Once one enters the halls of officialdom, they are as deep as the sea, where schemes and intrigues never cease.

Once upon a time, the two Ding brothers and Dongmen Yong were sworn brothers who would gladly entrust their lives to one another. Yet, times have changed, and people have drifted apart. Of the three, one is gone, and the remaining two have become bitter enemies—a situation that evokes a profound sense of melancholy.

Ding Desheng reached for the wine flask at his waist and gulped down several mouthfuls.

Dongmen Yong caught sight of him and remarked, "Do not get drunk; we still have the disciples' duels to watch later."

Ding Desheng stood up, pointed at Dongmen Yong, and retorted, "Just watch. My disciple will surely be more outstanding than your son!"

"I look forward to it," Dongmen Yong replied.

Ding Desheng walked toward Baili Qingyan and produced a jade pendant, which was split into two halves—pieces that had once belonged to him and Ding Xuanming. Now that Ding Xuanming was dead, the pendant was reunited, but the cost of this reunion had been devastating. Perhaps others were unaware, but Baili Qingyan understood all too well: ever since Ding Xuanming’s death, Ding Desheng had not enjoyed a single night of peaceful sleep. He would often wake in the dead of night, screaming his brother’s name. Baili Qingyan knew these were nightmares—dreams in which his brother returned to claim his life. As Xie Wuji had once noted, if Ding Desheng could bring himself to harm his own brother, there was likely no one in the world he would fear.

"If you lack confidence, you should surrender in time. Losing to the Snake Fairy is nothing to be ashamed of anyway," Dongmen Xianyun whispered in Xie Wuji's ear.

Only then did Xie Wuji snap back to reality. "Me? I’m fine... really, I’m fine. The Snake Fairy is human, not an actual immortal. Who knows? Maybe I’ll win!"

Dongmen Xianyun giggled. "Fine, then I shall watch as you perform a miracle, Brother Xie!"

As Xie Wuji was eating, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up to find Father Hua. The eunuch had arrived discreetly, dressed in commoners' clothing. He whispered, "Your Highness Wuji, do you have a moment? Could you come with me?"

"Oh, it is you, Father Hua. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Xie Wuji asked with a smile.

"There is no time to explain, please, Your Highness, come with me!" Father Hua appeared visibly anxious.

Xie Wuji tugged at him, saying, "Come now, sit down and watch the match with me. The main event is coming up..."

"It is a matter of life and death! If you do not leave now, it will be too late!" Father Hua insisted.

Xie Wuji frowned. He wondered if his sister had run into trouble. If so, this was no time for jesting. Since the tournament was structured in rounds, his own match was the last of the day. Although he might miss the brilliant duel between Dongmen Jianhao and Baili Qingyan, the greater matter took precedence.

With that thought, he turned to Xianyun. "I need to step out for a moment. Keep an eye on things here; I will be sure to return before my round begins."

"You..." Before Dongmen Xianyun could finish, Xie Wuji had already dashed away.

He navigated a winding path until he reached the area designated for the Kingdom Above the Clouds. In a corner of the pavilion, several ministers were drinking and making merry. The space was quite expansive—about the size of a living room—and felt luxurious compared to the ordinary spectator stands. As Xie Wuji approached, Bai Liuli spotted him and immediately called out, "Brother, you’re here! Quickly, come over!"

"This is..."

"No time to explain!" Bai Liuli led Xie Wuji into a carriage parked outside the venue. The vehicle was remarkably opulent. She then spoke, "I have uncovered a secret—a massive, earth-shattering secret!"

"Sister, please, get straight to the point," Xie Wuji urged, feeling a growing sense of urgency.

Meanwhile, the first match had begun. Dongmen Jianhao ascended the stage to the cheers of the crowd. When Baili Qingyan appeared, the audience erupted once more. Because of the beauty Baili Qingyan had previously unveiled, he was considered breathtaking, captivating every man present. Even the disciples of sects who knew his true identity were swayed. After all, beauty is meant to be admired; people naturally hope for others to be as beautiful as possible, and Baili Qingyan was so exquisite that he satisfied every fantasy one could hold regarding a woman’s appearance. In comparison, his gender seemed insignificant, as few would ever have the chance for any intimate interaction.

Dongmen Jianhao opened his sword case at the start, ten precious blades circling him. "Qingyan, we finally have the chance to settle our score. How exciting!"

"Hmph, I have looked forward to this day as well. Everyone has always called you the greatest expert of the Danxia Sect—I, for one, have never agreed," Baili Qingyan replied, settling into his stance. Two vine-like whips emerged from his sleeves, lashing against the ground with a crisp crack that drew everyone's attention.

Dongmen Jianhao watched him warily. Being from the same sect, both were brilliant talents. He often thought that if Baili Qingyan were a woman, the sect would surely have tried to arrange a marriage between them. Dongmen Jianhao shifted his feet, and in a flash, ten sword-wolves, each gripping a blade, lunged at Baili Qingyan!

The wolves attacked from all directions. Two disappeared into the ground, but keen-eyed observers saw one emerge from beneath the earth, sword-first, while another leaped from the sky.

"Ten-Fold Siege!" Dongmen Jianhao grunted, and his blades erupted in a blinding light.

Baili Qingyan clasped his hands together, and vines instantly wrapped around him, forming a spherical shell that held firm against the onslaught. The audience stood up in amazement.

"What a spectacular fight! One attacks with pure, ferocious power, while the other defends with an impenetrable, all-encompassing barrier—it’s brilliant!"

"This fight will surely go down in history. They are from the same sect, yet they fight like mortal enemies!"

"That is the nature of the martial world; there is always a history behind the surface. Perhaps there is some dark past between them?"

As rumors and gossip swirled among the spectators, the vine-ball suddenly sprang into the air. A multitude of vines erupted from within, spreading in all directions before snapping off. To the audience's confusion, the severed vines hit the ground and transformed into a tide of venomous snakes, slithering rapidly toward Dongmen Jianhao.

Dongmen Jianhao narrowed his eyes and leaped into the air. A great eagle, manifested from spiritual energy, appeared beneath his feet, allowing him to hover. The snakes were left with no target. Their exchange of offense and defense was breathtaking, drawing continuous gasps from the crowd.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Bai Liuli gripped Xie Wuji’s shoulders. "Brother, the Four Great Ministers... they are brewing a terrifying conspiracy. We must stop them!"

"What? What is happening?" Xie Wuji asked, bewildered, but seeing the gravity in Bai Liuli’s eyes, he knew this was no joke.

Bai Liuli spoke every word with deliberate weight: "The Four Great Ministers and Ding Desheng are planning to assassinate your master! And there is another sect involved—I don't know which one, but it is one of the Ten Great Sects. They are all in on it!"

"One of the Ten Great Sects?" Xie Wuji gasped. The Ten Great Sects were not to be trifled with. If Ding Desheng were to take advantage of this moment to strike at Dongmen Yong, the few people around him would be powerless to stop it.