CHAPTER 602: CHAPTER 587: DRAGONS AND PHOENIXES AMONG PEOPLE

Liu Yunxiang’s emotions today can be described as tumultuous, a rollercoaster of sorrow and joy.

One moment, she saw Zhouyang being careless and underestimated, getting struck by the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant and spat out blood while flying back, feeling angry and resentful in her heart, thinking she had trusted the wrong person.

The next moment, when she saw Zhouyang using the Qianyang True Flame to set the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant ablaze, causing it to run around chaotically, joy instantly welled up in her heart, her face filled with astonishment and delight, immensely excited.

Contrary to Liu Yunxiang’s joy, on the other side, the Six Paths Alliance cultivators’ faces changed dramatically.

A tamed Tier Five War Giant Beast like the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, in terms of value, far surpasses one or two same-tier Golden Core Stage cultivators.

After all, Barbaric Beasts are long-lived beings, and a Tier Five Barbaric Beast can at least live for three to five thousand years, just in terms of lifespan, it’s unmatched by Golden Core Stage cultivators.

And the resources consumed to sustain a Tier Five Barbaric Beast are astronomical numbers.

Therefore, for the Ninth-Layer Golden Core Stage cultivator fighting Liu Yunxiang, ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivators can die, but this Tier Five War Giant Beast, the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, must not be harmed, otherwise, it would be difficult for him to account to the Taiyuan Sect that lent him this War Giant Beast.

His face changed, filled with anger and urgency, and he shouted loudly: "Fellow Daoist Yang, Fellow Daoist Song, Fellow Daoist Zhu, quickly save the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, do not let it be hurt!"

Hearing his words, the three Golden Core Stage cultivators he named immediately abandoned the opportunity to kill the Profound Purity Dao Alliance’s Golden Core Stage cultivators and turned their targets towards Zhouyang.

"Stop them!"

Liu Yunxiang’s beautiful eyes widened, shouting loudly in a tender voice, wanting to block these three people.

Unfortunately, after two reinforcements, the number of Golden Core Stage cultivators on the Six Paths Alliance’s side had reached twelve, even if three were sent to deal with Zhouyang, there were still nine left to entangle with their seven cultivators and two demons one-on-one.

Ultimately, it was Xiao Ying, who had originally stayed inside the mountain gate, who mustered the courage to rush out of the Mountain Protection Array and temporarily blocked one of the opponents.

Thus, the remaining two Golden Core cultivators were unimpeded and quickly engaged with Zhouyang.

The fortunate bad luck is that these two Golden Core Stage cultivators were not highly cultivated, one was at Fifth-Layer Golden Core, and the other was only at Third-Layer Golden Core, their means inferior to those two Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect sword cultivators who fought with Zhouyang that day.

Therefore, while resisting the attacks from the two, he could still spare a thought to continue dealing with the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant.

At this time, under the continuous burning of the Qianyang True Flame, the battle armor on the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant had already melted in a large area, with molten iron and Golden True Flame sticking to its skin, bringing it double the pain.

This behemoth had already been driven insane by this pain, crazily roaring as it swung its four ivory sabers at Zhouyang repeatedly, trying to swat down this nimble little flea.

Of course, that’s not possible!

When it comes to strength, this Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant is merely a Tier Five Lower Grade Barbaric Beast. Not to mention Zhouyang, any Golden Core Stage cultivator present would not lose to it in a one-on-one fight.

Had it not been for the interference of others, after melting the battle armor, Zhouyang could have slain it within a quarter of an hour.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, Fellow Daoist Song, what are you hesitating about? If the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant dies, do you think the punishment you’ll receive will be lighter than some injuries now?"

Seeing the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant getting increasingly wounded under Zhouyang’s assault, the Ninth-Layer Golden Core Stage cultivator’s mood grew heavier, finally unable to resist angrily rebuking the two Golden Core cultivators attacking Zhouyang.

As a Golden Core cultivator refined over many years, who doesn’t have a few fallback cards?

The difference lies in the willingness to use them!

