"Brother Bai, the formation in your lair is indeed powerful. It can withstand such fierce attacks from that beast. Even three to five Earth Immortals would be unable to do anything to you."
Chang Sheng Daochang still had a gourd hanging from his waist. With a drunken expression, he stared at the formation above his head, his eyes filled with admiration.
Although he had little research on formations, Chang Sheng Daochang had seen many. The Bai family's mountain protection grand formation, among those he had seen, could at least rank in the top three.
"Daochang, you jest. If not for your intervention, how could my Bai family withstand that beast? That Master Zhang is truly formidable. I wonder where he found such a powerful beast. My Bai Gu Sword only left a faint scratch on its body; it couldn't even wound its skin or flesh."
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family still felt a trace of fear when he thought of this. Originally, after stepping into the Earth Immortal realm, he was full of confidence and went to seek revenge on Zhang Fan. However, he hadn't even seen Zhang Fan. He was beaten into a hasty retreat by a Flood Dragon, and even the two Divine Realm experts carefully cultivated by his Bai family were killed on the spot by the blood-colored Flood Dragon's claws.
Chang Sheng Daochang nodded in agreement upon hearing this. He also found that Flood Dragon to be extremely troublesome. He and the Old Ancestor of the Bai family, two Earth Immortals, could only hold it back together; they couldn't defeat it.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon also felt that continuing to fight was meaningless and retreated on its own.
Otherwise, how could the two of them have repelled it?
"It seems our strength is insufficient to achieve this. We need to find a few more helpers," Chang Sheng Daochang said softly.
"I think, perhaps, we should forget it..."
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family pondered upon hearing this. Although Zhang Fan had killed his descendants, destroyed his divine sense, and caused the deaths of two Divine Realm experts by the Flood Dragon, these were nothing in the Old Ancestor's eyes.
His seeking revenge on Zhang Fan was merely for the sake of face. He had lived for over two hundred years and had countless descendants; what was the death of one?
The most important thing was his own life. Zhang Fan's mystery and power had instilled a hint of fear in his heart.
Hearing the Old Ancestor of the Bai family's words, a flicker of surprise flashed in Chang Sheng Daochang's eyes, and then he smiled, saying, "Brother Bai, do you know why I intervened in this matter?"
"Could it be because Daochang incurred enmity with Master Zhang back in the Half-Moon Immortal's cave?" the Old Ancestor of the Bai family speculated.
Chang Sheng Daochang shook his head and said, "Back in the Half-Moon Immortal's cave, all my thoughts, along with those of the other Divine Realm experts, were focused on the immortal cultivation techniques. We paid no attention to other treasures."
"However, after I condensed my primordial core and stepped into the Earth Immortal realm, I finally understood the gap between myself and the Half-Moon Immortal."
"We have both witnessed the Half-Moon Immortal's methods. Even though he was always injured, his strength far surpassed yours and mine."
"I suspect that the Half-Moon Immortal might not have simply condensed a primordial core. He might have gone much further than you and I, condensing the legendary Golden Core."
"He is a Golden Core Earth Immortal!"
"Golden Core?"
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family murmured, his eyes filled with yearning. Legends said that by condensing a Golden Core, one could break through the void and roam the starry sky.
"Master Zhang inherited the legacy of the Half-Moon Immortal. If my guess is correct, Master Zhang might have obtained the Half-Moon Immortal's Golden Core."
"This is the purpose of my intervention."
Speaking to this point, a strong longing appeared in Chang Sheng Daochang's eyes. His Daoist name was Chang Sheng (Eternal Life), and he had spent his life pursuing the path of longevity. For this path, he could kill his long-time friends. He had already become somewhat paranoid.
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family finally understood why Chang Sheng Daochang, with whom he had no deep connection, had helped him. It was for this very purpose.
"After condensing the primordial core, the spiritual energy required for our cultivation is too vast. Relying solely on absorbing the power of heaven and earth, it might take decades to make even a slight advancement."
