The sensation was like having part of his body torn away alive, with his very soul suffering severe backlash.

"Who?! Who dares?!"

The Holy Lord's voice was no longer calm, brimming with suppressed fury and a trace of fear even he hadn't noticed. 

The "Endless Testing Site" he had established was one of the Endless Life Sect's most secret techniques, utterly concealed. Each formation foundation was built around a fragment of his divine sense, supplemented by the faith of thousands of followers, layer upon layer of camouflage interlocking perfectly.

Even if a Foundation Establishment expert personally investigated, unless they specialized in formations, they wouldn't detect anything amiss in a short time.

Yet now, one of these formation foundations had been silently... purified?

Moreover, the method used wasn't traditional formation-breaking, but a purifying power originating from the earth's essence that he'd never encountered before - majestic and righteous, seeming like the natural enemy of all dark forces!

"Who could it be?"

"Could it... be those Li brothers?"

The thought had barely formed before he dismissed it himself. 

A natural expert and a minor official, even with some lucky encounters, could never possess such unfathomable methods. This surpassed the realm of "techniques" and approached the level of "Dao"!

"Unless..."

A chilling possibility surfaced in his mind.

"The dynasty's destiny! The Great Yu Dynasty's guardian immortals have intervened!"

The Holy Lord's face instantly turned deathly pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he recalled the ancient secrets passed down through generations of the sect.

The Great Yu Dynasty had stood unshaken for millennia not just through military might, but because behind it stood guardian immortals with cultivation reaching heaven and earth, their lifespans as long as gods. These ancient monsters normally remained hidden, but when anyone threatened the dynasty's foundation or disturbed its dragon energy and national fortune, they would emerge as protectors to eliminate all threats.

"Have they discovered us?!"

The more the Holy Lord thought, the more terrified he became, an unprecedented fear gripping his heart. 

A century of effort, his hope to break through to Foundation Establishment - all depended on this "Endless Testing Site." If destroyed, not only would all his work be wasted and his cultivation regress, but the backlash of destiny might damage his foundation, leaving him permanently stuck!

"No! I won't wait for death!"

"Recall the Lotus Envoys immediately to investigate!"

Years of caution led the Holy Lord to make an instant decision. Regardless of the source of this anomaly, he'd summon the sect's experts back to defend while investigating the cause - adapting to the changing situation with constancy!

Meanwhile, thirty li outside Yunshui County on an official road.

Two ghostly figures raced toward Yunshui County in tandem.

The leader wore black robes, his form blending into the shadows as if one with the night - the Black Lotus Envoy. Close behind was a seductive green-robed woman whose every step seemed to make lotuses bloom - the Green Lotus Envoy.

"Black Lotus, isn't the Holy Lord overreacting with this order?" The Green Lotus Envoy covered her mouth with a tinkling laugh, her voice dripping with allure. "A minor family actually requires both of us? Wouldn't people laugh themselves silly hearing this?"

"We obey the Holy Lord's commands." The Black Lotus Envoy's voice was hoarse and emotionless.

"Fine." The Green Lotus Envoy stretched lazily, her curves particularly enticing under moonlight. "Consider it a stroll. But remember - the Li family's men are yours, the women mine. My newly practiced 'Feminine Soul-Draining Art' needs some good cauldrons."

The Black Lotus Envoy remained silent, only increasing his speed.

But before reaching Peach Blossom Village, urgent messages arrived one after another.

"By Holy Lord's order, return immediately!"

"By Holy Lord's order, return immediately!!"

Each summons grew more urgent than the last.

Green and Black Lotus exchanged shocked glances - changing orders like this wasn't the Holy Lord's style! What major event had occurred in the sect?!

The Emerald Dream - this was the spiritual home belonging solely to nature's guardians in the Druid inheritance.

Li Pingcan re-entered the dream, sensing the pollution. Perhaps his awakening of the Emerald Dream wasn't coincidence, but the earth crying for help to a Druid.

He'd originally thought cultivating immortality sought longevity to protect his family. 

But protecting nature meant protecting all life. 

This... was his "Dao."

His consciousness spread like an invisible net, instantly covering Yunshui County's dream territory. Following the twisted pollution, he began a swift "cleanup."

Dragon Spring Town, Flat Peach Town, Cloudfall Town...

Over months, one polluted node after another was purified under [Divine Blessing of Nature]'s radiance. With each purification, the Emerald Dream expanded, and another patch of land regained vitality in reality.

Dry riverbeds flowed with clear water again, withered trees sprouted new buds, dying fish leaped from water to breathe long-missed fresh air.

