The golden crane's eyes gleamed with wisdom; it seemed to be experiencing an unprecedented transformation. Its head gradually rose, its neck stretched out more gracefully, and its golden feathers, like streaks of golden light, exuded a captivating aura.

Moreover, the golden crane's body gradually became transparent, yet it did not lose its substantial presence. This transparent body seemed to contain a mysterious power; the patterns on its surface began to shimmer, as if some ancient runes were awakening at this moment.

Gradually, the golden crane's body grew larger, its wings blossoming with golden flowers, its form resembling a golden dragon, radiating unparalleled majesty. It had completed its evolution, no longer an ordinary demonic beast, but a majestic spirit beast, a being isolated from the world.

The golden crane opened its beak slightly and let out a loud cry. This was no longer an ordinary call, but a song with profound meaning. It seemed to be announcing its rebirth and the awakening of its power.

In an instant, Qin Ze appeared beside Jin He, standing atop Mount Hua, their eyes locked in a gaze. Jin He sensed Qin Ze's powerful aura and immediately raised its head warily, its sharp eagle eyes revealing alertness. However, upon perceiving Qin Ze's unfathomable strength, it immediately lowered its guard, bowing its head with eyes filled with respect.

Qin Ze gazed at the golden crane before him, astonished that it had reached the Grandmaster level in its first evolution. He smiled and said to the golden crane, "Would you like to come with me?" The golden crane seemed to understand Qin Ze's words and nodded gently, indicating its agreement.

Qin Ze took out a special spiritual treasure from his spatial ring, a treasure called the Golden Crane Needle. This needle could penetrate anything, perfectly complementing the golden crane before him. The Golden Crane Needle floated in Qin Ze's hand, automatically recognizing the golden crane as its master, and then transformed into a golden light, flying into the golden crane's eye.

Qin Ze nodded the golden crane's head, and the crane immediately understood its master's wish. Its massive body instantly began to undergo a wondrous transformation. The originally dazzling golden crane gradually expanded, its body elongated, and its magnificent feathers shimmered with soft colors in the light, making it resemble a divine beast.

To everyone's astonishment, the golden crane's body continued to expand, growing several meters, then tens of meters, until in the blink of an eye it had transformed into a towering crane reaching into the clouds. Its wings were as broad as clouds, radiating a powerful aura, as if it were a god who ruled over heaven and earth.

With a light leap, Qin Ze, like a banished immortal, climbed onto the back of the golden crane.

He said to Jinhe, "Take me to Changbai Mountain. There are faint disturbances of spiritual energy there, and something interesting might happen."

The golden crane seemed to understand its master's intention. With a long cry, it spread its wings, took flight, and sped towards Changbai Mountain. Its speed was astonishing; in the blink of an eye, it had already reached the summit of Changbai Mountain.

However, Qin Ze was not the only one who had arrived here. With the resurgence of spiritual energy, ordinary mortals had also gained the status of cultivators. These young talents were recognized as the new generation of cultivators on Earth. They were selected as the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends, and the third and seventh ranked individuals happened to be gathered here at Changbai Mountain.

Yang Hen, ranked third, and Zhang Du, ranked seventh, met in the dense forest of Changbai Mountain. Their eyes met, filled with hostility. They both knew that deep within this forest lay a spiritual fruit, its value self-evident, a tremendous aid to cultivators.

Yang's eyes flashed with a fierce light: "Zhang Du, I advise you not to be greedy anymore. This spiritual fruit is mine alone!"

Zhang sneered, "Yang Hen, you're incredibly arrogant! I won't back down; this spiritual fruit is mine!"

Yang sneered, "Oh, you think you can get everything just because you're invincible with your poisonous hands? Don't forget, I'm the third on the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Ranking. What are you?"

Zhang Du was furious: "Don't think you're so great just because you have a ranking, Yang Hen! If you don't know what's good for you, today is your death day!"

Yang said resolutely, "Bring it on, Zhang Du! I'll show you who the real powerhouse is!"

In the dense forests of Changbai Mountain, the battle between Yang Hen and Zhang Du was like a clash of thunder, each punch landing with brutal force, merciless and intense.

Yang roared furiously, "That's enough, Zhang Du!"

Yang Hen threw a punch at Zhang Du's face with astonishing speed, but Zhang Du was equally skilled. He dodged Yang Hen's punch and counterattacked simultaneously. A series of rapid moves followed one after another, the wind whistling through the air, the momentum fierce.

Zhang Du sneered: "You're still too green to defeat me!"

Zhang Du's techniques were ruthless. He struck Yang Hen's shoulder with a palm strike, but Yang Hen dodged to the side and swung his right leg, kicking Zhang Du in the chest. The two men's moves were incredibly swift, and each collision caused an explosion of air, felling trees and shaking the ground.

Yang roared fiercely, "Don't think your poison skills can scare me!"

Yang Hen roared, unleashing tremendous power from his entire body. His fist transformed into a bolt of lightning, striking Zhang Du squarely in the abdomen. Zhang Du groaned, sent flying, crashing into a massive tree trunk, branches falling to the ground.

Zhang Du's face was full of viciousness: "I haven't even gotten serious yet!"

Zhang Du stood up, a wisp of poisonous gas enveloping him, his eyes growing even colder. He flicked his finger, sending a deadly poison needle hurtling towards Yang Hen. Yang Hen hastily dodged, but the needle was incredibly fast, slicing through the air as it hurtled towards him.

The battle between the two reached a fever pitch, with every punch landing hard and every palm strike carrying poison, filling the air with intense killing intent and toxic fumes.

Yang Hen's fists rained down on Zhang Du like a storm, fierce and swift. Each punch carried destructive power, tearing the air apart and producing a deep roar.

Yang roared furiously, "Zhang Du, your poison skills are useless against me!"

Yang Hen's strength gave him the upper hand; he displayed the power of a top-tier master, every move threatening. However, he was unaware that Zhang Du possessed even more insidious methods.

Zhang Du sneered, "What a rigid fellow."

Zhang Du's figure flashed, nimbly dodging Yang Hen's punches. His body moved like a serpent, weaving through the forest. He suddenly stopped, a hidden weapon appearing in his hand. A poisoned needle flew out, and Yang Hen, unable to dodge in time, was struck in the shoulder by one of the needles.

Yang cried out in pain, "Damn it!"

Yang Hen felt a powerful poison corroding his body; his face turned pale, and his strength began to rapidly diminish. Seeing an opportunity, Zhang Du launched a swift attack, knowing it was time to win.

Zhang Du's cold smile: "Poisoned, aren't you, Yang Hen? Do you feel your power gradually draining away?"