"What kind of plan? What plan!" the cold, elegant officer hurried to ask. Having just received guidance from the spiritual realm副本, she no longer regarded Yuan Shiyi as merely a support—she now saw him as a true teammate, someone capable of offering decisive input on key decisions. She no longer viewed him as a mere assistant. "Do you have a plan to get me out of here?" The fire sage's determination instantly transformed into exhilaration. Like most fire sages, he reacted swiftly to emotional shifts, urging eagerly, "Speak quickly! Speak quickly!" "Speak quickly! Speak quickly!" Jiang Jingwei also urged. The lovely flower attendant, with her bright eyes, watched Yuan Shiyi with eager anticipation. Seeing everyone's attentive gaze, Zhang Yuanqing corrected himself: "No—my plan isn't to get you out. It's to eliminate the bronze figure." Hearing this, the fire sage was stunned. "How can you remain so composed while making such a bold claim? I've activated my rage skill and still haven't managed to defeat it. That thing isn't something a fourth-tier sage can handle." Hou De Zai Wu shook her head slightly, clearly sharing the same sentiment. The language of flowers furrowed her brow, somewhat disappointed. Summer Tree of Love also felt the plan was unreliable, but as a swordsman, she gazed steadily at Yuan Shi Tian Zun and said softly, "I'd like to hear your plan." Zhang Yuanqing nodded slightly. "When I rescued the Fire Saint earlier, I sensed an aura of resentment within the bronze figure. Though I don't yet know its specific crafting method, I believe it is not merely a simple puppet—it is instead forged from a spirit of a seductive妖 (spiritual being)." Initially, he had considered the bronze sculpture a mere prop, since it could perform skills such as enchantment and mist generation. However, upon the death of a spiritual traveler, all their skills and spiritual energy would be reclaimed by the spiritual realm. Based on this habitual assumption, he hadn't considered the possibility that the bronze figure might itself be crafted from a spirit of a seductive妖. It wasn't until his brief interaction with it just now that Zhang Yuanqing sensed the presence of resentment, realizing that ancient celestial academies' cultivation practices did not rely solely on character cards. Then, the concept of recovering spiritual energy from the spiritual realm no longer exists. The puppets and shadow corpses crafted by ancient cultivators are capable of releasing active skills. "So what now?" the Saint of Fire, bracing against his injuries, asked. "Since it's not merely a passive object, I have a way to 'kill' it—but I'll need several of you to break through the bronze armor protecting it," Zhang Yuanqing explained. The Breaker of Demons has a special ability to counteract阴 (yin) entities, but it lacks the power to penetrate armor. As he had just observed, the swordmaster's short sword could only cut a thin, shallow trace—demonstrating just how formidable the bronze sculpture's defenses were. After a moment of thought, Xia Shu Zhi Lian turned to his companions: "Based on our brief engagement, while the bronze body grants it invincible defense, it also limits its ability to dissipate into mist. Together, we should be able to breach its defenses. 'He's confident about this. Let's give it a try!' Hou De Zai Wu and Hua Yu nodded in agreement. As for the Saint of Fire, he currently Thus, the five saints positioned the Saint of Fire and Hana-no-Koe at the center, the latter diligently performing the duties of a healer, fully committed to her restorative magic. Guan Ya and Natsuki held their breath, intently gazing into the thick mist. While the mist could obscure everyone's perception, turning prey within it into blind figures, it could not conceal the keen sight of the swordsmen equipped with insight abilities. After several seconds, both Guan Ya and Natsuki turned their gaze toward the right and said simultaneously, "Over there!" As soon as the words were spoken, Jiang Jingwei turned her body to the right, forming a ball of fire in her palm, mimicking the Saint of Fire, and launched it forth. "Boom!" The surge of wind carried streams of flame, sweeping across the area and briefly dispersing the mist. At a distance of over ten meters, the bronze figure stood poised, having already reached close enough to prepare an assault on the group. Hana-no-Koe withdrew her hands from the Saint of Fire's chest and pushed herself firmly against the ground. The marble floor tiles beneath the Bronze Man cracked with a crisp sound, and thick vines—each as wide as a human arm—burst through the soil, twisting and arching, wrapping around his wrists, ankles, and legs. Crack… crack… The vines snapped taut, then one by one broke, revealing the Bronze Man’s astonishing strength. Yet more vines surged upward, following one another in relentless succession. The steward, "Thick-Grain-Bearing," advanced with a heavy, battle-worn stride, cutting a semicircular path to reach the Bronze Man’s back, then encircling his shoulders from behind. The Bronze Man’s struggle immediately weakened. "Jingwei!" the mountain deity strained, his face flushed with effort. "Coming right up!" Jingwei cried out, her small frame blazing like a torch, flames leaping from her body as her fiery hair spread out, glowing