Outside that Dragon Gate, halfway up Mount Julong, Shuǐ Língbō, utterly bored, pricked up both ears, listening intently to the movements emanating from within the mountain itself.

Moments later, her eyebrows shot up in astonishment.

"—Is that a Dragon’s Roar?"

The sound was distinctly that of a dragon's cry, and one of no low grade; perhaps even above the Ninth Rank.

—That means this dragon has most likely undergone transformation and stepped through the gate into the Immortal Path!

How could such a change occur while one was respectfully observing the martial sage's projection?

Though this place was called Mount Julong, and the cave within was known as the Dragon Gate, how could a genuine, colossal dragon possibly reside here?

Xuán Tàijí also rose, ascending high into the air, looking down upon the entirety of Mount Julong.

His expression instantly became extraordinarily strange.

—It wasn't his illusion! The mountain was indeed shaking ever so slightly.

The Linglie True Man of the Lingyun Sect also flew up beside him. In terms of profound spirit technique cultivation, Linglie was actually a notch below the rising talent, Xuán Tàijí.

At this moment, using spirit light to cover his eyes, he peered closely, his brow furrowing as well.

"The grotto within this mountain appears to be collapsing. Impossible, why would that Dragon Shadow Martial Sage destroy this place? Could it be that this Martial Sage has already perished? But if so, the martial intent he left here should have dissipated by now—"

His tone was uncertain, yet it caused Xuán Tàijí's pupils to contract slightly. He took a deep breath to suppress the astonishment within his chest, then spoke with a placid expression, "If this junior nephew has not guessed wrongly, it’s likely someone has obtained the true inheritance of the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword. With the Spirit Tide rising soon, the appearance of such a talent is truly a fortune for our Cloud Realm."

The Linglie True Man immediately froze. In truth, he hadn't entirely dismissed that possibility earlier.

It was just that, deep in his heart, he found it somewhat unbelievable.

This enigma that had vexed countless talents from various sects and schools for ten thousand years of openness, had just been solved by someone?

Intending to refute the claim, in the very next instant, he felt the spiritual energy of the surrounding heaven and earth fluctuate violently.

The next moment, several figures materialized below, outside the Outer Sect Grotto.

They were all looking around with bewildered eyes.

The Linglie True Man’s heart sank again. Having teleported them out ahead of time, Xuán Tàijí’s guess that the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword had found its master was likely nine-tenths correct.

Xuán Tàijí’s gaze also sharpened, then he turned towards Shuǐ Língbō, who was staring intently into the distance, and said, "Fairy Shuǐ, Xuán Tàijí has a favor to ask. I wonder if the Fairy would be willing to perform your Scrutiny Art, allowing us to glimpse the situation within?"

Shuǐ Língbō, upon hearing this, took a long while before withdrawing her gaze. Then, she let out a cold laugh, "Scrutiny Art? I think you've gone mad. This is Mount Julong, suppressed by the Martial Sage's will. For those of us who have not yet stepped into the Immortal Path, even our spiritual consciousness cannot fully extend, let alone perform the Scrutiny Art—"

Xuán Tàijí showed no anger, nor any sign of reluctance, and certainly did not back down. He merely maintained a faint expression and drew something from his sleeve.

"If that Sage were within the Cloud Realm, Xuán Tàijí naturally wouldn't dare to even imagine it. However, at present, we are separated by hundreds of worlds. I have here a Second Rank Blazing Sun Mirror, and Martial Uncle Linglie should possess the Lingyun Sect's Ninth Rank Cloud Image True Projection Talisman. Doesn't Fairy Shuǐ wish to see what the situation inside truly is? Aren't you worried about the plight of those disciples from the Cāngshēng Dao?"

The Linglie True Man wasted no words and directly tossed out a talisman.

Shuǐ Língbō hesitated slightly, then also let out a cold sneer. A surge of true energy flew out, gathering the Blazing Sun Mirror and the talisman before her.

She muttered incantations under her breath, guiding the Cloud Image True Projection Talisman. Then, joining her right hand into a sword finger, she pointed towards the location of the Inner Gate Chamber and uttered the word, 'Open.'

Instantly, a mass of mist converged, and in a mere moment, a cloud gathered overhead. It first formed the shape of a grotto, and then the white clouds reshaped themselves into human figures.

Because they were formed of cloud and mist, all the figures were white, and their features were indistinct.

Xuán Tàijí frowned slightly, knowing that what Shuǐ Língbō was performing was not the Scrutiny Art, but an Apparent Sensing Projection—

He said nothing, watching carefully. Even so, this was sufficient.

He was primarily concerned for the safety of his two junior brothers, and in the next instant, Xuán Tàijí’s expression shifted to one of shocked uncertainty.

Why was Jīn Bùhuǐ here too? Had this brat entered the Inner Sect? Was he mistaken?

Looking closer, the chubby physique seemed mostly accurate. But a moment later, Xuán Tàijí had no mind to focus on his unpromising junior brother.

All his attention was firmly held by the figure drawing a sword before the luminous wall.

And Shuǐ Língbō, who was maintaining the spell, looked even more astonished.

—It’s Zōng Shǒu!

This fellow seems to have actually accomplished something extraordinary—

※ ※ ※ ※

The sounds were muffled and unclear, and Zōng Shǒu didn't want to hear them anyway.

