With one step, Zhang Fan appeared beside the Zi Wu Yuan Guo. The Rainbow Eyed Sky Parrot King, cloaked in seven-colored feathers, circled and cried above the Zi Wu Yuan Guo, its calls filled with reluctance, yet it did not stop Zhang Fan.
By guarding the spirit fruit, the Rainbow Eyed Sky Parrot King could also receive feedback from it, absorbing a trace of its spiritual energy to enhance its own strength.
If the Zi Wu Yuan Guo were to be plucked, its future strength improvement would become extremely slow, for within this immortal mansion, the Zi Wu Yuan Guo was the most powerful spirit fruit.
"Don't worry, I will compensate you."
Zhang Fan looked up at the Rainbow Eyed Sky Parrot King and said softly.
Then, Zhang Fan grasped the Zi Wu Yuan Guo and pulled gently…
Instantly, countless transparent threads appeared, entwining the Zi Wu Yuan Guo as if countless shackles bound it. Zhang Fan exerted one-tenth of his strength but could not move it, surprising him.
After his divine body reached minor accomplishment, Zhang Fan’s full strength was enough to move a hundred-zhang tall mountain. Even one-tenth of his strength was terrifying, yet it couldn't shake the Zi Wu Yuan Guo in the slightest.
Just as Zhang Fan was about to increase the force in his hands, the golden light artifact spirit’s voice echoed in his ears.
"Master, this is the core of the封禁大阵 (fēngjìn dàzhèn - sealing formation). The old master used the Zi Wu Yuan Guo as the core to seal the entire Milky Way, preventing Nascent Soul Heavenly Immortals from entering. To take the Zi Wu Yuan Guo, the sealing formation must be dismantled first."
"However, Master, you must know that the moment you dismantle the sealing formation, Nascent Soul Heavenly Immortals from outside the Milky Way can freely enter. Perhaps some powerful Nascent Soul Heavenly Immortals will not care about the opportunities left by the old master, but there are still some greedy ones who will covet them. Master needs to think clearly about when to dismantle the sealing formation."
The golden light artifact spirit descended beside Zhang Fan and said solemnly.
"I have already thought it through."
Zhang Fan, controlling the immortal mansion and mobilizing its power, instantly dismantled the sealing formation. The countless shackles that had entangled the Zi Wu Yuan Guo slowly dissipated.
Concurrently, the invisible sealing formation that enveloped the entire Milky Way vanished without a trace.
…
Three light-years away from the Milky Way, there was a planet named Black Flame Star. This planet was tens of times larger than Earth. Lava flowed endlessly on its surface, and volcanoes erupted without pause. From a distance, Black Flame Star resembled a planet shrouded in flames.
On Black Flame Star, the demon race were the masters. The entire planet was ruled by a black flame eagle that called itself the Black Flame King. Human cultivators generally held a low status. Those who did not reach the Golden Core realm were merely enslaved. Only those who cultivated to the Golden Core realm were qualified to become generals under the Black Flame King.
The Black Flame King was a powerful monstrous beast that had survived four tribulations of the Nascent Soul realm. It was not listed on the Heavenly Rankings of the Wu Shan Star Domain, not because it was not powerful enough, but simply because it kept a low profile and rarely displayed its strength to the outside world.
With such immense power, it chose to reside in a remote corner, all for the opportunity left by the Zi Wu True Immortal.
When the news spread that the Zi Wu True Immortal had left an opportunity in the Milky Way, many Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the Wu Shan Star Domain had come to investigate. Although they knew they could not enter the Milky Way after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, they were unwilling to not investigate personally.
The Black Flame King was the first Nascent Soul stage powerhouse to investigate at the time. However, after failing to enter the Milky Way, it did not leave but chose to wait there.
Nascent Soul stage cultivators already had extremely long lifespans, and as a demon, the Black Flame King’s lifespan was several times longer than that of human Nascent Soul stage cultivators, so it waited with great patience.
The Black Flame King occupied a planet three light-years away from the Milky Way, naming it Black Flame Star. It built its forces here, patiently awaiting the dissolution of the sealing formation.
It always believed that no matter how miraculous the Zi Wu True Immortal's methods were, the sealing formation would eventually disappear. Even if the sealing formation did not disappear, Black Flame Star was a necessary path back to the Wu Shan Star Domain. If anyone obtained the opportunity and returned, it could intercept them here.
At the edge of the Milky Way, several teams of Golden Core stage cultivators were stationed, including both demon and human cultivators, all belonging to the Black Flame King's subordinates.
The Black Flame King had not dispatched them to search for opportunities but chose to wait, for it understood clearly that when it came to vying for opportunities, the cultivators it had nurtured were far inferior to the elites from the Wu Shan Star Domain.
Since that was the case, it was better to wait here like a hunter waiting for its prey.
In the fringe areas of the Milky Way, there was a debris belt formed by countless asteroids, flowing like a river in the star river. Within this debris belt, a Golden Core stage team under the Black Flame King was stationed.
"Seven hundred years have already passed. I still have to guard here for another three hundred years before I can leave this place. I truly don't know when this sealing formation will be lifted."
A human Golden Core stage cultivator with a battle axe strapped to his back lamented. Since becoming a Golden Core stage cultivator, he had been assigned to accompany the team to guard the debris belt, not only to monitor the sealing formation but also to check on cultivators leaving the Milky Way.
A transparent film stretched across the sky, which he could pass through freely. The film did not pose any obstruction to him.
"The Zi Wu True Immortal's methods are truly miraculous. A mere transparent film can block powerful Nascent Soul stage cultivators, and it covers the entire star system."
A tiger-headed demon next to him exclaimed. Although they were from different races, here, they only valued strength. As long as one had strength, they would earn respect.
In the debris belt, there was no day or night, only an endless expanse of star river. They had been stationed here for hundreds of years, spending their time cultivating or sparring with companions. If not for their strong mental fortitude, they would have gone mad long ago.
In the calm starry sky, a crisp sound suddenly rang out, like a popping bubble. Although the sound was faint, all the Golden Core stage powerhouses present heard it clearly.
As they were about to investigate the source of the sound, the human cultivator with the battle axe on his back suddenly noticed that the film spanning the sky had disappeared.
"The sealing formation is gone!"
The human cultivator transmitted his divine sense, his voice echoing in the minds of his companions. Immediately, they showed signs of excitement, took out their mirror stones, and communicated with their companions far away on Black Flame Star.
In less than half an hour, this news, passed through layers of communication, reached the Black Flame King's ears.
"Haha, after a thousand years of waiting, this sealing formation has finally dissipated. I, Black Flame, am determined to obtain this opportunity!"
The Black Flame King's true form was a black flame eagle. Its entirely black, steel-like feathers were adorned with wisps of burning flame, further increasing the already high temperature around it. Its sharp roars echoed throughout Black Flame Star, causing the demons under its command to let out excited roars as well.
…