I immediately wrote a letter upon returning to my quarters, dispatching it back to Dragon Shadow Manor, briefly outlining the progress of events and the cooperation proposal put forth by the Cloud family elders. As for what came next, nothing could be decided until Lu Tong had recovered.

Since Luo Yan’s death, the White Tiger Alliance branches stationed across the lands had faced relentless suppression from various factions, large and small, across the Demon Dragon Continent. However, the newly appointed Alliance Leader, Luo Zheng, instantly implemented brutal, bloody measures, causing a wave of carnage within days. Except for the two formidable powers of the Azure Dragon Gang and the Black Tortoise Alliance, the smaller gangs once again tasted the former ferocity of the White Tiger Alliance.

Perhaps as an outlet for their accumulated frustration and resentment, the entire White Tiger Alliance went berserk. Any group that had previously been at odds with them was immediately swarmed, resulting in a fight to the death. They were like a rampaging, maddened tiger.

As the saying goes: the stubborn fear the reckless, and the reckless fear those with nothing left to lose. At this moment, everyone in the White Tiger Alliance seemed utterly fearless. Even the Azure Dragon Gang and the Black Tortoise Alliance were reluctant to engage in a costly, drawn-out fight with them, as they needed to conserve their strength for the upcoming struggle for the Crimson Blood Demon Sword. The instinctive pulling back by the two major gangs only served to inflate the White Tiger Alliance’s arrogance.

For a time, small factions everywhere on the continent lived in constant fear. The White Tiger Alliance remained the imposing, inviolable tiger it once was.

More than twenty days later, Lu Tong’s condition improved; his consciousness had returned, though his state remained unstable. Yet, even this brought immense joy to me, to Lu Tong, and to everyone in the Cloud family. Of course, only a select few knew this news.

To further stabilize Lu Tong’s condition, the High Priestess Hong Lian specifically arranged for Lu Zhao and me to stay by his side. This perfectly suited my desires. Lu Tong was already vastly different from the living corpse I had seen at Tiger Fortress.

Seeing me enter, a gentle, affectionate smile touched his lips. “I’ve already discussed everything with Ah Zhao,” Lu Tong said. “I truly owe you this time.”

“Ah, Uncle, are you alright now?” Seeing that Lu Tong seemed completely fine, I was overcome with pleasant surprise.

“More or less,” Lu Tong replied. “Actually, I regained consciousness two days ago, but I didn't want anyone to know.”

“Is that so?” I exclaimed happily. “That puts my mind at ease.”

“It’s too soon to celebrate,” Lu Tong sighed deeply. “You and Ah Zhao were far too reckless.”

“Uncle, I…” I knew exactly what he meant. Given his character, Lu Tong cared little for his own life, yet Lu Zhao and I had risked escalating the situation dramatically, making the matter of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword public knowledge in order to save him. Now, it was impossible to turn back, making his long sigh understandable.

“I’m not trying to blame you,” Lu Tong stroked my head and chuckled softly. “Perhaps it was fate. Since things have reached this point, I have no choice but to reveal the secret to the world.”

“Uncle, do you remember Yun Shang, the wielder of the Blade of Prayer?” Recalling the plan of the Cloud family elders, I quickly inquired.

“Yun Shang?” Lu Tong murmured. “Of course, I remember. She was the bravest warrior personally chosen by my father. It’s just a pity she was also no match for the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.” Lu Tong’s expression turned sad and reminiscent.

“Actually, the current Cloud family consists of Yun Shang’s kin…” I quickly relayed everything the Cloud elders had told me to Lu Tong.

“Ah, what a coincidence!” Lu Tong was delighted and agitated upon hearing this. “Are they truly Yun Shang’s descendants?”

“Yes,” I continued. “They have also been searching far and wide for a way to destroy the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, and they have already found the Blade of Prayer. If they can also find the Blade of Destiny, the two divine weapons can be merged, creating a weapon powerful enough to rival the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.”

“Hahaha, excellent! I thought of this method long ago,” Lu Tong said, his excitement building. “But the Blade of Prayer has always been lost. I never imagined they would find it! If we also have the Blade of Destiny, we are sure to succeed!”

