On the peak of Ghost Weeping Ridge, He Yiming sat cross-legged. The surrounding air was alive with surging Yin Sha Qi that flowed endlessly into his body.

After entering this cursed mountain, He had asked Baozhu to request permission from the dragon serpent to absorb some of its purest Yin energy.

He refused to draw on these dark powers without the serpent's blessing. Despite now possessing strength rivaling the creature itself, he still respected their alliance. Not only had the great snake driven back Huangquan Laozu when all seemed lost, but it had also formed bonds with both Baozhu and Baima.

Even in this hostile terrain where clashing with Yin Sha Qi's master could spell disaster, He couldn't risk provoking conflict.

The dragon serpent readily approved his request. After millennia of accumulation, Ghost Weeping Ridge contained such vast reserves that even a god would struggle to make an impact through consumption.

With permission secured, He selected a cave on the summit and began drawing in the essence of this most potent Yin Sha Qi. His return to the East wasn't solely for Baozhu's reunion with its serpentine companion - there was another purpose entirely.

The recent battle against the Western Temple had left his inner world unstable. Though he'd absorbed considerable Light energy, it now threatened to overwhelm his Dan Tian. The chaotic forces within had fused into a singular entity - the imitation artifact Wu Xing Ring formed the foundation while two divine weapons and three sacred powers merged into radiant light. This unprecedented transformation made He uniquely positioned in history.

Yet balance remained elusive. While Light and Dark powers served as anchors connecting all energies, they now existed as separate entities within his Dan Tian. The Light forces dominated so completely that darkness barely flickered at the edges - a trend growing stronger by the day.

If this imbalance continued unchecked, total purification of Yin Sha Qi was inevitable. But what would follow? Would these unbridled Light powers start rejecting other energies entirely?

The implications were troubling enough to justify his detour through both Eastern and Western plains in search of Ghost Weeping Ridge's resources.

As fresh waves of Yin energy flooded into him, subtle changes began taking hold. The Dark forces within - strengthened by absorbed blood essence - suddenly found new vigor against their Light oppressors. They now advanced aggressively to reclaim lost territory.

But the Light powers resisted fiercely, creating an escalating standoff that threatened his Dan Tian's fragile structure. He ceased absorption immediately and weighed his options carefully.

He couldn't afford to let these energies clash freely within his body any longer. With his current capabilities, he lacked total control over these divine forces - they retained instinctual properties beyond mere manipulation for combat purposes. Perhaps only when fully ascending would he gain such mastery.

A sudden inspiration struck as he retrieved the Wu Xing Ring from storage. After a burst of multicolored light transformed into a golden crown in his hands, something clicked.

This was Franklin's Light Crown - the most powerful artifact in Western Temple according to Gaviald. During their battle, He had sensed its unique ability to command Light energies. It likely explained how Franklin could absorb such vast reserves while maintaining perfect control.

Cautiously placing the crown on his head, he immediately felt a chilling sensation followed by an unnatural heat spreading through his mind. Thoughts sharpened and reflexes accelerated without any effort.

The crown's effects were already manifesting even before channeling energy. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, He began directing his Dan Tian's Light energy into the artifact.

Resistance met him at first - but then the crown accepted this divine force. It was designed specifically for Light energy manipulation through sacred power alone.

As golden light erupted from the crown, His consciousness expanded exponentially. The euphoria quickly overwhelmed any sense of caution as endless waves of warmth flooded his cells.

Little did He realize that within Western Temple traditions, this crown could only be worn in times of mortal peril or by those who had reached divine levels - neither of which applied to him at present.