Daqin Zhentiansi

Zhang Yuan nodded slightly and accepted this substantial "extra tribute".

He raised his hand to help her up: "Get up. Loyalty lies in the heart, not in oaths. Remember, the techniques I pass on are the foundation for your clan's rise. Do not reveal them to others lightly except in life-or-death situations, and never mention my name."

He needs the Giant Ape Clan as a hidden pawn; revealing his extraordinary heritage too early might attract unnecessary attention from the Heavenly Palace.

Yan Feng understood immediately and nodded emphatically: "Disciple will remember Master's teachings! I would never dare to reveal even a trace of them!"

Several days later, on Nuyan Peak.

The excess tribute and the materials for the poison dragon have been sorted and stored in a specially made storage artifact.

Zhang Yuan was about to lead Yan Feng and several other elite warriors to escort the tribute back to Xuanyu Temple for handover.

Sudden--

"Buzz!"

The jade talisman in Zhang Yuan's arms, representing his identity as the garrison commander of Xuanyu Temple, began to vibrate violently, emitting a dazzling red light!

A hurried, weak voice, tinged with blood, came out intermittently; it was Qing Xuanzi!
"Junior Brother Zhang... Black Wind Gorge... the Iron Feather Eagle Clan is treacherous, colluding with us! Quickly... notify the Abbot... and ask for help... *pfft*"

The sound abruptly stopped, followed by a suppressed groan and the horrifying sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh!
The red light on the jade talisman flickered rapidly a few times before fading completely, leaving only a cold, ominous silence.

Zhang Yuan's eyes suddenly narrowed!
Qing Xuanzi is in danger!

The chaos at Black Wind Gorge is a trap!

The moment the communication from Qingxuanzi's jade talisman was interrupted, a chilling killing intent flashed in Zhang Yuan's eyes.

"Senior Brother Qingxuan is in danger; there's a trap in Black Wind Gorge!"

His voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable authority, as his gaze swept over Yan Feng and the other elite members of the giant ape clan.

"According to the regulations of the Garrison Command, I hereby, with the authority of the Garrison Commander, summon your tribe to come to our aid immediately!"

"Once the matter is accomplished, the Heavenly Palace will surely bestow generous rewards, and the Xuanyu Temple will also be generous in rewarding its members!"

This is a rule of the Heavenly Palace.

"Roar! Obeying Master's orders!" Yan Feng did not hesitate, pounding his chest, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "My lads! Pick up your clubs! Follow Master to cut down those feathered beasts and rescue the Qingxuan Town Guardian!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" Dozens of giant ape warriors roared in unison, their voices shaking the rocky peak.

Having just survived a bloody battle at the mine and slain the Poison Dragon, they were riding high on their momentum. With the martial arts techniques taught by Zhang Yuan and the newly acquired Xuanxing Zhenyue Staff in hand, they were eager to achieve new feats.

The giant ape clan values ​​gratitude and power above all else. Now is the time to repay Zhang Yuan for bestowing upon them this great favor!

Without further delay, Zhang Yuan rolled up his sleeves, collected the tribute and the poisonous dragon materials, and the chaotic airflow beneath his feet flowed almost imperceptibly, lifting him and Yan Feng's group into a streak of light that shot straight toward Black Wind Gorge.

……

Black Wind Gorge.

Soul-breaking Cliff.

A fierce wind howled, carrying with it the pungent smell of blood.

Between the cliffs, a scene of devastation unfolded, with rubble scattered everywhere and traces of violent energy impact remaining.

Qing Xuanzi's face was deathly pale, and his Taoist robe was torn.

A deep, bone-revealing claw mark on his left shoulder was emitting black smoke, clearly indicating the presence of a potent poison.

He leaned against a huge broken rock, barely supporting his swaying body.

Beside him, the other two garrison commanders who had come with him were also covered in wounds and looked weak. One had a collapsed sternum, and the other's right arm hung limply, clearly broken.

