The Realm of Clouds, this Great Thousand World, is perhaps unique in all existence. Never has any other world boasted the vast spiritual tides or the abundance of mineral veins found within the Cloud Realm.

Yet, counting those who vanished without a trace, there have been no more than seventeen True Realm cultivators from ancient times until now. It is strange, really.

Back in the era ten thousand years past, the foreign races were nearly purged. The mere presence of Xi Zi Xiu Guan, alongside the eight True Sovereign Sages of the Daoist and Confucian schools, was enough to repel the Hundred Races; Xi Zi alone could instill deep apprehension in every alien tribe.

To seal the spiritual tide then would have seemed contrary to reason. It was only later, when the major sects of the Cloud Realm began to contend amongst themselves, causing several True Sovereign Sages to disappear sequentially, that the foreign races found their opening— This led to the chaos caused by the border tribes after the Qin and Han dynasties, and the rise of Ran Wu Tian Wang, who held the entire situation together by himself.

“Senior Brother Xi Zi once told me that the Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact, though parasitic within the Cloud Realm, possessed a mutual dependency. However, starting twenty-seven thousand years ago, someone tampered with this artifact.

Someone desired its premature emergence, thus massively stimulating the essence of the Cloud Realm. Nearly half of it overflowed externally, leading to the peak of the Cloud Barrens spiritual tide.

Senior Brother Xi Zi only faintly perceived this when he stepped into the Half-Step True Realm. He then single-handedly forced the Sovereign Sages of the Cloud Realm to agree to seal the spiritual tide.

This was the beginning of the enmity between our Cang Sheng Dao and the Sovereign Sages of the other sects.” Long Ying’s expression was solemn, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Returning to the Cloud Realm this time, he had not expected to hear such a secret history.

A sense of sudden clarity washed over him; after all, he was a figure from ten thousand years ago and had heard fragments of the original events. “Later, Senior Brother Xi Zi delved deeply into artifact refinement and formations, making further advances in his cultivation.

He realized that even sealing the Cloud Realm would be futile. That Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact could now devour the flesh and soul of cultivators for nourishment, leading to the chaos of the Underworld.

The entire Cloud Realm had virtually become a grand sacrificial array for this artifact. It was rumored that even True Sovereign Sages were not immune under specific conditions.” Zong Shou’s heart stirred, recalling Ming Nü Gong Xinran.

Did the will of the Underworld interfering in the Sage's World also relate to this? And what exactly was the Underworld Calamity?

Xiu Guan’s subsequent revelation was even more staggering. “—If this continues, the Cloud Realm will inevitably face depletion, perhaps even collapse.

Senior Brother then resolved to retrieve that Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact. This resulted in that unprecedented great war, involving as many as twenty True Realm experts and Divine Sovereigns, not to mention countless others beneath the Sage Realm.

The Daoist, Confucian, and Demonic schools were almost entirely involved. And I, Xiu Guan, was intercepted outside the Cloud Realm by the Primordial Demonic Sovereign and several other Sovereign Sages.

We managed to heavily wound them, but upon returning, injured, to the Sage Realm, Senior Brother Xi Zi had already fallen.” No one spoke in the room, for the news they had heard that day was utterly shocking. Had the Cloud Realm truly become a massive sacrificial array?

Among the assembled company, only Wei Xu appeared calm, as if he already knew the truth. Ao Yi frowned, pondering for a moment before asking, “I have heard that the Daoist’s Compassionate Dao Lord was a truly benevolent figure.

The Confucian Sage Xun Zi from years ago was also a man of profound cultivation and a predecessor to Xi Zi. If the facts are as stated, these four should have been persuadable.” It was not that she doubted Xiu Guan’s words, but rather that she found them bewildering.

During the battle where Xi Zi perished, the Confucian Sages Kong and Meng had already vanished, lost in their wars against the foreign races. It was the former Sage Xun Zi who painstakingly passed down the Confucian lineage after the era of the First Emperor.

