"Haha, since everyone has no objections, then it's settled this way. As for how to obtain the Earth Core Fire Lotus, please share your ideas. Let's have Fellow Daoist Yuan speak first." Daoist Qian Bao laughed and looked at Yuan Ming with an inquisitive look in his eyes.

"These Fire Crocodiles are not weak, and their numbers are unknown. It probably won't work to kill them all before gathering the lotuses. The best way is to have some people who are skilled in Escape Techniques gather the Fire Lotuses, while the rest assist by engaging and blocking the Fire Crocodiles. This way, we can obtain the Earth Core Fire Lotus with the smallest losses." Yuan Ming was secretly cautious of Daoist Qian Bao. His expression was unchanged as he spoke.

As his words fell, everyone, including Daoist Qian Bao, fell silent. Many eyes landed on Yuan Ming as they considered the feasibility of his method.

"I think this method is feasible," said Golden Cloud Fairy, breaking the silence, and nodded.

"Indeed, this method is appropriate, but as for who to send to gather the lotuses, who will take on this task?" Daoist Qian Bao agreed, then asked.

"I'll go." Qing Tong was the first to volunteer, holding the initiative once he got the Fire Lotus in hand.

"I can also give it a try." Relying on her Ice Qilin Spirit Beast, Bing Xin also wanted to try her luck.

"I think I can do it as well..."

Suddenly, the noisy voices of self-recommendations erupted, with nearly everyone volunteering eagerly.

"Rather than who goes to gather the lotuses, I'm more concerned about how the Fire Lotuses we collect will be distributed," Huan Ling Zi suddenly said.

At these words, people exchanged glances and fell silent again for a moment.

"I think, since everyone is working together, naturally, after collection, they should be put together and distributed fairly," Long Chong spoke.

"How can distribution be even when the number of people doesn't match the number of Fire Lotuses gathered? We surely cannot chop them up and weigh them out," Qing Tong sneered.

"Compared to the task of guarding, the risk of gathering lotuses is obviously greater. Even if it's distributed evenly, it wouldn't be fair," Hou Santong spoke at this time.

Everyone had their own thoughts, speaking one after another, leaving no reliable ideas.

"If we're going to quibble like this, then why cooperate at all? Let's just compete based on our abilities. If you die, no complaints, and if you're injured, no blaming," Qing Tong scorned seeing that the discussion was going nowhere.

"Why put us through such trouble? The gatherer should at least ensure one Fire Lotus per person is collected. As for any extra, they should be equally divided among everyone. If the number is insufficient, compensate with Spirit Stones and spiritual materials. How about that?" Yuan Ming spoke.

"This method is indeed not bad," Golden Cloud Fairy glanced at Yuan Ming with a flash of admiration in her eyes.

"I agree," said Hou Santong.

"I also agree," Long Chong nodded.

Seeing no objections, Daoist Qian Bao spoke, "Since everyone thinks it's reasonable, then it's decided. Those who just volunteered to gather the lotuses, please step forward."

His words echoed for a long time, yet no one responded.

They were initially eager to volunteer for fear of losing their interests, but now that each was assured a Fire Lotus, naturally, no one wanted to risk themselves.

"I'll do it," Yuan Ming said.

During the competition the day before, everyone had witnessed his Divine Skills, almost akin to Thunder Escape, hence no one objected.

"Count me in," Golden Cloud Fairy volunteered.

Seeing this, Qiong Yun was about to step forward but was stopped by a transmission from Yuan Ming.

"Fellow Daoist Qiong Yun, you and Long Chong need to protect me. I don't trust the others," Yuan Ming's voice echoed in her Sea of Consciousness, prompting her to retreat.

"With only two people, the collection speed will be too slow. It's best if we can resolve this swiftly to avoid complications," Huan Ling Zi spoke.

"If that's the case, why not ask Fellow Daoist Huan Ling Zi to join us?" Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"As you all know, I'm not skilled in Escape Techniques. If I go to gather the lotuses, I might just slow you down," Huan Ling Zi cursed inwardly and declined.

"Fellow Daoist Huan Ling Zi isn't skilled in Escape Techniques? How come I remember that you can transform into Golden Light and tunnel through the earth, or am I mistaken?" Yuan Ming stroked his chin, feigning confusion.

Huan Ling Zi recalled how Yuan Ming had forced him to use the "Vertical Earth Golden Light Talisman" and couldn't help but feel a rush of anger as veins popped on his forehead, yet his emotions were well-controlled, and the veins disappeared quickly.

"Haha, perhaps the Fellow Daoist is mistaken," Huan Ling Zi clenched his fists inside his sleeves while keeping a smile on his face.

"Well, although I'm not skilled in Escape Techniques, I do have some Magic Treasures with me. I'll join in gathering the lotuses too," Daoist Qian Bao saw no one else responding and felt compelled to speak.

"Three people should be enough," Yuan Ming nodded.

"Everyone, whether it's gathering lotuses or leading away the Fire Crocodiles, neither task is easy. Here, I declare in advance that no one, during the gathering, should attack others. If anyone breaches this, not only will they lose their qualification to obtain Fire Lotuses, but they will also have to surrender all their previous gains and be expelled from the team!" Golden Cloud Fairy warned.

Her warning alone might not weigh much, but with Fusang Island backing her, no one dared to take it lightly.

"That's only natural. Engaging in petty actions at such a time, it wouldn't be too much for us all to kill him," Long Chong said with a meaningful look at Qing Tong.

"Right, such people who neglect the greater good are indeed a bane."

