As soon as he appeared, the Light Gate in the hall activated, and Zhang Ji Yuan stepped through it.

"Junior Brother, what’s going on..." he noticed that Chu Zhiyuan didn’t look quite right, "Are you in trouble?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Encountered a master."

Zhang Ji Yuan replied, "As long as you’ve reached here, no one can get in! ... Come, let’s talk inside. Senior Brother Ning is here too."

The two of them stepped into the Light Gate and entered the spacious hall.

At the center of the hall, Ning Dongge was sitting cross-legged, his rugged face was serious.

Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes, which sparkled with a brilliance as if they were real.

"Senior Brother." Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands in a salute.

Ning Dongge smiled, "Junior Brother, you come often enough; Sect Master and the others won’t exit seclusion soon."

"How long will it be?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"Hard to say," Ning Dongge shook his head, "They are close to becoming Spirit Venerables, so their sense of time is fading."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Junior Brother, tell us, what kind of master did you encounter?"

Ning Dongge’s leopard-like eyes shot out sparkles, "Encountered a powerful master?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "My wife is a True Disciple of the Profound Yin Palace. Earlier, in the Profound Yin Palace, I sensed a terrifying force flash by."

"How terrifying?" Zhang Ji Yuan asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Overwhelming, as if I could only wait to be killed."

"Spirit Venerable." Ning Dongge uttered two words, looking serious.

Zhang Ji Yuan nodded, "It must be a Spirit Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Have you two senior brothers ever seen a Spirit Venerable?"

"Yes, I have," Ning Dongge said, "Nothing unusual can be seen from their appearance, nor felt from their presence."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Unless they want you to feel it, you won’t be able to perceive it."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

"It’s no surprise that the Profound Yin Palace has a Spirit Venerable." Ning Dongge said, "Is your wife really a Disciple of the Profound Yin Palace?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Doesn’t Senior Brother Ning know? And how about Brother Zhang?"

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Miss Xiao is indeed very fortunate, and you’re not doing bad either. Our Heaven-Reaching Sect is not inferior to the Profound Yin Palace."

"The Profound Yin Palace is not easy to provoke." Ning Dongge said, "It’s best to keep a distance if possible, but with your current situation... it’s best to be careful."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Dear Senior Brothers, my wife and I have deep feelings for each other, would the Profound Yin Palace oppose us?"

Ning Dongge said, "The Disciples of the Profound Yin Palace don’t have good impressions of men, as if all men in the world are the same kind of trouble."

He looked at Zhang Ji Yuan and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhang, what do you think?"

"What am I supposed to say?" Zhang Ji Yuan seemed confused.

"Playing dumb!" Ning Dongge chuckled.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Senior Brother, I really don’t understand what you mean."

Ning Dongge chuckled, "Everyone knows how you were dealt with by the Profound Yin Palace, not just me, from top to bottom."

"Maybe it’s a mistake?" Zhang Ji Yuan maintained his composure.

Ning Dongge pointed at him.

"What happened to Brother Zhang?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Why was he dealt with by the Disciples of the Profound Yin Palace?"

Ning Dongge said, "He tried to provoke the Disciples of the Profound Yin Palace and got dealt with badly."

"Senior Brother!" Zhang Ji Yuan protested.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "I think the Profound Yin Palace isn’t that domineering."

"Not domineering?!" Zhang Ji Yuan laughed, "There is none more domineering in the world than them!"

Chu Zhiyuan was puzzled, "Brother Zhang, what do you mean by that?"

"... Forget it, you’ll know in time."

Zhang Ji Yuan hesitated, then shook his head and sighed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Was the Spirit Venerable intentionally trying to scare me away? I wouldn’t think so."

"Would that be the case?" Ning Dongge looked at Zhang Ji Yuan, "Brother Zhang understands the Profound Yin Palace better."

Zhang Ji Yuan cleared his throat and frowned, "Spirit Venerables... probably wouldn’t. They are proud and wouldn’t bully the weak."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then why did their aura suddenly become so overwhelming?"

