Originally, Yu Chengkong thought he had already escaped, and his heart relaxed.

Just then, a powerful pressure descended upon him, making every hair on his body stand on end.

It was as if something had locked onto him.

His entire body was pinned in place, unable to move.

Next, the long blade formed from condensed blade intent stretched to a length of a hundred meters.

From the heavens above, it came down with overwhelming momentum.

Yu Chengkong didn’t even have time to dodge before he was struck down on the spot.

“Lu Ze, you’ve harmed me.”

With a powerless roar, that patch of sky was annihilated on the spot.

Everyone watching was dumbfounded.

A long while later, Lu Ze finally reacted.

“You killed him,” he said, looking at Xu Zimo in disbelief.

“Was that not allowed?” Xu Zimo asked with a half-smile.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Lu Ze said, not daring to meet Xu Zimo’s gaze.

Awkwardly, he continued, “I only became enemies with the Feather Race for Yuyan’s sake. You didn’t need to, there’s still a bright future ahead of you, don’t throw it away here.”

“How do you know I’ll throw it away here?” Xu Zimo replied with a smile.

“I thought you couldn’t bear for that Yu Chengkong to die.”

“How could that be,” Lu Ze quickly denied. “If you’re not afraid yourself, then pretend I never said anything.”

“Let’s return to the clan first,” Shi Yuyan said calmly as she subtly withdrew her right hand. “Before the Feather Race’s reinforcements arrive.”

Everyone nodded and began heading toward Sacred Stone Mountain, carrying Wang Yang’s frozen body.

The surface of Sacred Stone Mountain was covered by a layer of purple barrier.

The barrier was vast, enveloping the entire mountain.

The Stone Race was now on full alert, ready for battle at any moment.

Leading up to the summit was a narrow mountain path.

Rock Solid knocked hard on the barrier several times, immediately alerting the guard stationed there.

A slightly burly, dark-skinned young man emerged from within the mountain.

“Who dares trespass upon the Stone Race?”

“Stone, it’s me,” Rock Solid shouted quickly.

The burly youth froze for a moment, then carefully looked him over before asking excitedly, “Cousin Rock Solid, Saintess, how is it that you’ve returned together?”

“Our people are in trouble, how could we stand idly by?” Rock Solid replied.

The young man named Stone quickly opened the barrier and welcomed them inside.

“Where is the Patriarch?” Shi Yuyan asked.

“The Patriarch has been in the council hall these past few days, discussing strategies with the other elders,” Stone sighed. “Now our Stone Race’s entire territory has been lost, leaving only the area around Sacred Stone Mountain. We don’t know how much longer we can hold.”

“I understand,” Rock Solid said, patting him on the shoulder. “You’ve worked hard guarding the gate.”

“It’s nothing, go see the Patriarch first,” Stone replied quickly.

…

The Stone Race’s council hall was located halfway up the mountain.

As they walked along the mountain path, Rock Solid glanced at Xu Zimo and asked quietly, “Can you handle this?”

“Still don’t believe me?” Xu Zimo shook his head with a smile.

“When you first said you’d help my Stone Race, I thought our only enemy was the Feather Race. Now that the Ancient Dragon Dynasty has stepped in, they may be stronger than we imagined,” Rock Solid said.

“It’s not your fault, but don’t worry. Whether you can help us or not, I’ll do my best to persuade the Patriarch to lend you the Supreme God Hammer.”

“Relax, let’s go,” Xu Zimo said with a wave of his hand.

Sacred Stone Mountain was a place of beautiful scenery and splendid landscapes.

The peaks were formed from massive stones, jagged and unique, possessing their own distinct charm.

The path up the mountain was not steep, even rather level.

Along the way, they encountered many members of the Stone Race, most of whom greeted Shi Yuyan.

When they reached the halfway point, they saw at the end of their view, rows of large halls built from strange stones, standing tall among the mountains.

Diamond stone, firefly stone, wisdom-patterned stone… all kinds of stones were everywhere.

The halls looked ancient and grand, somewhat reminiscent of European architecture from ancient ages.

Around the halls, many murals were carved.

They told the history of the Stone Race.

Rock Solid and Shi Yuyan arranged for the group to rest in a pavilion.

They themselves needed to enter the main hall to meet the Patriarch first.

…

Watching the two leave, Lu Ze finally withdrew his gaze.

He then turned to Xu Zimo with a smile and said, “With strength like yours, Brother Xu, you must be quite renowned in the Heavenly Dao Academy. Why have I never heard of you before?”

“I prefer to keep a low profile,” Xu Zimo replied with a wave of his hand.

“May I ask where Brother Xu hails from?” Lu Ze asked, eyes glinting.

“I’m just a wanderer. Though I have a lineage, I seldom return,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile. “I’m used to being on my own.”

“If Brother Xu is interested, you’re welcome to visit my Mortal Immortal Sacred Ground sometime. I’d be happy to host you,” Lu Ze said with a smile.

“Mortal Immortal Sacred Ground, huh? Not too familiar. But I do know someone there,” Xu Zimo thought for a moment.

“Oh?” Lu Ze was slightly surprised by this and quickly asked, “May I ask who? I might know them too.”

“An old fellow named Mortal Cloud,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

Back when he descended upon Heaven-Ascension Holy Mountain, he had originally intended to destroy the place. Later, the Celestial Sage summoned Elder Mortal Cloud of the Mortal Immortal Sacred Ground to plead for mercy.

That had been a long time ago, but Xu Zimo remembered clearly because he had extorted the Heaven-Derivation Astrolabe from him.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ze’s expression changed slightly.

Forcing a smile, he said, “Brother Xu, you must be joking.”

“What joke? I’m being serious,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Young Master Xu, please mind your words,” Tan Qingqing, standing nearby, spoke up coldly.

“Elder Mortal Cloud is Senior Brother Lu’s grandfather and one of our Mortal Immortal Sacred Ground’s Grand Elders. You claim to know him?”

“What a coincidence,” Xu Zimo said with mild surprise. Then he smiled and added, “When you go back, ask your grandfather if he knows me. If he says he doesn’t, just mention the words ‘Heaven-Ascension Holy Mountain.’ He’ll know.”

Back then, when he had annihilated the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground, home to two emperors, and descended with the might of a lineage-destroyer, Elder Mortal Cloud surely wouldn’t have forgotten him.

Hearing Xu Zimo’s words, Lu Ze felt the situation was somewhat absurd.

His grandfather stayed within the lineage almost all the time and rarely ventured out.

How could the two of them possibly know each other?

But Xu Zimo’s tone was calm, without the slightest hint of teasing or jest.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Rock Solid and Shi Yuyan returned from the distance.

With them came seven or eight middle-aged men and several elders, all wearing brown robes and radiating heavy, imposing auras.

Lu Ze and the others quickly stood up.

At the head of the group was a middle-aged man with short, neat hair.