As word, deliberately spread by interested parties, of Ji Changkong's rampage through the Mani Sect and the destruction of their Sacred Mountain of Light, began to proliferate across every corner of the realm. For a time, the great sects and powerful families across the land were inquiring about the events in the Western Regions, and those sects and clans native to the Western Regions were employing every possible avenue and means to glean intelligence regarding what transpired at the Mani Sect’s Sacred Mountain of Light.

Simultaneously, another piece of news spread rapidly: the connection between the Mani Sect and the Demon Lair on the Demon Continent within the Solar Star Domain. The news that the Mani Sect was a branch of the Demon Lair and had now pledged allegiance to the Demon Lair of the Demon Continent also swept quickly through the Celestial Master world of the Five Elements Continent.

Under the careful dissemination by those with an agenda, this intelligence surfaced wherever a Celestial Master could be found. Many began to declare that the Mani Sect had betrayed the Five Elements Continent to the Demon Continent, claiming that one day the Five Elements Continent would transform into a scorched wasteland just like the Demon Continent, crawling with monstrous fiends.

They claimed that the Celestial Masters of the Five Elements Continent would be enslaved by the experts from the Demon Continent, and that the future of the Five Elements Continent was destined to become a death-zone overrun by demonic beasts. Some reports even originated from sources beyond the Sun and Moon, with individuals from other continents even arriving to corroborate these claims.

Initially, many Celestial Masters of the Five Elements Continent dismissed this as deliberate targeting by those with ulterior motives. However, as news began to leak from beyond the heavens, doubt started to creep into the minds of many regarding the Mani Sect.

Following the arrival of reports that Ji Changkong had wrought havoc within the Mani Sect and destroyed the Sacred Mountain of Light while Saint Mother Youlan was absent, Celestial Masters from all corners of the realm observed coolly, viewing it as an excellent opportunity to test whether the Mani Sect truly held ties with the Demon Continent. Experts from the Northern Barbarians, Central Lands, Southern Savages, and Eastern Sea quietly dispatched envoys to the Western Regions to ascertain the facts.

The local Celestial Master sects and clans in the Western Regions, realizing the gravity of the blow dealt to the Mani Sect, began to reassess the strength of the Aoluoshen Sect. The leaders of various sects and heads of powerful families who had previously been inquiring about the Mani Sect’s mandates now claimed 'limitless wandering in the Boundless Star Domain' as an excuse, temporarily ceasing all contact with the Mani Sect and refusing to meet with any of their envoys.

Talk concerning the Mani Sect being divided into two factions—the Light Faction and the Dark Faction—also gradually circulated among the common folk in the Western Regions. These rumors emphasized the dark faction's atrocious acts in the region, specifically pointing out how the King of Darkness and the Five Fiends had massacred others, how they had targeted other Celestial Master sects, and how they selected the next Saintess.

Indeed, some commoners in the Western Regions had witnessed experts from the Mani Sect's Dark Faction at the Sacred Mountain of Light. Once these reports spread, those commoners who had seen the Dark Faction experts firsthand secretly believed the outside rumors.

These individuals, in turn, shared their observations from the Sacred Mountain of Light with others. Soon, matters concerning the Mani Sect’s Dark Faction began to spread quietly among the populace of the Western Regions… When these commoners subsequently heard that the Mani Sect was colluding with evil beings from another realm, they began to assert that the collapse of the Sacred Mountain of Light was the wrath of the Western Regions' Ancient God, claiming that this deity had perceived the Mani Sect's wickedness and thus manifested its fury by destroying the mountain.

At the same time, some former cult members of the Mani Sect in the Western Regions began exposing their own crimes. Those who had been controlled by the Soul Driving Technique started traveling around, recounting the abominable deeds committed by these individuals within the Mani Sect.

In almost a single night, the Mani Sect’s standing in the hearts of the Western Regions' people plummeted. The Celestial Master sects and families of the region swiftly distanced themselves from the Mani Sect, with high-level experts citing seclusion as a reason for refusing meetings with Mani Sect representatives.

Blow after heavy blow struck the Mani Sect, causing the grand sect, which had stood for a millennium, to begin shaking precariously. However, for the moment, no one dared to actively kick them while they were down.

With Saint Mother Youlan still present within the Mani Sect, the Celestial Master sects and powerhouses of the Western Regions dared not make any rash moves; even if they harbored certain intentions, they could only keep them deeply hidden. Saint Mother Youlan, as the paramount powerhouse of the Western Regions, had established absolute authority over the years.

As long as she remained, no one dared to act recklessly. The Mani Sect began recalling the experts it had stationed throughout the Western Regions.

