"Why are you following me?" Yuan Ming asked, seeing that the silver-haired man in front of him showed no signs of making a move, and tried to remain calm.

"Earlier at the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip, I overheard Fellow Daoist trading High Grade Soul Refining Elixirs. I wonder if Fellow Daoist still has any Soul Refining Elixirs?" The silver-haired man clasped his hands in salute, with a quite sincere attitude.

"Are you from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip?" Yuan Ming frowned.

The business he discussed with that fat steward in the quiet chamber should have been inaudible to outsiders, except for those from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip themselves.

"I, Xuan, was born with extraordinary hearing. Ordinary restrictions can't block sound from reaching my ears. I assure you it wasn't intentional to overhear Fellow Daoist's secret; it's just that sounds inevitably pass into these ears, and I hope for Fellow Daoist's understanding." The silver-haired man pointed to his own ears and said with a smile.

"Since Fellow Daoist Xuan heard my conversation with Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip's steward, you should also know that I no longer have any Soul Refining Elixirs," Yuan Ming said calmly.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, don't be so quick to refuse. I have always believed no transaction is impossible, provided one is willing to pay the adequate price. I noticed you purchased quite a lot of high-level spirit wood from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip. I wonder if you still need more. I happen to have some." The silver-haired man replied with a smile.

As he spoke, he waved his hand.

A flash of light appeared in the void, revealing more than ten pieces of spirit wood with varying colors. Various Five Elements Attributes instantly emanated from these pieces.

Yuan Ming immediately noticed a light blue piece about three feet long floating in the center, exuding strands of white cold air, causing the surrounding void to be covered with snowflakes and ice crystals.

It was unmistakably a Level 6 piece of Arctic Winter Wood, a rarity.

Besides this Arctic Winter Wood, there was also a Level 6 piece of Red Phoenix Spirit Wood, and it wasn't small.

With these spirit woods, along with what he got from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip, it would be enough to refine another trace of the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin.

"Your spirit wood is not bad. If you agree, I can offer you two High Grade Soul Refining Elixirs for them," Yuan Ming said without revealing any emotion.

"Fellow Daoist, don't try to deceive me. These spirit woods are not only high quality, but also nearly twenty pieces. Even five High Grade Soul Refining Elixirs would be more than enough in exchange," the silver-haired man said in surprise, shaking his head with a helpless laugh.

"First look at the quality of my Soul Refining Elixirs," Yuan Ming said, flicking a finger and sending out a High Grade Soul Refining Elixir, simultaneously drawing the Level 6 Arctic Winter Wood and Red Phoenix Spirit Wood to himself as collateral.

The silver-haired man did not stop him and carefully examined the High Grade Soul Refining Elixir he received. After a moment, he showed a contemplative expression.

"Your High Grade Soul Refining Elixir is indeed excellent quality. Four pieces then, exchange with four." The silver-haired man said.

"Three pieces," Yuan Ming shook his head.

"That's not acceptable..."

"Fellow Daoist, your spirit wood is dispensable to me. Anyway, the spirit wood from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip is enough for my needs. If the High Grade Soul Refining Elixir is the same for you, then let's part ways as if this never happened, shall we? Or perhaps you could try asking the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip if you can use these spirit woods to exchange for those three elixirs?" Yuan Ming smiled and asked.

In business, if the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip doesn't sell such precious elixirs as the High Grade Soul Refining Elixir for two or three times the purchase price, they'd incur a loss.

The silver-haired man showed a conflicted expression and hesitated for a long time before agreeing.

After the deal was completed, the silver-haired man scratched his head somewhat gloomily, turned, and was about to leave.

Suddenly, Yuan Ming's voice came from behind: "I wonder where Fellow Daoist Xuan resides? What sect or school are you affiliated with? If you have more high-level spirit wood in the future, we can trade for Soul Refining Elixirs again. I'll surely offer you a favorable price next time."

The silver-haired man paused upon hearing this, turned his head, and smiled wryly: "Fellow Daoist Wan really knows how to strike a good bargain. I, Xuan, did a losing deal this time and may be punished upon my return. A second trade seems unlikely."

After saying this, he left without looking back.

Yuan Ming watched the silver-haired man walk away and continued wandering around the city's major shops, inquiring about news of the Ten Thousand Demon Country and purchasing many classics about the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range until nightfall, when he returned to his residence.

He re-arranged restrictions in the room and immediately entered the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space.

Nan Shangfeng was still unconscious under his Illusion Technique control. Yuan Ming checked and found the influence of his Curse was relatively stable, so he relaxed and began meditating with Breathing Control.

An hour later, he took out the high-level spirit wood he bought from the Ten Thousand Goods Immortal Trip and the silver-haired man, transforming into the body of the Undying Tree and began absorbing the Spiritual Power within.

As time slowly passed, when the last piece of spirit wood was completely absorbed, a brand new trace of the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin was once again condensed.

Yuan Ming was delighted in his heart; after reverting to human form, he utilized the Ju Mang Spirit Technique, drawing a strand of green light condensed from the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin within the World Tree into his body.

As the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin circulated within, roaring sounds resonated from his body. His Mana and Qi-Blood began to boil and, under the cleansing of this power, quickly became more refined.