in the intense heat. Her energy surged steadily, reaching the peak of Level 4. The very next moment, Jiang Jingwei launched herself like a projectile, her right arm sweeping back and her elegant fist clenched tightly, the flame swirling around it driving powerfully into the bronze figure. Crimson, twisted, and eerie runes flared to life in the bronze figure's eyes. Thud! The fist struck resolutely against the bronze figure's chest, the deep, resonant impact echoing throughout the museum, and a sphere of red fire exploded upon its surface, instantly scorching a deep crimson patch on the chest. Jiang Jingwei's fist was now bloodied and her finger bones shattered. She had remained immune to the enchantments—Zhang Yuanqing had used the Fumagong杵 to protect her companions earlier. "Jingwei, step back!" Guan Ya raised her hand and plucked from the void a Han Ba Fang ancient sword, covered in copper rust. Zhang Yuanqing recognized this sword—it was precisely the one worn by Fu Qingyang. He had never expected that after Qian Gong's promotion to Sovereign, he would have gifted it to his cousin. How come he hadn't sent me a few top-tier items as well... Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of admiration. Jiang Jingwei leapt sideways, hearing Guan Ya's charging footsteps and feeling the sharp sword aura closing in rapidly, her back prickling with gooseflesh. The bronze figure was entangled by vines and the principle of "bearing the heavy with virtue," unable to dodge. Its broad, expressionless face stared blankly at the charging Guan Ya, the bronze eyes glowing with red light and displaying twisted incantations. Thanks to Guan Ya's passive ability of "steel resolve" and her purification bonus, she remained immune to the spell's influence, maintaining her momentum and simply straightening her sword. The ancient Han Bafang sword, charged with formidable power, struck hard into the scorched, softened "iron plate" at the bronze figure's chest. "Crack!" Instantly, fine cracks spread across the bronze figure's chest. Though the bronze was strong, it lacked flexibility; under the force of the sword's thrust, it did not buckle but instead cracked like a mirror surface. With the first successful strike, Guan Ya immediately withdrew her sword and stepped back. A dreamlike streak of starlight materialized at her original position, swiftly coalescing into Zhang Yuanqing, who immediately drove his Fumu Jie—his magical staff—into the crack in the bronze figure's chest. "Pffft!" The staff, half-arm long, entered the bronze figure's body with a clean break, triggering a brilliant wave of golden light. The bronze figure emitted hissing streaks of blue vapor and released a piercing, mournful cry—audible only to the night-dwelling deity. As the golden light faded, the bronze figure collapsed straight to the ground with a thunderous sound. Witnessing this, everyone present—including Zhang Yuanqing—exhaled deeply in relief. The Fire Saint clapped enthusiastically, "He's truly defeated! I was actually saved by this young up-and-comer who just attained saint status—haha! Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn, you're truly exceptional. You're no ordinary saint—quite unlike those who've only recently ascended." The straightforward Fire Master is indeed endearing... Zhang Yuanqing retrieved his Fumu Jie. "All of you deserve the credit." The cold, elegant officer and the reserved young lady couldn't conceal their joy. Hearing the words of the Saint of Fire, Xia Shu smiled gently, saying, "A talent can always perform exceptionally, no matter at which stage." In her heart, she silently apologized for her earlier underestimation and now held the star-studded figure in the highest regard. The flower steward known for her graceful demeanor, gazing at Yuan Shi Tian Zun, grew increasingly curious and enthusiastic. With a steady, profound nod of "Zhong De Zai Wu" — "cultivating virtue to bear all things" — Yuan Shi Tian Zun said, "The mist will take a while to clear, but it can no longer obscure us. Let's go; we need to report our findings to the division." To the side, Jiang Jingwei grumbled discontentedly, "What a nuisance, Yuan Shi Tian Zun! He's taken all the spotlight from me, even though I've done outstanding work." Yet no one paid attention to the complaints of a junior high student only 1.5 meters tall. Guan Ya knelt beside the bronze figure, peering through the openings carved by the Fumagong staff, and saw inside—blackened, emitting a Zhang Yuanqing's speculation proved correct—the figure was a puppet crafted by a Mist Sovereign. Based on the Bronze Warrior's combat assessment, the Mist Sovereign had undoubtedly reached the level of a Divine General during his lifetime. The immortal sect that transmuted him into a puppet must have been exceptionally strong, with a Sovereign-level master at its helm. Moreover, the "Demon" sealed within the ancient tomb was not slain but imprisoned. Since the Demon could not be killed despite the might of such a sect, the Demon must have been an even more formidable presence. She shared her thoughts with the group. "Guan Ya said, 'After I became a Saint, that old, worn-out spear became useless. I gave it to the family, so they wouldn't keep complaining about me having to marry off. When Fu Qingyang saw I lacked a reliable weapon, he offered me his ancient sword.' Having a brother who wins people over through virtue is indeed wonderful... Zhang Yuanqing held her soft hand, smiling gently, 'I still prefer the way you wield the spear, though your more casual, pretentious stance is also quite charming.' Guan Ya glanced at him, huffed, 'My spear is too long and thick—I was afraid you'd feel self-conscious, so I switched to the sword.' If this were in the office, Zhang Yuanqing would have been gripping her hand and pushing it into his trousers, letting her experience the majestic presence of the Zhang family's ancestral spear. The group stepped out of the mist, and immediately spotted Xiao Green Tea bounding happily toward them. 