Long Ruo’s eyes were half-open, half-closed. He seemed lost in thought, or perhaps pondering something deeply, standing perfectly still.

Ling Weizi was right beside him, wearing a nearly identical expression, as if waiting for something.

To the right of the pair stood another person. Roughly forty years of age, named Geng Weizi, whom Long Ruo knew as his Martial Uncle. At this moment, Geng Weizi had simply settled into a cross-legged posture beside them, circulating his inner breath.

The three of them had been waiting in this location for a full six hours, yet not a trace of impatience showed on any of their faces.

Time slipped by, and they waited for an unknown duration. Ling Weizi let out an “Mm,” and opened his eyes.

A message talisman had already floated down before him. Without physically touching it, he extended his consciousness to examine it, and a knowing smile spread across Ling Weizi’s face.

“It is the Sect Master’s Command Talisman! The Dao Ming Sect has agreed. This time, they will dispatch all their disciples—two hundred Spirit Profound Wind Warriors—to aid the Thousand Cities Alliance!”

Geng Weizi’s eyes brightened, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud: “This is truly mobilizing the entire nest, a full measure of desperation. I wonder if Zong Shou has gone mad to provoke the Dao Ming Sect by acquiring another two hundred Spirit Profound Wind Warriors at this juncture. A Spirit Profound Wind Warrior is a sixth-tier Dao Soldier. The Dao Ming Sect, holding the Second Spirit Prefecture, only commands just over three hundred of them with their strength second only to the Seven Spirit Sect.”

“To offer seventy percent of their strength at once shows they are utterly drained. It seems their hatred for Zong Shou has permeated to the bone.”

Ling Weizi waved his hand dismissively: “With the incident of Sect Master Weiran being forced into the Sunken Cloud Sea beforehand, there was never any possibility of reconciliation between the Dao Ming Sect and that Zong Shou. Even without the grievances involving the Third Dragon Hall, they could never tolerate that Demon King. Shang Yue’s death was merely the catalyst.” He chuckled again: “So, if you add our Cloud Soaring Sect’s four hundred Cloud Dragon Iron Swordsmen, and the two hundred Supreme Purity Profound Thunder Warriors from the Upper Heaven Profound Spirit Sect, along with the various sects of the Eastern Border like Danquan and Xuansu—we already have over twelve hundred sixth-tier Dao Soldiers alone. Even without the Thousand Cities Alliance, this force alone is more than enough to shatter the Qiantian Mountain!”

“This is no different than using a mighty ox to kill a chicken!”

Geng Weizi nodded slightly, his eyes filled with derision: “It’s laughable that Zong Shou purchased so many Spirit Soldiers and Armors from the Central Cloud Continent and thought he could challenge our Cloud Soaring Sect to war. He tried to be secretive, intending a surprise attack, unaware that all spiritual artifact trade on the Central Cloud Continent is controlled by the Ten Great Holy Land Sects. A simple check would reveal the origin of his goods. In truth, if our Sect Master had not insisted on using this battle to thoroughly intimidate those harboring wicked intentions, we could have annihilated the Qiantian Mountain with just thirty percent of our current strength.”

As the two spoke, Long Ruo remained silent and withdrawn, never interjecting. A subtle shadow of worry crossed his face.

Ling Weizi noticed this and immediately turned, smiling: “Are you feeling uneasy? Do you think the sect is overreacting, mobilizing such a massive force for the sake of avenging your physical body being severed previously, and that it isn’t worth it?”

Long Ruo’s expression tightened. What Ling Weizi asked was not exactly what he was thinking, but it did capture a part of his concern. He quickly composed himself and nodded slightly: “Disciple is indeed apprehensive! To mobilize the entire sect for a personal grievance!”

Ling Weizi burst into hearty laughter: “Long Ruo, Long Ruo! Perhaps losing to Zong Shou was not entirely a bad thing for you. You are not as cautious as before, merely arrogant. But rest assured this time! You should know the temperament of your Master—he never acts without gaining something. Which Sect Master in the Cloud Realm would launch such a major campaign over a petty grudge? All disputes and rivalries boil down to one word: ‘Profit.’”

“So, don’t think too highly of yourself. Do you realize that under the jurisdiction of Qiantian Mountain, two large-scale Yellow-rank Spirit Stone mineral veins are currently taking shape?”

Long Ruo listened quietly, but at the final sentence, his entire body stiffened.

Two large-scale Spirit Stone mineral veins? This news had indeed never reached him. He wondered if it was true? If confirmed, the news would certainly trigger immense chaos, driving the Cloud Realm sects into a frenzy.

One needed to know that a medium-sized Spirit Stone mine could support a hundred sixth-tier Dao Soldiers. Its yield of seventh-tier and higher spirit stones could supply the daily cultivation needs of over two ninth-tier cultivators.

A large-scale mine supported over a thousand people! And the yield of high-grade Yellow-rank spirit stones was tenfold greater.

Even for a top-tier power like the Cang Sheng Dao, supported by three main sects and six branch schools, they only commanded about seven thousand sixth-tier Dao Soldiers.

Two mines alone could establish the foundation of a major sect!

And across the entire Cloud Realm, there were currently only four such veins in existence.

A sudden realization dawned in his mind: his Sect Master’s intervention in the Eastern Border power struggle, supposedly for his personal revenge, was merely a pretext; the true goal was to seize these two large-scale mines.

