In the desolate dark space, after a year and a half, Zhang Fan finally arrived at the Myriad Mountains Continent in the Shattered Star Domain.
The Myriad Mountains Sect was located on the Myriad Mountains Continent. This continent was no smaller than the Giant Spirit Continent, crisscrossed by countless mountain ranges and dotted with peculiar peaks. It contained rich spirit crystal mineral veins, making it one of the most resource-rich continents in the Shattered Star Domain, under the control of the Myriad Mountains Sect.
It was precisely because of these abundant mineral resources that the Myriad Mountains Sect could develop into one of the two true immortal-level powers in the Shattered Star Domain.
However, the Myriad Mountains Sect had not had an easy time in the past hundred years. First, outstanding disciples within the sect were successively ambushed, leading to a talent gap in the current generation. Then, the Giant Spirit Hall developed rapidly, even giving birth to another Soul Transformation true immortal, placing immense pressure on the Myriad Mountains Sect.
A century ago, all the mineral veins on the Myriad Mountains Continent were controlled by the Myriad Mountains Sect, which also had absolute control over the continent. But in the last hundred years, due to the growing power of the Giant Spirit Hall, the Myriad Mountains Continent had been encroached upon considerably, with over thirty percent of its territory occupied by the Giant Spirit Hall, resulting in great losses.
With this shift in power, the Myriad Mountains Sect could only contract its sphere of influence and lie low. But how could the flourishing Giant Spirit Hall give the Myriad Mountains Sect a chance to breathe?
Today, on the Myriad Mountains Continent, another spirit crystal mineral vein, stretching tens of thousands of miles, had fallen into a dispute between the two sides. Under the oppression of the Giant Spirit Hall, the Myriad Mountains Sect agreed to decide the ownership of the spirit crystal mineral vein through a arena duel. Each side would send three experts below the Half-Soul Transformation realm, with the victor decided by a best-of-three format.
"So many people."
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon, with its belly bulging, looked at the crowds gathered on the mountain peak, appearing somewhat excited. "This Shattered Star Domain is indeed extraordinary. The cultivators of the Nine Tribulations realm travel in packs. Unlike the Wushan Star Domain, you're lucky to see even one."
"No matter how you put it, the Shattered Star Domain is a low-level star domain, falling under the jurisdiction of star domain administration. The Wushan Star Domain is merely a barren star domain, so naturally, there's no comparison," Zhang Fan said, his gaze shifting to the two figures fighting high in the sky. Both were cultivators at the peak of the Nine Tribulations realm, but their dao techniques and divine abilities were far superior to those of the cultivators in the Wushan Star Domain.
By the time Zhang Fan and his companions arrived at the scene, the duel was nearing its end. The Myriad Mountains Sect had won one and lost one in the first two rounds, making this last round crucial.
"The Giant Spirit Hall will likely lose this round," Liu Mu said softly as he observed the cultivators from both sides.
"My friend, you can't just say such things," a man with red hair and red clothes nearby heard Zhang Fan and couldn't help but glance at them.
Lin Haotian, the Unfettered Sword Immortal, and the Heavenly Bloom Celestial Lord were ignored by him. His attention was focused on Zhang Fan, Liu Mu, and the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, whose powerful auras indicated they were at least Nine Tribulations realm experts.
"Oh? What can't be said about that? Does the Giant Spirit Hall not play fair?" Liu Mu's interest piqued as he asked the red-haired, red-clothed man beside him.
The red-haired, red-clothed man smiled, did not answer, but instead sighed and shook his head, "This Myriad Mountains Continent is no longer what it used to be."
Everyone was confused and stopped paying attention, turning their collective gaze to the battlefield. The two cultivators, both at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, were sword cultivators. Their divine abilities and dao techniques were formidable. They fought with the center as their focus, and within a hundred-mile radius, countless sword energies filled the air, leaving the surrounding mountains riddled with holes.
Liu Mu's insight was indeed extraordinary. After hundreds of exchanges, the Giant Spirit Hall's sword cultivator had clearly fallen into a disadvantage. Wielding his sword, he could only defend, gradually falling into his opponent's rhythm, becoming exhausted and unable to counterattack.
Constant defense inevitably leads to mistakes. Just as the Myriad Mountains Sect's sword-wielding expert found an opening and was about to strike a decisive blow, a vast spiritual consciousness descended, pressing down on the Myriad Mountains Sect expert's soul, causing a momentary lapse in his concentration.
Then, the reaction of a cultivator at the peak of the Nine Tribulations realm was astounding. In that instant, the Giant Spirit Hall's sword cultivator seized the opportunity. A brilliant sword light flashed, and the Giant Spirit Hall's sword cultivator's head was severed. Before his Nascent Soul could even escape his body, it was shredded by endless sword energies.
The cultivators present naturally understood what had happened. Their eyes were filled with helplessness, turning into soft sighs.
In the sky, the cultivators of the Myriad Mountains Sect stood in mid-air, looking down at the scene below. Their eyes were bloodshot with rage. The leader roared to the heavens, his voice filled with anger and unwillingness.
"Qin Yun! You, a mere Soul Transformation true immortal, interfering in a Nascent Soul cultivator's battle, don't you think that's going too far?"
A man in a purple robe stepped forward. His footsteps were light, but with each step, the hearts of the crowd pounded like a morning bell, exuding an oppressive aura.
"To be forced to intervene, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator is already fortunate to die," Qin Yun said with disdain, casting a glance at the Myriad Mountains Sect members. "This battle, the Giant Spirit Hall wins. This spirit crystal mineral vein naturally belongs to the Giant Spirit Hall. I give you Myriad Mountains Sect one hour to get out of this area, or do not blame this seat for being merciless."
The faces of the Myriad Mountains Sect cultivators flushed red with anger, but none dared to make a move. Below the Soul Transformation realm, all were ants. Even if all of them, as Nascent Soul cultivators, attacked together, they would not be enough for Qin Yun to kill in one move.
"Do you see why I said that now?" The red-haired, red-clothed man standing beside Liu Mu looked at the man in the purple robe with deep disgust and disdain in his eyes.
"Who is this person?" Liu Mu asked curiously.
"First time on the Central Continent?" The red-haired, red-clothed man leaned closer to Liu Mu and whispered, "This person is named Qin Yun. He is the fastest cultivating genius in the Giant Spirit Hall in the past ten thousand years. He has only cultivated for a hundred years but has already become a Soul Transformation true immortal."
"This Qin Yun bears some resemblance to that Qin Hao," Zhang Fan interjected.
"You know Qin Hao too?" The red-haired, red-clothed man looked at Zhang Fan with some surprise and continued, "Qin Hao is Qin Yun's younger brother. Of course, they look very similar. Speaking of which, Qin Hao's talent is not weak either. He cultivated to the Nine Tribulations realm at a young age. I heard that a few years ago, Qin Yun sent him to a barren star domain. I haven't seen Qin Hao in recent years."
"Of course, you haven't," Zhang Fan said with a smile. "I killed that Qin Hao."
The red-haired, red-clothed man's courage almost drained away upon hearing this. He quickly said, "Brother, you can't say such things. If the Giant Spirit Hall hears this, you'll all be finished."
Zhang Fan smiled and said nothing more, instead turning his gaze to the figure in the sky. "To break through to the Soul Transformation stage in less than a hundred years, no wonder he's so arrogant and acts without any regard for rules."
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