The group finally arrived at a secluded glade deep within the Forbidden Grounds. Ancient trees loomed like silent watchers, their trunks twisted with age. In the center of the clearing, nestled within jagged rocks and glowing with a soft green aura, was a cluster of luminous grass that shimmered like jade flame.
Emerald Soulgrass.
Even Tianyan, uninterested in worldly treasures, paused for a moment. The spiritual energy it released was refined, gentle—but incredibly dense. Just standing nearby made breathing feel smoother, more focused.
"There it is," Chen Xuanming said, nodding to the others. "As expected, it's guarded."
Three powerful presences emerged from the woods, stepping out of the mist like summoned demons.
The first was a Silverhorn Gale Wolf, lean and fast, wind constantly swirling around its paws.
The second was a Flamebone Ape, massive and muscular, with red glowing veins and burning fists.
And the third was a creature none of them expected—a Rockhide Crocodile, its scaled body nearly fused with the ground, thick as a fortress wall. Its tail swayed like a battering ram.
"All of them are at the 7th Layer of the Heavenly Passage Realm," Chen Xuanming muttered. "We'll need to split them up."
"I'll take the crocodile," one core disciple said.
"Zhen Yun and I will handle the wolf," Chen Xuanming added.
"Tianyan," he looked over, "you're good with the ape?"
Tianyan gave a quiet nod.
No more words were needed.
In the next moment, spiritual energy burst out in all directions as the group launched into battle.
The gale wolf moved like a blur, wind slicing trees as Chen Xuanming's blade clashed against it, sparks flying. The Rockhide Crocodile held its ground, its thick hide resisting even direct attacks from the other core disciple.
And across the clearing, Tianyan faced the Flamebone Ape alone.
It roared and charged like a falling mountain.
Tianyan exhaled slowly. The blue flame from within him began to flicker faintly, spiraling around his arms.
Azureflame Breathing Art – 2nd Form.
He met the ape's charge head-on.
Their fists collided. Flame met burning bone. The resulting shockwave shattered the ground beneath them.
The ape was strong—but Tianyan was stronger. Calmly, step by step, he began to push it back.
The battle raged for only a minute more before Tianyan spun behind the creature and struck its back with a palm glowing with flame. The ape let out a deafening screech and crashed into a nearby boulder, stunned.
Just as the group was gaining control of the fight—
The air turned cold.
A low growl echoed from the shadows.
The ground cracked. Trees snapped.
A massive beast emerged, far larger and more fearsome than the rest.
A creature covered in obsidian-colored scales, with piercing violet eyes and a maw that dripped thick black mist—Abyssal Venommaw Beast.
Chen Xuanming's expression darkened.
"That's a 9th Layer Heavenly Passage Realm beast. It's not part of the original guardians!"
The other three beasts stopped fighting and stepped back, bowing toward the new arrival. It was the true guardian of the Emerald Soulgrass.
"This changes everything," one disciple murmured, backing away.
The Venommaw Beast's breath alone wilted the trees around it. Poisonous mist leaked from its nostrils, eating into stone and soil. Its claws were like curved blades, and its spiritual pressure weighed down the air.
It didn't attack the others.
It locked onto Tianyan.
Then, it moved.
With frightening speed, its tail lashed out at him. Tianyan dodged, barely avoiding the strike. The attack blew apart a section of ground behind him.
"You want me, then," Tianyan said, his voice low.
Inside, the Azureflame Dragon stirred.
"This one's blood is warped. It has long been poisoned, its mind shattered. It recognizes your bloodline… and fears it."
Tianyan raised his hand.
Blue flame gathered.
Primordial Dragonflame Sword – Partial Manifestation.
A half-formed blade of searing azure fire emerged.
With one fluid motion, he slashed forward, sending a wave of flame crashing toward the beast.
The Abyssal Venommaw Beast reeled from the heat but wasn't injured. It roared, enraged, its entire body glowing with black runes as venomous energy surged.
Chen Xuanming called out from afar. "We'll handle the other beasts—Tianyan, don't push yourself!"
But Tianyan didn't answer.
He stood alone, sword burning in hand, eyes calm like deep water.
And the real battle had just begun.