"Hehe, don't rush. Just wait for a bit, and soon there will be an opportunity." The Artifact Spirit gave a mysterious smile and then disappeared.

Yuan Ming was taken aback and called out a couple more times. Seeing that the Artifact Spirit no longer responded, a flurry of doubts arose in his heart, not knowing what it meant for him to wait for.

He pondered for a long while without any leads, so he could only sigh and attend to his own matters while waiting for the opportunity the Artifact Spirit mentioned.

Since this transaction was already completed, Yuan Ming's need for the Vow Power Pill was not as urgent. Therefore, after leaving the Cave Mansion, he first went to the Shura Palace to urge those Nascent Soul Evil Cultivators to continue praying, and then specifically brought out Fei Shang and Qu Jiuhuang.

Magic Practitioners capable of reaching the Returning Void stage are rare even in the Overseas World; naturally, they have unique and superior aspects.

Having been at the Returning Void stage for many years, these two must have plenty of Secret Technique insights worth Yuan Ming's exploration and learning. Simply having them pray too much would be a waste. With the Soul Descent Rune, Yuan Ming could ensure they wouldn't escape his control, so it was better to let them continue cultivating so that he could learn stealthily through Black Incense Possession.

However, Yuan Ming would not just let them freely cultivate. The resources provided for cultivation were limited, and they were only allowed to practice the spells that Yuan Ming approved.

What surprised Yuan Ming was that Fei Shang and Qu Jiuhuang were actually grateful for this requirement, viewing it as a mercy from Yuan Ming. Not only did they not resist, but their faith in the Nether Moon God also became more sincere.

Even so, Yuan Ming repeatedly tested and confirmed them before feeling slightly at ease. He then imparted the Secret Techniques of Transplanting Technique and Planting Beans into Soldiers to them, ordering them to comprehend and cultivate so that he could possess them for learning later.

After Yuan Ming arranged these things, he returned to his daily cultivation, thinking the opportunity mentioned by the Artifact Spirit would take some time to come. Who would have thought that just a few days later, the long-unseen Mo Sanqi, an elder of the Dongji Palace, would suddenly visit Spiritual Ape Island?

Yuan Ming welcomed him onto the island and seated him in the guest hall, offering him Spiritual Tea.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Yuan, not only is your cultivation profound, but you are also excellent in management and strategy. In just a hundred years, you've managed Spiritual Ape Island so well; you're truly a rare talent." After finishing a cup of Spiritual Tea, Mo Sanqi praised Yuan Ming profusely.

"Fellow Daoist Mo, you're too kind." Yuan Ming refilled the tea with a smile and replied.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, our Dongji Palace has always treasured talent. If you change your mind, I would personally recommend you to the Island Master. It wouldn't be difficult to grant you the management of a few more islands." Mo Sanqi probed with a question.

"Fellow Daoist Mo, I'm used to being carefree. Just managing this Spiritual Ape Island is already giving me headaches. How could I have the energy for more islands? I appreciate your kindness." Yuan Ming waved his hand with a smile.

Seeing his polite refusal, Mo Sanqi did not press further.

Help us out by reading on *.

"Actually, one reason for my visit today, besides paying a visit after such a long absence to see if you need anything, is that Dongji Palace plans to conquer the Demon Dao Sect, Black Evil Sect, and has summoned many Island Masters to go on an expedition. Remembering your prowess, I came to ask if you'd like to participate?" Mo Sanqi asked, changing the topic.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming was stunned and thought to himself, "Is this a coincidence, or...?"

Just a few days ago, the Artifact Spirit had mentioned something about Black Mo Island and the Black Evil Sect to him, telling him to wait. At that time, Yuan Ming didn't know what it meant by "waiting," only to find that today brought news of Dongji Palace's plan to conquer the Black Evil Sect.

