The stone chamber where Zong Shou had recently stayed now held Yan Feibai, his expression grim as he stared ahead.

This massive, seamless iron door utterly blocked the passage leading to the upper level.

He had arrived here half an hour ago, initially tracking the aura of Zong Shou and his group. But after navigating only a few corridors through the cave system, the entire area suddenly filled with mist, and illusions began to plague his senses.

Yan Feibai couldn't discern the reason, but only after overcoming numerous hardships to reach this point did he grasp a fraction of the situation: he hadn't seen Zong Shou at all along the way, meaning the youth had clearly entered the upper tier. And this door stood tightly sealed, leaving everyone powerless.

Thoughts flashed through his mind. Yan Feibai didn't hesitate, turning around instead. "Let's go. This path is closed off. We’ll search elsewhere—"

Ge Hanyun was instantly aghast. "This door can be opened with the right method; we just need to get inside. You’ve only glanced at it and you’re ready to give up already? "A door left by a Martial Saint, if they wished us to open it, wouldn't require much effort. If they don't wish it, no matter what we try, it won't yield."

He sighed inwardly. When this girl became infatuated with a man, her intelligence truly approached zero.

Ge Hanyun now showed none of her former intelligence and brilliance; it seemed she was single-mindedly focused on seeing Zong Shou.

Shaking his head in utter confusion, Yan Feibai continued explaining. "The relief carving on this iron door should be the work of Elder Long Ying himself. Opening it should be extremely simple. Anyone he recognizes, possessing the reverence of a true disciple, could perhaps succeed with a few bows. But this carving is shattered. It's evident that that person truly does not wish for anyone else to enter through this door!"

Ge Hanyun frowned, looking closely again. She had actually noticed the subtle lines on the door carving earlier but hadn't paid much attention. Only after Yan Feibai pointed it out did she realize the inherent meaning. Her face instantly flushed crimson; she knew she had been behaving improperly.

Yan Feibai, however, remained outwardly indifferent, his thoughts delving deeper.

By shattering his own likeness carved in relief, did Elder Long Ying now believe he had found the most suitable successor for the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword within the Cloud Realm? That he needed no one else?

Even the last stone chamber he had visited was obscured by restrictive formations.

If he hadn't been carrying certain crucial artifacts of his sect, he might not have managed to enter this area at all.

Yet, even so, when he entered that final chamber, it was completely bare. The side walls and even the ceiling were smooth and pristine; the floor was covered entirely in stone dust. It seemed something had been utterly destroyed.

Could it be that the will of Elder Long Ying had been monitoring Ju Long Mountain the entire time?

Was he that satisfied with Zong Shou?

That made sense. With someone of that caliber inheriting his sword path, how could he possibly spare a glance for others?

That person's innate talent for the sword path was secondary. The sheer fact that he could endure such excruciating pain day after day for years, forcibly breaking through the barrier between man and the transcendent—the mere thought sent a chill down Yan Feibai’s spine; he felt utterly inferior.

Thinking this, a burning heat intensified in Yan Feibai’s chest, making him more agitated and restless. His pace quickened involuntarily, gradually accelerating into a full-out sprint.

Ge Hanyun hastily employed a spirit technique to lift herself into the air and followed. "Are you planning to search for a second entrance? Why the hurry? Martial Uncle Long is steady in nature and methodical in action. Even without our reminder, he likely won't make any major mistakes—"

Yan Feibai let out a cold snort upon hearing this. "His nature is indeed steady, but he values face even more. This matter concerning Zong Shou relates directly to the decision over the Sect Master's direct disciple, and that scoundrel Han Nishui is by his side. Who can predict if Martial Uncle might make an impulsive move? A person like Zong Shou cannot be lightly offended. Having already made an enemy of him is enough for me. It's best not to drag the entire sect into this,"

He then sneered faintly. "If you don't want to end up as sworn enemies with him in the future, if you still wish to speak with him normally, or even steal his fiancée away from him, then hurry up and help me find those two entrances. This isn't a joke with you!"

Ge Hanyun was startled. After a brief moment of contemplation, her figure shot forward, actually moving slightly faster than Yan Feibai.

Not long after the two departed, another figure appeared in the stone chamber.

Clad in a Daoist robe, several giant ants, each half a man’s height, hovered in the air behind him.

He frowned deeply as he looked at the door before him.

The next instant, upon spotting the pavilion Zong Shou had severed nearby, a flicker of wary strangeness crossed his eyes.

"—Such a smooth cut. This person has an astonishingly sharp sword!"

After a moment of thought, the middle-aged man in the Daoist robe also turned and left without hesitation. However, his eyes were filled with dangerous intent.

Killing intent flashed—

※※※※

"Zong Shou? Zhao Yanran? What are you two doing here?"

In the 'Great Hall' of the upper level, Zong Shou looked up in astonishment as a voice called out. A figure was stepping out of one of the stone chambers.

It was Long Ruo of the Lingyun Sect, followed by several others. Ancestor Ren Kuang, whom he had met once in Cloud Saint City, and Han Nishui of the Shangxiao Sect, of course, were present.

