Gao Yi’s brow furrowed even deeper, and under Gong Xinran’s imploring gaze, he hesitated for a long moment before saying reluctantly, “Forget it! This lady is a Spirit Master of the Spirit Nurturing Realm, just what we few lack. That Nether Frost Tiger can also be of use. You can come along, but you must follow my orders—”

Gong Xinran was immediately overjoyed and forcefully pulled Zong Shou and Chu Xue into the group of Martial Masters.

Zong Shou was already speechless. He wanted to say that the Zong Shou of today was no longer the Zong Shou of the past and no longer needed protection from others. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he didn’t refuse, and instead, as if guided by an impulse, he spoke, “Thank you, Senior Sister! By the way, I wonder how Senior Sister has been these past two years?”

Gong Xinran smiled, subconsciously glancing at the back of Gao Yi’s figure: “Not good, not bad! These two years I’ve been following Senior Brother Gao, moving around these eastern cities, seeing many places, and gaining considerable insight. Truly, one doesn't know the vastness of the world until one ventures out; even within the Eastern Lin Yun Continent, you and I are but a drop in the ocean. Back at Linhai Academy, we were truly like frogs in a well. Fortunately, Senior Brother Gao is steady and experienced; although he comes from a major clan, he takes good care of me.”

Her eyes were sweet, overflowing with happiness. Zong Shou, however, felt as if his heart had been violently pierced by a needle, causing immense sorrow. Even when his dual meridian body acted up during cultivation before, it hadn’t hurt this much.

He secretly managed a bitter smile. In his previous life, he had already tasted the bitterness of heartbreak once. He had thought he would never experience that feeling of loss and sadness again. Unexpectedly, in this life, he was forced to profoundly ‘experience’ it once more. This knot of jealousy and the sharp pain in his chest were truly repulsive, yet they refused to leave.

Suddenly, a bone-deep chill swept over him, accompanied by a cold gaze radiating hidden killing intent, fixed upon him from not far away. Zong Shou’s heart tightened slightly, and he scanned the surroundings. Wherever his gaze fell, there was nothing unusual. He couldn't discern the source of that gaze, nor was it that Qi Nu who had spoken rudely to him earlier.

Could it be an illusion? Was he being overly sensitive?

Zong Shou pondered briefly, then felt something was amiss. He carefully looked again at the few people ahead, still finding nothing abnormal. Finally, he suppressed this flicker of doubt and buried it deep in his heart.

Gao Yi made a few arrangements, and the group continued their advance. Several Secret Martial Masters guarded the front, and the Nether Frost Tiger joined them. Gong Xinran, Zong Shou, and Chu Xue walked centrally at the rear. Surprisingly, Gao Yi was also positioned with those Secret Martial Masters. Being a dual cultivator of Spirit and Martial arts, possessing the cultivation of a Martial Master, and coupled with a third-tier wolf-shaped guardian spirit attached to him—when he occasionally made a move, his actual strength was comparable to those Secret Martial Masters, perhaps even superior! His bearing was agile, truly possessing the capital to enchant and attract girls.

After following awkwardly for a while, Zong Shou realized this situation wasn't so bad either. In this group, he was essentially a bystander, completely unnecessary for combat. He was utterly at ease, no longer needing to expend mental energy finding detours to avoid fierce beasts. After all, Gao Yi had never relied on his combat strength anyway.

And Chu Xue only needed to use her thoughts to direct the Nether Frost Tiger to fight in the front. Occasionally, she would use a few spirit arts like ‘Light Body,’ ‘Clear Sight,’ or ‘Body Strengthening’ to empower those Secret Martial Masters.

This way, she could both practice her spirit arts and enhance the rapport with her first guardian spirit.

The pace of progress was only slightly slower than when the two of them traveled alone. In just half a day, they covered over eighty li, already approaching the middle section of the Blood Valley. Chu Xue’s remote control of the Nether Frost Tiger had been somewhat clumsy at first, but now their minds were in perfect sync, their movements natural and fluid, and even fiercer.

Gong Xinran, however, looked surprised. She turned and asked curiously, “Junior Brother, has your body recovered somewhat? You haven’t seemed out of breath even after walking for so long. I remember before, Junior Brother would get very tired after walking for only half an hour. Just now, I thought you were going to ask for a rest—”

Zong Shou was not surprised. His Wind-Walking Spirit Bone was concealed close to his body, and the spiritual energy from the Wind-type beast crystal circulated only internally. A Spirit Master in the Spirit Nurturing Realm simply couldn't detect it.

