The mist over Rotten Ke Mountain had finally dissipated.

What was once a chessboard bearing the spiritual and baleful energies of heaven and earth had now sunk into the ground, revealing an entrance beneath—ten zhang in diameter, so deep that even sunlight seemed unable to penetrate.

Some were still rushing toward the mountain from outside the town.

Others, however, had long stationed themselves at the foot of Rotten Ke Mountain, such as the group of demonic cultivators from the Summoning Demons Sect, who had been eagerly waiting for this moment.

"The spiritual and baleful energies of Rotten Ke Mountain have finally dispersed."

"The Immortal Sage spoke true indeed."

Tan Zhuyin stood under the sunlight, clad in black robes.

"Saint, though the treasure beneath Rotten Ke Mountain originates from our sect’s ancestral deity..."

"Isn’t this a bit too brazen of us?"

The speaker was a cross-eyed man, his robes bearing the insignia of the Yin-Yang Hall.

This was the infamous "Man and Beast Indiscriminate, Fowl and Hound Spare None."

He had been sent as the Yin-Yang Hall’s representative, though his true motive was taking on a private job.

But never had he expected—

The usually shadow-dwelling, cautious Saint and the Beast Hall’s master would act so openly this time.

"Hmph, we have the protection of my Immortal Sage brother."

Luo Yexian crossed his arms, looking at the cross-eyed man with disdain.

"He told us to report to him regularly after entering. What does that mean? It means he’s already assured us—if things go wrong, he’ll intervene!"

"But how can we disclose our movements to outsiders—"

"That’s why I said your vision is poor, frog in a well!"

"Who said my vision is poor?!"

The cross-eyed man flared up—he hated nothing more than being mocked for his eyes.

"Yesterday, you mistook the One Bamboo tile for Eight Myriads. You call that good vision?"

Luo Yexian’s retort made the cross-eyed man take a deep breath, his face flushing slightly.

But what could he do? He had only just entered the fifth realm of External Scenery, and he had no familial ties to the Saint.

"Enough. With enemies at our doorstep, do you wish to make fools of yourselves?"

Tan Zhuyin suddenly snorted, his voice grave. A formidable aura surged around him, accompanied by the faint roar of a ferocious dragon.

He was engaged in a battle of wills with someone.

The demonic cultivators paused, looking up at the sky.

Above them, a golden-crowned figure seemed to blot out the sun, his double-pupiled gaze coldly sweeping over them.

Behind him stood a group of silver-armored Sky Patrol Guards, each exuding a powerful aura.

"Vermin of the shadows, defeated remnants—you dare show yourselves before me?"

"Hah! What is the Great Yu Dynasty to me? You have no idea what power stands behind me!"

Tan Zhuyin sneered.

Facing the Great Yu Crown Prince, who had once nearly killed him, he clasped his hands behind his back, his voice brimming with confidence.

The two factions stood in opposition.

It could hardly be called a balanced confrontation—after all, Jiang Yu’s Sky Patrol Guards were all elite figures among External Scenery cultivators, and the bearded middle-aged man among them was a renowned expert on the Earth Ranking.

Yet the Summoning Demons Sect radiated an inexplicable confidence, their momentum undiminished.

Tension crackled in the air, as if a battle could erupt at any moment.

The gathered factions and wandering cultivators watched from the sidelines, wary of being caught in the crossfire.

"The Summoning Demons Saint dares challenge the Crown Prince now? What gives him the nerve?"

"Hiss... Hard to say. The Summoning Demons Sect has ancient roots—they must have some hidden backing."

"Will they actually fight?"

"Let’s hope so. If they weaken each other, our chances improve."

...

Not only the onlookers thought this way.

Even the Great Yu Dynasty’s side harbored similar thoughts. Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes.

Why did the Summoning Demons Sect seem so confident?

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

But just then, a wisp of cloud drifted in from a distance.

Upon it stood two figures—one in a pure white Pure Yang robe, the other in an abyssal-black Lunar Immortal dress, like a celestial couple descending to the mortal realm...

Well, perhaps that wasn’t quite accurate.

Fairy Han was too dazzling.

A year older, her jade-like features and figure had gained a more mature elegance, drawing eyes wherever she went.

Who could have imagined that those delicate lips of hers had once uttered the word "brother" to a certain childish fool?

"So how is Fairy Han only ranked third on the Flower Ranking?"

"Maybe it’s because she hasn’t fully blossomed yet? Third leaves room for improvement."

"Rigged! Either that, or the Derivation Heaven Sect’s wandering disciple is blind!"

Had Li Mo heard this, he might have patted the speaker’s shoulder in agreement.

Fair point.

But he had no such opportunity—not with Fairy Han’s small hand firmly in his grasp.

"Why is everyone just standing around?"

Li Mo frowned in confusion before his expression turned serious.

"Could there already be danger at the tomb’s entrance? I sense a heavy killing intent."

"Mmm..."

Ying Bing lowered her eyes slightly.

The killing intent... didn’t seem to come from the tomb.

Because the moment they arrived, every gaze in the vicinity locked onto them—

Mostly onto Li Mo.

"So this is the insolent brat who disrespected His Highness, relying on minor merits to forget his place?"

The bearded Sky Patrol Guard captain growled.

Jiang Yu remained silent, but his double pupils fixed on the pair, deep in thought.

"It’s them..."

Luo Yexian’s expression was complicated—a mix of admiration, anger, and even a trace of fear.

"Li Mo! Ying Bing!"

Tan Zhuyin’s face darkened, his hatred no less intense than when facing Jiang Yu.

These two were the reason Elder Han had died, the reason the sect’s grand plans in the Southern Border had collapsed.

Moreover, their meteoric rise on the Hidden Dragon Ranking had surpassed even Jiang Yu’s in his youth, overtaking even Tan Zhuyin himself. Given time, they would surely threaten his position at the top.

Luo Yexian muttered warily, "These two must carry immense destiny... If they join the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect..."

"You were once from the Fine Rain Tower?"

The Summoning Demons Saint turned to the cross-eyed External Scenery expert, "Man and Beast Indiscriminate."

"Yes."

"Then, after entering, find an opportunity to eliminate them. Succeed, and you’ll be rewarded."

"Eh?"

The cross-eyed man blinked.

Two jobs, double the pay? What luck!

Both factions eyed Li Mo with hostility.

The other factions and wandering cultivators weren’t much friendlier—

Mostly toward Li Mo.

"Li Mo, you deserve death!"

"He must not know how to fly yet, so she has no choice but to hold his hand, right?"

"That’s definitely it!"

Faced with the envious glares of countless young talents, Li Mo leaned back slightly—then tightened his grip on the ice block’s other hand.

"Ice Block, hold on tight."

"Hm?"

Li Mo spoke earnestly, "What if this is like the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm last time, where we get randomly teleported to different locations? If we hold hands tightly, we won’t get separated. It’s for safety."

"For... safety?"

Ying Bing narrowed her eyes, watching the young man's overly earnest expression.

She suspected Li Mo wasn’t actually worried about teleportation arrays or similar formations within the ancient tomb.

No—it was just his childish stubbornness acting up again, using such an excuse to cling to her in front of so many people...

Holding both her hands, nearly pulling her into an embrace.

After a moment of silence, she gave a faint nod:

"...Mm. Safety first."