The pass lay ahead, a slender gorge where sunlight refused to penetrate. The shadow of Daoist Mu stretched long and thin, appearing from a distance like a cold, venomous snake lying motionless upon the earth.

Bai Qifeng, leading the way, signaled with his hand, and the seven instantly halted. His sharp gaze cautiously swept the area ahead. "If the enemy has set an ambush anywhere in this mountainous region, this is the final barrier—but also the most perilous ground! It is the perfect place for an ambush... Everyone prepare. The great battle may be upon us!"

The other five responded in unison. Looking at the long gorge before them, they instinctively reached for the hilts of the swords at their waists, each feeling a cold dampness slicking their palms. Unbidden, beads of cold sweat had already begun to form.

Any one of these men was an old hand, a veteran forged in the crucible of near-millennium lifetimes spent skirting the edge of death. Even with blade against throat, facing imminent demise, few things could make their brows furrow.

Yet now, confronted by this seemingly unremarkable gorge, every heart among them pounded with alarm!

But the astonishment in their hearts was not for themselves. It was for the immense responsibility now shouldered by their very presence! The future of the Illusory Manor rested entirely within Cao Guofeng's embrace—a trust that absolutely could not be betrayed.

The only certainty was that their adversary was a mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful foe, hidden in the shadows, poised to strike the fatal blow at any moment.

As for this person's origin? Why such targeted malice toward the Illusory Manor? Which faction did they serve? And just how formidable was the strength backing them?

All of this remained utterly unknown!

This very shroud of mystery intensified the pressure weighing upon the seven.

The seven carefully deployed their formidable spiritual senses, sweeping over the gorge ahead and the peaks flanking either side, yet they discovered nothing! But the very absence of detection only made them more tense.

Humanity's innate fear of the unknown is an inborn trait, one from which even Saint Emperor experts are not immune!

A complete lack of discovery yielded only two conclusions: either the other side was entirely deserted, or... the enemy's strength vastly surpassed their own. But how could an enemy who had orchestrated such a meticulous and brutal plan possibly neglect to set up contingency measures?

The seven Saint Emperors of the Illusory Manor would not, under any circumstances, believe the notion that the area was empty.

The gorge was at most only four or five zhang wide on either side, but the rock faces were extraordinarily sheer, as if sliced clean by a colossal blade. The most peculiar aspect of this canyon was that the tops of the cliffs nearly connected, resembling a colossal tunnel...

Bai Qifeng frowned after observing it for a moment. "I'll scout ahead. If anything feels wrong... you all bypass it and don't worry about me! This place is truly strange, and profoundly dangerous!"

Cao Guofeng looked up at Bai Qifeng, profound and intense emotion blazing in his eyes. "Qifeng... you must be extremely careful. If you sense the slightest anomaly, retreat immediately; do not attempt to press on. This place feels deeply sinister."

The other five also displayed strong concern in their eyes.

In ordinary times, the seven brothers would rather charge forward together, living or dying as one! But not now. Even knowing that Bai Qifeng’s venture ahead was fraught with peril, with life barely clinging by a thread, this scouting mission was essential! If Bai Qifeng did not go, someone else would have to; it was merely a matter of selection.

Bai Qifeng nodded deeply, his form flickering as he shot forward at high speed. The six behind watched his receding figure without blinking, tension etched onto their faces.

In an instant, Bai Qifeng reached the mouth of the gorge. His figure, clad in flowing white robes, seemed to pause. He slightly turned his neck, perhaps yearning for one last look at his brothers, but he ultimately did not turn back. After that brief hesitation, he accelerated once more. With a flash of white, he vanished instantly into the canyon!

The moment Bai Qifeng’s body disappeared into the gorge, the hearts of the others hitched, gripped by a vague, ominous feeling that this might be the last time they ever saw him...

Only a moment later, a white figure reappeared. Bai Qifeng drifted out, his face filled with sheer surprise. "There's no ambush here! Nothing at all! This... this is truly bizarre..."

Relief washed over the group. Cao Guofeng let out a breath and scolded him with a smile, "Don't tell me you’re disappointed there’s no ambush? You old rascal."

Bai Qifeng chuckled dryly. "Elder Brother, you have to admit, this is the most ideal spot for an ambush, yet none was laid... Once we clear this, it's open skies—boundless plains ahead. To intercept a Saint Emperor master on flat ground... that’s absurd! That's why I can't figure it out."

Cao Guofeng sighed. "Don't dwell on what you can't understand. Since there's no ambush, we must press through quickly. If we all return safely to the Illusory Manor in the end, wouldn't that be cause for great celebration!?"

The six agreed, shaking off their lingering unease, and surged forward with renewed spirits.

