To stabilize his cultivation, Yuan Ming immediately activated his cultivation technique, beginning to sort out the power within himself, trying to stabilize his current state.

While stabilizing his cultivation, he devoted a strand of his consciousness to studying the ash green tree bark that had become one with him, repeatedly contemplating the words Artifact Spirit Kong had just spoken.

Kong only mentioned that Yuan Ming should properly cultivate the piece of tree bark, to nurture it into an existence akin to the World Tree, but did not specify the necessary means. It was unclear whether Kong did not know himself or simply did not tell him.

Currently, there was no response to his call from the other party, and helplessly, Yuan Ming could only figure out a solution by himself.

After long pondering, Yuan Ming still did not have any idea, and finally chose the most foolish method—directly injecting his mana into the tree bark as a makeshift solution.

When his mana touched the tree bark, the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin within it instantly unleashed a suction force, absorbing Yuan Ming's injected mana completely in just a moment.

However, nothing changed afterwards.

Yuan Ming tried injecting mana once again, and the same situation occurred immediately. Thus, Yuan Ming could confirm that this was not an accident; the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin was indeed craving for spiritual energy's replenishment.

Perhaps by continually providing spiritual energy to the Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin, it could be strengthened, thereby reviving the World Tree?

Yuan Ming speculated in his heart, unable to get an answer, but eventually finding a somewhat feasible method.

Thus, he continuously injected the sorted mana into the tree bark, simultaneously calling upon the demonic power of the Undying Tree, and also injecting it into the tree bark.

Not only that, he manipulated the Undying Tree Roots, commanding them to absorb nature's spiritual energy to the fullest, and also poured the acquired spiritual energy into the tree bark.

The Power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin within the tree bark welcomed all, absorbing all the injected spiritual energy, mana, and demonic power, yet still, there were no changes.

Meanwhile, at the labyrinth's entrance of Emperor Yan's Tomb, Mao Yi, Bai Yuan, and the others gathered again, their expressions not looking good.

"How about it? Did you find those two?" Mao Yi immediately asked upon meeting.

Zhu Yu glanced at him and shook his head.

Bai Yuan and Ouyang Qiang also had no results.

The group had collectively searched the entire labyrinth area more than three times, not leaving any corner unchecked. Even a fly couldn't escape their scrutinizing gaze, yet they found not the slightest trace of Yuan Ming and Yun Luo Fairy.

"Perhaps they ran fast and have already escaped from here," Bai Yuan suggested.

"Impossible, I just arrived here at the fastest speed, though those two Returning Void cultivators left earlier, they couldn't possibly be faster than me!" Mao Yi said in a low voice.

When entering the labyrinth, he secretly left a sensing forbidden at this entrance, which was intact without any trace of being touched. Thus, it could be inferred that Yuan Ming and Yun Luo Fairy were definitely still inside the labyrinth.

"Is that so? But we've gone through this labyrinth several times, still finding nothing. Continuing the search may be futile, better stop here," Ouyang Qiang remarked in a cold voice.

"Palace Master Ouyang giving up so soon, could it be that they've already fallen into your hands? Dongji Palace has more than one Space Spiritual Treasure to hide people, the Cold Smoke Hairpin on Palace Master's head is one of them," Mao Yi said, glancing at the Green Jade Hairpin in Ouyang Qiang's hair.

Hearing this, Bai Yuan also looked at the hairpin, his eyes filled with obvious suspicion although he said nothing.

"I've already said, we haven't found those two, besides, your Black Evil Sect and Luo Jia Mountain aren't lacking in Spiritual Treasures to hide people, right?" Ouyang Qiang coldly retorted.

"If that's the case, please, Palace Master Ouyang, hand over the Cold Smoke Hairpin for us to inspect, and prove your innocence," Bai Yuan said.

"What a joke, the things of this Palace Master are not for you to look at as you please," Ouyang Qiang said furiously, her face icy cold.

"Palace Master Ouyang's resistance to investigation only makes us more suspicious," Mao Yi said, narrowing his eyes.

"Those two are subordinates of your Dongji Palace after all. If Palace Master Ouyang cannot prove your innocence, it would be hard to justify today," Bai Yuan sneered, with Mao Yi blocking the road ahead in a pincer formation.

Ouyang Qiang knitted her brows. Her cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Divine Sky Technique was renowned for speed, ordinarily, even if Mao Yi and Bai Yuan joined forces, she could confidently leave safely.

But having been heavily injured by Emperor Yan earlier, her wounds had not yet healed, engaging in a fight with these two again might result in a loss.

However, as the Palace Master of Dongji Palace, to hand over the Cold Smoke Hairpin just like that would result in a great loss of face, potentially affecting the leadership of Dongji Palace.

"Do you two want to start a fight? Very well, this Palace Master has long wanted to experience the Divine Skills of the Three Realms Sect and Luo Jia Mountain!" Ouyang Qiang sneered, her eyes flickering with golden arcs of electricity as a divine-like imposing aura spread.

Mao Yi and Bai Yuan dared to be so assertive only by judging that Ouyang Qiang was severely injured, but seeing this scene, they couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Ouyang Qiang's injuries were healed?

"All three, calm down. The matter is still unclear; if we start a fight here, it would be too reckless. I have an alternative solution, why don't the three of you hear me out?" Zhu Yu stepped forward to mediate.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Zhu, what solution do you have?" Bai Yuan, seizing the opportunity, subtly redirected the conversation.

