Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”M-Master, did... did you really just kill it like that?”

Compared to the earth-shattering event on the third layer of the Sword Mansion, where all beasts submitted, the 2nd Layer was quiet and still.

Even though this Golden-winged Hairy Roc was the overlord of the 2nd Layer, its might was far inferior to its counterpart on the third layer.

The only one mourning it, surprisingly, was the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon right before him.

It had originally thought Yang Xiao would subdue this Hairy Roc, just as he had subdued it.

But it never expected this.

He had actually killed it.

At this moment, the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon’s awe and fear of Yang Xiao reached their Peak.

It was truly starting to panic.

Especially since it had plotted against Yang Xiao before.

”It’s just a mongrel Golden Roc. Killing it is no big deal. However, it still has the bloodline of a Golden Roc. Later, you are to purify and extract its bloodline for me. I have a use for it. Oh, and its wings. Leave them completely intact, understand?”

Yang Xiao spoke with an indifferent tone, showing no remorse whatsoever.

The bloodline of a Golden-winged Roc, while noble—no less so than a True Dragon’s bloodline, perhaps even slightly superior—was wasted on such an imbecile.

’What use would I have for it?’

’It’s better to just extract its bloodline and study its innate Secret Patterns.’

’That way, I get all the benefits and none of the trouble.’

This was especially true for Yang Xiao. As someone who had lived three lives, what kind of Divine Beast had he not seen in his previous two?

Why would he care about a mere Hairy Roc?

”Yes.”

This was the first time the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon had replied so respectfully.

It was clear that Yang Xiao’s earlier display of power had been effective.

It was a pleasant surprise for him.

Immediately, Yang Xiao retracted the Heaven-Fighting Divine Palace.

The Golden-winged Hairy Roc, which had been crushed, instantly reverted to its original form.

Its body was as massive as a mountain.

If Yang Xiao had to process it himself, it would have been quite a difficult task.

With his current strength, he probably couldn’t even tear off its hide.

However, it was a different story for the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon.

As a Barbarian Beast King of the same level, processing the corpse was a simple and easy task.

Moreover, Yang Xiao’s methods had made it discard its earlier condescension. It now worked with exceptional diligence.

’Indeed, the art of managing subordinates requires both kindness and authority. Kindness without authority breeds ungrateful backstabbers like Yang Lang. Authority without kindness only creates opportunists who will kick you when you’re down.’

Yang Xiao sighed softly.

With long strides, he walked into the Inheritance Valley.

His time...

...was running out.

So, without a second thought, Yang Xiao picked ten Desolate Divine Fruits and arrived before the Inheritance Tower.

Just as he was about to enter a state of Meditation, he suddenly remembered something.

’I wonder how Ziling and the others are doing on the 1st Layer? I’ve been away for a few days, which means ten days have passed on the 1st Layer. They must be worried, right?’

Thinking of this, Yang Xiao glanced at the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon outside, which was diligently processing the Golden-winged Hairy Roc.

He sent a message through the Master-Servant Slave Seal.

”Little Purple, can you get to the 1st Layer?”

”The 1st Layer? Master, I... I really can’t do that. With my power, if I tried to force my way through, the rules here would annihilate me.”

The Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon sounded a little embarrassed.

Yang Xiao sensed that the creature wasn’t lying and sighed inwardly.

’It seems I won’t be able to go back for a while.’

As for how the Celestial Cyan Snake’s parents were able to reach the 1st Layer before, it was likely due to their Talent Ability, and also because their strength was far inferior to the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon’s.

Through the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon, Yang Xiao had already sensed it.

The more powerful a being was, the stronger the restrictions placed upon it here.

A creature like the Purple-scaled Blood Horned Flood Dragon could, with great effort, make its way to the third layer.

But if it wanted to go to the 1st Layer...

...that would be courting death.

Unless it was willing to sever the majority of its own cultivation.

Then, it might have a chance of success.

But in that case, the losses would far outweigh the gains.

’Fortunately, with Senior Brother Yang Tian there, they shouldn’t run into any real trouble. At worst, they’ll just be stuck in the Inheritance Valley and won’t be able to leave.’

With that thought, Yang Xiao set his mind at ease.

He released his Spiritual Power.

It swept toward the six-story Inheritance Secret Tower before him.

He still started from the bottom and worked his way up.

Beginning with the 1st Layer.

This time, he didn’t know if it was because his Spiritual Power had grown stronger, or if the Inheritance Towers on higher floors were simply more detailed, but Yang Xiao discovered something.

The Time Secret Pattern of the 1st Layer, which had already been approaching Perfection, now had a few new variations.

His heart filled with joy.

He began to study them in detail.

Before long, his Spiritual Power had comprehended each of these new variations.

He started to study the 2nd Layer.

The 2nd Layer was just like the first, except it had even more new variations.

This provided him with a great deal of inspiration.

It gave Yang Xiao a deeper understanding of the Second Layer of the Time Secret Pattern.

And so, steadily and surely, Yang Xiao comprehended his way up to the third layer.

After spending the better part of half a day to fully comprehend the third layer, Yang Xiao began to tackle the 4th Layer.

And, using the same method as before, he planned to memorize all the Secret Patterns of the 4th Layer and engrave them in his mind.

But this time, he discovered something.

’It’s too vast! I never imagined the Fourth Layer of the Time Secret Pattern would incorporate so many mysteries of time. No wonder so few in this world can comprehend the Time Secret Pattern, and why those who do become so powerful. This... truly is worthy of being called the strongest of all Secret Patterns.’

A thought stirred in Yang Xiao’s mind.

He began to absorb the Secret Patterns above with even greater hunger and thirst.

Once he had memorized them, he would do as he had on the 1st Layer.

He would take out a Desolate Divine Fruit to help himself comprehend them as quickly as possible.

But just as Yang Xiao was making steady progress, Yang Ziling and the others, whom he had worried about earlier, had fallen into dire straits.

「In the Inheritance Valley with the one-story tower.」

Yang Tian, Yang Ziling, Zhang Mengfei, Yang Lin, and oh, there was one more person—it was Bing Xin.

Everyone who had entered with Yang Xiao, with the exception of Lu Fangliang, was gathered here.

However, they did not look well.

Yang Tian’s face was pale, and he seemed very weak.

There was blood at the corner of Yang Ziling’s mouth; she was clearly injured.

Zhang Mengfei was in an even worse state, having fainted completely.

The bones in his body were shattered, inch by inch.

He had suffered extremely grave injuries.

As for Bing Xin, she had no obvious injuries.

However, the aura around her seemed off. A powerful energy threatened to erupt from within her at any moment, and fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Her expression was grave.

And then there was Yang Lin.

He was probably in the best condition of them all.

But this was only because he was formed from the Qilin True Body, and was not a physical entity.

If it had been his real body, Yang Lin would probably already be dead.

And the cause of all this was none other than that ferocious and ugly Thousand-Winged Serpent Eagle, with a thousand pairs of wings on its back.

It had discovered the group.

And hunted them down.

If not for Yang Lin and Yang Tian desperately holding it back, and Zhang Mengfei’s suicidal last stand to buy them time, then I’m afraid not a single one of them would have survived.

Even now, Bing Xin’s and Zhang Mengfei’s conditions were extremely poor.

Especially Zhang Mengfei; the attack he took while holding the rear had damaged his very foundation.

If he didn’t receive treatment with Spirit Medicine, his chances of survival were slim, and he wouldn’t last more than a few days.

This made the few who were still conscious incredibly anxious.

They wished they could just charge out right now.

But...

...the Thousand-Winged Serpent Eagle was waiting right outside.

Who would dare go out?

Who *could* go out?