Desperation.

Alex easily slipped past the people who were already within the Tower.

Stepping outside, he was greeted by absolute chaos. No one could distinguish friend from foe; the battle was a melee of confusion. The once-superior Disciples from his sect had fallen repeatedly. Out of the initial 100 disciples capable of challenging more than 10 from the opposing sect, only 30 stood unwavering.

Alex sighed at the lack of teamwork displayed amidst this recklessness.

His path led him to Chang Li. Prior to the eruption of chaos, he had discreetly placed an energy marker on Chang Li, a sort of tracking device.

As he soared, believing himself unseen, an observer on the tower's peak noted his departure.

--

From his vantage, Old Chang observed Alex's departure with a knowing smile. Alex was never in true peril; Old Chang would intervene the instant death seemed imminent. Alex would then feel indebted to Old Chang, creating a tie that would bind him to the sect and cultivate loyalty.

At least, that's how Old Chang had thought it would play out.

Surprise flickered as he sensed the energy Alex emitted upon his breakthrough. "It appears someone within the sect concealed their true potential... How intriguing," Old Chang mused, excitement growing.

Before he could share his revelation, he turned to Yan Feng, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. "Our discussion concludes. Your fate is annihilation. Now, let us do what is right!" His grin twisted into a maniacal expression as he unleashed his full power.

Crackling with golden lightning, Old Chang's form became a tempest of energy.

Yan Feng's shock multiplied as he witnessed the pillar's destruction, Grand Elder Li's demise, Alex's escape, the broken formation, and finally, Old Chang's transformed state.

"Wait! We should di—" Yan Feng's words were cut off as Old Chang's fist connected.

With a resounding impact, Yan Feng was hurled backward, crashing into the mountain.

Agony filled Yan Feng as he spat blood upon impact, his internal organs in disarray, his nose broken.

Mocking, Old Chang called from the peak, "Already felled by a mere tap? Have you no endurance, i thought i didn't use any technique... was i mistaken?"

Amidst his desire to taunt further, Old Chang's gaze shifted skyward. "Ah, insects have revealed themselves," he commented, a smile curving his lips.

In the clouds stood twelve figures. One, a regular man with brown hair and golden eyes, seemed playfully amused. The remaining elders seemed conventional, save for a burly, rock-like figure and an exceptionally unique youth with rainbow eyes and a pallid complexion. Clad in white cloaks, they peered down.

"Greetings, Grand Elder Chang Huo—," the playful one began before being interrupted.

"[Golden Dragon Fist]"

A resounding roar accompanied Old Chang's punch, the golden energy taking the form of a Chinese dragon ascending the sky.

The twelve's expressions shifted.

"Huo!" The playful one's tone shifted, urgently addressing the rock-like figure.

"Hm!" The rock-like man stepped forward, intercepting the attack.

Explosion echoed through the sky, a shockwave carving a crater below.

"Cough... Cough... Cough..." Huo emerged, his rock form battered but unbroken.

"Such audacity! To attack without prior discourse, Old Man! Has senility claimed you, or have you forgotten Manners???" The playful facade vanished from Golden eyed youth., replaced with anger.

Undeterred, Old Chang smirked and ascended. "Lan... I did wonder how you established such a stable formation hastily... Celestial Heaven Manor." His gaze lingered on the white-cloaked figures, particularly the rainbow-eyed youth.

"Hahaha, you remain sound, Golden Slayer Huanglong." Yan addressed the Old Chang. a quite a spark of respect could be seen from his expression.

(Author's Notes: "Huanglong" means "Golden Dragon" in Chinese.)

"A name of old indeed. I now seek answers, brats. Why are you here?" Old Chang inquired, wary of their unexpected arrival. The agreement between Devil Cultivators and Central Continent, while long-standing, he hadn't anticipated this event, this agreement was that Devil Cultivators would never invade Central Continent while Central Continent would never invade Eastern Continent.. In the past, Devil Cultivators were used by Central Continent to disrupt the balance if they wanted to actually cause some trouble, they never dared to come by. themselves.

"Answers shall elude you for now, Old Man. Our plan A failed, prompting exposure. What force broke our formation?" Lan's composure wavered, they wanted Old Chang to surrender, this scenario being improbable. Still, if surrender could be secured without a fight, it would be a major victory.

"I do not know," Old Chang replied coldly, his energy building.

Yan Feng interjected, "Perhaps a disciple of yours? if not we will have to find him or whoever it is and kill it most definetely, looks like another thing to do here"

A stillness settled over Old Chang as everything came to a screeching halt... Like time stopped everything stopped.

Rainbow-eyed Huanglong sensed something, his eyes widening. He materialized before Old Chang, but...

BOOM!

An aura radiated, one of suppression, emanating from Old Chang. This was no disciple-scaring trick; this was genuine power.

Except for three, all vanished all the elders were turned into nothingness, consumed by the aura. The remaining three suffered severe injuries. they looked absolutely battered filled with injuries, Rainbow guy was also injured... he was breathing hard and his hand was completely broken, completely broken.

Dark clouds coalesced, a punitive presence from the heavens, accompanied by thunder.

"Impossible! You broke through the Quasi-Transcendent Realm!" Lan trembled as he beheld the scene, a tribulation faced by Cultivators.

"Yes, I have broken through," Old Chang declared, his voice chilling.

"Restriction!" Lan stammered, pointing out the breach.

"HAHAHAHA! So this is what Central Continent teaches? That Devil Cultivators are weaklings? We, the weaklings who can't resist? That restriction? It was shattered long ago by our founder after the war!" Old Chang's facade dissolved into madness.

"Your superiors knew, yet dispatched you. Trash, to be discarded. Let the reckoning commence! You, with the mesmerizing eyes, it matters not why you're here." Old Chang braced, employing a technique.

"Death is your sole destiny!" he laughed, and...

"[Golden Dragon's Apocalypse]."

Time halted, then...

BOOM!

End of Chapter.