My cultivation method shines upon all heavens.

The following evening, at Thousand Eyes Mountain.

As dusk settled, the entire mountain range was bathed in a warm, somber hue.

Lu Ming staggered out of the Netherworld, his body covered in foul-smelling green blood.

The flesh was torn open at the point where the robe was ripped, and blood mixed with the demon's bodily fluids dripped down.

His face was as pale as paper, and his lips were dry and cracked, but he still forced himself to walk to the front of the dilapidated temple.

After standing silently for a long time, he slowly spoke:

"If I agree to your request... are you sure you can help me break free of my shackles and stand at the pinnacle of humanity?"

He stared intently at the crack in the dilapidated temple door, his voice hoarse, like a lone wolf seeking its last hope.

Inside the dilapidated temple, the eerie blue flames flared up again, dancing silently on the shrine, casting flickering light on the blood-red runes on the temple walls.

"Hahaha……"

That arrogant voice echoed again from within the temple:

"What do you think? The Great Yong Overlord, the Great Xuan Shi Lord, the Great Crimson Blood Emperor... including the current Great Zhao Azure Emperor, weren't they all supported and promoted by us?"

"Ditch those so-called moral burdens of your human race! They're nothing but tools used by a bunch of insects to tame you."

"Partner with me, and we will reach the pinnacle of this world, wielding power over all while intoxicated by beauties—only then will our lives have been truly worthwhile!"

His words were forceful and resonant, each syllable like a hammer blow, possessing an irresistible magic.

Lu Ming lowered his eyes and remained silent, his expression shifting unpredictably.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head:

"Can you really solve my problems? The information I found only suggests the option of abandoning one's cultivation and starting over. Even after abandoning one's cultivation, all potential is lost, and even if one starts over... one will ultimately become just another ordinary person."

There was a moment of silence inside the temple.

Immediately, a burst of unrestrained laughter erupted from the depths, shaking the dust off the temple roof.

"Hahaha... Hahaha! The Seven Realms Path was prepared as a shackle for you all, how could they possibly reveal the key to the public?"

Then, the voice paused slightly, tinged with a meaningful, cold laugh:

"Do you know what kind of beings we are? And do you know... where this method of the Seven Realms of Different Paths originally came from?"

Lu Ming was stunned, then suddenly looked up, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes: "Could it be...?"

"Hahaha……"

The sounds inside the temple grew increasingly unrestrained, laughter echoing back and forth between the temple walls:

"Indeed! These seven different paths were originally released by us to curb the unstoppable rise of the human race. Do you still have any doubts?"

"Once I'm free, this will be over in the blink of an eye. If that's all you ask for, you're really disappointing me."

The high-pitched voice lowered slightly, as if carrying a hint of displeasure.

Lu Ming fell silent again.

He hung his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

After a long silence, his eyes reddened slightly, and he slowly spoke, "How... can I help you escape this predicament?"

The flames in the temple flickered slightly, and the pale blue light danced on the shrine.

When the voice rang out again, although it remained steady, it carried a hint of deeply hidden excitement:

"Just bring a hundred strong and healthy men into the temple."

Lu Ming did not speak again.

He bowed deeply to the temple gate, then dragged his heavily injured body slowly backward, gradually disappearing into the end of the underworld.

"Hahaha...hahaha! You old bastard...you're doomed! You're doomed!"

The dilapidated temple trembled violently, and wild laughter echoed from within.

"Even if you possess extraordinary talent and unparalleled abilities, how can you change the inherent nature of your race!"

"The only ones who can truly defeat you humans are your own people! Hahaha..."

The laughter lingered for a long time.

Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva was not worried at all about what schemes that human boy might have.

Whether he wanted to use someone else to do his dirty work or simply exploit him—

If he can escape, he will know why they are the masters of this world.

Even though he had been imprisoned for sixty years and was nearly exhausted, the power of his supernatural abilities was beyond the comprehension of someone who was merely at the seventh level of martial arts.

Unless the opponent can cultivate those legendary supreme talents that happen to counter his supernatural abilities.

Otherwise, it would be nothing short of a fantasy.

"Hehe... Supreme talent cannot be obtained without the imprint of great virtue, nor can it be cultivated by those who are favored by heaven and earth and are blessed with exceptional talent."

A hint of self-mockery flashed through the mind of the Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva:

"Those supreme talents that restrain me have no lineage passed down in this world... How is that possible?"

He found his own wild thoughts amusing, thinking to himself that being locked up for so long had made him start worrying unnecessarily.

……

The night is filled with twinkling stars.

The main tent of the Tiger Patrol Camp was brightly lit, with the charcoal fire in the brazier burning brightly, and the copper nails on the tent walls gleaming with a warm yellow luster in the firelight.

