At this moment, the Yan sisters had returned to Dragon King City and were focusing their efforts on managing the business of Hundred Pills Square, which had already begun to establish a reputation.

Yan Siyun needs no further mention, as this woman had a unique insight into strategy, and her ability to collect and analyze information was impeccable. She had familiarized herself with the details of every cultivator in Dragon King City, their preferences, and the main competitors. Hence, she had already developed a clear plan on how to expand and strengthen Hundred Pills Square.

Yan Sijing was just as capable in practical implementation, meticulously executing her sister's plans step by step, creating a very favorable situation.

Furthermore, through her skilled manipulation of three kinds of True Fire, she made Hundred Pills Square's elixirs both high-quality and affordable, resulting in an increasingly booming business. Elixirs refined from demon beast flesh and blood were especially popular among Qi Refinement Realm, Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, and even with some Core Formation Stage cultivators who were short on funds.

After all, with the current turbulence in the East Sea situation, everyone was on edge. The risk of obtaining Spirit Stone resources had increased, and as a result, the number of people wanting to have more elixirs on hand had also increased.

Upon hearing this news, Yuan Ming suddenly felt a tinge of annoyance.

The White Scale Master had initially captured Yan Sijing to extract the Ice Core Yin Fire from her body, with the intention of refining a Six Orifice Pill Furnace named Dragon Tiger Green Mysterious Furnace, which he presumably possessed.

During the fierce battle in the underground soluble cave, Yuan Ming had completely forgotten about this matter and failed to collect the body of the White Scale Master, thereby missing out on the opportunity to obtain the top-tier Dragon Tiger Green Mysterious Furnace.

Yuan Ming felt only a slight regret, as he did not dwell on past events. He quickly composed himself and inquired about the current war situation in the East Sea.

Yan Siyun knew that the Nether Moon God paid close attention to the situation in the East Sea, so she naturally devoted much of her effort to monitoring the war situation there. As for the business aspect, it was merely a byproduct, serving as a cover.

According to the latest information she held, the Wu Yue Sect, after capturing Fusang Island, was gradually coaxing other islands in the East Sea. Many third-class islands, second-class islands, and even some first-class islands had already aligned themselves, openly or covertly, with the Wu Yue Sect.

Moreover, the Wu Yue Sect did not remain idle; they were vigorously besieging the islands of Jin Ao, Di Hua, and Kongling, intending to eradicate the leading island powers in the East Sea in one fell swoop.

At the present, the Wu Yue Sect's expansion in the East Sea seemed unstoppable, with no one to contend against them.

"Very good, this intelligence is timely. You shall be commended," Yuan Ming expressed appreciation of Yan Siyun's competence.

"It is an honor for the Yan Family to serve the Nether Moon God," Yan Siyun replied humbly, not taking any credit.

"Your Cultivation progress is not insignificant; you've reached the Late Foundation Establishment. In time, you can consider advancing to Core Formation. This Spirit Origin Fruit is granted to you as a reward for this occasion," Yuan Ming plucked a Spirit Origin Fruit and placed it before Yan Siyun, also giving her some spiritual materials and other items.

Hundred Pills Square conducted elixir business, and with her extensive knowledge, Yan Siyun was well aware of the remarkable benefits of the Spirit Origin Fruit, so she thanked him profusely with great joy.

Yuan Ming then informed Yan Siyun about the impending arrival of Xu Che and others to the East Sea, instructing her to receive them and later bestowing a Washing Elixir Spirit Liquid upon Xu Che. Afterward, he withdrew his Divine Sense.

"It seems that the Wu Yue Sect has great ambitions; unifying the East Sea is probably just their first step. I wonder where Wan Tianren and the others have gone?" he murmured to himself, using the Desire Power anchor point to locate Wan Tianren and his party, informing them of the situation in the East Sea.

Wan Tianren, Gu Xuanyang, and the others were naturally anxious upon receiving this news and increased the speed of the Nine Heavens Flowing Light Shuttle.

...

Yuan Ming then communed with his Second Split Soul to understand that Evergreen Island, where his parents were, remained untouched by the war and everything was normal, before retracting his Divine Sense and stepping away from the White Jade Lotus Platform.

