Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Belonging

The place where the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree emerged was located over a hundred miles southwest of Phoenix City.

Divine light descended like a beam, locking onto the ground and bringing forth auspicious sounds that echoed through heaven and earth, as if calling everyone together.

In an instant, various groups mobilized, converging on the location.

The people formed four distinct factions.

To the east stood Zhang Yang, Ye Kuanglan, and their companions.

To the north were the Seventh Prince, Yaoruoxian, and their allies.

To the south gathered members of non-Saint-level forces, led by a mysterious sword-path white crane.

To the west stood a small group from the Eastern Domain and the Western Desert, including the saintess Yi Piaopiao, who remained unrecognized by the others.

They all encircled the divine light descending from the sky.

The light penetrated the earth.

Fiery patterns spread across the ground, converging before a rumbling sound echoed—as if something was breaking free.

Then, an ancient tree emerged from underground.

To most, it appeared to be just a tree.

But Zhang Yang and the Flower Phantom alone recognized it as a branch of the true Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree they had encountered before.

This branch bore additional limbs, its leaves swaying in the wind, and it carried nine Great Path Sacred Fruits.

In an instant, someone rushed forward.

However, golden light erupted from above, spreading rapidly like a barrier of radiance. It enveloped a thousand-meter radius, covering the ground where everyone stood. Strangely, as the golden light spread, most people found themselves unable to enter. Only a select few remained unaffected, seamlessly integrating within its bounds.

Within moments, only six individuals and two beasts remained inside the golden light barrier.

They were Zhang Yang, Ye Kuanglan, Yuluan, and the Ironback Blue Bull.

The Seventh Prince, Yaoruoxian, and the Son of the Ziyang Sacred Land, Yun Tiange.

And the sword-path white crane.

No one from the Eastern Domain or the Western Desert made it inside.

All others were completely excluded.

Even talents like Yi Piaopiao, Mo Ding Tian, and Yu Yihang found themselves shut out of the barrier.

This incited the fury of those left outside, who began attacking wildly.

Tens of thousands unleashed their power. Even experts of the Immeasurable Stage could only retreat in frustration. Yet, the golden light barrier remained unshaken, as if their assaults were nothing more than whispers against an unyielding wall.

Despair set in.

"Forget it. It’s clear that only those with extraordinary talent can obtain the Great Path Sacred Fruit."

"This is the protective force of the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree. Only those it recognizes as supreme talents can approach and compete for it."

"In the end, we are merely spectators in the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins. They are the true protagonists."

"Let’s watch them fight for it."

As their rage subsided, the crowd could do nothing but observe.

All eyes turned to the battle.

In the end, who would claim the Great Path Sacred Fruit?

The most intense confrontation within the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins was about to unfold.

Who would emerge victorious?

The six individuals and two beasts within the barrier had already locked eyes on their respective opponents.

"Moo!"

The Ironback Blue Bull, who had remained quiet until now, was the first to act. It charged at the sword-path white crane, launching the first clash of the battle.

The two great beasts engaged fiercely.

Zhang Yang, Ye Kuanglan, and Yuluan turned to face the Seventh Prince, Yaoruoxian, and Yun Tiange.

Six people. Twelve eyes.

No need for words—each had already chosen their target.

"Kill!"

The six roared in unison, surging forward.

However!

What happened next caught everyone by surprise.

Yuluan did not engage Yaoruoxian, nor did she rush to attack anyone. Instead, like a soaring chi dragon, she turned and instantly dashed toward the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree.

Yaoruoxian’s expression turned cold. Reacting immediately, she unleashed her Saint’s laws.

"Stay back!"

A chilling voice rang out.

From a distance, Zhang Yang threw a punch.

He used only his partially developed Diamond Dragon Holy Power, avoiding the excessive consumption of his Nine Extremes True Essence.

His punch tore through the air.

A strike so powerful that Yaoruoxian’s expression tensed—she was forced to redirect her Saint’s laws to counter it.

This left her unable to stop Yuluan.

As for the Seventh Prince, he was struck midair by Zhang Yang’s left punch. The domineering force of the attack, also infused with Diamond Dragon Holy Power, suppressed him completely.

One person stood against both the Seventh Prince and Yaoruoxian—while maintaining the upper hand.

