Since Zhang Fan's rebirth, he had used many secret arts like 'Soul Search' against numerous enemies, yet he never expected that on Earth, someone would attempt to use a soul-searching technique on him.
"Your idea is quite good, but I wonder if you have the strength for it?" Zhang Fan scoffed.
"You don't need to worry about that, Saint Master Zhang. Since this Emperor dares to state it openly, I naturally have the confidence to accomplish it." The white-robed Pope was full of self-assurance, and in his eyes, Zhang Fan now seemed like a turtle in a jar.
"There's no point in talking further. Let me see how capable you truly are." Zhang Fan waved a hand, and an ancient bronze sword appeared in his grasp.
"Formation rise!"
As Zhang Fan held the bronze sword, his entire demeanor turned sharp and formidable. Within his deep, dark eyes, countless tiny sword energies swirled, and locking eyes with him would cause a stinging sensation.
Innumerable sharp sword lights erupted from Zhang Fan's body, instantly appearing in various locations within the small world of light. They arranged themselves in an incredibly profound manner, forming a massive sword formation.
And Zhang Fan stood at the center of this formation.
"Qian Xuan Sword Formation!"
Zhang Fan had used this sword formation before when he fought against the Eight Extremities Fist Saint. However, due to his limited strength at the time, the formation was merely a facade. The Eight Extremities Fist Saint found its core and shattered it with a single punch.
But Zhang Fan's current strength was worlds apart from what it was then. Moreover, the bronze sword, which served as the formation's core, had now been refined to its absolute limit by Zhang Fan.
Although the bronze sword could only be considered a semi-spiritual treasure due to its material limitations, it was the first magical artifact Zhang Fan had ever used. Through long-term nurturing, in Zhang Fan's hands, it could unleash the might of a true spiritual treasure.
The only difference from a spiritual treasure was that the bronze sword lacked spirit artifact protection. If it were damaged, it would have no self-repair function and would likely be destroyed.
Even if Zhang Fan repaired it using artifact refining techniques, it would be difficult to restore it to its peak state.
The Qian Xuan Sword Formation, a self-contained domain, enveloped the area with sharp sword qi. The light elements were forced to dissipate, and Zhang Fan felt the pressure significantly lessen.
The domain of the Qian Xuan Sword Formation that Zhang Fan unleashed naturally couldn't compare to the Pope's domain of light. However, it was enough to clear out a small space for himself.
"This technique is indeed marvelous. Merely by means of a sword formation, you can resist my domain of light. Now, I'm truly eager." The white-robed Pope, who was usually calm and gentle, rarely showed any emotional fluctuations.
But at this moment, excitement was evident on his face. He was eager to capture Zhang Fan and perform the 'Soul Extraction Art' on him.
"Go!"
Zhang Fan struck first.
Mobilizing the power of the sword formation, countless tiny sword energies filled with sharpness instantly converged, forming a colossal sword of sword qi, which slashed towards the white-robed Pope hovering in the air.
"You do possess some skill." The white-robed Pope felt the sky-slashing momentum of the sword qi giant sword and his heart grew even more delighted. With a gentle wave of his fair, jade-like hand, a golden scepter appeared in his grasp.
It was the Papal Scepter, a spiritual treasure that had nurtured a spirit artifact.
As the golden scepter appeared, the light energy in the grand hall surged towards it, and its power rapidly amplified...
"Break!"
The white-robed Pope, holding the golden scepter, lightly pointed it at the air. The golden scepter then blazed with holy light, shooting out a rainbow-like beam.
The sword qi giant sword and the white rainbow instantly collided. A crisp sound like metal striking metal rang out. In the air where they clashed, powerful shockwaves rippled outward in waves.
The white rainbow gradually thinned as they stalemated, while the sword qi giant sword condensed by Zhang Fan began to show countless fine cracks, appearing as though it would soon collapse and explode.
"Desperate strike!"
Seeing the stalemate, Zhang Fan once again mobilized the power of the sword formation. All the sword qi surrounding him transformed into streaks of light, merging into the sword qi giant sword.
As the sword qi poured in, the body of the sword qi giant sword swelled once more, becoming a colossal, sky-splitting sword dozens of feet long.
The white rainbow cast by the white-robed Pope dissipated instantly under the erosion of the massive sword body. With no obstruction, the sword qi giant sword continued its advance towards the white-robed Pope.
The white-robed Pope hadn't expected Zhang Fan to abandon his sword formation domain entirely and pour all its power into a single attack.
With no time to counter, the Pope could only hold the golden scepter with both hands and place it horizontally in front of him.
Beneath the colossal sword qi giant sword, dozens of feet long, the white-robed Pope's figure appeared as small as an ant.
Even with the Pope's Core Condensation realm strength, it was difficult to resist the sharp energy and immense power contained within the sword qi giant sword with sheer force.
With a single downward slash, the white-robed Pope was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall of the grand hall behind him. The luxurious wall covering immediately cracked, spreading outwards.
Despite being sent flying backward by the blow, the white-robed Pope remained remarkably composed, as his physique was such that the seemingly ferocious attack had not harmed him in the slightest.
"Saint Master Zhang indeed has some confidence in daring to come to my Holy See, but you underestimate the power of a Celestial Immortal." The white-robed Pope held the golden scepter and slowly extended it, lightly tapping the center of the grand hall's ceiling.
Instantly, the hall, which was filled with light energy, blazed with light once more. Pure white vines began to spread from the ceiling, hanging down.
The sacred light-emitting vines spread with incredible speed. In just a few seconds, the walls of the entire grand hall were filled with them, blocking off all exits.
"Bloom, Sacred Light Flower."
The white-robed Pope exhaled a soft breath of white mist. The white vines, as if nourished by immortal liquid, began to slowly unfurl into flowers as tall as human figures, appearing incredibly beautiful and soul-stirring.
However, Zhang Fan dared not be mesmerized. He sensed extremely dangerous signals emanating from the beautiful white flowers.
Zhang Fan gripped the bronze ancient sword and unleashed his full power, sending streaks of sword qi with unparalleled sharpness to hack at the vines and white flowers.
The white vines showed gaps from Zhang Fan's attacks, but they were not severed. In the blink of an eye, they blazed with light, and the gaps healed as if new, demonstrating incredible resilience.
The white flowers swayed, blocking the sharp sword qi Zhang Fan had unleashed, remaining undamaged.
"If it weren't for the need to capture Saint Master Zhang alive, using this Sacred Light Flower would truly be overkill," the white-robed Pope said with a gentle shake of his head, seeing Zhang Fan's futile resistance.
Zhang Fan could not destroy the Sacred Light Flowers, but under the Pope's manipulation, they bloomed rapidly one after another. In less than a minute, they would likely fill the vast grand hall.
And by then, Zhang Fan would have nowhere to escape.
...