All the 'Heavenly Talisman Seeds' floated outside the sea of soul force, arranged as neatly as the markings on a later-age clock face. Symmetrical, beginning with the character Qian and ending with Yun.

Much like the spiritual seeds of sword intent, they were continuously absorbing his soul force, nurturing themselves automatically. Even his method of Tun Yuan was struggling to keep pace with the sheer absorption rate of these spiritual seeds.

Zong Shou sighed internally, knowing that from this day forward, he harbored two new major consumers of true essence within his body.

Fortunately, having these talismans was not entirely without benefit. These talisman seeds could also refine the divine soul, their efficacy only slightly less than the Tian Jing Zhao Hun Shu (Heavenly Mirror Soul-Illuminating Art). Furthermore, they could enhance soul (soul thought), aiding him in suppressing the dual-vein constitution within his body in the future.

Immediately following this, Zong Shou’s attention was drawn once more to the 'Yun' character talisman.

Perhaps due to the shattering of that final stone tablet, among all twelve 'Heavenly Talisman Seeds,' only this 'Yun' talisman was the most immense and the most complete.

As Zong Shou’s consciousness barely brushed against it, he felt an almost irresistible urge to test its limits. He sensed he might be able to manifest the power of this Heavenly Talisman using only his own strength.

But how could that be possible? Without borrowing the power of the stone tablet for imitation, for a spiritual cultivator to draw forth a Heavenly Talisman required at least the Body Shaping Realm! That realm was the absolute pinnacle attainable by today's Spirit Masters!

※※※※

At almost the same moment, on the first flight of stone steps leading up to the base of Dan Ling Mountain, Zong Ling and Feng Xiao stood with hands behind their backs, coldly watching the Cloud-Flipping Carriage in the distance gradually recede until it vanished into the torrential rain and violent winds outside the mountain.

Feng Xiao’s brow was currently furrowed into the shape of the character 'Chuan' (). Logically, since Zong Shou had been expelled from the Ling Yun Sect, the purpose of this trip to Dan Ling Mountain had been achieved. All they needed to do now was stand by and watch the fate of the remaining three unfold with cold indifference.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, after meeting that Young Lord just now, Feng Xiao felt a strange, inexplicable unease. He had a nagging feeling that he had overlooked something crucial.

Zong Ling, standing beside him, looked even more grim, icy glints flickering deep within his blue eyes. He stood motionless for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort: "Sooner or later, I will personally carve Zong Shou into a thousand pieces to satisfy my hatred!"

He then mused thoughtfully, "Uncle Feng, I often heard my elder brother mention that you have extensive connections throughout the Eastern Cities, is that right? With your capabilities, I presume you could gather some manpower for me within half a month—"

Feng Xiao started inwardly, momentarily forgetting his previous worries, and quickly turned to him: "Young Master Ling, are you preparing to move against Zong Shou directly? That move must absolutely not be made! Though the Lord Sovereign is dead, the hearts of Qian Tian Mountain still remain loyal, and most of his trusted subordinates hold key positions. Young Master Zong currently needs time to rally the various clans. Zong Shou can die by anyone’s hand, but neither you nor I can have his blood on ours!"

Just as he was thinking that this young man was still too impulsive, letting a mere little maid throw him completely off balance, Feng Xiao saw the youth beside him shake his head and let out a wry laugh.

"Uncle Feng need not worry. Zong Ling naturally understands the gravity of the situation. I only ask Uncle Feng to bring people as a contingency, nothing more."

Pausing briefly, Zong Ling’s expression gradually hardened: "The feeling my cousin gave me this time was truly unusual. He seemed utterly unconcerned about being publicly humiliated, brushing it off as if it were nothing. The Zong Shou of the past would never have been so magnanimous. Heh! Actually, Uncle Feng need not pay it much mind; it is probably just my illusion. He is merely a cripple; how could he possibly escape the grasp of those two?"

Feng Xiao’s heart jolted; it turned out he wasn't the only one who felt that way. But after a moment of careful thought, Feng Xiao also secretly smiled, realizing he was likely being overly suspicious.

