditions for cultivating seventh-grade Azure Primordial Immortal Rice.

Unexpectedly, among the snake-people in this boundless sandy region, there exists a spring of spiritual light.

After a moment's thought, Qin Ming had already made up his mind, but he did not reveal it on the spot.

After all, those three grains of Qingyuan Immortal Rice were given to him by Yun Gu Zi as a congratulatory gift.

He probably never imagined that Qin Ming possessed the complete cultivation method for this immortal rice.
A smile appeared on Qin Ming's face as he picked up the glass wine cup and said, "Then thank you very much for your hospitality, Fellow Daoist Snake Princess."

After saying this, the three of them drank the spirit wine in one gulp.

The moment Qin Ming drank the spirit wine, he felt a surge of boundless天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) within his body, like golden snakes dancing and converging towards his Purple Mansion Spirit Platform.

His magical power had actually increased slightly.

It should be noted that Qin Ming's current combined magical power is comparable to that of a late-stage cultivator. The fact that the Snake Spirit Wine has such a miraculous effect on him shows just how powerful it is.

However, the Snake Spirit Wine is still somewhat inferior to Qin Ming's Great Dream Thousand Autumns Demon Wine.

The Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns Demon Wine originates from the ancient demon realm. Once consumed, it provides a continuous supply of spiritual wine.

Yun Gu Zi was even more exaggerated. He was completely immersed in the experience, as if he had been bathed in sweet rain, and clearly had received tremendous benefits.

"Good wine!"

However, unlike Qin Ming, he was unable to refine such a vast amount of spiritual energy within the spirit wine in a short period of time, given his current cultivation level.

Yun Gu Zi's face turned bright red as he tried his best to hide it, but the effects of the spirit wine were too strong, and he could barely hold it in.

Snake Queen naturally noticed his embarrassment, so she spoke up and said, "Fellow Daoist Yun Gu Zi, I will have someone arrange a cave for you. You can go down and rest for a while."

"That would be the best, of course." Yun Gu Zi didn't pretend to be reserved; he couldn't wait to start cultivating.

"Fellow Daoist Qin is truly generous. I will take my leave first. Please make yourself at home."

To Yun Gu Zi's utter astonishment, Qin Ming, after drinking two cups of spirit wine, seemed completely unaffected, showing no signs of illness whatsoever.
Thus, Yun Gu Zi left the Stone Scale Temple, led by several Serpent Clan attendants.

Only Qin Ming and Snake Queen remained in the main hall.

"Fellow Daoist Qin is the first person to remain unfazed after drinking the Serpent Spirit Wine. He is truly no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator." Snake Queen knew that his methods and supernatural powers were powerful, and that two cups of Serpent Spirit Wine were no challenge for him.

Qin Ming praised, "Serpent Spirit Wine truly lives up to its reputation as the top-tier immortal brew of the Serpent People. It is indeed extraordinary and one of the few fine wines I have ever tasted."

"Oh? I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Qin to be so knowledgeable about this." Snake Queen was also quite surprised to hear this.

Qin Ming smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "I also have several kinds of spirit wine, all of which I brewed myself. Since Fellow Daoist Snake Princess is so hospitable, why not try my 'Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns' demon wine?"

With that, he flicked his sleeve, and a set of wine utensils and a specially made wine jar appeared on the table.

Qin Ming poured out a cup of spirit wine, flicked his finger, and steadily handed it to the Snake Queen.

"A grand dream that lasts a thousand years?" The Snake Princess looked at the wine cup in front of her, revealing an interest, and casually reached out her fair hand to drink it all in one gulp.

boom!
As she drank the demonic wine, she entered a profound state of reincarnation, as if she had just woken from a long dream, and a thousand years had passed.
After a long while, the Snake Princess finally came to her senses from the cycle of dreams, her eyes gleaming with a strange light.

She said to Qin Ming, "So Fellow Daoist Qin is the one who has been hiding his true abilities, possessing such a high-level demonic wine. It is indeed superior to my Serpent Spirit Wine. Do you have any extra? I am willing to exchange other spiritual items with you."

Qin Ming had been waiting for her to say that, and then said with a calm expression, "Of course, I just happened to have brewed a few jars not long ago."

"I have heard that Fellow Daoist Snake Princess possesses a seventh-tier Spirit Eye Spring. If possible, I would like to exchange some of it."

When Snake Queen heard that Qin Ming wanted a seventh-tier Spirit Eye Spring, she was slightly taken aback, but then she thought of the demonic wine in his hand, which was practically unique.

She considered for a moment and immediately nodded in agreement: "That seventh-level Spirit Eye Spring can be said to be the sacred spring of our clan, and we will basically not trade it with outsiders."

"But if it's Fellow Daoist Qin, then it's not impossible."

"The main thing is that the Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns Demon Wine in Fellow Daoist Qin's possession has truly broadened my horizons."

"However, before we make the exchange, I have a question. Could Fellow Daoist Qin please answer it for me?"

The Snake Princess asked with considerable curiosity.

"Alright," Qin Ming said, setting down his wine cup. "May I ask what Fellow Daoist Snake Princess wishes to ask?"

"I'm quite curious, how did Fellow Daoist Qin obtain the recipe for the Spirit Wine from the Ancient Demon Realm? As far as I know, your human and demon races must have suffered the most from the demon invasion, right?" Snake Queen asked bluntly.