Just like during the war at Chongxuan Mountain, if Zhouyang had been willing to use the Profound Sun Purple Sky Divine Thunder jade talisman earlier, he might have killed the Sword Cultivator Qiu before he could activate that Sword Talisman.

But was he truly willing to use such a precious trump card on someone who posed no threat to his life?

Likewise, the two Golden Core Stage cultivators attacking him now were also unwilling to easily use their life-saving cards without feeling a threat to their lives.

The Ninth-Layer Golden Core Stage cultivator knew this, which is why he could not help reprimanding the two, reminding them of the stakes involved, making them dare not hold anything back.

His goal was indeed achieved, hearing his words, their faces changed drastically, and they finally stopped holding back and gave it their all.

One of them stretched out his hand, directly producing a Silver Spirit Talisman, which transformed into a Golden Flying Saber, slashing towards Zhouyang.

This golden Flying Saber was shockingly a Talisman Treasure made from the Lifebound Spiritual Artifact Origin extracted by a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, its power even surpassing that of a Tier Five Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact!

The other person took out a bronze longbow, then placed a dark-golden long arrow that shimmered with spiritual light on the bowstring, injecting magical power with a face full of pained expression and released the dark-golden long arrow.

The long arrow shot towards Zhouyang with momentum not at all inferior to the golden Flying Saber Talisman Treasure from the other person, surprisingly also a one-time use Tier Five Spiritual Artifact.

"Block it for me!"

Zhouyang’s face darkened, injecting magical power into the protective **Flaming Dragon Shield**, directly activating the divine technique "Flame Dragon Guardian" attached to the artifact. A fiery flame dragon roared out from the shield, spiraling to form a light barrier that protected him within.

His magical power consumption was a bit high because of this, so he quickly bit his teeth and took out the **Three-Turn Rejuvenation Pill** he obtained earlier to consume, replenishing his spent magical power.

The **Flaming Dragon Shield** truly lived up to being a masterpiece refining by a Tier Six Refining Grandmaster, actually blocking the golden Flying Saber Talisman Treasure and the dark-golden long arrow attacks for Zhouyang.

Zhouyang himself then flew above the large burn wound on the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**, raised his fist and struck, releasing a cyan-golden dragon silhouette above the wound, instantly exploding into a huge hole.

He then waved his other hand, a flame dragon formed of golden fire directly bored into that hole, violently exploding within.

But this was not his real killing move; his true killing move was a Spirit Talisman he subsequently activated in his hands. This Spirit Talisman was one of his few Tier Five Upper Grade Spirit Talismans, a cherished secret acquisition from slaying the "Tattooed Face Butcher" Wu Biao decades ago.

The talisman named "Nine Heavens Divine Wind Talisman" was made using the essence from the "Nine Heavens Gang Wind" above the heavens as ink, crafted on Tier Five Upper Grade wind attribute Demon Beast hide as talisman paper.

Once the talisman was activated, it transformed into a green-white divine wind blowing onto the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**’s wound.

A hair-raising scene unfolded!

Under the blowing of that green-white divine wind, the scorched and rotted flesh inside the wound of the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**, and further in the fresh flesh and skeleton, like weathered rocks, instantly dissolved into pervasive dust in the wind.

After this wave of green-white divine wind blew over, nearly one-fifth of the flesh and skeleton of the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**’s enormous body vanished, with a large part of the body simply blown away!

Suffering such an injury, even the strong life force of a Tier Five Barbaric Beast could certainly not survive.

Zhouyang gave it no chance to struggle, directly charging into the huge hole in its body, retrieving its source of power — the Barbaric Beast Heart.

The heart of a Tier Five Lower Grade Barbaric Beast was finally worthy of the Tier Five Upper Grade Spirit Talisman "Nine Heavens Divine Wind Talisman" he consumed just now, ensuring he did not incur losses.

"Bastard, you bastard!"

Once Zhouyang pocketed the Barbaric Beast Heart of the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant** and flew out of its corpse, he immediately heard the furious roar of the Ninth-Layer Golden Core Cultivator from afar.

Then he felt a bone-chilling murderous intent rising from that person. He saw the person decisively leaving his match against Liu Yunxiang and rushing straight at him.

