Zong Shou instantly understood; he had certainly heard of this method. Many martial masters chose to do this when breaking through to the Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor realm.

But an entire stone hall constructed from Iron Gang Rock—that was truly a grand gesture. Built entirely of Iron Gang Rock, no wonder it was named the Iron Gang Hall; the name was strikingly straightforward. Merely purchasing these stones would have cost a fortune. And the yearly consumption of fourth-tier spirit stones likely amounted to hundreds, if not more. In fact, before his breakthrough to the Heaven Rank in his previous life, he had done something similar in the real world.

However, back then, it hadn't required such fuss. He simply created a few alternate characters within Divine Emperor, slaying challengers everywhere. Those times were truly a bloodbath, murder rampant. Though he hadn't killed anyone in reality, his sword had been truly tempered in actual combat! Genuine, hard-fought sword skills.

But if his true qi was suppressed, wouldn't even the Black Tortoise Sect of the Earth Wheel Nine Meridians be no stronger than him?

Why did he suddenly have a very bad premonition?

This Zhu Junhou was clearly a very cautious man. Apart from mentioning the Iron Gang Hall earlier, whatever Zong Shou asked afterward was either dismissed with claims of ignorance or answered vaguely. He kept his mouth tightly shut. Eventually, Zong Shou grew bored and abandoned the notion of extracting information from this man.

It took a full half-hour to reach the mountaintop. Looking out the window, Zong Shou saw that the area had been artificially leveled, forming a platform nearly ten thousand zhang in circumference. The edges on all four sides were lined with crossbow rigs. Each was a massive arm over ten zhang wide, the bowstrings made of a blend of beast sinew and iron wire. Over four hundred of them, completely enveloping Xuan Mountain City, sending an involuntary chill down one’s spine.

And right in the center was, as expected, a colossal stone hall. Ten zhang high, and a hundred zhang wide and long.

It was built entirely of red Iron Gang Rock. As Zong Shou approached, he felt the internal qi within his body showing signs of suppression.

When Zong Shou alighted from the Cloud-Flipping Carriage, he saw a group of people waiting beneath the stone steps.

Not only Xuanyuan Yiren, but also a noble-looking middle-aged woman, a man in his forties wearing brocade robes and carrying twin mandarin duck blades, and another younger, somewhat refined youth standing on the steps, looking down at him coldly.

Aside from the latter, he had seen the former two before on the high tower; he considered them acquaintances. He particularly remembered the noblewoman. The other man, he presumed, was Tan Tao of the Black Tortoise Sect in Xuan Mountain City. Hu Zhongyuan had mentioned him during the previous visit. He knew a little about the figures in Xuan Mountain City.

Zong Shou immediately adopted a serious demeanor, smoothed his robes, and walked before the middle-aged noblewoman, bowing deeply: "Zong Shou pays his respects to Mother-in-Law! Ten years have passed since we last met; I hope Mother-in-Law remains well. It is Zong Shou’s misfortune that after ten years, I only now get to behold Mother-in-Law’s face—truly lamentable. These years have been a constant regret. Oh, right, I recall Father mentioning the two of you that day, saying how Lord City Master and you share a bond stronger than gold, something truly enviable. He even told Zong Shou that he and Yiren should be as loving as the City Lord and you in the future..." At this, Lin Shina’s expression flickered between shades of green and red, her eyes holding a measure of shame, but more so, anger.

This brat was truly infuriating! Bringing up the matter from ten years ago in such a disjointed manner—wasn't he deliberately stabbing at her perceived ingratitude?

But for now, she could only suppress her rage, extending a hand to offer a slight support, feigning the appearance of a virtuous, gentle, and kind smile: "Young Lord, please rise! Your marriage to Yiren has not yet been finalized. It would be best if you held back on using the title 'Mother-in-Law,' Young Lord." Before her words had fully faded, a light sneer echoed from the steps: "Shameless! Give you an inch, and you try to take a mile! Yiren is a direct disciple of my Danquan Sect; how could you possibly be worthy? If Zong Shou had even a shred of self-awareness, he would roll himself out of Xuan Mountain City!"

Zong Shou showed slight surprise, glancing at the speaker, and asked in astonishment: "Who is this person?" No matter how he looked at him, this person bore some resemblance to that Long Batian.

A hint of amusement touched Lin Shina's face, but the one who replied was Tan Tao: "This is Xuanyuan Yiren’s senior brother, Fang Shu, the sixth direct disciple of the Danquan Sect! He is here visiting Xuan Mountain City. He is known for being righteous and upholding justice. If Young Lord has any shortcomings, you could learn a thing or two from him..."

"Danquan Sect? So, an outsider."

Zong Shou made an "Oh" sound, nodding in understanding: "Truly ill-mannered!"

Having said that, he turned away and ignored him completely. He didn't exchange meaningful glances with Xuanyuan Yiren; instead, he stood with a solemn gaze and lowered eyes, waiting quietly below the stone steps, appearing as steady as a mountain and maintaining a posture of open dignity.

Fang Shu already held a strong dislike for Zong Shou, and now his gaze turned chilling, faintly showing murderous intent as he scrutinized Zong Shou from head to toe. Tan Tao also showed a slight puzzlement, his gaze sweeping coldly toward Zong Shou.

Zong Shou found this person somewhat disagreeable, cursing him inwardly as insidious and slightly increasing his guard.

If Fang Shu was championing righteousness, then the one acting unjustly must be himself. As the saying goes, the dog that doesn't bark is the most fearsome.

