This red-haired black demon is named Yan Jue, a disciple of the Zhu Rong Sect. In his early years during the Nascent Soul Stage, he encountered danger during an external mission and was rescued by Sima Changqin at the brink of death.

Sima Changqin saw that Yan Jue had excellent aptitude and was diligent in cultivation, so he took him under his wing and has been secretly nurturing him ever since.

This is all that Yan Jue knows about Sima Changqin.

Yan Jue and Sima Changqin have been together for hundreds of years. It's impossible for him to only know this much.

"It seems Yan Jue's memories have been tampered with! Sima Changqin truly deserves his title as a Guardian, with so many methods at his disposal. Even separated by such a distance and with the Stealing Heaven Tripod Space as a barrier, he can still eliminate detrimental factors to himself," Yuan Ming murmured.

However, speaking of which, the memories Sima Changqin removed were only partial. The rest of Yan Jue's memories still hold great value.

For instance, the cultivation technique that this person practiced is called the "Heavenly Fire Scripture," the renowned sect-defining technique of the Zhu Rong Sect. It is extremely subtle and far superior to his "Primordial True Skill."

The "Heavenly Fire Scripture" consists of seven layers. If one could complete the entire cultivation, they would reach the pinnacle of the Fire Manipulation Technique and be able to command all flames.

Even by just cultivating to the sixth level, a cultivator can cast a spell to turn their physical body into flames temporarily, thereby becoming immune to all physical attacks, making them quite difficult to deal with.

Previously, this person was severely injured by Wulu with a poison weapon. He barely managed to use his yet-to-be-mastered skill of body transformation into fire, thus resisting the poison's erosion.

Fortunately, Yan Jue has not yet broken through to the Dharma manifestation Stage; otherwise, this battle would not have been so easy for Yuan Ming to win.

Apart from the "Heavenly Fire Scripture," Yuan Ming discovered another crucial piece of information in Yan Jue's memory.

As a core disciple of the Zhu Rong Sect, Yan Jue also mastered the Zhu Rong Heart Technique and has reached the fifth level of cultivation.

This person has once entered the fire pool of the Zhu Rong Sect for cultivation, but unfortunately, his talent in the Zhu Rong Heart Technique was not high, and he couldn't successfully break through.

By observing his memory, Yuan Ming witnessed the entire process of breaking through in the Zhu Rong Heart Technique and also learned the complete secret technique used in conjunction. This is of great significance to his future breakthrough in the Zhu Rong Heart Technique.

"It's like when you're sleepy, someone brings you a pillow," Yuan Ming said with joy on his face.

He then took Yan Jue's storage magic tool, placing his Divine Sense within it and nodding slightly.

Yan Jue's storage magic tool was quite abundant, containing a large number of spirit stones. Upon counting, there were a staggering seven to eight million.

Additionally, he hid a large amount of fire attribute spiritual materials, most of which were herbs used for refining elixirs for auxiliary cultivation, with a small portion as artifact refining items, all of decent quality.

As for magic treasures, there were not many, but what Yuan Ming valued the most was the red jade talisman previously used by Yan Jue, which turned out to be a spiritual treasure of considerable rank, called the "Profound Fire True Mirror."

This is an item left by a senior who comprehended the Fire True Intent, capable of controlling flames and objects formed by flames, even to a certain extent allowing manipulation of flame attacks initiated by enemies.

In Yan Jue's memory, he greatly admired this senior known only by the title "Immortal Xuanhuo" and was extremely yearning for the Fire True Intent comprehended by him.

"No wonder it's so powerful, being a spiritual treasure left by someone who understood Fire True Intent..." Yuan Ming murmured as he fondled the red jade talisman.

He had read about the term Fire True Intent in the classics, and the so-called Fire True Intent is the matchless alignment between a cultivator and fire attribute spiritual power, granted by the recognition of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

Those who obtain Fire True Intent can naturally manipulate the fire attribute spiritual power between heaven and earth when casting fire attribute magic. Even a casually cast Fireball Technique far outstrips those of the same stage cultivator in power.

