A beam of spiritual light shot out from the jade token, illuminating a patch of emptiness above the mouth of the valley.

"Boom!"

With a thunderous roar, divine fire swept across the sky, instantly filling the entire valley with flames. Although the fire was extremely fierce, as it swept over the flowers, grass, and trees, it caused no harm at all.

Within the blaze, the entire valley seemed to be gently unveiled, like a layer being peeled from a painting.

Behind it, a magnificent mountain gate was revealed. The towering stone archway was at least thirty zhang high, with six stone pillars, each entwined by a lifelike dragon. The crossbeam was carved with the twelve zodiac spirit beasts, each one shimmering with a faint golden light.

Two gigantic stone beasts, each as large as a small hill, squatted before the mountain gate. Their thick, sharp claws pressed against the ground, and their four enormous eyes seemed to move, scrutinizing every person entering the gate.

Above the archway, three enormous golden glowing characters were written in a flamboyant script: 素抱山.

Seeing the look of shock on Brian Carter and Edward Foster's faces, the two Samuel Grant exchanged a smile, glanced at each other, and said together, "Junior Foster, let's go in. We might be the last group to return."

"Oh, okay, okay." Edward Foster replied, straightening his clothes and appearance, following the two with a heart full of reverence as they headed toward the mountain gate. Brian Carter followed behind, hearing Samuel Grant in front introduce with great pride, "Don't underestimate this mountain gate. Inside is sealed our Subao Sect's mountain-protecting grand formation: the Grand Pure Void Heavenly Dual Polarity Thunderfire Array."

"This grand array was left behind by the founding ancestor of our sect and is a top-grade second-rank formation. In attack, it can summon the thunder and fire of the nine heavens, unleashing eighteen consecutive strikes of the Demon-Exterminating Divine Thunder. Even a supreme expert at the Perfected One realm would meet their end against this formation! In defense, it can withstand three full-force attacks from a peerless expert at the Perfected One realm. Among the seven great cultivation sects of the Sui Dynasty, our Subao Sect's Grand Pure Void Heavenly Dual Polarity Thunderfire Array is the most powerful mountain-protecting formation!"

The rest of the explanation didn't leave much of an impression on Brian Carter, but that last sentence—being able to dominate the entire Sui cultivation world—made him truly realize how terrifying this mountain-protecting formation was!

"Bah! Treating trash as treasure."

David Reed suddenly spoke up: "A trash formation that can only achieve three layers of stacking at most, and yet it's still regarded as the sect's greatest treasure? And there are even disciples who are so proud of it. What's happened to the cultivation world these days? Are there no good things left? No one who knows real quality?"

Brian Carter was surprised: "Triple stacking? Trash formation? But this is the most powerful mountain-protecting array among the seven great sects of the Sui Dynasty."

"Trash is always trash. Even if it's the best among the trash heap, it's still trash!" David Reed said bluntly.

Brian Carter still found it hard to believe: "But, this is a second-rank formation, the grade is already very high."

"Kid, let me teach you another lesson today. The power of a formation isn't just about its grade. What's more important is how many times it can be stacked. The more times it can be stacked, the fewer flaws and weaknesses it has."

"This Grand Pure Void Heavenly Dual Polarity Thunderfire Array, though its name sounds formidable and its power is sufficient, its weaknesses are too obvious. As long as the attacking enemy possesses a sword array or similar magic treasure, and is willing to sacrifice it, they can completely divert the power of the entire formation. This damn Subao Mountain is basically an undefended gate."

Brian Carter was silent: Damn Subao Mountain—this is my future sect, can't you at least give it some face?

The four of them passed under the mountain gate. Only up close could they truly feel the enormity of the gate, but compared to the two gigantic stone beasts, the four of them seemed as insignificant as ants beneath an elephant's feet.

Inside the gate, two young Daoists stood guard. Upon seeing Samuel Grant and his companion, they immediately knelt and bowed respectfully, "Welcome back, senior brothers!"

Having brought back Edward Foster, who possessed the treasured Liuhui root, Samuel Grant was in a good mood. He nodded slightly and said indifferently, "No need for such formality..."

Edward Foster hurried to return the salute, but was held back by William Grant. Brian Carter watched coldly from the side, faintly sensing something.

Samuel Grant asked, "Have the other brothers all returned?"

One of them respectfully replied, "Reporting to senior brother, everyone has returned."

Samuel Grant nodded, waved his hand, and the four of them left together. The two gatekeeping disciples bowed again, "Farewell, senior brothers!"

William Grant said calmly to Edward Foster, "They're just two outer disciples at the Mortal realm, Junior Foster, no need to be so polite. With your talent, once you enter the sect, you'll surely be favored by a certain uncle-master and become a personal disciple. In the future, these two will have to greet you with great ceremony."

A flash of anticipation appeared in Edward Foster's eyes.

Brian Carter, following beside them, also heard this, and he believed the two gatekeeping disciples not far behind also heard it, yet they still knelt obediently on the ground, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

Brian Carter sighed inwardly and shook his head in secret.

Beyond the mountain gate was a long stone staircase. Ascending the steps and circling around a mountain peak, there was a lush pine forest halfway up the mountain ahead.

Beside the pine forest stood a sprawling residence. Even from three or four li away, the roars of wild beasts could be heard.

Samuel Grant explained, "Junior Foster, that is our Subao Sect's famous Spirit Beast Garden. If a disciple's cultivation path requires the aid of a spirit beast, they can report to the sect leader and go to the Spirit Beast Garden to choose a lifelong companion."