"Hong, this time I need you to forge a third-tier Instrument—the Sun Piercing Spear. The project is due in a month; would you be willing to take on the task?"

Outer Sect Manager Liu Jichi came to Hong Yuan’s office cabin to seek his help.

By then, Hong Yuan had been living in Nanyang County for three months.

Within these three months, relying on his excellent forging skills and never missing a deadline, Hong Yuan had won the trust of everyone.

In fact, Hong Yuan wasn’t trying particularly hard; he just made sure to complete his tasks on time.

"A third-tier Instrument!?"

Hong Yuan, sitting on a mahogany chair, raised his head to look at the Outer Sect Manager.

The Outer Sect Manager showed a bashful smile and quickly expressed a good attitude.

Because the Sun Piercing Spear was intended for his own use.

"Do you have a certificate?" Hong Yuan responded, "Without a certificate—"

"I do, I do, you can rest assured, Hong," Liu Jichi hurriedly replied, pulling out a Bronze Leaf from his sleeve and handing it to Hong Yuan.

Facing Hong Yuan, a Heavenly Talent who was about to be promoted to a True Disciple, Liu Jichi dared not be careless.

Even though he was also from Phoenix Creek Sect and older than Hong Yuan.

However, his status was merely that of a formal disciple. In the end, he had to switch to serving as an Outer Sect Manager, searching for his martial path at the battlefront. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"As long as you have a certificate, state your requirements," Hong Yuan said, taking the Bronze Leaf and placing it into his large storage bag.

These Bronze Leaves were very precious. The more Hong Yuan obtained, the faster he could achieve the status of True Transmission.

In fact, Hong Yuan could also replicate these Bronze Leaves using Refining Tao methods, even making fakes indistinguishable from the real ones.

But since the origins of each Bronze Leaf were clearly traceable, faking them was pointless, so there was no need for him to expose his Refining Tao skills.

Being an Elder’s disciple is truly different. Liu Jichi glanced at the giant storage bag at Hong Yuan’s waist, a trace of envy flashing in his eyes.

But soon, Liu Jichi set aside his envy and quickly explained his request.

This Bronze Leaf, obtained with three years of hard work and a lot of battle merits, couldn’t be squandered carelessly.

"Hong, here’s the thing: I mainly cultivate Fire Tao and secondarily Wind Tao. For the Sun Piercing Spear, I would like..."

Liu Jichi detailed his requirements one by one, worried that Hong Yuan might miss any important points.

Hong Yuan didn’t say much, just silently nodding, taking note of the requirements.

An hour later, Liu Jichi left.

But it wasn’t long before he returned.

Gathering his courage, Liu Jichi reiterated his requirements to Hong Yuan.

Hong Yuan showed no displeasure and still treated Liu Jichi with a friendly attitude.

To him, Hong Yuan, a third-tier Instrument was nothing special, but for an ordinary Martial Artist, it could be a treasured possession that they entrusted their life to—it was extremely precious.

Hong Yuan never allowed his strength to make him arrogant.

Perhaps this was why his reputation was better than the other cultivating disciples.

...

Meanwhile, as he was being assessed for True Disciple status, the Power Swallow Worm was also exerting its strength.

Before long, Hong Yuan obtained specific information about Long Zhandu’s whereabouts from Xiao Youjun.

Long Zhandu was currently located in the Mountain Range of Heaven’s Choice, still engaged in a stalemate with Qinglu Taoist Temple’s Zhao Wutian.

Both were masters of Slave Tao, and the battle situation was evenly matched.

The Mountain Range of Heaven’s Choice had seemingly turned into a bloody grinding mill.

The Mountain Range of Heaven’s Choice, a contest between two masters of Slave Tao. If I manage this properly, I might be able to obtain two Slave Tao inheritances, Hong Yuan mused, a casual smile on his face.

What Slave Tao masters fear most is close combat, and coincidentally, the Power Tao Incarnation is a superb hand in close combat.

Artifact Refining room.

Inside the cauldron, flames boiled fiercely, and hot water surged.

The not-yet-formed Sun Piercing Spear undulated within, absorbing the essence of earth fire.

Hong Yuan waved his hand, and Refining Tao Marks were instantly activated by him.

The azure-white spear of the Sun Piercing Spear immediately transformed into a Fire Sparrow, rapidly taking shape.

In just a short time, the Instrument that Liu Jichi was extremely concerned about took form in Hong Yuan’s hands.

After completing these steps, Hong Yuan checked the Energy Array in his room and the Power Swallow Worm once more before turning to leave.

