"Perhaps some Elder in the Immortal Dao Realm of the Sect is demonstrating a spirit technique." "That must be it! In our Azure Vast Realm, we've never even heard of snow and rain appearing together—" "The spirit of this heaven and earth is truly bizarre!"

Yuan Fei sensed the surroundings; indeed, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth here was intensely condensed. An inexplicable throbbing sensation resonated within him, though he couldn't discern its cause or consequence. He wondered if others perceived it too.

But then, the nearby conversation shifted once more.

"—I heard that Jueyu hasn't retreated from outside our Vast Realm yet." "Indeed! I went to look yesterday. Not only is he still there, but the riff-raff are gathering in increasing numbers. They claim to be spectators, but who knows what these people are truly planning?" "Hmph! That Sword Young Master actually resorts to such shameless tactics; it’s the height of impudence! If I were Grandmaster Uncle-Ancestor Tan, I would never acknowledge him." "You are disrespecting Grandmaster Uncle-Ancestor Tan by omitting titles." "It’s omission! Omission! Doesn't that sound awkward?" "But dragging this out isn't a solution. Do you think Grandmaster Uncle-Ancestor Tan is genuinely afraid to fight?" "Silence! Back then, when Chief Tan led three hundred Azure Profound Dragon Knights against an enemy a hundred times their number, he never flinched. How could he fear Jueyu? Didn't Grandmaster Uncle-Ancestor Xuechu also say that the Chief merely disdains Jueyu?" "Heh! Whether that statement is heartfelt sincerity or just an excuse is hard to say—"

Yuan Fei listened from the side and felt a deep sense of agreement. These two, he mused, truly voice my own thoughts.

If it weren't cowardice, why would he suddenly choose to enter seclusion at such a critical juncture?

He stopped watching the snowscape and turned directly, preparing to return to the Scripture Hall. However, in the very next instant, someone caught his eye in his peripheral vision. His brow immediately twitched, filled with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Not far away, two figures were approaching. One of them was likely Zhao Yanran, the current Chief Disciple of the Seven Spirits Sect. The other was Xuechu, the one person he least wished to see.

Coincidentally, they were heading directly toward him; avoidance was impossible.

Upon seeing Yuan Fei, both Zhao Yanran and Xuechu froze momentarily. The latter’s eyes immediately flashed with fierce light—Xuechu truly detested this fellow who enjoyed speaking ill of the Young Master. Unfortunately, after the battle with Jueyu, this person had slipped away long ago, vanishing without a trace.

Zhao Yanran blinked, then a smirk curled her lips: "Oh! Isn't this Martial Uncle-Ancestor Fei Yuan? What brings you out to enjoy the snow?"

Yuan Fei’s face was ashen. He wanted to adopt the stern posture of a Martial Uncle-Ancestor, but with a senior disciple like Xuechu present, it would likely only lead to self-humiliation. He could only let out a cold snort, "Who are you calling out to?"

Zhao Yanran showed no fear, lightly covering her mouth to chuckle: "Who was it the other day who declared that if Xuechu could stand firm before Jueyu, he would write his name backward from then on? Yuan Fei, Fei Yuan—a flying ape, quite a name—"

At this moment, gazes from all around were also turning toward them. Yuan Fei’s face flushed crimson, and a surge of anger rose in his chest.

Then, his mind suddenly cleared: Right, I must guard against arrogance and impatience!

Regaining his composure, Yuan Fei’s eyes darted, and he conceived a plan. He let out a cold, smug laugh.

"Forget it! Writing my name backward is no matter. I currently favor Martial Uncle-Ancestor Tan. If he dares not accept the challenge, and if he loses, I, Fei Yuan, will write my name in reverse!"

With that said, he provocatively cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Yanran, then walked back into the Scripture Hall triumphantly.

Zhao Yanran blinked, taking several breaths before reacting. She couldn't help but silently find the fellow utterly shameless.

He was clearly banking on Zong Shou refusing the challenge, certain that even if he fought Jueyu, he would lose anyway. That way, his name could be legitimately changed back to the original. Though she inwardly despised the act, it also amused her; it seemed their Azure Vast Dao also had its share of buffoons.

Xuechu, however, remained confused. Why the sudden change in Yuan Fei? How can he be so confident about the Young Master now? Could this fellow actually be a good person? The Young Master was right about that saying... what was it? After three days apart, one should look at someone with new eyes?

It seemed slightly off, though—

※ ※ ※ ※

At that exact moment, within the Azure Vast Realm, Jueyu also frowned, observing his surroundings.

It wasn't snowing here, but the entire spatial rift was violently shaking and twisting. Countless black fissures flickered in and out of existence nearby. Just moments ago, dozens of people had been accidentally scratched by these sudden temporal breaches. Two of them, both Sixth Tier cultivators, were even gravely wounded, saved only by the timely intervention of those around them.

It seemed the entire outer layer of the Cloud Realm was restless, causing this continuous warping of the spatial rift. While it hadn't yet shattered, this place had certainly become incredibly perilous.

And at this moment, it wasn't just him. Even the dozen or so cultivators who had reached the Ninth Tier wore looks of profound gravity. Many were already murmuring amongst themselves.

