"Should we help him?" Wulu asked in a low voice.

"Let's wait a bit; the aura of these fire beasts seems off." Yuan Ming slightly shook his head, changed his spell, and summoned another Circular Light Technique orb to expand the reconnaissance range.

Soon, in the corner of the battlefield, he discovered three cultivators concealing themselves using magic.

The Circular Light Technique had reached Great Perfection, with extremely strong detection abilities, revealing the appearances of the three.

One of them had big eyes and thick eyebrows, with dark skin, and surprisingly turned out to be He Xiuwen, a senior brother of Nan Shangfeng.

As for the other two, they were both wearing black armor. One had a head full of red hair and was tall and thin, holding a red jade talisman, with spirit light flashing on it incessantly. It seemed faintly connected with the distant fire beasts' aura, as if controlling them.

The other had a fierce appearance, with vicious eyes and a large mouth, his head completely bald, and his body wrapped in thick Yin Qi, looking quite malicious.

These two were both black demons under Sima Changqin, having met once before.

"It's the black demons! How is He Xiuwen involved with them? Could it be Sima Changqin also wants Nan Shangfeng dead?" Wulu was somewhat puzzled.

He had often been hanging around with Nan Shangfeng lately and heard about the grudges between Nan Shangfeng and Sima Changqin.

"I don't know. There may be other reasons." Yuan Ming shook his head and said.

"What is the strength of these two black demons?" Wulu asked.

"The bald one is Early-stage Dharma manifestation, while the one with red hair is at the peak of Returning Void, but his aura is very strange, perhaps he has some hidden trump card." Yuan Ming said.

Just as the two of them were speaking, He Xiuwen within the Circular Light Technique suddenly spoke, his tone discontented: "Fellow Daoist Zheng Heng, this Nan Shangfeng is only in the Late Stage of Returning Void, and yet you haven't managed to kill him after so long. You're too slow; if this continues, I'll go to the heart of the lake first to get that Earth Core Purifying Fire."

Earth Core Purifying Fire!

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming was delighted.

Of course, he had heard of this fire's great name. The Earth Core Purifying Fire belongs to the Earth Fire category and is an extremely unique type of Earth Fire.

Normally, once formed, an Earth Fire's form and nature are fixed. It may be as extremely Yang as the Profound Sun Earth Fire, adept in body refinement; or as pure as the Pure Yang Flame, suitable for alchemy and artifact refining.

However, the Earth Core Purifying Fire is not like this. Legend has it that this fire is mysteriously linked to the sun, changing with the sun's transformations.

In the morning, when the sun first rises, the Earth Core Purifying Fire is full of vitality; at noon, when the sunlight is intense, the fire becomes scorching; and at dusk, when the sun sets in the west, it presents a reserved and subdued state...

Because it changes too easily, the Earth Core Purifying Fire is unsuitable for alchemy, artifact refining, and body refinement.

However, this fire has other wonderful uses.

Because the Earth Core Purifying Fire is constantly changing, understanding this fire can aid in comprehending the True Intent of Fire.

It is said that the Zhu Rong Sect has a pool named the Zhu Rong Fire Pool. Training within it rapidly enhances fire attribute divine abilities, and one of the most essential true fires in the pool is the Earth Core Purifying Fire.

Yuan Ming's Zhu Rong Heart Technique had long reached a bottleneck, urgently requiring the baptism of the Zhu Rong Fire Pool, and he had been seeking opportunities.

But the Zhu Rong Sect is a major sect in the Central Continent. If they knew Yuan Ming had mastered the Zhu Rong Heart Technique, they would chase him endlessly, let alone allow him to use their fire pool.

Now, having found the Earth Core Purifying Fire here, Yuan Ming was, of course, overjoyed.

He quickly summoned another Circular Light Technique orb, looking toward the center of the lake.

Amidst the vast red lake water, a white flame several feet in size was slowly burning. At a glance, it seemed unremarkable, but with closer inspection, one would realize that this fire changed constantly, as if it were alive.

These traits matched perfectly with the descriptions of the Earth Core Purifying Fire, confirming Yuan Ming's suspicions and increasing his delight.

