Xuan Qing Mountain.
This was a natural mountain range formed by numerous peaks situated on the border between Hua'an Province and Huabei Province. Due to its steep and rugged terrain, with many cliffs and precipices, it had deterred countless travelers from venturing within.
Over time, as history flowed, a veil of mystery descended upon Xuan Qing Mountain.
Yet, people did not know that the depths of Xuan Qing Mountain were, in fact, entirely different from the perilous appearance it presented.
Within these deep mountains, several grand, ancient halls stood. In front of these halls, a colossal stone tablet was erected.
On the stone tablet, two naturally formed characters were prominently displayed:
Qi Zong!
Indeed, within Xuan Qing Mountain lay one of Hua'an Province's four ancient martial arts sects... Qi Zong.
Currently, in the central hall, many Qi Zong disciples had gathered. Yet, for some unknown reason, the atmosphere within the hall felt heavy and oppressive.
It gave a suffocating sensation.
"The Grand Elder is dead!"
At the head of the hall, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence and a stern, cold expression addressed the assembled crowd, delivering the greatest devastating news Qi Zong had faced in a decade.
The speaker was none other than the current Sect Master of Qi Zong—Xiang Tianyou.
The Grand Elder of Qi Zong, a Martial Emperor expert... was dead.
This news was undoubtedly a catastrophic blow to the entire Qi Zong.
One must understand that a Martial Emperor expert was the absolute core of combat power for any ancient martial arts sect, representing the sect's foundation.
Previously, as one of the four great sects, Qi Zong had only two Martial Emperors.
But now, only one remained.
"Sect Master! Wasn't the Grand Elder going to the Du family to propose marriage for Young Master Sheng? How could this have happened... could it be that the Blade Emperor made the move?"
To Xiang Tianyou's right, an elder with a goatee inquired.
His name was Liu You, the Second Elder of Qi Zong, whose strength had reached the peak of the Martial Ancestor realm.
"Blade Emperor!"
Upon hearing this name, everyone present gasped.
"Did Du Guidao truly make the move! Then... then that rumor isn't true..."
Upon this thought, the high-ranking members of Qi Zong fell silent.
"That's right! Those rumors are indeed true! However..." Xiang Tianyou continued, his tone more solemn than ever, "However, the one who killed the Grand Elder was not Du Guidao, but the... mysterious expert behind that rumored Cuckoo."
Mysterious expert!
"What! This..."
Hearing this news, some of Qi Zong's high-ranking members were so startled they stood up, their faces etched with panic.
The reason for their shock was that they had never believed there was anyone behind the Du family before.
But now, that person had not only appeared but had also killed their Grand Elder.
This... didn't this mean that their Qi Zong had been targeted by a terrifying expert.
At this thought, all eyes turned to Xiang Tianyou, their hope resting solely on their Sect Master.
Currently, he was the only one in Qi Zong at the Martial Emperor realm, and he had even reached the late stage of Martial Emperor.
If even he could not withstand this threat, then Qi Zong...
*Bang!*
Witnessing the fear in everyone's eyes, Xiang Tianyou's gaze instantly turned cold. He slammed his palm onto the table, and the tabletop shattered. Immediately, a terrifying Imperial Dao pressure descended upon the assembled members.
"The enemy has not yet arrived, yet you have lost your resolve. What kind of conduct is this?"
Under this pressure, the group knelt to the ground, their voices trembling:
"Sect Master, please calm your anger. We are merely worried about the sect's predicament!"
"We implore the Sect Master to quell his wrath!"
"..."
"Hmph! A bunch of useless wretches!"
Xiang Tianyou waved his sleeve, casting a cold glance at them before walking out of the hall.
How could he not be angry when the hearts of his disciples were scattered?
After Xiang Tianyou left, everyone finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, the unease and fear in their hearts still weighed heavily upon their chests, unable to be dispelled.
Returning to his study, Xiang Tianyou's expression grew increasingly grim. Although he did not show it outwardly, in his heart, was he not also worried?
"Someone!"
Xiang Tianyou clenched his fist, a hint of unwillingness in his demeanor.
"Sect Master! What are your orders?"
A Qi Zong disciple hurried in.
"Go! Deliver this letter to the Sect Master of Longmen!" Xiang Tianyou handed a pre-prepared letter to the disciple and said coldly, "If this letter is lost, you need not return!"
"Yes!"
The disciple trembled slightly upon hearing this, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
As soon as that disciple left, another Qi Zong disciple rushed in and respectfully announced, "Sect Master! A letter from the Bai family has arrived!"
The Bai family?
Upon hearing these words, Xiang Tianyou's brows relaxed slightly.
He took the letter and waved his hand.
After the disciple departed, Xiang Tianyou slowly opened the letter.
"Arrive at the Bai family by the end of the month to partake in the secrets of the Martial God!"
"Signed: Bai Fenglang."
As Xiang Tianyou read these ten short words, his pupils widened, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
He was... excited.
To partake in the secrets of the Martial God!
This meant that the Bai family intended to help him break through to the Martial God realm.
"Good! Good! Heaven truly aids me!"
Xiang Tianyou circulated his true energy, instantly reducing the letter to powder.
"With your help to break through to Martial God, what need is there to fear these insignificant ants! Hahaha!"
At this moment, Xiang Tianyou was completely immersed in the sudden good news.
Yet, he did not know that the "end of the month" mentioned in the letter was precisely the one-month deadline given by Fang Junxue and the Bai family.
By then, the scene might be unexpectedly... lively.
...
The provincial capital of Hua'an Province.
Hundreds of meters away from a building surrounded by guards, a young man and woman walked hand in hand.
They smiled at each other, seemingly whispering sweet nothings.
"Young Master! We've arrived!"
About a hundred meters from the building, the two stopped.
"Quite a few guards!"
Ye Ming chuckled as he observed the deployment ahead.
"After all, this is Lord Zhang's residence. His personal safety is naturally treated with such importance!"
Du Yuemian, arm in arm with Ye Ming, seemed completely unconcerned about being discovered.
"Then let's go!"
Ye Ming led Du Yuemian forward.
That's right!
They walked brazenly towards the mansion, without any attempt to conceal themselves.
At this moment, if one observed closely, they would notice a faint white radiance emanating from around Ye Ming and Du Yuemian.
Enveloped by this radiance, they seemed detached from their surroundings; light actually passed directly through them.
They were as if they did not exist.
As they approached the entrance, Du Yuemian felt a slight nervousness.
This was because the distance between her and the guards was now less than a meter.
Yet, strangely, the guards seemed completely oblivious to them, their gazes fixed ahead, alert to their surroundings.
Seeing this, Du Yuemian excitedly tugged Ye Ming's arm with her right hand, her left hand gesturing expressively, conveying her disbelief.
However, she dared not speak.
Ye Ming, seeing the somewhat silly and adorable Du Yuemian, shook his head helplessly and chuckled,
"Don't worry! Even if you spoke, they wouldn't hear you!"