The central area of Central Spirit State.
There is a thousand-zhang tall mountain, or rather, a towering pillar that reaches the sky, its lofty peak piercing through the clouds.
On this mountain, facing east, west, south, and north, are giant stone carvings of the Four Divine Beasts: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise.
Those with profound strength could perceive a vast pressure contained within those four stone carvings.
At the summit of this mountain, there was even an area a hundred li in circumference, where nearly a hundred palaces were situated, along with over a dozen massive plazas.
On a ten-zhang tall boulder in the central plaza, the three large characters Heavenly Severance Manor were inscribed.
Today was Heavenly Severance Manor's annual disciple competition.
At this moment, the plaza was packed with people, watching the youths in brown uniforms fighting back and forth on the central stage.
Just then, a warship sailed from the horizon.
"Look, the Third Elder is back." some disciples exclaimed upon seeing it.
Mo Shanhe on the warship nodded slightly towards the crowd below, while Baili Changkong, still in shock, had been awestruck by the grand and majestic aura ever since entering this area.
Especially the Azure Dragon stone carving in front of the mountain gate; the pressure it emitted almost made him lose his composure.
Mo Shanhe's return did not disrupt the ongoing competition among the disciples. He walked directly towards the main seat not far away.
The one presiding over this year's competition was none other than the First Elder, Great Elder Tu Zhan.
On the main seat sat an old man with white hair and beard, dressed in simple coarse cloth, holding a whisk, looking like a reclusive immortal.
"That is our sect's First Elder. The Sect Master is in seclusion, so this competition was organized by the First Elder. Remember to be respectful later," Mo Shanhe whispered to Baili Changkong.
Baili Changkong hastily assented.
"Third Elder, you're back. What was your harvest this time?" A voice came from the main seat; it was Great Elder Tu Zhan's voice.
"Hahaha, First Elder, on this patrol, I obtained five fifth-grade demonic beast cores and fifty fourth-grade ones," Mo Shanhe said.
Mo Shanhe on the main seat nodded slightly, quite satisfied with this result. One must know that a fifth-grade demonic beast's realm is comparable to a Spirit Severing Realm existence, and for the Third Elder, whose own strength is at the peak of the Spirit Severing Realm, to obtain five was truly remarkable.
Great Elder Tu Zhan then noticed Baili Changkong, whose clothes were tattered, standing behind Mo Shanhe.
"Third Elder, who is this?"
"Hahaha, First Elder, it's quite a coincidence. This is Baili Changkong, the Sect Master of the Fallen Cloud Sect from Southern Desolate Barren."
Mo Shanhe then briefly explained the general situation to the First Elder.
After listening, Great Elder Tu Zhan looked at Baili Changkong.
"Sect Master Bai Li, is what the Third Elder just said true?"
Baili Changkong immediately knelt and said to Great Elder Tu Zhan.
"What the Third Elder said is true. I was entrusted by my ancestor, Baili Tunji, to come to Heavenly Severance Manor to seek an audience with the First Elder."
Great Elder Tu Zhan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.
"What does the matter of your Southern Desolate Barren have to do with me? I merely had a fleeting acquaintance with your ancestor once. Now your sect wants to settle a score, and you expect me to travel thousands of miles to help. Do you think I have that obligation?" Great Elder Tu Zhan suddenly spoke, his tone slightly colder.
The Third Elder beside him also sensed it and stood by, saying nothing.
"First Elder, please calm your anger. Of course, I wouldn't ask for your help in vain. I have a personal letter from my ancestor here for you to review before making your judgment."
Baili Changkong tremblingly pulled out a sealed letter from his storage ring and handed it over.
Great Elder Tu Zhan waved his hand slightly, and the letter flew directly into his grasp.
"I hope this letter is worth it, that it can make me help your sect once," Great Elder Tu Zhan said, holding the envelope in his hand, slowly tearing it open.
As the envelope was opened, Baili Changkong prayed in his heart that the secret within would move this First Elder of Heavenly Severance Manor.
As the envelope in Great Elder Tu Zhan's hand was slowly opened, Great Elder Tu Zhan also began to read the contents carefully.
The Third Elder beside him was also a bit worried. After all, he was the one who brought him back. If he upset the First Elder, he might be ostracized by him in the future. He knew that the First Elder seemed kind on the surface, but his true nature was the opposite.
When Great Elder Tu Zhan saw the top-secret information inside, he immediately sat up from his chair.
Mo Shanhe, who was standing by, was startled by the First Elder's action.
He thought that the contents of the letter had displeased the First Elder.
"Someone, seize this man."
He then pointed at Baili Changkong and shouted.
Several middle-aged men with Nascent Soul Realm cultivation rushed out and surrounded Baili Changkong.
Just then, First Elder Great Elder Tu Zhan reacted and folded the letter in his hand.
"Wait, all of you step down. Sect Master Bai Li is an honoured guest of our sect; how can you treat him like this? Shanhe, you temporarily preside over this competition for me. Sect Master Bai Li and I have important matters to discuss." Great Elder Tu Zhan said to Mo Shanhe.
Mo Shanhe hastily assented, but he wondered what kind of matter could make the First Elder so agitated just now.
Could it be that this Sect Master of the Fallen Cloud Sect brought some shocking secret?
Thus, Mo Shanhe watched as Great Elder Tu Zhan led Baili Changkong into the main hall.
In the main hall, as the large doors closed, Great Elder Tu Zhan ordered all attendants to stand outside, then looked at Baili Changkong.
"Sect Master Bai Li, have you read this letter? Or has your ancestor told you what this letter says?"
Baili Changkong quickly said.
"First Elder, I do know the contents of this letter. My ancestor specifically instructed that this letter must be delivered to you personally."
Great Elder Tu Zhan nodded upon hearing this.
"Good, I agree to your Fallen Cloud Sect's request. But tell me, is the expert at your Dragon Phoenix Mountain truly that terrifyingly strong?"
Baili Changkong gritted his teeth and said.
"Yes, First Elder, that person's strength is not something my sect's ancestor can contend with. According to my ancestor's estimation, this person has likely already reached the Dao Integration Realm, or even higher."
Great Elder Tu Zhan snorted upon hearing this.
"You're quite good at talking nonsense. To reach above the Dao Integration Realm at that desolate place, do you think Dao Integration Realm cultivators are as common as cabbages? Most of us, with our vast resources, haven't even reached that realm. And you say that man is already above the Dao Integration Realm?"
Baili Changkong felt his scalp tingle. He now didn't know what the First Elder was thinking, whether he believed what he said or not.
He hardened his heart and said to Great Elder Tu Zhan.
"Since the First Elder doesn't believe me, then there's no need for me to stay. The message that needed to be delivered has already been given to you, old sir. Whether you believe it or not is up to your own discretion." After speaking, he turned and walked towards the main door.
Great Elder Tu Zhan watched him, saying nothing more.
Just as Baili Changkong was about to open the door.
"Wait." Great Elder Tu Zhan's voice came.
"I can believe you. This matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with the Sect Master after he comes out of seclusion before making a final decision. I will arrange for your safe return to Southern Desolate Barren."
Hearing this, Baili Changkong breathed a sigh of relief. He turned and bowed to Great Elder Tu Zhan.
"Thank you, First Elder. I will go ahead and inform my ancestor of this matter. We will prepare to welcome your arrival."
Great Elder Tu Zhan responded with a sound and then disappeared into the main hall, while Baili Changkong also stepped out of the main hall.