Take this incident, for instance. If the Koreans had been slick enough this time, if their movements had been clean and left no evidence, the cultivators who served as the national machinery would have been powerless to intervene, forced to stand by and watch them spirit away the spirit beasts of Huaxia.

Of course, Zhang Yang understood the plight of these national assets; every move they made represented the nation, and without ironclad proof, they couldn't risk provoking an international incident by acting rashly.

It was precisely because Huaxia had always been known as a land of etiquette, treating those state-affiliated cultivators with too much leniency, that these foreign cultivators had grown insatiable and dared to push boundaries.

But now, with Park Seung-eun caught red-handed hunting spirit beasts on Mount Zijin, and with the Old Man’s personal guarantee, Zhang Yang was certain the national machinery would no longer stand idly by. From this point forward, any foreign cultivator harboring ill intent on Huaxia soil would find their every step hampered.

Zhang Yang recalled the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox’s strange willingness to face the energy blast head-on without dodging. He seized this opportunity to enter the system’s virtual interface and open the Quest Log to check the completed tasks.

Under the quest for "Redeeming the Mutated Spirit Beast," detailed information regarding this specific task was now displayed.

After reviewing the mission data, Zhang Yang was utterly astounded.

The reason killing the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox amounted to redeeming the mutated beast was simple: the mutation it underwent was not a natural change. Its transformation was entirely man-made.

The log didn't specify how the artificial factors induced the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox's mutation, only that this method of alteration violated the harmony of heaven. Once the transformation was complete, the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox could no longer be called a Spirit Beast; it had to be classified as a Demonic Beast—a form of degradation for the creature.

Once the mutated Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox's body was fully transformed, there was only one recourse to redeem it and free it from its demonic state: killing it.

The task description further noted that once a spirit beast began to mutate, each subsequent change dramatically increased its power while simultaneously inflaming its bestial nature. When the spirit beast fully mutated, all its intelligence would be dominated by violent, homicidal urges. Its sole remaining objective would be to slaughter every living creature in sight, refusing to rest until this goal was achieved.

Finishing the entry, Zhang Yang finally understood why that Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox had shown no inclination to dodge the energy blast.

Its actions were completely dictated by overwhelming murderous intent; it possessed no normal capacity for judgment. In essence, beyond killing, it simply didn't know how to flee.

With this realization dawning, Zhang Yang prepared to exit the virtual screen, but then he suddenly remembered that the system had not yet specified the reward for completing this mission.

Glancing down, at the bottom of the Quest Log, within the reward section, an option labeled “Deferred Reward” had appeared in addition to the standard claim option.

“What does this ‘Deferred Reward’ mean?”

Zhang Yang asked, slightly confused.

“Deferred Reward means that the reward for this mission will be stacked with the reward for a subsequent mission. If you select Deferred Reward, the prize for completing the next similar mission will increase to two hundred and twenty percent. This is a special bonus for the Host completing an exceptional task. The Host may choose to claim it now or defer the collection.”

The system’s feminine voice sounded in Zhang Yang’s ear, explaining the concept of the deferred bonus.

Zhang Yang considered it. Since he didn't urgently require any reward at the moment, opting for deferral meant receiving double the payout next time, plus an extra twenty percent bonus—a very profitable arrangement.

After selecting the Deferred Reward, Zhang Yang exited the system interface.

“Two seniors, two seniors?”

Just then, the people from the Spirit Beast Sect could no longer hold back. Their Divine Beast, the Azure Eagle, had vanished somewhere, and most of their own sect members lay unconscious on the ground. They had no choice but to approach and interrupt Zhang Yang and Zhang Pinglu’s conversation.

“Seniors, might we inquire as to your purpose here? Our Spirit Beast Sect is merely a small faction; we have little to offer in the way of hospitality… If there has been any lapse in proper courtesy, we beg your forgiveness.”

The members of the Spirit Beast Sect had witnessed Zhang Yang’s power firsthand. Their attitude toward him was exceedingly deferential; they dared not show him the slightest disrespect, nor could they afford to look down on him due to his youth. The older man who spoke was at least in his forties, a generation older than Zhang Yang, yet he addressed Zhang Yang like a junior addressing a respected elder.

“Didn’t we already tell you? Mr. Zhang is here to save you!”

Hearing the Spirit Beast Sect members approach with questions, Qiao Yihong immediately spoke up for Zhang Yang. “Look, do you see that man over there? He’s a Korean cultivator, incredibly powerful. That Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox was his doing, and his objective was to seize your Sacred Beast—that third-tier Azure Eagle.”

Finishing, Qiao Yihong suddenly remembered the second-tier spirit beast still stuffed in the sack—the one Park Seung-eun had snatched from the old man in Zijin Village at the foot of Mount Zijin.

“Mr. Zhang, is that old man alright?” Qiao Yihong asked, remembering with sudden concern.

“Don’t worry, I’ve treated his injuries. He should be resting in the hospital now,” Zhang Yang nodded, assuring Qiao Yihong he needn't worry.

“Then, could we possibly ask the seniors to wake our disciples?”

The elder from the Spirit Beast Sect, after hearing Qiao Yihong’s explanation, pointed to the crowd of unconscious people behind him. He maintained an attitude of deep respect, even toward Qiao Yihong, as he timidly made his request.

Waking the still-unconscious members of the Spirit Beast Sect was no difficulty for Zhang Yang or Zhang Pinglu.

“Yangyang, you’re physically weak right now. Let me wake them up,” Zhang Pinglu suggested. He walked over, channeled a portion of Heaven and Earth energy into his palm, and channeled it into the bodies of the unconscious people. Soon, they began to stir and regain consciousness.

Seeing his disciples awaken, the elder from the Spirit Beast Sect immediately rushed forward to support the first old man who woke. The elder’s complexion was slightly pale upon waking, but otherwise, he seemed unharmed.

Zhang Yang stepped over and took out the relatively ordinary pills from the canvas bag, distributing them. Although these pills were ordinary in the grand scheme, for the Spirit Beast Sect members who dwelled deep in the mountains, they were equivalent to extremely precious spiritual medicine.

Zhang Yang’s pills were specifically formulated to strengthen one’s foundation and replenish vital energy, making them perfect for those injured by the shockwave. After taking Zhang Yang’s medicine, their bodies rapidly recovered, and the old man’s complexion regained its healthy hue.