In an instant, two unmatched offensive strikes landed upon the elder. However, he was exceedingly formidable. Not only did he block Gu Tian’s surging demonic qi and the third-stage Transcendent realm cultivator’s full-power strike, he also emerged without a scratch.

The man was both shocked and enraged. “Elder Li, what are you doing?!”

Meanwhile, Gu Tian paid him no heed. “Kill!”

His eyes had turned pitch-black, demonic flames billowing around him. Again, he charged at the man. Again, Elder Li effortlessly blocked his assault.

The elderly man glanced at Zuo Yang, somewhat anxious. “Hurry, don’t let him strike again. I bear no ill intent!”

Able to tell that the demonic cultivator was devoid of reason, and was afraid he wouldn’t cease attacking.

Seeing that the demonic cultivator had lost all reason, he feared the man would never stop attacking.

Finally, Zuo Yang said, “Fellow Daoist Gu, hold on for now. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Gu Han slowly retracted the Nine-Chi Coiled Dragon Seal as well. He could sense that Elder Li truly didn’t harbor any ill intent. “Father, stop fighting!”

Hearing this, Gu Tian finally stopped. His demonic qi receded as he returned to Gu Han’s side, yet his pitch-black eyes remained fixed on the cultivator.

That man was full of displeasure. “Elder Li, why did you stop me? They’re just a few rogue cultivators. I could annihilate them with a snap of my fingers!”

Among them, Elder Li seemed to hold the highest status.

He shot the man a fierce glare. “Silence! Zhang Kun, we came here to obtain a fortuitous opportunity, not to stir up trouble! Speak out of turn again, and you can head back!”

Despite being full of resentment, Zhang Kun didn’t retort, proving that Elder Li’s standing was indeed higher.

Elder Li bowed toward the curtained chariot. “Divine Maiden, leave this matter to me, will you?”

The woman’s voice revealed neither joy nor anger. “Do not tarnish the Tiansheng Hall’s reputation.”

Elder Li bowed once more. “Understood.”

He approached Gu Han and the others, but his gaze was fixed solely on Zuo Yang. “Might I ask... are you Zuo Yang?”

Zuo Yang slowly sheathed his boning knife, somewhat puzzled. “You know me?”

Elder Li smiled. “It really is you! Have you forgotten? Over a decade ago, I traveled through the Central Continent and once crossed paths with you.”

Zuo Yang was a bit embarrassed. “I don’t recall...”

Elder Li took no offense. “It’s not surprising. That year, you ascended to the position of Holy Son. I stood by as an observer at the ceremony. I never imagined so many years have passed in a blink. Who would have thought you’d appear here in the Eastern Wasteland? What an unexpected fate...”

He rambled on incessantly, completely failing to notice Zuo Yang’s displeased expression. Gu Han’s mouth twitched.

Zuo Yang bluntly and stiffly cut him off. “It’s all in the past. I haven’t been a Holy Son for a long time now.”

Startled, Elder Li blurted, “Then you...”

Zuo Yang pointed at his black pot, then patted his pointed knife. “As you can see, I’m now a cook.”

Elder Li was dumbfounded. C-cook? Did I hear it right?!

He suspected Zuo Yang was lying, but his whole outfit did in fact suggest that.

Elder Li was baffled. “What... Why?”

Your Holy Land is far stronger than the Tiansheng Hall, as it possesses an ancient heritage and profound foundations! As its Holy Son, your power and influence are unimaginable! How could you just give it up?!

Perhaps feeling Elder Li’s attitude was decent, Zuo Yang indulged him a bit more. “My dream is to be a cook.”

Elder Li was completely bewildered. If you were a mortal, fine, but you’re a cultivator! How can you have such a bizarre dream?

Gu Han shook his head. “Senior Brother, he doesn’t seem to understand your dream.”

Zuo Yang glanced at him. “Do you?”

Gu Han rubbed his nose and fell silent. I don’t!

Zuo Yang looked at Elder Li again. “Is there anything else?”

Elder Li subconsciously shook his head. “No, no...”

Filled with confusion and doubt, he returned to the side of the chariot and explained in hushed tones to the others.

A moment later, the woman’s voice sounded again, noticeably less condescending. “So it’s Holy Son Zuo... I am Zhao Mengyou, from the Tiansheng Hall. I hope you will not take offense at my earlier discourtesy.”

