Within a quiet chamber in Xuan Shan City, two lamps flickered, as if sensing the stern atmosphere; their flames continuously shrank, nearly extinguishing.

Lin Shina sat upon a soft couch, her expression grim, tinged with a sharp severity.

Kneeling opposite her was Li Yuniang, prostrate on the floor, her face ashen white.

“My son-in-law—what exactly is going on? You still refuse to speak of it. Being close to the Young Miss, you cannot possibly know nothing. If you won't answer me today, then there’s no need to speak anymore.”

Li Yuniang bit her lip, a thin line of blood oozing forth. After a long pause, seeing the light in Lin Shina’s eyes grow increasingly sharp, she finally spoke hesitantly, “Yunniang truly knows nothing, only that someone seemed to have placed a restriction within me. And they secretly warned Yunniang that if I dared reveal even half a word about the matters of the Zong Shou Heir, my entire clan would be instantly annihilated. Even the entire Ling Fu Sect would be razed to the ground. Whether this is true or not, I cannot say, but Yunniang guesses this person is at least above the Heaven Rank.”

Lin Shina’s expression couldn't help but falter, revealing a contemplative look, followed by a cold laugh: “If that is indeed the case, then I won't blame you for this. But why then did you instigate me to feign illness, and after returning to Xuan Shan City, try every means possible to urge me not to let Zong Shou enter the city?”

Li Yuniang’s expression seemed to relax, and she let out a soft sigh: “Mistress, Yunniang did this for the Young Miss’s sake. Although the Heir’s swordsmanship is unparalleled, cultivating both Spirit and Martial arts simultaneously—rarely seen in this world. However, the hidden peril of the Xuan Yue Mu Huang Jue can only be remedied by the Han Xuan Ancient Pill, treasured by the Shang Xiao Xuan Ling Sect. That is why Yunniang—”

As she spoke, Li Yuniang stole a glance at Lin Shina’s face. Seeing the other’s expression gradually soften and her tone grow increasingly relaxed, unexpectedly, before Li Yuniang could finish her sentence, Lin Shina suddenly waved her hand without warning, delivering a heavy slap across her face.

With a sharp 'Slap,' Li Yuniang was sent flying several feet, clutching her face and staring at the soft couch in astonishment. Her eyes were filled with confusion, clearly not understanding why her Mistress would suddenly strike her.

“Do you really take me, Lin Shina, for some ignorant woman?”

Lin Shina spoke coldly—her gaze so sharp it seemed ready to materialize: “For Yi Ren’s sake, you actually dared utter those words. That only the Shang Xiao Sect’s Han Xuan Ancient Pill can resolve the hidden flaw of the Xuan Yue Mu Huang Jue and save her life. You can only use that line to fool others, not to deceive me.”

At this point, Lin Shina rose to her full height and stood coldly before Li Yuniang: “Even now, I still hold a grudge against my son-in-law. But I also know that with his ability and talent, if he wished to join any major Sect, even those few Dong Tian Qiong Realms would treat him as a treasure. They would likely be afraid to melt him by holding him in their palms. What is a mere Shang Xiao Sect, a single Han Nishui, in comparison? Once Zong Shou breaks through to the Heaven Rank, if he wishes, he could crush them with a single finger. Are you worried he won't find a Han Xuan Ancient Pill? Whether it’s asking an elder to help refine the technique, or finding other medicinal ingredients to forge a spiritual elixir to protect Yi Ren—it would all be exceedingly easy. Does my daughter’s life require your concern?”

Li Yuniang’s face turned even paler, completely drained of color. She opened her mouth to speak but didn't know how to offer a defense.

Lin Shina, seemingly having exhausted her anger, asked lightly, “I heard that you once had an ambiguous relationship with a disciple of the Shang Xiao Sect? It seems Yi Ren marrying into the Shang Xiao Xuan Ling Sect benefited you somewhat? Oh yes, that person—wasn't his name Long something? Such a dull name. But that fellow has been missing for a long time now; perhaps he was killed by my son-in-law—”

Li Yuniang’s body instantly seized up as if struck by lightning. She stared blankly, her eyes a mixture of disbelief and resentment.

Lin Shina could no longer bear to hear her explanations, speaking in a leisurely tone, “The Heir is a straightforward person—”

Saying this, Lin Shina seemed to realize the words didn't fit. After a slight cough, she continued, “Although he never uttered a single criticism of you in front of Yi Ren or my husband. However, I can easily fathom the nature of your actions, Li Yuniang. Since Yi Ren is determined to marry him, even if I dislike that fellow, I cannot fail to clear away some hidden trash for him and Yi Ren. Your family has served me for ten years, and I, Lin Shina, am not ungrateful. I will not kill you. But I heard of the Yellow Springs Prison Valley? I will send you there. In twenty years, someone will bring you back.”

Li Yuniang, whose gaze had been distant, suddenly showed intense fear upon hearing the words Yellow Springs Prison Valley. She abruptly sat up, and just as she was about to beg for mercy, several iron chains suddenly flew into the quiet chamber from outside, immediately wrapping around her limbs and dragging her toward the door.

Moments after the quiet chamber fell completely silent, the curtain beside it was drawn back, and Xuan Yuan Tong walked out with a thoughtful expression.

“Husband, do you believe what Li Yuniang said?”

Lin Shina’s eyes also showed doubt, “Is there truly a Heaven Rank Martial Venerable beside Zong Shou? I examined her carefully just now, but couldn't sense anything amiss about her.”

“It should be true!”

Xuan Yuan Tong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, pondering. “Two days ago, two thousand li outside Xuan Shan City. Fang Shu’s whereabouts vanished without reason. Not a single trace was left.”

Lin Shina was startled, then raised an eyebrow, “But how do you know?”

