"The Ancestral Hall? That does indeed stir some interest. However, I, Zong Shou, simply don't possess the audacity for such a thing. Having already been branded a failure today, there's no absolute need to pledge allegiance to the Yun Ling Sect. Besides, you all look down on my dual-meridian physique, don't you?"

With those words, Zong Shou abruptly leaped down from the Tian Fu Platform and walked directly toward the entrance of the Dao Palace.

Lin Fei, standing behind, opened his mouth as if to plead for him to stay, but it ultimately dissolved into a sigh, and he remained silent. Meanwhile, Liang Miauzi, who had stood before the grand hall the entire time, watched as drops of blood fell from his clenched fists.

Yin Yang hesitated for a moment, a struggle flickering across his face. But after only a beat, his expression hardened with resolve, and he strode out with Chu Xue to catch up to Zong Shou.

Having just pushed through the crowd, Zong Shou suddenly recalled something and turned back, asking, "That Ling Yun Sect token—Uncle Yin, why are you still holding onto it? What good is such a useless thing? Can you eat it?"

Yin Yang blinked, then let out a soft laugh. He casually tossed the Ling Yun Sect token he held aside.

With a sharp clatter, hundreds of Ling Yun Sect disciples throughout the training ground flushed crimson, feeling both irritated and deeply ashamed.

The token lying on the ground was tantamount to a heavy slap across their faces!

The ten-thousand-year reputation of the Ling Yun Sect, its very rules, all seemed to be violently trampled underfoot in that moment.

On the Talent Platform, Lin Fei's demeanor grew increasingly defeated and crestfallen, while Liang Miauzi felt a sharp pain in his chest and a metallic taste rising in his throat, his mouth filling with the flavor of rust.

Zong Shou, however, let out a loud burst of laughter and continued walking out. Just as he reached the main gate, he saw a figure suddenly block his path. Tall and thin, with a youthful face, slightly dark skin, and an inherently sunny disposition that unconsciously invited goodwill. Only his eyes, at this moment, were fierce and barbaric, like those of a wild beast.

An overwhelmingly powerful aura crashed toward Zong Shou, shaking his spirit. It was as if he faced a vividly patterned great leopard, reeking of blood and ready to devour him, rather than a boy of his own age, perhaps only thirteen.

Yin Yang's eyes instantly shifted slightly. He hastened his steps, rushing forward to stand in front of Zong Shou.

At that moment, Zong Shou narrowed his eyes slightly.

"So, it's this person—"

Memories buried deep in his mind instantly sprang to life. Yan Feibai, entering the Ling Yun Sect at thirteen, achieving the rank of Heaven Rank powerhouse just ten years later.

Counting the time and age, wasn't this person precisely one of the new disciples joining the Ling Yun Sect this very year?

Among this year's cohort of Ling Yun Sect disciples, who else, besides him, could grasp the 'Aura' of martial arts at such an age?

Since this person was here, the other one must be present too. His gaze swept around, and sure enough, he spotted the figure of a young woman nearby, watching with animated interest from a distance, her face flushed.

If his estimation was correct, this woman must be surnamed Ge, named Hanyun.

In the Divine Emperor Epoch, spiritual energy surged, and countless heroes burst onto the scene. Although these two would become top-tier geniuses in the future, they would not stand out too much among the vast number of powerhouses.

What made Zong Shou remember them so clearly was a fierce battle he fought against this pair of 'Pill Spirit Twin Pillars' in his previous life. And then, there were the Tian Fu and Ming Jian Platforms.

Even without him today, in just two years, this Yan Feibai would shatter the myth of the Dong Lin Yun Continent. With a single saber strike, he would breach the Lesser Heaven Sword Array within seven hundred breaths. The nearby Ge Hanyun, borrowing the 'Luo Xiao Spiritual Essence Brush,' would personally inscribe twelve Celestial Talismans on the Tian Fu Platform, likewise stunning the Yun Continent. On the same day, they would both be promoted to direct disciples of the Ling Yun Sect, becoming its pillars.

