Moreover, Wang Mu was not switching his cultivation path but... cultivating both simultaneously. This made it even more difficult.

While cultivators who practiced both righteous and demonic techniques existed in the Nine Provinces, they were extremely rare. Such individuals often behaved unrestrainedly, their actions a mix of righteous and evil. They weren't favored by either side, lacked a fixed camp, and their cultivation was prone to deviations.

Wang Mu had always practiced Righteous Cultivation Techniques; even the Great Yin-Yang Harmony Diagram was a purely righteous skill. The Great Yin Yang Joyful Map required one to cultivate at dawn, gradually progressing over days and months.

Thus, convincing himself to cultivate the Wuji Treasure Book was a significant hurdle in itself. It was a matter of his Taoist Heart. It was like asking a person who had been honest and straightforward for decades to suddenly go to Goulan to listen to music and visit prostitutes. That would definitely be impossible.

Wang Mu considered himself an honest person. Cultivating such a technique now would be a significant challenge for his Taoist Heart. If he were someone who had never cultivated before, a blank slate, then it wouldn't matter.

I can only rely on external forces...

I'm also uncertain what changes cultivating this Endless Demon Manual will bring... but having the Five Elements Mixed Yuan Immortal Infant should keep things stable.

The deeper his comprehension, the more insights he gained. The only difficulty was how to get started.

As the saying goes, the beginning is always the hardest...

Wang Mu pondered. This cultivation technique might sound amusing; it wasn't difficult to practice, but the challenge was in how to initiate himself.

[Cultivation: Wuji Treasure Book (-)]

My Taoist Heart isn't aligned, and sure enough, this technique can't be advanced using Action points either...

I'm lacking a crucial opportunity.

Cultivation requires ideas and insights. Wang Mu had reached this realm—no, perhaps much earlier—Action points were not all-powerful. The key was still something he needed to figure out for himself.

Normally, if I wanted to cultivate the Wuji Treasure Book, I'd probably need many years of experience... to break through this hurdle in my Taoist Heart and cultivate it directly...

Or... I could rely on external forces...

As he was thinking, Wang Mu suddenly recalled a cultivation technique.

The Extreme Bliss Leisurely Map...

Just as he was contemplating, the Immortal Boat experienced a slight tremor. Wang Mu opened his eyes, and before him were the mountains and rivers of the Huangtian Continent.

So soon?

Wang Mu took a deep breath.

"Sister Mu, aren't we going back to the Fengyue Sect to check in?" Wang Mu asked. "Just to let them know we're safe."

"Don't worry. Before entering the Huangtian Continent, I already sent out a Sound Transmission Talisman," Mu Hongyuan replied.

She really thought of everything, not giving me any room for delays.

Passing by the Fengyue Sect, the Immortal Boat moved towards the direction of the Sword Sect.

"That place afar is Anle Village..." Wang Mu suddenly said. "Sister Mu, consider it my hometown; could you drop me there to catch up with the locals?"

"Hometown?" Mu Hongyuan frowned slightly. "Is that where you met that Yan Fairy?"

"Now it's where I meet Sister Mu," Wang Mu replied.

"…" Mu Hongyuan.

Mu Hongyuan looked toward the distance, then exited the Immortal Boat and landed outside Anle Village.

He hadn't been back for several years, yet Anle Village hadn't changed much.

By midday, the Village chief was still lying on the big stone outside the village, a blade of wildgrass in his mouth, basking in the sun. The last time he came back, it was with Heroine Yan.

The old Village chief seemed to sense something. He lifted the straw hat covering his head, sat up, and looked at Wang Mu from afar, a kind yet oddly peculiar smile spreading across his face. "You lad, how many years has it been since you were last here?"

"Skills improved, eh? Changed companions again this year?"

"Look at these, each one as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal..."

"…" Wang Mu.

Hold your tongue!

Wang Mu and Mu Hongyuan walked over side by side. Mu Hongyuan paused upon hearing this, a gentle smile touching her lips. "Old Village chief, what do you mean he changed people again?" she asked.

The old Village chief waved his hand and said, "This lad also brought back a great beauty last time. They even shared a wooden house."

"Miss, where are you from?"

"Don't be fooled by this lad! Mu Guy, a man should be dedicated. Like me, the Village Chief, all these years, apart from Da Bai's tiger's penis..."

The old Village chief paused and coughed.

Mu Hongyuan turned slightly and glanced at Wang Mu, her eyes squinting as if she'd realized something.

"Oh..." Mu Hongyuan said, "then, old Village chief, you might be mistaken. Brother Mu is a very dedicated person..."

The words "very dedicated" seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth.

"It's just that..." Mu Hongyuan sighed. "The world is perilous, and Brother Mu is inexperienced, prone to being seduced by some dubious female cultivators. So, that great beauty you met last time must have been a cultivator who coerced him."

The old Village chief was taken aback, looking Mu Hongyuan up and down. "It seems, miss, you truly love Mu Guy, speaking so on his behalf!"

"Very well! Very well!"

"Seeing your relationship, I, the Village chief, must make a great sacrifice today!"

At this, the Village chief turned and shouted, "Aunt Hong, Mu Guy has returned! This time it's true love! Hurry and cut off Da Bai's tiger's penis to stew for them. They need to build up their strength!"

"Just leave a taste for me afterward."

"…" Wang Mu.

For that Tiger King to have survived in Anle Village for so long is quite an achievement.

"Who is Da Bai?" Mu Hongyuan asked.

"A long time ago, I subdued a fierce beast here, the White Crystal Tiger King," Wang Mu explained. "After I left, the village took care of it."

The Village chief led them into the village.

"This place... I perhaps haven't visited in a long time," Mu Hongyuan said, looking around, suddenly speaking in a low voice. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As she spoke, Mu Hongyuan had already seen the statue of Dongfang Mu in the village square.