A Visitor Arrives Outside Changbai Mountain, and Han Chi Is Granted Treasures to Guard the Sacred Mountain

During Hongjun's lectures, Great Powers stirred at the news;

Yet the lowly Cultivators of the Ant Realm still struggled amid calamity.

Nearly all the Great Luo Golden Immortals among the Ten Thousand Clans of the Primordial Wilderness had left their clans and ventured deep into Hundun, seeking that slim chance of opportunity in the hope of becoming one of those destined for Zixiao Palace.

But while they pursued opportunities, the Wu Clan would not halt its advance.

During the Second Lecture, aside from Houtu, who went alone to Zixiao Palace, the other eleven Ancestor Wizards had not been idle.

Under their command, the Wu Clan had practically mobilized in full force, launching a massive offensive that swept across the Primordial Wilderness.

The forces of the Ten Thousand Clans across Honghuang Continent had already been forcibly divided up and carved apart by the Wu Clan, reduced to lambs awaiting slaughter.

The situation had nearly become this: whenever the Wu Clan wished to "consume" a certain clan, they would launch an assault and plunder it in bloodshed;

If a clan had not been attacked recently, it could only secretly count itself fortunate that the Wu Clan had spared it for the time being.

It was not that the Great Luo Golden Immortals within those clans deliberately chose to ignore the situation;

Rather, even if they remained behind, they were no match for the Wu Clan.

If they did not seek opportunities and breakthroughs, they would be even less capable of contending with the Wu Clan in the future, only marching toward utter destruction in a vicious cycle.

Under such circumstances, many clans began seeking other solutions.

If they could not win, then they would flee.

When Bei Ming had previously visited Nüwa and Fuxi at Mount Qixi, he had seen many clan members fleeing with their families and abandoning their homes to seek refuge there.

Now that the Ancestral Vein Sha Qi of Changbai Mountain had been completely purged, the place had once again become a top-notch grotto-heaven and Blessed Land.

Although the entire Northern Continent had yet to fully recover, the Changbai Mountain Range and its surrounding mountains, rivers, and valleys were already brimming with Spiritual energy, with vegetation flourishing in vibrant life.

Such changes naturally could not escape the notice of many clans near the North.

Changbai Mountain gradually became a paradise they could migrate to, a hope for escaping disaster.

When Bei Ming returned to Changbai Mountain, he noticed the auras of many new clans around the mountain range.

They had opened Cave Abodes along the outskirts, yet none dared venture lightly into the depths of the mountains.

It was not that they did not wish to enter.

Whether in Spiritual energy or resources, Changbai Mountain far surpassed its outskirts.

But the Boundless Sea Array enveloping Changbai Mountain filled them with fear.

Though tempted, they lacked the strength to break the array.

After returning to Great Void Palace, Bei Ming summoned Han Chi by voice transmission with a thought.

Han Chi did not dare delay. He turned into a streak of streaming light and rushed at full speed to the main hall of Great Void Palace.

He entered the hall, solemnly performed a salute, and bowed his head.

"Disciple greets Master."

Bei Ming gave a slight nod and said calmly, "No need for formalities."

Many new clans have arrived outside Changbai Mountain recently. What do you think of this?"

Han Chi raised his head, his gaze steady. After a brief moment of thought, he answered solemnly,

"Thanks to Master's efforts, the Baleful Aura around Changbai Mountain has dissipated, and Heaven and Earth have regained their clarity.

As a treasured land, it is only natural that it would attract migrating clans."

As Zu Long's grandson, Han Chi seemed born with strategic vision. He proposed,

"These outside clans fear Master's might and do not dare enter the mountain rashly;

Meanwhile, the native creatures within the mountain all remember the master's grace in purging the Baleful Aura.

If these two forces could be integrated, using Changbai Mountain as a foundation, encompassing the North Sea, gradually taking command of the North, and gathering Luck,

Master could establish himself as a regional overlord and then plan for dominion over the Primordial Wilderness."

After hearing this, Bei Ming chuckled. There was a hint of carefree ease in his smile as he slowly shook his head.

