In the vast northwest of Huaxia, a beam of golden light suddenly shot up from the Kunlun Mountains, soaring straight into the clouds! In an instant, a rainbow streaked across the sky above Kunlun Mountain, spanning from one horizon to the other amidst swirling mist—a scene of magnificent scope, shaking the very earth!

Disciples from various sects and noble families who had retreated from Kunlun Mountain and were on their way back halted in their tracks, turning back to gaze upon that breathtaking spectacle of nature; meanwhile, those still within the Kunlun range looked up, watching this aerial miracle and feeling an endless surge of awe and excitement that left them profoundly unsettled. Even ordinary folk, seeing this wonder emerge from Kunlun, immediately dropped to their knees, believing the Mountain God had manifested.

Such a miracle—how often is one witnessed in the mortal realm? At Changbai Mountain, a slender, elongated figure seemed poised to tear through the very clouds!

Yet, amidst the lingering thundering storm clouds over Yinlong Mountain, another dragon’s roar sounded, and simultaneously, a massive tsunami erupted from an island in the South Sea, perfectly echoing the event at Changbai Mountain. For a moment, that elongated figure stabilized its stance, holding its motion.

At the foot of Changbai Mountain, a middle-aged man, riddled with scars, was laboriously ascending the slopes carrying someone whose breathing was faint and whose face was covered in soot. Just then, he spotted the shaft of golden light shooting toward the heavens, and at the same time, he discerned the slender silhouette within the mist above.

“Younger brother, Li Jianyi of the Shu Mountain Li family, has specially brought Hua Feitian of the Hua family to seek your aid!” This man was Li Jianyi of the Li family, at the Great Perfection stage, who had fled with Hua Feitian. The moment he saw the golden light, he understood the fate that awaited him, which solidified his belief that bringing Hua Feitian to Changbai Mountain was the unequivocally correct decision; thus, he roared out with every ounce of strength he possessed.

In all of Huaxia, if his Li family were to be spared Zhang Yang’s retaliation, who else but that slender figure circling within the clouds would be willing to shelter his family at this crucial time? In the mists of Changbai Mountain, the slender figure flickered its tongue, revealing its true form for the first time.

A colossal python manifested above Li Jianyi. As Li Jianyi looked up, his heart convulsed, his eyes watering so painfully he could barely keep them open, yet he clearly perceived its identity.

The Twelve-Crowned Golden Crown Python, a fifth-tier spirit beast of Changbai Mountain. Inside a mansion somewhere in Changjing, the old man reclining on the sofa had pressed the plush upholstery until it groaned audibly.

“Sigh…” In the end, all he did was sigh, without making any further move. Before him, three figures in black robes remained frozen, not daring to draw a single breath.

The Kunlun Mountain Range. The golden light slowly dimmed, but as it receded, countless heavenly treasures hidden within that stretch of forest rose simultaneously, scattering like flowers thrown by a celestial maiden throughout the Kunlun range, following the golden beam.

Instantly, the various sect masters and family heads who had been reassembled outside the Dragon Family Plain by Long Feng and Qiao Yihong became wildly excited upon witnessing this scene. They completely forgot about paying respects to the Dragon family and rose to their feet.

Though the heavenly treasures raining down upon Kunlun could not compare to the Ten Thousand Year Peaches, this was the only benefit they stood to gain from this event. Qiao Yihong and Long Feng exchanged a look.

“Heavenly treasures are for those destined to receive them. Let the worthy ones outside the Dragon Family Plain claim what falls there.

I will immediately summon the Dragon family disciples to gather what has landed within our plain.” Long Feng was equally thrilled and immediately said to Qiao Yihong, “I will go gather the Dragon family disciples and collect the treasures that have fallen on the Dragon Family Plain.” Qiao Yihong nodded vigorously, following Long Feng back toward the Dragon Family Plain; he, too, intended to call on Qu Meilan, Yan Yefei, and the others to help the Dragon family disciples collect these rare materials. At the source of the golden light, between the branches of the inverted golden peach tree underground.

The Ten Thousand Year Peach, crystal clear like a ruby, was slowly detaching from its branch, rising gently with the golden light, showing every sign of passing through the crisscrossing network of roots and ascending into the sky with the beam. “Yang Yang!” The Old Man shouted immediately, urging Zhang Yang, who was busy assisting the Golden Three-Eyed Beast with its labor, to hurry and retrieve the Ten Thousand Year Peach.

However, upon its full maturation and emergence, the Ten Thousand Year Peach was enveloped by immense terrestrial energy; any cultivator below the Great Perfection realm who dared approach would surely be injured by this natural force. Zhang Yang’s current recovery had not even reached fifty percent of his peak strength, leaving him incapable of penetrating the energy barrier to reclaim the peach.

“Roar…” But the Life-Preserving Elixir finally took effect, and the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, which had been convulsing uncontrollably, finally stabilized. “Squeak squeak squeak!” “Chirp chirp chirp!” The three spirit beasts—Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng—leapt up almost simultaneously, attempting to help Zhang Yang retrieve the crystal-clear peach.

But just as the three were about to touch the gem-like fruit, the surrounding terrestrial energy suddenly exploded, generating a massive recoil force. The three spirit beasts were caught off guard and blasted back to the ground, sustaining further injuries.

No one had anticipated that the emergence of the Ten Thousand Year Peach would result in this. Zhang Yang suddenly stood up, only to feel a wave of weakness wash over him; in this state, he too was powerless to retrieve the peach from within the energy field.

The successful appearance of the Ten Thousand Year Peach also captured the attention of Long Haotian and Long Jiang. Long Haotian momentarily eased his assault on Long Jiang, but Long Jiang snapped out of his shock at the peach’s emergence with the greatest speed.

