The presence of Nine Tribulations Realm experts in the Wu Shan Star Domain was already exceptionally rare, and witnessing them in action was an event that occurred perhaps once in a century.
Therefore, even though they were acutely aware that the current Flat Top Mountain could be leveled by a single sword strike in the impending battle, potentially affecting them, they still refused to retreat, lest they miss this clash of titans.
Fu Tianling, as the son of the Black Sand Cave Heaven's Sect Master, not only had to contend with the prodigies within his own sect but also represent the Black Sand Cave Heaven against the prodigies from the top powers of the Continental Heart.
Thus, this battle was not merely about the reputation of the Black Sand Cave Heaven, but also intimately linked to his personal future.
If he could kill Zhang Fan and reclaim the immortal treasure belonging to their Black Sand Cave Heaven, his standing within the sect would become even more secure, and he could lay the groundwork for inheriting the position of Sect Master in the future.
One must understand that in ancient sects like the Black Sand Cave Heaven, factional struggles were incredibly fierce. Even as the Sect Master's son, he still needed to demonstrate his strength and potential to win over the masses; otherwise, he would be disqualified from enjoying the sect's abundant resources for cultivation.
Hence, despite the significant disparity in their cultivation realms, he held nothing back in his attack. As the Sword Domain permeated the surroundings, Fu Tianling unleashed the supreme art of the Black Sand Cave Heaven, locking onto Zhang Fan with murderous intent.
"Black Water Overflows the Sky!"
As sword light flowed, the entire Flat Top Mountain was shrouded in a layer of dark clouds. Sword light surged like a tide, sweeping towards Zhang Fan in an overwhelming wave.
Even from a great distance, the immense pressure tightened the hearts of the onlookers, who sincerely marveled at the might of a Nine Tribulations Realm cultivator.
"We heard long ago how formidable the Black Water Sword Technique of the Black Sand Cave Heaven was. To witness it today, the rumors do not deceive!" Qin Hao of the Giant Spirit Hall remarked, a trace of emotion appearing on his usually calm face.
Legend had it that the Black Water Sword Technique was comprehended by the first Sect Master of the Black Sand Cave Heaven from the Black Sand Abyss. It comprised nine forms, and when cultivated to its peak, it allowed one to roam the Nascent Soul realm unchallenged.
However, only the core disciples of the Black Sand Cave Heaven knew that there was actually a tenth form to the Black Water Sword Technique. This final form was realized by their first Sect Master moments before he perished under a heavenly tribulation.
Had he been able to comprehend it earlier, perhaps the first Sect Master of the Black Sand Cave Heaven could have used this sword technique to shatter the heavenly tribulation and ascend directly to the Soul Transformation realm, passing down an immortal legacy.
Hearing Qin Hao's words, Nangong Feng remained silent but his expression grew solemn. Since entering the Great Luo Realm, his cultivation had progressed by leaps and bounds, and he considered himself unmatched among his peers. Yet, facing Fu Tianling's full power, he felt immense pressure.
From afar, the two true disciples of the Cang Hai Hall, Cang Nan Mingyue and Cang Lan Qiu Yue, watched the battle with keen interest. Given their backgrounds and talents, few young cultivators on the entire Continental Heart caught their attention. However, Fu Tianling, who had cultivated a golden Nascent Soul, was undoubtedly among them.
Cang Lan Mingyue, clad in snow-white robes, exuded the demeanor of a graceful young master. His profound eyes reflected the two figures. He turned his head slightly and chuckled, "This Fu Tianling indeed has some substance. Though not much, an ordinary Nine Tribulations Realm cultivator trapped in this black water would likely find it difficult to escape."
"This young master Tianling has not only cultivated a golden Nascent Soul but has also honed his Sword Dao rules to such a degree. It seems the Black Sand Cave Heaven has produced a remarkable figure in this generation. For Zhang Fan to dare challenge him at the Eighth Tribulations Realm, one must admit, it requires immense courage."
Though not explicitly stated, he had already made a prediction regarding the outcome of this battle.
The surrounding cultivators, hearing Cang Lan Mingyue's words, couldn't help but nod in agreement. Although Zhang Fan had a history of defeating stronger opponents, facing Fu Tianling, who had also cultivated a golden Nascent Soul, it was likely he had no chance of winning.
"Just watch closely, perhaps the ending will surprise you," Cang Lan Qiu Yue suddenly said, causing everyone to turn their heads, their hearts filled with surprise. Could it be that Zhang Fan possessed some hidden trump card, causing even this cultivator, who was considered the most astonishing of this era, to regard him with new eyes?
Facing the slightly puzzled gaze of her elder brother, Cang Lan Qiu Yue offered no explanation. Her eyes, as bright as stars, remained fixed on the two figures, unwilling to miss even the slightest detail.
She possessed exceptional talent and extraordinary comprehension. Even her elder brother was slightly inferior to her in this regard. There were very few people among the younger generation whom she could not see through.
Yet, inexplicably, this cultivator at the Eighth Tribulations Realm gave her a feeling of being like a flower in the mist, a moon in the water – extremely enigmatic.
The tide, formed by countless sharp sword lights, attacked Zhang Fan with the momentum of a collapsing mountain, striking with thunderous force.
"Using Sword Dao rules as the guide, the Black Water Sword Technique as the foundation, channeling the power of heaven and earth within hundreds of miles, it crushes down with immense force. It is unavoidable. With this single move, it is enough to severely wound an ordinary Nine Tribulations Realm cultivator."
Zhang Fan chuckled in admiration. The onlookers, however, had already held their breath, inwardly sighing for him. Faced with such a dire predicament, Zhang Fan showed no signs of using any techniques. Had he resigned himself to his fate, knowing he couldn't resist?
Just as the black water was about to descend, Zhang Fan finally made his move. He held his iron sword and gently pointed forward. The black sword light, condensed from hundreds of thousands of Sword Dao rules, instantly dissipated.
The dark clouds in the sky vanished, the sword technique was broken. Fu Tianling's charging momentum faltered, and he let out a muffled groan. The fierceness in his eyes instantly receded, replaced by a gaze filled with disbelief as he stared at Zhang Fan.
"To be able to perceive the weak point of my sword technique and shatter it with a single point… With this boy's Sword Dao cultivation, how could he possess such vision?"
As if seeing through Fu Tianling's thoughts, Zhang Fan let out a hearty laugh. "A frog in a well, how can you know the vastness of the universe? Since you claim to be a Sword Dao genius, today I shall shatter your illusions and show you what true Sword Dao is."
"Sword Dao Domain, activate!"
As Zhang Fan's internal Sword Dao rules circulated, countless sword lights erupted from his body, and a far more immense Sword Dao Domain took shape in an instant.
While seventy thousand and ninety thousand Sword Dao rules seemed to show some difference, they appeared to be on the same level.
This was not the case. A Nascent Soul cultivator reaching one million Sword Dao rules was considered perfection. Zhang Fan, however, had already cultivated ninety-seven thousand, nearing perfection.
A Sword Dao Domain formed by such a vast number of Sword Dao rules was utterly incomparable to Fu Tianling's.
Therefore, the moment the Sword Dao Domain took shape, Fu Tianling's released domain instantly collapsed. Zhang Fan stood at the center of the Sword Dao Domain, like the master of Sword Dao, radiant and dazzling.
At this moment, whether it was Fu Tianling or the many onlookers surrounding them, their souls trembled. Gazing upon the boundless sword domain that enveloped hundreds of miles, their eyes were filled with shock and dread, and they looked at Zhang Fan with expressions of disbelief.