Wulu had a similar expression, whereas Xi Ying's demeanor was calm, as if she had long been aware of this person's existence.

"May I ask how to address the senior?" Yuan Ming looked at the man clad in black and white, whose eyes lacked any brilliance, and asked with a bow.

"I am the Artifact Spirit of the Lank Chessboard. It is by the command of the Venerable Master above that I situate myself within the Time Cave Secret Realm. You were allowed to enter here because of my consent, so there is no need for such formality," said the man clad in black and white, waving his hand as his gaze landed on Yuan Ming, though his eyes remained hollow and lusterless.

"I would not presume, thank you, Senior, for opening this convenient gateway. However, I am not sure why you allowed us to come in. Is there something you require us to do?" Yuan Ming asked cautiously.

The Artifact Spirit was straightforward: "Indeed, I do have a task for you, which is connected to your own interests as well, not just mine."

"Please speak plainly, Senior," Yuan Ming said, glancing at Xi Ying and Wulu before continuing.

"The existence of the Undead Demon Tree, you must have heard about it from Hou Yi's Sun-shooting Bow, correct?" the man in black and white asked.

"Yes," Yuan Ming nodded.

"As such, that makes things simpler. The power contained within the Lank Chessboard is limited and cannot maintain this place for long. By the reckoning of the outside world, I can maintain the Time Cave Secret Realm for no more than thirty days. In other words, you can stay here for thirty years. After thirty years, the space of the secret realm will completely collapse, and then you will face the Undead Demon Tree directly; whether you live or die will depend on your own fate," the Artifact Spirit spoke bluntly.

"Senior means to suggest that we cultivate here for thirty years and then go to slay the Undead Demon Tree? We are already trapped on the island and are enemies of the Undead Demon Tree, so indeed, this matter does relate to us. However, why would you be willing to help us?" Yuan Ming asked, somewhat surprised.

"The ambitions of the Undead Demon Tree are vast, and its power is growing stronger. Sooner or later, it will break through the forbidden constraints of the Time Cave and seize my original body. Rather than sitting here awaiting doom, I prefer to take a stand through your hands, to fight a battle to the death. If it can be exterminated, then trouble will be forever averted. Hou Yi's Sun-shooting Bow also considered this, which is why it bestowed power upon you," the Artifact Spirit, with its black and white pupils fixed on Yuan Ming, answered.

Yuan Ming recalled the attitude of Hou Yi's Sun-shooting Bow towards him and suddenly felt a moment of clarity in his heart.

"What needs to be said has been said, maintaining the entrance of the Time Cave requires a substantial amount of Spiritual Power, which I will soon close. You must take care of yourselves hereafter," the Artifact Spirit said, its form gradually turning into light.

"Senior, please wait, I still have one favor to ask. Please hold on for a moment longer. I have some allies stranded outside; I will notify them to come here now, and you can close the entrance after they arrive," Yuan Ming thought quickly and called out urgently.

"Agreed," the Artifact Spirit gave Yuan Ming a glance, its form blurring into black and white spiritual lights, merging into the black and white sun above.

Knowing time was precious, Yuan Ming did not delay, turning to Xi Ying, about to urge her, but saw Xi Ying nodding directly.

"I know what you want to say. Don't worry, I'll protect you here. Do whatever you need to do," she said, glaring at Wulu with a hint of threat in her gaze.

Wulu, quite understanding, immediately turned and walked outside: "I'll guard outside the valley."

Seeing this, Yuan Ming took out the Silver Token, covering both himself and Xi Ying with it, and then entered the Stealing Heaven Tripod.

He quickly sat on the White Jade Lotus Platform and soon contacted Yun Jiuxiao, who was in the midst of fleeing.

At that moment, he was fleeing on the island with the White Scale Master and others. However, in their path of escape, numerous Green-Black Tree People were violently swinging their arms, launching a ferocious assault on them.

