Yuan Ming looked around at everyone, then twisted his wrist and took out a white jade album, which was the Imaging Jade Album he had obtained from Lu Da of the Wu Yue Sect.

"This object is a Recording Artifact that can record the recent images. I believe everyone is familiar with it. Unfortunately, the scene of Qing Tong's sneak attack on Brother Long was recorded in it," Yuan Ming said with a smile as he held the jade album and looked at Qing Tong slowly.

Qing Tong's face turned stiff, and cold sweat seeped out from his back.

After Yuan Ming finished speaking, he activated the Imaging Jade Album by casting, and displayed a series of images for everyone to see.

From Qing Tong sneaking up on Long Chong and attacking him, to invisibly leaving, every action was captured, including the subtle expressions on Qing Tong's face after his successful attack, leaving no room for denial.

Yuan Ming had actually escaped from the Magma Lake much earlier. Blood Shadow and Hong Ling, those two bastards, capturing the Fire Crocodile, was nothing like the quiet affair they claimed, but rather earth-shattering and almost universally known.

To avoid suspicion, Yuan Ming had to stay hidden and not show himself. From his hiding, he saw Qing Tong attacking Long Chong and recorded it with the Imaging Jade Album.

The people present all fell silent after seeing the recording. Those who had previously supported Qing Tong now wore embarrassed expressions.

Hou Santong's face turned even redder. Being honest and straightforward, he loathed deceitful acts the most. He had just defended Qing Tong, only to discover that the real liar was Qing Tong himself.

Xue Jiao's brows slightly furrowed, and she remained silent.

As for the others, their looks towards Qing Tong were filled with disdain.

They were the elites of the various islands of the East Sea. Although not all of them were paragons of virtue, they each had their pride; even if they truly killed for treasure, they would boldly own up to it and looked down upon framing and setting up others.

More importantly, today Qing Tong could sneak attack Long Chong, and tomorrow he could target them!

The gazes of the crowd were like invisible slaps, hitting Qing Tong's face hard, causing him searing pain.

However, facing the collective anger, Qing Tong offered no excuses.

"How this matter truly unfolded, I believe everyone has seen clearly enough, and there is no need for me to elaborate further," Long Chong said gratefully after glancing at Yuan Ming, then spoke in a solemn voice.

"Qing Tong, what do you have to say?" Daoist Qian Bao's sharp gaze fixed on Qing Tong.

Qing Tong looked around at the others, finding no one to argue in his defense, while Hou Santong and Xue Jiao turned their heads away, ignoring him.

To the others, dividing Long Chong's treasures was no different from dividing Qing Tong's; both were advantageous.

Qing Tong, with a dour expression, snorted coldly and shook his Storage Bag.

Clattering...

A large amount of spiritual materials, ores, and demon beast materials fell to the ground.

"As per the agreement, just leave on your own and hereafter, you shall not team up with anyone else!" Daoist Qian Bao expelled him unapologetically.

Qing Tong swept his gaze across Daoist Qian Bao, Long Chong, and Yuan Ming, his eyes filled with deep hatred. Then, without saying a word, he turned and fled into the sky.

Long Chong was very satisfied with this outcome and nodded in thanks to Daoist Qian Bao, then retrieved the Winter Flood Dragon back into the Spiritual Beast Bag.

Yuan Ming also withdrew the Imaging Jade Album and stepped aside.

"Since Qing Tong plotted against Fellow Daoist Long and severely injured his spirit beast, half of these gains should go to Fellow Daoist Long as compensation. I believe no one has any objections?" Daoist Qian Bao remarked.

Given the circumstances, everyone agreed, though some were reluctant; they did not show it.

Long Chong unhesitatingly took half of the loot.

"As for the remaining items, let us divide them evenly. Fellow Daoist Yuan used the Recording Artifact to reveal Qing Tong's true face, earning a merit. He should pick two items first," Daoist Qian Bao stated.

Yuan Ming nodded at Daoist Qian Bao, and was about to step forward.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan indeed earned significant merit this time, and that Recording Artifact is quite mystical. However, I do not condone Fellow Daoist Yuan's penchant for secretly recording others' privacy," Huan Ling Zi said peculiarly.

"Isn't Fellow Daoist Huan Ling Zi also not too old? Yet your memory seems quite poor. As for why I used this Imaging Jade Album, others might not know, don't you know?" Yuan Ming glanced at Huan Ling Zi and said lightly.

"What do I know?" Huan Ling Zi, not understanding the implication of Yuan Ming's words, asked in surprise.

"Earlier when we fought, I inadvertently overexerted and killed your spirit beast, and you fled with your tail between your legs. Now that we meet again, I was worried that you might harbor grudges and use some underhand methods against me, so I took precautions. Little did I know that I would inadvertently record Qing Tong's despicable actions. It looks like I was too narrow-minded; Fellow Daoist Huan Ling Zi's character is much more honorable than Qing Tong's," Yuan Ming said with a smile.

As the gathering continued, he didn't want to draw attention and had always been quite low-key, but Huan Ling Zi kept picking faults, so naturally, he wouldn't be polite either.

"Huan Ling Zi was defeated by this man? Even his spirit beast was killed?"

"Kongling Island's Illusion Techniques are powerful, and combined with the Illusion Fox Clan, they are almost unbeatable at the same level. How could he be defeated!"

"Huan Ling Zi's spirit beast, I remember, was a Three-tailed Demon Fox. Without his spirit beast to aid him, Huan Ling Zi's strength has greatly diminished," the others commented, their faces showing surprise and whispering among themselves.

Huan Ling Zi's expression was gloomy, like a layer of frost had settled on his face, yet he did not speak out again.

