"This is a rough map of the Qingyu Palace," Elder Su said in a low voice.
A sheet of pale light unfolded in midair.
What first appeared to be a flat diagram suddenly expanded — layers stacking upon layers, folding inward and outward like overlapping heavens. The vast structure shimmered with depth, as though the palace existed not in one realm but many.
Gasps rippled through the fox youths.
The floating map was dotted with black marks across its surface.
"So many places?"
"What are those?"
"Are those the different clan palaces?"
"Isn't the Qingyu Palace just a venue for the Qingyu Competition?"
Elder Su raised a hand. Silence fell instantly.
He swept his gaze across them before speaking calmly. "The Qingyu Palace is one of the cultivation paradises of our Ancestral Clan."
Their eyes widened.
"One of them?"
"There's another?"
"Why didn't we know?"
Tushan Lin asked in rare excitement, "Then what of the second cultivation paradise?"
Elder Su shook his head. "I don't know."
The fox youths froze.
They stared at him in disbelief,
suspicion flickering across their faces.
He raised an eyebrow. "Most people have never seen it, nor entered it. Only the Ancestral Princes, the heads of each clan, and those who have rendered great meritorious service are granted that honor."
Their gazes drifted back to the map, the mysterious second paradise suddenly feeling impossibly distant.
Someone asked hesitantly, "Then… is this the reward for winning the clan selection competition?"
"Reward?" Elder Su scoffed. "Naturally. Only those who win the Qingyu Competition are eligible to make use of it."
Some of the fox youths lit up with excitement, while others visibly deflated.
Bai Shuo twitched her lips in disdain.
They hadn't even stepped into the competition yet, and already some had lost confidence.
A Nascent Soul fox youth asked unwillingly, "Does that mean we're not allowed to enter the Sacred Ground either?"
Elder Su's gaze snapped toward him.
"The Sacred Ground is the only cultivation ground you are permitted to enter before the Qingyu Competition."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
Another fox youth asked curiously, "Elder Su, are the places highlighted in black the other cultivation grounds?"
"No."
Elder Su flicked his finger. The black dots dimmed as new locations lit up across the map.
"The previous marks were the clan palaces," he said, his fingers skimming across the glowing points. "These are the other cultivation grounds."
The fox youths leaned forward eagerly, counting at least three locations. Their eyes burned with curiosity.
But Elder Su ignored them and flicked his finger again.
Those marks faded, replaced by four crimson points.
Their curiosity dulled — their minds were still on the cultivation grounds, but Elder Su's solemn voice snapped them back to attention.
"These," he said, "are the personal abodes of the Ancestral Princes within the Qingyu Palace."
Numerous eyes widened.
Even Bai Shuo looked toward the legendary palaces, though on the map they appeared no different from the others — merely positioned in distinct regions.
"They have residences here?"
"Don't they already have their own territories?"
"Hmph, you're ignorant," someone scoffed quietly. "At our level, we know nothing of the Ancestral Princes, but even I know their territories can't compare to the Qingyu Palace."
"That's not surprising," another muttered ruefully. "Even the Sacred Ground alone is already irresistible. And we don't even know about the other cultivation grounds."
"Of course, these are our ancestors' inheritances."
Someone suddenly exclaimed, "Then does that mean the Ancestral Princes will come to watch the competition?"
"Really?!"
"I can't wait to see the Ancestral Dragon Prince!"
"No, I want to glimpse the new Ancestral Phoenix Princess!"
"Heh," someone sneered. "As if you've seen the previous one."
"Tsk, what would a frog at the bottom of a well like you know?"
"IMPUDENT!"
The room fell dead silent.
A chill ran down everyone's spines as they looked up to see Elder Su's expression darkened like thunderclouds.
"Tsk…" Bai Shuo clicked her tongue inwardly. Even she as impatient as she was would have lost her temper by now.
Prince Shao cupped his fists toward Elder Su, neither servile nor overbearing. "Elder, please calm your anger."
"Pretentious," Bai Shuo muttered under her breath.
"Hmph." Elder Su snorted, then continued in a grim tone. "The personal abodes of the Ancestral Princes and the other cultivation grounds are restricted."
"The cultivation grounds will only open to the winners of the Qingyu Competition. Before that, entry is strictly forbidden."
His gaze swept across them. Several fox youths clearly wanted to ask questions, but swallowed their words under his scorching stare.
Then his voice turned grave.
"You are absolutely forbidden from entering the Ancestral Princes' palaces. They are protected by terrifying ancient formations. With your current cultivation, you would be obliterated within seconds."
