Despite the ambush battle having ended inconclusively, with not a single Nascent Soul cultivator from the Wu Yue Sect suffering any loss, the escape from the White Bone Palace was ultimately too hasty, leaving a considerable number of Wu Yue Sect cultivators killed or captured by the East Sea Alliance.

For the cultivators of the East Sea Alliance, this was deemed a major victory after a long period of setbacks, and when they learned that Yuan Ming and a Nether Moon God believer were the greatest contributors to this battle, their gratitude and faith in the Nether Moon God grew even more devout.

As a result, Yuan Ming once again gathered a large amount of Desire Power, larger than ever before. Even though Yuan Ming allowed both the first and the second split souls to join in the refinement, he still couldn't absorb it all and ultimately had to temporarily store the excess Desire Power within the White Jade Lotus Platform.

However, gradually, he began to harbor some doubts.

"Strange, is it my illusion? I always feel like the White Jade Lotus Platform seems to have changed somewhat," Yuan Ming stared at the White Jade Lotus Platform within the Stealing Heaven Tripod, sensing that it was somehow different with the influx of Desire Power.

"Indeed, it seems to have an extra layer of golden light," Xi Ying, also curious, came over to look.

After examining for a moment, Yuan Ming discovered that, as Xi Ying said, there were additional layers of golden light around the White Jade Lotus Platform.

"Is it because I stored too much Desire Power inside?" Yuan Ming felt uncertain, not knowing whether this change was for better or worse.

This was a question Xi Ying couldn't answer either. Yuan Ming cautiously observed for a few days and, seeing no other changes in the White Jade Lotus Platform, decided to leave it be for the time being.

After all, Desire Power was not easily come by; if it couldn't exist within the White Jade Lotus Platform, surely it couldn't just be wasted?

During the intervals of his closed-door cultivation to absorb Desire Power, he also took the time to meet with Long Chong.

A few days earlier, through Black Incense Possession, he had investigated Qiong Yun's life and death and unexpectedly found that she was not dead; she was still on Three Immortals Island, seemingly protected by Hou Yi's Sun Shooting Bow.

He truthfully conveyed this news to Long Chong, who, upon hearing it, wept with joy and even considered using the Jade Talisman given to him at that time.

Yuan Ming, after much persuasion, managed to dissuade him, informing him that Qiong Yun seemed to be in a special kind of deep sleep and that a day of awakening would surely come, and going to find her then would not be too late.

Convinced by Yuan Ming, Long Chong reluctantly put aside his thoughts, but still thanked Yuan Ming profusely.

Meanwhile, as Yuan Ming secluded himself, the East Sea Alliance's counterattack against the Wu Yue Sect continued unabated.

Unexpectedly, the Wu Yue Sect changed its usual strategy, gradually retreating their forces from the previously forcefully occupied islands and consolidating their defense on Fusang Island.

...

At this moment, Red Leaf Island was brimming with joy.

After a triumphant victory, Wan Tianren ordered recuperation and celebration for three days.

Red Leaf, Wanhua, and Yuzhu three islands brought out all their stored Spiritual Wine, allowing the alliance army to drink heartily and rejoice in the successive victories that had occurred recently.

The East Sea Alliance, having reversed the earlier continuous defeats, whether it was Nascent Soul higher-ups or Core Formation, Foundation Establishment cultivators, were all brimming with confidence, ready to expel the Wu Yue Sect from the East Sea in one fell swoop.

In a secluded small building on Red Leaf Island, Yuan Ming did not join in the merrymaking, instead fiddling with a piece of green Spiritual Pine Wood.

This object, known as Green Phoenix Pine, was one of the best materials for making Spirit Incense, cultivated on Red Leaf Island in the Immortal Cultivation World of the East Sea.

Yuan Ming had already developed a way to control the persons possessed by Black Incense, with the only flaw being that the burning time of the Spirit Incense was not long enough.

