Shi Yan pulled out the tattered, ochre-colored map from the backpack in the corner and casually handed it to Shi Jian, saying, "Here, this is the one."

A look of hesitant belief was plastered across the faces of Shi Jian, Zuo Xu, and Zuo Shi.

Shi Jian took the fragmented map and traced its surface carefully; his eyes gradually brightened. "Not bad, this remnant doesn't look fake. This paper must be quite old; the markings on it are already slightly faded."

"Let me see!" Zuo Xu was impatient. He snatched the map directly from Shi Jian's hand, and after just one touch, he exclaimed, "The map is absolutely genuine! My Zuo family has paper similar to this. This must be made from the soft hide of an ancient demonic beast's abdomen; it’s impervious to water and fire, and incredibly durable."

"Tell me in detail how you met Karu. How many people know about this matter?" Shi Jian's expression was grave. He took a deep breath, the sheer joy in his eyes completely unconcealed.

"You strange fellow, you really are… truly peculiar." Zuo Shi’s beautiful eyes were fixed on Shi Yan, her curiosity about him growing even stronger.

"The story goes like this…"

From Shi Jian’s and Zuo Xu’s questioning, Shi Yan realized the gravity of the remnant map. He decided to hide nothing about how he obtained it, quickly recounting his experience emerging from that ancient cave.

"The Mo family knows about this too?"

Zuo Xu’s face shifted. After a moment of stunned silence, he sneered, "No wonder the Mo family members have been lingering in Quiet Town lately. It seems they’ve been tracking your movements."

"The Mo family!"

Shi Jian snorted in anger. "It's a good thing Shi Yan is unharmed. If he had truly been hurt by the Mo family, I would risk this life to drag Mo Tuo down with me! The Mo family’s reach has been extending too far recently. If we don't teach them a harsh lesson, they’ll think my Shi family is nonexistent!"

"Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, those two girls, were taken away by Bei Ming Ce. Do they know your true identity?" Zuo Xu pondered for a moment before asking again.

"Neither Mu Yudie nor Di Yalan, nor anyone from the Mo family, knows who I am. I used the false name 'Ding Yan' with those two girls."

"Good lad, thank goodness you were cautious; otherwise, this matter would have been difficult to handle!" Zuo Xu praised him.

"Since we have obtained half of the treasure map, we must secure the other half!" Brilliant light shone in Shi Jian’s eyes. He turned to Zuo Xu, "Brother Zuo, we can take a risk on this! As long as we acquire the other map fragment from the Misty Pavilion, our two families can open the 'Heaven's Gate' and proceed to the 'Divine Domain' to seek divine artifacts!"

Zuo Xu narrowed his eyes, pinpricks of strange light flashing in his pupils. After careful consideration, he said, "The Misty Pavilion has no shortage of experts. Forcibly taking the remnant map from them will require careful planning."

Hesitating slightly, Zuo Xu added, "I will immediately write a letter and send a messenger falcon to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range to inform Chi Xiao. Chi Xiao possesses cultivation at the Heaven Rank. With him supporting our side, we can ensure absolute certainty. After all, Bei Ming Shang, that old fellow, is also coveting the treasure map and has been restless recently, constantly scheming for the map held by the Misty Pavilion."

"Excellent! With Chi Xiao holding the line, we increase our chances of success!" Shi Jian was overjoyed.

Chi Xiao was Zuo Shi's master, closely allied with the Zuo family, and a powerhouse at the Heaven Rank. Once he arrived in Tianyun City, the combined might of the Shi and Zuo families wouldn't even need to fear the Bei Ming family.

He wasn't worried that Chi Xiao would keep the secrets of the 'Heaven's Gate' to himself. While the 'Heaven's Gate,' the entrance to the 'Divine Domain,' likely held all sorts of mysterious treasures, it could also be accompanied by unforeseen dangers. Having a Heaven Rank expert explore alongside them would undoubtedly make the journey much easier.

Most importantly—Chi Xiao was only one person!

No matter how greedy he might be, he couldn't hoard all the divine artifacts in the 'Divine Domain.' That was unlike the Bei Ming family, a massive clan certain to try and claim everything.

