Hei Xuan and Shi Tian reached the final obsidian step, their heavy breathing echoing in the quiet air as they looked around the summit.

They had finally reached the top.

Hovering right in the center of the broad, flat stone platform was the Academy’s Mandate, shining with a majestic, emerald light that illuminated the faces of the small group already gathered there.

Looking around, almost everyone present belonged to the elite Immortal Lineages—the proud, ancient clans that ruled the upper echelons of the academy.

The only exceptions standing amongst the peerless heirs were Su Xishi, representing the Blissful Immortal Coupling Palace, and Xu Jingshan, the Third Prince of the Imperial Family.

Yet, despite being within arm’s reach of the ultimate reward, none of the geniuses dared to step forward and seize the mandate.

That was because at this moment of the peak of the pyramid, an ancient, oppressive law array was active—their internal qi was completely sealed!

The moment their boots touched the top platform, their spiritual energy was locked deep within their dantians, reducing them entirely to their raw physical states and martial instincts.

Nobody wanted to make a reckless mistake that could cost them the mandate or leave them vulnerable to a sudden backstab from a rival.

Sensing the tense, frozen standoff, Hei Xuan stepped forward into the center of the platform, clearing his throat to address the gathered powerhouses.

"Brothers and sisters of the Immortal Lineages," Hei Xuan began, his voice carrying a sharp, persuasive tone as he looked around at the elite crowd. "We all know why we are here. But let us be logical about this. Most of our clans already possess dozens, if not nearly a hundred, official mandates and cities within the academy’s territories! To our factions, one more mandate is merely a minor addition to our vast holdings."

He paused, his red eyes glinting with a calculated light as he gestured toward the staircase below.

"However, if Shen Haoran and his group reach this summit, none of us will stand a chance at claiming it—sealed qi or not! So I propose a deal. If you all descend the steps right now and block Shen Haoran and his followers from reaching the top, I, Hei Xuan, as the heir of the Hei Clan, will owe every single one of you a massive, personal favor! Furthermore, my clan will grant your factions exclusive trading rights in our northern trade hubs. Is it not far wiser to exchange a mandate that your clan doesn’t desperately need for a heavy, lasting favor from me and the entire Hei Clan?"

The gathered geniuses pondered his proposal for a long moment.

They stared at each other, exchanging subtle, silent glances, weighing the practical value of a single extra mandate against a major debt owed by the powerful Hei Clan.

One by one, they gave firm, decisive nods.

The deal was struck.

Without wasting another second, almost every single elite student standing at the summit turned around and began descending the obsidian steps, moving in a heavy, coordinated formation to block Shen Haoran’s group from advancing any further.

The only ones who remained standing near the glowing mandate were two women.

The first was Bai Wenxin, standing near the edge with her arms crossed gracefully over her chest.

Her long, silky purple hair swayed gently with the mountain wind, her posture exuding an aura that was completely regal, serene, and noble.

Beside her stood Su Xishi, who offered a striking, playful contrast to her friend’s composed demeanor.

Su Xishi was delightfully seductive, her fluffy fox ears twitching cutely atop her head while her soft, white fox tail swished playfully behind her waist, a mischievous glint dancing in her dark eyes.

Hei Xuan turned toward the two maidens, his eyes narrowing slightly as his posture tensed. "Are you two planning to fight me for this mandate?"

Su Xishi shook her head with a light, airy chuckle, waving her delicate hand dismissively. "Nope! Not at all. I just really don’t want to get onto that man’s bad side. Blocking Shen Haoran sounds like a one-way ticket to a miserable beating."

Bai Wenxin didn’t say a single word, remaining stoic and quiet, but that was also her exact reasoning.

After all, she had seen with her own two eyes back during previous encounters just how ridiculously, impossibly strong Shen Haoran truly was.

A simple favor from Hei Xuan was nowhere near worth the absolute nightmare of confronting Haoran directly—not to mention that she and Haoran were already on relatively friendly terms, and she had no intention of ruining that relationship over a mere token.

*

*

*

Below, on the mid-section of the pyramid...

Shen Haoran’s group was forced to come to a complete halt as the descending wave of geniuses from the Immortal Lineages gathered across the wide steps, forming a dense, impenetrable wall of elite powerhouses to stop their advance.

Among the frontlines of the blocking force stood Ling Yinchi, holding her weapon with a complicated expression.

She looked down at Shen Haoran and smiled wryly, offering an apologetic nod.

"Sorry, Haoran," Ling Yinchi said, her voice filled with genuine helplessness. "I know I still owe you a favor for saving me some treasures earlier... but Hei Xuan possesses a book that I have been searching for for years, and with this favor, I can make him give it up. So please change room? I’ll definitely compensate you for this later, I promise!"

"Move away!"

Before she could even finish speaking, Shen Tao’s booming voice shattered the air!

His internal physical energy roared like a wild, ancient dragon, crackling through his muscles with pure, unbridled physical force.

He lunged himself forward toward Ling Yinchi, stepping through the gravitational pressure like it was nothing, and thrust a terrifying, mountain-shattering straight punch directly at her face!

Ling Yinchi’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as an absolute, instinctual alarm screamed in her soul!

