After Nan Shangfeng left, Yuan Ming took out a communication talisman and activated it, quickly contacting Xi Ying.

Now they were not far apart, and ordinary means could be used to communicate without carefully setting up a communication array.

"Have you heard about forming a team in the city?" Yuan Ming didn't waste time and asked proactively.

"Yes, the chamber of commerce also asked me to join the team and go searching together," Xi Ying replied.

"Can you make an excuse to decline? You're not far from breaking through now; you should be focusing on quiet cultivation," Yuan Ming said with a tone of concern.

"They've named me specifically, so I can't refuse. Besides, I'm still some time away from breaking through; instead of quiet cultivation, it's better to go out for experience, maybe I'll gain something more," Xi Ying replied.

"Alright then, take care of yourself. I will also participate, so if anything happens, send me a message, and I'll come immediately," Yuan Ming instructed.

Xi Ying agreed, and after exchanging a couple of brief sentences, the communication ended.

Yuan Ming left the room and saw Nan Shangfeng and Wulu waiting outside. He nodded towards them, and the three of them set out together to register at the recruitment place.

As expected by Nan Shangfeng, the news of recruiting people, once released, immediately stirred the entire city, creating a wave of enthusiasm.

The number of cultivators in the streets was several times more than usual. On the way, Yuan Ming and the others frequently heard people discussing the matter. When they arrived at the recruitment place, it was surrounded by so many cultivators that it was impenetrable; the line for registration extended beyond the hall and couldn't be seen at a glance.

However, among the cultivators in line here, most were at the Nascent Soul and Core Formation levels. Nan Shangfeng released a bit of Returning Void aura, and the cultivators in front of them spontaneously made way, not daring to block their path.

Soon, they passed through the crowd and entered the hall responsible for recruitment.

The person in charge of registering Returning Void cultivators in the hall was a venerable old man with white hair. He saw Yuan Ming and the others arrive and immediately took out three jade scrolls.

"Please write down your names, cultivation levels, and the magic treasures you excel at using. They will be used during team formation later," the white-haired old man said politely.

"Team formation?" Wulu was surprised.

"Because there are too many people registering, the City Lord has ordered that everyone be divided into five teams. Those at the Nascent Soul and below are easy to divide by headcount, but you, Fellow Daoists, have high cultivation levels and are considered the main force. In battles, if not coordinated, at least you shouldn't hinder each other, hence writing down your preferred combat methods," the white-haired old man explained.

"The three of us are together and have a tacit understanding with each other. I hope Fellow Daoist will assign us together on the registration list," Nan Shangfeng interjected.

"That's easy," the white-haired old man noted down his request.

"Fellow Daoist Nan, shouldn't you follow Master Tantai?" Wulu whispered.

"My master specifically requested not to use his name," Nan Shangfeng replied with a wry smile.

Yuan Ming understood immediately, knowing that Master Tantai had forced Nan Shangfeng out for training, so it was impossible for him to hide behind his master's name and enjoy privileges.

The three of them quickly handed back the jade scroll with their information, and to conceal his identity, Yuan Ming suppressed his cultivation to the Early Stage of Returning Void, not revealing his Dharma manifestation status.

"Good, I've submitted your information. Please take this token and keep it safe. In three days, the token will display the team you have been assigned to and the gathering place. At that time, you will also need to check your identity through the token, so please don't lose it," the old man took the jade scroll, operated for a while, and distributed three tokens to Yuan Ming and his companions.

Yuan Ming and his companions accepted the tokens and turned to leave, but just as they exited the hall, they were suddenly stopped by two Returning Void cultivators.

"Are you Wan Tianren?" The leader was a burly man carrying a broad ax.

"You are?" Yuan Ming slightly frowned, not recalling seeing this man before.

"My name is Chong Di; just seeing your extraordinary demeanor, I figured you must have some skill. I wanted to seek some pointers, hoping you won't disappoint me," the burly man grinned, unabashedly dismissing Yuan Ming.

Wulu's face darkened upon hearing this, glancing at Yuan Ming, but seeing he wasn't reacting, remained silent. Beside him, Nan Shangfeng sneered.

"Fellow Daoist Chong has mistaken me. I'm just an ordinary loose cultivator. If you're looking to make a name in White Emperor City by challenging someone, you'd better find someone else," Yuan Ming shook his head and replied calmly, showing no anger.

"Haha! Is Fellow Daoist Wan afraid? As a dignified Returning Void cultivator, how could you be so timid? It might go against your Dao heart!" The burly man laughed loudly, deliberately raising his voice to attract the attention of nearby cultivators.

Yuan Ming didn't respond, silently bypassing the group and continuing towards the cave mansion with Wulu and the others.

"Bah, Wan Tianren, what a coward you are, not even daring to spar. I suggest you don't register for the treasure hunt; save yourself from embarrassment," the burly man spat in the direction of Yuan Ming, his voice loud enough to be heard by all.

However, Yuan Ming didn't turn back, seeming not to hear, and continued straight ahead.

…..

Several days later.