His spirit merely wavered for a moment before settling back into calm. Zong Shou’s progress did not falter for an instant; he continued to move forward. However, the placement of his foot shifted slightly. By leaning his body subtly to the side, he effortlessly dissolved the aggressive aura that felt like a fierce leopard, gliding past the young man.

Yan Feibai’s body immediately stiffened. Then came a cold snort: "What a subtle technique! Such martial talent is truly a pity. You now possess dual meridians; it is no victory for me. If, three years from now, the Young Lord manages to reach the Martial Master realm, Feibai will certainly seek you out for a true contest!"

Zong Shou was momentarily confused. The statement made no sense, and he couldn't grasp the cause and effect. If it was unfair to win now, it would be justified three years later? He then recalled the young man's fanatical dedication to martial arts, shook his head inwardly, and ignored him, walking straight out of the Dao Palace gates.

He saw that while the area on either side was lined with towering peaks shrouded in swirling clouds, the view directly ahead was vast and open. Several dozen li stretched out within his sight, an expansive view that felt uplifting and refreshing.

But when Zong Shou looked down at his feet, he saw a rugged, steep mountain path winding all the way down. It was paved with jade stones, yet it was perilous, and countless wisps of mist obscured the route entirely, making the destination invisible—as if foreshadowing the path ahead of him.

After pondering for just a moment, Zong Shou burst into laughter again and began walking down the mountain.

Perhaps due to excessive physical exertion, Zong Shou’s steps were unsteady, his figure swaying. Yet, every step was undeniably firm.

No matter how difficult the road, it could eventually be traversed. If there was no path forward, then at worst, he would simply force a path open himself!

There was no reason why decades of accumulation from his past life couldn't overcome this dual-meridian affliction!

While the Ling Yun Sect was fine, his nature preferred untamed freedom—

Just as his chest swelled with heroic vigor, feeling that all obstacles in the world were simple matters, Zong Shou suddenly yelped. His feet slipped, and his whole body pitched forward involuntarily.

Looking down at the empty abyss that dropped thousands of zhang, Zong Shou helplessly covered his face, thinking, My life is over. He wondered if he was fated to die here before his grand ambitions were realized.

The next instant, however, the world spun. He was yanked violently backward.

"Young Master, stop pushing yourself so hard!"

The voice was like silver bells. When Zong Shou looked closely again, he found himself securely on Chu Xue’s back.

Unthinkable! How could he, a dignified man, be carried by a mere girl?

Zong Shou instinctively tried to struggle, but as Chu Xue’s enticing, pure fragrance entered his nostrils, he immediately changed his mind, grinning widely as he wrapped his arms firmly around the girl.

This scent was truly wonderful!

※※※※

An hour after Zong Shou and his two companions departed, the Dan Ling Dao Palace remained steeped in silence.

The entrance assessment for inner disciples was hastily concluded. All Ling Yun disciples wore somber expressions. No one immediately moved to clear away the scattered parts and stones from the two stone platforms.

The Ling Yun Vermilion Token lay untouched.

And the two highest-ranking figures present, Lin Fei and Liang Miauzi, stood motionless as statues for a long time, staring blankly.

Just then, a three-colored ray of light descended from the clouds atop the mountain peak, manifesting on the Tian Fu Platform. A middle-aged man, about forty, adorned with a ceremonial cap and flowing robes, slightly portly, stepped out from the radiance.

Looking around, the gentle smile that usually graced his face was entirely gone, replaced only by shock: "Uncle-Master Lin, did something happen? Ling Weizi only stepped out to the Spirit Nurturing Palace—did I miss something? Based on the situation, could someone have broken the Lesser Heaven Sword Array and copied the Twelve Celestial Talismans? I wonder which disciple possesses such prodigious talent?"

Lin Fei’s body stiffened, and a bitterness he couldn't articulate welled up in his mouth.