A few months later, Hua Zhi and Vajra, two demons, flew to White Emperor City.

Looking at the towering city gate, Hua Zhi's eyes flashed with excitement, and she couldn't help but say: "Haha, we finally made it. White Emperor City is indeed extraordinary. Just look at its grandeur; it's more magnificent than any city in the Extreme East Sea Domain."

Vajra silently followed beside her, his gaze sweeping over the city, seeing the bustling crowds and shops lining both sides of the street, presenting a scene of prosperity.

He couldn't help but scratch his head, puzzled, and said: "Didn't our master say that White Emperor City was in need of development and particularly short of people? It's so lively now, it really surprises me."

Hearing this, Hua Zhi shook her head and laughed, "Oh Vajra, you don't know. This Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is a treasure land that countless cultivators want to come to for hunting demons and treasure hunting. As long as the word gets out, White Emperor City will naturally not lack popularity."

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw a Dharma Manifestation Cultivator approaching them, and they immediately became vigilant.

When the cultivator got closer, he cupped his hands to them and said, "There's no need for alarm, I am Wang Fulong, ordered by Master Yuan Ming to wait for the two of you here for a long time."

Feeling a trace of Yuan Ming's aura from Wang Fulong, Hua Zhi and Vajra immediately relaxed and followed him into the city, heading straight for the City Lord Mansion.

Inside the City Lord Mansion, Yuan Ming sat at the main seat, smiling as he saw Hua Zhi and Vajra arrive.

Upon seeing Yuan Ming, Hua Zhi joyfully rushed forward, saying in a sweet voice, "Master, I missed you so much."

Yuan Ming smiled, patting her head, and then turned his gaze to Vajra, asking, "Did you encounter any trouble on the way?"

Vajra honestly shook his head and said, "We followed Master's instructions, disguised ourselves the whole way, and flew from the wilderness without passing through Human Clan's cities. Aside from some blind demon beasts, we didn't encounter any trouble."

Yuan Ming nodded slightly and then asked, "And the items I asked you to bring?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhi quickly took out a small Jade Box from her arms and presented it with both hands: "Master, all the auxiliary materials for refining the Dharma Manifestation Pill are here."

Yuan Ming took the Jade Box, opened it, and saw various rare spiritual materials inside, all necessary for refining the Dharma Manifestation Pill.

He nodded in satisfaction and then said to Wang Fulong, "Go and fetch Master Dian."

Wang Fulong took his leave, and Hua Zhi looked at his back, curiously asking, "Master, is he a new believer you have taken in?"

Yuan Ming nodded and briefly recounted his experiences after arriving in White Emperor City.

Hua Zhi listened with eyes wide open, her face full of admiration.

In no time, Dian Xiaosan came in and gave Yuan Ming a salute.

Yuan Ming pointed to the spiritual materials on the table, saying, "Master Dian, the auxiliary spiritual materials have arrived. Please go ahead and refine another batch of Dharma Manifestation Pills."

Dian Xiaosan agreed, took the materials, and returned to the alchemy room.

After he left, Hua Zhi couldn't wait to speak: "Master, you must be too busy with your cultivation to manage White Emperor City, right? Why not let me take over? With my experience running the Holy Spirit Association, I am confident I can manage White Emperor City effectively!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming pondered for a moment.

He knew that although Hua Zhi was lively by nature, she had considerable ability and means when it came to management.

Thus, he nodded and said, "Very well, but the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range is not quite like the Extreme East Sea Domain, and there's a lot of hostility towards the Demon Clan. Remember to suppress your demon energy daily, and don't let others discover your identity. Moreover, the situation here is quite complex, so you should also consult Wang Fulong's opinions after taking over."

Hua Zhi agreed wholeheartedly, looking excited.

"When you left the Extreme East Sea Domain, how did you arrange for the Holy Spirit Association?" Yuan Ming asked proactively upon seeing this.

"Some of them were willing to follow me, so I brought them with me, and now they are camped outside the city. As for those unwilling to leave, I left a few trustworthy people to continue operating the forces in the Extreme East Sea Domain," Hua Zhi replied.

"Good, assign the Human Clan's cultivators among them into the city for use. As for the Demon Clan's cultivators, let them infiltrate the Ten Thousand Demon Country and monitor the happenings there," Yuan Ming nodded and said.

Hua Zhi patted her chest with confidence and said, "Understood, leave it to me!"

Yuan Ming nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Vajra, seemingly about to ask about his plans.

At this point, Hua Zhi suddenly remembered another matter:

"Oh, Master!"

Hua Zhi's crisp voice held a hint of excitement: "When we passed through Yin Mountain City, Lord Yin Lang specifically recommended someone to us, named 'Qiu Nu'. She has remarkable talent, and Lord Yin Lang feels it's a waste to keep her by his side, so he wants us to bring her here to learn from you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming couldn't help but show a bit of curiosity: "Oh? Where is she now?"

"I have already arranged for her to camp with the Holy Spirit Association outside the city. Please wait a moment, Master, and I will bring her here," Hua Zhi said and then lightly turned to leave.

Soon, Hua Zhi returned with a young girl in green clothes.

The girl was about sixteen, possessing Foundation Establishment Cultivation, with a baby face that made her appear quite innocent.

