The stone steps leading down the mountain had swallowed the silence again around Yin Yang. Trailing at the rear, watching Zong Shou’s retreating figure, his mind drifted into a brief haze.

This child’s innate talent was truly a once-in-a-lifetime miracle. It was a pity that his wings were clipped at birth.

Should he ever manage to cast off the shackle of his dual meridians, he would undoubtedly soar, cresting the very clouds.

Even the skies above the Cloud Realm might prove too small to contain this eagle, born to dwell in the heights.

Yet, how easy was it to resolve such a physical condition, to truly break free?

While Yin Yang was lost in contemplation, Zong Shou and Xue’er had already erupted into a quarrel. As they neared the mountain gate, Zong Shou insisted on climbing down to walk on his own. Xue’er, however, refused him with stubborn finality, her delicate arms locked tight around him from behind, unwilling to let him go.

Zong Shou struggled for a good while but couldn't break free, finally tapping Chu Xue’s head with irritable impatience: “Xue Yatou, put me down quickly. If someone sees this, how is your young master supposed to show his face?”

Up on the mountain, it was unavoidable; the Little Luo Tian Sword Formation and the twelve Celestial Talismans had drained him completely, and the mountain path was treacherous, dangerous with every step.

But descending the mountain while being carried by a girl—it was simply unacceptable.

“I won’t let go!”

Xue’er responded with a sharp, righteous snort, pouting in grievance: “Stop wriggling! It’s only a few more steps. Young Master, you’ve always been like this, loving to overexert yourself! You clearly suffered cramps over ten times just now! You’re completely exhausted now, aren’t you? But you still insist on holding on. Also, don't call me Yatou; Xue’er has grown up now!”

Zong Shou felt a spike of awkwardness. After shattering the eighteen sword puppets, he hadn't noticed it on the mountain, but as soon as they started descending, every muscle in his body began to throb with spasms. However, he refused to concede an inch verbally: “Who says I’m out of strength? Cramps are cramps; they have nothing to do with being drained. You’re only thirteen; what else are you but a Yatou? You’ve been carrying me this long; aren't you tired?”

“Not tired! Xue’er has great strength; I can walk for days without issue! Hmph, Young Master, you’re lying again. When you were struggling just now, your strength was so weak. Xue’er wasn't even trying seriously—”

Before she could finish, Zong Shou erupted in mortified anger: “You wicked girl! Your young master has the body of dual meridians; there will be many more situations like this in the future. Am I supposed to rely on you to carry me every time?”

Chu Xue tossed her head up proudly, her expression intensely serious: “Of course! If Young Master is like this for his whole life, Xue’er will carry Young Master for his whole life! Xue’er promised the Lord that in this lifetime, I will never leave Young Master’s side!”

Zong Shou, who had been both annoyed and amused, was suddenly moved. He felt the softest part of his heart being struck. The emotions surging in his chest were complex beyond measure. His gaze softened unconsciously as he focused entirely on Chu Xue.

He forgot about struggling for a moment, only coming back to himself once they had passed the mountain gate.

Just as he was about to reignite the argument, two figures appeared in the distance ahead, walking towards them.

Xue’er and Yin Yang froze instantly, and Zong Shou’s expression tightened slightly.

One of the figures was about forty, his appearance unfamiliar, never seen before. The other was only sixteen, yet felt somewhat familiar. Images of this person automatically surfaced in his memory.

—Zong Ling, the younger brother of Zong Shi, one of his paternal cousins. In Zong Shou’s memory, he had little interaction with this man. When they met, it was usually just a nod; their relationship was extremely cold. Within the Qian Tian Mountain, they had gone years without exchanging a single word.

Though he didn't know why this man was here, it was likely for ill intent towards him.

The two approaching figures also paused momentarily, looking slightly taken aback. Then their expressions relaxed. Zong Ling spoke first, his voice chilling: “Isn’t this Cousin Zong Shou? Judging by the situation, did the Ling Yun Sect expel you? I heard Uncle possesses a Ling Yun Crimson Token; did Cousin fail to use it?”

