Achieving the Great Perfection stage of the Fourth Level requires a complete comprehension of the Dao of Nature. Yet, complete enlightenment is an ethereal and extraordinarily difficult pursuit. Many practitioners never succeed in realizing the Dao, ultimately falling short and meeting their demise with regret.

This difficulty is evident in the handful of Fifth Level powerhouses recorded in history; it speaks volumes about the arduous nature of achieving true enlightenment.

However, there exists an alternative method for those at the peak of the Fourth Level Great Perfection to forcibly advance to the Fifth Level—the creation of the Blood Fox Pill, the Goat Horn Pill, and the Three-Eyed Pill. By combining these three elixirs with the Rootless Water from Changbai Mountain's Heavenly Lake and consuming them, one can leverage external forces for promotion to the Fifth Level.

Currently, Zhang Yang possesses the Blood Fox Pill. The most critical ingredient for compounding the Three-Eyed Pill resides within the mouth of the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, which has also reached the Great Perfection stage. In essence, he is only missing the Goat Horn Pill to complete the set of three.

The primary component for the Goat Horn Pill is the Goat Horn Illusion Grass. No one has ever heard of this phantom grass before, though records in the booklet Zhang Yang obtained describe it as large, growing in the shape of a pair of goat horns, hence its name.

Crucially, the Illusion Grass possesses a degree of bewildering power, concealing its true appearance. Even if encountered, it could easily be mistaken for something else entirely, perhaps just an ordinary flower or weed. Even someone as formidable as the Old Master might fail to recognize it upon sight. The reason Zhang Yang identified it immediately is simple: having already ascended to the Fifth Level, the illusionary effect of the grass no longer held sway over him.

“Senior Zhang?”

Zhao Zhicheng, the Sect Master of the Yitian Sect, was filled with anxiety. He noticed Zhang Yang continuously gazing at the carriage behind him and feared that Zhang Yang was displeased with the tribute gift he had brought. Beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead.

“Oh, nothing at all. I deeply appreciate the gifts you’ve brought; I am quite fond of these flowers and plants.”

Zhang Yang snapped back to attention. Seeing Zhao Zhicheng’s distress, he realized the misunderstanding and immediately soothed him in a soft voice.

Hearing that Zhang Yang liked the gifts, Zhao Zhicheng broke into a brilliant smile, overjoyed.

“By the way, Sect Master Zhao, may I open the carriage now to admire the flowers and plants inside?” Zhang Yang asked quietly. Zhao Zhicheng hastily nodded and turned to instruct the Yitian Sect disciples behind him to open the doors.

By this time, the disciples of the Long family had already notified Long Feng, and even Qiao Yihong had rushed over.

“Brother Zhang.”

“Sect Master.”

When Long Feng and Qiao Yihong arrived and saw that Mi Xue was also present, they felt confused. They couldn't fathom why a congratulatory gift from such a small sect would capture Zhang Yang's attention.

Their cultivation was insufficient, so naturally, they could not recognize the Goat Horn Illusion Grass. Moreover, had it not been for the treasure-seeking mouse, Wuying, Zhang Yang might have overlooked this priceless item entirely, as he was already preparing to depart the Long Family Plains and return to Changjing.

Once the carriage doors were opened, Zhang Yang waved his hand, and a large potted plant concealed in the corner flew out.

Telekinesis!

Zhao Zhicheng froze. He had not been qualified to enter the main hall when everyone previously nominated Zhang Yang as the Alliance Leader of the World, so he had no true comprehension of how powerful Zhang Yang had become.

Zhang Yang closely inspected the pot of Goat Horn Illusion Grass, oblivious to the gaze Zhao Zhicheng directed toward him—a look laced with surprise and envy.

The Goat Horn Illusion Grass has another name: the Goat Horn Sacred Grass. Its growth is inherently difficult. Grass that is merely one or two thousand years old is useless. To forge the Goat Horn Pill required for Fifth Level promotion, one absolutely needs a top-grade Goat Horn Illusion Grass that has matured for over six thousand years.

