The scene was nothing short of a hell on earth.
It was guts spilling, blood spraying like fountains. Some were even still alive after being skewered by the earth spikes, screaming in agony. The sound of their cries was harrowing and filled with despair. The fear in their eyes as they looked at the giant python was overwhelming—no one could have imagined that such a terrifying serpent had been lurking in the shadows.
It was enormous and fiercely savage.
Its very appearance had unleashed a slaughter of terrifying magnitude.
The giant python was simply too terrifying. The aura it exuded crushed all hope of resistance—it was like a mountain pressing down on their heads, suffocating, even stopping their hearts from beating. The sheer pressure it gave off shattered people mentally before they could even think to resist. In front of this creature, humans were nothing but ants. Resistance wasn't even a thought—its presence alone was enough to cause complete collapse.
"A python! A giant python!"
"Run! That mysterious beast turned out to be a monstrous python! No wonder it needs several people for a single meal! If we don't run, we'll all be eaten!"
"Run! Split up and run! That python is unstoppable! It knows demonic arts—just a flick of its tail summoned those massive earth spikes from the ground! This is too terrifying!"
The civilians who had already escaped looked back, their eyes consumed by terror.
Without thinking, they screamed and fled wildly in all directions. The appearance of this python had pushed every person to their psychological breaking point. This wasn't just a beast—this was a monster, and now, it had gone completely berserk.
"Sheng, we can't kill this thing! We can't stop it! We have to escape!" Wu Guang's face turned pale. He had never imagined that such a monstrous python would appear.
"We can't escape together. We'll have to split up again. Only then do we have a chance of surviving its pursuit," Chen Sheng nodded, knowing this was an enemy they couldn't defeat. He looked at Wu Guang and said, "Guang, I'm sure we'll meet again. Last time we parted, we each gained new cultivation techniques. This time, when we meet again, we'll both be stronger."
"Alright, Sheng, take care. I believe neither of us will die—we will survive." Wu Guang nodded firmly.
At this point, splitting up was the only viable option. If they were caught together, they'd all perish.
The two didn't hesitate—each took a group of followers and fled in different directions, shouting to their people to scatter and run.
It wasn't just them. The other civilians who escaped from Lushan City were equally desperate—many wished their parents had given them more legs just to run faster. They sprinted for their lives.
Tens of thousands of people fleeing created a truly epic scene.
They fled in all directions, driven purely by instinct. Each route was filled with a large crowd.
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang took with them the largest groups, their followers naturally gravitating toward them due to their strong influence. Their numbers swelled rapidly, like a snowball rolling downhill.
ROAR!!
The giant python burst out of Lushan City, its eyes sweeping the surroundings. With a deafening roar, it picked a direction and gave chase. The fury emanating from its body seemed enough to set it ablaze.
...
Meanwhile, in Xuanhuang Town, changes were once again underway.
First, its territory expanded again. Centered around Yi Tianxing's residence, the town spread out in all directions, growing three to four times larger than before. Vast new areas were enclosed and constructed, giving it the scale of an ancient city.
In fact, it was no longer just a town—it was being built like a full-fledged city.
The new scale would easily accommodate over one hundred thousand residents.
This expansion was a result of multiple previous enlargements. After deliberations between Huang Chengyan, Master Lu, and others, they decided that if they were going to build, they might as well build big from the start. Though it would be harder to defend, Xuanhuang Town was filled with cultivators. In an emergency, everyone could become a soldier. Defense wouldn't be a problem. Many old structures were demolished and rebuilt.
They had great confidence in the future of Xuanhuang Town.
So this redesign preemptively enclosed all areas likely to be expanded in the future.
It was a "build once, build right" approach.
At least while still at the town level, no further expansion would be necessary.
With the construction of the new immortal town, the entire population became busy.
Some cleared land, some chopped wood. The dense forests surrounding the area were cut down to open more space. At present, the forest was too thick and too close to the settlement, posing a threat. Wild beasts and monsters could emerge at any moment. Clearing it would create a buffer zone for early warning.
At the same time, a new topic of discussion swept through the town.
"Have you heard? After upgrading Xuanhuang Village to a town, the lord is rewarding the soldiers who fought bravely—with Eternal Coins! From now on, that'll be our town's currency!"
"I heard that too. Every participating soldier received Eternal Coins and merit points. Those points can even be used for military rank promotions. Word is the Military Cabinet is drafting a new military system."
"Yeah, soldiers reportedly got at least five Eternal Coins each. Some even received over a dozen! And these coins are amazing—they're made from rare treasures and contain pure vital energy. They even triple your cultivation speed! Incredible stuff. Once Xuanhuang Town stabilizes, the lord plans to fully implement this currency."
"What I'm curious about is the new military system. I heard the lord proposed a new ranking system—a Nine-Tier Military Hierarchy. Details are still unclear."
The townsfolk chatted constantly while working.
There was always something to talk about. This time, the rewards and the debut of the Eternal Coin were major events. It marked the first official appearance of the Eternal Coin before the public—as a recognized currency. No wonder the town was abuzz.
Everyone cared deeply about currency.
After all, they hadn't come from a primitive world—they knew the importance of money. A single coin could ruin a hero. That wasn't just a saying.
The new military system was also hotly discussed.
The military was the shield protecting Xuanhuang Town.
Rumors had long circulated about a new military structure—vastly different from traditional systems.
"Hey, isn't that Dachengzi, who joined the army before? Why isn't he in training? And look at his new clothes!"
"He's heading toward Cuihua! What's he planning?"
A sturdy, brawny young man looked a bit nervous and hesitant, but also excited, as he walked step by step toward a girl in a flowery dress, squatting by the river and washing clothes.
The chatter around her made her look up in surprise, not expecting him to appear now—and dressed so properly.
"Dacheng, aren't you supposed to be training in the barracks? Why are you here?" she asked, brushing her hair from her forehead.
"Cuihua," Dachengzi stood before her, a bit clumsy but resolute, "Today, the lord gave us rewards. I got fifteen Eternal Coins. I want you to keep them."
"My mom always said—when you earn money, give it to your wife. I like you, Cuihua. I want you to be my wife."
Stumbling over his words, he still managed to say what he needed to say. His eyes were filled with fiery determination.
Cuihua blushed bright red. Seeing his nervous yet serious face, she snatched the coin pouch, covered her face, and ran off in a fluster.
Leaving him stunned.
"Dachengzi, why are you standing there like a fool? She took the coins—that means she accepts you! Go after her!"
"Yeah! She's been sweet on you for a while now! What are you waiting for?!"
The onlookers laughed and cheered.
Dachengzi finally snapped out of it, scratched his head with a goofy grin, and ran after her.
Scenes like this were becoming common in Xuanhuang Town.
Most residents were single—feelings naturally blossomed with time. Pursuing one another was only natural. It was the instinct of humanity to grow and reproduce. The pull between men and women is a law of nature.
Before long, Eternal Coins started spreading out from the military.
Beautiful and elegant, each coin was admired wherever it appeared. People instantly fell in love with them. They had never seen such exquisite currency before—it was like holding a piece of art.
Many couldn't even bring themselves to spend them.
They were simply too perfect. Too beautiful.
This anticipation only grew stronger—everyone was eager to see the Eternal Coin fully rolled out and circulating across the town.
The recognition of this currency had already taken root.
The people now saw Eternal Coins as real money.
And they fully believed in them.