It was barely two days after the fifth and sixth meridians had entered his body that Zong Shou reached the Martial Ancestor realm.

Were it not for the fact that his current cultivation was not yet completely stabilized, and that the changes wrought by his breakthrough within his body were still ongoing, he could have already completed the fusion of the fourth meridian, stepping into the realm of a Four-Meridian Martial Ancestor.

The martial classics and scriptures left behind by Wei Xu before his departure were now sufficient to allow Zong Shou to perfect the Earth Wheel level of the World-Shaking Spirit Art, advancing it to its fifth stage. Zong Shou had just finished his body refinement practice for the day when Zong Yuan also awoke from his meditation, his eyes faintly shimmering with starlight—a sign of complete vigor.

Zong Shou smiled faintly. Ever since obtaining the Blood of the Spirit Newt, Zong Yuan’s volatile aura had stabilized day by day.

The biggest obstacle for this fellow in breaking through to the Black Tortoise Sect level was his physical body. Now, fortified by the Inner View Black Thunder Body Tempering Art internally and the external aid of the Spirit Newt Blood, every session of cultivation only served to make his foundation more solid, and his comprehension of the Raging Thunder Spear Intent must also be increasing steadily.

In truth, by this point, Zong Yuan’s aura was far less restless than before; the feeling of being on the verge of losing control and running rampant was gone. The hidden dangers of rapid advancement were being eliminated bit by bit.

Even the purple lightning that occasionally overflowed from his body was vanishing, receding to an almost undetectable level.

Taking out the Illusory Heart Mirror, intending to enter deep meditation once more, Zong Shou frowned and glanced towards the muddy swamp not far away.

"They're fast!"

A troop of riders was approaching from the depths of the marsh, all mounted on mounts of the Sub-rank. Their cultivation levels varied; the highest possessed the vision of a peak Sixth-Rank beast, while the lowest were equivalent to Third-Rank Spirit Beasts. Spirit Masters made up the majority, with Martial Cultivators comprising only a quarter. Most of the secluded sects and noble families had elders accompanying them when entering Jù Lóng Mountain, allowing them to traverse a thousand li in an instant while soaring through the air.

As for the rogue cultivators of the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent, none below the Heaven Rank could participate. Many factions with substantial strength had viable means to intervene.

However, the area surrounding this location had been sealed off beforehand by Chai Yuan’s great army. Few could enter Jù Lóng Mountain via the land route.

This left only a few factions within the territory of Qián Tiān Mountain. One of these was the Linhai Academy.

Judging by their attire, these riders belonged to the Academy.

Zong Shou smiled slightly, abandoning his plan for meditation, his gaze sweeping across the group as he searched.

In just a short while, his eyes settled upon one person. He was a young man dressed in the plainest blue cloth robe. His complexion was slightly pale, yet his features shared nearly sixty percent resemblance to Gong Xinran.

Upon spotting this individual, Zong Shou immediately felt a further easing in his mind and spirit.

He knew this young man was likely Gong Xinran’s younger brother. Indeed, it aligned with the information Ruò Shuǐ had provided: this youth had followed his sister’s path, joining the Linhai Academy a year ago.

It seemed he practiced the dual path of Martial Arts and Spirit Cultivation. Though young, he already possessed the cultivation base of both a Secret Martial Master and an Spirit Cultivator at the Spirit Nurturing Realm, having reached the Third Rank in both disciplines.

His talent far surpassed that of Gong Xinran. No wonder the deans of Linhai Academy were so insistent on bringing him to the Dragon Gate.

He then recalled the Martial Scripture Secret Manual resting in his Qiankun Pouch. By delivering this item, he would fulfill another of the "Zong Shou's" dying wishes.

Resolving this entanglement and closing this karmic tie would surely clarify his state of mind even further.

As for the secrets contained within this manual, he had never truly dedicated effort to uncovering them. Beyond an initial sense of oddity, he hadn't paid them much mind; whatever secrets they held should pertain to the Gong family, irrelevant to him.

Entrusted with a task, he would see it through; he held no desire to usurp the Gong family's property.

The thought of settling this matter brought him immediate joy.

In the future, at worst, he could write a letter of recommendation, asking Lei Dong to take this young man as a disciple of the Five Absolutes Villa—that would suffice as proper care.

Linhai Academy was founded in ancient times by several rogue Spirit Masters at the Sun Roaming Realm and a few Confucian scholars. With a five-thousand-year lineage, it had gradually taken shape across the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent, holding a respectable stature among many academies. It spread Confucian learning while simultaneously teaching disciples spirit arts in exchange for revenue. Many secluded sects stationed personnel here to select and assess disciples.

Having someone join the Five Absolutes Villa would be an honor for the Academy.

Zong Yuan quietly gripped his spear, remaining seated like a clay sculpture, yet his vigilance and defensive posture instantly escalated to the extreme.

Zong Shou, however, merely smiled, picking up a wooden twig to poke at the campfire. With so many people present, it was inconvenient to hand over the Martial Scripture Secret Manual openly. Therefore, he had no intention of revealing himself for the moment.

When the group from Linhai Academy reached the flat ground at the foot of the mountain, they also surveyed the two with cautious expressions.

However, there were truly few suitable places for them to rest nearby, so they had no choice but to set up camp to one side. A moment later, a surprised exclamation was heard: "Is that Junior Brother Zong Shou?"

Zong Shou’s gaze sharpened slightly, and he followed the sound of the voice. Indeed, he recognized several familiar faces, and the memories sealed away for thirteen years instantly resurfaced.

