The six top powers in the Wushan Star Domain, excluding True Fire Grotto-Heaven, which had not yet declared its stance, and Six King’s Mansion, which stood behind Zhang Fan, were all arrayed against him. Joining them was the Giant Spirit Hall from the Shattered Star Domain.
Although this was a contest among the younger generation, their identities, status, and strength meant that they, to a certain extent, represented the attitudes of their respective sects. To be enemies with these five top forces was not something that could be achieved by mere courage.
Without commensurate strength, who would be worthy of being their adversary?
Zhang Fan was fearless, and his disciples and followers were naturally not intimidated. However, Shen Feichen and Xiao Yi hesitated. They were not afraid of Black Sand Grotto-Heaven and Flying Immortal Mansion, and they could grit their teeth and face Sun Shadow Grotto-Heaven as well. But Canghai Hall was different.
While all were top powers on the Boundary Heart Continent, the other five forces were still significantly lacking in foundation compared to Canghai Hall. This was because the founder of Canghai Hall was an expert who had broken through the limits of the Nascent Soul stage and entered the Deification stage.
Nascent Soul and Deification, though seemingly a single step apart, were as different as the mortal and the immortal.
Nascent Soul cultivators, despite being called Heavenly Immortals, were still bound by heaven and earth. Every step forward required enduring heavenly tribulations. Failure would result in annihilation under the celestial lightning.
Only by enduring ten heavenly tribulations, cultivating to perfection, transforming from mortal to divine, condensing an indestructible primordial spirit, and no longer being troubled by Nascent Soul tribulations, could one traverse star rivers, roam the dark space, and travel between various star domains on their own. That was true longevity.
Although the Deification expert of Canghai Hall had left the Wushan Star Domain hundreds of thousands of years ago and there had been no news since, all parties still dared not underestimate him. A True Immortal in the Deification stage, even if deceased, left behind methods that all parties feared.
Furthermore, the current strongest person in the Wushan Star Domain, Southern Venerable, also hailed from Canghai Hall, which gave Canghai Hall an extremely transcendent position in the Wushan Star Domain.
The conflict among this group of people no longer solely represented themselves but also the forces behind them. Therefore, after Zhang Fan’s words fell, no one responded. Instead, their gazes shifted to Shen Feichen. How would he choose?
Shen Feichen was also struggling internally. Zhang Fan’s strength far exceeded his psychological expectations, even making the disciples of Canghai Hall wary and involved. This was something none of them had anticipated before.
However, he was, after all, a nine-tribulation realm expert who had weathered countless storms. The moment everyone’s gaze converged on him, he cast aside his distracting thoughts, his eyes becoming firm. Since Six King’s Mansion had recognized Zhang Fan as a friend, how could they retreat at this moment?
If he could be deterred by this situation, how could he face the even more terrifying tribulation of Deification?
Shen Feichen stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Fan, his sturdy figure unyielding like a mountain. His gaze swept over them, a hint of disdainful amusement spreading across his face. He then let out a hearty laugh, his voice like thunder, “Brother Zhang Fan is a friend of our Six King’s Mansion. As he said, since you want to interfere, then come at us all together. I also want to see what abilities Canghai Hall’s two殿下 have!”
“Good! They say that cultivators of Six King’s Mansion are all loyal and righteous. I didn’t believe it before, but Brother Feichen’s performance today has truly impressed me,” Cang Lan Mingyue said, casting a deep look at Shen Feichen. “However, the competition for the Great Luo Hall allows for no variables, so we can only resort to arms today. I hope you will forgive us.”
Cang Lan Mingyue did not speak of righteousness. Instead, he straightforwardly stated that it was a competition for opportunity, which earned Zhang Fan a bit more respect.
“To face one’s inner heart and admit it honestly, you do have some of Canghai Hall’s magnanimity. For this statement alone, I will spare your life today,” Zhang Fan said, staring at Cang Lan Mingyue.
Among the younger generation in the Wushan Star Domain, perhaps only Zhang Fan dared to say such a thing. However, Cang Lan Mingyue did not get angry. Instead, he smiled calmly.
“Brother Feichen, why would you need to make a move against a group of juniors? I am sufficient!”
Before Zhang Fan’s voice even faded, he took a step forward. The rules of the sword surged in the heavens and earth, and the Sword Domain enveloped the cultivators of Flying Immortal Mansion, Black Sand Grotto-Heaven, Sun Shadow Grotto-Heaven, Giant Spirit Hall, and Canghai Hall.
“Elder Bai remains. Everyone else, withdraw from the domain!” Nangong Feng held a long spear, over nine feet long and entirely black, with terrifying lightning flashing upon it. His eyes were fixed on Zhang Fan, a hint of fanaticism in his dark pupils.
Upon hearing Nangong Feng’s words, the cultivators of Flying Immortal Mansion did not hesitate. They immediately turned and flew towards the outside of Pingding Mountain. Zhang Fan’s Sword Domain was too powerful. Staying would offer no help and would only become a burden.
The only Elder Bai who remained was also a nine-tribulation realm cultivator. He had entered the Great Luo Realm and refined many heavenly medicines made from beast cores, thus breaking through to the nine-tribulation realm.
Although he was only in the early stage of the nine-tribulation realm, he could still exert some strength under Zhang Fan’s domain. As for the other seven-tribulation and eight-tribulation realm cultivators, they could only hope to survive within Zhang Fan’s domain, offering no assistance.
With Zhang Fan’s current cultivation, he didn't need to make a move against cultivators below the seven-tribulation realm. His Sword Domain alone could easily obliterate them.
The other parties did the same, withdrawing all cultivators below the nine-tribulation realm from Pingding Mountain. Zhang Fan watched this scene silently, not interfering. He nodded to Shen Feichen beside him. Shen Feichen understood his intention and led Lin Haotian and the group from Six King’s Mansion to withdraw from Pingding Mountain.
In just a few breaths, the once boisterous Pingding Mountain was left with only a handful of people.
Cang Lan Mingyue and his sister, along with Flying Immortal Mansion, Black Sand Grotto-Heaven, Sun Shadow Grotto-Heaven, and Giant Spirit Hall, each had two nine-tribulation realm cultivators remaining. Counting them, there were ten nine-tribulation realm cultivators in total.
Those who left Pingding Mountain and witnessed this scene found it difficult to remain calm, even with their composed minds. Looking at the young man standing with his sword, his expression serene, they could not help but feel a sense of admiration and yearning. Even the cultivators from opposing forces like Flying Immortal Mansion and Black Sand Grotto-Heaven had to admit that this was indeed a respectable opponent.
After all, in the Wushan Star Domain, nine-tribulation realm cultivators stood at the pinnacle. Even the sect leaders of the top powers were only at the nine-tribulation realm.
Yet, Zhang Fan, an eight-tribulation realm cultivator, could force a group of nine-tribulation realm cultivators to join forces against him. Such strength, it was likely that no one else in the Wushan Star Domain could be found.