"How can this be? Could someone be attacking the Cloud Realm?" "Impossible! My Cloud Realm is currently impregnable, guarded by dozens of peak Saint-level experts outside. It's not like ten thousand years ago when we were slaughtered at will. Even if a move were to be made, it should wait until the Spirit Tide commences." "This spatial tremor certainly doesn't seem to originate from outside. It feels like it's propagating from within—from the depths of the Cloud Realm—" "Do you sense the spirit of heaven and earth here? It’s completely different?" "It seems solidified! How can this be?" "I have a constant feeling that something major is about to happen; unease and apprehension fill my heart. It's as if some great, terrifying entity is about to manifest. Are these changes perhaps heavenly omens?" "The Spirit Tide hasn't even begun, and already all sorts of strange things are surfacing."

Jueyu’s expression wavered slightly; he felt the same way internally. Indeed, he sensed something was coming. However, he felt none of the panic or dread. As for the so-called 'great terrifying entity,' he felt nothing, only a slight unease and a cascade of distracting thoughts that refused to settle. Looking at the speaker, who was only a Sixth Tier Spirit Master, it was likely just the speaker's own illusion.

After a moment of deep contemplation, Jueyu made a summoning gesture. An old man dressed as a coachman immediately appeared beside him. Jueyu then produced over a dozen golden spirit talismans and tossed them over.

"These are Evasion Talismans and Stabilization Charms. Go out and see what heavenly signs—if any—are occurring outside. The universe is in turmoil; be extremely cautious!"

After speaking, he continued to fix his gaze on the direction of the Azure Vast Realm. From the outside, one of the Five Great Vast Realms appeared as a water-blue membrane suspended in the void. Glancing behind him, a hint of helplessness flickered in Jueyu’s eyes.

He hadn't wanted to attract so many onlookers, yet abandoning the fight with Tan Qiu was something he was absolutely unwilling to do. Battling a genuine, peerless genius of the Sword Dao was the only way to hone his swordsmanship. Therefore, no matter what, he had to meet that person, even if his current method felt somewhat unscrupulous.

※ ※ ※ ※

"How is this possible? Did that woman really say that?"

In Qiantian Mountain City, within the original Ten-Mile Fragrant District, in the same tavern, Li Zhile nearly crushed the wine cup in his hand completely. His eyes were bloodshot, blazing with fiery rage.

That day, following Kong Yao's command, he had waited outside Qiantian City, preparing to travel together to Dragon Elephant City. But Kong Yao never returned, disappearing without a trace. He had no choice but to return to Qiantian City and inquire about news everywhere. He never expected this outcome.

Sitting beside Li Zhile was another Knight of the Profound Tortoise Realm, also clad in silver armor, whose expression was grim, his anger barely concealed.

"There is absolutely no mistake! My subordinate spent a fortune these past few days gathering this information from several maids in the Misty Smoke Palace on Qiantian Mountain. His Majesty the Demon King is indeed preparing to take the Marshal as a secondary consort. This matter has already spread among the upper echelons of Qiantian Mountain for the past two days."

Li Zhile felt fury burning in his heart, and the wine cup in his hand finally could not withstand the pressure, shattering instantly into dust.

"This is utterly despicable! Qiantian Demon King is truly a dissolute ruler! How audacious of him!"

He longed to instantly draw the spear in his hand and charge to the peak of Qiantian Mountain to apprehend the Demon King and demand an explanation! However, recalling Zong Shou's formidable power—cutting down an Eighth Tier talisman figure with a single sword strike—Li Zhile thought it over carefully and decided against it. The more perilous the situation, the calmer he needed to remain; rash action must be avoided.

Whether by coincidence or not, just then, a newly arrived group at a nearby table began discussing the matter of Kong Yao.

"Gentlemen? Have you heard about the great battle on the slope of Qiantian Mountain over ten days ago?" "How could we forget? It shook the entire city. I heard countless structures within our city were damaged, with dozens of houses collapsing. Fortunately, no one was injured." "Then do you all know who the combatants were that day, and for what reason?"

The speaker was a plump man with a round face whose extreme chubbiness made his eyes seem even smaller. Dressed in luxurious brocade robes, he currently affected an air of profound mystery. Only when the surrounding people turned to look did the fat man speak with an expression of smug satisfaction: "The individuals who fought that day included one of Qiantian Mountain’s famed generals, Zong Yuan, who once crushed a four-hundred-thousand-strong army with three thousand iron cavalry. The other was a titled Marshal from the Central Cloud Continent. Reportedly, she is a woman, devastatingly beautiful, like a celestial flower. She is barely nineteen years old. Captured over ten days ago, our Sovereign plans to take her as a secondary consort—"

The surrounding crowd was stunned, exchanging bewildered glances. At this point, even those who hadn't been paying attention before turned their gazes over.

"Is this true?" "Absolutely certain! The Chancellor said it personally in front of my elder brother; how could it be false?"

No one cared who the fat man’s brother was, but everyone’s interest was piqued by the news.

"The Sovereign is taking her as a secondary consort? Her beauty must be top-tier; I truly wish to see her—" "Isn't this practice tantamount to forcibly seizing a civilian woman? How can he do such a thing?" "It’s not the first time the Sovereign has done this! Remember Madam Xuanqin? The Sovereign is good in every way, except he is far too lustful—"