Xi Ying's eyes brightened upon seeing such a vast collection of classics, and after a brief examination, she gently waved her sleeve.

Volume after volume of classical jade scrolls began to fly automatically, each heading towards the nearby bookshelves.

It was only then that Yuan Ming noticed the seven or eight bookshelves arranged in the corners of Xi Ying's room, each one piled high with classics, sorted by categories such as Magic Practitioners, Body Cultivation, Soul Cultivation, elixirs, spiritual materials, formations, and so on.

"Xi Ying, you're well-versed in various classics. Have you ever heard of a spiritual material called a Mixed Hole Primordial Stone?" Yuan Ming suddenly thought of something and asked.

"Mixed Hole Primordial Stone? I haven't heard of that," Xi Ying thought for a moment and shook her head.

Yuan Ming felt a slight sinking feeling in his heart. It would be even more troublesome to find something that even Xi Ying hadn't heard of.

"What is a Mixed Hole Primordial Stone?" Xi Ying inquired.

Yuan Ming did not conceal anything and explained the condition of Nine Yin Venerable's body as well as the Mixed Hole Secret Technique to Xi Ying.

"I see, but if even the Nine Yin Venerable couldn't obtain such a material, I fear it may not be an object of Yunhuang Continent. You might have to search in the Overseas World to possibly find it," Xi Ying said.

Yuan Ming nodded slightly. He had only just started practicing the Mixed Hole Secret Technique and didn't need the stone in the short term. He figured he would gradually look for it later.

Having discussed these minor matters, the two talked about the issues with the Wu Yue Sect.

"What's your plan going forward? The Wu Yue Sect planted the Magic Cloud Tree within Chang Chun Temple and set up this Demon Array. Their intentions are clearly significant. We cannot sit back and let them succeed," Xi Ying said.

"That's a given. However, with figures like the Wuyue God and the Blood Demon Ancestor of Returning Void level on their side, and with my Soul Cultivation Divine Powers sealed, a direct attack would be too risky. Let's wait until the effects of the Stealing Heaven Tripod have subsided. I'll use the Black Incense Possession again to discern the Wu Yue Sect's intentions before taking action. The Demon Array shouldn't be able to exert too much influence in just a few days," Yuan Ming articulated.

"This Demon Array is harnessing the power of starlight, probably as preparation to activate the array. It's similar to the pyramid structure we constructed earlier. Given the scale of that Demon Array and the speed at which you described the starlight converging, it indeed won't cause a significant change in a short time," Xi Ying pondered for a moment before stating.

"That's good. Tian Jizi has already sent someone to Chang Chun Temple. Perhaps we will soon have a grasp on the situation there," Yuan Ming's expression shifted before he said with a smile.

Xi Ying didn't respond, but just gave a slight, cold laugh, clearly not having much faith in the ability of the people dispatched by Tian Jizi.

"Elder Xi Zheng is within the Wu Yue Sect's army. You might try to get some information from him," Yuan Ming suggested.

"I have of course attempted that, but my father has been ignoring my transmissions. I'm afraid he's concerned about being detected by the Wuyue God," Xi Ying frowned slightly, worrying in silence for Xi Zheng's safety.

"That's to be expected. For the next few days, let's both make thorough preparations for the tough battle ahead," Yuan Ming declared. Thanks for reading—brought to you by *.

After some idle chat, Yuan Ming stood up to take his leave, intending to find a place to rest for a while.

Infiltrating Chang Chun Temple and the great battle with personalities like the Wuyue God and the Blood Demon Ancestor had drained him considerably; it was necessary to find a place to recuperate.

"Hold on, I have something here that I need your help with," Xi Ying suddenly interjected.

"Oh? What is it?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"About my sister, the Immortal Elixir has been refined, and her condition is deteriorating. She needs to take it immediately. However, the potency of the Immortal Elixir is far greater than I anticipated, and my sister's body may not be able to withstand it. I need you to use the support of the Undying Tree," Xi Ying explained.

"The Immortal Elixir can't be taken directly?" Yuan Ming's brow furrowed.