Seeing Yuan Ming deep in thought and not speaking for a while, Mo Sanqi continued:

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, since you are not a cultivator of Dongji Palace, you are not obligated to join, so you don't have to worry about that. However, for those Island Masters willing to participate in the conquest, we offer a Ginseng Origin Pill as a reward. This item is a secret elixir of Dongji Palace, with special effects for cultivators breaking through the Returning Void bottleneck. Usually, it's nearly impossible to buy."

He finished, watching Yuan Ming, eager to see his reaction.

"I will participate. I've heard of the Ginseng Origin Pill's fame long ago. For your palace to offer this as a reward, your sincerity is clear, and I have no reason to refuse." Yuan Ming nodded immediately without hesitation.

For years, Yuan Ming had been seeking elixirs to aid in breaking through the cultivation bottleneck to the late stage of Returning Void, and the Ginseng Origin Pill was among the best.

Unfortunately, Dongji Palace had kept this elixir very carefully. It was hard to even catch a glimpse, let alone buy one. Who would've thought it would come to his doorstep today?

"Haha, with Fellow Daoist Yuan joining, we are sure to achieve a great victory. If you make battle achievements, there will be more rewards awaiting you," Mo Sanqi said with a beaming smile.

"Fellow Daoist Mo, I'm just an insignificant role. Please don't have too high expectations of me," Yuan Ming said humbly with a smile.

After a round of courtesies, Mo Sanqi mentioned he had other Island Masters to invite personally and took his leave.

After he left, Yuan Ming immediately took out the Stealing Heaven Tripod and asked the Artifact Spirit, "Senior, how did you know that Dongji Palace was planning to conquer the Black Evil Sect?"

After a moment, the voice of the Artifact Spirit slowly echoed in his Sea of Consciousness: "As long as I wish to know, nothing can be hidden from me."

Hearing this, a sudden sense of dread arose in Yuan Ming's heart.

He knew that this senior Artifact Spirit was not speaking empty words, its status perhaps even higher than he had guessed.

"Senior, about the Crystal Stone?" Yuan Ming inquired cautiously.

"Don't worry. You just need to follow the Dongji Palace cultivators to Black Mo Island, and I will tell you how to find the Crystal Stone then," said the Artifact Spirit, before ignoring Yuan Ming once more.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming was delighted and immediately began preparations for the campaign against the Black Evil Sect.

Since it was impossible to improve his cultivation level quickly, he shifted his focus to Magic Treasures.

Yuan Ming entered the Shura Palace, arrived at the Artifact Refining Hall in the Extreme Fire Realm, and waved his sleeve.

Seven or eight black rocks resembling refined iron fell to the ground, exuding a dense atmosphere of Yin Qi, precisely Nine Nether Iron.

The cultivation resources in the overseas world are exceedingly abundant, far surpassing those of the Yunhuang Continent. Though Dongji Sea is located in a remote area, it still cannot be compared to the Yunhuang Continent.

These past years, Yuan Ming did not spend much effort, only having Sikong Zhan be mindful in his teachings, and already collected so many pieces.

He took out the Sun and Moon Flame Sunrise Furnace, opened his mouth to release the Soul Destroying Sword, and placed it into the furnace body.

The seven or eight pieces of Nine Nether Iron also flew inside, slowly melting under the embrace of Pure Yang Flame within the furnace, merging into the Soul Destroying Sword.

The Soul Destroying Sword was his Lifebound Magical Treasure, though it had begun to develop spirituality, its foundation was not solid, needing further enhancement.

Infusing Nine Nether Iron into the Soul Destroying Sword, Yuan Ming was already skilled in this, allocating a portion of his attention to guard the Sun and Moon Flame Sunrise Furnace, and with a flip of his hand, he took out two Spiritual Treasures, namely the Shura Blood Devouring Map and the imitation Exterminating Immortal Sword.

"Fellow Daoist Qi Ye, let's begin." He said lightly.

