The subterranean surge of energy, interwoven with the potent spiritual aura emanating from the ten-thousand-year-old Flat Peach Tree, coalesced at this precise moment into a cloud-like mist of white vapor. The underground realm instantly resembled the Heavenly Court.

And Zhang Yang, amidst it all with his Shadowless Lightning technique, seemed to be riding the clouds and mist in the air, meeting the three-eyed beast head-on. The more energy Zhang Yang channeled into his Cold Spring Sword, the greater the beast's apprehension became.

At this juncture, the boundless fury of the three-eyed beast poured into Zhang Yang's mind, yet it failed to cause him even the slightest harm. The purity of the energy at the sword's tip continued to increase; Zhang Yang could spare no thought for anything else now, his blade's trajectory firmly locked onto the three-eyed beast.

Witnessing Zhang Yang unleash the second form of the Heaven-Breaking Sword Style, the Shadowless and Lightning beings had already retreated to the sidelines; the sheer might of this sword technique was too immense, and they needed to avoid the aftershocks to remain unharmed! As for the three-eyed beast, it was now like a mastiff frozen within a block of ice; the solidified white mist surrounding it had taken on physical form, sealing it within.

The outermost layer was condensed from the lightest, most ethereal spiritual energy, and beyond that spiritual barrier lay another layer solidified by the world energy it had mobilized—this layer was the most substantial, but it still wasn't enough. The three-eyed beast opened its massive, blood-gaping maw and spewed forth a black toxic mist once more.

This mist continued to pour out, solidifying into yet another layer within the energy shield already formed by condensed power, effectively creating a double safeguard! Yet, even with this, the three-eyed beast had no certainty it could evade Zhang Yang's strike, but now, resisting with sheer force was its only recourse!

"Break!" Having fully charged his attack, Zhang Yang thrust his long sword forward. The compressed ball of energy instantly shot forth with the sword tip toward the three-eyed beast, transforming into a beam of sword light, surging forward like an unstoppable rainbow!

BOOM!!! This beam of sword light struck the exterior of the three-eyed beast.

The first layer of protection, condensed from spiritual energy, shattered instantly, utterly vulnerable! The resounding impact caused a tremor beneath their feet.

Though not as dramatic as the upheaval when the three-eyed beast first broke through to the Great Perfection realm, it was significant enough to draw the attention of many onlookers. Deep within the forest, an old man was running at full tilt.

This elder was none other than Old Master Zhang Pinglu, who had rushed into the area. He had been in the woods for some time, but his frantic run seemed to loop him around and around; the scenery remained identical, showing no change.

He realized he was trapped within an esoteric illusion array, and to escape, he would have to break through the formation! Suddenly, the Old Master halted his movement.

The vibration beneath his feet, coupled with the incoming wave of energy, immediately signaled to him that Zhang Yang seemed to be employing the Heaven-Breaking Sword Style once more. Indeed, Yang Yang was in danger!

The Old Master was consumed by anxiety, yet he still hadn't found the path out of this forest! "Chirp chirp!" A monkey suddenly appeared in the woods.

The Old Master started sharply; this was a fourth-tier spirit beast, yet the creature completely ignored him and continued sprinting desperately forward. The Old Master made a swift decision and followed right behind the monkey.

Not long after. The Old Master suddenly found himself standing outside the woods, back upon the Dragon Family Plain.

The monkey, upon exiting the forest, had vanished without a trace. The Old Master stamped his foot in frustration, yet was utterly helpless!

Beyond the Dragon Family Plain, several Great Perfection masters also sensed the fluctuation of that powerful energy! The Zhou Family Great Perfection masters stood before their encampment, their faces etched with sheer bewilderment.

Standing beside the Zhou master, Di Wangu was contorted with resentment; having personally experienced such energy fluctuations, he knew precisely what it meant! "There is still a Great Perfection expert from the Zhang family within the Dragon Family Plain.

Hold on, just hold on..." Before the Li Family’s camp, Li Jianyi, the guardian of the Li clan, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, frowning deeply, murmuring to himself. At the Hua Family camp, Hua Feitian, who felt the energy wave most acutely, was the most surprised.

He gazed toward the forest and blurted out, "Could it be that Zhang Yang has already engaged the spirit beast that ascended to the Great Perfection realm?!" Before the Shaolin camp, Master Shi Ming stood accompanied by a Taoist dressed in a Daoist robe. This Taoist was none other than the Wudang Great Perfection master.

The Wudang master had surprisingly appeared at the Shaolin camp at this critical moment. At the foot of Kunlun, the major sects and aristocratic families, who had been in utter chaos, finally rushed to a point not far from the Dragon Family Plain at Kunlun Mountain.

It was only then they noticed the encampments of the Li, Hua, Shaolin, and Wudang families—who had been stationed there long ago—were eerily silent, completely still. This sight immediately dampened their enthusiasm.

If these major clans and sects remained motionless, what could they accomplish by rushing forward? Finally, the elders and sect masters of the various factions, regaining their composure, began to restrain the disciples under their command, and the chaotic situation started to improve slightly.

In a secluded, overlooked rocky knoll, Long Jiang, who had been hidden there for a long time, was overcome with ecstatic joy after the second wave of energy reverberated! "Are they fighting?

