"May I ask the elder, what should I do?" At this time, Ye Xinyao, seeing that Yuan Ming had not arranged for her to go and spread the teachings as well, suddenly felt a bit nervous.

"You said before that you are a Hundred Herbs Spiritual Body, I remember those with this type of spiritual body can enhance the medicinal power of the spirit plants they cultivate by thirty percent?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Yes, but if the rank of the spirit plants cultivated is too high, the increase in medicinal power will be much less," Ye Xinyao explained.

"That's enough. Besides praying daily with sincerity like the others, from now on, you will be in charge of the spirit fields and the Medicine Garden on the island. However, aside from these existing ones, I need you to set aside an area specifically for the cultivation of Poisonous Grass. The quantity can be less, but the variety must be diverse, any questions?" Yuan Ming instructed.

"No, elder, rest assured, I will arrange everything carefully," Ye Xinyao replied with particular joy, immediately accepting the task.

She was a Spirit Plant Master by trade, most skilled in cultivating spirit plants. Although she did not know why Yuan Ming specifically wanted to cultivate Poisonous Grass, if it was just the variety that was required, she had plenty of seeds to choose from.

Yuan Ming's purpose in cultivating the Poisonous Grass was naturally to feed the Purple Extreme Tai Sui. The Dongji Sea was unlike Yunhuang; even without practicing Poison Skill, having an assortment of potent toxins might yield miraculous effects at any moment.

After arranging various matters, Yuan Ming waved his hand, dismissing Sikong Zhan and the others, and then he entered the Cave Mansion, taking out the spiritual materials he had purchased and a Jade Scroll.

The Jade Scroll recorded a Level 5 Array Formation—the Ten Thousand Water Green Wave Formation, which he had obtained through possession of Su Yingxue. Once the Formation was set up, it could enhance its power by utilizing the surrounding water currents. If it were to be laid out on Spiritual Ape Island, even a Returning to Void Cultivator in the Late Stage would have difficulty breaking through without considerable effort.

However, with Yuan Ming's current Array Formation Cultivation, it was still beyond his reach to set up such a Level 5 Formation on his own, fortunately, Su Yingxue had written down her entire array-setting process in detail. Yuan Ming only needed to follow it step by step to replicate the Formation entirely on the island.

But the setup of a Level 5 Magic Array was extremely complex. Even with the notes to help, Yuan Ming still needed to spend a considerable amount of time to properly complete it.

Therefore, for the following several months, Yuan Ming focused almost exclusively on this task, paying no attention to other matters.

Keep us going by reading on *.

...

Three months later, in the sea region where Spiritual Ape Island was located.

Three grand tunneling lights, each a hundred zhang long, tore through the sky from afar, hurtling towards Spiritual Ape Island in a straight line.

The lights emitted strong Mana fluctuations, indicating that they were all Returning to Void Cultivators. Wherever they passed, marine creatures scrambled to flee in terror.

"It's merely a new Returning Void, relying on some skills to act recklessly. Such a child, I, on behalf of Fellow Daoist Bai, will discipline him. Why bother having you personally take action?" said a small-eyed, thick-browed, astute-faced middle-aged man from within the light on the left, laughing as he spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Shen must not underestimate this man. He managed to defeat Silver Dragon Daoist and occupy Spiritual Ape Island, and he even dared to publicly defy my Bai Han Island. He must have something to rely on," said the man in white in the middle, speaking indifferently.

He was of average appearance, but his frame was robust. He wore a spotless white robe adorned with snowflake patterns. As he flew, the robe fluttered slightly, and the snowflakes seemed to really fall from it, as if it were a living snow landscape scroll.

This man was none other than the Lord of Bai Han Island, Bai Zhengxiong.

The thick-browed man who spoke first was Shen Fangyuan, the Island Master of Thousand Gold Island, with the Early Stage of Returning to Void Cultivation. He was very close friends with Bai Zhengxiong.

"Indeed, and this person's background is also quite mysterious. He has never had a reputation in Dongji Sea before, as if he just popped out of a rock," said another cultivator with a square face and a goatee, dressed in a blue robe, speaking next to Bai Zhengxiong.

"Does Fellow Daoist Shi also not know of this person's origins?" Shen Fangyuan asked with a start, eager to know more.

"I have sent letters to friends in other places to commission an investigation. The only thing that can be confirmed for now is that he is not a cultivator from Dongji Sea," the square-faced cultivator shook his head and added.

His name was Shi Huan, an elder of Dongji Palace, who in private dealt with the trading of information and acted as an intermediary. It was said that he could get any information as long as the price was right, and with Dongji Palace backing him, few dared to provoke him.

Even he did not know Yuan Ming's background, which implied something that made Shen Fangyuan feel an unexpected unease.

"Heh, a mysterious background does not mean anything; in the end, we cultivators must speak with our strength," Bai Zhengxiong seemed unconcerned.

Shen Fangyuan agreed with him, and recalling Bai Zhengxiong's past accomplishments, he felt somewhat reassured.

The group continued onwards, but they didn't travel far before another spirit light came from the horizon, landing in front of them.

"It turns out to be Yun Luo Fairy." Bai Zhengxiong saw the incoming person and immediately showed a warm smile.

"Fellow Daoists are...?" Yun Luo Fairy returned the greeting and, looking at the three men with some surprise, asked.

The commotion of three Returning to Void Cultivators passing by was not small, and having been disturbed while in seclusion on Yunshan Island, she had come to check on the situation.

"Hehe, I heard that Spiritual Ape Island has recently welcomed a new daoist whose skills are far from modest. I've come especially to meet them. Since you, Fairy, are a neighbor, how about you join us and introduce us?" Bai Zhengxiong laughed without revealing his true intentions.

