What is an immortal?

In the crowd, Long Shan hesitated for a moment, but eventually gathered the courage to step forward.

From his seat, Yuan Ming cupped his hands in salute, his voice carrying a touch of sincerity and helplessness: "City Lord Yuan, I have something to report to you. We do not covet private gain; in fact, we are forced by the powers behind us. Every year, a large portion of the city's income has to be tribute to the Upper Sect as a cost of protection. Otherwise, the Upper Sect can send someone to replace us at any time."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming's brows slightly furrowed, and he gazed intensely at Long Shan: "Tribute? To whom do you have to pay tribute?"

"We city lords appear to have infinite glory, but in fact, we are puppets of those major forces. Almost all the profits from the city's revenue every year have to be completely tributed to the Upper Sect. It is the price we must pay for protection," Long Shan took a deep breath and said slowly.

Yuan Ming listened quietly, with deep thought in his heart.

He understood that the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range was rich in resources, naturally attracting countless forces' covetousness.

However, these forces want to manage these cities indirectly, thus supporting puppet city lords to profit from it.

"So how much profit did you use to tribute to the Upper Sect?" Yuan Ming asked in a deep voice.

"Almost all the profit from the revenue books has to be tributed. However, we would also find ways to falsify the books, squeezing out some profit from it," Long Shan hesitated for a moment, then whispered.

"All of it?" Yuan Ming was taken aback, as he thought the ninety percent profit he collected was already quite high, not expecting there was something higher.

He couldn't help but curiously ask: "Then where do your cultivation resources come from?"

Long Shan gave a bitter smile and said, "The Upper Sect issues some cultivation resources monthly according to the standards for Dharma manifestation cultivators. Besides, we also think of other ways to barely maintain the cultivation needed."

Yuan Ming nodded, his heart understanding.

It seemed these city lords used to exhaust all means for cultivation resources.

He swept his gaze across everyone and said in a deep voice: "The previous rules, I'll not care for now. But from now on, each city only needs to pay nine-tenths of the profit to me. Falsifying accounts will not be tolerated anymore. I will personally supervise this matter."

Upon hearing this, Long Shan looked troubled, hesitating as he said, "But... City Lord Yuan, although one-tenth of the profit is more than before, if someone from the Upper Sect comes, how should we respond?"

"Let them all come to me. I fear no cultivator below Mahayana. Besides, I am the Master of the Demon Mountain Range, a position personally appointed by Daoist Mu. The other several Great Mahayana Ancestors will likely give Daoist Mu face and will not easily bother us," Yuan Ming said with a slight smile.

The city lords exchanged a few glances, suddenly relieved.

With Yuan Ming's words, even if those from the Upper Sect come for questioning, they can all point their fingers at this person. If anything changes later, they can simply revert to the original state.

Yuan Ming looked at the expressions of the city lords and said slowly: "I have a suggestion. Would you be willing to hear me out?"

He paused for a moment, seeing everyone nodding in agreement, then continued: "I am willing to share an additional one-tenth of profit with you, but on one condition: You and your subordinates need to worship the Nether Moon God and help me gather Desire Power. This matter is purely voluntary, I will not force anyone."

Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise appeared in the city lords' eyes.

Long Shan was the first to rise, cupping his hands as he said: "City Lord Yuan is magnanimous, how could we decline? We are willing to worship the Nether Moon God and provide Desire Power for the city lord!"

The other city lords followed suit, rising one by one, with none expressing refusal.

In their view, worshiping the Nether Moon God was merely nominal, not affecting cultivation while allowing more profit, truly a win-win.

The Great Hall of the City Lord was filled with harmony, continuous laughter, and joy.

Soon, in this pleasant atmosphere, the eighteen city lords signed agreements with Yuan Ming, completely boarding Yuan Ming's warship.

...

A few days later, the auction was held as scheduled.

White Emperor City was bustling beyond imagination, full of prosperity, with countless cultivators gathering from all directions, streets bustling with people and carriages flowing endlessly.

The shops of all kinds were dazzling, exotic beasts, magical treasures, spiritual medicine—all available, breathtaking to behold.

However, amid this jubilant atmosphere, a more sensational news exploded like a thunder during the auction event—the Nineteen Cities of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range formally united, jointly forming the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, and a grand founding ceremony would be held half a year later, to which all major sects of the cultivation world would be invited to witness.

Once this news was released, it caused a huge uproar.

Like a whirlwind sweeping through clouds, the news spread rapidly, not only throughout the entire Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range but also beyond the mountain ranges, reaching every corner of the Chuyun Realm.

All major forces, upon hearing this news, were shocked.

Those forces supporting the puppet city lords in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range were particularly enraged, hastily sending urgent messages to the cities they controlled, desiring to uncover the truth of the matter.

Surprisingly, their messages fell like stones into the sea, receiving no response at all.

All major forces immediately convened emergency meetings to discuss countermeasures.

After intense discussions, they finally decided to take initiative, publicly stating they would send envoys to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range to attend the founding ceremony of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.

In this turmoil, the Heavenly Saint Academy, Taixuan Sect, and Bright Moon Palace were undoubtedly the most notable forces.

As leaders in the cultivation world, they acted as joint leaders, leading the way to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, undoubtedly adding solemnity and grandeur to this founding ceremony.