Due to the unexpectedly high number of registrations, the City Lord Mansion posted a new notice, announcing that the departure time was postponed to half a month later.

Yuan Ming didn't think much upon hearing the news and continued to pass the time by retreating into his cultivation.

However, within a few days after he registered, strange rumors started circulating in the city.

"Tsk, where did people hear these rumors from? Saying things like Fellow Daoist Wan had been involved in kidnapping and extortion, and some even said he massacred mortals, destroying dozens of Human Clan cities. The most absurd of all is some unknown female cultivator claiming she was violated by Fellow Daoist Wan, but when one tries to investigate, she hides away. What do you make of this?" Nan Shangfeng slammed his wine cup on the table, speaking in an indignant tone.

"It's definitely someone deliberately trying to tarnish Brother Wan's name, that Chong Di who approached us that day was just the beginning." Wulu also said coldly.

"No, we must find a way to help Fellow Daoist Wan clear his name, otherwise, if this continues, something bad is definitely going to happen!" Nan Shangfeng said.

"No need to waste your efforts." Yuan Ming, who had been silently listening, shook his head.

"Why? Is Fellow Daoist Wan willing to be humiliated by them?" Nan Shangfeng asked unwillingly.

"Of course not, but how can we clarify something we haven't done? Moreover, how many cultivators in the city truly believe the rumors, and how many just want to see a Returning to Void cultivator embarrassed? The more you respond, the more you fall into their trap. To them, spreading rumors is costless, achieved with just a few spoken words." Yuan Ming calmly said.

"But..." Nan Shangfeng still wanted to argue.

"No more words, the opinion of the masses doesn't matter to me, as long as you are willing to believe in me. The one spreading rumors wants to force me to react, but I refuse to comply." Yuan Ming raised his hand to stop Nan Shangfeng.

"Sigh, alright, since you say so." Nan Shangfeng reluctantly agreed.

"Let's focus on cultivation."

Yuan Ming slowly stood up, leaving these words behind before returning to his quarters to continue his retreat.

...

Half a month later.

The day of departure arrived, and Yuan Ming along with the other three left the Cave Mansion early, heading to the assembly point indicated by the token.

They were assigned to the fifth team, led by a Dharma manifestation Cultivator named Wang Fulong from the Sunset Sect.

When Yuan Ming and his two companions arrived, the other Returning to Void cultivators had mostly gathered, and Wang Fulong was already waiting.

"Hmm, why don't you three wait by my side for now." Wang Fulong verified the identities of the three and his gaze lingered on Yuan Ming for a few moments.

"Yes." Yuan Ming and the other two responded in unison.

After settling, they noticed that Chong Di, who previously provoked Yuan Ming, had also been assigned to the fifth team.

Seeing Yuan Ming and his companions notice him, he responded with a provocative smirk.

"Don't bother with him." Yuan Ming quietly advised, with Nan Shangfeng and Wulu both nodding silently.

Soon, the members of the fifth team were all present. Wang Fulong counted the numbers before leading the group outside the city to rendezvous with the larger force.

When they reached outside the city, Yuan Ming and his companions were surprised to find that White Emperor City had assembled nearly ten thousand cultivators, and all five teams were led by Dharma manifestation Cultivators.

The leader of the first team was Sima Changqin, the second team was led by Long Hou, the third by Master Tantai, and the fourth was led by Jin Chen, the son of the White Emperor City Lord.

"Strange, why didn't the White Emperor City Lord come?" Yuan Ming was pondering when he overheard discussions around him.

"In the Nineteen Cities of Ten Thousand Demon, from the day the City Lord takes office, he must always stay within the city, regardless of the major events, not allowed to step out. This is an ironclad rule." Surprisingly, Wang Fulong, who seemed to overhear the discussions among the Returning to Void cultivators, proactively explained.

Upon hearing this, the previously puzzled crowd burst into praises for the selflessness of the White Emperor City Lord.

Yuan Ming, however, was not interested in this, his eyes scanning around until he spotted Xi Ying and the cultivators from the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce within the first team's ranks.

Perhaps telepathically connected, at this moment, Xi Ying was also searching for Yuan Ming. Their eyes met from afar, both realizing they were looking at each other, and a smile appeared on their faces simultaneously.

"Fellow Daoists, thank you all for gathering here to contribute to our Human Clan in seeking the Heavenly Fire. I am Qin Mo, appointed by Ancestor Bing Lan to oversee the Heavenly Fire mission. Rest assured, with me here, I will not let the Demon Clan lay a finger on the Heavenly Fire. We shall certainly return fulfilled!" At this moment, Sima Changqin soared up, amplifying his voice with mana, reaching every corner of the five teams.

In an instant, emotions were stirred; many cultivators raised their arms and shouted, praising Sima Changqin as well as lauding the Human Clan's brilliance. Though the voices were uneven, they were earth-shaking and spine-tingling.

"Set off!" Sima Changqin smiled slightly, raising his hand and pointing forward.

Subsequently, the five teams moved out together, driving their tunneling light, heading towards the Fire Rock Desert like meteors...

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