This brat has clearly let hatred cloud his judgment! Does he not realize that while the Dao Ancestor is seventy percent certain about the matter of the Myriad Beings Path, there are still variables at play? If the scheme fails, this man would then have a legitimate excuse to return.

In the Cloud Realm now, who could stand against his might? To deal with Zong Shou would inevitably cost countless sacrifices. "Insolent whelp! Is this a place where you get to speak?" Cheng Xin respected Qing Ming, but there was no need for him to be cordial to this Xiao Xiangzi.

The latter's father was on the verge of becoming an Apex Sage, his tribulation virtually assured success.

He might become the ninth Apex being in the Cloud Realm, following Long Ying.

His status within the Daoist Sect would be supreme.

As for this Xiao Xiangzi, though possessing the aptitude for the unity of Spirit and Martial arts, his cultivation progress over the years had been decent.

But his Master had died, and the tragedy that struck the Daoist Sect a few years prior was somewhat linked to him.

In his eyes, Xiao Xiangzi was truly like grass, something to be crushed at will.

Seeing Xiao Xiangzi’s face flicker between ashen and pale, with a subtle hint of humiliation and anger, Cheng Xin forced himself to endure, falling silent.

Cheng Xin snorted coldly, ignoring him, and turned directly to Qing Ming beside him: "The Palace Mistress’s status is noble; she cannot easily take risks.

Furthermore, that Xuan Ling Association of the Nine Capitals Immortal Court was once an enemy of our Daoist Sect.

These people already fear Long Ying, so even if they clash with Zong Shou, they wouldn't lightly take his life to move directly against him.

Cooperating with them is akin to seeking skin from a tiger—" After finishing his speech, he waited silently, glancing at Qing Ming's expression.

How to ultimately decide rested entirely on the wishes of this junior female Daoist.

This woman currently governed the Dao Spirit Firmament Realm.

She was the Dao Spirit Palace Mistress; her status, even if nominally held, was second only to the Grand Master.

If it were anyone else, even Wu Xu, he wouldn't need to be this circumspect.

But because Qing Ming had a future Apex Sage as a father, respect was mandatory.

Qing Ming, however, was wavering, finding it difficult to choose.

Her hatred for Zong Shou was truly irreconcilable.

She had moved the Shadow Demon with the Illusion Heart Mirror, meticulously planning.

She had orchestrated this ambush.

She had even rushed here amid her busy schedule just to witness Zong Shou's demise with her own eyes.

She had absolutely not anticipated that the outcome would be the complete annihilation of those formless gods and demons.

A distinct unwillingness gnawed at her heart—to let that enemy remain free in the world.

Xiao Xiangzi’s words had truly swayed her.

Yet, she also knew the risks she might face next.

If the Myriad Beings Path had not been extinguished, and Zong Shou returned to the Cloud Realm— Such an outcome was likely something no one in the Cloud Realm wished to see.

Unable to make a decision, Qing Ming gradually lost herself in thought.

Then, she suddenly heard a laugh near her ear. "Interesting! Very interesting! This Lord has been traversing myriad realms and stumbled upon this by chance.

Yet, I hear people plotting against my friend.

Tell me, what should I do about this situation?" The voice sounded vaguely familiar.

Qing Ming snapped back to attention and looked over in shock.

In the distant void, a figure stood clearly visible.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, clad in a purple robe, with eyes that blazed with untamable defiance, watching them with a half-smile. "Yuan Wushang—" Qing Ming was utterly bewildered.

Why was this person here? Why hadn't Cheng Xin detected this person's arrival at all? From his words, it seemed he had overheard their entire conversation.

With the soundproofing and soul-thought protection barrier beneath their feet, how had this man managed it? This Yuan Wushang had once submitted to Zong Shou's tutelage but later developed a deep mutual appreciation, becoming sworn brothers.

If the events of today were to be reported to Zong Shou— The consequences would be unimaginable! Qing Ming’s eyes instantly sharpened like knives, radiating sudden killing intent. "Martial Uncle Cheng Xin, kill him! This person cannot be allowed to live!" Cheng Xin didn't hesitate upon hearing this.

He flicked his whisk, sending it sweeping downward.

The three thousand silver strands were all as sharp as swords, yet delicate as silver needles.

They writhed through the air like snakes, surging forward in a tide.

But at the very instant they were about to strike, the void in that spot suddenly erupted with a localized spiritual energy burst, briefly halting the three thousand silver strands.

Then, Yuan Wushang’s 'Hah' laughter continued: "Are you trying to silence witnesses? They say the most venomous heart belongs to a woman, and it appears true.

Thank goodness, thank goodness—" Amidst the chaotic spiritual torrent filling the sky, Yuan Wushang suddenly flung an object forward.

Initially the size of a grain of rice, it rapidly expanded.

In mere moments, it morphed into a human shape.

It was a jade figure, empty-handed, yet showing no fear of the three thousand flying threads.

With a 'boom,' it smashed into the whisk, causing the silver strands to scatter explosively, then, like a crazed tiger, it lunged forward ferociously. "Mohist Jade Puppet!" Cheng Xin's pupils constricted.

He had never held the slightest disdain, but now he committed his full attention.

The disintegrated silver threads continued to relentlessly coil forward.

From Cheng Xin’s sleeve, countless maple-leaf shaped bloody blades flew out.

They merged together, forming a massive maple-leaf great saber, which he slashed down from the air.

The Jade Puppet made no attempt to defend, allowing the blade light to strike its head without a second thought.

