The Evil Star hung high for five months, making Shoushan Tower’s front seem desolate during this period.

After all, apart from some time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks, the most profitable outgoing tasks were no longer available.

And those demanding tasks were only appealing to new disciples.

Thus, it became deserted.

But today was different.

When Liou Yuan arrived at Shoushan Tower, there were already over a hundred outer sect disciples gathered in front, none with low cultivation.

They were mostly seasoned outer sect disciples, with not one below Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

The majority were at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, and Liou Yuan even saw four or five at Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.

Liou Yuan used his Evil Eyes to glance over the crowd gathered at the door, wisely bowing his head to avoid exposing his Evil Eyes, daring not to look too much.

He inwardly exclaimed in surprise, "I usually don’t see so many senior brothers and sisters."

Then Liou Yuan, with his head lowered, squeezed through the crowd.

Soon he spotted Qiu Ming’s burly figure.

His stature was so conspicuous amidst the crowd that it was hard not to notice.

Liou Yuan saw him standing in front of the tower, speaking face-to-face with Wei Miaomeng.

Wei Miaomeng looked hesitant and responded as well.

Liou Yuan, with his sharp hearing, slightly focused his attention in that direction, heard their conversation clearly.

"Miss Wei, isn’t the standard for this task Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer?"

"Both Liou Yuan and I are at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, meeting the standard. Please make an exception for us."

Wei Miaomeng replied, "It’s not that I’m being difficult. Look, there isn’t a single new disciple among this group."

"This time, it’s about resisting the Star Evil and guarding several cities in a region."

"Those Star Evil have been nourished by the Evil Star for months, their power skyrocketing, fiercely uncontrollable. Your talent is indeed high, but you lack the experience of facing the Star Evil, so don’t end up risking your lives there."

"One of you possesses a Five-Star Star Acupoint, a treasure of our Fifth Peak."

"The other is Mr. Liou’s brother. If something happened, your sister couldn’t bear the consequences."

Wei Miaomeng spoke resolutely, unlike the polite manner from the previous task of killing the Baby-eating Mink, clearly fearing that Qiu Ming and Liou Yuan would truly perish within Jin Dynasty and she would be punished.

Wei Miaomeng’s concerns were exactly what Liou Yuan had previously considered.

The longer the Evil Star persisted, the stronger the Star Evil became, while Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer was merely a standard for dealing with the Star Evil.

It’s unreasonable to expect that cultivators at Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer would have much advantage over the Star Evil.

Fortunately, Liou Yuan’s experience with Star Evil was no less than any seasoned disciple present.

He hesitated to kill monsters like the Baby-eating Mink, yet he was quite confident in slaying the Star Evil.

With resolve, he approached Wei Miaomeng and politely stated, "Star Evil, well, this junior killed quite a few back in Yanhe City, so there’s some experience."

Wei Miaomeng cast her gaze upon Liou Yuan but shook her head, clearly determined not to let Liou Yuan and Qiu Ming go.

To discourage them, she even said, "Unless you have Mr. Liou personally talk to me, I’m sorry, but I can’t make exceptions."

Her voice had just fallen.

Liou Yuan then smiled, taking out the Thousand Mile Ear from his embrace.

Turns out he had activated it a step ahead, intending to ask Liou Zhen for help, unexpectedly Wei Miaomeng’s words all transmitted through the Thousand Mile Ear.

After a flash of white light, Liou Zhen’s soft voice came through, "Since Shoushan Tower set the standard, Liou Yuan met the standard, then let’s proceed as per the rules."

It was still Liou Zhen’s words that held sway.

Liou Yuan watched as Wei Miaomeng, upon hearing Liou Zhen’s voice, immediately showed respect.

She respectfully replied, "Since Mr. Liou has spoken, we shall follow his words."

Of course, this statement no longer transmitted, as Liou Yuan had already severed the Thousand Mile Ear’s spiritual power.

"In crucial moments, it’s the words of a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator that matters," Liou Yuan casually put away the Thousand Mile Ear, grinned at Wei Miaomeng.

"Then Miss Wei, please register for myself and Qiu Ming."

"Yes, yes, please Miss Wei." Qiu Ming also urged persistently.

Wei Miaomeng chuckled bitterly, shaking her head as she registered Liou Yuan’s and Qiu Ming’s names in the roster with her bamboo pen after Liou Zhen’s words faded.

After doing so, Liou Yuan saw her looking at him and Qiu Ming, her expression serious as she warned, "Don’t act recklessly when you go. If the situation isn’t favorable, flee. Don’t let any mishaps drag your sister into punishment."

"Don’t worry, Miss Wei." Qiu Ming was delighted by the news, response was naturally affirmative.

"The tenure for this guarding task is until the next Star Shift period. There’s about twenty days left."

"Once the guarding task is complete, each person will receive ten merit points."

Wei Miaomeng explained the details of this task to the two.