Xi Ying possessed several Undying Immortal Fruits, and Yuan Ming initially planned to have his parents consume the Immortal Elixirs. Now it seemed it wasn't going to be that simple.

"After consuming the Immortal Elixir, it will remodel the Physical Body from the inside out, rebirthing it entirely. The strain on the body and Divine Soul during this period is immense. If you're thinking of extending your parents' lives by having them consume the Immortal Elixir, I'm afraid that's hardly plausible," Xi Ying articulated, obviously aware of what Yuan Ming was thinking.

Yuan Ming remained silent, his expression quite grim.

"There's no need to rush. The Cultivation World does have things that can extend the lifespan of mortals. I alone know of three or four options. After the battle with the Wu Yue Sect is finished, I'll help you search," Xi Ying offered.

Yuan Ming nodded, then gathered his emotions and asked, "Do we administer the Immortal Elixir to your sister now?"

"I still need to make some preparations. Let's start tomorrow," Xi Ying replied, shaking her head.

Yuan Ming had no objections.

Xi Ying called for an attendant to take Yuan Ming to a neighboring room to settle in.

Yuan Ming took out the Silver Token and unfurled three layers of the silver barrier in the room, completely sealing the surroundings before stopping.

He closed his eyes to control his breathing, recovering the depleted mana, and then took out an item—it was that black Stone Pillar.

The Stone Pillar surged with black light, emitting astonishing fluctuations of Demonic Qi, even more intense than before back at Chang Chun Temple.

Yuan Ming looked serious as he injected a stream of Demonic Qi into the black Stone Pillar.

The black light on the Stone Pillar suddenly exploded, enveloping Yuan Ming.

This pure black light devoured everything—whether it was nature's spiritual energy, fluctuations of mana, or even sound—leaving nothing untouched.

"Be careful! This is True Demon Energy, quite tricky to handle!" Qi Ye's voice suddenly rang out.

Yuan Ming's eyebrows twitched, and he stepped back half a pace, flicking out a fingertip-shaped Blood Gang which he tapped onto the black energy.

This was a combat technique recorded in a Body Cultivation Method acquired from the Wu Yue Sect's main altar, the Bone-locking Finger Technique, renowned for its astounding Penetration Power.

Every Body Cultivation Technique has a different method for circulating Qi-Blood. Yuan Ming's Demon Image Prison Suppression Skill had already reached great achievement, and it was not advisable to casually practice other Body Cultivation Methods. However, there were not so many restrictions for combat techniques.

The black Qi attempted to devour the Blood Gang finger, yet the power contained within the Blood Gang finger was too tremendous. It tore through the black light instead and heavily struck the black stone pillar.

With a "clang" of a sound like metal striking metal, the black light on the stone pillar was mostly scattered, and the pillar itself was sent flying, crashing against the silver barrier.

Upon contact with the stone pillar, the silver barrier immediately shattered, as if it were fragile silver paper.

The black stone pillar did not stop its course, its speed barely reduced, as it continued to fly backward, colliding with the second barrier.

With a sound akin to ripping silk, the second barrier also easily shattered.

A look of surprise flashed across Yuan Ming's face as he raised his hand and shot out Blood Gang power, transforming it into a thick blood-colored elephant trunk that spanned the distance of several yards in an instant and wrapped around the black stone pillar.

A surge of True Demon Energy bubbled up from the pillar, trying to corrode the blood-colored elephant trunk.

But the blood-colored elephant trunk suddenly constricted, releasing an astounding force, ruthlessly strangling and causing the surrounding air to burst with explosive sounds.

It was the combat technique from the Demon Image Prison Suppression Skill, the Devil Elephant Strangling Sky Technique!

The True Demon Energy was ground to pieces and retreated back into the pillar.

The black stone pillar, as if subdued, let out a low, aggrieved hum, and the fluctuation of Demonic Qi also subsided greatly.

Yuan Ming brought the black stone pillar back and then activated the Silver Token to reestablish the two barriers before ceasing his actions.

