"Strictly speaking, the current Blood Realm has evolved in this way."

"Magic pollution at the level of the Eye of the Void, even if the Venerable Divinity Transformation takes action, it will be difficult to quickly purify the demonic qi released. It will likely soon corrupt the nearby seas, bringing yet another catastrophe to living beings..."

"In my opinion, the East Sea Cultivation Realm will soon face a very powerful descent of the demonic realm and may not be able to take care of itself in the future."

"The Central Continent and the Southern Wilderness will have to rely on us to handle it ourselves."

"Younger Brother Qin, this place is not somewhere to stay long. We must quickly return to prepare for the coming changes."

Qin Ming listened to Cold Crow Ascendant’s words and thoughtfully nodded.

"Yes, although the journey from the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm to the Great Jin is long, we must still support each other."

"After collaborating with the Demon Race, we can pass directly through the Beast Roar Mountain Range, reducing the distance between us by more than half."

"Naturally." Cold Crow Ascendant nodded in agreement.

Before leaving, he instructed Hua Tianxiong to properly manage the shops within Celestial Wave Immortal City, which could serve as a base in the East Sea to conveniently gather spiritual materials.

Hua Tianxiong then followed Qin Ming back to the Southern Wilderness.

Soon after.

Qin Ming instructed Shi Jin to set sail and, together with Cold Crow Ascendant, boarded the Black Sail, embarking on the journey home.

...

...

On the other side.

Dragon Abyss Island was in ruins, with broken walls and debris everywhere.

Creeping spirits hovered, and demonic qi ran rampant.

A massive Blood Demon Palace hung suspended above the Floating Island.

At this time.

The Demon Monarch Qishang, after the taking over by Qin Ming’s demon infant, returned as a black light to the vicinity of Dragon Abyss Island.

He halted to survey the situation on the island, and saw that the once splendid and magnificent island was now shrouded in ghostly aura, with demonic cultivators busy looting and harvesting the aftermath everywhere.

This place was likely to soon become a Demon Island, just as Cold Crow Ascendant had predicted.

"Disciple greets the Demon Monarch!"

Numerous demonic cultivators on the island, upon seeing the imposing figure of ’Demon Monarch Qishang’ appear, all displayed expressions of reverence and awe, warmly welcoming his arrival.

Even two Nascent Soul Demon Monarchs came to worship him, indicating the high status of Demon Monarch Qishang himself within the Blood Refining Demon Sect.

However, in the next moment.

Just as Qin Ming was about to land on the island, his stern face slightly moved, sensing another icy-blue escape light closely following behind.

The escape light faded, revealing the graceful figure of Lan Bing Saintess, who also nodded slightly upon seeing Demon Monarch Qishang, as a form of greeting.

In the memory of Demon Monarch Qishang, this woman’s personality was always like this, reticent and aloof.

And highly regarded by the Divinity Transformation Ancestor; although she was only at the Early-stage Nascent Soul, her status within the demon sect was almost the same as his own.

Thus, he did not pay much attention to it.

Only his rich voice echoed, deliberately asking her, "Lan Bing Fairy, why are you relentlessly pursuing that cyan-robed Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"Could there be some significant gain?"

"That person had a High-Tier Escape Talisman Treasure; when I was about to catch up, I happened to encounter reinforcements from Celestial Wave Immortal City, and he managed to escape." Lan Bing Saintess replied flatly.

At this point.

She suddenly countered, "Fellow Daoist Qishang should have a good harvest, right?"

Qin Ming, using Demon Monarch Qishang’s tone, briefly explained, "I only managed to chase down two Human Race Nascent Souls. There was a young human adept at the Water Escape Divine Technique who managed to flee."

Lan Bing Saintess, upon hearing this, her eternally unchanged face displayed a peculiar expression.

Because she knew very well the strength of Demon Monarch Qishang, to escape from this Mid-stage Nascent Soul Demon Monarch, who specialized in demonic body refining, with no skill at all, it would be impossible.

Yet she did not question it further.

Soon, they flew back together to the Blood Demon Palace.

After entering the main hall, Qin Ming finally saw the true face of the Six Desires Demon Monarch from the Ghostly Palace, a middle-aged cultivator with a pale complexion.

"Fellow Daoist Six Desires, how is the battle situation on your side?" Qin Ming asked aloud.

Six Desires Demon Monarch lightly coughed, his expression shifting unpredictably as he said, "I hadn’t expected Supreme Yang to have some genuine strength, beyond my expectations..."

Qin Ming also found it easy to see that Six Desires Demon Monarch seemingly suffered some setback, appearing a bit lightly injured.

