"From this intelligence, the Cloud Desolate Alliance has only deployed about half of its forces, clearly not intending to fight a decisive battle. Their aim is likely to diminish our combat power or delay our advance to achieve some goal," the hall fell silent for a moment before Xi Zheng spoke up.

"Venerable Xian Kong speaks sense, what do you all think?" Nine Yin Venerable nodded and then looked towards Ni Mu and Evil Eye Venerable.

"Venerable Xian Kong is absolutely right. If the Cloud Desolate Alliance dares to underestimate us like this, then let's give them a good fight and ensure their half of the forces do not return," Evil Eye Venerable slammed the table, his voice thick with killing intent.

Ni Mu did not speak, which was taken as an agreement with Xi Zheng's conjecture.

"Good, since we are all in agreement, then let's give the Cloud Desolate Alliance a good fight. Now that the Cloud Desolate Alliance's troops are divided into three routes, I ask the three of you to lead your respective forces to meet the enemy: Venerable Xian Kong to intercept Tianyinzi's Chang Chun Temple cultivators, Evil Eye Venerable to face the Southern Border cultivators, and Tian Gui to handle the East Sea front," Nine Yin Venerable instructed.

"Yes," said Evil Eye Venerable and Ni Mu.

Xi Zheng remained silent for a few moments before he responded.

The three soon left the hall, leaving only Nine Yin Venerable there.

He took out a ring, which was Ximen Rui's storage ring.

"Rui, rest assured, I will not let anyone who has harmed you go unpunished... I will make them pay," Nine Yin Venerable gently caressed the ring, muttering to himself.

He didn't linger there and soon left, arriving in front of a black hall's door, where he formed a hand seal and shot out a streak of black light.

The firmly closed door opened a crack, and gusts of cold, black wind blew out from inside.

A nearby Wu Yue Sect Cultivator caught in the black wind immediately had his eyes turn dull, his body froze stiff, and he fell to the ground like a wooden stake.

Streams of soul light flowed out from this person's body and merged into the walls of the black hall.

The others nearby showed faces of terror and quickly moved aside.

The black wind hit Nine Yin Venerable, but he showed no reaction and walked inside.

The hall was pitch black, and even with Nine Yin Venerable's eyesight, he could only see about thirty feet ahead.

He walked further inside, and soon a square altar appeared before him, at the top of which lay a black object that resembled a coffin.

"Wu Yue God, I have relayed your orders as you requested," Nine Yin Venerable knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully.

"Do not spread the battlefield too far, or else this Black Mud Palace won't be able to absorb those scattered Divine Souls. I have not fully recovered yet. The trip to Yuhua City was taxing, and I need a substantial amount of Divine Souls to replenish," a vast voice emanated from the black coffin.

"Yes," Nine Yin Venerable said.

"What about the matter I asked you to investigate last time?" the grand voice continued.

"It's confirmed now, Yuan Ming is indeed the Nether Moon God," Nine Yin Venerable reported.

"Have you managed to clear up Yuan Ming's life background?" Nether Moon God hummed and asked.

Nine Yin Venerable's body shook, and he hurriedly said, "It's cleared up. Yuan Ming is the son of a common general from Da Jin, with an ordinary Spirit Root talent, was declined by Chang Chun Temple, later followed a Jin Country diplomatic envoy to the Southern Border and accidentally joined Biluo Cave..."

He recounted Yuan Ming's life story in detail, which would have surely surprised Yuan Ming if he were present.

The information Nine Yin Venerable held was exceedingly detailed, spanning from his birth to the recent battle at the Little Silver Mountain workshop, with virtually nothing overlooked except for matters such as the Stealing Heaven Tripod that were untraceable.

"According to what you've said, did Yuan Ming cultivate to at least the Sleep Witch Realm within just a few decades?" Wu Yue God asked after a moment of silence.

"Although it's unbelievable, according to the investigation, it is indeed so," Nine Yin Venerable said.

"Interesting, aside from the Xi Family's Soul Heritage Secret Technique, it's impossible for ordinary Soul Cultivators to advance so quickly. The Xi Family's Soul Heritage Secret Technique can only be transmitted to those related by blood, and since Yuan Ming's ancestors are all mortals, he couldn't have used this technique, so there is only one possibility," Wu Yue God stated.

"I also believe that Yuan Ming has an item that can rapidly enhance his Soul Power, but what exactly it is, I have yet to find out," Nine Yin Venerable reported."

"Isn't it obvious? According to what you just said, wasn't Xi Cangqiong slain by the Dawn Alliance during the period Yuan Ming joined Biluo Cave? After Xi Cangqiong's death, his Soul Suppressing Kettle vanished without a trace," Wu Yue God hummed.

"Are you saying the Soul Suppressing Kettle ended up in Yuan Ming's hands? Correct, the Soul Suppressing Kettle has the ability to refine Divine Souls, and if one disregards the dangers, it can indeed swiftly elevate one's Soul Cultivation Realm!" Nine Yin Venerable's body trembled, his eyes shining with excitement.

He had thought of this possibility early on, but as a subordinate, there were times he had to feign ignorance.

"The Soul Suppressing Kettle lacks the core Soul Suppressing Pearl, reducing its power greatly, but it is still a cherished treasure for Soul Cultivators. I currently need this item, and it must be reclaimed! Where is Yuan Ming now?" Wu Yue God's voice also carried traces of excitement, then he asked.

"I'm currently investigating; this person was last seen in the Southern Border and then disappeared," Nine Yin Venerable bowed and said.

"I give you one month to find Yuan Ming's location," Wu Yue God stated calmly.

"Yes!" Nine Yin Venerable hastily said.

"You may leave," Wu Yue God commanded. Thisispart

ofaseriesfromMyVirtualLibraryEmpire(*).