At the same time, the two Golden Core Cultivators besieging him went mad, taking out several Tier Five Spirit Talismans to throw at him, and various divine techniques from different magical artifacts were hurled at him with desperation.

At this moment, no one cared about the cost of these external items anymore; all they desired was to leave his life behind as a companion in burial for the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**.

Seeing this, Zhouyang’s expression changed, then with a low shout, he directly injected magical power into the "Qianyang Treasure Pearl," activating the divine technique "Qianyang Celestial Fire Shield" to protect himself, then withstood the multitude of attacks, quickly retreating into the Suyun Sect.

"Protect Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

Ever since seeing the demise of the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**, the oppressive pressure in Liu Yunxiang’s heart instantly dissipated, feeling infinitely better. When she saw the enemies crazily attacking Zhouyang, the great contributor, she promptly shouted to call for other cultivators to help intercept.

Actually, without her words, the Golden Core Stage cultivators of the **Profound Purity Dao Alliance**’s side also knew Zhouyang’s importance. Seeing the major success now, they were happily using high-tier spirit talismans they had been unwilling to use before, putting all efforts to cover Zhouyang’s retreat.

Ultimately, after a great chaotic battle, the Golden Core Stage cultivators of the **Profound Purity Dao Alliance** who sallied forth successfully retreated into the Suyun Sect.

Whereas the group of Golden Core Stage cultivators of the **Six Paths Alliance**, having achieved no success and mourning the loss of the **Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant**, couldn’t suppress the anger in their hearts and directly joined the ranks of attacking the Mountain Protection Array.

Previously, to prevent the Golden Core Stage cultivators within the Suyun Sect from seizing the chance to slay the Mountain-Attacking Cultivators, these **Six Paths Alliance** Golden Core Stage cultivators had not attacked the Mountain Protection Array personally, serving only in protective duties to safeguard their side’s attackers from harm.

Now, with twelve Golden Core Stage cultivators all joining the attack formation together, the Mountain Protection Array of the Suyun Sect immediately came under immense pressure.

But Zhouyang and the rest knew, this was merely the enemies venting their rage powerlessly.

Thus, except for the two or three heavily injured Golden Core cultivators who retreated to the cave for recovery, Zhouyang and others also each summoned their magical artifacts and intercepted the attacks of those Golden Core cultivators from the Six Paths Alliance, preventing them from peacefully attacking the Mountain Protection Array.

With the Mountain Protection Array as their defense, they only attacked and did not defend. Even though they were fewer in number, they could still make the enemy busy and difficult to manage.

Zhouyang even seized the opportunity to release the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle from the Mountain Protection Array, letting it rely on its highly maneuverable talent divine technique "Thunder Escape Technique" to directly ambush the enemy’s puppet army and destroy over a hundred puppet beasts.

Thus, after another chaotic battle, the Golden Core cultivators of the Six Paths Alliance finally returned to their senses and reluctantly accepted this reality.

The reality was that after losing the Tier Five War Giant Beast, Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, the difficulty of breaking the Mountain Protection Array of Suyun Sect increased by more than double.

However, this was not the most troubling thing for them. The most troubling was that three days after the death of the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, a Tier Five Array Master from the Profound Purity Dao Alliance came to aid them and stationed at Suyun Sect to preside over the Mountain Protection Array.

With a Tier Five Array Master presiding over the Mountain Protection Array and maintaining it, it became even harder for cultivators from the Six Paths Alliance to break the Mountain Protection Array.

In despair, they could only continue to request reinforcements from above, hoping to send more troops to assist them.

But the number of Golden Core Stage cultivators in the Six Paths Alliance is limited, and the reinforcements they sent were only one Golden Core cultivator and over a thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The addition of these reinforcements was not enough to establish an overwhelming advantage for the Six Paths Alliance; it merely allowed them to maintain their siege stance on Suyun Sect, preventing the cultivators on the mountain from going out to support other places.

In fact, this battlefield was temporarily abandoned by the higher-ups of the Six Paths Alliance, and their plan to annihilate Suyun Sect within three months was completely aborted.

