Zong Shou gave a cold chuckle, a sharp glint flashing briefly in his eyes. What had not yet transpired was hardly something he could discuss with Yin Yang and Chu Xue.

In any case, visiting that place one more time wouldn't matter much. The only certainty was that this trip to Dan Ling Mountain, even if it held no outright danger, would certainly not be without its ripples.

He looked again toward the sky, where the goshawk could faintly be seen, still circling within the clouds, keeping pace from the high altitude. It was a pity that he currently lacked a suitable bow and arrow.

His physical strength alone was slightly insufficient. Otherwise, at this distance, a single shot would bring it down.

Within the Six God Control Blade Arts, most secret techniques could be applied to other hidden weapons, and archery was naturally included in that scope. Su Chu Xue noticed Zong Shou’s movement and also poked her head out of the window, gazing up at the clouds.

“Uncle Yin has tried every method these past few days to shoot that hawk down. But each time, it has managed to escape.

There must be another Spirit Master controlling it, and we aren't far from them now. However, this is already the Su Dian Mountain Range, so those people likely won’t dare to make a move—” Although the headquarters of the Ling Yun Sect was on Dan Ling Mountain, their sphere of influence encompassed the entire Su Dian Mountain Range, as well as the Long Ze Plains outside.

It even stretched outward to cover all the states and cities of the Eastern Lin Yun Continent. Though no members of the Ling Yun Sect were visible here, one must never doubt the sect’s control over the surrounding territories.

In the ten thousand years since the Desolate Ancient Era, countless precedents existed to serve as dire warnings. Especially now, as the mists of heaven and earth began to dissipate, and countless young talents aspiring to join the Dan Ling Mountain lineage converged at the base of the mountain, no one would risk challenging the authority of the Ling Yun Sect at this juncture.

After a faint glance at the hawk, Zong Shou paid it little mind. His attention was then drawn back to the faint red marks tracing lines across Chu Xue’s skin.

His heart stirring slightly, Zong Shou took Chu Xue’s hand and gently kissed the red marks on her arm. “Does this still hurt?” Chu Xue instantly became flustered, unsure what to do.

She pulled hard but couldn't break free. She could only shake her head, her cheeks flushed crimson, her voice barely a whisper.

“It doesn’t hurt! Young Master.

I’ve had much worse injuries before, and I was fine. Master always said Xue’er is like weeds—no matter how often you cut us down, we always grow back.

Besides, my injuries are nothing compared to what Young Master endured—” Weeds? Zong Shou paused slightly, looking at Chu Xue’s exquisitely beautiful face, and couldn't help a secret smile.

He wondered about the background of Xue’er’s master; it was rather interesting. A surge of sympathy followed.

Hearing Chu Xue’s words, he realized she must have suffered a great deal over these three years; at the very least, getting injured was a daily occurrence. And this time, if he hadn't occupied Zong Shou’s body, she might have met a terrible end three days ago.

And this cat-eared girl was only thirteen years old; the cruelty of fate matched that of the previous Zong Shou in no small measure. Sighing inwardly, a touch of tender affection rose within Zong Shou’s chest.

“I am a man, formed of mud. How can I compare myself to a girl?

From now on, if it hurts, don’t endure it silently. Oh, you are my handmaiden; no one will dare harm you again!” He kissed the red marks again, finding the skin as smooth as chilled jade, fine as finely wrought silk.

Zong Shou couldn't resist, licking it once more; the texture was exquisite. Su Chu Xue jolted as if struck by lightning.

Her True Qi erupted violently, finally allowing her to forcefully wrench her hand free. Then, like a bolt of thunder, she shot out of the carriage into the open air.

Zong Shou made no move to stop her. He sat back on the soft couch, smiling lightly.

“Xue’er, don't forget that the medicinal bath period is in two days. Have you prepared the herbs?” Outside the carriage, there was an immediate, heavy clang, like a heavy object hitting the ground.

