I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

The second level of the secret realm is located in a deep, dark cave.

Stalactites hung from the dome like inverted swords, casting overlapping shadows under the light of the luminous crystals.

The air was filled with the scent of damp earth, mixed with some indescribable, strange fragrance carrying a thunderous pressure.

The fragrance was neither too strong nor too weak, yet it subtly seeped into the nasal cavity, causing a slight tingling sensation in the lower abdomen and an involuntary acceleration of the flow of spiritual energy.

Liu Zhenghao stopped in his tracks.

His cloudy old eyes narrowed slightly, and his withered fingers tapped lightly on his wooden cane, making a soft "tap-tap" sound.

His gaze passed over several thick stalagmites and fixed on the purple-gold spiritual plant on the rock wall in front of him.

The spiritual plant was about a foot tall, with roots embedded in the crevices of the rocks, like dark purple blood vessels, deeply embedded in the stone wall.

The leaves are purplish-gold with fine serrations along the edges. Lightning flashes faintly flow through the veins, moving across the leaves as if they were alive, each flash accompanied by a subtle crackling sound.

At the top of that spiritual plant, several fist-sized fruits had formed.

The fruit is entirely purple-gold, its surface covered with fine lightning patterns, like ancient runes, emitting a faint lightning glow.

The light flickered, like breathing, and with each flash, a rich, thunderous fruity fragrance filled the cave.

One breath and you feel a slight tingling in your dantian, and your spiritual energy surges, as if countless tiny arcs of electricity are jumping in your meridians.

"A third-tier spiritual item, the Purple Lightning Dragon Saliva Fruit." Liu Wentao's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement, and his eyes even brightened. "I didn't expect there to be such a good thing on the second floor."

This is the main ingredient for refining "Thunder Essence Pill," which is extremely beneficial to Golden Core cultivators with thunder-attribute spiritual roots.

Even if it were auctioned off, one of them would be worth at least hundreds of thousands of spirit stones.

And on this tree in front of us, there were a full five fruits.

Liu Zhenghao did not respond.

His gaze passed over the spirit tree and landed on the dark rock wall behind the spirit plant.

The shadows there were much denser than elsewhere, like a lump of solidified ink, impervious even to the light of the luminous crystals.

He sensed something.

The next moment, a huge figure leaped out of the darkness!

It was a giant python, completely black, and over ten zhang long.

Its entire body is covered with fine scales, each scale gleaming with a cold metallic luster, and under the reflection of the crystals, it looks like it is wearing a layer of dark armor.

Its body is as thick as a bucket, and as it slowly wriggles, its scales rub against the rocks, making a grating rustling sound.

Its back is the most striking feature.

From the top of its head to the tip of its tail, a row of purplish-gold mane grows, with electric arcs occasionally crackling between the mane, making a crisp "crackling" sound, like countless tiny lightning snakes leaping on its back.

Each flash of the electric arc ionizes the surrounding air, emitting a faint smell of ozone.

It perched beside the purple dragon's saliva fruit, its triangular head held high, its golden vertical pupils fixed on the three uninvited guests who had intruded.

The snake flicked its tongue, hissing.

A third-tier demonic beast, the Thunderscale Python.

"Third Uncle, this thing has a strong aura; it's probably a mid-grade third-tier item." Liu Wenlong's expression was solemn, and his hand unconsciously went to the short sword at his waist.

Liu Zhenghao stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming.

He sized up the giant python for a moment, his withered fingers gently stroking the wooden staff as he rapidly calculated in his mind.

"Let's take it down together." His voice was hoarse yet steady, as if he were outlining a tactic that had been rehearsed countless times.

"Wen Tao, you're in charge of holding them back. Wen Long, you harass them from the flanks. I'll launch a frontal assault and finish this quickly to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"yes!"

Before the words were even finished, the three of them moved at the same time.

With a wave of his hands, Liu Wenlong unleashed several emerald green vines from his sleeves!

The vines were as thick as a child's arm, their surfaces covered with fine barbs, and they gleamed with a faint green light under the illumination of the luminous crystals.

They snaked through the air like serpents, weaving together into a large net that swarmed over the giant python.

This is Liu Wenlong's wood-attribute divine ability, "Green Vine Binding." Although it is only of medium grade, it excels in its flexibility and versatility, making it especially suitable for dealing with large-sized demonic beasts.

The Thunderscale Python reacts extremely quickly.

Its body suddenly swung, and lightning burst forth from its back!

Golden arcs of electricity shot out in all directions like a torrential rain, crackling and blasting the vines to pieces.

The broken vines danced in the air, emerald green sap flowing from their cut surfaces, evaporating into a green mist in the lightning and spreading outwards.

At the same time, the Thunderscale Python opened its blood-red maw, and a bolt of lightning as thick as an arm shot out from its mouth!

