The grand hall of the Qingyuan Sect had never been so lively before. Yet, seated in the sect leader's chair, Shangguan Wencang appeared composed and unflustered—though inwardly, he was anything but at ease.

He had sought Shang Qinqing’s advice on trustworthy individuals to safeguard the opening of the Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum, fearing unforeseen complications. But who could have predicted that the entire Eastern Wasteland Domain, Yunzhou, and even the Southern Borderlands would descend into chaos?

The arrival of the Prosperity Trading House was one thing, but what were those assassins from the Drizzle Pavilion doing here?

And now, even the vendors outside the mountain gates were handing out free candied hawthorns and flatbreads!

After the initial pleasantries in the hall, the conversation quickly turned to concerns for Li Mo.

"What method does the Qingyuan Sect plan to use? Are you confident?"

"Sect Leader Shangguan, if you have any requests, speak plainly."

The gathered crowd turned their gazes toward him, their understanding of the situation still incomplete.

"Thank you all for coming from afar."

Shangguan Wencang first bowed respectfully before speaking candidly:

"Many of you may already know something of the Qingyuan Sect’s origins. It is only due to the failings of later generations that our reputation has diminished to this state."

Some nodded in acknowledgment. Fragments of lore from the ancient era of gods and demons still survived, and records of the previous dynasty were well-documented in many texts. Plenty were aware that the Purple Sun Prefecture had once been the imperial capital of Great Shang.

"Beneath Qingyuan lies the Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum."

Shangguan Wencang’s blunt admission took many by surprise. "Li Mo requires the power of the masses—but not just any ordinary collective strength."

"Thus... we intend to extract the ancestral blessings of imperial fortune. This matter carries significant implications. The Qingyuan Sect has long declined, and we are uncertain whether we can withstand the storm that will follow the emergence of this fortune. That is why we have humbly requested your presence."

Among those present were many at the Sixth and Seventh Realms of cultivation. Even if he hadn’t spoken, they would have discerned the truth soon enough.

It was better to inform them now and allow everyone to prepare mentally.

This matter, if left unspoken, would seem trivial. But once brought to light, it could easily be misconstrued as rebellion.

"The fortune of Great Shang?"

The atmosphere in the hall grew solemn.

The demonic beasts among them had no idea what "imperial fortune" meant, but seeing the grave expressions of the others, they too put on serious faces.

Only the Whale Clan’s patriarch whispered, "Can you eat it?"

"No wonder such a commotion was stirred, gathering us all here," sighed the leader of the Gangdou Sect.

"......"

The Qingyuan Sect elders exchanged uneasy glances.

A misunderstanding—they simply hadn’t expected Li Mo’s influence to stretch this far.

"The Hengyun Sword City will remain here in full support."

"Indeed. Young Hero Li’s breakthrough is a once-in-a-lifetime event. How could we leave halfway through?"

"We await the moment his inner world reaches perfection, a spectacle that will astonish the world’s heroes!"

"What is this 'imperial fortune'? Wasn’t Young Hero Li in seclusion? Some baseless rumor claimed he was injured—utter nonsense."

With unspoken agreement, the assembly collectively defined the nature of this gathering.

...

Jade Cluster Peak.

Following Xue Jing, Li Dalong and his wife arrived at a simple wooden hut.

Upon entering, they saw Shang Wu—unusually awake—sitting quietly with her eyes closed.

By the bedside sat a woman in plain robes, her beauty like an orchid atop a secluded snowy peak, noble yet coldly elegant, her gaze gentle and wise.

When she saw Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin, she offered them a radiant smile.

At the sight of her son covered in wounds, Gu Xueqin trembled, struggling to hold back her tears.

She had never expected greatness from him—only his health and happiness.

Now, seeing him like this, she regretted ever listening to Li Dalong and sending their son to the Qingyuan Sect to "strengthen his body."

"Little Bing, how is he... now? What are his chances?"

Unlike his distraught wife, Li Dalong kept his composure, though his clenched fists turned white.

"One hundred percent."

"Nothing in this world is perfect. At least... how much?"

Li Dalong blinked, his grief momentarily overtaken by confusion.

"Breaking and rebuilding his inner world is, for him, a blessing in disguise. Once he enters the imperial mausoleum and receives the Great Shang’s fortune, he will break through to the Fourth Realm."

Ying Bing’s voice was soft, as if stating an indisputable fact.

Little Bing never lied.

Hearing this, half the weight lifted from Li Dalong’s heart.

"What happened during the Heavenly Trial?"

"After ascending the throne, he reforged the Heavenly Blade and forced out the Blood God sealed within..."

Ying Bing poured tea for the couple and recounted the events in the Phoenix Domain.

Gu Xueqin gently held her son’s hand, her heart aching.

Li Dalong, moved yet conflicted, realized the child he once shielded had grown beyond his reach.

No wonder so many renowned figures had gathered at the Qingyuan Sect. He could scarcely imagine how his son had taken that world-shaking step.

After listening in silence, he too believed Ying Bing’s assurance—one hundred percent.

"The time has come."

Xue Jing suddenly appeared at the doorway.

Shang Wu opened her eyes, smacked her lips, and instinctively reached for her gourd. But after a moment’s thought, she merely uncorked it, took a whiff, and put it away.

Tang Xiaobao trotted in, effortlessly lifting Li Mo onto his shoulders.

"I’ll go now."

Ying Bing nodded to the couple.

She gently ruffled Li Mo’s hair before stepping outside, her usual lightness tinged with uncharacteristic tension. She then gave the large-headed doll at her waist an extra squeeze.

Yes, it was one hundred percent.

But not one hundred and twenty. Even now, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin stayed behind, knowing they could be of no help. They watched from the doorway.

Rumble—

The ground trembled.

The patch of earth, littered with broken statues and overgrown with moss, slowly parted as Shang Wu pressed her palm against one of the remnants. Flames flickered, and a door slid open beneath.

A hazy mist rose from below, faintly illuminated...

Bang—

The resident brawler, impatient with the door’s sluggishness, kicked it the rest of the way open.

The interior bore no resemblance to a lifeless, lightless tomb—it was more like a gateway between the realms of yin and yang.

Statues of divine observers were abundant outside, but inside, they were even more numerous.

As soon as the intruders entered, the statues—some terrifying, some solemn, some awe-inspiring—turned in unison, their gazes fixed on the entrance.

As if they had come to life.

And not in a friendly way.

Who wouldn’t assume the worst of someone who kicked the door down?

"Audacious fool! Who are you?"

"Princess Nanming, bearer of the Vermilion Bird’s physique."

"......"

The statues fell silent, the hush so profound one could hear a pin drop.

After a long pause, the voices echoed again: "...You may enter. Outsiders may not."

The collective voices of the divine observers carried an ancient, imposing weight, brooking no argument.

"Princess, forgive us. This is the ancestral..."

"Eh? Princess, why are you moving me?"

"To the cesspit. With so many visitors at the Qingyuan Sect—demonic beasts included—I figured you wouldn’t mind smelling worse, given how unyielding you are."

"......"

The statues housed the remnants of ancient sages, their spiritual awareness feeble.

They would never doubt Shang Wu’s identity, even if her behavior was far from princess-like. They recognized only the South Ming Flame and the Vermilion Bird’s form.

...Thankfully, they weren’t completely mindless.

"......"

"The Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum welcomes your esteemed presence."