Sima Changqin reviewed the contents of the Communication Talisman and adjusted the position of a squad on the sand table.

Information from various teams continuously converged, eventually all displayed on the sand table in front of Sima Changqin.

"Many teams have made contact with the Ten Thousand Demon Country, but no major battles have broken out. It seems the Demon Clan is quite restrained; it seems the Ten Thousand Demon Country also wants to gauge our strength first," Sima Changqin said.

"With Lord Qin Mo here, naturally the Demon Clan from the Ten Thousand Demon Country wouldn't dare to act rashly," Gan Wenqing complimented.

"Fellow Daoist Gan overpraises me. The Ten Thousand Demon Country has many sixth-level demons, and the Ten Thousand Demon Empress is even more mysterious; I dare not claim victory," Sima Changqin shook his head.

"What should we do next?" Shu Ling asked.

"Although we do not have a guarantee of victory, the current situation is like an arrow on a bow, leaving no room to retreat. Send out the order for all teams to continue advancing, and feel free to take the initiative. It would be best to capture one or two Great Demons and interrogate them for the current intelligence on the Ten Thousand Demon Country," Sima Changqin thought for a moment and resolutely gave the command.

"Yes!" Long Yuhuan and others responded in unison, then took their leave to prepare their methods of sending messages to their respective teams.

Sima Changqin waved his hand, and Wu Li and the Black-armored Middle-aged Man also withdrew.

The room was left with only Sima Changqin and Xi Ying.

"I shall also take my leave," Xi Ying stood up.

"Fairy Xi, what do you think of my response? Is there a better approach?" Sima Changqin looked toward Xi Ying.

"Lord Qin Mo's response is fair and unbiased, with no mistake. However, I feel that with such large-scale actions, we are always exposed, being closely watched by the Ten Thousand Demon Country on all sides. It might be difficult to locate the Heavenly Fire," Xi Ying said.

"Indeed, Fairy Xi is truly wise and perceptive. The enemy is hidden while we are exposed. No matter how we respond, we are always one step behind. If Fairy Xi were to lead the treasure hunting team, how would you break the stalemate?" A trace of admiration flashed in Sima Changqin's eyes as he asked.

"I am not worthy to claim leadership of the treasure hunting team," Xi Ying shook her head.

"Fairy Xi is intelligent and insightful, as I have witnessed firsthand. With only the two of us here, feel free to speak your mind," Sima Changqin looked at Xi Ying, his gaze gentle.

"If it were me, I would organize a special group, using the main force as cover, to search for the whereabouts of the Heavenly Fire," Xi Ying seemed not to notice Sima Changqin's gaze, thought for a moment, and replied.

Sima Changqin nodded and did not speak.

At that moment, the space in the room fluctuated, and a silver light appeared out of nowhere; it was another Communication Talisman.

Sima Changqin took the talisman, his Divine Sense penetrated it, and a look of joy quickly appeared on his face.

"Speaking of which, since entering the Fire Rock Desert, aside from Wu Li and Tie Xuan, the other Black Demons of Lord Qin Mo have remained out of sight. Could it be that they were sent out secretly to search for the Heavenly Fire's trail?" Xi Ying, seeing Sima Changqin's expression, had a thought and spoke.

"Indeed, I couldn't hide it from Fairy Xi. I had indeed sent them out long ago, secretly searching for the Heavenly Fire's whereabouts, and they've already found a clue," Sima Changqin laughed.

"Oh, where might the Heavenly Fire be?" Xi Ying couldn't help but ask.

"It's not yet certain, but according to intelligence, more than half of the sixth-level demons from the Ten Thousand Demon Country have gone to Fire Peak Mountain. The Black Demons have checked it out; the temperature at Fire Peak Mountain is significantly higher than usual, so there is more than an eighty percent chance the Heavenly Fire is there," Sima Changqin said.

In the Fire Rock Desert, there are several volcanic regions, and Fire Peak Mountain is one of them. Lava eruptions occur there year-round, with raging fires spreading across the area almost daily, making it far more dangerous than other places.