Wu Yue God, I have one more matter," Nine Yin Venerable quickly added.

"Speak," Wu Yue God said with a hint of impatience.

"According to the intelligence, Yuan Ming's cultivation is mostly likely based on the Moonlight Technique, though it is unclear how he obtained this cultivation technique, it is highly likely related to the Xi Family. Should the Xi Family be punished?" Nine Yin Venerable asked quickly.

"Such a trivial matter, you may handle it as you see fit," Wu Yue God said indifferently, his voice falling silent completely.

"That Yuan Ming, I don't know where he has fled to, Xi Zheng, now you can join me in a good game," Nine Yin Venerable sneered coldly, standing up and walking outside.

...

Xi Zheng left the gray palace and flew straight towards the back.

The vast army of the Wu Yue Sect had already stopped and begun to mobilize, with countless figures moving about without any sign of chaos, clearly well-trained for such maneuvers.

Xi Zheng soon arrived on the Xi Family's gigantic flying boat, where Nascent Soul cultivators and Sleeping Witch of the Xi Family were gathered, including Xi Dongliu, who Yuan Ming had encountered at the Southern Border.

Counting Xi Zheng, there were six individuals at the Nascent Soul stage, upwards of twenty to thirty at Core Formation stage, and even more cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage.

With such profound strength, they were no less formidable than any Great Sect on the Yunhuang Continent.

"Patriarch, what has happened?" a tall, crane-haired but youthful-faced elder approached and asked.

This person was named Xi Lin, a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Xi Family.

Xi Zheng briefly explained the situation.

"The Central Plains Immortal Cultivation World has always been powerful, surpassing the East Sea and the Southern Border. Chang Chun Temple dominates the Central Plains with even greater might. Nine Yin Venerable asking our Xi Family to confront Chang Chun Temple is clearly a plot to weaken our power!" Xi Lin said angrily.

"Be cautious with your words!" Xi Zheng looked toward the direction of the grey palace, stepping lightly on the flying boat.

A multitude of stars rose from the giant flying boat, forming a thick blue barrier.

Elder Xi Lin isn't wrong, Nine Yin Venerable has tasked our Xi Family with confronting Chang Chun Temple, clearly out of personal vendetta due to the death of Ximen Rui—an insidious and petty man!" Xi Dongliu snorted.

The others were also filled with righteous indignation.

"Enough, Wu Yue God has entered seclusion again, and now Nine Yin Venerable holds the power alone; we must temporarily obey his orders. Do not discuss this matter privately!" Xi Zheng said.

"Patriarch, are we just to have no means at all, to be manipulated by Nine Yin Venerable?" Xi Dongliu asked.

"You all need not worry, I will find a way to resolve this. During the ensuing battle, be clever and prioritize preserving your lives," Xi Zheng paused briefly before speaking.

The members of the Xi Family agreed in unison.

Xi Zheng's face remained calm, but his heart was exceedingly bitter.

The Wu Yue Sect had completely become a dictatorship under Nine Yin Venerable; other than following orders, he had no other options.

Although he advised the Xi Family members to be clever, once the battle commenced, could life and death really be controlled by them?

Xi Zheng pursed his lips tightly; it had been his firm decision to align the Xi Family with the Wu Yue Sect. The conflict between the Wu Yue Sect and the Cloud Desolate Alliance could continue indefinitely, and by the time this great battle ended, who knew how many of the Xi Family would remain?

"No! Everything is for the future of the Xi Family. Without a Returning Void-Level expert in command, regardless of who dominates this Yunhuang Continent, the Xi Family could only be fading, merely a vassal. Only by rising to the Returning Void-Level can the Xi Family truly prosper!" Xi Zheng's eyes became resolute.

"Patriarch, where has Xi Ying the young lady gone? She has already broken through the Sleep Witch Realm, and her combat power is not weak. Now that the family is in trouble, she has just run off to enjoy herself alone, which is utterly inappropriate," Xi Lin suddenly asked.

"Ying'er has a peculiar temperament. She left with Qian'er in a huff to the Southern Border and has been untraceable since," Xi Zheng replied.

"Qian'er was taken away? Her physical condition is declining further. She was barely sustaining herself with the special power of the earth veins in the Southern Border; she can't afford such capricious actions!" Xi Lin's white eyebrows furrowed.

"I've failed in my duty as a father, truly shameful," Xi Zheng sighed.

"Patriarch need not worry. With Ying'er's skills, she should be able to ensure Qian'er's safety. It's better they are not here; Ying'er and Qian'er are intelligent and have boundless potential, they are the future of our Xi Family. This struggle between the Wu Yue Sect and the Cloud Desolate Alliance could continue for a long time, and even if all of us were to perish in battle, having Ying'er and Qian'er ensures that our Xi Family would have the chance to rise again," another dark-skinned, bald Nascent Soul man said.

Upon hearing this, everyone also slightly nodded their heads.

Xi Lin lightly stroked his beard, his brow slightly relaxing.

"Alright, the great battle is about to begin, don't linger here chatting. Return to your positions and prepare for the battle," Xi Zheng said.

Several people dispersed, but two remained: Xi Dongliu and the dark-skinned big man.

"Dongliu, Nanshan, is there something else?" Xi Zheng asked, startled.

"Patriarch, I heard from Dongliu that you went to the Southern Border on a mission, and Ying'er and a person named Yuan Ming appeared there?" Xi Nanshan asked.

"Indeed, why mention this all of a sudden?" Xi Zheng asked, a shadow crossing his eyes upon hearing Yuan Ming's name.

"Patriarch, as you know, I've recently been working with the Secret Investigation Department of the Wu Yue Sect, and I've found a situation I'm uncertain whether to speak of," Xi Nanshan glanced at Xi Dongliu, speaking slowly.