"Centuries of accumulation have only allowed me to barely step into the peak of the Condensing Core stage. Is it true that I, Niu Dao Ren, will never be able to break through to the Golden Core realm in this lifetime?"
After breaking through, Niu Dao Ren did not appear very excited upon reaching the peak of the Condensing Core stage. Instead, a trace of confusion flickered in his sunken eyes.
As he had said before, only by living could one qualify to pursue the deeper path, and only by living was anything possible.
Therefore, even after witnessing Zhang Fan's formidable strength, he had not given up on survival. Cultivators who could reach this level of cultivation on Earth were all individuals with tenacious will and strong inner fortitude.
Even when facing a desperate situation with a ten-percent chance of survival, he would fight with all his might.
As a body-refining expert in the mid-stage of the Condensing Core realm, Chang Bai Shan Wu Sheng, when activating his 'Zhang San Golden Body,' had his combat power cross the threshold into the late-stage of the Condensing Core realm.
Yet, even so, he was utterly defenseless against Zhang Fan. Thus, he understood that this 'Saint Master Zhang' had completely surpassed the Condensing Core realm and reached the level of the Golden Core.
Therefore, only by condensing a Golden Core did he have a chance of survival today.
However, condensing a Golden Core was exceedingly difficult. He had been immersed in accumulation for a century, and even with his breakthrough at this critical juncture, it had not yielded the expected results.
Seeing this, Zhang Fan did not mock Niu Dao Ren but felt a hint of sadness in his heart.
Condensing a Golden Core was a difficult feat for the vast majority of cultivators. Yet, with Niu Dao Ren's talent and mindset, if he had been born on a planet abundant in spiritual energy and rich in cultivation resources, he would likely have condensed a Golden Core long ago.
But unfortunately, he was born on this Earth, a planet with scarce spiritual energy.
"Condensing a Golden Core is not inherently difficult. With your talent, you could absolutely achieve it, but not on Earth."
"Given the current cultivation environment on Earth, it's simply impossible to condense a Golden Core," Zhang Fan sighed softly and said.
Even for him, condensing a Golden Core on Earth was incredibly challenging, though not impossible.
However, Zhang Fan did not voice this thought.
"Impossible! Didn't that Half Moon Immortal who perished a hundred years ago condense a Golden Core?" Niu Dao Ren roared in a low voice, feeling that Zhang Fan was deceiving him.
"Did the Half Moon Immortal not tell you that he was not from Earth, but from the vast expanse of the starry sky?" Zhang Fan shook his head and said.
Niu Dao Ren stared intently at Zhang Fan, unable to believe this fact.
"That's true. With the Half Moon Immortal's vision and strength, even when heavily injured, he wouldn't have paid attention to Condensing Core stage cultivators like you. It's perfectly normal that he wouldn't tell you."
Zhang Fan chuckled.
The Half Moon Immortal had condensed a first-grade Golden Core. In his prime, his strength could rival that of Nascent Soul stage cultivators. The Condensing Core stage cultivators on Earth were like ants in his eyes. Even when heavily injured, he could easily have annihilated them with a casual wave of his hand.
Would a giant tell his innermost thoughts to ants?
Clearly, it was impossible.
"Then, Saint Master Zhang, why do you possess power that surpasses that of Condensing Core stage cultivators?"
Niu Dao Ren asked again.
Hearing this, Wu Chen Jian Xian also turned his gaze towards Zhang Fan, his eyes filled with intense curiosity.
"Me?"
Zhang Fan shook his head and said, "There are some things you cannot know."
In his eyes, Niu Dao Ren was already no different from a dead man. He was only speaking so much because some of Niu Dao Ren's words had touched his heart. However, Zhang Fan would naturally never reveal his own secrets.
"Alright, we've spoken enough. It's time to send you on your way. I'll ask one last time, do you have any final words?"
Zhang Fan had said this to Niu Dao Ren and Bai Tu and others when he first arrived at the island. At that time, they had not taken it to heart, thinking Zhang Fan was joking.
