Under the same sky, within the official premises of Yanmen Pass.

Shi Wujue was dressed in black embroidered clothes, with snow-white hair cascading over his shoulders. He gazed at the pitch-black night outside, his eyebrows slanted and tightly knit, pacing anxiously back and forth, "What’s the situation? Hasn’t Duo Shu returned yet? Is there any news from the two of them?"

"Reporting to the Hall Master, Lord Duo Shu has not returned yet. The night is deep; would the Hall Master like to rest first? The Southern Emperor and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mu have exceptional martial arts skills. Even if they aren’t with the entourage, there shouldn’t be any major danger. The Hall Master needn’t worry so much!" The servant standing behind Shi Wujue stepped forward upon hearing this and advised once again.

Upon hearing this, Shi Wujue immediately shook his head, furrowing his brows as he spoke, "Even if their martial arts are exceptional, it doesn’t guarantee they won’t encounter trouble! You ought to know this area is already Northern Mongolian territory. My ancestors once made great efforts on this expanse to reclaim the Secret Realm Key from the hands of the Northern Mongolian ancestors. There are some places that even they shouldn’t go!"

"Continue the search and employ the secret technique to have Duo Shu report back immediately!"

Saying this, Shi Wujue urged in a deep voice.

"As you command!" The servant helplessly obliged, seeing the determined expression on his master’s face.

Throughout the waiting period, Shi Wujue’s brow remained tightly furrowed, pacing up and down constantly!

Since entering Lin Yuan City yesterday, Shi Wujue had sensed that Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu’s aura had vanished from around him. Hence, in his doubt, Shi Wujue had no choice but to send Duo Shu to search for the two to prevent any mishap!

However, Duo Shu’s departure brought no news!

Shi Wujue certainly did not believe that Duo Shu would reveal himself to Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu and suffer misfortune. Given Duo Shu’s status, as long as he informed Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu that he was dispatched by Shi Wujue for their safety, even if discovered, Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu wouldn’t have any reason to make things difficult for him!

But now, a whole day and night have passed, and there’s still no sight of Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu returning!

Thinking that the person sent was Duo Shu, and knowing Duo Shu harbored resentment toward Gu Changsheng due to his brother Duo Ao’s death, Shi Wujue found himself increasingly restless!

As time progressed, the worry on Shi Wujue’s face became even more apparent!

Finally, just as Shi Wujue was on the verge of going out to search personally, the servant, having brought Duo Shu, entered the room!

Seeing Duo Shu appear, a hint of relief spread across Shi Wujue’s world-renowned face, and he let out a long sigh of relief. Before Duo Shu could pay his respects, Shi Wujue asked urgently, "Where are they? They’ve been gone for a day and a night. If they were investigating Yanmen Pass, they should have returned by now. Why is it that only you have come back?"

"Hall Master..." Duo Shu, witnessing his master’s anxiety, had a troubled look concealed beneath his black attire.

Seeing Duo Shu like this, Shi Wujue couldn’t help but feel a jolt at heart. He stepped forward and grabbed Duo Shu’s arm, asking urgently, "Where are they? Speak!"

"Hall Master, it’s my incompetence!" Upon seeing this, Duo Shu immediately knelt on one knee.

"Enough with these useless words, tell me, where did Gu Changsheng go? You defied my orders and did not send back any news!" Shi Wujue, seeing Duo Shu’s demeanor, grew even more anxious, his face filled with murderous intent as he harshly reprimanded.

"It wasn’t that I didn’t send news back, but rather, I couldn’t send news back, Hall Master..." Duo Shu said with resignation, his lowered head revealing even more helplessness.

As soon as Duo Shu spoke, the face of Shi Wujue standing in front of him turned pale instantly, his body staggered, and he involuntarily stepped back, his narrow eyes filled with shock, murmuring in a lost voice, "Couldn’t send news back... Couldn’t send news back... Could it be, did they go there..."

At these words, Shi Wujue couldn’t help but turn his head, looking eastward past Yanmen Pass...

Shi Wujue was well aware of Duo Shu’s capabilities, and within Yanmen Pass, the only place where Duo Shu couldn’t send news out was one!

That is Heaven’s Moat Dead Land, Valley of Forgetfulness!

"Duo Shu, did they go to the Valley of Forgetfulness? Is it true? Answer me!" As he regained his composure, Shi Wujue’s face was on the verge of madness, grabbing Duo Shu from the ground, and urgently asked.

"Yes, Hall Master! They entered the Valley of Forgetfulness!" Watching his master so anxious, Duo Shu had no choice but to speak truthfully!

"Valley of Forgetfulness! Valley of Forgetfulness! No Return Cliff! Duo Shu, you know! You clearly know, No Return Cliff in the Valley of Forgetfulness was originally crafted by our ancestors to cleanse the house, to obliterate the Northern Mongolian ancestors, why didn’t you stop her? Why?"

