A Hidden Move, A Battle of Focus

However, after a second thought, Chen Ming quickly felt relieved.

What he sought in his own cultivation was nothing more than freedom, ease, and a clear state of mind.

The reason he took a liking to Qin Yuyan was precisely because of the steadfastness in his heart and the affection he held for those around him.

Since Chen Ming began his path as a Devilish Cultivator, he had never trusted others the way Qin Yuyan did.

Nor had he ever been completely trusted by anyone else; it was truly a rare experience.

As for the future, whether Qin Yuyan could maintain this temperament was something Chen Ming no longer bothered to consider.

And what if he couldn't?

Whether it be humans, cultivators, or demons and ghosts, everything is bound to change.

As long as one is powerful enough, any injustice in this world will naturally be leveled once it reaches one's own doorstep!

Chen Ming regained his focus and said, "Very well, I shall impart the method of cultivation to you!"

Qin Yuyan was overjoyed. He bowed once more and said, "Greetings, Master!"

"I am only imparting the cultivation method to you; it does not mean you are to be my disciple. Regardless of what you achieve in the future, or if you bring about a monstrous catastrophe, it will all depend on your own fortune!"

Chen Ming accepted his bow. A point of crimson light flew from his hand and landed on Qin Yuyan's brow.

Contained within that crimson light was a Magic Art called the Blazing Fire Scripture.

This Magic Art was an attempt by Chen Ming based on his own memories and the fire-path techniques he had practiced.

According to this Blazing Fire Scripture, one could cultivate nine types of exotic fires. If the nine fires were merged into one, forming the "World Purifying Glazed Sky Burning Fire," one could even reach the Spirit Condensation Realm!

Whether or not he could successfully cultivate it, however, would depend on Qin Yuyan himself.

Qin Yuyan felt a bit disappointed that Chen Ming had imparted the technique without taking him in as a disciple, but he felt even more gratitude.

"Thank you, True Person, for imparting this technique. I, Qin Yuyan, will surely keep your great kindness in my heart. If you have any orders for me in the future, I will not hesitate even if it means death!" Qin Yuyan said firmly.

"Go now!"

Chen Ming took a deep look at him. If this youth did not die, he would surely be of great use in the future.

Afterward, Chen Ming waved a wisp of smoke, which coiled around Qin Yuyan and drifted away, sending him ten thousand miles outside of the Vast Mountain.

Chen Ming did this because he sensed a massive aura heading straight for the Vast Mountain Range.

With Qin Yuyan sent away, he could finally let go and prepare to face it.

Before long, the sky above the Vast Mountain suddenly turned dim, and a thunderous stomping sound echoed from the ground.

"So, you are the one who destroyed my banner?"

The Bone Dragon's massive frame, along with the White Bone Demon Soldiers behind it, blotted out the sky. Standing atop the Bone Dragon's head, White Bone Superior shouted coldly.

"With no Spirit Condensation Realm cultivator left to suppress Vast Mountain, a mere Contemplation Realm brat like you dares to destroy my banner?"

Sensing Chen Ming's aura and strength, White Bone Superior discovered that while Chen Ming's aura was profound and far surpassed the Contemplation Realm, he had not truly stepped into the Spirit Condensation Realm.

White Bone Superior immediately relaxed. "It seems the Myriad Laws Sect has truly retreated. This Vast Mountain is destined to be mine!"

As he thought this, White Bone Superior did not slow his actions.

The Bone Dragon beneath his feet opened its maw and spat out thousands of stark white Bone Spikes, shooting them toward Chen Ming.

This strike possessed the power of a Spirit Condensation Realm divine ability; how could a Contemplation Realm cultivator possibly resist it?

White Bone Superior's mind was entirely focused on occupying Vast Mountain; he did not take Chen Ming seriously at all.

Chen Ming did not dodge. He chanted a mantra, and a Five-Colored Radiance emerged behind him, swirling incessantly.

He forcibly ground those thousands of Bone Spikes into nothingness.

"As expected of a Spirit Condensation Realm divine ability, truly formidable!"

Although Chen Ming had managed to block the thousands of Bone Spikes by relying on his divine ability, his mana was significantly depleted.

His body had also sustained some damage under the impact of the Bone Spikes.

"Oh?"

"To think you could block my divine ability—you are quite extraordinary!"