An eight-vein Secret Martial Master, a maid with some small capability, and that 'Young Lord' who gasped for breath every few steps—how much trouble could the three of them possibly stir up? No matter how the situation changed, no matter how many variables arose, the final outcome for these three was unchangeable.

With a slight sneer tinged with sarcasm, Feng Xiao’s brow relaxed: "Young Master, rest assured. Feng Xiao will exert every effort to preserve Su Chu Xue’s life. It is only that Yin Yang who is regrettable; not only does he come from a prestigious lineage, but he also holds other secrets—"

As he was speaking, a 'Sacred Cloud' descended from the sky, landing before the great mountain gate. A young Taoist priest emerged from within; it was Huang Yi, the one who had escorted Zong Shou and the other two up the mountain earlier.

Seeing the two below, Huang Yi’s gaze flickered only briefly before returning to calm, and he asked in a light tone, "Are the two of you waiting here for Martial Uncle Liang Miao Zi?"

The arrogance on Zong Ling's face immediately subsided. Feng Xiao, however, adopted a fawning expression, bowed deeply, and smiled: "Indeed! Our Young Lord has some acquaintance with Senior Liang Miao Zi, and the two of us are here under the Young Lord's orders. We have a small token gift to present to Senior Liang Miao Zi."

"A small gift?"

Huang Yi’s eyebrows lifted slightly, then he offered a silent chuckle: "Coincidentally, my Martial Uncle also had a message for you both—"

Zong Ling and Feng Xiao immediately looked up, their faces etched with astonishment and confusion. Then, the next moment, they felt a heavy slap resound next to their ears.

Without any discernible movement from the young Taoist priest before them, their right cheek felt as though it had been struck by a hammer. The immense force sent them both flying dozens of feet away. They felt a dizzying surge in their minds, and their necks nearly snapped.

Fortunately, both were Secret Martial Masters and regained consciousness almost simultaneously. Feng Xiao was filled with panic and bewilderment, unsure where things had gone wrong. Zong Ling, however, was consumed by fury; veins bulged on his face, and killing intent flared intensely.

Even the Ling Yun Sect, the foremost sect in Dong Lin Yun Continent, could not casually insult him, a direct descendant of the Heavenly Fox Clan, without reason!

Before they could utter a word, another heavy slap echoed by their ears.

This time it struck their left cheeks, the force even greater than before, sending them flying over a hundred feet to tumble into the mud, utterly disgraced. Their miserable state caused several Ling Yun Sect disciples behind Huang Yi to turn their faces away, finding it too difficult to watch.

Huang Yi remained completely unconcerned, standing on the stone steps, looking down upon the two with a cold expression: "Martial Uncle instructed me to pass on a message: what you requested has been handled, but Martial Uncle has also remembered this great insult today. From this day forward, he severs all ties with your so-called True Person Lan Ye! Ten years from now, he will personally seek you out and settle all scores!"

Huang Yi then reached out and snatched a wooden box that had fallen from Feng Xiao’s person, coldly sneering: "I will accept this gift on Martial Uncle's behalf. I grant you two five days. If you are still within the Su Dian Mountain range within five days, the Ling Yun Sect will surely take your lives. This decree comes from the foremost master of Dan Ling Mountain!"

Having finished speaking, Huang Yi acted as if nothing had happened, turning to stand behind the massive mountain gate, a smile playing on his face.

In the mud, Feng Xiao trembled uncontrollably, his eyes filled with terror. Zong Ling’s face was also pale, all anger gone, replaced only by anxious dismay.

The Ling Yun Sect had always maintained a transcendent status, never involving itself in the conflicts of the Five Continents and Ten Islands, and as such, rarely provoked anyone. Consequently, they had always presented a benevolent image to the public.

Their sudden display of hostility towards the two of them was certainly not without cause.

The fact that Liang Miao Zi regarded them as enemies was even more baffling.

Unconsciously, Feng Xiao and Zong Ling’s gazes met again. In each other's eyes, they saw confusion and shock.

What exactly had transpired on the peak of Dan Ling Mountain during the past few hours?

Why had such a sudden, drastic change occurred?