Lu Xiaoyue was aware of the changes in the staircase and, seeing Mo Qi establishing his presence, decided to stay rather than return. The other members of the staircase, grateful for Mo Qi's life-saving grace, also chose to remain.
Subsequently, Dugu Jun, Chao Xiyun, Lu Xiaoyue, and the staircase personnel who emerged from the Otherworldly Haven began to spread the word that the Charm’s restriction could be lifted, inviting everyone to the Lingdu Sect for its removal.
Meanwhile, Mo Qi continued his solitary cultivation, still needing to digest the spiritual veins he had absorbed in the Otherworldly Haven.
Unsurprisingly, he advanced his cultivation to the seventh level of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!
It was then that he remembered Shen Xiuzhu had given him something he hadn't yet examined!
He unfurled the silk cloth to find instructions on how she intended to modify the entrance to the Otherworldly Haven and the subsequent entry procedures.
Mo Qi was stunned!
This was not a love letter, but it was more profound than one!
Mo Qi's heart felt as if it were filled with honey. He immediately put the letter away.
For several days, not a single person came to have the restriction lifted!
Mo Qi, surprised, asked Lu Xiaoyue, "Did you even spread the word?"
Lu Xiaoyue felt deeply wronged, "I did! If they don't come, what can I do?"
It seemed people still didn't believe the restriction could be lifted, lacking even the inclination to try.
Seeing Mo Qi lost in thought, Lu Xiaoyue tentatively suggested, "Perhaps we could use spirit stones to help a few people, and let them spread the word through their experiences. That way, it will get out."
Mo Qi shook his head, "No need. Go out and spread the word again, stating that we can lift the restriction, but it will cost one hundred thousand spirit stones per person."
Lu Xiaoyue was confused, "No one came when it was free, why would anyone come for one hundred thousand spirit stones?"
Mo Qi said mysteriously, "Just go and try. All the money earned will be yours."
Lu Xiaoyue's eyes lit up, "Really?"
Mo Qi patted his chest, "I, Mo Qi, the great Mo, stand tall and upright..."
Lu Xiaoyue rolled her eyes and left!
The next morning, before Mo Qi was even awake, he was startled by a frantic knocking on his door.
Mo Qi opened the door in a fit of rage, only to be met by Lu Xiaoyue's beaming smile, "So many people, so many have come."
Mo Qi looked down and saw a long queue stretching from the foot of the mountain to the peak, all waiting to have their restrictions lifted.
Mo Qi glanced at her, "So many people have come, what are you so happy about?"
"I'm happy that we can earn... that we can save so many people!"
"Have them form eleven queues. We'll use ten spirit stones simultaneously to speed things up," Mo Qi said.
"If we use ten spirit stones simultaneously, why would we need eleven queues?" Lu Xiaoyue asked, confused.
"The eleventh queue is for paying," Mo Qi winked at her.
"Okay, that makes sense." Lu Xiaoyue suddenly understood and rushed off.
At over thirty years old, she was still like a young girl!
Perhaps in a few thousand years, she would still look this way!
Mo Qi stared blankly, "My maiden heart is blooming again!"
For the next few days, the Lingdu Sect was crowded and bustling with activity!
General Duan and General Feng also returned. Mo Qi lifted their restrictions, and both were deeply grateful. They mentioned that the Earth Emperor had agreed to cooperate in dealing with the Charms and hoped Mo Qi would sell them an antidote spirit stone, regardless of the price.
Mo Qi shook his head, "I don't want a single cent. I have only one condition: that your Earth Emperor establish a life contract with me."
General Duan and General Feng fell silent simultaneously!
They worried that the Earth Emperor would not agree, and if he refused, the entire Earthling race would be sacrificed!
They tried to persuade Mo Qi to change his terms, but Mo Qi remained steadfast.
For him, it wasn't about the life contract with the Earth Emperor, but for the safety of the entire human race, he felt it was necessary to have some leverage over the Earth Emperor. Otherwise, once they removed the restrictions, they would be like ancient dragons emerging from the sea, potentially dominating humanity once again.
Finally, General Duan and General Feng left with sighs.
Such a significant movement could not escape the notice of the Charms. In a secret location, many people with blackened bodies gathered, each with a worried expression and deep in thought.
A person seated at the head of the table displayed anger, "What is the meaning of this? How could you allow such a person to be so brazen right under my nose?"
Those below bowed their heads, not daring to look up.
Yao Mei chuckled, "I heard that Xie Mei went to find him last time. For some reason, he let him go. Could it be that his particular indulgence was triggered again?"
A burst of laughter erupted from the surroundings.
Bai Mei, seated above, slammed the chair forcefully, silencing the crowd and restoring order.
"Xie Mei, tell me, what exactly happened?" Bai Mei stared at Xie Mei.
Xie Mei's old face flushed slightly, "I could have dealt with him, but then Yu Bao Tianzun arrived. The two of them ganged up on me. How could I fight them? It was a miracle I escaped."
Bai Mei frowned, "Are these so-called Saints interfering this early? This complicates matters. If Saints are involved, we must report to Chi."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Bai Mei continued, "However, we cannot ignore Mo Qi. Yao Mei, you handle this. You can mobilize all the humans who have already turned into Charms, and all you need is a flute!"
Yao Mei was initially reluctant, but upon hearing that he could mobilize all the transformed humans, he readily agreed.
