Bibo Lake.
The vast lake surface, caressed by a gentle breeze, rippled with waves. A faint mist drifted across the water, shrouding Bibo Lake in a veil of mystery.
Anyone of even moderate influence in Donghai City knew that no matter who you were, you could cause trouble anywhere in the city, but never at Bibo Lake.
For no other reason than the fact that within Bibo Lake lay a small island named Huxin Island, and upon this island resided the revered Master Zhang, whose might shook the martial arts world of China!
Thus, in Donghai City, whether it were titans of industry or politics, or mere street thugs, no one dared to cause a disturbance within several miles of Huxin Island.
Even a few months prior, an old man who descended from the sky, hailed by many as an immortal, had come to Huxin Island to challenge Master Zhang. Before Master Zhang could even appear, that immortal-like old man was soundly defeated and forced to flee by a colossal, blood-red flood dragon that erupted from Huxin Island.
That blood-red flood dragon, dozens of meters long, its scarlet scales glinting with a chilling, bloody light, could stir up colossal waves on Bibo Lake with a single breath. Its divine abilities were akin to those of the legendary dragons.
This incident had shocked all of Donghai. Videos of the flood dragon manipulating water had spread widely online, and despite considerable efforts by the authorities, they couldn't be entirely suppressed.
Following that event, Huxin Island became even more enigmatic and inviolable.
However, recently, the serene and peaceful Huxin Island was disrupted by the arrival of five uninvited guests.
Some netizens had discovered that among these five uninvited guests was the very person who had been soundly defeated and forced to flee by the blood-red flood dragon not long ago. He was the ancestor of the Bai family, a lineage that had thrived for hundreds of years in the southwest.
...
"This legendary Master Zhang is indeed extraordinary, capable of transforming an ordinary lake into a spiritual haven filled with abundant qi for cultivation. It seems we old fellows must tread with caution," said Daoist Niu, as he, the Bai family ancestor, and Daoist Changsheng, along with two others, arrived above Huxin Island, gazing down at the entire Bibo Lake. A slight smile played on his gaunt face as he chuckled.
"To be able to nurture a flood dragon that has condensed a Nascent Core, Master Zhang is naturally no ordinary man. But with Senior Niu here this time, no matter how heaven-defying Master Zhang is, he will have no choice but to surrender," sneered Bai Tu. This time, there were five of them: besides Daoist Niu, whose cultivation had reached the late stage of the Condensation Core realm, there were the Martial Saint of Changbai Mountain and the Sword Immortal Wuchen. Together with himself and Daoist Changsheng, no matter how heaven-defying Zhang Fan's combat power was, even if he had also condensed a Nascent Core and entered the Condensation Core realm, he would be no match for them.
Having been humiliated and forced to flee by a mere beast, Bai Tu's anger had long been simmering. However, since that blood-red flood dragon had been claimed by Daoist Niu, he could only vent his frustration on Zhang Fan.
The arrival of five Earth Immortals at Bibo Lake unleashed their powerful auras without reservation, causing the lake water itself to tremble and incessantly lap against the shore.
On Huxin Island, those present naturally noticed the commotion outside. The usually wild Blood Demon Dragon, its blood-red eyes now filled with solemnity, sensed the presence of the five life forms that had descended upon Huxin Island. Each of them was no less powerful than itself, and one in particular exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Therefore, it immediately instructed Lin Haotian to call its master. This was a situation beyond its ability to handle.
Although it didn't know the current extent of its master's power, it had heard from Lin Haotian about Zhang Fan's recent exploits.
Facing the siege of five Earth Immortals from the Church, Zhang Fan had managed to retreat unharmed, a testament to his strength.
Even if he couldn't defeat these five Earth Immortals, he would surely be able to protect their lives.
...
The five Earth Immortals in the Condensation Core realm hovered in the air, looking down at Huxin Island below.
"This formation is quite interesting. Judging by its appearance, cultivators below the Condensation Core realm would have virtually no chance of breaking it, and even cultivators in the Condensation Core realm might need some effort," said Daoist Niu with a smile, gazing at the formation enveloping Huxin Island, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Despite his formidable power, capable of easily shattering this formation, he admitted he couldn't have set up such a protective array himself.
"Daoist Niu thinks too highly of this formation. Watch as I shatter it with one sword strike!" declared Sword Immortal Wuchen with a cold snort. With a casual gesture, a ancient, snow-white longsword appeared in his hand.
"Break!"
Sword Immortal Wuchen, clad in a blue robe adorned with star patterns that billowed in the wind, held his snow-white sword and casually swung it.
A razor-sharp sword energy erupted from the sword, carrying with it a flurry of snowflakes, and sliced towards Huxin Island.
"Boom!"
The sharp sword energy, even under the protection of the formation, caused the skin of those on Huxin Island to prickle.
The sword energy violently struck the formation. Immediately, the entire protective array trembled intensely, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
Finally, as the sword energy and the formation continuously depleted each other, the once transparent and clear array became increasingly blurred, teetering on the brink of collapse. However, it still managed to withstand the attack.
"So strong!"
Lin Haotian and the others looked up, their hearts filled with astonishment as they beheld the man in the blue star-patterned robe holding a longsword in the sky.
His master, Zhang Fan, had said that the formation on Huxin Island could withstand the full force of a Condensation Core realm Earth Immortal's attack for several breaths. Yet, this white-robed man had shattered it to the brink of collapse with a single sword strike.
"Brother Wuchen, it seems you underestimated Master Zhang's abilities!" Daoist Niu said with a chuckle.
Sword Immortal Wuchen remained silent. Although that had been just a casual sword strike, the fact that the formation had managed to withstand it indeed proved its extraordinary nature.
"Let's go. I am eager to witness what is likely the only flood dragon on Earth. It makes one impatient," said Daoist Niu. With a single step, he reached the formation. He extended his withered finger and lightly tapped the array, which shimmered with flowing water. The formation trembled slightly and dissolved into a mist.
Bai Tu and Daoist Changsheng, following behind, exchanged glances of astonishment. Daoist Niu's power far surpassed their expectations.
Seeing this, those on Huxin Island felt a sense of helplessness creeping into their hearts. With a mere tap of his finger, he had shattered the formation that Zhang Fan had painstakingly set up with all his might. What level of power had he reached?
"Can Master contend with this old man?"
Even Lin Haotian, who had always had immense faith in his master, felt a tremor of doubt. The power of this old man had far exceeded his imagination.
...