It was just two days later when Zong Shou stepped onto a sea of clouds, gazing into the distance. Before him lay an island amidst the clouds, barely ten thousand zhang wide and incredibly steep, its very peaks jagged and uneven.

Zong Yuan and Ruo Shui remained silent, long accustomed to obeying Zong Shou’s commands, knowing their lord surely had his reasons for bringing them to this place.

If they were meant to know, Zong Shou would naturally tell them.

After watching for a moment, Zong Shou abruptly flung a golden talisman deep into the island.

Then he waited, hands clasped behind his back. Perhaps growing impatient, he turned and asked, "Do either of you know of the Fu Ling Sect?"

Zong Yuan and Ruo Shui exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting confusion.

It was the former who spoke first: "We have heard of it! It is a sect that only recently rose to prominence on the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent three hundred years ago, famed for its talisman arts. Rumor has it they obtained the secret transmissions of an ancient Talisman Grandmaster. The talismans created by their disciples possess spiritual efficacy thirty percent higher than those of ordinary spiritual masters, and their spiritual techniques are also formidable. About twenty years ago, they supposedly attempted to gather spiritual ley lines in the east of the Cloud Continent, which angered the various sects of Eastern Lin, resulting in their complete annihilation—"

It was that very battle that caused the demise of the majority of powers on the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent, leaving even the remaining great cities severely weakened.

If not for this, there would have been no opportunity for the rise of Qiantian Mountain City. Zong Yuan, having been born in the year the Fu Ling Sect was destroyed, retained the most vivid memories of it.

"Complete annihilation? Not quite. Some remnants are hidden right here—"

Zong Shou shook his head slightly. Moments later, two elderly men in plain robes flew out from a cavern within the island.

Both were in their sixties, looking robust, their eyes filled with suspicion and vigilance. Zong Yuan and Ruo Shui were slightly startled and defensively guarded themselves; both these elders appeared as manifestations of their Nascent Souls.

To gather a true form implied they were at least Ninth Rank!

Then they realized something was amiss—the soul power of these two was distinctly murky, even seeming unstable—

Recalling Zong Shou’s words and the surrounding environment, they immediately understood.

Cultivators who defy the heavens are usually the most resolute group in the world. Some freaks like Zong Shou live lives akin to self-flagellation.

Yet, these are also the most fragile individuals. Without sufficient spiritual energy to nourish them, unless they have stepped onto the path of Immortality and can sustain themselves, they are inevitably destined for unstable cultivation and eventual demotion in rank.

Though the spiritual energy here was dense, for true-form level masters, it was tantamount to nothing.

"May I ask who the four of you are, and how you found this place?"

The elder who spoke was slightly older, his eyes thick with inquiry.

Zong Shou smiled. Surrounding this small island was an immense spiritual array that caused people to subconsciously skirt around this location. Even a Ninth Rank master, unaware of the decryption method, would merely spin around like a headless fly.

However, he certainly wouldn't reveal that he knew this place intimately because, in his later life, he frequently took on quests targeting the Lingyun Sect within the Divine Emperor Game, constantly raising the reputation of the Fu Ling Sect to 'Worshipped'—

In fact, nearly half of his attainments in the way of talismans were due to the Fu Ling Sect.

"Are the two of you Elder Ming Du and Elder Lie He of the Fu Ling Sect?"

As his voice fell, the expressions of the two elders instantly sharpened, revealing a flicker of killing intent.

Zong Shou was completely unconcerned. He spoke word by word: "I am Zong Shou! Zong Shou of Qiantian Mountain!"

Both Ming Du and Lie He froze, exchanging bewildered glances, their confusion deepening.

Zong Shou’s lips curved slightly. As expected, these 'remnants' of the Fu Ling Sect were not truly confined to one small corner, ignoring the outside world. They must also have disciples roaming the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent.

Otherwise, how would they know the name of Zong Shou?

"So it is His Highness, the Demon King of Qiantian Mountain, the esteemed disciple of Elder Long Ying. This old man is indeed Ming Du. Forgive my rudeness!"

Clasping his fists in salute, Ming Du still maintained a degree of guarded unfamiliarity. "Then, may I ask the purpose of Your Highness's visit?"

"I have come to recruit."

Without the slightest hint of hesitation or subtlety, Zong Shou glanced toward the nearby island. "The spiritual energy here is only six times that of an ordinary place. With your strength, you could surely find better locations. Are you hiding here to avoid pursuit from the Lingyun Sect? But I see that if you two cannot find a way to delay this decline, or a suitable territory, you will likely drop in rank within another seven years."

This assessment left the two Ninth Rank spiritual masters looking ashen. Zong Shou then smiled. "Are the two of you willing to become retainers for Qiantian Mountain City?"

