"Thunderbolt Ancestor, my sister and I never intended to kill Young Master Yu Hong. Please show mercy and spare our lives..." Yan Sijing pleaded.

"I am not the so-called Thunderbolt Ancestor; I am the Nether Moon God. I came seeking those fated to meet me. Someone once mentioned to me that you possessed exceptional wisdom. I have descended to inquire whether you would be willing to become a follower of mine," he said.

"Nether Moon God?" Yan Sijing was stunned.

According to her sister's guess, the Nether Moon God was an identity Yuan Ming had fabricated. So how could there be another Nether Moon God?

That Yuan Ming was merely a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, whereas Yan Sijing had managed Hundred Pills Square and had even met Nascent Soul cultivators before. The terrifying pressure that enveloped her just now was undoubtedly at the Nascent Soul Level, so it was impossible they were the same person.

Yan Sijing recalled the Nether Moon God's recent words: Someone once mentioned to me...

She had no connection with the Nether Moon God, and the only contact she had was that escort mission.

"Could it be that Yuan Ming wasn't the Nether Moon God but rather his envoy? After meeting me, he reported my existence, which is why the Nether Moon God has descended?" Yan Sijing guessed silently.

"Are you willing?" Yuan Ming said with a deep voice, his tone now authoritative.

"This humble girl is willing to become a follower," Yan Sijing quickly said, her Divine Soul trembling violently once more.

"Very well. Pray sincerely every day, and if you find yourself in danger, you may silently call my name," Yuan Ming said, softening his voice.

"Yes," Yan Sijing replied with a dejected face.

She felt incredibly unlucky recently, being pursued by the Thunderbolt Ancestor and now entangled by a mysterious Nether Moon God. She wondered if she could escape safely.

"I have heard of Hundred Pills Square. Why aren't you busy with your shop, and how come you are here?" Yuan Ming asked.

Yan Sijing's thoughts raced. "Hundred Pills Square has not been doing well these past few years. I came here to cultivate in seclusion, attempting to make a breakthrough in Alchemy Technique to break the deadlock," she explained.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming understood that Yan Sijing did not trust him, but he did not expose it and retracted his Divine Sense.

It was difficult for Xu Che alone to attract cultivator believers. Since he had declared himself the Nether Moon God through the Stealing Heaven Tripod, he could not remain idle.

Cultivators generally have strong wills and do not easily worship a deity. Yuan Ming also did not wish to force faith upon anyone, as followers obtained through threats or temptations cannot genuinely produce Desire Power.

Yan Sijing and her sister had their own remarkable qualities, more worthy of nurturing than Xu Che, and they were currently in danger. This was a good opportunity; if he could offer some help at a critical moment, there was a good chance to win over the sisters as believers.

Yuan Ming had some involvement with Yu Hong's death and feared retaliation from the Thunderbolt Ancestor. Over the years, he had Zuo Qinghui inquire about the latter's cultivation, knowing that the opponent was a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator. Inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod, his Soul Power was comparable to the Sixth Level of the Moonlight Technique, and he was not afraid of the Thunderbolt Ancestor.

Yan Sijing felt the pressure lift from her shoulders as all the tension dissipated. She hurriedly jumped up from the bed and cautiously looked around, seemingly observing whether the Nether Moon God had truly left.

After a long while, the voice of the Nether Moon God did not reappear. Her mind somewhat settled, she quickly headed towards the secret room where Yan Siyun was cultivating.

Inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space, Yuan Ming rubbed his forehead.

The Soul Power in his Sea of Consciousness hadn't diminished at all; it was still immense. However, controlling such vast Soul Power was a hefty burden on him, and he was exhausted.

"It seems using this power comes at a cost," Yuan Ming whispered to himself, rising to his feet.

The moment he stepped off the Lotus Platform, the Soul Power in his Sea of Consciousness rapidly weakened, returning to normal levels, but he also felt much lighter.

Yuan Ming looked around. The space inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod was mysterious, likely much larger than this, with thick fog hiding many secrets. He wondered when he would be able to fully explore it.

He had encountered too many mystical things today, and his spirit was exhausted. He lacked the energy to delve further and only wished to return and rest.

But then it struck him, how was he supposed to leave this place?

Although Yuan Ming had refined the outer layer of the Forbidden on the Stealing Heaven Tripod, he was far from being able to control it.

Just then, his vision suddenly blurred, and by the time he came to his senses, he was already back in the Spirit Wind City's secret room, with the Stealing Heaven Tripod silently hovering in front of him.

"So that's how it is," Yuan Ming muttered to himself, stowing away the Stealing Heaven Tripod.

He sat down cross-legged but did not immediately close his eyes to rest. Instead, he formed a hand seal and pointed to the nearby wall.

A layer of water-like reflection appeared out of nowhere on the wall, rapidly flashing with countless images.

This was a Water attribute variation from the Five Elements Illusion Destruction Array, similar to a Recording Artifact, capable of documenting images.

Controlling the Array, the Water Mirror soon displayed the scene of him refining the Stealing Heaven Tripod.

The Golden Light on the Tripod flared, and he vanished into thin air, leaving only the Tripod suspended in the room.

"It seems I have indeed entered the tripod," Yuan Ming thought to himself.

His expression suddenly changed as he remembered something.

According to the situation displayed on the Water Mirror, after his body took refuge inside the Stealing Heaven Tripod, all he needed was to find a reliable person to take the tripod away, and then nobody would be able to find him, right?

With this thought, Yuan Ming felt a surge of excitement, but he quickly calmed himself down.

Although this idea seemed flawless, whether it could actually be implemented required further study.

He suppressed his various thoughts and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

The next morning, Yuan Ming emerged from the seclusion chamber.