But now, Niu Dao Ren only felt that they had been incredibly foolish. A group of Condensing Core stage cultivators banding together to deal with a Golden Core stage expert was no different from seeking death.
Niu Dao Ren pondered for a long time, but ultimately could not think of any last words. He had lived for over a thousand years; his loved ones had long since passed away, and he had no attachments.
His only regret was not being able to condense a Golden Core and explore the higher realms of the Dao.
"To die at the hands of an unparalleled expert like Saint Master Zhang is not a disgrace. However, I am curious, how strong is Saint Master Zhang's power? May I witness it?"
Niu Dao Ren said.
Zhang Fan had displayed too few of his abilities from beginning to end, leaving them unable to discern the bottom line of his strength.
"Very well, I can grant you that."
After saying this, Zhang Fan took a step forward, walking towards Niu Dao Ren.
As he took his first step, the power of the Disintegration Domain began to be released. The potent disintegration force enveloped Niu Dao Ren, distorting his features and causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
Niu Dao Ren was inwardly horrified. He was certainly aware of the power of domains; every Condensing Core stage cultivator possessed one. However, relatively speaking, if the difference in domain power was not too great, its role in combat was diminished.
Therefore, they had not unleashed their domains in the previous battles.
But feeling the power that constantly permeated his entire body, causing his blood to churn, Niu Dao Ren felt how weak his own strength was.
Under the suppression of the domain, even though he had now reached the peak of the Condensing Core stage, he could only exert fifty percent of his strength.
When Zhang Fan reached Niu Dao Ren, the latter did not attack. Instead, he asked, "Is this the domain possessed by a Golden Core stage expert? It is indeed powerful."
Zhang Fan shook his head without explanation. He slowly extended a finger and pointed it at Niu Dao Ren's forehead. The powerful finger force pierced through Niu Dao Ren's skull, creating a blood hole the size of a finger at his brow.
A trace of unwillingness lingered in Niu Dao Ren's eyes as he slowly fell.
Thus, of the five individuals who had intruded upon the island, all except Wu Chen Jian Xian, who had surrendered, perished.
Watching this scene from afar, Lin Hao Tian and Zhang Xing An and the others displayed looks of joy. Although they had faced dire circumstances today, everything had ultimately been resolved.
Furthermore, Zhang Fan's significant increase in strength also filled them with immense pleasant surprise.
Even an existence like Niu Dao Ren was utterly defenseless in his hands. Who else on Earth could be Zhang Fan's opponent?
Zhang Fan waved his hand, collecting Niu Dao Ren's corpse into the Star Phenomenon Space, and walked towards his parents.
"Holy cow, you're too awesome!"
Yi Fei Cheng excitedly rushed towards Zhang Fan and punched him hard in the chest. Zhang Fan remained unfazed, but Yi Fei Cheng howled in pain, clutching his fist.
"You're a freak!"
Yi Fei Cheng felt as though he had struck steel, nearly breaking his own bones.
"You brat, how did your strength improve so quickly? You gave your old man a scare for nothing," Zhang Xing An grumbled verbally, but the smile on his face could no longer be contained, and he laughed heartily.
"I had some fortuitous encounters in Europe this time, so my strength has indeed improved significantly," Zhang Fan replied with a smile.
At this moment, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon soared over, coiling around Zhang Fan, appearing somewhat wronged.
Earlier, Chang Bai Shan Wu Sheng had indeed inflicted considerable injuries upon it, causing it to still be somewhat weak.
"You performed admirably this time. Go and recuperate well, and I will compensate you handsomely."
Zhang Fan gently stroked the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's head, comforting it.
This time, eliminating four Earth Immortals had also yielded him four Yuan Pills. In particular, Niu Dao Ren's Yuan Pill contained a purer energy far exceeding the combined total of the other three, which could be used to refine many high-grade spirit pills.
Furthermore, the corpses of the four Condensing Core stage cultivators contained a large amount of blood, enough to refine many Blood Human Pills. He had previously promised Xue Zu Xue Jing that he would collect the blood of strong individuals to help him recover from his injuries. These Blood Human Pills would also be excellent medicinal elixirs for the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's recovery.
...