Just as Han Li and his companion were being closely pursued by the flying mouse, the Master of Gui Ling Sect and Wei Wuyi had already crossed over the massive mountain. The basin was dark and damp, with numerous water pools of varying sizes scattered across the ground, making the group of travelers who had to walk steadily feel increasingly frustrated. Although they could cast minor spells to shield themselves from the muck and dirty water, their pace steadily slowed down. Yet this time, neither Wang Tiangu nor Wei Wuyi expressed any complaints. For when they had first climbed over the mountain peak, they had seen from a high vantage point, far away, a massive structure resembling a sacrificial platform situated at the very center of the basin. At this sight, all those who had accompanied the Master of Gui Ling Sect immediately felt a surge of renewed energy, setting aside their earlier doubts. After all, since entering the valley, they had never seen such a complete and well-constructed building before—there was no doubt it was no ordinary site. There seems to be a genuine connection between the journey and the Ling Miao Garden mentioned by the Master of the Gui Ling Sect. As a result, their pace slows down, yet everyone remains calm and unhurried. They have indeed tried the floating technique, maintaining a few feet off the ground, but the only notable event was a sudden blood-red lightning bolt that descended from the sky, nearly shattering the protective artifact of one of the cultivators. It appeared that the more central they approached the basin, the stricter the anti-aerial barrier became. Consequently, no one now attempted any further clever maneuvers—everyone simply formed a line and advanced steadily. A disciple from the Gui Ling Sect led the way, clearing paths through thickets and bushes with a few fire balls, easily carving out a narrow route. After several days of walking, the group finally approached the altar, coming into view of its immense presence. This altar is entirely constructed of white mountain stone, forming a massive stepped trapezoidal shape that rises towering into the sky, reaching several hundred paces in height—truly magnificent. Yet, it is somewhat distant and so lofty that it's difficult to clearly see what exactly lies upon its surface. "We're finally approaching. It seems we'll reach it within the next hour or so. Master Wang, I'm now even more curious about how my friend learned so much about Ling Miao Garden." Although Wei Wuyi also walked on foot, his entire body radiated a soft, pale green glow; with each gentle step, he seemed to glide silently several paces ahead, moving with effortless ease. "Please rest assured, Master Wei. After we arrive, I will certainly explain to you how I came to know of all this." Master of the Gui Ling Sect smiled gently, as though the matter were of little concern. Wei Wuyi nodded, just about to ask another question, when suddenly the foremost disciple of the Gui Ling Sect had a flash of luminous light surge through him, stumbled, and then—without a sound—was cleanly severed from shoulder to waist, his body falling silently to the ground. "Space rift!" The master of the Gui Ling Sect, upon seeing this, grew pale. Wei Wuyi and Wang Tiangu, behind him, also grew serious. Though they did not yet know exactly what the master had in mind, they had followed the route he indicated all the way into the valley, and until now had never encountered a single invisible space rift. Their initial apprehension had long since eased. Yet now, suddenly, a rift appeared—this made both of them feel a sharp sense of alarm. The other three disciples of the Gui Ling Sect also looked slightly pale. The entire group halted, stopping their advance. The master of the Gui Ling Sect, gazing at the body cleanly cut by the rift, his face remained uncertain and expressionless. Wei Wuyi closed his eyes, as if sensing something with his spiritual awareness, but after a while, he opened them again. "No, this spatial rift cannot be detected merely by a strong spiritual sense. I cannot sense its very existence," Wei Wuyi said, shaking his head expressionlessly. The Master of the Ghostly Spirit Sect did not display any signs of joy, but instead spoke in a low, somber tone. Upon hearing this, Wei Wuyi's expression shifted, yet he said nothing. Instead, Wang Tiangu glanced toward the distant scroll altar and then at the body lying on the ground, growing increasingly puzzled. "What does the Master mean?" The Master of the Ghostly Spirit Sect frowned, not immediately responding, and gazed upward into the sky. After a while, he sighed deeply. "I originally intended to reveal some information to you only once we reached the altar. But now, it seems impossible to keep anything hidden anymore. I shall therefore share a few truths with you here." He spoke with a slightly unusual expression on his face. Wei Wuyi and the others were momentarily stunned, exchanging glances of bewilderment. The Master paid no attention to anyone, merely shook his sleeve, and a series of silver flashes ensued. Suddenly, a scroll appeared in his hands. The scroll was several feet long, shimmering with silver light, and appeared remarkably ancient. "This is...!" Wang Tian gasped upon seeing the scroll. "Heh! It seems you've also recognized this item. You personally delivered it to me. All I know about Ling Miao Garden comes from this very scroll." The