“But, Uncle, I worry we might not have that much time,” I expressed my concern. “Your condition cannot be hidden for much longer, and outside, down the mountain, there are countless martial travelers waiting for you to announce the secret of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.”

“Yes, if we delay too long, I fear it will cause an uproar,” Lu Zhao added.

“Don’t worry,” Lu Tong reassured us. “Even if I reveal the location of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, they still won’t be able to obtain it, at least not in the short term.” Lu Tong sighed reflectively. “The reason I refused to speak when the White Tiger Alliance interrogated me was simply that I didn't want the White Tiger Alliance to possess this secret alone.”

“Uncle, what exactly is going on?” I asked, astonished.

“The Crimson Blood Demon Sword is located in the Sanctuary Space on the tenth level of the Illusionary World,” Lu Tong stated. He murmured, his face etched with memory, “I was only ten when Yun Shang dueled with Kaga…” He continued, “My elder brother told me about this later! Actually, Yun Shang wasn't the only one who dueled Kaga! There was another warrior: the wielder of the Blade of Destiny, the most outstanding martial artist of our Artisan Sect, and Ah Zhao’s grandfather! Lu Yu.”

“What? My grandfather?” Lu Zhao exclaimed in shock.

“Indeed!” Lu Tong confirmed. “Your grandfather was the pride of the Lu lineage. Without him, the Crimson Blood Demon Sword would not have remained absent from the continent for so long.”

“What happened?” Lu Zhao asked urgently. “Since Yun Shang and Lu Yu knew they couldn't defeat the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, they devised a plan: Yun Shang would challenge Kaga to a duel, with the agreed-upon location being the Sanctuary Space on the tenth level of the Illusionary World. Kaga accepted the challenge and arrived in the Sanctuary Space. Yun Shang and Kaga began their decisive battle, while Lu Yu launched a surprise attack from the side. Kaga, however, saw through it. The situation turned into a chaotic brawl between Yun Shang, Lu Yu, and Kaga. But even then, if the two were still no match for Kaga, Lu Yu would fight to the death to hold Kaga back, allowing Yun Shang to escape the Sanctuary Space and seal the Dragon-Severing Stone—the passage to the outside world—behind her. This way, even if they couldn't win against Kaga, Kaga also couldn't leave the Sanctuary Space, effectively trapping the Crimson Blood Demon Sword there forever.”

“Ah! Such a thing happened,” Lu Zhao whispered, “Grandfather.”

“What happened next?” I quickly asked.

“Nobody knows the exact details,” Lu Tong said grimly. “But since Kaga entered the Illusionary World for that duel, there has been no further news about the Crimson Blood Demon Sword. The plan must have succeeded, but the fates of Yun Shang and Lu Yu remain unknown. However, the fact that the Cloud descendants found the Blade of Prayer suggests that Yun Shang was the one who sealed the entrance to the Sanctuary Space by dropping the Dragon-Severing Stone.”

“I never imagined the sequence of events was so convoluted and bizarre,” I mused.

“Grandfather,” Lu Zhao murmured. “No wonder he often spoke of his grandfather when I was young. It turns out he was such a magnificent hero.”

“Yes,” Lu Tong sighed. “For so many years, Jian Li, Gao Huanbi, and I have been investigating paths within the Illusionary World, precisely so we could reach the Sanctuary Space, recover your grandfather’s remains, and finally destroy the Crimson Blood Demon Sword completely. As long as that sword exists, it will eventually reappear on the continent.”

“The Crimson Blood Demon Sword must be utterly annihilated,” Lu Zhao vowed. “Otherwise, grandfather’s sacrifice will have been in vain.”

“Indeed,” Lu Tong agreed. “Since the Cloud family has now found the Blade of Prayer, the rest is manageable. Perhaps only the Blade of Prayer today can destroy the Dragon-Severing Stone of the Sanctuary Space and grant us entry. Two years ago, Dragon Shadow Manor discovered the entrance to the fifth level of the Illusionary World, but the matter of the Sand City Treasure caused delays. My Lu Sect disciples, following intelligence provided by Jian Li, also found the entrance to the sixth level, but we were forced to retreat because the monsters there were too powerful. We never expected to be ambushed by the White Tiger Alliance.”