He didn't explain this time, merely nodding slightly, tacitly admitting it. Then, with a strange look, he observed the Secret Martial Masters ahead and tested, “Were these Secret Martial Masters invited by Senior Brother Gao? Do you know their background?”

He had sensed earlier that these individuals were somewhat extraordinary, and this feeling was now intensified to its extreme.

Not only were their strikes fierce, but when they occasionally cooperated, their tacit understanding was superb. Their martial techniques were broad and sweeping, clearly indicating military origins. They were also extremely attentive to Gao Yi.

Their experience was incredibly seasoned; though not as sharp as his, they had managed to avoid the majority of fierce beasts and hordes along this rapid journey.

“I don’t know either!” Gong Xinran shook her head. “Senior Brother sent a special letter to summon them shortly after learning that my ancestor perished here in the Blood Valley. They are either his friends or his subordinates. In any case, they are very strong; ordinary Secret Martial Masters of the same rank are no match for them!”

Zong Shou’s gaze flickered slightly, and he asked no further questions. He inwardly agreed; three such figures alone could kill Wei Bo of the Fiery Sword on the spot. And even Yin Yang before achieving eight meridians might not be able to retreat unscathed from the combined assault of these six.

However, he didn't find it strange. As the young master of the Gao family, how could Gao Yi not have capable followers and guards?

Even regarding himself, Zong Shou absolutely did not believe that other than Yin Yang, Zong Weiran hadn't arranged for other personnel to protect him secretly.

Putting aside his immediate worry, Zong Shou secretly added a layer of vigilance to his caution.

Perhaps it was because the group’s strength was genuinely formidable. For the rest of the journey, apart from a few scattered third-tier demon beasts and a pack of Fang Wolves that caused minor trouble, the progress was smooth sailing.

It wasn’t until a giant mountain, piercing the clouds, loomed into view in the distance, only a few miles away, that the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

There were no more second-tier fierce beasts here; everything was third-tier or above, and their temperaments were fiercer. Fortunately, their numbers were small and their distribution wide. However, any encounter meant an irreconcilable fight to the death. Some beast types preferred to move in packs, making them the most troublesome.

“This is Mount Corpse Demon!”

Arriving at the foot of the colossal mountain, Gong Xinran suddenly looked toward the peak with a dazed expression: “Legend says this mountain was formed after that foreign race’s Martial Cultivator perished here. This place can turn even the kindest person into a bloodthirsty fiend, and it can make experts above the Heaven Rank dare not approach. There are also legends that this place holds countless treasures from the primeval era, making even the powerhouses of the Cloud Realm intensely covetous of it.”

Zong Shou also fell into a moment of silence. Blood Valley and Mount Corpse Demon were both only intermediate novice zones. But twenty years later, they would become the top-tier high-level dungeon in the Divine Emperor game. To enter it, one would need at least the realm of a Heaven Rank Grandmaster after opening the Heaven Wheel.

However, back then, when he came here in the virtual illusion, it was only for leveling up and acquiring the treasures and equipment within.

Being truly present here, alongside people from ten thousand years ago, he could genuinely feel the massive oppression emanating from Mount Corpse Demon and the complex emotions—the awe—that the people of the Eastern Lin Yun Continent held for this mountain.

As Gong Xinran spoke, she gave a self-deprecating laugh: “My ancestor most likely ventured here for those legendary spirit treasures. I don't know where exactly he perished; I wonder if we can find anything this time?”

Just as Zong Shou was about to speak, he suddenly heard Chu Xue’s sharp cry beside him. After slightly raising an eyebrow, he turned his head. He saw a gray shadow rapidly flying toward his position from the front right.

The shadow was vaguely discernible; it seemed rat-like, with bat wings growing from its sides. Its speed was swift as an arrow, reaching them in the blink of an eye.

Chu Xue, who had been preparing a spirit art nearby, wanted to interrupt to provide aid, but it was too late.

Zong Shou’s eyes instantly grew cold. His right hand rested on the brand-new Pine Grain Wind Sword at his side. He had restrained his aura only to avoid attracting fierce beasts, not to hide his actual strength in the slightest.