Three days passed in a flash. The space beneath the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree was sealed by the combined might of the peak cultivators from the Ten Great Immortal Sects and the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, preventing any below the Dominator realm from entering.
"The Ten Great Immortal Sects are truly formidable, sealing the area even before the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit has ripened. However, we also intend to vie for this fruit. May I ask if you esteemed fellow cultivators would mind making some room?" a middle-aged man clad in silver battle armor arrived, wielding a battle halberd. Several other Dominator realm experts followed in his wake.
The cultivators from the Ten Great Immortal Sects frowned upon seeing him, but none spoke. Though they appeared to be cooperating, they were also rivals.
"Huang Tian Battle Venerable, the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit is limited in quantity. This time, it may not be possible. Please return when the fruit ripens again," the Immortal Venerable from the Heavenly Sword Sect stated, his tone exceptionally assertive.
Although Huang Tian Battle Venerable was not a disciple of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, he was a paramount overlord on the Central Continent, his strength no weaker than the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. Furthermore, he had arrived with several Dominator realm experts. Would he retreat at the mere words of the Heavenly Sword Sect?
"Since that is the case, then I shall offend!" As Huang Tian Battle Venerable finished speaking, he brandished his battle halberd and forcefully broke into the sealed space. The Dominator realm experts behind him said nothing more, simultaneously unleashing their divine abilities to shatter the spatial barriers and follow him.
The divine fruit had not yet ripened, but battle had already erupted. The cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, seeing this, attacked in unison, converging on Huang Tian Battle Venerable.
A cataclysmic battle ensued, causing the entire space to tremble precariously. Yet, they were all restrained, fearful of harming the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree.
Although Huang Tian Battle Venerable was outnumbered, with several Dominator realm experts holding firm, his group could not be easily breached. The power of heaven and earth became incredibly chaotic, with the rules of the Great Dao surging like tides, causing the surrounding onlookers to hold their breath in tense anticipation.
"Why waste time with us, esteemed friends? The Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit is about to appear. Why not learn from the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable and await the opportune moment?" Huang Tian Battle Venerable suddenly declared. The cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects were startled. They were engaging Huang Tian Battle Venerable in combat, while the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable was merely observing from the sidelines.
The cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects were not fools; they ceased their attacks, unwilling to expend their spiritual energy on Huang Tian Battle Venerable.
"This Huang Tian Battle Venerable truly has courage, to intervene at this juncture, and yet the Ten Great Immortal Sects are unable to do anything about him," Hei Yan observed the situation from the side, his calculations slightly off.
If one or two Dominator realm experts had intruded, the Ten Great Immortal Sects, acting in concert, could have easily repelled them. However, Huang Tian Battle Venerable had allied with several Dominator realm experts, a force that even the Ten Great Immortal Sects could not afford to underestimate.
Moreover, at this critical juncture, no one wished to be drawn into a fight and delayed. If they were to sustain an injury, they would likely forfeit any chance at the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit today.
As the fighting subsided, the atmosphere in the area became even more somber. The addition of Huang Tian Battle Venerable and his group meant that this contest would be even more fierce.
"What a shame, they didn't really fight. It would have been great if a few were killed!" Xue Mo Jiao exclaimed from the side.
Hearing this, Hei Yan nodded in agreement. Although he disliked this Blood Dragon, the sentiment resonated with him. At the same time, he was somewhat perplexed; why hadn't the human expert accompanying the Blood Dragon taken action?
"The outcome is the same." Seeing that the situation had calmed down, Zhang Fan knew that further conflict was unlikely and it was time for him to act.
He strode out from the crowd, disregarding the spatial blockade, and walked step by step towards the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree. Zhang Fan's actions naturally drew the attention of many cultivators. Seeing him alone, they looked on with astonishment.
"Even a formidable expert like Huang Tian Battle Venerable needed to ally with several Dominator realm cultivators to dare intrude. If he walks in alone, he'll likely be driven out very quickly."
"After all, this is the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit. Even if the chance is slim, it's worth a try."
Hei Yan also sneered as he watched, wondering if this fellow believed he had a chance just because Huang Tian Battle Venerable managed to force his way in. How naive.
"Fellow Daoist, please stop!"
Before the cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects could speak, Huang Tian Battle Venerable was the first to address Zhang Fan. He knew that his previous actions had severely angered the Ten Great Immortal Sects and he needed to make a good impression now to avoid being targeted by them during the fruit's acquisition.
"Since you can enter, why should I stop?" Zhang Fan calmly replied, looking at the man in white battle armor.
Upon hearing this, Huang Tian Battle Venerable's eyes turned cold. How could he not perceive the trap laid within those words? Everyone knew that Huang Tian Battle Venerable had secured a place for himself through sheer strength, but could he say that?
If he admitted it, wouldn't that be an insult to the Ten Great Immortal Sects?
"Since that is the case, then I can only drive you out." Huang Tian Battle Venerable said, summoning several Dominator realm cultivators and preparing to attack.
"Don't be impulsive!" Zhang Fan quickly waved his hand.
"Oh?" Huang Tian Battle Venerable stared at Zhang Fan and said, "Then, Fellow Daoist, please withdraw on your own accord."
At this critical moment, Huang Tian Battle Venerable did not wish to easily make an enemy. If the other party could withdraw willingly, it would be the best outcome.
The cultivators of the Ten Great Immortal Sects and the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable watched from the side with faint smiles on their faces. However, Zhang Fan's next words caused everyone's expressions to darken.
"You misunderstood." Zhang Fan looked up at the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit, which was on the verge of ripening, and said softly, "What I meant was, your strength is too weak; don't humiliate yourself."
"Also, you Ten Great Immortal Sects and Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, get further away. I intend to take all thirty-six Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruits."
Huang Tian Battle Venerable looked at Zhang Fan as if he were an idiot. It was one thing for this brat to provoke him, but he didn't even regard the Ten Great Immortal Sects. Even an Immortal Emperor wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!
After all, behind the Ten Great Immortal Sects were Immortal Emperor powerhouses.
Zhang Fan shrugged helplessly. "It can't be helped, I have many relatives and friends. Taking all thirty-six fruits is barely enough."
"Attack!"
Huang Tian Battle Venerable roared, and several Dominator realm cultivators attacked in unison. The cultivators of the Dominator realm could destroy an entire starfield with a mere gesture. Fortunately, the Cloud Mist City was protected by an Emperor-level Grand Array; otherwise, the sheer might unleashed by the Dominator realm experts alone would have reduced Cloud Mist City to ruins.
Even so, the space collapsed, like countless universes pressing down on Zhang Fan. Even from a distance, it caused the expressions of Hei Yan and the other observing Universe realm powerhouses to change.
...