"Brother Zhang, what happened today was entirely due to my contention for the heavenly treasures, and I deeply offended your Medical Saint Martial Sect. Please forgive me! I shall depart immediately and lead my disciples away from Kunlun, withdrawing from this contest for the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach. As for any offense given today, I will certainly compensate you in the future!"

Only after escaping the underground did Zhang Hefeng transmit his voice, his tone astonishingly respectful toward Zhang Yang.

"Old fox!"

Li Jianyi paused, unable to help cursing under his breath. Now that Zhang Yang was protected by the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation arranged by the Tai Chi Cudgel, Elder Zhang Pinglu had the protection of Master Shiming, and the Zhou family's Great Perfection expert Zhou Gu had already fled with Di Wanfang. Both Li Jianyi and his companion were injured by the final strike of the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast just moments ago. Anyone could understand that the chance to kill Zhang Yang and seize the Medical Saint Zhang family’s assets today was gone.

The Wudang Great Perfection expert’s decision to leave immediately was naturally to pull the Wudang contingent out of Kunlun early, avoiding future retaliation from the Medical Saint Zhang family. His words were merely an attempt to mollify Zhang Yang's anger.

Today, only the Southern Border Demonic Sect and the Zhou family had explicitly aimed to kill Zhang Yang. While the others had also targeted the Medical Saint Zhang family, they had maintained a pretense of merely scrambling for heavenly treasures, not having completely torn faces with the Zhang family, leaving room for negotiation.

Even if Zhang Hefeng hadn't said so, Li Jianyi would have offered Zhang Yang the same excuses to absolve himself of responsibility.

"It seems that only a destined person like Brother Zhang is fit to obtain these heavenly treasures; my Li family appears to have no such fortune." Li Jianyi glanced at the golden Three-Eyed Beast behind Zhang Yang, realizing that the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach and the Three-Eyed Beast were likely beyond the reach of the Li family this time. He quickly offered a flattering remark to appease Zhang Yang first.

After speaking, Li Jianyi flashed over to Hua Feitian, helped him up, bowed deeply to Zhang Yang, and then announced, "However, Brother Hua has suffered a severe poison today, and I must rush him back to Changbai Mountain for treatment immediately. Therefore, my Shushan Li family also withdraws from the competition for the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach. Brother Zhang, we deeply offended you today; please be understanding."

With that, Li Jianyi did not wait for Zhang Yang's reply. He immediately slung Hua Feitian over his back and ran toward the exit, leaving swiftly.

After Li Jianyi departed with Hua Feitian, a profound calm finally settled over the underground chamber.

Master Shiming also let out a breath of relief. He turned, retrieved a pill from his robes, and presented it to Zhang Pinglu, saying, "This pill is called the Minor Restoration Pill. Although its efficacy in boosting internal power and preventing Qi deviation is inferior to my Shaolin Great Restoration Pill, it is still a sacred medicine for healing, equally precious. On this trip, even I only brought one. Benefactor Zhang, your injuries are the most severe; please take it."

The Elder glanced at Zhang Yang. With the Tai Chi Cudgel's defense, Zhang Yang's injuries were slowly recovering, truly having no need for the Minor Restoration Pill. Only then did he accept the medicine Master Shiming offered and swallow it.

Once the Minor Restoration Pill entered his stomach, it instantly transformed into a warm current, flowing through Zhang Pinglu's limbs. While its effect couldn't match the High Mountain Cloud Fruit, its advantage was having absolutely no side effects.

Moreover, the Minor Restoration Pill was undoubtedly much more effective than the Essence Blood Pill.

Slowly exhaling, the Elder felt that his injuries were no longer a major impediment, nor was he so weak. He then slowly rose from the ground.

He looked toward Zhang Yang and became visibly excited. Even he hadn't expected Zhang Yang to be able to deploy the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation using the Tai Chi Cudgel.

"Elder, this isn't actually the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation."

With the immediate danger gone, Zhang Yang finally relaxed, retracted the eight Tai Chi Cudgels, and then explained to the Elder, "However, this is indeed a formation variation I derived and arranged based on the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation; it’s not as formidable as the genuine article."

Given the short time, and Zhang Yang being utterly drained after using the energy burst, setting up the most powerful of the Tai Chi Cudgel’s sixty-four formations, the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, was impossible. But creating one that merely possessed the nascent form of the formation—and even at just this rudimentary stage—was enough to grant powerful defensive capabilities.

"Benefactor Zhang is too modest. The most famous aspect of the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation is its ability to reflect all incoming attacks. Even if this formation is only a prototype of the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, the fact that it can reflect attacks sufficiently demonstrates that Benefactor Zhang's comprehension of the Esoteric Arts of Qimen Dunjia has reached a higher level."

Master Shiming’s gaze settled on Zhang Yang, his tone brimming with flattery. He then looked toward Elder Zhang Pinglu and continued, "The Medical Saint Zhang family, holding off five Great Perfection experts today, will undoubtedly become a legend in the Chinese cultivation world in the future. Congratulations, Benefactor Zhang, congratulations to you."

"Master Shiming jokes. If it weren't for Master Shiming stepping in to help at the crucial moment today, our Elder might have met with disaster."

