Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Yunxi Prefecture, Qinglong Temple.

Mahavira Hall.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense and the sounds of Buddhist chants.

Zen Master Qinglong sat cross-legged on a futon, his eyes slightly closed, a string of prayer beads slowly turning in his hand. Each bead gleamed with a warm luster, like a piece of jade that had been polished for thousands of years.

Outside the hall, the sound of the evening drum rose, deep and resonant, echoing through the valley.

"The restrictions on the ruins are dissipating at an accelerated pace." The disciple below clasped his hands together, bowed, and reported, "It is expected to be fully activated within a month."

Zen Master Qinglong did not open his eyes, and the prayer beads in his hand continued to turn.

"What are the developments from all sides?"

"The Antarctic Sword Sect, the Iron Blood Hall, and the Chaotian Palace have all sent people. The Blood Nether Sect and the Heavenly Net are also secretly mobilizing people. The White Lotus Sect may also send people." The disciple paused, "In addition... the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Zhenfu Division have also appeared on the outskirts of the Endless Mountains."

The rosary beads stopped spinning.

Zen Master Qinglong opened his eyes.

"Is the imperial court getting involved too?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it resonated throughout the hall, as deep and resonant as a bell.

"It seems so." The disciple bowed his head. "It is said that Yan Jingchen, the Heavenly Division Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has already set off, and the Zhenfu Division is also making moves—leading the team is the Iron-Faced 'Xuanpan' of the Xuanzi Hall, a Grandmaster at the fifth level."

Zen Master Qinglong remained silent for a moment.

The prayer beads started spinning again, one turn at a time, neither too fast nor too slow.

"There's no need to take the initiative."

He raised his head and looked at the sky outside the hall. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the hall doors, gilding his monk's robe with a layer of gold.

"The Endless Mountains are the territory of our Azure Dragon Temple. Let them come if they want."

His voice remained calm, but his next sentence carried an undeniable air of dominance.

"But anyone who wants to run wild in the ruins will have to ask us if we'll allow it."

"Yes."

The disciple kowtowed deeply.

Liang'an Prefecture, Blood Dark Cult.

Xue Mingzi stood in the center of the secret chamber.

The bronze mirror before him—ten feet tall and three feet wide, its surface as smooth as water—reflected the golden light above the endless mountains. The light flowed within the mirror, as if it were alive.

"The site is about to open."

"Blood Demon Child murmured. His voice was very low, like an echo coming from the ground."

"Master, should we make a move?" Behind him, a masked figure in black knelt on the ground, his voice respectful and cautious.

Xue Mingzi did not answer immediately.

"Send a team over."

He finally spoke, his voice still very low.

"Don't stand out, don't fight, just observe. Strike when the opportunity arises."

"Yes."

The figure in black accepted the order and quietly withdrew.

Xue Mingzi continued to stare at the bronze mirror.

Golden light shimmered in the mirror, illuminating half of his pale face.

The Azure Dragon Society, the Antarctic Sword Sect, the Iron Blood Hall, the Chaotian Palace, the Azure Dragon Temple... so many forces are crammed together, and whoever stands out will die.

But he didn't want to give up the treasures in the ruins.

Skynet Headquarters.

In some unknown depth.

Yin Wuxie sat on the blood-jade chair.

"The Endless Mountain Ruins will open within one month."

Yin Wuxie's voice was very calm, as calm as a stagnant pool.

"Commander, shall we send someone?"

Yin Wuxie's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, the "tap-tap" sound echoing in the empty hall.

"Send," he said, "but don't reveal Skynet's identity. Infiltrate as independent cultivators."

"Yes."

"in addition--"

Yin Wuxie's voice suddenly turned three degrees colder, like a knife half-drawn from its sheath.

"How's the investigation into Dongfang Weiwo's matter going?"

The man in black lay prostrate on the ground, his voice trembling: "We're still investigating. That powerful figure beside him... comes and goes without a trace, and we haven't found a single clue. Our people have used all their undercover agents, but that person is as if he never existed; there are no records, no traces whatsoever."

