"I had long known the identity of Wulu, and as for you, a citizen of Jin Country, beginning as a Beast Slave, your rate of advancement in cultivation has been remarkably swift, likely related to Dawn Alliance by eighty percent. It was precisely because I knew this that I regarded you differently and even covered for you several times when other elders asked about you," Ling Songhua continued.

"Thank you, Senior Ling, for your care," Yuan Ming said.

At that moment, Huo Chan'er jumped onto Yuan Ming's shoulder, nudged his head, and Yuan Ming gently stroked it.

"Under Chen Cangqiong's leadership, Biluo Cave has long acted in ways that defy heaven and hurt humanity, earning the wrath of both. Its obliteration was bound to happen sooner or later. Although I preferred not to assist Dawn Alliance in wiping out Biluo Cave, I was happy to see its success," Ling Songhua said coldly.

Yuan Ming suddenly realized that Ling Songhua thought he was a spy sent by Dawn Sect and had looked after him previously due to this mistake.

"Do you know why I asked you to stay?" Ling Songhua asked.

"Please enlighten me, Senior Ling," Yuan Ming said cautiously.

"Back then, when you sought White Flame Gold for me, I had never repaid that favor. I had originally planned to refine a Flying Artifact for you, but now Dawn Alliance has destroyed Biluo Cave, and the materials I had stored in the Fire Refining Peak warehouse have all been taken. I'm afraid it won't be possible to fulfill that now," Ling Songhua said.

"Senior Ling has been thoughtful. I already possess a Flying Spiritual Beast. It doesn't matter whether I have a Flying Artifact or not. That piece of White Flame Gold was also something I stumbled upon without much effort, please don't concern yourself with repaying me," Yuan Ming declined.

"Hehe, Yuan Ming, there is something you don't know. Song Hua's cultivation technique is unique and requires an extremely strict state of mind. The White Flame Gold you brought helped her significantly. If I don't repay, it might leave a hidden concern; please don't decline this matter anymore," a voice came, and it was Fisherman Li Zhui who walked in.

"Senior Li," Yuan Ming stood up to greet him.

"We are friends of old; no need for such formality, please sit," Li Zhui chuckled.

"I have two ways to compensate you. One is to give you a sum of Spirit Stones, equivalent to the market price of White Flame Gold, and the other is to refine another type of Magical Artifact for you," Ling Songhua said.

Upon hearing this, an idea suddenly surfaced in Yuan Ming's mind.

"Since Senior Ling has offered, I shall take the liberty of making a request. There's no need for you to refine a new artifact for me; upgrading this item to a top-grade magical tool will suffice." He took out the Black Needle Magical Artifact and said.

This needle was a Mid-Grade Magical Artifact with astonishing power, made of extremely high-quality materials, even superior to the Cold Star Sword. He estimated that it certainly could be advanced to a top-grade magical tool.

Ling Songhua took the Black Needle, activated her Divine Sense to examine it, and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"This needle is refined from Meteorite Iron! Meteorite Iron is certainly more than sufficient for refining a Magic Treasure, let alone upgrading to a top-grade magical tool. However, regarding the two runes on it, do you plan to keep them?" she asked.

"These two runes perfectly match the Black Needle Magical Artifact. Just add a 'Gale' rune," Yuan Ming said.

"Good, I'll start refining it now, and it should be done in one day," Ling Songhua got up and walked out.

Yuan Ming was about to say there was no rush, but Ling Songhua had already disappeared outside the door, leaving only him and the Fisherman in the room.

"I had long felt that you and the Three Cave Masters had an exceptionally close relationship; I never expected you would become Daoist companions. It's truly delightful," Yuan Ming chuckled.

"Now I have no other desires, only to stay and accompany Song Hua," Li Zhui slowly said.

"Now that Chen Cangqiong is dead, and Biluo Cave has been destroyed, don't you plan to rebuild Three Stars Mountain? With you and Senior Ling as two Core Formation Stage cultivators, reconstructing Three Stars Mountain wouldn't be difficult," Yuan Ming asked.

