Li Yunmian led the pair toward the wordless stone stele.

The closer they approached, the thicker the ancient, desolate aura became. It felt as though the air itself had solidified into amber from a forgotten epoch.

Beneath the stele, the two figures grew distinct.

Fu Weilun sat cross-legged, wreath in swirling poison mist. His aura was cold and sinister—he had already reached the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment.

Beside him sat an old man with thin lips and a grim, hawk-like face. Dressed in black robes, his eyes snapped open as they approached, shooting out cold, piercing light.

When the old man recognized Li Yunmian, his expression shifted. He retracted his Aura Pressure, stood up, and cupped his hands in a formal greeting.

“Ah, Elder Yunmian of Calamity Abyss Valley. What an honor. I am Fu Hongchang of the Fu Family, an Elder of the Yin Ruins Sect. I never expected to encounter a fellow Daoist in such a place.

“Since our sects are allied, sharing both glory and disgrace, why don’t we each rely on our own abilities? We comprehend ours, you comprehend yours. No interference.”

Fu Hongchang inwardly cursed his rotten luck.

The secret of the riverbed was a clue his family had spent immense resources to uncover. He had planned to bring his nephew here to monopolize the opportunity.

But his Master had detected something amiss and dispatched two Golden Core seniors to “assist.” Thankfully, the Master was tied up with the Righteous-Demonic War. Fu Hongchang had spent considerable effort tricking those two seniors into exploring the upper levels, allowing him to sneak Fu Weilun down here.

Success was within reach… and then he ran into Li Yunmian, a mid-Golden Core calamity.

Li Yunmian hated trouble. Fighting was the definition of trouble.

Seeing the other party so tactful, she waved her hand dismissively.

“Since we’re on the same side, that makes it simple. You do your thing, we’ll do ours. Well water doesn’t mix with river water.”

Fu Hongchang nodded rapidly, his mind racing with calculations.

Meanwhile, Zhou Kai took advantage of the standoff to take a half-step back, lifting his gaze to the strange water ceiling above.

In the Golden Core trial grounds, sinister winds howled. Two Golden Core cultivators were locked in a savage deathmatch. Corpse-demons roared and vengeful ghosts wailed. It was unclear if they were fighting over treasure or if the Secret Realm’s rules forced the conflict.

His gaze shifted to the Foundation Establishment grounds.

Only three figures remained. They were enveloped in a faint spiritual light, surrounded by the corpses of Yin Ruins Sect and Fu Family disciples.

Zhou Kai recognized that glow—it was identical to the spiritual essence in the Aurora Cave on Yantian Peak.

Does spiritual essence benefit spirit pets too?

Finally, he looked at the Qi Condensation grounds. Li Qiwen was dragging Gao Feiyang, sprinting through zones and shouting anxiously. He was undoubtedly searching for his “missing” sister.

Zhou Kai relaxed. Since all three Golden Core threats were accounted for, Shen Hanyi and Fish Baibai were safe.

Wait.

Where was Li Youci? She should have been in the upper levels.

His gaze involuntarily drifted to the haughty maid beside him—”Xia Min.”

An absurd yet terrifyingly logical thought sprouted in his mind.

Li Youci and Xia Min… have never appeared in the same place at the same time.

He recalled “Xia Min’s” strange behavior when he treated Shen Hanyi. Her inexplicable disdain. That look of contempt was a carbon copy of Li Youci’s “trash-viewing” gaze.

This Xia Min… aside from lower cultivation, her vibe was identical to the Grand Miss.

And Li Youci definitely cultivates the Cicada Raiment Art!

What game is she playing?

Just as his thoughts spiraled, Li Yunmian’s lazy voice cut in. She gestured with her chin toward Zhou Kai and addressed Fu Hongchang.

“Elder Fu, this person is a disciple of your Yin Ruins Sect. I’m returning the property to its owner. He’s an eyesore to me.”

Fu Hongchang’s eyelid twitched. He could tell at a glance this wasn’t Su Tai.

He waved his hands frantically. “Elder Yunmian, you jest. This person has shifty eyes and a rat-like face. He must be a scoundrel impersonating our disciple. He has no relation to the Yin Ruins Sect or the Fu Family!”

