The dagger's keen point pressed against Hua Feitian's chest, effortlessly slicing through his clothes, yet the sharp tip could not pierce his flesh. A surge of Heaven and Earth energy had silently enveloped the blade, halting its advance completely.

Hua Feitian looked up, astonished. When had this energy wrapped around the dagger? He hadn't sensed it at all before.

Zhang Yang watched him, still smiling.

"Roar!"

At that moment, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast took a heavy step forward. It fixed its gaze on Hua Feitian, its three eyes blazing with chilling killing intent.

It was as if it saw the scene from a century ago, deep beneath Kunlun: this very man had forced its mate to sacrifice itself to prevent them from seizing the Ten Thousand Year Peach. This time, it had come seeking vengeance against Hua Feitian!

Facing the Golden Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast, Hua Feitian slowly closed his eyes, spreading his arms. The dagger fell from his grasp, and two tear tracks traced lines down his cheeks.

"Is my death not enough to buy the Hua family a path to survival?"

Hua Feitian's expression was rigid, his voice hoarse again as he murmured the question. The Hua family was now his sole concern; he offered his death as atonement, hoping to beg Zhang Yang to spare them, but alas...

"Roar!"

The Golden Three-Eyed Beast seemed satisfied with Hua Feitian's decision. It bent low, its sharp claws extended, but just then, Zhang Yang took a step forward. The Golden Three-Eyed Beast turned its head toward Zhang Yang, the killing intent in its gaze significantly diminishing, replaced by a flicker of confusion.

Zhang Yang’s movement had undeniably prevented it from taking revenge on Hua Feitian.

"Can death solve the problem?" Zhang Yang looked at Hua Feitian and slowly asked, "I am a doctor. My duty is to heal and save lives. When have you ever seen a doctor stand by and watch their patient choose to die?"

Saying this, Zhang Yang stepped forward again, continuing, "You have made many mistakes, but you are not beyond repentance, so I can spare the Hua family, and you do not need to die to atone."

With this step, Zhang Yang had entered the territory of Changbai Mountain. Hua Feitian lowered his head, his eyes fixed on Zhang Yang’s foot. Zhang Yang had crossed into Changbai Mountain territory, yet the Old Ancestor showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Amitabha."

Master Shi Ming also stepped out, standing beside Zhang Yang, and said to him, "It is rare for Layman Hua to have a heart of repentance. Might Alliance Leader Zhang ask Master Shi Ming of Shaolin to intercede for Layman Hua?"

Then, Master Shi Ming looked toward the Golden Three-Eyed Beast and continued, "The departed are gone, and he sincerely repents. Could you also grant him a chance?"

Zhang Yang nodded. Upon seeing Hua Feitian, he had already abandoned the thought of executing him. Although the Golden Three-Eyed Beast looked unwilling, seeing Zhang Yang’s intent to spare Hua Feitian, it pondered for a moment before finally abandoning the plan to have Hua Feitian join its mate in death.

Master Shi Ming smiled. He turned to face Hua Feitian and said, "Since Layman Hua has let go of all worldly attachments, why not embrace the Buddha and become a monk who sweeps the dust before our altar?"

"Heh heh, a sweeping monk? ...Very well, Master Shi Ming, I am willing to shave my head and become a monk, letting go of everything in the mortal world."

Hua Feitian raised his head, casting aside the turmoil in his heart, and bowed deeply and calmly to Master Shi Ming.

At this moment, Zhang Yang’s gaze passed over Hua Feitian, extending toward the Tianchi Lake in the back mountain.

This time, he hoped to obtain Rootless Water. If successful, it could help Old Master Zhang Pinglu advance to the fifth level, adding another fifth-level expert to Huaxia!

Rumble!!

Above them, just as Zhang Yang focused his gaze on the back mountain, the earth suddenly dimmed. The Twelve-Crowned Golden Python finally reacted, and thunder shook the heavens above.

In the dim earth, several arc-shaped bolts of lightning suddenly struck down. Though still aloft, they exerted immense pressure on everyone on the ground.

The Old Master, Master Shi Ming, and Hua Feitian all felt this pressure. Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng were with the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, but the arcing lightning in the sky had no discernible effect on Dalei and Xiaolei. On the contrary, the two little ones squealed with excitement upon seeing the arcs of electricity overhead.

However, because the arcs were so high and they were partially shielded by the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, they gave up the idea of leaping up to the sky.

Crack!

Another bolt of lightning descended from the sky!

This bolt was much closer to the ground than the others; more precisely, it was aimed directly at Zhang Yang.

The Heaven and Earth energy contained within that lightning bolt was so vast that it exceeded the sensory range of the spirit beasts Wuying, Shandian, Zhuifeng, Old Master Zhang Pinglu, and Master Shi Ming. They watched helplessly as the lightning streaked down but were unable to react in time.

Zhang Yang did not move, but the corner of his robe lifted slightly. A layer of Heaven and Earth energy had already enveloped everyone. Even if this tremendously powerful lightning struck directly above their heads, it would cause them no harm.

Sizzle, crackle!

The lightning relentlessly struck the ground, aiming for Zhang Yang. However, just as it was about to hit his head, two figures suddenly leaped up!

The arc of electricity actually shifted its trajectory!

"Roar!"

In an instant, the lightning vanished completely. No one saw clearly what had happened. Everyone just noticed that the bellies of Dalei and Xiaolei were suddenly swollen, and the two little ones lay on the ground looking languid, utterly adorable.

After that lightning strike, the dark clouds immediately dispersed. The celestial anomaly had come and gone quickly.

"Yang Yang!"

The Old Master grasped Zhang Yang’s arm. The dark clouds over Changbai Mountain could not have gathered so coincidentally; the appearance of that lightning was too bizarre. This was clearly a warning issued by the fifth-level spirit beast hidden within Changbai Mountain.

