The garden lay in a hush of stillness, rendering Old Daoist's inquiry strikingly distinct.

Hua Xifeng exhaled a sigh. As a disciple of the Sect, he had heard numerous legends about this Uncle-Master Yu from the elders, but this was his first encounter in person. By contrast, Li Hong and Wang Jiu, disciples of the Empirical Department, seemed much better prepared.

Of course, compared to Wen Shifei, he was considerably more composed.

Including Wen Shifei, the remaining twelve elite members of the Demonic Sect displayed a variety of expressions, but the looks they directed at Old Daoist were uniformly laden with incredulity, evidently astounded to their core.

For seventy to eighty years, Old Daoist Yu Zhou had been mired in the Golden Elixir Stage, his cultivation stagnating, residing in the Still Heart Temple, conducting himself with discretion, seldom venturing outside to practice his faith, and rarely returning to the Sect's Mountain Gate. Aside from those minor sects that depended on the breath of the Lichen Sect, who knew of his reputation?

After today, that would undoubtedly change.

As for Yu Ci, Hua Xifeng was aware that this junior brother had been personally recommended to the Sect by Uncle-Master Yu himself, signifying an extraordinary relationship. But in light of the current situation, how should he phrase his words?

In a moment of hesitation, a voice arose from afar: "Yu Ci? Is it the Yu Ci who wields the Half Mountain Mirage?"

The speaker was Wen Shifei, whose status was such that he couldn't be perpetually subdued by Old Daoist. Seizing the opportunity, he interjected, "I had always thought him to be a hero of Half Mountain Island, only to find he belongs to the Lichen Sect."

While speaking, he covertly communicated with Di Tianluo and others, changing the outer defensive arrangement through a series of hand signals. The Northern Land Demon Sect's branches had converged here, and it was unlikely they had come with so few. Apart from the Eastern Orthodox Sect, which truly warranted annihilation, the combined forces numbered around seventy, most of whom were from the Nine Mysteries Demon Sect and the Ice Snow Demon Palace. These individuals would be mere cannon fodder if they charged headlong into battle, but if used wisely, they could become an important bargaining chip.

However, having witnessed Old Daoist Yu Zhou's combat prowess, which far exceeded his own level of cultivation, Wen Shifei had relegated the option of a direct confrontation to the very back of his tactical considerations.

As soon as Wen Shifei mentioned Yu Ci's name, Old Daoist Yu Zhou turned his gaze towards him, nodding after a long pause, "The 'King of Slaying', indeed a formidable rising power from the North... The boy does have some knowledge of the Half-Mountain Sword Divine, but has he offended in any way?"

Old Daoist's tone was amiable, yet his gaze was as chilling as a frost-edged blade. Wen Shifei, under that piercing stare, felt a profound discomfort and inwardly cursed, yet he wiped his half-bald head and forced an irksome smile, "Not at all! It turns out to be truly Daoist friend Yu. A few days ago, when Sunken Sword Cave emerged, Sister Tian Luo and I had some dealings with him, but we've seen little of him these past days. What's happened, has Daoist friend Yu encountered some trouble?"

He initiated the conversation with intent.

Hua Xifeng seized the momentary lull to succinctly recount their reunion with Yu Ci and their subsequent journey through shortcuts to the Guixu, a treacherous abyssal valley beneath the sea, followed by their capture by the leader of the Heavy Weapon Sect. He did not conceal the recent loss of their sensory connection to Yu Ci either. Yu Zhou listened intently, his eyes deep pools of contemplation, though not a single wrinkle stirred upon his weathered visage.

This left Wen Shifei, who had been all ears, somewhat disheartened.

"What might be the origins of the Heavy Weapon Sect Leader and the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave?" inquired the Old Daoist.

Hua Xifeng could only shake his head; due to the urgency of their situation, Yu Ci's fragmented descriptions were insufficient to piece together a complete backdrop. After a moment's thought, he turned his gaze toward Wen Shifei.

Wen Shifei's smile grew increasingly insufferable as he clapped his hands, "Judging by the situation, Daoist Yu alone seems to wield a deeper understanding of the Sword Immortal's Secret domain than any of us. Were he here, we'd be utterly shamed, our faces cast down to the ground."

His words seemed flippant, but before they could provoke the Old Daoist to wrath, Wen Shifei swiftly proposed, "Esteemed Daoist Yu, considering that we both have pressing matters to attend to, why waste time here? Let's agree to part ways amicably, each to his own path. Would that not be for the best?"

"Indeed."

Old Daoist Yu Zhou's agreement surprised everyone, but he casually added, "Before you go, it would be well to leave behind whatever information you have, particularly regarding those two individuals, as a gesture of good karma."

Wen Shifei, momentarily taken aback, glanced at his allies, the corners of his mouth twitching, "Good karma is always welcome, but I implore Daoist Yu to understand, we are all equally in the dark. If even your esteemed sect is at a loss, asking us would be akin to asking the blind for directions, would it not?"

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No sooner had the words left his lips than a mocking, cold jeer echoed through the garden, like a subterranean river, its chilling currents audible yet its ripples unseen, its source undiscernible.

Unfazed, Wen Shifei covertly communicated with Di Tianluo and Yuan Wang among others, adjusting their perimeter defenses in an attempt to pinpoint the newcomer. As for the identity of the voice, there was little need for conjecture. Wen Shifei laughed heartily:

"Ever since we entered the Sword Immortal's Secret domain, every moment has been filled with wonder. Who could have imagined, after the five Thunderbolt Tribulations, that the sword garden, nearly trampled flat by countless sword cultivators, still held such secrets? Nor would one expect a member of the Rakshasa Sect to reconcile with a disciple of the Lichen Sect... Miss Incense Slave, I had thought you were solely devoted to protecting Daoist Yu, yet it seems you had also spared a thought for that Red Soul Resurrection Pearl."

