“This blood sphere is my masterpiece. Once they enter the blood sphere, they won’t be able to stay still for long,” Thousand Buddha said, flicking his black robe and stretching. “Oh dear, I’ve been so busy with this matter lately that I’m really sleepy now.”

"Then you should go and rest. I'll keep watch here." Su Li nodded.

"Alright, keep a close watch. We can release them after New Year's Eve." Qianfo lifted his foot and walked towards the cave entrance, but a dark figure appeared unexpectedly.

"Hahaha, I heard that Brother Qianfo has captured that supreme treasure of the four seas and eight wastelands," a tall figure walked in from the cave entrance.

It's Wen Long! He's involved in all sorts of bad things. As soon as Blue Cat heard the voice, his heart surged, and a sliver of blue light flashed, almost causing the petals to float out of the withered grass.

Fortunately, Wan'er suppressed it with her spiritual power, preventing it from leaping out and revealing the form of the blue cat.

"As expected of the Spirit King, your nose is so sharp! You actually came in person for this matter. I just brought them back, I really didn't expect you to know so quickly." The black robe swept the ground, and Qianfo's eyes curved, a smile faintly hanging on his dark face. "I haven't had time to invite the Spirit King yet."

"Hehe, Demon King, you're too kind. I'm just here to congratulate you, and also to see if there's anything you need help with. Given our friendship, I'll do my best to help," the Spirit King said, his smile stiff as he tried to cover up his embarrassment with a laugh.

"It's still far from certain, so it's a bit premature for you to congratulate me, King Ling. Besides, there's really nothing I can do to help you with." Qianfo turned around, flicked his sleeves, and turned his back to King Ling.

"You demon king, are you issuing an order to leave? Don't think things are set in stone. As the saying goes, what's in your mouth is what you have. Don't let your momentary smugness lead to your downfall!" The Spirit King grinned, letting out a cold laugh.

"Please, Spirit King," understanding Qianfo's meaning, Su Li "poof!" transformed into a wisp of black smoke, approaching from afar, and suddenly stood in front of the Spirit King, raising her hand in invitation.

"Oh, so you're seeing us out?" The Spirit King said expressionlessly, raising his eyes to sized up Su Li before him. He activated his internal spiritual language—"This young lady, judging from your appearance, you don't seem to be from the Demon Realm. Do you know about your origins?"

Su Li's face was cold and gloomy. She lowered her head and did not answer. Instead, she raised her wrist even higher...

It seems I guessed wrong. King Ling lowered the sharpness in his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't say anything more, just glanced at her, and turned to walk out the door.

Just as he reached the doorway, a dark cloud enveloped his body. Moments later, the cloud vanished, and the Spirit King disappeared.

It turns out that what came just now was not the Spirit King himself, but only a wisp of his consciousness.

"They're finally gone." Qianfo walked to the door and waved his sleeves at the two giant bats that were dozing on either side of the door.

With two "slap" sounds, two bats tumbled to the ground. Upon seeing the Thousand Buddhas, they were so frightened that they scrambled and crawled to the ground.

A slight smile played on Qianfo's lips as he opened his mouth to reprimand, "If you dare to slack off again, I'll kill you all. Remember, strengthen the guards. Don't let any spirits or demons come and go freely here..."

"Yes!" the two spirit beasts replied, remaining prostrate on the ground and watching the Thousand Buddha depart.

Then, exhaling black mist, he returned to the stone walls on either side...

Hmph! I need to find a place to rest too. Su Li turned around, walked down the stone steps, and disappeared into the stone cave ahead along the path by the pool.