Yuan Ming turned back to look and through the gaps between the flashes of blood-colored lightning, he immediately saw the Blood Demon Ancestor clad in crystalline, blood-colored armor, looking both anxious and furious.

"Old thief!" Wulu's eyes were about to split with anger, and he was ready to throw caution to the wind and turn back to settle the score with him.

"Now is not the time," Yuan Ming hastily reached out to stop him.

As he spoke, the blood light in his eyes hardened, and abruptly, a giant, blood-colored figure, tall as a mountain, materialized behind him.

This giant bore a stern expression with facial features only somewhat resembling Yuan Ming's, its overall presence was closer to that of the Nether Moon God, emanating a regal, mysterious aura that commanded respect and seemed sacrosanct.

This was the Blood Gang True Body that Yuan Ming had condensed after advancing to the Body of Wanxiang.

His Blood Gang True Body stepped forward and pushed out with a huge palm into the void, unleashing an overwhelmingly powerful Blood Gang force that surged out. The thick blood-colored lightning bolts were swept away by this force and exploded into pieces.

In the midst of thunderous booms, Blood Demon Thunder continually exploded, and one of the Blood Gang True Body's arms burst apart as well.

However, its massive body did not retreat a single step, moving with unstoppable force as it swung its other arm, sweeping it horizontally below.

In an instant, blood light surged dramatically, and the vast arm swept across like a wild wind clearing the ground, leveling both the Chang Chun Temple's main gate and the mountainside structures behind it and sending a large number of pursuing Wu Yue Sect disciples flying back.

Seeing this, Wulu's body flared with blood light, the blood crystal on his forehead shining blindingly as he spun like a top, sending out wildly violent hurricanes that transformed into a hundred-zhang tall, continuous Sky-reaching Wind Pillar, effectively blocking the pursuers.

Without any further hesitation, he and Yuan Ming used a Secret Technique to escape from the place.

By the time the Blood Demon Ancestor shattered the Blood Gang True Body and the Wu Yue God dispersed the Sky-reaching Wind Pillar, both of their figures had long since vanished.

"Fellow Daoist Wuyue, quickly use the Curse Killing Technique. We cannot let those two escape; otherwise, the trouble will be endless," the Blood Demon Ancestor hurriedly urged after catching up with the Wu Yue God.

The Wu Yue God had a gloomy expression and shook his head.

"Why not make a move?" asked the Blood Demon Ancestor, suddenly very anxious.

"I have already attempted to curse kill that Yuan Ming once before, but for some reason, he's still alive and unharmed," the Wu Yue God said, frowning and shaking his head.

"If once doesn't work, then try it again," the Blood Demon Ancestor said.

"Do you think the Evil Curse Kill is something you can just use whenever you want?" the Wu Yue God sneered dismissively.

"This… Ah…" Upon hearing this, the Blood Demon Ancestor instantly became annoyed and sighed deeply.

"I've just been to Chaotian Peak and although there was a disturbance, the Great Array was not destroyed—only delayed. So, there is no need for such worry," the Wu Yue God slowly said. Thischapterfirstappearedon*.

"You don't understand, Yuan Ming has a secret treasure of utmost importance to me. Now that he has escaped, it will be very difficult to get it back," the Blood Demon Ancestor lamented regretfully.

"A secret treasure? What could be more important than the matter we planned earlier? Better think about how to accelerate that instead," the Wu Yue God said, seemingly uninterested in the Blood Demon Ancestor's secret treasure.

"The Magic Cloud Tree has already matured; it's not difficult to hasten that process. It's just that your Wu Yue Sect's defenses are a bit too lax," the Blood Demon Ancestor said, now calm but with some dissatisfaction.

Just as the Wu Yue God was about to speak, a commotion suddenly arose from below.

At that moment, a figure flew over swiftly. It was a white-browed old man dressed in a black robe.

"Lord Wu Yue God, during the recent commotion, prisoners in the Law Hall Water Prison started a rebellion, and some have escaped," said the white-browed old man, who arrived and knelt bowing as soon as he landed.

"Those half-dead prisoners, what capacity do they have to rebel? Are you joking with me?" the Wu Yue God asked with a cold voice upon hearing this.

"Yes… Yes… It's because some disciples guarding them rebelled—no, some were controlled by Illusion Technique. They attacked the other guards and freed the prisoners," the white-browed old man stammered.

"Capture them at all costs," the Wu Yue God said coldly, his figure swiftly rushing back.

The Blood Demon Ancestor watched all of this with a cold eye, remaining silent. After the Wu Yue God had left, he lingered on the spot for about thirty minutes before returning inside the Chang Chun Temple.

Soon, he passed through several layers of forbidden seals to enter a rather secluded underground chamber.

The chamber was not large, around fifty to sixty zhang in size, and surrounded by walls that emitted layers of silvery light. In the center of the room stood a half-person-tall black Stone Pillar.

At the top of the black Stone Pillar, a black flame burned, its flames dancing and occasionally emitting a series of "crackling" noises.

"Lord Demon," the Blood Demon Ancestor hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, kneeling on one knee, and bowing in front of the Stone Pillar.

After a brief wait, the black flame flickered a few times, and a grand yet ethereal voice emerged from it:

"Is there new information?"

"Lord Demon, I have discovered the whereabouts of the Sky-reaching Demon Pillar and the Evil King Mirror," the Blood Demon Ancestor said.

"Since you have found them, why haven't you swiftly retrieved them?" an annoyed voice came from the flame.