The fox youths shuddered.
Bai Shuo, however, narrowed her eyes. "Formations? Interesting."
Tushan Fei spoke in her usual cool tone. "We can't distinguish restricted areas from the map alone. Do you have a way, Elder Su?"
The others turned to her in admiration. She remained composed — and even dared question him under such pressure.
Tsk… as expected of Sister Fei.
Surprisingly, Elder Su did not flare up. Instead, he nodded approvingly.
"Good question." Then he asked calmly, "What do you think is missing from this map?"
The youths frowned in contemplation.
Bai Shuo didn't bother looking at them. She had already noticed.
"The Sacred Ground isn't there."
Silence.
Everyone froze and turned toward her small, delicate fox form sprawled lazily in Tushan Xin's arms.
Then —
Realization struck.
The Sacred Ground wasn't on the map.
They scanned the diagram again before looking at her, the contempt in their gazes noticeably lessened — though not entirely gone.
Elder Su nodded expressionlessly. "The princess is correct. The Sacred Ground's location is not marked. No one knows precisely where it lies. It is believed to exist in a different realm."
The fox youths' breaths grew heavy.
Their eyes shone brightly as they stared at him.
"That's why," he continued, "although the Sacred Ground is not on the map, each clan possesses an entry formation to it within their palaces."
Confusion spread across their faces as they glanced around the room for any trace of a formation array.
Elder Su said calmly, "Look beneath my feet."
They did and saw nothing unusual.
Their doubtful gazes returned to him.
His eyelid twitched, and he released a resigned sigh before stamping lightly on the floor. Resplendent light burst beneath his feet.
Gasps filled the room.
"A teleportation formation?" Bai Shuo muttered.
Elder Su turned to Tushan Fei. "You asked if I had a way to avoid restricted areas."
He waved his sleeve, and tokens appeared midair before each fox youth.
"This token is unique to our Tushan Clan. Other clans have their own, but all serve the same purpose," he said slowly. "To prevent you from falling into Dao temptation — and to help you identify restricted zones."
The fox youths were stunned.
Prevent Dao temptation?
Then they remembered— Elder Su's earlier warning when they entered the Qingyu Palace.
The Sacred Ground's inheritance is so alluring that cultivators with weak Dao hearts become obsessed and cannot extricate themselves. Some remain inside for years, until their primordial spirits crumble and perish.
Their gazes burned as they stared at the tokens, realizing their true value.
Some began imagining staying longer inside, but Elder Su's next words made them break out in cold sweat.
"These tokens only allow you to remain for two days," he said coolly. "If you refuse to exit after being warned, you have only yourselves to blame."
Then his tone softened slightly.
"After exiting the Sacred Ground, you will be returned here to consolidate your comprehension and wait for me. I will remain inside longer."
"But if you choose to explore the Qingyu Palace," he warned darkly, "you must carry this token at all times. It will ring continuously if you cross into restricted territory — until you retreat."
Their blood surged beneath their skin.
Elder Su waved his hand again. Five gleaming stones flew from his sleeve and embedded themselves into grooves in the floor.
Bai Shuo's eyes widened slightly. "High-grade spirit stones… how extravagant."
The formation array activated.
Elder Su's voice rang out, strained. "Take your tokens and enter. I'm the only one who can activate this formation — and we only have three breaths."
The fox youths noticed his pale face and labored breathing. They immediately lined up according to cultivation realm.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned toward Bai Shuo's small figure.
"Did you forget to give me a token, Elder?"
Elder Su frowned. "Your Highness, forgive me — but you are not eligible to enter the Sacred Ground."
Her eyes turned icy.
"What do you mean?" Prince Shao asked coldly.
Elder Su sighed. "We have no time for this, but her cultivation is too low. Her soul would be torn apart before even reaching the Sacred Ground."
Prince Shao fell silent.
"Pfft—" Someone burst into laughter, and several others wore amused expressions.
Elder Su shot them a glare. "Enter immediately."
Tushan Xin gently set Bai Shuo down, her face full of guilt. "I'm sorry, Shuo'er. Wait for me to come back, okay?"
Bai Shuo didn't even glance at her. Her cold gaze remained fixed on Elder Su.
Prince Shao sighed and stepped into the formation, vanishing from the room.
"Take care, Your Highness," Elder Su said before following.
"Take care?" Bai Shuo sneered softly as she strode toward the teleportation array, which was already dimming.
"Rip apart my soul?" Her eyes glinted coldly. "I want to see how this formation intends to do that."
She stepped forward —
And vanished before the light extinguished.