After purchasing the Cultivation Technique, Yuan Ming did not rush to leave; instead, he went to other bookshelves and bought a map of the Chuyun Realm and several geographic Classics.

According to the map, the Dongji Sea is located in the farthest eastern part of the Chuyun Realm, with the Abyss region lying even further east.

However, the Dongji Sea is not the entirety of the easternmost lands of the Chuyun Realm; those lands are vast beyond measure, and the Dongji Sea accounts for only a third of them. Southward lies the Luojia Sea, and northward lies the Azure Dragon Sea.

The powers that rule these two seas are named Luo Jia Mountain and Azure Dragon Pond, with strengths not inferior to Dongji Palace.

Especially the Azure Dragon Pond, which is a force of the Demon Clan, said to command all the demon beasts of the three seas in the eastern extremity, and is not to be underestimated.

Westward from the Dongji Sea lies an expansive and boundless continent—the Central Continent.

The Central Continent boasts vast terrain. Where it borders the three eastern seas, there stretches a continuous range of mountains, known as the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range.

Only by crossing the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range can one enter the true heart of Central Continent, where the Spirit Veins are richest and the resources most abundant in the entire Chuyun Realm.

"The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range? When I possessed Wulu earlier, I saw endless mountains. Could it be the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range?" Yuan Ming murmured to himself.

His gaze rested on the central region of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, where a huge city stood, marked on the map as White Emperor City, where Xi Ying had awakened before.

According to the map and the Classics, White Emperor City is the most prosperous city within the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range.

Yuan Ming's eyes flickered, and he quickly put away the map and geographic Classics and left Sui Xin Pavilion.

He did not immediately return to Spiritual Ape Island, but continued to stroll around the island at leisure.

Sikong Zhan and the others following him naturally had no objections, still enthusiastically guiding and introducing places to him, and Yuan Ming let them be.

However, trouble soon found its way to them.

"Sikong Zhan, you truly made us search hard for you!"

Just as the group was passing in front of a teahouse, a sudden shout erupted from inside, and immediately afterward, three Cultivators clad in white robes flew out and landed in front of the group.

The newcomers, two males and one female, all appeared to be in their early twenties, but their Cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul Stage, with the square-faced young man in the lead at Late-stage Nascent Soul.

Yuan Ming raised his eyebrows thoughtfully, looking at Sikong Zhan.

Sikong Zhan and the others had bitter expressions, looking as if they had not expected these three to appear.

"Fellow Daoists from the Bai family, as for the matter regarding Xinyao, we have already apologized to your island, and the dowry she accepted was returned intact. Why must your island stubbornly cling to this matter?" Sikong Zhan stepped forward with a salute.

"Hmph, Ye Xinyao's public fleeing from the marriage has disgraced our Bai family. How could your light apologies possibly compensate for that? As for the dowry, sending it back is only proper; otherwise, we would have issued a warrant for your arrest long ago, and you wouldn't be standing here today," coldly scolded a young male Cultivator among the three, with a hawk-like nose.

Ye Xinyao shuddered and lowered her head.

"Matters of marriage should involve mutual consent, your Bai family is too domineering!" Sikong Zhuo stepped in front of Ye Xinyao, shouting.

"Fellow seniors, Dongji Palace has already decreed that no one may go against a woman's wishes and force a marriage or concubine. Does Bai Han Island intend to openly defy Dongji Palace's orders?" Sikong Lin glanced at Sikong Zhuo and Ye Xinyao, a complex expression flitting across his eyes before regaining composure and speaking.

At the mention of Dongji Palace, many surrounding Cultivators also turned to look, and the three from the Bai family all trembled slightly.

"So eloquent with words. When my Bai family proposed, Ye Xinyao's parents agreed, and Ye Xinyao herself nodded in agreement. There was never any force involved," said the cold-voiced female Cultivator from the Bai family.

