The voice was clear and low, yet because of the surrounding silence, it carried across the entire ten-li radius.

Ji Lingzi raised an eyebrow slightly; this name was utterly unfamiliar to him. Then, a heavy sinking settled in his heart, for he knew that within days, this name would surely be on everyone’s lips throughout the Cloud Realm.

He recalled that twenty years ago in the Cangsheng Dao, there had been Fang Wen and Shui Lingbo, figures who had virtually monopolized the glory of that generation.

Now, twenty years later, would there emerge another like Tan Qiu—

As he stood there speechless, suddenly another figure broke from the cavalry formation and spoke in a cold tone: “The Chief has decreed that you shall entertain our dozen or so fellow disciples from the Cangsheng Dao well for now. See that they have good food and drink; not a single thing may be lacking. In one month, he will exchange people with you.”

With that, the rider let out a great laugh and rejoined the four hundred Cangsheng Xuanlong Knights ahead.

Ji Lingzi was frustrated to the point of nearly vomiting blood, able only to watch the cavalry troop ahead turn leisurely and gallop away into the distance.

If this troop of Cangsheng Dao soldiers were used for a direct charge, or if they were fewer in number, they might be manageable. But employing tactics of skirmishing and fluid combat, the current force was utterly helpless against them.

Not only had the numbers of Seventh-Tier powerhouses been equalized, but their elite heavy cavalry was also completely outmatched.

Furthermore, with Long Lingzi and Mu Lingzi held captive, restraint was unavoidable.

It was only moments later, as the last of the Cangsheng Xuanlong Knights vanished from sight,

That Yuan Jiuchen stepped forward from the rear ranks of the army and rode alongside Ji Lingzi. His expression was equally ashen and exceedingly grim as he stared in the direction the Cangsheng Dao figures had departed.

“This Cangsheng Dao truly possesses astonishing fortune. After Shui Lingbo, they have spawned another monstrous figure like this. The rest aside, this unparalleled talent in smashing formations—he is a seed of a great general. Brother Ji Ling, what do you suggest we do to counter this?”

Ji Lingzi also drew a deep breath, forcibly calming the turmoil within him.

An unparalleled general was not terrifying in itself, but a peerless commander who had grasped the extreme of Sword Intent, backed by the entirety of the Cangsheng Dao, was truly dreadful.

“This person is certainly troublesome, but this incident is far from over. We must avenge the deaths of Junior Brother Tai Ling and several hundred fellow disciples today—”

Yuan Jiuchen’s eyes brightened slightly, finally recovering some of their lost spirit. What he feared most was the Tailings Sect abandoning them halfway through. That would mean complete abandonment. Though he currently held the crucial post defending Yan City Pass, without assistance from an equal power, the Cangsheng Dao could crush him with a mere flick of a finger.

—In that last moment, he had been truly afraid. For the first time, a sense of regret had surfaced.

Was it worth offending the behemoth that was the Cangsheng Dao unto death, all to curry favor with the Tailings Sect for some yet intangible future glory and wealth?

He understood that Ji Lingzi now stood like a gambler who had lost everything and desperately sought a comeback. However, from his own position, Yuan Jiuchen still felt obligated to offer a word of caution.

“Brother Dao! Seeking vengeance for Junior Brother Tai Ling is certainly proper. But this young man’s connection to the Way of the Sword is too deep; he is genuinely difficult to handle. As long as he commands those four hundred Cangsheng Xuanlong Knights, he can move unchecked and invincible on the battlefield. We, however, have already suffered heavy losses and our strength is greatly diminished; I fear we are no match for him. Why don’t Brother Dao and I first return to Tailings Mountain and deliberate further?”

Ji Lingzi’s expression froze, and he shot a sidelong glance at Yuan Jiuchen. Only then did he realize this man had already developed genuine fear toward Tan Qiu.

Yet, at this moment, he felt no inclination to mock him. Even if he considered himself an equal match in their previous confrontation, he himself had possessed not a shred of certainty.

Given the sheer might displayed by those four hundred Cangsheng Xuanlong Knights just now, any level of apprehension was entirely justified.

“Do not worry! I will petition my superiors on this matter and request reinforcements from Tailings Mountain to try and bring the number of Zixiao Sword Riders up to a thousand.”

Saying this, Ji Lingzi frowned again. He recalled the swordsmanship Tan Qiu had displayed earlier.

This man’s cultivation level was at most Sixth-Tier, but his command of the Sword Dao far surpassed Ji Lingzi’s own. Alone, he wasn't terrifying, but once he harnessed the strength of those hundreds of Xuanlong Knights, his combat power could instantly soar to the peak of the Seventh Tier.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and Ji Lingzi decisively continued, “Besides that, I will try to persuade the Sect to send two more pieces of Profound Iron Wenshan Armor—”

Yuan Jiuchen’s spirit immediately surged. He knew that the Profound Iron Wenshan Armor was an Eighth-Tier spiritual artifact. Not only was it impervious to blades, but it could also enhance the wearer’s True Force cultivation. It was considered a foundational treasure of the Tailings Sect, and rumor had it there were fewer than forty in existence.

Ji Lingzi then let out a cold snort.

“Today’s battle was due to our carelessness; we fell right into his trap. Next time, it won’t be so easy. When the exchange happens in a month, that will be the day we settle the score with him!”

After speaking, he frowned again. “Also, you need to seek aid from the side of the King of Han. This Prince possesses a squad of Dingxi Iron Cavalry; it would be best if you could somehow borrow them.”

Yuan Jiuchen acknowledged solemnly; this was precisely what he had intended.

