Immediately following, the representatives from the Penglai Sect, Crystal Palace, East Pole Island, and Ancient Sword Sect also presented their congratulatory gifts one by one.

Qin Ming invited Mo Lingwei to offer the distinguished guests from the East Sea the specialty wines and delicacies of Wangyue Island.

Then, while drinking Spirit Wine, he started to converse with them.

...

At the same time.

Deep in the Beast Roar Mountain Range.

The Black Wind Demon Saint’s eyes flickered as he asked the Demon Saint Gushan with some discontent, "Gushan, why did you stop me at the previous banquet?"

"Is it really just to join forces against an enemy, ignoring the long-term plans of our race?"

"I stopped you because I didn’t want you to embarrass yourself in public. If you think you can defeat True Monarch Wangyue, you can go back and challenge him now. I won’t stop you," the Demon Saint Gushan said coldly, not giving him any face.

As soon as he said this, not only was the Black Wind Demon Saint surprised, but even Yue Lingyan and the golden-haired elder were startled.

"Fellow Daoist Gushan, what do you mean by that?" the golden-haired elder asked, perplexed.

Because from the tone of the Demon Saint Gushan, it seemed like if they really fought, he favored True Monarch Wangyue from the Southern Wilderness more.

And the other party was just a Human Race Cultivator who had barely ascended to the Early-stage Nascent Soul for less than a few decades.

The Demon Saint Gushan seemed disinclined to explain and just said mildly, "Based on my intuition, is that enough?"

"Intuition?" The Black Wind Demon Saint clearly didn’t believe it and said coldly, "Anyway, I won’t let this go."

"Fellow Daoist Black Wind, don’t think that because you’re from the Demon Race, I won’t make a move against you. You should know well how Great Black Heaven died," the Demon Saint Gushan suddenly exuded a tremendous Spiritual Pressure, causing the expressions of those present to change.

"Great Black Heaven consorted with the Demon Path and met his end due to his own actions."

"But if you dare to break the cooperative relationship between the two races, your Wind-splitting Eagle race may become the target of everyone and possibly be completely removed from the Four Great Royal Races among the Demon Race!"

Upon hearing this, the Black Wind Demon Saint’s face twitched, and he forced a smile, "I was just speaking casually—it’s not like I could really do something so treasonous."

"I’m just considering the interests of the Demon Race, Fellow Daoist Gushan, don’t take it to heart."

"Forget it, forget it, I don’t want to deal with these matters either," he said.

With that, feeling uncomfortable staying with them any longer, he turned into a black light and left first.

After the Black Wind Demon Saint left, his gaze was sinister, his expression unpredictable. He didn’t return to the territory of the Wind-splitting Eagle but flew toward another direction.

A moment later.

Yue Lingyan asked the Demon Saint Gushan, "Do you think he’s planning to follow in Great Black Heaven’s footsteps?"

"I doubt he dares. I’ve already assigned people to monitor him," the Demon Saint Gushan said, with his eyes flickering.

...

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, another half-year passed.

Wangyue Island was bustling for half a year but finally became much quieter.

All the cultivator spirit farmers moved back onto the island to resume their daily farming.

On this day.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat fully consolidated its Cultivation Realm, and with the help of that Altar’s Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, it even made some progress beyond its original foundation.

This was something that outside demon cultivators could only envy.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat transformed into a white-robed child, appearing very cheerful as he approached Qin Ming.

"Master, I have emerged from seclusion."

"Hmm, over the past half-year, many forces and fellow cultivators have come to visit and congratulate you on becoming a Demon Saint," Qin Ming smiled and nodded.

"Several Demon Saints from the Beast Roar Mountain Range also came. They implied that now that you’ve become a Demon Saint, it’s not appropriate to continue working under a human and they want you to return to the Demon Race."

"The promise you made to serve under me for two cycles had already ended."

"Whether you stay by my side or leave is up to your own choice."

Upon hearing this, the Heaven-Devouring Rat’s face turned frosty, and he displayed an angry expression: "Which bastard said that? How could I possibly leave my master?"

"To dare sow discord between me and my master... it’s truly detestable!"

"I’ve already said that I am willing to serve my master for a lifetime and will never leave."

Upon hearing these words, Qin Ming smiled slightly, feeling quite relieved—after all, nurturing this guy for so many years wasn’t in vain.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat wasn’t foolish either—naturally, he could see where his prospects lay.

