Zong Shou was inwardly startled. Those two figures, amidst this multitude of Cang Sheng Dao disciples, stood out like cranes among chickens, like bright pearls in the sand, compelling every eye toward them—their radiance almost impossible to ignore.

After leaving Ju Long Mountain, weren't these two supposed to return to the sect? How did they end up here?

Yet, this realization only brought a slight sense of oddity. They were disciples of the Cang Sheng Dao; it wasn't strange for them to be cultivating in the Cang Sheng Qiong Realm.

What truly caused surprise was that the two women currently regarded him as if he were invisible. Their expressions were slightly distant as they walked, one after the other, out of the Scripture Hall’s doors.

It suddenly struck him: he was currently using a disguise. These two shouldn't recognize him. Even if they guessed his identity, acknowledging it openly in this crowded place would be improper.

Zong Shou pondered for a moment, then followed at an unhurried pace. He passed through several corridors and entered a vast garden, where he indeed found the two women waiting for him.

"Yunlan greets Your Highness. How have you been recently? Since leaving Ju Long Mountain, Your Highness's cultivation seems to have deepened."

Seeing Zong Shou arrive, Xuan Yunlan seemed to transform, her face beaming with smiles, completely devoid of the icy demeanor she had worn before.

Zhao Yanran, however, showed him no warmth, merely letting out a cold snort as a form of greeting. Zong Shou merely grinned, casually dispelling the illusionary technique draped over him. Without asking why they were in the Cang Sheng Qiong Realm, he nodded directly: "Yunlan, you arrived just in time. I was just lamenting having no one to play the qin for me recently."

Without Xuan Yunlan’s Tranquilizing Spirit Melody to suppress his soul, he hadn't dared to use his Illusory Heart Mirror lately. Even though the illusions were of his own making, any injury sustained within them would genuinely harm his spiritual consciousness.

Xuan Yunlan, hearing this, didn't seem to mind at all; instead, she smiled sweetly: "Xuan Yunlan came precisely for this. I still haven't fulfilled the three-month pact I made with Your Highness. I came to the Cang Sheng Qiong Realm ten days ago specifically to wait for Your Highness to honor that promise."

Zhao Yanran stared, dumbfounded, inwardly cursing Zong Shou as truly shameless. He was treating Xuan Yunlan like a workhorse, and she seemed eager to oblige.

Then, her expression turned serious, revealing a stern intensity: "Zong Shou, I don't demand you break through to the Heavenly Rank within a year. I only hope you can show some mettle a year from now and at least challenge the Dao Xuan Martial Realm. Can you manage that? If you are truly a man, do not let Yanran down!"

Zong Shou was momentarily stunned. He looked steadily at Zhao Yanran, then swept an inquiring gaze toward Xuan Yunlan.

He wondered if Zhao Yanran had swallowed gunpowder; why was she speaking so sharply? A year from now, reaching the Xuan Martial Meridians realm, he had some confidence. However, considering the foundation of his World-Shaking Spiritual Perception, that speed was still slightly too fast. Previously, Zhao Yanran didn't seem like an impatient person.

Xuan Yunlan, being perceptive, immediately smiled upon catching Zong Shou's look: "It's because of the Sword Prince Jue Yu. Your Highness might not have heard, but Tan Yu is one of the Three Peerless Swords of the Cloud Realm, rumored to be the most skilled swordsman among the younger generation. Not long ago, he swore an oath to challenge, one by one, the Nineteen Spirit Mansions, the Ten Great Holy Lands, and the Three Grotto Heavens of the Five Qiongs, all to validate his swordsmanship. He has recently defeated two major Spirit Mansion sects in a row."

"Sword Prince Jue Yu?"

Zong Shou's brow twitched. He had heard the names of the Three Peerless Swords of the Cloud Realm from Su Chen, but he didn't know who they were specifically, only that one of them, 'Spirit Sword' Ruo Tao, was Lei Dong's mortal enemy.

He inwardly admired the ambition: challenging every Spirit Mansion, Holy Land, Qiong Realm, and Grotto Heaven—this was truly a trial of the sword across the world—the very thing he had wanted to do, this Sword Prince Jue Yu, had already begun enacting.

It suddenly made sense why Zhao Yanran was so anxious. The Seven Spirit Sect was the foremost among all Spirit Mansion sects, and if Su Chen intended to challenge all nineteen, the Seven Spirit Sect would naturally be included. Furthermore, a figure ranked alongside 'Spirit Sword' Ruo Tao could not possibly be inferior to Lei Dong. His sworn brother was now a genuine Martial Venerable.

After a moment of contemplation, Zong Shou reluctantly nodded: "I'll try my best! But for someone of that caliber, even if you break through to the peak of the Xuan Martial stage, you likely won't be his match. Within your Seven Spirit Sect, perhaps only your Martial Aunt, He Xueying, would qualify to meet his challenge."

Zhao Yanran's tension visibly eased. She and Zong Shou shared a Reverse Fetal Connection. Given her aptitude, breaking through to the Xuan Martial Grandmaster stage within a year was practically impossible. But if she could receive Zong Shou's Fetal Support Reversal, she would have a decent chance. Hearing his subsequent remarks, she wasn't particularly angry; she knew challenging Jue Yu now would be too strenuous. Her pressing Zong Shou today was only based on a sliver of hope, unwilling to see the Seven Spirit Sect shamed.

