"Is this your stage?"

The Hulu Taoist felt a rising sense of unease.

This unease came from the "unfamiliar." In Jing Country, the longstanding conflicts in the martial world, besides competing over "Incense Fire Level," also importantly rely on the principle that every technique has a counter.

The restraint of techniques has always been one of the core aspects during confrontations.

For example, the "Dragon Seeking" Tangkou, which is the nemesis of the Painter’s "Space Law." The Space Law can tread thousands of miles,

but the Great Heavenly Master of Dragon Seeking can attach a strand of Dragon Qi to the Painter, making it follow them wherever they go.

Another example is the "storyteller’s" dreamscape, which almost sweeps across Jing Country—everyone fears it by three points and is trembling with anxiety. However, the Music Master’s "Law of Music" is the weapon to break the storyteller’s dream.

Apart from these special restraint relationships between Tangkou, there is another type of restraint—unfamiliar restraining familiar.

For everyone in Jing Country, Zhou Xuan’s techniques as a Colorful Play Master are extremely unfamiliar; they can’t understand what tactics he has, nor do they know his follow-up moves and variations.

In short, it’s just one word—unfamiliar!

Facing this "unfamiliar" Tangkou in a confrontation is comparable to an expert swimmer suddenly encountering unfamiliar waters.

At first glance, the waters look no different from normal ones. Yet beneath the surface, there might be hidden currents and whirlpools, invisible to anyone. Carelessly diving in might trap one beneath these streams, unable to resurface.

The Hulu Taoist fears Zhou Xuan precisely because of this unfamiliarity.

"We have many people here, so we shouldn’t fear Zhou Xuan."

Zhao Longhu stepped forward and whispered to the Hulu Taoist.

Before entering this stage, Zhao Longhu had called for help from the Hulu Taoist, but the highest elder ignored his plea, showing no intention to assist, which gave Zhao Longhu some "opinions" about the ancestor.

But personal feelings aside, to escape from this stage and regain a new life, Zhao Longhu still had to rely on the Hulu Taoist’s exceptional prowess.

In the face of stronger circumstances, he had no choice but to bow his head. Reluctantly, Zhao Longhu offered a suggestion to the Hulu Taoist.

"To know oneself and the enemy is the key to winning. Our lack of understanding of the Colorful Play Master’s tactics already puts us at a major disadvantage. We mustn’t rely on our numbers and underestimate the enemy."

The Hulu Taoist exchanged glances with the other elders,

These six elders had been cultivating for years in the caves of Dunjia Mountain, each with Daoist names inspired by spiritual plants and famous flowers.

Excluding the Hulu Taoist, the second-ranking elder was called "Mu Xu Taoist."

His Daoist robe was adorned with "Mu Xu grass" cloud patterns.

At this moment, Mu Xu Taoist stepped forward and said to the Hulu Taoist, "Senior brother, I’ll take the lead. You protect me using the Dragon Turtle Formation."

"Junior brother, you’re courageous, and as your senior brother, I’m gratified, but I must inform you that the Butcher has already headed to our mountain gate."

"What?!" Mu Xu Taoist exclaimed in astonishment, asking, "Has the Butcher really gone to the mountain gate?"

"Before being dragged into this Spirit Realm by Zhou Xuan, I received a secret letter from Zhao Zhibi. The letter contained only a few words—Butcher visiting the mountain, Ancestor must return swiftly."

The Hulu Taoist continued, "The mountain gate is where our fragmented souls reside. If it’s cut off, our souls will have nowhere to return. If we die in this Spirit Realm, it’s a true death. Second junior brother, you must be extra cautious when confronting him later."

"Of course, I’ll be careful."

Mu Xu Taoist immediately turned to the youngest among the six elders, "Purple Ox Taoist," and said, "Purple Ox, you are young and strong, unlike our frail old bodies. You’re the most suitable for taking the lead."

"..." Purple Ox Taoist, Hulu Taoist.

After instructing the sixth junior brother, Mu Xu Taoist said to the Hulu Taoist, "Senior brother, as you advised, in this Spirit Realm, we must be cautious and maintain our safety."

"..." Hulu Taoist.

Hulu Taoist felt a bit frustrated—suggesting caution is one thing, but pulling the sixth junior as cannon fodder is too cautious?

"Second senior brother is right."

"I agree with second senior brother."

"Sixth junior brother is the fastest; I also think he’s the best choice for the lead."

The rest of the brothers chimed in in agreement, making it hard for the Hulu Taoist to reprimand Mu Xu Taoist.

At such a critical moment, maintaining harmony is essential; an internal conflict could scatter the team’s morale.

Since everyone had shifted the responsibility onto the sixth junior brother, the Hulu Taoist relented, coldly saying, "Purple Ox, don’t be afraid, we brothers are behind you, ensuring your safety."

"Damn immortal bullock!"

Purple Ox cursed quietly but reluctantly steeled himself to move forward.

Just before heading out, he cast a venomous glare at Mu Xu Taoist.

Mu Xu Taoist looked up at the sky, avoiding eye contact with the sixth junior brother.

"Let’s skip the chatter, everyone, show your turtle shells."

At the command of the Hulu Taoist, the six elders simultaneously revealed their turtle shells, shaking them continuously.

Speaking of the turtle shell magical artifact in Dun Jia, it possesses some divine abilities, able both for divination and for formation.

At this moment, as the turtle shells shook, the sounds of the turtle shells began to collide.

With each collision, the sound grew louder.

After dozens of consecutive collisions, the volume reached a thunderous roar, resembling an angry Divine Beast.