True Lord Jing Tao’s brow immediately furrowed slightly, and upon careful recollection and thought, it was indeed as Zong Shou had stated. All the Sixth Tier beast corpses here were over ninety percent intact, none having reached the point of natural expiry, but rather having died from the impact of that martial way intent on their spirits.

A sudden flash of clarity struck his mind, causing his heart to leap violently. Even Zhao Yanran and the others showed thoughtful expressions in their eyes.

“I’m wondering if there is some rare celestial treasure within this place that allows Sixth Tier spirit beasts to advance their rank, causing them to fight so desperately? Legends say that the spirit beasts beneath this Cloud Sea possess the keenest spiritual sense; I wonder if that's true or not?

Furthermore, this trace of martial way intent must have been left behind by an expert who at least stepped onto the path of the Immortals. Legend holds that the Barren Cloud Era possessed vast stretches of land.

But ever since the great catastrophe at the end of that era, at least seventy percent of the land has sunk beneath the Cloud Sea. It’s possible that the hermitage of that senior remains here.” As Zong Shou spoke, he let out a self-deprecating laugh: “It is all just my wild guessing, True Lord, please do not take it seriously.

This place is permeated with death qi. Since the matter is concluded, it is best for us to depart soon— Just as he was about to turn, he heard True Lord Jing Tao say with a solemn expression: “Your Highness, wait a moment.

I actually believe your speculation has at least an eighty percent chance of being correct! I fear there are at least two hundred more Seventh Tier spirit beasts within this canyon.” The corners of Zong Shou’s lips curved silently, followed by a wry smile as he stopped walking: “I thought the same, but what good does guessing do?

Given our current strength, entering would likely be quite perilous. To acquire the treasures inside, we would most likely disturb that lingering martial way intent.

If that happens, it will surely incite a beast tide. At that time, a large portion of my fleet would be destroyed.

A person should know when to be content. Having acquired these over ten million Fourth Tier Beast Cores, Zong Shou is already completely satisfied.

I am unwilling to risk my subordinates further.” The surrounding crowd, initially surging with excitement due to True Lord Jing Tao’s words—even the most senior and composed among them, Zong Ling, Zhu Junhou, and Ling Fakong—found their breathing quickening. But upon hearing these words, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over their heads, instantly sobering their minds.

Upon careful consideration, they all felt deeply ashamed, realizing Zong Shou was correct; one cannot be too greedy. To lose one's life for a treasure only imagined inside would be an ultimate loss.

Next, those present felt their spirits lift again, realizing their Lord was truly a benevolent sovereign of broad magnanimity. Had it been any other ambitious tyrant, even knowing the danger, they would most likely have ventured in, never sparing a thought for the lives of their subordinates.

True Lord Jing Tao’s breath hitched slightly as well. He frowned in deep thought, then suddenly produced an object: “Does Your Highness recognize this item?

With this in hand, just three hundred Spirit Masters at the Night Roaming Realm would, in Jing Tao’s confidence, be able to hold back those spirit beasts for at least half an hour!” Before Zong Shou could speak, Ling Fakong’s expression sharpened: “Is this the Cloud Soaring Sect’s Phantom Cloud Token? Legend says the Fourth Generation Ancestor of the Cloud Soaring Sect forged this Ninth Tier Spirit Tool before leaving this realm.

It completely integrates the complete Ethereal Cloud God Annihilation Sword Intent…” True Lord Jing Tao said nothing, merely offering a proud smile. Zong Shou, looking at the sword-shaped token in his hand, was also slightly surprised.

He knew Jing Tao had brought protective items for the forty inner disciples, but he had never anticipated the fellow would bring a treasure of this magnitude. This was truly an unexpected delight; at the very least, the four thousand Ice Thunder Arrows might not need to be used.

Though entirely convinced inwardly, he maintained a hesitant look on his face: “With this treasure added, we certainly have a greater chance. However, for safety's sake, may I request that this Phantom Cloud Token be handed over to my Myriad Heavens Mountain for safekeeping?

My Myriad Heavens must receive at least eighty percent of the contents within! If we need to escape, we will ultimately rely on my eight hundred Annihilation Crossbows…” Jing Tao was clearly not skilled at haggling; after frowning and thinking for a moment, he placed the sword-shaped token into Zong Shou’s hand, saying: “Agreed!

But if there is anything that can aid advancement, our Cloud Soaring Sect reserves the right to select it first.” He wasn't overly concerned with the ordinary gains inside, but rather the celestial treasures capable of advancing spirit beasts, which were likely effective for human cultivators as well. Zong Shou was equally taken aback.

His initial demand for eighty percent was intentionally inflated to leave room for negotiation. He hadn't expected Jing Tao to be so ‘decisive.’ Immediately afterward, he felt the eighteen seeds of the Ethereal Cloud God Annihilation Sword Intent within his body stirring wildly.

Zong Shou’s heart trembled, and without showing any outward sign, he tucked the token into his sleeve. Once the arrangement was settled, Zong Shou delayed no longer.

A quarter of an hour later, over a thousand ships were arrayed in disciplined rows, sailing side by side deeper into the canyon. The entrance to this place was narrow, but the space within was extremely vast.

After proceeding another twenty li, the field of vision before the fleet expanded once more. A valley spanning tens of thousands of zhang appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Yet, the people felt a subtle sense of dread. This place did not appear to be naturally formed; it seemed more as if it had been violently cleaved open by a single sword stroke!

Traces of this could be seen around the perimeter. They were immediately drawn to the hundreds of beast corpses lying across the valley floor, and a glint appeared in everyone’s eyes.