'Brother Yuanshi, you've finally come out!' The queen in the car quickly posted on the forum: #The dense fog incident in Jinhui City has been resolved—Master Yuan Shi Tian Zun has emerged with the team# She put down her phone, opened the car door, and hurried over. Summer Tree of Love looked at her remaining staff still stationed outside, and said firmly: "Cloud Meng, along with her small team, has made the ultimate sacrifice. The team that entered the fog last night has not yet been found. The bronze sculpture has been secured—no further threats remain. You must swiftly organize personnel to search for the missing colleagues, contact the police department, and request that they prepare for follow-up operations..." She methodically arranged the next steps. Afterward, she turned to the three sages who had arrived from Songhai Branch and said: "First, return to the hotel conference room, and wait there for the elders." Upon returning to the hotel conference room, Summer Tree of Love personally called her direct elders. To save time, she highlighted the key details about the ancient tomb and then concluded the call promptly. About twenty minutes later, Zhang Yuanqing, who was browsing the forum, noticed the carpet at a certain empty spot in the conference room splitting open, followed by a form composed of silt rising up from the floor as if growing. The silt soon solidified into real flesh, transforming into a middle-aged man wearing an old hiking jacket, with a slender face. He appeared to be a nature-loving mid-career hiker, his hairline gradually receding, his skin darkened by years of sun exposure, with a steady, simple, and gentle demeanor—lacking any sense of seniority or authority. This was earth-elemental transmutation, Zhang Yuanqing immediately recalled from various job skill compendiums. "May I have the honor of introducing myself to the Elder!" Zhang Yuanqing and Guan Ya rose promptly, only to find that while Xia Shu Zhi Lian stood up to greet him, the other several officers remained seated. Summer Tree introduced, "This is Master Gao Feng, one of the six senior elders of our Hangzhou branch—well, actually, of Jiangnan Province. Our spiritual realm ID is 'Challenge the Peak.' He's quite pleasant, doesn't mind all the complicated rules; he'd rather build friendships with his subordinates, ideally hiking together, or even having a fine dinner with them." It was clear he was easygoing, but what did "having a fine dinner" mean—was it a hint that I needed to offer a bribe?... Zhang Yuanqing, known for his social grace, immediately relaxed, adopting a casual posture, "Master Gao Feng, please sit down." Meanwhile, Guan Ya, who came from the White Tiger military ranks, still maintained her respectful demeanor toward the elder—something the White Tiger ranks value highly in terms of hierarchy. Gao Feng looked at her with a touch of surprise, then smiled and nodded approvingly, "Master Yuan Shi? Indeed, a promising young man." He then turned to Xia Shu Zhi Lian, sighed, and said, "I've heard about Yunmeng's sacrifice. The division has lost a distinguished steward, and I deeply regret that. The organization will not fail to honor her family. Now is not the time for mourning. I need to know the specific combat strength of that bronze statue to assess the danger level of the ancient tomb." Xia Shu Zhi Lian nodded, "The bronze statue was forged in the form of the Mist Sovereign, with combat strength equivalent to the peak of Level 5..." Upon hearing this, Senior High Feng raised his hand and frowned, asking, "How did you all return unscathed, considering a Mist Sovereign at nearly Level 6? As a senior steward of the Sovereign rank, I immediately sensed something was off. In thick mist, encountering a Mist Sovereign of that level, the worst case would be half of the stewards lost, and the best case would see them all severely wounded. Yet here, the stewards are all in excellent condition—only the Saint of Fire appears slightly pale, as though slightly injured." Xia Shu Zhi Lan turned to Yuan Shi Tian Zun, smiling, "Thanks to the prodigy from our Song Hai branch—his equipment neutralizes the puppets." Upon hearing this, Senior Monk Gao Feng looked enlightened and glanced at Zhang Yuanqing. He smiled, "The Hangcheng branch owes you a personal favor; I'll report this to headquarters." Then, he set aside his smile and spoke seriously, "Besides the Saint of Fire, the rest of you come with me to the ancient tomb." At this, Xia Shu Zhi Lan, Hua Yu, and Hou De Zai Wu stood up and took each other's hands. Zhang Yuanqing and Guan Ya followed