After hearing Shi Feiyang's words, Gongye Huang could only bitterly smile and helplessly sigh.

Like Tian Can before him, he felt that neither side was of the type of Green Robe Ancestor, extremely cruel and evil. He intended to mediate between the two, but when it came time to do so, he found that neither side would listen.

It was like two warring nations, deeply embittered against each other, each feeling that persistence would secure them victory when evenly matched. In such a scenario, no third nation could persuade them to stop. The fighting would continue until one side was unable to resist, and only then would the dawn of peace talks appear.

Gongye Huang abandoned the idea of negotiation and simply stated that he needed the Ice Worm to understand his own tribulations.

When Shi Feiyang had obtained the Ice Worm, he had thought of Gongye Huang, knowing that he had the talent to understand the language of birds, a significant gift. Intending to recruit him to his nation, he said, "The Ice Worm is kept at Outer Heaven Divine Mountain, blocked by the Aurora Fire, so I can't retrieve it for now, but luckily you're not in a hurry. I see a great integrity within you. Why not help me in the meantime, and once things are settled, we can return to Outer Heaven Divine Mountain together, and I'll offer the Ice Worm with both hands, assisting you in escaping your tribulations?"

Gongye Huang was somewhat surprised to hear him put forth conditions directly, as normally interactions between Immortals weren't so blatantly transactional. Who helped whom, who owed whom—all were usually unspoken. Typically, Shi Feiyang should have given him the Ice Worm first, then after its use, mentioned needing help and Gongye Huang would offer it willingly. That would save face for both.

He asked, "The Ice Worm is crucial for my spiritual path, you may ask anything."

Shi Feiyang smiled and pointed into the distance, "Over there in a village, not long ago, the villagers were all turned into zombies by the Demon Humans of the Pima Sect. I was breaking through a realm at the time and didn't notice until afterward, by which time it had already become Zombie Village."

Gongye Huang nodded slightly and calculated quietly, "With your Technique Divine Power, eliminating the two Demon Humans from the Pima Sect should be effortless."

"It would indeed be easy for me to exterminate them, but after looking over this Xiao Xiang area, I see the mountains and rivers suffering heavily under Four Evils, the cult members using Spells for wrongdoing and even the ordinary followers bullying the powerless, preying upon the local folks. As the National Master of Great Ming, I ought to eradicate this harm for the people and seek to restore clarity to this place. However, at this time, all my disciples are occupied elsewhere, and I am short-handed. Since you are here, might you help me with this?"

Gongye Huang thought briefly and stroked his beard, "Well, wielding the sword to cleanse the evil is undoubtedly what our kind should do."

Shi Feiyang took out the "Heavenly Mechanism Book" and handed it to Gongye Huang, "How do you find this book, friend?"

Gongye Huang took it, sensed it briefly, and was immediately shocked, "This is... this is... forgive my poor eyesight, I can't fathom the mysteries of this Magical Treasure."

Shi Feiyang smiled and took the book back, "My friend, you are too modest; you clearly have seen it. Yes, it contains a thousand-year-old demon, originally a Demon Scripture, which I transformed through reversing Yin Yang and the Five Elements, refining it with Immortal Law into this Daoist book. I have named it 'Heavenly Mechanism Book', but it could also be called 'Investiture of the Gods' or 'Book of Life and Death'. I've been listing the names of the cult followers from the Four Evils on it. Once their names are written down, their Primordial Spirits will be absorbed into the book after they are killed, becoming people within the book. Thence they become figures of humans, ghosts, and beasts, displaying love and separation, life and death for future generations."

Hearing this made Gongye Huang's heart pound, finally understanding why so many people called Shi Feiyang a Great Demon!

Shi Feiyang wasn't like ordinary demons, such as Green Robe Ancestor, Poison Dragon Venerable, Shang Heyang, or Jiu Panpo, who would whimsically seize Essence Blood and Souls, bringing harm and death. Usually, Shi Feiyang appeared thoroughly righteous, a true representation of the Mysterious Sect, but his methods were so ruthless, even harsher than those of demons, intending to imprison souls in a book, and that too from four different sects!

Shi Feiyang noticed Gongye Huang's concerns, "Do you think my method is too cruel, and you feel pity for them?"

Gongye Huang shook his head, "Not really, I myself am from a minor path, and I too know some Demon Path Techniques..."

"That's good! From here on, I will rely on you."

Once Shi Feiyang saw he was not opposed, he assumed his agreement and was about to call over his disciples.

Gongye Huang hurriedly said, "Wait!"

Shi Feiyang asked, "What is it? Do you not wish to help?"

Gongye Huang denied, "Demonic Path Skills are easy to learn and quickly effective, but they plant seeds of calamity from the beginning, leading to endless troubles. Your Dao Level is unfathomably deep, and you should be able to control it. However, when I first entered, I saw several children wielding Demon Path Swords. I fear they might not handle it well, and in a moment of poor judgment commit a grave error. You widely open the Immortal Sect to recruit disciples, but you must also be cautious of the burden of your followers."

Shi Feiyang nodded, "Thanks for your kind advice. However, I cultivate the Three Emperors Dao, be they disciples or subjects, all are under the great Dao. There exists only the difference between humans and beasts, with no distinction between Immortal and Demon. All laws stem from the human path, with right and evil deriving from it. Aligning with the human path constitutes Righteous Skill, and deviating from it forms Evil Skill..."

Gongye Huang was baffled at first and ultimately couldn't accept it, "How can there be no distinction between Immortal and Demon? According to you, are Heavenly Demons also under the great Dao, even your subjects?"

Shi Feiyang pointed to the book, "This old demon inside is named E Sheng Fan. I consider him as my subject as well."

"E Sheng Fan!" Gongye Huang had indeed heard of this person before. He glanced at the book and then at Shi Feiyang, drawing a sharp breath.

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