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"Comparing them to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses—that is the Righteous Dao."

"Indeed," Great Sun Purple Extreme True Monarch said, nodding with a smile.

"In that case, my friend," Great Sun Purple Extreme True Monarch asked again, his gaze turning toward the mortal world that lay beyond the Microcosmic Cave Heaven.

"Now that all is settled, what should we do next?"

Hearing this, Qi Yun’s original self gently flicked his immaculate, cloud-patterned long sleeves. He turned, his gaze piercing the barrier of the Microcosmic Cave Heaven. It crossed endless mountains and rivers, finally landing on the distant north—the Northwest, a vast land rife with a cold, treacherous aura where the Demon Dao ran rampant.

"I’ve been out for so long and caused such a commotion."

He murmured softly, as if speaking to himself, yet also to Great Sun Purple Extreme True Monarch.

"It’s time to go back and see.

I wonder if my old friends in the mountains are safe and sound?

And if the atmosphere in the Sect has changed?"

With that, he retracted his gaze and met the eyes of his own Dharma Body. A clear understanding passed between them.

No more words were needed; their thoughts were one.

Qi Yun’s original self waved his sleeve, and a clear light imbued with spatial Dao Rhyme enveloped both him and Great Sun Purple Extreme True Monarch.

With a mere Heart Thought from Great Sun Purple Extreme True Monarch, the Microcosmic Cave Heaven rapidly collapsed, reverting to an imperceptible speck of light that vanished into the center of his brow.

"Go."

With that single, clear word, their figures, amidst the lingering aftereffects of the dissolving cave heaven, transformed into an elusive Escape Light that was barely there. It silently tore through the sky above the West Sea, heading north toward the ancestral grounds of the Demon Sect, which lay dormant among the vast mountains.

They sped away.

The journey back to the Sect began!

...

---

「On the border of the Wuji Holy Sect’s territory in the Northwest.」

The sprawling mountains gradually sloped downwards here, revealing vast stretches of greyish-brown wasteland, perpetually eroded by astral winds and sinister energies.

About three thousand miles from the Taixu Realm Heaven, atop an unremarkable, craggy Stone Mountain, two ripples gently spread through the air.

Their radiance was contained, their arrival silent. Two figures quietly set foot on the exposed, pitch-black rock of the summit.

It was Qian Xin Master and Qing Li Master.

The moment they landed, neither was in a hurry to speak.

Instead, with perfect coordination, they both released their Divine Thought, which spread out like invisible mercury flowing across the ground, meticulously sweeping over every inch of land and every wisp of aura within a radius of several hundred miles.

They even used a Secret Skill to divine the heavens and stir the mists of karma, repeatedly confirming that there were no traces of pursuit behind them, nor any powerful experts spying on them, before their expressions finally relaxed slightly.

Qian Xin Master was the first to break the silence, his brow furrowed. He kept his voice extremely low, but it couldn’t hide his doubt and gravity.

"Something’s not right... That kid Qi Yun hasn’t been gone for long. Why is he suddenly turning back? Is the information reliable?"

Qing Li Master’s expression was grim. He nodded, and with a flash of dark green light at his fingertip, the fading trace of a secret Communication Talisman Seal appeared.

"It’s definite. This is his unique hidden mark.

But... this is a terrible time for him to return."

He looked up toward the Holy Sect Master Mountain, his gaze seeming to pierce through space itself, seeing the treacherous and unpredictable situation there.

"That scoundrel Black Mountain has a True Monarch backing him now. Although he’s still the Vice Sect Leader in name, he already holds all the power.

If Qi Yun comes back now, isn’t he just walking right into a trap, serving himself up on a platter?"

"Exactly!" Qian Xin Master’s eyes flashed as he quickly analyzed, "You and I both know Qi Yun is no reckless fool.

On the contrary, the depth of his thoughts and the reach of his schemes sometimes chill even me to the bone.

Since he chose to return at this moment, he must have some backing or a plan that we are not yet aware of."

He paused, the glint in his eyes growing sharper.

"We should intercept him here first, get a clear understanding of the situation, and plan accordingly. Otherwise, we’ll lose the initiative and be forced onto the defensive."

Qing Li Master nodded. "Indeed. Let us quickly..."

Before his words could fade—

A sudden change occurred!

RUMBLE—!

With the small mountain they stood on as the epicenter, the desolate land for dozens of miles around suddenly split open!

It wasn’t collapsing downward, but heaving upward!

Illusory mountains shot up from the fissures. Vague at first, they solidified, soared, and intertwined at an astonishing speed!

The peaks linked together, their energies weaving into one, and in an instant, they formed a terrifying, absolute domain that covered the land and sealed off everything within!

