After all, everything here is part of the Celestial Realm.

Even though it has now shattered and fallen into the mortal dust, it remains like a dying camel larger than a horse. Perhaps there is still a trace of Immortal Energy hidden within, making cultivation here easier for promotion, or even Ascension!

"Sir." Just as he entered the Immortal Mountain in the Demon Realm, Jiu Qing came out from the courtyard halfway up the mountain, saluted Jiang Yuan, and reported, "Daoist Bai sent me a message saying that Senior Yan Xuan will go to the Flood Dragon Tomb to provide protection, and it is a good opportunity for me to hone my combat cooperation."

Du Li focused his gaze and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly—it turned out to be a Demon Cultivator?

Demon Cultivators, Demon Beasts, Ghost Cultivators, and Demon Cultivators all gathered here; it seems Mr. Jiang is planning something big!

"Then you should go with them, and be careful." Jiang Yuan noticed that the red bar above his head was almost full, thinking his self-healing Talent Skills were impressive, given how fast his health had recovered.

He had been so seriously injured, yet in just a few days, he was mostly healed and his combat power was unaffected. It might be worth considering to recruit him as a fighter!

Jiu Qing responded with a salute and took his leave, not sparing a glance at the other two.

"He was one of the Demon Cultivators who escaped that day?" Qu Luming's gossiping heart was ablaze, "His name seems to be Jiu Qing, right? After Luo Nanjia was captured, he cursed him during the torture, saying Jiu Qing was inhumane, fleeing on his own when disaster struck.

This is laughable; if you can escape, why wouldn't you? Otherwise, you'd be a fool, wouldn't you? Besides, if Luo Nanjia knew before he died that Jiu Qing and Jiu Mu still couldn't escape the grasp of the sir, maybe he'd feel a little better and not die so unwillingly."

Jiang Yuan: ???

"Luo Nanjia is dead?"

"Why keep him alive? Fengdu was eager to capture him, thinking he could understand the Book of Life and Death, but without the Spell, he was nothing; and fearing he might speak nonsense, they inevitably used extreme measures to ensure accurate information.

In the end, when he was half-dead with no value left, who would waste Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to save him? He was thrown into Hell, suffering until his body and soul perished."

Not far in a courtyard, Jiu Mu had seen Mr. Jiang bringing two strangers into the tower from the beginning. One of them had a familiar Ghost Cultivator aura, seemingly one of those who escaped last time, so she paid attention and listened.

Then she heard the news that the fool Luo Nanjia had died, and she immediately felt elated, thinking that since Demon King Yun Li's disappearance, she'd been unlucky. But now, finally, there was good news!

If luck favored her even more, and she could achieve a few Realm advancements to search for Brother Yun Li, it would be even better!

At this thought, a string of messages suddenly popped into Jiang Yuan's vision.

[Triggered Side Mission: Jiu Mu's Reversal]

[Demon Cultivator Jiu Mu, though gifted and skilled in Space Technique, is lacking in ambition and thus has had no great fortunes on the path of cultivation. Despite knowing the fake Demon King, she couldn't enhance her strength, merely basking in his protection for a short glory.

Now with the disappearance of the fake Demon King Yun Li and the death of Luo Nanjia, her fighting spirit is finally awakened. Please complete the mission to help the former nobody achieve a successful reversal and obtain rich rewards]

[Mission 1: Cook a braised fish lip specifically for Jiu Mu, a Demon Cultivator's dish. Reward: Spirit Stone +100000] 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The sudden side mission made Jiang Yuan instinctively look toward Jiu Mu's courtyard, thinking that girl not only has many eyes but also sharp ears, hearing Qu Luming's gossip about Luo Nanjia's death from this distance.

But, how did his death stir her fighting spirit? Is there a connection?

He couldn't figure it out, but having a side mission meant rewards, which was a good thing. Moreover, if Jiu Mu, skilled in Space Technique, became stronger, it would greatly enhance the overall combat power of the small courtyard—this was a win-win!

"Braised fish lips..." Jiang Yuan browsed the Demon Cultivator's exclusive cookbook, found the recipe, and frowned. A dish required ten Spirit Fish!

That was one Spirit Fish from the Fish Pond, which took over ten days to grow. Recently they had just started farming, and there were only twelve in stock right now in the warehouse.

Well, since the system issued the mission, let's do it!

By the way, also cook the Flood Dragon Meat that Yan Xuan and the Old Dog want; and prepare a few ghost dishes to both warmly welcome Qu Luming as a guest and attempt to entice Du Li.