※ ※ ※ ※

“Unparalleled in smashing formations—”

There in the void, Fang Wen and Han Fang sat opposite each other, meeting gaze after gaze, both clearly displaying a shade of astonishment in their eyes.

“Grandmaster, the Honored Seat never mentioned that this Martial Uncle had such talent—”

“Indeed, he did not!”

Han Fang nodded, his face a mask of surprise mixed with a touch of relief.

“As far as I know, no one on the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent has ever seen this Phantom Heaven Demon King personally lead a charge into battle. He inherited the foundations left by Zong Weiran; his ranks are already filled with veteran commanders. Hu Qianqiu and the others are seasoned by countless campaigns. With a peerless seed like Zong Yuan charging for him, I suspect no one truly knows the Demon King’s own capabilities in warfare—”

While he was speaking, Shi Ruolan nearby was excitedly making gestures toward a shimmering mirage projection off to the side, tracing arcane lines with her fingers. A faint, excited glint shone in her ice-blue eyes.

However, neither of the men beside her paid her any mind at the moment, treating her as a child playing by herself.

“This Seat Wei has truly found a rare genius this time. Grandmaster, once my inner knot is untied, I am on the verge of advancing. After stepping into the Immortal Dao, I estimate I won't be able to enter the Cloud Realm for another decade. If the Lord of the Cangsheng Dao Palace could be entrusted to this young man’s hands, it would surely secure twenty years of peace for the Cangsheng Dao—”

Han Fang let out a wry laugh; how could he not know this? It was a pity—

“This child’s heart is not in it; talking more is useless. He lacks seniority and aspiration. If he wished to hold power, he should not have treated Luo Shixuan Ye and the others as he did.”

That manner of handling affairs clearly indicated an unwillingness to become deeply involved in the Cangsheng Dao’s internal affairs.

He recalled that Junior Brother Wei had also mentioned when this disciple first joined, his focus was on the Sword Dao and cultivation.

Though he wasn't actively opposed to the Cangsheng Dao’s tenets, he certainly hadn't embraced them either.

—A few months ago, this didn't matter, but now, a genuine sense of regret lingered.

After a moment of silence, Fang Wen also gave a helpless smile and dropped the subject.

“If this child refuses, then the only candidate to succeed the Dao Palace Lord is Shui Lingbo. This Fairy Shui, Fang Wen finds somewhat unreliable—”

The Honored Seat of the Cangsheng Dao was absent from the Cloud Realm, and Han Fang lived in seclusion. The Lord of the Cangsheng Dao Palace was the actual administrator of the Cangsheng Dao within the Cloud Realm.

But twenty years ago, he had dealings with Shui Lingbo. Back then, she was just a young girl, but even her temperament was already quite vexing. Rumor had it she later became even more fiery and eccentric, causing deep unease.

Han Fang’s expression was equally strange. He mused that if it came to it, he would rather let this Zong Shou take charge of the Cangsheng Dao Palace.

Even with Han Fang overseeing things, Shui Lingbo’s nature had always been one to follow her own path, refusing to give elders much heed. It was truly worrisome—

But without sufficient justification or a better candidate, refusing to let her succeed was indefensible.

Fortunately, Fang Wen sighed and steered the headache-inducing topic elsewhere: “Watching Martial Uncle Zong wield his sword just now—in only three days, he mastered the Profound Dragon Sword Intent to the apex level of Sword Intent. His own Martial Dao foundation must have already reached the Sword Soul realm. Fang Wen feels utterly ashamed; compared to Martial Uncle Zong, I truly feel I’ve wasted these fifty years. I heard Grandmaster has already mastered Spirit-Martial Unity? I truly wish to witness it firsthand one day—”

The first part was acceptable, but upon hearing the latter sentences, Han Fang’s expression grew increasingly displeased.

Spirit-Martial Unity was indeed impressive, but Zong Shou’s situation might still be delayed by a few years.

Never mind. Let the young man suffer a little setback. It wouldn't be too late to rebuild his foundation in two years. A little frustration for a young person wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

As they spoke, a cold sneer suddenly echoed from the distance.

“I thought your Cangsheng Dao dared not venture here again to target Yuan Jiuchen. So you’ve produced another core disciple. But this child’s strength hasn’t even reached the Sixth Tier. Han Fang, you dare let him out? Aren’t you afraid this child will perish prematurely, dying outside?”

Han Fang’s expression stiffened, then he gave a cold smirk.

“So it is Brother Qiu Yun of the Tailings Sect—”

He had long expected that a powerhouse above the Immortal Dao from the Tailings Sect would arrive to stand guard, but he hadn't expected it to be this particular individual, who was truly vexing.

“Han Fang only cares that my Cangsheng Dao disciples are safe today. As for your Tailings Sect, you have already lost one Tai Lingzi, and four hundred of your Purple Cloud Sword Riders were shattered here—”

Qiu Yun fell silent for a moment, surprisingly not erupting in fury. After a long pause, he coldly sneered again: “The Tailings Sect must protect this Yuan Jiuchen. With the aid of the King of Han, how can your Cangsheng Dao contend with me? If your Cangsheng Dao still refuses to yield, then let us fight another round and see who wins or loses. If anything untoward happens to your disciples at Yan City Pass, do not blame the Tailings Sect for being merciless.”

With that, Qiu Yun’s voice completely faded away.

Han Fang’s expression then became incredibly peculiar: “Should I tell him that Martial Brother Zong already has a foolproof plan in place, one that has already guaranteed victory? Sending any more men here would just be sending them to their deaths?”

Fang Wen heard this and smiled faintly: “I fear that from this point forward, this Mister Qiu will never give up?”

Han Fang let out a dismissive ‘Tsk’ sound, full of disdain. “Why should we fear him?”