Yuan Ming walked into the stone building, closed the door, and took out all the storage magic tools he had collected earlier, inspecting each one.

These cultivators mostly had respectable cultivation levels, and their storage magic tools were naturally filled with treasures; spiritual materials, magic treasures, elixirs—anything imaginable.

However, it was somewhat regrettable that either the grade of these elixirs and magic treasures was far different from Yuan Ming's or their effects were not suitable, providing limited help to him.

Fortunately, these individuals had a substantial amount of Spirit Stones, totaling as much as five to six million.

Yuan Ming organized all the elixirs by category, but did not bother with their magic treasures, leaving them in their original storage magic tools.

These items now became his private stash, possibly to be returned to those who proved useful in the future, or even used to reward those cultivators who followed him; who would get them depended on their performance.

Yuan Ming waved his sleeve and gathered up all the storage magic tools, leaving only three.

These three storage magic tools belonged to the three women from the Su Nu Sect, who hailed from the Central Continent; perhaps they held something different.

Yuan Ming used his Divine Sense to peer into the three storage magic tools, quickly revealing an expression of disappointment.

The storage magic tools of those three did not contain the forged "Pill King Secret Manual" that Yun Luo Fairy had mentioned.

Although Yun Luo Fairy said it was full of errors, Yuan Ming wanted to obtain it to verify it himself.

If nothing else, when he acquired the Dan Recipe from Yun Luo Fairy later, he could use it for reference and corroboration.

Earlier, when Yuan Ming had used the Soul Searching technique on Chen Yuluan and Wang Qi, he learned that the two women had never encountered the "Pill King Secret Manual." After Yun Luo Fairy handed over half of the secret manual, it was Zi Mei who took it, yet it turned out that the manual was not in Zi Mei's storage magic tool either.

"Master, are you looking for that half of the 'Pill King Secret Manual'? Perhaps the three women from Su Nu Sect didn't record it but remembered it in their minds," Lei Yu said, flying out of the Spiritual Beast Bag.

"There is indeed such a possibility." Yuan Ming nodded, standing up and moving to the Black Tower Space.

Lei Yu stretched its wings to follow.

Currently, the cultivators from Wuya Island, including Zi Mei, were each choosing a location to build their cave mansions.

Zi Mei, when called out individually by Yuan Ming, was not fearful but delighted inside, secretly speculating on Yuan Ming's intentions, wondering if he could not resist the allure of Dual Cultivation and thus returned.

"Island Master Yuan, did you summon me alone for some other matter?" Zi Mei asked with a hopeful tone, her gaze flowing.

"I want to know, where is the 'Pill King Secret Manual' handed over by Yun Luo Fairy?" Yuan Ming asked, staring coldly.

Zi Mei shivered slightly at his demeanor.

She felt a pang of disappointment but did not dare to deceive, saying, "That half of the 'Pill King Secret Manual' was taken by my Senior Sister Qin Meiniang."

"Qin Meiniang?" Yuan Ming raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Zi Mei does not dare to deceive. My Senior Sister is a peak Middle-stage Returning Void cultivator. If she hadn't been with us, there was no way we three could have captured Yun Luo... Junior Sister alone. After acquiring that half of the 'Pill King Secret Manual,' to avoid trouble later, Senior Sister Qin instructed us to watch over Junior Sister Yun Luo while she returned to the sect ahead of us," Zi Mei quickly explained.

"Have the three of you read the contents of that half of the 'Pill King Secret Manual'?" Yuan Ming asked.

"The 'Pill King Secret Manual' is extremely important, and we are not qualified even though Junior Sister Yun Luo certainly has seen it. You saved her..." Zi Mei spoke, cautiously glancing at Yuan Ming's expression.

Seeing his face was indifferent, she did not say more.

The implication was naturally: You saved her, yet she hasn't shown it to you?

Yuan Ming ignored her attempts to sow discord, waved his hand to send her into an illusion, then pointed at her forehead and briskly used the Soul Searching Divine Ability.

Zi Mei's Divine Soul did not contain any techniques like the soul fire talisman, so Yuan Ming completed the soul search quickly.

She indeed did not deceive him, and that half of the "Pill King Secret Manual" had indeed been taken by Qin Meiniang.

Regarding Qin Meiniang, Zi Mei's memories contained quite a lot; this woman is the Sect Leader's direct disciple at Su Nu Sect, her cultivation is profound, her Divine Skills are exceptional, and she is quite famous on the Central Continent.

Yuan Ming withdrew his finger, letting Zi Mei return, and turned to head back to the Medicine Garden Cave Mansion.

"Lord Nether Moon God, I have something to report," Yin Lang suddenly appeared, bowed to Yuan Ming after glancing at Lei Yu hovering overhead.

"Whatever matters you have, feel free to speak," Yuan Ming said, nodding with some surprise.

"I possess a valuable Dan Recipe and wish to present it to Lord Nether Moon God," Yin Lang said, taking out a Jade Scroll, channeling mana into it before placing it before Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming accepted the Jade Scroll, and his Divine Sense delved into it; within was recorded a Level 5 Dan Recipe, Thunder Origin Pill.

"Is this Thunder Origin Pill the elixir you requested me to refine that day?" He recalled Yin Lang's visit requesting alchemy and asked.

"I was impulsive that day, and I ask Lord Nether Moon God not to blame me," Yin Lang said, bowing.