He then fully unleashed the Dragon Transformation Art, his internal energy surging dramatically, before violently biting down on the already deceased Du Xugang and Zhao Lei, tearing off a significant chunk of flesh from each in quick succession. Without pausing to chew, Long Jiang swallowed and devoured their remains, crouching over the bodies like a savage beast.

“The long-lost demonic art of the demonic path, the Gluttonous Great Method!” It was Master Shiming who timely discovered Long Jiang’s actions and cried out in alarm. Few people might recognize the Gluttonous Great Method by name, but if one mentioned Soul Devouring, every cultivator would know it; one must realize that the technique for Soul Devouring was merely a small excerpt copied from the demonic sect’s Gluttonous Great Method, possessing less than a tenth of its true power.

After consuming the flesh and blood of Zhao Lei and Du Xugang, Long Jiang’s cultivation soared, and his internal energy broke through successive thresholds! “Master, please hurry and retrieve the peach!

I will handle this Long Jiang!” Zhang Pinglu also grasped the shift in the current situation, intercepting a palm strike from Long Haotian, who was also employing the Dragon Transformation Art, before diving toward Long Jiang! The Ten Thousand Year Peach was on the verge of passing through the roots and escaping with the golden light; once it left the underground, everyone would likely lose their chance to obtain it.

The priority was crystal clear! “Amitabha!” Master Shiming made an instantaneous decision, leaping up and charging directly toward the Ten Thousand Year Peach.

Zhang Pinglu, having sustained severe injuries, was ultimately a step too slow; by the time he arrived, Long Jiang had already moved away from the mangled bodies of Zhao Lei and Du Xugang! “Great Perfection!” Zhang Pinglu gasped upon looking at Long Jiang, then frowned deeply, exclaiming, “No, this is not true Great Perfection!” “Not true Great Perfection?

Hahaha, Old Ghost Zhang, once I seize the Ten Thousand Year Peach, I will be the true Great Perfection!” Long Jiang roared with laughter, ignoring Zhang Pinglu, and turned to leap toward the sky, attempting to ambush Master Shiming and seize the peach! “How dare you!” Zhang Yang erupted in fury.

In an instant, he materialized before the eight pre-set Tai Chi Staffs, his hands moving with blinding speed to arrange and reposition them among the eight poles! The underground terrestrial energy shifted once more, and a Nine Palace Formation suddenly manifested, centered on Zhang Yang, trapping Long Jiang within its confines.

Long Jiang’s expression changed drastically; he realized that no matter how high he leaped, he could not get an inch closer to Master Shiming, let alone the Ten Thousand Year Peach. Seeing that Master Shiming was about to grasp the peach, Long Jiang’s face twisted with viciousness.

His aura had surged, his internal energy had exploded, and his strength had reached the level of Great Perfection. Long Jiang knew that he must first slay Zhang Yang to break the formation, so he ceased his attack on Master Shiming and instead charged straight for Zhang Yang!

“Yang Yang!” The status of Zhang Yang in Old Man Zhang Pinglu’s heart was too significant for him to allow Long Jiang’s attack to succeed! A ball of white mist condensed in the Old Man’s hand, instantly transforming into a faint golden yellow!

“No!” Zhang Yang could not spare a thought for Long Jiang; instead, he roared a warning toward the Old Man. The Old Man’s injuries were not yet healed, and forcefully using terrestrial energy now would inevitably bring unimaginable consequences; even if he succeeded in killing Long Jiang, he might not escape death himself!

But Zhang Yang was still a step too slow! The golden sphere of energy in the Old Man’s hand had formed, and the next second it appeared behind Long Jiang.

He raised his hand and blasted the golden energy ball into Long Jiang’s back! Puff!

He was not truly Great Perfection after all. Long Jiang, focused solely on attacking Zhang Yang, failed to notice Zhang Pinglu behind him.

Struck directly by the blast, he was sent flying! Crack, crack… Long Jiang felt his entire skeletal structure shatter, and simultaneously, the meridians and heart channels throughout his body snapped.

He opened his mouth to scream but could not utter a sound; his eyeballs bulged grotesquely. Thump!

He fell heavily to the ground, dying instantly, his final appearance utterly tragic! “Old Man!!” Zhang Yang threw down the Tai Chi Staffs he held and rushed forward to catch Zhang Pinglu, but the Old Man was already completely limp, devoid of the strength to stand, sinking into Zhang Yang’s arms.

“Chirp chirp chirp!” “Squeak squeak squeak!” The three spirit beasts rushed over. Wuying immediately bit down on the Old Man’s body, but his complexion showed no sign of improvement.

“Stop, stop wasting energy…” The Old Man painstakingly raised a hand to wave them off, accepting his fate, a peaceful smile gracing his lips upon seeing Zhang Yang safe. “Old Man, you’re still smiling… Stop smiling, quick, Old Man, with Wuying here and me here, you must focus on circulating your energy to heal; you will be absolutely fine!” Zhang Yang’s face was already covered in tears, and he could barely make out the Old Man’s features clearly.

The underground area finally returned to normal at this moment; all the terrestrial energy vanished, and the abundant spiritual energy seemed to have been instantly drained away, ceasing to exist. Master Shiming had returned to Zhang Yang’s side, clutching the crystal-clear peach.

Seeing Zhang Pinglu in this condition, even he could not keep the tears from welling up and swirling in his eyes. “Human… quick, only an immortal pill refined from this peach can stop his fading, and perhaps even turn disaster into fortune…” From a distance, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast had opened its third eye, gazing upon Zhang Yang and the others.

A stream of energy emerged from the eye, and this message materialized in everyone’s minds.