At that time, Xun Zi was already in conflict with the new Confucian Sage Dong Zi due to the Han Dynasty’s policy of exalting Confucianism alone. Yet, he still participated in the siege against Xi Zi.

Xun Zi’s doctrine held that human nature was inherently evil, describing the populace as water—capable of supporting a boat or overturning it. He advocated for the prominence of rites and laws.

Even some traditions of the Legalists originated with this Sovereign Sage. While his theories bore little resemblance to Cang Sheng Dao, during his lifetime, he did not particularly ostracize Cang Sheng Dao.

That this figure also joined the encirclement was certainly not without reason. “The problem is, even if Senior Brother explained, would anyone believe him?” Ao Yi fell silent.

If it were her, she likely wouldn't have believed it either. Even if Xi Zi did not use the artifact to merge with the Dao and achieve true transcendence, possessing the Heaven-Opening Artifact meant his power extended far beyond merely suppressing one domain like the Cloud Realm.

And even if someone understood the inherent danger, they might not necessarily stand united with Xi Zi. The Heaven-Opening Artifact also represented the hope of merging with the Dao and achieving true transcendence.

“As far as I know, the Compassionate Dao Lord likely realized something afterward. The Daoist sect split precisely because of disagreements with Qing Xuan and Tai Huang.

Furthermore, the Confucian Sage Xun Zi sustained extremely light injuries in that battle. Senior Brother Xi Zi had received guidance from him, possessing a semi-masterly relationship.

Even in the most critical moment, he would not have delivered a killing blow. However, within a mere century after that battle, Xun Zi perished.

He was truly shattered—his immortal Dao soul annihilated by a top-tier divine weapon, requiring at least a hundred thousand years to reassemble. Even if he were resurrected, he would lose all memory of his past life; unless his cultivation was fully restored, he would be equivalent to a newborn.

For the next few millennia, the Daoist, Confucian, and Demonic sects poured all their efforts into finding an escape route. Even the Sword Sect did the same.

Even the introduction of Buddhism into the Cloud Realm was not met with full resistance—” Those within the room were sharp and intelligent; amidst their shock, they immediately grasped the underlying implication in Xiu Guan’s words. “Does Senior Brother mean that the Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact was tampered with, that Senior Brother Xi Zi was suppressed, and even Xun Zi’s death was orchestrated by another hidden hand?” “Wasn't it Qing Xuan?” “Qing Xuan attained his Dao fourteen thousand years ago, during the Cloud Barrens era.

It couldn't possibly have been him who inscribed the restrictive arts onto the Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact. Besides, with his capabilities back then, he was only on par with Sovereign Sage Xun Zi, perhaps even inferior.” Long Ying remained silent, his thoughts drifting, as if recalling someone but unable to be certain.

After a moment, he gave Zong Shou a deep look. Zong Shou did not notice, preoccupied with thoughts of later ages: the Ten Great Sanctuaries and Nineteen Spiritual Mansions were all dormant, accepting very few disciples annually.

There were rumors then that the foundations of the various sects had long since relocated to outer regions. Even the Divine Emperor, rising to command a million worlds, had not established his capital in the Cloud Realm.

Was this also related? “So, this great surge in the spiritual tide is actually a catastrophe for our Cloud Realm.

Does it need to be sealed again? Or must we prevent the Heaven-Opening Artifact from being retrieved?” Xiu Guan shook his head: “I do not know what should be done.

We can only take things one step at a time.” Seeing their confusion, he elaborated: “Senior Brother Xi Zi once speculated that he might not be the only one in this domain to reach the Half-Step Dao Integration level. I, myself, using the Profound Yellow Great Strength Art to certify the path to eternity, also sensed something.

Because of deep-seated apprehension, I never dared to easily attempt to undo Senior Brother Xi Zi’s seal.” Zong Shou felt a shock in his heart, then saw golden light streak across the firmament outside, illuminating a thousand miles. A moment later, he let out a dry laugh.

An enemy of the Confucian school?