On the other side, hearing He Xiuwen's complaint, the bald black demon Zheng Heng's face turned cold.

"Fellow Daoist He, are you trying to go back on our agreement?" he said coldly.

"What do you mean I'm going back on our agreement? Previously, our agreement was crystal clear: you help me kill Nan Shangfeng, and I will voluntarily withdraw from the competition, yielding the Earth Core Purifying Fire to you. If, after all this time, Nan Shangfeng is still not dead, who knows what unexpected changes might occur if we keep dragging it out. I can't wait any longer." He Xiuwen questioned.

"This is also something beyond my control. Who knew your junior brother had such a powerful space artifact for protection? Besides, he won't last much longer. Fellow Daoist He, please be patient for just a little while longer." Zheng Heng said, a bit awkwardly.

"I can't wait; the strength of these fire beasts is insufficient. Can't you take action personally? No matter how mighty Nan Shangfeng's space artifact is, it can't withstand the two of you." He Xiuwen shook his head.

"Aren't you also an existence at the Dharma manifestation stage? Why not take action?" Zheng Heng mocked.

He Xiuwen was speechless, saying nothing.

These few Direct Disciples of the Sect Masters had their Lifebound Soul Lamps leave traces at the sect.

The Daluo Sect's Lifebound Soul Lamps were refined with a secret technique. Unlike ordinary soul lamps, which could only display the owner's life and death, theirs would record everything the owner saw before dying, no matter the distance, to track down the murderer.

"You are more aware than us of Master Tantai's methods. If Nan Shangfeng dies, he will undoubtedly investigate to the end. If he discovers that we were the ones who acted, that would indeed be troublesome." Zheng Heng snorted.

He Xiuwen's face darkened, but he also knew Zheng Heng's reasoning was sound and didn't have any excuse to refute it.

"Fellow Daoist He, don't be too hasty. We are under Lord Qin Mo. Even if something occurs, although we can't avoid suffering, the lord will ultimately protect us. But you're different; should the matter of killing your junior brother be exposed, the Daluo Sect will no longer provide you with any place to stand." Zheng Heng continued, seeing He Xiuwen's expression.

He Xiuwen remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I will only wait for an hour at most."

"Fellow Daoist He is indeed sensible." Zheng Heng revealed a slight smile.

The two then fell silent, but moments later, He Xiuwen suddenly spoke again.

"May I ask Fellow Daoist Zheng Heng, if one wishes to join under Lord Qin Mo, are there any conditions?" He asked Zheng Heng.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist He has an idea? Rest assured, Lord Qin Mo highly values talent. With your gift and strength, as long as you are willing, the lord will gladly accept you. Considering your status, you might not need to follow at all times like us, just answer when summoned during necessary times." Zheng Heng paused for a moment, soon revealing a deeper smile on his face.

"That would be perfect. However, alone, I bring too little help to Lord Qin Mo. If I could also remove Yang Fan and securely sit on the position of Daluo Sect Master, then I would surely mobilize the entire sect's power to repay the lord's assistance." He Xiuwen's eyes sparkled with keen light.

Zheng Heng, hearing this, felt a jump in his heart.

Though Sima Changqin is a Guardian, there is more than one Guardian and they also compete among themselves.

Daluo Sect is a major sect in the Central Continent; if it can be completely conquered and used by Sima Changqin, it would certainly be a great achievement.

"This matter is significant; it's best to notify Lord Qin Mo first. I dare not make decisions on my own." Zheng Heng said calmly.

"No problem, I will quietly wait for good news from Fellow Daoist Zheng." He Xiuwen showed a trace of disappointment in his eyes but soon calmed down, continuing to silently observe Nan Shangfeng being surrounded.

Yuan Ming listened to their conversation through Circular Light Technique, showing a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

"Brother Yuan, it seems Nan Shangfeng is about to falter." At this moment, Wulu, who was watching Nan Shangfeng's situation, spoke up to remind him.

Yuan Ming raised his eyes and saw Nan Shangfeng, drenched in sweat, with Void Palace's teleportation divine ability running slower now, sometimes even having to forcefully withstand the attacks of the Fire Beast.

