As Zhang Fan traveled to Canaan Star on a galaxy flying boat, intelligence regarding his battle with Elder Ku Jian was collected by the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Due to Elder Ku Jian's involvement, the higher echelons of the pavilion paid close attention.
Upon meticulously reviewing the intelligence from Dayian Star, even the seasoned elites of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion were stunned by the information. A mere Nascent Soul cultivator of the first tribulation had fought evenly with Elder Ku Jian, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator of the fourth tribulation, for dozens of rounds without sustaining injury. Ultimately, he had retreated with extreme speed, leaving Elder Ku Jian unable to apprehend him.
This news was difficult to believe for anyone. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion itself even suspected an error in the intelligence and dispatched high-ranking officials to Dayian Star to confirm with Heavenly Immortal Lei Hong. The clash between Zhang Fan and Elder Ku Jian on Dayian Star had been so significant that it nearly leveled the powerful city of Fuliu, naturally alerting the cultivators on Dayian Star. Such shocking news spread like a storm throughout the Wushan Star Domain, and Zhang Fan's name was etched into the minds of numerous cultivators there.
Previously, Zhang Fan had garnered considerable attention after revealing his status as a top-grade Golden Core cultivator. However, his subsequent killing of Gong Ziru, an elder from the Black Sand Cave Heaven, had created a mortal enmity, causing many cultivators to lament his fate. Such a monstrous talent, it seemed, would be stifled in its cradle by the Black Sand Cave Heaven before it could even mature. No one would dare confront a colossal power like the Black Sand Cave Heaven for the sake of a top-grade Golden Core genius.
But this time, the situation was entirely different. Zhang Fan had not only survived his first Nascent Soul tribulation but had also demonstrated combat power beyond mortal comprehension. Generally, escaping from a cultivator of the fourth tribulation Nascent Soul stage would require surviving the second Nascent Soul tribulation, even for those with a golden Nascent Soul. And to contend with a peak fourth tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator like Elder Ku Jian, one would likely need to have at least survived the third Nascent Soul tribulation. Yet, Zhang Fan, having only survived his first Nascent Soul tribulation, possessed the strength of a fourth tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator. This monstrous combat prowess defied the understanding of all cultivators.
...
The Realm Heart Continent, located in the central region of the Wushan Star Domain, is a colossal continent spanning light-years in width and breadth. The space here is incredibly stable; even galaxy flying boats cannot perform spatial traversals around the Realm Heart Continent. South of the Realm Heart Continent lies a mountain range stretching for over a million li. Peaks dot this mountain range, shrouded in spiritual energy and soaring into the clouds. This mountain range is named the Falling Immortal Mountain Range, serving as the missionary ground for the Flying Immortal Mansion.
Within the Falling Immortal Mountain Range, there is a peak shaped like a sword piercing the sky. Upon this peak, a young man in white sits cross-legged, unmoved by wind or rain. "This person must possess an astonishing secret. Capture him alive; I want him alive," a voice echoed from the depths of the Falling Immortal Mountain Range into the young man's mind. He suddenly opened his eyes, and invisible sword energy shot forth, cleaving a mountain peak in half from a distance. Instantly, rocks collapsed, startling countless demonic beasts. "Yes," the young man in white responded, then leaped down, vanishing into the Falling Immortal Mountain Range.
...
The Six Royal Mansions, renowned alongside the Flying Immortal Mansion, were also discussing Zhang Fan at this very moment. In a grand hall within the Six Royal Mansions, six figures of extraordinary aura sat cross-legged before a table laden with delicacies and immortal wine. They drank heartily and feasted on succulent roasted meat, the aroma filling the hall and intoxicating the senses.
"If we could take Zhang Fan into our Six Royal Mansions and nurture him properly, perhaps in a few hundred years, our Six Royal Mansions could be renamed the Seven Royal Mansions," said a man with a full beard.
"Second Brother, you think so highly of that Zhang Fan?"
"Haha, Eldest Brother called us brothers here, offering good wine and food, not just to ask for our opinions?"
"I have also gathered information about Zhang Fan. He was born on a desolate planet on the fringes of the Wushan Star Domain. Coincidentally, that desolate planet is the place of opportunity left by True Immortal Zhi Wu."
"Given his origins as a cultivator from a desolate planet, to have seized opportunities amidst struggles with numerous top Golden Core cultivators in the Wushan Star Domain is sufficient proof of his extraordinary talent."
"The reason he incurred the wrath of the Black Sand Cave Heaven was merely due to the Fu family in Fuliu City on Dayian Star."
"As far as I know, his ties to the Fu family are not deep, yet he did not flinch when facing the Black Sand Cave Heaven. This shows he is a person of loyalty and courage."
"Such talent, I greatly admire," the bearded man stated, then picked up a large piece of roasted meat and began to devour it.
"Second Brother speaks the truth. Both in talent and character, Zhang Fan is top-tier and worthy of entering our Six Royal Mansions." A delicate-looking young man in black nodded in agreement.
"Eldest Brother wishes to bring Zhang Fan into our Six Royal Mansions, and I have no objections. However, whether it succeeds is another matter."
"Haha, since all brothers have no objections, then let's entrust this matter to Sixth Brother to handle?" The middle-aged man sitting in the main seat had a beaming smile, appearing quite pleased.
"Eldest Brother's command, Younger Brother will certainly handle it properly," the young man in black solemnly replied.
...
In a mysterious space on the Realm Heart Continent, countless sword energies and sword dao rules danced, appearing chaotic yet seemingly in harmony with some great dao, possessing an ineffable charm. In the center of the space sat an elder with a head full of white hair, clad in a snow-white robe, his face tranquil.
"Yue'er, go and bring someone to see me. Just say... I wish to take him as my disciple." The elder's voice was deep and melodious, echoing through the mysterious space.
*Swish!* The sword energies and sword dao rules in the space dissipated. A beautiful figure in green appeared before the white-haired elder. With a hint of curiosity on her delicate face, she asked, "Master, you've finally decided and are going to find me a junior brother?"
"Mm, you might have heard of this person's name. He is called Zhang Fan."
"Zhang Fan... I have indeed heard of him. His name is likely known to all major powers in the Wushan Star Domain by now."
"However, not long ago, the Black Sand Cave Heaven issued a bounty for Zhang Fan through the Crimson Immortal Alliance, offering fifty million spirit crystals for his life," the green-clad woman said.
"Fifty million spirit crystals, the Black Sand Cave Heaven truly has deep pockets," the white-haired elder chuckled lightly. Fifty million spirit crystals could purchase a very fine mid-grade Heavenly Treasure. Moreover, the net worth of an ordinary fourth tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator did not even amount to this.
"That's not all. If he can be captured alive and handed over to the Black Sand Cave Heaven, the reward is one hundred million spirit crystals."
"To be honest, I'm even tempted."
"This is your future junior brother!" the white-robed elder reminded her.
"Whether he agrees to you taking him as a disciple is yet to be seen."
"Hehe, but Master, don't worry. It's rare for you to want to take a disciple after centuries. Even if he disagrees, I'll bring him back for you!"
Lighthearted laughter echoed through the space, and the beautiful figure had already departed, leaving the white-robed elder with a helpless sigh.
...