This person stepped forward. "Master Yun, there's no need to rush. All I wish to confirm is whether Master Yun intends to take only the items within the boxes and relinquish the right to select any other items." Wang Tiangu spoke calmly. "The items within the boxes, Master Yun, I naturally must examine first. If they prove entirely useless, shall I then be expected to make a selection?" The elder named Yun regained his composure, yet spoke to Wang Tiangu with directness. "If I'm not mistaken, we agreed with both of you that we would first select two treasures, and then divide the remainder equally. But Master, do you believe that after selecting these three jade boxes, there will still be enough left for us to share equally?" Wang Tiangu showed no sign of apprehension. Instead, he glanced at the three solitary jade boxes on the bed, and spoke calmly. "What is your plan, Master? Please state it plainly. Do you intend to back out?" Nan Long Marquis stepped forward several paces, standing side by side with the elder, his gaze sweeping over the three members of Gui Ling Sect, his expression now somewhat ominous. "Master Wang has absolutely no intention of breaking his word. Yet the treasures on these two floors are rather scarce. Moreover, this jade box cannot be directly inspected through spiritual awareness—thus, it is clear that whatever lies within must be among the most precious items in the entire pavilion. Perhaps even Master Chengkun's profound cultivation techniques and the hidden secrets concerning the Fallen Demon Valley are sealed inside. Under such circumstances, would it not be rather unreasonable for the two of you to insist on assessing the value of each item within the box before deciding whether to take it or not?" Wang Tiangu calmly smiled, his expression composed. "Unreasonable! I personally remember the friends having explicitly promised us that we would have first priority in selecting the treasures. As for the scarcity of items, what does that have to do with us?" The elder with the cloud surname frowned, speaking coldly. "That may not be quite accurate. The treasures on these two floors remain at your disposal for first choice. However, the jade box need not be opened and thoroughly examined. Should you still feel uncertain, you are entirely free to choose other items instead. For instance, the cold jade bed before you is itself a rare and valuable treasure." For cultivators practicing techniques with a cold, yin nature, this was truly invaluable. Unexpectedly, the elderly woman stepped forward to offer her support. Upon hearing this, Nan Long Hou's expression grew even more somber. He suddenly advanced a step, radiating an overwhelming presence that caused Wang Tian Gu and the elderly woman to slightly retreat. After reaching the Yuan Ying stage, the difference between mid-level and early-level cultivation was far from negligible. "Anyone else who believes Wang's point to be valid—please step forward. I'm certain Wang brother's boldness in taking this initiative indicates that his support isn't limited to Lady Tai alone!" Nan Long narrowed his eyes, sending out sharp, sword-like glances that swept across the others. "Nan Long brother, there's no need to be so agitated! Wang brother's argument isn't without merit. Surely, you won't leave us all with just a single cup of soup, will you?" After a brief silence, the stoic cultivator with the dark face unexpectedly spoke calmly. Meanwhile, the scholar with the Yu surname subtly furrowed his brow, hesitated slightly, and then quietly stepped to Wang Tian Gu's back. As if completely forgetting the discomfort between him and Wang Tiangu, the cultivators in the attic instantly split into two groups, facing off against each other. Nan Long Hou and the elderly man with a Yun surname were genuinely alarmed. "It seems you all have already aligned yourselves. I wonder when you finally decided on this. Throughout our journey, you should have had no opportunity to coordinate." After quickly regaining composure, Nan Long Hou asked. "We haven't truly aligned ourselves! I and a few of my companions merely gathered briefly before departure to discuss strategies for mutual protection and contingency plans in case of unforeseen events. The current situation is precisely one of the scenarios we anticipated. That is why we now find ourselves in a slight disagreement with Nan Long's esteemed friend." Wang Tiangu calmly replied. Nan Long Hou's expression turned frosty, and he fell silent, then turned his gaze to Han Li. "Han, are you thinking the same way?" he asked seriously. Now, with two Yuan-Stage mid-period cultivators facing off against four Yuan-Stage initial and two Ji-Dan late-period cultivators, the situation appears clearly balanced and evenly matched. Naturally, Han Li, who has remained silent thus far, stands out as particularly significant. Han Li did not immediately respond, merely slightly turning his head and calmly observing the expressions of Wang Tiangu and the others, absorbing every nuance of their demeanor. Wang Tiangu not only maintained his composed expression but actually offered Han Li a serene, peaceful smile—showing not a single sign of concern. Behind him, Wang Chan and Yan Ruoyan appeared puzzled. It seemed they were unaware of Wang Tiangu's alliance with the others. However, shortly thereafter, Wang Chan's eyes brightened with excitement, while Yan Ruoyan looked increasingly at a loss. The Tai woman and the You-family cultivator, meanwhile, showed