"It seems that the Heavenly Fire is already in Lord Qin Mo's grasp. However, since you already have everything planned, why ask for Xi Ying's opinion? Did my presumption mislead you?" Xi Ying furrowed her brows.

"I just wanted to see if your thoughts aligned with mine. Fairy Xi, please don't overthink it; I meant no offense," Sima Changqin immediately explained.

"Just kidding, Lord Qin Mo need not take it seriously. If there is nothing else, I would like to rest for a while; please grant me permission," Xi Ying shook her head, as if she believed Sima Changqin's explanation.

"Now we only wait for more messages. Fairy Xi, feel free to do as you please. If something arises, I'll send someone to invite you," Sima Changqin said.

Xi Ying didn't engage in further pleasantries and turned to leave upon hearing this.

"Fairy Xi, please wait... calling me 'Lord' feels distant. How about addressing me as Chang Qin next time?" Sima Changqin suddenly called out.

Xi Ying paused but did not answer, and she walked directly out of the room.

She returned to her assigned quarters on the ship, setting up several layers of Forbidden, sealing the room tightly.

"Yinkong," she spoke again.

A silver light shot from the Spiritual Beast Bag at Xi Ying's waist, transforming into the Silver Void Tree Demon, its power surprisingly at the Upper Fifth Level.

The mouth of the Silver Void Tree Demon opened wide, and its body rapidly expanded, transforming into a presence resembling a white palace within a few breaths, with its mouth as the entrance.

Xi Ying walked inside, finding many things stored within the white palace. At the farthest point was a communication array known as the Void Communication Array.

Xi Ying formed a seal with her hands to activate it. Soon, Yuan Ming's face appeared within the Blood Flames in the array.

"What news have you gathered over there?" Yuan Ming asked.

Before entering the Fire Rock Desert, the two had decided to keep each other informed, working together to overcome difficulties. This is also why Xi Ying stayed with Sima Changqin instead of following Yuan Ming.

"Indeed, I have some news to tell you." Xi Ying quickly recounted the conversation she had just had with Sima Changqin.

"Finally, we've been waiting for this! Fire Peak Mountain, I understand. I'll find a way to leave and have a look," Yuan Ming's face showed joy, and he turned to leave.

"Wait, before you go, make sure to find a way to spread this news," Xi Ying's eyes flickered, suddenly calling Yuan Ming back.

"I can do that, but in doing so, won't other team members also head to Fire Peak Mountain? And if Sima Changqin finds out, wouldn't he easily suspect it was you who leaked it?" Yuan Ming asked, puzzled.

"Don't worry about that; I have my reasons," Xi Ying shook her head, replying.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming didn't say more.

Since Xi Ying said this, he wouldn't ask further.

"Heading to Fire Peak Mountain may not go smoothly, with the Black Demons and people from the Ten Thousand Demon Country all there, be cautious," Xi Ying cautioned.

"Don't worry, Sima Changqin doesn't know my true strength, so even if there's a hidden plot against me, I should be able to handle it," Yuan Ming replied with confidence.

The two discussed other matters before ending the communication.

...

In a certain part of the Fire Rock Desert, Yuan Ming's squad once again set up camp to rest.

Yuan Ming came to the edge of the camp, looked at the night sky, and remained silent.

After a moment, he took out two pieces of the Void Communication Talisman and contacted Wulu and Nan Shangfeng, telling them the whole situation and asking them to find a way to spread the message.

Upon hearing such significant news, Wulu and Nan Shangfeng were shocked, yet they both agreed to do it.

Afterward, Yuan Ming sat in place, seemingly deep in thought, lowering his head without further action.

At the other end of the camp, where Wei Ling was staying.

At that moment, he was sitting cross-legged, forming a seal with his hands, manipulating a Magic Treasure, a copper basin, in front of him.

The copper basin was filled with an unknown light blue liquid, which, under Wei Ling's spellcasting, seemed to come alive, leaping up and forming a palm-sized human silhouette in the basin—exactly Yuan Ming, muttering as if speaking.

"It seems two Communication Talismans just flew out; is Wan Tianren plotting something?" Wei Ling, seeing the mirrored image in the copper basin, felt deeply puzzled.

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