The voice of Kong resonated in Yuan Ming's heart, carrying a hint of confidence: "Leave the alchemist's matter to me, there's no need for you to worry. As for the remaining two sources of the Five Elements, among them, the Ten Thousand Wood Origin, condensed by the World Tree, is the purest Wood Origin. As for the final Fire Origin, I've got a lead; it's hidden within the Wentian Secret Realm."
"I understand," replied Yuan Ming, feeling somewhat relieved.
He deeply trusted Kong's capability; since he spoke so, he surely had preparations in place.
"The refinement of the Enlightenment Pill also requires some auxiliary materials. I have listed them on this Jade Scroll; you need to collect them swiftly, for these materials are crucial for refining the elixir," Kong continued.
As he spoke, Kong handed a Jade Scroll to Yuan Ming.
Yuan Ming received the Jade Scroll and scanned it with Divine Thought, revealing a densely packed list of dozens of spiritual materials, most of which were of Level 6 and above quality, with even some Level 7 materials.
He furrowed his brows slightly, as these spiritual materials weren't easily obtainable, and several seemed not directly used for alchemy.
He said no more, only storing the Jade Scroll and agreeing: "Rest assured, Senior Kong, I will gather these materials as quickly as possible. Thank you for your assistance, which I shall never forget."
"There is no need for verbal gratitude; after you advance to Mahayana, I need you to help me with a task," Kong said with a faint smile.
"May I know what task Senior refers to?" asked Yuan Ming, rather relieved in his heart.
Since Kong had a request of him, he would wholeheartedly aid him.
"You wouldn't be able to accomplish it even if I told you now. Let's discuss it after you've advanced to Mahayana. The task is beneficial for you, though somewhat dangerous," responded Kong.
"Senior Kong has assisted me greatly; I remember these kindnesses well. As long as it's within my capability, I will certainly strive to aid," Yuan Ming solemnly promised.
"Good." Kong showed a slight smile, then disappeared into the White Jade Lotus Platform.
Yuan Ming steadied his mind, preparing to close his eyes to cultivate when suddenly he sensed something and looked upwards.
Daoist Mu also slightly opened his eyes, seemingly sensing something.
...
Outside the ruins of White Emperor City, suddenly the sounds of wind and thunder erupted, with dozens of figures rushing in - all were powerful members of the Demon Clan of Ten Thousand Demon Country.
The leader among them was the alluringly beautiful Wu Yu.
Beside him was the Electric Roc King, and the others were all Level 5 demons, looking fierce and formidable.
In the center of everyone's attention, within the ruins of White Emperor City, was a towering giant tree that rose from the ground, reaching a hundred meters high. Its lush foliage blocked out the sun and sky, full of vibrant life.
This tree was like a divine wood descending from the heavens, filling one with awe.
Upon seeing this, the demons' expressions changed.
"The World Tree..." Wu Yu immediately recognized it.
Upon seeing the lone giant tree standing on the city, he suddenly understood why the Heavenly Crane Array could be reactivated.
The Electric Roc King also showed a fierce glare, scanning the surroundings but detecting no other presences, thus he spoke: "Could it be that this giant tree is causing problems? It seems no one is guarding this place. Why don't we take this opportunity to destroy it?"
Wu Yu heard him, but slightly shook her head.
Understanding the exceptional nature of this tree, she warned against reckless action: "Let's take a closer look first, don't act rashly."
With that, her figure moved, flying towards the World Tree.
Just as she ascended into the air, suddenly a majestic aura erupted from White Emperor City, and a figure dressed in a Daoist robe appeared, suspended in mid-air.
It was Daoist Mu.
His gaze was deep, looking down at the demons below, his voice gentle yet commanding: "Dear friends, what you seek today is doomed to fail. It would be best if you leave swiftly."
Upon hearing this, the Electric Roc King burned with anger, roaring loudly while attempting to push forward.
The other demons also shouted angrily, expressing displeasure at Daoist Mu's remarks.
"Stop." Wu Yu suddenly commanded in a low voice, halting the uproar among them.
The demons hesitated and looked at her.
Ignoring their curious glances, Wu Yu bowed respectfully towards Daoist Mu, saying, "I didn't expect Senior Mu to be here; we are impolite."
Upon hearing the name "Daoist Mu," the demons' suspicion and rage were extinguished as if doused in cold water, replaced by indescribable astonishment.
The Demon Clan, long suppressed for ages and mostly dormant in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, seldom ventured into other regions of the Central Continent. Though they'd never seen Daoist Mu in person, his name was legendary.
Daoist Mu, who had cultivated on Evergreen Island for many years and rarely roamed the world, was renowned with countless stories circulating about him in the Ten Thousand Demon Country.
Even if most demons didn't recognize his true face, they had great respect for his reputation.
At this moment, Daoist Mu waved his sleeve, speaking lightly: "Return. You should not be here at this time."
The tone was calm and unwavering, yet it carried an undeniable authority.
Upon hearing this, Wu Yu's expression shifted slightly, and she said sorrowfully, "Senior Mu, your true form is also of the Demon Clan, the Sky Demon Royal Court once achieved great military prowess in the realm wars, and now has suffered extermination. Do they not even deserve a chance to continue their bloodline?"
