Chapter 343 Vermillion Bird Banner (5k)
Whoosh!
Thousands of miles outside the Five Elements Mountain Range, Hua Tianxiong's Golden Luan Treasure Carriage transformed into a golden Stream of Light, traversing the Horizon.
Behind him followed the Thousand Machines Trading Company's guards, as well as Core Formation Offerings.
Half an hour later.
He had almost arrived at the agreed location with Qin Ming.
However, at this moment.
The nearby Sky, which was originally clear with white clouds, suddenly saw dark energy surging and rapidly darkening.
A dense Demonic energy blanketed the sky and earth, black clouds filled the air, and within them were the wails of ten thousand ghosts, like a black net opening, enveloping the people of the Thousand Machines Trading Company.
Seeing this scene, the Core Formation Offering from the Thousand Secrets Pavilion immediately changed Expression drastically and shouted at his surrounding subordinates, "Situation has changed, protect Guild Leader Hua!"
Following that, he took the lead and flew towards Hua Tianxiong's Golden Luan Treasure Carriage.
But in the next instant, the scenery before his eyes suddenly changed.
Instead, he crashed head-on into a vast and pitch-black sea of mist, from which thousands upon thousands of Ghostly Creatures crawled out, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws as they pounced towards him.
"Damn it, it's a Demonic Path Forbidden Formation!"
The Core Formation Offering's Expression became extremely unsightly.
...
Hua Tianxiong outside also noticed this situation, clearly the work of Demonic Path Cultivators.
He released his Divine Sense and already sensed two Mid Core Formation Stage Devil Cultivators with powerful Cultivation pursuing him from behind, and their speed was astonishing.
What horrified him even more was that Venerable Offering Xu, responsible for guarding his safety, seemed to have been held back by the other party's methods.
Hua Tianxiong subconsciously reacted, realizing that his whereabouts were likely exposed.
From the moment he left the Five Elements Mountain Market, he was either being followed or marked.
"Hua Tianxiong! Let's see where you run today!"
"This Seat will let you taste the Bone-Corroding Marrow-Sucking Torment in a moment, to see if you're still as tough as you were at the Auction House!"
Two Black Escape Lights approached rapidly from afar, arriving in an instant, followed by more than a dozen Demonic Path Disciples behind them, engaging in a chaotic battle with the Thousand Machines Trading Company's guards.
The pitch-black Escaping Light converged, revealing the figures of Centipede Tian and Old Devil Yan from the Yin Demon Sect, the two of them were pursuing Hua Tianxiong with mocking gazes.
Hua Tianxiong's Expression turned pale, and he hurriedly controlled the Golden Luan Treasure Carriage to escape.
He was still aware of his limitations, knowing very well that he was absolutely no match for these two Demonic Cultivators with fierce reputations.
"Hua Tianxiong, come to the Northwest Mountain Range direction ahead."
Just at this moment.
In Hua Tianxiong's mind, Qin Ming's voice transmission suddenly sounded.
His Expression immediately jolted, and he hurriedly flew towards that area according to Qin Ming's instructions.
When Qin Ming went to find Hua Tianxiong, he had actually already discovered Demonic Path Cultivators lying in ambush in the dark.
He also hadn't expected the people of the Yin Demon Sect to be so persistent.
Hua Tianxiong carried important items of his, and it wasn't easy to refine the Black Talisman to make him his Puppet.
Naturally, he couldn't just watch him fall into the hands of the Demonic Path.
Qin Ming's gaze was sharp, and he hid in the dark for a long time, observing.
"Confirmed, there are only two Demonic Path Golden Cores, and no other reinforcements."
"Then it will be easy to handle."
After a moment.
Hua Tianxiong, covered in sweat, controlled the Golden Luan Treasure Carriage and arrived at the nearby Mountain Range, this place was located at the border with the Beast Cry Mountain Range.
If he continued deeper, it would be the Demon Clan's territory.
Luckily, he had this Upper Third Rank flying vehicle, otherwise, it would have been dangerous.
In an instant.
Hua Tianxiong only felt a blur before his eyes, and within his Golden Luan Treasure Carriage, Qin Ming's figure suddenly appeared.
It was almost silent and without a trace, even he hadn't noticed how Qin Ming had arrived, which eased his hanging heart quite a bit.