"Haha, Han Chi, you were born in the wrong era.

Had you been active during the Dragon Clan's prime, you might well have accomplished something.

Unfortunately, I am one who seeks the Dao, not one who contends for supremacy."

Although Bei Ming had set up a grand array around Changbai Mountain, he had never driven out the native creatures within it.

After the mountains and rivers revived, spiritual opportunities surged in abundance, more than enough to support those creatures' cultivation. There was no danger of major unrest over resources.

As the ancestor of the Northern Spiritual Veins, Changbai Mountain indeed had the qualifications to serve as the foundation of a major force;

But Bei Ming had not the slightest interest in vying for the ruler of the Primordial Wilderness.

The Wu Clan possessed an enormous basic foundation of its own;

Di Jun had plotted for a long time and won the favor of the Ten Thousand Clans of the Primordial Wilderness;

Dong Wangong held a Saint's decree in his hand;

In this era, contending with these three parties was not only unwise, but entirely unnecessary.

Han Chi's expression tightened. He hurriedly bent down and bowed once more, his face carrying a trace of unease.

"Master's Dao heart is resolute. This disciple's words were offensive; I was presumptuous."

"It is nothing. Since I asked for your opinion, you may naturally speak freely."

Bei Ming raised a hand slightly. Spiritual light flashed in his palm and condensed into a talisman seal.

As the Runes flowed, the Spiritual energy in the hall suddenly stirred.

Bei Ming handed the talisman seal to Han Chi and instructed him,

"I have observed that most of the clans outside Changbai Mountain came here seeking refuge only after suffering losses in the conflicts of the Primordial Wilderness.

Moreover, many of them are burdened by Karma.

The native creatures in the mountain know little of worldly affairs and have always been simple and honest. If the outsiders are allowed into the mountain rashly, I fear they may harm them.

This talisman seal can activate the Boundless Sea Array. Even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal attacks, it can hold them off for a time.

Even if I travel elsewhere, I will still sense it."

With Bei Ming's strength, even if he opened the grand array and allowed those clans inside, they would pose no threat to him;

Still, since he had chosen Changbai Mountain as his Daoist arena, he had to give some consideration to its native inhabitants.

Although most of the clans outside had fled here because they could no longer survive amid conflict;

Those who had made it here were all hardened elites tempered by blood and fire.

The native creatures of Changbai Mountain had previously fallen behind the mainstream clans of the Primordial Wilderness in cultivation due to the Baleful Aura;

Now that they had only recently recovered, if the mountain were opened up directly, they would be even less able to contend with them.

When the time came, internal and external disputes might turn Changbai Mountain into a complete mess.

Han Chi respectfully accepted the talisman seal with both hands and replied, "This disciple accepts the command!"

After a moment's thought, Bei Ming took out two more Spirit Treasures and handed them to Han Chi.

"Han Chi, you joined my service as both guardian spirit beast and boy attendant, and have remained by my side for a long time. You may also be counted among my disciples.

This Cold Light Sword and Profound Ice Armor are both Superior-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures. I grant them to you for protection."

Ever since acquiring the Three Immortal Islands, Bei Ming's reserves had steadily grown.

Moreover, before long, Zixiao Palace would hold its Third lecture, and Hongjun, the richest man in the Primordial Wilderness, would be handing out benefits as well.

To Bei Ming, Superior-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures were no longer of much use to him, making them perfect for rewarding his disciples.

Han Chi accepted the two Spirit Treasures. Excitement flashed in his eyes as he bowed down completely.

"This disciple thanks Master for granting these treasures!"

"Go back and refine them," Bei Ming said, his voice calm yet carrying a trace of warmth.

"Take advantage of the time while I am still at Changbai Mountain. Once I leave, guard the Daoist arena well for me."

"This disciple understands!" Han Chi's expression turned grave. He kowtowed heavily, then respectfully withdrew.

The hall fell silent once more.

At that moment, only one person remained in the vast main hall.

Or rather, only "one and a half people" remained.

As spiritual light emerged, Bei Ming released his Evil Corpse, Daoist Xuan Yuan.