He planned to add this Green Phoenix Pine to see if he could extend the burning time of the Black Incense.

Yan Siyun, standing behind Yuan Ming, recounted the latest situations she had learned: "... Now the Wu Yue Sect has intensified the plundering of controlled islands, not just various spiritual materials and Spirit Stones, but also brutally slaughtering mortals and cultivators, seemingly collecting souls and fresh corpses."

Yuan Ming, whose status in the East Sea Alliance was now almost equivalent to Alliance Leader Wan Tianren, was increasingly taken seriously, so he simply assigned Yan Siyun to his side to gather intelligence.

"Killing for souls? Collecting corpses? This Wu Yue Sect really is defying the heavens and committing all sorts of atrocities, have you found out what they want with so many souls and corpses?" Yuan Ming put down the Green Phoenix Pine, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"I have not found that out yet," Yan Siyun shook her head as she spoke.

"Try to find out as much as possible; if you really can't get any leads, just capture them directly—I have ways to make them talk," Yuan Ming said.

The Heavenly Ghost Wanderer has also been ordered to collect souls; now the Wu Yue Sect coming to the East Sea is doing the same, which must hold some hidden significance.

Since he had decided to confront the Wu Yue Sect head-on, he must clarify this matter.

As for collecting corpses, it was probably because the Wu Yue Sect was practicing some Evil Technique or refining some evil Magic Treasure.

"Yes," Yan Siyun responded. Thiscopycomes

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"What's the situation with Fusang Island now? Are there any signs of a large-scale assembly of cultivators planning a counterattack?" Yuan Ming thought for a moment, then asked again.

"On the contrary, the Wu Yue Sect has retracted most of their forces back to Fusang Island, fortifying their hold on the island and refusing entry to anyone not from the Wu Yue Sect," Yan Siyun said.

"Oh, that's odd; for the White Bone Venerable to swallow such a blow, could it be that they are preparing to hold out for reinforcements, and the Wu Yue Sect's reinforcements are on their way?" Yuan Ming showed a look of surprise; he hadn't expected this situation.

"I've also considered this and have already sent a message to the spy in Dragon King City to keep an eye on the situation in the north; no news has come through yet," said Yan Siyun.

"Alright, you may go now," Yuan Ming slowly nodded and waved his hand.

Yan Siyun acknowledged and quickly left.

Yuan Ming sat down, remained silent, and speculated about the Wu Yue Sect's intentions.

Although the East Sea Alliance had won two major victories, the Wu Yue Sect should still have considerable strength remaining. What could their intention be in holding back their forces? The East Sea is extremely far from the Northern Desert; waiting for reinforcements from the Wu Yue Sect seemed unlikely.

He pondered for a moment without any clue and soon gave up.

The buffer for the Stealing Heaven Tripod would pass in two or three days, and he could directly use possession to investigate and immediately understand the Wu Yue Sect's intentions.

He took out the other materials for making Black Incense, mixed in the Green Phoenix Pine, and began crafting new Black Incense. Suddenly, his brow furrowed as the first split soul suddenly transmitted a message.

Under the Five Elements Creation Tree of the Stealing Heaven Tripod, Xi Ying once again entered seclusion, forming a five-colored light screen around herself.

At that moment, the light screen underwent a strange change, suddenly beginning to twist and shake, emitting beams of five-colored spiritual light.

After a moment, the light screen burst with a loud bang, transforming into countless fragments of light that scattered.

Xi Ying's figure appeared, her skin now showing many five-colored spiritual patterns, rapidly converging toward the center of her forehead, and within a few breaths, all were absorbed into it.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Has the seclusion ended?" the first split soul flew over and asked.

Xi Ying nodded slightly.

Yuan Ming, observing Xi Ying through the first split soul, noted that her cultivation had not changed, with the Ju Mang Spirit Technique also remaining at the second realm, yet he vaguely felt that Xi Ying was different from before, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly how.

