"Oh, right, I almost forgot, there's Miss Dugu too!" Feng Mingxue cast him a sidelong glance, chiding him, "What are you doing now!"

Li Muzhan sighed helplessly, "Yes, yes, it's all my fault, Senior Sister, you should rest now!"

"I'm not tired, I don't need to rest!" Feng Mingxue waved her hand, reproaching him, "Stop rushing me! ... Hmph, are you trying to shut me up?"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile; she understood everything perfectly.

Li Yubing pursed her lips and smiled, "Miss Feng, besides that Miss Dugu, who else is there?"

Feng Mingxue turned to look at her, shook her head, and sighed, "Him? Who knows who else there will be in the future! ... Palace Master Li, you should be careful too..."

Li Yubing let out a soft chuckle, "Careful of what?"

"Mo Li Palace must have many beauties. Be wary of him, don't let him steal you away!" Feng Mingxue pointed her finger at Li Muzhan and huffed.

Li Muzhan shook his head repeatedly, truly mortified by his loss of face.

Li Yubing burst into laughter, nodding merrily, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. I will certainly be on guard against this lecher!"

"Exactly, exactly," Feng Mingxue nodded, smiling contentedly.

Li Muzhan quickly interjected, "Senior Sister, is the gathering over over there?"

"Not yet!" Feng Mingxue shook her head, "They're still celebrating the wedding night over there. It's a rare opportunity."

"That's true." Li Muzhan nodded. The Sect Master was always aloof and high above; only at a time like this did people have the chance to tease him properly. How could they possibly pass up this opportunity? Those holding grudges certainly wouldn't let it go.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Sister didn't join the fun?"

"I can't be bothered with that noise. You're the one who likes excitement, why didn't you go?" Feng Mingxue snorted.

Li Muzhan laughed, "I have to accompany Palace Master Li, so I had to force myself to abstain."

Li Yubing snapped back good-naturedly, "Zhanran, don't use me as your shield!"

Feng Mingxue let out a soft hum, "You just want to see Sister Hai, don't you? ... Forget it, I'll go rest!"

She suddenly put on an expression of boredom, waved her hand, nodded to Li Yubing, and turned, moving gracefully away, entering the room to Li Muzhan's west.

Li Yubing watched her leave, shaking her head and sighing, "Zhanran, you..."

Li Muzhan managed a wry smile, "Don't mention it."

"Although it's normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, that's for ordinary people. For a woman as rare as her, how can you still be so greedy?" Li Yubing shook her head and sighed, "Having one should be enough. You need to settle your heart, lest you end up with nothing!"

Li Muzhan countered, "Can matters of the heart be dictated by one's will?... Palace Master, you must also have someone you like, right?"

"No!" Li Yubing shook her head.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "It seems like a sad story. It's better not to speak of it."

Li Yubing replied, "He died long ago; there's nothing to hide."

Li Muzhan nodded, intending to change the subject, but Li Yubing continued, "He died from qi deviation during cultivation. It's not anyone else's fault; he wanted revenge, cultivating too eagerly... Haste makes waste. I've realized this deeply!"

"Haste makes waste..." Li Muzhan sighed.

Li Yubing stared blankly into the distance, then after a while, turned back, smiling faintly, "What are you thinking about?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Hasn't Palace Master Li thought about finding someone else...?"

Li Yubing smiled and shook her head, "I have no such intention anymore. I've seen through everything; martial arts are still the best—they won't leave you or betray you!"

"So, Palace Master was able to see through the mortal world and ultimately step into the realm of Grandmaster."

"I suppose so..." Li Yubing bowed her head, stretched slightly, and smiled, "What about you? How did you manage to reach Grandmaster?"

Li Muzhan laughed, "It wasn't my skill; it was an unexpected fortuitous encounter."

"I've never heard of becoming a Grandmaster through a mere chance encounter. The key to becoming a Grandmaster lies in one's state of mind, not other things," Li Yubing shook her head.

