C60 Water Pavilion.

In the presence of only Shangguan Yue and Jiang Su, he felt secure in revealing his Celestial Spiritual Root identity without fear of exposure.

As the vine withdrew into the water, it appeared to be revitalized, growing wildly and lunging towards Jiang Su. With a furrowed brow, Jiang Su harnessed the power of the water element. A slight flick of his finger caused the ground water to levitate into the air. To his surprise, the shallow water seemed inexhaustible.

He pushed his palm downward, forcing the elevated water back to the surface. Spiritual energy swirled around Jiang Su, and within moments, the water's surface turned to ice, the coldness creeping up the vines, halting their advance.

Catching Jiang Su's eye, Shangguan Yue noticed a steely coldness in his gaze, as if he were a formidable high-ranking being.

The sound of snapping vines filled the air, as they were shattered by the potent spiritual energy within the ice, falling piece by piece.

Jiang Su turned away from the chaotic vines and unsettling waters, pulling out a book. Suddenly, the scene shifted.

The ice fractured in an instant, and the vines erupted from the water with renewed frenzy. Shadows flitted between the bookshelves, adding to the turmoil.

The Secretary on the first floor of the Compendium Pavilion went ashen. Jiang Su had actually reached the tenth floor! In such a brief span, he had ascended from the sixth to the seventh floor, a feat the Secretary believed impossible even for someone of Jiang Su's exceptional gifts.

If Elder Chiu Yue's prized disciple met with misfortune inside, the Secretary's fate would be sealed. He was doomed!

Not even the Four Great Elders had set foot on the tenth floor. The mysteries of that level were unknown to the entire First Devil Sect.

Who could have imagined that a Foundation Stage disciple would dare to venture there?

In a flash, the Secretary bolted from the Compendium Pavilion to seek the Four Great Elders. Only the Female Ruler could resolve such a crisis now!

He prayed that Elder Chiu Yue's Head Disciple would emerge unscathed from the Compendium Pavilion.

As the Secretary dashed out, a buzz of confusion spread among the onlookers.

"Why did the Secretary leave? If our Eldest Senior Brother finds a book he likes on the upper floors, who will he register it with?"

"Indeed, this puts Jiang Su in a tough spot," a male cultivator standing and reading muttered to himself, feeling a sense of helplessness. He thought, "Can't you see the Secretary's face has turned ghostly pale? Of course, you can't. Your concern lies solely with the Eldest Senior Brother, fretting over whether he might be put in an awkward position."

Despite the sweltering summer heat, a refreshing coolness enveloped the Devil Palace. Curtains fluttered in the breeze. A woman in red sat poised before a chessboard, her flowing dress accentuating her graceful figure. Her presence commanded an air of authority, compelling the female cultivator beside her to avoid gazing directly at her distinguished features.

"Female Ruler, once an international chess piece is placed, there's no turning back," Murong Yan was reminded. Her slender hands hovered momentarily in the air. With a smile, she responded, "Your mastery of the game is unmatched. Despite a century of play, I have yet to best you."

Yuan Yi returned the smile, modestly replying, "You give me too much credit."

Noticing a figure approaching along the corridor, Yuan Yi recognized the Female Ruler's shadow guard. "It seems you have pressing matters; I'll take my leave now. Let's resume our game another time."

"Elder, go well," Murong Yan bid him farewell.

As Yuan Yi's figure disappeared from view, the warmth in Murong Yan's smile waned. Dark Nine approached, leaning in to whisper in her ear before straightening up to stand silently by her side, his approach eerily silent.

After hearing Dark Nine's message, Murong Yan commanded, "Summon him."

Upon reaching Sword Wing Peak, the Secretary found only two individuals deep in their cultivation—Wang Tian and Rong Yu. Wang Tian, a former Cook Disciple, recognized the Secretary from the Compendium Pavilion, recalling a shared meal in the No.1 kitchen with Ye Nong.

The Secretary's urgency was palpable, prompting Wang Tian to inquire, "What urgent business brings you to Sword Wing Peak?"

Without hesitation, the Secretary grasped Wang Tian, anxiously asking, "Is Elder Chiu Yue here? I must speak with him immediately!"

A sense of foreboding washed over Wang Tian. What could have befallen the First Devil Sect? Was Jiang Su somehow involved? More pressing was the fact that Elder Chiu Yue had yet to return from his audience with the Female Ruler at the Devil Palace.

Upon seeing Wang Tian's expression, the Secretary immediately realized that Elder Chiu Yue was absent.

"Since Elder Chiu Yue is not here, I'll go notify the other elders."

Hearing this, Wang Tian sensed the gravity of the situation and followed the Secretary, with Rong Yu trailing behind them.

Could Jiang Su have encountered trouble?

He had vanished at the crack of dawn.

The Secretary, noting Wang Tian's readiness to assist, quickly proposed, "Let's divide and conquer. I'll seek out Elder Wuyou, and you find Elder Lin Tian."

Wang Tian, however, interjected, "You've yet to explain what's going on in the Compendium Pavilion."

Avoiding eye contact, the Secretary revealed, "Eldest Senior Brother has entered the tenth floor of the Compendium Pavilion."

Shock coursed through Wang Tian. Not even the Four Great Elders had set foot on that floor, yet Jiang Su had dared to enter. Surely, he was in peril.

"It makes sense why he was gone so early."

Without hesitation, Wang Tian dashed toward Dangerless Peak. His emotions were in turmoil, knowing Jiang Su faced danger. Rong Yu, though seemingly just along for the ride, was unwilling to stand idly by.

He could have taken this chance to locate the Prince of Tianqi within the First Devil Sect and fulfill his true mission. But after spending a few days with Wang Tian and Jiang Su, he felt a shift within himself, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed.

Perhaps he was just being overly cautious, not wanting his presence to be detected.

Meanwhile, on the tenth floor of the Compendium Pavilion.

"Disciple, be cautious," warned Shangguan Yue. "I sense at least three Nascent Infant Stage Experts. You might stand a chance against one, but facing more than three, you're headed for certain death."

After his caution, Shangguan Yue cursed, "The First Devil Sect is filled with lunatics! Don't they fear losing their most gifted disciples here? Without the Female Ruler, this predicament is nearly impossible to resolve!"

Jiang Su concentrated, holding his breath as he contended with the encroaching vines. He was aware of the ominous shadows Shangguan Yue had mentioned, yet they remained elusive, weaving through the bookshelves without revealing themselves.

He furrowed his brow. Handling one Nascent Infant Stage Expert was already a struggle for him; surrounded by so many, it seemed his demise in this place was inevitable.

Out of nowhere, a black shadow burst from the bookshelf to Jiang Su's left, lunging straight for his face. Jiang Su's reflexes were lightning-fast, parrying the strike with his Life Sword.

He got a clear look at the shadow.

It had a human shape, but no face.

The sight was utterly horrifying. What kind of creature was this?