These guys are simply curious about Yuan Ming and the others who intruded, with no intent to attack.

However, their appearance still made everyone perk up; they were indeed quite tense for a moment.

A Core Formation Stage cultivator couldn't hold back and launched a sharp icicle several feet long at a nearby fire lizard, piercing its skull directly and instantly causing the other fire lizards to retreat in shock.

"I haven't given the order, who told you to act!" Wei Ling scolded immediately upon discovering the situation.

"I-I was too nervous... Isn't it true that nothing went wrong," the Core Formation cultivator said anxiously.

"If this happens again, I will expel you from the team, and you will fend for yourself," Wei Ling, despite his scholarly appearance, was full of authority when angry.

Just as his words fell, Yuan Ming's reminder came.

"Pay attention to both sides; demons are approaching." Yuan Ming's calm and steady voice startled but did not panic everyone, making them concentrate and cautiously look to the sides.

Sure enough, from the distant sand dunes came the sound of sand sliding, black shadows densely packed, layered, surging over like a black tide.

"Don't panic, they are Desert Fire Scorpions, demons not even third-level. Let them get closer to attack; don't waste your mana," Yuan Ming glanced at them and said.

Upon hearing this, everyone truly did not rush to act. It wasn't until the tide-like black scorpions swarmed to within ten or so feet that they began casting divine powers and magic techniques against the scorpions.

Patches of Fire Cloud, blades of ice, streaks of thunder... fell one after another into the scorpion tide, crackling and exploding quickly clearing out all the scorpions.

Yuan Ming did not act throughout; he simply watched others' performance calmly, silently estimating their combat power.

To his surprise, among the twin brothers, the one with richer mana and stronger magic power was not the older brother but the younger.

This person's cultivation was already at the peak of late-stage core formation, wielding the divine power of Earth God Thunder; he continuously unleashed large Earth Thunder Balls, and if it weren't for the brother's timely admonition, he might have exhausted all his mana regardless of the consequences before stopping.

Once this batch of fire scorpions was repelled, more fire beasts attacked successively, but they were all rather weak and were quickly repelled.

After searching for another hour, Wei Ling found Yuan Ming.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, searching like this is indeed inefficient, and along the way, we haven't found any powerful demon beasts. How about dividing the team into two squads, you and I each lead a squad to search, how about it?" Wei Ling suggested.

"Alright." Yuan Ming had no objection, nodding in agreement.

Subsequently, the team split into four Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and thirteen Core Formation cultivators, following Yuan Ming to search further west.

The twin brothers were also among them.

After splitting up, Yuan Ming rearranged the formation, taking the lead, with four Nascent Soul Stage cultivators scattered around and thirteen Core Formation cultivators in the center.

Once the squad split, both the four Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and the thirteen Core Formation Stage became more cautious, fully deploying their techniques.

The sturdy man among the twin brothers summoned an Iron Feathered Black Hawk that flew overhead, surveying the surroundings.

Though this hawk was only a third-level demon beast, it appeared exceptionally majestic, with pitch-black iron feathers faintly revealing purple thunder patterns, quite resembling the Thunder Peng.

Yuan Ming observed the Iron Feathered Black Hawk for a moment, then gestured to the sturdy man.

The sturdy man hurried over, bowing in salute to Yuan Ming, "Mr. Wan, what instructions do you have?"

"No need to be so formal; your black hawk seems unusual with its thunder patterns. What kind of demon beast is it?" Yuan Ming asked.

"This is an Iron Winged Bird, but it carries traces of Thunder Peng bloodline, although the bloodline is very thin, giving it no special qualities other than faster flight speed," the sturdy man replied.

Yuan Ming nodded slightly and continued, "Is your Iron Winged Bird female?"

"Yes," the sturdy man replied, slightly taken aback.

Yuan Ming didn't say anything more, but a glimmer of joy passed through his eyes.

Having understood the divine power of the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique's Dao Seal, he had, for some time, been relaying messages urging Hua Zhi and Vajra to hurry over and simultaneously striving to elevate the spirit beast nurturing techniques.

A few days ago, Yuan Ming spent a significant amount of Spirit Stones at the workshop in White Emperor City on a manual regarding spirit beast nurturing, which contained a Replenishing Secret Technique similar to evil cultivation, able to increase the chances of a spirit beast breakthrough by absorbing the original demon power of female demon beasts.

However, this Replenishing Secret Technique had quite stringent conditions, only allowing replenishment from demon beasts with the same bloodline power.

Lei Yu's talents were far inferior to Hua Zhi and Vajra, and its potential was nearly depleted, though reaching the peak of the upper fifth level wouldn't be a problem. Breaking through to level six, even with the aid of the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique, seemed unlikely.

The Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique can only impart breakthrough experience; without enough qualifications, a spirit beast still cannot break through.

To increase Lei Yu's chances of breaking through to level six, he could only use this Replenishing Secret Technique.

This Iron Winged Bird possesses the Thunder Peng bloodline and is female; it's not to be missed.

"This Iron Winged Bird is somewhat useful to me as well. May I purchase it? The reward is negotiable," Yuan Ming said.

