"May I ask how this fellow Daoist is called?"

Upon this boundless sea, everything is dictated by strength.

The Black Profound Ascendant, faced with the overwhelming presence of the muscular big man before him, had no choice but to lower his stance and inquire.

"My surname is Long." Qin Ming replied in a muffled voice.

"Oh ho ho! So it is Fellow Daoist Long, a pleasure to finally meet you!" The Black Profound Ascendant refrained from prying into the other’s origins, as all who come here are involved in buying and selling at the black market.

He continued quickly, "As for the Tier Four Celestial Exotic Gold that Fellow Daoist Long seeks, it is indeed unavailable on Black Abyss Island at the moment, but I do have my sources."

"There are two ways: One is for Fellow Daoist Long to issue a bounty, and I will arrange for people to gather it."

"As for the price Fellow Daoist Long is willing to pay, that is entirely up to you."

"How long will it take?" Qin Ming asked lightly.

The Black Profound Ascendant smiled broadly and replied, "A few days if quick, a few months if slow. I am confident in this."

"It’s just that the price Fellow Daoist Long offers can’t be too low, it needs to match the value of the Tier Four Celestial Exotic Gold at least."

"And what about the second method?" Qin Ming nodded.

The Black Profound Ascendant chuckled and said, "The second is that we provide Fellow Daoist Long with specific information on the Celestial Exotic Gold. Whether or not you can obtain it relies entirely on yourself."

"I only charge a small information fee for this, it won’t be too high."

"Hehehe!"

Qin Ming, after a slight contemplation, leaned forward, his gaze as sharp as lightning, "I want them all!"

"Ah?" The Black Profound Ascendant didn’t expect such a major customer today. With a smiling face he said, "That is certainly possible."

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Long is willing to pay various prices to search for the Tier Four Celestial Exotic Gold?"

Qin Ming placed an exquisite jade bottle in front of the Black Profound Ascendant, "As long as there is Celestial Exotic Gold of sufficient quality, you can exchange it for this Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill I have."

"Ice Heart Jade Soul Pill!!"

The Black Profound Ascendant took the jade bottle, opened it, and after confirming it, was slightly shocked.

After all, this is a Tier Four Spiritual Pill used to pass the Nascent Soul Heart Demon Tribulation.

As the saying goes, where there is a heavy reward, there will be brave men!

There will surely be many willing to trade their precious items hidden away for this.

"Fellow Daoist Long, worry not."

"This matter is all entrusted to me, and I will send you what you need within two days."

The Black Profound Ascendant said with a hint of excitement in his eyes, as he could profit considerably from this exchange.

"And what about the Celestial Exotic Gold information you mentioned?" Qin Ming asked nonchalantly.

The Black Profound Ascendant was momentarily startled, then took a jade scroll from his storage pouch, flicked it with a finger, and handed it to Qin Ming, saying:

"Since Fellow Daoist Long is so forthcoming."

"This information will be given to Fellow Daoist Long for free."

"According to confirmed news from decades ago, an extraterrestrial meteor once fell on Ao-Bie Island, emitting the aura of a Tier Four Spiritual Ore, which surely contains High Tier Exotic Gold."

"However... the geographical location of Ao-Bie Island is unique, being within the territory of the East Sea Dragon Palace’s Sea Race, and this island is also the lair of a Transformed Great Demon. Acquiring this treasure is indeed quite difficult..."

"Thus, it must be obtained with strategy, by luring away the Transformed Great Demon and seizing the opportunity to enter the island to obtain the Celestial Exotic Gold."

While providing the information, the Black Profound Ascendant also reminded Qin Ming of the complicated circumstances on the island.

’This Black Profound Ascendant is somewhat honest, no wonder he has managed this black market for so long.’

"Ao-Bie Island, East Sea Demon Race?" Qin Ming took the jade scroll and browsed through it.

Moments later.

He asked again, "Does Fellow Daoist Black Profound know the exact cultivation level of the Transformed Great Demon on Ao-Bie Island?"

"Uh... that sea region is extremely dangerous, with few cultivators daring to venture there. However, a few fortunate ones have escaped with their lives. The Great Demon on Ao-Bie Island is likely at the Tier Four Early Stage Peak Level, just a step away from reaching the Tier Four Mid-Stage."

"Yet with so many years passed, one cannot be certain now. It depends on how Fellow Daoist Long plans to proceed," spoke the Black Profound Ascendant in detail.

"If Fellow Daoist Long doesn’t require much Celestial Exotic Gold, you might as well wait on the island for a few days. I should be able to deliver some to you then."

"No need to risk going to that Ao-Bie Island."

Nonetheless, Qin Ming, seemingly indifferent, stood up and said to him, "Fellow Daoist Black Profound, please proceed with the collection. I shall return in a few days to retrieve it."

Saying this, after exchanging a few words with the other, he stood up and left.

Once Qin Ming had departed, a female cultivator in purple robe cautiously asked, "Isle Master, could it be that he really plans to go to Ao-Bie Island to retrieve the treasure?"

"Hmph! I’ve said what needed to be said, whether he listens is his affair. If he dies on Ao-Bie Island, it doesn’t concern me," the Black Profound Ascendant replied indifferently.

The female cultivator in purple robe asked again, "His strength is so formidable, could it be that even among the Early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, he is an extraordinarily powerful figure? I wonder what his origin is."

"With the Immortal Mansion Grand Assembly approaching, all sorts of strange beings have emerged, including some eccentric old hermits. You must be more observant in your actions in the future."

"Had it not been for my timely arrival, you would have perished at the hands of that Fellow Daoist Long. Should a conflict arise, I would have had no choice but to retreat," the Black Profound Ascendant said, his eyes flickering.

