"Now I finally understand why that brat Lei Dong would become sworn brothers with you." As he spoke, Su Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing down the mountain. The crowd gathered here had mostly dispersed. Even the seated leaders of several sects had departed, leaving behind nothing but scattered debris.

Zong Shou stood beside him, biting back a wry smile. Though they were brothers, the two had exchanged few words. It was Zong Shou who had received numerous favors from Lei Dong.

Now, he was slightly curious about Lei Dong’s current situation. "I wonder how my elder brother is doing now? Has he returned to the side of Miss Zhen Ru?" "You've heard of Miss Zhen Ru?

Ha, that fellow is likely fighting tooth and nail with that Ling Jian Ruo Tao right now." Su Chen let out a hearty laugh, his demeanor lively. "He left for many years, and finally broke through the barrier in his heart. I hear he recently broke through to Martial Venerable.

Now there will be quite a show!" Then he chuckled again. "Speaking of Ling Jian Ruo Tao, one cannot fail to mention the three great Swordsmen among the younger generation of the Cloud Realm. These three are undoubtedly the most outstanding swordsmen of the past thousand years.

However, in my opinion, Your Highness is also qualified to stand alongside them. The Three Great Swordsmen of the Cloud Realm should be renamed the Five Great Swordsmen of the Cloud Realm. Indeed, an age of great spiritual tide also brings forth numerous heroes.

Talented figures like you only emerge once in a thousand years, yet now we have five all at once." "Brother Su overpraises me. Zong Shou lacks the virtue and merit to bear such a title!" Zong Shou shook his head solemnly, then curiously inquired, "Brother Su, is the other candidate for the Great Swordsmen title that newly ascended direct disciple from your Sword Sect?" "Precisely! Hmm, I didn't expect you to know of him.

I have met him; even without Spiritual Martial Unity, this person is a top-tier figure. Although he cannot achieve the spiritual connection to the Dao of the Sword like you, he grasped Sword Intent quite early on. Furthermore, in my view, this person's foundation surpasses even yours!

It’s just that this person seems too..." His brow furrowed, and Su Chen sighed, seeming reluctant to discuss it further. His gaze shifted to a youth standing quietly not far away, and he chuckled lightly. "This youth, named Gong Yue?

He was born to wield a sword. I don't know his innate talent, but his physical foundation and aptitude are truly exceptional. Do you really intend to have him join the Five Absolute Mountain Villa?" Zong Shou glanced over, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"This person is a friend of an old acquaintance. I intended to help him, but alas, I am entangled in too many matters and truly cannot spare the energy to teach him properly." This statement sounded old and weighty, quite at odds with his youthful face. The few people nearby couldn't help but let out chuckles.

Su Chen also found it amusing, though he somewhat understood. He knew that purely in terms of the Dao of the Sword, few in the entire Cloud Realm could surpass this youth beside him. If someone in the Cloud Realm could fully support him with his 'power', it would surely be a blessing of three lifetimes.

Managing the rise and fall of a major city of hundreds of millions and dominating twelve provinces of great nations—when truly busy, one indeed has countless matters to attend to. After a moment of thought, Su Chen nodded. "I agree to this matter.

However, there’s no need to enter the Five Absolute Mountain Villa; that brat Lei Dong is extremely unreliable. If His Majesty the Demon King looks kindly upon him, why not have him join my Cold Mountain Sect?" Zong Shou was delighted, bowing slightly in thanks. Although the Cold Mountain Sect wasn't as renowned as the Five Absolutes, it was still the Eighth Sacred Land, one of the pillars of the Sword Sect alongside the Five Absolute Mountain Villa.

Gong Yue was equally surprised and overjoyed, offering a deep bow of thanks to both Zong Shou and Su Chen. The latter smiled and took his leave. Just as he was departing, his expression suddenly turned grave.

"Though today's matters are concluded, I advise you, my brother Zong, to remain vigilant. Forgive my frankness, but among great sects like ours, I, Su Chen, have seen too many underhanded and despicable schemes. The Lingyun Sect will certainly not let this matter rest so easily." After speaking, he shot a beam of sword energy that swept Gong Yue up, carrying him northward into the sky.

Zong Shou’s eyebrows rose as he fell into deep contemplation. This was not the first time someone had spoken such words to him today. A moment later, his thoughts were interrupted by Jin Buhui: "Why not let Gong Yue join my Haoxuan Sect?

Although the Cold Mountain Sect is decent, I daresay our Haoxuan Sect is stronger. Gong Yue is highly regarded not just by me, but even by Senior Brother Shen. If he spends a few years mixing within the sect, with your connections, he has an eighty percent chance of becoming a direct disciple!" His tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

Zong Shou snapped back to reality and gave his newly befriended acquaintance a strange look. "Your Haoxuan Sect is indeed impressive, but its sect rules are too rigid. Are you prepared to watch Gong Yue tear his sister apart later?" Jin Buhui immediately let out an 'Ah,' realizing the truth with sudden clarity.

Contemplating a scene where the siblings clashed, if Gong Yue could not muster the righteousness to extinguish familial ties, the sword would not fly true. If he studied martial arts requiring vast, upright Qi, he likely wouldn't achieve much. The people of the Sword Sect pursue the Way of the Sword wholeheartedly.

