After Zhang Fan waved and summoned the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron back, his gaze fell on the giant dark primal crystal at the edge of the valley. This crystal was their original target for this expedition, but they had unexpectedly gained a Grand Dao Secret Treasure.
The dark primal crystal was incredibly heavy. Zhang Fan transformed into a ten-foot-tall giant just to barely lift it, feeling as if he were holding a star.
"Hm?"
After storing the dark primal crystal, Zhang Fan noticed a black flower blooming behind it.
"Is this the Dark Dao Embryo Flower?" Zhang Fan hadn't expected to find such a rare flower here.
The Dark Dao Embryo Flower was a rare marvel in the universe, possessing extremely stringent growth requirements. It could only be found in places like the Dark Forest. The Dark Dao Embryo Fruit it bore was even more precious than dark primal crystals to cultivators of the Dark Dao, as it could help them condense their Dao Origin. This single function was enough to drive any cultivator of the Dark Dao to madness.
Zhang Fan waved his hand and released Fairy Ziling from his immortal abode. Before Fairy Ziling could even survey her surroundings, her gaze was drawn to the blooming Dark Dao Embryo Flower.
Her knowledge was clearly profound, as she recognized it instantly, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.
"How do you plan to handle this Dark Dao Embryo Flower?" Fairy Ziling looked at Zhang Fan.
Although the Dark Dao Embryo Flower was precious, like the dark primal crystal, it could only be used by cultivators of the Dark Dao. For her, it was merely a huge amount of military merit.
"Besides this Dark Dao Embryo Flower, there's also this ancient bronze bell!" Zhang Fan revealed the bronze bell.
"A Grand Dao Secret Treasure?" Fairy Ziling exclaimed. Even with her current strength, she had never obtained a Grand Dao Secret Treasure. Yet, Zhang Fan possessed two. How could anyone not be envious?
"This Grand Dao Secret Treasure was obtained by killing the leader of the dark alien beasts. This Dark Dao Embryo Flower belongs to me, and you can have this Grand Dao Secret Treasure," Zhang Fan said, tossing the bronze bell to Fairy Ziling.
"I cannot," Fairy Ziling refused, despite her envy. Although the Dark Dao Embryo Flower was valuable, it was still inferior to a Grand Dao Secret Treasure. Moreover, she had barely contributed during this expedition and had already reaped immense benefits with millions of military merits.
"Take it. To me, this Dark Dao Embryo Flower is far more precious than this Grand Dao Secret Treasure," Zhang Fan insisted, looking at Fairy Ziling.
Seeing the sincerity in Zhang Fan's eyes, Fairy Ziling blushed slightly and asked, "Are you trying to pursue me? Otherwise, why would anyone be so generous?"
Zhang Fan playfully smacked Fairy Ziling's head and said, "I already have a Dao companion. What are you thinking?"
"Do you want it or not? If not, I'll keep it myself."
"Yes, only a fool wouldn't want it." Hearing Zhang Fan's words, Fairy Ziling felt relieved, yet a trace of unspoken disappointment lingered. Did he already have a Dao companion?
"Let's go. The commotion from our battle was significant, and it might attract other powerful dark alien beasts from elsewhere. We need to leave here quickly," Zhang Fan said.
After some twists and turns, Zhang Fan and Fairy Ziling finally emerged from the Dark Forest. Looking at the vast star river outside, the Immortal Venerable's dojo above the Dark Forest still shimmered. Fairy Ziling asked, "With your strength, there's no need for you to continue adventuring in this star field. What are your plans next?"
Zhang Fan looked up at the Immortal Venerable's dojo in the sky and replied, "Next, I will break through to the Void Return stage, create an internal world, condense my Dao Origin, and then attempt the Immortal Venerable's dojo."
Fairy Ziling was speechless. Everything Zhang Fan mentioned was an arduous task, yet he seemed intent on achieving it all in one go, reaching the peak of the Void Return stage?
The Void Return stage had three major realms: Grand Dao Realm, Creation Realm, and Dao Origin Realm. Each step had thwarted countless geniuses. To reach the Dao Origin Realm in one go was practically impossible.
"Have you always cultivated like this?" Fairy Ziling asked playfully.
Zhang Fan shook his head and said, "In the early stages of cultivation, of course, one must build a solid foundation. It took me decades to cultivate from Foundation Establishment to my current Perfected Dao Body. My foundation is very solid now. Mastering the Grand Dao and condensing the Dao Origin will happen naturally."
"Decades?" Fairy Ziling pouted, finding Zhang Fan's words unbelievable. Her cultivation talent was considered top-tier in the Purple Firmament Star Domain, and it had taken her over a thousand years to reach her current level. Achieving what he described in mere decades was sheer fantasy.
Zhang Fan smiled and offered no explanation for Fairy Ziling's skepticism. The two of them flew away from the Dark Forest and headed towards the war base.
"We're almost at the war base. You've earned so much military merit this time; what treasures do you plan to exchange for?" With only a few hours left until they reached the war base, Fairy Ziling felt a sense of relief and asked, "I have over twenty million military merits. I don't know how to spend them; I'll just save them for now, perhaps they'll be useful later," Zhang Fan replied. He would need a lot of spirit pills for his breakthrough, but that was a pittance compared to his vast military merits.
Furthermore, these military merits weren't exclusively usable at the war base. Even if Zhang Fan returned to the Purple Firmament Star Domain after breaking through to the Void Return stage, he could still exchange them there.
"Ten Absolute True Immortal!" A furious roar suddenly echoed through the void. Zhang Fan and Fairy Ziling were suddenly restrained by a powerful force, their bodies immobilized as if by a binding spell, leaving only their eyeballs free to move.
"It's a Dao Integration Immortal King!"
Both Zhang Fan and Fairy Ziling simultaneously thought this. Fairy Ziling was shocked. With their strength, how could they be targeted by an Immortal King? And they were only a few hours away from the war base of the Purple Firmament Star Domain.
A man whose body seemed made of glazed jade emerged from the void. His long hair flowed, and his eyes blazed like divine stars. Just a glance at Zhang Fan made him feel an irresistible force.
"Glazed Jade Immortal King." Although Zhang Fan and Fairy Ziling had never seen this person before, their minds involuntarily conjured his name.
"Release the Thousand Spirit King and the Mang Ya True Immortal," the Glazed Jade Immortal King said calmly.
"I can't. I've refined them to death," Zhang Fan replied calmly, despite his body being restrained.
Fairy Ziling wanted to glance at Zhang Fan, wondering why he was so bold, facing a Dao Integration Immortal King without yielding.
"You are seeking death!" As soon as the Glazed Jade Immortal King finished speaking, Zhang Fan felt the surrounding space constrict. Cracks began to appear on his Dao body, and his spirit was being annihilated by immense power.
...