At the sound of that sudden, sharp friction, everyone before the main hall was instantly galvanized, their gazes locking onto the source. The closed eyelids of Nie Kong also snapped open, and soon, a towering figure appeared framed in the open doorway.

"Clan Head."

The expressions of those War Clan disciples immediately became reverent.

Zhan Yunlan, the Clan Head of the War Clan?

Nie Kong looked at the dark silhouette with some surprise. According to Zhan Tianlun, in previous times when the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" opened, it was overseen by one or two Elders. He hadn't expected the Clan Head himself to appear this time.

As Zhan Yunlan stepped out of the hall, two more figures followed, walking side-by-side. Both appeared extremely aged, surely older than Zhan Yunlan.

"Grand Elders?"

The moment the two old men appeared, gasps of surprise rose from the crowd before the Heart of War Hall. Every War Clan disciple showed astonishment.

In the next instant, three more people emerged—all sturdy men in their mid-thirties to forties. Among them was an acquaintance of Nie Kong, Zhan Tianlun. The presence of the other two strong men alongside Zhan Tianlun indicated they must also be Elders of the War Clan.

The opening of the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" was immensely important to the War Clan, but since it occurred annually, despite its significance, it was never celebrated with such grandeur. After all, the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" was situated halfway up War God Mountain, and its opening presented no expected danger, certainly requiring no gathering of so many high-level experts to preside.

Yet, today there were not only three Elders but also the Clan Head and two Grand Elders.

In the War Clan hierarchy, the "Old Ancestor" dwelling atop War God Mountain held the highest, yet most transcendent position, never interfering in sect affairs. Before him, the Clan Head held supreme authority, followed by the Grand Elders, and then the regular Elders. The War Clan had eighteen Elders, with no limit on the number of Grand Elders.

Generally, achieving the rank of a seventh-tier Black Spirit Master qualified one to contend for the position of Elder. Breaking through to the eighth tier required one to resign as Elder and focus solely on cultivation. Attaining the ninth tier granted one the status of a Grand Elder.

Of the six individuals present today, while the three Elders were seventh-tier Black Spirit Masters, the Clan Head and the two Grand Elders were all ninth-tier Black Spirit Masters.

Did the opening of a mere "War Spirit Hearing Altar" truly necessitate the attendance of three ninth-tier experts? Instantly, the War Clan disciples before the Heart of War Hall were filled with doubt and surprise. Those disciples without a direct bloodline connection felt the disparity less keenly; they didn't see it as particularly strange. After a brief shock, they instead seemed somewhat "flattered by the unexpected honor."

"Quiet."

Zhan Tianlun suddenly roared, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, deliberately lingering on Nie Kong at the very back. A strange look flickered in his eyes a moment later, clearly surprised that after cleansing the impurities clinging to his body, Nie Kong had transformed into his current state—looking like a piece of freshly carved jade, shimmering with ethereal luster.

No matter how suspicious the War Clan disciples were, they could only stifle their murmurs. The space before the Heart of War Hall immediately fell silent.

"Old rules."

Zhan Yunlan’s eyes quickly scanned everyone. He paused momentarily upon seeing Nie Kong before withdrawing his gaze. He uttered these few syllables curtly and said no more, merely gesturing toward Zhan Tianlun beside him.

Zhan Tianlun nodded, laughed heartily toward the assembly, and announced, "Little ones, line up here one by one to draw lots. After the 'War Spirit Hearing Altar' opens, ascend in order to receive your Spirit Arts. Do not be overly pleased if you draw an early number, nor anxious if you draw a late one. The Spirit Art you gain is unrelated to your sequence; it is solely dependent on your own inherent conditions."

Hearing this, the spirits of all present—War Clan disciples and outsiders alike—soared, joy evident on their faces. Even Li Xiao, who had remained composed, could no longer contain himself; excitement tinged his handsome features.

"If what Big Brother Zhan says is true, doesn't the 'War Spirit Hearing Altar' completely rule out the element of chance?" Nie Kong chuckled inwardly.

Yesterday, Zhan Tianlun and Zhan Tianyou hadn't fully explained the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" to Nie Kong, only stating that ascending the platform allowed one to acquire the Spirit Art best suited for their own cultivation. Inferring from Zhan Tianlun’s recent words, the process of acquiring Spirit Arts on the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" was less about a Black Spirit Master choosing an Art, and more about the Art selecting the Black Spirit Master.

Nie Kong wondered how the "War Spirit Hearing Altar" managed this. His curiosity about that place intensified.

Under the direction of the other two Elders, the more than one hundred participants swiftly formed a long line, War Clan disciples in the front, outside disciples following behind. Since Nie Kong was already positioned toward the rear on the right side, he naturally fell to the end of the queue.

The lot drawing began quickly, everything proceeding with orderly procedure.

One Elder checked the numbers, another registered them, and in less than a quarter of an hour, the sequence was entirely finalized. Based on the drawn number, Nie Kong was positioned exactly sixty-fifth, right in the middle of the pack.

"Move out."

Throughout the entire drawing process, Zhan Yunlan and the two Grand Elders had watched silently. Now, seeing the drawing concluded, Zhan Yunlan waved his hand expressionlessly and turned first to enter the "Heart of War Hall." The two Grand Elders followed at a measured pace.

At the prompting of Zhan Tianlun and the other two, the group moved forward.