Qu Luming chose a secluded courtyard atop the Immortal Mountain in the Demon Realm, where Jiang Yuan activated the cultivation mode and infused Energy to activate the Array, filling the entire courtyard with dense Yin Energy.

"Oh dear, it's simply a paradise, I don't want to leave. You go ahead," he waved to his true self, having made a round, and said, "Goodbye, don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

Du Li only then realized, worried that the duplicate might be blinded by Mr. Jiang's sugar-coated bullets.

He didn't want to waste a perfect experimental subject gained by chance.

"Daoist Qu likes this courtyard, but don't settle in just yet." Jiang Yuan smiled, "I've prepared a humble feast to welcome you as a member of the courtyard. Once we discuss the schedule, let's go down for a meal."

"A welcoming banquet too? Thank you for such honor!" Qu Luming was so pleased his eyes turned into crescents.

Du Li inwardly rolled his eyes, thinking of reprimanding the duplicate later not to be deceived by this little generosity.

The ensuing discussion was simple.

He Miancun gets beaten four times a day, but her Heart Demons aren't harmful and can coordinate the timing with Du Li.

Finally decided, beating times at six in the morning, before the moment of Wilderness Ascension, at noon, six in the evening, after the moment of Wilderness Descent, and at midnight.

Du Li would arrive at Carefree City on time, and then Hu Zhile would be responsible for teleporting him back to the courtyard.

Once arranged, Yan Xuan and Ling Di came bouncing back with a Flood Dragon carcass, and Jiang Yuan invited them to join at the table.

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for the kindness. Although I should not refuse, I have been fasting for a millennium, untouched by mortal smoke..." Du Li was not a Demon Cultivator greedy of taste. Before he finished declining, Yan Xuan eagerly said, "You're not eating? That's great! Master, give me his share!"

The one who just returned, brimming with killing intent and covered in blood, emanated the Peak of Tribulation Crossing Realm aura with no reservation. Du Li had witnessed this through the duplicate's description without exaggeration.

Upon hearing the food was being contended for, he felt a thump in his heart, thinking it must be made from Flood Dragon Meat?

If he missed it, wouldn't that be a lifelong regret?

Jiang Yuan squinted at Yan Xuan, turned around, and patiently explained, "Alliance Leader Du, I prepared dishes with Flood Dragon Meat to entertain you both. This item is rare, why not try a taste?"

Indeed! Flood Dragon Meat!

"I dare not fail your intention, sir, but such delicacies must be savored slowly, so I'll skip the wine."

Yan Xuan was displeased about not getting those two plates of meat, but hearing he wouldn't drink made him happy again, "Great! Master, if he doesn't drink, it's all mine! I'll drink!"

Jiang Yuan gave him another glare, taking out a craft brew from the Level Eight Winery from the Storage Bag, pouring it into a glass, "This wine is called: Immortal Wanderer. It is said that drinking it allows a visit to the Celestial Realm in a dream. Upon waking, Immortal Music plays in your ears, leaving your mind at peace, with a chance for sudden enlightenment and breakthrough. Alliance Leader Du, won't you try a cup?"

"Thanks to the hospitality with a legendary Spiritual Wine, Mr. Du will not hold back." Du Li smelled the aromatic wine, and once again broke his age-old fasting rule today!

Yan Xuan rolled his eyes in annoyance. This old man, what a buzzkill!

Didn't you say you wouldn't eat or drink? But once the master brought out the good stuff, you wanted to eat and drink immediately? Truly a hypocritical man!

Aware of the senior's displeasure, Du Li had to apologize with joined fists, thinking it wasn't his repeated breach of word, it was just unexpected of Mr. Jiang to be so generous with such precious items for guests.

Whether it was Flood Dragon Meat or Immortal Wanderer Wine, missing them would be regrettable; better to savor this rare opportunity.

"Miss He, Daoist Qu, these ghost dishes are yours, all cooked with Flood Dragon Meat. Try and see how they taste." Jiang Yuan specially served two plates of Demon Cultivator dishes to Jiu Mu, "Here you go, these are for you."

Jiu Mu's nine eyes fixed on one plate of braised fish lips, thanking softly, then her head drooped, tears pattering down.

[Side Mission: Jiu Mu's Reversal]

[Mission 1: Cook a braised fish lip dish specifically for Jiu Mu, a Demon Cultivator's dish, has been completed. Reward: Spirit Stone +100000 has been issued]

[Mission 2: Make a coarse linen garment for Jiu Mu at the Textile Workshop. Reward: Spirit Stone: 50000]