"Lad, it's best you don't participate in this Martial Arts Tournament," Zuo Xu mused before adding, "The Mo family recognizes you. The moment you show your face, the Mo family will instantly know the map is in our two families' hands. Once the map at the Misty Pavilion is seized, without a second thought, the Mo family will know we did it. At that point, our two families might become the target of universal scorn."

"This…" Shi Jian hesitated, but ultimately nodded, sighing regretfully, "Alas, for the sake of 'Heaven's Gate,' it seems we have no choice."

"Not necessarily. As long as he alters his appearance, he can still participate in the tournament. The Mo family hasn't seen him before anyway; if he changes his appearance slightly, who would know he is the one who killed Karu?" Zuo Shi suggested, her eyes rolling playfully as she smiled.

"Hey! That's a good idea." Shi Jian’s eyes lit up. He studied Shi Yan closely for a moment. "His appearance has already changed quite a bit over these past few months. With a little more modification, the Mo family probably won't recognize him."

"If you plan to strike for the Misty Pavilion's remnant map, it's best to do it during the Martial Arts Tournament. I heard from Han Zhong that the Misty Pavilion will also send personnel to oversee things during the tournament. If you find an opportunity mid-tournament to act alongside Chi Xiao against the Misty Pavilion, you might even be able to deflect suspicion," Shi Yan also offered his insights after pondering for a moment.

"Strike in the middle of the Martial Arts Tournament…"

Zuo Xu murmured the words, then suddenly commanded, "Brilliant idea! We strike during the Martial Arts Tournament! Both you and I will be present. If anything happens at the Misty Pavilion, we can instantly distance ourselves; who would suspect it was us? Yes, if Chi Xiao makes a move, and our two families join forces, I am eighty percent certain we can secure that remnant map."

"Will Chi Xiao actually make a move?" Shi Jian was uncertain.

"Rest assured, he definitely will. That old man has always been intensely curious about the 'Heaven's Gate.' The moment he hears this news, he will rush over from the Cloud Mist Mountain Range immediately," Zuo Shi wasn't worried at all. "I know him too well; he is more curious about the unknown than anyone else."

"It’s settled then!"

Shi Jian felt completely reassured. He snatched the remnant map from Zuo Xu's hand and carelessly tucked it into his waist pouch, smiling as he said, "Brother Zuo, you can return and make your preparations. I will await Chi Xiao bringing that other piece so I can piece it together with mine."

"Good!" Zuo Xu nodded, quite satisfied. He tugged at Zuo Shi. "Let's go; we need to arrange things back home."

"I will keep the map safe. You focus only on diligent cultivation! I will find an illusionist tomorrow to slightly alter your appearance. During the Martial Arts Tournament, you must teach that Mo family brat a severe lesson!" Shi Jian ordered.

"Mmm."

...

The Mo Family.

Mo Tuo paced restlessly in the Thunder God Hall, his face grim. Standing beside him were Mo Chaoge and Mo Yanyu.

Mo Yanyu’s pretty face was etched with bitterness, and Mo Chaoge hung his head, looking thoroughly dejected.

"Why haven't you found the person yet? Are you all useless?! After all this time, you can’t even find a mere boy with no background? We have so many agents stationed across the major cities—are they just wasting family resources?!" Mo Tuo roared, pointing at Mo Chaoge and Mo Yanyu, cursing furiously, "You two! I asked you to bring one person back, and you created so much trouble. Keeping you around is just a waste of grain!"

"Father, I’ve been sending people non-stop. Everyone in Quiet Town has been working diligently. But the Merchant Alliance is vast; who knows where that boy went? I truly did my best!"

"Useless! All of you are useless!"

Mo Tuo cursed for about ten minutes until he was exhausted. Finally, he sighed helplessly, "It seems I must personally make a trip to the Bei Ming family."

"Father, if Bei Ming Shang finds out, will we still benefit from this?"

"Do you have a better idea?" Mo Tuo’s face was dark, wearing a look ready to kill. "Do you think I want to? If it weren't for you losing the person, would I need to involve Bei Ming Shang? Only that girl Mu Yudie knows the background of the brat who killed Karu! Only she has the potential to know that boy's whereabouts! If it weren't for your incompetence, would I need to go myself? Useless!"