"It's so animated; it seems this item is undoubtedly a Spiritual Treasure." A flash of Blood Light passed over Yuan Ming, and the Shura Blood Devouring Map emerged with Qi Ye's figure on it, his gaze intent as he looked at the black stone pillar.

"Do you recognize this item?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Perhaps, but I'm not certain yet, I need to investigate it further," Qi Ye shook his head, raising his hand to send out a surge of Blood Light, enveloping the black stone pillar.

Fearing Yuan Ming, the black stone pillar did not hold back against Qi Ye, immediately releasing pure True Demon Energy in retaliation, effortlessly swallowing the Blood Light.

However, another strand of Blood Light emerged from behind and merged into the root of the black stone pillar.

The root of the stone pillar began to show threads of Blood Light, revealing dense patterns and four strange characters.

"What are these characters?" Yuan Ming asked with a soft exclamation.

"Hehe, as expected, it is this treasure!" Qi Ye seemed not to have heard Yuan Ming's words, murmuring excitedly to himself.

A few breaths later, Qi Ye finally recalled Yuan Ming's earlier question and hastily said, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, you guessed correctly. These are indeed Demon Texts, and more specifically, they are the most ancient Ancient Saint Text of the Demon World. These four characters spell 'Sky-reaching Demon Pillar'."

"Sky-reaching Demon Pillar! Such a domineering name, is this treasure well-known in the Demon World?" Yuan Ming asked, not blaming Qi Ye for his previous distraction.

"Of course, the Sky-reaching Demon Pillar is very well-known in the Demon World. It's not an attacking Spiritual Treasure nor does it have defensive capabilities. Its sole effect is to break through the void. A seal was applied inside this pillar, and it absorbed a surge of True Demon Energy from the Demon Array in Chang Chun Temple before the seal was lifted, revealing its true form," Qi Ye elaborated.

"Breaking through the void…" A light of realization flashed in Yuan Ming's eyes. No wonder the Sky-reaching Demon Pillar had effortlessly broken through the two silver barriers earlier; it turned out that this pillar was the nemesis of Space Power.

At this moment, Qi Ye seemed to have thought of something, his expression becoming serious.

"What's wrong?" Yuan Ming asked.

After a moment of hesitation, Qi Ye finally spoke, "Fellow Daoist Yuan, regarding the grand Demon Array that Wuyue God and the Blood Demon Ancestor set up in Chang Chun Temple, I might have guessed their purpose."

"What's the function of that Demon Array? Speak quickly!" Yuan Ming urged.

"The answer is very important, it concerns not only your life but also the safety of the entire Cloud Desolate Alliance, even the Yunhuang Continent. I can tell you, but in exchange, Fellow Daoist Yuan, you must also promise me a request," Qi Ye said after a brief silence, his expression solemn.

Yuan Ming paused, scrutinizing Qi Ye with his gaze.

"You might think I am making an alarmist statement now, but once you hear the answer, you will understand that my words aren't false," Qi Ye held his gaze unflinchingly, asserting his point.

"What request do you want? Just say it," Yuan Ming said, his gaze sharp.

"I want the Evil King Mirror," Qi Ye stated.

"The Evil King Mirror? You want to destroy the mirror to appease your deceased relatives?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Exactly," Qi Ye replied with a hint of hatred in his eyes, speaking gravely.

"Sorry, the Evil King Mirror is involved in many matters. I can't give it to you until I understand its origin and function," Yuan Ming said, shaking his head after a moment of contemplation.

If it were someone else asking for the Evil King Mirror, it might have been fine, but Qi Ye had been following him and could have learnt many of his secrets.

He had not yet fully studied the Evil King Mirror. The possibility that the mirror had an unknown communication feature meant that he could not simply hand it over to the other party.

Qi Ye narrowed his eyes and after a long time said, "Fine, as long as you promise to give it to me after you have fully understood the Evil King Mirror."

"That's acceptable," Yuan Ming replied after a brief contemplation.

"So we have an agreement," Qi Ye's eyes flashed with a trace of joy.