"Both exotic treasures are in the same person's hands, but regrettably, his strength is so formidable that with my current power, I am unable to retrieve them for you," the Blood Demon Ancestor said carefully choosing his words.

The voice from within the black flame paused for a moment before replying, "On this matter, I will send Xue Li to handle it. Once the two treasures are reclaimed, you shall be generously rewarded."

"Thank you, Lord Demon." Blood Demon Ancestor said joyfully as he knelt in worship.

...

At the foot of Chaotian Peak, Wuyue God hovered midair, in front of him a sea of people, all followers of the Wu Yue Sect kneeling on the ground.

"Lord, most of the escapees have been executed, and those captured have also committed suicide." an elder reported.

"What about those rebels, what's the deal with them?" Wuyue God asked in a deep voice.

"After investigation, some were under the influence of illusion techniques, and a few seemed to have been turned into puppets," the person responded.

"You should strengthen the defenses of Chang Chun Temple and reinforce the Forbidden of Chaotian Peak. If such events happen again, behead yourselves as sacrifices," Wuyue God said with a cold gaze sweeping over his followers.

"Yes," the followers replied with trembling voices.

Just then, a voice suddenly appeared out of thin air, "Such methods might work on ordinary enemies, but I fear they'd be ineffective against Yuan Ming."

Wuyue God waved his hand and an ethereal figure materialized out of nothing—it was a Residual Soul of the Nine Yin Venerable.

"What do you mean by this?" Wuyue God asked.

"This young man Yuan Ming is a Soul Cultivator, and his cultivation might have already approached that of a Spoken Witch. His strength is not to be underestimated, and his methods are also unusually cunning. As far as I know, he possesses a very strange and secretive Divine Skill that allows him to possess others quietly and take control, leaving one utterly defenseless," the Residual Soul of Nine Yin Venerable said.

"Oh, possession?" Wuyue God murmured after a moment's thought.

...

With Yuan Ming and Wulu's speed, they arrived at the outskirts of the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range in no time.

"I will not go with you." Wulu suddenly stopped his tunneling light and said.

"Does Brother Wulu worry about the strange changes in your body?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Some time ago, the Wu Yue Sect used Demonic Qi when they broke through the Great Array of Chang Chun Temple. Now, for the Cloud Desolate Alliance, a person with Demonic Qi is certainly unwelcome, even hostile. I do not have Brother Yuan's means to conceal Demonic Qi, so I'll avoid causing you trouble by going there," Wulu said with a wry smile.

"Very well, Brother Wulu, just stay within the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range. When the Alliance makes its counterattack, we shall act together," Yuan Ming said.

He also had Demonic Qi within him, but it was contained by the Demon Image Prison Suppression Skill, along with the disguise of the Undying Tree, so naturally he did not need to worry about detection.

Wulu nodded, flew into the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range, and carved a Cave Mansion out of an inconspicuous cliff before eagerly flying in.

Thump!

The moment he entered the cave, he collapsed on the ground, shivering with his hands clasping his body, his cheeks flushing red as blood.

The Blood Puppet Armor was backfiring again!

It was not just the backfire of Blood Puppet Armor; Wulu's body contained too many powers that were not his own—Blood Puppet Armor, Mana sealed within the armor, Demonic Qi, and the power of the blood-colored crystal on his forehead.

All these distinctly different powers were beyond Wulu's control. Even without the backfire of the Blood Puppet Armor, they would clash within his body; the backlash of the Blood Puppet Armor only intensified this conflict tenfold.

After a long time, the blood color on Wulu's face gradually faded, and he slowly sat up.

"I must find the removal method for the Blood Puppet Armor soon, or I won't last long on my own…" he muttered to himself.

...

Yuan Ming continued his journey and soon arrived deep within the mountain range, at the temporary base of the Cloud Desolate Alliance.

On the way, he had already notified Xi Ying through a Communication Talisman, so when he reached the Alliance's base, a group of people was already waiting there, including Xi Ying, Tian Jizi, Wan Tianren, Luo Zhu, and other Sect leaders.

"Haha, I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Yuan's great name but never had the chance to meet. Today, I finally see you. There have been some misunderstandings between us in the past, but now resisting the Wu Yue Sect is the pressing matter. Let's call it even on past issues," Tian Jizi stepped forward, cupping his fists in greeting with genuine sincerity.

Ancestor Ming Quan stood nearby, maintaining a smile, yet the hostility in his eyes was not well concealed.

"Of course, Fellow Daoist Tianji is being too serious," Yuan Ming replied, disregarding Ancestor Ming Quan and returning the greeting to Tian Jizi.

Wan Tianren, Gu Xuanyang, Luo Zhu, and other acquainted individuals also stepped forward to greet him, their expressions slightly odd, as if hesitating to speak.

Yuan Ming saw everything and looked towards Xi Ying.

"To fight the Wu Yue Sect, the Cloud Desolate Alliance pooled all kinds of information to share with everyone. Your identity as the Nether Moon God has been exposed," Xi Ying communicated silently.

Yuan Ming's expression shifted slightly, showing no surprise.

The image of the Nether Moon God was none other than his true self. Wan Tianren and Gu Xuanyang were clueless because they didn't know what Yuan Ming looked like. Chang Chun Temple had the most prolonged interaction with him, and now that the Nether Moon God's reputation was widespread, if Chang Chun Temple were to investigate a little, they could easily figure out the details of the Nether Moon God.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, may I ask a presumptuous question? Are you the rumored Nether Moon God?" a voice suddenly asked. The speaker was a golden-haired old man clad in a loose yellow robe, his face deeply lined, conveying a very old and feeble appearance.