"Reincarnation Demon Lord!" Kong's pupils constricted slightly, evidently apprehensive about this name.

"It's just a clone. Even though it possesses the Reincarnation True Intent, its power is limited. As long as we handle it properly, it shouldn't cause too much trouble." Daoist Mu said calmly.

"I don't mind, it's your problem to worry about." Kong said, curling his lips.

"This matter indeed troubles me greatly. Right now, I need to immediately gather manpower to help, but this will take some time. The most important thing now is to activate the Heavenly Crane Array and protect the other eighteen cities in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. Yuan, this matter can only be entrusted to you. You only need to hold on until my people arrive. During this time, I will forbid anyone from approaching White Emperor City, so your secret won't be exposed. Once the matter is resolved, I will give you a satisfactory reward." Daoist Mu nodded, speaking with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming's heart stirred, but he immediately shook his head and refused, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Mu, but I fear my limited strength might lead to a major mishap."

"Yuan, you are worried about the Stealing Heaven Tripod being coveted once exposed, aren't you? Actually, you don't need to be. Since this matter is already known to me, you can't hide it anymore. In this Chuyun Realm, no one I've set my sights on has ever managed to escape." Daoist Mu, seemingly unsurprised by his refusal, smiled and said.

Yuan Ming's heart tightened; he hadn't expected Daoist Mu to know about the existence of the Stealing Heaven Tripod!

He pondered in his heart, perhaps it was due to the Ten Thousand Wood Spirit Rhinoceros Divine Power that Senior Kong mentioned, that he was noticed right after stepping onto the Central Continent.

"Rest assured, since I promised to keep you safe, I won't go back on my word. If you agree to this, not only will I ensure your safety, but I'll also provide you with ample rewards and status." Daoist Mu continued.

Yuan Ming furrowed his brows deeply, hesitating internally.

He knew the value of the Stealing Heaven Tripod was extraordinary and once exposed, it would surely attract countless coveting eyes, but the current situation compelled him to consider the possibility of cooperating with Daoist Mu.

While he was hesitating, Kong's voice resonated in his Sea of Consciousness: "He didn't lie to you. The tracking methods of Daoist Mu are renowned among the Mahayana cultivators of the Chuyun Realm. Whoever he wants to track, unless they leave the Chuyun Realm, they absolutely cannot escape."

"Senior Kong, are you hoping I accept this?" Yuan Ming transmitted his voice in response.

"Exactly. Daoist Mu is mild-mannered, extremely powerful, and keeps to himself, not involving in worldly disputes. Cooperating with him will ensure your safety. Besides, aren't I still here?" Kong said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming silently pondered.

The existence of the Stealing Heaven Tripod was already known to Su Wu, and it would eventually spread across the world. Connecting with Daoist Mu at this moment might not be a bad thing.

"Observing your cultivation, Yuan, it's truly extraordinary, yet you have no place to gain a foothold. The Heavenly Crane Array is the foundation of stability in the Chuyun Realm and must not be compromised. If you, my young friend, can guard it and ensure its safety, I will acknowledge your possession of the mysterious Stealing Heaven Tripod. Furthermore, I solemnly promise that the entire Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range can be yours to command, allowing you to run freely." Daoist Mu seemed to discern Yuan Ming's inner concerns, thus he continued to speak slowly.

Upon hearing this, a jolt ran through Yuan Ming's heart.

Although he hadn't been in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range for long, he understood the vastness and the endless potential of this place.

If he could take it under his control, it would facilitate both the cultivation of his Dharma Body and the collection of Desire Power, with benefits that were self-evident.

However, Yuan Ming also knew the responsibility and risk entailed by the promise.

Listening to the conversation between Kong and Daoist Mu, along with information previously discovered, it was evident that another great war between the Chuyun Realm and Demon World was not far off. By accepting this heavy duty, he might face unforeseen challenges and dangers.

Daoist Mu observed him deep in thought, not rushing to prompt him, but simply standing quietly by the side, waiting for his response.

The gentle breeze blew, ruffling Yuan Ming's hair and clothes, stirring the waves in his heart.

In this ancient and mysterious mountain range, he felt as if a powerful force was surging, seemingly beckoning him to face the future's challenges and opportunities.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Yuan Ming slowly raised his head, his eyes reflecting the leisurely figure of Daoist Mu.

He took a deep breath and spoke calmly, "Since Senior Mu is so gracious, it would indeed be ungrateful for me to refuse any further."

Daoist Mu's face displayed a gratified smile, "Good, good. Speaking of which, I also knew the previous owner of the Stealing Heaven Tripod."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise surged in Yuan Ming's heart, "You knew Senior Xia Jie?"

Immediately, his heart tightened, realizing it was not surprising for Daoist Mu, who was on good terms with Kong, to also know Senior Xia Jie.

Daoist Mu gently stroked his beard and slowly began to recount an old story, "Not only did I know him, but he also partially counted as my disciple. Years ago, when Xia Jie retrieved the Stealing Heaven Tripod from the Wentian Secret Realm, there was an extremely troublesome seal on it, and it was I who helped him break it."