Moreover, since each person's cultivation technique and experiences differ, the Fire True Intent they comprehend also varies. Some comprehend Flame Explosion True Intent, others Scorching True Intent, while this Immortal Xuanhuo comprehended Fire Control True Intent.

The influence of comprehending Fire True Intent doesn't end there. Reportedly, one of the prerequisites for advancing to the Mahayana Realm is comprehending the Five Elements True Intent, and Fire True Intent is among them.

Yuan Ming put away these items and proceeded to perform Soul Search on Zheng Heng and He Xiuwen, who had largely recovered.

Zheng Heng was the same; his memories concerning Sima Changqin were erased.

Zheng Heng was a disciple of Beihai Palace, a fairly esteemed inner sect disciple, and like Yan Jue, was taken under Sima Changqin's wing many years ago, subsequently receiving long-term cultivation resources from the latter, cultivating all the way to the present.

The scale of Beihai Palace is by no means inferior to the Zhu Rong Sect, and to some degree, they are quite hostile to each other. Though not to the extent of mutual destruction, there are often conflicts among their disciples.

Thus, that Sima Changqin could recruit both Zheng Heng and Yan Jue under his service indeed demonstrates some degree of skill.

Zheng Heng's cultivation technique is also the sect's defining technique, named "Northern Cold Heavenly Venerate Technique," a frost attribute cultivation technique. Cultivating it to the extreme allows mastery of various frost divine skills.

Its freezing power can even penetrate the restraint of fire power, counteracting the fire.

As for the intelligence on He Xiuwen, Yuan Ming had already gathered a lot from Nan Shangfeng, and not much was gained this time from the Soul Search.

However, he discovered in He Xiuwen's memory a Puppetry Master cultivation technique named "True Understanding of Heavenly Puppet."

This cultivation technique is quite unique, allowing the physical body and divine soul to gradually merge with the puppet as cultivation deepens. If one could cultivate to the highest level, they could refine the Heavenly Puppet Body, thus freeing from lifespan constraints and becoming undying.

However, the cultivation process of "True Understanding of Heavenly Puppet" is extremely perilous, with the slightest mistake leading to scattering the soul.

He Xiuwen's scarecrow was a result of a cultivator of "True Understanding of Heavenly Puppet" accidentally falling during the integration with a puppet.

He Xiuwen highly regarded "True Understanding of Heavenly Puppet" and tried to cultivate it, but due to insufficient aptitude, he had to reluctantly abandon the pursuit after only a few levels. As for the scarecrow, he refined it into a half-puppet, half-spiritual treasure item.

Subsequently, Yuan Ming also inspected the storage magic tools of the two and discovered numerous magic treasures and various spiritual materials. After taking stock, he found their combined spirit stone reserves to be substantial, totaling more than twenty million.

Adding the Spirit Stones from earlier, Yuan Ming's total harvest of Spirit Stones this time amounts to over thirty million, which is indeed quite substantial.

Yuan Ming looked at the three people, hesitated for a moment, and did not take action to kill them. Instead, he planted Soul Descent Runes in the Sea of Consciousness of He Xiuwen and the others, then raised his hand to wave, causing the Dream Butterfly Dao Seal to suddenly emit a radiance. A vast Divine Soul Power immediately enveloped the entire Stealing Heaven Tripod Space.

Under the influence of the power of the Dream Butterfly Dao Seal, the surrounding scenery changed. The original spatial setting disappeared, replaced by a gently swaying green bamboo forest.

Yuan Ming raised his hand again, waking the three.

Upon waking, the three showed expressions of vigilance, but they all remained surprisingly calm and did not attack Yuan Ming.

They probably understood in their hearts that they were not Yuan Ming's match in the previous battle, and there was even less chance of winning now.