Dozens of captains stood on both sides, each holding a wine cup, their eyes all fixed on the center of the tent.

Shi Lei sat upright in the main seat, the tiger-skin chair cushioning his broad body, the scar on his face pulsating slightly in the candlelight.

Lu Ming lowered his eyes and stood in the center of the tent, letting those malicious gazes pierce him from all directions.

"Lu Ming..."

Shi Lei slammed his wine glass down on the table, making a dull thud.

"It's been a month, and you haven't even found a trace of the demons?"

His face was ashen, and he slammed his hand on the table, causing the cups and saucers on it to jump.

"Guards! Drag him away and behead him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and two armored soldiers stepped in, ready to drag Lu Ming away.

Wang Chengbao and the other ten captains leisurely drank their wine while watching the spectacle unfold before them with amusement.

"Wait!"

Lu Ming dodged the soldier's outstretched hand and shouted loudly:

"Reporting to Your Excellency... I have located the trail of that fierce-level demon!"

Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent.

The wine glass hung in mid-air, and the smile froze on his lips.

"laugh--"

After a long pause, Wang Chengbao couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

What a joke.

The so-called fierce demons were all just excuses made up by Shi Lei.

If Lu Ming could create something out of nothing, that would truly be a miracle.

Shi Lei's lips twitched slightly.

His eyes widened as he coldly stared at Lu Ming, his gaze filled with impatience.

"Lu Ming, providing false military intelligence is an even more serious crime! Do you... really think there are no tortures in the army that are worse than death?"

Lu Ming remained calm and composed, bowed, clasped his hands in greeting, and replied with ease:

"I dare not deceive you, sir. Everything I have said is true. Inside a dilapidated temple on Thousand Eyes Mountain, there dwells a demon that possesses the ability to control supernatural monsters and their accomplices."

"I have done everything in my power to kill the evil spirit today. After discovering its whereabouts, I rushed back to report immediately."

He slightly raised his head, his gaze calm and composed.

"Its aura is so strong that it is definitely a fierce-level demon. I dare to guess... that it is the demon that you have been searching for over the past month."

He slightly altered his previous experiences and recounted them slowly.

The logic is clear, the details are complete, and the inferences are extremely reasonable.

The tent was completely silent.

Many people had already guessed that the martial law was likely Shi Lei using his position for personal gain, but they were still shocked at this moment.

It turns out they misjudged Lord Shi; he truly is a loyal minister of the Great Zhao, dedicated to slaying demons and monsters.

Others were simply frightened.

I thought we could just go through the motions and get by, but why are you taking it seriously?

Are you kidding me?

Last time, when the Taiping Dao attacked with two powerful demons, their leader was severely injured, and their acting leader was beaten to a pulp... Are they coming again this time?

Shi Lei's heart was also in turmoil at this moment.

He just made up a pretext, and now his fantasy has become reality?

He could naturally distinguish between truth and falsehood in what Lu Ming said, and as a high-ranking member of the Yin Hu Guard, he did indeed have some recollection of what the other party described.

When Zhang Jiao attacked the mountain and destroyed the temple, he vanquished the demon in the year Jiazi, causing an uproar throughout the court and shaking the world.

Although these deeds had to be sealed away later due to various taboos, the seals they left behind were indeed found throughout the Great Zhao territory.

In recent years, these seals have been discovered by many people, who have taken advantage of the demons' exhaustion to kill them.

The dilapidated temple that Lu Ming mentioned is very likely one of the manifested seals.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind racing:

This kid stumbled upon this seal by accident. Perhaps I can use this opportunity to slay this powerful demon.

On the one hand, it silences those who question me, and on the other hand, it establishes my authority and credibility.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present.

He knew that many of these people did not actually respect him, either because of their background or their character.

But as long as he has merits and the support of the Guardian Lord, the Yin Tiger Guard will be his sooner or later.

This demon, weakened by being sealed and imprisoned for sixty years and now extremely frail, was clearly a meritorious service delivered to their doorstep.

Thinking of this, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked coldly at Lu Ming:

"Very well. Since you claim to have discovered traces of demons... you will lead the way, and we will attack them together. But if I discover that you have lied about military intelligence, you should know the consequences."

As the conversation drew to a close, a murderous aura crept in, and everyone in the tent shivered.

"Yes, sir!" Lu Ming replied respectfully, without looking to the side.

"Get lost." Shi Lei glanced sideways and snorted coldly.

Lu Ming silently left the tent.

The moment the curtain fell, the sounds of clinking glasses and toasts rose again behind them.

He glanced at it indifferently, then strode away.