Zong Shou poked his head out the window, peering back the way they had come, a look of bewilderment on his face. During his meditation, while strengthening his soul, a sudden, powerful wave of spiritual energy had washed over him from afar, almost damaging the very source of his soul power.

Fortunately, the two fox tails behind him had acted in time, harmonizing the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth and restoring stability.

Now, looking far off to the west, he could vaguely see towering flames piercing the sky in that direction. In the deep blackness of the early morning, they were strikingly brilliant.

"With this situation, could it be that a Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor is fighting over there? And more than one, perhaps at the peak of the Heaven Rank—"

Thinking of this, Zong Shou’s brow furrowed slightly. The distance was precisely six hundred li, placing the event right near the Falling Cloud Waterfall. No wonder Lei Dong had insisted on having Yin Yang take him away.

However, he felt no real worry within his heart. Lei Dong had clearly reached the peak of the Heaven Rank. In this era where even Martial Venerables needed to hide away in Spirit Lands, a Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor was more than enough to move about unchecked.

Unless ambushed by multiple peers or confronted by a Martial Venerable, there was almost no fatal danger. Even if he couldn't win, he could always escape.

"I wonder which Heaven Rank powerhouse it is? Lei Dong’s Saber Intent is already approaching minor completion; he is only half a step away from the Martial Venerable realm. Anyone capable of fighting him to such an extent and causing such a disturbance is certainly no nobody!"

Since it concerned him not, Zong Shou shook his head, unconcerned. The Cloud Saint City lay ahead, already visible in the distance.

The East Lin Cloud Continent comprised fifty provinces and nine hundred great cities. However, it was fragmented; often, a single city could constitute a nation. Half of this was due to the often rebellious nature of martial artists who, upon gaining even slight strength, refused external governance. The other half was due to the manipulation and restraint exerted by numerous hidden, ancient sects. The largest single nation comprised barely three provinces, and even those were not under absolute control.

Cloud Saint City, located on the eastern side of the continent, possessed considerable influence. Though backed by the Sudian Mountain Range, the city itself sat on a vast plain boasting millions of mu of fertile land. Moreover, its proximity to the Eastern Cloud Sea offered certain trade advantages.

When the Cloud-Flipping Carriage reached the city gates, dawn had not yet fully broken, and the gates remained closed. However, dozens of carriages were already stopped at the entrance. Yin Yang had no choice but to pull their carriage to the side of the main road.

After waiting a moment, a sound like rushing thunder suddenly echoed. A troop of riders sped toward them. Each was mounted on a Cloud-Treading Colt, covered in dust, armed with sabers and spears, their expressions stern and cold.

Zong Shou had paid them no mind until the riders drew near, realizing the leader was none other than Zong Ling and Feng Xiao, whom he had met before. For some reason, both wore gauze scarves obscuring their faces.

The latter two were startled upon seeing him. Zong Ling directly rode his horse up to the carriage window, peering in with a mocking glint in his eyes. "What a coincidence! I didn't expect that only a month after parting ways at Dan Ling Mountain, I would run into Brother Shou again. Zong Ling is here this time to procure some Cloud Whale Bone for making arrows. May I ask why my cousin has come to Cloud Saint City? Don't tell me you really plan to sail out to sea?"

Zong Shou felt utterly exasperated internally, truly not wanting to bother with this 'cousin' of his.

He knew that Cloud Whale Bone, a specialty of the Eastern Cloud Sea, was exceptionally light, making it the optimal material for arrow shafts. Fish glue could also be used for bows. Major powers across the East Lin Cloud Continent sent people here to purchase these materials every year. Zong Ling’s excuse was indeed plausible. However, in both encounters, his words had been almost identical, which was rather dull.

Noticing the scarf covering the man's face, Zong Shou’s heart suddenly stirred, and he chuckled, "Cousin, why hide your face? Are you unable to be seen? Did you get injured? Let me guess—was it done by someone from the Lingyun Sect, right?"

Zong Ling’s eyes snapped wide open in anger. The slap he received from that Lingyun Sect disciple a month ago should have healed within a few days. Yet, he didn't know what malicious method that person had used; the slap mark on his face had not faded even after a month; instead, it had become more distinct.

