In their very first sparring contest against an alien race, the immortal path had set off a "giant firecracker."
News like this could not be kept secret, and Chongxiao erupted in an uproar.
Throughout the city, lightning sparrows, streaming-light birds, and other messenger fowl released by various factions soared into the night sky, flying toward distant lands.
"Doesn't the outer realm pride itself on being orthodox? Yet they just suffered a clean sweep!"
"What is the background of that delegation? To think they dealt the disciples of the immortal path such a crushing defeat."
Beneath the night mist, cities across the lands were ablaze with light. As exotic birds delivered letters, the immortal path's four consecutive losses sparked heated debate everywhere.
The sun elven race had become famous. Originally, people hadn't paid them much heed; after all, it wasn't as if alien races hadn't visited before. But this time was entirely different, stirring up such a massive commotion.
There were also those speaking up for the immortal path: "This exchange wasn't as bad as everyone thinks. In the sparring matches of the third and fourth realms, those immortal seeds put on dazzling displays."
Good news travels slowly, while bad news spreads a thousand li.
The main issue was that for so many years, the immortal path's transcendence and mighty strength had been deeply rooted in people's minds; yet now they had lost so miserably, completely dismantled by an alien race in a certain realm.
"Don't worry, everyone. This event is primarily a friendly exchange, and the actual combats aren't over yet. There's more to come—let's patiently await the stellar performances of other immortal seeds."
"Stop making excuses. There's no such thing as politely yielding in a duel. A defeat is a defeat. If the immortal path's talent cultivation is in such a sorry state, how are we supposed to conduct the Great Reclamation? I'm growing rather pessimistic about the future."
Naturally, people beyond the mundane world stepped forward to argue in person, claiming that this was merely a setback at the lower and middle levels, and that matters were nowhere near as dire as everyone imagined.
"Save the excuses. We only care about results. It all comes down to how the immortal path's disciples actually perform going forward. If they lose again, there'll truly be no defending it—it would be utterly disappointing."
For a time, the pressure mounted heavily on certain figures of the outer realm.
The night mist world had a tradition stretching back to ancient times: in every past clash with alien races, victories were brushed over in a few words, but any defeat was magnified and recorded in excruciating detail.
Competition existed between the various cultivation paths, and the immortal path did not want to be saddled with the rotten reputation of a poor record against outsiders.
The old monsters of the immortal path paid it no mind, knowing their own true foundation—which was already absurdly formidable!
The middle-aged and younger generations, however, could not sit still. They wished they could string up all the immortal seeds and discipline them ruthlessly.
"Did those two seeds from the esoteric sect lose on purpose? Did they just want to watch us make fools of ourselves? We cannot endure being mocked by followers of other paths."
"No matter what, we absolutely cannot lose again," declared a figure of Young Ancestor caliber within the immortal path.
That very day, someone arrived to negotiate with Meng Xinghai. This time, their sincerity was considerable—far more proactive and enthusiastic than before.
Because this time window was brief—with Patriarch-level figures from both the sun elves and the immortal path giving impromptu dao lectures—the sparring down below was merely paused for a short while.
An incense stick's time later, Meng Xinghai saw off the visitor and told Qin Ming the outcome.
"Well, they lost their composure and brought over the Vermilion Bird baleful substance. Although you already have Starfire Essence, this type of materialized heterogeneous substance possesses elusive, inexplicable wonders. It contains innate markings that make it worthy of serious attention."
In addition, the immortal path's people had brought a portion of auspicious beast blood, hoping Qin Ming would consume it immediately to advance his cultivation and face the sun elven race in peak condition.
Qin Ming said, "They should know very well that I already had a blood medicine on hand, which I saved for a critical moment of breakthrough. Demanding that I consume it now is putting me in quite an awkward spot."
The potency of auspicious beast blood was exceedingly fierce. Once utilized to achieve a rebirth, using it again in the future would yield far diminished results.
Meng Xinghai nodded and said, "I told them that you haven't yet fused any heterogeneous substances, so you won't be using the auspicious beast blood anytime soon."
The people from the immortal path, however, mentioned that even if Qin Ming had not yet refined baleful energy, taking the blood medicine to break through right now would not cause any harm; it could easily be remedied later without leaving any hidden flaws.
To that end, they had even provided a profound technique excerpted from the *Immortal-Combating Classic*.
Meng Xinghai chuckled and said, "They don't realize you've actually already reached the middle stage of the second realm. Thus, we could negotiate with them under the pretense that you're consuming the auspicious beast blood."