Zong Shou’s lips twitched upon hearing this. How could Zong Ling’s tone be exactly the same as the deceased Zong Yu? They were cousins, truly cast from the same mold.

Yin Yang and Chu Xue’s expressions shifted abruptly, their gazes turning sharp and cold as they fixed on the two newcomers.

The unfamiliar middle-aged man shook his head, letting out a sigh: “This is the stubbornness of those who refuse to accept fate until they reach the Underworld! Brother Yin, I told you long ago. Your trip to Dan Ling Mountain might not go as planned. You refused to believe me, and now look. If you had agreed back then, it would have been better than losing all face on Dan Ling Mountain!”

Veins were already faintly visible on Yin Yang’s neck; the muscles in his body tensed, his face turning exceedingly grim. Zong Shou’s eyes, however, lit up slightly.

He recognized the man; this was Feng Xiao, the one who spoke with Yin Yang by the bridge that day. Today’s situation was straightforward. A moment's thought revealed the reason why Ling Yun Sect's Liang Miazi had refused them entry.

Xue’er’s teeth ground together audibly: “You are despicable!”

“Despicable?”

Feng Xiao let out a derisive chuckle, a look of disdain crossing his face: “Since we are rivals, then naturally, any means necessary must be employed! The methods the Lord used back then were ten times harsher than those of our Young Master. Ultimately, wasn't it all your own choice? Furthermore, although that Elder agreed to lend us a hand, he also offered the Heir Apparent a glimmer of hope. As long as the Heir Apparent passes the assessment, even our Zong Shi Young Master cannot—”

Before the words were fully spoken, Zong Ling let out a cold laugh: “Why say so much? A good-for-nothing remains a good-for-nothing! Even holding the Ling Yun Sect Token, he is still mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall. But Cousin Zong Shou, you truly have good fortune, being carried down the mountain by Xue’er? I used to think you were incapable, but at least you had some backbone and drive. Now, you’ve truly disgraced our Zong family! Can’t you walk yourself? Get down this instant!”

Xue’er’s fists clenched tightly, her pretty cheeks flushed red, her expression furious, wishing she could land a punch that would flatten Zong Ling’s face into a pancake.

Young Master is not a failure! Breaking the Little Luo Tian Sword Formation in three hundred and forty-three breaths, drawing the twelve 'Celestial Talismans' perfectly without spiritual energy—how many people in this world can compare?

The splendor within the Dan Ling Mountain Dao Palace, the peerless grace when drawing his sword in ninety-nine breaths—no one in this world could achieve that!

Just as she was about to retort, Zong Shou chuckled softly from behind her, patting her shoulder: “My apologies, my apologies! Your little brother, this good-for-nothing, has truly caused you trouble. But Cousin should also know, Zong Shou’s body is too weak; I can only let Xue’er carry me down. Speaking of which, Xue’er is my personal maid. If I want her to carry me, she carries me; if I want to command her however I please, that is my business. What has it got to do with you, Cousin?”

Saying that, he boldly wrapped his arms around Chu Xue, his expression intimate. He had initially worried about losing face if seen, but after Zong Ling’s words, Zong Shou felt even less inclined to get down.

Zong Ling’s face instantly turned ashen green, and he cast an intensely gloomy look at Chu Xue. After a long moment, he finally took a deep breath, calming himself slightly. Then, with a self-mocking smile and an arrogant countenance, he brushed past the three of them: “I truly thought you still valued our kinship. If you were willing to relinquish the throne and obediently withdraw from the East Lin Cloud Continent yourself, my elder brother and I could spare your life! Only now do I realize how naive I was. Cousin Zong Shou, look out for yourself. I only hope that one day, you truly can return alive to Qian Tian Mountain—”

Seeing this, Feng Xiao sighed again, glancing at Yin Yang: “Brother Yin, the situation is clear now. Are you still going to follow this useless man? If you still have thoughts, I can persuade the Young Master again and give you another chance!”

Yin Yang let out a dry laugh, the corner of his lips curling up, his tone laced with inexpressible sarcasm: “The situation is clear, is it? Perhaps not yet!”