Yuan Ming had killed his spirit beast and seized his Lifebound Magical Treasure. Huan Ling Zi had always harbored hostility towards Yuan Ming. After everyone gathered here, Yuan Ming had remained silent, and Huan Ling Zi had tried to suppress Yuan Ming with his words. He had not expected Yuan Ming to be so relentless, directly exposing his weaknesses.

"Fellow Daoist Huan Ling Zi was just joking, Fellow Daoist Yuan need not mind. Let's quickly choose the spiritual materials," Daoist Qian Bao, feeling a headache coming on, hastily tried to smooth things over.

Yuan Ming ignored Huan Ling Zi as well, stepping forward to take a brownish-red third-level Demon Core and a deep purple Spirit Fruit.

Daoist Qian Bao watched this scene, a trace of something peculiar flashing through his eyes.

Yuan Ming had returned safely from the Magma Lake, appearing unharmed. This surprised Daoist Qian Bao even more. He had let Yuan Ming choose the spiritual materials first both as a gesture of goodwill and also to probe Yuan Ming's capabilities.

Both materials appeared to be highly poisonous. Apart from the Divine Skills he had shown earlier, was Yuan Ming also a master of using poison?

Others also stepped forward to take the treasures, quickly dividing up the spiritual materials on the ground.

"With these trivial matters settled, let's start distributing the Earth Core Fire Lotus," Daoist Qian Bao said.

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits were lifted.

Yuan Ming, Daoist Qian Bao, and Golden Cloud Fairy took out the Earth Core Fire Lotuses they had collected, totaling twenty-six.

"Excluding Qing Tong, there are now fourteen of us left. According to our prior agreement, each person may first take one lotus. The remaining twelve will be discussed later," Daoist Qian Bao waved his sleeve, and fourteen Earth Core Fire Lotuses floated up, hovering over everyone.

The people present put away their Fire Lotuses, all showing smiles, feeling their journey had not been in vain.

"As for these twelve Fire Lotuses, I think each person should take one, and Golden Cloud Fairy and I will not need any," Daoist Qian Bao said.

Golden Cloud Fairy remained calm, clearly having no objection to this arrangement.

The others were quite surprised to hear this.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Qian Bao and Golden Cloud Fairy seem to be at a loss. Let us each take out some spiritual materials to make up for your losses," Long Chong said.

"There's no need for that. We willingly give up this Fire Lotus. In return, Golden Cloud Fairy and I would like to ask for a favor from everyone," Daoist Qian Bao said, shaking his head.

"May I ask what it is that Fellow Daoist Qian Bao wishes?" Qiong Yun asked.

"To be honest, Golden Cloud Fairy and I came to this secret realm in search of these two types of spiritual materials. If Fellow Daoists come across them while treasure hunting, please notify us with this Communication Talisman. We would be most grateful," Daoist Qian Bao summoned a water curtain displaying a plant.

A fiery-red Spirit Grass, its shape quite peculiar, resembling a soaring Fire Phoenix.

The other was a vibrant green Spirit Vine with round leaves and many pearl-sized purple-red berries.

The names were written beside the two types of spiritual plants: Fengming Grass and Purple Jade Vine.

"Fengming Grass, Purple Jade Vine? Xi Ying, do you know of these two items? They actually made Daoist Qian Bao give up the Earth Core Fire Lotus," Yuan Ming asked cautiously, examining the water curtain and communicating with Xi Ying.

"I've never heard of them," Xi Ying shook her head.

Yuan Ming was quite surprised. Xi Ying was usually extremely knowledgeable, yet even she did not recognize these two types of spiritual plants, which indicated they were exceptionally rare.

"It's just such a small thing. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qian Bao, if I come across these two herbs, I will surely pick them for you," Long Chong said.

"These two types of spiritual plants are quite delicate and difficult to gather. A moment of carelessness can lead to a loss of their medicinal properties. If any of you encounter them, just contact us with the Communication Talisman. We will come personally to harvest them," Daoist Qian Bao explained.

"Agreed," Long Chong nodded.

Daoist Qian Bao handed out twelve Communication Talismans, distributing them to everyone. Everyone also put away their Earth Core Fire Lotuses, very pleased.

With the Earth Core Fire Lotus matter concluded, the group did not continue together.

Huan Ling Zi's face was a complete loss of composure, and having been exposed by Yuan Ming, he left first with Yun Jiuxiao and Bing Xin. The others dispersed as well.

As Yuan Ming, Long Chong, Qiong Yun, and Wulu were about to leave, they were stopped by Daoist Qian Bao.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, when the volcano at the Magma Lake erupted earlier, we left first to save ourselves. Please do not take offense. Fortunately, you were unharmed," Daoist Qian Bao said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Qian Bao is too serious. Under those circumstances, if I were in your place, I would have made the same choice," Yuan Ming replied.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, when you were at the Magma Lake picking Fire Lotuses, did you happen to see a 'Blood Light'?" Golden Cloud Fairy asked.

Daoist Qian Bao also looked this way, his gaze scrutinizing.

Yuan Ming suddenly realized that Daoist Qian Bao had stopped him to inquire about Blood Shadow and Hong Ling.

"Golden Cloud Fairy is referring to the 'Blood Light' that swallowed that Level 4 Fire Crocodile, right? I saw it too, it was terrifying," Yuan Ming cursed Blood Shadow and Hong Ling inwardly, yet his face showed a grave expression, appearing frightened.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, when you were also in the Magma Lake, did you see anything unusual?" Golden Cloud Fairy continued to ask, staring into Yuan Ming's eyes.

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.