"There's no hurry on this. I'm much better now, and since Fellow Daoist Xi Qian has just awakened, I worry about overtaxing her. Let her recover some mana before she attempts any healing. Before that, Xi Ying, take a look at this." Yuan Ming shook his head as he took out a blank jade scroll, inscribed something with his divine thought, and handed it over to Xi Ying.

"This is..." Xi Ying received the jade scroll, and after looking over the contents, he quickly furrowed his brows.

"This is the precise layout of the demon array set up by the Wu Yue Sect at Chaotian Peak. Can you deduce the exact purpose of this demon array?" Yuan Ming asked.

"The arrangement of this formation uses ancient techniques, and there are some parts I'll need to check some classics to fully understand, but from what I can see, there's an eighty percent chance this is a spatial array." Xi Ying held the jade scroll and studied it intently for a while before handing it back.

"How can you tell?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"Look here, and here; the structure in these areas is similar to ancient transmission arrays I've studied before, and the runes used are also similar." Xi Ying pointed out the resembling aspects.

"I see. It seems Qi Ye was right, the goals of the Wu Yue God and the Blood Demon Ancestor are to open a spatial passage to let the Demon Clan enter the Yunhuang Continent. This matter must be promptly reported to Tian Jizi, organize personnel to counterattack Chang Chun Temple, and we absolutely must not allow the great array to be completed successfully." Yuan Ming nodded and said right away.

...

Cloud Desolation Alliance, Chang Chun Temple Headquarters.

"Is what Fellow Daoist Yuan said true?" Tian Jizi suddenly rose, his expression one of shock.

"This is the array map I recorded. If Fellow Daoist Tian Jizi does not believe it, you may invite someone else to calculate and verify it." Yuan Ming spoke as he pushed the jade scroll forward.

Tian Jizi took the jade scroll and read it carefully; his expression grew increasingly grave.

"This indeed looks like the construction of a spatial array, but to think that the Demon Clan, said only to exist in the writings of classics, truly exists!" Tian Jizi muttered to himself.

"Yunhuang is merely a corner of the world, and nobody knows what lies beyond the seas. Not to mention the Demon Clan, the existence of any other species wouldn't come as a surprise either." Yuan Ming sighed lightly, thus speaking.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan's point is well taken. This intelligence is crucial for our alliance. I am grateful on behalf of the myriad citizens of Yunhuang. We had already started planning a counteroffensive, but now it seems we must hasten our efforts to ensure the array is never completed," Tian Jizi said as he rose and bowed.

Yuan Ming graciously accepted the bow, about to rise and leave when Tian Jizi stopped him.

"Hold a moment, Fellow Daoist. There is something else for which I'd like to ask your assistance," Tian Jizi hastily said.

"Is it about confronting the Wu Yue God?" Yuan Ming quickly grasped the matter Tian Jizi was alluding to.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan is perceptive. Without the protection of the great array, even with the aid of the Canghai Xuan Water Pearl, I'm no match for the Wu Yue God. Senior Jin Chao from the East Sea is also hard to locate, and considering all of Yunhuang, perhaps only Fellow Daoist Yuan might stand a chance," Tian Jizi earnestly said.

Unlike others in the Cloud Desolation Alliance, for Tian Jizi, whether Yuan Ming was the Nether Moon God or not wasn't important; what truly mattered was if he had the strength to confront the Wu Yue God.

Even though Chang Chun Temple had past grievances with Yuan Ming, Tian Jizi saw these issues as reconcilable, especially because the Imperial Family had always maintained good relations with Yuan Ming. There was still a base of mutual respect and gratitude.

Moreover, with the current situation, preserving Yunhuang was a priority; anything else could be deferred.

"I fear I must disappoint you, Fellow Daoist. To obtain this intelligence, I have sustained serious injuries and need to recuperate for a while; I am truly not a match for the Wu Yue God at this moment," Yuan Ming said with a troubled expression.

"Then may I ask when Fellow Daoist Yuan might recover? If there is anything you need for your treatment, please speak freely, and our alliance will definitely find a way to assist," Tian Jizi quickly seized upon Yuan Ming's key point.

"You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Tian Jizi. I am not haggling over terms. As for the healing of my injuries, even I have no clues presently. I can only seek solutions through seclusion," Yuan Ming explained.

Seeing that Yuan Ming's expression did not seem deceitful, Tian Jizi could only sigh deeply and speak no further.

Yuan Ming's words were not an excuse; after bidding farewell to Tian Jizi, he immediately returned to his residence to begin seclusion, operating the Moonlight Technique to try and eliminate the fatigue and weakness emanating from his Nascent Soul.

But several days passed, and his condition had not improved in the slightest.

During this period, Xi Qian visited several times, applying the Seeking Green Transformation Skill again, but compared to the first application, its effectiveness diminished with each attempt and eventually ceased altogether.

Having no other choice, Yuan Ming continued his seclusion, searching for a solution to his problems.

Meanwhile, the Cloud Desolation Alliance swiftly mobilized, widely broadcasting the news that the Wu Yue God intended to summon the Demon Clan to descend upon Yunhuang.

To emphasize the severity, Tian Jizi also specifically disclosed all secrets regarding the Demon Clan held within Chang Chun Temple to the public, informing them that if the Demon Clan invaded, they would completely transform Yunhuang by changing Spiritual Energy into Demonic Qi, forever severing the Human Clan's possibility of cultivation.

