At the foot of the mountain, the many Innate masters preparing to slay the Violet Light Flood Dragon felt their expressions shift slightly upon hearing the roar. “There’s another powerful demonic beast!” the long-browed old monk exclaimed.

The gathered Innate masters stood alert; a single Violet Light Flood Dragon posed little threat to them. Suddenly— A colossal, black-purple phantom shot out from the massive hole ruptured in the mountain cliff.

“Over there!” All the Innate masters turned toward the gaping hole, but the immense phantom had already vanished. “Whoosh!” A fierce wind erupted!

Simultaneously, a vast, hazy azure halo appeared above the Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers and the throng of Innate masters. This compelled Gu Yong, the long-browed old monk, Ying Haojiang, Wang Kehou, and a large group of other Innate masters to look up.

Beneath the torches held by the Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers, they could vaguely make out the sight. It was a mass of clouds!

Less than a hundred zhang overhead, clouds had gathered out of thin air, obscuring the sky. The clouds faintly glowed with an azure light.

Within this cloud mass, the serpentine, massive body of a creature could be vaguely discerned, its black-purple scales clearly visible as its form slowly swam. “This is—” Everyone held their breath.

Suddenly, a massive dragon head pierced through the cloud cover, staring down below. The dragon-like head, adorned with two forked horns, had crystalline white whiskers dangling down.

Its enormous golden pupils swept over the small cluster of humans below. “What kind of demonic beast is this?” “A Void Realm demonic beast!” Ying Haojiang’s face changed drastically.

“We’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest! Behind the Violet Light Flood Dragon, there’s another Void Realm flood dragon!” “What terrible luck!

We’re done for.” Many Innate masters turned ashen. Facing the gaze of this terrifying flood dragon, no one present dared to make a move.

The first one to act would likely draw the beast’s attack. A Void Realm demonic beast—it was too dreadful.

The most powerful among demonic beasts were those in the Void Realm… while the most powerful among humans reached the Apex Realm, surpassing the Void Realm. Demonic beasts comparable to the Void Realm could communicate with heaven and earth and wield its power.

However, the ability to fly unaided implied a very high level of comprehension and connection with the world. Generally, even Void Realm experts couldn't achieve true aerial flight merely by manipulating the world’s energy.

“Aooooo~~” The flood dragon looked toward the injured Violet Light Flood Dragon. The latter also raised its head to face the colossal beast in the sky, letting out a low, soft roar.

Simultaneously, with a “Whoosh!”, a patch of cloud descended, enveloping the heavily wounded Violet Light Flood Dragon and ferrying it towards the breach in the cliff face. The Violet Light Flood Dragon let out a shout and then darted into the deep pool.

“It’s her, the demonic beast ‘Zi Xi’! The ‘Zi Xi’ that caused chaos during Emperor Yu’s flood control!” Ying Haojiang suddenly cried out.

The long-browed old monk’s expression changed, and he looked closely. “Her scales have changed color from what the books described.

In the past, they were purple. Now they are black-purple… Also, her body is much larger.

But this Zi Xi beast has existed since the Tribal Era; it’s still alive?” In historical texts, the period before Emperor Yu’s unification was generally referred to as the Tribal Era. “So many years have passed; of course, she has changed,” Ying Haojiang said, his face pale.

“It’s over. This ancient one is still alive.

Demonic beasts live longer than humans. Now, who can deal with her?

Let’s hope this venerable elder knows her status and won’t bother with us.” The major Eight Sects kept records on Void Realm demonic beasts. However, throughout history, only about two dozen demonic beasts had been recorded reaching the Void Realm.

Most of them dated back thousands of years. Creatures like turtles and flood dragons might have long lifespans, but while other beasts might live longer than humans, their longevity wasn’t as exaggerated as that of turtles or flood dragons.

Most Void Realm demonic beasts in history should have perished from old age. Those Void Realm beasts still living were exceedingly rare, and each one was generally hidden, cultivating diligently while communing with heaven and earth.

“Aooooo~~” The flood dragon ‘Zi Xi,’ existing since the Tribal Era, now opened its massive maw. “Run!” A piercing scream immediately erupted.

“Flee!” Gu Yong roared in anger. “Everyone, run quickly!” All the Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers scrambled away in panic.

The Innate masters, who had been nervously hoping this Void Realm entity wouldn't attack, were now like ants on a hot pan, desperately fleeing in every direction. They deliberately avoided fleeing in a single mass, knowing well that if they bunched together, the demonic beast ‘Zi Xi’ could annihilate them all in one go.

“Hooooo~~~” A purple cold wind spewed from the mouth of the flood dragon ‘Zi Xi,’ spreading out below like a hurricane. The fleeing humans who were touched by this purple cold wind instantly had their bodies frozen stiff, and then they disintegrated into fine dust, leaving nothing behind.

