Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

Over the span of a decade or two, Xiaoyu had indeed grown up. But her eyes weren't blind.

Honestly! Chen Pingping muttered under his breath, then said with a wry smile, "Fellow Daoist, please calm down."

The man glanced at him sideways. "You're right, women do like suave and refined men. Well, as it happens, I am precisely such a person."

With those words, he picked up the wine cup on the table and began to sip from it. At first glance, he did seem to fit the part.

Chen Pingping said no more.

After sitting for an hour, people came and went, the murmur of conversations ceaseless. They talked about Guang Xiaoyu, about Zi Ji, and about numerous other geniuses.

Then, someone spoke up, "That flower is about to appear."

The speaker, a man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, had a coarse appearance, but his expression was grave as he uttered these words.

The few people nearby, upon hearing this, immediately adopted solemn expressions.

That flower.

It was a legendary Demon Flower, said to originate from another world. Regarded as a type of spirit, it was also known in history as the "Flower of the Great Tao."

It had appeared once before. That time, two Human Emperors were born on the Heaven Martial Continent. However, its appearance also plunged the land into an era of dark turmoil, as countless powerful beings descended, initiating a terrifying slaughter.

Unexpectedly, after countless years had passed, it was appearing again.

The burly man added, "The news came from within the Holy Land. It's absolutely true."

"Is there a location?" someone asked.

"Two possibilities: either outside Chaoge City or in the depths of the Youming Sea." He lowered his eyelids. "Inside the Holy Land, a predecessor was resurrected, and the news came from him."

Chen Pingping, intrigued, couldn't help but lean in and ask, "What is that predecessor's name?"

The man glanced at him and whispered, "It seems to be Jing Yangtian."

What? Dead and resurrected? Is the Holy Land really that outrageous? What Demon Flower is this?

Chen Pingping furrowed his brow. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sensation—perhaps unease, or something else… In short, it was a peculiar feeling, indescribable and unexplainable.

「A few days later, the news had completely spread.」

The location of the Demon Flower was also revealed; it was confirmed to be outside Chaoge City.

Numerous geniuses flocked there.

Chen Pingping was speechless. He only wanted to deal with Chong Tower, nothing else, yet now some Demon Flower had to appear.

What's wrong with this world? Isn't anyone focused on the Heavenly Road anymore?

It seems I can only investigate secretly, Chen Pingping thought, holding his chin. The more chaotic the scene, the better, he considered. Chong Tower's attention would be diverted, and only then would he have an opportunity to destroy him.

「At this moment!」

The Holy Land was furious. They had spent two years and paid a massive price to resurrect Jing Yangtian and thereby determine the Demon Flower's precise location. They never imagined the news would be leaked from within.

In just half a month, the entire Central Continent was abuzz. Powerful figures and young geniuses flocked there, all waiting for the Demon Flower to appear. The Holy Land completely lost its advantage.

The Great Elder's face was grim. "Investigate immediately! I want to know who leaked this information."

Below, the many high-ranking experts trembled.

The Demon Flower was incredibly significant, also known as the "Flower of the Great Tao." Especially since the current Saintess possessed a Taoist Body, the Demon Flower's importance was amplified. If the two were combined, her Tao Verification would be within easy reach.

At this moment, the Saintess, who was among those below, spoke up, "Great Elder, there's no need for such measures."

The Great Elder frowned. "Why not?"

"Since the news has already spread, why not use it to our advantage?" The Saintess chuckled lightly. "The Demon Flower is indeed important, but its appearance will also be accompanied by immense danger. This might be an opportunity for our Holy Land."

The danger could be left for others to face, while they could simply seize the Demon Flower at the opportune moment. Wouldn't that be perfect?

The high-level experts had a sudden realization.

But the Great Elder's frown deepened, a sense of unease in his heart.

"True," someone chimed in. "Since Jing Yangtian has been revived, as long as he is willing to act, almost no one in the Central Continent can compete with him for it. Moreover, the Saintess is a Taoist Body, capable of easily reviving an Imperial Dao Divine Weapon. If an equally powerful Imperial Dao expert took action, no one among the younger generation could match her."

"Do you have confidence?" the Great Elder looked towards the Saintess.

"Yes!" she nodded.

"What if the Moon God makes a move…"

"Kill them all!" The Saintess's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Two years have passed, and the Moon God still hasn't taken that final step. However, most young geniuses have already reached the late stage of Divine King, and their combat power is starting to equalize. There's no need to fear one Moon God."

Her reasoning was sound. Realms were gradually equalizing, and combat power was increasing. Furthermore, she was a Taoist Body capable of easily reviving an Imperial Dao Divine Weapon, and the Holy Land possessed many powerful cultivation methods. Her trump cards were in no way inferior to the Moon God's, as long as the Moon God had not yet broken through to the Imperial Dao realm...

However, the Saintess overlooked one detail—or rather, two people: Chen Pingping and Guang Xiaoyu.

Yet, in the Holy Land's assessment, Chen Pingping had already perished in the Youming Sea, and Guang Xiaoyu was merely a reckless, impulsive young girl. Neither was considered a threat.

The Great Elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze profound. "Although this is a contest among the younger generation, it will inevitably involve various major powers. The slightest misstep could lead to annihilation."

He continued, "The strength of Tianxuan Holy Land is built on meticulous planning. Every potential threat must be eliminated in its infancy. The Demon Flower is so important that we absolutely must seize it."

He was naturally suspicious and cautious. It was this disposition that had allowed him to survive to this day and become the current Great Elder. He never believed that Tianxuan Holy Land could remain invincible forever; time waits for no one. Thus, the only thing he could do was ensure every step was taken with utmost care.

"You may leave," the Great Elder said.

"Yes!" The Saintess acknowledged and withdrew.

The ensuing meeting was for the Holy Land's upper echelons; it was no concern of a young person like her.

The Saint Heir, standing beside her, had remained silent. He also turned to leave, but as he glanced at the Great Elder, a cold glint flashed deep within his eyes, gone in an instant.

"I'm going to the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts. Are you coming?" the Saintess asked after they exited the palace.

"You intend to conquer it?" The Saint Heir was aghast.

"Yes!" The Saintess nodded.

The Saint Heir stiffened, a trace of fear on his face.

The Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts was where the Holy Land raised its Demon Beasts and Ancient Ferocious Beasts, ranging from the first to the seventh or eighth order. Among them was an Ancient Ferocious Beast renowned for its savagery. Any expert from the Holy Land who ventured too close was devoured. At least seven or eight from the lineage of Saint Heirs and Saintesses had been eaten by it… The previous generation's Saint Heir had died in such a manner. He himself had been nearby at the time and had witnessed the entire horrifying event, leaving a permanent shadow in his heart.

Now, hearing that the Saintess intended to enter the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, his heart leaped into his throat, and his face turned pale. He shook his head and said, "No, I'm not."

The Saintess nodded and walked off down another path.

Mad, completely mad! he thought. Damn it, they're all insane! To spend such an enormous price reviving Jing Yangtian for an illusory flower, and now she wants to tame that Ancient Ferocious Beast!

He truly thought the Saintess had lost her mind.

However, this might be to my advantage, he mused. If the Saintess accidentally gets eaten by the Ancient Ferocious Beast, my status will rise.