William Harris definitely didn’t want to watch two top experts bicker—he still needed both of their strength for now.

The various sects in the cultivation world were also riddled with conflicts. This time, they were lucky: none of the three parties bore any real grudges. As for the usual disputes between sects, at their level, such things didn’t matter much anymore.

If the people below were fighting, and these experts joined in as well, of course, if it concerned their vital interests, then not only fighting—even killing—would be normal.

Brian Brooks and Grace Morgan didn’t have any real enmity; they just found each other unpleasant. Brian Brooks despised Grace Morgan’s Demonic Arts, while Grace Morgan found Brian Brooks crude and ugly. She had an aversion to all ugly creatures, including people.

Grace Morgan said, “Have you scouted it out yet?”

William Harris shook his head and said, “Not yet, I was planning to wait a bit longer... But with you here, the three of us are strong enough to investigate.”

In fact, Grace Morgan had also come looking for someone to explore with. Of course, if they weren’t strong enough, she wouldn’t have bothered. Then she heard there were experts at the Tusi Mansion, so she barged right in—only to find they were all acquaintances.

Grace Morgan was straightforward and said, “Alright, we’ll go together. Anyway, every sect will send people, but most of them are weak. Are we going today?”

William Harris nodded and said, “Old Xiong, coming with us?”

Brian Brooks really didn’t want to travel with Grace Morgan, but he knew it was already hard enough to gather three experts. If an enemy showed up, they wouldn’t even be able to form a team—might even end up fighting.

Now, the three of them could suppress any expert of the same level. He said, “Alright, let’s go together!”

With these three joining forces to investigate, their combined strength was truly intimidating.

William Harris sent a message, and Edward Parker quickly ran in. He didn’t dare look at Grace Morgan at all, kept his head down, and came to William Harris’s side, whispering, “Ancestor.”

William Harris gave a few instructions, then added, “If anyone from the sect comes, remember not to enter during the investigation—just stay on the outskirts. If anything seems wrong, return to the sect immediately... Remember, you disciples don’t need to go, just guard this place.”

Edward Parker agreed repeatedly and hurried to the side. At this moment, Brian Brooks shouted, “David Cooper! Get in here!”

David Cooper came running in, also not daring to look at Grace Morgan, afraid of embarrassing himself. He knew if he did, Brian Brooks would definitely slap him.

David Cooper said, “Ancestor...”

Brian Brooks gave him a few instructions, then stood up and said, “Master Jin, shall we go?”

William Harris and Grace Morgan stood up. Grace Morgan looked at the two disciples who didn’t dare meet her gaze, couldn’t help but let out a charming laugh, and saw the two of them shudder, making her giggle even more.

A wild wind rose, and the three of them vanished in an instant, the sound of that laughter still echoing in the air.

Edward Parker looked up, and David Cooper looked up too. The two exchanged glances, their lingering fear written all over their faces.

……

Above the Luo Xing River, three people hovered in the air—two men and one woman—all staring below in shock.

It was a massive barrier lake. The water had overflowed the dammed area, forming a huge waterfall, hundreds of meters wide. The roaring sound of water and the spraying mist created a brilliant rainbow above.

With William Harris’s insight, he immediately understood: this was the top of a mountain, somehow flipped over by some force and slammed down, blocking the Luo Xing River and forming this enormous barrier lake.

At the dammed spot, you could see fresh earth with no plants growing on it, meaning the lake hadn’t been here long.

All three had been here before, but now the place was unrecognizable. The entire environment had changed. Countless mountains had collapsed, causing mudslides that swept away vegetation, as if the land was covered in wounds—truly a shocking sight.

William Harris said, “This isn’t the work of humans, but the result of a formation’s restriction... terrifying!”

Brian Brooks said, “Who cares what caused it, let’s go in and take a look!”

Grace Morgan sneered, “Brian Brooks, you’ve got such a big head—can’t you use your brain a little? Just charging in, are you kidding me? You’re not a rookie cultivator anymore. I really don’t know how you reached this level!”

Brian Brooks wasn’t actually stupid; it was just that with William Harris around, he couldn’t be bothered to think.

He had a lot of respect for William Harris. Though he didn’t quite accept that guy’s martial strength—always felt he was a bit stronger himself—when it came to brains, he truly admired him.

“You...”

William Harris scratched his head. These two were really a handful. He said, “Both of you, shut up!”

Although Grace Morgan mocked Brian Brooks mercilessly, she didn’t dare cross William Harris. She’d suffered at his hands before—not seriously hurt, but enough to be wary of him.

Brian Brooks gritted his teeth and shut up. He knew this wasn’t the place to fight. If he fell out with Grace Morgan, this little team would fall apart, and then he’d have to face the ruins alone?

The red glow from the direction of the ruins tinged the surroundings with a faint crimson. The Luo Xing River was already very close to the ruins.