'Fortunately, Master didn't abandon me to my fate'
Hua Tianxiong knew Qin Ming's terrifying Strength, and that he controlled three Demon King Level Spirit Pets.
'Although those two Demonic Cultivators looked gloomy and terrifying, with Master's Strength, he should be able to withstand them, right?'
Just as Hua Tianxiong's thoughts were racing and he was filled with emotions, Qin Ming threw him into the Small Spirit Realm.
"You go inside and wait."
"Leave the outside matters to me."
Immediately, Qin Ming cast the True Fiend Illusion, and a distorted Fluctuation surged from his body, instantly transforming into the appearance of 'Hua Tianxiong'.
...
After a moment.
Old Devil Yan and Centipede Tian from afar chased after him.
When the two of them saw Hua Tianxiong's Golden Luan Treasure Carriage stopped in place, they couldn't help but stop as well.
The next moment.
They saw the portly Hua Tianxiong slowly walking out from the Treasure Carriage.
"What exactly do you two mean by pursuing This Seat so relentlessly?"
Hua Tianxiong asked with a Calm and Collected Expression.
Centipede Tian of the Yin Demon Sect had a sinister gaze, flashing with cold light as he said to him, "Hua Tianxiong, when you challenged me at the Auction House, you should have thought of this outcome, right?"
"Since you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, then This Seat will have to take the Seven Orifices Tribulation Crossing Flower from your Corpse."
"Oh? Are you so confident in killing me?" Hua Tianxiong asked in a Calm and Collected manner.
Centipede Tian of the Yin Demon Sect, seeing Hua Tianxiong acting out of character, appearing fearless, couldn't help but furrow his brows.
He released his Divine Sense again, scanning the entire area within a hundred miles, and there were no ambushes, only Hua Tianxiong alone.
Centipede Tian's gaze turned cold, Mid Core Formation Stage Magical Power erupted from his body, and a Black Flame longsword appeared in his hand. After injecting Magical Power, the longsword grew in the wind, transforming into a Black Silk Attack, slashing towards Hua Tianxiong.
Clang! The 'Hua Tianxiong' opposite him didn't dodge or evade, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
The Black Silk Attack instantly tore through the Void Space, emitting a chillingly cold Aura, and pierced through Hua Tianxiong's body in the blink of an eye.
"Hmph! So easily defeated." Old Devil Yan, who was watching coldly from the side, said with great disdain.
Centipede Tian's Expression, however, became serious. Although Mid Core Formation Stage overwhelming Early Stage in terms of Realm was expected, this seemed too abnormal.
"Something's not right!"
The figure of Hua Tianxiong pierced by the demonic sword, like ripples of water, dissipated and then vanished without a trace.
Before the two could react.
"Since that's the case, you two take a sword from me as well."
A voice suddenly sounded in the air.
Immediately following, Hua Tianxiong, transformed by Qin Ming, emerged In the Air, and in his hand, a white Bone Sword had already appeared, burning with white Cold Flames, precisely the Nine Underworlds White Bone Sword of White Bone True Person.
A terrifying Power Fluctuation spread out.
Qin Ming had completely removed the mark left by White Bone True Person in the Nine Underworlds White Bone Sword and had refined it.
As soon as this sword appeared, Centipede Tian and Old Devil Yan of the Yin Demon Sect opposite them couldn't help but be moved, exclaiming, "Top-Grade Magic Treasure!"
Qin Ming held the Nine Underworlds White Bone Sword and slashed towards the two devils opposite.
White light flickered.
In the air, several threads were instantly cut out, mixed with white Cold Flames.
"Ah!"
Centipede Tian screamed miserably, and an arm flew high into the air.
With just the Power of one sword, even his Mana Shield and Defensive Magic Treasure were cut in half.
At the same time.
Old Devil Yan also realized that the situation was wrong, and he quickly took out a crimson triangular command flag, which surprisingly blocked Qin Ming's sword.
"Damn it, how is this Early Golden Core Stage?"
"Wasn't it said that Hua Tianxiong of the Thousand Machines Trading Company was a waste?"
"Centipede Tian, you better not die, Grand Elder has made a big loss taking on this business of yours! I need more money!"
Immediately following.
A powerful Aura appeared before the two of them.