As the message spread, there were skeptics and those shocked, but no one dared to ignore the intelligence provided by Tian Jizi. Even hidden sects and loose cultivators, who had previously declined to join the fight for various reasons, began arriving at the headquarters of the Cloud Desolation Alliance, each harboring various thoughts and inquiries.

...

Southern Border, Black Scale Mountain.

Like every day, the loose cultivator Nascent Soul Daoist Yu He, carrying a wine jug, came to visit his good friend Hei Linzi.

But when he knocked on the grand doors of his friend's cave mansion, he found his typically sect-averse friend packing his belongings.

"Are you going on a long journey?" Daoist Yu He asked in surprise.

"I'm preparing to go to the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range," Hei Linzi replied without looking up.

""Don't tell me you're thinking about joining the Cloud Desolation Alliance. How strange, I heard their leader is from the Chang Chun Temple. Weren't you injured by their people years ago? How come you now think of joining them to confront the Wu Yue Sect?" Immortal Yu He asked curiously.

"See for yourself." Hei Linzi threw a jade scroll at him.

Immortal Yu He caught it and read it through; astonishment deepened on his face.

"The Demon Clan? There really are other races in this world?" he asked, putting down the jade scroll.

"True or false, we'll know when we see. It's better than staying here, blind even though our eyes are open," Hei Linzi said offhandedly.

Seeing that he was determined to leave, Immortal Yu He burst into laughter.

"Who would have thought, Hei Linzi, normally so wicked, would also have a day where he wishes to sacrifice himself for greater good," he laughed.

"Hmph, cut the nonsense. I just don't want to end up unable to quietly cultivate one day! Enough talk, in a word, are you coming or not?" Hei Linzi snorted.

"If you're going, how could I stay behind?" Immortal Yu He laughed loudly.

...

East Sea, Xufeng Island.

Zhang Zhifeng slipped cautiously outside the island, seeing that no one was around. Just as he was about to set up his magic artifact, a sudden shout startled him.

"Traitor, where do you think you're going?"

"Master, I, I just wanted to go to the workshop to buy some things..." Zhang Zhifeng turned around, smiling awkwardly.

Behind him, an old man with white hair was glaring at him furiously.

"You think I don't know? You want to go to the Central Plains to confront the Wu Yue Sect!" the white-haired elder barked.

Now that his intentions were exposed, Zhang Zhifeng stopped pretending. * (*) hosts the original.

"Yes, I'm going to the Central Plains. During the battle in the East Sea, Master, you stopped me, saying the island was shielded by a Concealment Great Array and that I shouldn't worry about anything. But now the Wu Yue God wants to bring the Demon Clan here, and the whole Yunhuang is resisting. How can I stay here like a frightened turtle!" Zhang Zhifeng said angrily.

"Ha, what do you know, kid? In such chaos, many people wish they could be that frightened turtle but aren't able to. Besides, you're my only disciple. If you run off, what will happen to the passing down of my teachings?" the white-haired elder said unmoved.

"Passing down teachings, you old fart. If Yunhuang is defeated, you might as well wait to pass your teachings to the Demon Clan!" Zhang Zhifeng muttered angrily, turning around and setting up his magic artifact directly.

However, the white-haired elder lifted his hand and waved, pulling Zhang Zhifeng back along with his magic artifact.

"Nonsense! With your Foundation Establishment Cultivation, even if you go, what use could you be? A mere glare from the Wu Yue God would kill you. You'd better stay obediently on the island," he said.

"If you can, keep guarding me day and night, because I'll always find a chance to escape!" Zhang Zhifeng said unwillingly.

The white-haired elder remained indifferent and flicked his finger, sending a breeze to wrap around Zhang Zhifeng and send him back to the island.

Afterward, the island's formation activated on its own, leaving only the lonely figure of the white-haired elder on the sea surface.

"These days, it's not peaceful even trying to properly teach a disciple. Oh well, oh well, I guess it's time for this old bone to move around a bit, to leave a somewhat peaceful Yunhuang for that foolish boy," the white-haired elder sighed helplessly, his figure soon disappearing over the ocean.

He was confident in the formation he had laid down, after all, it was set with the strength of Nascent Soul Cultivation. Unless Zhang Zhifeng suddenly gained insight, there was no way he could break out of the formation.

However, not long after he left, Xufeng Island resurfaced on the sea. The island's great array had a small breach, though it healed quickly. But Zhang Zhifeng had already taken the opportunity to escape.

"Hehe, Little Qing, I owe you one this time." Zhang Zhifeng looked around, seeing that his master hadn't appeared, and immediately expressed his joy.

From his collar, a palm-sized little blue-scaled snake slithered out, proudly flicking its tongue at Zhang Zhifeng before leaping into the sea, transforming into a sleek blue Jiao, carrying Zhang Zhifeng towards the Central Plains, cutting through the waves.

...

Meanwhile, similar events were unfolding across Yunhuang.

With the addition of these Hidden Sects and Loose Cultivators, the combat power that the Cloud Desolation Alliance lacked in recent great battles was gradually being replenished, and the morale, once low, soared once again.

The Cloud Desolation Alliance seemed to have regained the strength to compete with the Wu Yue Sect. However, Tian Jizi, the Alliance Hierarch, knew that without the Returning to Void combat power, the Cloud Desolation Alliance, no matter how strong, would never truly defeat the Wu Yue Sect.

Therefore, he continued to desperately search for the whereabouts of Senior Jin Chao while occasionally inquiring about Yuan Ming's movements, hoping that this "Nether Moon God" would regain divine power to help him counter the Wu Yue God.