The affairs of the East Sea would be left to Wan Tianren and others to deal with. Although the Wu Yue Sect currently appeared unstoppable, once Wan Tianren and Gu Xuanyang returned in time, they should be able to halt the Wu Yue Sect's onslaught. These islands had been rooted in the East Sea for many years and would not be easily overcome. Yuan Ming would continue to stay in the outer sea, focusing on consolidating his Cultivation.

With a wave of his sleeve, Yuan Ming dropped a small pile of storage magic tools onto the ground.

These were collected by Hua Zhi into the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space during the grand battle in the soluble cave, belonging to the Tree-man Puppets.

He picked up a high-grade storage magic tool, likely belonging to a Nascent Soul Stage Tree-man Puppet. As his Divine Sense entered, his brow furrowed.

Aside from two or three mediocre magic treasures, the storage magic tool was empty; there were neither spiritual materials and elixirs nor Jade Scroll Books.

After a moment's thought, Yuan Ming realized that the contents of the storage magic tools were probably taken by the Undead Tree Demon.

Once the foreign cultivators were refined into Tree-man Puppets, the spiritual materials and elixirs were no longer of use to them and were taken by the Undead Tree Demon, leaving only a few magic treasures for combat purposes.

After all, in the eyes of the Undead Tree Demon, Tree-man Puppets relied more on quantity over individual strength and were even sacrificed when necessary—its concern wasn't with each puppet's Power.

Wan Tianren and the others still had their possessions, likely because the Undead Tree Demon didn't have time to plunder them amid the urgent need to send these newly created puppets into battle.

Yuan Ming quickly examined all the storage magic tools, which verified his speculation—they all contained only a few magic treasures.

This didn't matter much to him; with his considerable wealth, he was not concerned about this external wealth.

Yuan Ming quickly sorted through these magic treasures, totaling sixty-five.

He stored the five Nine Rune Magical Treasures and thirteen Eight Rune Treasures into the Thousand Treasures Scripture Pillar, taking the rest.

Having dealt with these matters, Yuan Ming simultaneously focused on Lei Yu's Cultivation progress and on refining the Desire Power gathering around to enhance his Divine Soul Realm.

Three days swiftly passed.

Lei Yu was still cultivating, but Hua Zhi had returned, bringing back five portions of Ghost-faced Fish Oil.

"You've completed the task so quickly?" Yuan Ming was quite surprised.

"Hehe, I was just lucky. I went out for a day and encountered a nest of Ghost-faced Fish with eight of them. I killed five by ambush, and the remaining three escaped." Hua Zhi said with a smile, handing the five Jade Boxes to Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming's Divine Sense swiftly swept through the Jade Boxes, seeing they were filled with a pliable, white, creamy substance, emitting a slightly pungent but fragrant scent, identical to the description of Ghost-faced Fish Oil in the Xi Ying Jade Scrolls.

"Very good, well done," he nodded in approval.

"Master, the reward must be substantive. Xu Che and Yan Siyun only did a little and you bestowed upon them many fine items. I've toiled for three days and do not wish for mere empty praise," Hua Zhi said, stretching out her hand.

Yuan Ming was taken aback as his Divine Sense spread out, but found nothing.

He lifted his right arm, which transformed into a branch of the Undying Tree, touching the White Jade Lotus Platform.

Desire Power surged from the Lotus Platform, blending with his Divine Soul, and his near Half-step Word Witch level Divine Sense instantly enveloped the space within the Stealing Heaven Tripod.

"How cunning of you, Hua Zhi, to start spying on me!" Yuan Ming flicked a strand of Soul Destroying Sword Energy, cutting through the Spirit Origin Fruit Tree.

A tiny figure formed from a transparent thread fell out of the trunk of the Spirit Origin Fruit Tree, devoid of any signs of life.

"Ow! Master, don't be angry, I was just trying out the Concealment Divine Powers of my spore avatar. I never thought it would even hide from you; seems it works pretty well," Hua Zhi said with a chuckle.

Yuan Ming had not genuinely become angry and instead grew quite intrigued by the spore avatar, inquiring for more details.

