The moment stretched, time seemingly molasses-slow. Zhang Yang leaped, his Cold Spring Sword shrouded in energy of near-absolute purity; in the blink of an eye for others, it felt like an eon to Di Wanfang.

A searing radiance suddenly split the heavens.

"Not good, retreat further!"

Long Haotian, who had already backed toward the far reaches of the rear courtyard, felt his expression instantly twist in alarm; those beside him needed no further instruction, scattering instantly and fleeing backward.

Even without Long Haotian’s warning, every one of them sensed the immensity of that world-shattering power.

The fastest to flee was Zhui Feng; a white streak flashed, and Zhui Feng, carrying Wuying and Shandian, shot out past the Long Family Palace and onto the plains beyond.

The Long Family members could only offer awe regarding Zhui Feng’s speed; even a Great Perfection expert couldn't match that velocity.

As the Long Family fled, the members of the Five Great Factions were no exception; all retreated in unison, quickly forming several distinct tiers of retreat.

The first tier was naturally composed of the Fourth Layer powerhouses; among them, the Great Elder of the Li Family was the quickest. Despite his injuries, his speed remained largely unaffected, though it was clear he was exerting every ounce of his being.

Just behind the Li Family Great Elder followed the remaining Fourth Layer experts; their pace was the swiftest, creating a noticeable gap between them and the second tier.

The second tier consisted of the disciples at the Third Layer of Internal Strength; they ran swiftly, unable to match the first tier, yet significantly faster than the Second Layer disciples trailing behind.

Only a select few Third and Fourth Layer cultivators carried along disciples of the lower Second Layer while fleeing; those they carried were either crucial family members or vital figures within their clans.

The dazzling light in the sky pulsed with another intense flash.

The entirety of the Long Family plain seemed to be illuminated in an instant; the world became pure white, forcing all cultivators at the Second and Third Layers of Internal Strength to involuntarily shut their eyes. Even the Fourth Layer experts narrowed their eyes against the glare, unable to see anything clearly.

"BOOM!"

The fleeing crowd felt the very earth and sky convulse violently. Following the tremendous roar, many of the lower-cultivation disciples lost their footing and collapsed where they stood.

Even those who managed to remain upright were in agony; concurrent with the massive sound came a powerful, rebounding aura that sent waves of intense discomfort through them.

All the Second Layer disciples were now bleeding from their seven orifices, clutching their faces in pain.

Most Third Layer powerhouses sported traces of blood at the corners of their mouths. Only a few late-Third Layer or Fourth Layer experts appeared relatively normal externally, though only they knew the deep distress churning within.

The five wooden high platforms had vanished.

The four figures remaining on the platforms were also gone without a trace. Soon, they reappeared a great distance away; even they had not dared remain in place at the final moment, having darted away to evade the impact.

The four looked at each other, fear etched across every face.

This power completely surpassed their imaginations; it was not the strength a Fourth Layer Great Perfection expert could unleash. Only the legendary Fifth Layer possessed such might.

The entire Kunlun Mountain fell into profound silence at that moment.

Especially around the Long Family plain, all birds and beasts lay prostrate, daring not to move.

As for the Spirit Beasts, they were trembling uncontrollably; possessing greater intelligence and deeper sensitivity, they understood the horror of that energy far more clearly.

Not far from the edge of the Long Family plain, two figures were moving rapidly; suddenly, both stopped.

"Is this... Fifth Layer power?"

One of them murmured uncertainly, his face equally filled with shock.

"Such immense power can only belong to a Fifth Layer expert. Could someone have advanced to the Fifth Layer?" the other asked, equally stunned, and both turned their gaze toward the direction of the Long Family plain.

The second speaker’s expression subtly shifted, and he blurted out, "The energy originated from the Long Family plain—this is bad!"

With that, he set off, accelerating forward at top speed; only a faint shadow could be seen weaving through the primeval forest of Kunlun Mountain.

The first speaker, still wearing an expression of astonishment, quickly followed, his pace matching the first man’s stride for stride.

On the distant Savage Man Mountain, two parrots chatting and flirting in the branches suddenly straightened up, both looking toward Kunlun Mountain.

"Such a massive disturbance—did someone break through to the Fifth Layer?"

"No, a breakthrough to the Fifth Layer doesn't manifest like this. Perhaps a Fifth Layer expert emerged from there? But even if they did, they wouldn't be so conspicuous, would they?"

The two parrots murmured, clearly laced with confusion.

Soon, the small parrots returned to their playful antics, no longer pondering the cause of such a massive event. For them, only one person in the outside world mattered:

That person was Zhang Yang. Once Zhang Yang broke through to the Fifth Layer, he could take them away.

Yinlong Mountain and Changbai Mountain registered similar reactions, but soon returned to tranquility.

In the suburbs of Changjing, inside the pitch-black mountain cave, the figure who had been deep in slumber sat bolt upright once more; this time, the astonishment on his face was even deeper.