In midair, White Scale Master in his fluttering robe, held a black gourd, summoning thousands of dark sword lights from it, cutting through the vines and branches launched by the Tree People below. Not far off, Queen Ming Kong, holding a cerulean treasure mirror, summoned several avatars of spiritual water from the mirror, resisting the Tree People's attacks, while a strong man from the Water Ape Clan wielded a golden rod, grappling closely with the Tree People.

The three of them were barely maintaining the situation, unable to break free from the surrounding Tree People. As for Yun Jiuxiao and the other two, it goes without saying, possessing only Core Formation Cultivation, were it not for Queen Ming Kong and the others intentionally protecting them, they would have already been overwhelmed by the vast army of Tree People and left without a place to be buried.

Seeing this situation, Yuan Ming made a quick decision, directly activating the All Living Beings Dream Rune, drawing the Tree People around them into the illusion.

"Hurry to the peak's Time Cave Secret Realm and meet up with Divine Envoy Yuan Ming!" His voice also rang in everyone's ears at the same time.

Queen Ming Kong and the others, seeing the Tree People around them momentarily halt their attacks, were in a state of shock when suddenly they heard the voice of the Nether Moon God, thus coming to a realization.

Although the group didn't know what was happening on the island, they trusted that the Nether Moon God wouldn't harm them and immediately followed his instructions, running towards the peak.

On the other side, Old Man Hei Zhu and his companions, seeing this scene, briefly discussed before quickly following him.

However, as they approached the entrance of the Time Cave, they saw even more Tree People blocking the road, and among the Tree People were Yuan Wuji and others struggling in combat.

The Tree People on the peak were too numerous; Yuan Wuji and the others were blocked.

At this very moment, on Lank Island, aside from the three of Yuan Ming, all others were gathered in front of the Time Cave.

However, an endless number of Tree People were blocking their path, relentlessly attempting to slay them on the spot.

No sooner had Queen Ming Kong and the others arrived than a large number of Tree People surrounded them, plunging them into a predicament even more severe than before.

Soon, doubts and anger began to surface in their hearts; Queen Ming Kong and the others even began to suspect that the Nether Moon God had summoned them here to have them completely perish in this place.

However, just as this thought emerged in their minds, a terrifying and inexplicable Illusion Power descended from the sky, split into hundreds, and poured onto the Tree People.

In just an instant, the bodies of several hundred nearby Tree People stiffened, standing motionless, without exception, even the Level 4 Tree People.

Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned; Old Man Hei Zhu and the others gazed at Queen Ming Kong and the others in shock, suspecting that this terrifying Illusion Power was some hidden secret technique from one of them.

However, Queen Ming Kong and her companions understood that they simply did not possess such power.

The only one who could unleash such terrifying power was the Nether Moon God alone.

"What are you staring at? Hurry into the light gate inside the cave!"

The voice of the Nether Moon God resounded once again by the ears of Queen Ming Kong and others, startling them. Not daring to linger, they pushed back the tree men whose momentum had greatly decreased and rushed into the Time Cave.

Seeing this, Yuan Wuji and others also came to their senses. While repelling the tree men, they too poured into the Time Cave.

Soon, everyone on the island had rushed into the light gate. Then, a flash of black and white light from the gate made it vanish into thin air right where it was.

In the dark space, an indifferent voice sounded once again, this time with a hint of surprise.

"Such impressive illusion power! Who exactly is it?"

Afterward, everything returned to silence once again.

The crowd entered the secret realm of the Time Cave, saw the gate disappear behind them instantly, and could not help but heave a sigh of relief, feeling like they had survived a catastrophe.

The crowd was immediately captivated by the situation before them, curiously looking around in all directions.

At that moment, a streak of light suddenly flew toward them and landed in front of everyone, revealing Wulu's figure.

"It's you, kid! You had us running around like fools earlier. Prepare to pay with your life!" said the Blood Realm Venerable, his eyes emitting a cold light filled with murderous intent.

"Hold on a moment, younger brother," Yuan Wuji said after sizing up Wulu, stopping the Blood Realm Venerable.

