The sheer cliffs towering over the land seemed utterly insurmountable. Yet, before Hao Xue and Fang Sheng, they amounted to nothing more than a slight inconvenience. Their movements were lightning-fast, and within moments, they had traversed the mountains and valleys.

Ever since leaving the Valley of Cries, not even Fang Sheng had suggested returning to gather more Blood Condensing Pearls; instead, he followed silently in Hao Xue’s wake.

Recalling the experiences of the past twenty-odd days after leaving the Valley of Cries, even Fang Sheng felt a chilling dread that etched itself into his very bones. If there were any alternative, he would never set foot in that place again.

Before long, they arrived at their prearranged meeting spot.

To their disappointment, however, they found no sign of Zhu Guanhuan there.

Fang Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly. “What’s going on? Has Brother Zhu not emerged yet?”

A faint sense of foreboding settled in the hearts of the two men. Yet, considering that both of them had managed to get out, it seemed impossible that Zhu Guanhuan, whose martial cultivation was comparable to theirs, could not have escaped.

Hao Xue remained silent for a moment, then flipped his wrist, producing a small vial. He uncorked it and poured out a single blood-red pearl, saying, “Brother Fang, this is yours.”

Fang Sheng’s expression instantly shifted. He hesitated, then finally reached out and carefully accepted the pearl. Afterward, he produced a jade vial of the same design and placed the Blood Condensing Pearl inside.

This vial already contained two such pearls; with the one gifted by Hao Xue, he now possessed the three needed to advance to the Venerable realm.

He tucked the jade vial into his robe and said solemnly, “Thank you.”

Hao Xue waved a hand dismissively. “We have known each other for over two hundred years. Though not blood brothers, our bond surpasses that of even sworn siblings.” He looked at the vial in his hand. “There is still one pearl here, reserved for Brother Zhu.”

Fang Sheng took a deep, steadying breath. Having secured the three pearls, knowing his advancement to the Venerable realm was assured, his entire state of mind underwent a profound transformation.

He raised his eyebrows and announced loudly, “Brother Hao, once the three of us have all ascended to the Venerable realm, we shall join forces again. Then, we will travel the world, and perhaps…” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. “…once my divine power reaches its zenith, I will challenge Jin Zhanyi once more, to see if he remains as undefeated as he was before.”

Fang Sheng’s voice was laced with deep resentment. He, too, had suffered greatly under Jin Zhanyi’s hand in the past, a memory that remained vivid.

Hao Xue naturally understood. The ‘undefeated’ realm Fang Sheng spoke of referred to the level below the Venerable realm.

For once a person broke through to become a Venerable, everything could change dramatically. Some who remained obscure below the Venerable level might suddenly soar to prominence upon breaking through. Conversely, others renowned for their power below the Venerable ranks might fade into mediocrity after ascending.

This metamorphosis, however, remained an ancient enigma; even the Sages of old were baffled, offering no conclusive explanation.

Thus, although Fang Sheng could not best Jin Zhanyi before achieving Venerable status, he was confident he could contend with him afterward.

Hao Xue mirrored the same determined expression. He gazed toward the direction of the Valley of Cries, his lips moving slightly as if murmuring something. The fighting spirit blazing in his eyes was so intense that even Fang Sheng, standing beside him, found it slightly startling.

Half an hour later, the expressions of the two men had turned grim.

Even now, Zhu Guanhuan had not appeared. Even if they were dense, they knew something terrible must have happened, and it was likely fatal.

They exchanged a look, and simultaneously, their thoughts settled on one person.

The mysterious master from the Yellow Springs Sect who had suddenly appeared.

If the Thousand-Year Cataclysm had indeed erupted, it was unlikely either of them would have escaped the Valley of Cries alive. But if the Cataclysm had not erupted, then Zhu Guanhuan’s disappearance was almost certainly linked to that individual.

Fang Sheng’s face darkened. “Brother Hao, do you think that person is an assassin from the Yellow Springs Sect?”

Hao Xue nodded slightly. “The art of concealment, the illusion technique, and the Forked Blade—if it were just one, there might be doubt. But with all three present, it’s absolutely undeniable.”

Fang Sheng pondered for a moment and slowly nodded, though the worry in his eyes showed no sign of diminishing. “If he truly is an assassin from the Yellow Springs Sect, and he specifically targeted Brother Zhu, given his strength, the chances of success within the environment of the Valley of Cries were extremely high.”

That person had even attacked him inside the Valley of Cries. If it hadn't been for his family’s peerless, light-body martial art, which allowed him to dissolve into an afterimage at the critical moment, Fang Sheng would have remained in the Valley of Cries forever.

Hao Xue frowned slightly. “Brother Fang, I have already leaked information about my family’s connection to the Yellow Springs Sect. He shouldn't have moved against Brother Zhu.”