“So, Sect Master, you’ve been investigating the Illusionary World all these years just to find a path to the Sanctuary Space,” Lu Zhao realized with sudden clarity.

“That’s right,” Lu Tong confirmed. “Back then, Yun Shang, Lu Yu, and Kaga could move freely in and out of the Sanctuary Space thanks to their divine weapons. But for ordinary people like us, taking even one step further into the Illusionary World demands a devastating price. The monsters inside are no joke.” At this point, Lu Tong unconsciously glanced at me. “The Illusionary World is far more terrifying than the Yellow Springs World. Every level is guarded by terrifying demons comparable in strength to the Yellow Springs Cult Master. To pass through safely, one can only try to bypass them, but the chance of success is minuscule. The Three Great Manors and my Lu Sect disciples have paid countless prices over the decades to find routes that allow us to evade these demons and quietly reach the next level. But from the seventh level onward, it is beyond what we know.”

“I see now,” I realized.

“By revealing the secret this time, I can conveniently utilize the strength of the world’s heroes to eliminate the demons blocking our path,” Lu Tong remarked thoughtfully.

“Does this mean it won’t matter even if Master Jian Li can’t arrive in time?” I calculated, considering how much time clearing those monsters alone would consume.

“Precisely,” Lu Tong confirmed. “I plan to announce the secret tomorrow, but even if they reach the tenth level of the Illusionary World then, splitting the Dragon-Severing Stone won't be easy.”

“Uncle is quite wicked,” I joked with a sly grin. “Perhaps they will have wasted their efforts.”

“You are too naive. While the Dragon-Severing Stone is indeed indestructible, once this secret is known to everyone in the world, someone will eventually figure out a way to destroy it. It’s only a matter of time.”

“There is no wall that cannot be breached,” Lu Zhao stated firmly. “Human greed and desire will eventually carve a hole through even a mountain to reach their goal.”

“…” I was somewhat stunned by Lu Zhao’s profound understanding of human nature.

“Whether this turns out to be a blessing or a curse is no longer within our control,” Lu Tong concluded. “You must confer with the Cloud family elders and have them prepare.”

“Understood!”

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

June weather, the morning sun ascending!

In Qianfeng Town, fifty miles southeast of Demon Dragon City, nestled at the foot of Thousand Peaks Mountain, countless martial travelers were gathered. The once peaceful small mountain village had lost its tranquility. Martial travelers were not uncommon on the continent, and the villagers were used to seeing them, but the sudden influx of so many was beyond anything the villagers could have imagined.

Clad in armor, armed with blades, and radiating killing intent, the owner of the town’s only Tongyun Inn and his waiter were terrified but forced themselves to step forward and attend to the guests, fearing that a single misstep might invite disaster.

To accommodate this horde of menacing figures, the innkeeper had to borrow numerous tables and chairs from other villagers, but even this seemed woefully inadequate. How could one small inn possibly house an army of nearly a hundred thousand martial travelers?

Fortunately, these travelers carried spatial bags containing essential daily necessities—food, shelter, clothing, and supplies. This spared the innkeeper and the waiter much trouble. Those fortunate enough to secure lodging inside the inn were generally the prominent figures, and the inn barely managed to cater to them.

It was clear these travelers hailed from all corners of the world. Most were native to the Demon Dragon Continent, but many others came from different continents. With his vast experience, the innkeeper could surmise that a major event was about to unfold at Thousand Peaks Mountain; otherwise, such a concentration of martial travelers would never have gathered here.

They moved in organized groups, often bearing their own banners. Among them were the continentally renowned Azure Dragon Gang, White Tiger Alliance, and Black Tortoise Alliance, along with countless other small and medium-sized factions. These people clustered together, frequently whispering among themselves, while the more impatient ones paced restlessly, occasionally gazing toward the single path leading up Thousand Peaks Mountain, as if awaiting something.

