The three elixirs were finally gathered, and a smile bloomed on Zhang Yang's face. Now, only the Rootless Water of the Celestial Pool was needed to complete the set of Three Elixirs and One Water. Given the Old Master’s current condition, gathering the Three Elixirs and One Water would allow him to break through and advance to the Fifth Layer.

At that time, the Medical Saint Zhang Family would possess two Fifth Layer powerhouses—a feat never before witnessed in history.

After storing the Goat Horn Elixir and the Three-Eyed Elixir, Zhang Yang moved his thoughts, flashing from the refining room to just outside it.

Outside the refining room door, Master Shi Ming and the Old Master Zhang Pinglu had also emerged from their states of deep concentration. This night had been highly fruitful for them; their command and understanding of the energies of Heaven and Earth had reached a new level. Neither of them had even noticed Zhang Yang leaving the refining room.

“Congratulations, Layman Zhang.”

Master Shi Ming retreated from his meditative state and saw the Old Master beside him smiling, enveloped by a faint mist that seemed to subtly emanate from him. Every movement he made caused the energies of Heaven and Earth to resonate slightly. He immediately offered his congratulations.

Master Shi Ming had also gained insights that night, but clearly, his harvest was less significant than that of Old Master Zhang Pinglu. The Old Master now had one foot almost firmly planted in the Fifth Layer realm, and his application of Heaven and Earth energy was far more refined; his progress was naturally immense.

“Congratulations to you too, Master Shi Ming.”

The Old Master smiled, gazing at the closed door of the refining room, an indescribable pride swelling in his heart.

“Old Master, Master Shi Ming.”

Noticing that Zhang Pinglu and Master Shi Ming were so absorbed in their joy that they hadn't registered his presence, Zhang Yang called out with a smile.

“Yangyang, are the Goat Horn Elixir and the Three-Eyed Elixir both prepared?”

Seeing Zhang Yang, the Old Master’s face was alight with joyful expectation, and he immediately inquired.

Zhang Yang nodded. The Old Master exchanged an excited glance with Master Shi Ming; they both understood the profound significance of the Three Elixirs. Gathering them meant that another gateway to becoming a Fifth Layer powerhouse was about to open.

Now that Kunlun had settled down and various sects had departed from the Dragon Family Plains, Master Shi Ming eventually led the Shaolin disciples away from Kunlun as well.

Long Haotian had effectively handed over all affairs of the Long Family to Long Feng for management, generally keeping a low profile and rarely showing himself.

Zhang Yang also decided to return to Changjing with Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and the others, and their belongings were all packed. It was only at this point that Li Jianyi learned that every single disciple he had dispatched to Kunlun to deliver a message to the Long Family had been intercepted; not one had succeeded in reaching Kunlun to inform Zhang Yang about Pu Tian’en’s appearance at the foot of Changbai Mountain.

Zhang Yang did not inform the Old Master about the infiltration of a Fifth Layer powerhouse from South Korea into Huaxia. The Old Master believed the intruder was merely a foe comparable to the previous Japanese Great Perfection expert, which put him completely at ease regarding Zhang Yang.

Before leaving Changjing, Zhang Yang specifically visited the sanctuary where the Golden Three-Eyed Beast was recuperating. This time, he took no one with him, not even Shadowless and Lightning.

In fact, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast’s resting place was in the underground area where the Ten Thousand Year Peaches had once been. Da Lei and Xiao Lei had stayed by its side continuously and seemed to have spent these past few days quite contentedly.

Upon reaching the underground area, Da Lei and Xiao Lei immediately detected him and scampered over.

After just a few days, Da Lei and Xiao Lei had grown significantly larger and appeared much sturdier.

The Golden Three-Eyed Beast lay languidly by the shore of the underground lake, its wounds entirely scabbed over, indicating its recovery had been quite satisfactory recently.

The underground area, having witnessed the successful emergence of the Ten Thousand Year Peach, lacked that soft golden luminescence. Even the inverted peach tree that grew there had vanished; perhaps it had hidden itself elsewhere, waiting to bear the next peach.

“I hope you will not go to Changbai Mountain,” Zhang Yang said softly, sitting by the lake and cradling Da Lei and Xiao Lei in his arms, gazing at the shimmering water.

“Roar…”

The Golden Three-Eyed Beast slowly closed its eyes, remaining silent. It understood that Zhang Yang was looking out for its welfare. With a Fifth Layer spirit beast residing on Changbai Mountain, there was no way it could avenge itself against Hua Feitian; it would be better to simply forgive them.

“Here is what we’ll do: if you are absolutely determined to seek revenge against Hua Feitian, wait for me for one year. After one year, I will have recovered my full strength, and I will accompany you to Changbai Mountain then.”

Zhang Yang pondered for a moment before offering this compromise.

The Golden Three-Eyed Beast slowly opened its eyes, looking at Zhang Yang with stubbornness. It had intended to seek revenge against Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian on Changbai Mountain as soon as its injuries healed.

“One year is not long. You need about a year to heal your wounds and return to your peak strength. I promise you, I will go to Changbai Mountain with you after one year.”

Zhang Yang stood up, repeating his statement before looking at Da Lei and Xiao Lei and speaking again: “And Da Lei and Xiao Lei, you must think of them too.”