Within Suyun Sect, when Zhouyang and the defending cultivators saw this situation, they quickly considered the deeper meaning behind it, and the heavy stone weighing down their hearts finally settled.

Soon, the message was deliberately spread throughout Suyun Sect, letting all the remaining cultivators know this good news.

Then the fatigue formed by the continuous battles among the cultivators on the mountain immediately dissipated by half, and the pressure they bore on their hearts completely vanished.

Naturally, the one who directly caused all this, Zhouyang, also received the gratitude and admiration of everyone because of it.

Inside Suyun Sect, when the outside attacks from the Six Paths Alliance calmed down, all the high-tier cultivators on the mountain were able to gather together to celebrate the success of the previous decapitation action.

At this time, the worst among the cultivators present had Purple Mansion Stage cultivation, and all Golden Core Stage cultivators on the mountain, except for the newly arrived Tier Five Array Master, gathered here.

And as the celebration began, Liu Yunxiang, the sect leader hosting the event, looked at Zhouyang with eyes full of gratitude and said: "This time, if not for Fellow Daoist Zhou’s action to kill the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, my Suyun Sect’s more than six thousand years of heritage would have been destroyed at the hands of myself and others, and we would have become the greatest sinners of our sect!"

"The grace Fellow Daoist Zhou shows to me and others and to the sect, all four thousand three hundred twenty-seven disciples of the sect will remember it in their hearts, and dare not forget it!"

"In the future, if Fellow Daoist has any request that I and Suyun Sect can fulfill, we will definitely do our utmost to assist you and repay your great kindness!"

"Finally, please accept our bow!"

After finishing, all the cultivators present including Liu Yunxiang himself, bowed deeply to Zhouyang in gratitude.

Zhouyang was initially slightly surprised upon seeing this, then hurriedly stepped forward to personally lift Liu Yunxiang and Lin Yuxian, and the group of Golden Core cultivators, shaking his head with a bitter smile, saying: "Fellow Daoist Liu, this is really overwhelming for me! What merit or ability has Zhou, how dare I accept such a grand courtesy from Fellow Daoist and the others!"

He truly did not expect that Liu Yunxiang, the dignified leader of a sect and an Eighth-Layer Golden Core cultivator, could actually lower her stature and lead all high-level members of the sect to publicly perform such a grand gesture towards himself.

It is foreseeable that when this matter spreads today, the entire Profound Purity Dao Alliance from all Nascent Soul Stage cultivators upwards to ordinary Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators would know Zhouyang’s name.

Because under normal circumstances, only when a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator personally visits could Suyun Sect treat everyone in the sect in such a manner, and even that is merely respect and decorum for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, not like today’s genuine gratitude and respect for Zhouyang.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you need not be humble, this courtesy you absolutely deserve!"

"On that day I said, if you can kill the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, then you are the great benefactor of my Suyun Sect. Although I am a woman, I am also a Golden Core Stage cultivator, and how can words spoken be not honored?"

"From now on, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are the great benefactor of all cultivators under Suyun Sect. Every disciple of Suyun Sect who sees you will certainly treat you with proper courtesies; if anyone disobeys, I will expel them from the sect!"

After Liu Yunxiang finished speaking, she raised her brows sternly, scanning all Suyun Sect disciples present with authority, and said in a deep voice: "Do you all understand?"

"Yes, we respectfully obey the sect leader’s orders!"

All Suyun Sect cultivators present, including the Golden Core stage cultivators like Lin Yuxian, solemnly responded with serious faces.

This scene amazed outsiders like Zhouyang, secretly marveling at Liu Yunxiang’s adept governance and leadership skills.

Being a Golden Core Stage Cultivator and a sect leader, managing middle-lower tier cultivators is effortless, but to have high-tier cultivators follow orders obediently and submissively truly tests one’s personal capabilities.

Generally, only individuals with exceptional personal charisma can accomplish this.

Zhouyang couldn’t help but recall the meeting with Liu Yunxiang before the decapitation operation, remembering her arrival with a sword in hand—the gallant demeanor rare among women.

Her sharp tone and aggressive attitude then indeed proved her to be a forceful presence.