Everyone stepped silently, though their hearts pounded with excitement. However, with the Clan Head and the two Grand Elders leading the way, few dared to whisper any further. Once inside the Heart of War Hall, the surroundings became even more hushed, the only sound echoing through the hall being the rhythmic tap of footsteps.

Among these young men and women, the one whose composure was the most unshaken was undoubtedly Nie Kong.

The War Clan, being a supreme sect of the Underworld, must certainly possess profoundly powerful Spirit Arts. While Nie Kong held interest in the War Clan’s Spirit Arts, he wasn't as desperately eager to obtain them as the disciples were.

In Nie Kong’s estimation, his "Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art," evolved from the "Spring and Autumn Life Art," was already an extraordinarily wondrous technique.

If not for the concern that War Clan experts might detect his true nature and the necessity of masking it with Underworld Arts, Nie Kong would much rather have merged the death energy of his true body with the spiritual power of his avatar to form Spirit Treasure Essence, then cultivate directly using the "Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art." That speed would surely be faster.

For the time being, until he broke through to the sixth tier, the "Underworld Path Shadow Art" from Fubo Mountain would suffice. Of course, obtaining even better Spirit Arts from the War Clan would be a wonderful bonus.

"Brother Nie Kong, I almost didn't recognize you after seeing you for such a short time." Unconsciously, Zhan Tianlun had dropped to the very rear of the procession, his eyes sweeping up and down Nie Kong, clicking his tongue in admiration.

In his decades within the War Clan, this was the first time Zhan Tianlun had witnessed someone undergo such a profound physical transformation after listening to the "Heart Drum Battle Sound." Amidst his awe, Zhan Tianlun grew even more curious about the complete "Heart Drum Battle Sound."

It was a pity that Zhan Tianlun’s first entry into the Battle Sound Hall was over twenty years ago. Not only was each person granted only one opportunity to listen to the Battle Sound, but even if he were granted another chance now, the drum sounds he heard would be no different from those twenty years prior. This fact had nothing to do with his current cultivation level.

To truly comprehend the complete "Heart Drum Battle Sound," Zhan Tianlun had no hope in this lifetime. Seeing Nie Kong’s transformation now, even he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. Nie Kong was only the second person in the history of the War Clan to reach that stage—a monumental honor.

Although this honor could not yet be made public, the day would surely come.

"I didn't intend for this either, Big Brother Zhan. Is there a simple way for me to conceal this appearance?" Nie Kong asked with a wry smile.

"What’s there to conceal? Others can only wish for the look you have now!" Zhan Tianlun chuckled, "Don't worry about that, Brother Nie Kong. Did you experience any abnormal occurrences last night?" His tone grew serious as he asked the latter part.

"Abnormalities? What sort of abnormality?" Nie Kong questioned, surprised.

"You truly felt nothing?" Zhan Tianlun fixed his gaze on Nie Kong's eyes.

"Nothing at all. Did something happen?" Nie Kong was even more astonished. He had slept soundly in his courtyard in 'Ring Moon City' until morning, noticing no unusual situation. Yet, judging by Zhan Tianlun’s demeanor, something seemed to have transpired last night.

"Something did happen."

Judging by Nie Kong's expression, Zhan Tianlun knew he wasn't lying. He lowered his voice with a bitter smile, "Shortly after nightfall yesterday, the Clan Head and the Grand Elders detected a ninth-tier Black Spirit Master probing the vicinity of War God Mountain. However, that person’s spiritual sense appeared for too brief a moment and vanished too eerily. The Clan Head and the others searched for hundreds of miles around last night but found no trace of that person. Based on the Clan Head’s judgment, that ninth-tier Black Spirit Master was very likely targeting you, Brother Nie Kong."

"Targeting me?"

Nie Kong suppressed his voice, but his heart gave a jolt. Shortly after nightfall yesterday, while bathing, he had unintentionally slipped into that state of "fusing with heaven and earth," and his spiritual sense instantaneously encompassed the entirety of War God Mountain... Could it be that what the War Clan Head and the Grand Elders had detected was the thread of spiritual sense he had momentarily released?

The more he mulled it over, the more certain Nie Kong became of his judgment.

Heavenly Spirit Masters were almost equivalent to the ninth-tier Black Spirit Masters of the Underworld. He hadn't realized that his unintentional epiphany had caused such a stir on War God Mountain.

Nie Kong felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, yet inwardly he felt a surge of relief. Fortunately, that state of "fusing with heaven and earth" had vanished quickly, and subsequent attempts had failed; otherwise, he would certainly have been discovered by the War Clan experts last night, potentially exposing his identity.

Seeing Nie Kong's expression change drastically, Zhan Tianlun tried to comfort him: "Brother Nie Kong, don't worry too much. As long as you are on War God Mountain, let alone one ninth-tier Black Spirit Master, even ten of them couldn't harm you in the slightest. It's just that this person’s methods for concealing their movements are exceptionally cunning. The Clan Head asked me to remind you to be more vigilant from now on. If you notice any unfamiliar people approaching you, you must inform me immediately."

"I understand."

Nie Kong nodded heavily. He certainly needed to be more cautious in the future; situations that could easily expose his identity, like last night's, must never recur.

As they spoke, the procession passed through the hundred-meter expanse of the "Heart of War Hall"...

…… …… ……A