Upon hearing Park Tae-eun's words, Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian showed no shock; instead, they both broke into sneers, shaking their heads dismissively at what he had said.

Slaying Zhang Yang?

It could be said that if Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian had not intended to kill Zhang Yang, they would not have been forced to hide in Changbai Mountain until now before daring to show themselves.

Back then, deep underground where the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach resided, Zhang Yang was extremely weak and severely injured—it was arguably the best opportunity to kill him. Yet, in reality, the five Great Perfection masters joining forces could not even slay Zhang Yang, nor could they manage to inflict any real damage upon him.

Setting aside the endless stream of magic treasures in Zhang Yang's possession, would the Old Ghost of the Medical Sage Zhang family, Zhang Pinglu, or the Great Perfection master from Shaolin, Master Shi Ming, have simply stood by and watched them kill Zhang Yang?

Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian admitted that this Korean cultivator before them was powerful, but deep down, neither of them could believe this old man could slay Zhang Yang.

Although they were not caught in the preceding Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation, they could feel its immense power even from a thousand li away. Nine bolts of lightning—such a phenomenon had never occurred in the history of Huaxia. Even the heavenly tribulations caused by powerful spirit beasts breaking through the Fifth Layer did not involve as many lightning strikes as Zhang Yang had drawn.

The "Nine-Nine Returning to One" was undoubtedly the supreme Heavenly Tribulation, and Zhang Yang, having successfully weathered it, had already ascended to a height they couldn't even dream of reaching.

The notion of slaying Zhang Yang had long been utterly erased from both their minds.

"Just ants, after all…"

Observing the reaction of Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, Park Tae-eun's face showed a hint of disappointment. He murmured softly, his gaze toward the two growing exceedingly contemptuous.

"Since Your Excellency wishes to slay Zhang Yang, why didn't you go directly to the Long family in Northwest Kunlun? Zhang Yang should still be staying at the Long family plains."

Li Jianyi, who already disliked the old man, maintained his vigilance while adding, "But what is your purpose in coming here to find the two of us?"

"Your Excellency traveled all the way from Korea only to hide around. Earlier, I didn't understand why Zhang Yang's first Edict as the leader of the World Alliance was to warn everyone to be wary of foreign cultivators. Now, I finally understand."

Hua Feitian mused thoughtfully. Recalling the Edict Zhang Yang had publicly announced to the martial arts families and sects, he finally grasped that Zhang Yang had known for a long time someone had infiltrated Huaxia; that Edict seemed to have been aimed specifically at the old man before them.

The disappointment on Park Tae-eun's face deepened. Hearing Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian speak, he wasn't angry; instead, he felt his trip had been in vain.

He knew that the five most powerful super families and sects in Huaxia had jointly targeted the Medical Sage Zhang family, only to ultimately fail and suffer a setback. The Southern Border Demonic Sect and the Zhou family were harassed by a suddenly appearing Great Perfection spirit beast, forcing them to merge and reorganize into the Demonic Sect of the Zhou family. As for the Great Perfection master of Wudang, after returning, he spent his days facing the wall in the Wudang back mountain, willingly falling into decadence. Only Li Jianyi, the Great Perfection master of the Li family, and Hua Feitian, the Great Perfection master of the Hua family, remained in Changbai Mountain, never descending.

Given the current situation, if someone were willing to assist him and provide the convenience needed for his true purpose in coming to Huaxia, then the Shu Mountain Li family and the Changbai Mountain Hua family were undoubtedly the optimal partners. Most critically, there was something he desperately needed located on Changbai Mountain.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since everyone's goal was to slay Zhang Yang, Park Tae-eun believed his appearance would undoubtedly become the only hope for Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian.

It was a pity; he was profoundly disappointed.

He could not detect even a trace of fighting spirit from Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian. These two had long since lost the resolve to resist Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang had become an insurmountable mountain in their hearts.

Cooperating with such individuals was simply an insult to himself.

Park Tae-eun narrowed his eyes, focusing his gaze on Hua Feitian. He now only wanted to obtain the item on Changbai Mountain. As for Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian, in his estimation, they had already become more trouble than they were worth.

"Brother Hua, Zhang Yang's Edict was clearly aimed at this fellow. If you and I can pass his information to Zhang Yang, perhaps we can mend the relationship between the Li family, the Hua family, and the Medical Sage Zhang family."

Li Jianyi remained silent. Knowing that the strength of the man before them far surpassed their own, he cautiously used the most subtle method of sound transmission directly into Hua Feitian's ear.

Hua Feitian frowned almost imperceptibly. Zhang Yang was now the World Alliance leader, supported by various sects and schools in Huaxia. If not for that farce over the Ten Thousand Year Flat Peach, his relationship with Zhang Yang might have remained as friendly as before.

"What Brother Li says aligns perfectly with my thoughts. Let us first work together to trick this old man. Since we are on Changbai Mountain, protected by that Ancestor, he absolutely cannot kill us."

Li Jianyi’s words struck the very chord of Hua Feitian’s feelings. He glanced subtly at Li Jianyi; a consensus had been reached between them.

"Two ants, don't think too highly of yourselves. I disdain to kill you."