During the negotiations, he had opened his mouth wide, demanding the entire *Immortal-Combating Classic*.
The representatives of the immortal path had swept their sleeves and stormed off, making it unequivocally clear that this was out of the question.
Qin Ming tore off the talisman seal and opened the pure white jade casket. Immediately, a scarlet divine bird flew out, attempting to flee, but he swiftly suppressed it with his yin-yang diagram.
Beside him, Meng Xinghai stood ready to intervene at any moment.
"Hm, capturing it was easier than expected." Qin Ming furrowed his brow, closely examining the materialized Vermilion Bird baleful substance.
Soon, a trace of anger surfaced on his face. Its vital essence was severely depleted; before sending it over, the immortal path had squeezed the divine-bird-shaped substance relentlessly.
Meng Xinghai was thoroughly displeased and said, "These people went too far. Utterly petty! They brought it right to the brink of falling from the legendary grade."
Before they had even dealt with the sun elven race, the people of the immortal path were already scheming against Qin Ming, worried he might refine the true Four Sacred Baleful Energies and forge an unmatched heavenly light force.
Meng Xinghai said in a deep voice, "In that case, I'll inform them that we're turning down the deal. Let them find someone else to step in!"
When the immortal path received the message, some wore extremely unsightly expressions, while others grumbled, "I told you there was no need for this. Even if he possesses Patriarch-level talent, given how difficult the Newborn path is, reaching that level would take at least several centuries of painstaking toil."
Another person nodded in agreement. "Indeed, why worry over such an immense span of time? He's out in the open now; over that period, any sort of accident would be completely normal."
Overall, the outer realm was accustomed to keeping a backup plan, but they hadn't expected to botch things so directly.
"What about Rulai's disciple Xiang Yiwu, and that Wu Yaozu—could the two of them hold the line on their own?"
"Hard to say. More importantly, the three of them are very close. I fear that if one refuses, the other two will drop out as well."
Soon, the immortal path's people came knocking once more for secret talks.
Meng Xinghai took a firm stance: "Earlier, you claimed your second famous baleful substance was close to materializing. If you want to make amends now, bring out the legendary-grade Azure Dragon sacred baleful energy—otherwise, there's nothing to discuss!"
The immortal path representative's eyes widened in shock. The other side's appetite was far too voracious; any legendary sacred baleful energy was priceless!
Such a world-rare heterogeneous substance held not only fatal allure for Newborns of Patriarch-level talent, but also immense utility for immortal seeds and divine seeds, who could use it to temper their spiritual fields.
Thus, when giving up the Vermilion Bird baleful substance, their hearts had bled with reluctance, prompting them to wring every bit of value from it at the final moment.
"Famous baleful substances are hard to find, and legendary sacred baleful energies are even rarer than rare. At a crucial juncture like this, where are we supposed to capture one for you?"
Meng Xinghai replied calmly, "That is your problem. In the vast night mist world, I refuse to believe none can be found. Besides, this is the Dayu imperial capital, a place rich in treasures and heavenly wonders. There may well be clues here."
Qin Ming had mentioned to him that there might be Azure Dragon sacred baleful energy in the mansion of the Shuyu River deity.
Hence, Meng Xinghai had dropped a casual hint, though he couldn't make it too obvious.
"A dragon-type baleful substance might exist within Chongxiao." The immortal path's people were indeed knowledgeable and experienced; they reasoned that the capital of a mighty dynasty was bound to be steeped in dragon qi, which, upon fusing with otherworldly heterogeneous substances, would most easily take the form of a dragon.
Mobilizing their connections, they confirmed that the Shuyu River God's mansion possessed the Azure Dragon sacred baleful energy.
"Who desires this palace's divine treasure?" That night, the River Goddess, her hair swept into a high coiffure, knitted her delicate brows. Although she no longer had use for such a substance, her disciples could still benefit from it.
Little did she know that a certain "drudge" she had swept out the door was the one coveting her secretly stored sacred baleful energy.
The people of the immortal path naturally would not reveal the truth; after all, spending a fortune to hire a substitute fighter would be utterly humiliating if word got out.
The River Goddess guessed that the descendants of some pathfinder were in dire need of the Azure Dragon sacred baleful energy, which was why they had mobilized connections within the Dayu Imperial Dynasty to hastily come knocking and make a purchase.
She was very displeased and loath to part with her treasure.
Yet she was deeply apprehensive in her heart, fearing that offending a Patriarch-level figure might bring a punitive expedition from the outer realm right to her doorstep.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming was all smiles.
