"Hoo hoo"

Chaotic currents mixed with the Black Wind swept towards Yuan Ming, who didn't dodge in the slightest. With his head held high and chest outthrust, he let the force of the wind assault him.

He immediately felt the yin Qi of the Black Wind penetrate his body, passing through his Sea of Consciousness, directly brushing against his Divine Soul, causing even the Nascent Soul little man seated stably within his Sea of Consciousness to shiver uncontrollably.

Yuan Ming's eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he did not stop for a step and, instead, actively moved towards the sandstorm tornadoes.

His Gang Step was stable as he moved forward, following each step with a fist coiled with energy.

As time passed, Yuan Ming's pace grew faster, his punches grew quicker one after another, with layers of fist shadows continuously flying out, his Demon Image Battle Intent growing more intense, and the might of his fists increasingly heavy. Every punch was accompanied by the roar of the Demon Image.

However, after nearly a hundred punches, Yuan Ming's brow furrowed even more deeply.

He tried to lock fates with the Black Wind sandstorm, indeed managing to touch upon that Conception of confronting an enemy in battle, but his insight into Shared Fate remained stagnant and clueless.

Just as he once again scattered a Black Wind sandstorm tornado, and as he observed the dispersing sand and felt the yin Qi infiltrating his Sea of Consciousness, a flash of illumination crossed Yuan Ming's mind.

"Shared Fate... perhaps it's not just about sharing the enemy's fate with mine but also about sharing my fate with the enemy's. I need to not only lock both fates but also share emotions and understanding. My comprehension of Shared Fate isn't deep because I've failed to truly connect with my enemy. Like this Black Wind sandstorm, I only understood the sand, not the yin wind thoroughly. With half-baked knowledge, how can I talk about Shared Fate?" In an instant, thoughts rapidly swirled in Yuan Ming's mind.

He felt he had grasped something significant, yet it wasn't clear to him in that moment.

"Forget it, let's set comprehending the Black Wind sandstorm, resisting the Black Wind with Fist Gang and War Intent as my cultivation goal for now," Yuan Ming decided silently within his heart.

He no longer rushed to attack the Black Wind sandstorm, but instead held the Wind Stabilizing Pearl in his hand, standing amidst the storm, observing the Black Wind, trying to lock it with his Fist Intent.

However, wind was formless, elusive and hard to touch, and ever-changing. How could it be easily locked?

At this moment, Yuan Ming suddenly realized that the earlier illusion of locking fates with it was just due to locking onto the yellow sand carried by the wind, which was why he had no counter for the yin Qi within the Black Wind.

"That's right, I can also use the Qi Observation Technique of the Emperor Sealing God Fist," Yuan Ming suddenly remembered a technique, immediately feeling a surge of joy.

The Qi Observation Technique was the core of the Emperor Sealing God Fist. To cultivate this fist technique and utilize the power of heaven and earth, one needed to see through the operations of the universe, or else how could one lead by leveraging trends, how could one wield the might of heaven and earth?

Yuan Ming immediately carefully recalled the Qi Observation Technique and, according to its description, began to channel Mana to his eyes.

The first attempt left Yuan Ming feeling a surge of soreness and swelling in his eyes, and the brightness of the world he saw sharply increased, making things seem far clearer even amidst the swirling yellow sand.

After a few short moments, however, the soreness turned into acute pain, which he couldn't bear any longer, and he had to close his eyes.

Large teardrops started to roll down from the corners of his eyes, smeared across his face by the blowing sand.

Yuan Ming paused briefly, and feeling no major issues after that, he attempted to use the Qi Observation Technique again.

This time, his concentration was more focused as he intently observed the Black Wind. Indeed, he saw many subtle changes within it, and his heart rejoiced.

It was then he suddenly remembered: Xi Zheng had been able to see through his Curse Rune that day, likely relying on this incredibly powerful Qi Observation Technique.

After a period of observation, Yuan Ming put away the Wind Stabilizing Pearl and once again began to fight against the Black Wind sandstorm.

Yet, after seeing through the many subtle changes in the Black Wind, Yuan Ming's punches became more skilled; his Fist Gang was able, to some extent, to weaken the yin Qi of the Black Wind.

And, based on the principles of the Emperor Sealing God Fist, Yuan Ming even learned to share fates with the Black Wind sandstorm.

From that point onwards, he no longer acted as an unwavering pillar against the sandstorm, but to a certain extent started to comply with the direction of the Black Wind sandstorm, resisting it while borrowing its strength at the same time.

However, this leverage was still at a very basic stage; most of the time, his attempts to leverage failed, turning into going with the flow instead, like a leaf boat swept away by the storm, carried along by the Black Wind sandstorm.

…

Meanwhile.

The great army of the Wu Yue Sect was majestically entering Zhao Country from the Black Wind Desert, heading straight for the Spirit Talisman Sect.

The army didn't rush on their way but, reaching each area, sent out Cultivators to slaughter the Cultivators and common people of Zhao Country, sparing not even livestock, collecting Divine Souls with Magic Artifacts similar to the Soul-Attracting Bell.

In no time, wherever the army passed, the land was filled with bones; not a human or animal was left alive.

At one location within the Wu Yue Sect's great army, a giant Flying Boat, a hundred zhang long, was cutting through the sky.

Above the Flying Boat, a large Command Flag with the character "Xi" was hanging, and in a room on the Flying Boat, Xi Zheng sat cross-legged, his face solemn.

In midair in front of him floated a Big Banner, a huge ghost face pattern twisting on it, emitting a piercing wail of ghosts, as if countless suffering spirits were crying through the night.