Li Muzhan cheerfully recounted the events: how by coincidence he killed a giant snake, merged his spirit with the snake's, and inexplicably became a Grandmaster.

After hearing this, Li Yubing pursed her lips and smiled, "No wonder you reached Grandmaster at such a young age. Heaven has certainly favored you. But you lack the true state of mind of a Grandmaster; killing more snakes won't help. Perhaps at the final moment, you completely let go... Actually, the state of mind of a Grandmaster is nothing mysterious—it's about letting go, liberation, transcendence. Unfortunately, it's easy to say but hard to do. The world is filled with attachments to various desires; how easy is it to truly achieve liberation and transcendence!"

Li Muzhan nodded, "That's true. People in the world only think about gaining, believing themselves to be extremely clever. Grandmasters think about letting go, and the world sees them as fools. Even if you tell them, they can't do it, nor will they believe it. It's like someone trying to ferry people across a river by shouting—no one boards the boat!"

"Precisely, precisely!" Li Yubing laughed and nodded, "Everyone in the world thinks they are smart, alas... That's why there are so few Grandmasters."

Li Muzhan remarked, "So, we are both fools."

Li Yubing burst into laughter, shaking her head repeatedly, "This world is truly something... Only fools live comfortably. Those who are too clever only end up mediocre and ineffective!"

As they spoke, they unconsciously grew closer, as if they were kin, understanding each other deeply.

"Zhanran, can you see it? Your Senior Sister's feelings..." Li Yubing looked at him with a teasing smile.

Li Muzhan sighed, nodding, then shaking his head again, "It's entangled and complicated; matters of the heart are very troublesome. Palace Master, please don't stir the pot!"

Li Yubing shook her head and laughed, "You, you are just too greedy. Your Senior Sister was right; you want to gather all the beauties in the world into your embrace—there's no such good fortune to be had!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Feelings are involuntary; how can one control them?"

Li Yubing disagreed, "I don't believe it. You are just too greedy... Well, well, this sort of thing is indeed troublesome; outsiders can't truly advise on it!"

Seeing that she wouldn't say more, Li Muzhan felt an itch to confide in someone. He sighed, "Senior Sister has been wronged too much, and I feel guilty about it."

"Then treat her well!" Li Yubing advised.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Although I treat Senior Sister well, I can't give her what she truly desires. It's better to keep a distance to avoid causing her too much pain."

Li Yubing pondered for a moment, then shook her head and sighed, "Forget it, you should handle it yourself. I truly have no experience, but you men are all the same—none of you are good!"

Li Muzhan touched his nose, feeling a little guilty, and had nothing to say.

Li Muzhan and Li Yubing stood before a misty mountain valley, their brows furrowed as they looked at the swirling fog. "Is this the place?"

Li Yubing nodded, "Correct. It was the former stronghold of the Tiandao Alliance, but it was later abandoned. Some say someone invaded, but the truth is unknown."

Li Muzhan surveyed the surroundings. The dense woods, even in winter, kept this mountain warm as spring; the forest was lush and strangely vibrant.

This mountain was indeed peculiar. Li Muzhan sensed that a formation had been laid here, and it took him quite some effort to enter.

Logically, formations should be ineffective against a Grandmaster, as a Grandmaster is the master within their sphere of influence, able to manipulate heaven and earth freely, forming their own small world.

However, this mountain proved otherwise. It possessed an ominous quality. Although there was no Saint Artifact present, upon entering, a vast power immediately descended, similar to that of a Saint Artifact.

"Ominous..." He shook his head.

Li Yubing wore white robes like snow, covered by a crane cloak, looking heroic and spirited. Li Muzhan was in a plain blue gown, looking somewhat slight in comparison.

"It is sinister. I feel someone observing us, and I can't control the surroundings anymore," Li Yubing turned to look at him.

Standing side by side before the valley, she frowned, "What is in this valley that possesses such might?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Yes, it restrains a Grandmaster as if it were a Saint Artifact. The formation within is extremely profound; it will take a while to break!"

It had not been easy for them to reach this valley; they had to break through several layers of formations, spending three full days from the foot of the mountain to find this place.