"Venerables, Fellow Daoist Yuan has urgent matters to discuss with you all. This affair relates to the lives and fortunes of everyone here. Please follow me and make sure not to be absent," Wulu said, ignoring the threats of the Blood Realm Venerable and bowing to everyone.

Hearing this, the crowd looked at each other, their eyes filled with wariness and confusion. The atmosphere was incredibly tense, leading to a deadlock.

The Blood Yan Island Master looked at Wulu but did not speak.

Wulu was not in a hurry; he just calmly looked at everyone, the corners of his mouth bearing a faint, almost imperceptible, smile.

"Lead the way," Yuan Wuji broke the silence and said.

Wulu nodded and then turned to lead the way, with Yuan Wuji and the members of the Tide-rider Alliance following behind him.

Seeing someone take the initiative, the rest of the crowd hesitated for a bit before following suit.

The space inside the secret realm of the Time Cave was not large, merely a hundred miles in radius, so it didn't take much time for everyone to reach a valley. They immediately saw Yuan Ming and Xi Ying sitting on a Jade Lotus.

Yuan Ming surveyed the crowd, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing, "Thank you all for coming. Before discussing the main matter, perhaps some seniors are not aware of some of the mysteries here. Allow me to briefly introduce them first."

"Those things aren't urgent. First off, shouldn't we settle our previous accounts?" Yuan Wuji waved his hand and looked at Yuan Ming with interest, saying so.

"I, Yuan Ming, never regret the things I have done in coming to the Three Immortals Island to strive for treasure. If sirs wish to speak to me about grievances, I naturally accept, but might I be allowed to finish speaking first before we address other matters?" Yuan Ming stood up, bowed, and said.

"Humph, what can a Core Formation junior like you possibly say? It's just alarmist talk," sneered the Blood Realm Venerable from behind Yuan Wuji.

"Senior, you misunderstand. I simply mean to relay the original words of the host of this place, the Lank Chessboard Artifact Spirit senior. All the information was told to me by him, not something I knew beforehand," Yuan Ming said, without looking at the Blood Realm Venerable, in a calm and unhurried manner.

"The Lank Chessboard Artifact Spirit? Is that venerable truly here?" the Blood Yan Island Master suddenly exclaimed in delight.

Yuan Ming looked at him thoughtfully, slightly puzzled, and nodded, "Yes, I arrived here earlier than the rest, so the senior personally appeared and told me about an Ancient Undying Demon Tree on the island..."

He informed everyone about the existence, strength, and purpose of the Undead Demon Tree.

"... The Undead Demon Tree is extremely cunning. Every time the Three Immortals Island opens, it deliberately does so to attract cultivators to the island, then transforms them into puppets to increase its cultivation. Those tree demons you saw earlier are its subordinates, and according to the senior Artifact Spirit, in no more than thirty days, it will be able to break into this place and confront us directly. By then, all will be lost," Yuan Ming said.

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked, except the Blood Yan Island Master who, upon hearing Yuan Ming's confirmation, was overcome with enthusiasm and paid no attention to what Yuan Ming said afterward.

He suddenly knelt down, kowtowing towards the sky and began speaking, "Descendant of Luo Yan, Luo Qi, following the ancestral command to enter the Time Cave, please allow the Artifact Spirit senior to show yourself."

No sooner had he finished speaking than everyone saw two beams of black and white spiritual light emerge from the sun in the sky, merging together and forming the figure of the Artifact Spirit.

"Descendant of Luo Yan, for what purpose have you come?" The eyes of the Artifact Spirit Kong, hollow and unruffled, simply posed the question.

The Blood Yan Island Master Luo Qi raised his head to see the figure of the Artifact Spirit, recognizing him as identical to the ancestor's portrait, and immediately took out a black and white chessboard, holding it above his head.

"It was commanded by the ancestors that any descendant who refines the Daluo Chessboard may ascend the island. Please, venerable Artifact Spirit, inspect it. Now that the chessboard is complete, I ask the senior to review it," Luo Qi said, staying on his knees, his head bowed respectfully.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.