“Naturally, I dispatched some men to kill Fang Shu and silence him, but they never reached him. My men then searched thousands of li without finding any trace. Nor has Fang Shu returned to Dan Quan Sect to report—”

Seeing Lin Shina furrow her delicate brows in disapproval, Xuan Yuan Tong chuckled, “Just joking. I only intended to detain him for a while, releasing him after everything settles down. But if he truly pushes me too far, even Yi Ren’s fellow disciples will be slain without hesitation. The Sect your esteemed self originates from is also one of the great contemporary powers; you should know the weight of Spiritual-Martial integration.”

The last few sentences were filled with a chilling intent to kill.

Lin Shina murmured distractedly, “Spiritual-Martial integration... I only know that the most outstanding ancient powerhouses of the Yun Huang Era were all dual cultivators of Spirit and Martial arts. Those who could fuse martial Dao and spiritual laws into one. But rumor has it most of them achieved this after the Immortal Realm. Like Zong Shou—that is truly unheard of. I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse for him. Being fought over by all the Sects might not be a blessing at all—”

“Weiran’s child is naturally gifted with extraordinary talent. Since he is my son-in-law, I must support him with all my might,” Xuan Yuan Tong smiled slightly. Then Lin Shina asked doubtfully, “What puzzles me now is the mysterious Heaven Rank expert Li Yuniang mentioned. If he truly favored Zong Shou, why didn't he take him as a disciple? Zong Shou is destined to return to Qian Tian Mountain to inherit the Demon King’s legacy, which will require constant combat. His abilities will inevitably be exposed at some point. Furthermore, during their intrusion a few days ago, if Zong Shou had made a move in full view of the public, how could it have remained hidden?”

“Not taking him as a disciple might be due to being hesitant to act, or having other concerns. As for the situation a few days ago, it’s simply because that child Zong Shou hadn't made a move in front of everyone yet. How can you be sure they didn't employ concealment methods afterward?”

Xuan Yuan Tong shook his head. “If it were me, I would also be unwilling to let such a heaven-blessed talent, whose swordsmanship is spiritually attuned and who cultivates both Spirit and Martial arts, be known to too many people. Wouldn't that only create countless rivals vying for a disciple? If it were a righteous Sect, they might have some scruples, but the Demonic Sects wouldn't care even if I slaughtered a million souls in Xuan Shan City. These are minor details; no need to dwell on them.”

Speaking of this, the sternness in Xuan Yuan Tong’s expression grew more intense. “What worries me most now is Cloud Scar Mountain and Blazing Flame Mountain. That brute Tan Tao was too presumptuous; to actually do something like that—it’s truly vexing. I have been seriously injured and unable to manage affairs these past few years. Do you all truly believe I am already dead?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shina felt a pang of shame and embarrassment. Though she hadn't agreed to Tan Tao's proposal that day, she hadn't actively stopped it either.

Recalling those two great demonic powers, she also felt things were troublesome. Moreover, the Tao Yun City of the West Sea and Zong Shi Zong Yang of Qian Tian Mountain probably wouldn't stand by idly. If Zong Shou chose not to go to Qian Tian Mountain now, fine; but if he insisted on going, it would be like a rabbit walking into a tiger’s den.

Of course, at this moment, perhaps no one knew that this seemingly harmless rabbit could not only bite but was also a deeply concealed ferocious beast.

However, no matter how strong Zong Shou’s power might be, at present, he was only a Spirit Master at the Night Roaming Realm. Compared to these two behemoths, he was still an underdeveloped child, powerless to resist.

She might not have cared before, but now her heart couldn't help but clench with worry.

“Since there is a Heaven Rank Martial Master beside the child, he should be safe. But we cannot rely on outsiders for his safety. Zong Shou will also need some trustworthy subordinates in Qian Tian Mountain.”

Xuan Yuan Tong frowned deeply. “I plan to lend him half of my Profound Armored Wind Dragon Riders to escort him to Qian Tian Mountain. Furthermore, regarding the incident that day, although Zong Shou hasn't mentioned it again, I cannot fail to give him an accounting! You were the main instigator, and the disaster wasn't fully realized. Since you are my wife, I cannot punish you severely, but you must be confined to the residence for three years, forbidden to go out! When my sworn brother is freed one day, I will take you both to apologize!”

“Luo Yan, though loyal, is rash and disrespectful to his superiors. He will receive one hundred lashes, executed by Jun Hou, and also be confined for three years. Let him properly cultivate his character! As for Tan Tao—”

At this point, Xuan Yuan Tong suddenly paused, falling into deep thought. After a moment, he spoke firmly, “Strip him of his command of the Feather Wind Army, administer two hundred lashes, and if he survives, he will follow Zong Shou to Qian Tian Mountain. My son-in-law is in need of wings!”

When Lin Shina heard the words ‘Profound Armored Wind Dragon Riders,’ she was startled. This was the strongest and most elite cavalry force in Xuan Shan City.

Fewer than two thousand men, yet they possessed the record of shattering battle formations of one hundred thousand elite troops. Even Tan Tao, considered one of the strategists, was being given away just like that to Zong Shou.

Hearing the latter sentences, she felt immense grievance but dared not object.

Then she calmed herself, “I accept the punishment! I just want to ask you, are you truly going to plunge into this turmoil regardless of the cost?”

Xuan Yuan Tong suddenly burst into loud laughter, his eyes filled with resolute determination. “Regarding the Yin Dragon Valley matter, someone had already sought to join forces with me, but they worried about Zong Shou’s safety and thus refused. But now, there are no more reservations. Weiran has shown great kindness to both you and me; Xuan Yuan Tong will not stand by and watch the foundation of Qian Tian Mountain he built fall into the hands of others, even if it means dying without a burial place!” (To be continued)

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