Could it be that the fifth-level spirit beast in Changbai Mountain had already acquired the ability to ride the clouds and mist? Although the Old Master had absolute faith in Zhang Yang, the power displayed by this fifth-level spirit beast exceeded his expectations.

Zhang Yang smiled and gently patted the hand held by Old Master Zhang Pinglu, saying easily, "Don't worry." Zhang Yang knew exactly what that lightning bolt meant. The Twelve-Crowned Golden Python of Changbai Mountain was not warning them; rather, it was inviting Zhang Yang to the Tianchi Lake in the back mountain.

However, Old Master Zhang Pinglu did not know the intent of the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python. His gaze shifted to Hua Feitian. In Zhang Pinglu’s view, if the Hua family still possessed Rootless Water, Zhang Yang would not need to confront the fifth-level spirit beast directly at Tianchi.

Hua Feitian shook his head. He understood the hint in Zhang Pinglu’s eyes, but the Hua family truly could not produce Rootless Water now.

After he exchanged that cup of Rootless Water with Pu Tian’en for the method to gain fifth-level abilities, the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python had already reclaimed all the Rootless Water the Hua family had collected over the years back to Tianchi Lake. It was simply impossible for Hua Feitian to produce any more now.

"There really isn't any left. If you want it, you must go to Tianchi yourself, where the true guardian of Changbai Mountain, the fifth-level spirit beast, the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python, resides."

Hua Feitian was utterly desolate. He understood the near-hopeless gap between himself and Zhang Yang and had lost interest in everything. Once Zhang Yang promised to spare the Hua family, Hua Feitian had no lingering concerns, which was the fundamental reason he readily agreed to Master Shi Ming’s proposal to join Shaolin.

Rootless Water was no longer a treasure to Hua Feitian. If he had possessed it, he would have undoubtedly offered it to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang understood this, so this trip to Tianchi was something he absolutely had to make.

"Old Master, Master Shi Ming, you two stay here and accompany Hua Fei to the Hua family residence to wait for me."

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

"Squeak squeak squeak!"

"Hiss!"

The three spirit beasts, Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng, were immensely confident after gaining their fifth-level abilities. They immediately requested to accompany Zhang Yang to meet the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python.

This time, they would not be relegated to the sidelines as helpless observers, unable to assist Zhang Yang in sharing the pressure when facing a fifth-level expert, as they were at the foot of the savage mountain before.

Before heading to Changbai Mountain, Zhang Yang had already prepared sufficient spiritual energy essence for the three of them, enough to help them achieve the fifth-level state three times. These three precious instances would undoubtedly turn them into Zhang Yang’s absolute assets.

"You three will go with the Old Master to the Hua family. You must help me protect the Old Master and Master Shi Ming. Don't forget, that Three-Eyed Demon Beast is still on Changbai Mountain."

Zhang Yang was uncharacteristically firm in his tone. Normally, he would never leave behind Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng. The three little ones sensed Zhang Yang’s resolve and showed expressions of disappointment.

Zhang Yang had his reasons for this arrangement. Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng held the highest loyalty to him and the Zhang family, so he felt most secure leaving them to guard the Old Master and the others. Moreover, given Zhang Yang's current strength, even if he went to Tianchi for the final showdown with the Twelve-Crowned Golden Python, Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng would not be able to offer meaningful assistance. It was better to leave them behind, serving as powerful hidden assets for the Medical Saint Zhang family.

After speaking, Zhang Yang looked toward the Golden Three-Eyed Beast and said, "This time, I ask that you bring Dalei and Xiaolei with me to Tianchi. That fifth-level Three-Eyed Demon Beast is by the shore of Changbai Mountain's Tianchi Lake."

The Three-Eyed Demon Beast’s fear of Dalei and Xiaolei surpassed everything. With them present, it would no longer pose a threat, and the strength of the Golden Three-Eyed Beast would be sufficient to protect Dalei and Xiaolei.

This arrangement was foolproof.

"Hiss!!"

Above Changbai Mountain, a strange sound pierced through the entire range. The Twelve-Crowned Golden Python seemed to have grown impatient.

"Old Master, wait for me at the Hua family residence. I will return with the Rootless Water!"

Zhang Yang leaped up. Heaven and Earth energy surged violently beneath him, filling the space under his feet and propelling him toward the back mountain of Changbai Mountain!

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yang, the Golden Three-Eyed Beast, Dalei, and Xiaolei vanished from sight.

Changbai Mountain Back Mountain, Tianchi Lake.

A massive silhouette coiled above the shore of Tianchi Lake. It flicked its tongue, gazing at the approaching figure. To be continued PS: Recommending a book, "The Strongest Enforcer," Book ID: 9br> Synopsis: Zhuang Mo obtained a wristband filled with supernatural abilities and inexplicably became an ability enforcer. Be it the 'Point Line Demon Eye,' 'Melancholy,' or 'My Lover'..., all sorts of powerful abilities were at his disposal. However, using these abilities came at a price. "Beep, ability cost incurred, please drink 5 cups of plain water." "Beep, ability cost incurred, please perform 20 push-ups on the spot." "Beep, cross-level ability cost incurred, please confess your love to the most beautiful girl within a hundred meters!" What the hell! What's with the last cost?! Zhuang Mo exclaimed in shock. The loli shop assistant named Luo Li explained matter-of-factly, "The ability cost is mandatory. You don't need to worry about it; just execute the order." Before the loli could finish speaking, Zhuang Mo found his body moving uncontrollably toward the stunning campus beauty! ... And so, between abilities and costs, Zhuang Mo forged the path of the strongest enforcer amidst happiness and pain!