"Did you gain anything?" he asked, controlling the first split soul.

"Sort of, could you do me a favor and let me have a look at the array tools for the Red Blood Sand Formation?" Xi Ying suddenly requested.

"That... there's no problem to look at them. The array tools were stored in the Alliance warehouse after being salvaged, but they were not insignificant, even if we can find them, they would only be considered remnants," Yuan Ming responded, his expression showing surprise, then he said.

"That's no problem, if the Red Blood Sand Formation and other array maps from the East Sea could be obtained, please help me get some, the more the better," Xi Ying said.

"I will find a way to get them for you. But why do you need so many arrays? Could it be that your cultivation in array formation has advanced further?" Yuan Ming asked, puzzled.

"Yes, with this seclusion, my Dao of Arrays has entered a new level, and I need a large number of array maps to comprehend," Xi Ying said with a slight smile showing on her lips.

Yuan Ming, not being well-versed in array formation, did not know whether advancement in Array Formation cultivation required understanding unfamiliar formations, but since Xi Ying had achieved something from her seclusion, he was also happy for her.

As for obtaining a large number of array maps, that was a minor issue for him. With his current status and position, a simple request would make the islands of the East Sea offer up various arrays, and the damaged Red Blood Sand Formation was even less of a concern.

At that moment, seven or eight tunneling lights shot forth, landing outside the mansion, revealing the figures of Wan Tianren, Gu Xuanyang, Hou Chou, Shi Yanshi and others, who did not enter.

"Divine Envoy Yuan, may we disturb you for a moment?" Wan Tianren called out.

"With the battle just ended, the Alliance has many matters to attend to; how come you fellows have the time to visit me?" Yuan Ming went out to greet them.

"The situation in the East Sea has changed. We have just received the latest intelligence and have come to discuss our next move with you," Wan Tianren said.

"Please, come inside and talk," Yuan Ming shifted his gaze and invited them into the pavilion.

"Divine Envoy Yuan, after their two devastating defeats, the Wu Yue Sect has started changing their strategy, pulling back their defenses, and they have also recalled a significant portion of their combat power, firmly guarding Fusang Island! It seems they are frightened by our East Sea Alliance, hahaha..." Hou Chou, once inside, couldn't wait to speak, and burst into laughter at the end.

Having witnessed Yuan Ming's unfathomable strength, as well as his inscrutable relationship with the Nether Moon God, Hou Chou had completely abandoned the idea of contending with Yuan Ming, and just like the others, considered him a pillar of the East Sea Cultivation World.

"These arrogant bastards also have their day! Divine Envoy Yuan, I think we should take advantage of the Wu Yue Sect's recent defeat while their morale is unstable. The Alliance should directly storm Fusang Island and eliminate all the Wu Yue Sect cultivators who have invaded the East Sea," Hou Mo said.

"It's not that simple, the Wu Yue Sect might have pulled back, but they are increasing their efforts in scavenging resources from the islands of the East Sea. I think we should split the Alliance forces into two – one to conquer the islands under the Wu Yue Sect's control and the other to directly strike at Fusang Island to eradicate the Wu Yue Sect cultivators there. This would be a more balanced approach," Gu Xuanyang said.

Yuan Ming listened, understanding the purpose of their visit.

Hou Chou, Gu Xuanyang, and others, though they said they came to discuss, were in fact having differences on the next step and trying to get him on their side.

"Alliance Leader Wan, what do you think?" Yuan Ming did not express his opinion, instead looking towards Wan Tianren, who had not spoken yet.

"Although the Wu Yue Sect has been defeated repeatedly, their strength should not be underestimated. I think it's not advisable to divide forces. The suggestion by Fellow Daoist Hou Mo is more appropriate—focusing our efforts to eliminate the Wu Yue Sect cultivators scattered outside, or directly attacking Fusang Island would be better," Wan Tianren said slowly.

Yuan Ming, hearing this, inwardly nodded.