"This beast has been with me for many years, and we have a deep bond. But since Mr. Wan requires it, of course, I will offer it up willingly. As for the reward, could the senior kindly bestow an elixir or spiritual object that aids in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage?" the burly man was overjoyed internally, yet showed a face of difficult decision.

He placed the Iron Winged Bird into the Spiritual Beast Bag and presented it with both hands.

Without needing emotion manipulation, Yuan Ming could discern the burly man's true intentions but chose not to expose them, casually tossing two jade bottles over.

Inside the jade bottles were two Level 4 Fetus Nourishing Pills, which aid in breaking through to the Nascent Soul.

"Thank you, senior, for the elixirs." The burly man opened a tiny gap in the bottle stopper, his eyes shining with delight as he thanked.

Yuan Ming paid him no mind, placing his palm over the Spiritual Beast Bag and using the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique to remove the Beast Taming Rune planted by the burly man inside the Iron Winged Bird, then re-tamed it using the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique.

"Mr. Wan, you don't seem like a cultivator from the Sunset Sect?" Having conducted two consecutive deals with Yuan Ming, the burly man was less reserved and asked.

"I'm a loose cultivator," Yuan Ming replied calmly.

Upon learning Yuan Ming was a loose cultivator, the burly man relaxed significantly, showing more a sense of closeness, introducing himself, "I'm Niu Gengtian, and my younger brother is Niu Fengshou, also a loose cultivator."

"The two of you have achieved considerable cultivation, though your names have some common worldly air," Yuan Ming said, slightly surprised upon hearing their names.

"Our family hails from a secular farming background; these names were given by our parents. After cultivating for a longer life, I've nearly forgotten my parents' looks, leaving only this name they bestowed. If changed, there would be no memory left," Niu Gengtian said with a shake of his head.

Yuan Ming nodded, recalling his own parents, feeling a sense of melancholy.

"How did you and your brother embark on the Immortal Path?" He quickly adjusted his emotions and asked.

"It's quite a long story..." Niu Gengtian began narrating.

Seemingly having great admiration for Yuan Ming's achievement of reaching the Returning Void realm as a loose cultivator, Niu Gengtian revealed his entire cultivation journey as though pouring beans.

He and his brother came from a family dedicated to farm work. Their master, while wandering, stumbled upon that remote mountain village, unexpectedly discovering they were raw jade with excellent cultivation talent, thus taking them as disciples and leading them onto the cultivation path.

At that time, they were already close to twenty.

In the cultivation world, a slower start means continuously falling behind, especially for those who squander the best years for cultivation, making their journey tens of times more difficult.

Fortunately, he and his brother had a strong determination toward Dao, were diligent in cultivation, coupled with good fortune, ultimately surpassing their master who reached only Early-stage Core Formation after a lifetime of struggle, attaining Late-stage Core Formation, they truly excelled.

"Your brother seems to have mental maturity that doesn't align with his age; is this innate?" Yuan Ming asked, glancing at Niu Fengshou beside him.

He could perceive Niu Fengshou's Seven Emotions, differing from ordinary people.

"Yes, he has been simple-minded since childhood. But this isn't entirely a bad thing; with a simple mind, once he commits to a task, his resolve surpasses ordinary people by several times, whether in cultivation or practicing divine skills, I'm no match for him," Niu Gengtian said, looking at Niu Fengshou.

"I see, but his approach to life seems quite naive; you should keep a close watch on him in the future," Yuan Ming raised an eyebrow and advised.

"That is the master's teaching; his last words before passing were that as loose cultivators, our cultivation is challenging, and we must try to be kind to others, avoiding hindrance. My brother remembers these words well, helping those in need whenever possible, leaving me helpless," Niu Gengtian smiled wryly.

"Your brother is quite interesting," Yuan Ming laughed.

Encountering much deception and betrayal in the cultivation world, Yuan Ming did not agree with Niu Fengshou's conduct, but he wasn't the type to lecture others and did not object.

"Since you're a loose cultivator, you've probably taken a task here in the Fire Rock Desert, right?" Yuan Ming asked.

"That's correct; I took on a task from the Sky Eagle Chamber of Commerce. The reward is quite generous; upon completing it, we can rent a cave mansion rich in spiritual energy, along with the elixir bestowed by Mr. Wan, greatly enhancing my and my brother's chances of breaking into the Nascent Soul stage," Niu Gengtian smiled simply and said.

"What are your plans after breaking into the Nascent Soul stage?" Yuan Ming asked.

The pair had good cultivation and character, intriguing him to recruit them into the Moon Sect.

Additionally, Niu Fengshou's mental issue related to the Seven Emotions, if researched thoroughly, could significantly aid his mastery of the Power of Seven Emotions.

"Well..." Niu Gengtian was about to speak.

Before he could finish, Yuan Ming's heart suddenly jumped, overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of crisis.

"It's an ambush! Retreat quickly!"

Yuan Ming's brow furrowed as he shouted, simultaneously raising a hand.

An invisible force swept out with him at the center, sending over a dozen cultivators, including Niu Gengtian, flying back dozens of feet without understanding what happened.

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