The gluttonous maw, like a bottomless abyss, could not escape the devouring force. Nearly a hundred Nascent Soul stage cultivators, regardless of their strength, were all swallowed into the giant maw of the Taotie in the horrified gaze of the onlookers.
The life's worth of Dao cultivation and blood essence of nearly a hundred Nascent Soul stage cultivators were refined by the Taotie into a mighty and pure energy, which then gushed out from its maw like a cascading waterfall, pouring into Zhang Fan's body.
Facing such a massive energy surge, any cultivator with insufficient cultivation or a weak physique would have exploded in an instant. However, Zhang Fan, whose divine body had achieved near-perfection, only felt an immense comfort throughout his body. Every meridian within him operated at its peak, madly absorbing and refining this surge of energy.
Already at the peak of the Eighth Tribulation realm, his aura ascended steadily, relentlessly approaching the Ninth Tribulation realm.
At a certain moment, the white immortal infant within him finally reached the limit of the Eighth Tribulation realm. Zhang Fan felt his soul tremble, as if the shackles within him had been broken, and his aura ascended once more.
"Such a powerful aura, is he truly only at the Eighth Tribulation realm?" Canglan Mingyue, looking at Zhang Fan whose aura was like a sea and whose might was overwhelming, felt her pride shattered. Recalling her master's teachings during the transmission of power, she felt a profound realization.
"The universe is endless, and even with my master's abilities, he always maintains a sense of awe. What is this meager accomplishment of mine?"
"Perhaps this is why he is so powerful. With such a foundation, wouldn't ascension to godhood be a mere thought away?" Canglan Qiuyue also felt a sense of enlightenment. She had thought cultivating a top-tier golden Nascent Soul was rare enough, but compared to Zhang Fan, the gap was immense.
Dark clouds churned in the sky, and golden lightning flashed within, emanating a terrifying might. Even the beast tribes gathered outside the dark plains sensed the terrifying power. The leading Beast Kings exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting shock.
"Master is about to transcend the tribulation!" Luo Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled like stars. She looked at the figure standing in mid-air and exclaimed excitedly.
"Master is transcending the tribulation at this moment, will anyone interfere?" Lin Haotian asked Shen Feichen with some worry.
Shen Feichen smiled and shook his head, "With the power that Zhang Fan has established, who would dare to intervene?"
"Moreover, with Zhang Fan's current strength, the heavenly tribulation is merely a baptism, not a disaster. We just need to watch."
Everyone nodded in agreement. If even Zhang Fan couldn't overcome the Ninth Tribulation of the Nascent Soul, it would likely be the greatest joke in the history of the Wu Mountain Star Domain.
What Shen Feichen said was indeed true. Although the Ninth Tribulation of the Nascent Soul was terrifying, it no longer posed a threat to Zhang Fan. With the rules of Dao and his divine body both at the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage, he could easily handle even the Heavenly Annihilation Tribulation.
After the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation ended, thirty-six more Heavenly Annihilation Tribulations descended. Each one was powerful enough to heavily injure a cultivator in the Ninth Tribulation realm, yet they merely served as a body-refining tribulation for Zhang Fan. The lightning flowed over his body and was absorbed into him.
...
Thousands of miles away from Pingding Mountain, a fierce battle was underway.
A youth wielding a three-foot-long green sword, clad in snow-white robes, was fighting a short, stout, and rather unkempt red-faced man. The red-faced man was clearly no match for him, fighting and fleeing, shouting continuously as he retreated towards Pingding Mountain.
"You foolish flood dragon, you swallowed my immortal medicine and still want to escape? You'd better stay and be my mount." The white-robed youth's swordplay was incredibly agile, his sword shadows like an inescapable net, constantly attacking the red-faced man.
"It hurts so much! I already have a master. If he agrees, what's the harm in being your mount?" the red-faced man said, but his speed did not decrease in the slightest.
The sword lights occasionally struck him, each with the might of the Ninth Tribulation realm, yet the red-faced man remained unharmed, his physical body terrifyingly strong.
"This kid's swordplay is bizarre, and his physique is no weaker than mine. I've been following my master for so long and haven't heard of his name. He's truly a freak. Perhaps only my master can deal with him," the red-faced man thought to himself. Sensing that they were getting closer, he rejoiced, a smile unconsciously appearing on his round, pancake-like face.
"You can still smile? I'm angry!" The white-robed youth's voice fell, and the red-faced man sensed a terrifying sword light rapidly slashing towards him. He dared not be careless.