Fang Sheng shook his head slowly. “In normal circumstances, you’d be right. But don't forget, this man knows the purpose of the Blood Condensing Pearls, and Brother Zhu was carrying two of them.”

Hao Xue’s expression flickered. “The one who died.”

Fang Sheng nodded slowly, his voice grim. “Exactly. Add that one to the two Zhu Guanhuan possessed, and he would have the three pearls needed. Under such temptation, what would he hesitate to do?”

Hao Xue’s face turned ashen. Fang Sheng’s logic was irrefutable. For a master already at the Peak Realm who was struggling with the breakthrough, suddenly learning of a way to advance to the Venerable realm—he would discard all restraint. What was the murder of one person compared to achieving his goal?

His complexion slowly turned iron-gray. If this were true, Zhu Guanhuan had been indirectly killed by him.

Fang Sheng understood his feelings perfectly. He straightened his back. “Hao Xue, this junior plans to re-enter the Valley of Cries.”

Hao Xue’s eyebrows shot up. Without a word, he strode forward resolutely.

A hint of relief touched Fang Sheng’s face. After two centuries of hard cultivation, he had seen through the intricacies of human relationships. But for any person, good or bad, life demanded at least one or two friends they could truly trust.

Such friends not only shared moments of glory but would unhesitatingly rush to aid in times of danger.

Surely, life required at least one such companion.

His body flickered as he unleashed his mysterious and uncanny movement technique, instantly surging past Hao Xue.

However, just as the two of them dashed forward perhaps a hundred feet, their vision blurred. A figure wearing a black cloth over his face, of unremarkable build and clad in black robes, had materialized before them, blocking their path.

Fang Sheng and Hao Xue stiffened internally. They exchanged a glance and said in unison, “We greet Venerable Ding.”

Although the man’s face was covered, the aura he deliberately projected remained unchanged—it was truly Venerable Ding Liyin of the Yellow Springs Sect.

Ding Liyin regarded them. “Since you have emerged from the Valley of Cries, you may not re-enter.”

The muscles in Hao Xue’s face twitched slightly. “Why?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Ding Liyin’s eyes. “Have you forgotten the prohibitions of the Valley of Cries?”

The complexions of both Hao Xue and Fang Sheng changed drastically; in their haste and agitation, they had genuinely forgotten this critical detail.

Although the Valley of Cries was an unparalleled land of fortune for cultivation, several prohibitions were universally known among the major Eastern and Western powers.

No one above the Venerable realm could enter. Below the Venerable realm, only those at the Three Flowers or Peak realms were permitted entry. Entry was only allowed when the gray mist turned black during the outbreak of war between East and West. The summit of the Valley of Cries was forbidden, and one could spend a maximum of one month inside, among others.

Crucially, there was another prohibition: one must not enter and exit the Valley of Cries frequently. Especially at this time, leaving meant forfeiting the chance to re-enter, lest the Thousand-Year Cataclysm be triggered. If that happened, everyone still inside the Valley would be utterly annihilated.

Hao Xue’s expression shifted several times. “Venerable Ding, one of our brothers has not yet returned. We beg your indulgence.”

Ding Liyin shook his head without hesitation. “If your brother has not yet been overtaken by the Yin Sha Qi, he will certainly come out. If you enter now, you risk triggering the Cataclysm, which would not only doom him but also implicate yourselves.”

Hao and Fang exchanged glances. Though the elder’s words were blunt, they were undeniably true.

Ding Liyin sighed lightly. “You both carry strong traces of Yin Sha Qi; any Venerable can immediately tell you have emerged from within. Even if I didn’t stop you now, you wouldn’t be allowed back in.” He turned his head. “Nearby, there are more than ten Venerables from the top factions of the great powers. They paid you no mind when you exited, but if you try to go back in now… heh heh… you’ll go in on a stretcher. They will absolutely not allow any possibility of you harming their future generations.”

The faces of Fang and Hao immediately grew quite grim, but they knew Ding Liyin spoke nothing but the truth.

A moment later, Hao Xue asked, “Venerable Ding, how many Forked Blade assassins from the Yellow Springs Sect are here this time, and what are their cultivation levels?”

Ding Liyin paused, initially reluctant to answer. But considering the relationship between the Old Ancestor of Yellow Springs and the Hao family, he pondered for a moment before replying, “Four in total came. All are Three Flowers realm experts.”

Fang and Hao exchanged a knowing look and immediately deduced that the person they encountered in the Valley of Cries must be one of these Forked Blade assassins who had just ascended to the Peak Realm.

Their hearts eased somewhat. If he was only newly advanced to the Peak Realm, then given Zhu Guanhuan’s strength, he should have been able to handle the situation.

Their gazes turned simultaneously toward the Valley of Cries, focusing on the dense, seemingly endless black mist, as both men silently offered their prayers…