Hua Zhi did not conceal anything, explaining in detail that the spore avatar was formed from nearly a hundred spores, with each individual spore incapable of having sufficient spiritual intelligence.

The spore avatar could attach itself to plants or living bodies, completely merging with them, making it nearly impossible to detect.

Yuan Ming inwardly marveled at Hua Zhi's exceptional potential, contemplating that her future achievements might not be less than those of his Lifebound Spirit Plant, the Undying Tree.

However, since Hua Zhi dared to lay a trap within the Stealing Heaven Tripod, perhaps out of a desire to play a prank, she nevertheless should not be let off lightly, so he severely reprimanded her.

Realizing she had gone a bit too far, Hua Zhi quickly admitted her error and tearfully promised there would be no next time.

"Stop pretending, tell me directly what you have laid your eyes on," Yuan Ming said, sensing Hua Zhi's emotions and speaking with irritation.

"Master, since you have not fully refined the Undying Tree Demon Avatar, it must be of no use to you now. Thus, you might as well reward it to me," Hua Zhi said with a transition from tears to a smile, pointing towards the nearby Undying Tree Demon Avatar.

"You've had your sights set on it for a long time, haven't you? I was planning to give it to you anyway; consider this as giving it to you prematurely." Yuan Ming gestured indifferently, dispelling the restrictions around the Undying Tree Demon Avatar.

"Thank you, Master! These things are of no use to me, so I'll give them all to you," Hua Zhi cheered and threw a storage magic tool to Yuan Ming, then transformed into a purple shadow and merged into the Undying Tree Demon Avatar.

The next moment, countless Purple-black Vines emerged, completely engulfing the Undying Tree Demon Avatar.

The strength of the Undying Tree Demon Avatar had been greatly diminished, and it had also been severely injured; its most powerful roots had all been cut off, no match for Hua Zhi. Yuan Ming did not pay attention to the situation there and stood up to deliver the five boxes of fish oil to Xi Ying.

At the moment, Xi Ying exuded Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth colored lights, forming a several zhangs large circle of five-colored light around her body. She had not shown any signs of movement for several days, seemingly engrossed in bitter cultivation.

As Xi Ying was at a critical juncture of her casting, she took the fish oil and exchanged a few words with Yuan Ming before continuing her closed-door cultivation.

Yuan Ming walked back beside the altar to inspect the storage magic tool Hua Zhi had just given him, finding seven to eight Magic Artifacts stored inside, all of high grade, likely from the great battle at Three Immortals Island.

"Eh!" His eyes lit up as he pulled out a black long sword from the pile of Magic Artifacts—the Black Sword used by Qi Ye to ambush the Undying Tree Demon.

This sword was forged from Nine Nether Iron, and Yuan Ming had already taken a fancy to it.

Due to the chaotic battle, by the time he recovered from the throes of the fight, the Black Sword had disappeared, only to have been surreptitiously taken by Hua Zhi.

Activating his Divine Sense to examine the sword closely, he revealed an excited expression.

This Black Sword was a Nine Rune Magical Treasure that seemed unimposing, but it was made with an abundant amount of Nine Nether Iron of exceptionally high quality, clearly forged multiple times through meticulous processes.

If he merged it into the Soul Destroying Sword, he could certainly increase the Yin Qi of the Soul Sword, and etch several more runes into it.

"Old friend, you really are lucky, falling asleep only to have someone bring you a pillow," Yuan Ming said, taking out the Soul Destroying Sword and lightly flicking the blade.

As Yuan Ming's cultivation rapidly improved, claiming the Purple Star Nine Dragon Spear, the Cold Moon Ring, the Exterminating Immortal Sword, and other potent imitation Spiritual Treasures, the Soul Destroying Sword, his Lifebound Magical Treasure, quickly fell behind, only supported by "Curse" and "Annihilation" two runes.

Now, having obtained a large piece of Nine Nether Iron, he could finally elevate the power of the Soul Destroying Sword again.

However, he would need to carefully consider which runes to etch onto it after refining; the third rune "Frenzy Blood" obtained from the sword fragment would certainly be one of them, but the rest of the runes required careful thought.

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