28: That's me.

On the third day after the Secret Realm opened, the secluded mountain valley where Mysterious Ink resided had already become the "Holy Land" for all the Loose Cultivator forces within the Secret Realm.

Team after team of Loose Cultivators, notorious and unruly in the outside world, now lined up like the most devoted believers, respectfully approaching Mysterious Ink and handing over all the "battle results" they had acquired over the past two days.

In the open ground of the valley, Spirit Medicine of various colors piled up like mountains. Radiant light flowed, and the medicinal fragrance overflowed, almost dyeing the entire valley's Spiritual Qi into color.

"Lord Xuan Mo, this is the 'Gold Marrow Flower' we brothers snatched from those grandsons of the Liu Family!"

"My Lord! Look! This is the 'Azure Water Green Lotus' those brats from the Wang Family had their eyes on. We even dug up the roots for you!"

The faces of the Loose Cultivators were filled with fanaticism and worship.

They strictly carried out Mysterious Ink's command: except for the Spirit Medicine favored by the Ye Family disciples, which they did not touch even slightly.

The Spirit Medicine discovered, guarded, or even already harvested by the disciples of the Liu and Wang Families was almost completely plundered by them using various methods!

Mysterious Ink's massive python body coiled upon the giant rock. Its enormous head nodded slightly, indicating its considerable satisfaction with the efficiency of these fellows.

It was not stingy.

With a flick of its tail, it precisely selected a few stalks of Spirit Medicine from the mountain of piled-up herbs—those with the most extraordinary aura and which would aid Ye Feiyan's Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.

Afterwards, it also casually swept up a few Spirit Fruits that smelled pleasant, preparing to take them back for The Two Elders to sample.

Having finished all this, it casually flicked its tail towards the remaining nearly one hundred stalks of Spirit Medicine, which were still quite valuable.

"Divide the rest among yourselves."

The cold and indifferent Divine Thought rang out in the minds of all the Loose Cultivators.

The Loose Cultivators were stunned at first, and then the entire valley was drowned in cheers of soaring ecstasy and disbelief!

"Wh—what?! D-divide it among us?!"

"Oh my heavens! Did I hear that right?! Lord Xuan Mo actually rewarded us with these Spirit Medicine!"

They had originally thought that simply preserving their lives was the greatest fortune amidst misfortune.

They never dreamed that this temperamental Yao Beast Lord, whose strength reached the heavens, would be so... generous?!

One must know that because Mysterious Ink had integrated all the Loose Cultivator forces, they were now united as a single rope, possessing a terrifying combat strength capable of sweeping through any faction within the Secret Realm!

The sheer quantity of Spirit Medicine they had seized over the past two days was frighteningly high!

Now, Lord Xuan Mo had only taken the most peak portion; the remainder, when divided among every single one of them, meant they could each receive at least one stalk of First-Rank High Grade Spirit Medicine!

This was far more comfortable, safer, and profitable than fighting desperately alone, unsure of their survival day to day!

After all, if they fought on their own, they would not only face powerful guarding Yao Beasts but also have to guard against the schemes of other factions, constantly facing the possibility of death and the dissipation of their Dao!

But now, following Lord Xuan Mo, they only needed to be responsible for "robbing houses and plundering wealth," and not only was their safety guaranteed, but they also received such rich rewards afterward!

Was there anything more wonderful in this world?!

"Long live Lord Xuan Mo!"

"We swear to follow Lord Xuan Mo to the death!"

For a time, all the Loose Cultivators offered their most fervent loyalty to Mysterious Ink from the bottom of their hearts.

Mysterious Ink paid no attention to the reactions of these fellows and issued a new command.

"Continue. Just cause trouble for the Liu and Wang Families. Fight them until they're dead!"

"Yes!"

"Furthermore..." Mysterious Ink's mind stirred, and several lifelike portraits, condensed from Yao Power, floated into existence before everyone.

The people in the portraits were precisely those collateral branch disciples of the Ye Family who had relentlessly mocked and utterly humiliated him and Ye Feiyan back in the Spirit Beast Valley!

A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.

But he, Mysterious Ink, was no gentleman.

"If you encounter these people," Mysterious Ink's cold Divine Thought was filled with undisguised killing intent, "do not worry about their identity as Ye Family disciples. Target them all the same!"

"Understood!"

The Loose Cultivators did not hesitate, immediately taking the command, firmly engraving those faces into their minds. They then surged forth like they were injected with adrenaline, transforming into a torrent that swept toward various parts of the Secret Realm... Half a day later, within a deep, secluded canyon.

A proud-faced youth wearing Ye Family attire was locked in a fierce, inseparable battle with a First-Rank Mid-stage "Ironclad Rhino."

Not far behind him, a stalk of "bone-nourishing grass," emitting a faint golden light, swayed in the wind.

This youth was Ye Ming, one of the targets in Mysterious Ink's portraits!

Relying on his Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation, he originally thought taking down this guarding Yao Beast would be effortless.

Unexpectedly, the Ironclad Rhino had astonishing defensive power. After fighting for a long time, not only did he fail to succeed, but he was also left covered in dirt and utterly disheveled.

Just as he was growing furious and frustrated, a team of over ten Loose Cultivators happened to pass by.

Seeing this, a hint of wariness flashed in Ye Ming's eyes, but this wariness immediately turned into profound arrogance and a sense of entitlement.

He had heard the rumors!

The Loose Cultivators in the Secret Realm nowadays were all good people!

They were incredibly enthusiastic and eager to help their Ye Family disciples!

"Hey! You few Loose Cultivators over there!" Ye Ming commanded condescendingly to the team. "Can't you see this Young Master is in trouble? Hurry up and come over here and slaughter this beast for me!"

The leader of the Loose Cultivator team noticed a subtle glint in his eyes the moment he saw Ye Ming.

He dared not be careless, afraid of mistaking the person and incurring the displeasure of Lord Xuan Mo.

He carefully pulled out a portrait from his sleeve, held it up to Ye Ming, and tentatively asked, "Young Master, may I ask... is the person in this portrait you?"

Ye Ming focused his gaze. Who else but himself was in the portrait?

Instantly, his heart filled with ecstasy and smugness!

Could it be... that these Loose Cultivators were specially arranged by his family elders to secretly protect him?

It must be! Otherwise, how could they have his portrait?

Thinking this, his already arrogant face became even more overbearing.

He clasped his hands behind his back, lifted his chin high, and spoke faintly in a tone of granting a favor: "Correct, it is this Young Master."

After speaking, he ignored the group of Loose Cultivators, treating them as mere servants he could command at will.

He turned his attention back to the bone-nourishing grass and commanded coldly in an undeniable tone: "What are you standing around for? You group of lowlifes, hurry up and eliminate this guarding Yao Beast for this Young Master, and help me seize the Spirit Medicine!"

"If this Young Master is happy, perhaps I might even reward you with a few Spirit Stones!"

However, the response was not the expected sound of the Loose Cultivators respectfully accepting the command in fear and trepidation.

Instead, it was a burst of... cold laughter, filled with endless mockery and pity.

"Hehe..."

"Hehehehe..."