The Seven Realms Sacred Mansion's defensive grand formation had already been deployed.
Many elders gripped their Barrier Weapons, staring tensely at a figure outside the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion.
The figure stood amidst the starry sky.
He wore the Prison Sect's iconic robe, a red bamboo hat on his head, and on the red cape trailing behind him were the words "Prison General."
Though he stood in the starry sky, the area where he was located was also covered by the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion's grand formation.
Yet, the formation's power—which could even capture a Fifth-tier Heavenly God—was utterly helpless against this man.
There was only one possibility: this man's strength surpassed that of a Fifth-tier Heavenly God.
Suddenly, the formation's power dissipated.
This shocked everyone in the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion.
"What are you panicking for?"
At that moment, an elderly voice rang out from the crowd.
Seeing this person, the crowd of the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion let out a collective sigh of relief and bowed in greeting simultaneously.
"Greetings, Mansion Lord."
The one who had arrived was none other than the Mansion Lord of the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion, Jie Tianran.
Clearly, the reason the defensive grand formation had dissipated was because Jie Tianran had done so himself.
"Mansion Lord of the Seven Realms, you've finally shown yourself."
"Will you come out on your own, or shall I fight my way in?"
The Prison Sect member spoke, his voice that of a middle-aged man.
Though he was clearly far from this place, he seemed able to see everything happening here.
No sooner had his words fallen than Jie Tianran took a single step forward, arriving in the starry sky, facing the Prison Sect member across from him.
Whoosh— Suddenly, the Prison Sect member attacked, clutching toward Jie Tianran as a massive hand of martial power lunged at him.
Yet the massive hand of martial power halted just before seizing Jie Tianran, frozen in place.
An invisible force had stopped that massive hand of martial power.
The power of the barrier.
The next instant, the invisible barrier force took shape, transforming into a Barrier Blade that cleaved the massive hand of martial power apart.
Immediately after, the Barrier Blade slashed toward the Prison Sect member.
The Prison Sect member waved his hand casually, and the starry sky trembled.
The Barrier Blade shattered into fragments and scattered.
The sight of this sent a chill through the hearts of everyone in the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion.
The brief exchange between the two had far surpassed the might of the defensive grand formation.
However, neither the Prison Sect member nor Jie Tianran continued to attack.
"Mansion Lord of the Seven Realms, your reputation is well deserved," the Prison Sect member said.
"Testing this old man?" Jie Tianran asked.
"I came here today with no intention of causing offense. I have matters to discuss."
"Mansion Lord of the Seven Realms, would it be convenient to speak privately?" the Prison Sect member asked.
"My Seven Realms Sacred Mansion does not welcome the Prison Sect," Jie Tianran said coldly.
"I believe the Mansion Lord of the Seven Realms has some misunderstandings about our Prison Sect."
"In truth, our Prison Sect is by no means a heretical path. That is merely the prejudice the world holds against us," the Prison Sect member said.
Jie Tianran said nothing more. His figure turned, and he vanished from the spot.
But the Prison Sect member understood Jie Tianran's intent, turned, and followed.
Before long, the two of them arrived at a stretch of starry sky some distance from the Seven Realms Sacred Mansion.
With a casual wave of his hand, Jie Tianran summoned a floating palace into view.
This was not something conjured on the spot—it was clearly a treasure.
This treasure possessed an extremely powerful isolation effect. It could only be seen from up close; from a greater distance, it would be undetectable.
After Jie Tianran stepped inside, the Prison Sect member entered as well.
He found the interior of the palace to be quite grand, seemingly designed specifically for receiving guests.
Being received with such ceremony spoke volumes about how seriously they took his visit.
From this, it was clear that Jie Tianran harbored no actual ill will toward the Prison Sect.
"I, Jie Tianran, do not collaborate with those who don't even dare to show their face," Jie Tianran said.