Ming Du and Lie He frowned, a slight joy quickly replaced by caution. After a long pause, Lie He spoke hesitantly, "This old man has heard that the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent is on the brink of war. To the east of Eastern Lin lies the Thousand City Alliance, boasting millions of elite troops, supported by all the sects of Eastern Lin. Yet, Qiantian Mountain has cut off its own limbs over the past two years. Is the conflict between the Thousand City Alliance and your Qiantian City not expected within a few months?"

"If a great war were not imminent, why would I seek out you two old men to be my Qiantian retainers?"

This statement choked them both. Within Zong Shou’s eyes, a sharp glint emerged as he stared them down: "My opponent in this war is less the Thousand City Alliance, and more the sects of Eastern Lin. Are the two of you willing to enter the banner of Qiantian Mountain?"

Ming Du found the situation utterly bizarre; Zong Shou's imposing aura, despite his youth, was exceptionally powerful. He was truly worthy of being a sovereign. However, he seemed overly confident and perhaps too young.

He had initially been moved by the offer, but now he was ready to refuse, just as Zong Shou suddenly tossed a jade slip toward them.

He held deep enmity toward the sects of Eastern Lin, but he would not sacrifice the last hope of his sect for that hatred.

"Before you decline, look at this first!"

Ming Du, half-believing, took the jade slip. After a moment, he gasped sharply, staring at Zong Shou with disbelief. Trembling, he passed the jade slip to Lie He beside him. Lie He, initially perplexed, also narrowed his eyes moments later, displaying astonishment.

"It's the Blood Cloud Cavalry—"

"So the Blood Cloud Iron Cavalry of the Wulie Kingdom has reappeared under His Highness’s command—"

His voice was dry and slightly trembling. Ming Du felt a complex mixture of emotions: joy, excitement, incredulity, and even a touch of schadenfreude. Though his spirit soared, he could not express it.

After a brief contemplation, Ming Du decided he was inclined to defect. However, just as he was about to speak, a thought struck him.

"Your Highness isn't afraid that we might inform the Lingyun Sect of this news?"

"What fear do I have? If the calculation fails, it harms me none. I can still sweep through Eastern Lin—"

Zong Shou shook his head, truly unconcerned. "However, you talisman remnants—what the Lingyun Sect did before, I am capable of doing as well."

Ming Du immediately fell silent, realizing Zong Shou’s words were entirely true.

Lie He, however, still harbored some doubt. "This old man still has one question. There are countless Ninth Rank rogue cultivators on the Cloud Stairs across the Central Cloud Continent. With Qiantian Mountain's current strength, you could easily recruit many. Why seek out only the two of us?"

Zong Shou looked deeply at him, then turned his gaze toward the sky above the island.

"I heard that your sect’s Ten Absolute Sky Array was forged by refining ten types of Earth-rank spiritual treasures before you remade your mountain gate. It is not only one of the world's most powerful defensive arrays but also capable of locking down heaven and earth?"

Ming Du and Lie He exchanged another look, the meaning in their eyes confirming their suspicion: This Demon King of Qiantian truly came for this.

Paradoxically, their hearts settled. Knowing Zong Shou's true objective allowed them to momentarily set aside their deepest worries.

Leaving the small island occupied by the Fu Ling Sect remnants, Zong Shou found the situation almost laughable.

He knew perfectly well what Ming Du and Lie He were worried about.

Besides these two, the Fu Ling Sect had six remaining Seventh Rank spiritual masters and two Eighth Rank masters. With such strength, they could easily find a Holy Land-level sect in the Central Cloud Continent or any of the other three continents and twelve islands to seek protection, or simply become vassals.

But because they feared Zong Shou might force out the core secret of their talisman crafting—their most vital inheritance—they had been forced to hide on this desolate little cloud island for twenty years, far worse off than the Demon Mountain Sect.

And though they were now joining his command, they still maintained a defensive stance toward their provider.

However, Zong Shou did indeed harbor some ill intentions regarding that talisman-making secret.

Both men were former Talisman Masters with formidable spiritual techniques. Zong Shou sought them out primarily for the Ten Absolute Sky Array.

But if he were to confront the Lingyun Sect fully, these two would be far from enough, and he absolutely could not rely on them too heavily; he needed to find other strong allies.

He hadn't recruited them before because he feared he couldn't suppress them, leading to a backlash. Now, both his own power and the Blood Cloud Cavalry were sufficient deterrents. It was time to enlist more retainers to deal with the various sects.

Given the current situation, Long Xiang City's Yang Fan would likely make a move in a month and a half at the latest; time was running short.

Zong Shou then took out another jade slip—the one he had obtained from the Merit Tower. After quickly discerning the direction, he continued heading east.

After about half a day, Zong Shou suddenly stopped.

"This should be the place!"

He scanned his surroundings, then cast more than a dozen seals in quick succession. As spiritual light churned, the previously barren area abruptly manifested layers of clouds and mist. Zong Shou used his soul power to forcefully part the roiling mist to the side.

The group moved forward. After traveling about a thousand zhang, a colossal stone palace suddenly appeared before Zong Shou.