He exerted his intention with a laugh that boomed like thunder, echoing through the Lifeless Deathless Garden. From the shadows, the Incense Slave retorted sharply, "That Red Soul Resurrection Pearl is the treasured vessel in which the Sword Ghost of the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave entrusts his soul. By obtaining that pearl, you've gained control over the Sword Ghost. All secrets laid bare, you might deceive others, but can you truly deceive yourself?"

"Alas, I am not particularly adept in the art of ghost domination."

"Is it ghost domination or demon concealment? King of Slaying, I am aware that the patron behind the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave has familial ties with your own clan."

His mocking tone swept through the air, and Wen Shifei suddenly fell silent. By his side, Di Tianluo and others showed subtle shifts in their expressions, but upon closer inspection, there was no particular surprise. Thus, the atmosphere in the garden took on an eerily abnormal cast.

Just as the people of the Lichen Sect were about to take great offense, Wen Shifei cracked a smile, shaking his head within the grin:

"This is truly a grand misunderstanding."

With these words, he reached into his robe and retrieved the porcelain bottle that had once contained the Red Soul Resurrection Pearl. He shook it, eliciting a crisp ringing that reverberated through the garden. Then, he uncorked the bottle, releasing a wisp of smoke that was black with hints of red, writhing as if it intended to take shape. Yet within its ethereal body seemed to be a layer of seal, preventing it from fully manifesting, leaving it to maintain a semi-smoky state.

"This is the Sword Ghost that accompanies the Master of the Sunken Sword Cave, named Tie Lan. He is now sealed by me, his consciousness dimmed, and thus quite obedient... Tie Lan, tell us, who in recent years has been most intimately associated with your master?"

Tie Lan, possessing profound cultivation, was now under control, and thus muddled. Asked a question, he answered directly:

"My master has said it is His Majesty the Great Brahma Demon King."

At these words, Yu Zhou and the disciples of the Lichen Sect felt a shiver in their hearts.

Wen Shifei looked up at Yu Zhou with a sly smile, "Daoist Yu must be aware that my Demonic Sect, though both part of the Sky Demon orthodoxy, has always had a poor relationship with the Great Brahma Demon King—one residing in this realm and the other in the Blood Purgatory Ghost Mansion, with differing creeds. According to the young lady Incense Slave, there are familial connections, indeed, but to take it a step further, even His Majesty the Ghost King would probably be skeptical."

He spoke with ease, while Yu Zhou and the others had much more to ponder.

The Great Brahma Demon King? The foremost follower of the Original Demon Lord in the Blood Purgatory Ghost Mansion, ranked equally with the Limitless Vacuum God, revered as the 'Great Brahma Wish-Granting Sky Demon King'—that supreme demon?

At any other time, the news might have passed unnoticed, but with the events of Cliff City barely concluded, the revelation that Blood Monk Yi Xin had entangled himself with none other than the Great Brahma Demon King was particularly jarring. The exchanges between Yi Xin and the Great Brahma Demon King's demonic general, Zhili, had been compiled into the most confidential intelligence, landing squarely on the desks of the Lichen Sect's most esteemed elders. It was only through Yu Ci's detailed recount that Yu Zhou came to understand the intricacies of their dealings.

Such to and fro had unexpectedly drawn out this thread of connection!

At this moment, Wen Shifei also let out a long sigh, "Now, Daoist Yu, are you satisfied?"

Within the Lifeless Deathless Garden, silence prevailed.

**********

Yu Ci stepped out of the house, which was once Hao Dian's Former Residence. The main hall continued the courtyard's simplistic yet exquisite style, with every limited piece of decoration standing as a testament to quality. Passing through the doors and across the thresholds, the former owner's resting place maintained the same standard. However, aside from an initial exploration, Yu Ci had spent the last two days resting without entering again, a gesture of minimal courtesy towards the Female Sword Cultivator whose reputation preceded her, yet whom he had never met.

The Thunderbolt-Free Great Immortals, a truly temperamental individual, had constructed what was so-called "the former residence." Though not an actual relocation of the previous dwellers' abodes, every detail within resonated with their unique temperament. As one moved, sat, or lay within these walls, it was as if the original owner's grace and poise were palpable—a testament to meticulous effort.

Moreover, residing here for an extended period greatly aided in understanding the original owner's techniques.

Yu Ci could attest to this... despite having taken a misguided path.

Now, as he stepped beyond the courtyard gate, he no longer harbored any resistance to the profound Illusion technique amidst the clouds. The "other" also responded to goodwill with goodwill. The intense spiritual resonance felt less like "pressure" and more like "guidance."

That force seemed to transform into a magnet, drawing Yu Ci's Divine Soul fluctuations to meld and harmonize with it, ultimately achieving a "union of two into one." This allowed Yu Ci to immerse himself in the experience of the suspected Hao Dian's Cultivator wielding the God Slaying Sting, comprehending the subtleties of the mystical incantation from within.

This was an exceptional design, yet the Thunderbolt-Free Great Immortals likely never anticipated that the junior entering here would differ from the norm—within Yu Ci's Inner Void of the Heart thrummed the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form!

Coupled with the exceedingly accurate depiction of that thousand-zhang Heavenly Dragon...

In the end, Yu Ci didn't merge with Hao Dian, but with the Heavenly Dragon!

***************

Tragedy lay in the irreversibility of his situation, such as the ineptitude of speed, the poor rhythm, and the maddening sense of timing...