The female cultivator in purple robe repeatedly agreed, still feeling fearful from what had transpired.

...

On the other side.

After leaving Black Abyss Island, Qin Ming flew directly towards Ao-Bie Island, following the jade scroll map given by Black Profound Ascendant.

Now, even confronting a Transformed Great Demon, as long as it is not in the later stage realm, he is already fearless.

Moreover, with the Hook Jade Golden Light Mirror in hand, boasting an over four-millennia full-blood kill line, unless encountering a demon beast with excessively perverse lifespan, or a Nascent Soul Cultivator, he can basically walk unopposed.

This is a strong confidence in his current power.

"It’s merely seeking a piece of Exotic Gold, not desperately fighting a Transformed Demon Saint. At worst, just trade a treasure for it."

Qin Ming thought this way.

After all, he loves peace and enjoys forming friendly relationships. He won’t resort to confrontation unless necessary, and it’s always best if exchanges can be peaceful.

A day later.

He steered his Lingxiao Imperial Carriage into the domain of the East Sea Dragon Palace demon race.

Once he entered this sea region, the cultivators he could see started to gradually decrease.

This place is marked as a dangerous sea area, with many Sea King Species of terrifying cultivation power roaming about.

Half a day later, Qin Ming entered a pitch-black sea region.

But then, his expression suddenly changed!

In the distance appeared a small black island, shaped like a giant turtle.

The island was covered with sharp black rocks, but hovering above it was a massive cloud of Spiritual Qi, funnel-shaped, madly pouring inside.

"Master, what’s happening?"

The Heaven-Devouring Rat stood on Qin Ming’s shoulder, raising its hand to look toward the island.

"Isn’t there supposed to be only one Transformed Great Demon on Ao-Bie Island? Why does it look somewhat odd?"

Just as it finished speaking, the Spiritual Qi cloud in the sky dispersed.

Immediately after.

Rumble!

Out of nowhere.

A vast, terrifying black tribulation cloud began to rapidly form, and the thunder carrying a destructive aura came crashing down after brewing for a moment.

"Oh no! A Transformation Thunder Tribulation!"

The Heaven-Devouring Rat clung tightly to Qin Ming, shrieking as it hid behind his back.

Qin Ming also looked at Ao-Bie Island covered by thunder and couldn’t help but frown.

Immediately, he spread out his Divine Thought for a sweep and saw a black Profound Turtle, over thirty zhang in size, undergoing a Transformation Celestial Tribulation on the island.

However, in the next moment.

His attention fell on a Spirit Plant nearby, which, judging by its features, was evidently a small green Spirit Tea Tree.

But instead of being destroyed under the Transformation Thunder, this little Spirit Tea Tree absorbed the Power of Thunder, emanating a verdant and lush vitality!

Silver-blue arcs of electricity continuously danced across the two-foot-high Spirit Tea Tree, appearing extremely mystical.

Because this tea tree wasn’t big and grew in the corner of the rock wall, the black Profound Turtle probably did not notice it while focusing on its tribulation.

As the dreadful thunder nets kept striking down, after absorbing enough Thunder Power, this peculiar Spirit Tea Tree even grew slightly taller by a few inches.

In Qin Ming’s knowledge, he had never encountered any information related to such a mystical tea tree.

"To sprout and grow amid the baptism of a Thunder Tribulation, it’s probably a Spirit Plant beyond Tier Four..."

While he was watching attentively.

"Hmph!"

A violent cold snort came from the surrounding space.

Immediately after, a fierce, domineering punch shadow attacked!

Qin Ming threw the Heaven-Devouring Rat into the Little Spirit Realm, then clenched his fist and punched out towards the left rear direction.

Boom!

Crack!

A loud collision reverberated through the air, and a terrifying shock wave spread, raising massive tsunamis on the sea surface.

A black figure was knocked back but barely managed to stabilize and stand firm.

Meanwhile, Qin Ming didn’t move an inch.

Opposite him appeared a middle-aged man with a square face wearing black clothes, looking at him with surprise and uncertainty.

"Who are you? Why are you coveting my Ao-Bie Island?"

Qin Ming’s gaze was calm as he observed the thick demonic power emanating from the opponent. He didn’t need to think much to know that this must be the Transformed Great Demon residing on Ao-Bie Island.

So he withdrew his fist and said indifferently:

"I’m Long Daoist, here to do a little trading with you, exchange for some items, with no malice intended."

"May I know how to address you? Is it your offspring undergoing the Transformation Celestial Tribulation on the island?"

Upon hearing the bearded man’s words, the square-faced middle-aged demon relaxed a bit but remained vigilant.

After all, there are many cunning individuals among the human race who might go back on their word.

"I am the East Sea Black Rock Demon Saint, Ao Feng. What Fellow Daoist said is true," said the square-faced middle-aged man.

Meanwhile, the Black Rock Demon Saint was secretly astounded. Just now, he exchanged a punch with this human.

To his surprise, despite his demon race’s strong physical strength, he was at a disadvantage.

Although he didn’t use all his strength, seeing the bearded man so effortlessly, it’s clear he also held back.

Also, seeing the opponent look so confident and unafraid, even Black Rock Demon Saint dared not act rashly anymore.

Right now, it’s a critical moment for his offspring’s tribulation, and nothing can go wrong.

Thus, the Black Rock Demon Saint thought for a moment and said: "Could Fellow Daoist Long wait until my son finishes the tribulation before we talk?"

"As long as what you seek isn’t excessive, we can negotiate. I’m not unreasonable."

Qin Ming’s eyes flickered, and he briefly replied in a muffled voice: "Okay."

...