One Palace, Two Halls, Four Pavilions; the Eight Great Families Shake Mountains and Rivers

Xiaoyao City was still shrouded in a thin morning mist at dawn when the crisp clatter of hoofbeats drew near from afar, breaking the streets' silence.

A contingent clad uniformly in fitted black attire stood in neat formation before Starlight Pavilion. The carriage at the head of the procession was lavishly adorned, its gold-thread curtains embroidered with cloud patterns swaying faintly, giving off an indistinct air of distinction.

"Is Young Master Xing present? By the family head's order, Qin has come to welcome Young Master Langya Xing!" A clear voice rang out from the procession. As the words fell, a middle-aged man with a tall, upright build and resolute features swung down from his horse.

He wore a dark-purple brocade robe, with a token carved in intricate patterns hanging at his waist. Every gesture he made radiated authority.

The pavilion doors slowly opened, and Langya Xing emerged with Mu Bai.

Upon seeing Langya Xing, Steward Qin immediately cupped his fists in salute, his manner exceedingly respectful. "Young Master Xing, the family head has been awaiting you for a long time. Please set out at once."

Langya Xing gave a slight nod, his gaze calm as still water, as though he had long been accustomed to such treatment.

"Let's go, Mu Bai," Langya Xing said softly, taking the lead toward the carriage.

Mu Bai nodded, his heart full of curiosity and nervousness.

He followed behind Langya Xing and stepped into the carriage.

The carriage's interior was spacious and comfortable, with exquisite cushions arranged all around. A faint fragrance also lingered in the air.

With a crisp crack of the whip, the procession slowly set off, leaving Langya City.

The carriage traveled along winding mountain roads, while the scenery beyond the window continuously changed, the bustling streets gradually giving way to dense forests.

Along the way, Steward Qin periodically reported on the family's recent affairs to Langya Xing, his words filled with respect.

Mu Bai sat quietly to one side, listening as his eyes gazed through the carriage window at the passing scenery.

Along the way, at every stretch of road, hidden sentries concealed with exceptional skill would suddenly emerge from all corners.

These sentries watched Mu Bai and Langya Xing vigilantly, the weapons in their hands glinting with cold light. They were clearly highly trained experts.

Mu Bai could even sense a threat from several of them—a threat at the level of Grandmasters of Martial Arts!

However, when Steward Qin displayed the token at his waist that represented his special status, the sentries' attitudes changed at once.

They respectfully saluted Steward Qin, then swiftly retreated to their original positions, as if nothing had happened.

This scene secretly astonished Mu Bai. At last, he understood why Langya Xing had not headed to the family grounds alone, choosing instead to wait in Langya City for someone to receive him.

Clearly, the Langya Family's security was extraordinarily strict. Even a direct-line young master like Langya Xing could not act as he pleased.

Langya Xing, standing beside him, seemed to notice Mu Bai's thoughts. The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile as he said softly, "In the Langya Family, only the Innate Elders have the authority to freely leave or enter the family grounds. Everyone else requires a family token to come and go."

After traveling for roughly half a day, the mountain road ahead abruptly came to an end, replaced by a bottomless cliff.

Across the cliff stood a towering mountain gate between two sheer precipices, connected only by a narrow stone bridge.

"We're here." Langya Xing lifted the carriage curtain and was the first to step down.

Mu Bai followed him out, and his gaze was immediately drawn to the enormous stone tablet before the mountain gate.

On the black Mysterious Stone Tablet, three zhang high, two large characters glowed crimson as blood, casting an eerie gleam beneath the sunlight.

He focused his eyes for a closer look, and the two characters suddenly twisted and warped, transforming into palm imprints that filled the sky and came howling toward him!

Mu Bai felt only searing pain in his eyes, as though countless steel needles had plunged into them.

He let out a muffled grunt and hurriedly shut his eyes.

"Lasting three breaths is already quite good. It proves that your martial foundation is exceptionally solid." Langya Xing's voice came from beside him, carrying a trace of approval. "This inscription contains our ancestor's Innate Palm Technique. When the family's disciples view the tablet for the first time, lasting a single breath is considered passing."

Mu Bai rubbed his eyes, too shaken to dare look again.

This Langya ancestor's martial cultivation was truly unfathomable!

"Let's go in." Langya Xing patted Mu Bai's shoulder and headed toward the mountain gate together with Steward Qin.

After crossing the stone bridge, the three entered through the mountain gate, and the sight before them left Mu Bai in awe.

All over the mountains grew every variety of exotic flower and rare herb. Dense spiritual energy filled the air, and precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures could be seen everywhere.

"The Langya Family really is powerful!" Mu Bai could not help exclaiming.

Langya Xing smiled. "The Langya Family is one of the Eight Great Families of the cultivation world, not some insignificant force that cannot even make the rankings. We are renowned throughout the entire cultivation world."

"What are the Eight Great Families?" Mu Bai asked curiously.

Langya Xing softly recited, "As the saying goes: 'One Palace, Two Halls, Four Pavilions; the Eight Great Families shake mountains and rivers'—these two lines of a nursery rhyme encompass all the great powers of the cultivation world! And my Langya Family ranks fifth among the Eight Great Families. We can be said to be renowned throughout the entire cultivation world!"

Mu Bai's heart trembled. Merely hearing those forces named in a nursery rhyme, he could already feel their overwhelming presence! Were these the top powers of the cultivation world?