Prince Hill retracted his 'Illusory Divine Eye', a satisfied smile gracing his usually stern face.
"How was it?" Prince Moses asked.
"This Grandmaster Zhang is quite remarkable. Although his realm hasn't reached the Earth Immortal stage yet, his physical body is incredibly robust. My feeling is that none of us three, purely in terms of physical strength, can match this Grandmaster Zhang," Prince Hill said with a smile.
"How is that possible? Has he already achieved a saintly physical body, comparable to an Earth Immortal?"
Prince Hill's words left the other two princes in disbelief.
They knew that their bloodline lineage was naturally much stronger than ordinary people, and the bloodline power they cultivated could also aid in physical cultivation. Therefore, at the same cultivation level, generally only Earth Immortal powerhouses who specialized in physical cultivation could match them in bodily strength.
However, if Prince Hill's words were to be believed, Grandmaster Zhang was only in the Divine Realm, yet surpassed them in physical strength. How could they not be shocked?
"That is the truth. However, don't you think this Grandmaster Zhang is an excellent candidate? With his talent and physique, the Progenitor will surely be pleased."
"If we can successfully awaken the Progenitor, from this day forward, who on this planet will our bloodline fear?" Prince Hill's smile grew increasingly sinister as he spoke.
Rites, standing nearby, felt a tremor of fear. He was considered a high-ranking member of the bloodline, second only to the three princes. Thus, he was privy to many of the bloodline's secrets. Hearing Prince Hill's intent, it was clear they planned to use Zhang Fan as a sacrifice to their sleeping Progenitor.
"Ancestor, isn't this too risky? This Grandmaster Zhang from Huaxia is no ordinary individual. Even the five Earth Immortals of the Holy See couldn't subdue him. Our strength is not superior to the Holy See's, so this plan might be too dangerous," Rites said with concern.
"Rites, you overestimate this Grandmaster Zhang. Regardless, he is still only in the Divine Realm. No matter how strong he is, there are limits. Moreover, this is the Progenitor's ancient castle, our bloodline's territory. Even if he were a Land Immortal, once he enters here, he will be at our mercy!" Prince Moses scoffed.
"Rites has a point. We cannot be careless. Therefore, this matter requires strategy. If that fails, we will have to resort to force," Prince Hill stated.
"After this Grandmaster Zhang concludes his seclusion, you will bring him to us. During this period, no information related to this Grandmaster Zhang is to be leaked."
With all three princes agreeing to target Zhang Fan, Rites, despite his reluctance, had no choice but to comply.
"Madness, utter madness!"
After leaving the attic, Rites's heart remained uneasy. The primary reason was the sheer recklessness of the decision made by their ancestors. If things went awry, their bloodline might indeed become history. However, ultimately, he was a member of the bloodline and had to consider its future. If their plan to awaken the Blood Progenitor succeeded as the three princes envisioned, their bloodline would be fundamentally transformed.
...
During Zhang Fan's first month of seclusion, a major event that shook the Huaxia martial arts world occurred in the East Sea.
The White Family's ancestor emerged from seclusion, and a pillar of light shot into the sky, alarming the entire southwestern region. Wherever the White Family ancestor went, people involuntarily bowed in reverence; even Innate Grandmasters couldn't withstand his aura. Rumors from the White Family suggested that their ancestor had broken through the shackles of the Divine Realm, condensed a Nascent Core, and fully entered the Earth Immortal realm. With a lifespan exceeding a thousand years, he was a true Land Immortal.
The first act of the White Family's ancestor upon emerging was to issue a challenge to Grandmaster Zhang in the Huaxia martial arts world, inviting him to Tianmen Mountain for a battle to the death. He declared that if Zhang Fan did not appear within three days, the White Family ancestor would descend upon Huxin Island and wreak havoc.
This announcement sent shockwaves through the entire Huaxia martial arts world. Countless martial artists from Huaxia rushed to Tianmen Mountain overnight, hoping to witness this battle between immortals. No one doubted that Grandmaster Zhang would accept the challenge, for ever since his debut, he had never shown fear in the face of any opponent. They believed this time would be no different.
However, this time, it was indeed different. The White Family ancestor, clad in a light silk robe, waited atop Tianmen Mountain for three days, but Zhang Fan never appeared.
"Martial World Supreme? A mere joke."
With these words, the White Family ancestor departed into the void, a white bone sword in hand, heading towards East Sea Huxin Island. Accompanied by three Divine Realm experts from the White family, their imposing presence shook the heavens and earth.
Grandmaster Zhang's failure to appear at Tianmen Mountain disappointed many within the Huaxia martial arts world. After all, in the eyes of many, Grandmaster Zhang was the undisputed Supreme of the martial world. Yet, his avoidance of battle had somewhat tarnished his reputation.
"Although I am also an admirer of Grandmaster Zhang, I must say, the White Family ancestor has entered a different realm. Grandmaster Zhang is powerful, but he is still only in the Divine Realm. He likely knew coming would be suicide, so it's understandable he didn't show up."
"You're a fake fan, you don't understand Grandmaster Zhang at all. If he knew, he would definitely come. The fact that he didn't can only mean he's in seclusion or on a vacation abroad..."
"Hmph, the White Family ancestor is almost at Huxin Island. Let's see how long Grandmaster Zhang can hide."
...
Discussions about Zhang Fan's avoidance of battle were rife, and everyone was focused on the happenings at East Sea Huxin Island. However, just as the White Family ancestor arrived above Huxin Island, something occurred that rendered countless people speechless.
The White Family ancestor, along with three Divine Realm powerhouses, prepared to assault Huxin Island. A Land Immortal and three Divine Realm experts – a force that could bring any faction to despair. But as the White Family ancestor was about to break through Huxin Island's defensive array, a flood dragon, entirely blood-red, emerged from the island.
The flood dragon's body was as thick as a water bucket. In a single exchange, two of the White family's three Divine Realm experts met their demise, swallowed by the dragon's claws. The White Family ancestor nearly fainted from rage. Wielding his white bone sword, he engaged in a fierce battle with the blood-red flood dragon. Ultimately, the White Family ancestor was no match for the beast and fled in disarray with the surviving Divine Realm expert.
The White Family ancestor fought as he retreated, eventually making his way back to the White family's stronghold, where he was barely able to hold off the attack with the family's defensive array. The blood-red flood dragon fiercely attacked the White family's array for three days and three nights without success. Finally, a mysterious figure intervened, joining forces with the White Family ancestor to repel the blood-red flood dragon.
This battle gave everyone a new understanding of Zhang Fan. Those who had previously considered him cowardly quickly fell silent. If his pet could force the White Family ancestor to flee in embarrassment, how powerful must Zhang Fan himself be? This was something they dared not imagine.
The blood-red flood dragon that appeared on Huxin Island became the focal point of discussion. Creatures they had only believed existed in myths were now known to be real, shattering the worldviews of many.
...