“Oh?” Li Yunmian drew the word out, feigning belief. “In that case…”

She waved her hand casually.

Snap.

Zhou Kai felt the black talisman in his Consciousness Sea shatter like ice. The mental gag was gone!

He didn’t hesitate. With a thought, the Cicada Raiment dissolved, revealing his true face.

“Han Cheng! It’s you!”

A roar of shock, fury, and boundless resentment exploded.

The instant Fu Weilun saw Zhou Kai’s face, his eyes turned blood-red. He sprang from the ground, poison mist roiling, and lunged straight at Zhou Kai’s throat!

“Weilun, stop!” Fu Hongchang’s face paled. He grabbed his impulsive nephew and held him back.

“Hmm?” Li Yunmian let out a fake gasp of surprise. Her beautiful eyes swept over Zhou Kai with amusement. “So my dear disciple isn’t Zhou Kai, but Han Cheng? Tsk tsk, you certainly hid it deep enough.”

Zhou Kai felt utterly helpless.

He braced himself, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Li Yunmian. “Disciple Zhou Kai pays his respects to Master!”

Then, he turned his head. His gaze burned into “Xia Min.”

His eyes held a mix of mockery, understanding, and profound meaning.

“Xia Min’s” heart skipped a beat under his stare. She hurriedly looked away, snapping defensively.

“What are you looking at! Lecher! My Young Miss already rewarded you with one maid. Are you trying to push your luck and ask for a second?”

“Alright, alright.” Li Yunmian ignored Fu Weilun’s murderous glare. Like a lazy manager, she shooed them away. “You two, stop standing there like idiots. Go comprehend the stele. Once you get something, copy it onto a Jade Slip for me.”

With that, she took a seemingly casual step to the side—placing herself squarely between them and the Fu duo.

Zhou Kai swallowed a Mind-Calming Pill. He took a deep breath, purged all distractions, and slowly extended his Divine Sense toward the ancient stone stele.

Contact.

BOOM!

An indescribably vast, ancient, and mysterious torrent of information crashed into his mind like the Milky Way pouring from the Ninth Heaven!

Zhou Kai had dumped every available stat point into Comprehension. His aptitude was terrifyingly high—only marginally lower than Shen Hanyi’s.

Countless profound insights flooded his soul.

HUMMM—!

A deep, resonant hum vibrated through the cavern.

The wordless stone stele, silent for eons, erupted with blinding gray-white light!

A massive pillar of energy shot skyward. It pierced the water ceiling, punched through the earth, and soared straight into the clouds, illuminating the entire underground space as bright as day!

This sudden spectacle stunned everyone—including the cultivators fighting above.

“This… this is impossible?!”

Fu Hongchang cried out, his voice cracking. His eyes filled with greed and disbelief.

He and his nephew had spent four months here and only grasped a sliver of understanding. This kid just sat down and triggered a heaven-piercing phenomenon instantly?!

“Xia Min’s” red lips parted. Her beautiful eyes were wide with shock.

She possessed a Heaven-Grade Spirit Root. She considered her talent peerless, second only to Shen Hanyi. Even she had only gained a vague sense of understanding upon contact.

But this guy… he just pierced the heavens?!

What kind of monster is he?

Li Yunmian’s lazy expression finally cracked. Her elegant brows rose, and genuine curiosity flashed in her eyes.

This cheap disciple… seems I really picked up a treasure. No wonder Youci is so obsessed.

On the other side, Fu Weilun’s face twisted with jealousy and hate.

“Third Uncle!” He sent a frantic voice transmission, his mental voice screeching. “It’s him! He’s Lin Zhiwei’s lover! He ruined our family’s plans! He cannot leave this place alive!”

Fu Hongchang’s eyes flickered rapidly.

Li Yunmian was a massive problem. But the supreme legacy inside that stele was worth risking everything.

A trace of ruthlessness hardened his gaze.

He transmitted back: “Weilun, stay calm! Wait until he fully obtains the legacy. I will give you a Death Mountain Nail! I will stall Li Yunmian. You strike with thunderous force—swift and decisive! Kill him, and we will Soul Search the corpse!”