"The Sky-Shattering Sword Technique of old man Potian—how is it manifesting outside? And this is clearly the second stance, achievable only at the Fifth Layer." He remained sitting upright, his eyes fixed on the distance, motionless for a long time.

Stretching languidly, he finally spoke to himself, "To unleash the true second stance of the Sky-Shattering Sword Technique without reaching the Fifth Layer... this kid is getting more formidable. The outside world has been lively lately. Interesting, very interesting!"

"Very well, it's been too long since I ventured out. I shall see how much this bustling world has changed!"

After stretching, his body suddenly settled back down, lying flat. Simultaneously, an identical figure appeared in the cave, wearing a strange, knowing smile.

This identical figure slowly faded from visibility, and in the next instant, he materialized outside the cave.

On the Long Family plain, Zhang Yang's body suddenly tumbled from the air.

It worked.

Even Zhang Yang hadn't expected that forcefully executed second stance would succeed. However, the cost was severe: the technique had drained him of every last shred of his strength.

Zhang Yang now felt dizzy and weak; he hastily pulled out a Golden Crown Python Essence Blood Pill from the late Fourth Layer and jammed it into his mouth.

He was utterly alone here, facing several Great Perfection opponents. If they discovered his vulnerability, it would be disastrous.

"Brother Di!"

The Great Perfection expert from the Zhou Family cried out in alarm and rushed over.

Not far ahead of Zhang Yang lay a massive, deep pit, one whose scale was no less impressive than the result of the energy explosion he had triggered previously in Savage Man Mountain.

The power of the second stance of the Sky-Shattering Sword Technique was even more devastating than that explosion.

At least one could dodge the energy explosion; the Sky-Shattering Sword Technique offered no such escape.

At the bottom of the pit rested a small, fleshy mass. When the Zhou Family Great Perfection expert carefully lifted this mass out, Zhang Yang’s eyes widened.

That lump of flesh moved on its own, quickly re-forming into a human shape.

But this person looked utterly miserable: his arm was completely twisted and deformed, his ears were gone, and his body was drenched in blood.

A closer look confirmed that this was Di Wanfang, Zhang Yang’s opponent moments before.

To survive such a strike directly was astonishing to Zhang Yang; he knew the power of that blow intimately. Even he would have met certain death facing it. He had genuinely believed he had just killed another Great Perfection master.

"Zhou... Brother Zhou, thank you!"

Di Wanfang, brought back by the Zhou Family Great Perfection expert and partially stabilized, gasped out his thanks.

"The Demonic Sect's Turtle Shell Constriction Art truly is the most formidable defensive divine skill!"

Watching Di Wanfang, the Zhou Family Great Perfection expert murmured in admiration. Zhang Yang’s brow twitched slightly as he immediately recalled the origins of the Turtle Shell Constriction Art.

It was a secret teaching of the Demonic Sect, a trump card designed to unleash potential while prioritizing self-preservation. Many techniques from other families or sects that triggered potential were often self-harming, whereas the Demonic Sect specialized in defensive application.

Unleashing potential enhanced defense, ensuring survival first and foremost.

The Turtle Shell Constriction Art was said to make one’s defense stronger than divine weapons, truly making it impossible for enemies to inflict harm.

"He is... terrifying!"

Di Wanfang shook his head bitterly, looking at Zhang Yang with lingering dread. The Turtle Shell Constriction Art was the Demonic Sect's divine skill, and he knew best just how intensely he had utilized it.

Even so, he had sustained injuries that would never fully heal, reducing his current strength to only sixty percent of his peak.

The Demonic Sect possessed only five experts above the Fourth Layer; losing three in this single engagement, coupled with his own severe injuries, allowed him to foresee the sect’s decline, making his expression even more desolate.

"Yes, he truly is terrifying!"

The Zhou Family Great Perfection expert, unaware of Di Wanfang’s internal reckoning, nodded in strong agreement, referring, of course, to Zhang Yang.

Facing such a move, he would have had zero chance of survival. This meant Zhang Yang possessed the strength to kill other Great Perfection masters while preventing their escape.

Zhang Yang’s attack had utterly shattered the Zhou Family expert's composure. He wasn't even observing Zhang Yang’s current state, unaware that Zhang Yang’s previous move was a desperate, lucky strike.

However, luck could strike twice, especially since Zhang Yang had now formally mastered the second stance of the Sky-Shattering Sword Technique.

Hua Feitian and Li Jianyi also approached, both carrying expressions of fear and mental turmoil.

Hua Feitian, especially, kept thinking: if Zhang Yang had unleashed this technique back in Changjing, would he already be pulverized and buried far from home?

The sheer destructive force he had just witnessed made it crystal clear he could not withstand such an assault.

The Hua Family did not possess the Demonic Sect's Turtle Shell Constriction Art. Di Wanfang survived only because of that peerless divine skill, a secret which existed only in one copy, held by the Demonic Sect.

But even if he possessed it, could he withstand it once? Could he withstand it twice? Hua Feitian’s mind sank into confusion.