Yes! These martial travelers were all waiting for news—news that was either shocking or exhilarating. The Crimson Blood Demon Sword had resurfaced on the continent, and the sole individual privy to this secret, Lu Tong, was soon to arrive and announce it publicly.

Some were excited and eager; others shook their heads in sorrow, knowing this portended another imminent wave of bloodshed and chaos. No one could predict if it would bring fortune or disaster.

For the ambitious, the Crimson Blood Demon Sword represented unrivaled power. Yet, its bizarre and cruel bloodthirsty nature did nothing to suppress their fear of it; instead, it stirred the deepest human desires for subjugation and control. Indeed, the original master of the sword, the Crimson Blood Demon Lord, had used its power to dominate everywhere, and though he eventually perished, he left behind a fearsome reputation that made people tremble to even speak his name.

Every subsequent wielder of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword had been a figure of dread: from Yuan Zai to Blue Demon, from Blue Demon to Chi Yuan, and from Chi Yuan to Kaga—each had unleashed storms of slaughter across the continent, terrifying all who witnessed it.

This was the power the Crimson Blood Demon Sword granted them. Even if they ultimately met their end, how many cared? Licking the blood off their blades, the martial traveler world was never short of daring, life-risking desperadoes.

Moreover, many held onto a sliver of hope—that perhaps they were the true destined master of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword. They believed its demonic nature could be tamed, and once subdued, its power would be theirs to command.

Such notions were not without basis, circulating widely across the continent.

Naturally, there were also those filled with apprehension and pessimism, mostly older martial travelers who had witnessed the terror of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword firsthand. Some held ambitions similar to Lu Tong’s: to destroy it.

Even more, however, were simply there to witness the spectacle, especially the younger generation. They hoped to seize this opportunity to see great figures who usually only appeared in legends—like the old monsters of the White Tiger Alliance, the Gang Leader of the Azure Dragon Gang, the Alliance Leader of the Black Tortoise Alliance, or the 'Lightning Sky Demon,' hailed as the strongest young warrior across the three continents. For them, the legend of the Crimson Blood Demon Sword felt distant, and even if they saw it, it wouldn't necessarily be theirs. Seeing it once for experience was good; not seeing it was no great loss.

Watching the curious and excited young travelers outside the inn, Luo Xiao felt truly old. He recalled when he and his elder brother, Luo Yan, roamed the continent, earning great merits for the White Tiger Alliance and the Luo family of Su City—they were the same age then. Those days of unrestrained power and settling scores seemed like a dream now. In the blink of an eye, eighty years had passed. How many eighties did a person have in a lifetime?

Lost in thought, Luo Xiao recalled all the battles Luo Yan had fought, and the final life-or-death duel between Luo Yan and Bing He. His elder brother, who had struggled his whole life, ended up disgraced, his formidable reputation as the White Tiger Luo Yan ultimately ruined by a newcomer.

An irrepressible surge of anger, humiliation, and unwillingness flooded his heart. This time, they would not only seize the Crimson Blood Demon Sword, but they would also avenge his elder brother and the young disciples of the Luo family killed by Bing He. Subconsciously, he glanced at the brothers beside him and the dozen disciples from the younger generation of the family. Luo Xiao’s previously tense face broke into a calm smile.

The White Tiger Alliance was absolutely determined this time and had made thorough arrangements. More importantly, the White Tiger Alliance now held the trump card for guaranteed victory.

Opposite Luo Xiao, at another table, sat their sworn rivals, the Azure Dragon Gang. The old veterans of the Azure Dragon Gang glared at Luo Xiao with shifting expressions, occasionally punctuated by sneering remarks. Their conversation inevitably centered on how useless and incompetent the late White Tiger Luo Yan had been, and how Luo Meng of the Luo family was publicly castrated. When they got into the swing of it, they couldn't help but erupt in loud, unrestrained laughter.