The discussions in the outside world did not affect the tranquility of White Emperor City.

The auction continued smoothly in an atmosphere of harmony.

Finally, the auction concluded perfectly without any unexpected incidents.

...

Two months later, Yuan Ming used the two sixth-level Demon Pills obtained at the auction as a catalyst to successfully refine two Dharma Manifestation Pills.

These two elixirs were crystal clear, emitting a faint spirit light, seemingly containing endless powers of heaven and earth.

As for the ownership of these two Dharma Manifestation Pills, Yuan Ming had already made a decision in his mind.

However, he also understood that the allure of the Dharma Manifestation Pill was immense, and those who desired them were definitely more than two.

Now, Yuan Ming was no longer the solitary figure he was when he first arrived at Dongji Sea.

A group of loyal followers had gathered around him, some were believers brought from Dongji Sea, while others were cultivators recently recruited under his command, all of whom had become indispensable allies.

Among them, the believers brought from Dongji Sea were led by Hua Zhi, Vajra, Lei Yu, and Dian Xiaosan.

They had gone through storms with Yuan Ming, shared many difficult moments together, and long became comrades through life and death.

And another batch of followers were centered around Wang Fulong, He Xiuwen, and Zheng Heng, many being cultivators of the Sunset Sect, recruited by Wang Fulong over time, and now becoming capable generals under Yuan Ming's command.

When Yuan Ming announced the decision to bestow the two Dharma Manifestation Pills upon Hua Zhi and Dian Xiaosan, the scene erupted with a wave of reactions.

Numerous cultivators displayed looks of surprise and doubt, whispering among themselves.

Hua Zhi's strength was formidable, and her gift was extraordinary, this fact was undisputed.

As Yuan Ming's spirit pet, it was only natural for her to receive a Dharma Manifestation Pill.

In everyone's eyes, Dian Xiaosan was merely an alchemist, and with his age advancing, even with the aid of a Dharma Manifestation Pill, the chances of breaking through to the Dharma Manifestation Realm were exceedingly slim.

Therefore, the cultivators including Wang Fulong voiced their objections to Yuan Ming, hoping to vie for the opportunity of the second Dharma Manifestation Pill.

"I am well aware of your concerns. However, this Dharma Manifestation Pill inherently belongs to Dian Xiaosan. I assure you, he will surely succeed in breaking through to the Dharma manifestation stage." Yuan Ming spoke with a steady voice, his words firm and undeniable.

The group led by Wang Fulong exchanged glances, unwilling but seeing Yuan Ming's resolute attitude, had to give up.

In their hearts, they pondered the chasm between the Returning to Void Stage and the Dharma manifestation stage in the cultivation path; numerous geniuses had fallen here, what distinguishes Dian Xiaosan? They feared this Dharma Manifestation Pill was destined to go into waste.

Yuan Ming did not offer further explanation, waved his hand, and everyone departed, leaving only Hua Zhi and Dian Xiaosan.

When the Dharma Manifestation Pills were handed to them, a light of joy flickered in their eyes.

"Master, rest assured, Hua Zhi will surely meet expectations and break through to the Dharma manifestation!" Hua Zhi pledged confidently, her eyes gleamed with determination.

Dian Xiaosan appeared somewhat uneasy, looked down at the Dharma Manifestation Pill in his hand, hesitantly saying, "This Dharma Manifestation Pill is so precious, with my ordinary talent, I'm afraid I cannot carry this responsibility, it might be better left to others."

"Fellow Daoist Dian, you need not worry. Since I have given this pill to you, it means I trust you can break through. If you lack confidence in yourself, then trust me this once, how about that?" Yuan Ming smiled gently, saying this.

Upon hearing this, gratitude filled Dian Xiaosan's eyes.

Yuan Ming extended a hand, his five fingers rapidly transformed into green-gray tree vines, gently wrapping around the wrists of Dian Xiaosan and Hua Zhi.

"With the power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin, I shall assist you in refining your physical body and Mana, do not resist."

Upon hearing this, the two immediately sat cross-legged, closed their eyes, and focused their minds.

The next moment, a rich life force flowed into them, like the water of a hot spring, infiltrating their flesh and blood.

Hua Zhi was extremely sensitive to wood attribute spiritual power, and as this force entered her body, she nearly lost her composure and nearly revealed her true form.

But she quickly steadied her mind, calmed down, and carefully felt the transformative influence of the power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin on herself.

While Dian Xiaosan experienced a different type of extreme shock.

He felt his rather aged body, under the nourishment of the power of Ten Thousand Wood Origin, radiate newfound life vitality.

His dry, yellow hair turned shiny black, his withered skin became swollen, and black oily substances seeped from his pores.

Even more incredible, his Mana within the Dantian also became purer under the influence of this power, impurities were gradually cleared away.

This process lasted an entire day and night, until noon the next day, Yuan Ming slowly retracted the vines of the World Tree.

At this time, some areas on Hua Zhi's body revealed the true form of tree vines, covered with enchanting large flowers, exuding a rich life aura.

Whereas Dian Xiaosan had undergone a transformation, albeit his appearance had not changed significantly, his aura and temperament were completely different as if he became a new person.