That flash of white light from the escape technique was incredibly fast, even slightly exceeding Zong Shou's impression of an ordinary Saint Realm Venerable.

Yet, it could not deceive his Illusory World Blood Pupils. A mere trace of crimson intent flickered in his eyes, and he saw the figure within the white light with perfect clarity.

One of the figures was none other than Yuan Wushang!

As for the other, it was clearly not human.

He was already integrating certain essences of the 'Primal Genesis Spirit Breath Art' into his own World-Shaking Spirit Art.

His sense for the vitality of life was unparalleled.

The Illusory World Blood Pupils could not penetrate the body of this 'person,' but they knew that the figure carrying Yuan Wushang away possessed no vitality whatsoever.

Judging by the situation, it appeared to be a puppet. And furthermore, a puppet possessing Saint Realm strength!

It was a Jade Puppet of the Mohist School!

The pinnacle creation of the Mohist School from the Desolate Cloud Era, an era when they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Dao, Demon, and Confucian sects, having inherited the legacy of the Ancient Artifact Sect!

It was rumored that only six were ever made, each possessing strength comparable to a Saint Realm expert!

The Twelve Bronze Men of the ancient First Qin era were forged using these Jade Puppets as their blueprint.

However, with the demise of the Mohist School, the whereabouts of these six Jade Puppets were lost.

It was uncertain where Yuan Wushang had managed to find one.

But given the current circumstances, things looked dire.

Zong Shou gazed further into the distance, observing those in furious pursuit.

To force Yuan Wushang, who possessed a Jade Puppet for protection, into such a desperate plight, one could imagine that the pursuers must also possess extraordinary backgrounds.

However, as Zong Shou took this look, he froze on the spot.

He did not recognize the other pursuers. Only one person among them seemed vaguely familiar, having met her a few times.

Qing Ming of the Vast Life Heaven Dome—rumored to be the daughter of Kun Ming, who had most likely already attained the pinnacle of the Supreme Realm Venerable.

But was this not the woman who was said to already preside over the Dao Spirit Heaven Dome, the first woman to become the Palace Master of the Dao Spirit Palace?

What leisure did she have to be here?

Qing Ming also seemed unwilling to see him. The moment she spotted Zong Shou, her expression turned exceedingly grim.

Zong Shou also gained a sudden realization, recalling those few Formless Divine Demons.

Perhaps today's events were connected to those few God Realm Shadow Demons?

It couldn't possibly be such a coincidence—

Without hesitation, he abruptly took several steps forward, gathering his sword intent. He positioned himself firmly to protect the fleeing Yuan Wushang.

He could also tell that there were at least two Saint Realm experts among the opposition, otherwise Yuan Wushang would not be in such a wretched state.

With his own strength alone, he absolutely could not stop these people. Doing this was merely to declare his stance of protecting Yuan Wushang.

His support lay with Ye Xuan, and the one hundred and eighty-four Demon Punishers of the Origin Sea behind him.

The Daoist cultivators in the distance did indeed halt their advance.

Yuan Wushuang visibly let out a breath of relief, chuckling, and likewise suppressed his escape light.

"That was too close, too close! I nearly lost my life this time. They say the most venomous heart belongs to a woman; it’s certainly true!"

Speaking without restraint, he paid no mind to Qing Ming's increasingly unpleasant expression opposite them.

In a few breaths, Yuan Wushang regulated his energy and his composure returned. He then sneered towards Zong Shou, "Long time no see! I missed you terribly. Speaking of which, I ended up in this mess entirely for your sake. I could have been killed easily. You owe me a big thank you later!"

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, remaining silent, adopting an expression of one eager to hear the details.

Yuan Wushang casually flicked his sleeve. A figure tumbled out from within.

With a face of gold and purple hues, the figure emerged looking slightly anxious and startled as he surveyed the surroundings.

Upon seeing Zong Shou, his pupils violently contracted; the look was one of utter venom.

Following that, came sorrow and resignation.

"Xiao Xiangzi?"

Zong Shou let out an exclamation of surprise, sighing inwardly. How could the favored son of heaven from back then end up in this state?

Judging by the situation, he was in dire straits, having become Yuan Wushang's captive.

Previously, this man had viewed their Six Absolutes Sword sect as mere ants.

In just a moment of thought, Zong Shou had pieced together the general sequence of events.

He finally understood why the Daoist Sect was mobilizing such a force to hunt down Yuan Wushang—

"When I was ambushed by the Formless Divine Demons that day, was this Xiao Xiangzi standing by as a witness? Did Yuan Wushang just happen to pass by and capture him?"

When Zong Shou said this, Yuan Wushang did not reply, merely chuckling, "A few years have passed, Little Shou, you've certainly grown sharper."

Zong Shou's lips twitched, finding the tone sickeningly saccharine. He then looked straight ahead again, shifting his gaze to Qing Ming opposite them.

"Is the matter of the Formless Divine Demons connected to your Daoist Sect?"

Qing Ming was struck dumb. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

With evidence in hand, arguing strenuously now would only make people look down on her, and it offered no genuine defense.

So, she simply remained silent, directly implying consent.

Zong Shou waited a moment, then let out a light chuckle. His laughter grew wilder and more unrestrained, overflowing with delight.

After a long while, as waves of greenish-blue energy began to surface on Qing Ming's face, almost impossible to suppress, Zong Shou's laughter finally ceased.

"Years ago, there was an agreement between our sides. I would leave the Cloud Realm for twenty years, and during that time, your Daoist Sect would not harbor any ill will toward the Great Qian Dynasty or those close to me. Palace Master Qing Ming, is this behavior meant to disregard that prior agreement and become a person without words or faith?"

"It is not disregard!"

