A massive burst of firelight illuminated the heavens. Similar to the signal flare used by the Danquan Sect, yet when this flame erupted, it formed the colossal character 'Qian,' which lingered long in the sky. Beneath the area where the light flared, two Cloud-Riding Carriages stood side by side.

They were joined by dozens of magnificent horned warhorses and several human figures. A man in his sixties sat cross-legged atop one of the carriages. His eyebrows were thick with white hair, and his body bore the pattern of a tiger's stripes.

His eyes were as large as cartwheels, flashing with sharp intelligence; his imposing aura was naturally weighty. At this moment, his face was incredibly grim as he stared at the scene before him. "Where exactly has your Young Master gone?

Why hasn't he arrived yet? He clearly knew he was walking into an ambush, so why was he running around? Is this how you safeguard your Young Master?" Standing respectfully before the elder were Yin Yang and Lian Fan.

The former was impassive, showing no reaction. The latter, however, appeared slightly embarrassed. He was the carriage driver and also held the responsibility of guarding Zong Shou.

By the time he had finished his assigned task and rushed back, Zong Shou had vanished without a trace; two full days had passed with no sign of him. Behind the elder stood a man in his thirties, radiating a similarly formidable presence, his frame solid and lean. He wore a gloomy expression, his face square and unremarkable save for three long whiskers flanking his lips.

These whiskers twitched repeatedly, clearly indicating extreme anger. Standing on the roof of the other carriage were Xuan Yuan Yi Ren and Li Yun Niang. Hearing the elder's words, Xuan Yuan Yi Ren raised an eyebrow, turning to reproach Li Yun Niang, "You should know where the Heir Apparent went.

At least which direction he headed? Why didn't you ask clearly at the time?" Li Yun Niang shook her head, gesturing toward the nearby hills as her answer. In her heart, she inwardly cursed.

Given that little devil’s temperament, how would she dare ask? Even if she had asked, Zong Shou likely wouldn't have bothered to answer. She had seen clearly that the Young Master recently treated her like a bothersome fly or speck of dust—not finding her hateful enough to warrant effort, nor interesting enough to pay attention to.

Yin Yang remained composed, but the sixty-year-old elder’s eyes were wide open, beginning to feel dry from straining. He let out another grunt and closed his eyes. "Why aren't you speaking?

Are you mute?" Only then did Yin Yang move his body slightly, bowing his head a little. "My Lord, please remain calm. I imagine the Young Master will return shortly.

With the Young Master's capabilities, he will surely be safe and sound." "With the Young Master's capabilities, safe and sound? Hmph, what talents the Heir Apparent possesses, I, Hu Qian Qiu, truly do not know! Yin Yang, before Wei Ran enters the Sunken Cloud Sea, he will most likely be protected by that person.

However, although that individual is a Xuanwu Sect cultivator, he is heavily injured. Under normal circumstances, the Young Master still relies on you guards. And you dare utter such words so self-assuredly?" The elder sneered coldly, his gaze fixed sharply on Yin Yang.

"Tell me now? You traveled twenty days and nights across ten thousand li to summon me here—for what purpose? Do you know that while I, Hu Qian Qiu, am fiercely loyal to King Wei Ran, I also have a duty to protect my clan members?

If things truly turn out as you say and you can persuade me to support the Heir Apparent, fine. If not, I, Hu Qian Qiu, will personally take the Heir Apparent's life to prevent the next Demon King of Qiantian from taking out his wrath upon my Iron Tiger Clan." Xuan Yuan Yi Ren gasped, her lips trembling lightly, her fists unconsciously clenching tightly. Lian Fan and Yin Yang, however, both wore faint expressions, completely unconcerned.

Even Li Yun Niang didn't seem to believe this threat held much potential, though a shade of anxiety flickered across her face. When will that person arrive? Yin Yang smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Yin Yang dares not overstep his bounds. Moreover, even if I were to speak, My Lord would likely not believe me. It is best to wait until the Young Master returns to speak with you personally.

Please rest assured, My Lord, the Young Master will absolutely not disappoint you!" Upon hearing this, Hu Qian Qiu offered no opinion, but the middle-aged man behind him scoffed. "Not disappoint my father? The Young Master has already thoroughly disappointed everyone from Qiantian Mountain down for the last ten years.

What right does he have to claim he won't disappoint Father? Ah, yes, if one has no expectations to begin with, then naturally there is no disappointment to be had—" Yin Yang fell silent, saying nothing. Hu Qian Qiu, however, let out a sharp glare and immediately reprimanded, "Hu Zhong Yuan, shut your mouth!

No matter what, the Young Master is still my sworn brother Wei Ran's direct descendant! If you say one more word against him, do you believe I won't sink you into the Cloud Sea?" Hu Zhong Yuan started, then sullenly closed his mouth, revealing a flicker of resentment. Hu Qian Qiu looked up at the sky again; the blazing 'Qian' character had begun to dim.

He frowned slightly. "Send up another flare! Do not stop.

Since you insist on waiting for the Young Master to return, then wait. I will stay here for another half a day for him. Consider it a final favor for my brother Wei Ran—" Xuan Yuan Yi Ren’s delicate eyebrows immediately furrowed.

For Hu Qian Qiu to be satisfied, given Zong Shou’s current condition, how could he possibly be satisfied? Could it be referring to the Marrow Cleansing Elixir or the Spirit-Attuning Profound Intent Pill? But those only offered a slim chance of enabling him to practice martial arts.