Qin Ming looked at the triangular red command flag in Old Devil Yan's hand and couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh? What Magic Treasure is this?"
"It can actually block one sword of mine."
Old Devil Yan was both shocked and angry, and immediately formed Hand Seals with his hands, roaring angrily, "So Guild Master Hua was hiding himself quite deeply, actually possessing a Top-Grade Magic Treasure."
"Since that's the case, then let's see if This Grand Elder's Vermillion Bird Banner is stronger, or if your Bone Sword is superior!"
"Centipede Tian, if you're not dead, then join forces together."
The next moment.
Old Devil Yan waved the Vermillion Bird Banner in his hand, and in an instant, a world-destroying Aura emanated from it.
Shriek! Heavenly fire descended, transforming into a boundless sea of fire, sweeping towards Qin Ming.
At the same time, Centipede Tian, whose arm had been severed by the Nine Underworlds White Bone Sword, had a sinister Expression and once again activated a Demonic Treasure to attack Qin Ming.
"This Vermillion Bird Banner, it's actually also a Top-Grade Magic Treasure!"
Qin Ming also noticed some clues, his Expression revealing a hint of seriousness, and then he activated the Glazed Treasure Armor to protect his whole body.
The boundless flames instantly engulfed and devoured his entire person.
Old Devil Yan had extremely strong confidence in his Natal Magic Treasure.
The Vermillion Bird Banner, as a Top-Grade Magic Treasure, was something he had obtained from a Secret Realm after going through nine deaths and ten lifetimes, and after years of Elixir Fire nurturing and cultivation, its Power was truly formidable.
Just when Old Devil Yan thought he had succeeded in one strike.
An extremely ominous sense of palpitations suddenly surged into his heart.
In the darkness, there was a sense of impending disaster! Pfft!
But before he could react, several black spikes strangely emerged from the Void Space, piercing through his chest and back.
"Uh... this..."
Old Devil Yan, as an old monster who had roamed the Demonic Path for many years, naturally had no shortage of life-saving methods.
He was seen chanting incantations in his mouth, casting a Secret Technique, transforming into a Black Mist, instantly escaping from the attack of the black spikes.
What replaced the black spikes was a dark and indistinct Blood Chunk.
Old Devil Yan was forced to use a Mystical Art, and the price was clearly quite high. At this moment, his whole person was pale as paper, his figure staggering as he fled into the distance.
Just at this moment.
A Ripple rippled In the Air, and the figure of the Devouring Heaven Rat emerged from Void Space, blocking Old Devil Yan's path.
Before he could even see clearly.
He saw the Devouring Heaven Rat spew out a Black Profound Light from its mouth, enveloping the entire Space, and a powerful Aura of a Mid-Tier 3 Demon King erupted with ferocity!
As the Forbidden Severing Mysterious Light swept across, Old Devil Yan was horrified to discover that his entire body's Magical Power was actually restricted.
Being in this In the Air, it was as if he had fallen into a mire, his movements sluggish, unable to move at all.
The figure of the Devouring Heaven Rat disappeared into the Void Space, and when it reappeared, a black Steel Fork in its hand, emitting terrifying Power swept across!
Swish! Old Devil Yan's Head flew high into the air.
Pfft! Fresh Blood sprayed out from the headless Corpse like rain.
The Devouring Heaven Rat shrunk its body, its gaze sharp, picked up the Vermillion Bird Banner from Old Devil Yan's Corpse, waved it around, and excitedly exclaimed, "What a Treasure! It belongs to This Grand Sire! Hehehe!"
On the other side.
Centipede Tian, who was frantically fleeing, saw Old Devil Yan die and disappear in just a short moment, realized that he had kicked an iron plate today, and his heart was filled with bitterness.
His Expression revealed madness, and he still wanted to make a final struggle.
He took out several powerful Magic Treasures from his Storage Bag and detonated them.
But in the next moment, a white rainbow flashed.
The Nine Underworlds White Bone Sword, with the force of crushing dry weeds and rotten wood, swept through the Magic Artifact explosion, splitting Centipede Tian in half from the middle.
The Corpse fell powerlessly from In the Air.
Qin Ming raised his hand and cast the Thorn Technique, transforming the two people's Corpses into Blood Beads, and then took the Storage Bags.
