Though puzzled, Zong Shou still managed a faint smile. He had no intention of taking anything, yet upon seeing that fleeting, subtle flicker of strangeness in Long Ruo’s eyes, his heart sank slightly. After a brief moment of thought, he walked straight over and casually picked up two medicine bottles and one jade pendant.

The four great treasuries of the Lingyun Sect—Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow—collected the world’s rare treasures. The Heaven tier was most precious, followed by Earth, then Profound.

However, nothing stored within was anything less than priceless.

And what Long Ruo produced at this moment were indeed all exceedingly rare and precious items.

He did not know if the Lingyun Sect offered these as compensation or if the matter was genuine. Regardless, if he refused them, the Lingyun Sect likely wouldn't feel at ease. At this juncture, he decided against being polite with these people. He would simply treat it as compensation for Zong Weiran and that Lingyun Crimson Token.

Zhao Yanran had recovered from her shock, and seeing this, she couldn't help but frown again. The items Zong Shou chose were decidedly unremarkable, not the genuinely most valuable among them.

Long Ruo, however, seemed extremely appreciative of Zong Shou’s knowing tact. A hint of admiring amusement surfaced on his face: “A bottle of Blood Cloud Marrow. It strengthens the skin and flesh, generating blood and tissue. Just one drop equals a common person’s year of skin refinement. Ten Heavenly Essence Pills can fortify innate Qi. Is the young lord preparing these for your servant? And this Dragon Spirit Jade Bi. It can calm the mind, strengthen Qi and blood, and stabilize the embryonic breath. This little girl beside you also practices both spiritual and martial arts. It’s a pity her spiritual master aptitude is slightly lacking. Her Sea of Qi and Sea of Soul cannot harmonize perfectly. This object is just right; it can help her break through to the Secret Martial Master realm. The young lord truly has thoughtfulness!”

As he finished speaking, Long Ruo took out another token, solemnly suspending it in the air before presenting it: “Those previous items were merely what the Ancestor promised. This is the true compensation from our Sect. A Supreme Grade Gold Token. I believe this item will certainly not bring further shame upon our Sect. Please, young lord, accept it! Whatever you request in the future, as long as it does not violate the righteous path, the entire Lingyun Sect will exhaust all efforts to assist you—”

Zong Shou glanced sideways, looking over. He saw that the red token bore not the original golden lines, but three purple lines engraved on one end. This was the highest rank of the Lingyun Crimson Token he knew of.

This time, he did not reach out to take it, but smiled and shook his head: “I will not take the token. However, Zong Shou happens to have a matter requiring assistance from your esteemed Sect. Since Mr. Long Ruo understands my intention to help this servant, you can naturally perceive his internal condition as well. Could you please lend him a hand and unlock the restrictions within his body?”

Yin Yang’s impassive face immediately showed a slight change. Zhao Yanran also looked at the man in his thirties with surprise.

Upon hearing this, Long Ruo actually hesitated, a look of bitterness crossing his features. After a long pause, he explained hesitantly: “The restriction on your servant was placed by his own lineage. It would not be difficult for Long Ruo to unravel it. However, it borders on interfering in the internal affairs of another sect; I fear it might be inappropriate—”

Before his words had fully faded, a cold sarcasm flickered in Zong Shou’s eyes. Long Ruo couldn't help but sigh wryly: “Very well! Let Long Ruo act. The Lingyun Sect will bear all consequences.”

Without any visible action, a tiny bit of red spiritual light immediately began to seep out from Yin Yang’s skin surface. He suddenly coughed violently, sinking to one knee. Until two golden threads burst forth from Yin Yang’s chest and abdomen, trailing a splash of blood.

As the blood sprayed out, Yin Yang’s expression showed no sign of fatigue. Instead, he let out a series of beast-like roars and growls in a hoarse voice, as if a fierce beast long confined had suddenly escaped its cage. Though he was consciously suppressing the sound, the roar was still saturated with ecstatic joy and unrestrained freedom.

And mere moments later, swirling air currents appeared around him. His uncontrolled Gang Qi burst outward, shredding and severing all the surrounding weeds. It seemed that just seconds after those two golden threads were extracted, he had broken through the final meridian, reaching the peak of the Nine Meridians of the Body Wheel—

Long Ruo paid no attention, his gaze deeply meaningful as he studied Zong Shou once more. After a long moment, he still shook his head: “What a pity! Not only is the young lord gifted beyond measure, but his intellect far surpasses ordinary men. It is a genuine regret that Heaven does not favor you, preventing the young lord from achieving greatness. Unlocking this man’s restriction today is a small matter. That Lingyun Crimson Token remains useful. However, regarding the incident at Danling Mountain ten days ago, our Sect wishes to keep it concealed. I ask the young lord to forgive us!”

