Qin Shilei embarked on another journey across Blue Star with the three women.
Zhang Qiang, along with other key individuals being groomed and members of the Dark Night, were also brought into his Pocket Dimension.
Jin Qiaoqiao, who possessed the Treasure Hunting Rat, was not left behind.
When they encountered swarms of exotic beasts, they would have Zhang Qiang and the others emerge to gain experience.
When they found beautiful scenery, they would stop and enjoy the sights together.
All Platinum-level exotic beasts that appeared within a thirty-thousand-kilometer radius of them met their end.
Most of the heavenly materials and earthly treasures within a three-hundred-kilometer range were discovered by the Treasure Hunting Rat and became theirs.
While exploring, everyone also focused on their cultivation.
The only thing that troubled Qin Shilei was that during their travels, he had to remain outside the Pocket Dimension and could not cultivate using the Spirit Gathering Array.
"Shilei, can you enter the Mountain River Diagram first, then enter the Pocket Dimension from within? We can then carry the Mountain River Diagram while flying, allowing you to cultivate without delaying our journey?" An Qian suggested after a moment of thought.
Qin Shilei's eyes lit up, "This is worth a try."
After some experimentation, they discovered that this method indeed worked.
This arrangement allowed the Dark Night members to carry the Mountain River Diagram and travel on the backs of pets like the Golden Winged Thunder Roc or Snow Spirit Horse, even flying continuously for twenty-four hours a day.
Furthermore, Phantom could remain outside to immediately notify Qin Shilei if any special circumstances arose.
Qin Shilei and his companions admired the Gwalurso Grand Falls; had dinner with Caesar the Great; experienced the majesty of Blue Star's highest peak, Mount Mutadama; brushed past Zeus; tasted ham that had been cured for thirty years in San Lucas; witnessed the spectacle of the Ice and Snow Illusion, and even conquered a presumptuous small nation.
Four months later, An Qian reached the peak of Platinum.
Six months later, Zhang Xiaoli and Kong Qingshu also successively reached the peak of Platinum.
Seven months later, An Qian finally broke through to the Diamond realm.
Nine months later, Zhang Xiaoli and Kong Qingshu also successively advanced to the Diamond realm.
By this time, more than half of Zhang Qiang's group had successfully advanced to the Platinum realm.
Qin Shilei's cultivation also reached Diamond six-star.
During this period of travel, he had established thirty-six teleportation arrays in various hidden locations across Blue Star.
Through these arrays, he could reach most regions of Blue Star almost at any time.
One month remained until the spatial channel would allow Platinum-level exotic beasts to enter.
Qin Shilei lay on a beach chair, listening to Shi Liren recount the intelligence gathered during this time.
"From the intelligence left by Elder Tan in the chat channel, everything is well in our country. Our Great Xia's territory has expanded by nearly thirty times. To deal with the impending Platinum-level alien powerhouses, the expeditionary forces have begun to withdraw in an orderly fashion back into Great Xia. More and more survivors on the chat channel wish to become affiliated states of Great Xia to seek King Qin An's protection. The Buddhist Sect has once again sent a message, hoping to exchange an orange-grade item, the Eight Trigram Formation, for the Sarira."
Qin Shilei listened intently to the information Shi Liren was relaying, which piqued his interest.
The Buddhist Sect had previously attempted to exchange orange-grade items for the Sarira twice before, but he had rejected them, deeming their items' attributes unsatisfactory. This time, however, the Eight Trigram Formation they presented seemed quite good, and Qin Shilei felt a slight inclination to make the exchange.
Just as he was about to open the trading channel to directly negotiate with them, his heart suddenly gave a jolt.
He felt as if something or someone intimately connected to him was undergoing a significant change.
"Liren, contact Elder Tan immediately and see if there have been any major changes domestically."
"As you command!"
After Shi Liren left, Qin Shilei looked out at the sea again. An Qian and the other two women were playing in the shallow water, and he detected no danger.
Still uneasy, he took out the Mountain River Diagram to check for any powerful exotic beasts approaching. He found nothing.
His parents-in-law were also living leisurely in the Pocket Dimension, with no unusual events occurring.
Half an hour later, Shi Liren returned and informed him that no particular incidents had been discovered domestically.
What could be causing his premonition?
With a restless mind, Qin Shilei flashed to An Qian and the others' side. "I'm suddenly feeling uneasy and think we should return to the country for a visit."
"Alright, let's go back now," the three women responded in unison.
He notified Zhang Qiang, who was hunting nearby, via a transmission talisman to return to the beach immediately to gather.
Qin Shilei collected everyone into the Pocket Dimension and then, using a teleportation array a few hundred kilometers away, instantly returned to the City of Hope.
He opened the Pocket Dimension, allowing Zhang Qiang and the others to emerge.
"Go and investigate, see if any major events have occurred."
"As you command!"
Everyone responded in unison and then turned to run out.
Half a day later, the news they received indicated that no unusual events had occurred throughout Great Xia.
Zhang Xiaoli brought a plate of pastries to Qin Shilei. "Brother Qin, please have something to eat. As long as we are here, no matter what schemes others employ, they cannot harm us."
Kong Qingshu also advised, "Currently, no one on the entire Blue Star surpasses our strength, so we don't need to be overly cautious."
Qin Shilei smiled at the three women, reassuring them.
Just then, a guard entered. "Reporting to my King, the Sect Leader of the Buddhist Sect, Wei Hongshen, has come to pay his respects."
Qin Shilei instantly understood the purpose of his visit. If not for the sudden jolt in his heart, he would have already used the Sarira to exchange with the other party on the trading channel for the formation diagram. He had no mood to entertain the visitor at the moment.
He replied, "Tell him to come back another day; I am currently busy."
"Yes." As the guard turned to leave, Qin Shilei suddenly called him back. "Let him in."
Could it be that a powerful figure from Buddhism was descending upon Blue Star? Or was Buddhism attempting to use the Sarira to bring a great Buddha to Blue Star?
Soon, Wei Hongshen, with a benevolent expression, entered and smiled. "Amitabha! This humble monk greets King Qin An!"
Qin Shilei gestured to the seats on either side of the hall. "Please sit!"
After Wei Hongshen sat down, he produced a formation diagram about two feet square. "This humble monk has come today hoping to exchange the Sarira with King Qin An."
Qin Shilei glanced at the formation diagram and asked casually, "Are you intending to use the Sarira to bring your Buddhist masters to our Blue Star?"
Wei Hongshen calmly replied, "We merely wish to use the Sarira for cultivation. As for the Buddhist masters you mentioned, they are merely legends, not individuals that our Buddhist Sect can contact." He paused and continued, "King Qin An, you once said that if I brought an orange-grade item, you would return the Sarira to us. Is that still your promise?"
"Very well." Qin Shilei produced the Sarira and motioned for him to come over for the exchange.
Wei Hongshen stepped forward, respectfully presenting the Eight Trigram Formation with both hands, and then received the Sarira.
"Is the Sarira alright?" Qin Shilei asked calmly.
"No problem," Wei Hongshen replied, a look of joy on his face.
As Qin Shilei picked up the Eight Trigram Formation from the table, he casually revealed the sealing attribute of the Sarira. Wei Hongshen's expression changed dramatically.