She murmured, about to express her thanks, when Zong Shou chuckled: "But if I am to agree, there is a condition. For this entire year, you must act as the sparring partner for my maid—one who must work diligently and without complaint. Otherwise, we won't discuss it!"

Zhao Yanran was instantly choked with anger, a knot of frustration stuck in her chest, unable to vent. She should have known that asking this fellow for anything would require paying a price.

Zong Shou ignored her then, turning with renewed curiosity toward Xuan Yunlan: "What exactly happened today? I recall offending no fellow disciple of the Cang Sheng Dao? Why do you two seem hesitant to speak to me?"

Xuan Yunlan shook her head with resignation upon hearing this: "Your Highness truly didn't offend anyone before, but moving into Courtyard Number One of the Jia Rank has thoroughly offended quite a few people."

Zong Shou realized instantly: So it was because of that exclusive courtyard? When he first saw those five characters, 'Jia Rank Courtyard Number One,' a bad premonition had already surfaced. It was only due to Han Fang's arrangements that he couldn't refuse.

Then Xuan Yunlan continued: "There is an unwritten rule in our Cang Sheng Dao: Courtyard Number One of the Jia Rank can only be occupied by the single most outstanding disciple among all disciples of the main Cang Sheng Hall and even the Three Sects and Six Gates. Moreover, anyone who resides there is destined to eventually ascend to the Immortal Realm—without exception in ten thousand years. Since Fairy Shui of the Tai Yuan Sect left twenty years ago, it has remained vacant. In this generation, the outstanding disciples of the Tai Yuan, Xuan Yang, and Han Ling Three Sects were all strong contenders for that residency. Not long ago, they were fighting tooth and nail for that qualification. And now, Your Highness has appeared out of nowhere and simply claimed Courtyard Number One. Doesn't that breed resentment?"

Zong Shou could only offer a wry smile. So, he had truly managed to offend people deeply. Someone whose background was unknown, someone nobody knew, had taken something long fought over without reason. If he were in their shoes, he too would be furious.

"Xuan Ye of the Tai Yuan Sect, Xie An of the Xuan Yang Sect, and Luo Shi of the Han Ling Sect—these three are known as the Three Geniuses within the Cang Sheng Dao and are the most respected by our disciples. Their influence extends beyond their own sects; the disciples of the other Three Sects and Six Gates all look up to these three as their leaders."

Zhao Yanran had recovered now, her expression cool, laced with a hint of derision: "These three are luminaries of the Three Sects, and perhaps they don't care who occupies Courtyard Number One. But their friends and junior brothers are certainly seething with hatred for Your Highness on their behalf. They are currently sharpening their claws, looking to teach Your Highness a lesson. If you wish to make them submit, I fear it won't be easy."

Zong Shou smiled, having no intention of continuing the conversation. His confusion was resolved, and he had no desire to linger and chat with the two women. Having just arrived in the Cang Sheng Qiong Realm, he had too many things to attend to. As for those ill-intentioned individuals, he didn't take them to heart at all. If they were unconvinced, he would simply fight them into submission.

He had joined the Cang Sheng Dao to learn the arts. If he could remain low-key, that would be best. But since his Senior Brother Han Fang had already placed him in this position, he felt no fear, nor any inclination to yield or seek peace. This Courtyard Number One—he, Zong Shou, was determined to keep it.

Returning to the Scripture Hall, the surrounding fellow disciples still maintained their cold, distant attitudes. Zong Shou was completely unbothered now; this suited him perfectly for undisturbed quiet. He listened to the lectures contentedly, just as he had when he first began studying the way of the sword, focusing his spirit, his entire being like a sponge, absorbing every fundamental spiritual technique he could utilize.

There were four lessons during the day: mornings were dedicated to cultivation methods, occasionally including practical combat scenarios. Afternoons covered spiritual arts and talisman crafting. Zong Shou didn't attend every session, only selecting those useful to him. Whenever talisman methods were taught, he would invariably leave, finding a quiet corner in the Scripture Repository to study alone.

This routine continued for several days. No one stepped forward to seek trouble with him, but the gazes around him seemed to grow increasingly hostile. Zong Shou faintly sensed that although his days appeared peaceful, a powerful undercurrent was churning beneath the surface of the lake.

What reassured him was that Zong Yuan and Ruo Shui seemed to be thriving in the Cang Sheng Palace, showing no signs of maladjustment. Zong Yuan was constantly busy, specializing in martial arts, though recently, due to the need to study spiritual techniques, he occasionally accompanied Zong Shou to lectures. Ruo Shui darted back and forth between them, as if she had stumbled into a treasury, constantly occupied.

Only Chu Xue seemed somewhat lost. Even in her favorite martial arts classes, she mostly couldn't understand anything, appearing perpetually blank. It wasn't until two days later, when Zhao Yanran came to be her sparring partner, that she perked up and finally showed some spirit each day. Zong Shou sighed again. Had all this girl's intelligence been usurped by that perverse instinct?

Shi Ruolan was taken away by Han Fang every morning and only returned at dusk. Zong Shou only knew that this little girl was gradually developing internal energy, and it was growing stronger. He didn't concern himself with her progress, knowing that training personally under a Divine Rank expert was far more reliable than anything he could provide.