Yuan Ming's heart remained calm; there was no trace of the initial joy he felt as everything was exactly as he anticipated.

He constantly drew upon the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin, purifying his own Mana and Qi-Blood.

After a quarter of an hour, the final trace of the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin was exhausted. The Mana vortex within his Dantian slowly turned, with no further turmoil, settling into complete calm.

Yuan Ming slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air, his eyes showing joy.

To collect high-level spirit wood, he had expended countless thoughts and Spirit Stones, and at last, it was not in vain as he completely solved the problem of Mana turbulence.

Next, all he needed was to safely deliver Nan Shangfeng to Black Tiger City, remove the Curse, and then cultivate the Golden Sunflower Beast Taming Technique and several other Divine Skills to perfection, allowing him to find a Spiritual Energy-rich place for Life and Death Seclusion, so he could attempt the Dharma manifestation Stage.

However, before leaving Yinshan City, there is still a task to complete.

As the thought crossed his mind, Yuan Ming immediately summoned Shura Palace, his figure flickered and entered, arriving at the entrance of a cave mansion in the Black Tower Space.

The cultivator within the cave mansion sensed someone arriving outside and hurriedly flew out—this was Yin Lang.

"Greetings, Lord Nether Moon God."

Inside Shura Palace, apart from praying, the cultivators diligently train.

After years of arduous cultivation, Yin Lang's cultivation level has slightly improved, now approaching the early stage peak of Returning to Void.

"Yin Lang, I captured you and locked you in here for so many years. Do you hold any resentment?" Yuan Ming asked impassively.

"I am wholeheartedly loyal to Lord Nether Moon God and harbor no such thoughts!" Yin Lang quickly replied.

"The methods of a Soul Cultivator are renowned for their mystery, but my techniques are even more formidable than ordinary soul cultivation. Not only can I control the birth and death of Divine Souls, but I can also manipulate your thoughts and memories, even make you forget everything of the past and turn into a puppet devoted to me." Yuan Ming spoke slowly.

Upon hearing this, Yin Lang couldn't help but shudder.

Becoming such a person, completely losing oneself—what difference is there from dying? Maybe even worse than death.

"Over the years, I've refrained from controlling your thoughts. Apart from implanting the Soul Descent Rune, I've not interfered much because I don't want a batch of puppets acting on orders. Now tell me your true thoughts." Yuan Ming looked down at Yin Lang calmly.

"When I was first captured by Lord Nether Moon God, I naturally had resentment, but I later came to understand that the root cause of our capture was greed. Lord Nether Moon God was merely protecting himself. Understanding this, the anger in my heart vanished." Yin Lang hesitated for a long time before speaking.

Using the Emotion Manipulation Divine Ability, Yuan Ming sensed Yin Lang's emotions and asked, "What do you plan for the future?"

"Naturally, to serve Lord Nether Moon God wholeheartedly." Yin Lang replied resolutely.

"Very well, you've passed my test." Yuan Ming nodded.

"Test?" Yin Lang raised his head in surprise.

"Yes, through the questioning just now, I have confirmed your loyalty. There's a mission for you to accomplish." Yuan Ming said.

"Mission? Do you mean leaving here to go outside?" Yin Lang became excited.

Having witnessed Yuan Ming's formidable power, although he decided to submit to Yuan Ming, staying in the monotonous Shura Palace was still too stifling. Going outside would surely be delightful.

Not just him, other cultivators felt the same.

"Yes. I will leave you in Yinshan City in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range to gather intelligence while secretly developing believers." Yuan Ming said.

"Yes, I will certainly live up to Lord Nether Moon God's expectations!" Yin Lang suppressed his excitement and said.

"Good, prepare yourself. Here is the intelligence of Yinshan City." Yuan Ming handed Yin Lang a jade scroll and swiftly left Shura Palace.

The Stealing Heaven Tripod is gradually recovering, and to utilize this treasure more effectively, believers must be dispersed like on the Yunhuang Continent.

Currently, Yin Lang does not represent absolute loyalty to him. However, considering various factors, there's no one else more suitable in Shura Palace.

Yuan Ming then entered the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space, transferring a strand of Origin Power from the Undying Tree to Nan Shangfeng to help suppress the curse's backlash, and released Yin Lang afterward.

After instructing Yin Lang to act cautiously, Yuan Ming did not linger and hurriedly set off towards Black Tiger City.

...

In the dense forest outside Yinshan City, two figures stood here, one being the silver-haired man Xuan Ye.

The other was entirely cloaked in a black robe, with their true face unseen.

"The timing is about right, let's start the setup." The silver-haired man gazed at the verdant, endlessly vibrant forest around and said slowly.

"Even using this method to break free from the Human Clan's constraints—looks like your Ten Thousand Demon Country is at the end of its line." The black-robed figure laughed gratingly.

"Enough talk, get moving!" The silver-haired man retorted coldly.

The black-robed figure chuckled dryly, ignoring further conversation. He formed a spell with his hands, closing his eyes, as wisps of azure air arose faintly from the top of his skull.

His hands quickly turned jet-black, emitting wisps of black aura.

Egg-sized black spheres emerged from the palms of the black-robed figure, flashing out and melting into the ground.

"Sizzle." Sounds arose, and the surrounding dense forest began to wither rapidly.

(Normal updates will resume tomorrow.)

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