Once on this mountain, a Grandmaster was no different from a mere Master; they had to break the formations step by step. Such an intricate array could only be managed by a Grandmaster like Li Muzhan, whose spirit was sufficiently robust. Otherwise, they would have needed to invite dozens of Formation Masters.

More crucially, the formations on this mountain were a linked sequence—one formation succeeded another. Once one was broken, the next had to be engaged immediately, or the formation would automatically repair itself, pulling them back into the loop.

Li Muzhan mused that there were only a handful of people in the current age capable of setting up such a linked grand formation. As a Formation Master himself, he paid close attention to news in this domain. The news from Yunxiao Sect was limited, but the information from the Dugu family was extensive. He had specifically investigated: only two or three people in the world could set up linked grand formations, but that was in Da Li; Xihua was unknown.

There were fewer such experts in Da Li than Grandmasters, illustrating the difficulty of the path of a Formation Master. Xihua likely had only a few, countable on one's fingers.

"Palace Master, who set up these formations?" Li Muzhan turned to ask.

Li Yubing explained, "The Tiandao Alliance was once full of talent, thriving in its era. Its prestige far surpassed your Yunxiao Sect—it was invincible. They had Grandmasters and Great Formation Masters."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, "They had a Great Formation Master?"

"Yes. I searched the intelligence thoroughly when I returned and inquired with others. The Tiandao Alliance once boasted three Grandmasters and one Great Formation Master. Their influence was unparalleled!"

Li Muzhan questioned, "With Grandmasters guarding it, how could it vanish?"

"That is the great mystery. Some say several Grandmasters joined forces; others say the three Grandmasters mysteriously disappeared; still others claim internal conflict. In short, the Tiandao Alliance vanished overnight, and no one truly knows the details."

"No wonder, a Great Formation Master..." Li Muzhan nodded, "But for a single Great Formation Master to set up such a massive array, his cultivation must be astonishing!"

"Can you not do it?" Li Yubing asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "No. My spiritual energy couldn't sustain such a massive drain. He must have laid at least ten layers of formations consecutively. Ten great layers! It's only because time has passed and the terrain has shifted that the formation has loosened, with two layers failing. Otherwise, I would not have managed even one more layer!"

"But you still have me!" Li Yubing smiled.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Breaking formations consumes not just internal energy and spirit, but also something else that cannot be replenished."

"Something else?" Li Yubing smiled, "Tell me about it. This is the first time I've heard such a claim. Doesn't it only consume internal energy and spirit?"

Li Muzhan remarked, "It seems Mo Li Palace has no Formation Masters."

"Nonsense!" Li Yubing retorted, "If we had Formation Masters, how could we have been ambushed by Hu Yu back then?"

"Hu Yu..." Li Muzhan felt a wave of emotion. Killing Hu Yu in that sudden life-and-death struggle—killing a Grandmaster—still felt unreal to him sometimes.

He had only recently reached the Grandmaster realm and hadn't mastered all the finer techniques; he was not as experienced in Grandmaster combat as those who had spent decades accumulating power.

However, his advantage lay in his powerful spirit, a stronger accumulation of spiritual force, coupled with the acquired power of the giant snake, which allowed him to achieve a killing blow instantly.

Li Yubing suddenly smiled and shook her head, "I truly didn't expect you could kill Hu Yu... You little wretch, you hide trump cards! To be honest, if I had taken such a sudden strike from you, I couldn't have dodged it either. I would have lost a layer of skin even if I hadn't died!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "How could I strike Palace Master with killing intent? He wanted to kill me, and I had no choice but to strike first!"

"That's true," Li Yubing nodded. "This old man has no other flaws except for his habit of stifling danger in its infancy. He likely sensed a threat and wanted to eliminate you first, but you were quicker."

Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head, "I truly do not wish to fight a Grandmaster to the death. If I can kill him in an instant, other Grandmasters can kill me in an instant too."

"It's good that you understand this!" Li Yubing quickly nodded, smiling, "I was afraid you would become arrogant."

