Wei Ling's magic treasure can only be used for reconnaissance, allowing him to see distant events unnoticed, similar to Chu Zhixian's Da Ji Ancient Mirror.

Unfortunately, this treasure doesn't transmit sound, so he can only guess at Yuan Ming's discussions with others based on the expressions of the tiny figures formed by the liquid.

"Just this information isn't enough to report," Wei Ling muttered hesitantly.

As he debated whether to inform Wang Fulong, he saw the liquid figure representing Yuan Ming suddenly look up, giving him a knowing smile, as if meeting his gaze.

Wei Ling was stunned, his heart racing, and just as he wanted to act, a thick azure-gray root burst from the ground and pierced his body.

Wei Ling was terrified, ready to leap into action.

At that moment, Yuan Ming's icy voice echoed in his ear.

"Do not move!"

Accompanied by Yuan Ming's voice, a mysterious power enveloped Wei Ling, silencing all sounds around him, leaving only a profound silence.

Wei Ling's face was etched with the word 'pain', and at the brink of life and death, he unleashed unprecedented strength. Even as his body was penetrated, his fingers struggled to form a spell to attempt self-saving magic.

But in the next instant, another root emerged, binding his body tightly.

At the same time, Yuan Ming's figure appeared before him, raising a finger.

Wei Ling's body went limp on the ground, unable to move an inch.

The other people in the camp were busy with their own tasks, noticing nothing.

Despair filled Wei Ling's eyes as he watched the scene.

Yuan Ming concealed his actions with an illusion technique, unafraid of being noticed by others, and performed Soul Searching Divine Ability.

Wei Ling didn't know much, merely following orders to report Yuan Ming's movements to Wang Fulong, ignorant of the reasons.

Yuan Ming anticipated this, without any disappointment.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, I failed to recognize greatness, please spare my life..." Yuan Ming ceased the soul search, and Wei Ling regained consciousness, pleading for mercy.

"Rest assured, I won't kill you," Yuan Ming replied with a faint smile.

Wei Ling was overjoyed by these words.

But at that moment, several undying tree roots pierced deep into his body, freezing Wei Ling's expression and rendering his gaze wooden, transforming him into an Undead Tree Puppet.

He was directly linked to Wang Fulong, and a sudden disappearance might alert him. Yuan Ming had previously refrained from acting because of this, but now, with his upcoming journey to Fire Peak Mountain, leaving Wei Ling unchecked was unwise.

Of course, merely controlling Wei Ling wouldn't suffice. If a demon attack occurred again and he didn't appear, it would leave a flaw.

Fortunately, Yuan Ming had another plan.

He first ordered Wei Ling to continue reporting to Wang Fulong as per usual, then returned to his place and took out a small yellow spirit bean, the size of a pinky.

Next, he cast a spell and tossed the spirit bean forward. The Dao Seal of Planting Beans into Soldiers in his Nascent Soul instantly lit up, emitting flowing spirit light that infused the bean.

In a matter of moments, a clone identical to Yuan Ming's current appearance fell to the ground.

Yuan Ming examined the clone, finding no flaw in its appearance or aura except that the clone only possessed thirty percent of his original strength.

But this was an unavoidable situation. Although he had refined the Planting Beans into Soldiers technique to perfection, even condensing a Dao Seal, the magic required external assistance, and he had yet to find suitable spiritual materials to create a spirit bean capable of holding sixty percent of his power. For now, he had to settle for a clone with thirty percent strength to hold up appearances.

Still, at his current strength, thirty percent was sufficient to handle most cultivators below the Dharma manifestation stage.

Yuan Ming did not dwell on the matter, quickly organizing everything and quietly departing.

After leaving the camp, he summoned Lei Yu.

Lei Yu, having been cooped up in the Shura Palace for a long time, emitted a sharp cry and transformed into a bolt of thunder, shooting toward Fire Peak Mountain.

...

The day after Yuan Ming's departure, rumors quickly spread that Heavenly Fire had appeared at Fire Peak Mountain, circulating rapidly among the teams.

For a time, hearts wavered, with many cultivators neglecting their orders, just wanting to know whether the news was true.

As the rumors spread wider, some teams, unable to resist temptation, left their assigned search areas without permission and headed toward Fire Peak Mountain.

Once such a trend appeared, other cultivator teams began to follow suit, covertly and overtly converging towards Fire Peak Mountain.

These developments quickly reached the Dharma Phase cultivators, who, puzzled by the rumor's origin, also headed to Fire Peak Mountain.

Aboard the Flying Boat, Sima Changqin was in the same room with Wu Li and Tie Xuan when he received the news.

"Lord Qin Mo, this news must have been spread by Xi Ying. I will go capture her immediately for daring to disrupt your plan," Wu Li said sternly.

Sima Changqin frowned, his gaze icy cold, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"Unlikely. Xi Ying has been on the Red Phoenix Boat these past few days, and the entire vessel is shrouded by a forbidden seal. Aside from a few individuals, no one else can contact the outside world. The news might not have leaked from her," Tie Xuan said, lightly coughing upon seeing Sima Changqin's expression.

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