Looking at Lian Fan, Zong Shou hesitated for a moment; he recognized the man as someone taciturn and reserved. Even when Lian Cheng declared Lian Fan was to be given to Zong Shou as a slave, the man showed no flicker of emotion, nor any arrogance befitting a Xiantian master.

He had sent Chu Xue to handle the carriage earlier, primarily to hone her control over her vital energy. However, handling the eighteen Wind-Taming Steeds was perhaps stretching her limits.

Assigning someone like this as his groom seemed suitable enough. While he was wavering, Xuan Yuan Yiren, who had been lost in a daze, completely oblivious to her surroundings, suddenly brightened: "I think I understand now!

This pill formula is truly exquisite. It surpasses even our Sect's Marvelous Cold Pill.

It has given me immense inspiration. I can't immediately find the Ice Blue Grass and Snow Tizi, but I can try substituting them with other herbs; perhaps I can create an entirely new formula." The look on her face suggested she desperately wanted to throw her arms around Zong Shou and kiss him.

Some rationality prevailed, though; her cheeks flushed, and she impatiently squeezed out through the window, returning to her Cloud-Flipping Carriage. Zong Shou was momentarily speechless.

Without the Ice Blue Grass and Snow Tizi, what was the point of the Cold Spirit Profound Intent Pill? At best, it would only enhance his soul power; eliminating the heat generated from cultivating the Profound Moon Wood Radiance Art would be utterly impossible.

Zong Shou opened his mouth, wishing to speak but stopping himself, finally letting out a sigh of resignation. He looked out the window again: "This is fine, too.

I'll take this man!" Lian Cheng was overcome with joy, bowing repeatedly: "Thank you, Young Lord! It is Lian Fan's fortune to follow such a benefactor!

The City Lord also mentioned that Cloud Saint City is far east on the continent and cannot offer much assistance to the Young Lord. However, should the Young Lord one day control the Qiantian Mountain and aspire to dominate the Eastern Lin, whatever your command, our Cloud Saint City dares not disobey!

We will certainly assist the Young Lord in sweeping across the Eastern Lin..." After speaking, he stepped aside from the road ahead, standing respectfully on one side with the dozen or so warriors beside him. Zong Shou found the situation both funny and infuriating.

His return to Qiantian Mountain was solely to fulfill the dying wish of the 'other Zong Shou.' As for dominating the Eastern Lin, he harbored no such ambitions, nor did he have the time. Swapping to the Wind-Taming Steeds immediately doubled the speed of Zong Shou’s carriage.

And Lian Fan’s skill at driving was indeed far superior to Chu Xue’s; he drove ahead without uttering a word. His expression was cold, possessing a certain air reminiscent of Yin Yang.

Li Yunniang did not leave with Xuan Yuan Yiren. She silently scrutinized Zong Shou from head to toe, countless thoughts churning and overturning within her mind.

What had this half-demon youth done to incur such a massive favor from Cloud Saint City? Even if he had saved Xu Zhengyuan's life, this level of deference seemed excessive.

Lian Cheng's previous deference toward Zong Shou was nearly obsequious. In his words, he seemed utterly convinced that Zong Shou was destined to inherit the Qiantian Mountain foundation.

Talk of sweeping the Eastern Lin suggested he held the heroes of the Eastern Lin Continent in no regard whatsoever. And that statement—whatever your command, Cloud Saint City dares not disobey!—it suggested they willingly submitted as subordinates, ready to serve under Zong Shou’s banner.

While it was absurd and laughable, it was also profoundly strange. Scrutinizing him closely again, Li Yunniang couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

This Zong Shou still possessed not a trace of a martial artist's energy; he hadn't even opened his meridians. Could a person like this warrant such deep respect from Lian Cheng?

Was there someone else backing him? Or perhaps the Qiantian Demon King, Zong Weiran, wasn't truly dead after all?

Perplexed, Li Yunniang finally couldn't hold back and asked directly: "What exactly did you do in Cloud Saint City?" Zong Shou languidly lifted his eyelids, casting a faint, indifferent glance at the woman. Then he dismissed her entirely, continuing to lounge on the soft couch.

He couldn't even be bothered to look at this woman. He possessed a mild temperament and a serene disposition, but that didn't mean he had no temper at all.

Li Yunniang felt a surge of indignation, let out a cold snort, realized she wouldn't get a straight answer, and also squeezed out through the window, returning to the Cloud-Flipping Carriage behind them. Even if the Qiantian Mountain heir possessed some hidden capabilities unknown to others, challenging the Shangxiao Sect and the Danquan Sect would be akin to striking a rock with an egg!

Yet, at the very moment her figure departed, a fierce gleam of divine light suddenly pierced through Zong Shou’s eyes as he looked toward the gift boxes sent by Lian Cheng. Items like the Beast Crystals and Demon Jars were beneath his notice.

With a casual beckon, a long wooden box was drawn into his hand. This technique of capturing objects with vital energy stemmed from the cultivation method he had just pieced together.

However, it was slightly too aggressive; in summoning it, he failed to control the force, causing the silk wrapping to completely disintegrate. Still, a hint of satisfaction shone in Zong Shou’s eyes.

The newly created technique should be exactly like this—sharp, supreme, and leaving no room for retreat. He possessed immense explosive power, but his stamina was incredibly weak.

Even changing to the Spiral Meridians offered little improvement. Therefore, victory or defeat in life-or-death struggles must be decided in an instant.

The sharper and more formidable, the better it suited his intentions. However, for now, it was merely a blueprint; it would take time to refine before he could practice it.

