I bear witness to immortality in the human world.

Chapter 139 Qingning Laurel
Deep in the desolate canyon.

A secluded pool of water sits here.

This pool is very small, only about ten feet in diameter, and not deep at most three feet. The water is crystal clear, and a crescent moon is clearly reflected in the center of the surface.

now,

You can see the crescent moon reflected in the water, echoing the crescent moon in the sky, reflecting a hazy moonlight. This moonlight intertwines with the surface of the pool, blending with the flowing water, forming a faint beam of light and shadow in the water, like a laurel branch.

"Squeak."

Directly above the pool, on a drooping branch, a Heavenly Ape Demon was clinging to the leaves, hanging upside down, as if trying to scoop the moon's reflection from a well.

After an unknown amount of time, a figure silently appeared from the darkness in the distance. He was wearing a long robe and carrying a black iron spear. It was Wu Ming, who had sensed the strange phenomenon and was rushing towards this place.

Before even getting close, Wu Ming's spiritual perception had already thoroughly explored the situation in the canyon.

"This is... Qingning Laurel?"

A glint of light flashed in his eyes.

The Pure Moon Laurel is one of the most precious treasures of heaven and earth. Its production is quite special. It requires a place where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is abundant and accumulated, as well as the purest mountain spring water. Then, it also requires a special opportunity. Only on the day when the moonlight is softest, several years later, can the spiritual energy of heaven and earth be activated, causing a mysterious change and shaping the Pure Moon Laurel.

Its effects are similar to those of the Heart-Clearing Grass, both of which can soothe the restlessness of the body's blood and qi. It can help people break through to a higher level of blood clotting and also has the effect of nourishing the soul. However, its efficacy and value far exceed those of the Heart-Clearing Grass. The exchange requirement in the Treasury of the Cautious Punishment Department is a full 150,000 merit points, and it has always been in short supply. There are no physical items in the Treasury.

Soul-related resources are extremely scarce, and since his master, Liu Muyuan, also cultivates Taoist magic, it's impossible for him not to access such resources. This makes it so that such resources are almost nonexistent in the Shenxing Division's treasury. Only Qingxin Grass, which is of extremely low quality and has a decent yield, is kept in the treasury because Liu Muyuan probably doesn't value it much.

Wu Ming even estimated that sooner or later, he would have to compete with Liu Muyuan for resources.

After all, although the world produces all kinds of resources continuously, the quantity is limited. The annual output is so limited, and spiritual resources are very scarce. It's no wonder that Liu Muyuan bestowed upon him various cultivation techniques and even personally crafted magical artifacts for him, but he never gave him any cultivation resources, leaving him to earn them himself. This is the current state of the world.

"There is also a Heavenly Kui Ape Demon... Hmm, the Qingning Moon Laurel is not yet fully formed, so we cannot act on it for the time being, lest we disrupt the subtle operation of the power of heaven and earth and ruin the birth of the Qingning Moon Laurel."

Wu Ming also discovered the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon that had arrived at some unknown time and was waiting there. Although this ape demon was only at the third transformation stage, it could be killed by Wu Ming with a flick of his finger. However, this was the critical moment for the formation of the Clear Condensed Moon Laurel. Even the slightest interference could interrupt the formation of the Clear Condensed Moon Laurel, so he naturally wouldn't rush to make a move.

In any case, given the abilities of this ape demon, there was no chance it would have been able to snatch Qingning Yuegui from him.

Having determined this,

Wu Ming did not continue to approach, not wanting to disturb the ape demon too early. He quietly stopped and hid, while continuing to observe the situation in the distance, lost in thought.

It is said that the Tiankui Ape Demon is a demon tribe that lives in the Tiankui Mountains. It is said to be powerful, with many of them being great demons who have undergone three or even four transformations. They rarely leave the Tiankui Mountains and usually act in groups. However, this place is not the Tiankui Mountains, yet he encountered a Tiankui Ape Demon acting alone here.

but,

After a brief moment of thought, Wu Ming did not delve into the matter. The border wilderness was in chaos, with various forces and people of all kinds mixed together. Although the Tiankui Ape Demon Tribe was powerful, it might not be able to defend its territory. Whether it was forced to leave the Tiankui Mountains or actively came out to explore, it didn't matter.

With his current strength, let alone a single ape demon, he could annihilate even a group of three-transformation ape demons in an instant.

Time passes little by little.

Beneath the crescent moon, in the pool of water, the clear and condensed laurel tree is slowly taking shape. From its initial state of nothingness, it has condensed into something substantial, appearing to be less than a foot long. From illusion to reality, it resembles a laurel branch.

"quack."

The Heavenly Ape Demon on the branch was already impatient, but after all, it was a three-transformation great demon with intelligence. It knew that this was not the time to collect it, and that making a move would only destroy the treasure. Therefore, it forcibly restrained itself, but its body still twisted slightly on the branch.

After an unknown amount of time, the crystal-clear, jade-like osmanthus branch finally took shape little by little in the center of the pool. Until the last ray of moonlight, along with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, seeped in, the entire osmanthus branch completely transformed from the ethereal to the tangible. From its original state of floating on the water's surface, it suddenly fell into the water, causing thousands of ripples to spread across the tranquil surface of the pool.

"Squeak!"

The Heavenly Ape Demon hanging on the tree branch could no longer contain itself. It let out a sharp cry, pulled the branch downwards, stretched out its arm, and scooped straight into the pool, like a monkey trying to catch the moon, instantly breaking the surface of the water.

But just as the Heavenly Ape Demon made its move, figures suddenly darted out from all directions!

They were all Blood Clotting Warriors lurking nearby!

