There is one more thing I must inform Your Highness about. I will personally travel to Fangshan City soon to propose marriage. Han Nishui had originally intended to give up on the matter of marrying Yiren, but now he has changed his mind and is determined to contend with Your Highness for her hand." Zong Shou’s gaze sharpened, turning coldly toward Han Nishui, who, however, remained utterly unconcerned, his expression placid: "Perhaps Your Highness believes this to be mere fantasy, that you do not take Han Nishui seriously.

However, regarding this proposal, my Shangxiao Sect holds the utmost sincerity. Furthermore, with the persuasion of Madam Lin’s former elders from her sect, Nishui feels somewhat confident in his ability to persuade City Lord Xuanyuan to change his mind. A virtuous and beautiful woman is desired by a noble man.

Yiren is a genius in the Dao of Elixir, her future achievements are limitless, and she is bound to attain long life and watch the ages pass. To live ten thousand years, set apart from mortals, she is simply not a suitable match for Your Highness. I will not urge you to relinquish her today, only to compete fairly with Your Highness.

If Your Highness is defeated, do not hold me accountable in the future. My words are concluded; take care of yourself!" Zong Shou was utterly bewildered, not understanding why the man was saying all this to him. Was his mind addled?

Zong Shou looked upon the man with pity. He knew that Xuanyuan Yiren’s mother was seemingly influential, but that depended entirely on whom she was dealing with. The direct successor of the second generation of the Cangsheng Dao—the gap between that status and Han Nishui’s 'Qihang Xia' standing was immeasurable by any rational standard.

As long as Lin Shina was not a fool, she would know exactly how to choose. After Han Nishui finished speaking, his gaze shifted back to Jin Weiran, the smile on his face turning gentle: "Is this not Jin Weiran, the direct successor of the third generation of the Haoxuan Sect? With a status like yours, Brother Jin, why associate with this man?

Do you not know the saying that a phoenix does not flock with common birds? I have a few friends who wish to introduce themselves to Brother Jin—all talents from various sects. Would Brother Jin grace me with your company?" Jin Weiran had no desire to engage, and upon hearing this, he merely rolled his eyes coldly, letting out a hollow laugh: "Just as you said: Dragons do not coil with snakes, and phoenixes do not associate with chickens.

Since you understand this principle, then quickly get lost. What qualifications do you, Han Nishui, possess to stand here alongside us two?" Han Nishui’s expression instantly shifted between ashen and green, his gaze turning icy. Fury brewed within him, threatening to erupt, yet he seemed to hold back due to some restraint.

Finally, he managed to say with a hardened face and deep voice, "Daoist Friend Jin, you have experienced too little, and you are too young, easily misled by villains. I, Han Nishui, will pretend I did not hear that remark. One more word of advice, Daoist Friend Jin: Choose your friends carefully, lest you regret it later!" With that, he turned and left, hands clasped behind his back.

Just as Jin Weiran was letting out a sneer, another person woke up in the distance. This time, it was a man and a woman. The man had a square, honest face, his demeanor steady yet subtly overlaid with a touch of fierceness.

The woman, however, was mesmerizingly beautiful, her eyes like flowing waves, staring fixedly at Zong Shou with an expression of deep affection. "I heard some time ago that you had crippled your own cultivation. I did not believe it then, but seeing you now confirms it." The man spoke first, looking down coldly upon Zong Shou on the bluestone: "That day on my Danling Mountain, you broke the Mingjian and Tianfu stages consecutively, full of spirit and arrogance, shaking all of Lingyun.

But seeing you now, I pity you." Zong Shou raised his eyes with resignation, meeting the gaze of the youth. It was indeed Yan Feibai, whom he had met once on Danling Mountain and who had vowed to challenge him three years later. Now, he truly looked upon Zong Shou with pity.

"When I first heard the news, I felt immense disappointment. But seeing you here now brings me some small comfort. At least you, Zong Shou, have not entirely given up.

I am now a direct successor of the fourth generation of the Lingyun Sect. A challenge in three years would be unfair victory. I change it to ten years.

Within ten years, regardless of your 'Qihang Xia' status, Yan Feibai will surely seek you out for a battle!" Zong Shou thought to himself: Isn't this guy being too self-assured? Why would I, Zong Shou, bother fighting you just for my own sake? Yan Feibai did not allow him to refuse and left immediately.

However, given this person's temperament, Zong Shou suspected he wouldn't have cared even if Zong Shou had objected. The woman behind him giggled: "He’s just a maniac, just ignore him. Hey, do you still remember me?

I also saw you on Danling Mountain that day. My humble surname is Ge, and my given name is Hanyun..." Zong Shou nodded; he certainly remembered this woman, and the impression was deep. In the later generations' Divine Emperor game, he had battled her several times.

Along with Yan Feibai, she was a pillar of the Lingyun Sect. Seeing that Zong Shou remembered her, Ge Hanyun immediately smiled happily: "It’s good that you remember! I don't care what others say.

I just know that someone like you will certainly not be a truly ruined person in the future. I think highly of you. If your fiancée ever leaves you, how about Hanyun marries you instead?" After exchanging a few pleasantries, the inexplicably forward young woman also departed.

Jin Weiran looked utterly perplexed: "Zong Shou, what exactly did you do? Why does everyone think you are a cripple incapable of cultivation? These people lack any sense of propriety.

How ridiculous that Han Nishui talks of 'a phoenix not flocking with common birds.' A figure like him, I, Old Jin, don't even take seriously; compared to you, he’s mere dross. And this Yan Feibai, his innate talent is not bad, but challenging you to a fight? Wouldn't that be inviting humiliation?