Wuying darted onto Zhang Yang’s shoulder, and Shandian swiftly moved in to scrutinize the potted plant for a long time. Even Wuying couldn't discern anything special about this flora.

“It is a top-grade Goat Horn Illusion Grass, over six thousand years old!”

Zhang Yang let out a long breath, speaking to himself. He never imagined that the most vital herb for compounding the Three Elixirs would arrive in his hands in this manner.

“Senior Zhang recognizes this rare flower and strange herb?”

Seeing Zhang Yang’s reaction, Zhao Zhicheng immediately understood that among all the items in the carriage, only this oddly shaped plant had caught Zhang Yang’s focus.

“Indeed, this is the Goat Horn Illusion Grass, also known as the Goat Horn Sacred Grass.”

Zhang Yang nodded, taking a moment to explain the situation to the bewildered Mi Xue beside him. However, both Zhao Zhicheng and Mi Xue were even more perplexed; neither had ever heard of the Goat Horn Sacred Grass. This was understandable, as even when Zhang Yang first read the small booklet detailing the grass, he had never encountered the Goat Horn Illusion Grass before.

“Is this thing on Mount Emei?”

Having confirmed this specimen was the six-thousand-year-old Goat Horn Illusion Grass needed for the Goat Horn Pill—one of the Three Elixirs and One Water combination—Zhang Yang turned to Zhao Zhicheng and inquired.

“Yes, all these rare flowers and strange herbs were found deep in the mountains of Emei. Each one is unique and extremely rare, which is why they are priceless,” Zhao Zhicheng answered truthfully. In any case, since Zhang Yang cherished the gift, he was entirely relieved.

Knowing Zhao Zhicheng would not deceive him, Zhang Yang felt a slight disappointment. It seemed that even on Mount Emei, this Goat Horn Illusion Grass did not grow in abundance. This implied that the top-grade Goat Horn Illusion Grass, older than six millennia, was likely the only specimen present, meaning the Goat Horn Pill could not be mass-produced.

But then, Zhang Yang relaxed. Discovering even a single Goat Horn Illusion Grass exceeding six thousand years was a monumental feat. While the Goat Horn Illusion Grass was a rare heavenly treasure and certainly more numerous than the Three-Eyed Beasts, finding one that had matured past six millennia was far from easy.

It appeared that, besides the Blood Fox Pill, neither the Goat Horn Pill nor the Three-Eyed Pill could be mass-produced. However, for Zhang Yang, being able to compound just one set of the Three Elixirs and One Water was more than enough. With the Old Master’s foot already planted firmly in the Fifth Level, obtaining the Three Elixirs and One Water would mean the Zhang family would possess two Fifth Level powerhouses. Even with only two Fifth Level experts, the Zhang family would undoubtedly be positioned to rule the entire realm of internal energy cultivation.

“Long Feng, the sky is growing late. Take Sect Master Zhao and his people to rest first,” Zhang Yang instructed Long Feng to lead the Yitian Sect members away. He then told Qiao Yihong to return and pack; they would be leaving the Kunlun area for Changjing in the next couple of days.

“Mi Xue, you should also retire for the night. I still have some matters to attend to,” Zhang Yang said apologetically to Mi Xue after Long Feng departed.

“Alright, I’ll go find Qu Meilan and the others to start packing our luggage,” Mi Xue was understanding, realizing Zhang Yang surely had things to handle, so she left without lingering to disturb him, accompanying Long Feng.

“Chirp chirp!”

“Squeak squeak!”

The three spirit beasts—Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng—along with Da Lei and Xiao Lei, did not leave. The little ones all stared eagerly at the Goat Horn Illusion Grass in Zhang Yang’s hand.

“Alright, the elixir refined from this thing won’t be for you to eat. I’ll give you other rewards later.”

Wuying deserved the most credit for finding this Goat Horn Illusion Grass, and Zhang Yang would certainly reward it, but the Goat Horn Pill had to be prepared for the Old Master; it could not go to Wuying.

