"Don't blame me for being talkative, but could you tell me, since you've set up shop here, have you ever actually done business?" Wulu laughed and didn't mind, speaking out.

"This..." Just as the blind elder began to speak, his stomach inopportunely grumbled.

Clearly, not only had he not done any business, but he also couldn't even fill his stomach.

Seeing this, Wulu gave a wry smile, intending to give him some Silver Coins, but realized he only had Spirit Stones. He wanted to offer some dry rations, yet he only had elixirs on him.

"Old man, I don't have Silver Coins on me, only a pot of brew. If you don't mind, please have a drink," Wulu said after some thought.

His brew was naturally an Immortal Brew filled with Spiritual Power. Just one cup could prolong the old man's life, let alone satisfy his hunger, though of course, he could not drink too much, as his mortal flesh could not withstand it.

"Some liquor? If only there was some meat to go with it," said the blind elder joyfully upon hearing this, only to immediately feel a bit disappointed.

"Then give me a moment," said Wulu.

Having said that, he turned and left the stall, and after a short while, he returned with an oil-paper package in his hand, containing a large chunk of Beast Skin meat that he had just gone to fetch.

"Old man, this meat is rich in vitality, and this liquor is highly potent. Both should not be consumed in excess, so keep them for gradual consumption," Wulu advised as he placed the meat and liquor before the blind elder.

After speaking, he turned to leave.

"Hey, don't go, old man. I always keep my word and never take without giving. However, I don't have any money to give you, so let me divine your fortune for free. How about that?" called out the blind elder hurriedly when he heard the movement.

"It's just a little food and drink, there's no need to worry about it," Wulu turned back and waved his hand, laughing as he spoke.

"Hey, what's the difference between feeding the destitute and tossing scraps to a beggar? Young man, don't break my rules. You've given me meat and drink today, so you will have your fortune told whether you like it or not," the elder raised his voice sharply, insisting.

Hearing this, Wulu thought the man certainly had a strange temperament, but he didn't plan to pay any heed and turned to leave.

"You, a trapped animal, might escape today, but can you escape tomorrow?" At that moment, the elder's voice, tinged with mockery, drifted lazily from behind.

Wulu's body stiffened suddenly, and he found himself unable to move forward.

After a moment, he returned and crouched before the blind elder, his gaze fixed on the shriveled, dark face, filled with bewilderment.

The blind elder paid him no heed, took a sip of liquor, and his parched frame shivered comfortably.

Next, he tossed a chipped bowl, having fetched from nowhere, spot on into the center of a cloth marked with a Star Map.

To Wulu's surprise, the bowl held a full cup of Water, but not a drop spilled out.

Wulu looked at the water in the bowl and then at the blind elder, somewhat puzzled.

"Put your index finger into the bowl, the Innate one on your left hand," noticed the blind elder, seeing Wulu's hesitation, and instructed.

Wulu, already aware that the man before him was no ordinary person, instinctively did as told, dipping his left index finger into the chipped bowl, letting it touch the water.

The blind elder made a swipe across the edge of the bowl, and it immediately emitted a humming vibration.

Subsequently, the water in the bowl began rhythmic pulsing, stirring up waves and ripples. One after another, the seemingly ordinary Stars on the black cloth lit up.

Wulu watched in amazement, while the elder's murmured voice reached his ears:

"Stars diverge at the horn of Taurus, a lionhearted spirit of its own kind,

Seeing Jiang Palace Immortal Mansion from afar, yet sadly mired in a tangle hard to unwind,

Even with ladders reaching the heavens, stuck in the mire, one cannot find.

To break free and find ease, within the root of both Immortal and Demon, nature undefined."

As his voice ceased, Wulu came back to his senses, not realizing he was drenched in sweat.

"Elder," he whispered, but the scenery before him shifted in the blink of an eye.

The bustling crowd and stalls all around had vanished, day turned to night instantly, and a solitary moon hung high. He found himself atop a mist-enshrouded peak.

Above the mountain peak, the Star Map still lay before him, and seated across, was still the withered, dark-skinned blind elder.

"I do not know who you are, elder, or why you enlighten me here today," Wulu stood up and bowed, only to find he has reverted to his original appearance without knowing when.

"Neither man, Immortal, nor Demon, your situation is a tough one," the blind elder showed no airs of an immortal, munching on Beast Skin and drinking from a jug with nonchalance.

Ignoring Wulu's question as if he hadn't heard it at all.

"Indeed, as the elder has said, beyond one's control," Wulu smiled wryly and replied.

"Still, there's hope for redemption," the blind elder casually remarked as he shook the liquor jug.

Seeing that the jug appeared to have been emptied, he pursed his lips, tossed it aside with a casual throw, and discarded it.

"I humbly request the elder to impart his teachings," Wulu said upon hearing this, his face alight with surprised joy.

As he spoke, he deftly produced another jar of Immortal Brew and passed it over.

