Li Yun’s brows lifted slightly.

Peak Lord Shen Ming summoning him immediately after his return meant something important had happened.

Without wasting time, Li Yun nodded once and walked deeper into the inn.

He soon left the bustling main area and entered the private section where the sect elders and Peak Lords were residing.

The surroundings quickly became quieter. The noisy atmosphere of the inn faded behind him, replaced by stone walkways, trimmed gardens, flowing water features, and the calm scent of spirit flowers planted throughout the area.

At the center of this section stood a secluded courtyard where Peak Lord Shen Ming had been staying.

Li Yun stepped through the entrance gate and waited quietly.

The courtyard was elegant but simple. A stone table stood beneath a flowering tree, while a narrow pond reflected the evening light. Everything here gave off the feeling of refinement and controlled power, much like Shen Ming himself.

Only a few breaths later, the door to the inner residence opened.

Peak Lord Shen Ming walked out with relaxed steps and both hands behind his back. The first thing Li Yun noticed was the broad smile on the man’s face.

It was not a polite smile.

It was the expression of someone who had received excellent news and was deeply satisfied.

His eyes were bright, and even his aura felt lighter than usual.

Li Yun smiled faintly and cupped his fists.

"Peak Lord, you seem to be in an unusually good mood today."

Peak Lord Shen Ming laughed heartily as he approached.

"I am indeed in a good mood," he said with obvious delight. "And if all goes well, you will be in one very soon as well."

Li Yun’s curiosity deepened at once.

For someone of Shen Ming’s status to be this pleased, the matter was certainly not small.

Before Li Yun could ask anything, Peak Lord Shen Ming continued speaking.

"The higher-ups of the sect have already received full reports regarding the Tea Ceremony."

As he said this, his gaze landed on Li Yun with clear appreciation.

"They heard how you suppressed the arrogance of the other sects, protected the prestige of the Martial Ascension Gate, and displayed strength far beyond what anyone expected."

He paused briefly, allowing the words to settle.

"To put it simply, they were thoroughly impressed."

Li Yun remained calm on the surface, but inwardly he understood the significance of this.

For the higher-ups of a great sect to take notice was no minor matter.

Peak Lord Shen Ming slowly nodded.

"Because of your performance, the sect has decided to place a major investment in you for the upcoming Hidden Dragon Tournament."

Li Yun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"An investment?"

He looked directly at Shen Ming.

"In what form?"

Peak Lord Shen Ming gave a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the suspense.

Then he spoke the next sentence slowly.

"They have decided to grant you access to the ultimate martial arts of the other three peaks."

For the first time in a while, Li Yun was genuinely shocked.

Even with his calm temperament, his eyes widened slightly.

He had expected resources. He had expected pills, spirit stones, medicinal herbs, perhaps some treasures meant to increase cultivation speed.

But this?

This was far beyond ordinary rewards.

The Heavenly Lightning Codex alone had already become one of Li Yun’s greatest trump cards. That supreme inheritance of Heaven Mandate Peak had given him terrifying movement speed, explosive attack power, and a powerful foundation in lightning arts.

With only that one technique, he had already been able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the supreme geniuses of the Southern Martial Domain.

If he could get his hands on the other three ultimate martial arts, he would truly become invincible in the younger generation of the Southern Martial Domain.

Peak Lord Shen Ming continued in a serious tone.

"You should understand what this means."

Li Yun naturally did.

Earth Rank martial arts were incredibly rare throughout the Southern Martial Domain. Many major powers did not possess even one complete Earth Rank inheritance.

Only the four great sects of the region were publicly known to possess true Earth Rank martial arts.

And within the Martial Ascension Gate, the four peak inheritances were not merely Earth Rank arts.

They were top-grade Earth Rank martial arts.

Core treasures.

Foundational legacies.

Techniques tied directly to the identity and strength of the sect itself.

For the sect to hand over the other three to Li Yun meant only one thing.

They had chosen to bet on him heavily.

Peak Lord Shen Ming laughed again when he saw Li Yun’s expression.

"I was shocked as well when I first heard it."

As he spoke, he removed a storage ring from his sleeve and flicked it lightly toward Li Yun.

The ring flew in a clean arc through the air.

Li Yun raised his hand and caught it effortlessly.

The metal felt cool in his palm, yet it seemed far heavier than an ordinary storage ring because of what it contained.

Peak Lord Shen Ming looked directly at him.

"Inside are the inheritance records of the three ultimate martial arts of the other peaks. There are also spirit stones, pills, and several resources selected to help you cultivate during this preparation period."

Li Yun lowered his gaze toward the ring for a moment.

Even he could feel the weight of the sect’s expectations now.

He then clasped his fists deeply.

"I will not disappoint the sect."

His tone was solemn and steady.

Peak Lord Shen Ming’s smile softened.

He stepped forward and placed a hand on Li Yun’s shoulder.

"Do not burden yourself too much," he said calmly. "You are still young. Pressure can sharpen a blade, but too much pressure can also break it."

He gave Li Yun’s shoulder a light pat.

"Simply do your best."

Li Yun nodded respectfully.

Peak Lord Shen Ming then withdrew his hand, and the playful expression on his face disappeared. What remained was the serious demeanor of a Peak Lord.

"Go and begin cultivating immediately."

His voice was firm.

"Even with your monstrous comprehension talent, learning three top-grade Earth Rank martial arts is no simple matter. Reaching an advanced stage in even one of them would be difficult. Reaching that level in all three within a short time will be extremely challenging."

He paused before adding another important detail.

"You have two and a half months in total to prepare."

Li Yun listened attentively.

"In a few days, we will arrive at Hidden Dragon Island."

A strange and meaningful light appeared in Shen Ming’s eyes.

"When you see that place for yourself, you will understand why we insisted on bringing you there."

Li Yun’s gaze sharpened slightly.

Those words clearly implied Hidden Dragon Island was more than just a tournament ground.

There was some deeper significance there.

However, he did not ask further questions.

If Peak Lord Shen Ming had not explained now, then the answer would reveal itself soon enough.

Li Yun cupped his fists once more, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave the courtyard.