After placing the listless Vermilion Bird baleful substance together with his stored Starfire Essence, the two intermingled. At a speed visible to the naked eye, the Vermilion Bird regained its brilliance, fully recovered.
That night, in the divine mansion of the Shuyu River, the River Goddess parted with the Azure Dragon sacred baleful energy with a darkened expression.
When the people of the outer realm visited once again, even Meng Xinghai was astonished. They had genuinely brought the legendary heterogeneous substance—their efficiency was staggering!
At this moment, Qin Ming was in high spirits!
"We've handed over such a rare sacred baleful energy to you. When dueling the alien race, don't you dare disappoint us," the immortal path's representative said, his expression equally sour.
Under normal circumstances, how could they ever tolerate someone fleecing them like this? Yet with the immortal path having suffered four consecutive defeats and public opinion fiercely boiling over, the pressure on them was immense.
They brought up the previous matter again, urging Qin Ming to consume the blood medicine immediately to break through and ensure absolute victory.
Qin Ming sighed. "Demands like this put a lot of pressure on me. Everyone knows how arduous it is to advance along the Newborn path; precious medicine must be saved for critical hurdles."
"Two materialized sacred baleful energies far exceed your losses! Those are treasure-grade heterogeneous substances!" The immortal path representative felt his heart bleeding.
"Only one sacred baleful energy. The other was half-ruined," Qin Ming corrected.
"Out with it—what more do you want?" The immortal path representative was on the verge of slamming the table and jumping up.
Had the whole world not been watching, with countless onlookers eagerly waiting to see the immortal path suffer further crushing defeats, he certainly would not have stayed here "catering" to him.
With a solemn expression, Qin Ming said, "Do you have the *Golden Crow Illuminates the Night Classic*? In order to counter the supreme prodigies of the sun elven race, I'd like to study solar divine fire."
"Are you a Taotie reincarnated?" The immortal path's representative reached his limit. This youth of the Newborn path was a bottomless pit, taking brazen advantage of their crisis.
Qin Ming said, "If you don't have it, then forget it. No need to get worked up. How about trading for a few extraordinary arts instead? Surely you have those, right? I'm only doing this to be safe. After all, I'm fighting on your behalf and standing up for you. I need to achieve a resounding victory and crush them decisively to salvage your face!"
"I'd better speak with someone else!" The immortal path representative turned toward Meng Xinghai, thoroughly unwilling to exchange another word with Qin Ming.
Meng Xinghai said, "Actually, I share his sentiment."
They talked for a long time. When the immortal path's people finally left, their faces were dark and foul, their moods dreadful.
That night, someone from the immortal path arrived with a grim expression to deliver the extraordinary arts, having swallowed their anger and conceded defeat.
Qin Ming said, "Actually, if you let me take a look at the *Immortal-Combating Classic*, my chances of winning would be even higher!"
If Meng Xinghai hadn't been present, the immortal path's representative would have rolled up his sleeves and struck him dead on the spot.
"Consume the auspicious beast blood tonight, and don't stir up any more trouble. The Patriarch will be preaching tomorrow, which will give you the perfect chance to enter seclusion and consolidate your gains!" the immortal path's representative warned before departing.
"Rest assured, I guarantee I'll advance to the middle stage of the second realm. Alas, the price I'm paying for your immortal path is truly steep!" Qin Ming sighed, putting on a conflicted, aggrieved display.
Beneath the night mist, people in cities everywhere buzzed with discussion, coming to understand the sun elven race's power and extraordinariness while eagerly looking forward to the upcoming matches.
Some figures from the night papers possessed vast reach, tracking down the delegation to make close contact with several sun elves. They showered them with praise, claiming the race was blessed by the heavens: both males and females were exceptionally striking, gifted with extraordinary natural talent, and blessed with long lifespans, truly making them a heaven-chosen race.
"Night papers, your bias is showing," many complained indignantly.
Following an analysis, the night papers maintained that the sun elven race held an overwhelming innate advantage in the second realm; once their internal solar fire was tempered through immortal cultivation methods, it could incinerate anything in its path.
"It could even be said that within the second realm, once such extraordinary solar fire is unleashed, not even the legendary-grade heavenly light force of the Newborn path could necessarily withstand it!" stated the woman from the night papers tracking the story with utter certainty.
By contrast, the sun elven race carried themselves with marked modesty, stating that they looked forward to friendly sparring with their upcoming opponents from the immortal path and wished to witness the legendary heavenly light force for themselves.
Chapter 276