Li Muzhan sighed, "Clashes between Grandmasters are too perilous."

"Because of this, we must spar often," Li Yubing stated.

Li Muzhan advised, "Let me offer Palace Master a word of caution: it's better to engage less with Grandmasters."

"I know," Li Yubing smiled, "With you here, we can spar often. I can't be bothered with others!"

Li Muzhan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, pointing towards the misty valley, "Are we really going in?"

"Are you scared?" Li Yubing shot him a sharp look.

Li Muzhan replied, "There is something extraordinary in there. I think perhaps we should forget it."

"Then you don't want to uncover the secrets of the Tiandao Alliance?" Li Yubing pressed.

Li Muzhan frowned, staring at the valley, "My intuition is failing me; I can't tell if it's dangerous or not."

"We'll see once inside. With the two of us combined, what is there to fear?" Li Yubing waved her hand dismissively and strode forward.

Li Muzhan quickly tugged at her sleeve, "Wait a moment, there are still formations here!"

After a while, Li Muzhan broke the outermost formation. Li Yubing huffed, "To set up formations even here—it's truly annoying!"

Li Muzhan explained, "It seems this Great Formation Master was extremely cautious. Formations laid by such people are the hardest to break—they are intricate and meticulous, consuming too much effort!"

"Talk less, work more. Hurry up!" Li Yubing urged impatiently.

Li Muzhan broke through three types of formations before finally entering the valley. Inside were rows of buildings, magnificent and exquisite. Despite the erosion of time, they only looked slightly aged, showing no sign of decay.

Looking at these magnificent structures, he could imagine the former glory and arrogance of the Tiandao Alliance, yet ultimately, they succumbed to oblivion. All things that exist must die; no matter how powerful a sect, it cannot escape the final demise. Preserving a lifeline and protecting the lineage is the absolute key.

Although the Tiandao Alliance had scattered, their cultivation methods survived, which explained the continuous harassment of the Sect Master by those assassins.

Standing before these grand structures, his heart was filled with emotion.

"I feel like someone is here," Li Yubing frowned, looking around, then turning to him, "Are they?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "Yes, someone is here."

"So many houses, empty and silent—it feels eerie," Li Yubing said, shrinking back slightly, feeling uncomfortable.

The space was too vast and quiet, slightly frightening. Though she was a Grandmaster, she was still a woman, and her inherent nature was hard to change.

Li Muzhan said, "Palace Master, I feel someone is present. We must be careful."

"Yes, you go first, then me, we'll search slowly," Li Yubing directed.

The two moved slowly, almost back-to-back. After entering, the invisible pressure intensified, making it hard to draw a full breath.

"Palace Master, is there a Saint Artifact here?" Li Muzhan asked.

Li Yubing shook her head, "If there were a Saint Artifact, someone would have taken it long ago; why leave it here!"

Li Muzhan observed, "It wouldn't be easy for others to enter."

Li Yubing looked around, her expression tense, "Where did the people of the Tiandao Alliance go? How could they abandon a Saint Artifact and run off?"

Li Muzhan considered for a moment, "Perhaps they didn't run away."

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Li Yubing huffed, "Could it be they were all wiped out!?"

Li Muzhan replied, "The world is vast and full of wonders. The Tiandao Alliance vanished overnight; perhaps a powerful enemy descended suddenly, and they didn't have time to flee!"

"It couldn't be that not a single one escaped, could it?" Li Yubing asked.

Li Muzhan reasoned, "It's unavoidable that a few escaped, which is why the Tiandao Alliance's legacy remains. But there couldn't have been many who escaped, otherwise, there would have been more activity."

"Hmm, that makes some sense," Li Yubing nodded.

They walked on, speaking cautiously, fearful of a sudden ambush. Despite being Grandmasters, here they felt the invisible pressure, which compressed their spiritual power internally, rendering it useless. It was like being suddenly deaf and blind—a very strange sensation.

