Starting at the Nascent Soul stage, a rogue cultivator is incredibly poor.

"Sigh... Oh well, it's all his fate."

Wu Sha sighed deeply, his voice filled with profound weariness.

"If he's unlucky, he can only blame his lack of ability; he has no one else to blame."

He slowly shook his head, put away the blood-red battle flag, and staggered to the edge of the cliff.

The mountain wind howled, blowing his gray beard and hair, making his figure appear particularly desolate against the backdrop of the demonic-filled cliffs.

Qingyouzi's gaze remained fixed on him, not daring to relax for a moment.

Upon seeing this, Wu Sha suddenly chuckled.

The laughter was soft, tinged with three parts forced, three parts self-deprecating, and four parts barely suppressed sorrow.

"Seventh brother..." He murmured to himself, gazing at the bottomless cliff, "How could you be so foolish? Sixth brother left so early, and the entire sect... only I, your senior brother, am left."

"It's not easy to stand alone... It's already good that the sect can protect itself and we can protect ourselves. I know you are all eager to improve your cultivation and want the Blood Shadow Sect to gain a foothold in this overwhelming trend... In my heart, I am actually very gratified."

He tilted his head back and blinked hard, as if trying to suppress something.

He took out a gourd from his storage bag, uncorked it, and poured the wine down the cliff little by little.

The clear, cool liquor mixed with demonic energy and vanished.

Qingyouzi watched quietly from a distance.

If he felt any remorse, he felt nothing at all. The cultivation world was a dog-eat-dog world; if he hadn't killed the Seven Fiends that day, he would have been the one to die.

Such is the life of a wandering cultivator. Unburdened and free to come and go as they please. But after death, no one will remember them.

It's clean, though.

Wu Sha had almost finished pouring the wine, leaving only one mouthful in the gourd. He tilted his head back and gulped it down, his Adam's apple bobbing, and closed his eyes for a long time.

"Life... is truly a curse."

He muttered to himself.

"Originally, there were three of us, fellow disciples. Now... you've all just left, leaving your elder brother alone in this world to deal with the mess that is the Blood Shadow Sect."

When she turned around, her eyes were faintly red.

"I apologize for the spectacle, fellow Daoist." Wu Sha smirked. "Though I was sworn brothers with Qi Sha, death is the end. I am old, and the sect... still needs me. What's the point of revenge now?"

He chuckled and shook his head.

Qingyouzi silently took half a step back, without retracting the myriad threads hidden in her sleeve.

Although the other party claims they will not seek revenge, human nature is unpredictable, so it's always better to be cautious.

"In that case," Qingyouzi cupped his hands, "Fellow Daoist Wu Sha, let us part ways here."

Before he could finish speaking...

A scorching gust of wind swept in from the horizon!

The two looked up at the same time, their expressions changing drastically.

On the nearby cliff, a crimson figure had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. His robe, embroidered with the Vermilion Bird, fluttered in the wind, and his stern face was framed by calm, piercing eyes that silently watched them.

"Master Suzaku!"

The two quickly bowed in greeting.

Zhu Quezi nodded slightly, her voice calm:

"What a coincidence that I would meet two fellow Daoists here."

His gaze swept over Qingyouzi and the Five Fiends, and he continued:

"The battle for the summit has now reached a fever pitch, with both major forces converging. I lingered at the foot of the mountain for a while and am now on my way to provide support. Would you two... be willing to accompany me?"

Qingyouzi's heart skipped a beat.

Mountain top?

Are you kidding me!

There are probably no fewer than ten late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators gathered there now, not to mention countless fourth-tier demonic beings. For him, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, to rashly go up there would be no different from suicide.

He chuckled dryly twice, his mind racing, trying to come up with an excuse:

"This... Venerable Suzaku, my strength is too weak, I'm afraid..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Quezi's gaze had already turned to Wu Sha.

Wu Sha's expression shifted, he gritted his teeth, and finally took half a step forward, bowing as he said:

"I am willing to go with you, Your Excellency."

Qingyouzi's expression stiffened slightly.

That old guy...

Zhu Quezi's gaze returned to Qing Youzi, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyou," his voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority, "the appearance of Demon Zhou Mountain concerns the fate of the Southern Xuan realm. The four sages of Heavenly Immortal City have arrived together, and the Grand Elder has personally come; this is an unprecedented event in hundreds of years."

He paused, his tone turning colder:

"Since you are protected by the Heavenly Immortal City and enjoy the resources of war merits, and now that Nanxuan needs people, if you only seek to protect yourself and stand idly by... I'm afraid you will chill the hearts of your fellow Daoists."

He took a step forward, and the sleeves of his crimson robe fluttered even without wind.

"Moreover, the True Dragon Stone at the summit contains longevity-promoting dragon energy, a heaven-defying opportunity. If you can help my Southern Xuan obtain this item, Heavenly Immortal City will certainly reward you handsomely. Cultivation techniques, pills, magic treasures, and even the vacant position of elder are all negotiable."

The words are clear, and the path is laid out clearly.

Qingyouzi clenched his fist quietly in his sleeve, but managed a smile on his face.

"Venerable Suzaku, you flatter me." He patted his robes, as if his earlier hesitation had never existed. "I was merely worried that my strength was insufficient and that I might hold you all back. Since you value me so highly, would it be disrespectful to refuse?"

He bowed.

"I wish to follow the Venerable One on this journey."

He cursed inwardly.

Those two old bastards... I'll remember that.

Zhu Quezi nodded slightly and said no more.

Three beams of light shot into the sky and sped toward the summit of Mo Zhou Mountain.

Mount Mozhou was towering into the clouds, and even with the speed of a Nascent Soul cultivator, it took nearly half an hour to reach the summit.