Though the gap between the gorge walls was extremely narrow, the passage itself was long. Just as the seven caught sight of the light emanating from the far end, Cao Guofeng was struck by a sudden, chilling premonition, and he bellowed a sharp cry: "Stop!"

That shout cracked like sudden thunder, echoing through the heavens. Especially within the near-sealed confines of the passage, it struck the ears of the other six like a massive drumbeat.

The six startled and froze in place, simultaneously staring toward the small, bright opening ahead—no larger than a washbasin. Their own cultivation realms were beneath Cao Guofeng's, and they had perceived no abnormality. In confusion, they turned to look at him, surprise coloring their expressions.

Cao Guofeng’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce the darkness ahead, shining with an intense gleam. He barked, "If you have come with intent to strike, why cloak yourselves in shadows? Since you are here, show yourselves openly! Be straightforward!"

At these words, the hearts of the six sank immediately.

The darkness before dawn was truly the hardest to endure. Knowing that only one more step led to endless clear ground, yet they were held captive in this darkest instant!

They were currently deep within the canyon, the sheer rock walls on either side offering no possibility of breaking through. At such a critical juncture, to have their path blocked both front and back—truly, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide... The consequences were unthinkable!

Just then, a long cry suddenly rang out from beyond the exit, followed by a clear, refined voice. "Indeed, one cannot dispute the prowess of Cao Guofeng, the Saint Emperor! We believed our movements were quite clean; to think that even from this distance, Saint Emperor Cao could detect our presence—your fame is well earned, and your reputation holds true."

As the clear laughter faded, a dozen dark figures materialized silently at the far exit, blocking it completely.

The Seven Saint Emperors of the Illusory Manor were taken aback, almost thrown into chaos, and instinctively looked back toward their entrance.

The voice continued, slowly chuckling, "Gentlemen, there is no need to look back. The path you entered by is also secured. We have deployed nearly a hundred elite masters for this operation! Cao Guofeng, hah, hah, hah—this day marks the end for the Seven Saint Emperors of the Illusory Manor! This dark, narrow gorge is an exquisitely suitable burial ground for you!"

Cao Guofeng understood that at this moment, they were trapped in an unprecedented dead end. Yet, he did not cease channeling his profound energy, calmly inquiring, "Who exactly are you? Since death is upon us, friend, why not reveal your true face? Let us die with the knowledge of who we faced. If we are truly to perish by the hands of old acquaintances, then we brothers of the Illusory Manor will not feel wronged."

The figures at the far opening were all draped in black robes, their faces covered by black masks, revealing only a pair of intensely gleaming eyes. Hearing Cao Guofeng's question, the leader among them burst into loud laughter. "Even a centipede dies stiffly, but slowly! We know the strength of you seven brothers like the back of our hands. Though we hold absolute geographical advantage and absolute superiority in manpower, we only possess a ninety-percent certainty of holding you all here."

He gave a sinister chuckle. "Ninety percent, while extremely high, is still not a perfect hundred! To be safe, our identities will absolutely not be revealed before your deaths."

He looked malevolently at Cao Guofeng. "Of course, I certainly would not allow a figure as renowned as Saint Emperor Cao to die ignorant! Therefore... when you are truly immobilized, with only a single breath remaining, I will grant your wish. Perhaps at that point, Saint Emperor Cao might even be rather pleased."

"Pleased or not is uncertain," Cao Guofeng countered coolly. "Can the affairs of this world truly conform to one's desires? You may not have the opportunity to witness my pleasure or lack thereof!!"

"Precisely why I dare not reveal my identity now. As the saying goes, caution ensures a long voyage. Being careful is always the right choice!" To everyone's surprise, the leader on the opposite side readily admitted this point.

Cao Guofeng’s vigilance deepened. The man leading the opposition was neither arrogant nor impatient; his demeanor was steady, his planning profound—truly a formidable adversary!

The people of the Illusory Manor were in such a dire situation, a predicament that, by all rights, should fall squarely on Bai Qifeng’s shoulders. Because of his flawed reconnaissance, the entire group was now plunged into this perilous trap, barred from advancing and with no retreat. It was a situation where death was almost certain.

Yet, none of the other six uttered a word of blame. It seemed as though, at this point, the decision had been made by all seven together, devoid of any hint of reproach.

While the others remained silent, Bai Qifeng gasped for breath, his eyes bulging with fury. Suddenly, he roared and lunged forward, drawing his sword. Even though his brothers valued kinship above all and offered no blame, Bai Qifeng felt that a thousand deaths could not atone for his failure! It was entirely due to his error that all seven brothers were now cornered in this deadly situation!

And potentially jeopardizing the very future of the Illusory Manor!