Then he flicked out Fireballs to destroy the Corpses and erase the traces, the whole process was incredibly smooth and fluid.
Nothing else, only because of practice.
After doing all of this, Qin Ming entered the Small Spirit Realm.
He saw Hua Tianxiong inside, fidgeting anxiously, pacing back and forth.
At this moment.
Hua Tianxiong saw another 'himself' walk in, and couldn't help but almost drop his jaw in shock.
"You are..."
Qin Ming immediately cast the True Fiend Illusion, transformed, and reverted to the appearance of Shopkeeper Lu.
"Ah? Greetings, Master!"
Hua Tianxiong bowed tremblingly, and then took out the Seven Orifices Tribulation Crossing Flower and the Divine Wood Pill Formula, respectfully handing them to Qin Ming.
"Here are the items you requested."
Qin Ming calmly took the two items, nodded in satisfaction, "You've done well, you can leave."
"Then, the Demonic Cultivators outside..." Hua Tianxiong asked hesitantly.
After all, less than half an incense stick of time had passed, and he had personally seen that the two Demonic Cultivators were at least Mid Core Formation Stage Cultivation... "Already dealt with," Qin Ming said.
Hua Tianxiong was immediately shocked upon hearing this, even though he knew that this Master of his had great Strength, he still found it somewhat unbelievable.
At this time.
The figure of the Devouring Heaven Rat also emerged, holding a Vermillion Bird Banner in its hand, happily waving it around.
Hua Tianxiong's gaze suddenly shrank when he saw this.
"Isn't this... isn't this Old Devil Yan's famous Magic Treasure, the 'Vermillion Bird Banner'?"
This time, Hua Tianxiong completely believed it.
He was also someone who knew good goods, Old Devil Yan had precisely relied on this Top-Grade Magic Treasure to make a great name for himself in the Great Jin.
He hadn't expected to be defeated here today.
"Vermillion Bird Banner?"
"What? Kid, do you recognize this Treasure? Quickly tell This Grand Sire about it." The Devouring Heaven Rat, upon hearing this, immediately became interested and asked him in a condescending manner.
Hua Tianxiong's fat body trembled, and he put on a smiling face, saying:
"Hehe, I only know a little bit."
"It's said that this Vermillion Bird Banner is one of the Five Elements Banners. Old Devil Yan, more than a hundred years ago, was lucky enough to obtain a Treasure from a Secret Realm."
"Legend has it that the Five Elements Banners are a set of Top-Grade Magic Treasures, and if all the command flags are collected, they truly possess incredible Power, capable of destroying the heavens and extinguishing the earth, moving mountains and filling seas."
After listening, the Devouring Heaven Rat's eyes lit up, and it became even more fond of the Vermillion Bird Banner.
It then looked at Qin Ming with expectant eyes and asked, "Master, this Vermillion Bird Banner... could it be given to me to use?"
Qin Ming pondered for a moment, seeing that the Devouring Heaven Rat liked this item very much, so he nodded, "Alright, you can use it then."
"Thank you for Master's reward! Ehehehe!"
The Devouring Heaven Rat was overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately opened its mouth and swallowed the Vermillion Bird Banner, running to a distance to refine the Magic Treasure.
"Um... Master, then this little one will take my leave." Hua Tianxiong said, "I will be at Master's disposal at any time in the future."
"Mm, if there's anything I need you to do, I will contact you."
...
Following that, the Space of the Outer World twisted for a moment, creating a Ripple.
Hua Tianxiong's figure returned to the Outer World, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and released his Divine Sense to observe his surroundings.
Sure enough, there was no trace of the enemies. In an instant.
A golden Escaping Light flew towards him, the radiance dispersed, revealing the figure of the Core Formation Offering from the Thousand Machines Trading Company.
When he saw Hua Tianxiong safe and sound, he immediately let out a long sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Guild Master Hua, are you alright?"
"Cough! I'm fine."
"Just mere Demonic Cultivators, This Seat used a slight trick and sent them packing."
"Let's go, Venerable Offering Xu, we'll change course and return to the Trading Company."
From within the Golden Luan Treasure Carriage, Hua Tianxiong's Calm and Collected voice was heard.
Venerable Offering Xu revealed a suspicious Expression upon hearing this, but he scanned the surroundings all over and was stunned to find nothing unusual.