When Hua Zhi led her into the room, she appeared slightly nervous, glanced at Yuan Ming, and quickly lowered her head, respectfully giving a salute.

"Yin Lang said you have outstanding talent. What specific abilities do you possess?" Yuan Ming's tone was calm and gentle.

Qiu Nu nervously replied, "Sir, I possess a Wood Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root and awakened at a young age with the ability to communicate with plants."

Yuan Ming raised his eyebrows, feeling intrigued.

He gently placed his hand on Qiu Nu's shoulder. As spiritual power flowed, he confirmed the truth of her words.

Indeed, she was a rare girl with a Wood Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root.

Retracting his hand, Yuan Ming pondered for a moment and then sent someone to summon Ye Xinyao.

When Ye Xinyao arrived, Yuan Ming briefly explained Qiu Nu's talent and abilities and instructed, "Take her to verify the specific effects of her talent. If confirmed, let her follow you to learn how to become a Spirit Plant Master."

Ye Xinyao nodded in agreement. As she turned to Qiu Nu, a flicker of curiosity and anticipation flashed in her eyes.

After Ye Xinyao and Qiu Nu left, Yuan Ming turned his gaze back to Vajra and asked, "Vajra, what are your plans next?"

Vajra thought for a moment and replied, "I plan to continue hunting demon beasts in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range to train myself."

Yuan Ming nodded in agreement, "Very well, then go ahead. However, keep an eye on the Ten Thousand Demon Country for me, especially to see if they still have any connections with the Demon World."

Vajra nodded in response and then withdrew with Hua Zhi.

Yuan Ming also stood up and left, heading to the Shura Palace to seek out Xi Hezi.

Upon entering the Shura Palace, Yuan Ming immediately saw Xi Hezi meditating in practice.

He approached and gently called out, "Xi Hezi, how is the refining of the Innate Bitter Bamboo going?"

Xi Hezi slowly opened her eyes, a smile appearing on her face, "It has long been refined."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a delicate Jade Box gently floated into Yuan Ming's hand.

Yuan Ming opened the Jade Box to find a wooden hairpin about five inches long.

The head of the hairpin was carved into the shape of a phoenix, its wings intricately outlined with golden threads. The phoenix's mouth held a white-petaled Dao Flower, and the entire hairpin was both delicate and exquisite.

Yuan Ming gently picked up the hairpin and infused it with a bit of mana. Instantly, a peaceful power surged through his body, making him feel calm and serene as if all distracting thoughts had been swept away.

The effect of this wooden hairpin was indeed several times better than the previous Innate Bitter Bamboo Leaf.

Yuan Ming nodded in satisfaction, putting away the hairpin. He praised Xi Hezi, "Excellent, Xi Hezi, your artifact refining skills have never disappointed me."

"Naturally. It's a pity that the piece of Innate Bitter Bamboo you have is only ten thousand years old. If it were to grow to a hundred thousand years, and I were to refine it, the Spiritual Treasure produced could significantly aid in breaking through to the Mahayana Realm." Xi Hezi lamented with some regret.

"Is that true? However, waiting for it to grow to a hundred thousand years might take quite some time." Yuan Ming was pleased but quickly showed a slight difficulty.

"Treasure necessary for a breakthrough to the Mahayana is not so easily obtained. At least you see a glimmer of hope, which is far beyond the ordinary." Xi Hezi comforted.

Yuan Ming sighed and nodded as well.

...

Half a month later, sunlight filtered through the window lattice, dappled across the Alchemy Room.

The rising elixir vapor intertwined with the sunlight above the Alchemy Furnace, exuding a faint glow.

Dian Xiaosan took a deep breath and waved his hand, a stream of air burst out, lifting the lid of the Furnace.

With a gesture from afar, a pellet floated out and gently fell into the Purple Sandalwood Box prepared nearby.

Cautiously cradling the box, Dian Xiaosan gently placed it into Yuan Ming's hand.

With closed eyes, Yuan Ming sensed the rich spiritual power contained within the elixir through the gap of the box, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

He put away the box and turned his gaze to Dian Xiaosan, only to find him hesitating, standing in place rather than leaving as usual.

"Master Dian, is there anything else?" Yuan Ming asked in some confusion.

Dian Xiaosan was silent for a moment, finally mustering the courage to speak, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, the century-long agreement between us is nearing its end."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming was moved and then smiled, "Master, are you worried that I will not honor our agreement and not grant you freedom after a hundred years?"

"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I never meant that. Over the years, Fellow Daoist Yuan has treated me like a friend, even generously giving me opportunities, an kindness I cherish deeply. To be honest, though the Chuyun Realm is vast, people like you who treat me so well are rare. Once the century agreement is fulfilled, you promised me freedom, but after much thought, I feel that continuing to follow you is the better choice." Dian Xiaosan shook his head repeatedly and said.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming felt a warmth in his heart and replied with a smile, "I see, Master Dian is willing to stay, which naturally makes me happy."

Dian Xiaosan expressed gratitude on his face but then showed a hint of difficulty, "Actually, there is one more thing I find hard to mention, but after careful consideration, I hope Fellow Daoist Yuan can help me with it."

"Master, feel free to speak. As long as it's within my abilities, I will certainly do my best to assist." Yuan Ming said with a slight smile.

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