"Yes, my target is indeed Yun Shan." Xiao Zhitian nodded.
"I'll go out and take a look, lest he harm my people. You go to the side hall first. I'll bring him there later."
After Medusa finished speaking, she transformed into a streak of light and flew outside.
Shui Ye led Yun Yun to the side hall of the Snake-People Temple. Yun Yun stood before Xiao Zhitian, helped him straighten his clothes, and said softly, "I hope you can have a good talk with Master. You must also protect yourself. I don't want either of you to get hurt if you end up fighting."
"Alright, you call the shots." Xiao Zhitian playfully flicked Yun Yun's nose.
"Don't treat me like a child and coax me." Yun Yun said shyly, but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes—clearly not as annoyed as her words suggested.
Xiao Zhitian had Shui Ye hide Yun Yun in the nearby void, since Yun Yun wanted to watch the negotiation.
Yun Shan and Queen Medusa met outside Serpent-People City.
Medusa looked at the man before her and said coldly, "Yun Shan, I thought you had already died of old age in the Cloud Mist Sect. I didn't expect you to actually break through to Dou Zong."
"Queen Medusa, you jest. I was merely waiting for an opportunity to break through. That is why I did not appear for so long."Yun Shan stood calmly in the void as he spoke.
"You captured Yun'er and Gu He—were you trying to confirm whether I was still alive?"
"The one who wants to see you this time is not me. If you wish to rescue them, then follow me. I'll take you to him."
Yun Shan was slightly surprised that someone else wanted to meet him. However, thinking of his current Dou Zong strength, he believed he could handle anything.
Seeing Medusa turn around, Yun Shan followed closely behind.
Medusa brought Yun Shan to the side hall—a vast reception chamber. Xiao Zhitian sat on the left seat beneath the main throne.
Medusa did not take the main seat. Instead, she sat beside Xiao Zhitian, clearly indicating that this meeting centered around him.
When Yun Shan entered, Xiao Zhitian smiled faintly.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Sect Leader Yun. You've finally arrived."
Yun Shan stood at the center of the hall, studying the young man seated before him. He was slightly surprised by Xiao Zhitian's age, yet the fact that Medusa was cooperating with him proved he was no ordinary person.
He could not sense any cultivation aura from Xiao Zhitian, but he did not dare underestimate him.
"May I ask whose successor this young friend is?" Yun Shan asked with a polite, yet insincere smile.
"I am Xiao Zhitian." Xiao Zhitian replied calmly.
"You captured Yun'er and Gu He just to see me. May I ask what your intention is?"Yun Shan sat on the chair opposite him, going straight to the point.
"Since Sect Leader Yun asked directly, I won't beat around the bush." Xiao Zhitian sat upright, his gaze meeting Yun Shan's."My purpose is simple: to save the Cloud Mist Sect—and your life, Sect Leader Yun."
"You arrogant brat, spouting nonsense!" Yun Shan's aura surged violently. He pressed his pressure toward Xiao Zhitian and flicked out a sword-shaped Dou Qi with his finger.
Xiao Zhitian crushed the card in his hand.
"No!" Yun Yun cried out involuntarily from within the spatial realm when she saw the attack flying toward him.
Medusa's Dou Qi instantly surged, preparing to intervene.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
Xiao Zhitian glanced at Yun Shan. In the next instant, both the oppressive aura and the Dou Qi attack vanished without a trace.
Xiao Zhitian slowly rose, standing in the void as he looked down at Yun Shan.
"I originally didn't want to use force, but it seems we can't talk otherwise. Sect Leader Yun, your composure is admirable—but your strength is somewhat lacking."
A terrifying nine-star Dou Zong aura erupted from Xiao Zhitian, pressing down on Yun Shan like a mountain.
Yun Shan circulated his Dou Qi desperately, struggling to resist."A nine-star Dou Zong? But this must be some secret technique. You can't maintain it for long, can you?"
"True," Xiao Zhitian replied calmly. "But that time is more than enough for me to kill you several times. Would you like to test it?"
Yun Shan felt as though he were being targeted by something terrifying.
"Now, Sect Leader Yun, are you willing to calm down and continue our discussion?"
"Yes."Yun Shan answered with difficulty, forcing himself to remain upright.
Xiao Zhitian withdrew his aura and returned to his seat.
The moment his aura vanished, the chairs around Yun Shan instantly crumbled into dust.
Yun Yun and Medusa both released quiet sighs of relief when they saw that a true battle had been avoided.
The two women, watching from different spaces, stared at Xiao Zhitian with wide eyes—as if seeing him anew.
"May I ask what you meant about the Cloud Mist Sect and my life?"Yun Shan asked calmly, as though he had not just been overwhelmed moments ago.
Seeing his composure, Xiao Zhitian sighed inwardly. Yun Shan was indeed an ambitious and deeply cunning man, capable of controlling his emotions perfectly.
"You were able to break through to Dou Zong because you cooperated with them, and they helped you, correct?"
Yun Shan's heart shook violently, but his expression remained calm."I don't understand what you mean by 'them.'"
"The Hall of Souls."Xiao Zhitian exposed it directly, giving Yun Shan no room to hide.
Yun Shan slowly raised his head, his gaze solemn."Who are you? How do you know this?"
"Who I am isn't important. What matters is that I came to discuss a collaboration."
"Collaboration?" Yun Shan narrowed his eyes. "And what can this Sect Leader gain from collaborating with you?"
Xiao Zhitian appeared before Yun Shan in an instant. Before Yun Shan could react, he extended a finger and gently tapped Yun Shan's forehead.
"You only broke through with the help of a Protector of the Hall of Souls. Naturally, your soul has been branded. When the time comes, they can easily harvest your soul. Feel it yourself."
Yun Shan was about to resist, but upon hearing this, he immediately examined his soul and discovered a black mark hidden deep within it.
Within the mark lingered the aura of Protector Wu—normally concealed, but now revealed under Xiao Zhitian's influence.
Yun Shan clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
"This is the Hall of Souls' method. They would never cooperate without leaving insurance behind. Working with them truly is walking into a tiger's den."
"What do you need me to do for this collaboration?"Yun Shan finally asked calmly.
"You help me restrain him, then cooperate with me to secretly capture him alive. I need intelligence from him."Xiao Zhitian continued, and a talisman appeared in his hand."As a reward, you can take them back. This is a Soul Purification Talisman. It can remove the mark from your soul."
"Is this real?"Yun Shan stared at the yellow talisman, frowning slightly.
"You can sense it, but don't use it yet. If you remove the mark now, the Hall of Souls will definitely notice—and your Cloud Mist Sect may suffer a devastating blow."
Yun Shan took the talisman and tested it. After confirming its effect, his tense expression finally eased.
"Keep this talisman. When you act against him, you can use it then. After everything is done, you will be free. I will not interfere with your interests, nor will I meddle in your affairs."
Yun Shan fell into deep contemplation. After weighing the benefits, he slowly opened his eyes and looked