Master of Gui Ling Sect glanced at Wang Tian and spoke calmly. Hearing this, Wang Tian was completely stunned. This scroll had been the one he had found at the treasure vault on the Mu Lan Grassland—originally believed to be a portrait of the Master Cang Kun. Yet, the Master of Gui Ling Sect tossed the scroll aside, and a cluster of spiritual energy enveloped it, lifting it gently into the air. Then, with a serious expression, he pressed a series of hand gestures and lightly touched the scroll with his finger. "Zzzip!" The scroll swiftly unfurled, revealing the image within. A scholarly figure, carrying a long sword and gazing upward, stood vividly rendered on the scroll. Wang Tian and the others stared at the figure in the painting, their eyes wide, gazing at it for a long time, trying to discern something—yet they found nothing. Yet Wei Wuyi's divine gaze also lingered upon the painting, but as his consciousness swept over the entire scroll, his expression subtly shifted, a hint of astonishment flickering across his face. "Wei Dao truly lives up to his reputation as a senior cultivator at the Yuan Ying late stage—such swift insight into its subtle mysteries. My own discovery of the scroll's unusual qualities was entirely due to a secret technique I've cultivated personally, and I only managed to make it through sheer luck." Upon seeing Wei Wuyi's expression, the Master of Gui Ling Sect felt a spark of inspiration and offered a commendation. "Nothing remarkable. In fact, I haven't encountered a piece of such jiazi-space nature in many years. Had it not been for your timely reminder, I would have found it far more difficult to notice." Wei Wuyi said, his tone somewhat unusual. The Master of Gui Ling Sect smiled, deciding to drop further questions. Yet immediately, he raised his hand and launched a black spell that struck precisely upon the open scroll, then coldly exclaimed, "Don't you dare stay hidden! Shall I have to summon you with my magical fire?" "Upon hearing this, everyone else was startled and felt somewhat bewildered. Wei Wuya also raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes. To their astonishment, an unexpected scene unfolded. 'Didn't we already agree upon this? You were to summon me only once we reached the designated location. Now, before all these people, you're awakening me. Are you truly unwilling to proceed with the transaction?' A clear, resonant male voice issued directly from the scroll. Suddenly, a brilliant silver light burst forth from the scroll, and the scholar who had been facing away from them spun around, now turning to face them, revealing a refined middle-aged man with three long strands of beard. Yet his expression remained cold and stern, filled with displeasure. This scene left not only the remaining disciples of the Gui Ling Sect gaping in amazement, but even Wang Tiangu, who had personally handled the scroll, wide-eyed and utterly stunned." Only Wei Wuyi was startled, but his expression quickly calmed, his eyes fixed on the portrait of the scholar within the scroll, thoughtful. "Hmph! You still ask me? Didn't you repeatedly promise me that the route you recommended was absolutely safe? What's going on with this spatial rift—how could it allow our disciple to die in vain?" The Master of Gui Ling Sect looked at the portrait, asking without ceremony. "The route I originally chose was certainly safe. How could anything go wrong?" The portrait of the scholar within the scroll subtly moved his lips, directly countering. "Then look at what's on your side!" The Master of Gui Ling Sect cast a cold, dark glance toward the spatial rift. The scholar in the portrait paused, then after a brief pause, the portrait faded, and the scroll itself shimmered, turning a pale, misty green. A luminous screen materialized upon its surface. Then, with a flash of light, a green glow shot out from the screen and took form as a blurred figure. It was precisely the scholar-like figure within the scroll. At this moment, the scholar's body seemed intangible, entirely composed of hazy, gray-white light, emitting a faint glow as if it could be extinguished by a single breath. "How shall I address you? Are you indeed the ancient Master Pengkun from that time? How is it possible for you to have preserved your spiritual essence and remain alive until now?" Wang Tiangu felt his voice dry, sensing a subtle sense of astonishment in his words. "My departure from this scroll has been brief. Any questions you may have—just ask your abbot upon return. For now, I shall examine the fissure." The scholar paid little attention to Wang Tiangu's astonishment, instead focusing intently on the direction of the spatial fissure, his brows slightly furrowed. With a slight exhalation, a cluster of gray light burst forth. "Crack!" The luminous orb was then silently swallowed whole by the spatial fissure. The scholar's expression now appeared somewhat unusual. "Strange! Indeed, there was no such invisible fissure here back then. It seems this must be one of the rarer newly-formed fissures." A few of you needn't worry about this too much—it's merely a coincidence. I'll go first." The scholar was first slightly startled, then thought it over, finally settling into calmness. With a soft "pffft," his form instantly grew faint, and he once again transformed into a green glow, drifting seamlessly into the scroll—as if he didn't wish to linger any longer outside.