"...The three manifestations of the Lady of San Dao were gradually driven back under the assaults of the Pure Yang Master and the two Sovereigns. Even at the peak of their power, they could only withstand one manifestation each. A terrifying aura filled the cabin. The three adversaries pressed forward with relentless fury, their flames blazing. One of the three protectors spoke solemnly: 'This young man possesses extraordinary talent—his prowess is truly astonishing. Unless we eliminate him today, no hero in the realm will feel secure.' The Pure Yang Master chuckled derisively, saying, 'My errant disciple, once I have slain this youth, I shall personally dispatch you in the Spirit Realm!' The Lady of San Dao, helpless as her strength waned, said to me: 'I'm sorry, but what can I possibly offer to save you, a student of the modern National Academy?' As she spoke, I stepped forward, smiled gently: 'It's not that I'm targeting you—I simply find all of you to be mere trash!' With my extensive combat experience and ample supplies, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sovereigns, facing off against two of them alone, buying time for the Lady of San Dao to finally defeat the Pure Yang Master. In the living room of the villa, Zhang Yuanqing, seated on the sofa, picked up his glass and took a sip, saying, "That's all. The events unfolded exactly as I described." Opposite him were the Dog Elder and Sun Elder, while Sun Miao Miao, the Queen, and Xie Lingxi stood to his side, with Guan Ya sitting beside him. At that moment, everyone was still immersed in the dynamic narrative. Although Yuan Shi Tian Zun's account included several artistic embellishments, he had not omitted any key points. By activating the realm through rule-based items in advance to survive the first wave of crisis, entering the master-level quest to seek aid from the Three Mountain Lady, resolving material challenges, and then returning to the real world—any failure in any of these stages would result in a return to the realm. This was more exciting and thrilling than most faction-versus-faction quest scenarios. Even the Dog Elder and Sun Elder couldn't help but silently applaud, imagining themselves in the same situation during their sage phase—there was simply no way they would have survived a dual assault from two masters. Certainly, even the Celestial Sovereigns had spared no effort in their meticulously laid traps and ambushes—yet Qian Gongzi had never received such treatment. Master Sun observed Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun, "So you've already reached the peak of Level Six? Your experience points have been fully accumulated?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded. The girls' sense of relief instantly transformed into admiration, awe, and deep reverence. Reaching the pinnacle of the Sovereign Realm in just six months—truly unprecedented. The Spirit Realm itself has only existed for about a hundred and fifty years, and true prodigies are rare. While there may be several Sovereigns at Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun's age who have reached the peak, someone achieving this milestone in just six months is utterly unparalleled. Even the former Marshal and the Demon Sovereign couldn't compare. Though Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun's progression has been marked by many coincidences and fortuitous circumstances—not a strictly linear ascent—the data is solid: it's truly six months, and six months only. Master Dog exhaled a long, steady breath, beaming, "A truly astonishing record, an impressive achievement—right, Elder Sun, who's always been so Master Sun, wearing only a shirt and pants, burst into rage: "You dog! How long are you going to keep going like this? How long are you going to keep going like this?" "Even the dog isn't in a hurry—you are!" Master Dog chuckled. "I'm just giving you a rehearsal. Soon, the forum section and chat groups of Taimei will start teasing you again." "No need to wait until tomorrow—just tonight!" Sun Miao-miao whispered. Master Sun raised his hand to strike, but Sun Miao-miao playfully stuck out her tongue, making a ghostly face. The other girls kept their eyes on their noses, their minds focused. Master Dog cleared his throat and said: "Founder, this incident should serve as a lesson for you." As the group turned to look at him, he continued: "Today's events prove that the evil faction has already mobilized their sovereign-level strategies to eliminate you. Once they've done it once, they'll do it again—then again, then again—until you finally fall victim to one of their ambushes." "This time you're able to return purely by luck—next time, it's not guaranteed. Now that Fu Qingyang has entered the faction's quest realm, and you lack allies within the official ranks, some people who want to hinder you will find it easy to set obstacles." Zhang Yuanqing narrowed his eyes. "Dog Elder, you're clearly hinting at something." A cold laugh escaped Guan Ya beside him. "The Patrol Headquarters is still entangled with the Investigation Department. They're not even capable of saving you—by now, you've already died a hundred times." Zhang Yuanqing suddenly understood. "Old Cai is seizing every opportunity to eliminate me—now he's striking from behind. Will he eventually sell my personal information to the evil professions?" "Your personal information has already been erased," said the Dog Elder with deliberate emphasis. "Within the official