Saint Mother Youlan explicitly declared that everything was slander maliciously spread by the Aoluoshen Sect, and she announced plans to destroy the Aoluoshen Sect soon and shatter the rumors leveled against the Mani Sect. The Aoluoshen Sect, too, began summoning its experts, gathering them at the Grand Temple to adopt a posture ready for a decisive battle against the Mani Sect.

In an instant, the standoff between the two mightiest sects of the Western Regions became the focus of attention for the entire world. Meanwhile, some within the Western Regions were on edge, viewing every bush and tree with suspicion; many Celestial Master sects and families ceased all unessential activities, fearful of being caught in the crossfire between the Mani Sect and the Aoluoshen Sect, silently awaiting— Awaiting the decisive battle between the two great factions.

In the Western Regions, upon a towering divine temple, a colossal Three-Headed Hound lay concealed atop the structure, its wicked eyes surveying the surroundings. On the demon beast, Yao Kui watched the ruins of the Sacred Mountain of Light with a face etched in coldness.

Yu Ziling kept her head lowered, meticulously filing her nails, seemingly absent-minded. “Brother, after watching for so long, have you made up your mind?” After a moment, Yu Ziling grew impatient, looking up at Yao Kui.

“If Youlan truly has ties with the Demon Lair of the Solar Star Domain, then both she and the Mani Sect will become enemies of the entire Five Elements Continent. If we continue to cooperate with Youlan, we will also become enemies of the world.

Some sects and families in our Barbarian Nation might not support our future actions. Should we still cooperate with Youlan?” Yao Kui glanced at Yu Ziling.

“Cooperating with Youlan was a strategy set by Father previously. The reason Father chose Youlan was because he believed she was just a woman and incapable of achieving great things.

Father is confident that even if Youlan manages to establish herself in the Central Lands, she will eventually be swept out by our Barbarian Nation. The world will still belong to us, the Barbarian Nation.” “Whether Youlan cooperates with the Demon Lair, nobody knows.

I believe this is just a tactic used against Youlan by those targeting Xuanyuan Valley. As long as Youlan destroys the Aoluoshen Sect and slays Ji Changkong, these rumors won't hold for long.

After all, the Demon Continent is too far from us; few truly believe the Demon Continent can exert influence over our Five Elements Continent.” “We need Youlan to control the Western Regions, and we need the Western Regions to counter the Tianwu Kingdom! The military might of the Tianwu Kingdom is the strongest among the three powers in the Central Lands!

Furthermore, the Tianwu Kingdom has Cao Xuanqi, and experts like Hu Hao, who have reached the Nine Palaces Celestial Master realm. We need Youlan’s strength!” “But, but Youlan is barely able to protect herself now.

It's possible the Mani Sect might collapse. The Mani Sect has lost the support of the people; many who once supported them are now actively severing ties.

Cooperating with her at this juncture is extremely unwise!” Yu Ziling argued. “It is precisely because of this that we must help Youlan!

Otherwise, won't the power of Ji Changkong and Xuanyuan Valley remain unchecked by anyone?” Yao Kui looked deeply at Yu Ziling, then suddenly frowned. “Do you perhaps know that brat Ji Changkong?

I noticed your mood was somewhat off when you met him.” After all, Yao Kui possessed the cultivation of the Nine Palaces Celestial Realm and was meticulous in his thinking; he sensed something amiss. “That is a matter of the past,” Yu Ziling replied after a moment of silence.

Nodding, Yao Kui stated, “I hope you understand one thing—you are a person of the Barbarian Nation, and Ji Changkong is from the Central Lands! Moreover, Ji Changkong bears a deep, irreconcilable hatred for our Barbarian Nation, having slain many of our tribe's experts.

Our Asura Clan absolutely cannot allow this fellow to live freely in this world!” Yu Ziling lowered her head, and after a long, long pause, she managed a bitter, “I understand.” … The Aoluoshen Sect, Grand Temple. The cultists of the Aoluoshen Sect had never been as excited as they were now!

When the news of the destruction of the Mani Sect’s Sacred Mountain of Light arrived here, none of the Aoluoshen cultists believed it initially. It wasn't until Ayiguli returned and vividly recounted the details of what happened at the Mani Sect that the people of the Aoluoshen Sect finally accepted the news as truth.

The foremost sect of the Western Regions, which had suppressed them for hundreds of years, had its Sacred Mountain destroyed, and half of its experts perished within the Sacred Mountain of Light. How could such news fail to bring ecstatic joy to these individuals harboring deep-seated resentment?