Yet, Hu Qian Qiu seemed to be someone Zong Shou specifically sent Yin Yang to invite. What confidence did he possess to be so sure? ※ ※ ※ ※ The 'Qian' character flare once again lit up the night sky.

Simultaneously, within a radius of several dozen li, everyone looked up at the heavens. Zong Ling did the same, frowning up at the sky, confusion clouding his eyes. "Are these signal flares really free?

And what kind of trickery is this? Feng Xiao, is there really a Xuanwu Sect master over there?" Feng Xiao could not be certain either, glancing at the congenital expert beside him, who was quietly seated on a Wind-Riding Steed, gripping his sword. Seeing the latter nod slightly, Feng Xiao frowned.

"The aura is like a dragon, like a golden pillar. It has reached the peak of mortal martial artists; most likely, yes! This must be an exceedingly bold figure to be so unrestrained, and his strength is probably extraordinary.

This is the first time I've seen a Xuanwu Grandmaster act so ostentatiously—" "It feels vaguely familiar, like someone I've met before. Could it be the Xuanwu expert who was beside Zong Shou that day?" Zong Ling still held a hint of doubt on his face. After pondering for a moment, he spurred his horse forward.

"We should go over and take a look!" "Young Master, no! This person's vital energy is abundant, showing no signs of depletion. It is likely not that person.

Furthermore, we currently do not possess a Xuanwu-level expert—" Feng Xiao hurriedly tried to dissuade him, but seeing that Zong Ling was ignoring the counsel and had already begun to gallop at full speed, he had no choice but to urge his own horse forward, following along with the few innate martial masters surrounding them. ※ ※ ※ ※ When Zong Shou finally crawled out of the pit dozens of zhang deep, a full two hours had passed. Although he hadn't been physically wounded in the fall, the exertion of wielding the Styx Death Sword had heavily drained his body.

If he hadn't possessed the essence of the Thunder Phoenix, he would have barely managed to recover. However, most of the time was spent on erasing traces and destroying evidence. When he had acquired the Dark Epiphyllum earlier, he hadn't considered this.

But now that he had killed these people, he couldn't just leave things as they were. Dou Ling Zhen could be dealt with; although he held the title of a regional City Lord, Zong Shou killed as he pleased. However, Ming Jue was somewhat troublesome.

He was most intimately familiar with the methods of the true Demonic Sects. Internal strife was common within those sects; people died from time to time, often by the hands of their own brethren. Survival of the fittest was the cruelest rule.

But if a disciple was killed by an outsider, or died performing sect duties, the retaliation would be relentless and never-ending. Recalling the dozens of enslaved demon race members who were now dead, Zong Shou sighed slightly. He didn't know if his intervention had been a blessing or a curse for them.

While he had freed them from torment, he had also hastened their deaths. But this time, he had truly found something valuable on Ming Jue. The demonic artifacts and talismans were mostly inherited items that could not be used in front of others.

However, this particular item was safe to use anywhere. As he leaped onto solid ground, Zong Shou stood steady and immediately saw the massive, fiery 'Qian' character in the sky. "A signal flare?" Zong Shou’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

The entire East Lin Cloud Continent used the 'Qian' character as a signal flare belonging only to Qiantian Mountain. In the next moment, realization dawned. The person he had invited had likely arrived.

Checking the time, it was about right. He couldn't help but smile; the continuous flares suggested the person waiting was getting impatient. He couldn't linger here.

The deaths of Dou Ling Zhen and Ming Jue would not remain hidden for long. It was estimated that within a few hours, the news would affect the armies of Fenghua City. Once one side secured victory, someone would inevitably enter the pit to investigate the truth.

Without further delay, Zong Shou grabbed Chu Xue and bolted forward, activating the Spirit Bones of Thunderous Movement to swiftly traverse the mountains. After running only a short distance, Zong Shou's face was etched with helplessness. "Chu Xue, how much longer are you going to stare at me?

Haven't you seen enough?" "How could Xue'er ever see enough of Young Master's appearance!" Chu Xue actually nodded, sounding completely justified, then expressed regret and vexation, "Especially when your hair was white just now, you looked so handsome! Xue'er shouldn't have listened to Young Master and opened her eyes early. If Young Master used that Styx Death Sword again to turn his hair back, could he let Xue'er see it one more time?

Young Master, I beg you—" Before she finished speaking, Zong Shou could bear it no longer and smacked Chu Xue hard on the head. "You wretched girl, do you think that sword technique can be used casually? I really need to discipline you when we get back; you're getting too presumptuous.

Change of plans! You will copy the Great Wilderness Talisman Scripture two hundred times before you are allowed to eat!" Chu Xue immediately let out a mournful cry, while Zong Shou felt both angry and amused. In his past life, whenever he used the Styx Death Sword, everyone, regardless of gender, regarded him with terror.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xue was delighted by it. Could it be due to the bonus from his appearance in this lifetime? Although he remembered that his appearance in his past life wasn't exactly ugly either; he was considered a man of rare temperament— While these random thoughts ran through his mind, Zong Shou suddenly stopped, causing the Spirit Bones of Thunderous Movement to halt abruptly.

Then he narrowed his eyes, gazing ahead. The forest was lush, swaying gently in the breeze; there was no sign of anything unusual. However, according to the thoughts transmitted by the Shadow Illusion Lion, the situation was different.

There were people here, and they harbored ill intent. After a long silence with no movement, Zong Shou grew impatient. He broke the silence with a half-smile, directly exposing them.

"Friend hiding there, do you truly believe others cannot see you?"