The group followed the old ape through the crescent-shaped gap and into the valley. Along the way, they felt many eyes on them—likely the hidden sentries the Moon Race had posted throughout the valley.

Passing through the valley, they came upon a mountain village with smoke curling up from kitchen chimneys. The sight immediately brought to mind a famous piece of ancient Donghua literature, *Peach Blossom Spring*.

The land was flat and vast, the houses neat and orderly.

Paths crisscrossed the fields, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.

This place was like a pure land, isolated from the rest of the world.

The group also noticed that the villagers living here were all remarkably good-looking, most with skin as fair as jade.

"These are all members of the Moon Race. Some choose to go out into the world, while others stay in the village. Some who grow tired of the world’s conflicts also return here to live in seclusion."

Daoist Bailong said.

The surrounding Moon Race members cast curious glances at Daoist Bailong’s group, seemingly wondering who these people were to be personally guided by the old ape.

The old ape did not stop, leading them past the houses until they finally arrived at the foot of the mountain they had seen from outside the valley. Here, on a stretch of flat land, tables and chairs had been set up. Smoke rose from a cooking area to the side, and the aroma of food wafted through the air.

The scene reminded them of a village banquet—people sitting together on the loess soil. Although it seemed simple and ordinary, it had a certain warmth that was absent from the otherworldly landscapes they had seen before.

By now, many guests were already seated at the tables, all dressed in a wide variety of styles.

Some were in sharp business suits, looking like modern elites. Others wore coarse cloth garments, their skin dark and weathered like old farmers. Still others were decked out in gold and silver, exuding the air of the nouveau riche.

The whole scene was somewhat incongruous.

The moment the old ape appeared with the group, he drew the attention of everyone present. His massive frame was simply too big to ignore.

"It’s Daoist Bailong. Are those people with him the Martial Artists from the Donghua Official? Why do they all look so young? Is one of them... that Zhou Yuanjue? The one who’s been hyped to the heavens?"

"What do you think the Moon Race’s stance is? They actually let people from the Official attend. Could it be that the Moon Race has already agreed to their request for cooperation?"

"I heard Daoist Bailong requested their attendance in the name of the Gua Race. You all know the relationship between the Gua Race and the Moon Race. There are some things the Moon Race can’t just refuse."

"In any case, they don’t come in peace. They’ve probably brought a recruitment offer from the Official."

"Cooperating with the Official... it’s hard to tell if it would bring fortune or disaster. Besides, getting involved in political affairs goes against the ancestors’ teachings. It’s a hard sell."

"But given the current situation, with the Celestial Demon about to emerge and the world on the brink of chaos, I think limited cooperation with the Official is a viable strategy..."

"..."

In an instant, Zhou Yuanjue and his companions became the center of attention, sparking a continuous stream of discussion. This was all because they represented the Donghua Official’s stance; their every move could have a major impact on the world of the Spirit Guardians.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhou Yuanjue and the others remained perfectly composed. Their minds had long reached a state where they would be unflustered even if Mount Tai were to collapse before them.

Led by the White Ape, they sat down at an empty table. Just the four of them at one table looked a bit sparse and out of place, as if they were being isolated.

At another table, a dozen or so people in varied attire were gathered.

"Hong Miao, that Zhou Yuanjue is being touted by the Donghua Official as the strongest of the younger generation, past or present. Who do you think is stronger, you or him?"

one of the men, a burly and rugged-looking middle-aged man, said with a smile to a handsome young man with a strong build and an extraordinary air.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Is there even a need to compare? Of course our Miao is stronger! He possesses the purest bloodline of our Xuan Clan! He naturally broke through to the Spirit Level when he came of age at eighteen. In the chaotic times to come, he is the one who will receive the Ancestral Power of ’Lin’ and restore the ancient glory of our Xuan Clan. How could some ordinary person possibly compare to him?"

Before the young man named Hong Miao could speak, a very charming woman in her thirties next to him shot a glare at the rugged middle-aged man and retorted irritably.

"Alright, Aunt Xue, can you please not brag about me to everyone you meet? It’s really embarrassing..."

The handsome young man gave a resigned smile, like a straight-A student who unfortunately has to endure his parents bragging about him all the time.

"I didn’t expect the Xuan Clan to send a young kid like you as their representative this time. Can you really make the decisions on such an important matter?"

someone at the table couldn’t help but ask.

"There’s no need for any of you to worry. Since I am here, any decision I make is the decision of the Xuan Clan."

Hong Miao’s resigned smile vanished, his expression turning calm as he spoke.

"Then what is the Xuan Clan’s stance this time? Among the Donghua Guardian Spirit Races, the Moon Race and the Xuan Clan are the largest and most powerful. Your attitude is crucial."

someone said.

"The Xuan Clan’s attitude will depend on what the Donghua Official can bring to the table."

A faint smile appeared on Hong Miao’s face as he looked toward Zhou Yuanjue’s group, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The Xuan Clan sending a young man like him as their sole representative was a statement in itself. However, the final decision still depended on what the Donghua Official could offer.

’Let us see this new era, then?’

’I’m quite looking forward to seeing what this new era truly looks like.’

’Or rather, let’s see what the heroes of this new era, so highly praised by Daoist Bailong, are actually capable of.’

Gazing at the table where Zhou Yuanjue and the others sat, a hint of anticipation flickered in Hong Miao’s eyes.

...

...

At the same time, inside a cave at the mountain’s peak.

There was an opening in the ceiling of the cave, through which a concentrated pillar of moonlight shone down into a depression on the floor.

Within the depression was a silvery ocean that seemed to be made of liquid moonlight, shimmering and dreamlike.

This was the Moon Pool.

At this moment, a figure with straight black hair, wearing a pure white dress, sat cross-legged in the middle of the Moon Pool. Their eyes were tightly shut, as if preparing for something.

Outside the Moon Pool stood three elders, Yu Guanhai, and the other short, stocky Spirit Level expert who had previously appeared on Kunlun Mountain. They all watched the figure in the pool in silence.

Just then, a member of the Moon Race hurried into the cave and announced:

"Clan Chief, esteemed elders, Daoist Bailong and the Martial Artists from Donghua have arrived."