Because Zhang Fan saw the message from his disciple Lin Haotian, informing him that the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's strength was sufficient to resist the White Family Patriarch and Daoist Changsheng, Zhang Fan felt no urgency. He didn't rush back to China with Ai Leibeila, but instead took the private jet of the Blood Clan and leisurely flew back.
Of course, this "leisurely" was relative. With Zhang Fan's current speed, he could return from Europe to China in less than half an hour. However, taking the Blood Clan's private jet took a full seven hours, though it was still much faster than a commercial airliner.
After seeing Zhang Fan and Ai Leibeila board the plane, the three Blood Clan princes could no longer contain themselves. They turned to look at their ancestor, their eyes filled with confusion.
"Ancestor, what exactly happened in the underground space?" Prince Xi Er asked.
In truth, he desperately wanted to ask why their illustrious ancestor, the progenitor of the Blood Clan and a powerful cultivator who had formed a second-grade Golden Core, would recognize a mere brat who hadn't even condensed a Nascent Core as his master.
However, knowing their ancestor's temper, such words would undoubtedly result in a severe beating. Thus, Prince Xi Er could only inquire so tactfully.
The Blood Ancestor was well aware of the confusion in Prince Xi Er and the others' minds.
He glanced at them and then slowly said, "Because I am no match for him. If I don't submit, it's a dead end. How do you think I should choose?"
"How is that possible?"
Prince Xi Er and the other two couldn't believe it. A powerful cultivator who had formed a second-grade Golden Core, even if severely injured, could still crush ordinary Nascent Soul realm cultivators, let alone Zhang Fan, who was only in the Divine realm!
"But wasn't that Saint Master Zhang not yet having condensed a Nascent Core? He's only in the Divine realm. Even if his combat power is heaven-defying and he can contend with Nascent Soul realm cultivators, he still shouldn't be a match for Ancestor!" Prince Moses said anxiously.
"Enough!"
Xue Jing did not wish to dwell on this matter. "You don't need to doubt your master's strength. Even in my prime, I might not have been able to defeat my master. From now on, when you see my master, you must treat him as you would me. Do not show any disrespect, or you will face my wrath."
After speaking, Xue Jing returned to the Ancestral Castle. He felt he had been isolated from the world for too long and needed to familiarize himself with it.
Furthermore, he knew very little about his master's information and needed to catch up.
Watching their ancestor wave his sleeve and depart, Prince Xi Er and the other two exchanged glances and could only sigh and accept the reality.
...
At the same moment Zhang Fan and Ai Leibeila boarded the plane, in the courtyard of the White Family's ancestral home in China, the White Family welcomed three honored guests whom the entire family treated with great solemnity.
Although the White Family was renowned for their Gu techniques and ghost control, rumors outside claimed that even during the day, spirits and ghosts roamed around their ancestral home, filling it with an eerie and terrifying aura.
In reality, however, the White Family's ancestral home was filled with an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Exotic plants were grown in the ancient courtyard, with miniature mountains and flowing water, birdsong, and the chirping of cicadas, creating a remarkably beautiful scene.
"I never expected that I, a junior, would have the chance to meet Senior Niu in my lifetime. We parted ways in haste back then, and I didn't have the chance to express my gratitude for your guidance."
Daoist Changsheng, dressed in plain robes and with a large gourd hanging from his waist, usually appeared unrestrained. But at this moment, he bowed respectfully to a rather dishevelled old man.
"Heh heh, I also didn't expect that the young man who was once addicted to wine and inseparable from it would be able to condense a Nascent Core and achieve the status of an Earth Immortal."
Before Daoist Changsheng stood the dishevelled old man, his face slightly flushed, his cloudy eyes holding a hint of intoxication. He also had a gourd hanging from his waist, though it was even larger than Daoist Changsheng's.
His frame was somewhat gaunt, creating a peculiar contrast. His white hair was dishevelled, as if it hadn't been tidied for a long time, making him look like a complete drunkard.
Everyone present, being Earth Immortal experts who had condensed Nascent Cores and possessed considerable status, dared not underestimate this old man who looked like a mad drunkard.
This was because his strength was unanimously recognized as the strongest among the five of them, reaching the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. He was known as Daoist Niu.
Daoist Niu's real name was Niu Yongnian. He was an extremely ancient Nascent Soul realm cultivator, over a thousand years old – a true relic of the past.
Initially, Daoist Niu was not among the people invited by Bai Tu and Daoist Changsheng. Due to Daoist Niu's immense power, even if they obtained the Golden Core from Zhang Fan, there wouldn't be much left for them.
However, Daoist Niu learned of this matter from an unknown source and came uninvited, causing both Bai Tu and Changsheng to appear quite tense.
"With Senior Niu making a move this time, no matter what methods Saint Master Zhang possesses, he won't be able to stir up any trouble," Bai Tu said, cupping his hands in greeting, flattering him.
The other two, intimidated by Daoist Niu's strength, also nodded with smiles, expressing their agreement.
Having lived for over a thousand years, Daoist Niu had long seen through human nature. He squinted his eyes, let out a slight chuckle, and said, "Don't worry. I'm not here for that so-called Golden Core you mentioned. My active participation this time has only one goal."
"Could it be that fellow Daoist Niu has taken a liking to that Flood Dragon?"
The one who spoke was a middle-aged man wearing a blue robe with star patterns. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a pure black, three-foot-long sword was strapped to his back. His imposing aura made it difficult for people to look at him directly.
"Indeed. As expected of the Unfettered Sword Immortal, you saw through this old man at a glance."
Daoist Niu chuckled, took down the gourd from his waist, pried open the stopper, and took a big gulp. He continued, "I don't have many hobbies. I'm just curious about new things. There have always been legends of dragons on Earth, but I've never seen one. I never expected that this Saint Master Zhang would actually keep a Flood Dragon."
"My purpose for appearing this time is to capture that Flood Dragon alive."
"Therefore, this time, the Flood Dragon belongs to me, and the Golden Core will be divided among the four of you. How about it?"
"I have no objections," the Unfettered Sword God said. As long as Daoist Niu didn't participate in the distribution of the Golden Core, everything else was negotiable.
Bai Tu and Daoist Changsheng exchanged glances and nodded, then spoke, "We have no objections either."
They were the weakest among the five, so they naturally had to stick together to have a better say.
"What does Martial Saint think?" the Unfettered Sword God asked, turning his gaze to the last bald old man.
The old man appeared quite thin, almost as much as Daoist Niu. His head was completely smooth, as if all his hair had fallen out due to staying up too late in his youth.
Yet, this seemingly malnourished old man possessed an extremely resounding title: the Martial Saint of Changbai Mountain – He Tai.
"I have no objections either," He Tai nodded indifferently. After saying this, he offered no further comment, clearly unwilling to speak more.
"Haha, since everyone's opinions are unified, let's set off quickly. I'm eager to see what that Flood Dragon looks like," Daoist Niu said excitedly and impatiently.
...