After walking a hundred paces with no incident, Li Yubing and Li Muzhan grew more cautious. They followed a small path built along the slope of the valley, ascending slowly until they stopped before the grandest and most magnificent hall. They stood in the empty plaza, surveying the structure.

Looking up, they could see the plaque above the entrance: Tianshen Hall (Hall of Heavenly Gods).

These three characters carried a mountain-like majesty, seeming ready to leap off the plaque and transform into dragons. The oppressive aura was almost tangible, making it even harder for them to breathe.

Li Muzhan frowned as he glanced over, then turned to Li Yubing. She was also staring intently at the three characters, her expression shifting between dark and bright.

"Palace Master?" Li Muzhan called out. She turned her face towards him, her expression grave, "I think perhaps we shouldn't go inside!"

"Why?" Li Muzhan inquired.

He could feel the immense, surging aura emanating from within, as if physical, making every step difficult. But because his spirit was being oppressed, he couldn't deploy his subtle techniques to see what lay inside.

Li Yubing explained, "The Tianshen Hall is where the Tiandao Alliance worshipped their gods. It is best for outsiders not to intrude."

"I'd like to see which gods the Tiandao Alliance worshipped," Li Muzhan said, curious.

Li Yubing shook her head, "These things are too mysterious; it's best not to touch them."

"Palace Master, are you scared?" Li Muzhan teased.

Li Yubing snapped back, "I feel something formidable hidden inside. Let's call it a day!"

Li Muzhan looked at her, then slowly nodded, "Since Palace Master insists, then let it be... However, the secret of the Tiandao Alliance might be hidden here."

"Mmm..." Li Yubing pondered for a moment, then sighed resignedly, "Fine, let's take a look then!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Then I'll go in first!"

Li Yubing replied sharply, "We go in together!"

Li Muzhan took two steps forward and slowly pushed open the main door. Inside the empty hall, there was only a single bed, upon which lay a person, perfectly still, dressed in a dark, ancient-styled long gown.

To the north of the hall were several clay statues of gods. Li Muzhan swept them with his eyes; there were six in total. The central one held a long spear, possessed a square face, a long, flowing beard, and wide-open eyes that radiated imposing power.

Li Muzhan was startled. The statue was lifelike, its aura almost palpable, sending wave after wave of pressure surging out, washing over them like a tide.

"What is this..." Li Muzhan looked towards the person on the couch. It was an elderly man with white hair and beard, lying on his back, unmoving, seemingly without breath. Li Yubing gasped in alarm, clutching his sleeve tightly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Looks like a dead man."

"He's not dead!" Li Yubing shook her head.

Li Muzhan frowned, stepped closer, and looked. The old man's complexion was rosy, as if in deep sleep. His chest showed no rise or fall. He cautiously reached out to test, finding no breath from his mouth or nose.

So close, he could sense that the man was alive, employing a technique similar to 'turtle breathing' to maintain the lowest possible consumption.

Li Yubing looked at the dark-robed elder and frowned, "Is he the only one in this valley?"

Li Muzhan said, "I'm afraid so."

"How long has he been alive alone?" Li Yubing looked at the elder curiously, then shook her head, "Perhaps he is the last surviving member of the Tiandao Alliance!"

She smiled, "Should we wake him up?"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Palace Master, in my opinion, we should forget it. This person is not simple; he carries the aura of the statues. It's best not to provoke him... Let's leave!"

Li Yubing laughed, "What, has your courage shrunk?"

Li Muzhan explained, "The power contained within these statues is too fierce; we cannot handle it."

He dimly understood why the statues were so potent—similar to his own 'faith power,' they could strengthen the body. Likely, many people held firm belief in this god, resulting in such an overwhelming force.

Li Yubing smiled, "Alright then, I'll listen to you one more time. But if we leave now, we'll never know the true secrets of the Tiandao Alliance."

“Let’s investigate through other channels,” Li Muzhan said. “This person is too dangerous.”

“Then let’s go,” Li Yubing nodded.

The two turned to leave, but a sudden, soft chuckle echoed in the room. The black-robed elder on the couch abruptly sat up, the chuckle escalating into a booming, wild laugh.

