82: Immortal Tomb

On the high platform, Li Cen and Ji Yanshuang's bodies trembled simultaneously.

Dao Changge... he was the pride of Heavenly Sword Peak and the future hope of the Sect.

Now, the Sect Head was actually placing this bald kid before them on an equal footing?

This shock... left their hearts filled with mixed emotions—bitterness, shock, and confusion intertwined, ultimately leaving only a deep sense of powerlessness.

They looked at Yao Delong with extremely complex gazes; the previous eagerness to snatch him up had long been extinguished by ice-cold water.

In its place was an indescribable absurdity and... a hint of regret they were unwilling to admit—

Had they known this day would come, why bother stopping Leng Yuekui back then?

"Yao Delong,"

Sect Head White Cloud Master's gaze fixed on the figure below who had become the absolute focus of the entire venue, his voice grand.

"Step forward!"

Under the gaze of countless eyes filled with extreme complexity, Yao Delong's expression remained calm.

With steady steps, he walked to the center of the square and bowed deeply toward the high platform:

"Disciple Yao Delong thanks the Sect Head for his great kindness and the Peak Masters for their recognition!"

White Cloud Master nodded slightly, the approval in his eyes deepening. His gaze swept across the venue, and his voice resonated through the clouds:

"I also announce the top three of this Inner Sect Assessment:"

"First place: Luoxia Peak, Yao Delong!"

"Second place: Spirit Water Peak, Lin Shishi!"

"Third place: Chiyan Peak, Xiao Huohuo!"

"These three have performed exceptionally and should serve as role models for their peers! I specially grant them—the qualification to explore the first layer of the 'Immortal Mausoleum' Secret Realm!

In three days, gather at the entrance of the Forbidden Ground on the Back Mountain!"

Immortal Mausoleum Secret Realm!

These words once again caused a massive stir among the crowd of Disciples!

That was one of the oldest Secret Realms controlled by the Sect, containing countless opportunities!

Only Disciples with extraordinary talent or great merit had the chance to enter!

Yao Delong, Lin Shishi, and Xiao Huohuo responded in unison: "Thank you, Sect Head!"

The Identity jade token of a Core Disciple floated into Yao Delong's hand, feeling as warm as jade to the touch.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi, Yao Delong did not linger. The Flying Sword beneath his feet hummed softly.

Turning into an unpretentious but extremely fast green rainbow, it shot straight toward the familiar thatched cottage on Luoxia Peak.

As his figure disappeared into the horizon, the clamor and shock at the Stone Pillar Square continued to ferment.

The name "Yao Delong" was once again etched into the hearts of countless people, but this time, it was spread under the title of a Prodigy.

Tuyao Peak, Meng Bi's courtyard.

Meng Bi stood with his back to the door, hands behind his back, appearing steady, but his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed his inner anxiety.

The confidant he had sent to gather news had just left, and the news brought was like ice water poured over his head.

"Top of the Inner Sect Assessment... Core Disciple... Immortal Mausoleum qualification..."

"How is it possible! How could he...!"

Meng Bi turned around abruptly, his sinister face filled with twisted rage and disbelief.

"A trash with a Spiritual Power Affinity of 2! A joke for eighty years! On what basis does he have this!!"

Roars echoed in the quiet room. Core Disciple! Meng Bi knew all too well what this status meant!

It meant that Yao Delong's name had already entered the Dharma Eye of the Sect Head and the various Peak Masters, and it meant he would enjoy the Sect's special protection and resource priority!

It meant that he, Meng Bi, could no longer easily move against him within the Sect's rules!

"Moving against him within the Sect... the risk is too great!"

Meng Bi forced himself to calm down, his eyes flashing with a ruthless light.

"That old woman Leng Yuekui is at the Late Stage Soul Transformation, plus the Sect rules... once the matter is exposed, even Grandfather might not be able to protect me!"

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging hostility.

Just then, the shadow in the corner of the quiet room began to wriggle like a living thing.

Silently.

Six figures dressed in pitch-black tight-fitting martial attire, their faces covered by masks with no features except for two crimson slits.