All creatures cheered with pure joy, which in turn became pristine energy continuously feeding the Emerald Dream and nourishing Li Pingcan's soul. His spiritual sense grew at an unbelievable rate.

And this... thoroughly enraged the Holy Lord.

With each purification, the Holy Lord suffered a heavy blow in reality.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

On his bone-white lotus throne, the Holy Lord spat mouthfuls of blood, his face paper-white, aura withered to its limit.

"Damn it! Damn it all!"

His formation foundations were being uprooted one by one. The agony of his soul being repeatedly torn nearly made him faint.

Now he was certain - this wasn't the work of any guardian immortal!

Guardian immortals would strike like thunderbolts, attacking directly. Who would use this "gentle rain" method to slowly purify his site inch by inch?

This was utter humiliation!

An incomprehensible method grinding his life's work and pride into dust!

"Who... WHO IS IT?! Haven't those useless Green and Black Lotuses found out yet?!"

Disheveled, the Holy Lord roared like a beast, none of his usual icy composure remaining.

He was completely panicked.

Unable to stop it, forced to watch his life's work being nibbled away - this helplessness was driving him mad.

He didn't know his opponent came from no mighty sect, wasn't any dynasty's immortal, but a nameless youth he'd never deemed worth noticing.

.........

The Green and Black Lotuses the Holy Lord cursed were staring at the compass in their hands, where lights representing formation foundations were extinguishing at terrifying speed!

"What?!"

Their faces changed dramatically as they exclaimed simultaneously.

"Dragon Spring Town's foundation - gone!"

"Flat Peach Town's too!"

"Rolling Stone Town, Cloudfall Town... all gone! How is this possible?!"

They exchanged horrified glances, seeing undisguised terror in each other's eyes.

This wasn't simple discovery and destruction - this was complete annihilation!

Their opponent seemed to know all their arrangements, precisely uprooting each formation point with thunderous momentum.

Just then, a bloody streak of light tore through the night sky, landing before the Black Lotus Envoy as a talisman burning with crimson flames.

"Highest-level message talisman?!"

Both changed expression, not daring to delay, immediately probing it with their spiritual sense.

The next instant, both froze in place.

The talisman's command was simple and urgent:

"At all costs, attack Yunshui County office!"

After a silence.

"We obey the Holy Lord!" Black Lotus' eyes gleamed savagely. "They're weakening us one by one. Continuing like this, we'll lose even the chance to resist!"

"You mean..." Green Lotus looked at him.

"All or nothing!" Black Lotus enunciated each word grimly. "Gather all power at the county office's core formation! At any cost, activate the testing site early! If we can corrupt the county's earth veins, we can use Yunshui County's destiny backlash to fight back!"

"Madness! You'd completely break with local authorities!" Green Lotus gasped.

"Do we have a choice?" Black Lotus retorted. "Either flee like dogs now and face the Holy Lord's wrath, or gamble everything here for a chance!"

Green Lotus fell silent. 

If all formations were destroyed, they'd die too.

Finally, her beautiful face showed a sick fanaticism.

"Fine! We gamble!"

At their command, all hidden Endless Life Sect members swarmed out.

No longer hiding, they rushed toward Yunshui County like rabid dogs unleashed!

Green and Black Lotus exchanged glances, then transformed into ghostly shadows streaking toward the county office.

Before they could approach, a tall, sturdy figure blocked their path.

Clad in county official uniform with resolute features - it was Li Pingfu, who'd received news of the sect's movements!

"Now that you're here... stay."

Li Pingfu's voice was steady and powerful, his natural expert's vigorous blood qi like a volcano about to erupt.

"A natural expert?"

Black Lotus' pupils contracted. Intelligence said Li Pingfu had only recently entered this realm, yet this man's aura was overwhelmingly solid - clearly a fully stabilized natural master!

"Just a martial artist putting on airs!"

Green Lotus sneered. She'd always scorned so-called martial artists. In her view, no matter how strong, they were mundane compared to immortal techniques.

Her eyes seductive, she cooed: "Officer, we've no quarrel. Why fight? Withdraw, and I'll reward you handsomely."

As she spoke, she secretly formed hand seals. Invisible pink mist drifted from her sleeves toward Li Pingfu - her signature "Bone-Melting Soul-Draining Fragrance," colorless and odorless. Even iron-willed men would become putty in her hands after inhaling it.

Yet Li Pingfu ignored her, locking eyes with Black Lotus as he said coldly: "For Miao Kai's sake, I'll collect interest from you first!"