“Finally, someone has come in!” the elder roared with laughter, looking utterly deranged.

Li Muzhan inwardly cursed; a bitter smile touched his lips as he realized it was too late to retreat now. He had to see exactly what sort of deity this old man was.

But the elder kept laughing, paying no heed to their intentions. The booming laughter grew louder, and slowly, the complexions of Li Muzhan and Li Yubing began to shift.

The sound of the elder’s laughter became like thunder pounding in their ears, shaking their vital energy until it rippled erratically. Though they were unable to deploy their manipulation abilities, they were still Grandmasters, possessing deep and pure internal power. Yet, they couldn't block the sound of the laughter. The depth of this elder’s cultivation was truly terrifying. They exchanged a glance, both showing wry resignation.

Li Muzhan spoke in a deep voice, “Esteemed Senior, what is the cause of such great joy?”

“Heh heh…” The black-robed elder slowly ceased his roaring laughter, surveying Li Muzhan and Li Yubing. His gaze finally settled on Li Yubing, his eyes blazing brightly, as if two arcs of lightning had just shot forth.

Every hair on Li Yubing’s body stood on end. She felt the elder’s gaze penetrate her garments, seeing straight through to her body, as if she were standing naked before him.

She had never experienced such a sensation before, which brought her a mixture of annoyance and shame. She glared furiously at the elder.

The black-robed elder chuckled wickedly, his eyes shining as he stared intently at Li Yubing. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen such a beautiful young maiden!”

Li Muzhan’s expression changed, his brow furrowing. “Senior, what manner of divine words are these?”

“You, little whelp, are in the way. Begone!” The black-robed elder made a gentle tap, and instantly, a vast torrent of power surged towards them. Li Muzhan was sent sliding four or five steps back before crashing against the door and halting.

Li Muzhan felt his vital energy churning wildly. This single palm strike was like a colossal wave slamming into him; he found it almost impossible to resist. It had been a long time since he had felt this way.

Li Yubing made no move, watching Li Muzhan quietly, an expression of inquiry in her eyes. Li Muzhan gave a slight shake of his head, signaling that it was manageable.

“Oh? This little brat possesses a fair bit of skill!” The black-robed elder looked at Li Muzhan with surprise.

Li Muzhan’s body refinement had reached its peak, yielding muscles like bronze and bones like iron. While his internal power was vastly inferior to the elder’s, its purity was almost comparable. He was like a stone tossed into a great wave—though washed away, he suffered no real damage.

Li Muzhan frowned. “You old fool, how disrespectful! Just who are you?!”

“This old man is Tong Tianshu!” The black-robed elder laughed proudly, then said coldly, “Whelp, commit suicide now, lest this old man is forced to act. Then you will wish for death but find no release!”

Li Muzhan countered, “How have I offended you?”

Tong Tianshu snorted. “You are too irritating to my sight, boy! It vexes me to look at you!… The first thing I should see upon waking should be a peerless beauty, not your face!”

“You are Tong Tianshu?!” Li Yubing suddenly spoke up.

“Heh heh, indeed a beauty, and even her voice is so pleasant!” Tong Tianshu immediately beamed, nodding repeatedly. “Correct, this old man is indeed Tong Tianshu!”

Li Yubing inquired, “One of the three Grandmasters of the Heaven’s Will Alliance—are you that Tong Tianshu?”

“Precisely, this old man is he!” Tong Tianshu nodded proudly. “This beauty possesses some insight. I have decided—I shall not kill you!”

Li Yubing replied coolly, “A hundred years have passed, and you still haven't died?”

As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. Not dying was normal; Grandmasters had lifespans stretching centuries, so one hundred years would be like a mere decade or two for a normal person.

“You little beauty are strange. Why should this old man die?” Tong Tianshu chuckled slyly. “It’s no problem for me to live another few centuries. They thought they could trap me to death—a foolish calculation!… Heh heh, I am alive and well, and every single one of them is dead!”

