"Master Zhang is an invincible Divine Realm expert, and is recognized as the foremost powerhouse in China's martial arts world today," Wei Xiaowen said, her dark eyes filled with a mix of admiration and awe.
She, Wei Xiaowen, considered her own talent astonishing. In the path of cultivation, few among the younger generation at Daliang Temple could compare to her. Even many older, powerful individuals sighed in admiration when facing her, naturally giving her her own pride and confidence.
However, Zhang Fan's casual palm strike had not only sent her flying with ease but had also shattered her pride to pieces.
Before Zhang Fan, she felt she had let down her master's teachings. The chasm-like difference made it difficult to even muster the motivation to pursue him.
What had been a rather relaxed atmosphere in the hall moments ago instantly froze. Even Wei Tong and Wei Wen wore expressions of disbelief.
The hall fell into a silence so profound that a pin drop could be heard. It was a long while before everyone reacted.
"The acknowledged number one powerhouse in China's martial arts world?" The Wei family members' faces were filled with shock. Even if they didn't understand what the term 'Divine Realm' represented, the title of 'Number One Under Heaven' was something they clearly understood.
If this were ancient times, he would be the supreme master of the martial world!
"Divine Realm!" Apart from Wei Xiaowen, it was likely only the nearly seventy-year-old Patriarch Wei, who had lived for so long, understood the meaning of these two words.
These were super experts capable of altering the course of a war.
Patriarch Wei had heard legends of the Divine Realm before. But all those legendary Divine Realm experts were beings who had lived for over a hundred years. For someone like Zhang Fan, in his early twenties, to be a Divine Realm expert, he, having lived for decades, had never heard of such a thing.
If his most trusted and beloved granddaughter hadn't said it, he wouldn't have believed it even if they beat him to death on the spot.
Was such a young Divine Realm expert possible?
Just as everyone was still immersed in the shock of 'Number One Under Heaven,' Wei Xiaowen dropped another, even more explosive piece of information.
"Master Zhang not only possesses unparalleled talent in martial arts, but his alchemy skills are also unmatched in China. Even the former Sect Master of the Pill God Pavilion was far inferior to Master Zhang."
"The reason Master Zhang holds this title is because his alchemy has reached a level of transcendence and sainthood. Even Saint Domain experts greatly desire the Saint Pills refined by Master Zhang, which is why he is revered as Master Zhang by China's martial arts world," Wei Xiaowen explained slowly.
"Big sister, why did you say 'former Sect Master of the Pill God Pavilion'?" Wei Tong asked with some confusion.
"Because the Sect Master of the Pill God Pavilion no longer exists. The former Sect Master of the Pill God Pavilion challenged Master Zhang to a decisive battle after breaking through to the Divine Realm, and ultimately perished at Master Zhang's hands," Wei Xiaowen recounted as if reciting familiar information.
The Wei family members' faces changed again, their hearts filled with shock. Even a Divine Realm expert had fallen at Zhang Fan's hands. He truly was worthy of being China's number one powerhouse!
All the news related to Zhang Fan had come from the disciples of their Daliang Temple. When she had heard it before, Wei Xiaowen had been skeptical. But after witnessing Zhang Fan's capabilities, her doubts vanished instantly.
One shocking piece of news after another relentlessly refreshed the Wei family members' understanding of Zhang Fan. At the same time, they felt fortunate that after Wei Tong had his legs broken by Zhang Fan, their Wei family hadn't sought trouble with him. Otherwise, their Wei family might now be living in constant fear.
"Could Zhang Fan have reached the Divine Realm so quickly because of his alchemy skills?" Wei Tong suddenly asked, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes.
The Wei family members were also surprised by this. If this were true, then these alchemy skills would be too heaven-defying.
Wei Xiaowen shook her head and said, "Do you think the Divine Realm is something that can be easily achieved through pills?"
"If one's foundation is not firm, even if you were given a Divine Pill, let alone reaching the Divine Realm, even aspiring to enter the Saint Domain would be extremely difficult."
"It's like the leader of the Green Gang, Siming. Although a significant part of his entry into the Saint Domain was due to him consuming the Dragon-Tiger Heaven-Breaking Pill refined by Master Zhang, he was, first and foremost, an invincible Grandmaster with a deep accumulation. The pill was merely an auxiliary."
Wei Xiaowen seemed to have seen through Wei Tong's thoughts and admonished him, "Seeking shortcuts on the path of cultivation will only affect your state of mind and cause you to stagnate. Cultivate diligently, and reach the Half-step Innate realm as soon as possible. If you cannot break through, I will return to Daliang Temple to request a spirit pill for you."
Wei Xiaowen knew that if she didn't give her brother some hope, after this setback, Wei Tong might very well fall into despair.
Upon hearing this, Wei Tong quickly nodded, the gloom in his heart swept away. With his elder sister's help, his chances of reaching the Innate Grandmaster realm would be much greater.
"Tomorrow is Old Master Qin's sixtieth birthday. I haven't seen him in some time. Arrange for me tomorrow; prepare a generous gift, and I will go pay my respects to Master Zhang," Patriarch Wei instructed after the family meeting ended.
The Wei family members were all stunned. Their Wei family had a mediocre relationship with the Qin family, and Patriarch Wei had never attended Patriarch Qin's birthday before. However, upon hearing Patriarch Wei's subsequent words, they understood that he was going for Zhang Fan.
"Also, Xiaowen, you will accompany me," Patriarch Wei commanded.
Wei Xiaowen hesitated for a second, then nodded and agreed.
...
Tonight, family meetings like the Wei family's were happening in various great families throughout Yan Jing. Families that could establish themselves in Yan Jing all possessed considerable heritage and connections. Even families like the Xu family and Ning family in Donghai City had connections within China's martial arts world, and so did they.
Therefore, almost all families were frantically inquiring about the meaning of the name 'Master Zhang' within China's martial arts world.
The results they obtained were naturally terrifying and shocking. They hadn't expected that the seemingly ordinary young man was an existence that could be considered supreme in China's martial arts world.
"Divine Realm expert!"
"That's no longer human; that's simply an immortal!"
"The Qin family has probably struck gold this time," many thought with emotion, while also feeling immensely envious.
The Qin family was already extremely powerful, ranking among the four great families of Yan Jing. If they were to form a marriage alliance with Zhang Fan, then for the next few decades, the dominance of Yan Jing would likely belong to the Qin family.
"From now on, anyone who dares to provoke Master Zhang, I will personally break their legs and cast them out of the family!" Many elders of the families admonished their disciples in this manner. Even the four great families of Yan Jing had not instilled such fear in them.
But Zhang Fan, with just a title, had intimidated the entire Yan Jing.
...