The Tianyuan Bead, after absorbing a sufficient number of souls, would undergo a peculiar mutation. The first time, Ji Changkong obtained the World-Ending Gauntlets from it; the second time, he received pure souls from within the Tianyuan Bead, resulting in a massive surge in his cultivation realm.

Consecrated by the Oro God as the sacred relic protecting the faith, this Tianyuan Bead naturally shared an intricate relationship with the Oro God Sect. Right above the Grand Temple of the Oro Re-Examination Sect, the Tianyuan Bead blazed with brilliant light, echoing across the distance to various sub-temples. Deeply hidden within the temples for countless years, strange powers, drawn by the Tianyuan Bead's summons, began to drift out from their sanctuaries.

Beams of five-colored light, like butterflies, gracefully emerged from the temples, one after another, converging into the Tianyuan Bead.

The disciples of the Oro God Sect were already prostrating on the ground, loudly praising Ji Changkong's earth-shattering might. Even the elders Mu Luo and Batul looked moved, marveling at the Tianyuan Bead with expressions of profound awe.

In that moment, no one dared to question the value of the new Sect Master, Ji Changkong, to the sect. Possessing the Tianyuan Bead, he had rescued the sect from the dire straits imposed by the Mani Cult. Faintly, these disciples had begun to view him as the object of their worship, believing that as long as Ji Changkong remained with the sect, no worldly force could ever threaten it again.

Gazing at the Tianyuan Bead's transformation with astonishment, Ji Changkong deeply pondered the change. On one hand, it was due to absorbing enough soul energy; however, there was another, far more crucial reason—a burgeoning sense of responsibility toward the Oro God Sect in his heart!

When he felt truly ashamed before the Oro God Sect, genuinely desiring to do something for it, when he truly recognized himself as the Sect Master, the Tianyuan Bead seemed to perceive this subtle shift in his inner world.

It was precisely because of this that the Tianyuan Bead initiated its change.

The transformation of the Tianyuan Bead stirred the strange and marvelous powers hidden within the various temples of the Oro God Sect. These powers had always existed but remained dormant, seemingly awaiting this very moment!

As tendrils of strange power poured into the Tianyuan Bead, which was already bursting with astonishing energy, the patterns etched upon its surface seemed to come alive. Under the gaze of all present, the Tianyuan Bead slowly moved from the void and settled above Ji Changkong’s head.

A bizarre, dark crown slowly floated out from the Tianyuan Bead. This dark crown was covered with images of unknown demonic beasts. These creatures were ferocious and terrifying, rendered vividly lifelike on the crown's surface. A chilling, heavy aura emanated from the artifact.

After emerging from the Tianyuan Bead, the crown automatically drifted toward Ji Changkong’s head. Ji Changkong froze, lifting his head to watch the bizarre, dark crown descend slowly onto his brow.

As the crown settled onto his head, two sharp clicks echoed. A terrifying, grotesque demonic mask dropped from the front of the crown, completely obscuring Ji Changkong's face!

This mask was integrated with the crown; the mask, too, bore intricate demonic patterns, revealing only two eye slots. From a distance, Ji Changkong looked like a devil emerging from the Nine Hells, radiating an aura of grim terror.

Once the crown and mask locked onto his head and face, Ji Changkong’s body shuddered violently. Suddenly, he realized that the crown and mask felt as if they possessed life. As they fused with his physical body,

a profoundly bizarre energy surged into his soul, instantly merging with his nebula-shaped divine spirit. With this strange energy incorporated into his spirit form, Ji Changkong suddenly discovered he possessed an even greater power to control the hearts of others—as if with a mere thought, he could utilize the Oro God Sect's Soul Servant techniques to enslave anyone’s divine spirit, turning them into absolutely loyal servants, forever bound by his spiritual restraint.

A wave of solemn shock washed over Ji Changkong; he realized this masked crown was incredibly malevolent and inscrutable. Yet, those beside him were all devout disciples of the Oro God Sect. He certainly could not test the crown’s power on them.

Therefore, after briefly assessing the crown’s strangeness, he immediately tried to recall it using the same method he used for the World-Ending Gauntlets. Indeed, as expected, when he followed the procedure to retract the bizarre crown into the Tianyuan Bead, it instantly flew off his head and swiftly dove back into the artifact, vanishing into a peculiar, hidden space within the Tianyuan Bead.

With a flicker of thought, he tested summoning it again. He found that the crown, sequestered in the hidden space, reappeared at his call.

Suddenly, Ji Changkong understood that he had earned the right to possess this crown. As long as the Tianyuan Bead remained in his hands, he could summon the crown at any time, just like manipulating the World-Ending Gauntlets.

Taking a slow, deep breath, he completely relaxed. Ji Changkong looked up at Mu Luo and Batul and asked, "What is the origin of that crown you just saw? Do either of you know?"