"Having been through the bustling mortal world and experienced the vicissitudes of life, I once overlooked the common folk, and I've fallen into the mundane as well. What is an Immortal? And what is not an Immortal? Although I am an Immortal, I no longer care to inquire about the Immortal way. Past events are like smoke in chains, all passed away; the remainder of my life is like a dream, seeking only peace with no ties," Li Zhui leaned back in his chair, stretching, his eyes revealing a sense of release.

"What an unencumbered heart! Though I have not long been on the Immortal Path, I have never felt that Immortals lead much happier lives than ordinary people. There's nothing but intrigue and indifference, continually hustling for resources and treasures all day long—it's less carefree than a martial arts warrior wandering through the martial arts world!" Yuan Ming said, sensing the truth in these words.

"Haha, Yuan, understanding this and achieving a focused and carefree spirit shows a mental state not common among ordinary cultivators. So-called Immortals refine their bodies, but in future, they refine their hearts. They come from the mundane, seeking eternal life from their original hearts, returning to their true selves; the great path is forthcoming," Li Zhui laughed heartily.

"From now on, there will be one less Immortal named Li Zhui in this world, but one more leisurely person, Fisherman Li," Yuan Ming also laughed.

The two naturally hit it off and chatted until late at night before dispersing.

Yuan Ming didn't seek another place to stay, and instead, he spent the night meditating in the side hall of the thatched cottage.

Early the next morning, Ling Songhua, looking slightly fatigued, came to the thatched cottage.

"It's ready; see if it meets your satisfaction?"

When Yuan Ming opened his eyes, he barely caught a glimpse of a dark shadow flashing before him, as the Black Needle magically appeared in front of him.

With his current Divine Sense, he had not even managed to track the movement of the needle.

"Thank you, Senior Ling!" Yuan Ming expressed his joy gratefully and took the needle to examine closely.

There was little change in the appearance of the needle, still in the shape of a thin black pin, but he could feel the surge in spiritual power within.

The more runes engraved, the more the material's spiritual power is stimulated.

After the Black Needle was advanced to a top-grade magical tool, its power was incomparably greater than before.

He channeled his mana into the Black Needle, activating the three runes inside. With a "whoosh," the needle vanished, instantly reappearing several yards away.

His Divine Sense almost failed to keep up as the needle slightly wobbled before stabilizing again.

"This Black Needle is small and was already fast, but now with the Gale Rune, its speed is further enhanced. However, because of this, it's difficult to control; it would be better to wait until you've advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, when your Divine Power is strong enough, before using this magical tool. Otherwise, a mishandling could easily hurt someone," Ling Songhua cautioned.

"Thank you for the warning, Senior Ling. I'll bear it in mind," Yuan Ming replied, his heart bursting with joy.

In terms of mana, he still had a significant gap between himself and the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but when it came to Divine Soul Power, having broken through the third layer of the Moonlight Technique, he was confident that his Divine Soul's strength was comparable to any Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Having finished his business, Yuan Ming bid farewell and left.

Ling Songhua and Fisherman Li Zhui did not try to retain him and personally saw him off from the valley.

To Yuan Ming's surprise, the disciples of the Fire Refining Hall who were in the valley just yesterday were nowhere to be seen; the entire valley was vacant and quiet, as if it had returned to its former state.

"Where are Brother Fang Ge and the others?" Yuan Ming asked.

"We have no intention of rebuilding Three Stars Mountain. I dismissed Fang Ge and the others. They have their own paths to follow. The world is vast; they shouldn't be confined to this valley for a lifetime," said Fisherman Li Zhui with a smile.

Yuan Ming deeply agreed with this.

"Yuan Ming, if you encounter Fang Ge and the others in the future, please take good care of them," Ling Songhua said.

Yuan Ming readily agreed, took out the Beast Taming Talisman Stone, and held it in his hand. Then, he gently patted the white Spiritual Beast Bag at his waist, and a spirit crane with a green neck and white wings flew out.

"I shall take my leave for now. I hope to visit you again if there's a chance in the future, and by then, I hope you both will have successors!" He leaped onto the Green Cloud Crane, laughing as he said his farewells.

