Outside the Cloud Dream Marsh.

The Oriole was at his wit’s end.

“What on earth is going on with the Nine Mansions? How did they let people from the Nine Mansions break in?”

“Don’t just stand there in silence, give me a straight answer. Can the Nine Mansions open the barrier or not?”

“What are you waiting for? Lives are at stake!”

Listening to the angry accusations from the crowd in front of him, the Oriole felt like his head was about to explode. His spirit pet, Little Black Bear, clung to his pant leg, trembling and hiding behind him.

But he had no solution.

There were only two ways to enter the Ruins of the Cloud Dream Marsh.

One was through the ancient teleportation array at the entrance of the ruins.

The other required a cultivator at the Spirit Refining stage to personally break the barrier, at the cost of their cultivation.

But there were still three days until the ancient teleportation array would activate, and these people couldn’t wait that long.

As for a Spirit Refining stage expert, even the Nine Mansions would have to pay a hefty price to invite one, and they wouldn’t act easily.

“Hopefully, the higher-ups will settle the price soon. Otherwise, if anything happens to the disciples inside, the Nine Mansions’ reputation will be ruined.”

The Oriole thought anxiously.

He had just received a message from above; the Nine Mansions were indeed looking for someone, but the price hadn’t been agreed upon yet, so the person hadn’t arrived.

“Oriole, my young friend.”

At this moment, a middle-aged scholar approached the Oriole.

“And you are?”

The Oriole didn’t recognize him.

“I am Jing Yun, the Vice Palace Master of Yunjing Palace. I have a method to open this barrier and rescue the Nine Mansions’ junior disciples.”

Jing Yun said with a smile.

He deliberately raised his voice, causing the previously noisy cultivators to fall silent and look at him expectantly.

“So it’s Vice Palace Master Jing Yun. May I ask what method you have to open the barrier?”

The Oriole looked at Jing Yun suspiciously.

“Upon hearing about the incident at Cloud Dream Marsh, I requested the sacred artifact of Yunjing Palace, the Cloud Ferry Boat, from the Palace Master on my way here.”

As he spoke, Jing Yun took out a palm-sized jade boat from his sleeve.

The moment the jade boat was taken out, a strong wave of spiritual energy swept across the entire teleportation platform.

“The Cloud Ferry Boat of Yunjing Palace, that’s a Heaven-tier spiritual treasure. It might really be able to break the barrier of the Cloud Dream Marsh ruins.”

“Maybe it can.”

“Let’s give it a try.”

The crowd began to discuss.

“In that case, may I ask Vice Palace Master Jing Yun to lend us the Cloud Ferry Boat? The Nine Mansions will surely reward you handsomely afterward.”

The Oriole asked Jing Yun tentatively.

“To contribute to the rescue of the Nine Mansions’ junior disciples, Yunjing Palace is naturally duty-bound. However, young friend Oriole, you may not know that every activation of the Cloud Ferry Boat costs ten thousand spirit stones. Even Yunjing Palace finds it hard to bear alone. So I would like to ask you to discuss with the Nine Mansions if, after this rescue, they could grant one more entry slot to the Immortal Gourd Cave for a disciple of Yunjing Palace.”

Hearing this, the Oriole’s mouth twitched.

He thought to himself, this old fox, raising the price on the spot. How could activating the Cloud Ferry Boat cost ten thousand spirit stones? And now he wants an entry slot to the Immortal Gourd Cave? That’s asking for too much.

“Young friend Oriole, saving lives is urgent. Just agree to this small request.”

“Yes, the entry slots to the Immortal Gourd Cave are decided by the Nine Mansions. What’s the harm in giving one more?”

Although many people felt that Yunjing Palace was raising the price, the urgent situation made them side with him.

“Senior Jing Yun, please wait a moment. I need to report this to the higher-ups.”

The Oriole suppressed his dissatisfaction and smiled politely at Jing Yun.

Despite his words, he predicted that the Nine Mansions would likely agree, given the urgency of the situation. Even if it was just to appease the various sects.

Jing Yun probably counted on this as well.

“Boom!…”

Just as the Oriole was about to use a jade scroll to inform the Nine Mansions of Yunjing Palace’s request, a sudden explosion echoed from the clouds above.

Immediately, two flying swords sliced through the thick clouds, soaring above the ruins of the Cloud Dream Marsh.

From the teleportation platform, the two swords seemed to open a door in the sky.

At the same time, a majestic pressure descended from above.

However, this pressure didn’t instill fear. Instead, it felt like a sudden spring rain, inspiring awe rather than terror.

“Boom!”

As everyone stood in shock, the two flying swords effortlessly broke through the barrier set by the Nine Mansions over the ruins.

Even the demonic flood dragon from the Nine Mansions couldn’t break this barrier initially!

“Damn it.”

Seeing the two flying swords penetrate the barrier, the Oriole’s heart tightened. He quickly used a sound transmission talisman to notify several hidden elders of the Nine Mansions: “Elders, stop those two flying swords!”

These elders were secretly guarding the teleportation platform, only revealing themselves in emergencies.

As soon as he finished speaking, six powerful auras rose from three locations around the teleportation platform, rushing toward the two flying swords.

But as the two swords’ lights intertwined, two streams of sword energy merged into a surging river, crashing toward the six figures.

“Bang!”

With a loud noise, the six guest elders of the Nine Mansions were sent flying by the torrent of sword energy.

This scene shocked the cultivators below.

These six guest elders, although not at the Spirit Refining stage, were all peak Profound Realm experts. For them to be defeated so easily was alarming.

“May I ask the esteemed names of the two Masters?”

Among the six guest elders, an elderly man with white hair and a sage-like demeanor respectfully cupped his hands toward the two flying swords.

This elder, named Liu Bai, was the highest-ranked among the six guest elders of the Nine Mansions.

Although he had been defeated, he was convinced of their strength.

He could also sense that the two flying swords were not tainted with any evil aura, indicating they belonged to righteous cultivators.

“My name is Longyuan.”

“My name is Chengying.”

From the two long swords, a man’s and a woman’s voice echoed in succession.