The lightning bolt was entirely purple-gold, with fine arcs of electricity wrapped around its surface. Wherever it passed, the air was ionized, emitting a piercing buzz, and it headed straight for Liu Zhenghao's face!

Liu Zhenghao remained calm and unhurried.

He slammed his wooden staff on the ground, and a gray light screen condensed in front of him, like a huge shield, protecting his entire body.

Countless fine runes flowed across the surface of the light screen, exuding an ancient and profound aura.

The lightning bolt struck the light barrier, exploding into a sky full of lightning and fire!

Sparks flew everywhere, and electric arcs crackled across the surface of the light screen, but the light screen remained completely still, without even a crack appearing.

"Now!" Liu Zhenghao shouted.

Liu Wentao's figure appeared like a ghost behind the Thunderscale Python.

He transformed into a streak of black light, drew his short sword, and a layer of dark, blood-red patterns appeared on the blade—the mid-grade divine ability, "Blood Shadow Slash."

With a single slash!

The blade flashed like blood, carrying an indomitable momentum, and slashed fiercely at the giant python's vital spot!

That's the snake's most vulnerable spot, where the scales are thin and its defenses are weakest.

"hiss--!"

The Thunderscale Python cried out in pain, letting out a sharp hiss.

Its body writhed violently, and its enormous tail swept across with the force of thunder, creating a gust of wind that whipped up the rubble on the ground.

Liu Wentao hurriedly retreated, but he was still a step too slow.

The tail tip swept across his side, and he was sent flying backward as if struck by a giant hammer, crashing into the rock wall with a "bang." He spat out a mouthful of blood, which stained his chest.

"You beast!" Liu Zhenghao roared in fury.

He tapped his wooden staff three times, and three gray beams of light shot out from the tip of the staff, forming a triangular shape as they hurtled toward the head of the Thunderscale Python!

Those beams of light contained the profound spiritual power of Golden Core cultivators. Wherever they passed, the air was compressed and made to explode, like three invisible cannonballs.

The Thunderscale Python had nowhere to escape.

Its massive body was unable to move freely in the narrow cave and could only take the blow head-on.

The beam of light slammed into its head, shattering its scales and causing it to bleed profusely. Purple-gold blood gushed from the wounds, dripping onto the rocks and making a hissing, corrosive sound.

It finally got scared.

The Thunderscale Python turned to flee, its massive body carving a deep trench in the ground, sending rocks flying.

But Liu Wenlong had already blocked its escape route in advance.

Countless vines surged from the ground, rock walls, and dome at the same time, completely entangling the Thunderscale Python!

The vines overlapped layer upon layer, like countless chains, firmly securing the giant python's body.

Some were wrapped around its neck, some around its body, and some around its tail, tightening tightly and embedding themselves deep into the gaps between its scales.

The giant python struggled frantically, lightning flashed everywhere, and arcs of electricity leaped among the vines, blasting them black and breaking them apart.

But the vines break and grow back, grow and break again, endlessly like the tide.

Liu Wenlong made hand seals, veins bulging on his forehead, and his face was pale, clearly struggling to withstand the strain.

Liu Zhenghao seized the opportunity.

His figure flashed and he appeared on the top of the giant python's head.

He raised the wooden staff high in his hand, and a gray, heavy aura, as if it contained the essence of an entire mountain, condensed at the tip of the staff.

The light grew brighter and deeper, so much so that even the air itself seemed to be slightly distorted by its pressure.

A blow came crashing down!

"boom--!"

The Thunderscale Python's head was smashed and dented, with blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

The purplish-gold blood splattered on Liu Zhenghao's robes, making a hissing, corrosive sound, but he didn't care at all.

The giant python's body convulsed violently a few times, and its huge tail swung unconsciously twice, slamming against the rock wall and knocking down several pieces of rock.

Then, it collapsed completely to the ground and fell silent.

"Phew..." Liu Zhenghao let out a long sigh and put away his wooden staff.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his breathing was slightly rapid, clearly indicating that the attack had consumed a lot of his spiritual energy.

He turned to look at the Purple Lightning Dragon Saliva Fruit, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Wenlong, go and pick the spirit fruit. Wentao, hurry up and recover."

Liu Wenlong nodded, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and was about to step forward.

"Clap clap clap—"

A burst of crisp applause came from the entrance of the cave.

The applause was slow and deliberate, echoing through the empty cave, and sounded particularly jarring.

Liu Zhenghao's expression changed drastically, and he turned his head sharply.

Three figures slowly emerged from the passage.

The one leading them was Cheng Qingyang.

He was dressed in a magnificent robe, with an exquisitely crafted longsword hanging at his waist, and a half-smile playing on his lips.

Behind them were two people, one tall and thin like bamboo and the other short and stout like a mound; they were Cheng Zhengying and Cheng Zhengwu from the Cheng family.

