Watching the last one also struck down by the combined force of the beasts belonging to Li Luo and Shi Dan, Hu Zhongyuan finally turned his head, his eyes wide with astonishment, towards Zong Shou.

The eighth-rank spirit artifact operating at one-tenth of its full might, the Second Primordial Spirit—the Void Spirit Sword—the Sword Dao's spiritual sentience, coupled with the sudden, inexplicable surge to the pinnacle of the Night Roaming realm. When these converged, they resulted in the instantaneous execution of Xuanwu Grandmasters!

Of the six who attacked, nearly half had fallen by Zong Shou’s hand!

Li Luo and Shi Dan exchanged looks of surprise, as if seeing Zong Shou anew.

Only Tan Tao frowned, staring at the corpses on the ground: “Judging by their methods, these men seem to hail from the Demonic Path. They don't appear connected to Cloud Scar Mountain or Blazing Flame Mountain either…”

Just as he was about to step forward to inspect the bodies, Zong Shou finally managed to catch his breath. The expenditure this time was so severe it almost cost him vital essence; even Little Gold was weak now. The Dark Epiphyllum he had used would require several more months before it could reach its previous potency.

Musing on the loss of another trump card, Zong Shou shook his head: “No need to look. They are most likely from Demonic Mountain Sect.”

“Demonic Mountain Sect?”

Tan Tao let out an "Eh," then considered it carefully, though he didn't dwell on it. He merely nodded lightly: “I see!”

Since he could so easily dispatch Xuanwu Grandmasters with a single sword strike, there were few people in this world who could pose a threat to Zong Shou.

Above the Celestial Rank, interference in the affairs of the Cloud Continent was forbidden. Zong Shou’s status, especially shielded by his heritage, meant that once he reached Qian Tian Mountain, even the Lord of Demonic Mountain Sect need not fear him.

Zong Shou nodded gratefully toward Li Luo and Shi Dan; these two had at least shown some consideration. The former had held back two fellow Xuanwu Grandmasters, while the latter had dispatched his personal sword slaves to aid him when he was in peril. It was thanks to these two that he had survived, even with the aid of the Dark Epiphyllum and the Nine Swarms Swords.

And there was Tan Tao; he wasn't bad either. Regardless of how unwelcomed he was by the people of Xuanshan City, in the original timeline, the majority of the city’s soldiers would eventually perish because of his ‘predecessor.’

Glancing again at the personal belongings of the fallen, Zong Shou sighed softly.

He was wealthy now; the most these men carried were only first or second-grade spiritual goods, which he didn't value. He only lamented the loss of that Small Qiankun Pouch, which couldn't be bought even with wealth. He had waited several days in Floating Realm City but hadn't seen one; placing acquisition notices hadn't prompted anyone to sell.

However, just as he was about to head down the mountain, Shi Dan suddenly flashed forward, blocking his path, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed: “My Lord is indeed spiritually perceptive in the Sword Dao, and his spiritual techniques are formidable. It’s not much different from what Elder He of our sect described. However, large-scale military combat is entirely different from a life-or-death struggle between a few individuals. Even if you can slay these three Xuanwu Grandmasters, you might not achieve much on the battlefield. At that time, both Li Luo and I might struggle to protect ourselves, let alone ensure your safety. That’s not forty-four thousand, but four hundred thousand elite troops! Your talent is exceptional; it would be a pity to lose you here…”

Li Luo’s lips curled into a cold sneer, offering no comment. Zong Shou was unsurprised; the Elder He this woman mentioned was likely the Old Court Attendant from the Three Continents Money House. He smiled immediately and, without hesitation, replied: “I have this under control. If the situation looks unfavorable, Teacher Shi, you can leave first. Don't worry about me!”

Shi Dan paused in surprise. By the time she reacted, Zong Shou had already swept past her and headed down the slope. He needed to descend quickly, or the vital energy absorbed by the Nine Phosphorus Sword would dissipate. Seeing this, Shi Dan frowned deeply again, shot a harsh glare at the silent Li Luo, and could only reluctantly follow Zong Shou down the mountain.

Meanwhile, thirty miles away, Lei Dong stared unblinkingly at the distant stone platform.

Two others were beside him. One was Zhao Yanran, seated cross-legged with a placid expression, though her vital energy felt notably denser and heavier. She had firmly stabilized her cultivation in the Martial Grandmaster realm. Faintly visible beneath the skin exposed by her clothing were five interwoven patterns of different colors, swirling beneath the surface.

The other person was slumped on the ground, completely limp, eyes wide open, filled with rage and helplessness. If Zong Shou were present now, he would instantly recognize this man as Fang Shu, the senior martial brother of Xuanyuan Yiren.

“This sworn brother of mine is truly getting more formidable. An eighth-rank spirit artifact, the Dark Epiphyllum, plus his Sentient Sword Dao. In this Eastern Cloud Continent, there truly are no Xuanwu Grandmasters who can challenge him.”

As the figures of Zong Shou and the others gradually vanished, the stone platform where the fierce battle had taken place began to crumble.

Lei Dong withdrew his gaze and shot a look tinged with jealousy at Zhao Yanran. Then, he sighed heavily: “Lately, I feel utterly exhausted mentally and physically. With my brother’s identity and temperament, how can I keep the secret? My uncle is truly unreasonable; it’s causing me endless worry.”

“Worry? You brought it upon yourself by being too soft-hearted. For someone like this, wouldn't killing him to silence him be better?”

Zhao Yanran coldly glanced at Fang Shu, causing the latter to shudder: “However, his Sentient Sword Dao is somewhat regrettable. If he could advance further to Spirit-Martial Unity, among his peers, truly few could match him.”