Without a single second of hesitation, she forcefully tilted her body to the side, throwing her weight backward to barely dodge the incoming fist by a hairsbreadth!

*BOOM—!*

A massive, compressed shockwave of atmospheric wind ripped apart the air where the fist had pointed!

The raw pressure blasted outward like a cannon shell, blowing away dozens of nearby students and sending them tumbling wildly down the steps like fallen leaves!

Holy shit...

Ling Yinchi jumped backward several times in rapid succession, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as she landed heavily on a lower step.

She stared in utter shock at the deep, shattered crater left in the obsidian air where Shen Tao’s fist had passed, and then looked up at his fierce, unyielding face.

’Is this the guy everyone in the academy calls a ’cripple’?!’ she screamed mentally, cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. ’Shen Xinye was completely right... this monster is definitely stronger than me by a mile!’

Shen Tao didn’t even flinch. He lowered his glowing fist, staring down Ling Yinchi and the gathered Immortal Clan heirs with eyes that burned like molten gold.

"You will let us pass," Shen Tao stated, his voice ringing out like an absolute, uncompromising decree that vibrated through the stone steps.

"Arrogant! How dare a mere servant look down on us?!" Jian Xi growled, his face twisting into a furious scowl.

As the sword maniac from the renowned Jian Clan, his pride as an elite swordsman was thoroughly insulted by Shen Tao’s blunt, uncompromising demand.

Without a second thought, Jian Xi’s feet exploded with razor-sharp sword intent as he rushed violently towards Shen Tao, his hand clutching his soul-bound sword that buzzed with lethal, cutting energy.

He aimed straight for Shen Tao’s neck, determined to teach the First Seat of the Crowns the true hierarchy of the cultivation realms.

*SWISH—!*

But before his blade could even complete half its arc, a glowing, ruby-red rope suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

Moving with the speed of a striking viper, the spatial cord wove through the air and bound Jian Xi in a humiliating, tight fashion, pinning his arms awkwardly against his torso and locking his legs together.

Jian Xi stumbled, his momentum instantly killed as he strained against the tightening bind.

He turned his head with difficulty towards the source of the rope, his eyes locking onto Shen Xinye, who held the other end of the glowing qi cord with a calm, unimpressed expression.

"Get over here!" Shen Xinye barked, violently yanking the rope to pull the bound sword maniac clean off his feet and drag him toward her melee range.

*SNIP!*

However, at that exact moment, a sharp, violet beam of light flashed through the air, cleanly slicing right through Shen Xinye’s spatial rope!

The severed cord dissolved into scattered red particles, and Jian Xi dropped back onto the obsidian step, gasping for air.

Out of the surrounding mist, a man clad in pristine white and silver robes stepped forward, a subtle, pulsating purple light still covering his raised right finger.

His aura was vast, cold, and utterly boundless, radiating the ancient authority of a top-tier prodigy.

Shen Xinye’s brows furrowed tightly as she recognized his identity.

"You are Gao Yu, the heir of the Grand Void Immortal Sect," Shen Xinye frowned, her golden eyes narrowing as she studied his posture. "Why are you here? And attacking us? Have you also fallen so low that you are willing to help an enemy camp just to get this mere favor?"

"Why so many questions? Just kill them all!"

Before Gao Yu could even offer a smooth, diplomatic answer, Shen Jian’s figure burst forth from the ranks, his longsword already unsheathed.

He landed heavily on the step directly in front of Gao Yu, his blade crackling with fierce, aggressive sword light as he stood face to face with the Grand Void Sect heir.

The air on the middle staircase turned completely volatile as the rest of Shen Haoran’s retinue stepped forward in unison.

Shen Fei stepped up, his Sacred Physique flaring to life, casting an immense gravitational pressure over the blocking forces.

Shen Ji took his place on the flank, his eyes glowing with dark, calculated combat intent.

Shen Xun’er drew her blade with a ringing metallic sound, her fiery aura surging to match her fierce resolve.

Every single member of the Ten Crowns lined up side by side, forming an unbreakable, terrifying wall of absolute talent.

Even Qian Yunxi, who proudly considered herself as Shen Haoran’s loyal servant, stepped up without a single trace of fear, her hands forming intricate martial seals as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Crowns, completely blocking the path of the gathered Immortal Lineages!

The clash of combined auras created a massive shockwave that rattled the very foundation of the great Pyramid, locking the two massive factions in a high-stakes, violent stalemate.

Shen Xun’er looked back over her shoulder, her sharp, fierce eyes softening just a fraction as she met Shen Haoran’s calm, dark gaze.

"Young master, go!" Shen Xun’er declared firmly, her voice echoing with absolute loyalty. "Leave these fools to us!"

Shen Haoran looked at his retinue, a subtle, approving smile touching his handsome face.

He gave them a simple, single nod. "Don’t take too long."

With that, Shen Haoran continued walking smoothly upward, stepping right past the chaotic battlefield without a single person from the Immortal Lineages daring or able to break through the Crowns’ defensive wall to stop him.

Huo Yue let out a cocky smirk, resting her hands behind her head, while Gu Xunyi walked with her usual regal grace, the two maidens following closely behind his calm, unhurried footsteps as they ascended toward the summit.