There was one more person Zong Shou didn't recognize. His appearance was also youthful, and he wore a blue brocade robe. However, the true essence within him seemed intensely scorching.

He had only encountered a similar aura a few times on Xuanyuan Yiren, though her condition had improved after refining the Cold Spirit Profound Essence Pill to suppress it.

Using wood to aid fire, this person practiced the Profound Moon Blazing Wood Art.

At this moment, he was glaring over here with a chilling expression, seemingly filled with intense hatred for Zong Shou, scrutinizing him with a mix of contempt and fury.

And in the depths of Han Nishui's eyes, a sharp glint flashed, killing intent briefly stirring. He seemed to recall that the timing and location were inappropriate, so he restrained himself and returned to normal.

Zong Shou had no interest in addressing these four. The comprehensive knowledge here was far more complete than what he had grasped in the lower levels. This was clearly the complete version of the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword manual.

Once he fully comprehended and memorized it, his study of the other eight sword technique volumes would certainly be much faster. How could he spare energy for distractions?

Zhao Yanran couldn't tolerate the slight. With a scoff, she retorted, "What are we doing here? Naturally, we walked up from below. Is this your private estate that I, Zhao Yanran, am forbidden to enter?"

Long Ruo's breath hitched momentarily, then he managed a broad smile, though a hint of forced effort showed in his eyes.

Seeing Zong Shou hadn't spoken at all, still meticulously examining the vaguely familiar relief carving, he felt even more irritated, yet also strangely unsettled.

It was one thing for Zhao Yanran and the others to enter the upper level. But why was Zong Shou here too?

Since he was supposedly incapable of cultivation, how could he have reached this place entirely intact?

A sense of foreboding vaguely arose in Long Ruo’s mind. He didn't want to think about it any further, only feeling an abnormal suppression in his chest.

Forcing himself to endure, Long Ruo's face darkened, and he was about to move toward another cave chamber.

Just then, the youth in blue suddenly spoke up. "Junior Brother Long! The Martial Saint’s impressions in the Inner Sect have always been exclusive territory for us established sects. Opening the outer areas below to wandering cultivators worldwide was generous enough. Allowing an unattached person with no sect affiliation in now seems inappropriate?"

Han Nishui’s eyes instantly brightened at this. Zong Shou and the others also tensed slightly.

Long Ruo paused in his tracks. After a moment of hesitation, he finally stopped. "Then, Senior Brother Li, what do you suggest should be done?"

Zong Shou realized with a flash of understanding: this person must be Li Yuandan, Xuanyuan Yi's senior disciple brother. He had heard about this man, the one who unilaterally arranged the engagement for Xuanyuan Yiren, but they had never met.

Next, Li Yuandan chuckled. "As for Zhao Yanran and the other two, they are fine; they all have proper backgrounds. That one from Qian Tian Mountain, however, should be expelled. How can we allow outsiders to covet what is in our bowl? I happen to possess a Transcendence Talisman drawn by a sect elder."

At these words, Zhao Yanran and the others showed expressions of furious anger, their gazes turning grimly toward Li Yuandan.

Long Ruo seemed somewhat moved, scanning Zong Shou up and down, the light in his eyes fluctuating as he appeared to deliberate. After a moment, his gaze solidified, and he made a decision. "How can we allow outsiders to covet what is in our bowl? Those words hold great truth—"

Before his words fully landed, a woman’s voice interrupted. "What truth is there? Your Lingyun Sect claims to be a righteous path; when did you start learning bullying tactics? Ju Long Mountain belongs to the Martial Saint Long Ying. The impressions here are not for any single sect or faction, but for all cultivators in the Cloud Realm to comprehend. Even I, from the Cang Sheng Dao—what you call the Demonic Sect—understand this principle—"

As she spoke, a woman’s figure emerged from another side chamber. She appeared to be around twenty, not much older than Zhao Yanran. The latter immediately rose and bowed. "Greetings, Junior Martial Aunt!"

The woman ignored Zhao Yanran, instead smiling warmly at Zong Shou. "He Xueying of the Seven Spirits Sect, greetings, Your Highness—" She then fixed a cold gaze on Long Ruo.

Long Ruo frowned deeply, about to speak, when a loud laugh echoed. "Fairy He speaks well! It was already somewhat improper for our sects to occupy all the quota slots in the Inner Sect. If we now proceed to expel others, I fear Elder Long Ying would be greatly displeased if he knew."

Another person stepped out, carrying three swords, his expression serious. He also smiled toward Zong Shou. "Su Chen of the Sword Sect's Han Shan Gate, greetings, Your Highness! Your Highness is Brother Lei Dong's sworn brother, which makes you my brother Su Chen as well. Today, I absolutely will not allow these despicable wretches to bully you—"

Li Yuandan's eyes immediately bulged in anger. "Su Chen, who are you calling a wretch?"

Su Chen responded with a cold laugh, offering no further words, though his eyes were filled with contempt.

Jin Buhui suddenly roared at this moment. "Senior Brother Shen! Is this show entertaining enough for you? Have you forgotten the three favors you owe me? If you don't come out now to repay your debt, be careful, I might just go to Senior Sister and spread rumors!"