Zong Shou could no longer contain himself and burst into loud, unrestrained laughter, feeling an unparalleled sense of release. When the laughter subsided, Zong Shou’s expression returned to stern focus as he began to assess his entire physical condition.

The situation was slightly better than he had anticipated. Although the final strike he unleashed had completely drained all his physical strength, spirit, and essence, it had also saved him from the imminent calamity of his True Qi clashing within his meridians.

It was no wonder he had woken up in less than three days. However, his current condition was still far from optimistic.

Zong Shou realized he had completely fallen into a vicious cycle. The more his cultivation advanced in the future, and the more powerful his physique became, the more intensely the conflict between his two bloodlines would escalate.

If he continued to practice martial arts, he would likely die from internal injuries before he could even break through the Body Wheel stage. Unless a force even mightier could suppress the two or mediate between them.

“So, the only path left is Spirit and Martial dual cultivation. But as for the method of becoming a Spirit Master...

it seems I must find an opportunity to forge a Sea of Consciousness—” Muttering under his breath, Zong Shou’s brow furrowed deeply. In his previous life, he had created other characters in the game to study Spirit Arts.

However, he had spent too little time on them, and his achievements were unsatisfactory. Only the studies of talismans and array formations were somewhat passable, barely reaching the level of a Grandmaster.

After all, the path of Martial Cultivation alone was vast, profound, and unfathomable, its fundamental origins impossible to fully grasp. In his past life, where would he have the mind to cultivate Spirit Arts and incantations?

But now, he had no other choice. It was a pity that the Zhou Ji Ming Shi Shu (Book of the Universe's Apex Life Decree), which he had fought to obtain back then, he hadn't even had time to peruse before he was hurled back ten thousand years.

These two Cosmic Books were among the most supreme secret manuals for Spirit Master cultivation across the myriad worlds of the Four Directions. ‘Zhou’ referred to what was ancient and modern; ‘Yu’ referred to what was up, down, left, and right.

The Yu Book recorded the Dao of Space; the Zhou Book recorded the methods of Time. Even if this long-lost wondrous book could not be truly cataloged in the Divine Emperor Game, it most likely contained the general principles and the deductions made by countless later powerhouses regarding this top-tier Spirit Art secret manual.

If he could examine it, it would be of immense help to his Spirit Art cultivation. With a sigh, Zong Shou picked up the Song-Patterned Wind Sword in his hand.

The quality of this sword was excellent; after slaying four men consecutively and enduring the corrosive impact of the Devouring Heaven Grand Primordial Method, it remained as tough as ever, its cold light sharp and piercing. Flicking the blade with his finger to confirm there were no hidden injuries within the sword body, Zong Shou suppressed the pain within him and began practicing his sword forms with simple, fluid steps.

The time for leisure had passed; now was the time for effort. Although Zong Yu was dead, the crisis was far from over.

Moreover, he had never taken that person seriously. The one who truly demanded his focus was the next Demon King, the one who would behead him and hang his corpse for months— The journey to Dan Ling Mountain would likely involve a fierce battle.

Therefore, in his view, even the slightest waste of time was intolerable. And after only a brief moment of practice this time, Zong Shou already felt a difference.

Previously, controlling this body always felt somewhat awkward, as if a thin membrane separated his spirit from the flesh. But after integrating the thirteen years of memories, this phenomenon seemed to have vanished entirely.

Practicing his sword now felt completely intuitive; both his movements and the sword in his hand were more precise than ever. The battle three days ago was the same.

If he hadn't been able to control his body with such ease, it would have been impossible to cleanly slay those few men, nor would he have been able to unleash that final strike. “Although this Zong Shou couldn't cultivate martial arts, his foundation practice is truly excellent—” Because he was unable to open his meridian wheels, the previous occupant of this body could only practice these fundamental martial skills day after day, achieving immense solidity.

Even after three years of minimal practice, picking it up again now was extremely easy. Even if some parts were flawed or unsatisfactory, they only required minor adjustments.

And Zong Shou’s path in martial arts, in both his past and present lives, valued foundation above all else. Only with a solid base can one build a tower ten thousand stories high!