The Gift of the Earth Book

Donghuang Taiyi, who reacted a moment later, could not help but furrow his brows. "What does Shi Mo mean by this? Is he indirectly passing the Heavenly Stellar Formation on to our Monster Clan?"

"Perhaps he deliberately wants to make things difficult for us," Di Jun said with an offhand laugh. "It seems this fellow truly is someone unwilling to suffer a loss."

Kunpeng laughed as well. "But when facing our Monster Clan, he ultimately chose to lower his head. The reason he did not directly pass the Heavenly Stellar Formation to our Monster Clan is merely because he cares about saving face."

Meanwhile, atop Eight Treasures Peak, Hongyun could not help looking at Shi Mo in confusion. "Brother Shi Mo, what are you thinking? That formation restriction that gathers the power of the Heavenly Stellar Formation contains the mysteries of the Heavenly Stellar Formation, doesn't it? Aren't you afraid Di Jun will decipher those mysteries?"

"The formation restriction that gathers the power of the stars does indeed contain the mysteries of the Heavenly Stellar Formation, but it will not be so easy for Di Jun to comprehend them," Shi Mo said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Actually, if Di Jun cultivates in the Primordial World's starry sky long enough and comprehends the mysteries of the stars' movements, then creating the Heavenly Stellar Formation will only be a matter of time. If he distracts himself by studying something I devised, he may instead be led astray."

"Besides, I have also left behind a contingency in that so-called formation restriction I am helping the Monster Clan set up. In the future, it will not only be useful to the Monster Clan, but to me as well," Shi Mo added mysteriously.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Court held a special significance in Primordial World mythology.

And no matter who became the master of the Heavenly Court in the future, anyone who benefited from the legacy Shi Mo left behind would owe him a measure of karma.

Bai Ze soon returned. After confirming the deal with Shi Mo, Di Jun and the others left Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain and returned to the Heavenly Court.

Not long afterward, Bai Ze came to Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain once more, bringing half of the innate spiritual treasures required for the agreed transaction.

However, there were only a few genuine innate spiritual treasures. Most were various innate spiritual materials.

Yet at Shi Mo's firm insistence, Bai Ze still handed over the sole high-grade innate spiritual treasure promised in the deal first.

"The Infinite Umbrella? I do not seem to have heard of it before, but its power is not weak," Shi Mo said, his eyes lighting up as he looked at the umbrella-shaped innate spiritual treasure floating before him. After refining it briefly and learning of its abilities, he said, "It can actually disrupt space-time and muddle yin and yang. It is quite a fine auxiliary innate spiritual treasure. It seems the Monster Clan truly has considerable reserves."

"Fellow Daoist Shi Mo, may I ask whether you can immediately accompany me to the Heavenly Court?" Bai Ze asked hurriedly.

"What is the rush? I need to make preparations first," Shi Mo said, rolling his eyes at him and waving a hand. "All right, return first. Once I am ready, I will go to the Heavenly Court."

"You are not going to go back on your word after taking the goods, are you?" Bai Ze asked, frowning at Shi Mo.

"Rest assured. I have no intention of becoming mortal enemies with the Monster Clan," Shi Mo said casually with a smile. "Besides, the innate spiritual treasures and materials you gave me are not worth falling out with your Monster Clan over."

"Very well, then I shall wait for you in the Heavenly Court," Bai Ze said with a slight nod before flying away.

Only after Bai Ze departed did Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun come to Shi Mo's side.

Watching the direction Bai Ze had left in with a furrowed brow, Zhen Yuanzi could not help saying, "Brother Shi Mo, the Heavenly Court is Monster Clan territory. Should Hongyun and I accompany you?"

"Brother Zhen Yuan, there is no need to trouble you and Brother Hongyun. Before obtaining the method for setting up the Heavenly Stellar Formation, Di Jun and the others will not fall out with me," Shi Mo said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Then take my Earth Book for protection," Zhen Yuanzi said, flipping his hand to produce the Earth Book, a top-grade innate spiritual treasure.