Instead, he felt furious at himself for his impure focus. He concentrated even more intensely, holding his breath and calming his spirit, working with all his might to break through the next sword stance.

He was completely unaware that the grotto was on the verge of collapse.

Yet, somehow, the sound by his ear grew louder and louder, vexing Zōng Shǒu immensely.

"Boy—"

After an unknown amount of time, the voice became genuinely clear. This time, he truly heard what it was saying.

Delusion!

Zōng Shǒu simply could not tolerate it. He was so close to another hall within the realm of the Way of the Sword. He would absolutely not allow anyone or anything to disrupt his concentration!

He executed a sword thrust, leaving another mark on the luminous wall.

This was already his seventy-first sword strike. Eleven more strikes, eleven more strokes, and he could completely finish carving this incomplete dragon-shaped diagram!

"Interesting boy!"

The voice sounded again, carrying a hint of amusement, "This is no inner demon. Do you know that my Dragon Shadow has consecutively crossed fifteen worlds just to let you hear these words clearly? Do you know that even for a Saint-Realm expert like myself, crossing space and boundaries is no easy feat?"

Zōng Shǒu finally heard clearly, his eyebrow arching slightly with a hint of hesitation.

"Dragon Shadow? Could the speaker be this Elder Dragon Shadow?"

This thought only arose in his mind; he did not speak it aloud.

However, as soon as this intention surfaced, the voice sounded again, approvingly, "Not bad, you’ve finally woken up. But a student of the sword should maintain such focus. Your sincerity and truth towards the Way of the Sword is a good thing—"

Zōng Shǒu was instantly filled with surprise and doubt. Did the owner of this voice know what he was thinking?

For a time, he couldn't confirm whether this was an inner demon, some spirit entity confusing the mind, or perhaps the true Elder Dragon Shadow?

Then he heard the Dragon Shadow laugh coldly, "Could it be false? In my Mount Julong, which evil spirit dares approach half a step? A person's thoughts possess inherent soul-wave vibrations. Since you are within my domain, if I still didn't know what you were thinking, then my ten thousand years of cultivation, my Saint-Realm attainment, would have been in vain—"

Zōng Shǒu made a soft sound, falling into silence for a moment, musing that what the Dragon Shadow said was quite similar to the research of later generations—the discovery that human thought had a peculiar electromagnetic wave.

This Saint-Realm expert being able to discern it was truly extraordinary. He then wondered if his senior brother could do the same?

If that were the case, perhaps Wèi Xù had heard his complaints about him back then?

Speaking of which, this voice was likely not some inner demon; he didn't seem to hold any obsession towards this Dragon Shadow.

However, Zōng Shǒu at this moment still didn't know what to say. More importantly, he didn't know why the Elder Dragon Shadow had suddenly appeared?

The Dragon Shadow then continued in a cold tone, "I did not willingly leave behind this Dragon Gate Sword Grotto. Hence, I laid down numerous restrictions, intending to make things difficult. I never expected that after ten thousand years, someone would actually be able to decipher them. Since you can break through the majority of the puzzles, you are naturally qualified to inherit my Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword. This is for the best; the promise I made to that person is finally fulfilled today. But listen carefully to the final core secret of the true Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword—"

Zōng Shǒu did not listen; his mind became even more focused. He struck out with the seventy-second and seventy-third swords consecutively, then rested his longsword, beginning a deep contemplation.

His mind had never been so clear. He knew the true mystery of the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword lay upon the luminous wall.

Why bother paying attention to the so-called core secret of this Elder Dragon Shadow, whose authenticity he couldn't confirm?

This luminous wall held more significance for him, Zōng Shǒu, than just a Tenth-Rank Sword Art!

It was a challenge, a challenge that could elevate his Way of the Sword!

After muttering a few phrases, the Dragon Shadow realized Zōng Shǒu hadn't been recording any of it. He was clearly a bit annoyed, snapping, "Ungrateful brat! You don't appreciate the effort I saved you! Do you think the luminous wall I left behind is something just anyone can break?"

Though his tone carried irritation, for some reason, there was a hint of admiration mixed in.

As he was speaking, the Dragon Shadow suddenly let out an "Eh?", sounding extremely surprised by something.

"You have a Dual Meridian Body within you? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Zōng Shǒu instantly rolled his eyes. Was there a need to mention that? Besides, after entering the outside, this was the first time he'd contacted this elder; who was he supposed to tell?

Then, in the next instant, he felt an immensely powerful and vast force suddenly seize his body tightly.

Several strands of strange energy probed into his body from an unknown source. Then, the voice sounded even more astonished.

"To achieve dual meridian cultivation through such a method, truly ingenious! Wouldn't this give you several times the true energy and spiritual energy compared to ordinary people? Good! Good! Good! Hmm? And you are actually in a Remnant Soul Body state, the Heaven-Man barrier. You actually broke through the Human Barrier, one of the two great obstacles?"

The force abruptly became even more boundless, causing Zōng Shǒu’s entire body to ache slightly. The Dragon Shadow’s voice sounded again, this time carrying a certain gravity, suppressing excitement.

"Did you rely on the aid of others, or did you rely on your own power?"