Over the past month, he had consulted several Spirit Masters, none of whom could explain it. He had also summoned several Innate Martial Masters, all of whom were equally helpless. Out of necessity, he had resorted to covering his face with a scarf.

Zong Shou’s words had struck a raw nerve. For some time, Zong Ling had suspected that the encounter at the foot of Dan Ling Mountain was surely connected to Zong Shou.

Perhaps Zong Shou had deliberately used the Lingyun Red Token to request the Lingyun Sect to humiliate him.

His gaze grew increasingly cold, and the surrounding knights closed in. The atmosphere instantly turned frigid.

Zong Shou narrowed his eyes slightly, vaguely sensing that hidden among this group were at least two Innate auras.

Over there, Feng Xiao seemed somewhat worried, walking over quietly and tugging at Zong Ling’s sleeve, signaling with his eyes, conveying a note of warning.

Just as Zong Ling wavered indecisively, Yin Yang, in front of the carriage, suddenly let out a cold snort. Carrying an inexplicable might, every horse within a hundred zhang let out a terrified whinny and rapidly retreated.

Feng Xiao and Zong Ling’s expressions shifted again. They exchanged a look, recognition dawning in both their eyes. They both thought that the Innate expert who had slain Qi Xiao that day turned out to be this very person.

Zong Ling pondered for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Cousin, just revel in your sharp tongue! My uncle has also had no news for another month, not emerging from the Sunken Cloud Sea. I only hope that in a few days, Brother Shou will still be able to smile. Do you realize just how many people nearby currently want you dead?"

Zong Shou secretly shook his head. He didn't need reminding; he could feel the gazes carrying subtle killing intent around him. A faint smile touched his lips. "How many people want to kill me, this younger brother does not know. But I do know that if I die in front of Brother Zong Ling, Cousin Zong Shi will likely never escape blame later."

Zong Ling, who had been about to ride away, froze again upon hearing this, glaring fiercely.

Just then, the gates of Cloud Saint City suddenly burst open. Another troop of knights rushed out, clad in bright uniforms and riding spirited horses, their momentum even more imposing. The first six were uniformly clad Innate Martial Masters, riding the Wind-Riding Colts that Zong Shou had long coveted, encased in heavy armor, their formidable auras utterly unrestrained.

They sped straight to Zong Shou’s Cloud-Flipping Carriage and halted. The leading armored man stepped forward; after dismounting, he bowed respectfully toward the carriage window. "Is the esteemed Lord Zong Shou, Heir of the Profound Heaven Mountain, inside the carriage?"

Zong Shou needed no deep thought to know this must be because of Lei Dong, his sworn brother. He nodded faintly, unsurprised, and said, "Yes."

The armored man beamed upon hearing this. "The City Lord gave instructions several days ago, stating the Heir would arrive today. Cloud Saint City must treat you with the utmost hospitality, as if you were the City Lord himself. Please, Heir, follow us into the city first—"

The man paused, then swept a cold gaze across the surroundings, especially toward Zong Ling, carrying a hidden killing intent.

"Let this be known to all: The Heir of Profound Heaven Mountain is a distinguished guest of Cloud Saint City. Whoever dares harbor malicious intent toward him makes an enemy of Cloud Saint City! The City Lord has decreed: kill without pardon!"

The troop of knights, without needing further command, spurred their mounts to the sides, shielding the Cloud-Flipping Carriage as they moved toward the city gates.

Behind them, Zong Ling and Feng Xiao once again exchanged glances, their expressions uncertain and shifting.

They felt Zong Shou was becoming increasingly unfathomable. Why, out of the blue, was he now connected to Cloud Saint City?

The next moment, they saw Zong Shou lean out and say a few words to the armored man. The latter immediately looked back coldly. "Are you Zong Ling? Cloud Saint City does not welcome you or your business. Get out!"

Zong Ling’s face, hidden behind the veil, instantly turned ashen.

PS: Thanks to everyone for your support! Even without recommendations last week, we didn't fall off the New Book List! Heartfelt thanks!