Still in that clearing within the dense forest, a drizzling rain was falling, washing the bloodstains on the ground clean.

"'Ghastly Sword,' Ren Qianchou; 'Gale Sword,' Xie Jun; 'Rage Sword,' Yun Tao—and one, Li Xieling, the Ten Thousand Blood Slaughterer. Three Innate Sword Masters with the potential to ascend to the Martial Ancestor realm, plus the future Heaven Ranker, Li Xieling. The loss for Cloud Scar Mountain this time is truly significant."

In the depths of the woods, a figure in black stood tall. Cloaked in a black mantle, their face was barely visible—exquisitely delicate and beautiful, impossible to distinguish as male or female, seemingly very young. This figure was tilting their head up, gazing toward the treetops.

"What a pity! Heaven did not favor us; this rain has washed away all the tracks. Besides you and me, at least five other parties arrived here before us. I estimate that even if there were any traces or clues, they are likely gone now."

Beside him stood another person, also clad in black attire, but without concealing their face. Their nose was extraordinarily large, taking up almost half their face, yet coupled with shifty, rat-like eyes, they appeared utterly despicable. The occasional flicker of viciousness in their gaze sent a chill down the spine. At this moment, however, they were casually surveying their surroundings.

"Were we not ordered by the Master to find the one who slew Elder Mi? Why would we come all the way here? Earlier, we were entrusted by Zong Yang of Dry Heaven Mountain to send that young lord back. But a few days ago, the Master thought their price was too low and already refused the job. That Dry Heaven Mountain young lord has nothing to do with us now!"

"Naturally, there is a connection!"

The handsome youth let out a cold laugh, walking toward a pine tree. He said lightly, "The Innate powerhouses connected to this Dry Heaven Mountain young lord were mostly around Cloud Saint City. Those from Cloud Saint City know a thing or two about us, and the Lingyun Sect wouldn't easily move against Elder Mi. After thinking it