"Alright." Qi Ye emerged from the Shura Blood Devouring Map, reaching out towards the screen's void.

A phantom blood shadow in the shape of a giant python emerged, appearing just like the Yin Worm Beast Yuan Ming had slain when he first arrived at Dongji Sea.

Yuan Ming later used the Shura Blood Devouring Map to refine this beast, transforming it into a Blood Slave.

This time, the refinement took considerable effort from him and Qi Ye, only refining the demon soul of the Yin Worm Beast, forming a particularly pure Yin Worm Blood Slave, more suitable for conversion into an Artifact Spirit.

The reason Yuan Ming did this was to prepare to seal the blood slave transformed from the Yin Worm Beast into the Exterminating Immortal Sword, serving as an Artifact Spirit.

The Yin Worm Beast is a demon beast with yin attributes, perfectly matching a killing Spiritual Treasure like the Exterminating Immortal Sword.

Qi Ye pointed at the Shura Blood Devouring Map, and a burst of blood light enfolded the Exterminating Immortal Sword, pulling it inside to mix with the Yin Worm Blood Slave, disappearing into the Shura Blood Devouring Map.

"This time, don't make any mistakes like last time when refining the Ghostly Soul White Bone Banner." Yuan Ming reminded.

"Rest assured, this Exterminating Immortal Sword is far less eerie than the Ghostly Soul White Bone Banner, and my control over the Shura Blood Devouring Map is not what it used to be." Qi Ye said confidently, his figure sinking into the Shura Blood Devouring Map.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming said no more, sitting cross-legged by himself, quietly waiting.

...

Seven days later, as planned, Yuan Ming went to East Extreme Island early in the morning.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to return for a while, he had arranged all the island's affairs in advance and only took Hua Zhi with him, leaving Vajra on the island to watch over it.

When he arrived, a huge cross-sea giant ship was already docked in the harbor outside East Extreme Island, slightly smaller than the Heavenly Eagle Flying Boat Xi Ying once rode.

After some verification, Yuan Ming successfully boarded the giant ship.

The deck of the giant ship was already crowded with people, many of whom had once visited Spiritual Ape Island.

Seeing Yuan Ming board the ship, many people came to greet him.

At this moment, Yuan Ming saw a beautiful figure weaving through the crowd, walking towards him, a fragrant breeze blowing in.

The newcomer was none other than Yun Luo Fairy. As she approached, she gazed at Yuan Ming with a trace of resentment in her eyes, reproaching:

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, why do you avoid me?"

"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Yun Luo? When did I ever avoid you?" Yuan Ming replied with an innocent look.

"Several times I went to Spiritual Ape Island to visit, Fellow Daoist Yuan was always in seclusion and never available for a meeting. Are you saying you weren't intentionally avoiding me?" Yun Luo Fairy said with a hint of grievance in her eyes.

"Really just an unfortunate coincidence, Yun Luo Fairy, please don't overthink it." Yuan Ming replied helplessly.

Ever since he learned Yun Luo Fairy wanted dual cultivation with him, Yuan Ming indeed kept his distance from her. He didn't want Xi Ying to know about it and confront him later.

"Fine, since Fellow Daoist Yuan doesn't fancy me, I'll just keep my distance in the future. However, for this expedition against the Black Evil Sect, how about we accompany each other?" Yun Luo Fairy huffed lightly and then asked.

"Very well." Yuan Ming pondered briefly, nodding his agreement.

Seeing that Yuan Ming did not refuse, a trace of joy flashed in Yun Luo Fairy's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Yun Luo, I don't know much about this Black Evil Sect. Do you know how strong they are?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Very strong." Yun Luo Fairy replied without hesitation, solemnly.

"Compared with Dongji Palace?" Yuan Ming frowned and asked.

"Naturally, they fall short by a lot; otherwise, wouldn't it be the Palace Master leading the expedition instead of the Vice Palace Master?" Yun Luo Fairy laughed as she replied.