Only this girl has some insight." Zong Shou let out a wry smile; the reasons were truly complex. There was the fact that 'Zong Shou was indeed a cripple before,' coupled with the instigation from Lei Dong and Zhao Yanran. Consequently, even if he stood before everyone now and claimed he was already a Spirit Master in the Huan Yang Realm, few would probably believe him.

Jin Weiran then asked curiously, "Right, that Yan Feibai mentioned you once broke the Lingyun Sect's Mingjian and Tianfu Stages. What’s that about?" Zong Shou intended to avoid the topic, but he couldn't resist Jin Weiran's curious, childlike gaze, so he finally explained: "Years ago, when my father disappeared, Zong Shou sought to join the Lingyun Sect. Not only was he rejected, but the people accompanying him were humiliated.

In a fit of rage, I shattered both their Mingjian Stage and Tianfu Stage platforms." "And after that, the Lingyun Sect still didn't accept you into the sect?" Jin Weiran’s expression froze, and seeing Zong Shou’s look, he immediately knew the answer. He was left speechless and incredulous: "Are the people of Lingyun Sect all idiots? Has water gotten into their brains?" The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable and yet humorous it seemed.

Another thought arose in his mind: If he could bring Zong Shou into his own sect, how delighted would his Master be? Zong Shou suddenly felt a slight prickling sensation and looked up sharply. On a towering, strange rock across the way, several gazes, filled with scrutiny, were directed towards him.

One of them was Long Ruo, whose look made him extremely uncomfortable. Beside him was an elder dressed in Daoist robes whose cultivation was comparable to Xuan Taiji at that time; he was also observing the scene with great interest. Zong Shou narrowed his eyes slightly, paying them no mind, and closed his eyes to meditate.

In any case, this time he was entering through the Outer Gate, so he presumed there would be no interaction with these people. ※※※※ "Is this the child Zong Shou?" Just as Zong Shou averted his gaze, the elder atop the strange rock smiled and inquired of Long Ruo beside him. Seeing Long Ruo bow in affirmation, the elder chuckled lightly: "This child has strange forces distributed around him; nothing can be clearly discerned.

I only see that his physique and bone structure are quite unique. If he were to practice martial arts, he would certainly be good material. You examined him earlier; are you certain he possesses the Dual Meridian Body?

The Barrier of Heaven and Man, and a damaged Divine Soul?" Long Ruo’s expression tightened, and he answered without hesitation: "Confirmed, without a doubt! This child’s Dual Meridian Body has been present from beginning to end. As for the Barrier of Heaven and Man, it can be inferred from the fact that this child has achieved nothing cultivating spiritual techniques, and it’s certainly not just due to the Dual Meridians.

This child is courageous and decisive, severing his own cultivation like a strong man cutting off his wrist, thereby leaving himself a few threads of life." "Is that so?" The elder stroked his beard, then shook his head slightly: "I, Ling Lie, have never encountered such a person before. Given the circumstances at the time, it is understandable that you were mistaken. At that moment, perhaps no one expected him to inherit Qiantian Mountain and fully restore the old territory.

Although you bear some responsibility for this matter, it is not a grave error." Long Ruo's expression immediately eased, and he bowed again: "Martial Uncle, you see clearly!" "This child broke the Mingjian Stage within two hundred breaths and drew the Twelve Heavenly Talismans. His innate talent is truly rare. It is a real pity!

However, since he possesses the Dual Meridian Body, this child will likely achieve little in his life. Less than one in ten thousand people in this world can break the Barrier of Heaven and Man..." Ling Lie also sighed, deeply regretful. Then, his gaze turned cold as he scanned the thousands of people below: "Has that matter been thoroughly investigated?

Is that object truly present within this Dragon Gate?" This time, Long Ruo shook his head slightly: "This matter has always been merely a rumor; how can it be clearly investigated? However, where there is smoke, there is fire. I only know that when the Dragon Gate was last opened, that person was indeed inside.

Whether he brought those things in or not, Long Ruo does not know. Yesterday, Ant Daoist released all ten thousand of his Demonic Fire Crystal Ants to search the entire Julong Mountain, causing many innocent people to suffer collateral damage. The number of people gathered before the Dragon Gate today is several times higher than anticipated.

My disciple speculates that some people have already received definite information." Ling Lie said nothing, his expression grave, seemingly pondering something. Long Ruo continued: "Therefore, my disciple requested the Sect to dispatch more disciples to the Outer Gate Grotto. In my estimation, there is at least a thirty percent chance that those things are hidden in the Outer Gate area.

If that is the case, my Ancestral Martial Brother, along with Brother Han and a few others, will likely be powerless. We will have to rely on disciples with Six-Stage cultivation to have any hope..." Ling Lie nodded, aware that the Dragon Gate contained Martial Saint restrictions, which were ever-changing. Even experts at the Celestial Travel level could only enter through the Inner Gate passage and not the Outer Gate one.

After another period of contemplation, looking at the thousands of people below, Ling Lie’s gaze finally solidified, and he made a decision: "If it were an ordinary spiritual treasure, our Lingyun Sect would not care. But since it is that specific object, and it benefits your Black Flood Dragon, we cannot ignore it. It shall be as you wish!" Long Ruo felt a surge of joy and was about to agree when suddenly a dragon roar echoed from the mountain peak, shaking the vast sky.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian, cast recommendation votes, and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)