Besides Wu Ming, there were four other people: two from the Seven Martial Alliance, two from the Black Fiend Sect and the Profound Jade Sect. At this moment, everyone had the same goal: the Clear Moon Laurel in the pool!
Swish.

The figure at the forefront raised a long whip and lashed it out, the whip tearing through the air with a deafening sonic boom as it struck the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon who was reaching out to grab the moon.

The Heavenly Ape Demon knew how powerful this move was. Just as it was about to touch the Qingning Laurel branch, it had to stop and withdraw its hand. It knew that if it tried to grab it by force, even if it succeeded, its arm would be broken by this whip strike.

"Gah!"

Enraged that his attempt to retrieve the laurel was thwarted, the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon lunged at the whip-wielding warrior, abandoning even the clear laurel in the pool. His attack was ferocious and violent. The whip-wielding warrior, caught off guard by the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon's rage, abruptly halted his advance and began whipping his long whip repeatedly, creating a circle to block the demon. The Heavenly Kui Ape Demon, however, continued its chaotic cries, darting around him, searching for openings in his whip to engage in close combat. For a moment, the two were locked in a fierce battle.

Seeing this, the other three martial artists showed no intention of providing assistance. Their goal was to reach the Qingning Moon Laurel in the pool, and the one running at the front had already approached the edge of the pool.

But at this moment.

Swish!
A sharp spear light pierced the night, hurtling through the air.

The spear struck the edge of the pool, shattering a large rock and sending a head-sized stone flying. The Xuan Yu Sect disciple, who was reaching for the moon, had to withdraw and dodge.

After forcing back the true disciple of Xuanyu Sect with a single shot, Wu Ming flipped in mid-air, his right hand gripping the end of the spear handle, while his other hand gently reached into the water, touching the Qingning Moon Laurel. He felt it was icy cold to the touch, like glass, and gently scooped it up.

"lay down!"

All the disciples of the Xuan Yu Sect who had arrived at the pool, as well as the two inner disciples of the Seven Martial Alliance, shouted in unison and attacked Wu Ming. Blades and swords flashed from all directions.

Wu Ming remained calm and unfazed, casually wielding his black iron spear and creating a spear circle. He faced three opponents alone, directly clashing with each of their two swords and one saber.

Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew everywhere, and all three were thrown back by the shockwave.

"Amazing!"

Kang Chi, a true disciple of the Xuan Yu Sect, had a sudden change in expression. With just this one move, he had already felt the clear difference in skill. Although he was considered one of the few outstanding young talents in the Xuan Yu Sect, having reached the third stage of blood coagulation at a young age and even mastered the unity of skill and technique, he knew he was no match for Wu Ming after only one clash with his spear.

The other two disciples from the inner hall of the Seven Martial Alliance also changed color, staggered back, and then withdrew their moves.

"Wu Ming from the Censorate?!"

Some people had already recognized Wu Ming's identity by this time.

Wu Ming was dressed in the robes of an official, so he must be a member of the two departments. There are not many young talents in the two departments who are skilled with guns, and even fewer who are so powerful. Even if it was the first time they had met Wu Ming, they could recognize him instantly.

Wu Ming stood there with his gun, not saying a word, just looking calmly at the people in front of him.

"Since Brother Wu is here, I will not contest the Qingning Osmanthus."

After Kang Chi's expression changed, he acted decisively, immediately withdrawing and leaving without further fighting or competing.

Seeing is believing. Although he had heard of Wu Ming's name before and knew that Wu Ming was a rising star in the Shenxing Division and was rumored to have been taken in as a disciple by Liu Muyuan, he had never met him in person. Now, after exchanging blows, he immediately felt the obvious difference in their abilities. Perhaps he could fight Wu Ming if he joined forces with the others, but everyone had their own agenda. Not to mention whether they could win, even if they could, he might not be able to snatch it.

"Lord Wu, we had no intention of offending you."

The other two inner disciples of the Seven Martial Alliance were more astute; upon recognizing Wu Ming's identity, they immediately gave up.

The last disciple of the Black Fiend Sect, seeing that everyone else had given up and retreated, was somewhat unwilling, but he could only whip his whip a few times, clashing with the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon before turning and fleeing into the distance.

"Gah!!!"

Seeing the Black Fiend Sect disciple wielding the whip escape, the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon ultimately did not pursue him. Instead, it turned its gaze to Wu Ming, knowing that the Clear Moon Laurel had been taken by Wu Ming. Instead of rushing towards Wu Ming, it let out a sharp roar.

Hearing the shriek of the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon from afar, Kang Chi and the others ran even faster. They knew that this was the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon calling for its companions, a sound that could be heard for dozens of miles. Once the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon reached the third transformation, it was already difficult to deal with. If it was in a group, it would be even more troublesome. Once caught up in it, it would be very difficult to get away.

"Humph."

However, Wu Ming remained expressionless. Looking at the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes. He took a step forward and thrust his spear through it.

Seeing Wu Ming take the initiative to attack, the Heavenly Ape Demon revealed a fierce look in its demonic eyes, but it did not confront Wu Ming head-on. Instead, it waved its arms and leaped back, trying to dodge Wu Ming's spear and retreat, wanting to entangle Wu Ming and block him in this place.

but.

Almost as it tried to leap up, it suddenly felt a booming sound like a bronze bell explode in its mind, making its entire brain dazed and confused. It stumbled halfway through its leap.

In a battle between masters, the slightest difference can mean the difference between life and death, not to mention the impact of such a huge movement. In its dazed state, the Heavenly Kui Ape Demon could only barely raise its arm to try to block the spear thrusting towards it.

puff.

Blocking was pointless; the spear pierced straight through the gap between its arms and went straight through its throat!

Blood splattered at the edge of the pool, and the spilled blood droplets fell into the pool, gradually staining the clear water crimson.

(End of this chapter)