Without warning, he moved!

His foot stamped down, leaving a shallow crater in solid stone as he shot forth like a cannonball with unstoppable momentum straight at Black Lotus!

"Seeking death!"

Black Lotus was shocked and furious. This martial artist attacked without hesitation, completely flipping their usual script.

Panicked, he formed hand seals, summoning a shield of black malign energy.

"Boom!"

Li Pingfu's fist collided with the black shield!

With a crisp "crack," the seemingly solid shield shattered like paper under Li Pingfu's overwhelming natural true force!

Black Lotus grunted, forced back by the tremendous impact, his blood qi roiling.

Green Lotus turned pale.

Her proud fragrance was blown back by the violent punch's wind before it could even reach Li Pingfu!

"Impossible!" She couldn't believe this martial artist's blood qi was so intensely yang and domineering it repelled all evil!

"Together! Finish this fast!" Black Lotus barked, realizing they'd met their match.

He waved his hands, sending two ink-black chains like venomous snakes hissing through air to entangle Li Pingfu's limbs from different angles.

Green Lotus abandoned her contempt, hands flashing as she launched crescent-shaped wind blades sealing all escape routes, each strike aimed lethally.

Facing two Qi Refining mid-stage cultivators' combined assault, Li Pingfu showed no fear. Instead, he roared to the skies like a tiger shaking the mountains.

"Spellcasters? Perfect!"

Instead of retreating, he advanced, arms spreading as the Five Spirit Play—Tiger Form's essence erupted. A savage, domineering aura surged skyward as he actually caught the incoming chains with his bare arms!

"Bang!"

The chains' yin energy clashed with Li Pingfu's protective true force in explosive bursts.

Simultaneously, he sank low, Five Spirit Play—Bear Form's stability taking root. The razor wind blades struck his body with metallic clangs but failed to even scratch his skin!

"This is absurd!" Green Lotus gaped. Her blades could slice refined iron, yet they barely tickled this martial artist?

She didn't know Li Pingcan had anticipated the sect's counterattack, enhancing the entire Li family with upgraded resistance - Element Absorption!

"Break!"

Li Pingfu bellowed, his bulging muscles unleashing peak Divine Martial Realm power.

With a "snap," the refined iron chains shattered under raw strength!

The rebounding chains struck Black Lotus' chest!

"Gah!"

Black Lotus spat blood, his eyes filled with horror.

Never had he imagined a martial artist could be this powerful!

Withstanding spells barehanded, breaking treasures with brute strength - this shattered all his understanding of martial artists!

Seizing the advantage, Li Pingfu activated Five Spirit Play—Crane Form's lightness, becoming feather-light as he closed in on the terrified Green Lotus.

"No!" Green Lotus felt scorching wind blast her face, her soul nearly fleeing in panic as she scrambled back.

But how could she match Li Pingfu's speed?

An iron vice-like hand already gripped her slender neck.

"Let... go..." Green Lotus' eyes filled with terror. All her charms and poisons were useless before absolute power.

"Next life, choose better."

Li Pingfu showed no mercy.

"Crunch!"

A crisp sound, and the beautiful head lolled at an unnatural angle. The enchantress who'd haunted countless men's dreams perished just like that.

"Green Lotus!"

Black Lotus' eyes nearly burst from their sockets. In mere breaths, the situation had reversed completely with his companion dead.

Unprecedented fear and rage overwhelmed his reason.

"I'll die with you!"

With a despairing howl, he recklessly burned his essence blood, black energy erupting as he shot toward the county office.

He'd seize the chance to activate the final "White Lotus Inheritance" fragment!

"Don't even think it!"

Li Pingfu wouldn't allow it!

Five Spirit Play—Monkey Form sent him leaping after Black Lotus, a fist filled with boundless rage aimed at his back.

But suddenly, extreme danger prickled Li Pingfu's senses. He instinctively retreated as a wind blade sharp enough to slice iron flashed through where he'd been!

"An ambushing cultivator!"

Li Pingfu's heart raced, but he had no time to think. That momentary delay made catching Black Lotus impossible now!

With a mad laugh, Black Lotus slammed the dark fragment into the earth vein node!

"Too late! All too late!"

Black Lotus' face twisted manically. "The testing site is complete! Soon all Yunshui County will become our pasture! You'll all die! All will accompany Green Lotus!"

As he laughed, the entire earth trembled violently.

A frigid, despairing, rotten aura spread like plague through Yunshui County!

The Endless Testing Site had been forcibly activated!