Fisherman Li Zhui maintained his cheerful demeanor, while Ling Songhua's pretty face blushed. She swung her hand, "Scram, you're so rude, asking for a smack!"

Yuan Ming laughed heartily, controlling the Green Cloud Crane to flap its wings and ascend, dodging Ling Songhua's palm strike. He waved to them and quickly left the valley behind.

The Green Cloud Crane was swift, and it didn't take long before they left the entrance of Biluo Cave behind.

Huo Chan'er jumped on the rooftop, squeaking towards the direction Yuan Ming was leaving—as if it knew that Yuan Ming was embarking on a long journey, bidding him farewell.

Sitting cross-legged on the crane's back in the wind, Yuan Ming looked at the vast mountains below. The answer from the Three Cave Masters had cleared his last doubt, giving birth to a sense of relief in his heart that he hadn't felt in a long time.

He took a deep breath and took out the Black Needle Magical Artifact once again, channeling a robust Divine Power into the needle.

The Black Needle Magical Artifact emitted a dense black light and slowly levitated, starting to move around with increasing speed.

The Divine Soul Power Yuan Ming was now channeling into the Black Needle Magical Artifact was sufficient for its control; it moved faster and faster without the slightest instability.

A slender black shadow flickered and raced through the nearby void, at a glance appearing like four or five flying needles.

Yuan Ming's eyes shifted, and he raised his hand to stop the Black Needle.

Although the needle was now as fast as lightning, he sensed that its full potential had not been activated; the Soul Power he had infused was still not enough.

Yuan Ming silently operated the Moonlight Technique, a soul crow shot out from his glabella and entered the black magical tool.

The Black Needle Magical Artifact suddenly shone with a dense black light, the needle fully integrated within it.

Yuan Ming's eyes revealed a look of surprise, and with a gesture, he pointed out.

The Black Needle Magical Artifact flickered and disappeared. Almost simultaneously, a shrill scream echoed from the jungle below.

A fierce beast resembling a half-human-high black pig ran out, its forehead pierced by a thin needle hole, with blood slowly seeping out.

The black pig fierce beast managed only a few steps before its body began to wobble and then it crashed down heavily. The Black Needle Magical Artifact hovered behind the black pig, its needle as pristine as new without a speck of blood.

Yuan Ming's smile grew even brighter. With a gesture, the Black Needle Magical Artifact vanished in a flash.

A few breaths later, a Green Wolf fierce beast howled pitifully and likewise collapsed.

Yuan Ming was delighted and beckoned with his hand.

A black shadow flashed across his palm, and the Black Needle Magical Artifact reappeared.

The direct control by the soul crow of the Black Needle Magical Artifact had an effect beyond his expectations.

The soul crow's Soul Power was both abundant and concentrated, very suitable for activating the Black Needle, a top-grade magical tool filled with numerous runes.

Furthermore, this was Yuan Ming's first time controlling a magical tool with a soul crow, and he made an unexpected discovery: the attack range of the Black Needle Magical Artifact had also greatly expanded.

The attack range of a magical tool is constrained by both Divine Power and mana.

Mana can adhere within the magical tool, linking them closely. Even if it flies out to a great distance, it doesn't disperse. However, Divine Power does not blend with the magical tool, and it disperses once it exceeds the covering range.

Generally speaking, the farther a cultivator's Divine Power can spread, the greater the attack range of the magical tool.

For ordinary cultivators, even those at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the scope of Divine Power is merely about a hundred meters, whereas the far-travel range of the soul crow reached a terrifying thirty li.

For Yuan Ming, the attack range of the Black Needle Magical Artifact was no longer limited by the reach of Divine Power but by the extent of mana adherence.

Meteorite Iron had a unique property that tightly fused with his mana, and within a range of three hundred meters, it would not disperse, thus giving the Black Needle Magical Artifact an astonishing attack range of three hundred meters!

To launch an attack from three hundred meters away, with the concealing effect of the Black Needle Magical Artifact, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator might not be able to dodge it.

Thinking of this, Yuan Ming felt a surge of excitement and, controlling the Green Cloud Crane, flew towards the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

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