The news that Nan Zun had taken Zhang Fan as his master was not deliberately concealed. Within a day, it spread throughout the Six Royal Mansions, and then quickly thereafter across the entire Boundary Heart Continent. Everyone who heard this news was shocked.
"Senior Nan Zun actually became Zhang Fan's disciple? What kind of charm does he possess?"
Even many cultivators in the Canghai Hall could not understand. Although Zhang Fan was very strong, there was no need for Nan Zun, the strongest expert in the Wushan Star Domain, to become his disciple. However, due to Nan Zun's status, many people only dared to discuss this in private and did not speak of it openly.
Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue never dreamed that Zhang Fan, their former opponent in the Great Luo Realm, would now transform into their grand-disciple.
While Zhang Fan's current strength was indeed formidable, in their hearts, they still regarded Zhang Fan as their peer. Now, to kneel and address him as grand-disciple upon meeting them made them feel somewhat aggrieved.
"Senior Zhang Fan is my master, and naturally, he is also your grand-disciple. If you dare to show any disrespect in the future, I will personally deal with you," Nan Zun said, his deep eyes fixed on the two. His immense soul power permeated the air, making Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue feel as if a mountain was pressing down on them, making it difficult to breathe.
"Yes, Master." Seeing their master so serious for the first time, Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue quickly and obediently responded, their mindsets rapidly shifting.
"You may leave. For a considerable time from now on, I will be following Master in my cultivation. Unless it's a major matter, do not seek me out."
After Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue withdrew, Nan Zun couldn't help but shake his head. "This Wushan Star Domain is ultimately too small, and it limits their horizons. Senior Zhang Fan probably accepted me as a disciple because he valued my unwavering determination in pursuing the Dao; it's my destiny."
The extent of his monstrous talent in cultivating the rules of the Dao to perfection in the Nascent Soul stage was beyond what most cultivators in the Wushan Star Domain could comprehend. They only knew it was difficult, but they didn't realize it was a rare phenomenon even across the Ten Thousand Domains Starry Sky.
Zi Wu Immortal King was also an exceptionally brilliant figure in the Nascent Soul stage, but the rules of the Dao he cultivated were only close to perfection. Even so, he broke through to the Dao Integration Immortal King level in a mere ten thousand years.
And Zhang Fan? Not only did he cultivate both the Sword Dao and the Lightning Dao simultaneously in the Nascent Soul stage, but he also cultivated both to perfection. Nan Zun himself dared not imagine what heights he might reach in the future.
Tribulation Immortal Venerable?
Or perhaps the Great Ascension Immortal Emperor who stood at the pinnacle of the Ten Thousand Domains Starry Sky?
Being accepted as a disciple by such an existence was something Nan Zun had never even considered before.
However, regardless of what the future held, his most important task now was to overcome the current challenge he faced.
Putting aside his distracting thoughts, Nan Zun walked alone towards the Golden Light Immortal Mansion.
"Disciple Canglan Nanzhou seeks to see Master," Nan Zun said loudly, bowing outside the Golden Light Immortal Mansion.
Lin Haotian emerged from the Golden Light Immortal Mansion. Upon seeing him, Nan Zun quickly called out, "Senior Brother!"
Lin Haotian nodded, a smile appearing on his honest face. "Third Junior Brother, Master sent me to bring you to see him."
One was a Seven Tribulations Realm cultivator who had cultivated for decades, and the other was a half-step Spirit Transformation expert who had cultivated for over ten thousand years. Yet, the latter addressed the former as Senior Brother. If outsiders saw this scene, they would likely feel uncomfortable.
However, for Lin Haotian and Nan Zun, it seemed quite natural.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Nan Zun said very politely.
Although Lin Haotian was merely a Seven Tribulations Realm cultivator, as the Master's eldest disciple, Nan Zun remained exceedingly courteous, even though he possessed the strength to crush Lin Haotian with a single palm.
Led by Lin Haotian, Nan Zun was brought to the third floor of the Golden Light Immortal Mansion.
"Haotian, you may go. Unless I send for you, no one is allowed to disturb us," Zhang Fan instructed.
"Yes."
As Lin Haotian departed, only Zhang Fan and Nan Zun remained on the third floor of the Golden Light Immortal Mansion.
"Nanzhou, do you know what is most important in the path of cultivation?" Zhang Fan asked, looking at the robust man standing before him.
Nan Zun had not expected his Master to ask such a question. After pondering for a moment, he replied, "This disciple believes that to go further on the path of cultivation, talent and effort are indispensable."
"Possessing talent without diligent cultivation will only be a waste of that talent."
"And cultivating forcefully without talent will lead to little achievement in one's life."
Zhang Fan smiled upon hearing this, shaking his head. "The talent and effort you speak of are conditions for cultivation, but not essential ones. The most important thing on the path of cultivation is fortune."
"What do you mean by achievement? Does achieving the Spirit Transformation True Immortal count as achievement? Does reaching the Void Return stage count as great achievement?"
"But do you know that if one is born in a celestial sect or holy land of the Central Star Domain, even without talent and without diligently cultivating, some people can easily break through to the Spirit Transformation stage, and reaching the Void Return stage is not too difficult?"
"In the Central Star Domain, countless cultivators break through to become Spirit Transformation True Immortals every year. But in the Wushan Star Domain, it's rare to find even one in a million years."
"Is it because the cultivators in the Wushan Star Domain lack talent and do not cultivate diligently?"
Zhang Fan's words sent a tremor through Nan Zun. For so many years, he had believed that his current achievements were the result of his own talent and diligent cultivation. But at this moment, he realized that while his talent and effort were indeed important, the most crucial factor was his birth in the Canghai Hall.
There, he could acquire cultivation resources far beyond those of others and receive guidance from more powerful cultivators.
If he had been born into a sect with a Spirit Transformation True Immortal, perhaps he could have cultivated the rules of the Dao to ninety thousand paths before even reaching the half-step Spirit Transformation stage.
"Of course, fortune is not narrowly defined as birth. Take Zi Wu, for example. He was born into an ordinary family, but he possesses extraordinary fortune. The resources he can acquire are greater than yours, and his path of cultivation is naturally smoother."
"Master's words are like a sudden enlightenment. This disciple accepts your teaching." Nan Zun bowed respectfully. These words had a profound impact on him, shattering his long-held ingrained perceptions and giving him a clearer understanding of the world.
Zhang Fan smiled. Nan Zun's birth determined that it was difficult for him to realize this. For instance, talented cultivators in the Wushan Star Domain had opportunities to be selected by the six top powers, but what of it?
They were still trapped in the resource-scarce, Dao-deficient border regions of the star domain. Breaking through to become a Spirit Transformation True Immortal remained as difficult as ascending to heaven, and it was hard to experience the vastness of the outside world.
And on Earth, the concept of fortune was even more pronounced. Some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and, despite lacking much knowledge, could possess billions in wealth. Others were intelligent and gifted but born into poverty, and even with extensive knowledge, they ended up working for others, with very few able to become their own bosses.
...