Li Yubing frowned thoughtfully. Li Muzhan snorted, “You annihilated the Heaven’s Will Alliance?”

“This brat does possess some intelligence after all. I almost cannot bear to kill you now!” Tong Tianshu laughed heartily a few times, nodding with evident satisfaction. “Correct, I left not a single member of the Heaven’s Will Alliance alive. I butchered them all!”

Li Muzhan asked, “For what reason?... What did the Heaven’s Will Alliance do to deserve such treatment?”

“They sought to kill me! How could I spare them?!” Tong Tianshu abruptly dropped his smile, sneering, “Don’t blame this old man for being ruthless; they deserved to die!”

Li Muzhan frowned. “Then why did they want to kill you?”

“Heh heh, because this old man is too powerful! They were terrified!” Tong Tianshu shook his head, dismissing them with disdain. “A group of ant-like mediocre fools!”

Li Muzhan stated, “Though you are a Grandmaster, you may not necessarily be the strongest, right?”

“Whelp, you want to know why I am so strong?” Tong Tianshu turned his head to look at Li Muzhan, a mysterious smile spreading across his face.

Li Muzhan nodded. “Naturally.”

“Then don't regret asking!” Tong Tianshu’s smile grew increasingly strange. Suddenly, he clasped his hands together over his chest, murmuring to himself. The sound was inaudible at first, but slowly grew louder until, finally, the entire grand hall was filled with the sound of chanting. The continuous recitation pierced the ears, conveying a profoundly eerie sensation.

Li Muzhan’s eyes lit up. Suddenly, he formed a hand seal—swiftly and precisely—which materialized instantly. Then, taking a deep breath, he violently spat out a single syllable: “Om!”

“Om…” This sound, the Celestial Dragon’s Vedic Chant, resonated after Li Muzhan. His internal energy infused the sound, making it deep, as if emanating from a distant sky, or perhaps traversing time from ancient eons, or even rising from the deepest depths of the earth—ethereal and far-reaching—slowly pervading the hall.

At first, it was merely a low resonance, but it swiftly grew thunderous, roaring like a bronze bell, instantly shattering Tong Tianshu’s chanting.

“Aaaargh…” Tong Tianshu roared toward the heavens, glaring ferociously at Li Muzhan, pointing at him: “Whelp, you must die! You will die after suffering endless torment!”

Li Muzhan let out a breath of relief, his face slightly pale.

“Ptooey!” Tong Tianshu spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale as well.

Li Muzhan’s Celestial Dragon’s Vedic Chant had struck at the perfect moment, causing Tong Tianshu to suffer a backlash; his injuries were far from minor. Li Muzhan asked, “You were attempting to use the Divine Possession Technique, weren't you?”

Tong Tianshu glared at him viciously. “Vicious little brat! Correct, I was about to execute the Divine Possession Technique, but you managed to interrupt it!”

Li Muzhan inquired, “You are the first Grandmaster to ever attempt the Divine Possession Technique?… If you are so incredibly powerful, why were you trapped here?”

“Hmph!” Tong Tianshu gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely. “It was all ruined by that fellow surnamed Lin! He…”

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “Allow me to guess how it transpired?”

“Say what you think!” Tong Tianshu sneered, looking at him dismissively.

Li Muzhan proposed, “He must have first secured a Sacred Artifact to suppress you, and then laid down an array formation that prevented you from breaking through and leaving!”

“Correct!” Tong Tianshu nodded. “It seems you, boy, are also full of wicked schemes!”

Li Muzhan smiled. “And this Sacred Artifact is protected by the array formation, so you couldn’t find it, is that right?”

“Damn it, array formations are truly not meant for mortals to mess with!” Tong Tianshu grumbled hatefully. “You boy and the beauty managed to enter—did the array formation fail?”

Li Muzhan shook his head. “The array formation is still perfectly sound, but we managed to decipher it.”

PS: Only one update today. I’ve been writing intensely these past few days, enjoying the flow, but my body is exhausted. I need to slow down, so I hope everyone can forgive me.