Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Qiu Yinong’s Decision

Yuluan was deeply concerned about maintaining her master, the Dawn Goddess’s reputation. So, she only confided in Zhang Yang—no one else knew.

This ultimate goddess, renowned and revered, with a legacy spanning a thousand years, could never be perceived as selfish or even slightly shameless.

Of course, she warned Zhang Yang seriously: he must never speak of this to anyone. If he did, she would personally deal with him.

Additionally, she conveyed a message from her master to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang had no intention of arguing. He couldn’t afford to provoke the Dawn Goddess, nor did he want to anger this unreasonable Female Bandit. So, he obediently focused on his own tasks, immersing himself in understanding the Holy Bell of a Thousand Powers.

For him, it was unrealistic to hope to fully cultivate the Diamond Dragon Holy Power. Instead, he needed to further comprehend the fully developed version of it.

Through his battle with Qiu Yinong, he had discovered many flaws in his technique. Although he had improved, he still felt there were imperfections that could hinder him in the battle for the Great Path Sacred Fruit.

This time, he aimed to correct those flaws and strive for perfection before advancing to the next stage.

Others were also adjusting themselves, either cultivating or refining their martial arts techniques.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Prince’s group was doing the same.

Everyone waited patiently.

At that moment, someone quietly walked out of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

It was Qiu Yinong.

Initially, she had planned to stay longer, hoping to find an opportunity to settle things with Zhang Yang. However, when she saw that Zhang Yang had joined forces with Yuluan and Ye Kuanglan, she reconsidered.

With Qiu Yinong’s strength, she could clearly sense the terrifying power of Yuluan and Ye Kuanglan. Even if they weren’t as strong as she was, they could certainly match her in battle. It was obvious that acting alone against them would be unwise.

As for the so-called competition for the Great Path Sacred Fruit, she had already obtained more than six. There was no need to participate further.

If she joined the fight and gained nothing significant, it would tarnish her reputation as the Southern Region’s pride—the beautiful Autumn Lady.

And with Zhang Yang involved, how much could she truly gain?

Better to walk away.

Thus, she left the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.

Outside, a group of Great Boundless Perfect Stage powerhouses was waiting.

The moment she stepped out, she was quickly surrounded by Yilie, Ying Wuji, Mu Yujing, Liu Taixu, Baishi, and Ghost King Futian—all top-tier masters.

“Elder Qiu, why are you leaving? Has the battle for the Great Path Sacred Fruit tree already ended?” asked Ying Wuji, the Grand Elder of the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land. He had hoped Qiu Yinong would stay inside to fight for the Great Path Sacred Fruit as much as possible.

The others, however, did not share the same sentiment. Qiu Yinong was already too powerful—her presence was a threat to their own gains.

Now that she had left, she was no longer being suppressed by the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins’ restrictive power.

In her peak state, the Holy Might radiating from her was suffocating.

She spoke lightly, “I have no interest. I can’t kill Zhang Yang, so why should I stay inside and go crazy alone?”

Ying Wuji was stunned. “You… You are already a Holy Body! Your cultivation level surpasses his! How can you not kill him?”

By now, everyone outside had learned that Zhang Yang was still alive.

Yilie frowned. “Elder Qiu, does Zhang Yang have an accomplice?”

Mu Yujing added, “With Elder Qiu’s strength, that shouldn’t be possible. I refuse to believe that Zhang Yang is unbeatable.”

Hearing them belittle Zhang Yang one by one, Qiu Yinong unexpectedly felt a surge of disgust.

Wasn’t this just mocking her failure?

“If you don’t believe me, go in and see for yourselves.”

With that, Qiu Yinong spoke coldly, stepped forward, and walked away.

The group of Great Boundless Perfect Stage powerhouses stood there in stunned silence.

Yilie muttered, “Could it be that she was shaken too deeply?”

Ying Wuji shook his head. “Absolutely not. Her combat prowess is terrifying. Even I wouldn’t underestimate her, and even the Ghost King may not be her match. If she truly couldn’t handle it, then Zhang Yang must be far stronger than we imagined. But there must be another reason. From what I know of her, she might be trying to push toward the Nine Lives Great Boundless realm. Given that she has already achieved the Holy Body, she doesn’t even need the Great Path Sacred Fruit—she could aim for the Saint realm in one go.”

The gathered Great Boundless Perfect Stage masters were shocked.

Ying Wuji felt frustrated.

With such overwhelming strength, how could she not fight for the Great Path Sacred Fruit?

It was infuriating—because he needed it.

However, Qiu Yinong’s departure brought at least one relief: the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land would not be able to seize too many Great Path Sacred Fruits.

Their relief didn’t last long.

Because another figure appeared.

She was even more breathtaking—like the Daybreak Sun shining alone in the heavens.

The moment the first beauty of the Southern Region, Bing Yuyan, arrived, the Great Boundless Perfect Stage powerhouses felt their hearts skip a beat.

Then came a wave of strong vigilance.

They knew why she was here.

She had come to protect Zhang Yang—and to claim the Great Path Sacred Fruit.

The atmosphere outside the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins instantly became tense.

Inside the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, however, things remained calm.

Until a thunderclap erupted! People instinctively looked up at the sky.

There, they saw the remnants of the black lightning tribulation from Zhang Yang’s first Ascending to Heaven calamity.

It was merging with the light barrier of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, bubbling violently, as though it was being rejected by the ruins’ power.

Gradually, the black lightning tribulation detached itself, revealing a terrifying scene—black lightning rampaging through the sky.

Zhang Yang watched in awe.

Something was different this time.

He didn’t know if it was a change in his state of mind or if he was truly undergoing a deeper transformation due to his recent breakthroughs—but he was gaining insights from the black lightning.

This realization stemmed from an earlier moment—when he had witnessed Holy Lightning piercing through a Hellhound’s skull during a space-time confinement.

At that time, his mental state had been at its peak, his comprehension heightened.

With just one glance, he had perceived something profound from the killing thunder.

That insight had later allowed him to reverse-engineer the Slaughter Thunder Power.

Now—he had another realization.

Without hesitation, he immersed himself in deep contemplation, forgetting everything around him.

The turmoil of the lightning didn’t last long.

It was primarily due to the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins expelling the black lightning tribulation that had been engulfed within it.

Once the lightning was completely rejected, its residual energy began to consume itself, eventually evolving into mysterious new forces.

In reality, this was an incredible opportunity—but whether one could comprehend and master it depended entirely on the individual.

For instance, Ye Kuanglan completely disregarded it. His sword path was pure yang, making him naturally averse to such dark forces.

However, some experts who cultivated within the Realm of Thunder were able to gain valuable insights.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Yang focused intently, striving to grasp profound insights alongside the holy power formed by the fully developed Diamond Dragon Holy Power.

Even though he was not pursuing the complete path of a saint, this power undoubtedly provided him with an astonishing foundation.

Under various influences, he quickly deduced the Slaughter Thunder Power, soon reaching the stage of “quasi” holy power.

Just as he aimed to push further, stepping into the initial understanding of holy power, the dark lightning in the sky exhausted its energy and completely vanished.

He let out a deep breath.

“Just a hair’s breadth away.”

“Like the thickness of a layer of paper, just like before.”

“But this time, the comprehension of Slaughter Thunder Power is entirely different from the Diamond Dragon Holy Power. That was from nothing to something—this is from something to more.”

“The key points of understanding are different.”

“I need new inspiration.”

His gaze shifted to the Holy Bell of a Thousand Powers, hoping to gain insight from it.

To his surprise, just as he began contemplating he was interrupted.

The Great Path Sacred Fruit tree had emerged.