The Three Beasts that had been waiting outside the room knelt down on one knee as they saw Yuan Ming come out — Hua Zhi and Vajra immediately, and Lei Yu followed suit, folding its wings and bowing its head.

"Congratulations to the master on the successful Core Formation."

Hua Zhi and Vajra congratulated in unison, while Lei Yu let out a cry.

"You have had a hard time protecting outside," Yuan Ming nodded and gestured for them to stand beside him, then he moved to the entrance of the Cave Mansion and pushed open the door.

Outside the door, a Sound Transmission Talisman blocked by a forbidden seal was fluttering, unable to find its way, sticking right on the seal. Yuan Ming released the seal, gestured with his hand, and the talisman flew straight into his hand.

Yuan Ming activated the Sound Transmission Talisman, and soon heard a somewhat familiar and elderly voice from it.

"This is Pi Xiu, elder of the Spirit Talisman Sect, congratulating Fellow Daoist on your successful Core Formation. May I ask whether Fellow Daoist would allow this old man to visit and offer congratulations in person?"

In the Spirit Wind City, there was not just one Core Formation Cultivator like Pi Xiu, but after Yuan Ming's breakthrough, this was the only Sound Transmission Talisman he received. The deep implications behind this couldn't help but lead to wild speculations.

After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Ming gave a decisive response, "Of course, I will await Fellow Daoist's arrival in front of the Cave Mansion."

A light laughter came from the Sound Transmission Talisman, and then it burned to ashes.

In a short while, a tunneling light flew out from the Spirit Wind Hall and landed in front of Yuan Ming, revealing Pi Xiu's figure — the bald old man who had handled his residency.

Upon seeing Yuan Ming, Pi Xiu greeted with a smile and a clasped hand, "Fellow Daoist made me wait quite a bit. Do you remember Pi, who handled your residence? At the time, my old eyes were dim and I failed to see the exceptional talent of Fellow Daoist. So young yet able to form a Golden Core, if there was any neglect, I hope Fellow Daoist will forgive me."

"Fellow Daoist Pi is too kind. On the contrary, it was I who spent a few extra days to stabilize the realm and failed to receive the transmission in time. Please forgive me," Yuan Ming replied politely, inviting Pi Xiu into the Cave Mansion.

Pi Xiu laughed loudly, "Not at all, not at all. As a new Core Formation cultivator, it's proper to fully experience the mysteries of this state."

As he spoke, he stepped into the mansion and saw the Three Beasts of Hua Zhi standing to the side, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"I have only just arrived in this treasure land and haven't managed to make friends with any trustworthy Fellow Daoists, so I could only have my three spirit beasts protect from outside. I apologize for the amusement," seeing this, Yuan Ming explained.

Pi Xiu shook his head, "Where is that, Fellow Daoist? Each of these three spirit beasts is extraordinary and clearly not of common stock. Even ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators might not be able to contend with them. It is no wonder Fellow Daoist can form a Golden Core at such a young age."

Unresponsive to his flattery, Yuan Ming smiled and did not reply, instead continuing to move forward, leading him into the reception room.

Once seated, Pi Xiu went straight to the point, "Fellow Daoist is young and promising; may I ask whom you were mentored by?"

Yuan Ming shook his head, "I am but a Loose Cultivator. Although I do have a mentor, she does not regard me as a disciple."

"Is that so? Then I wonder what you think about our Spirit Talisman Sect?" Pi Xiu asked again.

"Fellow Daoist Pi need not probe. I have a good impression of your esteemed sect, but I have been accustomed to being unrestrained in the past and do not like to be bound by others. I have no plans to join a sect at the moment," Yuan Ming answered directly.

Pi Xiu was not ready to give up, "Fellow Daoist, don't be hasty. Listen to what I have to say before making a decision. Our Spirit Talisman Sect, although on par with the Five Thunder Sect among the great sects of Zhao Country, is not as strict as the Five Thunder Sect towards Loose Cultivators who are willing to join."

"As long as you become a Guest Elder of our sect, Fellow Daoist will receive a monthly stipend, and you can also acquire our sect's unique talisman points by carrying out tasks or purchasing them directly with spirit stones. You can exchange talisman points for spiritual materials, elixirs, talismans, and cultivation techniques stored in our sect's treasury. Not only are the prices more favorable, but there are also many treasures not found elsewhere."

"Furthermore, every sixty years, our sect's Nascent Soul Ancestors will hold a grand lecture in the main hall. If Fellow Daoist becomes a Guest Elder, you will also be eligible to attend. At that time, Fellow Daoist can even spend talisman points to obtain the right to ask questions to a Nascent Soul Ancestor."

"As you know, at our level, each step forward is incredibly difficult. Receiving guidance and solving cultivation puzzles from a Nascent Soul cultivator is an invaluable opportunity that countless spirit stones cannot buy."

If another Loose Cultivator had heard this lengthy speech, they probably would be eager to nod in agreement, wishing to join immediately.

It's a pity that Yuan Ming carried too many secrets and was destined not to join the Spirit Talisman Sect. No matter how enticing the conditions, he would firmly shake his head and refuse.

Seeing that Yuan Ming was still unmoved, a trace of disappointment flashed across Pi Xiu's face, but he remained very courteous towards Yuan Ming, "If Fellow Daoist changes your mind in the future, you may come to the Spirit Wind Hall to find me at any time. I will be more than happy to receive you. Additionally, here is the rent you paid before. Since Fellow Daoist has achieved Core Formation, according to the rules of our sect, your future rent in Spirit Wind City is waived, which can also be considered a Core Formation congratulatory gift from our sect."

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