"Little brother-in-law, don't be impulsive!"
The Blood Demon Dragon let out a strange cry, transformed into human form, and hid behind Zhang Fan, shouting, "We are all family, there's no need for swords and spears."
Hearing this, the Black Dragon became even angrier. It exhaled a mouthful of scorching dragon's breath, lunging towards Zhang Fan. Facing this dragon's breath, which could melt divine iron, Zhang Fan opened his mouth and swallowed it all, his expression serene.
Such a display of power stunned all parties. Their eyes, filled with surprise and confusion, fixed on Zhang Fan.
"Another Sovereign realm expert. No wonder that Blood Dragon dared to be so arrogant. But on the Central Continent, every Sovereign realm expert is renowned. I've never seen this one before."
The Black Dragon stopped attacking. It knew the strength of the man before it was not on the same level as his own. Just as it was in a dilemma, a voice entered its ears, "Let them in."
The Black Dragon glared fiercely at the Blood Demon Dragon, a flicker of unwillingness in its eyes, but still said, "My sister allows you to enter, but don't think that our Cloud Mist Marsh fears you. Your strength is not weak, but it's unlikely you'll obtain the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit."
After speaking, the Black Dragon reverted to its true form and soared away.
As the Black Dragon departed, the many experts hidden around them gradually dispersed. They were not too concerned about the arrival of Zhang Fan and his companion, as the competition for the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit was destined to be dominated by the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
"Master, why didn't you tell me that the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is a female dragon? You know I've been cultivating for so many years and haven't met a suitable match?" the Blood Demon Dragon complained to Zhang Fan.
"Didn't I bring you here? The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is indeed extremely beautiful. Whether you can win her over depends on your own abilities," Zhang Fan said, striding towards the depths of the Cloud Mist Marsh.
Cloud Mist City was built deep within the Cloud Mist Marsh, protected by formations that prevented the surrounding miasma from encroaching. The environment within Cloud Mist City was excellent. Moreover, any cultivator daring to come here had reached at least the Void Returning stage. Although the number of cultivators was much smaller than in the outside world, their quality was incomparable to that of cities outside.
The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, relying on the city's protective formation, could withstand the attacks of any cultivator below the Immortal Emperor realm. Even dozens of Immortal Venerables joining forces might not be able to break it. This was the foundation of her ability to establish this place without relying on an Immortal Sect.
However, at this sensitive time, the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable did not dare to refuse entry to the experts of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. Faced with the temptation of the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit, if her attitude were too strong, leading to the Ten Great Immortal Sects uniting against them, Cloud Mist City would be on the brink of destruction.
In the center of Cloud Mist City stood a divine tree, one hundred and eighty thousand feet tall. Ripples emanated from the tree, and thirty-six crimson divine fruits hung like fierce suns, emitting an alluring fragrance that made many cultivators' mouths water.
Because of the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree, the entire Cloud Mist City was filled with an unusually dense spiritual energy, making it a sacred cultivation ground for body-refining experts.
Even though the fruits were not yet fully ripe, countless eyes were already fixed upon them. Immortal Venerable experts from the Ten Great Immortal Sects had arrived, engaging in a complex game of strategy, all seeking the greatest benefits.
Upon returning to Cloud Mist City, the Black Dragon first sought out the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable.
"Black Flame, you seem unhappy?" the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, clad in a black gauze dress, with a graceful figure and a cold demeanor, said to her younger brother.
"Sister, why did you let those two in? Now that the Ten Great Immortal Sects have all arrived, along with several rogue cultivators at the Sovereign realm, the order within Cloud Mist City is on the verge of collapse. If handled improperly, it will be a disaster for us," Black Flame said with great worry.
The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable looked at Black Flame with surprise, not expecting her dissolute younger brother to have considered this matter. A flicker of satisfaction crossed her eyes. "That you can think this far shows you have indeed grown. However, your strength is slightly lacking, and your perspective is still a bit narrow."
"There are only thirty-six Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruits. When the Ten Great Immortal Sects intervene, it is already predetermined that our Cloud Mist City will gain nothing. Even if we stop other rogue cultivators, can we possibly contend with those Immortal Sects?"
"Our only advantage is our terrain. The more rogue cultivator experts enter Cloud Mist City, the more chaotic the situation will become. The possibility of the Ten Great Immortal Sects obtaining the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit will be smaller. We dare not snatch from the Immortal Sects, but can we not snatch from the rogue cultivators?"
Black Flame was enlightened, never expecting his sister's plan to be so intricate.
"There are three days left. Prepare well, and also keep an eye on the movements of all Sovereign realm experts within Cloud Mist City, reporting to me at any time," the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable instructed.
Black Flame nodded. This was destined to be a battlefield for Sovereign realm experts, and even he dared not interfere.
...
"Master, this Cloud Mist City is truly powerful. Void Returning experts are as common as dogs, and Immortal Kings walk everywhere. That's exactly what this place is like," the Blood Demon Dragon chattered noisily as they walked on the streets of Cloud Mist City, drawing the attention of many cultivators.
To describe their Void Returning powerhouses as dogs immediately stirred a desire to fight. However, upon sensing the aura of the speaker, they all shut their mouths and walked away, not daring to provoke him.
"To traverse this dense miasma, even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator might risk falling. Naturally, there are very few Nascent Soul stage cultivators in this city," Zhang Fan said. He had not brought Qin Luoshui and the others out. The competition for the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit in three days would likely be exceptionally fierce, and it was safest to stay within the Limitless Pagoda.
"As we walked, I sensed the auras of no less than ten Tribulation Passing Immortal Venerables. There are certainly more hidden experts. Do you have the confidence to handle them then?" the Blood Demon Dragon asked.
"Rest assured, since I've come, how can I leave empty-handed?" Zhang Fan said with a faint smile. He had traveled so far, and his target was not just the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit.
Three days passed quietly. Zhang Fan and the Blood Demon Dragon wandered around the city, essentially getting a grasp of the situation within Cloud Mist City. Zhang Fan was quite satisfied with the state of this city.
"Blood Demon, how about we establish our base on the Central Continent here in Cloud Mist City from now on?" Zhang Fan inquired of the Blood Demon Dragon.
The Blood Demon Dragon looked up in confusion. After a moment of thought, it exclaimed in shock, "Master, are you planning to take Cloud Mist City as your own?"
"You can set your sights on the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, so why can't I set my sights on Cloud Mist City?" Zhang Fan chuckled. "If you work hard and take down the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, won't Cloud Mist City be ours?"
"I, Blood Demon, am a pure-blooded Blood Dragon. How could I rely on a woman for sustenance?" the Blood Demon Dragon said defiantly.
"If that's the case, then I can only slaughter my way through, killing anyone who dares to disobey," Zhang Fan said, a murderous intent rising in his eyes.
"Master, don't be impulsive. Leave it all to me," the Blood Demon Dragon relented, quickly saying.
...