"Next, the Human Race’s Celestial Sea Alliance is likely to organize an army, and the Sea Race will also send forces to attack Dragon Abyss since they are nearby." Six Desires Demon Monarch spoke with a gloomy gaze.

Qin Ming replied indifferently, "No worries, with the Eye of the Void, the void rifts will continue to expand."

"Elder Celestial Hatred from our Holy Sect will soon descend upon the island, and he will personally oversee the situation here."

"Celestial Hatred Demon Monarch?" Hearing this name, even Six Desires Demon Monarch’s expression passed a slight, imperceptible fear.

From Demon Monarch Qishang’s memories, Qin Ming had also learned some details about the demon sect.

Celestial Hatred Demon Monarch was a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Blood Refining Demon Sect, one of the top few demon monarchs in the Blood Realm, besides the Divinity Transformation Demon Venerable.

A Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator’s cultivation strength far surpasses that of the Early-stage and Middle-stage, almost capable of instantaneously defeating them in a face-off.

"So it is Elder Celestial Hatred overseeing the overall situation; then, there’s no issue."

Soon after.

The three gathered the other demon monarchs into the hall to jointly discuss the major event of invading the Human Realm.

"Next, let us discuss the plan together."

"Now that the overall situation on Dragon Abyss Island is decided, more reinforcements from the Human Race would be futile."

"Yes, Elder Qishang, what should be done next?"

"How about... increasing the void passages to the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm, what do you think?"

The dignified face of ’Demon Monarch Qishang’ slightly shifted as he said, "The condition of the Human Realm is clear to me; the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm is resource-poor and not worth our extensive efforts. For now, let’s focus our main energies on other regions."

"Yes! We shall obey Demon Monarch Qishang’s decree!"

Demon Monarch Qishang wielded significant influence, easing the descent pressure on the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm with just a few words.

...

...

On the other side.

Qin Ming and Cold Crow Ascendant, aboard the Black Sail, after several months of long treacherous journey, arrived back at the sea regions close to the Three Kingdoms of the Central Continent.

"Fellow Daoist Cold Crow, would you like to visit my Wangyue Island?" Qin Ming warmly welcomed with a smile.

Cold Crow Ascendant shook his head like a rattle, "Not this time, definitely next time. I must hurry back to the Guardian Dao Alliance to handle affairs; I’ve delayed quite a bit on this trip."

"True Monarch Wanbao, that old fellow, will likely berate me again."

Qin Ming could only nod, "Then we part here. We shall meet again another day."

"Indeed, Younger Brother Qin, no need to see me off, every mountain and river has a meeting, and I am sure we shall meet again soon." Cold Crow Ascendant smiled, bowing to Qin Ming.

But suddenly, Qin Ming thought of something and asked Cold Crow Ascendant, "Oh, Fellow Daoist Cold Crow, Qin has an item that I wish to inquire about or exchange. Do you happen to have the ’Profound Mysterious Stone,’ or any information about it?"

"Qin would be willing to exchange an entire jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid for it."

"Profound Mysterious Stone? I’ve never heard of such a thing..." Cold Crow Ascendant looked lost in thought, puzzled.

Upon hearing the offer of an entire jar of Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, his expression betrayed considerable emotion.

Qin Ming immediately recorded the appearance and basic information of the Profound Mysterious Stone onto a jade scroll and handed it to him.

"If that’s the case, Fellow Daoist Cold Crow, please do keep an eye out for me. If any information arises, the terms of exchange will remain valid."

Cold Crow Ascendant was overjoyed upon hearing this, eagerly receiving the jade scroll.

"Rest assured, Younger Brother Qin, I will certainly keep an eye out for you."

Then, the two bade farewell in the Black Sea, with Cold Crow Ascendant hurrying back to the Great Jin.

Qin Ming continued aboard the Black Sail, and after half a month, also returned to the sea regions near the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm.

"Elder Qin, we have arrived at the Southern Wilderness," Shi Jin respectfully emerged to announce.

Qin Ming nodded, casually rewarding him with a bottle of pills to enhance Golden Core Stage Cultivation.

"Continue working at Celestial Wave Immortal City, overseeing maritime trade. Hua Tianxiong will keep contact with you."

"Yes! I shall obey Elder Qin’s instructions!"

Then Qin Ming waved his sleeve, drove the Lingxiao Imperial Carriage, transformed into a Five-Colored Escape Light, and vanished instantly into the sky.

Shi Jin, expressing boundless gratitude, watched him depart, then ordered his Fishman Race crew back into the boundless sea...

...