"No, no, Brother Zhen Yuan, this is the spiritual treasure you use to protect yourself. I cannot—" Shi Mo said. Startled by this and deeply moved, he hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.

Yet Zhen Yuanzi gave him no chance to argue and directly stuffed the Earth Book into Shi Mo's arms. "Brother Shi Mo, say no more. If you regard me as your own brother, then do not refuse."

"Brother Shi Mo, Brother Zhen Yuan has already put it that way, so accept it!" Hongyun said from the side. "It is a pity I do not have any powerful spiritual treasures. In any case, I have nothing to do, so why not let me accompany you to the Heavenly Court?"

"Very well, Brother Zhen Yuan. I will borrow the Earth Book for now. Once I return from the Heavenly Court, I will immediately go to Longevity Mountain and return it to you," Shi Mo said solemnly to Zhen Yuanzi, then turned to Hongyun with a smile. "Brother Hongyun, I am worried that after I leave for the Heavenly Court, the Monster Clan may send people to Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain to covet the stellar formation foundations of my Heavenly Stellar Formation. So I must trouble you to remain at Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain and watch over it for me."

"All right, then. Go without worry, but you must be careful! Those few from the Monster Clan are not easy people to deal with," Hongyun said, hesitating slightly before nodding and offering a solemn warning.

"Then I shall remain at Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain for the time being as well," Zhen Yuanzi said immediately afterward.

Afterward, Shi Mo recalled most of the Earth-Core Fire Dragons he had sent out earlier, having them guard several crucial nodes in the underground earth vein network beneath Nine Tripod Iron Fork Mountain so they could activate the Earth Vein Formation to protect the mountain in a crisis. Only then did he take Golden Flame and head for the Heavenly Court.

Riding Golden Flame, who had assumed his true form, Shi Mo passed through the Nine Heavens Gale Layer. Soon after entering the Heavenly Court, he sensed Ji Meng's aura.

"Well, what a coincidence! Demon Saint Ji Meng, do not tell me you have come specifically to stop me again?" Shi Mo said with a smile when he saw Ji Meng.

"Hmph!" Ji Meng snorted unhappily, then took the lead in showing the way. "Come with me!"

Led by Ji Meng, Shi Mo and Golden Flame passed through drifting clouds and immortal mist. Before long, they saw Bai Ze waiting before a stretch of gleaming golden palaces.

"Fellow Daoist Shi Mo, you have finally arrived. The Demon Emperor, the Eastern Emperor, and the Demon Teacher are already waiting in the Demon Emperor Hall. Please follow me," Bai Ze said. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Shi Mo, then led him into the tallest and largest palace in the Heavenly Court.

Though it was called a palace, the entire Demon Emperor Hall resembled an enormous plaza. Golden pillars rose straight into the clouds, and there was no roof at all, as though the heavens themselves served as its ceiling.

"Di Jun certainly has no lack of ambition," Shi Mo muttered. The moment he entered the Demon Emperor Hall, he saw Di Jun seated upon a golden throne above, as well as Kunpeng and Donghuang Taiyi seated on black and crimson thrones to either side.

Below them stood numerous Monster Clan experts with formidable cultivation, led by several Demon Saints.

When they saw Shi Mo enter alongside Bai Ze, most of them stared at him curiously, their gazes carrying an invasive, probing edge.

"Demon Emperor, Shi Mo has arrived," Bai Ze said, stepping forward to bow first.

Shi Mo swept his gaze across the hall, then smiled at Di Jun. "Demon Emperor, do not make it seem as though I have come to surrender to you. Do you want me to set up the formation restriction that gathers the power of the stars in the Heavenly Court or not? My time is precious; I have no leisure to waste here."

Di Jun's expression stiffened slightly. After casting Shi Mo a cold look, he instructed Bai Ze, "Bai Ze, take him down and let him set it up!"

"Wait!" Shi Mo suddenly said, causing Di Jun to frown. "What else is it?"