ranks, no more than five people know your family background. As for Kangyang District's Second Squad, Fu Qingyang arranged for the Elimination Palace Master to handle your matter years ago." "Arranged for the madmaster to handle?" Zhang Yuanqing was instinctively startled. "What happened to the others?" "They've completely forgotten your family background—permanently, which has deeply affected their mental well-being. Of course, Fu Qingyang has already compensated them." The Dog Elder emphasized, "This is entirely voluntary." I never realized this... Zhang Yuanqing chuckled, realizing that the elder had quietly resolved so many underlying issues for him. No, the elder had actually mentioned it before, but only briefly, saying he would handle the matter of his identity. How could a proud man like the Money Gentleman publicly acknowledge his kindness? He always acted silently—when you bowed deeply, he accepted it gracefully. You never knew about it, and he didn't mind at all. "The Dog Elder spoke seriously, 'You've already reached the peak of the Sixth Rank. Your inventory of items, shadow corpses, and spiritual servants is now at full capacity. Your ascension to Master status is now certain.' While the peak of the Saint's Stage makes one a notable figure, it does not guarantee absolute safety—only upon becoming a Master do you truly reach the pinnacle of combat strength among the spiritual journeyers. Brother Sun nodded slightly, 'Very solid! Saints and transcendent beings die daily, whereas Masters only pass away a few each year.' Zhang Yuanqing listened carefully and quickly began to think. Currently, I can use my companion spirit, the Moon Spirit, to communicate with the fundamental essence of the Yin to provide me with a subtle, concealed protection. Then I can remain hidden and inactive—no one, not even the Spirit Expander, will be able to plot against me. Yet if it were that simple, then why does the Master-level mirror predict that I will only live for three months? My critical juncture is at the end of mid-October, precisely when the next quest cycle arrives. Could it be that my crisis stems from the quest itself?" It still didn't feel right. Just now, Sun Elder used my trousers to perform the divination and still received no information. The spiritual realm can interfere with divination, prophecy, and stargazing—something even a fellow Master-level Elder like Sun Elder cannot achieve. Therefore, the mirror's prophecy must also be invalid. That means the death calamity it foretold is not part of the副本, but rather a reality-based event. Zhang Yuanqing suddenly realized that this ambush might very well mark the beginning of the death calamity. As the three-month period approached, his death calamity was finally beginning to take shape. If all else fails, I'll stay within the sect's副本 all the way through October—I simply won't believe I can avoid the crisis. With this thought, Zhang Yuanqing said, "I understand. From now on, I'll stay put in Fu Family Village and not leave." Dog Elder nodded in satisfaction. The plants in Fu Family Village were his eyes and ears. Even if the enemy used sealing or restriction items, as long as the connection with these plants was severed, he would immediately be alerted. Meanwhile, Longhai had five Elders stationed there, with the Master of the Stopping the Killing Palace at the helm— Well, just going through the motions, then everyone smiles and returns to the spiritual realm. After finishing the official business, the Dog Elder said, "I'll go back and inform the headquarters, just to check in. As for the behind-the-scenes activities from the Investigation Department, we'll have to endure them—understand?" Zhang Yuanqing stretched his lips. "I know, I'm not stupid. They're all following procedures, so there's nothing wrong with them. If I go around complaining, I might actually give them a reason to take action against me." The Dog Elder and Sun Elder left together. Old Sun had originally intended to take Sun Miao Miao with him, but Sun Miao Miao said, "I've come to Songhai only once in a while, so I'd like to stay and enjoy a few days." Old Sun then decided to let her go. Zhang Yuanqing had arranged for a barbecue party with the girls in the courtyard for the evening, so he went upstairs with Guan Ya. As soon as they entered the room, Guan Ya hugged him tightly, holding him firmly as if she were trying to squeeze him into her arms. After a while, she sighed, "I've once again felt that fear of losing you—something I don't particularly like..." If this were a wuxia drama, I'd be making a promise right now about the cattle and sheep of the northern plains. But Zhang Yuanqing simply held her slender waist and murmured, "This is our fate." Guan Ya nodded once, neither sentimental, nor complaining, nor expressing her fear—she brought no emotional weight to him. They lingered in quiet intimacy for a moment, then Zhang Yuanqing opened his computer and logged into the chat platform—his phone had been destroyed during the initial assault. [Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn: Thank you all for your concern. I've successfully escaped the danger. If anyone would like to know the details, I'll share the full account shortly.] [Sun Miao Miao: Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn was ambushed by the Night Rose and two masters from the Southern School in the cabin, went into the arena to summon reinforcements, and then made it back. That's the full story.] Sun