Mu Luo and Batul exchanged a confused look, appearing as if they knew nothing...

Mu Luo paused for a moment before slowly shaking his head: "Sect Master, neither Elder nor I have ever seen the Gauntlets or the Crown you speak of. The scriptures we possess are not complete; these two items may belong to our sect, but they are not recorded in the texts under our control."

Batul nodded in agreement.

"I see..." Ji Changkong murmured, slightly stunned, then with a thought, he called out toward the Tianyuan Bead: "Come out!" As Batul looked on in bewilderment, the Primordial Poison flew out, its miniature form stretching languidly. "I know what you want to ask. That thing is called the Soul Control Crown (Yuhun Guan). It is incredibly wicked. Not only does it enhance your soul techniques, but it also possesses the power to enslave souls. When you wear the Soul Control Crown and use your soul-driving skill, you can implant a thought of eternal loyalty into a person's spirit, binding them forever beyond escape from your restraint."

At these words, Ji Changkong's expression shifted dramatically, while Mu Luo and Batul were overcome with joy, hurrying to congratulate him: "Congratulations, Sect Master!"

"The Soul Control Crown not only amplifies soul techniques but can also truly and thoroughly turn a person into one's slave. This is indeed an extremely evil and vicious divine weapon."

Ji Changkong took a deep breath, secretly resolving to use the Soul Control Crown as little as possible unless absolutely necessary. This artifact was just too wicked; it was far more terrifying than simply killing someone.

Consider this: If one used the Soul Control Crown to completely seize control of a person’s spirit and then commanded that person to kill their own loved ones—how utterly cruel would that be?

"What else do you know?" Ji Changkong asked.

"Nothing more. Changkong, I am going in now. The world within the Tianyuan Bead has expanded significantly, and I need to go explore and have some fun!" the Primordial Poison excitedly informed Ji Changkong before plunging back into the Tianyuan Bead.

Recently, the Primordial Poison had been active within the artifact. After several transformations of the Tianyuan Bead, its soul content had become extremely rich, opening up many small new spaces. The Primordial Poison seemed to be thriving inside, its vitality deepening, and the power of its soul growing stronger.

When Ji Changkong last mentioned coming to the Western Regions, the Poison had volunteered to deal with the Blood Emperor, indicating its confidence that its strength was now sufficient to handle the Blood Emperor, who possessed the Nine Palaces Heavenly Mirror. And the Poison would never volunteer unless it was confident in victory.

Watching the Primordial Poison vanish back into the Tianyuan Bead, Ji Changkong paused for a moment, then looked up at the hazy silhouette of the Oro God Sect's Grand Temple rising from the yellow sands. He nodded to Mu Luo and Batul: "Let’s go, we’ll have a talk in the Grand Temple."

Mu Luo and Batul readily agreed. Accompanied by the other masters of the Oro God Sect, they respectfully ushered Ji Changkong into the Grand Temple.

Ayiguli, whose beauty was compared to the Moon Flower, whose very presence could capture souls, gazed fixedly at Ji Changkong. As they entered the Grand Temple, Ayiguli’s eyes became increasingly alluring; specks of starlight glittered within them, and a strange power was secretly brewing.

The disciples standing near Ayiguli were all in a state of rapture, seemingly unaware of who they were, gazing drunkenly at her and even forgetting Ji Changkong momentarily.

Mu Luo and Batul glanced secretly at Ayiguli, a flicker of mutual understanding passing between them, both appearing quite pleased, as if endorsing Ayiguli’s current actions.

Upon reaching the Oro Grand Temple, Ji Changkong set aside his airs. First, he explained to Mu Luo and Batul that he had recently been cultivating on the sun, and then he sincerely stated that from now on, he would truly keep the Oro God Sect in his heart. Only then did he inquire about their recent situation.

Through their explanations, he quickly gained a new understanding of the Oro God Sect's predicament. While he had been cultivating on the sun, the Mani Cult had ceaselessly suppressed them. Recently, many of the Oro God Sect's hidden temples in the Western Regions had been destroyed, and numerous disciples had been killed.

Furthermore, the Mani Cult had widely spread rumors claiming that the Oro Sect Master, Ji Changkong, was actually Ji Changkong of the Xuanyuan Valley, specifically emphasizing the antagonism between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. Since most Oro God Sect members were from the Western Regions, they naturally harbored a degree of aversion toward people from the Central Plains.

Under the Mani Cult's smear campaign, many common people who originally believed in the Oro God Sect began to shift their faith. Once these people leaned toward the Mani Cult, the Mani Cult immediately gained clear intelligence on the Oro God Sect’s movements.

When the Oro God Sect, forced to operate in the shadows, could no longer remain concealed, their inherent strength proved inferior to that of the Mani Cult; consequently, they were forced into continuous retreat...

"I have a solution," Ji Changkong suddenly said, looking at Mu Luo and Batul.