Fighting: Practice makes it real, start with a poisonous body.

"This kind of power... is simply unstoppable!"

As the golden orb containing world-destroying power drew ever closer, Xuan Kongzi's face drained of color, revealing a look of despair.

Xuan Yi and Tian Lei Zi were in no better shape; their eyes were filled with fear.

The strength that Gu Yuan is displaying at this moment has far exceeded their understanding!
The golden ball of light, like a wild horse unleashed, hurtled straight toward the Pill Tower barrier with overwhelming force!

"Boom--!"

At this critical moment, a loud shout suddenly rose from the depths of the Pill Domain: "Stop!"

"Shh-!"

In an instant, a stream of emerald green flames rose from the core area of ​​the Pill Tower, instantly traversing the entire Pill Domain and arriving at the barrier at the edge of the Pill Domain, where it manifested as an old figure.

The old man had white hair, but his eyes were bright and piercing. He held an ancient wooden cane in his left hand and dragged a small and exquisite pagoda in his right hand. He was surrounded by blazing jade flames.

"Senior Shennong!"

Upon seeing the newcomers, Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi's faces instantly lit up with ecstatic joy.

At this moment, Shennong's eyes were filled with rage, and he suddenly threw the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda in his right hand!

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—!"

The Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda grew rapidly in the air, instantly transforming into a colossal tower tens of thousands of feet tall. Xuanhuang energy flowed from it like a waterfall, instantly descending upon the crumbling barrier!
Almost at the same instant the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda made contact with the barrier, Gu Yuan's golden attack, containing overwhelming power, also arrived with a bang!

"Boom--!"

A terrifying, earth-shattering explosion suddenly rang out!

Golden energy and primordial yellow energy collided violently, and a dazzling white light instantly engulfed the entire sky, turning everything in the world a ghastly white!
The powerful energy aftershocks spread outwards like a tsunami, shattering space and cracking the earth wherever they passed. Even the energy of heaven and earth in the air was detonated, forming violent energy turbulence.

Such terrifying aftershocks are enough to easily tear apart a low-level Dou Sheng expert. If they were to fall within the Dan Domain, they would surely cause countless lives to be lost!

Fortunately, the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda lived up to its reputation as the treasure of the Pill Tower, containing boundless Xuanhuang power. Under its protection, the violent energy shockwave was forcefully blocked outside the barrier!
The crumbling barrier of the Pill Tower, nourished by the Xuanhuang Qi, temporarily stabilized and did not completely shatter.

After a long while, the aftershocks of the energy gradually dissipated, and the sky returned to its clear state.

The three giants of Danta collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, their faces filled with relief at surviving the ordeal.

"Ok?"

High in the sky, Gu Yuan stood with one hand behind his back, his eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as he looked at the old man Shennong, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Gu Yuan, are you trying to start a full-scale war with my Central Continent Alliance?!"

The old man Shennong glared angrily, and the flames of life around him burned even more fiercely.

"If that's what you want to think, then so be it."

A cold glint appeared in Gu Yuan's eyes: "Perfect timing. My Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame had already self-destructed to escape the pursuit of the Dragon-Phoenix Son."

The Life Flame within you is, after all, one of the top five most powerful strange flames on the Strange Flame Ranking, only one place below the Golden Emperor's Burning Heaven Flame. It's perfect for healing me and making up for the loss of my strange flame."

He had already planned before coming to Zhongzhou that in order to seize the three fragments of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame Diagram from Xiao Yan, he would inevitably antagonize the Zhongzhou Alliance.

Since that's the case, there's no need to be polite to these lowly mainlanders!
"you!"

The old man Shennong trembled with rage at Gu Yuan's arrogant words, pointing his finger at him furiously. Just then, dozens more streams of light flew out from the depths of the Pill Tower, gathering around the old man Shennong like stars surrounding the moon.

As the light faded, familiar faces were revealed, all of them core saints of the Central Continent Alliance.

"Gu Yuan!"

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. It was this person in front of him who had caused the Xiao family to fall to this state, and even caused Xun'er to lose all her cultivation!
"Gu Yuan, what are you doing here!"

Xiao Xuan's eyes were icy cold as he stared intently at Gu Yuan, his voice filled with murderous intent.

Huoyun Patriarch, Huazong Erxian, Yaolao, and others also appeared, all with solemn expressions on their faces.

Gu Yuan's strength is too great. Even if they have the numbers, they may not be able to gain the upper hand.

Gu Yuan looked around at everyone, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Xiao Yan, Xiao Xuan, Shennong the Elder, and others, a faint sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

However, after scanning the entire crowd, he frowned slightly: "Where did Ancestor Danta go?"

"What does this have to do with you!"

"Shennong the Elder said coldly."

Gu Yuan smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of understanding: "Never mind, I know even if you don't say it."

Over the past thousand years, the Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower has attempted to break through to the Golden Core realm more than once or twice, but has never succeeded.

The world has changed drastically, and the Dragon and Phoenix Princes are wreaking havoc. Given his nature, he should make one last attempt. Besides, he's even entrusted the Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda to you..."

He paused, a strange smile appearing on his face: "To be honest, I'd love for him to succeed this time. Heh..."

Shennong, the old man, snorted coldly and did not deny it.

Just as Gu Yuan had guessed, half a month ago, the Dan Tower Ancestor sensed an opportunity to break through to the Golden Core realm and went into seclusion.

Xiao Xuan took a step forward, his expression cold and stern: "Gu Yuan, things have come to this point, there's no need to pretend to be a good person here anymore."

"Either state your purpose, or get out of the Pill Domain immediately! You are not welcome here!"

At this moment, Gu Yuan's gaze slowly fell on Xiao Yan, and he said, "Didn't you call me here?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and a blank look appeared on their faces.

However, for some reason, Xiao Yan's expression suddenly darkened upon hearing these words, and a strong sense of foreboding arose in his heart.

Gu Yuan slowly took out a tattered ancient map made of animal hide from his storage ring, held it with his only remaining right hand, and slowly unfolded it in front of everyone.

"Xiao Yan, you recognize this, don't you?"

The moment the ancient map appeared, Xiao Yan's gaze was fixed on it, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his mind was shaken!
The tattered animal hide, the strange patterns, and the faintly familiar aura emanating from it... it was none other than a fragment of the Ancient Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame!

"The Remnant of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame Diagram!"

Xiao Yan cried out in surprise.

Their worst fears have come true!
The last fragment of the map actually fell into the hands of the Imperial Clan, and specifically, into the hands of Gu Yuan! (End of Chapter)