"That last strike, was that Spirit-Martial Union?" Zong Shou narrowed his eyes, carefully replaying the sensation from moments before. No, it was still far from it. Not long ago, he had utilized electromagnetic force to propel his spear-thrusts, simultaneously exerting his utmost strength into his Zhenqi and muscles, delivering a total of two hundred and thirty-four strikes.

If it were true Spirit-Martial Union, a thousand strikes would be effortless. The force, too, would be beyond what his current self could control; at that level of power, he would be comparable to the peak experts of the Earth Wheel Ninth Meridian, Xuanwu Sect Masters.

Everything within several hundred zhang would be reduced to dust and ashes.

However, it was true that this soul power and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth did not conflict with the internal breath and vital energy within his own body. Moreover, compared to a few days ago, it felt much closer now.

To put it simply: previously, the synergy between soul power and Zhenqi yielded a result of one plus one equaling one and a half. Now, it was one plus one equaling two—a natural, massive surge in strength.

If this continued, perhaps he truly had a chance at Spirit-Martial Union. Zong Shou indulged in a moment of fantasy, picturing himself exploding in power and dominating the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent. Then, he scoffed self-deprecatingly. Harmonizing soul power and Zhenqi was not the hard part; that could likely be achieved gradually after breaking through to the Heaven Meridian realm. But truly uniting the two? Even those who had stepped into the Immortal Realm were leagues away from that achievement.

And even among the Saints, very few could manage it.

As for himself, his martial path was one thing, but his foundation as a Spirit Master was incredibly shallow. He shouldn't even bother dreaming about it; it couldn't be forced.

Zong Shou gathered power in his palm, and a ball of flame suddenly erupted. It was unmistakably a silver-white flame, virtually identical to the silver flame emanating from Xiong Kui just moments ago, save for a slightly fainter color and the presence of spiraling kinetic energy.

Xiong Kui, who was kneeling on the ground, sprang his eyes wide open: "That is the Royal Flame Spirit Incineration Art! Where did you learn that?"

Then, as if struck by realization, Xiong Kui stared fixedly at Zong Shou, his eyes filled with sheer horror, speaking each word laboriously, nearly grinding them out: "Could it be just now? After only six exchanges with me?"

At this moment, it wasn't just Xiong Kui; the others surrounding them were also stunned into silence. To deduce the intricacies of a top-tier secret art after only a brief confrontation—even an Immortal Martial Realm expert couldn't manage that!

Such talent was simply beyond human!

Zong Lan and Zong Yuan, who had long wondered how Zong Shou possessed such terrifying swordsmanship, and that Deep Purple seemed quite accomplished in spear techniques, now all showed expressions of sudden understanding. To wholly deduce an almost complete, supreme secret martial art in the span of a few dozen breaths... For someone like that, if they focused on the Way of the Sword, reaching this level within a few years of beginning practice no longer seemed entirely unacceptable.

Zong Shou was completely oblivious to their astonished gazes, still immersed in his study. It took a full half-hour before he finally re-contained the silver flame in his hand.

He remained thoughtful. The main reason he sought to learn this technique from Xiong Kui was because of himself and Yi Ren. The Royal Flame Spirit Incineration Art was one of the most formidable fire-element cultivation methods passed down from the ancient Cloud Wasteland Era. It was useful not only for perfecting his World-Shaking Spirit Art but also for helping him complete the cultivation method belonging to Xuan-Yuan Yi Ren.

As for the ancient Demon Emperor inheritance connected to this secret martial art, he hadn't given it much thought.

In later generations, he hadn't found much detailed information about it in the library, only knowing that the Blazing Flame Mountain later produced a powerful figure. Reportedly, this person inherited a secret manual from an ancient Demon Emperor, possessing not only supreme martial prowess but also establishing an elite cavalry force comparable to the Blood Cloud Riders. Numbering only two thousand, they were invincible in their time.

They were immensely dominant during the Spirit Tide Era, even suppressing the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent, forcing all sects to retreat three miles, and seizing territory spanning over twenty provinces.

However, this person's rise was as swift as their downfall. They perished in a mere six years, killed by the combined forces of the Ling Yun Sect, which had recovered some of its strength, and various regional experts of Eastern Lin, dying a heroic death.

Could this person be the Xiong Kui standing before him?

Zong Shou snapped back to reality and scrutinized the blood-soaked heir of the Blazing Flame Mountain before him.

Then, he slightly shook his head. Legend stated that when the Demon King of Blazing Flame Mountain died, he had sustained one hundred and forty-nine punches, two hundred and twenty-one sword strikes, and countless spear wounds and cuts. Even in death, he fought fiercely, taking two Heaven-rank Martial Ancestors down with him before dying with a great laugh.

The image of Xiong Kui before him matched, but the bearing? He simply didn't seem like the type. This fellow was utterly incapable of such heroism. When Zong Shou had read that person's biography in his previous life, he had been truly moved. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't connect Xiong Kui to that legendary figure.

With a soft, self-mocking laugh, Zong Shou finally noticed the surrounding gazes fixed upon him in astonishment. He was momentarily blank, then seemed to grasp something, knitting his brow secretly. He wasn't sure how to explain this. Should he tell these people that he had already read the complete manuscript of the Royal Flame Spirit Incineration Art in his past life, including most of its contents?

