By late night, Yang Linghu and Pan Yin found only devastation upon reaching the site.

They’d intended to make a final plea to persuade this person, but had arrived too late.

The lingering remnants of techniques in the settlement hinted at a brutal earlier clash.

Every cultivator here had perished—not a single survivor remained.

Severed limbs and mangled bodies littered the ground, none left intact.

The Xiaoyao Sect’s leader suffered the grisliest fate.

Only his upper torso remained, the lower half vanished.

His frozen expression still held the terror of his final moments.

Bite marks along the torn flesh suggested the monster had consumed him alive while he still breathed.

Pan Yin frowned at the carnage, her face grave.

She’d once fought this Xiaoyao Sect disciple to a draw—even ordinary Fourth Level cultivators couldn’t best him.

His death and the annihilation of all present meant the monster now possessed fifth-level Gathering Qi cultivation.

Traces indicated the creature had departed long after destroying this place.

Its path led toward another clan settlement.

That area would likely face identical destruction soon.

Pan Yin glanced at Yang Linghu with renewed gratitude.

Without his efforts to unite the factions, her Pan family might’ve shared this fate.

He’d shown sharp foresight, initiating the three settlements’ relocation immediately after Jin Qiang’s outpost fell to the avatar monster.

The process neared completion—over three hundred cultivators now gathered at the hidden treasure’s exit.

When the portal opened in three days, all could flee.

Such vision and boldness were rare in a Loose cultivator.

“Friend Yang,” Pan Yin ventured during their return journey, “have you considered staying in Qiulu after we escape?”

“The Mobei region’s vastness holds scarce resources. Cultivating alone’s arduous. Join my Pan family—we’ll provide full Support.”

“My thanks, Friend Pan. But I chafe at restrictions, and danger still looms. Let’s revisit this after escaping.”

Yang Linghu’s refusal was tactful yet firm.

His true motive for uniting the settlements was simpler—to protect Zhao Qi and Liang Yi.

Having volunteered to lead, he felt bound to return them safely to Song Mountain.

Preserving the cultivators served dual purposes:

First, slowing the monster’s advancement.

Second, ensuring enough fighters remained to overwhelm it through sheer numbers should it reach sixth-level Gathering Qi.

With this, more cultivators could escape instead of becoming nourishment for the monster’s advancement. He still kept two mountain-opening talismans as backup. As long as the creature hadn’t reached late-stage Gathering Qi, he still had chances to slay it.

“Friend Zhang speaks truth! This matter takes priority!” Pan Yin responded solemnly.

Half a day later, the two individuals returned to the hidden treasure’s entrance.

Cultivators now stood in different formations based on their practiced techniques, arranged to avoid friendly harm while maximizing their combined strength.

The following two days remained uneventful, the forest utterly still.

Yet Yang Linghu understood – the monster had withdrawn to make another breakthrough.

Just as predicted, during the second watch on the seventeenth night after the secret realm’s opening, terrifying roars shook the mountains.

The ground trembled moments later.

Dozens of illumination talismans flared, revealing countless crimson lights glowing in the undergrowth – not treasures, but the eyes of avatar snake people!

“Third-level Gathering Qi! All of them!”

This revelation spread tension through the cultivators, most being first or second-level practitioners. If mere clones possessed third-level power, how fearsome must the main body be?

As fear rippled through the crowd, a figure suddenly leaped forward, charging thrice into the woods and back.

Yang Linghu returned clutching three snake people heads. “Friends!” he bellowed, “Our survival hangs in balance! Hold your formations!”

He crushed a head underfoot. “These snake monsters appear fierce, but remain brainless beasts! I’ll stake my life battling them for Dao’s renewal! Who stands with me?”

“WE DO!”

“Death finds runners and fighters alike – let’s fight!”

“Right! Crush these stinking serpents!”

His rallying cry ignited their spirits just as the avatar snake people attacked.

Yang Linghu led the charge, with Pan Yin and Jin Qiang close behind. The cautious true monster, already at Gathering Qi’s sixth level, still tested them with clones first.

Hidden talismans rustled in Yang Linghu’s sleeves as he maintained vigilance.

Deep in shadowy woods, Dou Hong lay concealed. Once a cultivator himself, he knew sect disciples hid dangerous tricks. The smoldering shoulder wound from a black fire secret method proved it – had that attack struck his head…

“Let these clones drain their strength first,” he plotted. “When the exit opens and they relax… then I feast!”

Avatar assaults continued day and night.

Dawn of the third day brought spiritual energy fluctuations behind them.

“The exit’s opening!”

“Thank heavens! Fewer snakes too! We’re saved!”

Hope blossomed – then died as enormous scales crashed through trees.

A massive blur struck Yang Linghu first. Blood sprayed as he flew into distant woods.

Dou Hong’s ear-splitting shriek followed: “HAA——!”

The sonic assault battered minds, seas of consciousness churning.

Chaos followed.

Within Black Snake Secret Treasure, sixth-level power proved unstoppable. Cultivators fell like wheat before scythes, crushed without resistance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep