From the very beginning, Zong Linjing's attention had been fixed on Lin Zheyu, this unfamiliar yet powerful cultivator. She had been observing his every move with great care.

"That pill was specially modified. The reason it gave off the aura of a Profound Origin Pill was just to mislead others," Lin Zheyu replied smoothly, having grown quite adept at making up explanations.

"I see. Thank you for your help this time. When we reach Yanwu City, feel free to ask if you need any assistance," Zong Linjing said sincerely.

"You are too polite, Fellow Zong," Lin Zheyu said with a smile before asking curiously, "By the way, from your earlier conversation, it seems there are quite a few conflicts between the Martial Alliance and the three great ancient martial esteemed families?"

"It's a long story. The Martial Alliance was initially founded collaboratively by the three esteemed families. However, as it grew stronger through the efforts of successive leaders and many experts shifting towards cultivating the Immortal Dao, it gradually gained independence from the three families. Despite this, in the Martial Realm, the Martial Alliance still lags behind the three great esteemed families. That’s why you saw what you saw earlier," Bai Lin explained.

"No wonder. I beat Woo Yixuan pretty badly just now. He will not run back to his father and come back for revenge, will he?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"Within the Martial Realm, definitely not. As long as Woo Yixuan is not dead or severely injured, it will be regarded as sparring. His loss would simply be due to inferior skill. Even if he seeks revenge, it would be through an open challenge, and at the same level of cultivation," Zong Linjing said. She then added, "But once you leave Yanwu City, you should be more careful."

"Oh, then there is no problem." Lin Zheyu nodded, letting go of his only concern.

Although the Martial Alliance was weaker, it was not something the three great ancient martial esteemed families could freely manipulate. They would not dare act recklessly within the Martial Realm. At most, they would send a few people to beat someone up and humiliate them, but would not go so far as to cause serious injury.

***

The Martial Realm was not very large. As the three chatted, they soon arrived at the Martial Alliance's base. The city where the Martial Alliance was located was called Yanwu City. It was much smaller than the Lei Family city, but it looked extremely imposing.

"Was this plaque written by the alliance leader?" Lin Zheyu clicked his tongue as he looked at the bold and unrestrained characters on the plaque at the gate of Yanwu City.

From those words, he felt an intensely scorching aura, as overbearing and blazing as the sun.

"This was written by the second-generation alliance leader. However, the current leader's talent is extraordinary, and his strength already shows signs of surpassing the second generation. It is likely that before long, this plaque will be replaced," Bai Lin said with a smile.

Bai Lin presented his identity token, and the two of them entered the city. Lin Zheyu looked around curiously at the people in Yanwu City. It truly lived up to being the Martial Alliance. Almost everyone bore signs of martial training. Even the elderly, the weak, and the disabled had practiced martial arts, their blood qi far stronger than that of ordinary people. Immortal cultivators, on the other hand, were hardly seen here.

"How many shackles has the alliance leader broken?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously as he and Bai Lin strolled along the street toward the Martial Alliance headquarters, observing their surroundings.

"The alliance leader broke seven shackles long ago. On the path of martial cultivation, he has already reached the forefront, and his strength is unfathomable. It is said that he is exploring ways to integrate shamanic cultivation into martial cultivation and has already made considerable progress. Once it becomes more mature, it will be promoted throughout the Martial Alliance," Bai Lin said slowly, a trace of reverence appearing in his eyes.

"Oh?" Lin Zheyu's expression shifted slightly.

He had some understanding of shamanic cultivators. It was an extremely powerful path from ancient times, and even more suited to the current broken era than the Immortal Dao. However, it was very difficult to cultivate, and even in ancient times, very few people walked this path. Now, with the changes in heaven and earth, there were even fewer.

Lin Zheyu had not expected the Martial Alliance leader to be so brilliant as to research a way to integrate the shamanic path into martial cultivation and open a path beyond the Shackles realm.

"Does anyone in the Martial Alliance study demonic patterns or barbarian totems, trying to integrate them into martial cultivation?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.

"Yes. Beyond the Shackles realm, different seniors have distinct insights, and their paths are not the same. Not only demonic patterns, shamanic paths, and totems, but some have even followed the bloodline path of ancient martial esteemed families, attempting to integrate ancient demon bloodlines into themselves..." Bai Lin gave a simple explanation of several research directions and achievements within the Martial Alliance, leaving Lin Zheyu deeply fascinated.

What did he lack the most right now? Knowledge. All kinds of knowledge. If he had to rely solely on his own attempts and research, it would consume immense time and energy. Now, with the explorations and cutting-edge research left behind by the Martial Alliance's seniors across various martial cultivation paths, he could save an enormous amount of time. Joining the Martial Alliance had truly been the right choice.

"We have arrived. This is the Martial Alliance headquarters," Bai Lin said with a smile, pointing at the grand gate ahead.

Located at the center of Yanwu City, the entire Martial Alliance headquarters was enormous, almost like a small city in itself.

"Greetings, Senior!"

"Greetings, Senior!"

As they entered the Martial Alliance, many martial artists greeted Bai Lin and Zong Linjing.

Within the Martial Alliance, hierarchy was determined by strength. Those at the same realm addressed each other as fellows, while those at higher realms were addressed as seniors.

"The atmosphere here is quite nice," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Of course. Otherwise, how could this place become the holy land for martial artists of Great Wei?" Bai Lin said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, Fellow Daoist Bai, I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first," Zong Linjing said with a cupped fist after entering the Martial Alliance and passing through two plazas.

She looked at Lin Zheyu and smiled. "Once you formally join the Martial Alliance, I will host a banquet for you to celebrate."

"Then I will thank you in advance," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile, cupping his fists.

On the way earlier, the two had exchanged Spirit Resonance Spheres and left contact methods. This item was indeed useful. Even in the grotto heaven realm, it could still be used to communicate. Just now, he had received a message from Tu Yuan. That guy had finally come out of seclusion.

"Oh, another message." Lin Zheyu smiled slightly and checked the Spirit Resonance Sphere with his divine sense. As expected, it was from Tu Yuan.

"Two high-grade spirit stones? You might as well just rob me! Those dharma artifacts and materials in the storage pouch would only sell for at most a few dozen mid-grade spirit stones in the market. If you run into someone without an eye for value, maybe just a dozen or so."

Wuling City. In the courtyard where Lin Zheyu had previously lived, Tu Yuan obtained Lin Zheyu's Spirit Resonance Sphere. Sitting by a stone table, he gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger as he sent several messages in succession.

"Damn it, two high-grade spirit stones? This is robbery!" Tu Yuan cursed fiercely.

Suddenly, sensing a fluctuation from the Spirit Resonance Sphere, he hurriedly checked it with his divine sense. "I am robbing you right now!"

"*&%￥#@%&&￥*&%￥##**..." Tu Yuan burst into a string of curses, nearly unable to stop himself from smashing the Spirit Resonance Sphere in his hand.

"This guy... could it be he discovered the secret of those two items?" Tu Yuan's expression shifted as he hesitated over how to respond.

***

In Yanwu City, seeing that Tu Yuan had not replied, Lin Zheyu ignored it.

"This is the Heart Questioning Hall. Anyone who joins the Martial Alliance must first pass through here," Bai Lin said as he led Lin Zheyu to a hall that enshrined a massive statue.

The statue was majestic and resplendent, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure. It was none other than the legendary Supreme Celestial Sovereign of the Myriad Dao and the Golden Palace.

"Do not worry. The questioning will not touch on your privacy. Come, let us go in. The one on duty today is Senior Nie Zhiyu. She is easy to talk to," Bai Lin said with a smile.

Lin Zheyu nodded and followed Bai Lin into the Heart Questioning Hall.

"Little Bai Lin, you have recruited another martial artist. In the entire Martial Alliance, you are the most diligent," a gentle voice said as a middle-aged woman in a purple dress appeared in view.

The woman had a gentle demeanor, faintly exuding a maternal kindness. For a martial artist to possess such a presence made Lin Zheyu quite curious.

"Greetings, Senior. This is Fellow Xiao Yu, a friend of mine who wishes to join the Martial Alliance," Bai Lin introduced. He had wanted to give a more detailed introduction, but realized he did not actually know much about Lin Zheyu.

"I am Xiao Yu. Greetings, Senior," Lin Zheyu said respectfully, cupping his fists toward Nie Zhiyu.

She was a senior of the Shackles realm, extremely powerful, and it was said she had broken at least three shackles.

"You do not look very old. Your talent is quite good," Nie Zhiyu said as she looked at Lin Zheyu, her beautiful eyes seeming to see through everything, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

"You flatter me, Senior," Lin Zheyu replied modestly, though he felt a slight tension in his heart.

He could not help but mutter inwardly. Facing Nie Zhiyu, he had the strange feeling of being completely stripped bare and seen through.

"Alright, let us begin. A friend introduced by Little Bai Lin is quite reliable," Nie Zhiyu said with a soft laugh.

The Martial Alliance's heart questioning was similar to that of the Wuji Sect. Under the influence of an unseen force, Lin Zheyu answered a series of questions honestly, all related to his temperament. Then, under the joint witness of his Dao heart and the Supreme Celestial Sovereign of the Myriad Dao and the Golden Palace, he swore an oath not to disclose any techniques, texts, or secrets obtained from the Martial Alliance.

"Alright, Little Bai Lin, take Fellow Xiao to register," Nie Zhiyu said with a smile after the inquiry ended.

"Yes, Senior."

"Many thanks, Senior." Lin Zheyu cupped his fists and took his leave.

"What an interesting little fellow. Even I cannot see through him. Though I cannot perceive him clearly, I can still vaguely sense that he is under eighty years old. A peak Divine Repository realm expert under eighty? Even I cannot tell how many divine repositories he has opened. It is as if he never advanced to that realm at all. What a mysterious little fellow. His latent potential seems quite astonishing," Nie Zhiyu murmured as she watched the two leave, a faint smile curving her lips.