“...Fine…”

After a long pause, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast finally opened its third eye, signifying its agreement with Zhang Yang. It clearly understood how formidable Zhang Yang would be a year hence, having recovered to his peak.

A cultivator ascending to the Fifth Layer after undergoing the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation had never been seen since ancient times; even the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python on Changbai Mountain had not endured such a tribulation. With Zhang Yang present, its confidence in exacting revenge upon Hua Feitian increased greatly.

Zhang Yang let out a quiet breath. Spirit beasts were different from humans; their love and hatred were often direct—benevolence repaid, and grievances settled with equal fervor.

It was impossible now to persuade the Golden Three-Eyed Beast to abandon its revenge, which was why he sought a year of recuperation for it. By then, Zhang Yang would also have regained his peak strength and would be better able to control the situation.

“Long Feng is looking for me?”

Zhang Yang suddenly murmured to himself. He sensed Long Feng searching for him everywhere, apparently with some urgent matter.

After bidding farewell to the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, Zhang Yang returned to the Dragon Family Plains.

Long Feng had just visited the Old Master, but the Old Master didn't know where Zhang Yang had gone. At that moment, Zhang Yang appeared beside Long Feng.

“Long Feng, what is it?”

“Brother Zhang, we have news about foreign cultivators you need to pay attention to!” Long Feng looked at Zhang Yang and spoke urgently: “We received word from Li Jianyi. He and Hua Feitian, the Great Perfection expert of the Hua Family, encountered the old man claiming to be a South Korean cultivator at the foot of Changbai Mountain.”

Zhang Yang frowned. That pseudo-Fifth Layer cultivator from South Korea had clearly infiltrated Huaxia for the Ten Thousand Year Peach in his possession. Why linger near Changbai Mountain, and how was he discovered by Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian?

“What exactly happened?”

“The Li Family disciple’s message only stated that the South Korean cultivator went to Changbai Mountain to demand the Rootless Water of the Celestial Pool. Nothing else was mentioned. After being refused by Hua Feitian, he vanished.”

“News also came from the Hua Family: they searched the area around Changbai Mountain for a long time and never saw that person again.”

Long Feng relayed the intelligence received from the Li and Hua Families verbatim, then looked at Zhang Yang with lingering concern. Though he knew Zhang Yang’s current strength was unfathomably profound, he couldn't help but caution him: “Brother Zhang, according to the reports from the Li and Hua Families, that cultivator from South Korea seems even more formidable than seniors Li Jianyi and Hua Feitian. You must be careful.”

This was natural; Long Feng's relationship with Zhang Yang was excellent, which is why he worried despite his confidence in Zhang Yang’s safety.

“Don’t worry,” Zhang Yang replied. He had already made up his mind. He would not wait passively like in the previous instances of foreign cultivators infiltrating Huaxia. This time, he would deliver a harsh lesson to those foreign cultivators who had long coveted Huaxia.

Therefore, this time, he would find the target first.

The Fifth Layer elder and the information regarding the South Korean cultivator—the Old Master had told Zhang Yang everything. The only reason the cultivator could hide in Huaxia undetected now was likely because he was masking his aura as that of a spirit beast.

Zhang Yang knew that the fastest way to locate him would be the two parrots in the Savage Mountain. They were the most powerful flying spirit beasts. If he enlisted their aid, the South Korean cultivator would have to remain hidden in one spot indefinitely to evade their notice.

Zhang Yang had hoped the Old Master would remain at the Dragon Family to continue his secluded cultivation, but Old Master Zhang Pinglu insisted on returning to Changjing with him. Zhang Yang had no choice but to agree.

Since the Golden Three-Eyed Beast and Da Lei and Xiao Lei were staying in Kunlun, Da Lei and Xiao Lei were heartbroken when they learned Zhang Yang was leaving, particularly missing Shadowless and Lightning.

Two Hummers departed Kunlun, retracing their route.

“Master, should we return to Changjing first, or head straight to the Savage Mountain?” Yan Yefei asked in confusion in the vehicle.

“I am going to the Savage Mountain on business this time. Only Shadowless and the others need to accompany me. As for you all, return to Changjing first.”

Along the way, Zhang Yang had already shared his subsequent plans with Mi Xue and the others. Having the Old Master in the car ensured that Mi Xue and the others would be completely safe, allowing Zhang Yang to leave alone with peace of mind.

Mi Xue had wanted to accompany Zhang Yang to the Savage Mountain, but after hearing his explanation, she no longer insisted.

“Yangyang, be careful. I will wait for your return in Changjing.” The Old Master Zhang Pinglu had boundless faith in Zhang Yang, urging him to complete his task quickly.

At the location closest to the Savage Mountain, Zhang Yang, accompanied by Shadowless, Lightning, and the other two great spirit beasts, alighted from the vehicle. After bidding farewell to Mi Xue and the Old Master, he turned and proceeded toward the Savage Mountain.

This time, his path differed from the routes he had taken entering the Savage Mountain previously. However, upon reaching the foot of the mountain, Zhang Yang abruptly stopped.

“Jiji ji!”

“Zhizhi zhi!”

Shadowless and Lightning looked at Zhang Yang in confusion, not understanding why he had halted.

“You have followed me for so long, are you not going to show yourself?”

The three great spirit beasts sensed no one tailing them, but Zhang Yang had been aware of someone following behind them all along. Yet, the presence he sensed was not that of a cultivator, but a feral, beast-like aura.

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