no signs of alarm, yet their gazes toward Han Li remained cold and expressionless, devoid of warmth. Han Li felt a sudden jolt in his heart, sensing something was amiss, and his alertness immediately heightened. He casually strolled a few paces, stepping slightly away from both groups, before lightly chuckling and saying, "As for me, I have no objections whatsoever. Regardless of whatever conclusions Wang Dao-you and Nan Long Brother arrive at, I shall never hesitate to support them." Hearing this, Nan Long Marquis did not find it surprising at all. It was clear from the beginning that Han Li had adopted a neutral stance. His earlier question had merely been a matter of confirmation. Thus, with a composed expression, Nan Long Marquis nodded gently to Han Li and shifted his gaze, turning his eyes coldly toward Wang Tian-gu, as though ready to speak. But at that very moment, the white-robed elder suddenly stepped forward, speaking with icy composure, "Nan Long Brother, why are you still going on at such length? Do these people truly believe that by uniting, they can make us yield? It's nothing short of sheer delusion!" As he spoke, a flash of white light erupted from his mouth, and he seemed poised to expel a divine artifact. "Cloud brother, wait a moment—I'd like to—ah, you!" Nan Long Marquis furrowed his brow, intending to stop the somewhat hasty actions of the elderly man with the cloud surname. After all, they weren't particularly confident in actually engaging in combat. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the elder sharply turned around and launched a silver wheel that struck the Nan Long Marquis, who was just a few steps away, with the speed of lightning. A deep, resonant "thud" echoed. To the Marquis's disbelief, the silver wheel sliced straight through his protective golden aura and struck his chest. Not only did it send him staggering back several steps, but it also caused a significant dent in his chest. A gush of blood erupted, and the golden aura flickered. The Marquis reacted with shock and immediately waved his sleeve, sending a golden small sword shooting forth from his palm and piercing the cloud-surname elder. However, the elder shifted slightly, already reaching the side of Wang Tiangu and his companions, then raised his hand to intercept the sword, deflecting it with his silver wheel, and then calmly gazed at the Marquis's chest. What was visible inside the tattered folds of his tunic was a patch of jade-green scale armor, deeply indented yet intact, not cut at all. "Jade Rhino Armor! You've truly worn it close to your body," murmured the elderly man with the cloud surname, his gaze flickering, his expression otherwise composed. "Excellent! Remarkable! I didn't expect you to have been bought over by them as well," said Nanlong Marquis, a deep flush of crimson rising on his cheeks. With one hand pressed firmly against his chest, his eyes blazing, he fixed the elder with steady, word-by-word intensity. Though the golden small sword before him shone brilliantly, everyone could plainly see that the man had sustained severe internal injuries. "Friends, take care. We must not allow this man to leave this place—otherwise, with his level of cultivation, we shall face serious difficulties," said the elderly man, paying no attention to the Marquis. Instead, he spoke calmly to Wang Tiangu and the others, as though they had suddenly become strangers to one another. "Rest assured," he added, "with so many of us here, and him so severely wounded, he'll be unable to take flight, The You family cultivator smiled faintly and said, then released a white, misty flying blade artifact. At that moment, Wang Tiangu turned his head and warmly addressed Han Li: "Friend Han, if you are willing to join us now in confronting this man together, then his treasures shall be yours as well. I speak this with genuine sincerity, and I hardly care about any past grievances between us and Han or Wang Chan." His words were so earnest that it seemed he didn't mind their past disputes at all. "A joint effort?" Han Li was stunned by what he had just witnessed, his expression shifting several times. Yet, upon glancing again, his eyes settled on the staircase entrance. At the very instant the elder had launched an unseen attack on Nan Long Hou, the old woman had silently remained there. Otherwise, she would have already vanished, fleeing first. The walls of the jade pavilion shimmered with bright white light, clearly enchanted with a powerful seal that made it impossible to break through and escape. Han Li simply did not believe Wang Tiangu's proposal of alliance. I'm certain that once the Nanshenghou is dealt with, this elder of Guiling Sect won't mind if one more of his is eliminated. Otherwise, when we first discussed forming an alliance, he would have been invited then. I suspect he's been destined to be the Nanshenghou's companion in death from the very beginning! As this thought came to mind, Han Li maintained his composure, intending to respond briefly before proceeding. Yet the Nanshenghou suddenly chuckled, speaking first: "Master Han, surely you don't believe in such a superficial performance. Though I don't know how this Master Wang managed to win over so many people—my close friend of over a hundred years, who I've known for so long, has now joined their cause. Nevertheless, if we unite, we still have a chance. But should we be defeated one by one, our very form and spirit will be extinguished without a doubt!"