Cheng Qingyang smiled, his gaze sweeping over the corpse of the Thunderscale Python on the ground, then landing on the Purple Lightning Dragon Saliva Fruit. A glint of greed flashed in his eyes, and his tone carried a hint of mockery:

"Old Liu, you've got some skill! You resolved it so quickly, but..." He paused, his gaze lingering on Liu Zhenghao's face, "This spiritual item, everyone who finds it gets a share, you don't have any objections, do you?"

Liu Zhenghao's face was gloomy, and a cold glint flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

"Cheng Qingyang, what do you mean?"

"What do you mean?" Cheng Qingyang chuckled, tapping his fingers lightly on the hilt of his sword. "We agreed that each side would send one person, but how many from your Liu family have come?"

His gaze swept over Liu Wenlong and Liu Wentao, his tone growing colder.

"Old Liu, that's not fair of you."

Liu Zhenghao snorted coldly: "Likewise. Those two behind you aren't just here to watch the show, are they?"

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.

Both sides knew perfectly well that they had the same idea and both broke the agreement by secretly sending more people.

After a brief silence, Cheng Qingyang's smile faded, and his tone hardened:

"Elder Liu, that Purple Lightning Dragon Saliva Fruit is for everyone who sees it. Since both our families are here, we can't let your Liu family take it all for yourself, can we?"

Liu Wenlong sneered, "Seeing is believing? This is what our Liu family fought tooth and nail to earn! Your Cheng family did nothing, yet you want a piece of the pie? Dream on!"

"So there's nothing to talk about?" Cheng Qingyang's hand rested on the longsword at his waist, his knuckles turning slightly white.

"Talk? Talk my ass!" Liu Wentao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and spat.

Cheng Qingyang sighed, seemingly regretful.

Then he drew his longsword.

A layer of pale golden spiritual light appeared on the sword, its sword intent awe-inspiring. The light was so tangible that it slightly distorted the surrounding air.

"Let's do it."

Before the words were even finished, both sides erupted simultaneously!

Liu Zhenghao slammed his wooden staff down, and gray spiritual energy surged out like a tide, forming ripples under his feet that spread outwards.

Wherever the spiritual energy passed, a layer of gray frost formed on the ground, the temperature in the air dropped sharply, and even the glowing crystals dimmed.

Cheng Ching-ying and Cheng Ching-wu exchanged a glance and simultaneously took a step forward.

The two men, one tall and one short, one thin and one fat, walked in surprisingly unison.

Their breaths resonated with each step, like two streams merging into the same great river, becoming one.

Cheng Zhengying moved swiftly, like a ghost, holding a slender silver sword in his hand, its light as fine as silk, silent and undetectable.

His steps were as light as a cat's, making almost no sound as he stepped on the gravel.

Cheng Zhengwu gripped a massive black heavy sword in both hands; the blade was thicker than his own waist.

Each swing was accompanied by a dull whistling sound, like the panting of a giant beast.

The two worked together seamlessly, one attacking and the other defending, one fast and the other slow.

Liu Wentao met Cheng Zhengying.

Two slender swords clashed in mid-air, sparks flying, their sword light weaving into an impenetrable net.

Liu Wentao was fast, but Cheng Zhengying's sword was even faster. Every strike was cunning and ruthless, aimed straight for vital points, as if it could predict all of Liu's movements.

Within moments, Liu Wentao was at a disadvantage and forced to retreat repeatedly.

His robes were ripped open in several places by the sword light, revealing charred skin underneath, with faint traces of blood seeping out.

Seeing this, Liu Wenlong gathered a large number of vines again and strode forward, trying to block Cheng Zhengying's attack for Liu Wentao.

But Cheng Zhengwu's heavy sword came slashing horizontally.

That sword strike carried immense power, like a small mountain descending from the sky.

The heavy sword struck the vines with a dull thud, and the thick vines were smashed to pieces as if they were made of paper, with fragments flying everywhere.

Cheng Zhengwu stepped forward, blocking Cheng Zhengying like an iron tower, separating Liu Wenlong and Liu Wentao.

The next moment, Cheng Zhengying retreated behind Cheng Zhengwu, and the two began to launch a combined attack.

The silver sword and the heavy sword intertwined, speed and weight complementing each other, forming an impenetrable sword net.

The silver sword was responsible for attacking, and the heavy sword was responsible for defense. The two moved with perfect coordination, as if they were telepathically linked.

The two members of the Liu family were repeatedly defeated and forced to retreat.

"Their cooperation..." Liu Zhenghao's expression changed slightly.

Neither Cheng Ching-ying nor Cheng Ching-wu were particularly strong individually, but when they joined forces, they produced an effect greater than the sum of their parts.

This is a secret combined attack technique passed down in the Cheng family: the Yin-Yang Twin Swords Formation.

Cheng Qingyang did not rush to make a move.

He stood to one side with his hands behind his back, his gaze lingering on Liu Zhenghao's face, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He was waiting, waiting for Liu Zhenghao to lose his temper first.