With a shake of his body, he revealed his true form.
A massive Blood Demon Flood Dragon spanned the void.
"Dragon's Tail Sweep!"
The flood dragon's tail swung and collided with the sword light. Its enormous body was directly sent flying. The Blood Demon Flood Dragon used the force to fly towards Pingding Mountain.
As the distance shortened, cultivators on Pingding Mountain also sensed it.
"Master, save me!"
A colossal Blood Demon Flood Dragon darted through the void, its powerful aura causing many cultivators to feel a strong sense of oppression. It was at least an Eighth Tribulation realm beast.
"It's a Blood Demon Flood Dragon!" Lin Haotian, Wuchen Sword Immortal, and Tianhua recognized it with pleasant surprise.
"It seems someone is chasing that flood dragon," Luo Xiaoxiao said weakly from the side.
Upon hearing this, Lin Haotian and the others were about to move forward to rescue it but were stopped by Zhang Fan.
"Just watch."
Zhang Fan, having just survived the Ninth Tribulation of the Nascent Soul, had not yet fully dispersed the tribulation lightning energy on his body. He transformed into a bolt of lightning and swiftly shot out, landing on the Blood Demon Flood Dragon. Seeing the pursuing white-robed youth, a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Brother Liu Mu, long time no see."
The youth chasing the Blood Demon Flood Dragon was Liu Mu, the first cultivator Zhang Fan met in the Wu Mountain Star Domain.
"You..."
Liu Mu saw Zhang Fan and was inwardly surprised, but his face showed a speechless expression. "So your master is actually you?"
Zhang Fan nodded. "Indeed."
"Heh heh, so we're all on the same side. It seems we didn't know each other well," the Blood Demon Flood Dragon said, relieved to see the two knew each other.
"What's going on? You've taken a liking to this flood dragon?" Zhang Fan asked curiously.
Hearing this, Liu Mu cast a resentful glance at the Blood Demon Flood Dragon and recounted the events.
"This cunning flood dragon actually played the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. I painstakingly broke through the ruins' restrictions, only for him to seize the immortal medicine in the end."
Upon hearing this, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon seemed a little guilty, lowering its head slightly. However, Liu Mu clearly had no intention of pursuing the matter further.
"But since it's your mount, I can only consider myself unlucky."
Liu Mu sighed and suddenly remembered something, asking, "I heard that the Flying Immortal Mansion, the Black Sand Heavenly Cave, and the Giant Spirit Hall of the Shattered Star Domain have joined forces. They are definitely going to deal with you. Is it troublesome?"
"All minor issues, not troublesome," Zhang Fan said.
"Do we need to be so polite between us? If you need anything, just say the word. Don't look at me being only at the peak of the Eighth Tribulation realm; I'm not afraid even facing the Ninth Tribulation."
Liu Mu said confidently. Having cultivated a top-tier golden Nascent Soul and possessing the Divine Body Technique, his sword Dao rules reaching nine hundred thousand, his combat power was formidable.
"I appreciate your kindness." Zhang Fan took out a Nascent Soul with a flip of his hand and tossed it to Liu Mu. "This is the Nascent Soul of Zhan Feiyang from Sunshade Heavenly Cave. He also cultivates the way of the sword. Consider it compensation."
"Zhan Feiyang?" Liu Mu caught the silver Nascent Soul, about the size of a fist, and felt the powerful energy and dense sword Dao aura within it. He was shocked and quickly asked, "I heard Zhan Feiyang is the direct disciple of Sunshade Heavenly Cave. You just killed him like this?"
"What? If you're afraid to refine it, give it back to me," Zhang Fan teased.
"Why wouldn't I dare? I'm not a cultivator of the Wu Mountain Star Domain, and even if I cause immense trouble, I can just pack up and leave."
Liu Mu quickly put it away, excitement filling his handsome face. Zhan Feiyang had cultivated to the peak of the Ninth Tribulation realm as a sword cultivator. The immense energy contained within would allow him to reach the Ninth Tribulation realm in a short period, and it would also greatly benefit his cultivation of sword Dao rules.
This Nascent Soul was even more helpful to him than ordinary immortal medicine.
Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Fan and asked, "You've completely offended Black Sand Heavenly Cave and Flying Immortal Mansion, and now you've killed the direct disciple of Sunshade Heavenly Cave. You truly aren't afraid of trouble, are you?"
"What's there to fear? If they want to kill me, they must be prepared to be killed by me in return. When I leave the Great Luo Realm, I will visit their sects one by one," Zhang Fan said softly.
...