Years were but a blink of an eye for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, but during this time, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon and Southern Venerable walked the razor's edge daily. Led by True Immortal Pu Ji, they ventured from the first layer of the Seven Stars Tower and had now reached the third layer, the Earth Element World.
The closer they ascended to the top of the Seven Stars Tower, the more perilous the inner worlds became. Fortunately, after receiving guidance from Zhang Fan, True Immortal Pu Ji's strength advanced at a神速 pace. He was now considered a top-tier existence among the Six-Star Generals and was qualified to venture further.
"Three years have already passed. I wonder if Master has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage yet?" The Blood Demon Flood Dragon had also made significant progress over the years, being just one step away from entering the Spirit Refinement stage. Yet, he yearned for the days of adventuring with Zhang Fan. The rewards from a single battle with Zhang Fan surpassed their gains from ten ordinary fights, making it hard not to reminisce.
"After we finish exploring the Earth Element World, I plan to go into seclusion for a period to strive for a breakthrough to the Spirit Refinement stage," Southern Venerable suddenly declared.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon paused, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Do you have the confidence, kid?"
"Naturally. What's so difficult about entering the Spirit Refinement stage?" Southern Venerable replied with a faint smile.
Their teammates had long grown immune to the boastful conversation between the man and the beast. After all, Southern Venerable's master was True Immortal Ten Absolutes. Hadn't True Immortal Pu Ji's cultivation skyrocketed after receiving just a word of advice from True Immortal Ten Absolutes?
...
At the War Base, Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng had been anxiously awaiting news of Zhang Fan since returning from the Dark Forest. However, they waited for a full three years with no movement from Zhang Fan, who was in seclusion.
This caused Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng to worry. Had the dilapidated ancient temple in the Dark Forest already vanished? If so, wouldn't their efforts have been in vain?
But the War Base had strict regulations, and no cultivator dared to trespass into another's cave dwelling. Even with their backgrounds and their impatience, they could only wait obediently.
Another ten months passed, and Zhang Fan's cave dwelling, which had been sealed for so long, finally opened.
"Quickly inform Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng that True Immortal Ten Absolutes has emerged from seclusion. Judging by his aura, he has likely already entered the Nascent Soul stage."
Given their status, Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng naturally wouldn't wait outside personally. Instead, they had arranged for a cultivator at the Primordial Spirit stage to keep a constant watch on Zhang Fan's movements, ready to notify them immediately of any developments.
"Whoosh!"
Stepping out of his cave dwelling, Zhang Fan exhaled a long breath. After nearly four years of secluded cultivation, he had not only entered the Nascent Soul stage but had even cultivated to the late stage. However, the quantity of Nascent Soul Vitality Pills was still slightly insufficient, and Zhang Fan's physical body had not yet fully achieved Daoization.
Therefore, upon emerging from seclusion, Zhang Fan planned to visit the military depot again to exchange for some medicinal ingredients and refine another batch of Nascent Soul Vitality Pills.
Zhang Fan felt a sense of helplessness about this. He had cultivated the rules of the Thunder Dao and Sword Dao to perfection. To completely Daoize his physical body, he needed to melt all two million of these rules into his body, a task far more difficult than for other Nascent Soul cultivators.
Thus, despite preparing over a thousand Nascent Soul Vitality Pills, he was still a bit short.
"Fellow Daoist Ten Absolutes!"
A deep voice echoed in Zhang Fan's ears. Looking up, he saw a man clad in a yellow robe and wearing a crown approaching him. His eyes were like stars, exuding an indescribable noble aura.
Beside him walked a man built like an iron tower. With every step he took, it was as if stars were falling, exuding an oppressive aura.
Although Zhang Fan hadn't specifically sought out information about other cultivators at the War Base, he had a general understanding of its top powerhouses.
These two were Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng, both late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators who had been granted the title of Eight-Star Marquis. With such strength, they were virtually at the pinnacle of the War Base. Combined with their substantial backgrounds, they could roam freely even in the star river battlefield, a place teeming with experts.
However, their strength usually kept them adventuring in the outer regions of the Dark Forest, and they rarely interacted with cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. Thus, this was their first encounter.
"Prince Wuyou, True Immortal Jufeng," Zhang Fan said, looking at the approaching pair. "May I ask what business you have?"
Prince Wuyou's starry eyes fixed intently on Zhang Fan. Seeing his calm, unruffled gaze, he smiled faintly and said, "We've heard that Fellow Daoist Ten Absolutes has refined a batch of Nascent Soul Vitality Pills. True Immortal Jufeng and I are at a critical juncture in our cultivation breakthrough. Would you be willing to sell us a portion of these pills? The price would be according to the normal market rate."
Zhang Fan chuckled. Not only did he not have any Nascent Soul Vitality Pills at the moment, but even if he did, he wouldn't sell them to Prince Wuyou. The scarcity of Nascent Soul Vitality Pills was well-known at the War Base. Was it reasonable for Prince Wuyou to expect to buy them at the normal market price?
"I've already used up all the Nascent Soul Vitality Pills. If you wish to purchase them, you'll have to wait for the military depot's supply," Zhang Fan said softly and prepared to leave. However, he was blocked by True Immortal Jufeng's immense, imposing presence.
"Fellow Daoist Ten Absolutes, please don't be in a hurry," Prince Wuyou said, fixing his gaze on Zhang Fan. "With your alchemy skill, it shouldn't be difficult to refine another batch. If you lack materials, I can provide them."
"No time!" Zhang Fan looked up at the towering True Immortal Jufeng and said, "Could you please move aside?"
True Immortal Jufeng stared at Zhang Fan, a peculiar feeling stirring within him. It was the first time anyone at the War Base had dared to speak to him like this. "What if I don't?"
"Oh?" A hint of interest arose in Zhang Fan. Although True Immortal Jufeng and Prince Wuyou were both at the late Nascent Soul stage, just like him, he had never truly regarded them as equals, nor had he ever taken their powerful backing seriously.
He was also curious to know how his current strength truly measured up against other Nascent Soul cultivators.
Since these two were willingly offering themselves as sparring partners, Zhang Fan naturally wouldn't waste the opportunity.
"It seems you two are determined not to give up until you achieve your goal?" Zhang Fan smiled at Prince Wuyou and said, "Why don't we head to the Duel Arena for a bit of fun?"
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's words, Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Jufeng exchanged a knowing smile. This True Immortal Ten Absolutes was truly confident.
They could also sense that Zhang Fan's current cultivation realm was the same as theirs, the late Nascent Soul stage. However, Zhang Fan had only recently reached this stage, while they were just one step away from breaking through to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.
Therefore, they readily accepted Zhang Fan's proposal.
...