"Father, I was wrong." Mo Chaoge pleaded with a bitter face, then turned and shot a harsh glare at Mo Yanyu. "If you can't win at the Martial Arts Tournament, even your father won't be able to protect you!"

Mo Yanyu’s delicate face filled with terror, and she quickly nodded.

...

The Bei Ming Family.

In the center of a pristine, clear lake, there was a small island upon which stood several bamboo towers.

In the courtyard of one of the bamboo towers, Mu Yudie stood with her dark hair flowing in the wind, her expression focused, her nimble fingers plucking the strings of a zither.

The melodious, lingering music slowly spread out, drawing the swans in the lake to swim over and gather near Mu Yudie’s courtyard, refusing to leave.

In another courtyard's training ground, Di Yalan held a longsword shimmering with firelight, practicing some martial technique. Her sultry, captivating figure seemed to exude a strangely bewitching charm under the sunlight.

Around the lake, the Bei Ming family martial artists who passed by would invariably stop and stare. Their burning gazes, cast across the water towards the island, held expressions of utter intoxication.

"Sister Lan, what do you think of this Fire Cloud Sword?" After finishing a piece, Mu Yudie approached Di Yalan with a faint smile. "The Bei Ming family's achievements in artifact refinement are renowned near and far. Even in our Blazing Fire Empire, few can surpass the Bei Ming family in this area."

"The Fire Cloud Sword is a Profound Grade weapon. Combined with the 'Fire Cloud Art,' it certainly allows me to exert my greatest advantage. Especially since the Fire Cloud Sword can withstand the burning of the 'Blue Demon Flame'; it is truly a fine weapon," Di Yalan nodded, clearly very satisfied with the weapon.

"Do you regret coming with me now?"

"Sigh…"

Di Yalan shook her head, and that shadow in her mind resurfaced. Her smile was a bit forced. "What use is saying that now? I fear I will never have the chance to see him again in this lifetime. For the sake of revenge, for the resurgence of my family, I have no choice but to do this. But, but my heart still feels a little…"

"Unwilling to let go?"

"Mmm."

"…Sometimes, I think of him too."

Mu Yudie also sighed unexpectedly, murmuring softly, "I feel somewhat indebted to him, but what can we do? We are just two young women who have lost our family's protection and bear the weight of deep, bloody vengeance. Faced with reality, we can only choose pragmatism! Otherwise, we would have to forget everything, settle down as demure wives raising children, and live a mediocre life with an ordinary man."

"He is anything but ordinary! Sometimes, I feel he is far more formidable than Bei Ming Ce! Given the chance, he might not be inferior to anyone else!"

"It’s a pity fate didn't give him a chance. He doesn't have a powerful family backing him. To rise, he must take it step by step, and we… cannot wait that long."

"I know. That’s why I am here, instead of wandering the ends of the earth with him."

...

"Miss Mu, the Family Head requests that you and Miss Di Yalan accompany him to the Frigid Ice Pavilion; he has urgent matters to discuss!" On a small boat in the middle of the lake, a Bei Ming family martial artist stood and called out loudly.

"Coming," Mu Yudie replied, a slight furrow in her brow as she wondered, "Why would Bei Ming Shang summon us? Neither of us has seen Bei Ming Shang since we arrived at the Bei Ming family. This sudden invitation is quite strange…"

"Could he be planning to discuss your marriage to Bei Ming Ce?" Di Yalan guessed.

"If the Bei Ming family won't help me get revenge, I will never marry Bei Ming Ce!" Mu Yudie snorted coldly. "I came to the Bei Ming family to borrow their power for revenge. I feel nothing for Bei Ming Ce right now. Even if I did, if the Bei Ming family won't agree to my terms, I will leave sooner or later. Hmph!"

...

:Last week’s recommendations were fantastic, my brothers and sisters! Thank you so much! This is the second update! There's another chapter tonight! I always keep my word! As long as I don't fall off the rankings, I'll go all out with three updates! Brothers and sisters, please continue to support me fiercely! Little Ni needs your great backing!! I beg you!! M