It continued its furious, heavy punching assault.

Another thunderous impact shook the entire lotus leaf below for a moment.

Cheng Xin frowned again, his gaze grim.

This Jade Puppet was not only incredibly strong, possessing the equivalent of six thousand Mount Sumeru's might, but its material was comparable to an Immortal Treasure, being incomparably hard.

Observing the maple-leaf saber strike the jade head, it only left a pale white scratch.

Dealing with it was proving exceptionally difficult.

It wasn't that he couldn't win, but it would require considerable effort.

And then, in the very next instant, a figure shot through the explosive defensive energy capable of destroying Immortal Stage cultivators, rapidly fleeing towards the distance.

Cheng Xin froze again.

What was this brat Yuan Wushang trying to do? In just that instant, Cheng Xin reacted, followed by a shudder of alarm.

This person's target was Qing Ming and Xiao Xiangzi! Furious, Cheng Xin instinctively flung a brocade banner toward Qing Ming, firmly shielding her figure.

As for Xiao Xiangzi, under the pressure of the Jade Puppet, he was temporarily unable to divert his attention and couldn't be looked after just then.

About fifteen minutes later, Cheng Xin stood fixed in the void, watching a pale jade light streak into the distance, his expression incredibly grim.

It vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

Caught off guard, he ultimately failed to save Xiao Xiangzi.

With the Jade Puppet carrying him, Yuan Wushang’s speed of flight even slightly surpassed his own.

He could only watch helplessly as the person escaped.

Qing Ming’s face was also grim, as if it might drip water.

After a long pause, she let out a deep breath. "Martial Uncle, no matter what, we cannot allow this person to contact or meet Zong Shou.

Especially not Xiao Xiangzi—" Cheng Xin nodded slightly with a grave expression.

He understood this matter deeply.

However, with that Jade Puppet present, if Yuan Wushang intended to flee, he, alone, could not detain him.

To capture this person, he would need to summon nearby fellow disciples.

If all else failed, he would at least have to end Xiao Xiangzi's life...

When Zong Shou arrived at the cloud palace where Cha Houhu and that contingent of Asura tribesmen resided, he discovered the place completely deserted.

In the vast aerial immortal manor, there was not a single soul.

Zong Shou stepped inside, meeting no resistance until he reached the front of the grandest hall.

Looking up, he saw Cha Houhu sitting at the uppermost seat in the hall, smiling serenely.

Zong Shou suppressed the numerous questions in his heart and walked inside. "I recently learned that the Seven Sages Alliance has not been able to continue participating in the Primordial Lotus Realm contest precisely because of the threat from the Asura Clan.

I must sincerely thank Brother Hou for this!" If the Seven Sages Alliance had also intervened, the combined force of the five factions might not have been able to hold out until now against Feng Taiji and the others.

Moreover, the other four factions had all been constrained by the power of the Asura Clan to varying degrees.

This further confirmed that the person before him possessed an extraordinary identity, far more than just an ordinary general or clansman of the Asura. "Brother Zong, you are too kind.

I promised you in the past that I would do my best.

This is part of my duty; why thank me?" Cha Houhu shook his head, rose, and walked down the steps. "Rather, Brother Zong, you truly have not disappointed Cha Mou.

That battle at the Domain Outer River just now was spectacular.

It made me feel that everything I have done was worthwhile." Saying this, without waiting for Zong Shou to speak, he tossed over a jade slip, remarking meaningfully, "This contains a recent strange account from near the Primordial Lotus Realm; Brother Zong might want to look." Zong Shou casually accepted it and steeped his soul sense into it.

About three breaths later, his mood heavy, he withdrew his mind sense.

This jade slip contained news about Shi Yue.

It brought him feelings of astonishment, urgency, and pressure.

That person had managed to conquer twenty-three worlds in less than four years, and one of them was even a Middle Thousand World— His emotions churned, taking a long time to recover.

Zong Shou was lost in thought for a full fifteen minutes before regaining his focus and readjusting his spiritual circulation.

An inexpressible sense of urgency suddenly surfaced in his mind, making the future seem even more unpredictable.

That person's rise must have occurred after conquering the Primordial Lotus Realm, successively attacking dozens of Minor Thousand Worlds before returning to the Cloud Realm.

Once he fully controlled the Cloud Realm, his expansion became unstoppable.

Zong Shou striking at the Primordial Lotus Realm first, ostensibly seizing its fortune, yet unexpectedly, Shi Yue’s power expanded faster. "Behind that person, there must be a master providing secret assistance!" Cha Houhu smiled again: "However, the primary reason is due to Brother Zong's involvement." Zong Shou looked over in surprise, only to hear Cha Houhu say: "If Brother Zong hadn't tied down some of the forces of the Nine Capitals Immortal Court and the Xuan Ling Association this time, easing the pressure on that individual, he wouldn't have been able to achieve such a swift engulfment." Zong Shou finally understood, but his mouth tasted overwhelmingly bitter.

What kind of situation was this? He intended to check that person’s momentum, but in the end, he had actually helped him instead.

He then shook his head; he was not the sort to complain about fate or sigh over setbacks.

If he could stop that person, that would be best, but if he couldn't, it didn't matter much.

The Primordial Lotus Realm was excellently situated.

Among the dozens of Minor Thousand Worlds surrounding it, all were inhabited by the Human Race and were extremely abundant in resources.

It was an excellent place to breed soldiers and accumulate strength.

Once successfully occupied this time, it might not be inferior to Shi Yue’s holdings.

RQ