Regardless, Master Shiming's intervention at the most critical juncture had provided the Zhang family with immense assistance, and Zhang Pinglu managed a slightly better expression toward him.

Master Shiming sighed. He knew that today's events were instigated by everyone’s jealousy of Zhang Yang’s power, leading them to resort to such desperate measures to eliminate a future threat. But even though they had left now, they were bound to face the Medical Saint Zhang family’s ferocious retaliation later. At that time, the Chinese cultivation world might well descend into chaos.

All he could hope for now was that the Medical Head, the Zhang family, would prioritize the greater picture and temper their fury for the sake of peace in the world, refraining from rash actions in the future.

Of course, Master Shiming couldn't voice these thoughts directly right now; with the Zhang family still enraged, such words would be utterly ineffective.

"Master Shiming, you worry too much!"

Elder Zhang Pinglu walked to Zhang Yang’s side, turned back to face Master Shiming, and suddenly spoke, "Our Zhang family has suffered immense losses this time. Even if we recover, we likely won't be able to retaliate against all five major powers simultaneously. Since they stated they would offer apologies, this old man will certainly wait in the Dragon Family Palace to see how they come to beg forgiveness and what they offer to quell the Zhang family's wrath."

"Amitabha, well said, well said. Benefactor Zhang truly possesses the spirit of a hero, bearing the responsibility for peace in the world!"

Hearing the Elder’s words, Master Shiming immediately displayed an expression of joy, instantly reverting to the countenance of the Maitreya Buddha, beaming widely.

"Elder!"

Zhang Yang frowned. Having five Great Perfection experts combine forces to nearly kill them both today, letting them off so easily seemed too lenient!

"Yang Yang, everyone has suffered heavy losses this time. We cannot act rashly for a while. The immediate priority is to secure the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach to help you advance to the fifth layer!"

The Elder seemed to perceive Zhang Yang’s hesitation and quickly used internal transmission to convey his thoughts to Zhang Yang, deliberately bypassing Master Shiming.

So that’s it...

Zhang Yang nodded. The Elder was right; even after they recovered, the most urgent matter was securing the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach and advancing to the fifth layer.

He looked up at the inverted golden peach tree above his head. The green fruit hanging from its branches was beginning to turn reddish.

It seemed the frequent explosions of elemental energy caused by the battle between the Great Perfection experts had indeed accelerated the maturation of this Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach.

It was likely ready to ripen at any moment, no longer requiring several months.

"Roar..."

A low growl suddenly sounded. Everyone turned their heads; it was the golden Three-Eyed Beast making the noise.

"Human, do you dare make another trade with me?"

The Three-Eyed Beast’s three eyes were all fixed on Zhang Yang. Energy radiated from its third eye, conveying its intentions to him.

"What trade?"

Zhang Yang frowned, looking at the golden Three-Eyed Beast. Its current condition was precarious—the previous ordeal had made the fetus in its womb even more unstable.

"I will trade my third eye, and my husband's third eye, with you in exchange for the mature Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach. Will you accept?"

The golden Three-Eyed Beast's intentions surfaced clearly in Zhang Yang's mind.

Zhang Yang immediately understood its meaning. With the death of the gray-white Three-Eyed Beast, it had no desire to live on, but it endured for the sake of the little Three-Eyed Beast within it. Now, the only thing that could help it deliver safely was the matured Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach.

Essentially, it was offering its third eye and its deceased husband's third eye in exchange for Zhang Yang ensuring the safe birth of its cub.

"The secret of the Three Elixirs and One Water, I believe all you Great Perfection experts know it. Two sets of Three-Eyed Elixirs equal what can help both of you advance to the fifth layer simultaneously, while all I ask for is the safe arrival of my child."

The golden Three-Eyed Beast roared again, its eyes locked on Zhang Yang, awaiting his answer.

Master Shiming helped Zhang Pinglu approach. Seeing the scene between the golden Three-Eyed Beast and Zhang Yang, they understood the creature was communicating with him.

"I am sorry, I cannot accept your request."

Zhang Yang pondered for a long moment before slowly speaking to the golden Three-Eyed Beast.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of sorrow crossed the beast's eyes. It knew it truly had no standing to negotiate with Zhang Yang; regardless of its acceptance or refusal, the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach belonged to Zhang Yang, and as for itself...

"However, I can refine the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach into a pill to help you deliver the little Three-Eyed Beast safely."

Zhang Yang’s voice suddenly reached the nearly despairing golden Three-Eyed Beast’s ears, causing it to abruptly lift its head and stare at Zhang Yang!

"Human, are you serious?"

Zhang Yang could clearly sense the shock emanating from the golden Three-Eyed Beast. He smiled slightly and nodded.

"Good, human. As long as you can save my child, I want neither my husband's third eye, nor mine, nor the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach!"

The golden Three-Eyed Beast let out a low growl, turned, and looked toward the fallen, deceased gray-white Three-Eyed Beast, whimpering softly, as if telling it the good news that their child would be saved.

Zhang Yang looked up at the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, which could ripen at any moment, and spoke, "We don't know exactly when the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach will ripen. How about we help you lay your husband to rest first?" To be continued.