There were also three clan leaders who were affiliated with Xuanyu Temple: Yuan Gang of the Iron-Armed Ape Clan, Shi Jian of the Stone-Skinned Clan, and Ying Yu of the Night Owl Clan. They were all covered in blood, standing back to back in a circle, their eyes filled with despair.

Not far in front of them, dozens of huge iron-feathered eagles were circling.

With wingspans of several meters, their feathers were as black as ink, their edges gleaming with a metallic sheen. Their sharp, eagle-like eyes were fixed on the people below the cliff, filled with cruelty and greed.

The three Iron Feathered Eagles at the front were particularly large, and their aura had reached the peak of the Half-Saint realm.

A sharp, malevolent aura swirled around him, and his claws, sharp as hooks, exuded a sense of piercing space.

"Qing Xuanzi, don't waste your energy." The leader of the peak half-saint eagle demons spoke in a sharp and piercing voice, full of mockery. "The fluctuations emitted by your communication jade talisman have long been intercepted by our clan leader's 'Sky-Splitting Divine Thought'."

"Xuanyu Temple? Hmph! At this moment, within a radius of three thousand miles, the Crimson Scale Python Clan and the Black Armor Crocodile Clan are locked in a fierce battle in the lower reaches of the Chensha River, while the Cloud Leopard Clan and the Wind Wolf Clan are also vying for another newly discovered ancient mine."

"More than a dozen garrison temples are too busy taking care of themselves, who would care about the trivial matters of your Xuanyu Temple?"

Another eagle demon let out a grotesque cackling laugh: "Just obediently await your death. Your flesh, blood, and souls will be used to nourish the soon-to-mature 'Earth Vein Blood Bodhi'!"

“Earth Vein Blood Bodhi…” Qing Xuanzi coughed up a mouthful of black blood, a hint of shock, anger and understanding flashing in his eyes.

"So that's how it is! Your provocation of the Xuanjia Crocodile Clan was a pretense; your real intention was to monopolize this once-in-a-millennium treasure!"

"This item can temper the essence of bloodlines, greatly enhance physical strength, and nourish spiritual energy. It is an unparalleled treasure for the demon race! No wonder you dared to defy the world and attack the garrison commander!"

"So what if you know?" The third eagle demon leader clenched his claws, and the air crackled with a piercing sound.

"The dead don't reveal secrets!"

"If I kill you all and then erase all traces, who can prove that it was done by my Iron Feather Eagle Clan? We can just say that you were caught up in the inter-clan war and unfortunately perished!"

"Attack! Send them on their way!" The leader of the eagle demons' eyes flashed with ferocity, and its wings flapped violently!
“Violent——!”

The piercing cry of an eagle tore through the sky!

Three terrifying black shadows, carrying destructive winds, were like three black lightning bolts tearing through the void, pouncing down on the seven people below the cliff who were already at their last gasp!
Before the sharp claws even touched their bodies, Qing Xuanzi and the others felt as if their skin was being pierced by countless steel needles, and the shadow of death instantly enveloped them completely!

"It's over..."

Qing Xuanzi felt a chill in his heart and closed his eyes in despair.

The other two garrison commanders and three tribal chiefs were also ashen-faced, having lost even the strength to raise their weapons in defense.

In this critical, life-or-death situation!

"Om-!"

A sword cry, its sharpness and decisiveness indescribable, seemed to fall from the heavens or rise from the depths of the underworld!

A grayish-white sword light, silent yet incredibly fast, arrived first despite being delayed, precisely positioned between the three black figures who were pouncing down and Qing Xuanzi and the others!
The sword light is not a physical entity, but it contains the supreme will to sever cause and effect and annihilate all things!

The Sword Intent of Immortal Annihilation!

"Sizzle!" It felt like a red-hot iron cutting into solidified grease!

The three powerful wind claws, capable of tearing apart small hills, vanished silently like a dream the moment they touched the gray-white sword light!
The momentum of the three eagle demon leaders' attack was also blocked by this invisible sword wall, causing them to let out a fierce cry of shock and anger!

"Who?!"