A suppressive force, heavy as a billion tons and specifically targeting the Divine Soul and Magical Power, emanated from every iron-colored peak and every deep cavern. It layered upon itself, threatening to crush and drain dry every living being trapped inside!

"The *Thousand Caves and Ten Thousand Mountains Array*?!"

Qian Xin Master’s eyes narrowed.

This was one of the trademark ultimate arrays that Black Mountain Master had built his fame upon.

It was known as: "One mountain, one cave, one absolute domain; a thousand mountains form a prison to suppress a true immortal"!

Once this Array is set, it creates its own deadly territory, trapping and killing in one fell swoop, its power boundless!

"This is Black Mountain’s work! Let’s go!"

Qian Xin Master reacted instantly. With a sharp cry, a hazy light of Heart and Spirit erupted from his body, transforming into countless fine yet tough, invisible threads that tried to pierce the surrounding suppressive force. At the same time, he grabbed Qing Li Master—who had just as quickly summoned a crystalline Protective Treasure Light—and prepared to use a Secret Skill to escape.

However, it was too late!

The absolute domain formed by the layered, iron-colored peaks and countless caves had completely sealed itself off. Its energies had linked to Perfection, like a giant, cold iron barrel, trapping them firmly inside.

Their Escape Light slammed against the invisible Array wall, only to be thrown back, stirring nothing but a few dark ripples. Worse, wisps of a devouring power traveled back along the Escape Light, causing the blood and qi in their bodies to churn.

"Hmph, trying to leave now? Too late!"

A cold, raspy voice, filled with undisguised mockery and killing intent, thundered down from the highest point of the absolute domain’s Celestial Vault, sounding like a frigid wind from the Nine Netherworld blowing across iron and stone.

The two of them snapped their heads up.

There, in the center of the dark and oppressive Celestial Vault created by the Array, a figure stood, having appeared there at some unknown time.

He wore a pitch-black Daoist Robe embroidered with menacing mountain patterns. His face was sinister, his gaze as cold and cloying as a viper’s. He exuded a majestic pressure as heavy as a mountain, yet tinged with an aura of destruction and consumption.

It was none other than the younger brother of Black Mountain Master—Black Slaughter Master!

"Qian Xin, Qing Li. Instead of cultivating peacefully in your own abodes, the two of you sneak off to this desolate place, huddled together and looking flustered.

Could it be you’re here to receive that little brat Qi Yun?"

His voice echoed among the Thousands of Caves and Mountains, amplified by the Array, making it sound even more sinister and terrifying.

At this point, there was no escape.

Qian Xin Master suppressed his shock and anger, forcing himself to calm down before shouting:

"Black Fiend! Qi Yun is a direct successor Master of our Sect, and he was personally noticed and chosen by Desolate Halberd True Monarch back then!

What is the meaning of you setting up an Array here to intercept him today?

Are you trying to defy the decree of Desolate Halberd True Monarch?!"

In such a desperate situation, he could only bring up Desolate Halberd True Monarch, hoping it would still make the other party hesitate.

"HAHAHAHAHA...!!"

But upon hearing this, Black Slaughter Master let out a piercing and wild laugh, which crashed and echoed between the iron peaks, adding to its madness.

"Qian Xin, oh, Qian Xin, have you muddled your mind in seclusion, or have you simply lost your nerve?" Black Slaughter Master stopped laughing, the mockery on his face deepening as he shrugged and spread his hands.

"His venerable self, Desolate Halberd True Monarch, is so highly respected. What am I, Black Fiend, in comparison?

How would I dare show the slightest disrespect, let alone defy the venerable one’s decree?"

His tone suddenly shifted, his gaze becoming incomparably sharp and frigid. Each word struck like an ice pick:

"But, you had better remember this clearly!

The one who now presides over the Holy Sect and holds the laws of heaven and earth is—the True Monarch of No Dao Extreme Law!"

"By the True Monarch’s decree, we are to thoroughly investigate all destabilizing elements within the Sect!" Black Slaughter Master’s gaze was like a knife, locked tightly on Qian Xin and Qing Li.

"I’ll tell you the truth. This *Thousand Caves and Ten Thousand Mountains Array* was prepared for that little brat Qi Yun!

As long as he dares set foot in the Holy Sect’s territory, I will personally capture him, chain him, and drag him back to the mountain to await the True Monarch’s judgment!"

But just then, a voice, so calm it was without a single ripple and even carried a faint hint of amusement, clearly penetrated the blockade of the *Thousand Caves and Ten Thousand Mountains Array* and rang in everyone’s ears:

"Oh?"

"Is that so?"

...

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