After a ravenous feast, the group departed from Void Stone City and headed towards the Misty Marsh.
The Misty Marsh lay at the junction of the Profound Heaven Domain and the Heavenly Demon Sect, a vast swathe of swampland perpetually shrouded in miasma. Most of the humans and demons gathered here were cultivators wanted by the Ten Great Immortal Sects, forced to hide and survive under the protection of the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable.
Deep within the Misty Marsh, the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable had established a city, naming it Misty City. It stood as an independent force, leveraging its strategic location and his Sovereign Realm strength to build a rather prosperous city in an era where Immortal Emperors were absent.
News of the imminent ripening of the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit had once again thrust the Misty Marsh into the spotlight of the Central Continent. The Ten Great Immortal Sects and various reclusive powerhouses all rushed to the area, hoping to claim a share of the spoils.
After all, it was a Tribulation Realm divine fruit, a treasure rarely encountered in ten thousand years, even for Immortal Venerables facing tribulation.
Having traversed three major domains, Zhang Fan and his companions appeared on the outskirts of the Misty Marsh. Dense miasma permeated the heavens, and within the Misty Marsh lay a world unto itself, so perilous that even Nascent Soul cultivators dared not approach.
Outside the Misty Marsh stood a desolate city, usually devoid of human presence. Now, it was packed with cultivators from various races, many drawn by the rumors, eager to witness the spectacle even if they couldn't enter the marsh itself.
"I heard the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit will ripen in three days. The Ten Great Immortal Sects have already dispatched Immortal Venerable-level experts into the Misty Marsh to discuss the distribution of the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit with the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable."
"The Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit fruits only once every eighty thousand years. This is its first fruiting since the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable obtained the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit tree. It only bears thirty-six fruits each time. Besides the Ten Great Immortal Sects, there are many reclusive Immortal Venerable powerhouses. Peaceful distribution will likely be difficult."
"Heh heh, no one ever has too much of such a treasure. No matter how it's divided now, when it truly ripens, it's bound to turn into a brawl."
Many cultivators in the ancient desolate city were discussing the matter. They had already seen more than ten Immortal Venerable powerhouses, individuals rarely glimpsed in normal times, truly broadening their horizons.
"I will take the Blood Demon into the Misty Marsh. You all enter the Boundless Pagoda to cultivate," Zhang Fan said, having made up his mind.
"A large number of Immortal Venerable powerhouses have gathered here, and the Ten Great Immortal Sects are involved. You must be careful," Qin Luoshui cautioned.
Zhang Fan nodded. After ushering everyone into the Boundless Pagoda, he mounted the Blood Demon Flood Dragon and flew towards the Misty Marsh. After consuming that blood pill, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's Blood Dragon Body had surpassed the perfect stage, just one step away from cultivating into a Transcendent Sacred Body.
It was known that a Transcendent Sacred Body was an existence almost invincible beneath Immortal Emperors. While they had not yet fully transcended, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon already possessed the strength of a Tribulation Realm Cosmic Realm, capable of fighting some early-stage Immortal Venerables.
Its strength had evidently surpassed that of the others, making it the strongest existence beneath Zhang Fan. Such speed even astonished Zhang Fan.
"Haotian and Nanzun's Sacred Bodies are now also perfect. After obtaining this Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit, perhaps both of them will have a chance to reach the Transcendent Realm." Zhang Fan also had plans for his two disciples, but Luo Xiaoxiao's cultivation gave him a headache. While the Dark God Body was powerful, reaching perfection was even more arduous than the Sacred Body, and treasures suitable for the Dark God Body were exceptionally rare.
Upon entering the Misty Marsh, their vision was filled with a hazy mist. Their intrusion alerted the demonic beasts within, and news quickly reached the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. After all, the entry of two unfamiliar Immortal Venerable powerhouses was enough to warrant his attention.
A black dragon, winding for thousands of miles, flew out from the depths of the Misty Marsh, transforming into a handsome and vigorous young man. His eyes were obsidian black, possessing a captivating demonic allure as he stared at Zhang Fan and the other. "May I ask where you two come from, and what brings you here?"
"Just a rogue cultivator. I heard the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit is about to appear and wished to try a few," Zhang Fan said with a faint smile.
Upon hearing this, the Black Dragon couldn't help but sneer inwardly. The Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit's allure was indeed immense, drawing even these reclusive old fellows. However, a mere rogue cultivator wanting to get involved seemed akin to courting death.
"Besides the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the Misty Marsh does not welcome rogue cultivators. I ask for your understanding, fellow Daoist," the Black Dragon said politely, but the hint of disdain on his face was quite apparent.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon was instantly enraged. Having followed its master for many years, it had never suffered such indignity. "Master, this Black Dragon also possesses quite pure bloodline. Why not slay him and refine it into a blood pill? Perhaps my Sacred Body Technique can then reach the Transcendent Realm."
"Go try," Zhang Fan did not stop him, but rather encouraged him.
Upon hearing this, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon hesitated not at all. It immediately transformed into a ten-thousand-zhang blood dragon and charged towards the Black Dragon. The Black Dragon was slightly taken aback. It hadn't expected the本体 of this stout man to also be a dragon, and one whose bloodline was as pure as his own. It immediately became interested.
Two pure-blooded dragons clashed fiercely in the Misty Marsh. The earth-shattering roars soon alerted cultivators within Misty City, and figures began to fly towards them, eager to investigate the situation.
Both the Black Dragon and the Blood Dragon possessed the strength of a Tribulation Realm Cosmic Realm and had incredibly resilient life forces. Even if injured, they could recover in the blink of an eye. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
"I have never seen this Blood Dragon before. This Central Continent is truly a place of hidden talents," exclaimed a powerhouse from an Immortal Sect with some surprise.
"Likely heard the news of the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit and wants a share. However, with Cosmic Realm strength, even Black Flame Immortal Venerable can stop him. It's probably a wasted trip."
The experts from various Immortal Sects watched calmly. Even Immortal Venerable powerhouses, with the backing of their sects, didn't need to pay too much heed.
"For the sake of you also being a dragon, I advise you to leave quickly. If my sister intervenes, you might not be able to escape," the Black Dragon warned, realizing he couldn't defeat the Blood Dragon with his current strength.
"Who is your sister?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon asked curiously.
"My sister is the renowned Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. If she were to act, you wouldn't even have a chance to flee. By then, you'd be the one refined into a blood pill," the Black Dragon said proudly.
"The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is a female dragon?" The Blood Demon Flood Dragon's eyes lit up, and it quickly asked, "Is your sister married?"
The surrounding Immortal Sect powerhouses couldn't help but chuckle at this. This Blood Dragon was quite amusing, aiming for the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable with its Cosmic Realm strength.
One only needed to consider that the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable could establish her own domain under the watchful eyes of the Ten Great Immortal Sects to understand her formidable power. An Immortal Sect powerhouse who wasn't afraid of stirring up trouble interjected, "The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is not yet married."
The Black Dragon's eyes turned cold. "Courting death!"
This Blood Dragon dared to set his sights on his sister, immediately filling him with murderous intent.
...