The pair of parrots also swooped down; the battle was decided, and there was no need for them to linger in the distance any longer. It was simply a result that had caught them somewhat off guard.

Zhang Yang, at the mid-stage of the Fourth Layer, supported by two early-stage Fourth Layer spirit beasts, should, in their estimation, have only managed to hold out for a little while, certainly not stand against the Ten-Crowned Golden Python. The gap widened significantly after reaching the Fourth Layer; the difference between the late-stage and mid-stage was considerable.

This was precisely why they had flown down from their perch earlier to intervene, the parrot having already spotted Zhang Yang's arrival and offered a kindly warning. For the past two days, the Golden Crown Python had been circling the Savage Mountain, searching frantically for its missing offspring.

As a precaution, the parrots had even managed to steal the corpse of the Five-Crowned Golden Python and placed it in the most central location, hoping to shield outsiders from the wrath of the enraged python. As for whether the Ten-Crowned Golden Python would bother them later, they felt no concern whatsoever.

Although the two parrots were only at the mid-stage of the Fourth Layer, they were both at their absolute peak, and they possessed their own secret weapons. If it truly came down to a fight to the death with the Ten-Crowned Golden Python, they were certain the victors would be themselves.

However, Zhang Yang’s victory—achieved with surprising ease, swiftly slaying the Ten-Crowned Golden Python—had indeed been unexpected. In their view, Zhang Yang had won without much struggle, and the fight had concluded with remarkable speed.

The arrival of the two parrots caused Zhang Yang to become slightly wary. These two birds might not involve themselves in others' struggles, but they were still formidable spirit beasts.

Now that his own strength was significantly depleted and he could not unleash an attack as devastating as the Energy Blast, if the parrots decided to take advantage of his weakness, he would have no choice but to flee. On the other side, the Golden Crown Python, not yet fully dead, fixed its blood-red eyes squarely on Zhang Yang, its gaze filled with venomous hatred.

It struggled to lift its head, but managing only a slight elevation before crashing back down onto the earth. Its eyes began to slowly glaze over, the crimson irises quickly turning vacant.

This powerful late-stage Fourth Layer spirit beast had met its end. It harbored immense frustration.

It still had numerous hidden techniques it hadn't deployed. Had Zhang Yang refrained from using the Energy Blast, even with his ability to materialize energy, it was confident it could have protracted the battle.

Not necessarily to win, but certainly not to lose so swiftly and brutally. Regrettably, Zhang Yang had unleashed the Energy Blast—an attack only achievable by experts of the Fifth Layer, and even among them, only those possessing a certain degree of mastery.

The Energy Blast wasn't mere simple energy refinement; it involved compressing energy to a terrifying degree before releasing its immense destructive power. An attack of this magnitude would be avoided even by a Fifth Layer expert, let alone a late-stage Fourth Layer spirit beast like itself.

One could say the Ten-Crowned Golden Python died somewhat unjustly, yet not entirely without cause. It perished beneath a Fifth Layer strike, likely the first spirit beast in centuries to fall to such an assault.

“Human, congratulations on your victory!” “But do not rejoice too soon; by killing this beast, you have invited grave trouble!” The two parrots spoke in turn. Their tone remained the same as before, but a thread of deference had now woven itself into their voices.

Zhang Yang’s strength had earned their respect. “Trouble?

What trouble?” Zhang Yang paused slightly, turning back to ask. The Golden Crown Python was now utterly dead, and all his vigilance was directed toward the two birds, whose power he knew was not insignificant.

“You will know in due time. However, we offer this goodwill warning: if possible, refrain from entering Changbai Mountain in the future.

Especially avoid the area around Tianchi!” “Changbai Mountain Tianchi?” Zhang Yang’s eyes widened slightly; the parrot’s words were utterly baffling to him. “Jiji ji!” Wuyong suddenly leaped over and whispered a few quick words.

As soon as he spoke, Zhang Yang’s expression darkened severely. Wuying had informed him that Illusion Rat had once told him that while the world was vast and offered many places to explore, there was one place he must absolutely never visit: Changbai Mountain Tianchi.

Zhang Yang now recalled that Zhang Pinglu had explicitly warned him about three places he was forbidden to go, one of which was Changbai Mountain Tianchi. That wasn't all; advancing to the Fifth Layer through spirit medicine required a crucial auxiliary item: the Rootless Water of Tianchi, an object residing within Changbai Mountain Tianchi itself.

“We have said our piece. Whether you listen is up to you.

Since you have reached the Fourth Layer and arrived here, earning our acknowledgment, the items left by our Master are yours to inspect freely. We grant you a special exception, unlike others, with no restriction on viewing time!” The other parrot chimed in.

Zhang Yang quickly looked up again, his surprise evident as he directly inquired, “Acknowledgment? Master’s items?

What are you talking about?” At this moment, he was profoundly confused, completely lost as to the meaning of the parrots’ words. “Since you are in Savage Mountain, why have you come?

Did your elders never inform you?” Now it was the parrots’ turn to be astonished, letting out loud squawks. Zhang Yang looked at them and then shook his head with resignation.