Hearing Daoist Mu's narration, most of Yuan Ming's doubts dissipated, and he continued to ask, "Then how should I replace the Pillar Hongjun?"

"You only need to transform into the World Tree and deeply root into the Spirit Vein, the rest will be arranged for you." Daoist Mu smiled slightly, explaining.

Yuan Ming nodded in agreement, a thought crossed his mind, and the World Tree in his Dantian merged with his body. Soon, he transformed into a towering giant tree, its roots rapidly spreading in all directions.

The dense tree roots tightly wrapped around the fractured Pillar Hongjun, its roots deeply embedded in the earth, closely connected to the spirit veins.

Daoist Mu muttered incantations, forming seals with his hands, casting out two brilliant beams of white light, which respectively infused into the Stone Pillar and the World Tree transformed from Yuan Ming.

Instantly, Yuan Ming felt as though a thread of connection had formed between him and the Stone Pillar. The moment the roots of the World Tree connected with the spirit veins underground, rich earth vein spiritual power surged forth like a tide, flowing into the fractured Stone Pillar, illuminating each shattered rune.

In that instant, Yuan Ming felt as though he had merged with the entire Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, an indescribable mystical sensation welled up in his heart.

Just then, a loud buzz resonated in his mind, countless sounds seemed to echo all at once beside his ears—excitement, shouting, roaring, praying, weeping... various voices intertwined, continuously assaulting his divine soul.

These voices were not unfamiliar to him; they were the emotions contained within Desire Power. Previously, these were absorbed by the Stealing Heaven Tripod, yet now they rushed toward his body, with numbers far greater than before.

Given Yuan Ming's current divine soul strength, he could not help but feel a tremor in his divine soul under this ocean-like immense Desire Power impact, mana stirred, almost incapable of maintaining his transformed state.

Yet the World Tree remained as steady as a mountain, unaffected by the Desire Power.

The transformed World Tree's internal demonic energy had completely turned a bluish-gray, losing the healing effect of the Undying Tree, the attributes of demonic energy unrecognizable.

The greatest characteristic demonstrated by this bluish-gray demonic power was extreme stability, unaffected by any spiritual power injected into it.

Because of this, it was able to remain steadfast under the impact of Desire Power.

Seeing Yuan Ming unable to withstand the Desire Power's impact, Senior Kong immediately summoned the Stealing Heaven Tripod, controlling it to fly out and enter the roots of the World Tree.

"Leave the matters outside to you," Senior Kong advised Daoist Mu, then began activating the forbidden within the Stealing Heaven Tripod, guiding the Desire Power within the earth veins.

Inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod, the White Jade Lotus Platform's light suddenly bloomed, dazzlingly radiant, array patterns flowed like water across the Tripod's surface, causing the entirety of the altar to glow brilliantly, akin to daylight.

The root of the World Tree was shrouded in a white light at this moment, the light streamed gently into the ground, connecting with the spirit veins.

In an instant, the colorful rays within the spirit veins began to move slowly, like gorgeous satin, winding around the immense body of the World Tree.

These rays were the Desire Power contained within the spirit veins, mostly absorbed under the Stealing Heaven Tripod's influence, gathering within the Tripod.

As the Desire Power decreased, the impact Yuan Ming endured also lessened considerably.

He exhaled deeply, his taut nerves relaxed slightly.

Meanwhile, Daoist Mu slowly approached the World Tree, sitting cross-legged beneath it, his posture akin to a pine tree, motionless.

A blue array pattern subtly emerged beneath him, along with an imperceptible ripple, the array pattern began emitting a vast power, unseen but felt as it continuously spread outward.

Under this power's influence, the fractured Stone Pillar seemed to establish a certain mystical connection with the World Tree.

Illusory light suddenly flared up from the Stone Pillar, gathering into a beam that soared into the sky, penetrating the ground, piercing the clouds.

At this moment, above the ruins of the entire White Emperor City, stood this dazzling light beam, seemingly becoming the new symbol of the ruins.

With the rise of the light beam, the Heavenly Crane Array resumed operation, the flow rate of the spiritual power within the underground spirit veins accelerated dozens of times instantaneously.

The previously tranquil earth veins now transformed into a massive vortex, spiritual power furiously surged within, continuously nourishing the World Tree and the Stone Pillar.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at Yin Mountain City, the situation had already reached a critical point.

On the city walls, several damaged holes were alarming, left by the frenzied assault of demon beasts.

On the ruins, corpses of the Human Clan and Demon Clan lay intertwined, a bloody scent pervaded the air.

Compared to the complete destruction of White Emperor City, buried beneath ruins, the slaughter at Yin Mountain City appeared more brutal and bloody.

The majority of the Demon Clan had invaded the city, slaughtering recklessly, without restraint.

Outside the city, a large number of the Demon Clan continued to charge into the city, seeking revenge for long-standing oppression and massacres.

The cultivators of Yin Mountain City suffered heavy casualties, the survivors retreated to the deepest part of the city, relying on the remaining Forbidden to fend off the attacks from demon beasts.

These Forbidden, under the successive fierce assaults of numerous demon beasts, were already extremely precarious, on the verge of collapse at any moment.

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