My backer, Cao Wenbin, is very powerful!

Though a Saint-level cultivator cannot tear through the void, their speed is astonishingly swift.

Moments after Wu Lingtian dispatched his signal, a figure emerged from the thin air at the entrance of the mystic realm: a scar-faced man, sneering as he surveyed the crowd.

"I hear there's some bold fool here attempting to claim the entire mystic realm for himself," he scoffed. "Well then, let's see what the commotion is all about."

His gaze landed firmly on Cao Wenbin, the very image of a predator eyeing its prey. Ordinarily, such an intimidating presence—a Saint-level cultivator—would send anyone into a frenzy of terror. But Cao Wenbin, unconcerned, looked at him with thinly veiled disdain.

"Just an insect clinging to life, who can barely muster the strength of a Saint. What reason do I have to fear you?"

The corner of Wang Tao's mouth lifted slightly, though his expression soured. "You think that because I'm close to death, I won't take you with me?" His laugh was grim, echoing with menace.

Cao Wenbin chuckled, gently guiding Xue Rou aside before meeting Wang Tao's threat with a steady gaze. "Tell me, do you know why a servant, condemned to die, still expresses gratitude to his lord?"

Wang Tao paused, the arrogance slipping from his face as a trace of sweat appeared on his brow. He realized the implication: gratitude was extended in hopes that his family might be spared. The weight of Cao Wenbin's words began to press down on him, unsettling his resolve.

The scarred cultivator, striving to maintain his composure, spat back, "Enough riddles. Get out of my sight! This mystic realm is meant for all; you have no right to monopolize it!"

As he moved to drive Cao Wenbin out, he failed to notice that the young man hadn't moved an inch.

"Why isn't he reacting? Could he have a trump card?"

But Cao Wenbin had no intention of prolonging the encounter. Muttering to himself, he touched a jade pendant at his chest, which erupted with radiant beams of light. At once, a fissure appeared above, from which stepped a stately, formidable figure—the Sixth Ancestor.

"Brat, you finally decided to call for me?"

The onlookers froze, eyes wide with awe, none more so than Wang Tao, who plummeted from the sky in shock, landing face-first into the ground.

But Cao Wenbin didn't waste a moment. Under the gaze of countless onlookers, he dashed up to Zhao Yu'er, embracing her with shameless fervor.

"Who is this man?" murmured an astonished onlooker. "To have the audacity to cling to the Emperor himself—surely he must be the young master of the Cao family!"

As onlookers murmured with admiration and envy, Cao Wenbin, now settled, began to negotiate with Zhao Yu'er.

"Well, if you're thirsty, you'd best go find a drink elsewhere. I'm certainly not here to quench it for you!"

Cao Wenbin wiped his brow, recognizing that with Yu'er's sharp tongue, it was better to restrain himself.

"I want you to guard the mystic realm's entrance," he requested, gesturing toward the portal. "Don't let a soul inside until I return."

With a nod, Zhao Yu'er lowered her gaze to the gathering crowd. "You have ten breaths to clear out of here," she called, her voice sharp. "Those who defy me will never leave this place—unless you'd like to summon your elders, of course. I am always eager to reason things out."

Fear gripped the crowd, who vanished in the blink of an eye.

Satisfied, Cao Wenbin slipped into the mystic realm, with Qin Yunmeng, a captivating beauty in the same cultivation stage, close behind him.

Elsewhere, Wu Chenggan lay sprawled unceremoniously on the forest floor, the futility of his plans dawning upon him. "Wretched Cao Wenbin! The wisdom of the ancients holds true: in the face of overwhelming power, even the most brilliant strategy is worthless."

Just then, a voice interrupted his lament. "It seems I'm not the only one who harbors ill will toward Cao Wenbin."

Wu Chenggan leapt up, clutching his Demon-Suppressing Tower defensively. "Who's there?"

"Brother Chenggan, please—no need to be on edge. I am Die Ke, another unfortunate soul wronged by Cao Wenbin. For you, it was your mother he took; for me, it was my ancestor."

Wu Chenggan's wariness waned, a sense of kinship softening his resolve. But he pressed further, "Why are you here?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I propose an alliance against Cao Wenbin."

Wu Chenggan, his spirit dampened, gave a bitter chuckle. "Before today, I would've been eager to join forces. But now… his power is unfathomable. How could we possibly contend?"

Die Ke's smile was knowing. "What if I told you I knew of another entrance to the mystic realm?"

Wu Chenggan's face lit with cautious hope. "Are you certain?"

"Absolutely. There's a concealed path in a mountain cave, shielded by a natural barrier. Even the Emperor himself would be hard-pressed to detect it. So, Brother Chenggan—shall we discuss the spoils?"

A smile flickered on Wu Chenggan's face as he met Die Ke's gaze. "Deal."