They emerged as if from the netherworld and quietly knelt before Meng Bi.

Three Middle Golden Core Stages, two Late Golden Core Stages, and one... Golden Core Perfection!

These were the true elites he had transferred from the Marquiss Residence through Family channels—the "Blood Vulture" Dead soldiers!

This force was enough to wipe out a small Sect with a weak Foundation in a short time!

"Subordinates pay their respects to the Young Master."

The six spoke in unison, their voices hoarse and dry, devoid of any emotion, like the sound of metal rubbing together.

Looking at these six figures emitting terrifying auras.

Meng Bi's racing heart finally settled slightly, and a sense of pleasure from controlling life and death welled up in his heart.

"Very good!"

Meng Bi's voice returned to its cold tone, carrying an unquestionable command.

"The target is Yao Delong. A Disciple of Luoxia Peak, who has just been promoted to an inner Sect Core Disciple.

For the next few days, you will lie low within the Sect. I will send someone to notify you when there are instructions!"

"Yes!" The six cold voices rang out simultaneously.

"Go, hide your tracks, and wait for the Opportunity." Meng Bi waved his hand.

The six black shadows vanished silently into the shadows like ink dissolving in water, as if they had never appeared.

Meng Bi hadn't expected that this trash Yao Delong would already be so difficult to kill.

He then called Meng Lang and told him to keep an eye on Yao Delong's movements at all times.

Meanwhile, deep within the Sect, in the Law Enforcement Hall's great hall.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the cold stone hall.

A middle-aged Cultivator with a square face and eyes as sharp as a falcon—

Liu Tianzheng, the Head of the Law Enforcement Hall (Nascent Soul Great Perfection), was listening to the report of a confidant Disciple.

When he heard the keywords "Zhenyuan Marquiss Residence," "six elite Dead soldiers," and "suspected targeting of Yao Delong,"

His seated posture did not change at all, but his eyes, which could see through everything, narrowed slightly.

"Watch their movements."

Liu Tianzheng's voice was not loud, but it carried a cold, hard majesty like metal rubbing together,

Resonating clearly in the empty hall and reaching the ears of every Disciple on duty in every corner,

"Lurking and spying, as long as they do not touch the core of the Sect, they can be ignored for the time being."

He paused for a moment. An immense and cold pressure, though deliberately restrained, still made the Disciples below catch their breath. "But,"

His gaze swept across the huge relief in front of the hall representing the Sect's discipline, his voice decisive:

"If there is even the slightest act of violating the Sect rules, or anything that harms the Foundation and interests of my Yin Yang Sect and the safety of its disciples—no matter who is behind them,"

"Execute them on the spot! No need to ask for instructions!"

"Yes!" Several cold and firm voices responded simultaneously from the corners of the hall and then faded away, like law enforcement swords lurking in the shadows.

Spirit Plant Peak, main hall.

Inside the hall, which was filled with the thick fragrance of plants, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Vice Peak Master Bai Lengchan stood respectfully with her hands down, reporting the results of the Inner Sect Assessment, especially Yao Delong's performance and status.

In detail, she reported to the figure sitting at the head.

Spirit Plant Peak's Peak Master, Luo Baiya, dressed in an elegant robe, had his eyes closed.

His fingers unconsciously tapped on the thousand-year-old spirit wood armrest beneath him, making a dull thumping sound.

After Bai Lengchan finished her report, the hall fell into a brief silence.

"That's enough, you may leave now!" Luo Baiya waved his hand, showing no emotion.

"Yes." Bai Lengchan did not dare to ask more, bowed, and withdrew from the hall.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

When the first ray of morning light pierced through the clouds, Yao Delong, Lin Shishi, and Xiao Huohuo...

Appeared almost simultaneously beside the huge stone tablet engraved with the words "Forbidden Ground" at the Back Mountain of the Sect.

The stone tablet was simple and ancient, covered with profound and difficult-to-understand runes, emitting an ancient and heavy aura.

An old man with white hair and beard, dressed in a simple gray robe, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed on a prayer mat in front of the stone tablet.

His aura was restrained to the extreme, like an ordinary stone in the mountains.