“Island Master!” A shrill cry rang out. Gu Yong, who was fleeing, glanced into the distance.

His junior brother, the Blue General, was completely encased in ice. Then, with a ‘kaka’ sound, he too turned to dust.

“Run, run! Run!!!” Gu Yong’s mind could focus on nothing else but escaping at his absolute limit speed.

Half of the Twin-Headed Mountain, which had also frozen into dust, suddenly revealed a golden tortoise crawling out of a rock cavern. “Roar~~” The golden Dragon Turtle raised its head and bellowed.

The flood dragon ‘Zi Xi’s massive head turned, its golden eyes fixing on the old tortoise. “Roar, roar roar~~” The golden Dragon Turtle roared a few more times.

The flood dragon ‘Zi Xi’ finally closed its immense mouth. It glanced around first, then roared once at the golden Dragon Turtle before flying over.

Following this, the golden Dragon Turtle and the flood dragon ‘Zi Xi’ proceeded one behind the other, entering the rock cavern together and disappearing from view. “That Zi Xi flood dragon is gone!” The Innate masters one by one stopped fleeing, looking around nervously.

“Martial Uncle! Where are you?” “Senior Brother!” Shouts rose as the scattered Innate masters began searching for their companions.

Faced with the preceding nightmare, their only recourse had been flight. …… Late at night.

Two hours had passed since the catastrophe. Yes, it was a ‘catastrophe,’ whether for the Innate masters or the Silver Flood Dragon Army of Azure Lake Island.

The demonic beast ‘Zi Xi,’ existing since the Tribal Era and having once battled Emperor Yu, had caused the complete collapse of these masters with a single exhalation. “Martial Uncle, of the twelve Arhats who came, only five remain.

My third junior brother and our Martial Uncle are both dead. Furthermore, one of the two cauldrons we carried during the escape was turned to dust.

Only this one cauldron remains,” said a bald monk in a purple robe, his face etched with grief. The long-browed old monk looked at the other four monks nearby.

No one had suffered losses within Emperor Yu’s treasury, but facing the demonic beast ‘Zi Xi’ had cost them dearly. “This was unavoidable.

The other major sects also suffered heavy losses. The Ying family only has one intact cauldron left from their two.

Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain only has one cauldron remaining, which was also destroyed by the ice,” the long-browed old monk glanced toward Gu Yong in the distance. “Gu Yong suffered the worst this time.

Let’s leave Great Yan Mountain.” The five monks of Mani Temple departed. Many from other sects had already left.

Once the Mani Temple and the Ying family forces withdrew, only the Azure Lake Island contingent remained. “Island Master!” A Silver Flood Dragon Army commander rushed over.

Seeing Gu Yong sitting on the grass with a grim expression, the commander felt a surge of apprehension. “The losses.

How many?” Gu Yong snapped. “Our Silver Flood Dragon Army lost over eleven thousand soldiers, with no remains left,” the commander reported.

“Half of Twin-Headed Mountain has been reduced to fine ash. Within three li of the mountain's base, not a single plant or living creature survives—all dead!

Anyone who didn’t flee this area perished. Within three li, the ground has sunk a full ten zhang deep.” If it were daytime, this could be seen with the naked eye.

It was a massive pit nearly three li in circumference. “You may step down,” Gu Yong said darkly.

“Yes, Island Master.” The commander quickly retreated. Gu Yong turned to Zhao Danchen at his side.

“This time, we lost over eleven thousand Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers! Including the Enforcing Elders sent out and Elder Tie who died in Yanjiang City, a total of fourteen!

Now, only you and I remain!” During the escape, the other three elders had not managed to flee. “My right arm is broken; my strength is severely diminished,” Zhao Danchen said grimly.

How many Innate experts did Azure Lake Island have in total? More than half were gone!

“Teng Qingshan!” Gu Yong ground his teeth. “I am certain he knew there were two flood dragons in that deep pool.

Otherwise, why would he jump into this one and not the others? His methods are ruthless, utterly ruthless!

I, Gu Yong, swear that unless I kill him… I swear I will not be human, I will not be human!!!” Zhao Danchen’s heart was also burning with rage. Azure Lake Island’s thousand-year foundation—a huge portion of its Innate masters wiped out, over ten thousand Silver Flood Dragon Army deaths.

Losses unprecedented in their history. “When we return to Azure Lake Island, I will certainly issue a bounty across the entire Nine Provinces to have him killed!” Gu Yong’s eyes were bloodshot.

“I want him to sleep fitfully, fear poison in his every meal, live out his days in terror until he is slain! I want him to have no safe place to stand in the entirety of the Nine Provinces!” Bounties issued across the Nine Provinces to kill Teng Qingshan!

