Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

"Could this be a Yin Sha Fruit Tree? It's actually two thousand years old!"

A flash of surprise crossed Su Mu's eyes, followed by a hint of excitement on his face. He then turned his gaze to Han Li.

"Fellow Daoist Han was away for over a month and did not return. Could it be that he was searching for this spiritual plant?"

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of embarrassment flashed across Han Li's face.

He naturally couldn't admit that he had hidden underwater for a month after the battle on Scorpion Island before daring to show himself, so he could only nod and accept it readily.

"Indeed, thanks to the Yin Sha Fruit that Brother Xiao gave me back then, I remembered where it came from. Some time ago, I went out and found this tree on a deserted island by chance. Fortunately, I was not discovered by anyone, so the trip was not in vain."

Su Mu chuckled inwardly but didn't say anything, only nodding slightly.

"I never expected to find this item through Fellow Daoist Han. I wonder what you plan to trade for this tree?"

Han Li's eyes flickered slightly, then he cupped his hands in a smile and said directly:

"I wish to obtain the formula for the Crimson Essence Pill, as well as several other formulas for enhancing cultivation, even ancient ones. I have a keen interest in ancient alchemy methods; I wonder if Brother Xiao would be willing to grant my request?"

Su Mu pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly under Han Li's expectant gaze, and with a casual wave of his hand, a lustrous white jade slip appeared in his palm.

"In exchanging the pill formula for this Yin Sha Fruit Tree, I actually got a good deal. Besides the Crimson Essence Pill formula, this jade slip also contains four other pill formulas for improving cultivation."

Two types are commonly used in the cultivation world today, while the other two are ancient formulas, though they have very high requirements for the ingredients. These pills are quite suitable for cultivation before the late stage of Core Formation.

Han Li accepted the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and immediately showed a satisfied expression. With these pill formulas, plus those he had previously collected, it would be enough to support his cultivation needs for a long time.

Seeing the joy on his face, Su Mu took out a bright red fruit and casually tossed it to Han Li.

"The Crimson Essence Pill is extremely difficult to refine. Regardless of whether Fellow Daoist Han obtained this pill formula out of curiosity or for practical use, this Crimson Essence Fruit is given to you. It's perfect for your trial and error."

Han Li was slightly taken aback. He was already pleasantly surprised to receive the pill formula on this trip, but he did not expect to be given the Crimson Essence Fruit as a bonus. He couldn't help but admire the sincerity of this Pill Master Xiao and quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

Su Mu knew that with this Crimson Essence Fruit, Han Li could continuously refine Crimson Essence Pills in the future. However, he didn't care. This transaction was already a win-win situation, and there would be plenty of opportunities for Han Li to repay him in the future.

At this moment, Su Mu seemed to suddenly remember something and jokingly said with a smile:

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Han is already an elder of the Myriad Sounds Sect. Could it be for that Fairy Zi Ling? What are your plans next?"

Upon hearing this, Han Li quickly shook his head and smiled.

"I'm just a nominal elder, Brother Xiao, please don't joke around. I have no connection with Sect Master Ziling. I plan to go into seclusion for a while to refine a magic weapon, and then I may have to go back to the mortal world to cultivate for a period of time."

"I see. Then I wish Fellow Daoist Han a speedy success."

Su Mu understood. It seemed that Qingzhu Xiaoxuan would open soon, and Old Demon Han would be going into seclusion for another twenty years.

With the transaction completed, both men were satisfied with what they had gained. Han Li didn't linger, immediately cupping his hands in farewell and leaving in a hurry.

After Han Li left, Su Mu flashed into the world within the ring and transplanted the two-thousand-year-old Yin Sha Fruit Tree to the valley.

Looking at the lush and abundant spiritual plants in the valley, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

"Sooner or later we'll lure Old Devil Han in as our gardener."

With a casual sigh, he turned and stepped into the air, arriving at the summit of a snow-capped mountain.

At the summit, a snow-white oval-shaped cocoon, more than half a person's height, hangs suspended. Inside, countless tiny, sacred data particles flow endlessly like a galaxy, which is the evolution of the little dog beast.

Su Mu sat cross-legged, gazing at the increasingly intense halo, and waited quietly.

Two days later.

The cocoon of light suddenly trembled slightly, and layers of holy light rippled outward like waves. The next instant, the cocoon of light shattered with a roar, and countless particles of light scattered like snowflakes.

Su Mu narrowed his eyes slightly and saw a blue and white cat-shaped Digimon with an elegant figure and cold, sharp eyes standing quietly where the light had dissipated.

Its ears are pointed and long, its hands are covered with a pair of golden gauntlets, and a sacred ring hangs from its tail, shimmering with spiritual light and exuding a faint sacred aura.

"Gatomon?"

Su Mu's gaze was slightly strange. Had it evolved from a dog into a cat again? The evolutionary path of Digimon was truly unexpected.

At this moment, Gatomon lightly leaped and landed on Su Mu's shoulder, speaking in a cool and clear voice.

"Doesn't Master like how I look now? I can protect Master now."

"Of course not."

Su Mu shook his head and chuckled, reaching out to rub its head; the texture was still soft and smooth.

"It's time to head out to sea. But be careful not to speak carelessly in the open, or you might startle others."

"understood."

Tailmon responded with a light, crisp voice.

After tidying up his cave, Su Mu first activated the Monkey Talisman, his figure shifted, concealing his original aura, and then headed back to the Starry Sky Palace to prepare to board the teleportation array.

Although the Qiankun Disc in his hand had marked the coordinates of Twin Peaks Island in the outer sea, his destination for this trip was something else entirely.

......

Outer sea, Raikou Island.

As the light from the teleportation array slowly faded, Su Mu landed steadily on the island.

With a slight movement of his divine sense, he glanced around, but did not exchange pleasantries or chat with the nearby cultivators. He walked straight out of the teleportation room and flew into the sky above the island.

This Thunder Sky Island is vast, covering an area of ​​several thousand miles. It has numerous spiritual veins and is rich in rare high-grade spiritual herbs.

Su Mu glanced around and saw that the island was teeming with cultivators, most of whom lived in a giant city built of dark blue stone.

He took out a map of the sea area and examined it closely. Scattered around this island were many islands of varying sizes, such as Lilong Island and Tieshi Peak, and not far to the north was Biling Island.

At this moment, Biling Island is still an unnamed deserted island, the spirit stone mine has not been discovered, and no cultivators have set foot there.

Biling Island was one of his goals for this trip, but he was not in a hurry to go there.

Su Mu's gaze swept across the monster areas marked on the nautical map, and he randomly selected a place where high-level monsters frequently appeared. With a burst of light, he flew straight away.

A month later.

Su Mu withdrew his escape light and stopped in the air above the western sea area of ​​Thunder Sky Island, which was already close to the edge of the deep sea.

"Yes, this place is excellent!"

His gaze narrowed slightly as he took out a lustrous jade bead and three red array flags, and threw them into the sea below. A large array slowly condensed and then disappeared into the void in an instant.

【Ten Thousand Beasts Demon-Locking Array (Blue)】

[Note: Originating from the Realm of Immortality, this formation combines trapping, killing, and illusionary arrays, making it particularly effective against demons.]

Having just finished setting up the Myriad Beasts Demon-Locking Array, Su Mu moved his hands in quick succession and quietly unfolded the Nine Separation Corpse Bone Array. Then, he took out the ancient treasure, the Uro Umbrella, and held it in his hand, its spiritual light subtly emanating, ready to be activated at any time.

After doing all this, he summoned a ball of myriad beast spirit fire and slowly spread its aura to the surrounding dozens of miles of sea.

Come on, fish!