Qing Ming's expression became detached: "It was an accident—"

If it had not been an accident—if Yuan Wushang had not happened to pass by there, overheard their conversation, and forcibly taken Xiao Xiangzi—

This incident would have remained buried deep in the hearts of the few involved, unknown to Zong Shou.

Zong Shou shook his head, truly too lazy to waste breath on Qing Ming.

"Since your Daoist Sect broke the agreement first, then Zong Shou no longer needs to abide by it. In other words, even if I return to the Cloud Realm now, it wouldn't count as a breach of contract, correct?"

At these words, Qing Ming involuntarily shivered all over.

Return now? This Blood Sword Demon Lord, this chaotic fiend?

The scene of him slaughtering several Formless Divine Demons just over a month ago was still vivid.

Both were at the Immortal Realm; how many in this world were his match?

Even among the Daoist Sect's God Realm and Saint Realm powerhouses, if they ignored the treaty and returned to the Cloud Realm early, bound by its rules, they might not be able to suppress this peerless swordsman, the Blood Sword Demon Lord!

Having been away for several years, this man had only become more monstrous.

A sense of inexplicable restlessness arose in her chest, coupled with a dawning comprehension. This person before her had clearly grown his wings and hardened his shell.

He had reached a stage where every move he made could cause immense headaches for the entire Daoist Sect.

Taking a deep breath, Qing Ming suppressed her agitation. Her tone remained level.

"The Nine Capitals Immortal Court has almost mobilized its entire force this time. To my knowledge, there are more than ten Saint Realm experts alone, a hundred God Realm experts, and three hundred Immortal-rank Daoist Soldiers! To put it plainly, whether Your Majesty lives or dies today is unknown! Even if you miraculously survive, the Nine Capitals Immortal Court shows no intention of holding back—"

Her voice paused, and Qing Ming lifted her eyelids, her gaze sparkling with brilliance.

"The people of my Daoist Sect may not allow Your Majesty to leave safely afterward. In this world, accidents are unavoidable, are they not?"

Yuan Wushang shivered again, then clicked his tongue in admiration: "What a vicious and ruthless old crone. The Daoist Sect's legacy spanning ten thousand years is truly something; they have worthy successors."

Qing Ming let out a slight 'hmph,' unconcerned. She stared intently at Zong Shou.

Was she malicious? Back then, she had personally watched Zong Shou behead her fellow disciples one by one, and then storm into the Central Cloud Realm, annihilating dozens of clans.

All because the Vast Life Heaven Dome had offended this man by slaughtering a few so-called innocent civilians.

Since they served this demon, and were his subjects, how could they claim innocence?

Since things had reached this point and could not be undone, she might as well end it all!

If she could slay this man, she was willing to bear any price. Being even more cruel and ruthless was acceptable.

Yet, Zong Shou was smiling, seemingly unbothered. But it wasn't the look of arrogance; rather, it was one of profound helplessness.

"So, that means your Daoist Sect will also intervene in today's battle? And I need not show any mercy on my end either?"

Qing Ming raised an eyebrow, about to reply 'yes,' when someone beside her suddenly pulled her arm.

Turning to look, she saw her martial uncle, Cheng Xin.

For the past two months, she had been allowed to manage the situation as she saw fit. At this moment, however, she could clearly perceive from the force of his grip that Cheng Xin would not allow her to refuse.

Instead, he looked toward the sword-wielding figure behind Zong Shou.

"Is that Ye Xuan, who, two hundred years ago, single-handedly defeated three Saints with one sword, the Carefree Pavilion Daoist, Carefree Xuan?"

Ye Xuan, who had been observing the scene as a bystander, finally looked over with surprise when mentioned. Then, he let out a 'hehe' laugh: "You recognize me? Since Ye Xuan severed ties with the Carefree Pavilion, the name Daoist Carefree Xuan has long been discarded, and I prefer others not to mention my past as Ye Xuan."

Cheng Xin's face turned slightly pale, laced with bitterness. Then, his voice dry, he asked Zong Shou again.

"Then, has Ao Kun recovered from his injuries?"

Zong Shou smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying, but a strange light flickered in his eyes. This person before him was clearly much better at reading the atmosphere than Qing Ming.

Cheng Xin clearly didn't expect an answer.

"Since Ao Kun is present, Ao Yi must be following close behind. She has been desperately in love with Ao Kun for thousands of years; she must be inseparable from him now. Ao Kun pioneered the Way of Existential Dissipation, the only known method to damage the foundation of the Supreme Realm. Ordinary Saints should flee from him. I heard that Ao Yi, though a member of the Dragon Clan, cultivated even more diligently than us shorter-lived humans for thousands of years. Half-step Supreme Realm—I imagine confronting five or six Saint Realm experts alone wouldn't be difficult for her."

Zong Shou smiled but remained silent, knowing, 'So what if you know?' What good would it do?

Qing Ming's expression fluctuated between shadow and light.

She knew Cheng Xin was saying this more for her benefit.

Indeed, her limbs felt icy. There were discernible differences even among Saint Realm experts.

If these two joined forces, never mind ten Saint-rank experts; even if the Nine Capitals Emperor Lord himself appeared here, he might not fare well.

With these two present, what did Zong Shou have to fear from a mere Nine Capitals?

It seemed that Zong Shou's actions over the past month, and even his provocative words, were all leading to this very day—

What superb strategy: feigning weakness when strong, and strength when weak. This also hinged on the certainty that the Nine Capitals Sacred Court was determined to seize the Primordial Lotus World!

But in this situation, retreating was even more impossible! If Zong Shou were allowed to succeed in his scheme—

At this moment, another voice sounded from behind her: "Palace Master, retreat quickly! This person's kingly aura is blazing today, like oil cooking over a fierce fire, possessing the bearing of an Emperor Lord. Against such a great trend, resistance is futile!"