Zhang Pinglu truly had never told him the specific reason for coming here, only urging him to visit Savage Mountain if the opportunity arose, hinting at benefits, and even offering no further detail upon his departure. “Your elders are truly irresponsible!” one parrot muttered, dipping its head reluctantly.

The other parrot raised its head and softly continued, “Savage Mountain is where our Master once lived in seclusion. Our Master was a pinnacle genius among human cultivators: reaching the Second Layer at thirteen, the Third Layer by seventeen, and successfully achieving the Fourth Layer by the age of twenty-five!” Twenty-five years old, Fourth Layer?

Zhang Yang was stunned again, truly shocked this time. Though he was currently twenty-one, he had only reached the Fourth Layer at the age of twenty, and his advancement was aided by the System, which had augmented his internal strength significantly after completing tasks.

His progress was tantamount to cheating. Without the System, he would have been fortunate to reach the mid-stage of the Third Layer by twenty-five.

This person was undoubtedly a genuine top-tier genius. Three layers in four years, the Fourth Layer in eight—this pace was terrifying if spoken aloud.

Fifth Layer experts have historically been rare among humans, and Zhang Yang now began to speculate on the identity of the parrots’ master. “At thirty-six, our Master comprehended the Way of Nature on his own, achieving the Great Perfection stage, and entered seclusion here to cultivate.

Seven years later, our Master successfully broke through to the Fifth Layer in this very spot. Upon his breakthrough, he recorded his insights on advancement here.

While these notes later became useless to him, they are invaluable treasures for Fourth Layer human cultivators like yourselves!” The first parrot finished speaking, and the other immediately added, “Correct. Before leaving, our Master returned to Savage Mountain once more.

He arranged for us to remain here, guarding the writings he left behind. Other human cultivators are permitted to view these writings, but with limitations: no cultivator below the Fourth Layer is absolutely permitted entry!” The first parrot continued, “Even those at the Fourth Layer face certain restrictions; entry requires our approval.

However, most Fourth Layer experts are usually granted this chance, unless they have just broken through to the Fourth Layer and their condition is unstable. We would ask them to return another time!” Once the parrots finished speaking, Zhang Yang finally grasped the situation.

So, here lay the wealth left behind by a Fifth Layer expert. Zhang Yang had encountered artifacts from Fifth Layer experts before and knew they were treasures beyond price.

He had interacted with two such items: the Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique and cultivation insights personally penned by Bodhidharma. Both items had provided him with immense assistance.

Without the Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique, Zhang Yang could never have controlled the energy of heaven and earth, nor would he have had the chance to materialize energy. It even gave him the opportunity to contend with someone at the Great Perfection stage.

Bodhidharma’s cultivation notes had made Zhang Yang’s control over the energy of heaven and earth far more refined, enabling him to unleash terrifying attacks like the Energy Blast. The Energy Blast was, in fact, the decisive weapon that allowed Zhang Yang to slay the Golden Crown Python.

If Zhang Yang had known the Energy Blast back then, he likely wouldn't have been chased so miserably by Hu Yanfeng; even the energy fireball that heavily wounded Hu Yanfeng was inferior in power to the Energy Blast. But this Fifth Layer expert was truly astonishing.

Calculating based on the parrots’ account, he broke through to the Fifth Layer at forty-three—a feat Zhang Yang had never heard of: someone achieving the status of a Grandmaster by breaking the shackles of the Fifth Layer so young. Zhang Yang still couldn't guess the identity of this man.

The parrots, unaware of Zhang Yang’s thoughts, continued, “Typically, we permit early-stage Fourth Layer cultivators to view for one day, mid-stage for three days. If a late-stage Fourth Layer cultivator arrives, we allow them seven days.

Seven days is the absolute maximum; regardless of what they have gained, they must depart after seven days, and each person gets only one opportunity to enter!” “Mid-stage is three days. Did you two just say I can view without time limits?” Zhang Yang snapped back to attention and immediately asked.

The treasures left by a Fifth Layer expert were not to be missed. He now finally understood why Zhang Pinglu had instructed him to come to Savage Mountain.

These things would be immensely helpful to a Fourth Layer cultivator, let alone to him, someone who had already grasped the Way of Nature and could manipulate the energy of heaven and earth. “You are correct.

You are the first Fourth Layer cultivator capable of wielding the energy of heaven and earth. We grant you an exception; you may view freely, without time limits!” One parrot nodded—the one that had flown out earlier to warn Zhang Yang.

Back then, it had seemed quite haughty, but now it displayed genuine recognition toward Zhang Yang. In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme; this holds true for humans and spirit beasts alike.

“Thank you both. Where are the belongings left by that Fifth Layer Senior?” Zhang Yang clasped his hands again.

The two parrots turned in unison and extended their wings to point into the distance. Following the direction of their wings, Zhang Yang spotted a cave further away and immediately understood their meaning.

The items left by the Fifth Layer expert must be housed within that cavern. “I will tidy up and enter immediately!” Glancing back at the corpse of the Golden Crown Python, Zhang Yang informed the parrots of his intention.

They both nodded and simultaneously took flight, heading toward the cave. Seeing them enter first, Zhang Yang hesitated no longer.

Taking his Cold Spring Sword, he walked directly to the body of the Golden Crown Python. Fourth update; four updates complete RS