"Tomorrow at the third quarter of Mao hour, gather at Shoushan Tower, led by Mr. Zhao."

"You all have half a day to prepare."

As the saying goes, sharpening the axe won’t delay the chopping of wood. Although the crisis of the Jin Dynasty’s cities is urgent, the higher-ups of Five Extremes Mountain won’t recklessly send disciples over.

They’ve given the disciples who accepted the task half a day to prepare, allowing them to get ready comprehensively.

This approach is also aimed at reducing casualties.

Liou Yuan and Qiu Ming made no unnecessary talk, thanked Wei Miaomeng, and left Shoushan Tower together.

Considering the danger of this task, even the usually carefree Qiu Ming became cautious, saying he would go to the Artifact Refining Pavilion to borrow a defense magical artifact from his cousin to protect himself.

Liou Yuan, on the other hand, headed straight to Exotic Treasures Pavilion.

Exotic Treasures Pavilion is the channel specifically open to the disciples of Five Extremes Mountain to purchase various spiritual objects.

The items inside are dazzling, all purchasable with merit points.

The prices are absolutely fair, no need to worry about being ripped off.

The Exotic Treasures Pavilion has everything, from magical artifacts, talismans, to elixirs, with countless items.

However, because there’s too much variety, the items displayed rarely change.

So if you want to purchase the magical artifact you desire, it’s better to go to the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

Liou Yuan’s trip to Exotic Treasures Pavilion wasn’t for magical artifacts; he went to buy a storage bag.

At Five Extremes Mountain, slightly more experienced disciples all have storage bags specifically for storing items, small enough to fit in the palm, yet can hold many items, very convenient.

Of course, they’re not cheap, requiring a full ten merit points.

With the number of items in Liou Yuan’s possession growing, he couldn’t bring them all for this long journey.

It was impossible to leave them in the almost insecure cottage, as he wouldn’t know who to cry to if they were stolen.

Besides, the three books he acquired from the library couldn’t be left in the house; he could only take them with him.

So he gritted his teeth and bought a storage bag, facilitating his actions.

When Liou Yuan walked out from the dazzling Exotic Treasures Pavilion, a light green bag was already hanging at his waist.

"Ten merit points, damn it’s expensive."

Merit points were spent like flowing water; now he had eighty-eight points left.

Liou Yuan touched the storage bag at his waist, enduring the pain in his heart, and walked down the Fifth Peak with a heavy heart.

As for other things, there’s nothing else that needs preparing.

His two magical artifacts, the Profound Brilliance Sword and Yellow Jade Buddhist Beads, cover both offense and defense, no need to purchase more magical artifacts.

Returning to his residence, Qiu Ming wasn’t back yet.

Liou Yuan closed the door, took out the three books hidden under the bed, and placed them in the storage bag, finally feeling at ease.

"Although expensive, it’s certainly practical."

Liou Yuan muttered as he started searching himself, taking off several items he usually carried.

First, the Bamboo Infant Pen needed for talismanic skill, a bottle of demon blood refined into talisman ink.

Then, a black talisman that Liou Yuan had kept close, depicting an image of a tiger beast.

It was that First-Grade Medium Talisman Tiger Soul Talisman given by City Lord Xu Xiang when Liou Yuan was guarding Yanhe City.

The power of the talismanic skill is currently untold, providing significant benefits to Liou Yuan.

Similarly, the Tiger Soul Talisman cannot be underestimated.

Especially for body cultivators like Liou Yuan, the tiger beast demon soul sealed within the Tiger Soul Talisman, when empowered on his body, grants him a massive power boost.

In critical moments, it is undoubtedly a trump card to use.

"For this mission, besides the Evil Eyes, the Tiger Soul Talisman is my greatest reliance."

Liou Yuan held the Tiger Soul Talisman and gently stroked it, without storing it in the storage bag, but rather placing it in his sleeve for easy access.

He carefully counted his trump cards.

Abnormal Evil Gaze, Body Skill Treading Flowing Waves, Sword Technique of Green Tide and Pure Water Sword, Defense Magical Artifact Yellow Jade Buddhist Beads, Offensive Spiritual Sword Profound Brilliance Sword, Talisman Tiger Soul Talisman.

Enhance his strength with talismanic skill.

Lion’s Roar Spell of Small Success realm.

"With so many methods, surely this mission will be safe." Liou Yuan felt confident.

The only thing left was to wait for tomorrow.

Then Liou Yuan calmed his mind, took out a star stone, and began breathing in and out to maintain his peak condition.

Qiu Ming returned late at night, presumably having gotten something good from his cousin Qiu Can.

Upon returning, Liou Yuan’s ears twitched during cultivation, hearing his footsteps were distinctly lighter.

He didn’t ask much, just smiled lightly and continued breathing in and out spirit stones and the spiritual qi of the Evil Star in the sky.