"Not bad, for the sake of this brew, I shall teach you the Void Thought Technique," the blind elder snatched the jug, opened the lid to sniff it, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you, elder, may I ask what sort of Cultivation Technique the Void Thought Technique is?" Wulu first expressed his gratitude, then asked immediately after.

"Why ask so many questions? Just try it and you'll find out," the blind elder couldn't be bothered to explain and responded dismissively.

Upon hearing this, Wulu ceased speaking and silently awaited the blind elder's instruction.

Once he took a few gulps of wine, the elder began imparting the technique of the Void Thought Technique, his voice resonating like an echo, humming in Wulu's ears.

At first, Wulu could clearly understand what was being said, but after a little while, the voice grew more and more indistinct, ethereal, and hard to grasp.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Wulu felt his very Mana begin to circulate along a peculiar pathway under the direction of this voice.

This circulation was entirely different from all the other Cultivation Techniques he had been training in the past; it was as though Mana was avoiding the Twelve Main Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, these major pathways, and instead, oddly flowing through the minor meridians.

Quickly after, the Demonic Qi in him began to stir, followed by the Mana from the Nascent Soul cultivator which also wasn't his. Then, the Blood Crystal Stone on his forehead joined in, lighting up as well.

Wulu felt as if his body, with its myriad powers at work, was about to burst.

Indeed, that was the case; his flesh manifested magma-like bloody red fissures, edging toward collapse.

But as he endured the pain with tremendous patience, that explosive power gradually subsided. All the conflicting forces slowly harmonized, seemingly converging toward one focal point in an all-encompassing manner.

By this time, the blind elder had completed his teaching. Sensing the changes within Wulu, he could not help but praise, "Such a stalwart spirit is most fit to be my successor, only it's a pity... alas..."

His words trailed off into a deep sigh.

"But having passed you the Void Thought Technique, I'm now somewhat your mentor. With this technique by your side, the more diverse your learning and gains are in the future, the more beneficial it will be for your Cultivation. I only hope that you will remain true to your original aspirations!" the blind elder sighed, and said.

As his voice fell, Wulu had already quickly grasped the essence of the technique.

With a cooling sensation flowing through all his meridians, his expression went from initial distress to calmness, and the terrifying cracks on his body gradually healed, leaving only shallow patterns.

And the multiple forces within him slowly became balanced, coalescing swiftly, and finally merged into one without any signs of mutual repulsion.

The blind elder, with his empty gaze fixed on Wulu, who was steadily becoming more serene, put away the jug satisfactorily, stepped toward the distance, and merged into the void within one step, vanishing in an instant.

Wulu, meanwhile, found himself in a tranquil valley, still immersed in Cultivation, oblivious to everything else. U&pl*oad$ed by the M&|V@|@L(@E&MPYR@)@ team.!

...

Outside the main hall of Chang Chun Temple, a line of Wu Yue Sect disciples carried trays stacked with succulent foods like roast chicken, lamb legs, grilled fish, and various other delicacies, continuously flowing into the hall.

Inside the hall, around a large round table, sat a man dressed in Beast Skin with bloody-red hair, who was plowing through dish after dish of food with relish.

This man's skin was dark and shiny like fine steel, and although he wasn't large, he exuded the aura of a primordial Fierce Beast.

"How is it to your liking, Lord Xue Li?" Blood Demon Ancestor stood beside him, respectfully inquiring.

Wu Yue God was also present in the hall, seated at a distance, her expression neutral but her eyes held a trace of impatience.

"The flavor is too bland, but it has a unique taste," Lord Xue Li said inarticulately, with a roast chicken in his mouth.

Seeing that Xue Li was somewhat pleased, Blood Demon Ancestor heaved a sigh of relief.

"How is the preparation of the Breaking Realm Transfer Array going?" Xue Li suddenly halted his feasting to inquire.

"Lord Xue Li, the Star Power necessary for opening the Array had nearly been accumulated, but a significant amount was used to facilitate your descent. We will need another ten or so days to fully gather it," Blood Demon Ancestor reported.

"Very well, you must be on high alert these next ten days. The two of you should personally guard the vicinity of the Great Array, and ensure no further mishaps occur!" Xue Li ordered.

"Yes," Blood Demon Ancestor replied solemnly.

A flicker of displeasure passed through Wu Yue God's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and remained silent.

In her view, this Xue Li was merely at the Middle-stage Returning Void; yet, he dared to command her in such a manner. Her Soul Power had reached the Mid-stage of Word Witch, and she was closely approaching the Late Stage of Word Witch, unafraid of this man.

"What is it? Do you, Wu Yue God, have an objection to my words?" Xue Li sensed something and turned his gaze toward Wu Yue God.

"The only commands I heed come from Lord Demon. If you wish to direct me, obtain Lord Demon's orders first," Wu Yue God scoffed, stood up, and strode out.

Xue Li watched Wu Yue God's retreating figure, a cruel smile playing at his lips, and with a blur of motion, he disappeared from his spot.