Daoist Mu responded indifferently, "Reflect well on my words earlier, and go back."
Wu Yu seemed to have gained insight and immediately bowed again: "In that case, I will take my leave, Senior."
With that, she turned and left without a moment's hesitation.
Seeing this, the Electric Roc King and other demons also followed, leaving White Emperor City in dead silence once more.
A flash of green light enveloped Daoist Mu, and he retreated into the ground again, as if he had never appeared.
"Thank you, Senior Mu, for assisting me," Yuan Ming expressed his gratitude to Daoist Mu in his heart.
Daoist Mu turned to look at Yuan Ming, his eyes reflecting a hint of deep meaning: "Yuan, what do you think of the current Ten Thousand Demon Country?"
"What do you mean by this, Senior?" Yuan Ming was taken aback and pondered slightly before speaking.
"It is as it sounds. Do you believe the Ten Thousand Demon Country should continue to exist?" Daoist Mu smiled slightly and said.
"Previously, I had no great animosity toward the Ten Thousand Demon Country, but now that they have colluded with the Three Realms Sect and the Demon World, it is unforgivable," Yuan Ming replied after some contemplation.
Daoist Mu nodded slightly, without saying much more.
Yuan Ming, understandingly, did not mention the issue again, and instead, closed his eyes to sense the situation within the Stealing Heaven Tripod.
At that moment, Kong was stimulating the Stealing Heaven Tripod, absorbing the Wish Power accumulated by the Heavenly Crane Array over millennia.
Interestingly, this Wish Power did not enter the space of the White Jade Lotus Platform but was transferred elsewhere by Kong through some mysterious means.
Xi Ying was seated quietly in the space of the Stealing Heaven Tripod, engaging in Breathing Control to recover.
Yuan Ming sensed that Xi Ying's aura had mostly stabilized, and he relaxed.
He promptly opened the Shura Palace, merging his physical body with the World Tree, and entered within in the forms of a bean soldier clone and main soul.
The territory of the Shura Palace had expanded greatly, with originally isolated regions like the Extreme Fire Realm and Cold Martial Realm respectively expanding, and some peripheral areas extending into brand new spaces.
The entire Shura Palace's terrain had grown more complex and intricate, captivating far more than before.
Yuan Ming went directly to Yin Capital City, where he had set up a Sixth-level Magic Array covering the city. Although the city's area hadn't changed much, the city's former gloomy ghostly aura had entirely dissipated, replaced by Spiritual Energy as rich as elsewhere.
He arrived at the area where cultivators of the Sunset Sect were held and saw Wang Fulong and others. These days, the people of Sunset Sect had not seen Yuan Ming and were anxious about what fate awaited them. Now that Yuan Ming had arrived, they quickly and sincerely admitted their mistakes.
Wang Fulong and others, with fearful expression, bowed their heads to Yuan Ming: "Fellow Daoist Wan, we have realized our mistakes and humbly ask for mercy. Name your conditions, even if it means having the Sunset Sect surrender to you, it is not out of the question. As long as you let us go, within five years, I will lead the entire Sunset Sect to pledge loyalty to you."
Yuan Ming sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife: "You indeed were under orders, but the fact that you attempted to assassinate me remains undeniable. I have been lenient by sparing your lives, yet you dare dream of escape?"
Wang Fulong and others' faces paled, ashen-like.
These days, they had attempted to study the array around the city but found those arrays to be exquisitely crafted, far beyond their capability to break.
Moreover, the recent upheaval in the Shura Palace had made the Space Power stronger, making the arrays here even more solid.
If Yuan Ming intended, he could undoubtedly imprison them until their death.
"Fellow Daoist Wan, what is it you wish to accomplish?" Wang Fulong and the others exchanged a glance and cautiously inquired.
"You know I am a Soul Cultivator, and my deity is the Nether Moon God. I want you to join the Moon Sect, become believers of the Nether Moon God, pray and worship for a thousand years in the Shura Palace, earnestly supplying Desire Power for me," Yuan Ming said calmly.
A thousand years is a long time for cultivators.
Especially a thousand years while trapped.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Wang Fulong gritted his teeth and asked, "After a thousand years, can we regain our freedom?"
"As long as you serve earnestly, I will naturally keep my word. Furthermore, if someone worships sincerely, I might release them before a thousand years. Now I have been appointed by Evergreen Island Wood Ancestor to oversee the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range and am in need of assistance," Yuan Ming nodded.
Mentioning "Evergreen Island Wood Ancestor," Wang Fulong and others showed expressions of shock, similar to the earlier response of the Ten Thousand Demon Country's group of demons.
"I am willing to join the Moon Sect and become your believer," Wang Fulong took a deep breath and expressed his stance first.
The others saw this and also agreed one by one.
Yuan Ming nodded in satisfaction, planting Soul Descent Runes in their Sea of Consciousness, and taught them the prayer methods before turning away.
Having made their decision, Wang Fulong and others did not hesitate and immediately began sincere prayers, and Desire Power gushed forth like a spring.
With the addition of Zheng Heng and He Xiuwen, two Dharma manifestation cultivators, the production of Vow Power Pill significantly increased, allowing one pill to be produced roughly every ten days.
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.