The leader of the eagle demons suddenly looked up, his sharp eagle eyes fixed on the source of the sword light.

At the top of the cliff, a figure in black ink stood proudly, his robes fluttering in the wind—it was Zhang Yuan!

The Azure Dragon Mace in his hand pointed diagonally at the ground, its body shimmering with dark gold light.

Almost at the same time!

"Boom! Thump thump thump thump—!"

The heavy, thunderous footsteps approached from afar, and the earth seemed to tremble!
Dozens of burly giant ape warriors, wielding black gold or black star iron rods, led by Yan Feng, surged up the cliff like a raging torrent!

Their bodies swirled with an earthy yellow aura, exuding murderous intent, instantly tearing a huge gap in the Iron Feather Eagle Clan's encirclement!

"You scruffy bird of the Ironfeather Eagle Clan! Your Grandpa Yanfeng is here! How dare you harm my master and fellow disciples, die!"

Yan Feng roared and slammed the heavy Xuanxing Zhenyue Staff in his hand down on the nearest ordinary Iron Feather Eagle with the force of shattering mountains and splitting rocks!

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, the Iron Feather Eagle didn't even have time to scream before it was smashed by a terrifying blow containing the "true meaning of power," its bones broken and its flesh mangled as it plummeted off the cliff!

"Giant Ape Clan?!" The leader of the eagle demons was first taken aback when he saw who it was, then flew into a rage. "Yan Feng! You uncivilized fool! How dare you interfere in the affairs of my Iron Feather Eagle Clan? A mere Giant Ape Clan dares to provoke my clan? You're courting death!"

"Hahaha! Tiger whiskers?" Yan Feng grinned maliciously, revealing his gleaming white fangs. He swept his giant club across the battlefield, forcing back several Iron Feather Eagles that were pouncing on him. "In my eyes, you are just a bunch of flat-feathered chickens waiting to be beaten! Master, watch me smash their bird heads!"

"Senior Brother Qingxuan!" Zhang Yuan's calm voice came through.

"Junior Brother Zhang?!" Qing Xuanzi, having escaped a desperate situation, saw Zhang Yuan and the murderous giant ape clan, and his eyes burst with wild joy.

Immediately, his mind raced, and he instantly understood the deeper meaning in Zhang Yuan's eyes. He mustered his strength and shouted, "Iron Feather Eagle Clan traitors! Your conspiracy has been exposed! My Xuan Yu Temple Master has personally led a large army here! Surrender now!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like thunder exploding!

The three eagle demon leaders' expressions changed drastically!

Xuanyu Temple Master?

That was a true Saint of the third realm, a powerful being of the Time Realm!

If he were to arrive in person... the consequences would be unimaginable!
"What? The Abbot himself has come?!" One of the eagle demon leaders was shocked and instinctively turned his head to look around, his movements slightly hesitant.

In that moment of mental lapse!

"Kill!" Zhang Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his figure disappeared from the spot like a ghost!
Even under the primordial rules, the Chaos True Essence still unleashed an astonishing speed!

"Azure Dragon, break through the void!"

The dark golden mace tore through the air, carrying the immense power of the Dragon and Elephant Suppressing Prison and the sharpness of chaos and destruction, appearing as if by teleportation beside the eagle demon leader who was distracted!
"Not good!" The eagle demon leader felt a deadly sense of crisis envelop him, and frantically flapped his wings in an attempt to dodge!

But it's too late!
"Crack!"

A sickeningly loud cracking sound as bone cracked!

The Azure Dragon Mace struck its left shoulder squarely!
A terrifying force erupted instantly!

“Violent——!”

The mournful cry of an eagle echoed throughout the Cliff of Broken Souls!
The Iron Feather Eagle leader, a half-saint at the peak of his power, had half of his wing and shoulder blade smashed and deformed!
Like a kite with a broken string, it crashed down from the sky with a thunderous roar, accompanied by a shower of black feathers and blood, and its fate was unknown.

"Big brother!"

The other two eagle demon leaders were horrified, their eyes wide with fury!
"Retreat! Retreat quickly! Get back to Blood Bodhi first!"