"At that time, you had not yet joined the Moon Sect. Why would you be blamed? Now tell me, what is special about this elixir?" Yuan Ming waved his hand and asked.

"This Thunder Origin Pill comes from an ancient dan recipe, containing the power of thunder, with a potency extraordinarily domineering, not something the Human Clan's cultivators can withstand." Yin Lang said.

"Not something the Human Clan's cultivators can withstand? Could it be that this is not an elixir for cultivators to consume?" Yuan Ming showed a bit of interest.

"Lord Nether Moon God has guessed correctly. This pill comes from an ancient Beast Taming Sect and is meant for demon beasts with Thunder Attribute to consume. Seeing that Lord Nether Moon God has a Thunder Attribute spirit beast, perhaps this pill might be of use. Thus, I dared to offer it." Yin Lang glanced at Lei Yu hovering mid-air, a look of flattering on his face.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming raised his eyebrows.

He had prepared Purple Thunder Pills for Lei Yu's cultivation, but Purple Thunder Pills were merely Level 4 elixirs, far less effective than this Thunder Origin Pill.

"You indeed have put thought into it. I shall remember this merit." Yuan Ming stored the Jade Scroll and vanished from where he stood with a flicker.

Yin Lang breathed a sigh of relief, joy flashing in his eyes, and turned to fly back to his own cave mansion.

Yuan Ming returned to the Medicine Garden Cave Mansion to continue examining the Thunder Origin Pill recipe. After a while, he activated the Void Communication Array to contact Hua Zhi.

He instructed Hua Zhi to help collect spiritual materials needed to refine Melding Spirit Pills and Thunder Origin Pills while traveling outside. Once found, regardless of the high price, she must find a way to purchase them.

Afterward, Yuan Ming inspected the encampments of the mortals and low-level cultivators on Spiritual Ape Island, finding all were settled steadily. Moreover, managing according to Xi Ying's method, it was well organized, allowing him to be at ease.

With everything in order, Yuan Ming entered the Medicine Garden Cave Mansion, transforming into the Undying Tree form, and began secluded cultivation.

...

Spring passed, autumn came, and five years flashed by.

With the aid of Jade Liquid Pills and his diligent cultivation, Yuan Ming finally reached the peak of Middle-stage Returning Void. Subsequently, he consumed the Ginseng Origin Pill to break through to Late Stage of Returning Void.

The Primordial True Skill advanced his mana rapidly, but breaking through was extremely difficult.

Yuan Ming consumed two Ginseng Origin Pills along with other auxiliary methods, barely and fearfully achieving a breakthrough to Late Stage of Returning Void.

One day, sitting cross-legged in the cave mansion, Yuan Ming closed his eyes, sensing the state of his Dantian. Always read at the source—*.

Whether it was the Mana Mixed Hole within the Dantian or the richness of the mana, compared to before, both were enhanced multiple times over, roaring as it operated, bursting out with astonishing mana fluctuations, like a great bloodthirsty maw that could shred and devour all.

Inside the Mana Mixed Hole, seven distinct mana fluctuations clashed intensely, despite the suppressing spin of the mixed hole, much fiercer than while at Middle-stage Returning Void.

Yuan Ming furrowed his brows. The mnemonic of the Primordial True Skill mentioned mana disorder post-cultivation; he had previously dismissed it lightly.

Now it seemed that the mana disorder would gradually manifest more as his cultivation continued to enhance.

However, having chosen this path, Yuan Ming could only grit his teeth and forge ahead. As for the issues arising, he would find ways to resolve them.

He shook his head, ceasing to dwell on it, and sensed the situation of his Divine Soul and physical body. The Divine Soul made no significant progress, and Body Cultivation did not advance much.

This was no surprise to him, as most of his focus during these five years of cultivation was on Magic Practitioner, leaving little progression for Soul Cultivation and Body Cultivation.

At this moment, a faint sound of a sword humming emerged from his body.

Yuan Ming quickly followed the sound for inner observation, discovering its source to be the Mixed Hole Vortex where the Soul Destroying Sword silently hovered.

With his Magic Practitioner realm breakthrough, the Soul Destroying Sword, as his Lifebound Magical Treasure, also benefited, emitting joyous light hums.

With a thought, the Soul Destroying Sword appeared in his hand. The fingers of his other hand pinched together, tracing gently along the sword's surface.

Moments later, he withdrew his fingers, confusion flickering in his eyes.

Over the years, despite never relaxing in nurturing and refining the Soul Destroying Sword, its power improved, yet its spiritual growth was incredibly slow, failing to nurture an Artifact Spirit till now.

"Could there be an issue with my Nurturing Method?" Yuan Ming speculated internally.

"There is no issue with your Nurturing Method. The reason the Soul Destroying Sword hasn't nurtured an Artifact Spirit is mainly because the runes you use are too high-level." The voice of Senior Kong suddenly sounded.

"Senior Kong, how come you have the time to come out today?" Yuan Ming's eyes flickered as he asked.

A flash of spirit light crossed his arm, and the Stealing Heaven Tripod emerged automatically, emanating a white glow, transforming into a figure identical to Yuan Ming's—Kong.

"Since when do I need your permission to appear?" Kong said coldly.

"That is of course not needed, but it seems Senior has greatly recovered, truly something to be congratulated." Yuan Ming shook his head and smiled as he said.

The form into which Kong transformed now was condensed from Divine Soul Power, far stronger than his own Divine Soul, surpassing the realm of a Spoken Witch, giving one a sense of destiny being fully under control.