I must remain calm. I cannot allow internal chaos now. Luo Xiao forcefully suppressed the fury boiling within him. No one knew better than he how difficult these old Azure Dragon Gang members were to deal with. Even after the previous Azure Dragon leader died, the Azure Dragon Gang remained the strongest faction on the Demon Dragon Continent, entirely thanks to these veterans. Perhaps in one-on-one combat, no one on the Demon Dragon Continent could match the successive leaders of the White Tiger Alliance, but when it came to group battles and coordinated attacks, the Azure Dragon faction excelled. The Azure Dragon Illusionary Formation practiced by those old fellows opposite them was their strongest power, rivaling the Thunder Formation of the Vermilion Bird Alliance of Cangyue. If they truly let things escalate into a fight right now, the White Tiger Alliance would certainly not gain the upper hand.

Of course, the old Azure Dragon fellows were only gaining ground verbally; if they actually came to blows, they too would hesitate. While the Azure Dragon Illusionary Formation might equal the combined strength of the White Tiger Alliance's veterans, the cost to the Azure Dragon Gang would be devastating.

This situation would only benefit those old monsters in the corner. Thinking of the elders, Luo Xiao looked towards the Black Tortoise Alliance veterans huddled near the window. If the Black Tortoise Alliance didn't exist, the Azure Dragon Gang and the White Tiger Alliance would have already clashed fiercely. The only reason they endured this mockery was to prevent those old fellows from profiting from their conflict.

Ancient legend told of the Black Tortoise divine beast—a terrifying creature combining tortoise and serpent, inherently tenacious yet possessing sly cunning. In terms of conspiracy and deceit, even all the veterans of the Azure Dragon Gang and the White Tiger Alliance combined were no match for them.

The Black Tortoise Alliance was nominally the third-largest faction on the Demon Dragon Continent. However, neither the Azure Dragon Gang nor the White Tiger Alliance took this ranking seriously. To them, the Black Tortoise Alliance was the truly terrifying opponent.

Just like the legendary divine beast, the strength of the Black Tortoise Alliance was inscrutable and bottomless. No one knew how powerful they truly were, not even the Azure Dragon Gang or the White Tiger Alliance, because they had never engaged in a direct conflict with them. It wasn't for lack of desire, but for lack of courage.

Five hundred years ago, the Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger factions, for reasons unknown, attempted to absorb the Black Tortoise. In the ensuing duel among the top experts of that generation, the Vermilion Bird's Phoenix Soaring Ten Thousand Miles, the Azure Dragon's Dragon Dance Clouds Soaring, and the White Tiger's Tiger Roar Sky High combined forces could only manage to fight the Black Tortoise’s Tortoise Submerging, Serpent Gliding to a stalemate. In that single battle, the strongest members of the four great families all died; not a single one survived. This illustrated the terrifying power of the Nalan family’s ultimate technique—to engage three opponents simultaneously and still result in mutual destruction.

Possessing the terrifying defensive power of a giant tortoise and the sinister, cruel, bloodthirsty, and strange attack techniques of a great serpent, the Nalan family's ultimate technique, Turtle Submergence, Serpent’s Glide (Gui Qian She You), has always been the most mysterious killing move among the Four Great Techniques. No one has ever seen it, for those who have seen it have already departed for another world.

At this moment, the few ancient powerhouses of the Nalan family sensed something, instinctively glancing toward Luo Xiao before subconsciously raising their wine goblets in a silent salute. For centuries, the Nalan family seemed to favor a low-profile, neutral approach, giving the impression of being harmless, neither hot nor cold, much like an old tortoise. Yet, both Luo Xiao and the elders of the Azure Dragon Gang understood clearly that the Vermilion Dragon Alliance presented itself to the world as a slow-moving, ten-thousand-year-old tortoise, but what lay hidden in the shadows was a venomous, vicious serpent. Whether it was the Azure Dragon or the White Tiger, should even the slightest flaw be revealed, they would never escape that serpent's fatal strike. This is precisely why the Azure Dragon Gang and the White Tiger Alliance, despite their intense desire to tear each other to shreds, never dared to unleash a full-scale battle. Even their skirmishes were often limited to minor scuffles among the younger generations, never involving elder figures like Luo Xiao—all to retain sufficient strength to keep the Black Tortoise in check.

Balance is the supreme way! For five hundred years, the Demon Dragon Continent seemed to have grown accustomed to the tripartite dominance of the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise.

But how long could such an equilibrium truly be maintained?