"If Fellow Daoist Bai invites me, how could I dare decline?" Yun Luo Fairy feigned sudden realization, but her heart grew more cautious.

After Yun Luo Fairy joined them, Bai Zhengxiong and the others ceased their idle chatter and quickened their pace considerably, arriving at the outskirts of Spiritual Ape Island in less than half a day.

Seeing that the island's Forbidden had not changed much since the Silver Dragon Taoist's control, Shen Fangyuan's last bit of worry completely dissipated.

"Ha! The new daoist is quite thrifty, not even willing to change the Island Protection Array. It seems that this person must have offended someone elsewhere and fled to our Dongji Sea for refuge," Shen Fangyuan laughed.

A smile appeared on Bai Zhengxiong's face, and just as he was about to speak, a surge of Spiritual Energy burst forth from the center of Spiritual Ape Island. Mysterious array runes lit up everywhere on the island. The dense network of Spiritual Energy was like a giant net, enveloping the entire island.

The sea around the island also churned suddenly, sending up dozens of spiral water columns that connected to the Spirit Light Giant Net on the island, as if filling in the blank spaces between the lines on a painting.

Within just a few breaths, Spiritual Ape Island was completely shrouded in a light green Great Array. From the outside, the island's landscape was no longer visible. Only the ripples reflected the sky, integrating almost seamlessly with the surrounding seascape thanks to the difference in hues.

"Eh, this formation is really exquisite. I fear it has reached the Level 5 standard," Shi Huan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but marvel.

"Level 5 Formation? Impossible! He has only just taken over Spiritual Ape Island; how could he have invited those few Level 5 Array Masters to set up an array?" Shen Fangyuan's face flushed red as he exclaimed.

"To my knowledge, those masters are currently occupied with other important matters and should not have the time to help Fellow Daoist Yuan with setting up an array," Shi Huan shook his head, implying something more profound.

"Does Fellow Daoist Shi mean that this formation was laid by him himself?" Shen Fangyuan wore a look of disbelief.

"I dare not make unfounded claims, but there seems to be no other possibility," Shi Huan remained noncommittal.

"Fellow Daoist Shi is wrong. If he truly had such ability, with the vast world out there, he would be a respected guest and dominant figure anywhere he went, with access to superior Spirit Veins. Why would he condescend to take over Spiritual Ape Island?" Bai Zhengxiong shook his head in disbelief, yet his eyes held a trace of seriousness.

"What brings you honorable folks from afar?" Just then, Yuan Ming's figure emerged from the array, he swept a look over the four of them and asked indifferently.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Yuan Ming, I am Lord Bai Han, Bai Zhengxiong. Do you remember the recent matter on East Extreme Island?" Bai Zhengxiong sized up Yuan Ming.

"Of course, I remember. Fellow Daoist Bai is here for Ye Xinyao, right? She has now joined Spiritual Ape Island. I would ask you to be magnanimous and let her be, for my sake," Yuan Ming clasped his hands together, speaking politely.

"I can consider your face, but the face that my Bai family has lost, whom should I ask for?" Bai Zhengxiong said lightly.

"It seems that Fellow Daoist Bai is set on making trouble with me," Yuan Ming took a deep breath and smiled wryly.

"Ridiculous, you were the one who sheltered someone who had insulted my Bai family and opposed me. How can you blame me in return?" Bai Zhengxiong sneered.

"Since that's the case, let's judge the truth through a contest. Ye Xinyao is currently on Spiritual Ape Island. If you have the skills, you can try to seize her yourself," Yuan Ming's right hand formed a spell, and the Ten Thousand Water Green Wave Formation rapidly began revolving, ready to strike.

"Seems like you still don't understand the rules of Dongji Palace. If Returning to Void Cultivators have a private dispute, they can agree to a duel to resolve it. However, if someone attacks an island forcibly, it is seen as an enemy of Dongji Palace. If you have the courage, come out and fight me alone; otherwise, stay huddled on your island like a coward," Bai Zhengxiong's eyes flashed with wariness, clearly having no intention of attacking the formation.

Yuan Ming frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the people outside the array, pondering something.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, rest assured, I am an elder of Dongji Palace, and I will officiate this battle. I guarantee with the name of Dongji Palace that there will be no bias towards either party," Shi Huan mistook Yuan Ming's concern for fear of being attacked by multiple opponents and immediately reassured him with a smile, showing his elder's Token from Dongji Palace.

"It seems that Fellow Daoist Bai has come prepared. Well then, I shall accept Fellow Daoist Bai's challenge," Yuan Ming contemplated for a moment, shook his head, and with a flash, he walked out from the array.

Being new to the area, if he were to keep backing down, people would think him weak and easy to bully, and he might find more trouble coming his way in the future.

Moreover, he wanted to spread his teachings in the Dongji Sea, and he certainly couldn't afford to have a reputation for being faint-hearted. Otherwise, it would be difficult to gain Cultivator believers, let alone recruit mortal followers.

"Let us find another battlefield then, so as not to affect Spiritual Ape Island," Bai Zhengxiong said, turning to leave.

"Hehe, no need. We can just battle in the sky. It will only cause some minor disturbances. My Great Array is not that fragile, and besides, it won't take long," Yuan Ming called out to him.

He certainly would not rashly follow Bai Zhengxiong to another location, given that it might be a trap.

"Arrogant!" Bai Zhengxiong's expression darkened, and with a loud shout, he swiftly flew into the sky.

Yuan Ming gave a slight smile and flew up as well.