"You jest, Brother Zhou. Your strength is what truly opened my eyes. To think that a True Dragon like you could emerge from the secular world... If there’s a chance in the future, I must ask for more of your guidance."

Hong Miao said with a sigh, appearing quite magnanimous.

"I wouldn’t dare presume to guide you, but if you’d like to spar, you’re welcome anytime."

Zhou Yuanjue said with a smile.

’Who would want to spar with you? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?’

Hong Miao muttered to himself. The two of them returned to their respective seats and sat down.

With the conclusion of the battle between Zhou Yuanjue and Hong Miao, the venue was still shrouded in silence.

If the battle between Zhang Zhizhen and Ji Yunzhou had surprised the crowd, then Zhou Yuanjue’s fight had given the Spirit Guardians a true sense of subversion.

After all, Hong Miao’s status and symbolism among the younger generation of Spirit Guardians were unique—he was like their standard-bearer. Yet now, that standard had fallen, and with such devastating ease.

All their self-regard, all their pride, seemed to have been shattered in an instant. It was a difficult pill to swallow.

It was like two hundred years ago, when Donghua, which considered itself the most powerful nation in the world, had its gates blasted open by ironclad ships and powerful cannons. The shock, confusion, and sense of loss from being forced to open its eyes to the world and realize that the times had changed.

Unless you were in their shoes, it was hard to truly understand.

"Honestly, that successor from the Xuan Clan is really strong. To be able to fight Brother Zhou to that extent, to take so many hits and still be standing and talking... he’s one tough guy."

Ji Yunzhou remarked with a sigh.

"Yeah, that was incredible. If I had to face him, I’d estimate my chances of winning would be twenty percent at best. It seems there really are many extraordinary people among the Spirit Guardians."

Zhang Zhizhen added.

"Looks like I really made this trip for nothing."

Jiang Jiushan shook his head helplessly.

The group didn’t lower their voices, and their discussion was particularly distinct in the silence, startling the many Spirit Guardians from their stupor.

Only then did they suddenly remember that this was already the third match, and the Spirit Guardian camp had yet to win a single one.

A record like this was extremely disadvantageous for the upcoming cooperation talks.

"Everyone, according to our agreement, as long as our side could win three matches, you would agree to sit down for proper talks. Three matches have now passed. Are you all willing to honor the agreement to negotiate?"

Daoist Bailong stood up and said to the crowd with a smile.

The crowd remained silent. No one was the first to speak.

Or rather, they didn’t know *what* to say.

Seeing this, Daoist Bailong’s expression gradually grew serious as he began to speak again:

"Everyone, we did not come here today to show off our military might. We simply wanted to let you know that ordinary people are no longer powerless. Strong individuals are no longer just isolated cases. They possess potential no weaker than that of the Spirit Guardians, and they hold a future with even greater possibilities. They are an asset in the fight to eliminate the Celestial Demons—or rather, they will become the main force in eliminating the Celestial Demons."

"We came here to unite with our peers and overcome these difficult times together, not to pressure you with force. Any cooperation will be based on the principle of mutual consent. The specific details will be carefully considered and will not be predicated on destroying or dismantling the power of the Spirit Guardian circles. I am sure you have all seen that the times have changed. Cooperation between our two sides is beneficial to us all, with no drawbacks!"

As Daoist Bailong finished speaking, the expressions of the Spirit Guardians in attendance wavered.

Attitude stems from understanding. Now that these Spirit Guardians had a true understanding of the Martial Artists’ strength, their attitudes would naturally begin to shift.

"Since we made an agreement and you have claimed three victories, we will naturally not go back on our word. These duels have indeed shown us the strength of the Martial Artists. The matter of cooperation can be discussed shortly."

Just then, the Great Clan Elder of the Moon Race stepped forward and spoke first on behalf of the Spirit Guardian camp.

"However..."

"I have one more audacious request. I wonder if our friends from Donghua would be willing to grant it?"

But then, the Great Clan Elder’s tone shifted.

"Please speak freely, Great Clan Elder."

Daoist Bailong said, raising an eyebrow.

"Cooperation can certainly proceed, but the depth of that cooperation is still up for debate."

"Bailong, as a Spirit Guardian yourself, you should know very well that strength is not the only thing we value."

"For us Spirit Guardians, with our Bloodline inheritance, the path to being converted by a Celestial Demon is innately severed. This means we are fundamentally at odds with the Celestial Demons, with no possibility of reconciliation. Therefore, it is impossible for us to join their side, and we do not have such concerns."

"But people from the secular world are different. Throughout history, there has been no shortage of powerful ordinary people. They too were once resolute and fearless, but people always change. As the years pass and their lifespans come to an end, faced with the temptations of the Celestial Demons, few throughout the ages have been able to hold fast."

"To be honest, the founding of Donghua was an era I witnessed with the greatest Willpower. So when Bailong proposed cooperating with the secular world back then, although I did not agree, I didn’t completely oppose it either. Instead, I decided to wait and see."

"But in recent years, while Donghua has taken flight, it has also become choked with material desire as wisdom has receded. Everyone hurries along, chasing fame and fortune, forgetting their true selves. It is as if they have forgotten the hard times, forgotten that past purity and vigilance. Here, skill is not valued, only wealth is. Knowledge is not respected, only power is. Morality is no longer held high like the blazing sun, but is instead treated like a commodity, for sale to the highest bidder."

"When everything is measured by material gain and enlightenment is ignored, that is when Demon Fiends run rampant and evil spirits are born. This is why, in recent years, I have been reluctant to let my clansmen have contact with the secular world."

"Compared to strength, we place more importance on that steadfastness and will. That is what allows us to entrust our backs to you without worry. Since you all are representatives of this new era, I wonder, would you be willing to undergo a test?"

The Great Clan Elder said slowly.

"You’re talking about..."

Hearing the Great Clan Elder’s words, Daoist Bailong’s expression changed slightly. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Correct. The Glowing Moon Attainment Realm."

The Great Clan Elder said with a slight nod.

When Yu Guanhai and the others heard this term, their expressions also changed slightly.

"You should be well aware of the dangers of the Glowing Moon Attainment Realm."

Daoist Bailong said in a low voice.

"It is dangerous, but it is also an opportunity. As long as the four of them can pass through this realm, then in the future, as long as those four remain in high positions, we can rest easy."

The Great Clan Elder said slowly.

"What is the Glowing Moon Attainment Realm?"

Zhou Yuanjue and the others asked Daoist Bailong with furrowed brows.

"The Glowing Moon Attainment Realm, also known as the ’True Dream Realm,’ is a special ability derived from the Moon Race’s Glowing Moon Dream Realm. Entering it is almost like entering a real world. This realm also has another name."

"Heart Tribulation!"

Daoist Bailong said in a low voice.