Thinking it over again, perhaps it wasn't a bad thing. Zong Shou decided to feign ignorance, sheathing his sword and looking meaningfully at Xiong Kui: "The matter is concluded, you may leave! As for this one, have someone treat his injuries. If he doesn't die, make him draw out the city defense maps and then follow us."

With that, he turned and strode toward the carriage convoy in the distance.

Chu Xue paused in stunned silence, then hurried to catch up, her face full of confusion: "Young Master, are you really just leaving him? Xiong Kui will be lucky if he doesn't try to escape; why would he willingly follow? He isn't a fool, is he?"

Zong Shou smiled, turning to Zong Lan at his side and asking with a light smile: "Uncle, if you were Xiong Kui, would you follow?"

Zong Lan shook his head without hesitation: "No!"

His expression was extraordinarily complex as he stared deeply at Zong Shou, feeling both pleased and strangely distant. In that instant, it was as if he were looking at a sovereign reborn. He recalled that when his elder brother, Wei Ran, used to occasionally ask him questions, his tone was exactly like this: gentle yet authoritative, calm yet brimming with confidence, never lacking decisive ruthlessness.

After a momentary lapse, Zong Lan refocused his thoughts and explained: "The city defense maps he revealed were a small matter, but the Royal Flame Spirit Incineration Art is no trivial thing. If the one from Blazing Flame Mountain finds out, even if Xiong Kui is his own son, he will certainly execute him! Xiong Kui has no path to survival other than following us to Qian Tian Mountain."

As he spoke, even Zong Lan failed to notice that a note of reverence had crept into his tone, much like when Zong Wei Ran was still alive.

"So, it doesn't matter if we let such a person slip away!"

Zong Shou smiled, flicking his finger against Chu Xue’s forehead, and then casually inquired: "By the way! Uncle Lan, since you have been to the Sunken Cloud Sea, do you know if my father is alive or dead? And what is the situation over there?"

Zong Lan stopped abruptly, his face shifting between shame and bitter hatred. After a long pause, he suddenly clenched his fists and ground his teeth: "Zong Lan is incompetent. I spent several months in the Sunken Cloud Sea and still do not know the Sovereign's fate. I only know that several Heaven-rank Martial Ancestors are guarding the vicinity. I even secretly infiltrated the perimeter, but I was forced to retreat as soon as I reached the outer edges..."

After a slight hesitation, Zong Lan pushed up the sleeve of his left arm. A significant portion of the muscle tissue on his entire arm was visibly gangrenous, though it was healing. The purplish-blue coloration and the thick, viscous blood still made for a shocking sight. Zong Lan gave a wry smile: "That was only in the outermost area, injured by a sixth-tier Blood-Melting Scorpion. Rumor has it that within, not only are the myriad poisons dense, but countless seventh and eighth-tier fierce beasts reside. My estimation is that the Sovereign is most likely lost."

Zong Shou’s brow furrowed momentarily before settling back into calm. This Zong Lan had truly been to the Sunken Cloud Sea, and far beyond merely scouting the outskirts. He was fiercely loyal to Zong Wei Ran. However, at that time, instead of managing Zong Wei Ran's twenty thousand personal troops, he led the thousand Xuan Hu Iron Cavalry to the Sunken Cloud Sea. This showed that he lacked the capacity for independent command; he was someone who could be a general but not a commander.

If it hadn't been for the infiltration and manipulation of Zong Wei Ran's loyalists, Zong Shou in his past life might have had a sliver of life remaining.

In the Ruo Sea Strait, Zong Shou only allowed his retinue—now swelled to five thousand knights—to rest for one night before setting off again.

However, unlike their arrival the day before, the Xuan Shan Armored Cavalry were now almost universally high in morale and jubilant. The way they occasionally glanced at Zong Shou's carriage had grown considerably gentler, carrying a faint undertone of respect.

This was not merely due to the great victory of the previous day. It was because Zong Shou had ordered his men to search overnight for the remains of those who had fallen in battle, personally conducting sacrifices and burying them, and commissioning stone markers inscribed with their names. That single bow before the stele had virtually eradicated the majority of their resentment.

As for the remaining men, they all received rewards of beast crystals and spirit stones—rewards that were not only fair but extraordinarily generous. Everyone who participated in the charge received a heavy bag of beast crystals and captured elixirs. Even those guarding the rear supply train were rewarded handsomely. Furthermore, the families of the fallen would have their livelihood secured for several generations.

Even the thousand Xuan Hu Iron Cavalry received substantial rewards for slaying dozens of Spirit Masters and eight thousand elite armored soldiers.

Their Young Master, despite knowing no martial arts and possessing no spiritual techniques, was at least incredibly generous and knew how to care for his soldiers.

Yet, the Zong Shou of this moment was staring blankly at his own money pouch. Only after the Cloud-Flipping Carriage exited the Ruo Sea Strait did he let out a soft sigh and look away.

In truth, compared to the cost of the Spirit Destruction Talismans, those few condolence payments and rewards weren't that much. Though it caused him heartache, it wasn't the primary source of his distress.

What truly worried Zong Shou was the future.

At that time, as heroes rose everywhere, the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent was embroiled in constant warfare, month after month. Cities and sects were in perpetual conflict. If every engagement required such a bloody drain, how could he possibly sustain it?