As he walked, Hong Yuan’s stature stretched taller, his features changed, his clothes were swapped.

He had already transformed into another person.

The night was vast.

The sky was high and the night dark; be careful with candles and lights.

In the Mountain Range of Heaven’s Choice, firelight reached the sky, and the roars and howls of the Beast Swarm were incessant.

Within this vast mountain range stood two towering high platforms that reached towards the heavens.

Long Zhandu and Zhao Wutian were positioned on these two high platforms, each commanding their respective Beast Swarms.

Biting, pouncing, besieging...

"Little Wolf Saint, you’re far too arrogant. Today, I’ll make sure you come but never return!" Zhao Wutian rebuked solemnly, shaking his right hand vigorously as he waved the Heaven Roc Battle Flag.

Slave Tao killing move—Great Winds Arise!

True Essence circulated rapidly. A gentle breeze began in the air, then with a thunderous roar, a massive wind wave spontaneously formed out of nothingness.

The wind wave whirled furiously, as if a hurricane had been suddenly unleashed.

The flock of rocs, empowered by this force, let out a fierce cry, merging into the wind wave as if each had donned a suit of armor.

The speed and penetrating power of these rocs visibly increased at a terrifying rate.

They transformed into light golden ice water, entwining cold and piercing edges, angrily rushing into the midst of the wolf pack.

The next moment, thousands of wolves were killed or injured, and blood stained the ground.

Long Zhandu, who was controlling the wolf pack, was also affected, his body trembling slightly.

A Slave Tao Martial Artist’s control over a Beast Swarm primarily relies on their Soul Foundation.

The stronger the Soul Foundation, the more proficient one’s skills and arts in controlling the Beast Swarm.

Some radical Slave Tao Martial Artists sought to manipulate more deftly and gain greater combat power. To do so, they would actively synchronize themselves with their Beast Swarm, enhancing their rapport.

They would sculpt their souls into forms like "Wolfman Soul," "Foxman Soul," and so on.

Clearly, Long Zhandu had sculpted his soul toward a "Wolfman Soul."

"Hmph," Long Zhandu sneered in disdain, his right hand forming a spell seal with a single pinch.

The hidden Qingyou Wolves in the valley and the forest exerted their strength together, emitting layers of blue light that formed an Energy Array.

This was the Fifth-Order Wind Barrier Array. It recreated Array Tao techniques using Slave Tao methods, showcasing Long Zhandu’s profound aptitude in Slave Tao.

Once the Wind Barrier Array formed, a vast, dark radiance with a heavy, profound aura emerged, enveloping the million-strong wolf pack.

Many attacks from the rocs, even those from Hundred Beast King rocs, were ineffective against the vast, dark radiance, causing no disturbance at all.

"Zhao Wutian, arrogance requires competence. And you, unfortunately, lack it," Long Zhandu murmured softly.

Slave Tao Divine Power—See Me Causing Division!

Long Zhandu decisively activated his trump card, summoning his Divine Power.

A Black and White Yin Yang Diagram appeared beneath his feet, slowly spinning.

As he infused more True Essence into it, the Black and White Yin Yang Diagram grew larger, its might ever more powerful.

CREE! AWOO!

The beasts in the forest cried out restlessly, and the mountain range shook unceasingly.

The already dim sky grew even darker.

Zhao Wutian’s heart grew wary, and he quickly prompted the rocs to attack. The wolf pack was forced to retreat, looking rather ragged.

But within moments, red light gleamed in the eyes of some of the rocs, and they turned to attack their own comrades.

This... Zhao Wutian abruptly looked up at Long Zhandu.

How formidable was this Divine Power that it could forcibly seize his beasts, abruptly turning an assured defeat into a potential victory!

Zhao Wutian gritted his teeth, persisting in the fight.

The sky-blotting rocs and wolves clashed again, but this time, Zhao Wutian’s defeat was clear.

Divine Powers are rare to begin with, not to mention a unique one like that of Slave Tao.

FLAP! FLAP!

In this mountain range ablaze with fire, a small red sparrow quietly arrived at the Mountain Range of Heaven’s Choice.

This red sparrow was none other than the Incarnation of Hong Yuan’s Power Tao.

Hong Yuan gazed upon the battlefield, seeking out Long Zhandu.

Soon, he spotted Long Zhandu.

At that moment, Long Zhandu was sitting on a six-winged silver giant wolf, calmly directing the battle.

I’ve finally found you, Hong Yuan’s lips curved into a slight smile.

With a flap of his wings, he instantly transformed into a Divine Beast, the Vermilion Bird, and thunderously took flight.