With a cold snort, Park Tae-eun shifted his gaze from Hua Feitian toward the skies above Changbai Mountain: "I came to Huaxia to slay Zhang Yang, and I came here only to take one item from your Changbai Mountain."

Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian believed their conversation could not be heard by Park Tae-eun, but unbeknownst to them, they held no secrets in his eyes. Sound transmission, after all, was merely an application of the energy of heaven and earth. Avoiding the diffusion of sound to deliver a message directly into another person's ear was akin to the unique ability possessed by the third eye of the Golden Three-Eyed Beast—imbue the ability with one's intention for direct communication.

The two did not know that Park Tae-eun had already broken through to the Fifth Layer, and his command over the energy of heaven and earth far exceeded theirs, meaning their entire conversation fell clearly into his hearing.

Li Jianyi's expression changed drastically. He never imagined that his conversation with Hua Feitian would be completely seen through by this man.

Hua Feitian grit his teeth. He hadn't considered the mechanics, only hearing the man's incredibly arrogant words and feeling the urge to mock him back. But upon hearing the last sentence, he was stunned. The opponent came to Changbai Mountain for an item, and the only treasure on Changbai Mountain capable of attracting someone of their level was the Rootless Water in the Heavenly Lake.

The only way for them to break through to the Fifth Layer by relying on external forces was to consume the Three Elixirs and One Water, and this 'Water' was precisely the Rootless Water from Changbai Mountain's Heavenly Lake. Could it be that this old Korean man had already gathered the Three Elixirs and only lacked this final Water to break through to the Fifth Layer?

Otherwise, how could he speak with such confidence about slaying Zhang Yang, who had just endured the Nine-Layered Heavenly Tribulation?

Hua Feitian was riddled with doubts, and Li Jianyi was equally perplexed.

Although they knew the Three Elixirs and One Water was the only method to advance to the Fifth Layer externally, they only knew the components were the Goat Horn Elixir, Blood Fox Elixir, Three-Eyed Elixir, and the Rootless Water. As for the precise refining methods for the three elixirs and the true function of the Rootless Water, even Hua Feitian, who had lived on Changbai Mountain for years, did not know.

"I suspect you have already guessed. Yes, I have come to Changbai Mountain specifically for your Heavenly Lake Rootless Water. Two ants, since you have no interest in helping me slay Zhang Yang, then so be it. Give me a cup of Rootless Water, and I will leave."

The Rootless Water was the only thing on Changbai Mountain that could attract Park Tae-eun. As for what he needed the Rootless Water for, he had no intention of telling Hua Feitian or Li Jianyi.

The Rootless Water lay deep within Changbai Mountain's Heavenly Lake, the dwelling place of the Twelve-Crowned Golden Crown Python. Under normal circumstances, even Hua Feitian dared not venture there to retrieve it.

This man demanded the Rootless Water with such righteous justification, as if a total stranger walked into one's home and told the owner, "Give me your most valuable treasure, and I will leave."

Hua Feitian could not fathom how to respond; this man before him was utterly unreasonable and frankly ridiculous.

"Brother Hua, stop wasting words with him. Let's join forces. I refuse to believe he is stronger than Zhang Yang!"

Li Jianyi stepped forward, drawing the long sword from behind his back. The blade emitted a clear, resonant hum. The surrounding energy of heaven and earth suddenly condensed, as the sword pointed directly at Park Tae-eun. Under his full exertion, regardless of the outcome, the commotion created was immense.

Hua Feitian instantly understood Li Jianyi’s intention: he was attracting the Twelve-Crowned Golden Crown Python of Changbai Mountain. Although they were technically outside the core territory of Changbai Mountain, it was unlikely the python would appreciate such ostentation right at its doorstep.

"The matters of the Huaxia cultivation world are for Huaxia cultivators to handle. Whether Zhang Yang is slain or not, this is our affair, not that of an outsider! And you still want the Rootless Water? That is the fantasy of a madman!"

Hua Feitian's aura suddenly surged. He stared intently at Park Tae-eun, working with Li Jianyi to stir up the surrounding energy of heaven and earth, amplifying the disturbance they were creating.

He glanced casually toward the skies above Changbai Mountain. Park Tae-eun let out a loud laugh, giving Hua Feitian an extra look before saying no more, then vanishing before their eyes.

"He just left?"

Li Jianyi found he couldn't capture the slightest trace of the opponent and froze momentarily, utterly surprised that the old man’s confrontation ended so anticlimactically. At the same time, a vague sense of terror lingered in his heart, because even Zhang Yang at his peak had never given him this feeling, which he now felt toward this old man.

This was because Li Jianyi had never witnessed Zhang Yang after he transcended the Tribulation; otherwise, he would not have treated this old man as anything less than a Fifth Layer powerhouse until now.

Hua Feitian was equally bewildered. He also hadn't expected the man to leave so easily.

Suddenly, a secret transmission bypassed Li Jianyi and entered Hua Feitian's ear. The voice was none other than Park Tae-eun’s, who had just departed.

"I can show you another path to the Fifth Layer, and you possess all the necessary conditions to walk it. Do not doubt my words, because—I too am a Fifth Layer expert!"