Qin Ming had anticipated her question, so he replied, "To be honest, I had a chance encounter with a demon, and that's how I obtained the recipe for the Great Dream Thousand Autumns Demon Wine from him."

At this point, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved. The Succubus Star of yesteryear has now become the Nightmare Ancestor.
"So it really is a demon cultivator. I knew it. Such a magical wine recipe could not possibly be controlled by a low-level demon. It must be controlled by someone in a high position."

The Snake Princess looked relieved, then smiled meaningfully and said to him:
"Fellow Daoist Qin is quite an extraordinary person, managing to associate with the demon race."

"Fellow Daoist Snake Princess, please don't misunderstand. That demon's cultivation has reached an extremely high level. I may not have any further dealings with her in the future," Qin Ming explained calmly.

When Snake Queen heard that even Qin Ming said her cultivation level was extremely high, she also showed surprise.

But she didn't press the matter further, as it was Qin Ming's private affair.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, please follow me."

Then.

Snake Queen then led Qin Ming out of the Stone Scale Temple and headed towards the back of the Snake-Man Clan's spiritual land.

After half a cup of tea
The two arrived at an underground palace, where the Snake Queen took out a snake-shaped token and threw it at the stone door in front of her.

Boom!
The ancient stone gate was opened, revealing the scene behind it: a sandbar several miles in size, barren and extremely desolate.

In the very center of the sandbar, a lush, serpentine sapling grows, and beneath it, a clear spring is enclosed, continuously bubbling forth.

Above the spring, a layer of seven-colored mist shrouded the water, and milky white ethereal energy emanated from it, rising and swirling.

This sacred spring stands in stark contrast to the desolate surrounding landscape.

"A seventh-order spiritual eye spring, truly wondrous." Qin Ming's eyes lit up; he had finally found what he was looking for.

That snake-shaped spiritual plant should be the Snake Spirit Fruit.

"This seventh-grade low-level spiritual eye spring is one of the clan's major spiritual treasures. Don't underestimate this small pool; it has accumulated over tens of thousands of years, and with the addition of this snake spirit fruit tree gathering spiritual energy, it has developed into what it is today," the Snake Queen explained to Qin Ming.

"How much does Fellow Daoist Qin wish to exchange?"

Qin Ming thought for a moment. He only had three seeds of Qingyuan Immortal Rice, and his consumption of spiritual spring water was not large, so it was not practical to take away the entire spring.

So he said, "Two gourds will suffice."

"Deal." Snake Princess readily agreed.

Qin Ming then traded a small bottle of Great Dream Thousand Autumns Demon Wine with Snake Queen for a seventh-tier Spirit Eye Spring.

After the transaction was completed, Snake Queen arranged for Qin Ming to rest in a cave dwelling with an excellent spiritual vein environment.

Soon after.

Amidst the vast desert sands, a devastating black windstorm swept across the land, plunging everything in its path into chaos and leaving no trace of life.

However, the Serpent People's sacred land perfectly avoided the Black Wind and was not affected by it.

After entering the cave, Qin Ming immediately took stock of what he had gained from the trip.

When he finally emerged, he found several orbs of treasure light he had obtained from the cyan light tree, some of which happened to be among the spiritual materials used to refine the 'Azure Creation Pill'.

"Seventh-grade mid-level divine wood flower, Creation Azure Orchid."

"Luckily, I helped the Snake Princess in the end, otherwise we would have missed out on these rare and precious medicines."

However, the most important gain from this trip was that the Primordial Poison Flame devoured the Void Flame, advancing to a terrifying eighth level.

With a thought, a ball of azure flame appeared out of thin air in Qin Ming's palm, transforming into the shape of a firebird.

An astonishing chill instantly spread, filling the entire cave and even freezing the high-level restrictions set up outside.

The space near the flames was filled with icy blue cracks, as if glass had shattered.

A power surpassing even the combined strength suddenly descended upon the cave, unleashing immense might and causing the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) to condense into shards of ice.
Upon seeing this, Qin Ming quickly withdrew it back into his body.

"Hehehe! As expected of an eighth-order spirit fire, it can even freeze the power of the laws of heaven and earth instantly. Young friend Qin, your Primordial Poison Flame is truly terrifying." Upon seeing this, the old demon Qingyang let out a strange laugh.

"However, given your current cultivation level and magical power, you shouldn't use this spiritual fire at full strength lightly, otherwise you might easily get burned if you lose control."

Qin Ming nodded slightly, taking note of the old demon's words.

Just then.

Suddenly, within the territory of Little Spirit, came the anxious cry of the little silver fox:

"Master, come quick! The Devouring Rat seems to be dying."

Qin Ming frowned upon hearing this, immediately thinking of the creature. It had swallowed the Xuanling treasure, the Taotie Devouring Heaven Cauldron, and he wondered how it was doing now.

He arrived at the cave where the Sky-Eating Rat was located.

The Devouring Rat lay curled up on the stone bed, its body covered in Taotie beast patterns, its aura fluctuating.

It was as if it were dreaming, flailing its paws and crying out in extreme discomfort:

"Master, I'm about to die, I can see Grandma!"

(End of this chapter)