The mountaintop was vast, enough to accommodate hundreds of people, but now it seemed empty. Only in the center stood an ancient stone platform, upon which stood a massive, three-zhang-high (approximately 10 meters) black boulder.

The surface of the boulder is covered with natural dragon patterns, and it is currently emitting towering demonic energy! The demonic energy condenses into streaks of black dragon phantoms, swirling around the boulder.

Around the stone platform, more than thirty figures stood facing each other.

Nanxuan side.

The three sages—Azure Dragon, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger—stood side by side, followed by Jiang Taiyuan, the Grand Elder of Heavenly Immortal City, Wen Tao, and several other early and mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Their auras merged seamlessly, as deep and majestic as a mountain.

On the north side of the pavilion.

Lingxiao Zhenren's expression was solemn, while Tianji Laoren closed his eyes to rest. Also present were Xue Wuya, Xie Changyuan, and other early to mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. In addition, four fourth-tier great demons revealed part of their true forms, their demonic aura billowing, subtly echoing the Beiting cultivators.

The two sides were on the verge of attack, but neither actually made a move.

Nascent Soul cultivators cherish their lives, especially since the spiritual energy on the summit of Demon Zhou Mountain is thin and turbid, and every bit of magical power used is lost. Even with miraculous elixirs, it's difficult to instantly replenish the lost energy.

A stalemate, probing, waiting for the right opportunity.

When Qingyouzi and his two companions landed on the mountaintop, the Nanxuan faction had gained a slight advantage in numbers.

Xuanwuzi looked up and nodded slightly:

"Junior Brother Zhuque has arrived at just the right time. Fellow Daoist Qingyou and Fellow Daoist Wusha, thank you for your trouble."

The expressions of the people in Beiting grew even more somber.

Xie Changyuan's gaze was fixed on Qing Youzi, and the killing intent in his eyes was almost tangible!

Qingyouzi showed no weakness, coldly returning the gaze, her lips moving silently, the shape of her mouth clearly indicating:

"Look at your mother~?"

Xie Changyuan clenched his teeth, making a grinding sound, and his magical power fluctuated violently, but it was forcibly suppressed.

Making a move now would disrupt the delicate balance, and he couldn't bear that responsibility.

"Elder Jiang, Fellow Daoist Xuanwu."

Master Lingxiao spoke first, his voice clear and resonant, echoing throughout the mountain peak:

"The True Dragon Stone is a creation of heaven and earth, belonging to no one family or sect. Its appearance in Demon Zhou Mountain means that those who are destined to see it will have a share. Our two continents have been fighting for over a thousand years, resulting in countless deaths and widespread suffering. Why not take a step back today, open up a wider world, share this treasure, and avoid further conflict?"

His words sounded very dignified and respectable.

Upon hearing this, Xuanwu Zi simply smiled calmly.

"Fellow Daoist Lingxiao, you are mistaken."

He took a step forward, and the giant tortoise pattern on his blue robe subtly flowed.

"The True Dragon Stone is indeed ownerless, but Mount Mozhou is located near the sea in my Southern Xuan, and has been part of the Southern Xuan territory since ancient times. Fellow Daoist Beiting has traveled thousands of miles to collude with the demon race and set up a trap. How is such behavior any different from that of a bandit?"

The tone turned cold:

"If you were to so easily take away the dragon's energy today, where would the dignity of my Southern Xuan be? How would cultivators throughout the land view Heavenly Immortal City then?"

Every word was forceful and clear, and the stance was distinct.

The old man of heavenly secrets slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze swept over the True Dragon Stone, a hint of undisguised desire flashing in his eyes before he regained his composure.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanwu, why be so aggressive?"

The old man's voice was aged, yet it carried a certain wisdom that understood the ways of the world:

"Those who cultivate immortality seek nothing more than the path to longevity. The life-extending energy of the True Dragon is, for us, an opportunity to prolong our lives. My lifespan is nearing its end, and divination of heavenly secrets has shortened my lifespan. All I seek is to live a few more years and find a successor to continue my lineage."

He looked at the people of Nanxuan and slowly said:

"If any of you are willing to share a wisp of dragon energy with me, I will depart now. For the next hundred years, I promise not to deduce the secrets of the Southern Mystery Heaven, nor to plot for the Northern Pavilion. This promise can be made by swearing an oath to the Demon of the Heart."

This statement already represents a concession.

Elder Jiang Taiyuan stroked his beard and pondered, not responding, but instead looking at the Four Sages.

Qinglongzi sneered:

"Fellow Daoist Tianji, although your divination skills are unparalleled in both continents, is it too easy for you to exchange a promise for the life-extending dragon energy?"

He pointed to the True Dragon Stone:

"This stone dragon energy amounts to no more than five or six wisps. The lifespans of the Four Saints of the Southern Profound Realm are all nearing their end, and the Grand Elder also needs this item to prolong his life and continue his cultivation. If we share it with you, is it enough for us?"

When faced with the opportunity to extend one's lifespan, there is no warmth, only calculation.

Master Lingxiao's expression darkened: "So, there's no room for negotiation?"

"Of course we should talk."

Zhu Quezi suddenly spoke, her gaze sweeping over both sides:

"But how we negotiate must be done according to the rules. The True Dragon Stone is here, but its dragon energy is limited. Either we fight for it by our own abilities, and life and death are left to fate; or..."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"In a contest of strategies and doctrines, the victor gains all."

The mountaintop fell into dead silence.

Demonic energy surged, and the shadow of a dragon hovered.

More than ten Nascent Soul stage monsters nearing the end of their lifespan all focused their gazes on that pitch-black boulder.

The opportunity to prolong life, the struggle over the Great Way.

There is no escape route.