Just now, Venerable Offering Xu had been trapped in a Demonic Path Formation, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape.
But somehow, that Formation seemed to have lost control and suddenly disappeared... Venerable Offering Xu, worried about Hua Tianxiong's safety, immediately rushed over here.
Along the way, he also conveniently eliminated those Demonic Path Disciples.
But when he hurriedly arrived, he found Hua Tianxiong waiting here as if nothing had happened.
Venerable Offering Xu was Elder Qian of the Fire Palace, arranged to be by Hua Tianxiong's side, responsible for monitoring his every move.
Hua Tianxiong absolutely must not have any mishaps.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain to Elder Qian.
...
Inside the Small Spirit Realm.
Qin Ming took out the Seven Orifices Tribulation Crossing Flower, a look of joy appearing on his face, "Nascent Soul Spirit Object! Seven Orifices Tribulation Crossing Flower, I didn't expect to get it so quickly."
"But it still needs to be cultivated and planted, and Ripening it to over a thousand years is required."
"As for the Pill Recipe for the 'Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill', presumably Su Yuqing should have it, right?"
"Now that I've already come to the Great Jin, it's time to go see Brother Su then, after all, it's been decades since we last met..."
Qin Ming still missed Su Yuqing, this person who was both a teacher and a friend to him.
He put away the Jade Box of the Seven Orifices Tribulation Crossing Flower, and then took out that Ancient Pill Formula, releasing his Divine Sense to examine it.
"This Divine Wood Pill, as a High Grade Tier 3 Spirit Pill, has great efficacy for increasing the Cultivation Magical Power of the Mid and Late Golden Core Stage..."
"Main Materials: Tier 3 Earth Soul Glass Flower, Phoenix Blood Fruit, Devil Origin Earth Root..."
Qin Ming glanced through it briefly, just the Main Materials for refining the Divine Wood Pill were as many as five or six types, and some Spirit Materials were even Ancient Spirit Herbs that were Extinct in the Cultivation World.
"Although these Spirit Materials are difficult to find, for me, as long as I find Spirit Seeds, I can replant them, and this Divine Wood Pill might not be impossible to refine..."
"Perhaps, there might be other substitutes, I'll ask Brother Su about it when I see him."
Qin Ming then checked the Storage Bags of Centipede Tian and Old Devil Yan from the Yin Demon Sect.
What made him speechless was that the Black Flame Nether Feather Fan Magic Treasure had been bought by Centipede Tian at auction.
Now, after going full circle, it had returned to his hands.
There were also hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones in the two Storage Bags, and Qin Ming made another small fortune.
As for those Demonic Path Magic Treasures and Demonic Skills, Qin Ming didn't think much of them.
The only item that caught his eye, the Vermillion Bird Banner, had also been taken by the Devouring Heaven Rat.
Thinking of this, Qin Ming walked towards the place where the Devouring Heaven Rat was.
He saw that in just half a day, it had already completely refined this Top-Grade Magic Treasure.
At this moment, it was controlling the Vermillion Bird Banner, casting Flame Divine Ability towards the Open Ground.
As the Devouring Heaven Rat waved the command flag in its hand.
Countless heavenly fires descended, transforming into three orange-red Vermillion Birds flying all over the Sky, which was truly magnificent.
"Be careful with the fire, don't burn down my Small Spirit Realm!"
Qin Ming watched from the side and reminded him.
The Devouring Heaven Rat immediately raised its hand and beckoned, and immediately the Vermillion Bird flames in the Sky were all drawn back into the Magic Treasure.
It said with a grin, "Master, with this Magic Treasure, my Strength has increased greatly again!"
"That Demonic Path old man only mastered a little bit of superficial knowledge, and didn't unleash its true Power."
"The Restrictions inside the Magic Treasure have been completely cracked by me."
"I also obtained a method for refining the other four types of command flags, which are the Azure Dragon Banner, White Tiger Banner, Black Tortoise Banner, and Central Yellow Banner."
"If all Five Elements Banners are obtained, it would be simply invincible!"
Qin Ming: ...
Thanks to Fellow Daoist "Wind Dragon's Roar" for the 100 coin reward.
Thank you Fellow Daoists for your voting support!
End of Chapter