While they are one of the righteous streams in the Cloud Realm, they are not overly strict regarding the temperament and conduct of their disciples. It's a pity that in Gong Yue's case, the Cold Mountain Sect benefited for nothing. In fact, this person's aptitude is truly strong, and he is a vital link to Zong Shou.

Thinking of the one still buried deep within the Nine Yin Forbidden Land, Jin Buhui rubbed his temples in frustration. With a shameless face, he tugged at Zong Shou's sleeve: "Brother Zong! This whole affair started because of you, and you are friends with those siblings.

You must think of a way to help your brother out! I, Jin Buhui—no, the Haoxuan Sect—have thoroughly offended that Nine Yin Nether Maiden this time..." Zong Shou muttered inwardly, What method can I possibly have? When the Nine Yin Nether Maiden first emerged, that was when her deathly Yin energy was at its peak.

If she seeks revenge, who in this world, besides those Immortal Dao powerhouses who long ago left the Cloud Realm, can stop her? But these powerful figures, for various reasons, cannot easily act against the Nine Yin Nether Maiden. However, he knew he could not possibly extricate himself from this mess.

He let out another sigh. "Zong Shou can only do his utmost, hoping that she still retains the memories of her previous life by then." Jin Buhui felt the same and could only sigh. Then, Zong Shou asked with hidden meaning, "Brother Jin, have you heard of Yin Long Gorge?

I hear the ancient ruins there are about to surface. Is your Haoxuan Sect interested in this?" "Yin Long Gorge?" Jin Buhui fell into thought. "That place has long been regarded as a prize by the Eastern Lin Sects.

If our Haoxuan Sect were to rashly interfere, it might be inappropriate." Zong Shou had expected this; he hadn't counted on the Haoxuan Sect joining in to support him. He stated calmly, "That was the case before, but now the thousand-mile vicinity around Yin Long Gorge is under the control of my Qiantian Mountain. Who can enter is decided solely by me.

If I invite your Haoxuan Sect to participate, who dares to object?" Jin Buhui’s brows furrowed tightly. He was slightly moved but ultimately unable to make a decision, sighing helplessly. "I cannot decide this matter; I must return and ask my masters.

However, I, Jin Buhui, am certainly tempted." Zong Shou smiled, pressing no further. He then switched topics, discussing his comprehension of the nine Martial Saint projections from the cave earlier. In his explanation, it was mostly Jin Buhui asking Zong Shou for guidance.

Zong Shou was not secretive; aside from the Nine-Nine Dragon Shadow Sword and other more core secrets, he answered every question clearly and in detail. As dusk began to fall, Jin Buhui finally stopped, sighing softly. "Zong Shou, your comprehension truly surpasses mine by tenfold!

Buhui admires you! It’s as they say; one doesn't know until one asks. I thought I had almost deciphered the nine stone walls.

Only after asking did I realize how many vital points of the Dao of the Sword I had missed. Forget it! It's getting late; Saint Long Ying is likely still waiting for you to speak.

If I delay any longer, I fear that venerable Saint will resent me for being tactless. Buhui takes his leave now! We shall meet again in the future..." After saying this, he gave a long bow, his expression also turning serious.

"I know that fellow Su Chen; his temperament is vengeful, and he is notoriously arrogant. However, what he said just now was not wrong; Brother Zong must still be careful of the Lingyun Sect. Today, with your Martial Ancestor cultivation, you defeated the direct disciples of the three sects and became the sole inner disciple of Dragon Shadow.

Within days, you will surely be famous throughout the Cloud Realm. But you must also be cautious. A tree that sticks out in the forest invites the wind to destroy it.

There are too many petty people in this world. Saint Long Ying is hundreds of worlds away; many matters are beyond his reach. Caution is necessary!" After speaking, the stout man clad in gold departed with a great air of freedom.

The corners of Zong Shou's lips curled slightly. He mused that since his Dragon Shadow Master could communicate with him mentally, he could multitask and converse without hindering his connection. Still, he had seen these friends off one by one.

In his past life, after suffering continuous disasters, he was essentially a shut-in. But he also had several close friends who helped him immensely. Without them, Zong Shou might not have managed to pull himself up.

In this life, by good fortune, both Lei Dong and this Jin Buhui could be considered mentors and good friends—not only congenial in spirit but also worthy of deep camaraderie. In the blink of an eye, only Zong Shou and Zong Yuan remained on the shattered mountaintop. The latter still sat silently beside him, holding his Purple Thunder Spear across his knees.

Zong Shou took a small bottle from his sleeve, his eyes filled with a strange expression. "Master, what exactly is the use of this thing? Why do you value it so highly?" The small bottle was left by True Man Wuhua before his departure.

He claimed it was a gift to Zong Shou, but Zong Shou knew it was something bought to save the lives of Long Ruo and the other two. "This is called Spiritual Brilliance Marrow. It's useless now.

When you strive to break the Heavenly Barrier in the future, you will know what a truly remarkable item this is. However, the Lingyun Sect's hoard is too meager; there are only seven drops inside, which is truly a pity." After Long Ying spoke, he let out a cold snort. "If not for this item, even if True Man Wuhua had called upon all the Realm Protecting Venerables, I would have ensured that Long Ruo and the other two perished on the spot."