This meant killing by any means necessary. The Nine Provinces were rife with insidious assassination techniques.

…… The next morning. The Black Armored Army was advancing through Great Yan Mountain, making their way out.

Yan Motian and Zhuge Yuanhong walked side by side. Yan Motian exclaimed in awe, “Last night, Azure Lake Island’s Silver Flood Dragon Army suffered a devastating blow, with countless casualties.

Scouts report that an area roughly three li in radius was completely leveled. Not a blade of grass, not a single tree remained!

The entire ground has sunk a full ten zhang!” “Even from inside my tent, I heard the sounds of screams and cries erupting over there,” Zhuge Yuanhong looked into the distance ahead. “I wonder if Qingshan is alright.” “To render an area three li wide barren—I can’t even conceive of such a method.

Who could achieve it?” Yan Motian murmured in astonishment. “Something major must have happened, perhaps Qingshan is truly alive.” “Sect Master, Sect Master.” A figure quickly approached.

“Qinghu?” Zhuge Yuanhong inquired. “What is it?” Due to his connection with Teng Qingshan, he was quite familiar with Teng Qinghu.

“Sect Master, I have something important to report,” Teng Qinghu said quietly. “Oh?” Zhuge Yuanhong was slightly surprised.

“Before Qingshan left, he mentioned to me… that he had hidden a treasure in a certain location. He asked me to inform the Sect Master,” Teng Qinghu whispered.

Zhuge Yuanhong’s eyes lit up. He immediately realized what this treasure might be, and a trace of wild ecstasy appeared on his face.

“Junior Brother, take command of the main army for now. I have something to attend to; I’ll return shortly,” Zhuge Yuanhong commanded loudly.

Commander ‘Pang Shan’ immediately acknowledged the order. “Qinghu, lead the way.

Elder Yan, let’s go.” Zhuge Yuanhong and Elder Yan, led by Qinghu, quickly arrived at the location where Teng Qingshan had buried the stone wine jars. “The crooked-necked tree,” Qinghu instantly identified the tree.

“Three chi north, two zhang underground!” Qinghu immediately pinpointed the location. “Sect Master, the treasure is two zhang beneath the ground right here.” Zhuge Yuanhong immediately drew the Azure Edge Sword from his back.

He first swept away the withered leaves, then circulated his Innate True Essence through the sword, forcefully tossing aside large amounts of sand and dirt. Zhuge Yuanhong controlled his Innate True Essence with extreme precision.

The moment he spotted the stone wine jar, he stopped. “This is…” Zhuge Yuanhong’s Innate True Essence carefully scooped the stone wine jar out, and it landed in his hand.

It was a very rough stone jar, clearly handmade, completely unadorned. It had an equally crude wooden stopper.

“Pah!” The large wooden stopper was pulled out. Zhuge Yuanhong looked closely, and his face couldn't help but flush deeply.

He then tentatively dipped a finger in, brought it to his nose to smell, and even licked it slightly to gauge the effect, immediately revealing an expression of immense joy. “It’s the Spirit of the North Sea!

It truly is the Spirit of the North Sea,” Zhuge Yuanhong was overcome with excitement. “The treasure Qingshan left is really the Spirit of the North Sea?” Elder Yan also found it hard to believe.

“Then the two cauldrons Qingshan took so many Innate masters to find were…” “Fakes, naturally they were fakes,” Qinghu added from the side. Zhuge Yuanhong held the stone wine jar, taking three deep breaths before calming his agitated heart.

“With this much Spirit of the North Sea… My Guiyuan Sect can select many outstanding disciples and nurture them. Just like how Emperor Yu’s Gate cultivated its disciples.

By then… my Guiyuan Sect will become far stronger than it is now. Surpassing Azure Lake Island is within reach!

Within reach!!!” “Qingshan!” Zhuge Yuanhong looked toward the sky. “The immense favor you’ve granted the Guiyuan Sect—the sect will never forget…” Zhuge Yuanhong, Elder Yan, and Qinghu all felt a touch of worry in their hearts at that moment… Is Qingshan still alive?

…… About six hundred li outside Great Yan Mountain, on an official road. A young man, riding an aging, yellow-maned horse and wearing a headscarf, ambled along the road.

Beside him was a merchant caravan. “Brother Qin Wei, you truly suit my taste.

When we reach the inn ahead, we must have a good drink together.” “Naturally. I’ll need your care along the way, Brother Zhang,” said the young man in the headscarf, his accent clearly that of a person from the northern Youyan region.

The young man in the headscarf looked back toward the rear, murmuring inwardly, Jiangning Commandery, Guiyuan Sect… Farewell. Master, I entrust my clansmen to you.

Father, Mother… forgive your unfilial son for not being by your side to care for you…