suit, linking hands as well. When everyone formed a long line, Senior Monk Gao Feng placed his hand on Xia Shu Zhi Lan's shoulder. In the next instant, Zhang Yuanqing felt his body 'collapsing,' as if turning into a statue made of yellow sand. The scene in the hotel conference room vanished, replaced by a complete darkness. In the dark, he sensed himself moving swiftly, yet there was no light or sound—nothing at all. Was this earth-transcendence? Can he also teleport people to the ground? After becoming the master, it's truly convenient—essentially, he's abandoned his transportation means. His thoughts spun. Within less than a minute, he felt his body rising, and then he saw light. The sun shone brightly overhead, the sky clear and cloudless. Around him lay a vast open plain, and directly ahead was a construction site, with high mounds of earth stacked up, excavators and pickup trucks parked quietly at a distance. Further off, a perimeter line had been set up, with several uniformed security officers stationed around, preventing civilians from entering. These officers were perfectly fine, indicating that there was no danger within the ancient tomb—at least, no monsters had emerged. Zhang Yuanqing shifted his gaze and formed a clear judgment. Under the guidance of the senior elder, they approached the construction site. Behind the earth mounds, they spotted a downward stone staircase leading into a dark cavern. As they descended the staircase, they reached a spacious outer chamber, measuring nearly eighty square meters. The stone door of the outer chamber had already been removed, and its destination remained unknown. Zhang Yuanqing carefully examined the walls at the stone gate and found no trace of the three-arch, three-undulation structure. It seemed that when the immortal gate was constructing this site to seal away the demon, they had not given the demon a dignified design. The outer chamber was empty, with no furnishings—this is exactly where the bronze sculpture was unearthed and transported away. The attendants followed after Master Gao Feng, passing through the outer chamber and arriving at a stone gate three meters high. The gate was intricately carved with elaborate and refined patterns, exuding an indescribable grace. Master Gao Feng studied it intently before sighing, "This is a seal—an ancient practitioner's mastery of spiritual techniques far surpasses ours, the spiritual travelers of today. They consistently develop diverse methods tailored to their own abilities—what we call spells! "As for us, spiritual travelers, most of us rely solely on our professional skills." "Then why do we rely only on our professional skills, while the ancients mastered so many?" asked Jiang Jingwei, who didn't understand. "Because they had a lineage!" "Explained that, Master Gao walked to the stone gate, raised his hand, and pressed his palm against it. At once, the majestic stone gate, three meters tall, rapidly weathered and cracked, fragments of stone cascaded down. Within just a few seconds, the gate collapsed with a thunderous roar, lifting a cloud of dust. The group stepped over the scattered stones and entered the main chamber. The light could not penetrate here, leaving the chamber dimly lit. "Ah!" Jiang Jingwei raised his hands automatically, forming a large fire ball about one meter in diameter at the ceiling. The flames burned fiercely, rapidly consuming oxygen and providing both warmth and illumination. With the brightness of the fire ball, the group clearly saw the interior of the main chamber—a spacious, semi-circular cavern, resembling an inverted bowl. At the center of the chamber stood a stepped stone platform, seven to six meters high, broad at the base and narrowing toward the top, upon which lay a stone sarcophagus covered in scrolls and talismans. Beneath the platform, a circular "moat" of silver-colored water flowed steadily, motionless, and exhaled a metallic taste that tingled the teeth. "Mercury?" Zhang Yuanqing stood at the edge of the moat, two meters wide, and sniffed, discerning the essence of the river water. As a student at a prestigious university, he immediately raised a question: "It shouldn't be like this—since the Song Dynasty until now, nearly a thousand years, mercury hasn't evaporated." As a student at the renowned Songhai high school, Jiang Jingwei asked: "What is mercury?" Yet no one paid any attention to her. At that moment, Xia Shu Zhi Lian noticed with keen observation that, in the darker area to the side, where the firelight didn't reach, a stone stele stood upright. "There's a stele over there!" she said. The group immediately walked over and stopped in front of it. Jiang Jingwei raised a fire ball, one meter in diameter, and brought it close; everyone immediately smelled the scent of their hair burning. The elder Gao Feng silently protected the already sparse hair on his head. "Go on, get out of the way!" Zhang Yuanqing pushed her aside. The stele stood one meter tall, with several large characters resembling a title on the leftmost side, and then a dense cluster of small regular Guan Ya, illuminated by the light, made out the inscriptions on the stone tablet: "Pure Yang Sect's Seal of Demonic Exclusion!" At that moment, Zhang Yuanqing sensed that the Fu Mo Chu in his inventory was radiating阵阵 intense heat.