When will the opportunity begin?
Zhang Fan had already pondered this question. If his guess was correct, the cultivators from the Wushan Star Domain were the catalyst for the opportunity's commencement.
"Soon, it won't be long before they arrive."
Zhang Fan said softly, unconsciously revealing a murderous aura in his words, for he knew that when the opportunity began, it would surely be a bloody storm sweeping across the entire Earth.
For the cultivators of the Wushan Star Domain, it was an opportunity; for Earthlings, it was a disaster!
Xue Jing was a very clever person. He looked at Zhang Fan's expression and had some guesses in his heart.
"Master, you said earlier that Austin had cultivated a second-grade top-tier Golden Core because he obtained a companion flower of a Zi-Wu Yuan Guo from the land of opportunity. Does the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo companion flower truly have such a miraculous effect?" Xue Jing asked curiously.
Zhang Fan glanced at Xue Jing, understanding his thoughts, and couldn't help but smile. He nodded, "The Zi-Wu Yuan Guo companion flower does indeed have such an effect. It is influenced by the immortal energy of the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo and is born alongside it. Golden Core stage cultivators who consume and refine it can increase their Golden Core by one Dao pattern."
"However, a cultivator only experiences this effect when consuming the first flower. It is far inferior to the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo itself."
"How many companion flowers can one Zi-Wu Yuan Guo produce?"
Having received Zhang Fan's confirmation, Xue Jing suppressed his excitement and pressed on.
"Normally, it is a miracle if one companion flower grows around a Zi-Wu Yuan Guo. Growing two is basically impossible."
Hearing this, Xue Jing, who was initially excited, deflated.
With Zhang Fan present, he had long given up hope for the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo. He originally thought he would never achieve a first-grade Golden Core in this lifetime, but the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo companion flower had reignited his hope.
He was now a second-grade top-tier Golden Core. With the addition of just one Dao pattern, he could step into the ranks of a first-grade Golden Core.
Even if it was only a first-grade low-tier, it would be a vast improvement over second-grade top-tier.
But the spark of hope that had just been lit was ruthlessly extinguished by Zhang Fan's words.
"Second-grade is second-grade. As long as I can break my core and form an infant, survive the Ninefold Infant Tribulation and the Transformation Tribulation, and achieve the status of a Nascent Soul True Immortal, I can still stand proudly before my father!" Xue Jing vowed in his heart.
The Ninefold Infant Tribulation was incredibly difficult, and throughout the history of the Wushan Star Domain, very few cultivators had managed to survive it.
As for the Transformation Tribulation, it was the final hurdle to entering the Transformation Stage. Its difficulty could be gauged by the fact that in the Wushan Star Domain's million-year history, only True Immortal Zhi-Wu had successfully passed the Transformation Tribulation.
If the Ninefold Infant Tribulation was a one-in-nine chance of survival, then the Transformation Tribulation was a zero-in-ten chance.
Xue Jing's obsession with a first-grade Golden Core stemmed from the belief that only by becoming stronger in the Golden Core stage would he have a greater chance of surviving the Ninefold Infant Tribulation.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Fan smiled, seeing Xue Jing's expression of deep hatred and suffering.
"Nothing," Xue Jing said dejectedly.
"What I said just now describes the usual outcome," Zhang Fan said, staring at Xue Jing with a half-smile.
Xue Jing caught the deeper meaning in Zhang Fan's words and his eyes lit up. The spark of hope that had been extinguished by Zhang Fan reignited.
"What are the outcomes in unusual circumstances?" Xue Jing asked.
"As long as one masters the method of cultivating Zi-Wu Yuan Guo, one Zi-Wu Yuan Guo can produce up to three companion flowers!" After saying this, Zhang Fan glanced at Xue Jing and continued without further suspense, "Coincidentally, I know how to cultivate Zi-Wu Yuan Guo."
Although Zhang Fan's words were incredible, Xue Jing did not seem surprised at all.
The Zi-Wu Yuan Guo was a celestial tree unique to True Immortal Zhi-Wu. This tree had never appeared in the universe before. Before coming to Earth, he did not know what the opportunity left by True Immortal Zhi-Wu on Earth was.
However, Zhang Fan knew, and from his conversation with Austin, he understood that Zhang Fan was not lying.
Furthermore, what Xue Jing couldn't understand was that Zhang Fan referred to True Immortal Zhi-Wu by name from beginning to end, as if they were old friends. He had also mentioned that the current True Immortal Zhi-Wu might have already reached the level of a Dao Integration Immortal King.
...
