Do you have a brain freeze?

As they approached, they could see scattered figures gathered beyond the Mountain Pass ahead, indicating that several groups of people were already waiting there.

They were vaguely visible, occupying the surroundings and divided into three factions.

These were clearly the people from the three Sects in the South Border that Sect Leader Lan Tianhe had mentioned earlier, who held the other three iron pieces.

The arrival of the Zhan Yue Sect party naturally drew their attention.

Upon nearing, the first thing they saw, to the southeast of the Mountain Pass, was a group of Cultivators dressed in white robes or palace gowns.

This group of Cultivators consisted of both men and women, but almost all of them were strikingly handsome, with extraordinary temperaments and aloof expressions, appearing somewhat unapproachable.

Most conspicuous were the two leading figures, especially the one at the very front, who appeared to be around thirty years old, with long flowing hair, sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and fair skin—a handsome man.

This man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding a cold and detached aura.

Upon seeing Sect Leader Lan Tianhe arrive, he nodded slightly.

"Sect Master Ming."

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe also nodded in return, then spoke, "Sect Master Ming, you have indeed come."

He then looked at the young woman behind him, who was dressed in a white palace gown, tall and slender, with a cold and elegant demeanor, yet possessing an exquisitely beautiful face.

"This must be your Mirror Heart Lake's new Saintess, Ming Suxin, is it not? She is truly extraordinary."

The woman also bowed slightly, saluting Sect Leader Lan Tianhe.

"Ming Suxin greets Sect Master Lan."

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe nodded in response, while simultaneously sending a voice transmission to Zhong Qing to introduce her.

"These are people from Mirror Heart Lake, a first-rate Sect in the southwest of the South Border. Mirror Heart Lake has a long Legacy, profound foundations, and its strength is no less than that of my Zhan Yue Sect."

"That Sect Master Ming Yuexian, his cultivation has already reached the Sanyin Realm, and he is unfathomable."

Zhong Qing hadn't expected Sect Leader Lan Tianhe to introduce him voluntarily, so he said nothing more, merely nodding in response.

However, Sect Master Ming Yuexian of Mirror Heart Lake swept his gaze over Zhong Qing.

At the same time, people from the other two Sects also approached.

"Isn't this Sect Master Lan Tianhe? You are truly late; this Master thought you weren't coming."

As another group of Cultivators, dressed in Sect uniforms with blue and white patterns, approached, they too possessed an extraordinary demeanor, but their every gesture seemed to exude an air of arrogance.

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe frowned almost imperceptibly upon seeing them, then smiled indifferently.

"Sect Master Han is joking. If we didn't come, how would you open the Secret Realm entrance?"

"If the Secret Realm couldn't be opened, wouldn't it be a wasted trip?"

At the same time, he sent a voice transmission to Zhong Qing.

"Little Friend Zhong, be careful."

"These are Cultivators from the Frost Sword Sect."

"The Frost Sword Sect is a newly risen first-rate Sect in our South Border in recent years."

"However, their strength is formidable, no less than that of the old first-rate powers, and they are extremely aggressive, constantly expanding in all directions, having already annihilated many Sect forces."

"They always act arrogantly and recklessly; do not get close to them."

Among the newcomers, the leader was a tall, thin, middle-aged man with a somewhat sinister face, carrying a sword case on his back. Upon hearing this, he sneered, "That's right. It is said that at least four fragments are needed to open the Secret Realm."

"But only when all six fragments are gathered can the Secret Realm be fully opened. Even if our four families are gathered, that's only four pieces."

"This Master has sent people to search for the other two fragments for many years, but with no success."

"Unexpectedly, I encountered them today."

"It truly is a case of searching high and low for something, only to find it effortlessly."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Zhong Qing, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"This person doesn't seem to be from the Zhan Yue Sect, does he?"

This person, as introduced by Sect Leader Lan Tianhe, was Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect, the Sect Master of the Frost Sword Sect, also a powerful expert of the Sanyin Realm.

Zhong Qing's attire and cultivation aura were completely different from those of the Zhan Yue Sect members, so it was natural for him to be recognized at a glance.

More importantly, because both sides possessed Secret Realm iron pieces, there was no doubt that Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect must have sensed the two Secret Realm iron pieces on Zhong Qing.

"May I ask who this person is? To possess two iron pieces alone."

At this moment, the people from the last Sect also approached.

This group was dressed in black, with vicious Dragon embroidered in gold thread on their bodies, exuding an uncontrollable fierce aura.

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe sent a voice transmission to introduce them to Zhong Qing.

These people were from the Black Serpent Sect of the Black Water Marsh in the southwest of the South Border.

It is said that a True Dragon once left its Bloodline in the Black Water Marsh, and now countless Black Water Flood Dragons have multiplied there.

The Black Serpent Sect has a secret Cultivation Technique that allows them to tame Black Serpents and refine the Black Serpent Evil Qi into their bodies to cultivate the Black Serpent Profound Demonic Body. Their strength is formidable, making them one of the long-standing first-rate powers in the South Border.

Although their geographical location has prevented their influence from expanding beyond the Black Water Marsh, making them seem less aggressive than the Frost Sword Sect.

However, due to the influence of their Cultivation Technique, the people of their Sect are fierce and overbearing in their actions, even surpassing the Frost Sword Sect.

The one leading the group this time was the Sect Master of the Black Serpent Sect, a tall, burly man with a fierce expression and pale skin, with a corner of a Dragon pattern vaguely visible on his neck.

His name was Gongsun Liao, also a Sanyin Realm expert, whose strength was so great that even Sect Leader Lan Tianhe admitted he might not be able to defeat him.

At this point, the four major Sects who had obtained the other four iron pieces were all gathered here.

Facing Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect's inquiry, Sect Leader Lan Tianhe calmly said, "This is Little Friend Zhong Qing. We met on the road, and he happens to possess the last two Secret Realm iron pieces."

"With his iron pieces, we are certain to open the complete Secret Realm this time, which is truly fortunate."

Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect showed a cold sneer, "Is that so?"

He looked at Zhong Qing, "Kid, where did you get your Secret Realm iron pieces?"

Zhong Qing glanced at him indifferently, "Does it concern you?"

Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect's gaze turned cold, and he said in a chilling voice, "My Sect found a trace of a Secret Realm iron piece some years ago, but it was later stolen."

"I suspect that you are the one who stole the iron piece."

"Hand over the iron piece and let this Master see it."

Zhong Qing turned his head, looking at Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect with a gaze that suggested he was looking at an idiot, "Did your brain freeze?"

Han Mingfeng, Sect Leader of Shuangjian Sect was instantly enraged, "Kid, how dare you speak to this Master like that?"

As his words fell, a chilling and terrifying Sword Intent emanated from his entire body, as he glared at Zhong Qing.

"I'll give you one chance now. Hand over the iron piece, and this Master can pretend nothing happened."

Gongsun Liao, the Sect Master of the Black Serpent Sect, with a pair of fierce eyes, scrutinized Zhong Qing up and down, then suddenly revealed a sinister smile.

"Kid, don't you have two iron pieces? Hand both iron pieces over to me and Sect Master Han, and we will let you leave safely. How does that sound?"

However, Zhong Qing still appeared completely unconcerned, directly ignoring both of them.

As Sect Masters of first-rate Sects in the North Region South Border, figures who could cause a regional stir with a mere stomp of their feet, when had they ever been treated with such contempt?

Instantly, they were furious. Gongsun Liao's face showed a fierce glint, and he was about to make a move.