Indeed, just as Jing Tao had said, without exception, they were all Seventh Tier spirit beasts! The count exceeded four hundred, and including their Corpse Soul Stones, the value was equivalent to one thousand five hundred Seventh Tier Beast Cores.

This single valley’s spoils nearly equaled all the previous gains outside the canyon! What commanded the most attention, however, was the center of the valley.

A solitary figure sat there, and beside him rested a reddish longsword etched with phoenix patterns, its light flashing, countless cracks running through it, appearing perpetually on the verge of shattering. This was the very source of that trace of martial way intent.

And observing all the Seventh Tier spirit beasts, every single one had died from a blade piercing its brain. “It’s actually a Dharma Weapon above the Second Tier, no wonder!” The term ‘Dharma Weapon’ was, in fact, another name for a Dharma Treasure.

Zong Shou let out an exclamation of amazement but did not scrutinize it further. Instead, he sank his focus into his Dantian, utilizing the power of the Phantom Cloud Token to manipulate the eighteen spirit seeds of the Ethereal Cloud God Annihilation Sword Intent within his body.

The moment he took the token into his hand, those eighteen sword intent seeds showed signs of coalescing. Now, under his deliberate guidance, they indeed fused together, taking on a sword-like shape concentrated within his Sea of Qi.

Threads of sword energy leaked out; if not for his physical body already being comparable to that of a peak Martial Ancestor, these stray energies could have easily carved countless wounds into his Sea of Qi. He inwardly admired the Ancestor of the Cloud Soaring Sect.

Normally, given his innate realm, there was no way he could grasp power at this level of sword intent. But now, not only had he truly mastered it, but it was the complete Ethereal Cloud God Annihilation Sword Intent!

By splitting one strand of sword intent into eighteen seeds, a cultivator at the Black Tortoise Sect realm could fully refine them. Once merged, it became the complete sword intent!

Ordinarily, disciples of the Cloud Soaring Sect would need to reach the Celestial Rank realm to complete this step at a normal pace. But fate placed Zong Shou, this anomaly, here—not only did he master the martial path and refine the seeds merely at the Innate realm, but he also encountered this Phantom Cloud Token, which allowed him to achieve the fusion.

However, Zong Shou vaguely sensed that this complete Ethereal Cloud Sword Intent had once again surpassed his control. He wasn't sure if this step taken was ultimately a blessing or a curse.

Over there, Jing Tao was completely oblivious, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings. After only a moment, his eyes lit up with surprise.

“Corpse-Containing Sword Extreme Grass! It really is this item…” He saw that surrounding the human figure, nearly a thousand sword-shaped small grasses were growing.

Their ages varied, some being several millennia old, others less than a thousand years. Zong Shou was alerted and glanced over, a knowing smile appearing on his face; he had also guessed it would be this specific plant.

A place where corpse qi gathered, a location of supreme spiritual energy, and beside it, the remnant blade of a Dharma Treasure carrying the sword intent of an Immortal Martial expert—it had a ninety percent chance of being this Corpse-Containing Sword Extreme Grass. This spiritual grass could indeed assist spirit beasts and human cultivators in advancing their ranks.

However, the primary requirement was to completely separate the poisonous corpse qi contained within. Only a top-tier Alchemist proficient in pharmacology could manage this.

Moreover, advancing using this substance would inevitably leave behind hidden flaws that would affect the next advancement. Zong Shou naturally paid it no mind, but for Jing Tao, who was nearing the end of his natural lifespan, this represented a massive hope.

However, acquiring this grass posed a significant problem. All the older, sword-shaped spiritual grasses were clustered near the remains of the Immortal Martial expert.

And regarding that Dharma Weapon, though on the verge of shattering, since it could kill so many Seventh Tier spirit beasts, one could imagine its retained power. Seeing Jing Tao turn to him with a pleading gaze, Zong Shou smiled and began arranging their formation.

An hour later, the entire thousand-plus warships were lined up in a fan formation outside the canyon entrance. Almost all the crossbows were positioned on one side, particularly the eight hundred Annihilation Crossbows and all the Three-Armed Spirit Crossbows, aimed directly at the valley mouth, completely locking down the only route in or out!

He then casually tossed the Phantom Cloud Token to Ling Fakong. The latter was momentarily stunned, a flicker of surprise on his face.

He had assumed Zong Shou would entrust the token to Zong Ling for management. Did this signify that the new Demon King, who had restored prosperity to the Myriad Heavens Mountain within months of ascending the throne, had now restored his trust in the Wolf Clan?

A faint blush appeared on his face. Ling Fakong said nothing, instead beginning to organize the Spirit Masters to deploy their formation within the valley.

There were quite a few Spirit Masters from both Myriad Heavens City and Xuan Mountain City, and combined with the inner disciples of the Cloud Soaring Sect, they barely mustered three hundred people. When the formation was complete, vast swathes of mist immediately spread outward, constantly shifting and shrouding dozens of li, causing the lingering martial way intent covering the area to become slightly confused.

Zong Shou watched, secretly impressed. Ling Fakong was indeed the Spirit Master among the Myriad Heavens Mountain contingent with the greatest leadership potential and aptitude for formations.

The deployment was rigorous and orderly; even he could find no fault. While thinking about whether the fleet from the Three Cities of Tao Yun had arrived yet, he nodded and said: “Zong Shou is ready.

If you, True Lord, are confident, you may begin now; any further delay might bring unforeseen complications…” Jing Tao did not hesitate, flicking his fingers to launch a dozen spirit talismans in rapid succession. They transformed into streaks of spiritual light, soaring toward the damaged sword.

Zong Shou glanced over and saw that these dozen-plus talismans were all designed to injure the soul, perfectly targeting an artifact spirit. And in the next instant, the heaven and earth in that location began to tremble violently.

(To be continued)