Seeing that Chen Ming only possessed Contemplation Realm cultivation yet had blocked a strike from his Spirit Condensation Realm level, White Bone Superior became interested.

"Not bad, not bad. Refining you into a White Bone Demon Soldier will surely be useful!"

As he spoke, White Bone Superior spat out a stream of stark white Devilish Qi, intending to refine Chen Ming into a White Bone Demon Soldier to serve under his command.

That breath of Devilish Qi was extremely potent.

The White Bone Dao had originally been an ordinary territory; it was only because it had been perpetually tainted by this breath of Devilish Qi from White Bone Superior that he had been able to amass his vast army of White Bone Demon Soldiers.

However, while those White Bone Demon Soldiers appeared imposing, in front of Chen Ming, they were nothing more than small fry, unable to withstand a single blow.

Chen Ming sacrificed the Blood Bead in his hand. As the poisonous smoke spread behind him, the White Bone Demon Soldiers fell apart one after another.

If they were shattered by ordinary divine abilities, those White Bone Demon Soldiers could piece themselves back together in an instant, making them incredibly troublesome.

But as Chen Ming's poisonous smoke swept over them, the Spiritual Energy essence within the White Bone Demon Soldiers was entirely devoured by the insects within the smoke. They were reduced to nothing more than ordinary bones, never to recover again.

The Devilish Qi spewed by White Bone Superior was blocked by Chen Ming's Five-Colored Radiance as it reached him, slowly grinding away into nothingness.

Such a formidable divine ability. This boy is only in the Contemplation Realm, yet he can contend with a Spirit Condensation Realm expert. Could he be a direct disciple of the Myriad Laws Sect?

But his methods don't seem to be from the same lineage as the Myriad Laws Sect.

No matter. Since I have already entered Vast Mountain, am I really going to retreat just because of a Contemplation Realm cultivator with a powerful divine ability? Where would that leave my reputation!

White Bone Superior thought of many things in an instant. He knew that many people outside Vast Mountain were secretly watching the movements within.

If he were to retreat like this, he would likely become a laughingstock among those in the Spirit Condensation Realm.

White Bone Superior let out a loud shout, and the Bone Dragon beneath his feet exploded, transforming into Bone Fire.

He took aim at the three hundred and sixty-five locations of Spiritual Energy within Vast Mountain, splitting himself into three hundred and sixty-five manifestations.

He intended to convert the Spiritual Energy of the mountain into his own aura, turning Vast Mountain into a Mountain of White Bones.

Seeing this, Chen Ming cursed inwardly. Ignoring the drain on his mana, the Five-Colored Radiance behind him soared into the sky, descending upon the four corners and the center of Vast Mountain.

The Five-Colored Radiance occupied each position, evolving into various divine abilities to block the descending Bone Fire.

"It is a pity. Though your divine ability is exquisite, you are ultimately a step behind. Having not yet stepped into the Spirit Condensation Realm, how can you stop me!"

White Bone Superior chanted a spell and spewed out pale, ghastly Devilish Qi.

The white bones whose Spiritual Energy had already been seized by Chen Ming were re-refined by him, coming back to life and transforming into countless White Bone Demon Soldiers. They swarmed forward, intent on drowning Chen Ming.

At this moment, the Spring Eye atop the mountain peak sensed the upheaval within the mountain.

If the Spiritual Energy in the mountain were to be entangled by the Bone Fire, Vast Mountain would turn into a dead zone, and the Spring Eye would cease to exist.

The Spring Eye surged violently, and the Mountain God Yellow Scroll that Chen Ming had burned earlier re-condensed within the spring.

The Mountain God Yellow Scroll flashed and vanished from the Spring Eye, appearing in Chen Ming's hand the very next moment.

Chen Ming felt a weight in his hand. He swept it with his Spiritual Sense and said, "So, you intend to lend me a hand!"

This Mountain God Yellow Scroll was the manifestation of the authority over Vast Mountain.

Had there been no incident, once the spirit of the Spring Eye on the peak matured and merged with this Yellow Scroll, it could have transformed into a deity capable of controlling the flow of Spiritual Energy in the mountain, linking itself to Vast Mountain with immense power.

But now, it had no choice but to relinquish the Mountain God Yellow Scroll to assist Chen Ming and resolve the crisis at hand.