Miao Miao didn’t give him a chance to boast. [Yuan Shi Tian Zun: Miao Miao, you wait—by tonight, I’ll have you crying.] [Xia Hou Ao Tian: You kid, how did you survive this? Do you even have an elder guardian protecting you?] The faction members, seeing him safe and sound, breathed a collective sigh of relief, just as Xia Hou Ao Tian had, deeply stunned and puzzled—though they’d grown accustomed to Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s repeated miracles. Still, they found it hard to believe: what exactly had happened to allow him to survive an ambush by two Dominators? Zhao Cheng Huang and Tian Xia Gui Hu wanted to hear the full account, even if it included a lot of artistic embellishment. Both approached it with a learning mindset, eager to analyze Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s combat strategies and crisis-resolution tactics. Red Chicken Brother simply reacted with, “Wow, that’s incredible!”—expressing his genuine excitement. Zhang Yuan Qing typed furiously, detailing his own impressive achievements, when suddenly a private message from Xiao Yuan arrived. [Magical Auntie Xiao Yuan: Good that you’re safe.] After a few seconds, she sent another message: "Are you hurt? Is the loss significant? I can compensate you..." Zhang Yuanqing sensed guilt and regret in her words, along with a subtle, careful, slightly humble effort to regain her footing. Was she afraid that I would harbor resentment toward her or toward the team of Master Wuhen, and begin to distance myself from her? Was she offering compensation in hopes that I would forgive her? Xiao Yuan remained so sensitive and stubborn at heart. Zhang Yuanqing didn’t respond directly. Instead, he replied: "The information of our team members has been leaked. The Southern faction now knows everything about Zhao Xintong’s background, and they are well aware of my relationship with you. I suspect someone has betrayed us—most likely a case of 'a minister choosing a master to overthrow.' You need to stabilize him, keep him under control. I’ll be by in the afternoon." After sending the message, Zhang Yuanqing resumed writing his personal reflections. A few minutes later, he posted the highly artistic, well-crafted battle sequence in three parts to the group chat. Then the factions fell silent, with no one speaking for a long time. After a while, Xiahou Aotian sent a message with a touch of resentment: 【Ugh, you actually shone during the master-level battle!】 Did you really believe that? The others murmured in their minds. Even setting aside the fictional elements, Yuan Shǐ Tianzūn's strategy left Tian Guo and Zhao Chenghuang only able to sigh in helpless admiration—fundamentally unlearnable. His combat talent was truly outstanding, far exceeding mine… Zhao Chenghuang felt exhausted, yet also unwilling to admit his genuine respect. … The Wuhen Hotel. At the front desk, Xiao Yuan lowered her head, her gaze fixed intently on her phone screen. She bit her lips, nervously awaiting the outcome. She was indeed afraid—after all, anyone facing life-or-death peril naturally retreats from the source of danger, as it's instinctive to value one's own life. Through this incident, the enemy had confirmed one key point: by leveraging "the staff at Wuhen Hotel," Yuan Shǐ Tianzūn could be lured out. Therefore, there would surely be a next time Xiao Yuan was afraid that this matter would cause Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun and them to grow farther and farther apart—both from each other and from her. So she carefully试探ed, offering compensation—really a very humble effort to keep things going. Her phone vibrated, and Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun replied. Xiao Yuan perked up immediately, read the message carefully, then frowned deeply, her expression growing serious. "Miss Xiao Yuan, what's wrong?" Zhao Xīntóng, who was wearing the same front-desk uniform, asked gently. She had been closely observing Xiao Yuan, since Xiao Yuan received Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun's updates the fastest. Now seeing Xiao Yuan deeply concerned and serious, Zhao Xīntóng felt a bit tense. Xiao Yuan said, "Call Kou Beiyue and ask her to have Liang Chen leave early—have them step down from their roles in the planned coup against Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun. Tell her that Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun still hasn't responded, and it's likely he has already been harmed..." After speaking, she glanced at her phone—Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun had not sent any further messages. No response … The Headquarters of the Five Elements Alliance. After listening to the phone call, Zhou Secretary remained silent. A just-arrived email from the Songhai Branch reported that Yuanshishen, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, had safely returned. He had escaped the ambush by the two Masters of the Night Rose and the Southern School, and in the process, had also defeated the ancient cultivator, Pure Yang Master. How could he have managed to make it back? Without rescue from the headquarters or the Songhai Branch, he had managed to successfully evade the two Masters' traps solely relying on his own reserves and networks. Even at his peak, Fu Qingyang had never demonstrated such capability. This young man has truly ascended—Zhou Secretary took a deep breath, calming his anxiety and unease, then dialed the phone number of Cai Elder.