Receiving confirmation from Duo Shu, Shi Wujue’s exquisite face instantly twisted into a feral snarl, almost hysterically shouting.

"Hall Master! I couldn’t stop them! I originally thought they entered the Valley of Forgetfulness merely out of curiosity, wanting to explore. Who would have thought they were heading towards what is rumored as Intestine-Breaking Cliff? By the time I reacted and wanted to stop them, it was too late, the Hidden World Clan people had alarmed the man-eating ants guarding by the cliff, Gu Changsheng and Zhou Mu got involved, and helplessly, they had to jump down Intestine-Breaking Cliff. Fortunately, I managed to escape since I was further away, or else... Hall Master, it’s my incompetence, failing to stop Gu Changsheng in time! Please punish me!" Duo Shu said, lowering his head and gloomily began pleading guilty.

Listening to Duo Shu’s words and looking at the kneeling Duo Shu, Shi Wujue shook his head, a bitter smile flashing across his extraordinary face as he sarcastically said, "Duo Shu, speaking of Intestine-Breaking Cliff, that’s what the world knows about No Return Cliff, being a minister of the Ancient Country, don’t tell me you are unaware of No Return Cliff’s secret!"

"Duo Shu, I assumed that even if you had grievances with Gu Changsheng, you wouldn’t forget your identity as a member of the Ancient Country over crucial matters. But you have let me down! If you truly wanted to stop them, how could you not have the chance? Speaking of alarming the man-eating ants! Before alarming the ants, you clearly understood her intention, that’s why you timely retreated, watching them descend No Return Cliff!"

"Hall Master..." Duo Shu, kneeling and upon hearing these words, raised his head in disbelief, panic-stricken and wanting to explain. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

However, Shi Wujue didn’t give him the opportunity, interrupting him with a wave, his voice somber as he gazed into the dark night outside, continuing in a low tone, "Our Ancient Country’s secret texts say, at No Return Cliff below, there is No Return Path, even for a deity, there is no return! It was created by our ancestors, using supreme power against rebellious family servants. Duo Shu, how could you? How could you watch her go down No Return Cliff with open eyes? You clearly want her dead!"

"Hall Master, the subordinates..." Hearing this, Duo Shu’s body trembled uncontrollably as shadows flashed in his eyes. Looking at his master, he solemnly spoke, "Hall Master, shouldn’t she die? How many of our Ancient Country people have lost their lives at her hands? Shouldn’t she die? Hall Master, opening Divine Demise Land could unravel the millennia-old mystery of our Ancient Country, but that’s merely a legend, not to be taken for truth! Why do you exhaust yourself over that baseless rumor for her? Hall Master..."

"Quiet!" But before Duo Shu could finish, Shi Wujue returned, his expression fierce, interrupting him, looking at Duo Shu, he solemnly said, "At this point, Duo Shu, do you think that we have any way back? Linyuan City, Evil Gathering Formation has been destroyed, Heaven Deceiving Hall is wasted, as remnants of Shi Clan, I have no descendants left to conceal heavenly secrets, to descend upon the world. Duo Shu, I am the last bloodline remaining of Shi Clan, do you see the life-and-death line on my arm? When this line reaches my neck, is the day I’m destined to die. If I die, with no descendants, then its time is yours, is our Ancient Country He Clan, following me to Hell! Duo Shu, even if that is just a rumor, even if it is untrustworthy, it is already our Ancient Country’s last hope! Yet you, you watched as Gu Changsheng stepped into No Return Dead Land! Duo Shu, she is our only hope, a person I’ve risked everything to protect without reservation, how could you? How could you do this..."

"Hall Master, if it weren’t for her, why would you need to open Heaven Deceiving Hall? How would the Evil Gathering Formation at Linyuan City be destroyed overnight? Hall Master, whatever you say, it’s all because of her, for defying the heavens several times and pushing us, pushing our He Clan to this impasse, Hall Master, if it wasn’t for her, how would your life-and-death line appear so early? If not for her, how would you exhaust your life force and age prematurely? Hall Master, we could figure out a way to extend your life, but don’t place all hope on her alone anymore, a rumor is not necessarily the truth, our Ancient Country..." Duo Shu, upon hearing Shi Wujue’s words, became increasingly agitated, no longer able to hide his resentment towards Gu Changsheng, shouting with agitation.

Listening to Duo Shu’s words, Shi Wujue’s complexion became increasingly pale, shaking his head, muttering softly, "So, Duo Shu, in your heart, it’s me who pushed the Ancient Country into this dilemma? It’s me who for personal feelings, for rescuing her, defied the heavens repeatedly, thus pushing the Ancient Country into this dead end? Is that what you think? Or is it that all of you, all of you think this way? That it’s me who intends to harm you? To harm the Ancient Country? You, all the Ancient Country’s subjects, is that what you all think?"