Leaving these words, the man spoke no more. After collecting all those hundreds of rare treasures, he tossed down the Lingyun Crimson Token. Then, his figure rising, he returned to the head of the flood dragon.

He had not exchanged a single word with Zhao Yanran the entire time. Apart from a brief greeting upon arrival, he had treated the woman as if she did not exist—as air. In his speech, he showed no fear of her spreading word.

Naturally, he made no move to help Zong Shou out of his predicament.

As for Zhao Yanran, from beginning to end, her eyes were sharp as blades, fixed upon Long Ruo. As the latter departed on the flood dragon, her killing intent surged to its peak, completely undisguised.

Zong Shou watched with slight regret. Although the Seven Spirits Sect and the Lingyun Sect were contemporary major powers opposing each other, judging by today’s conduct, it was far from the future state of irreconcilable enmity between the two. They merely held mutual reservations and avoided one another.

He then inwardly mocked the Lingyun Sect: these gifts, ostensibly left by their Ancestor, were in reality meant to seal his lips.

—It wasn't about the Sword Array Heavenly Talisman, but merely about covering up a minor lapse in duty by the Lingyun Sect. Thinking about it, this behemoth was truly terrifying.

But this time, he had profited. A bottle of Blood Cloud Marrow and ten Heavenly Essence Pills could forge a new Innate Martial Master in just one month. And that Dragon Spirit Jade Bi was even rarer. Naturally, there was also this Supreme Grade Lingyun Crimson Token.

He had previously feigned indifference towards this object, but now, after Long Ruo departed, he grinned, snatching the red token into his hand.

Feeling completely justified, he mused that even if he likely wouldn't need this item himself or seek favors from the Lingyun Sect, it would be nice to sell it for a good price later.

There were only three Supreme Grade Lingyun Crimson Tokens in the entire world.

By his side, Chuxue looked up with a trace of longing at the giant flood dragon ascending into the clouds: “Is that Mr. Long Ruo also a dual spiritual and martial cultivator? To be able to command a flood dragon—I wonder just how profound his cultivation is. He seems even more formidable than the Lord Sovereign. I wonder if he has reached the Heavenly Rank and the Sun-Roaming Realm?”

“What dual cultivation? He only learned some body-refining techniques. Though his soul power is barely at the Sun-Roaming level. As the third-generation chief disciple of Lingyun, this level of skill is nothing to brag about.”

Zhao Yanran sneered coldly, but the next moment, her expression tightened slightly. She looked towards Yin Yang, observing that the middle-aged man’s aura was now fierce and violent, like a wild beast. His eyes were filled with murderous intent, savage and intense.

It was as if, should she show the slightest hostility toward Zong Shou, he would immediately pounce. Zhao Yanran narrowed her eyes, let out another soft hum, and her gaze returned to Zong Shou, a strange light flashing within: “The Ancestor of the Lingyun Sect, in his time, sought an unparalleled genius to inherit his supreme arts, which is why he established the Bright Sword and Heavenly Talisman platforms across many great dojos. The Three Hundred Forty-Three Heavenly Talisman Divine Stele and the Lesser Heaven Sword Array are renowned throughout the Central Cloud Continent. It is unexpected that you broke them today. Is it true that you broke the array in three hundred forty-three breaths and inscribed the talismans within two hours?”

Zong Shou smiled, offering no confirmation or denial. Though Long Ruo had left, he was not worried about handling this enchantress.

He had originally intended to use Long Ruo’s power to shake off this woman. He supposed the Lingyun Sect would never wish to see him become Zhao Yanran’s cauldron.

But the current situation wasn't bad either; the unknown hidden danger within his own body should be enough to make this enchantress give up on her own.

Then, Zhao Yanran suddenly drew her sword, pointing it sharply at him, her delicate face flushed with intense desire: “Draw your sword! If you can withstand a hundred strikes from me without using your innate Qi today, I will never mention the matter of the Cauldron Primeval Embryo again, and I will even offer three Embryo Refining Pills and three Snow Soul Pills. If you cannot, you will become my servant henceforth!”

PS: The Three Rivers event has concluded; my sincere thanks to everyone for your kind support. The official launch is still three weeks away; I implore everyone to continue supporting Kaihuang when the time comes. Please! C