Are they finally fighting, hahahaha..." Long Jiang laughed wildly, jumping and dancing with excitement! The previous tremor of Kunlun had not brought Long Jiang such delight; it was this second wave that caused his immense joy!

He had mistakenly taken this as the signal that the Great Perfection masters were finally engaged in battle, hence his elation! "I finally don't have to hide here anymore.

Dragon family, your time for blood repayment has finally arrived!" After his laughter subsided, Long Jiang pulled out a firecracker from a grotto, lit it casually, and threw it with all his might into the air! This was no ordinary firecracker.

Upon exploding in the night sky, it transformed into a streak of meteoric light that shot straight toward the heavens. On Kunlun Mountain, Long Shousi, hidden within his black robe, immediately stopped when he saw the streak of light in the sky.

"Fourth Uncle, why aren't we moving anymore?" Behind him trailed a group of Dragon Family disciples who had been searching outside Kunshan for the traitorous Long family members. "Yeah, Fourth Uncle, you disappeared for nearly a month, and now you're finally back.

We need to hurry back to the Dragon Family Plain; the Clan Leader has ordered a halt to the search for that traitor!" Another Dragon Family disciple approached Long Shousi. "Heh heh, you children.

Fourth Uncle needs your assistance; I wonder if you'll help?" Long Shousi suddenly smiled faintly, turning to look at the disciples behind him. "What help, Uncle?" These disciples exchanged glances before inquiring.

Long Shousi's eyes shone with sly cunning. He looked at the disciples without answering immediately, instead letting out a wicked, prolonged chuckle.

... ...

Underground, Zhang Yang's Cold Spring Sword was less than half a foot from the three-eyed beast! The ball of energy on the sword tip, after shattering the second layer of solidified protection around the beast, finally halted against the third shield, which was condensed from the black toxic mist.

The energy ball at the sword tip continuously squeezed the shield formed by the black mist. The three-eyed beast retreated repeatedly; in a flash of lightning and flint, it backed up until its hind legs were submerged in the waters of the subterranean lake.

The energy halo from the sword tip continued to press forward. At this moment, the shield of black toxic mist finally buckled and shattered with a loud peng!

However, the three-eyed beast suddenly realized that the Cold Spring Sword in Zhang Yang's hand had lost its lock. In the instant the black mist shield fractured, it leaped at incredible speed into the air, dodging Zhang Yang's strike!

CRASH!! The energy circle plunged directly into the subterranean lake.

Instantly, the lake water exploded upward. The golden carp lurking at the bottom were caught in the blast, hurled into the air, and upon falling back into the water, floated belly-up, their lives extinguished.

After all, the second form of the Heaven-Breaking Sword Style that Zhang Yang used was not truly a fifth-tier power. Although the three-eyed beast, having just reached the Great Perfection, resisted fiercely, it ultimately managed to withstand the attack.

"Hahaha, it is not a true fifth-tier attack method after all. Human, you are not a fifth-tier powerhouse!" The three-eyed beast landed back on the ground.

Despite its battered state, it had managed to escape Zhang Yang's sword. Zhang Yang withdrew the Cold Spring Sword and regarded the three-eyed beast.

His surface was calm, but his heart was a churning sea of shock. This three-eyed beast, having only just entered the Great Perfection, was already so formidable.

He could only imagine the power of the fifth-tier spirit beasts residing in places like Yinlong Mountain and Changbai Mountain! "If you have the nerve, use that sword move again!" The three-eyed beast roared, suddenly drawing in the surrounding world energy.

This time, it was its turn to attack! Having witnessed Zhang Yang's sword technique, it dared not be careless again.

This time, it unleashed its full strength, determined not to give Zhang Yang a chance to launch another strike! "Chirp chirp!" "Squeak squeak!" Shadowless and Lightning were too far away.

At this point, they couldn't possibly reach Zhang Yang in time to help, so they immediately cried out warnings, urging Zhang Yang to be wary of the beast's venom! As the foremost of the Ten Great Poisons, the three-eyed beast's most formidable weapon was naturally its deadly toxin!

The world energy it manipulated was merely a feint to draw Zhang Yang's attention; its true assault was the potent poison spewed from its mouth! Luckily, with the reminders from Shadowless and Lightning, Zhang Yang realized sharply that the world energy coalescing before the three-eyed beast was just a diversion.

He immediately raised the Cold Spring Sword, managing to block a wisp of black toxic mist as fine as a needle! Clang!

The Cold Spring Sword vibrated violently, and Zhang Yang was forced back several steps. He instantly felt a numbing sensation in the grip of his sword hand—even though the poison mist was blocked, its power had still transmitted through!

"Die, human!" At that very moment, the three-eyed beast rapidly materialized behind Zhang Yang, opening its monstrous jaws. Its fangs flashed with cold light!

It lunged down in a bite, clearly intending to tear a massive chunk of flesh from Zhang Yang's shoulder! One of Zhang Yang's hands was numb, leaving him powerless to raise his sword in defense.

And the energy shield solidified around his body was torn through effortlessly by the beast's jaws! This moment—how perilous!