"Your Bai family is simply deceitful! That Bai Haoshan is only interested in my Hundred Herbs Spiritual Body; he wants to use me as a cauldron for replenishing himself in hopes of breaking through to Mid-stage Nascent Soul—not at all as the marriage proposal stated, to become the chief wife of Bai Haoshan!" Ye Xinyao's expression suddenly turned resolute as she retorted.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed.

The Palace Master of Dongji Palace, an unparalleled female Cultivator, takes great care of women, having set numerous protective decrees, and the act of harvesting is far more grievous than forced marriage.

"What! Bai Haoshan plans to use you as a cauldron, why didn't you speak up earlier!" Sikong Zhuo and Sikong Lin both turned pale, seemingly unaware of this matter.

Ye Xinyao did not respond, merely clenching her fists.

"Nonsense! My Bai family would never engage in the act of harvesting female Cultivators. You dare to backbite, making slanderous accusations here—if we don't take you back to set an example, wouldn't everyone come to look down upon Bai Han Island and the Bai family!" The female Cultivator from the Bai family roared furiously, with a flick of her right hand, an invisible force tugged at Ye Xinyao's body, pulling her straight toward her. This# cha*pter! is f.rom^ the c.oll+ecti!o#n. at M-VL$-E%M-&P*Y*R.@

"Stop!" Sikong Zhan immediately took action, a sharp wave of Sword Qi slashing in front of Ye Xinyao.

The square-faced young man's eyes glimmered with a cold smirk, and he made a light flicking motion with his sleeve.

Sikong Zhan's Sword Qi shattered, and he himself staggered back two steps to steady himself.

"You dare to start a fight here; aren't you afraid of Dongji Palace's people stepping in to punish you?" Sikong Zhan exclaimed in shock and anger.

"This woman publicly slandered our Bai family, insulting a Nascent Soul with her Core Formation cultivation. Even if Dongji Palace law enforcement were to come, we would have justification. But as for you, if you wish to challenge us here, you should think carefully," the square-faced youth sneered, showing a mocking expression.

"Then what crime would it be for you to make a move against her in my presence?" Just at that moment, Yuan Ming spoke indifferently.

Without any visible action from him, the force pulling at Ye Xinyao's body suddenly vanished, causing her to fall to the ground.

"Is... Sir a venerable Returning to Void senior?" The square-faced youth was taken aback upon seeing this, and the other two also looked at Yuan Ming with shocked faces.

Yuan Ming did not speak, but slowly stepped out from behind Sikong Zhan and his group, positioning himself in front of the Bai family cultivators.

He had deliberately repressed his Spiritual Power just now, so the three Bai family cultivators had not sensed his strength and took him for an unrelated passerby.

Now that Yuan Ming had stepped directly in front of them, they could clearly perceive his power, and their faces grew significantly uglier.

"I am Bai Jingshu from Bai Han Island, may I ask who the senior is..." The square-faced youth cupped his hands and asked.

"With your level of cultivation, you are not qualified to inquire about my origins," Yuan Ming said, not offering him any face.

"... The senior speaks the truth, but, Ye Xinyao's matter has already alerted our Island Master. If the senior wishes to protect him, the Island Master might choose to pay a personal visit. Please think it over, senior," Bai Jingshu said, his face stiffening, yet he dared not show anger and instead invoked the name of the Lord of Bai Han Island.

According to the intelligence Yuan Ming had recently gathered, Bai Han Island was a famous island in the Dongji Sea, and its Island Master had reached the middle stage of Returning Void. He was not only well-known but had also once astonishingly fought alone against three early-stage Returning to Void cultivators without defeat.

"Is that so? Then let him come. It would be good for me to fulfill the host's duties." Yuan Ming recalled the intelligence regarding Bai Han Island, smiling faintly, not taking Bai Jingshu's threat seriously.

"I will convey the senior's words to the Island Master exactly as spoken," Bai Jingshu's heart sank as he left a pale threat behind and hastily departed with the other two Bai family cultivators.