“Roar!!”

Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar echoed from the sky.

Instantly, Da Lei and Xiao Lei, who had been preparing to leave, leaped out and cried out loudly toward the heavens.

Zhang Yang, who was just turning away, wheeled back and looked up at the sky. In the far distance, a cluster of golden light, like the setting sun on the horizon, approached, growing larger. That roar originated from that golden light mass.

“It’s back.”

Zhang Yang recognized the golden cluster immediately. It was the mother of Da Lei and Xiao Lei—the Golden Three-Eyed Beast that had raced off to the Southern Border to seek revenge against Di Wanfang and Zhou Gu immediately after achieving Great Perfection.

Releasing the barrier array of the Long Family Plains, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast arrived in an instant.

After several days apart, this Golden Three-Eyed Beast appeared noticeably thinner, and its body was covered in several scars, indicating that its vengeance against the Zhou family of the Demonic Sect in the Southern Border had not been without cost.

“Wuwu…”

Upon seeing their mother, the greatest joy belonged to the two little ones, Da Lei and Xiao Lei, who scurried over as the Golden Three-Eyed Beast Great Perfection descended.

The Golden Three-Eyed Beast lay down lazily on the ground, gathering the two small Three-Eyed Beasts into its embrace, licking the little ones affectionately with its tongue.

The reunion of the family trio was a sight that made Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng feel a pang of wistfulness; they had no family, and Zhang Yang was now their only kin.

The Old Master and Master Shi Ming were making their way over, a fact that could not escape Zhang Yang’s perception. It seemed the return of the Three-Eyed Beast that had reached Great Perfection had alerted them as well.

In an instant, the Old Master arrived first, followed closely by Master Shi Ming. They did not possess Zhang Yang’s powerful senses; they only knew a Great Perfection expert was approaching the Long Family Plains, but not who it was. Only when they reached Zhang Yang’s side did they realize the Great Perfection presence was the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, the mother of Da Lei and Xiao Lei, and they finally felt at ease.

“Yangyang, what are you holding that flowerpot for?”

The Old Master turned to see Zhang Yang cradling a strangely shaped pot of flora but did not recognize it as the Goat Horn Illusion Grass.

“Old Master, this is Goat Horn Illusion Grass that has matured for over six thousand years.”

Zhang Yang smiled slightly, then recounted the entire process of discovering the Goat Horn Illusion Grass to the Old Master and Master Shi Ming.

“This is the Goat Horn Illusion Grass!”

“Goat Horn Illusion Grass over six thousand years old?”

The Old Master and Master Shi Ming were simultaneously stunned, staring in disbelief at the seemingly ordinary potted plant in Zhang Yang’s arms. When they concentrated their full attention on observing it, they suddenly realized this plant did indeed seem different from common flora.

After affectionately interacting with Da Lei and Xiao Lei for a while, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast raised its head and looked towards Zhang Yang standing nearby. Its gaze lingered on the Goat Horn Illusion Grass in Zhang Yang’s hand for a few seconds.

It nodded slowly, as if it understood something.

“Human, thank you for taking care of my children. If you require it, I can give you my husband’s third eye so you can compound the Three-Eyed Pill.”

Before Zhang Yang could speak, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast spoke first. It knew that upon finding the Goat Horn Illusion Grass, Zhang Yang would surely prepare the Goat Horn Pill, and so it offered its husband’s third eye to allow Zhang Yang to forge the Three-Eyed Pill.

However, it was unaware that Zhang Yang already possessed the Blood Fox Pill. This meant that by obtaining the Goat Horn Illusion Grass and the third eye its mate mentioned, Zhang Yang would now have the Three-Eyed Pill and the Goat Horn Pill, thus completing the set of three elixirs.

Only needing the Rootless Water from Changbai Mountain’s Heavenly Lake, the Zhang family of Medicine Saints could usher in another Fifth Level powerhouse!