When Li Xuanqi saw Bei Tangfeng, the smile remained on her face, but it was tinged with a distant indifference. "Looks like we aren't the only ones who are late," she said. "Not many of our old acquaintances are here. They must still be on their way..."

Bei Tangfeng glanced around and saw that she was right. Only a few of the prodigies from the top of the Golden Core Ranking were present.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on Wang Xiu, and he was slightly taken aback. The youth in white was as graceful and elegant as a banished immortal. Even standing beside a Fairy like Li Xuanqi, he wasn't the least bit overshadowed. Instead, the two seemed to complement and enhance each other's radiance. It was hard not to notice him.

"And this is..." Bei Tangfeng began to ask.

"Sanqing's Wang Xiu," Wang Xiu introduced himself, staring at Bei Tangfeng. He sized him up from top to bottom, and as he recalled the rumors he had heard, a peculiar expression crossed his face.

"So it's Brother Wang. I have heard much about you." Even those who had never heard of Wang Xiu before were now familiar with his name. Since the opening of the Holy Realm, Wang Xiu had already accomplished several significant feats.

Bei Tangfeng had naturally heard of him, but this was their first time meeting. He was just as extraordinary as the legends claimed, with looks and a mysterious aura that were in no way inferior to his own.

Suddenly, Bei Tangfeng noticed the look in Wang Xiu's eyes and frowned. "Brother Wang, why are you looking at me like that?"

"AHEM..." Wang Xiu averted his gaze and smiled. "I've long heard of Saint Heir Bei Tang's exceptional talent. They say you are the foremost master of the Art of Manipulation among the younger generation in Nanzhou. I have wished to make your acquaintance for some time but never had the chance. It seems fate has brought us together today!"

Bei Tangfeng's brow relaxed. The thing he hated most in life was sycophants. However, he was more than willing to befriend a prodigy like Wang Xiu, who spoke the truth from the heart! Such a quality was truly precious!

He smiled and clasped his fists. "Brother Wang, you are too kind!"

He then glanced at the pair before turning to Li Xuanqi, asking curiously, "Why hasn't the Saintess entered the Forest Viewing Painting yet? Could it be that even a favored daughter of the heavens like yourself has moments of uncertainty?"

Li Xuanqi glanced at him. "The God and Demon Murals are a legacy from ancient times, filled with profound mysteries. Even the Great Abilities of antiquity wouldn't dare claim they could easily grasp its secrets, let alone me. On the other hand, Saint Heir Bei Tang, I hear you've crafted several Golden Puppets, each with astonishing combat power on par with the elites of the Golden Core Ranking... I presume your cultivation level has advanced by leaps and bounds, and your divine arts have reached a state of mastery!"

This was meant to be a polite compliment, yet upon hearing the words "Golden Puppets," Bei Tangfeng stiffened. His refined expression vanished. His eye twitched, veins bulged on his temples, and he seethed with an anger that made him look like he was about to hit someone.

He hated those two words with a passion.

No one knew what he had endured because of them. It was a painful topic he was utterly unwilling to speak of, let alone recall.

Wang Xiu saw his expression and immediately understood. The corner of his mouth twitched as he fought back a laugh. He tugged on Li Xuanqi's sleeve, "What are you talking about? Saint Heir Bei Tang is a peerless prodigy in his own right. Even without the Golden Puppets, he is still a peerless prodigy! A true gentleman does not rely on external objects. No matter how magnificent a Puppet is, its power is ultimately a reflection of one's own cultivation! Let's not mention that anymore. If you want to praise someone, praise Brother Bei Tang himself!"

In an instant, tears welled up in Bei Tangfeng's eyes.

A kindred spirit! This is a true kindred spirit!

On his journey here, everyone—friend or foe—never shut up about the Golden Puppets. It gave him a splitting headache.

He couldn't help but wonder, was he, Bei Tangfeng, not considered a prodigy before the Golden Puppets came along?

"Brother Wang!" He grabbed Wang Xiu's hand, his voice thick with emotion. "We are kindred spirits! Your words... they speak to my very soul! It is my greatest regret that we did not meet sooner!"

Wang Xiu laughed heartily and stepped forward to engage him in conversation.

"To be honest, I've long heard of Brother Bei Tang's glorious achievements and have wished to become your friend. To that end, I even specially researched the Art of Manipulation and have gained some small insights of my own... You see..."

"Brother Wang, you are a true treasure! Your attainments in the Art of Manipulation are astonishing—you are a genius! We should become sworn brothers!"

The conversation flowed, and Bei Tangfeng found himself nodding repeatedly, growing more and more excited.

Wang Xiu is a treasure of a young man, completely to my liking! We even share the same interests. And it's not an act—he has a genuine, deep understanding of Puppets! To meet so late, a kindred spirit is so hard to find!

Bei Tangfeng now profoundly understood the meaning of that sentiment.

Nearby, Li Xuanqi's mouth twitched.

Strange, why does all of this sound so familiar?

Just then, a commotion erupted from the crowd.

"Look!"

"It's lighting up! The whole thing is lighting up!"

A brilliant light surged between heaven and earth. Countless divine rays shot out from the Stone Forest, reaching for the heavens and piercing the ground. They manifested a phantasmal battlefield of Demons and Gods. War cries thundered as ancient gods fell, their spilled blood forming a celestial river that flowed across countless worlds.

It was a terrifying scene. A dense wave of vital essence, like a colossal white tide, rolled out and shook the very foundations of heaven and earth.

Amidst the terrifying clamor, a figure slowly rose from before the seventy-second mural. His body surged with lightning as blazing runes swirled around him, making him look as dazzling as a deity who commanded divine thunder.

"He succeeded! He actually comprehended the seventy-second mural? He's entered the rear corridor!"

"Incredible! A truly peerless talent!"

"Hahaha! Well done! He is truly worthy of being the Saint Heir of our Longhu Cave Heaven!" a disciple from the Longhu Immortal Sect shouted, face flushed with excitement and pride.

"The Longhu Saint Heir... That name is destined to be remembered. He will become a sovereign in this world, a power that cannot be ignored!"

"Simply terrifying!"

Everyone watched in awe as Zhang Yuge, having fully comprehended the God and Demon Murals of the front corridor, stepped into the rear corridor. He was the second person to do so after Ye Guhong. What a magnificent feat!

Throughout all of history, prodigies like him were exceedingly rare. The Longhu Cave Heaven was truly worthy of its ancient heritage. It was a top-tier power even within the Immortal Alliance to have produced such an extraordinary successor.

"Heh..." Amidst the crowd, an incongruous voice sounded.

"You're celebrating this wildly just because he stepped into the rear corridor? Our Young Ancestor viewed all seventy-two murals of the front corridor in only seven days. I really don't see what you have to be so proud of."

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