His partially developed Diamond Dragon Holy Power was sufficient to let him fight freely, without fear of exhausting his energy.

Meanwhile, Yun Tiange was knocked back by Ye Kuanglan’s sword barrier, forced to retreat under the impact of a single strike.

How could they possibly stop Yuluan?

The moment that drove everyone outside into a frenzy was when Yuluan neared the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree, releasing a terrifying aura of Saint-level power.

The Silver Dragon Holy Sword came into play.

She wielded it effortlessly.

Whoosh!

Without relying on sword-path mysteries or even unleashing the power of her Chi Dragon royal bloodline, she simply swung her sword.

An unparalleled sharpness erupted from the Silver Dragon Holy Sword, making everyone within the golden light barrier feel as if they were under its devastating assault.

Even Zhang Yang was amazed, thinking to himself, Shui Lianyi’s secret enhancement on the holy sword is truly powerful.

Crack!

The Silver Dragon Holy Sword sliced through the air.

The Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree, which had only just sprouted a little over a meter from the ground, was severed.

Yuluan, displaying the swift and decisive style of a Female Bandit, instantly opened a storage bag that radiated a trace of Holy Might. With a single motion, she stored the severed portion of the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree inside.

The moment the tree fell, the golden light barrier shattered.

The crowd outside erupted into chaos.

The Seventh Prince, Yaoruoxian, and others charged forward with all their might.

Yuluan shouted, “Ye Kuanglan, Yi Piaopiao, come to the Vast Forest to collect the Great Path Sacred Fruit!”

Then, she vanished.

Using Langya Yu’s ancient teleportation array, she instantly arrived at the entrance of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins. Without hesitation, she stepped outside, reactivated the array, and disappeared once more.

She returned to the Vast Forest.

The entire process was seamless.

Except for Zhang Yang, no one had anticipated this outcome—not even Ye Kuanglan or Yi Piaopiao, who were momentarily dazed.

Zhang Yang chuckled to himself.

This was Shui Lianyi’s trickery.

She had rigged the golden light barrier to block most people.

She had left a trace of Holy Power on the Silver Dragon Holy Sword, enabling it to cut through the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree in a single strike, leaving Zhang Yang wide-eyed.

She had imbued the storage bag with Holy Power, allowing it to instantly absorb the severed tree.

She had orchestrated everything. She had cheated.

But her reason for doing so wasn’t just because Yuluan was her disciple. She held grievances against the Ghostly Divine Platform. Knowing that the Vast Forest was the arch-enemy of the Ghostly Divine Platform, she was more than willing to assist.

And so, under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Yuluan seized the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree and returned to the Vast Forest, leaving those inside and outside the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins in turmoil. Whether furious or frenzied, they could do nothing but accept this harsh reality.

Some attempted to stir trouble, but Zhang Yang unleashed his Holy Might, sending shockwaves through the air. The earth trembled as if on the verge of cracking, forcing many to reconsider their actions.

Then, he shouted at Yaoruoxian, “Little woman, you’ve lost the second battle!”

Yaoruoxian’s delicate, palm-sized face turned cold. “In the third battle, I will kill you!”

With that, she chose to retreat.

She knew that alone, she stood no chance against Zhang Yang.

But Zhang Yang wasn’t concerned with her. His true target was the Seventh Prince.

Sensing that the situation was slipping beyond his control, the Seventh Prince also chose to withdraw.

Yet, Zhang Yang refused to let him escape so easily—he gave chase.

Ye Kuanglan had intended to pursue as well but was blocked by Yun Tiange, who insisted on settling their battle. Forced back, Ye Kuanglan’s frustration was evident.

Once again, combat erupted.

Zhang Yang and the Seventh Prince burst out of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins one after the other.

The moment he escaped, the Seventh Prince leaped into the air, heading straight for Fengyu Town while shouting, “The Vast Forest has claimed the Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree for itself! If those of the Southern Region do not destroy the Vast Forest now, then when will they?”

Leaving this declaration behind, he activated the ancient teleportation array and vanished.

Zhang Yang attempted to pursue but was intercepted by Mu Yujing of the Great Xia Empire’s imperial family—a formidable opponent at the Great Boundless Perfect Stage. Zhang Yang was unable to break through.

Mu Yujing’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.