"It should be so..."

Everyone responded simultaneously, and their gazes involuntarily swept over Qing Tong and Long Chong.

Neither of them looked anywhere but straight ahead, ignoring everyone's stares.

After the discussion was concluded, everyone began to prepare.

Zhong Ling and two others took out stacks of Array Flag Array Plates and many green wooden columns, beginning to set up the Ten Thousand Wood Formation. The leaders of each team also started assigning tasks to their members.

Yuan Ming, Long Chong, and two others gathered together to discuss their next moves.

"We'll be acting together with Huan Ling Zi, Qing Tong, and others. Everyone, be cautious and on guard against any underhanded tactics they might deploy," Yuan Ming reminded the three.

"As if they would dare," Long Chong snorted coldly as he spoke.

"You shouldn't be careless," Qiong Yun said discontentedly.

Yuan Ming, using his Emotion Manipulation Ability, sensed Huan Ling Zi and Qing Tong were filled with resentment and might not hesitate to take a risk. He was about to say something when he suddenly heard Hong Ling's voice in his Sea of Consciousness:

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, Blood Shadow and I are getting extremely bored in the Shura Blood Devouring Map. The Fire Crocodiles are tough to handle, but we can help if needed."

"Fellow Daoists, I appreciate your offer, but in this situation, it's not appropriate for you to join," Yuan Ming hesitated slightly before replying mentally.

"Don't worry, we'll be very careful not to let others notice," Hong Ling said.

"No need, the two of you just stay in the Shura Blood Devouring Map," Yuan Ming didn't hesitate this time and refused outright.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, let me be frank with you. Surely you know that we Blood Slaves of the Shura Blood Devouring Map need pure Qi Blood Power to live and cultivate. The Qi Blood Power inside the map has been exhausted, and those Fire Crocodiles in the Magma Lake are huge and full of vigorous blood energy; we can smell it even through the Magic Treasure. There are many of them, perfect for refining into Blood Origin Power," Blood Shadow chimed in.

"Oh, is that so?" Yuan Ming was noncommittal.

He naturally knew Hong Ling and Blood Shadow needed Qi Blood Power for cultivation. Both were at the Nascent Soul Stage, favored by the Shura Master to be refined into the Shura Blood Devouring Map. Their talents were undoubtedly excellent, and a continuous supply of Qi Blood Power could potentially enable them to break through to even higher realms.

Yuan Ming's cultivation was only at the early-stage Core Formation, and his understanding of the Shura Blood Devouring Map's sacrifice rituals was not profound enough. Having Hong Ling and Blood Shadow being too powerful was not necessarily a good thing.

"Collecting Qi Blood Power isn't just for us. Fellow Daoist Yuan, I hear that the second layer of your Demon Image Prison Suppression Skill is about to reach perfection. You'll need a lot of Qi Blood Power for cultivation, and opportunities to store Qi Blood Power like this are rare," seeing Yuan Ming starting to hesitate, Hong Ling hurriedly added.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming was somewhat tempted.

If he encountered one or two more Star Rains soon, his Iron Bone Body could be completed, and indeed he would need a lot of pure Qi Blood afterward.

"Alright, I can let you capture some Fire Crocodiles later, but no one must notice it's my doing," he pondered briefly before replying mentally.

"Don't worry, we have our ways. No one will find out it's related to you," Hong Ling quickly said.

Soon, the rest of the group was also ready, and everyone began to move.

Although it was a joint effort, the various parties largely kept to their own teams, dividing into three groups to attack the Fire Crocodiles in the lake's center from three different directions.

Yuan Ming only had Wulu, Long Chong, and Qiong Yun to help him hold off the Fire Crocodiles on his side, making them rather underpowered. Unable to spare anyone to assist, he had to discuss with Huan Ling Zi to have someone from his side join them.

Expecting Huan Ling Zi to refuse, Yuan Ming was surprised when he agreed quite readily, promptly sending Qing Tong over.

When Yuan Ming saw that Qing Tong was the one sent over, he considered refusing, but Golden Cloud Fairy had already started urging, "Don't dawdle, if we encounter another Star Rain, things will only get worse. Let's get started."

"Fellow Daoist Qing Tong, who would have thought we'll be acting together next. Please give us your guidance," Long Chong turned to Qing Tong and said with a chuckle.

The latter merely grinned nonchalantly.

Once everyone was ready, Daoist Qian Bao gave the command, and Zhong Ling, Hua Ping, and Baili Zhui were the first to take action.

They sat cross-legged on the edge of the Magma Lake, each holding a blue disc in their hands, beginning to press the discs while closing their eyes to cast.

As their Mana flowed into the discs, the discs quickly lit up with blue-green light, forming rings of blue-green light under them that rippled outward like water.

Where the blue light passed, the ground thrived, growing a layer of blue moss.

Along the lakeshore, the blue wooden stakes they had previously buried came to life one by one, twisting and growing into towering blue trees.

The trees had no leaves, but rather hung down thick vines.

"Begin," Daoist Qian Bao commanded loudly.

The dozens of towering trees immediately twisted their trunks and, like living creatures, began to swing their vines towards the lake's surface.

"Pa pa"

A series of cracking sounds followed as the tree vines, which were highly fire-resistant, splashed innumerable sparks in the rolling magma, yet did not burn up.

The previously calm Fire Crocodiles were disturbed anew and surfaced again.

However, because the vine's impact area was so extensive, this time dozens of Fire Crocodiles were stirred up simultaneously, each fiercely snapping at the vines.

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