Yuan Ming watched their retreating figures, a glint of killing intent briefly crossing his eyes, but it soon vanished into nothingness.

Many had just witnessed their exchange, and even if Yuan Ming killed Bai Jingshu and the others in secret, the news would eventually reach Bai Han Island. Taking action now would instead provoke an endless battle.

With this thought, Yuan Ming thoroughly discarded the idea of ambushing them.

"Thank you, senior, for your assistance. We truly do not know how to repay such a great kindness," Meanwhile, Sikong Zhan and his group hurriedly bowed to Yuan Ming.

"It was merely a trivial matter, but it seems the Bai family will not give up easily. Do you have a place where you can hide from the Bai family's pursuit?" Yuan Ming turned his gaze towards Sikong Zhan.

"The island where we currently reside is relatively concealed; we should be able to hold out for some time. However, if the Island Master of Bai Han Island gets involved, I fear we can only surrender," Sikong Zhan said with a wry smile.

"In that case, I am currently in need of manpower. Why not come work on my island? When the Island Master of Bai Han Island arrives, I shall deal with it. You need not worry," Yuan Ming smiled and extended an invitation.

Sikong Zhan, seeing Yuan Ming's confidence, was reassured and eagerly accepted Yuan Ming's invitation.

Ye Xinyao and the others were also extremely pleased, repeatedly thanking Yuan Ming for his kindness.

"There's no need for that. You once helped me, so naturally, I should repay you. But if you face any difficulties in the future, you may come directly to me for help. I'll assist if I can. As for today's matter, it can only happen once; you must remember this," Yuan Ming, however, changed his tone and said so.

Upon hearing this, Sikong Zhan and his group all tightened their expressions, immediately affirming.

They had known about the presence of the Bai family here today and had brought Yuan Ming with them, hoping to use his strength to temporarily fend off the Bai family. If possible, they also wanted to directly pledge allegiance under Yuan Ming for protection.

Yuan Ming, who had long seen through their intentions using his Emotion Manipulation Ability, went with the flow and spoke to recruit them.

As for the potential troubles, it was just a middle-stage Returning Void Island Master; Yuan Ming truly did not fear him.

Moreover, a Returning to Void cultivator wouldn't make a big deal over a mere Core Formation issue. In Yuan Ming's view, there was still room for manoeuver in this matter.

After this interlude, Yuan Ming lost the desire to wander around. He took Sikong Zhan and the others to purchase a large amount of spiritual materials for refining Arrays and then returned to Spiritual Ape Island with them.

Back on the island, Yuan Ming called over the other cultivators and introduced Sikong Zhan and his group to them.

"Sikong Zhan, Sikong Zhuo, Sikong Lin, aside from praying earnestly every day, you three will be mainly responsible for spreading the teachings of the Moon Sect to Spiritual Ape Island and the nearby islands. If you do well, I will have rewards for you," Yuan Ming dismissed the others and said to Sikong Zhan and his group.

"The Moon Sect? Forgive my impertinence, but I haven't heard of this sect. May I know its doctrines?" Sikong Zhan pondered for a moment and asked.

"This is a sect I have created. All the teachings and some methods of preaching are within this. Just follow these instructions. Our sect does not require believers to do too much, the most important thing is sincere prayer," Yuan Ming took out a Jade Scroll and tossed it over.

Inside the Jade Scroll, the methods of preaching mentioned were akin to what Xu Che had done in the Yunhuang Continent years ago, the benefits being quite tempting for ordinary cultivators and mortals.

"Understood... If I may be so bold, Senior, do you practice both Soul Skill and other paths?" Sikong Zhan immediately accepted the task and then asked with a hint of surprise.

"I have dabbled in both," Yuan Ming replied upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this response, Sikong Zhan was overjoyed, feeling even more confident that Yuan Ming could protect them from the hands of the Island Master of Bai Han.