The leader of the eagle demons made a decisive decision and issued a sharp order to retreat.

The news that the abbot of Xuanyu Temple might be coming in person, along with Zhang Yuan's thunderous attack, completely shattered their fighting spirit.

The remaining Ironfeather Eagles, like startled birds, flapped their wings and flew away in a sorry state, fleeing into the depths of Black Wind Gorge, not even caring about their fallen companions.

With the formidable enemy temporarily retreating, the air on Broken Soul Cliff was thick with the gasps of survivors and the stench of blood.

Despite their injuries, the three clan leaders, Iron-Armed Ape Yuan Gang, Stone Skin Stone Hard, and Night Owl Shadow Feather, immediately directed the surviving clansmen to clean up the battlefield, treat the wounded, and collect the remains of their companions.

Under Yan Feng's command, the giant apes quickly set up a simple defensive formation on the cliff top, watching warily in the direction where the flock of eagles had disappeared. Their heavy breathing carried the excitement of victory and their undying fighting spirit.

"Junior Brother Zhang! Thank goodness you arrived in time!" With the help of another garrison commander, Qing Xuanzi struggled to his feet, looking at Zhang Yuan with eyes full of gratitude and lingering fear. "If it weren't for your arrival and the divine soldiers of the Giant Ape Clan, we would all be dead here today!"

"How are your injuries, Senior Brother?" Zhang Yuan stepped forward, his Chaos True Essence subtly probing into Qing Xuanzi's body.

A gentle yet powerful force quickly suppressed the poison spreading across his shoulder and nourished his damaged meridians.

"Hiss... What a potent eagle venom! But with my junior brother's help, I'm safe for now." Qing Xuanzi felt a warm current dispel the chilling pain, and his spirits lifted. Then his expression became extremely grave. "Junior Brother Zhang, the situation is extremely critical! The Iron Feather Eagle Clan is after the soon-to-mature 'Earth Vein Blood Bodhi'!"

"This creature grows deep within the 'Blood Fiend Ancient Cave,' where the Black Wind Gorge's ley lines converge. It matures only once every ten thousand years, making it an unparalleled treasure!"

"It has miraculous effects on tempering the bloodline and enhancing the physical foundation of demons!"

"It is also a treasure for human cultivators like us to temper our bodies, strengthen our souls, and purify our spiritual energy!"

"If the Iron Feather Eagle Clan were to monopolize and digest this treasure, their strength would inevitably surge. At that time, not only would there be no peace in the territory under the jurisdiction of my Xuanyu Temple, but it might even bring about an even greater disaster!"

He took a breath and quickly added, "Moreover, just as that eagle demon said, the surrounding powerful clans are currently engaged in a fierce battle, including the Crimson Scale Python, the Black Armored Crocodile, the Cloud Leopard, and the Wind Wolf..."

"The forces of more than a dozen garrison towns are being held back, and they are simply unable to provide support to this place in the short term!"

"We must evacuate immediately and report the changes here and the news of Blood Bodhi to the Abbot as soon as possible!"

"Delay will only lead to unforeseen changes. Once the Iron Feather Eagle Clan realizes what's happening, they will definitely make a comeback, and may even be able to enlist the help of their clan's venerable ancestors!"

The other two wounded garrison commanders echoed, "Senior Brother Qingxuan is absolutely right! Junior Brother Zhang, this place has become a dead end; we cannot stay any longer! We must leave quickly!"

They were also afraid that if they delayed any longer, they wouldn't be able to leave.

"Let's go?" Zhang Yuan's gaze turned to the depths of Black Wind Gorge, where a faint, rich interplay of vitality and malevolence emanated, precisely in the direction of Blood Bodhi.

His eyes were deep, and he spoke calmly: "Senior brother, fellow disciples, take the wounded and these clan leaders and set off immediately to return to Xuanyu Temple for reinforcements, and report the changes here to the Temple Master."

"And what about you?" Qing Xuanzi's heart tightened. (End of Chapter)