"Sometimes, I myself almost can't distinguish who I am anymore, whether I am Wulu from Biluo Cave, Nan Chenzi from Fengshan Temple, or Luo Yao from Fire Origin Sect? Every once in a while, I have to train in different disciples' rooms of different sects, practicing different cultivation techniques, not daring to relax for a moment, afraid that the Hidden Element Technique used to conceal my essence will fail and be discovered by others," Wulu said with a wry smile.
"I'm fed up, Brother Yuan, really fed up. All these years, the only one I could really call a friend is you, haha, to be honest with you, do you remember the scene when you discovered the aftereffects of my Hidden Element Technique when I was a Beast Slave in Ten Thousand Mountains? At that time, I wanted to kill you, just like I had wanted to kill others who discovered me during my infiltration missions. But when I tried to use the Fire Pattern Iron to lower your guard, you told me that your saving people wasn't for any reward."
Wulu pointed at Yuan Ming, suddenly burst into loud laughter, rocking back and forth, then continued after a long while:
"How can there be such a foolish person, taken as well yet having lost even their own memories? Every day without hope, without seeing the future, just being strung along by false visions, continuing to endure as a Beast Slave, yet still keeping a trace of kindness, willing to save a person of unknown origin without wanting anything in return. Such a person doesn't need me to act; who knows, they might end up dead in the mouth of a demon beast any day."
Yuan Ming looked at Wulu, calmly saying, "Yet that person still survived."
"Yes, who would have thought? The fool I spared on a whim not only survived until now but also made his mark, saving another fool from dire straits. Haha, perhaps this is destiny."
Wulu, his smile fading from his face, continued: "Brother Yuan, I don't want to continue infiltrating anymore, nor do I want to live this kind of life anymore. I want my own freedom. I betrayed my family, but in the end, I was still caught by Elder Niu Mian. It seems he is busy laying out some scheme in Zhao Country and doesn't have time to deal with me, so he contacted Elder Hai and had me thrown into this mine as punishment."
"The battle at the mine, I refrained from joining because I was worried about leaving traces, fearing that Elder Niu Mian might detect my association with you in the future and bring you trouble. Now that the mine has been destroyed and does not concern me, Elder Niu Mian and Elder Hai may have a relationship, but they will not actively seek you out. Just, Brother Yuan, if you encounter them later, remember never to mention me or the matter of the mine."
Yuan Ming nodded, then asked: "Brother Wulu, from your words, do you plan to wander the martial arts world henceforth?"
"Exactly, but Brother Yuan need not worry. With my skills, if I want to hide, no one can find me. It's just a pity that we brothers met with such difficulty, haven't had the time to enjoy a drink and chat, yet now it's time to part ways, and who knows when we will meet again," Wulu said with a sigh, then took out two jade scrolls and handed them over to Yuan Ming.
"These two jade scrolls were hastily recorded by me during a melee. One of them contains my Concealing Breath Technique, named 'Hidden Element Technique.' When we first met, you mentioned it, and due to family constraints, I couldn't give it to you. Now, there are no such concerns. As for the other, it is a secret technique from my family, called 'Hidden Vein Condensing Pill Technique,' which can increase the chances of Core Formation. However, it should be based on the 'Hidden Element Technique.' Yuan Ming, you would do well to practice the former before considering the latter."
Without accepting the jade scrolls, Yuan Ming suggested: "Brother Wulu, with my current strength, even cultivators at the Core Formation Stage might not be a challenge. You might as well return with me to Xiansha City. Even if Niu Mian finds you, with my help, it will be better than facing it alone."
Wulu laughed but still shook his head: "No need, Brother Yuan, you have your own path to follow; why should you be encumbered by me? Besides, aside from escaping my family's pursuit, I am also seeking an opportunity to achieve Core Formation. If I succeed, perhaps I'll come back and ask for your help, and together we'll settle accounts with my family."
Seeing that Wulu was resolute, Yuan Ming didn't ask further and took the jade scrolls.
Wulu then said, "Oh, one more thing, Brother Yuan, do you remember after the battle at Biluo Cave, I said I was going to see the sea and ended up in Haiyan City? Actually, at that time, I wasn't just there to enjoy the scenery but because I heard someone had seen Penglai Island there."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming exclaimed, "Penglai Island? Isn't that one of the legendary East Sea Three Islands, famed for producing the Elixir of Immortality? Isn't it said that no one has ever found its exact location?"
"I thought so initially. Later, when I went to Haiyan City and found it was just a rumor, I let it go. However, in recent years, I've heard more and more about the cultivators from the East Sea Three Islands. Some say they saw a phantom; others say it disappears as soon as one gets close. The exact truth is a matter of debate. But one thing is certain, something big might be about to happen in the East Sea. Brother Yuan, if you have time, you might also want to check it out," said Wulu.