"It seems you are all smart people," Yuan Ming clapped his hands and laughed.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, our earlier attack on you was under the orders of someone else. Can you spare our lives?" Zheng Heng took the lead to speak, asking.

As he asked, Yan Jue and He Xiuwen both looked over, evidently having the same question.

"Rest assured, I am not a bloodthirsty person. Although you just surrounded and attacked me, there is no deep hatred of life and death between us, so I won't kill you," Yuan Ming said.

Upon hearing this, the three of Zheng Heng breathed a sigh of relief.

"I admire your abilities. Letting you go is impossible, but you can choose to pledge allegiance to me. I can ensure you live well," Yuan Ming said with a calm expression, smiling.

"You want to subdue us?" Yan Jue asked, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, you are all quite strong, and I currently need some powerful subordinates," Yuan Ming openly admitted.

"Then you might as well kill me," Yan Jue said calmly.

"Why is that? Since you can pledge allegiance to Qin Mo, why can't you follow me?" Yuan Ming wasn't surprised and asked calmly.

"Lord Sima is my benefactor, and I pledge allegiance to repay a favor. Allegiance to you would be to cling to life, which has a completely different meaning," Yan Jue said.

Zheng Heng's expression was indifferent, even showing a hint of sarcasm at the corners of his mouth, clearly sharing this sentiment.

However, He Xiuwen's eyes were turning, as if he wanted to say something but didn't.

"Cultivation is not easy; reaching your level is even harder. Are you really going to give up everything due to an impulsive decision?" Yuan Ming looked at Zheng Heng and Yan Jue, asking unhurriedly.

Yan Jue and Zheng Heng's expressions showed slight fluctuations but soon returned to indifference.

"It seems the two of you have some thoughts. How about this, let's make a wager and let fate decide," Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"A wager? Wager on what?" Zheng Heng opened his eyes and asked.

"I am well-versed in Illusion Techniques. For the next day, I will confine you in an Illusion Space I construct. Besides facing the Illusion test, you will not be attacked. As long as you can endure a full day without collapsing, I will release you. Conversely, if you cannot endure, you will join me and work under my command," Yuan Ming said.

After hearing his words, Zheng Heng and Yan Jue remained silent, each seemingly struggling internally.

Finally, it was Zheng Heng who spoke first, asking, "Fellow Daoist Wan, you are proficient in Illusions and have previously used Divine Soul attacks multiple times in battle. It seems you are a Soul Cultivator. What level have you reached?"

"Spoken Witch, I am establishing a Moon Sect, and recruiting the three of you under my banner is merely to have you believe in me," Yuan Ming said.

"Okay, let's agree on that," Zheng Heng pondered for a moment, then nodded.

His 'Northern Cold Heavenly Venerate Technique' contains an Ice Heart Technique, which has an excellent effect against Illusion Techniques and Heart Demons.

The said Wan Tianren before him is just a Spoken Witch; he has confidence in enduring the Illusion.

If he cannot endure, his loyalty to Sima Changqin to this extent will suffice.

"What about Fellow Daoist Yan Jue?" Yuan Ming asked the other person.

"Since Zheng Heng agrees, I will agree too," Yan Jue agreed after a slight hesitation.

If he could survive, he certainly wouldn't want to die, so he might as well take this test as his last struggle.

Yuan Ming looked at He Xiuwen, who immediately nodded.

He didn't have the loyal heart of Yan Jue or Zheng Heng; if it weren't for saving face, he would've agreed to submit immediately.

"Then it's a deal. I remind you three that if you can't endure, you can pray to the Nether Moon God. As long as you sincerely wish for it, I will release you early," Yuan Ming said while showing them the Divine Statue of the Nether Moon God.

The three nodded in agreement, and Yuan Ming also took out an hourglass and placed it beside them to measure time, letting each of them set up seals around it to prevent them from thinking he was cheating.

Zheng Heng and the others, upon seeing this, couldn't help but worry.

Yuan Ming conducted himself with such openness and integrity; could it be that he truly had confidence in subduing them?