In Xi Zheng's hands, he held a Black Gourd, from which yin Qi and yin souls gurgled out, continuously merging into the Big Banner.

An hour later, the yin Qi and yin souls in the gourd had been absorbed to emptiness, the ghost face pattern on the Big Banner became much clearer, and the room was filled with howling yin winds and surging ghostly Qi.

"Not bad, having absorbed this batch of yin souls, the Ghost King Banner has improved significantly. After some time, I can add the twelfth rune," Xi Zheng's face flitted with a trace of delight.

The Wu Yue Sect army slaughtered their way through, siphoning souls, while the Xi Family followed behind, mooching off the spoils and greedily consuming some souls for their own use—other powers were doing the same.

The Wu Yue God turned a blind eye to these actions, choosing to ignore them.

Over this period, the Xi Family, using these yin souls, had refined numerous yin attribute Magic Treasures, unknowingly increasing their strength by a significant margin.

Just at that moment, a white light flashed from outside and arrived in front of him, the light receding to reveal a Sound Transmission Talisman.

Xi Zheng took the Sound Transmission Talisman, his Divine Sense entering it, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

He waved his sleeve, put away the Ghost King Banner, and stood up, flying directly towards the outside.

...

In a certain location of the Wu Yue Sect's massive army, a palace hovered midair, approximately an acre in size and several dozen feet high, emanating wisps of black air, looking akin to a hunched, coiled black turtle.

Around the palace, hundreds of Wu Yue Sect Cultivators were stationed, securely surrounding the entire structure, strictly prohibiting any outsiders from approaching.

Near the black palace was another smaller grey palace, also guarded by Wu Yue Sect Cultivators.

A tunneling light flew from the distance and stopped at the entrance of the grey palace, revealing the figure of Xi Zheng.

He disregarded the Cultivators saluting him and went straight into the palace.

In the center of the grey palace was a circular stone table with five stone chairs, two figures were already seated there—it was Evil Eye Venerable and Ni Mu.

"You've both arrived quite early. Considering the distance from the Spirit Talisman Sect, I wonder what Nine Yin Venerable has summoned us here for so urgently," Xi Zheng took a seat on one of the stone chairs and was immediately served steaming Spiritual Tea by a shapely Maid.

"I don't know. Could there have been some unforeseen event at the Spirit Talisman Sect?" Ni Mu said.

As he spoke, golden patterns that appeared and disappeared regularly could be seen on his skin, on areas such as his arms and neck.

"Has Heavenly Puppet Venerable refined the Soul-rinsing Pill already? From the looks of it, you must have completely merged with your Lifebound Puppet, that is indeed good news," Xi Zheng looked at Ni Mu, congratulated him with folded hands, his tone laced with envy.

Ni Mu brought back the Undying Immortal Fruit from the Three Immortals Island and refined them into Immortal Elixirs, which he had offered to the Wu Yue God some time ago. The Wu Yue God was greatly pleased and rewarded him with a Soul-rinsing Pill.

The Soul-rinsing Pill was a wonder pill refined by the Wu Yue God, capable of enhancing Soul Power and purifying the Divine Soul. Even those who were not Soul Cultivators would greatly benefit from consuming it.

"All thanks to the grace of Wu Yue God," Ni Mu said.

Evil Eye Venerable sat quietly, sipping tea, taking no part in their conversation.

Suddenly, his pupils constricted.

On an empty stone chair beside them, a figure wearing a purple robe and a candle dragon mask unexpectedly appeared—it was Nine Yin Venerable.

Upon noticing the figure of Nine Yin Venerable, Xi Zheng and Ni Mu's expressions shifted slightly as they rose to salute, "Nine Yin Venerable."

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Have a seat," the Nine Yin Venerable said.

"Nine Yin Venerable, may I ask why you've summoned us here? And where is Free Venerable?" Evil Eye Venerable inquired as he sat down.

"There's been a complication at the Spirit Talisman Sect. It seems they've learned of our Wu Yue Sect army's movements and have abandoned their base, fleeing to Da Jin. I've sent Free Venerable after them," explained Nine Yin Venerable.

Upon hearing this, Xi Zheng, Ni Mu, and Evil Eye Venerable showed no surprise.

It was only natural for the Spirit Talisman Sect to not stand a chance against the Wu Yue Sect's army—fleeing was expected. This chapter was uploaded by the team at *.

"Let them be. I just received word that the Cloud Desolate Alliance's army has entered the borders of Zhao Country and will soon clash with us. I've particularly called you here to discuss strategies for the enemy ahead," Nine Yin Venerable said.

Hearing this, Xi Zheng, Ni Mu, and Evil Eye Venerable straightened up slightly.

So the great battle was finally about to begin...

"Has Wu Yue God provided any instructions?" Evil Eye Venerable asked tentatively.

Although all present were Venerables, most found it hard to even get an audience with the Wu Yue God on a regular day. Any instructions from the Wu Yue God were usually conveyed directly through Nine Yin Venerable.

"The Wu Yue God is still in seclusion," said Nine Yin Venerable slowly.

Evil Eye Venerable's expression shifted slightly, and he said no more.

"Here is the latest intelligence returned. Take a look at it," said Nine Yin Venerable, lifting a hand, and three Jade Scrolls appeared before Ni Mu, Xi Zheng, and Evil Eye Venerable.

The three exchanged glances and each took up a Jade Scroll, immersing their Divine Senses into them.

The Jade Scrolls contained detailed records of the number of Cultivators the Cloud Desolate Alliance had dispatched, the sects involved, as well as a list of prominent experts.

"With the great battle approaching, don't hesitate to speak your mind, whatever thoughts you may have," Nine Yin Venerable scanned over the three, inviting them to share their ideas.