The main soul of Yuan Ming slowly returned to its place, and the spirit bean clone seemed infused with new vitality. He gently stepped out of the Stealing Heaven Tripod space, his figure gradually condensing above the ruins of White Emperor City.

All around lay desolation, with broken walls and ruins, where wild grass swayed with the wind, as if telling of the past glory and the current changes.

Not far away, seven or eight cultivators dressed in blue gathered together. Whether male or female, their expressions varied, but they all looked quite curious and eager.

They were surrounding the clone of Daoist Mu, asking about the changes in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range and various questions about the Stone Pillar Hongjun.

Daoist Mu's clone was surrounded by the crowd, frowning slightly, appearing a bit impatient.

Finally, he spoke, saying, "Fellow Daoists, regarding the current situation of the Stone Pillar Hongjun and the changes in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, you should ask Fellow Daoist Yuan. He understands these matters most thoroughly."

"Fellow Daoist Yuan?" Following the voice, the group looked over and found the still standing figure under the giant shade of the World Tree.

Yuan Ming slightly raised his head, his gaze slowly swept over these seven or eight cultivators, all young and talented men and women, the leading one being a young girl in a pink dress.

The girl's face was charming and beautiful, her almond eyes softly smiling, just like a freshly bloomed peach blossom, gently swaying in the spring breeze.

She led the group elegantly towards Yuan Ming, her demeanor exuding a refined quality.

"I am Nangong Xian'er, I have met Fellow Daoist Yuan." She slightly bowed to Yuan Ming in greeting.

"I am Yuan Ming, I greet all fellow Daoists." Yuan Ming also cupped his hands in response.

As they spoke, Yuan Ming was overwhelmed by a strange sense of familiarity, seemingly having heard the name "Nangong Xian'er" before, but could not quite trace the origin of this memory.

After exchanging greetings, Yuan Ming led them underground, arriving at the damaged Stone Pillar Hongjun.

The Stone Pillar was covered in the marks of time, with intersecting cracks, as if narrating past vicissitudes.

Nangong Xian'er carefully examined the condition of the Stone Pillar, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"It turns out that the Stone Pillar Hongjun relies on the divine skills of the World Tree to maintain the operation of the Heavenly Crane Array. It's truly awe-inspiring." She exclaimed sincerely.

"Ultimately, this method is not a long-term solution. We still need to trouble everyone to repair the Stone Pillar Hongjun as soon as possible to ensure the stability of the array." Yuan Ming entrusted.

"The Stone Pillar Hongjun itself has the work of fortune. We simply need to set up a repair formation. Once the formation operates, it can draw upon Earth Spirit Power to gradually repair the pillar. However, this repair process could be quite lengthy." Nangong Xian'er nodded with a serious expression.

"Thank you." Yuan Ming cupped his hands again in thanks.

Afterward, Nangong Xian'er began to direct everyone to set up the formation.

Yuan Ming did not leave, and watched silently from the side, only to see that Nangong Xian'er's technique was skillful, her formation expertise profound, and she was actually a Level 6 Array Master, her formation level nearly reaching the seventh level, which was truly breathtaking.

"This formation is actually composed of three sixth-level arrays nested together, its standard is almost approaching the seventh-level array, it is truly awe-inspiring." Yuan Ming couldn't help but laud it.

Nangong Xian'er heard this, looked at Yuan Ming with some surprise, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Yuan is also proficient in the way of formations?"

Yuan Ming waved his hand and laughed, "I only know a little bit. I have some simplistic ideas, would Fellow Daoist Nangong be willing to hear me out for a bit?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a man in a blue robe beside him said with a hint of mockery, "This repair formation was meticulously improved by Lady Hua Xian and is already top-notch, where is there room for adjustment or improvement?"

This remark surprised Yuan Ming slightly.

He wasn't disturbed by the man's sarcasm, but finally remembered why Nangong Xian'er's name seemed so familiar.

As it turned out, she was one of the three Guardians of the Chuyun Realm, the renowned Lady Hua Xian.

Nangong Xian'er noticed Yuan Ming lost in thought, seemingly contemplating, and apologized for the blue-robed man's rudeness, saying, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, please don't mind him. The way of formations is profound and hard to reach a perfect realm. If you notice any omissions, please feel free to point them out."

Yuan Ming returned from his reverie, and said in a gentle voice, "I think we could incorporate a Level 5 Linked Spirit Array into the existing three sixth-level arrays, which could not only enhance the stability of the formation but also improve the efficiency of Earth Spirit Power conversion."

Nangong Xian'er was surprised upon hearing this, and her gaze towards Yuan Ming carried a bit more respect.

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Yuan, I also had this thought, but unfortunately, the Linked Spirit Array I have doesn't fit well with the Great Array, so it couldn't fulfill its purpose." Nangong Xian'er confessed.

Yuan Ming gave a slight smile and said, "I happen to have a suitable array."

With that said, he wielded his brush and ink, producing the array and explaining its intricacies.

This Level 5 Linked Spirit Array was a fortuitous find for Yuan Ming in the Three Realms Immortal Boat, and now using it here, it's like the icing on the cake.

