Fighting: Practice makes it real, start with a poisonous body.

Gu Yuan's powerful aura gradually subsided. He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Gu Ming and Gu Jian, and said, "You two will also come with me to Zhongzhou."

At this moment, Gu Ming, supporting his swaying body, struggled to walk to Gu Jian's side.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, took out a precious pill radiating rich vitality from his storage ring, pried open the mouth of the ancient sword, and gently inserted the pill inside.

A moment later, Gu Ming sensed the aura within Gu Jian's body. The medicinal power of the precious pill slowly repaired Gu Jian's physical body. Although his injuries were still severe, his life was ultimately saved, and he still had a breath left.

Gu Ming breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to say, "Clan leader, Gu Jian is seriously injured and on the verge of death. He needs immediate treatment, otherwise he may not be able to hold on for long."

He paused, looked at his pale hands, and said with a wry smile, "In my current state, if I go to Zhongzhou with you, I'm afraid I won't be of any help, but will only become a burden to you."

I will stay here to guard the ancient sword. The task of retrieving the fragments of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame map will likely fall to you alone.

Gu Yuan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

After a moment, he finally nodded and said in a deep voice, "Alright, take good care of the Ancient Sword. I will come back to find you after I retrieve the Ancient Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yuan no longer hesitated. The immense holy power within his body erupted, and the golden battle qi was like a raging flame.

With a swift movement, he transformed into a dazzling golden streak of light, soaring into the sky and shooting towards the Central Plains.

Gu Ming looked up in the direction where Gu Yuan had disappeared, a deep sense of worry appearing in his eyes.

He slowly crouched down, looking at the unconscious Gu Jian, and murmured to himself, "Brother, was your death really worth it...?"

The wind howled, and only endless silence answered him.

……

Zhongzhou, Danyu.

This place was once one of the most prosperous regions in Zhongzhou, with all roads leading to it, merchants flocking here, and countless alchemists and cultivators coming from far and wide, presenting a thriving scene. But now, it is no longer the prosperous place it once was.

A massive, transparent barrier enveloped the entire Pill Domain, like a giant glass dome, isolating the Pill Domain from the chaos of the outside world.

Currently, only a narrow gate remains in each of the four directions of the barrier—east, south, west, and north—for people to pass through. Powerful members of the Pill Tower are stationed there day and night to strictly check those entering and leaving, preventing beastmen spies from infiltrating.

Beyond the barrier lay a desolate landscape: the earth was cracked, the vegetation withered and yellow, and abandoned cities and scattered bones were everywhere.

Within the barrier, under the protection of the Dan Tower and the Central Continent Alliance, a degree of peace and vitality was preserved.

Although there were few pedestrians on the street, the order was well maintained.

The three giants of the Dan Tower stood atop the barrier, their gazes fixed solemnly on the scene below.

Dressed in white, Xuan Yi possessed an exquisite beauty, yet her eyes held a deep sense of worry. She sighed softly, "I wonder how long this good fortune can last."

The Dragon and Phoenix Princes are unstoppable, defeating ancient imperial clans one after another. Although our Pill Domain is protected by a barrier, it is ultimately a desperate struggle. Once the barrier is broken, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Xuan Kongzi was dressed in a green robe, with an ancient and simple face, and a faint holy aura emanated from his body.

As the leader of the three giants of the Pill Tower, he has already broken through to the half-saint realm, and in the current Central Continent, he can be considered a formidable powerhouse.

He said softly, "Xuanyi, there's no need to be too pessimistic. Trust the Ancestor, trust the Pill Tower. As long as we work together, hold our ground, and wait for reinforcements, everything will be alright once the Sword Emperor's successor emerges from seclusion."

"I hope so..."

"Boom——!"

Just as the three were conversing in hushed tones, an incomparably terrifying holy might, like a thunderclap from the heavens, crashed down upon the barrier of the Pill Domain!
"what!"

The three giants of the Dan Tower immediately changed their expressions. "Boom!"

The holy might struck the barrier like a prison, causing it to tremble violently. Countless runes flashed wildly, bursting forth with dazzling light to resist this terrifying impact.

"Om-!"

Ripples spread across the surface of the barrier, spreading like water. The entire Dan Domain could feel the strong tremor, the ground shook slightly, and tiles fell off many houses.

Fortunately, the barrier of the Pill Tower was indeed incredibly sturdy. Despite shaking violently under the impact of this terrifying holy power, it stubbornly held on.

This relieved the three giants of the Pill Tower. For a moment, they even thought that the barrier had been breached and the Pill Domain was about to face annihilation.

Her black-clad hands clenched tightly, and she gritted her teeth as she said, "Such powerful holy might... could it be that the Son of the Dragon and Phoenix has personally descended?"

Aside from the son of the dragon and phoenix, she couldn't think of anyone else with such terrifying strength who would dare to directly confront the protective barrier of the Pill Tower.

"Hmm? This barrier... it was left by my old friend after all."

Just then, a faint sound came from high above, echoing throughout the entire Dan Domain.

"Who?!"

The three giants of the Dan Tower immediately looked up, their gazes piercing through the energy ripples on the surface of the barrier and looking towards the sky.

Outside the barrier, a figure dressed in a golden robe floated above the clouds. He was tall and imposing, and despite his missing arms and legs, he still exuded an aura of dominance that seemed to look down upon the world.

"Gu Yuan!"

Xuan Kongzi recognized the newcomer's face and was deeply shaken.

He never expected that the one who attacked the Dan Domain's barrier would not be the son of the Dragon and Phoenix, but the patriarch of an ancient clan!

Immediately, a surge of overwhelming rage welled up in Xuan Kongzi's heart, and he roared: "Gu Yuan! Now the sons of the Dragon and Phoenix are rampaging across the world, and the people of Zhongzhou are suffering terribly. We are all struggling to the death to resist the beast army!"
Instead of joining forces with us to fight against the external enemy, you've come to attack my Dan Domain. What exactly do you want?!

High in the sky, Gu Yuan's expression was indifferent. He slowly lowered his eyes and said coldly, "With your cultivation level, you are not qualified to speak with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yuan slowly raised his right hand, pointing two fingers upwards, and terrifying golden energy rapidly brewed at his fingertips!
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—!"

The pressure of the golden energy grew stronger and stronger, and the energy of heaven and earth in the entire Dan Domain became violent!

The three giants of Danta instantly changed their expressions.

"Gu Yuan! Are you crazy?!"

Xuan Kongzi roared fiercely, "Do you know that once the barrier of the Pill Domain is broken, the beast army will take advantage of the situation and invade, and then the entire Central Continent will fall!"

"What does this have to do with me?"

Seeing the three people looking up in fear, Gu Yuan's lips curled up slightly, and his face flushed with a sickly redness.

This is the kind of prestige an ancient imperial clan should have! This is the treatment Gu Yuan deserves! Everyone should revere him, fear him, and tremble before his might!

Instead of trampling on his dignity as an imperial family like the Dragon-Phoenix Son and Xiao Jibai!

"If the three of you can block this attack, I will not make another move."

Gu Yuan grinned maliciously, and the terrifying golden energy gathered at his fingertips crashed down like a roaring golden dragon, heading straight for the barrier of the Pill Domain!

"Boom—!" (End of Chapter)