"As you all know, my Azure Dragon Pond belongs to the Demon Clan forces, with a variety of demon beasts under my command. I happened to encounter a spirit beast with ancient Truth Listener bloodline some years ago. Its hearing is extraordinarily sharp, even space spiritual treasures can't isolate it. How about we let this Truth Listener Beast check from outside Palace Master Ouyang's Cold Smoke Hairpin to see if anyone is hiding inside?" Zhu Yu patted the Spiritual Beast Bag at his waist, and a small snow-white beast with a tiger head and a dog body flew out.

"A Truth Listener Beast!" Bai Yuan and Mao Yi showed a strange expression, sizing up the snow-white little beast.

"I've seen the appearance of a Truth Listener Beast in the classics, and it looks very much like this little beast. Besides, I've vaguely heard before that Zhu Yu indeed has such a demon beast under his command; his words should be reliable." Bai Yuan communicated to Mao Yi via voice transmission.

Mao Yi slightly nodded. He saw records of the Truth Listener, an ancient strange beast in the classics. Its hearing is astonishing; legend has it can hear all sounds within a realm.

This little beast naturally doesn't have the ability to listen to the entire realm, but it should be able to listen to the situation inside a spiritual treasure.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu has such an exotic beast, let's proceed as you said. However, since you're speaking in unison with Palace Master Ouyang, Fellow Daoist Bai and I intend to cast a Telepathy Technique on this beast to prevent any cheating. Fellow Daoist Zhu shouldn't disagree, right?" Mao Yi said.

"Of course." Zhu Yu agreed readily.

Seeing this, Mao Yi and Bai Yuan cast their spells without hesitation, two white lights merged into the Truth Listener Beast's body.

The Truth Listener Beast's body slightly trembled, its originally clear eyes sparkled with two lights of divine brilliance, looking towards Ouyang Qiang.

"Wait a minute," Ouyang Qiang suddenly spoke up.

"Does Palace Master Ouyang have any comments? Or perhaps someone's hiding in that hairpin, and you're afraid of letting the Truth Listener Beast investigate?" Mao Yi immediately said, his aura became sharp, seeming ready to act at any moment.

"Since Fellow Daoist Zhu has spoken, our palace will naturally give you that face, but Mao Yi and Bai Yuan should also check!" Ouyang Qiang ignored Mao Yi and spoke to Zhu Yu.

"Certainly, not only us four, but everyone present should be checked thoroughly," Zhu Yu said.

"Fine." Mao Yi and Bai Yuan nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Zhu Yu raised his hand and pointed.

The Truth Listener Beast approached Ouyang Qiang, listened for a moment beside him, then stepped away.

"There's really nothing..." Mao Yi and Bai Yuan perceived the thoughts of the Truth Listener Beast through the Telepathy Technique, both frowned.

The Truth Listener Beast then walked past everyone present, still finding nothing, turned around, leaped into Zhu Yu's arms, and closed its eyes to rest.

"How could this be? Have they really escaped?" Mao Yi murmured incredulously.

"If we had set off to chase earlier, we might have caught up. Now, after wasting so much time, it's impossible to pursue." Ouyang Qiang mocked sarcastically. The r$e%f!er&e#nc%e v#e*r*s.i&o!n# of t^h!i+s ch#ap%te*r! is on M**V$*LE@MP&YR!.

"Palace Master Ouyang, less of the cool talk. We're all equally fooled by them." Bai Yuan said indignantly.

"Indeed, it was I, Mao Yi, who delayed everyone's time just now. I hereby apologize to all present." Mao Yi gestured to Bai Yuan and clasped his fists respectfully to those present, showing sincere attitude.

The people present were all rather surprised by this, and seeing this, Ouyang Qiang did not target with cold words anymore.

"Since those two have escaped, the most important thing now is to capture them back. Palace Master Ouyang, those two were your people. You should have investigated their backgrounds, right?" Mao Yi asked.

Ouyang Qiang hesitated slightly, looking towards Huangfu Jue, not far away.

The latter looked a bit embarrassed, frowned, stepped forward, and said:

"Reporting to the Palace Master, these two joined via challenging the Dongji Island Master. Since they haven't officially entered our Dongji Palace, the background check on them wasn't detailed. Also... Elder Mo Sanqi was always responsible for this matter, but he's already fallen, and I'm not clear on those two's situation. I need to return and investigate to know."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

"Very well, you will be responsible for this matter. Upon returning, immediately blockade their respective islands and thoroughly investigate all their information." Ouyang Qiang said coldly.

"Yes." Huangfu Jue responded promptly.

"Aren't we supposed to be notified of the investigation results as well?" Bai Yuan frowned.

"There's no need for such trouble. Once outside, we'll jointly issue a wanted order, conducting a comprehensive pursuit of these two throughout the Dongji Sea Area. Given our sects' scale, they can't escape anywhere," Zhu Yu suddenly spoke up.

The others, hearing this, all nodded silently in agreement.

Just then, an unforeseen event occurred!

The ground beneath the people suddenly shook violently, followed by a muffled roar-like sound of a fierce beast emerging from deep underground.

Their expressions immediately changed, and before they could investigate closely, the earth beneath their feet suddenly began crumbling and cracking, gigantic fissures tore the ground apart, and billowing smoke emanated from them.