Her words hinted at a desire to build ties. At the same time, she was skeptical of Zuo Yang’s statement. Hypothetically speaking, even if Zuo Yang gave up on becoming Holy Son, he likely still maintained contact with his backers. She couldn’t afford to offend such a person.

Gu Han thought that this woman was a bit foolish.

Meanwhile, Zuo Yang’s expression turned cold as he recalled his many failed attempts to escape, only to be captured and dragged back each time.

“First, I don’t like people calling me Holy Son. You may address me by my name. Second, if you truly wish to apologize.” He pointed at Zhang Kun. “Have him apologize to my junior brother.”

Zhang Kun’s face flushed red. “You are going too far!”

Zhao Mengyou’s tone was calm. “Apologize. Not only were you in the wrong, you also attacked first.”

Though resentment churned in his heart, Zhang Kun did not seem to dare defy her. With an ashen face, he perfunctorily cupped his hands toward Gu Han. “I apologise for just now!”

Gu Han ignored him. His apology was clearly made with superficiality, completely devoid of sincerity. Moreover, he felt Zhao Mengyou’s scheming ran deep. If Elder Li hadn’t recognized Zuo Yang, the situation would be completely reversed.

After seeing Gu Han’s reaction, Zhang Kun’s expression grew even uglier.

Suddenly, Elder Li looked up at the sky, his brow furrowing. “Divine Maiden, it seems news has leaked. Those several families have all arrived!”

As someone with the highest cultivation level, he naturally sensed the anomaly first.

Zhao Mengyou’s tone was placid. “It doesn’t matter. With such an unusual transformation occurring at the Profound Pill Pavilion, it remains unknown whether entry is even possible. Even if it is, everyone will rely on their own methods. This isn’t the first time such matters have arisen.”

Elder Li bowed once more. “Understood.”

Gu Han’s heart stirred. “Senior Brother, these people seem quite familiar with this place. Have you heard of the Profound Pill Pavilion?”

Zuo Yang shook his head. “No. You know I don’t pay attention to such things.”

Compared to the Dao Bell, the pavilion fell far short, and its reputation was limited to the Eastern Wasteland.

Murong Yan grew somewhat worried. “Seems like trouble. So many people have come...”

Gu Han smiled. “It doesn’t matter. Didn’t that Divine Maiden say so? Everyone relies on their own methods!”

He immediately sensed two gazes falling upon him. Sneering inwardly, he unceremoniously swept his divine sense into the curtained chariot. He saw a graceful figure clad in purple robes, with a light veil covering her face. Her eyes, clear as autumn waters, held a trace of surprise and indignation. She probably never expected Gu Han to blatantly spy on her.

Ah Sha bit her lip. “Young Master, are you secretly checking her out?”

For some reason, at times like this, her perceptiveness became extremely good.

Gu Han’s face flushed slightly. “Ahem... She’s allowed to look at me, but I’m not allowed to look at her? Where’s the logic in that?”

Subconsciously, she said, “Young Master, I feel she’s a bit like Miss Liu...” 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He immediately went on full alert. Liu Ying? The demoness? She actually does look a bit alike!

Before he could ponder further, a sudden bellow came from the sky above. Moments later, a towering black shadow over ten zhang tall descended. Wings grotesquely sprouted from its ribs. Its astonishing size, coupled with what seemed like a deliberate show of force, caused dust to billow and the ground to tremble slightly.

It was a black tiger! On its back, a youth stood with arms crossed, his face cold. Well, calling him a youth was generous. Not only was his build nearly twice that of an ordinary man, his face was also covered in a faint layer of fine fuzz. Behind him, eight or nine individuals followed. Clearly, like Zhao Mengyou, these were his protectors and followers.

Gu Han curiously stared at him. Demon species?

Aside from Wei Fang, this youth was the first legitimate demon species he had ever encountered.

The demon youth looked back, seemingly sensing Gu Han’s gaze. Faintly, a piercing golden light flashed across his eyes. The black tiger immediately roared ceaselessly at Gu Han.

Zuo Yan smiled again, casually reaching for his boning knife. The black tiger instantly sat on the ground, whimpering pitifully. Its timidity was not unwarranted. Having butchered innumerable demonic beasts, his blade was steeped in a bloody aura that would never fade. Coupled with the Dao mark, it became a natural enemy of such beasts.