Yin Wuxie snorted coldly.

That cold snort was like a bucket of ice water poured on the man in black, causing his body to tremble violently.

"Continue the investigation."

"yes!"

"We can't let our guard down regarding the ruins either." Yin Wuxie leaned back in his chair, the blood-jade seat creaking softly. "Proceed along both lines simultaneously."

"yes!"

The man in black scrambled back.

Yin Wuxie sat alone in the main hall, his cold eyes flickering in the green light.

Some hidden place.

Deep mountains, dense forests, thick fog.

In an unnamed cave, the remnants of the White Lotus Cult are secretly gathering.

The cave walls were covered with the symbols of the White Lotus Sect—blooming white lotuses that gleamed eerily in the firelight.

Inside the cave, more than ten people in white robes sat cross-legged, their auras deep and profound. The lowest among them was at least a Grandmaster.

Deep inside, an old man dressed in a white monk's robe sat cross-legged on a stone platform.

His eyebrows and beard were snow-white, but his face was rosy like a baby's. His eyes were slightly closed, and he exuded a chilling aura—an aura that surged forth like waves, forcing everyone else in the cave to lower their heads and hold their breath.

He is the newly appointed Dharma King of the White Lotus Sect, sent to the west—the "White-Robed Dharma King," a Grandmaster of the Fifth Heaven.

The death of the Netherworld Dharma King enraged the White Lotus Sect headquarters. However, the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Bodyguards were keeping a close watch on them, and a large-scale operation would only backfire. Therefore, the headquarters only sent one person.

"The Ruins of the Endless Mountains..."

The white-robed Dharma King opened his eyes.

Those eyes held no cloudiness, only clarity. Clear as a mountain spring, cold as ice and snow.

A slight smirk appeared on his lips.

"Azure Dragon Society, your good days are over."

On a hillside on the outskirts of the Endless Mountains.

The hill isn't high, but the view is excellent. Standing on it, you can take in the entire mountain range stretching for dozens of miles.

Yan Jingchen, the Imperial Guard's Assistant Commander, stood with his hands behind his back, nicknamed "Sky Eagle."

He wore a dark brocade robe, with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, and his face was as cold and stern as if carved by a knife. His hawk-like eyes were sharp and deep, and he was gazing at the golden light above the distant mountains.

The mountain wind howled, making his robes flutter loudly.

Behind him stood dozens of elite Imperial Guards, all dressed in black, with embroidered spring knives at their waists, their auras deep and unfathomable. Even the lowest among them was at the peak of the Innate Realm.

"Sir, the ruins are about to open, and all sides have sent people here." The subordinate stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

"What about the Azure Dragon Society?"

"They've already sent people. According to reports, Li Chenzhou, one of the four leaders of the Azure Dragon Society, is very likely to take action personally."

Yan Jingchen nodded slightly.

His gaze remained fixed on the distance, without turning back.

"Keep a close eye on everyone."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"The treasures in the ruins belong to the virtuous."

He paused for a moment, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"But if anyone dares to cause too much disturbance in the ruins and disturb the people—the Embroidered Uniform Guard will not let them off lightly."

The elite Imperial Guards behind him exchanged glances, their lips curling into knowing smiles.

We will not let them off easily.

That sounds very high-sounding.

In reality, everyone knows that the Imperial Guards are also there to steal the treasure.

Not far away, on another hilltop.

The people from the Zhenfu Division also arrived.

Leading the team was the Iron-Faced Judge of the Xuanzi Hall, a Grandmaster at the fifth level.

He wore a bronze mask that covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of cold eyes. Behind him followed more than twenty elite soldiers from the Zhenfu Division, whose auras were equally formidable.

The two imperial courts stood facing each other from afar.

Yan Jingchen glanced at Xuan Pan.

Xuanpan also glanced at Yan Jingchen.

Eyes facing each other.

There was no greeting, no small talk.

Each serves their own master and relies on their own abilities.

A mountain breeze blew by, and both sides shifted their gazes, continuing to stare at the shattering golden light above the distant mountains.