After waiting only a moment, Zhu Junhou, who had gone inside to announce them, returned. He walked to Zong Shou’s side, bending low with his hand slightly raised, careful not to presume to stand ahead of him: "Young Lord, please proceed! City Lord Xuanyuan is currently unwell and unable to welcome you personally; he awaits you inside the hall..."

Zong Shou smiled and took the lead ascending the stone steps. Just as he stepped through the hall doors, he felt his entire vital energy being pushed down below the level of Xiantian. Then he saw across from him, a white-bearded man sitting within the hall. His hair and beard were white, but his face was ruddy, giving him an exceptionally youthful appearance, looking no older than twenty, not much older than Xuanyuan Yiren. He was almost identical to the Xuanyuan Tong in Zong Shou’s memory from ten years ago.

As Zong Shou observed the man, Xuanyuan Tong was also sizing him up, his expression a mixture of sadness and contemplation.

And once everyone had entered, the iron-forged hall doors slammed shut.

Zong Shou started, looking behind him. He couldn't help but think: Could Xuan Mountain City be planning to trap them like turtles in a jar?

Lin Shina, along with Xuanyuan Yiren, Tan Tao, and Luo Yan, took seats immediately on the right side. Zhu Junhou stood directly beside Xuanyuan Tong, hands clasped behind his back.

Xuanyuan Tong fixed Zong Shou with a steady look, then withdrew his gaze and gave a slight nod: "Nephew, please sit! There is no need for such formality..."

Zong Shou still performed a grand bow before, without further courtesy, taking a seat opposite Xuanyuan Tong.

In terms of status, as the Demon King below Qiantian Mountain, he surpassed Xuanyuan Tong. However, their generations differed by a full generation. This bow was for the long-standing friendship between their families and also for Xuanyuan Yiren.

The hall was vast, with only a few of them remaining. Ruoshui had not accompanied him in the carriage; Hu Zhongyuan and Chuxue sat behind Zong Shou.

Xuanyuan Tong waved his sleeve again, and several servants entered, setting out tables and seats before them. Not only were fruits and delicacies prepared, but there was also fine wine, yet no one had the appetite to touch them. Even Chuxue sat stiffly, waiting respectfully. The atmosphere in the stone hall was incredibly oppressive.

Finally, Xuanyuan Tong was the first to speak: "Nephew, do you know why I have only been able to remain within this Iron Gang Hall for the past two years?"

Zong Shou was momentarily stunned. According to Zhu Junhou, wasn't he supposed to be preparing to charge into the Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor realm? Could there be another reason?

He recalled that Zhu Junhou had mentioned Xuanyuan Tong being unwell earlier. At the time, he had found it strange—how could a Black Tortoise Sect master of the Earth Wheel Nine Meridians, possessing immense strength capable of splitting mountains, fall ill?

He had thought the City Lord was deliberately putting on an air of coldness and dissatisfaction, but now, hearing these words, perhaps there truly was something wrong?

"It is for re-examining and verifying my martial path, thoroughly investigating my foundation. It is also because I cultivated too hastily and encountered some complications. I can only use this Iron Gang Hall to suppress my meridians and proceed slowly..."

Without waiting for his reply, Xuanyuan Tong offered an explanation, then asked again: "Then, Nephew, do you know that my late brother, Weiran, might actually still be alive?"

This statement caused a resounding murmur throughout the hall. Not only were Lin Shina and Tan Tao and the others astonished, but even Zong Yuan and Hu Zhongyuan rose to their feet, their eyes filled with shock.

Zong Shou was thoroughly shaken this time. Since arriving in this era, this was the first time anyone had told him that Zong Weiran might still be alive.

After a moment of thought, Zong Shou straightened his back, sat upright with a serious expression, and looked straight at Xuanyuan Tong: "I am unaware, City Lord. Does the City Lord know the details, and is he willing to share them?"

Xuanyuan Tong merely smiled, filled his wine cup, and raised it toward Zong Shou. Zong Shou could only oblige, draining his own cup. He found the wine incredibly potent and strong. As soon as he swallowed it, his head spun slightly. However, he didn't mind; for a martial artist, drinking this much was nothing. He could force it out later with his qi.

Only then did he hear Xuanyuan Tong say lightly: "I do not know the full details. However, while the Sunken Cloud Sea is considered a place of death, that is only relative to martial cultivators like us of the Earth Wheel rank. For those above the Heaven Rank, it might not necessarily mean death!" Zong Shou’s gaze immediately narrowed, and he forgot about expelling the alcohol for a moment: "Does the City Lord mean that my father has already reached the Heaven Rank Grandmaster realm?"

"Nephew truly knows very little," Xuanyuan Tong shook his head, draining another cup. "In truth, my brother Weiran had already ascended to the Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor realm six years ago. It wasn't until half a year ago that he could no longer conceal it, and several hidden sects came seeking him out, forcing him to flee into the Sunken Cloud Sea. That place is a death trap for us, but perhaps not for him—it could be a path to survival. Nephew must also know that in this Cloud Realm, there has always been the rule that those above the Heaven Rank cannot participate in the disputes of the Five Continents and the Human World. Brother Weiran, he broke the covenant..." Zong Shou drank another cup of wine, feeling his head grow slightly fuzzy. In his memory, Zong Weiran only broke free from the Sunken Cloud Sea after advancing to the Heaven Rank.

However, since this supposed father of his was unafraid of those three Spirit Martial Venerables of the Lingyun Sect, perhaps at that time, his cultivation was far beyond the Heaven Rank Martial Ancestor realm.

But why would this person subsequently perish? Surrounded and slain by numerous powerful figures?

In an instant, it felt as though cold water had been poured from his head to his feet, completely extinguishing his ambition to surpass that person in cultivation before Zong Weiran escaped the trap.