Hearing this, Lei Dong scoffed: “Spirit-Martial Unity? Why bring that up suddenly? It’s easier said than done, don't be too greedy!”

Fang Shu rolled his eyes internally. That Crown Prince of Qian Tian Mountain had achieved Spirit-Martial Unity more than ten days ago and skillfully defeated Xuanyuan Tong with it. However, these two seemed unaware of this fact. The armies stationed on Mount Xuanshan and the Iron Gang Hall could isolate all spiritual senses; it wasn't entirely unexpected.

He instinctively opened his mouth to speak, but just as he did, Fang Shu’s mind suddenly gave a warning, and he clamped his jaw shut.

He decided he would rather die than speak. If these two found out, his chances of escape would diminish further, especially given the current abuse he was suffering.

Zhao Yanran hadn’t noticed his change in expression and let out a self-mocking sneer, curiosity piqued: “Then you won't assist in this battle? There are forty thousand soldiers, several Xuanwu Grandmasters among them. How could he possibly win? To dare charge in alone—is this Zong Shou perhaps an absolute fool?”

“I don’t know myself! It is indeed difficult.”

Thinking of this, Lei Dong felt a fresh wave of conflict. He was a Celestial Rank Martial Grandmaster, expected to break through to the Martial Venerable realm within two months without mishap. He was already watched by various sects across the Eastern Cloud Continent; intervening in this situation was truly awkward.

“Looking at him, he seems quite confident. Let’s wait and see. Perhaps he can truly break through.”

Though he said this, he had already completely discounted this possibility in his mind. He thought that if absolutely necessary, he would have to appear and simply rescue Zong Shou from the chaotic army.

Sometime later, along a narrow mountain path, a squadron of silver-armored knights advanced silently. The handsome middle-aged man leading them currently held a Crimson Swiftbird, his brow tightly furrowed, deep worry etched in his eyes.

“What in the world is this Crown Prince plotting? With fewer than five thousand men, he dares to charge into the Ruohai Strait?”

ＸｘＸ

Half a day later, when the convoy reached about thirty li from the Ruohai Strait, Zong Shou ordered everyone to stop, set up camp, and begin recuperating.

Scouts from the Cloud Scar and Blazing Flame armies had already reported the news back to their respective encampments.

However, Xiong Kui and Feng Yu were extremely seasoned. They didn't immediately mobilize their entire armies but chose a strategy of quiet resilience, wearing down the enemy. They only strengthened their defenses and sent the majority of their subordinates into the tents to rest.

Two cavalry forces, each nearly ten thousand strong, departed the camp, vanishing into the branching paths within the Ruohai Strait. If nothing unexpected happened, they were most likely flanking to cut off Zong Shou’s retreat.

Zong Shou paid no mind, remaining inside his carriage, meditating quietly. His Sea of Consciousness was undergoing a violent transformation. Dozens of True Talisman Spirit Restrictions were gathering, coalescing into True Charms.

Yet, an inexplicable force kept obstructing the process. Often, just as the formation was nearly complete, it would collapse. And each failure dried out his Sea of Consciousness a little more.

This was because the forming True Charm conflicted subtly with the universal laws. All Spirit Masters mastered the true meaning within the charm through these repeated failures.

Zong Shou did not become discouraged, losing track of time as he tried again and again. With every attempt, he advanced further. Just as the vortex in his Sea of Consciousness shrank to its absolute minimum, a resonant boom sounded above. A golden spirit talisman condensed suddenly, hovering in the center of the vortex, entwining with the other three True Charms.

When this True Charm gathered, the dried Sea of Consciousness immediately boiled anew. First, it gradually filled, then expanded outward, its diameter increasing by another forty percent before finally stabilizing.

Zong Shou continued his meditation, stabilizing his realm, before finally stopping. A hint of joy touched his face.

The battle against the six Xuanwu Masters, though resolved easily, had ultimately spurred some potential. He had expected the four True Charms to take ten days to condense, but they had actually completed today. Although the diameter of his Sea of Consciousness vortex had only increased by forty percent, his soul power had increased by over threefold. This time, it had helped him immensely.

Upon waking, Zong Shou picked up the purple spear and stepped out of the carriage. The bright yellow Origin Gathering Bead embedded in the spear's head flickered intermittently, unlike the past few days. The vital essence from killing the three Xuanwu Grandmasters had been mostly poured into it, causing the bead to become saturated to its extreme.

With a spiritual command from Zong Shou, a figure simultaneously leaped out of the Cloud-Overturning Carriage not far behind.

It was Zong Yuan, who had been diligently cultivating in seclusion. Zong Shou glanced at him and nodded with slight satisfaction.

Indeed, he possessed four innate meridians, even halfway toward five. Beside him hovered a purple orb—a low-grade Thunder-element Outer Elixir Zong Shou had purchased at a high price a few days ago. It could only supply five spiritual meridians, and Zong Yuan had successfully refined it, integrating its vital energy.

However, Zong Yuan’s complexion at this moment startled everyone—it was unnaturally grim, shrouded in deathly stillness. A few days prior, though depressed, he had been relatively optimistic. But now, he looked completely inhuman, his eyes icy cold, as if a mere approach would cause one to freeze in his gaze.

Zong Shou ignored this. Roughly estimating, even with the Outer Elixir, Zong Yuan’s strength had only increased by a little over twofold, reaching around 700,000 jin. Fortunately, beyond that, the spiritual equipment provided similar benefits.

With a faint smile, Zong Shou casually tossed two pieces of spiritual armor and one purple spear toward him. (To be continued)