Wu Protector Comes Calling

Misty Cloud Sect's rear mountain.

Within the tranquil bamboo forest, Yun Shan sat with his eyes closed in cultivation, reflecting on the insights he had gained since entering seclusion.

Ever since he had passed the position of sect leader to Yun Yun, he had remained here in seclusion, never taking a single step outside.

Although his cultivation had indeed improved considerably, there was always an impenetrable barrier separating him from his goal—Dou Zong.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not break through that final shackle.

"How exactly can I break through to Dou Zong..."

He opened his eyes, utterly unable to make sense of it.

If he could not break through to Dou Zong, then his seclusion would be meaningless, and he would have no way to revive the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Could it be that I lack a stroke of opportunity?"

Just as Yun Shan was deep in thought, a chilling aura suddenly appeared in the rear mountain.

"Who's there?!"

He reacted at once, and a sharp gleam instantly flashed in his clouded old eyes.

"Hehehe, worthy of being Sect Leader Yun Shan. Your reaction is indeed fast."

A cold, strange laugh rang out. Then, black mist rapidly wriggled and condensed into a figure before Yun Shan.

"Who are you, to dare trespass into my Misty Cloud Sect?!" Yun Shan's gaze was sharp, but inwardly, he was somewhat alarmed.

He had only noticed the other party after he revealed his aura.

In other words, the man had already infiltrated the Misty Cloud Sect in secret and had not been discovered until he chose to reveal himself.

This person's cultivation... could not be underestimated!

Although Yun Shan was still in seclusion.

Looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire, no one could infiltrate the Misty Cloud Sect so silently!

Not even Jia Xing Tian could do it.

Just who was this man?!

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wu Protector, from the Soul Hall of the Central Plains." Wu Protector's voice was as cold and strange as his laugh.

He did not sound like a good person at all.

"Soul Hall?" Yun Shan narrowed his eyes at those two words.

Though the Misty Cloud Sect was a sect of the Jia Ma Empire.

In the era of its founding ancestor, Yun Potian, the Misty Cloud Sect had ventured beyond the Jia Ma Empire and made a name for itself across the entire continent.

He knew something of the lands beyond the Jia Ma Empire, even of the Central Plains.

In particular, some of the Misty Cloud Sect's ancient records documented several forces of the Central Plains.

Among them were the Hall, the Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions—these enormous factions had all been recorded.

Yun Shan had read the texts from Yun Potian's era and knew that beyond the Jia Ma Empire lay a vast and boundless world.

Thus, his goal had always been to restore the Misty Cloud Sect's former glory and once again stand before the countless forces of the continent.

Yet before he had even achieved that, someone from the Soul Hall had come looking for him?

"A dignified protector of the Soul Hall has traveled thousands of miles to our Jia Ma Empire. May I ask what brings you here?"

Although the other party's status and background were not to be underestimated, this was still the Misty Cloud Sect's territory. Naturally, Yun Shan would not be intimidated.

"It seems Sect Leader Yun Shan knows of our Soul Hall. That makes things easier." Wu Protector smiled.

"I came this time to help Sect Leader Yun Shan. I know that you have recently been trying to reach the peak of Dou Zong but have struggled to find the right method, so I brought a secret technique from our Soul Hall that can help you break through to Dou Zong."

Yun Shan narrowed his eyes. He had not expected Wu Protector to know even about his attempt to break through to Dou Zong.

But Wu Protector's words did not move him.

There was no such thing as a free lunch.

Though he was indeed trying to break through to Dou Zong and searching for a way forward.

No one who was not a fool would believe in something delivered to their doorstep so willingly.

"Thank you for your concern, Wu Protector, but I cannot accept rewards without merit. Our Misty Cloud Sect has never had any dealings with your Soul Hall. How could this old man have the nerve to accept Wu Protector's secret technique?"

He had lived for so many years and dealt with countless shrewd people. He would not be fooled so easily.

Wu Protector merely smiled. "I know what Sect Leader Yun Shan is worried about, and I understand."

"After all, no one would readily trust something that suddenly comes knocking at their door."

"I will be direct. I came this time because there is something I would like to ask Sect Leader Yun Shan, as well as your Misty Cloud Sect, to help with."

He deliberately lowered his posture and stopped referring to himself as "this protector," effectively closing the distance between them.

Sure enough, once Yun Shan heard that he had a request, he relaxed his guard somewhat.

If Wu Protector truly had no demands and simply came to offer him something, Yun Shan would have refused without hesitation or wavering.

"Let's hear it."

"I came with a mission. I need to find a 'Xiao Clan' within the Jia Ma Empire, but as we are unfamiliar with this place, we need to find a partner to assist us."

"Your Misty Cloud Sect is the strongest sect in the Jia Ma Empire. You possess great influence and are the best possible partner."

"The Xiao Clan?" Yun Shan murmured. He had no recollection of any Xiao Clan.

"As long as Sect Leader Yun Shan agrees to help, this secret technique that can aid a breakthrough to Dou Zong will serve as payment for the deal. What do you say?" Wu Protector took out a scroll and placed it before him, waiting for Yun Shan's answer.

"As far as I know, there is no 'Xiao Clan' in the Jia Ma Empire, nor are there any major sects or factions with the surname Xiao," Yun Shan said.

He remained somewhat wary.

"Of course I know that. Before coming to find Sect Leader Yun Shan, I investigated all the major sects and factions in your Jia Ma Empire. None of them had what I was looking for."

"But I am certain that the Xiao Clan is in the Jia Ma Empire. Since I cannot find them myself, I need to cooperate with Sect Leader Yun Shan."

Wu Protector's reasoning was sound, and his words were highly convincing.

In truth, he was not lying. He had indeed come to find the Xiao Clan.

But because he could not find them, he had no choice but to seek out Yun Shan.

"I understand Sect Leader Yun Shan's concerns. How about this? I will leave this secret technique with you. Sect Leader Yun Shan may study it as you please, or even try cultivating it. Whether it works, you will know once you try it."

"In three days, I will return. I hope that by then, I will have Sect Leader Yun Shan's answer."

With that, Wu Protector set down the scroll and transformed into a mass of mist, vanishing completely.

Yun Shan could feel that Wu Protector's aura had entirely disappeared. He had already left the Misty Cloud Sect.

Only after quite some time did Yun Shan look at the scroll before him. He reached out from afar and drew it into his hand.

"A secret technique capable of breaking through to Dou Zong..."

His instincts told him that he should not open this scroll, regardless of whether Wu Protector had been telling the truth.

What he should do was refuse outright.

Cooperating with strangers carried great risks.

But—

The words "Dou Zong" held a fatal allure for the current Yun Shan.

It was difficult for him to completely ignore Wu Protector's offer. What if Wu Protector was telling the truth?

"If he is telling the truth, and this secret technique can help me break through to Dou Zong, then cooperating with him may not be impossible."

After struggling inwardly for a long while, Yun Shan ultimately opened the scroll in his hand and began to examine it carefully...