Wulu then took out a black and white token and handed it to Yuan Ming: "This is another identity token of mine in the Dawn Alliance, under the name Wu Chen, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I had made preparations in advance, and my family doesn't know this identity exists. The Dawn Alliance recognizes only the token, not the person. Take it; the Alliance is also offering rewards for information on the East Sea Three Islands, and many have already headed there. If you go and encounter them, you can show the token to avoid some trouble."
"Just remember, the squad leader of the Dawn Alliance in the East Sea, Pei Jianghai, is a late-stage Core Formation cultivator. He is proud and a bit petty. Brother Yuan, remember it's best not to offend him publicly. Other than that, there is nothing much to worry about. But with the current noise around the East Sea, the Vice Alliance Hierarch might personally intervene. His true identity is unknown to anyone, but rumors suggest he once fought a Nascent Soul cultivator; his strength is inscrutable."
Yuan Ming accepted the token, seeing Wulu as if finalizing his last affairs, sighed softly, and couldn't help but want to persuade him again. However, Wulu noticed his intention, smiled, and waved his hand, stepping back two steps like a hero in the stories, and saluted Yuan Ming with a fist.
"Brother Yuan, there is no banquet that doesn't end. As we part here, our paths in the martial arts world will cross again someday."
Yuan Ming also smiled and saluted him with a fist: "Brother Wulu, take care."
Wulu nodded, laughed out loud, turned around, took out a flying artifact he had scavenged from bodies amidst the chaos, stepped on it, and was about to take off when he suddenly heard Yuan Ming asking from behind.
"Brother Wulu, as we are parting, may I know your real name?"
Wulu, without turning his head, said, "Brother Yuan, I was just an orphan raised by the family clan. Although I had many faces, no one ever cared about me. The only name I have is Wulu. It was he who made your acquaintance, and it was he whom you rescued. Now that these shackles are removed and all the faces scattered, from now on, my identity will only be Wulu."
Having said that, Wulu rode his Flying Artifact and flew out of the mine.
...
After seeing off Wulu, Yuan Ming reflected for a moment before getting busy.
Although they had won the battle in the mine, the cleanup was troublesome.
There were originally over eight hundred cultivators in the mine. After the celebration ended tonight, they were to head off in different directions to continue pursuing their own futures. Therefore, besides the possessions of Elder Hai that no one dared to touch, the Storage Bags and storage magic tools of the Guiyuan Sect disciples, as well as the Spirit Stones within the mine, were all divided up by the cultivators as spoils of war.
However, as the most abundant minerals in the mine, although the cultivators had picked up some, many still remained.
Yuan Ming then planned to take these minerals out and find an opportunity to sell them later, which would also bring a significant income of Spirit Stones.
Before that, Yuan Ming first went to the location of the mine's formation nodes and retrieved his silver token that he had placed there.
Afterward, he began to treat Vajra's injuries. As a Body Cultivator, Vajra's recovery ability was astonishing. Additionally, Yuan Ming had given him elixirs for treatment in advance, so the injuries he sustained while clashing with Elder Hai were almost entirely healed. The only issue was the Frost on his arm that had not yet dissipated.
But now that he had some free time, Yuan Ming soon managed to melt away the Frost after some research.
At the same time, Lei Yu, whom Yuan Ming had always kept outside the mine for vigilance, was also called back and re-entered into the Spiritual Beast Bag.
Subsequently, he and Vajra sought out Feng Ling, who had not yet left the mine, and obtained the beetles that he had been secretly ingesting during cultivation.
Feng Ling was originally a Magic Practitioner, but was forced to change to Body Refinement only because it was absolutely necessary. Naturally, there was no reason for him to keep the beetles anymore. With his help, Yuan Ming quickly located where the beetles frequented.
He planned to collect the beetles with Vajra, but upon learning from Zuo Qinghui that the mortal believers in the mine were looking for him, he had to let Vajra capture them alone.
Soon, Yuan Ming arrived in the northern part of the mine, at the residential area for mortals. Xu Che and Zuo Qinghui were there, leading three mortal men and women waiting for him.
"Nether Moon God, these are the leaders unanimously elected by the mortal mine slaves here. They wish to personally express their gratitude to you," Xu Che said, referring to Yuan Ming as the Nether Moon God instead of his name in front of others.
Yuan Ming nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three mortals one by one.
The one on the far left was a middle-aged robust man with dark skin and bulging muscles, incredibly strong and sturdy.
Next to the strong man was a woman of similar robust build, who in no way seemed inferior to the strong man in physique, and had a somewhat heroic look between her brows and eyes.
The one on the far right was an elderly man with white hair. Although his body was frail, the skin that was exposed was bronze, clearly indicating that he had worked in the mines for a long time.
"Believers Bai Qi, Rong Zhuang, and Qiao Saibei, greet the Nether Moon God," the three shouted in unison, kneeling down.
Behind them, in the residential area for the mortals, countless other mortal mine slaves also knelt down with them, chanting the name of the Nether Moon God.
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