The bloody aura seemed to affect the demon youth somewhat, draining the color from his face. He let out a cold snort but said nothing further. His entourage grew hostile.

Suddenly, a commotion far greater than before descended from midair, bearing a hint of saintly might. Over a dozen roars rang out at once, converging into a single, almost deafening cry.

The next moment, a magnificently ornate chariot appeared, instantly drawing all eyes to it. Exceptionally domineering and awe-inspiring, it stretched over thirty zhang in length and more than ten zhang in width. A faint spirit light coiled around its vessel, which was adorned with countless exotic beast engravings. Under the reinforcement of the indistinct saintly might, they seemed almost alive, evoking a sense of dread with a single glance.

Over a dozen imposing spirit beasts pulled the chariot in parallel, emanating overbearing aura and supreme arrogance. All of them were rare mutant breeds, nearly identical in appearance and size.

Elder Li’s pupils contracted. “That is the Holy Master’s Sacred Chariot! They are from the Myriad Transformations Holy Land!”

To his memory, the seat had always belonged to the Holy Master, but now a youth occupied it. Moreover, even people from the Yuhua Holy Land and the Wu family were on it.

The demon youth’s expression was far from pleasant. “All bluff!”

Zhao Mengyou stared at the chariot. “I heard that today is the selection day for the Myriad Transformations Holy Land’s Holy Son. Could it be that it’s actually him?”

It was no wonder she was so focused. Although extraordinary, both her white jade chariot and the demon youth’s black tiger were several grades inferior to the Sacred Chariot. The Sacred Chariot had become the absolute centerpiece of the day, completely overshadowing everyone else.

Zhang Kun was uncertain and alarmed. “Just what kind of exceptional talent must this Holy Son possess that the Holy Master would even yield his own chariot?”

Elder Li said, “This newly appointed Holy Son is very young indeed. How inspiring!”

Of course, Chu Kuang was the one seated upon the Sacred Chariot. As for the two individuals beside him, he had encountered them en route. With his transcendent state of mind and affable, diplomatic nature, he easily drew the two into an alliance with just a few words. It was his usual modus operandi.

On the ground, Gu Han sneered without cease. “Enemies on a narrow road!”

Murong Yan considered it. “Credit where credit’s due. With this chariot, he’s stolen everyone’s thunder today. Heh, this bastard loved doing this kind of thing back in the Yuqing Sect!”

Though they loathed Chu Kuang, the others still had to admit that his ride was very domineering and impressive.

However, Zuo Yang was indifferent. “This thing? It’s too small. Compared to the one I rode, it’s far inferior. It’s only fit for showing off in a place like this. Where I come from, bringing this thing out would just be embarrassing!”

Murong Yan was somewhat envious. “Tell us! What’s it like to ride a chariot? Is it very imposing?”

Zuo Yang thought for a moment. “A bit, but it’s also uncomfortably hard. I might as well walk.”

Murong Yan was speechless.

Ah Sha sighed softly. “Oh my! If only this thing suddenly tipped over...”

Gu Han patted her head. “Indeed! Ah Sha and I think alike.”

Zuo Yang smiled. “That’s not hard at all! Watch me!”

He immediately drew his boning knife. In that instant, an overwhelming surge of savage intent shot straight into the heavens. While the others only felt a chill, the spirit beasts pulling the Sacred Chariot fared far worse.

No matter how well-trained, they were still beasts by nature. As if confronting their natural predator, they wailed in misery, trembling uncontrollably. The formation instantly collapsed as the beasts scattered in every direction. Even the Sacred Chariot began to shake violently.

Zuo Yang narrowed his eyes and applied more pressure. While fighting was not his forte, butchering demonic beasts was a whole different story. If Zuo Yang claimed second, no one dared call themselves first.

The Dao mark on the blade shone briefly, and the savage aura increased. The spirit beasts were terrified as they whimpered without cease, all their former majesty vanished. They broke free from their spirit power reins. One by one, they lost even the strength to flee and simply collapsed.

A colossal object suddenly tumbled down from midair—it was the Sacred Chariot. It had really tipped over!

Gu Han said, “Senior Brother, I think your dream is really magnificent!”

Ah Sha was also very pleased. “Senior Brother, you’re amazing!”