"Perhaps it was unintentional." Zhang Ji Yuan said, "It’s impressive that you noticed it, Junior Brother."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "That’s for the best... It’s a pity I couldn’t meet this Spirit Venerable in person, I got so startled that I returned immediately."

Ning Dongge said, "You did the right thing, Junior Brother. Spirit Venerables’ actions are unpredictable, acting impulsively and unpredictably; never take them lightly."

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.

The first choice when encountering a Spirit Venerable is to avoid, not to satisfy one’s curiosity.

Next time, if he inadvertently encounters a Spirit Venerable, he will also first choose to leave, figure out the reality, and then decide whether to meet.

Ning Dongge said, "Junior Brother Zhang, how many Spirit Venerables are there in the Profound Yin Palace?"

Zhang Ji Yuan quickly said, "How would I know! Senior Brother Ning, please don’t tease me."

Ning Dongge chuckled, "Aren’t you acquainted with a Disciple of the Profound Yin Palace, so you should know more."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "That acquaintance was limited to meeting twice and sharing a meal once."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Brother Zhang, you shared a meal and the Profound Yin Palace gave you a lesson?"

Ning Dongge laughed, "Did Junior Brother Zhang act frivolously towards them?"

"Absolutely not!" Zhang Ji Yuan quickly said, then slightly embarrassed, "I might have had a few too many drinks and said something too eagerly."

He showed a look of wistfulness.

Thinking of the grace of that Profound Yin Palace lady, he sighed with yearning, feeling wistful in his heart.

In the dead of night, he often thought of her grace, filled with regrets and bitterness.

If he had been more sincere, not played with words, perhaps they would have become a couple, living like immortals.

Unfortunately, there’s no medicine for regret in this world; he was too frivolous, losing her in the process.

Ning Dongge laughed, "Still thinking about that lady?"

"Senior Brother Ning, you wouldn’t understand." Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "The Disciples of the Profound Yin Palace are unlike any worldly triviality."

Ning Dongge said, "They are just women, but somewhat more beautiful; what’s the difference?"

"Their character is noble, undisturbed by the mundane," Zhang Ji Yuan shook his head, "And their beauty remains unchanged."

Ning Dongge waved, "So, you are just fascinated by beauty."

"Beauty lies in the bone, not the skin," Zhang Ji Yuan shook his head and sighed, "Ah... why am I discussing this with you, Senior Brother!"

He looked at Chu Zhiyuan, "Junior Brother, you are truly fortunate to have a Disciple of the Profound Yin Palace."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Since the Spirit Venerable wasn’t targeting me, there’s nothing to worry about."

"So, Junior Brother, will you dare to go again?" Ning Dongge laughed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ve done nothing to offend the Profound Yin Palace, why wouldn’t I dare?"

"You, like Junior Brother Zhang, are a romantic soul," Ning Dongge chuckled, "But let me remind you, Spirit Venerables act capriciously, with little reasoning, so be careful."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Can the Mo Shield withstand a blow from a Spirit Venerable?"

"It cannot." Ning Dongge shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan mused, "Then can my sword withstand a blow from a Spirit Venerable?"

The Golden Sword swiftly unsheathed and floated before him.

Ning Dongge suddenly punched out.

"Bang!"

The muffled sound was like thunder.

His fist stopped at a feet away from the Golden Sword, unable to advance further, the light around the fist distorted.

The Golden Sword swayed slightly, then stabilized once more.

The surrounding winds howled.

Their clothing fluttered wildly.

Ning Dongge withdrew his fist, nodding, "It can probably withstand a blow, at most one blow. No chance for a second one; you better escape quickly."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

As long as it can withstand one blow, giving him a chance to escape, that would suffice.

But after all, Ning Dongge was not a real Spirit Venerable; it was just an estimation.

It’s best to ensure everything is foolproof.