“Our Cloud Soaring Sect certainly cannot swallow these large mineral veins alone; we will inevitably have to share a portion with other sects. But if they remain under Qiantian Mountain’s control, then our Cloud Soaring Sect might not even retain the right to speak.”

“That is precisely what you are thinking!”

Ling Weizi stopped looking at Bingyuan and sighed: “If our Cloud Soaring Sect had not fallen out with the Zong father and son, we might have negotiated with them this time. It wouldn't necessarily have required such mutual destruction. But now that we are mortal enemies, our strike must be even more ruthless. We must ensure Zong Shou has no chance to recover!”

“My Martial Uncle speaks wisdom! When it comes down to it, I am the one dragging the sect down…”

Long Ruo let out a bitter laugh, feeling even more unsettled. Just as he was about to say more, Daoist Geng Weizi abruptly stood up.

“He’s finally here!”

Long Ruo immediately ceased speaking, and Ling Weizi followed Geng Weizi’s gaze. They saw a solitary figure rapidly approaching from the ‘upstream’ direction of the spiritual river.

Seemingly sensing the presence of the three, the figure halted abruptly when it reached about a hundred feet away. The slender eyes swept over the three, followed by a cold sneer.

“I wondered who it was that knew the secret passage into this Cloud Realm secluded domain. It turns out to be someone from your Cloud Soaring Sect—this must be Ling Weizi.” Ling Weizi had initially worn a beaming smile, but upon seeing the condition of the person before him, he was momentarily stunned.

The man’s appearance was not handsome; in fact, it could be called hideous, yet he possessed a unique aura that made others feel like mere sand beside a lustrous pearl.

He retained the same expression of intense obsession as always, but his vital energy was incredibly faint and turbid. His entire left arm, including the shoulder, was completely gone. Even he could sense the blocked and obstructed meridian pathways within the man’s body.

Ling Weizi’s first thought was: Yuan Wushang? How could he possibly be injured? And so severely? This condition is close to self-destruction. His second thought was: Who in the world could inflict such grievous injuries upon Yuan Wushang, the foremost of the Six Sword Masters of the Cloud Realm?

Yuan Wushang let out another cold laugh: “Are you thinking I look pathetic now? Surprised that the Mad Sword Yuan Wushang has fallen to such a miserable state?”

Ling Weizi’s mind snapped back to alertness. Although he had indeed thought that, he knew these words must never be spoken, not even a hint of them. He chuckled lightly: “How could that be? How can a martial cultivator avoid all mishaps? I heard that in the Outer Domains, while martial arts and spirit techniques are mostly inferior to our Cloud Realm, some are exceedingly perilous. Young Master Yuan, you must take utmost care!”

Yuan Wushang let out a scornful ‘Hmph,’ dripping with mockery: “Spare me the pleasantries. Who are you putting on this hypocritical show for? Who are you trying to fool? Get to the point. Why are you blocking my way?”

Ling Weizi’s expression became subtly awkward. However, being a man of deep composure, his face was like a fortress wall, showing no clue of his feelings. He smiled: “Surely, Young Master already knows. We are here concerning Zong Shou of the Qiantian Mountain. We implore you, considering the past aid our Cloud Soaring Sect Master once rendered, to step forward and challenge this fellow. The date and time are entirely up to your selection, as long as it is within the month! This fellow has risen in fame recently and even personally slew a ninth-tier cultivator within the Dragon Hall; I imagine that might pique your interest. Our Cloud Soaring Sect also has means to compel this fellow into battle…”

Based on these words, given Yuan Wushang’s temperament, he should have readily agreed.

But when the words ended, Ling Weizi saw that the man opposite him wore an exceedingly strange expression.

“Zong Shou? The Qiantian Demon King Zong Shou, are you certain?”

As the words fell, he burst into uproarious laughter. Despite his severe injuries, his voice was immensely powerful and resonant, echoing endlessly, growing ever more frantic.

Ling Weizi’s face finally revealed shock. Not only him, but Long Ruo and Geng Weizi exchanged glances, expressions shifting to guarded caution.

This was because the laughter was filled with killing intent, and Yuan Wushang’s aura intensified.

“The favor your Sect Master granted me, I, Yuan Wushang, have long repaid. I cannot touch that man, so I will take out my frustrations on you few. Perhaps that will slightly lessen the hatred in my heart!” As the word ‘hatred’ fell, all three started in alarm, instinctively reaching for their swords. But they saw Yuan Wushang’s figure flash slightly, appearing not far in front of them. A terrifying Soul Pressure followed, descending with the weight of ten thousand mountains, pinning Geng Weizi and Long Ruo immovably to the spot.

“Sword Soul Realm!”

Ling Weizi cried out in shock, and almost instinctively threw several high-grade spirit talismans from his Universe Bag towards the figure.

But he only heard Yuan Wushang’s laughter continue unabated. He darted through the wind and fire, instantly arriving above the three heads.

With a single sword strike, he cleanly severed Geng Weizi’s head. Then, seemingly unwilling to linger, he broke off engagement with Ling Weizi, flashing a thousand feet away, coldly sneering: “My feud with your Cloud Soaring Sect ends here! For the sake of the past, I offer you one piece of advice. You had best not provoke that Zong Shou! He is boundless light and endless darkness—”

As the voice faded, Yuan Wushang vanished without a trace, and his sword pressure lifted.

Ling Weizi and Long Ruo, who had regained mobility, exchanged looks, their eyes filled momentarily with sheer astonishment and confusion.