He recognized several of the outstanding individuals from "Zong Shou's" generation. The speaker was a fifteen-year-old youth, one year older than him. He wore opulent clothing and a golden crown, yet his features appeared somewhat simple and honest.

Zong Shou knew this person was named Zhong Li-shuang, said to be the scion of a secluded noble family in the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent. His family's influence was almost comparable to some major powers, boasting several Seventh-Rank experts within their ranks.

For some reason, he had joined the Linhai Academy. His own strength was not weak, having reached the peak of the Spirit Nurturing Realm, only a few steps away from achieving spirit manifestation.

Even more astonished were the accompanying instructors. They all turned their gazes toward him, but their eyes were incredibly complex, a mixture of reverence, guilt, and worry. They wanted to step forward to pay their respects but hesitated.

Though no words were spoken, Zong Shou understood the thoughts of these individuals perfectly. During those three years, "Zong Shou's" situation at Linhai Academy had not been good. Especially in the final month, when Zong Wei-ran and Qián Tiān Mountain were showing signs of imminent collapse. Not only his classmates but also the instructors who taught him had mostly treated him with cold indifference.

At that time, perhaps no one had expected that he, Zong Shou, could return to Qián Tiān Mountain, slay Zong Shi, and inherit the position of the Demon King.

And they certainly never imagined that in just a few months, the situation on the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent would change so drastically: Qián Tiān Mountain would rise again, exclusively controlling the twelve provinces, in addition to Xuán Mountain, which he was set to inherit.

Nearly one-third of the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent was now under his command.

The regions influenced by Linhai Academy had all fallen under his jurisdiction.

Zong Shou let out a cold laugh, unwilling to engage. He listlessly prodded the campfire, watching the flames shift.

However, a light chuckle soon sounded from within the crowd.

"Zong Shou? The good-for-nothing Crown Prince? Isn't he dead yet?" The voice was sharp and frivolous, laced with mockery. "Studying for three years and still unable to achieve the Spirit Stabilization stage—what is he doing here? Does he think the engraved image of the Dragon Gate Martial Saint can help him? If he lacks the aptitude for spirit cultivation, he should have some self-awareness."

Zong Shou’s mind paused briefly. What kind of oddity is this? Calling him Crown Prince suggests they haven't heard the news about him yet.

But to possess such audacity to mock him openly in front of his instructors, this person must possess considerable status.

He raised his eyelids and saw a slightly plump figure walking toward Zhong Li-shuang with a sneer, his eyes filled with mocking amusement as he looked over.

Zong Shou recognized this person: Hai Hong-zhen. His family background was also extraordinary, second only to Zhong Li-shuang.

Thinking of this, Zong Shou recalled several past grievances. At Linhai Academy, because of this person, the original "Zong Shou" had been beaten several times. On multiple occasions, he was beaten half to death and subjected to wanton humiliation.

Initially, some instructors from the Academy had stepped in on behalf of Qián Tiān Mountain. But later, no one cared anymore.

These memories were intensely vivid in the original "Zong Shou's" mind. He hated this little fatty almost as much as Zong Yu. But Zong Shou now felt only indifference.

However, the first to become anxious now was another Spirit Master at the Yang Return Realm from Linhai Academy, who sharply rebuked, "Silence! His Highness Zong Shou is now the Demon King of Qián Tiān Mountain, controlling twelve provinces. Just recently, he defeated Tao Yun City and forced the masters of the Yun Xia and Blazing Flame cities to lose an arm, commanding millions of troops! What courage do you possess to dare offend him?"

The reprimand was not the end of it; the instructor even offered a warning. Even Zhong Li-shuang, who had first recognized Zong Shou, had a darkened expression.

The little fatty, Hai Hong-zhen, was also slightly startled, looking at Zong Shou with disbelief.

He had been in secluded training recently and truly knew little of outside affairs. It was hard for him to believe that the person he could arbitrarily bully a year ago had actually become the Qián Tiān Demon King controlling twelve provinces.

Then, upon seeing the strange gazes cast by everyone, including his own classmates, his expression shifted again, his eyes blazing with anger.

"So what if he's the Qián Tiān Demon King? What I said earlier wasn't wrong—a piece of trash is trash! I’ll curse him, and what can he do to me?"

Another cold laugh followed: "You fear him, but my Hai family does not. He’s just a petty Demon King. A year ago, he was the one I beat until he didn't dare speak..."

Zong Shou hadn't cared initially, but hearing this became irritating. He slightly closed his eyes and said, "Make him shut up!" Zong Yuan’s gaze instantly sharpened. While still, he was like a stone statue; when he moved, he was as swift and elusive as a startled rabbit.

A spear shadow, purple in color, shot directly toward the group from Linhai Academy. The martial arts of the Seven-Tailed Celestial Fox Clan excelled in illusory movements and elusiveness. Zong Shou, however, followed a path diametrically opposed to that—sharp, domineering, and incomparably swift!

The faces of several instructors from Linhai Academy turned ashen. Several protective spirit barriers were almost instantly cast over Hai Hong-zhen.

Two Martial Ancestors of the Black Tortoise Sect drew their longswords, sending two sword shadows sweeping in obliquely to block Zong Yuan’s figure.

Yet, Zong Yuan did not evade or dodge; the lightning light seemed to pass through him. He met the attack head-on, his spear performing a flourish that instantly shattered both sword shadows. Before these people could react, his figure streaked fifty zhang away, the spear tip aimed directly at Hai Hong-zhen’s throat.