With this thought, he seemed to understand why Liu Yunxiang held such high esteem within Suyun Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Liu keeps her word, truly admirable!"

Xin Changlong, who arrived with Zhouyang at Suyun Sect, suddenly exclaimed with full admiration for Liu Yunxiang, breaking the slightly stifling atmosphere.

Zhouyang, unsure of how to respond, silently thanked him in his heart, his face flashing a smile as he nodded in praise: "A heroine among women, a female hero, of all the women I’ve encountered, only Fellow Daoist Liu deserves these eight words."

As people helped each other onto flower palanquins, Liu Yunxiang, hearing Zhouyang speak thus, relaxed her brows and smiled brightly in return: "Fellow Daoist Zhou praised undeservedly; you are the dragon and phoenix among people, a genius with Heaven-given talent. In my lifetime, after discounting the seniors, Fellow Daoist Zhou is indeed the most outstanding hero I’ve ever encountered!"

"Fellow Daoist Liu’s words are commendable; I rarely admire anyone truly—with Fellow Daoist Zhou, I genuinely feel awe. Whoever dares speak ill of Fellow Daoist Zhou, I will certainly retort fiercely!"

Golden Core Stage Cultivator Ying Feihu, originally dispatched with Xin Changlong to aid Zhouyang, seized the opportunity to laugh heartily and laud Zhouyang too.

Other Golden Core Stage Cultivators present, seeing this, were not willing to be outdone and began showering praises upon Zhouyang profusely.

"I’ve long heard from Fellow Daoists Xin and Ying of Fellow Daoist Zhou’s heroic feats at Chongxuan Mountain, where he slew five Golden Core Stage Cultivators in battle; I was skeptical then, but witnessing his divine prowess personally now makes me realize my narrow view—it truly is eye-opening!"

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Zhou, during his Purple Mansion cultivation, could battle across tiers and kill Golden Core Stage Cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect. Now, after successful Core Formation, slaying the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant amid armies is as easy as retrieving things from a bag—he indeed is a model for us, enthralling!"

"With Fellow Daoist Zhou’s Heaven-given talent, undoubtedly, he will refine pill, form infant, ascend to immortality, enjoy veneration from thousands!"

...

Anyway, speaking good words costs nothing; since today’s gathering is celebratory by nature, everyone present spared no effort in praising and complimenting Zhouyang, the focal figure.

Given Zhouyang’s performance in this war, everyone knew he would inevitably become a storm figure within the high-tier cultivator circle of the Profound Purity Dao Alliance and the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

Having a chance to fight alongside such a person, a chance to make connections with him—naturally, no one would foolishly forgo this opportunity.

For Zhouyang, he and the Zhou Family will undoubtedly make a living within the Profound Purity Dao Alliance; hence forming ties with high-tier cultivators here is beneficial with no downsides.

Therefore, acknowledging that most of their praises were conforming to the atmosphere, not necessarily sincere, he still cheerfully accepted their compliments and found opportunities to offer praises in return.

Finally, the only person who didn’t praise Zhouyang was his Dao Companion Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying didn’t need to praise Zhouyang—not just because they are Dao Companions, but because, in her heart, Zhouyang was already the best and strongest person.

Watching Zhouyang being lauded by many high-tier cultivators, she was happier than receiving praises herself, for that was her Dao Companion, her spouse.

"My husband is indeed the greatest!"

She beamed at Zhouyang’s handsome face, her heart sweet as if coated with honey.

After the celebratory gathering concluded, all cultivators quickly dispersed to continue their duties.

With enemies still attacking the mountain, it’s better not to hold celebratory gatherings as long as the war isn’t over, to avoid bliss turning into calamity by accident.

However, it seemed that bad luck indeed left the Profound Purity Dao Alliance; over twenty days after Zhouyang slew the Earth-Splitting Divine Elephant, the "Immortal Spirit Jade Book" he obtained from Yuqing Daoist Sect was activated.

Upon reading the transmitted message, he instantly rejoiced, exclaiming in joy, and hurriedly went to discuss the matter with Liu Yunxiang.