On the other side, He Xiuwen and the other two, also aware of Nan Shangfeng's condition, became alert, ready to counter his retaliation, aiming to have Nan Shangfeng killed by the Fire Beast here.

"I'll lead, and you act according to the situation. Don't bother with Nan Shangfeng; he should still have trump cards. As long as we hold back He Xiuwen and the other two, he should handle mere Fire Beasts well." Yuan Ming quickly laid out the plan.

Wulu had no objection to this, instantly agreeing, then urged the Heavenly Escape Stone Talisman, disappearing from where he was.

Yuan Ming also operated the Void Transformation Technique to conceal his figure, cautiously approaching He Xiuwen and the other two, soon getting nearby.

The three were still focused on Nan Shangfeng's situation, not noticing someone nearby.

Yuan Ming touched his brow, and soul power surged in his Sea of Consciousness, the Nightmare Divine Ability fully deployed, instantly descending upon He Xiuwen and the other two.

Their divine soul power was less than Yuan Ming's, their eyes simultaneously vacant, falling into the nightmare.

But at this moment, three paths of white light suddenly emerged from their bodies, a pleasant soundwave of zither music appeared in the void.

Following this, the three awoke, each was extremely astonished.

Yuan Ming, lurking nearby, was also greatly surprised, using Eyes of Golden Flame to look at the three paths of white light.

"It's this thing..."

Under Eyes of Golden Flame, the things within the white light appeared clearly, the Dragon Roar Wood Small Zither given by Sima Changqin before was shown. At that time, Sima Changqin hadn't mentioned this zither's effect of protecting the divine soul against illusion techniques, now it seems unclear if he forgot or was waiting for someone to fall into a trap.

At this moment, following the traces of Nightmare Divine Ability, He Xiuwen and his companions discovered Yuan Ming lurking nearby.

"It's you!" He Xiuwen recognized Yuan Ming, his expression turning icy cold.

"Who are you? Why interfere?" Zheng Heng scanned Yuan Ming's face and asked.

He and the Red-haired Black Demon did not follow Sima Changqin to White Emperor City, arriving at the Fire Rock Desert before Sima Changqin, in secret, seeking traces of Heavenly Fire. Though they encountered Yuan Ming's clone earlier at Fire Peak Mountain, they did not understand much about Yuan Ming's matters.

"This man is named Wan Tianren, a friend of Nan Shangfeng! A Loose Cultivator with no significant background, and has some resentment with Lord Qin Mo, he must not escape!" He Xiuwen said quickly.

"Resentment with Lord Qin Mo!" Murderous intent arose in the eyes of Zheng Heng and the Red-haired Black Demon.

Their exchange lasted just a moment, the next instant they lunged toward Yuan Ming, leaving only the Red-haired Black Demon to continue wielding the Jade Token to control the Fire Beast's siege on Nan Shangfeng.

Yuan Ming's expression remained unchanged, raising his hand to form a spell.

As He Xiuwen and Zheng Heng came from both sides, two "Yuan Ming"s emerged from the void, clones formed from Planting Beans into Soldiers,

Both clones wielded the Soul Destroying Sword, filled with murderous aura, runes on the Soul Destroying Sword lit up entirely, emitting an unsettling and eerie aura as they swung out.

Two massive black sword lights attacked, slashing at He Xiuwen and Zheng Heng.

The duo sensed the eerie nature of the black sword lights, avoided them without confronting directly.

"Clone Divine Ability? Even spiritual treasures can be embodied, quite remarkable." Zheng Heng, with broader insight, identified the power of Planting Beans into Soldiers.

"A clone is merely a shell." He Xiuwen was anxious, punching toward one Yuan Ming's clone.

Behind him emerged a gold-colored dharma manifestation giant fist, striking at the clone.

With a muffled "boom," an immense and non-human force came from the golden fist, the void buzzed and trembled.

This Yuan Ming maneuvered his spell, and a vast amount of grayish-white spirit light emerged from his body, mixing with the surrounding nature's spiritual energy, in a blink condensing a tall figure, also a dharma manifestation, with twin fists meeting the incoming force.