Of course, he wasn’t going back to the Beast Roar Mountain Range to become a mountain king.

"Hmm, by the way, since you’ve broken through to the Tier Four Transformation Realm, you should have an honorable title. Do you have any name in mind?"

The Heaven-Devouring Rat scratched his head, thinking for a bit, "Just call me the ’Heaven-Devouring Demon Saint.’ I can’t think of anything else."

Qin Ming immediately nodded, "As you wish, then."

"Besides... right now, the Blood Realm is being invaded by the Demon Path, so your Transformation Rite won’t be a grand event."

"Anyway, the fellow Daoists who should come have already come, and the congratulatory gifts have been delivered."

The Heaven-Devouring Rat showed an indifferent expression, "There’s no need to fuss over it; I’ll follow whatever the master arranges."

"Besides, we can’t gather any decent treasures anyway."

These years, following Qin Ming, the Heaven-Devouring Rat had been living a wealthy life and his vision and outlook had also broadened.

At this moment.

Qin Ming cleared his throat lightly and looked at the Heaven-Devouring Rat with a strange expression, saying, "Ahem! Now that you’ve finished your seclusion, I happen to have a challenging task for you."

"Ah? What challenging task?" The Heaven-Devouring Rat’s expression shrank, feeling an ominous premonition.

What followed from Qin Ming soon confirmed what was on his mind.

He saw Qin Ming take out three Profound Mysterious Stones from his storage pouch and an ancient talisman, the ’Nine Heavens Cyan Yuan Marvelous Response True Talisman.’

This talisman had been nurtured within Qin Ming’s Lifebound Spirit Plant, the Immortal Vine, for several years, and the previously damaged corner had been completely restored as good as new.

At the time, even Qingyang the Old Demon was so astonished that he was speechless, unable to believe this truly happened.

He continuously questioned Qin Ming on how it was done, but of course, Qin Ming wouldn’t tell him.

Because, you see, this was no ordinary talisman but an ancient talisman originating from the Spirit Realm.

Qin Ming, using this talisman for the first time, wasn’t sure if there would be any issues.

Since the Heaven-Devouring Rat was out, it would be perfect to get him to act as a crash test dummy.

"Don’t worry, I’m just testing the function of this talisman; there’ll be no big problems," Qin Ming confidently said with the talisman in hand.

Though he said so, he wasn’t entirely certain...

Upon hearing this, the Heaven-Devouring Rat shrank his head, not expecting to be given such a dangerous job.

But under Qin Ming’s order, he couldn’t refuse and could only brace himself and proceed.

’Sigh! I just got out, so let it be up to fate!’

’I really asked for it!’

The Heaven-Devouring Rat silently lamented, his small hands trembling as he received the three Profound Mysterious Stones from Qin Ming... knowing these were his creations, after all...

Then, Qin Ming took out the ancient talisman and cast a Spell towards the cave mansion, from which a profound golden symbol emerged from the talisman, leaving a Void Mark coordinate within the cave.

After all was done, he placed the ancient talisman into the Heaven-Devouring Rat’s hands, instructing:

"Later, follow my way of activating the talisman to attempt a long-distance teleportation."

"I have already left a Void coordinate on the Demon Infant earlier, so see if you can be transported there."

"Remember, hold on to the talisman carefully. If you lose it, you won’t be able to come back..."

"Wha—?? This..." The Heaven-Devouring Rat, who had only recently entered the Tier Four Great Demon, hadn’t had time to revel for a few days.

He didn’t expect his first task to be so perilous.

Qin Ming patted his shoulder for encouragement and said, "Don’t worry, I’ve already had the Demon Infant waiting outside Demon Abyss Island."

"You won’t be harmed."

"Fine... if you say so..." The Heaven-Devouring Rat’s face donned a smile that was more tearful than joyful.

Thereafter.

He took out a Profound Mysterious Stone and followed Qin Ming’s method of activating the ancient talisman, reciting incantations while making a gesture towards the talisman.

The Profound Mysterious Stone lit up with a golden mysterious light, and a strong Void Power, like a thin thread, infused into the talisman.

Buzz~

In the next moment.

The Nine Heavens Cyan Yuan Marvelous Response True Talisman burst out with waves of golden symbols, weaving into a veil enveloping the entire body of the Heaven-Devouring Rat.

Whoosh!

Only to see a flash of light in the air.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat instantly vanished from the spot...