"Without external assistance, even though we are Earth Immortals and enjoy a lifespan of a thousand years, we will still be bound by time and stop here."
"If we had a Golden Core to assist us, our cultivation paths would be much smoother. It wouldn't be impossible to even ascend to the Golden Core realm."
"Daochang, your words are very enticing. However, you have also witnessed that Flood Dragon. With our current strength, we are no match for it, let alone attacking Master Zhang."
"No matter how powerful that Flood Dragon is, it is ultimately just a beast. To deal with it, we only need a slight ploy to delay it for a moment or two. As long as we break through the island in the lake and casually capture a couple of hostages, we can then exchange a few things with Master Zhang. I believe it won't be difficult."
Such despicable means, yet Chang Sheng Daochang could utter them so calmly, feeling no shame whatsoever.
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family was truly a shameless old fellow. After listening to Chang Sheng Daochang's words, he felt that the plan was excellent and nodded repeatedly, it suited his intentions perfectly.
"Then let's do it!"
The Old Ancestor of the Bai family already harbored an intense hatred for Zhang Fan. The hesitation he had shown earlier was merely due to being intimidated by the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's power. But after hearing the grand vision Chang Sheng Daochang painted for him, he felt a fervor he hadn't experienced in a hundred years.
"We don't need to worry about Master Zhang's strength, but dealing with that Flood Dragon is still a bit challenging for us. Therefore, we need helpers," Chang Sheng Daochang said, seeing the Old Ancestor of the Bai family nod, feeling more than half assured.
"How many?"
"Three to five Earth Immortals should suffice."
"..."
After leaving the Bai family's lair, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon soared through the clouds and mist. In a short while, it returned to the island in the lake.
"How was it? Did you kill that old man?"
Lin Haotian was the first to approach and ask.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon shook its massive head, extremely displeased. Shortly after Zhang Fan left, it had condensed its demon core and entered the Condensation Realm.
When the Bai family attacked this time, it was the most excited. It had expected to slaughter everyone, but unexpectedly, a Daoist priest appeared halfway and opposed it, causing its mission to fail.
"That person must be Chang Sheng Daochang, as Master mentioned. I didn't expect him to break through so quickly." After hearing the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's account, Lin Haotian immediately guessed Chang Sheng Daochang's identity.
"When will Master return? If Master were here, the Bai family's formation could be broken in an instant, and I would surely have my fill of killing!" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon roared.
"Master is encountering some trouble in Europe and may not return for a while. Everyone be careful during this period and stay on the island in the lake. Do not go out."
"When Master returns, he will definitely make them pay the price!"
With the Blood Demon Flood Dragon guarding them, Lin Haotian and the others felt relatively at ease on the island in the lake. Their only concern was for Zhang Fan.
...
The cultivation effect of using Golden Scale Breaking Primordial Pills was indeed much better than using primordial liquid. After consuming the first Golden Scale Breaking Primordial Pill, Zhang Fan spent just over a month to cultivate to the late stage of the Celestial Realm.
After consuming the last Golden Scale Breaking Primordial Pill, Zhang Fan spent another two months to reach the peak of the Celestial Realm, just one step away from condensing his primordial core and entering the Condensation Realm.
"More than ninety percent of the medicinal power has been consumed. To condense the primordial core with the remaining medicinal power is still too difficult," Zhang Fan sighed inwardly. He had originally thought that two Golden Scale Breaking Primordial Pills would be enough to help him enter the Condensation Realm, but he had underestimated his body's absorption capacity.
Having cultivated the Ten Absolute Heavenly God Record, each cultivation level required more spiritual energy than the same level in other cultivation methods. This was why he, an experienced veteran, had made a misjudgment.
"Never mind, peak Celestial Realm is not too bad. At least if I encounter those old guys from the Church again, I will have the ability to resist."
Previously, Zhang Fan could only rely on the Shan He Seal for help; otherwise, he couldn't escape at all. However, with his strength greatly increased, facing those individuals, even without relying on the Shan He Seal, he had the ability to protect himself.
...