At the Lingdu Sect, a few days later, the Earth Emperor still arrived!
General Feng and General Duan found it unbelievable, but this was within Mo Qi's expectations.
Because if the Earth Emperor was not controlled by Mo Qi, he would be controlled by the Charms. Mo Qi exerted psychological pressure, while the Charms exerted soul pressure. Once they exerted their power, they could make you lose yourself.
Establishing a soul contract was not about controlling the soul, but threatening it. If you disobeyed, you would die. However, for those who were not afraid of death, this would not scare them. At most, they would explode and be reborn eighteen years later.
The Earth Emperor was dressed luxuriously, complete with a yellow robe, a golden crown, and a python belt. These accoutrements, adorning his frail body, gave him an almost ethereal aura.
After a few moments of stunned silence, Mo Qi established a soul contract with him and then proceeded to remove his restriction.
The Earth Emperor, observing Mo Qi's demeanor, felt that he was truly an exceptional individual, and being controlled by him was not a humiliation.
Therefore, after dismissing his attendants, the Earth Emperor said to Mo Qi, "Are you interested in competing for dominion over the world with me? I know you have good relations with the Asura Realm. If our three factions unite, we can ascend to the Heavenly Court and unify the Three Realms. Beyond the Three Realms lie even vaster worlds. Then, our Earthlings and the Asura race will assist you, and together we shall traverse the entire universe."
Mo Qi couldn't help but scrutinize the Earth Emperor again. Despite his small stature, his ambitions were considerable.
The Earth Emperor, feeling scrutinized, lowered his head.
Mo Qi slowly replied, "The Three Realms are in turmoil, and the common people suffer. If my assistance is needed then, I will not falter. However, if you want me to instigate conflict, wage war, and plunge the world into chaos, causing widespread suffering, then I cannot do that."
These words were spoken with great magnanimity and far-reaching vision, a balance of advance and retreat, earning the Earth Emperor's silent admiration.
The Earth Emperor said, "Your righteousness, sir, truly impresses me."
At this moment, Dugu Jun entered to report that someone had accepted the lifting of the restriction but refused to pay.
Mo Qi immediately flew into a rage, "What? Daring to owe me money? Drag him out and behead him!"
Dugu Jun took his orders and departed.
The Earth Emperor was dumbfounded. Where was the magnanimity he had just displayed? Where was the spirit?
Subsequently, the Earth Emperor fled in haste.
Before leaving, he informed Mo Qi that there was another faction of Earthlings who did not obey his rule, led by Prince Guo, who were currently active in the Nine God Realm and the Annan Realm. They had already gained control of these two realms.
Since they had not been in contact with the Charms, they were likely unaffected by the restrictions. However, when the Tongtian Talisman Seal fell from the sky last time, some cultivators must have been affected by the restrictions and could not cross over. They would need you or others to rescue them with spirit stones.
Mo Qi thought that many of his relatives were in the Nine God Realm, so he had to make a trip.
Thus, he began to pack his belongings, preparing to depart.
At this moment, a commotion arose outside the door.
Mo Qi walked out to see a completely black figure floating in the air, heavily made up with thick powder, dark eyeshadow, and unbound hair flowing freely. The attire was extremely seductive, but it appeared to be a man.
He was even more flamboyant than Dugu Jun!
"Who is Mo Qi?" the man shouted, "Come out quickly!"
Mo Qi raised his hand and said, "I am. May I ask who you are, friend?"
"Please call me Yao Mei," the man said, glancing at Mo Qi sideways.
So this was the Yao Mei that Xie Mei had mentioned. He was indeed quite妖 (yáo - seductive/bewitching)!
He was clearly here with ill intentions!
At this time, the main gate had been sealed, and the barrier had been activated.
There were many people inside the mountain gate who had come to have their restrictions lifted!
Unexpectedly, they encountered a Charm!
The people panicked and scattered everywhere!
"I'm not coming out. It's too tiring to come out. If you want me, come in," Mo Qi said calmly.
Yao Mei flew forward and collided with the barrier, attempting to break it open. However, the barrier suddenly emitted a brilliant light. The light screen had already deformed inwards, but it did not break.
Yao Mei was repelled and, enraged, prepared to charge the barrier again. Just then, black smoke began to rise from a corner of the barrier, shooting directly towards Yao Mei.
Yao Mei disdainfully waved his hand to brush it away. However, upon contact with the black smoke, his body also began to emit smoke, accompanied by a burnt odor, as if something were on fire.
Yao Mei was greatly alarmed. He quickly retreated, darting away and landing far off, staring at the barrier in astonishment, no longer daring to approach.
What was this?
Mo Qi smiled, "Knowing you would come, this is a surprise I prepared specifically for you."
In reality, it wasn't anything mysterious. He had simply placed four of the meteorite spirit stones at the four corners of the barrier, forming a simple formation, to see if it had any destructive effect on the Charms. To his surprise, it was indeed effective.
The news of him using meteorite spirit stones to remove people's restrictions would inevitably reach the Charms. This action fundamentally disrupted their plans, and they would certainly not stand idly by, but would come to stop him.
Since Mo Qi had anticipated their arrival, he would not sit idly by. He racked his brains and devised a method of combining formations with meteorite spirit stones, attempting to create a deterrent against them.