He struck the wooden box open with one palm, revealing a gleaming sword lying inside. "Thunder Fang Sword?" Zong Shou's eyes brightened slightly, but upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't.

It was a half-spirit armament that had failed its forging process and was modified to resemble the Thunder Fang Sword. Although the forging of a spirit weapon was unsuccessful, the lightning power this blade held surpassed that of an ordinary Thunder Fang Sword.

Because it had been used in the attempt to forge a spirit weapon, the sword's sharpness and durability were second only to his Black Wave Sword. "A fine piece!

I was just worrying that my original one was badly damaged by that Spiral Sword Qi! With this object, I’ll have no more reservations." Activating his energy meridians, a faint sword qi immediately permeated the tip of the blade.

The spiritual threads within remained completely undamaged. Zong Shou smiled faintly and put the sword away.

The next moment, he took out a Pulse Spirit Pill. He had tested it just now; the meridians inside his body had stabilized, meaning he could take the second pill.

However, just as Zong Shou was about to release the Silver-Eyed Sloth Bear, he suddenly remembered his other accompanying spirit beast, the Shadowy Illusion Lion. "Now that we’ve left Cloud Saint City, it’s time to recall 'Little Wisdom'!" Forming hand seals, Zong Shou focused his mind, preparing to issue the summons, but he abruptly remembered that Xuan Yuan Yiren was following him.

He fell into a fresh bout of inner conflict. While hesitating, the thought transmission from the Shadowy Illusion Lion echoed in his soul again.

"Xiantian Peak? And there’s a spirit master at the Chūqù realm?" Zong Shou’s gaze turned cold, and he coldly abandoned the thought.

He walked to the front of the Cloud-Flipping Carriage and stared coldly toward the low-lying peaks on the left. Then, with a slight, unconcerned smile, he looked toward Chu Xue, who was beside him, diligently trying to shrink her form and conceal her presence: "Don't even think about slacking off!

Since you aren't driving anymore, go back to catching birds!" Seeing Chu Xue’s little face immediately scrunch up even more bitterly than a bitter gourd, Zong Shou felt a wave of inexplicable joy. He mused if this was the pleasure of bullying a young girl.

This felt slightly wrong; has Zong Shou also become a kind of perverse person? Again and again, deep within the mountain ranges, atop a small peak about four hundred zhang high, four figures stood facing the valley below.

Three of them had stern faces and imposing auras. If Zong Shou were present now, he would instantly recognize the leading figure as Ren Qianchou, the 'Ghost Sword' he had met in Cloud Saint City.

If someone as experienced as Yin Yang were there, he could further identify the men beside Ren Qianchou as Xie Jun, the 'Mist Sword' among the Seven Swords of Yunxia, and Yun Tao, the 'Rage Sword.' Both radiated a fearsome presence, like unsheathed weapons, though with slight differences. Yun Tao's temperament was fierce and violent, while Xie Jun’s figure was elusive, like a dissipating fog.

The fourth person appeared to be around thirty years old. He had a sallow complexion and ordinary features, save for a few talismans painted on his face, lending him a slightly uncanny air.

He was currently holding hand seals, and wisps of blue light gathered in his palms. In the eyes of all four figures, a blue rune flashed momentarily.

A moment later, the yellow-faced middle-aged man showed fatigue, dispersing the blue light in his hands. The runes in the eyes of the four also vanished.

The yellow-faced middle-aged man closed his eyes to meditate for a moment before speaking faintly: "This technique for observing a hundred li away is simple to practice, but it consumes a tremendous amount of soul power. To ensure the two Xiantian experts don't detect it requires even more mental focus.

As a newcomer to the Chūqù realm, I can’t sustain it for long!" "Brother Zhuang's method is already quite impressive! Being able to see details clearly from fifty li away is as if they were right before our eyes.

The methods of a Spirit Master are truly exquisite and wondrous!" Xie Jun praised him, though his eyes were filled with confusion: "It's just that Cloud Saint City's attitude the other day was strange! They executed all the men we had positioned near the city gates earlier.

Now, they send so many gifts, eighteen Wind-Taming Steeds, and even a Xiantian master. What exactly did that Young Lord say to the City Lord of Cloud Saint City when they met?

Why did Lian Cheng suddenly become so respectful toward Zong Shou? If Xu Zhengyuan truly intended to protect Zong Shou, why let him leave?" His words were riddled with doubt.

Not only Xie Jun, but the others felt the same; their expressions were full of bewilderment. "The intentions of the Cloud Saint City Lord are hard to fathom.

Perhaps he couldn't bear the pressure and could only drive Zong Shou away. Sending gifts was merely to avoid offending the power behind Qiantian Mountain.

It’s a pity this method only allows sight, not hearing..." Ren Qianchou shook his head, attempting to guess, but recalling the bloody purge of Cloud Saint City’s forces not long ago, the theory didn't quite align. His voice deepened.

"I only know that something is not right with this situation. If this boy isn't eliminated soon, unforeseen complications will surely arise!" "I agree!" Xie Jun nodded.

"This matter should be concluded as soon as possible. Only the Princess from Profound Mountain City presents a difficulty.

To kill Zong Shou, we must get past that woman! Speaking of this woman, I wonder what Xuan Yuan Yiren is thinking.

Is she truly foolish enough to like the useless Zong Shou? Why must she involve herself in this mess?

Her father is the revered City Lord of Profound Mountain City; if possible, it's best not to offend her..." Yun Tao, however, frowned, clearly displeased, and grumbled in a gruff voice: "Why worry about her? If this woman dares to interfere, just cut her down too.

We brothers have always acted straightforwardly; what's with all these reservations?"