In an instant, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the Grand Temple of the Aoluoshen Sect. These people now truly viewed Ji Changkong as an omnipotent True God, proclaiming him the incarnation of their divine deity, destined to lead them in reviving the sect’s former glory.

Ji Changkong's status within the Aoluoshen Sect solidified as firmly as iron and bronze walls. Anyone who dared utter a word of criticism against him would immediately draw collective scorn.

Unconsciously, he had garnered countless loyal subjects within the Aoluoshen Sect. Many regarded him as the sect's sole hope, and some even believed that having recently entered the Nine Palaces Celestial Realm, he could defeat Saint Mother Youlan, who had reigned supreme in the Western Regions for hundreds of years.

Consequently, when Ji Changkong and Ayiguli returned to the Aoluoshen Sect from their journey, Ji Changkong received an indescribably fervent welcome. The cultists prostrated themselves before him, shouting reverence for the “True God!” … In the subterranean palace beneath the Grand Temple of the Aoluoshen Sect.

Ji Changkong sat cross-legged, silently observing the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon, which was curled up, its entire body shimmering with effulgent blood-light. Since returning from the Mani Sect's Sacred Mountain of Light, the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon’s internal blood essence had been surging ceaselessly.

As the power within its body grew stronger, the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon also became increasingly agitated and restless. Ji Changkong dared not relax; he understood this was because the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon had begun the process of assimilating the immense vital blood energy of the Blood Emperor.

Three days prior, after the Blood Emperor’s soul was utterly annihilated within the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon’s body by Ji Changkong, the Blood Emperor's blood began to merge with the dragon’s own. The Blood Emperor, being a Nine Palaces Celestial Master, possessed a vast amount of Primordial Elemental Qi within his body, and the power within his blood was even more formidable!

The secret to the Blood Pool lay within the blood itself. Through Ji Changkong’s deliberate actions, the power of the Blood Emperor’s blood was preserved and completely consumed by the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon with minimal loss.

But the power contained within the Blood Emperor’s blood was simply too immense; even for an ancient ferocious beast like the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon, assimilation was not an easy task! Therefore, during this process, to prevent the Blood Emperor’s blood from launching a backlash, Ji Changkong had to continuously stabilize the Blood Emperor’s soul, keeping the blood quiescent.

The Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon had been absorbing the power stored in the Blood Emperor’s blood little by little. However, after a period of time, the Blood Emperor’s soul gradually adapted to the Soul Driving Technique, comprehended its fate, and began to resist.

With no other choice, Ji Changkong finally delivered a killing blow, completely blasting the Blood Emperor’s soul, releasing the power of the blood all at once instead of allowing the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon to absorb it incrementally. This surge of power was extremely difficult for the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon to absorb, forcing it to constantly confront the blood’s potential backlash.

The blood, having lost the Blood Emperor’s soul, seemed to retain a lingering life force, constantly prepared to devour the blood of others; the residual will left by the Blood Emperor within the blood was still active at this juncture. Ji Changkong considered helping the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon completely erase the will within the blood, but he worried this would significantly diminish the blood’s power.

After careful consideration, he decided to wait for the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon’s reaction before intervening. If the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon showed signs of being unable to withstand the process, he would immediately help it purge the Blood Emperor’s will from the essence.

If that happened, although the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon would not obtain the full potency of the Blood Emperor’s blood, at least its safety would be guaranteed. Thus, Ji Changkong remained focused in the underground sanctuary of the Aoluoshen Sect, intently watching the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon absorb the power of the Blood Emperor’s blood, never relaxing his vigilance.

Three days had already passed, yet the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon grew increasingly restless, though its vital form showed no major alteration, only an escalating increase in life force. Ji Changkong refrained from acting rashly, continuing to observe the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon quietly, thinking: as soon as the dragon’s vital form changes, as soon as the aura of the Blood Emperor manifests within its life essence, I will immediately intervene and erase everything stemming from the Blood Emperor’s blood.

Time hurried on, and another three days elapsed. The Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon became ever more volatile, and its vitality intensified.

Its scales began to sharpen like blades, the bones in its massive fleshy wings started to gleam, and its eyes took on a gruesome, blood-soaked color, making it appear even more ferocious… As the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon’s agitation grew, its external appearance began to transform. At this point, Ji Changkong sensed that the Blood Emperor’s blood within its body was gradually dissipating.

Seven more days passed. A blood cocoon unexpectedly formed around the Yuan Yuan Yi Dragon’s entire body.

This cocoon resembled a certain secret technique employed by the Blood Emperor involving a blood pool. The blood cocoon enveloped the beast entirely, making it look like a chrysalis about to hatch.

Moreover, its vital form had actually begun to change…