"Perform well. If you have the talent and strength worthy of my cultivation, after I obtain the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo, I will consider cultivating one Zi-Wu Yuan Guo companion flower to bestow upon you." Zhang Fan patted Xue Jing's shoulder and then walked away.
Xue Jing stood frozen for several seconds before slowly regaining his senses. Hearing Zhang Fan's words, he seemed to already see himself achieving a first-grade Golden Core.
"In the days to come, I must cultivate diligently. If my cultivation cannot advance, I will earnestly comprehend the artistic conception and cultivate my divine abilities. In short, I will strive to improve by all means that can enhance my strength."
Xue Jing was determined. If cultivators from the Wushan Star Domain descended, he would be the most dazzling among the enemy slayers. He was determined to obtain the Zi-Wu Yuan Guo companion flower!
After leaving the Half-Moon Cave Mansion, Zhang Fan's divine sense spread out. His current divine sense was stronger than that of ordinary second-grade Golden Core cultivators, and the area within a radius of several hundred miles was within the scope of his divine consciousness.
To Zhang Fan's surprise, he discovered Lin Haotian and others in a forest dozens of miles away from Kunlong Mountain. The forest there was dense and sparsely populated, making it a good place for cultivation.
When Zhang Fan arrived with Xue Jing and others, Lin Haotian and Wu Chen Jian Xian were actually fighting. Both were peak Golden Core realm cultivators.
Lin Haotian practiced the path of body refinement, having achieved minor success in his Sacred Body. He wielded a pair of mid-grade spiritual treasures, the Flowing Fire Meteorite Hammers, and displayed a heavy hammer technique. Each hammer strike carried an irresistible force of heaven and earth. Even a peak Golden Core realm cultivator, if struck by him, would likely vomit blood and be severely injured.
Wu Chen Jian Xian, on the other hand, was a peak Golden Core realm cultivator who had already etched true intent. His strength was equally extraordinary. He wielded a Black Wood Sword, his sword techniques were ethereal and unpredictable, allowing him to easily find the weak points in Lin Haotian's attacks and neutralize his powerful force.
Both sides were fighting with all their might, leaving no room for maneuver. The trees within a radius of several kilometers were affected by the residual energy of the battle, turning into a flat expanse.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon, with its massive body, lay not far from the battle, comfortably observing the fight. The powerful residual impact had no effect on it.
"Haoyue Six Stars, First Form, Cloud Shattering Strike!"
Lin Haotian unleashed the first strike of the Haoyue Six Stars Hammer Technique. Flames surged from the Flowing Fire Meteorite Hammers, and as the giant hammers descended, boundless flames surged out, inundating Wu Chen Jian Xian.
"Break!"
Facing this fierce attack, Wu Chen Jian Xian did not choose to retreat. He gripped the Black Wood Sword tightly with both hands and slashed with all his might. Countless black shadows flickered, and the space seemed to split in two. The raging flames parted automatically, grazing past Wu Chen Jian Xian.
Dong!
The Black Wood Sword collided with the Flowing Fire Meteorite Hammers, and a violent wave of energy spread out, kicking up a vast cloud of dust and sand.
Lin Haotian remained motionless. Under this force, Wu Chen Jian Xian was forced back six steps, and the powerful impact caused his tiger's mouth to crack slightly.
"I never expected this kid to reach such a level of strength at such a young age. Even Wu Chen Jian Xian, who has etched Golden Core Dao patterns, is not his match. Such talent is a rare genius even in the Wushan Star Domain," Xue Jing exclaimed in admiration.
"His talent is indeed good, but defeating Wu Chen Jian Xian will likely still be somewhat difficult for him," Zhang Fan said, his gaze fixed on Wu Chen Jian Xian with a hint of satisfaction.
Lin Haotian, not giving him a chance to recover, pushed off the ground forcefully with both feet, leaping dozens of meters into the air.
"Second Form, Meteor Strike!"
Lin Haotian transformed into a falling star, wielding the Flowing Fire Meteorite Hammers, and directly smashed down towards Wu Chen Jian Xian!
"It's time to end this!"
Facing the charging Lin Haotian, Wu Chen Jian Xian did not choose to surrender. Although his tiger's mouth was already bleeding, he paid no attention to it. He gripped the sword-wielding hands even tighter.
"Heavenly Cleave!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian silently chanted. He too shot up into the air, holding the sword with both hands, and slashed forward fiercely!
Boundless sword energy spread out, traversing the entire sky, as if splitting the heavens in two!
Lin Haotian's twin hammers struck the sword energy. After a mere breath of resistance, the sharp sword light cleaved through his hammers and landed on Lin Haotian's body.
Lin Haotian's body flew backward, sent soaring hundreds of meters away before slowly coming to a halt.
...