"Master anticipated correctly; it really has restored the Barbaric scenery, as if it were prepared especially for me."
"Indeed, even a True Disciple finds it hard to obtain, an Immortal Island of great use for stepping into Cavernous Mystery and Ultimate Happiness realms. It wouldn't be so easily obtained by me."
"Having been given the island and the token is merely akin to having a door opened; to truly possess it requires me to gradually tame and manage it."
Within a moment's thought, Tao Qian's gaze fell upon the youngsters he had brought along.
He had heard from Zhong Doudou that there were quite a few disciples who, dragged along by their mundane families, had entered Spirit Treasure Mountain, excluding those who came with their mortal relatives and many notable disciples who brought along useful servants.
Like the former master of this island, the talented female cultivator called "Xie Lingji."
Born into a millennial clan and then apprenticed under Yunhua Immortal, Xie's family had arranged a large number of servants to follow her.
It was precisely because of this that this Ascending Immortal Island was forged into such a state.
Unfortunately, times had changed, and the island had a new master.
Unable to bring many powerful servants, only a Taisui Baby, a Bronze Robot, a Wild Leek Demon, and a Crystal Demon Girl were brought.
It was a pitiable and meager group, and with insufficient cultivation, they couldn't even enter the Inner Island, only temporarily settling atop the cliffs of the Outer Island.
Still, the area was refreshingly simple and elegant, suitable for cloud-watching, and did not unduly grief Tao Qian, the Great Master.
The youngsters had independent and unrestrained temperaments.
Tao Qian wasn't strict with them; he waved his hand and let the girl, Zhong Doudou, take them elsewhere to play while he, wielding the Ascending Immortal Token, had already made an early exploration—the several palace pavilions had been attacked in many places but were still relatively intact, void of dangerous arrays or bred aliens, quite safe.
He then went straight into the main hall, seeing only emptiness inside, furnished with some jade desks, and thin curtains fluttering around, appearing colder under the vast illumination of bright pearls on the dome.
Tao Qian didn't mind and went directly to sit in the main seat. Just as he settled down, he heard the sound of surging tides. Looking out, he saw the turbulent blue waves, washing over the rocks and generating a sea of cloud mist, under a bright moon, casting its brilliance—a scene that indeed pleased his heart and matched the temperament of the former island master, Xie Lingji.
However, it was unfortunate Tao Qian was insensitive to such charm.
After briefly admiring, he withdrew his gaze and began to contemplate various thoughts in his mind.
"Due to Master's peculiarities, I ought to have been sent to a place like Qingping Island to find foothold."
"Fortunately, having obtained this island, which is of great benefit to my Dao path, I should subdue it soon rather than risk prolonged vulnerability that could breed unexpected issues."
"According to the information in the Ascending Immortal Token, this island centers around Yunhua, Flame, and Ice Pot Three Mountains, surrounded by numerous mountains, large swamps, ancient forests, plains, etc., along the way there are three Forbidden Mansions, and I don't need to measure step by step to subdue the devil beasts and aliens."
"I just need to break through the three Forbidden Mansions, using the Ascending Immortal Token as a hub, and retake control of the island's Great Prohibition Array, and then I can consider this Ascending Immortal Island subdued."
"Even if later I step into Cavernous Mystery and Ultimate Happiness, this island will still be sufficient for my use."
"Master mentioned that this island is rare; I haven't gotten the title of True Inheritor yet, and once this news spreads, surely many fellow disciples will mock me."
"If it can be subdued quickly, it should be done quickly, to avoid disgracing Master's reputation."
Settling his thoughts, Tao Qian immediately took out a gourd.
But it was not the ferocious Blood Demon Gourd given by a certain granduncle before, but an ordinary one.
The specific aspect was that Tao Qian used this gourd to hold Demons.
After taking it out and pulling the cork, he shook it slightly, and a ghostly light flashed; a gnome-like Demon rolled out, this demon being hairless, with an arm extending from each eye socket, palms featuring eyes, blinking all around.
Seeing it was Tao Qian, it immediately knelt down and pleaded with a crying voice:
"Seeking True Man Master, please spare me, let me return."
"Next time, I definitely won't covet the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Elixir. That pill is poisonous."
Ordinary people hearing this demon's plea might feel sympathy.
But having seen much, Tao Qian, in front of these scheming and naturally deceitful Outer Realm Demons, had long since become as hard-hearted as iron.
Besides, this demon, called "Invisibility Demon," was rarer than a Substitute Demon, not only knowing the Five Elements Escape Technique but also able to conceal its form and traces. If one's cultivation was not high, or had not cultivated Divine Skills to counter it, it would be completely undetectable, making it extremely suitable to be used as a scout.
It had been tough for Tao Qian to capture one, and without fully exploiting it or ordering it several more times, how could he rest.
You should know, producing the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Elixir also required costs.
Thus, Tao Qian listened to its words without being moved, glanced at it lightly, and then ordered:
"You go out of these few palaces, go deep into this Immortal Island, and tell me about many situations along the way, especially the conditions around these three Forbidden Mansions, don't miss anything."
"If you do this task well, I will acknowledge your merit, and once your merit is perfected, not only will I free you, but I will also give you some extra unadulterated Demon Pills, got it?"
This strangely shaped Invisibility Demon initially wanted to bargain.
But suddenly meeting Tao Qian's gaze, it could only show a face full of grievances on the spot and then said, "Yes, True Master, I'll go right now."
As its words fell, the demon disappeared instantly.
Tao Qian didn't bother with it and didn't practice, but continued to ponder other matters in his mind.
Having gone through the Three Calamities and hurriedly brought back to Spirit Treasure Mountain Gate, as soon as he settled down, he received a pile of gifts and immediately went to establish his Foundation.