Chapter 32

As he descended the stone steps, Yin Yang fell into silence again. Walking at the back, he watched Zong Shou's back, feeling a bit dazed.

This child's talent is truly one in ten thousand. Unfortunately, he was born with his wings bound.

If he could one day break free from the shackles of dual meridians, he would surely spread his wings and soar high into the clouds.

Even the sky of the Cloud Realm might not be able to contain this eagle, who was born to soar high.

But to resolve this physical condition and truly break free, how easy is that?

While Yin Yang was lost in thought, Zong Shou and Xue'er began to quarrel. As soon as they were near the mountain gate, Zong Shou prepared to get down and walk. However, Xue'er refused to let him go, tightly gripping him with her arms and not letting him down.

Zong Shou struggled for a long time but couldn't break free. He could only tap Chu Xue's head irritably, "Xue girl, quickly put me down. If someone sees, how will your young master face them?"

On the mountain, it was unavoidable. The Lesser Luo Tian Sword Array and the twelve Heavenly Talismans had drained him completely, and the mountain path was indeed rugged and dangerous.

But if he left the mountain and was still carried by a girl, it would be truly inappropriate.

"I won't let you go!"

Xue'er also huffed indignantly, pouting and complaining, "Don't move! It's just a few more steps. Young Master, you've always been like this, always trying to be strong! You clearly had cramps several times just now! You're completely drained now, yet you still insist on struggling. And don't call me girl, Xue'er is already grown up!"

Zong Shou felt a bit embarrassed. After breaking the eighteen sword puppets, he didn't feel much on the mountain, but as soon as he started descending, every muscle in his body began to spasm. However, he refused to admit it, "Who said I'm drained? Cramps are cramps, they have nothing to do with being drained. You're only thirteen, so what are you if not a girl? Haven't you been carrying me for so long, aren't you tired?"

"Not tired! Xue'er is strong, I can carry you for days! Humph, Young Master, you're lying again. When you struggled just now, you were really weak. Xue'er didn't even take it seriously—"

Before she could finish, Zong Shou was already angry and embarrassed, "You brat! I have a dual meridian body, and such situations will happen often. Can you carry me every time?"

Chu Xue raised her eyebrows proudly, looking extremely serious, "Of course! If Young Master is like this for life, Xue'er will carry you for life! Xue'er promised His Majesty that she would never leave Young Master's side for this lifetime!"

Zong Shou, who was both angry and amused, was now moved. He felt a soft spot in his heart being touched, and his emotions became complex. His eyes softened, and he looked at Chu Xue intently.

He forgot to struggle for a moment, and only slowly came to his senses after passing the mountain gate.

Just as he was about to reignite the conflict, he saw two figures walking towards them from a distance.

Chu Xue and Yin Yang immediately stopped, and Zong Shou's expression also stiffened.

One of them was about forty, with a strange face he had never seen before. The other was only sixteen but felt somewhat familiar. His mind automatically recalled some memories of this person.

—Zong Ling, Zong Shi's younger brother and one of his cousins. In Zong Shou's memory, he had little interaction with this person. When they met, they usually just nodded, and their relationship was extremely cold. In Qian Tian Mountain, they hadn't spoken a word for years.

Though he didn't know why this person was here, it was likely that he had no good intentions.

The two figures also paused, looking somewhat surprised. Then their expressions relaxed, and Zong Ling spoke first, his voice cold, "Isn't this my cousin? From the looks of it, did Brother Shou get kicked out by Lingyun Sect? I heard Uncle has a Lingyun Zhu Order, so was Cousin useless?"

Zong Shou's lips twitched slightly. How was Zong Ling's tone so similar to the deceased Zong Yu? No wonder they were cousins, they were like a mold.

Yin Yang and Chu Xue's expressions changed abruptly, their gazes sharp and cold as they looked at the two men.

The unfamiliar middle-aged man also shook his head, sighing, "This is not giving up until the last moment! Brother Yin, I told you long ago. Your trip to Dan Ling Mountain might not go as planned. You refused to believe me, and now what? It would have been better to agree then, rather than losing face on Dan Ling Mountain!"

Yin Yang's neck veins were already showing, his muscles tensed, and his face was extremely grim. Zong Shou's eyes, however, brightened slightly.

He recognized this person as Feng Xiao, who had spoken to Yin Yang by the bridge that day. The reason for being rejected by Lingyun Sect's Liang Miaozhi was clear.

Xue'er's teeth were grinding, "You're despicable!"

"Despicable?"

Feng Xiao sneered, his face showing disdain, "Since we are opponents, we must use any means necessary! When His Majesty acted, he was even ten times more ruthless than our young master. Ultimately, it's still your own choice. Moreover, that senior promised to help us, but also gave the prince a chance. As long as the prince passes the test, even our young master Zong Shi cannot—"

Before he could finish, Zong Ling sneered, "Why say so much? A waste is still a waste! Even with the Lingyun Order, you're still a useless lump of mud. But you, Cousin, have good fortune. Were you carried down the mountain by Xue'er? I always thought you were incapable but had some backbone and determination. Now you've really disgraced our Zong family! Can't you walk yourself? Get down!"

Xue'er clenched her fists, her cheeks flushed red, and she was furious, wanting to punch Zong Ling and flatten his face.

Young Master is not a waste! He broke the Lesser Luo Tian Sword Array in 343 breaths, drew the twelve Heavenly Talismans without using spirit power, and no one in the world can match that!

The scenery inside Dan Ling Mountain's Dao Palace and the unparalleled heroism when he drew his sword in 99 breaths, no one in the world can do that!

Just as she was about to retort, Zong Shou chuckled and patted her shoulder, "Sorry, sorry! This useless brother of mine has really troubled you. But Brother, you know, Zong Shou's body is too weak, so I had to let Xue'er carry me down. Besides, Xue'er is my servant. I can make her carry me if I want to, and do whatever I want. What does it have to do with you, Brother?"

After saying that, he hugged Chu Xue even more affectionately. Originally, he was worried about being seen and unable to face others. But after being provoked, Zong Shou didn't want to get down at all.

Zong Ling's face turned iron gray, and he looked at Chu Xue with an extremely dark expression. After a long moment, he took a deep breath, then laughed bitterly, his face cold and proud as he passed by the three of them, "I thought you still remembered our blood ties. If you were willing to give up the throne and leave Donglin Cloud Continent on your own, I and my brother could spare your life! Now, I realize how naive I was. Brother Shou, take care of yourself. I hope one day you can return to Qian Tian Mountain alive—"

Seeing this, Feng Xiao sighed again, looking at Yin Yang, "Brother Yin, the situation is clear now. Are you still going to follow this waste? If you have the heart, I can persuade the young master to give you another chance!"

Yin Yang laughed bitterly, his lips curling, his tone full of sarcasm, "The situation is clear? Not necessarily!"