Nangong Xian'er witnessed this, her beautiful eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but clap in admiration. She immediately arranged for her people to adjust the formation strategy to incorporate the Level 5 Linked Spirit Array.

This move subtly shifted everyone's attitude towards Yuan Ming, and Nangong Xian'er even more so couldn't stop praising him.

Once the matters of formation were settled, Nangong Xian'er approached Yuan Ming curiously, asking, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, may I ask which sect or faction you belong to?"

Yuan Ming shook his head and was about to speak when a cool voice of Xi Ying suddenly resonated in his Sea of Consciousness:

"Since the matter is resolved, hurry back to cultivate."

Her voice was calm, but Yuan Ming sensed something unusual in it. With a feeling stirring in his heart, he cupped his hands towards Nangong Xian'er and said, "Apologies, since things are settled here, I shall continue my cultivation and take my leave."

With that said, he intended to find a quiet place to return to the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space.

Nangong Xian'er suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, wait a moment, is this World Tree perhaps your handiwork?"

Yuan Ming nodded but did not say more.

"I have a request. I wonder if I could exchange some suitable treasures for a portion of the World Tree?" Nangong Xian'er asked sincerely.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming shook his head and declined politely, "Apologies, this matter involves my secrets, it is indeed difficult to give."

By this point, his deliberately distant attitude was quite clear.

"Then... I won't disturb you further." Hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed in Nangong Xian'er's eyes. However, she did not get angry and turned to busy herself with other matters.

...

A year later.

At the Hongjun Pillar ruins, the traces of past battles gradually faded, replaced by vigorous renewal and vitality.

This land seemed to have undergone a rebirth, once again exuding endless vitality.

Tender green grass emitted a faint spirit light, covering the ground, as if draping it with a brocade robe of emerald green.

Countless flowers bloomed quietly among the green leaves, releasing a delicate fragrance, like the sleeves of a fairy brushing gently, exuding an enchanting aroma.

These flowers and grasses were all personally cultivated by Nangong Xian'er. They not only adjusted the surrounding spiritual energy and promoted the recovery of the spirit vein but also provided great convenience for the restoration of the Hongjun Pillar.

However, the growth of these plants was not easy. Their rapid expansion within a year owed much to the life aura emitted by the World Tree.

During this year, the World Tree, which Yuan Ming had transformed into, also underwent tremendous changes.

Its body became taller and more upright, with lush foliage, and its demonic power reached the Level 6 standard.

But compared to the increase in the World Tree's demonic power, more remarkable was the dense life aura it exuded.

This aura differed from the sinister and dark feeling associated with the Demon Clan of the Ten Thousand Demon Country. Instead, it gave a sense of tranquility and harmony. Bathing in it felt like it could cleanse the soul, providing an extraordinary sense of comfort.

To show respect for this miraculous World Tree, Nangong Xian'er and her group had never approached it, setting up their camp far away and dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to the restoration of the Hongjun Pillar.

The restoration of the Hongjun Pillar was a vast and complex project. Nangong Xian'er and her group did not dare to relax for a moment.

Their comings and goings were incessant, each tasked with their responsibilities, and the camp was bustling with orderly activity.

This external hustle and bustle did not affect Yuan Ming.

He seemed to be in an independent world, unconcerned with external matters, deeply focused on cultivating the Five Elements Dao Fruit.

Throughout the year, Yuan Ming's cultivation never wavered.

He continually comprehended the Five Elements, integrating the mana within him with the Five Elements Power.

And today marked the moment when his achievements would come to fruition.

At some point, Yuan Ming ended his cultivation. When he examined his own body, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

At the center of the World Tree, five gourd phantoms quietly floated outside the mana vortex.

The phantoms emitted a faint glow, appearing to contain endless power.

These five gourd phantoms were the initial condensation of Yuan Ming's Five Elements Dao Fruit.

Although only phantoms, they were already intimately connected with Yuan Ming's mana, forming spiritual power veins that integrated into the mana vortex.

After a year of accumulation, Yuan Ming finally grasped the basics and initially condensed the Five Elements Dao Fruit.

Though only initially formed, it still significantly increased Yuan Ming's mana, surpassing the initial level of the Dharma manifestation Stage.

Yuan Ming estimated that once the Five Elements Dao Fruit fully solidified, his cultivation should naturally break through to the mid-stage Dharma manifestation Stage.

Just as Yuan Ming was examining his cultivation achievements, ripples suddenly spread through the void around the World Tree, and Daoist Mu's figure slowly emerged from the void.

He wore a green robe, with hair and beard as white as snow, but his gaze was like a torch, carrying an indescribable majesty.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Ming's heart tightened, thinking some major event had occurred, and he immediately manifested a wooden man avatar to greet him.

When he saw Daoist Mu's calm expression, and what seemed like a hint of a smile in his eyes, Yuan Ming couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, inwardly chiding himself for overthinking.

Sure enough, Daoist Mu merely glanced around before explaining his visit: "I sensed an unusual fluctuation of the Five Elements aura here and guessed that you must have achieved something in your retreat, so I came to take a look. How has your cultivation been during this time?"

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