"Dead?"
Within the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation, Tian Hua Zhen Jun, Dao Zun, and the others stared at the scene in disbelief. Jiujian Zhen Jun's body was struck by the divine ability, instantly turning into a mist of blood, not even his golden core remaining.
Since Jiujian Zhen Jun's arrival, Dao Zun and the other eight had largely viewed him as their greatest competitor for the opportunities ahead. Though reluctant to admit it, they knew deep down that with Jiujian Zhen Jun present, their chances of obtaining these opportunities were slim.
Yet, the very Jiujian Zhen Jun whom they considered their biggest rival had died before their eyes, without even entering the immortal mansion's gates.
At this moment, there was no trace of joy in their hearts. Instead, a somber sadness akin to a fox mourning a rabbit washed over them.
If even Jiujian Zhen Jun had perished, how could they possibly contend with the indomitable Zhang Sheng Shi?
The group of Golden Core realm cultivators struggling against the onslaught of Lin Yun and Xue Jing also witnessed this scene. They were momentarily stunned, the situation far exceeding their expectations.
In their eyes, Jiujian Zhen Jun was a super-expert ranked on the Heavenly Rankings. Although they were all Golden Core realm cultivators, they had to acknowledge that they were simply not on the same level as a powerhouse like Jiujian Zhen Jun.
Jiujian Zhen Jun was a prodigy capable of rivaling Nascent Soul cultivators even in the Golden Core realm.
Therefore, Jiujian Zhen Jun's death dealt a significant blow to their morale. Their fighting spirit faltered, and some Golden Core cultivators began to feel despair, ceasing to resist.
Zhang Fan turned around. The Shan He Yin, which had been repelled by the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation, shrank to the size of a palm and landed in Zhang Fan's hand. Simultaneously, the massive tail of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation swept towards him in a fury, stirring up a howling gale across the snowfield, carrying a blizzard of snowflakes.
"Come, you're just in time!"
Having just eliminated Jiujian Zhen Jun, Zhang Fan's momentum was at its peak. Seeing the giant dragon tail hurtling towards him, his body trembled slightly. A faint divine light enveloped his arms, his blood surging like a mighty river, accompanied by a low rumbling sound.
The dragon tail, like a pillar reaching the sky, swept towards Zhang Fan with irresistible might. In an instant, Zhang Fan clasped the tail tightly with both arms. The immense force sent him sliding back hundreds of meters across the snowfield before he finally stopped.
"Lift!"
Zhang Fan roared, unleashing the full power of his divine body. With his arms embracing the dragon tail, he swung it mightily. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, kilometers long, was lifted by Zhang Fan, drawing a golden rainbow across the sky before crashing heavily onto the ground.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, a concavity kilometers long was gouged into the snowfield, as if struck by a natural disaster, with rubble flying everywhere.
The ten individuals within the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation also felt their heads ring from the impact, experiencing a brief moment of dizziness. Fortunately, aided by the formation disk and the protective power of the formation, they remained unharmed.
Tian Hua Zhen Jun channeled the full power of the formation, attempting to break free from Zhang Fan's grasp. However, he discovered that Zhang Fan's strength was simply too immense. Even with the combined efforts of ten people and the coordination of the formation, they could not escape for the time being.
Before Tian Hua Zhen Jun could devise a countermeasure, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation was lifted again and slammed violently onto the ground. With a deafening roar, Tian Hua Zhen Jun and the others heard sounds of extremely tragic screams.
A divine sense swept across the area, and the faces of Tian Hua Zhen Jun and Dao Zun, along with the other ten, turned extremely grim.
It turned out that when Zhang Fan lifted the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, he had directly smashed its colossal body into the crowd of Golden Core realm cultivators. Dozens of Golden Core cultivators were crushed, their bodies instantly turning into bloody mist. The remaining Golden Core cultivators were also sent flying by the force, sustaining considerable injuries.
While these Golden Core cultivators were individually weaker, their combined strength was not to be underestimated. Now, with a single blow from Zhang Fan, more than half of them were killed or injured. The remaining Golden Core cultivators, facing the relentless attacks of Lin Yun and Xue Jing, found it even harder to resist, their casualties accelerating.
They had initially hoped that these Golden Core cultivators could hold back Xue Jing and Lin Yun, but it seemed they wouldn't last much longer.
After a dozen exchanges with Zhang Fan, Tian Hua Zhen Jun, controlling the formation, finally broke free from his restraint. The enormous Five-Clawed Golden Dragon soared into the sky. Looking down at the minuscule human below, it hesitated to attack.
"Everyone, what should we do next?"
Tian Hua Zhen Jun transmitted his voice to the other nine powerhouses within the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation. With the formation, they could still protect themselves for the moment. However, if Lin Yun and Xue Jing were to intervene, facing the combined assault of three super-experts, they might have no choice but to flee.
After centuries of searching, they had finally found a place of opportunity, and the immortal mansion was right before them. To be forced to leave now, who among them would not feel reluctant?
Dao Zun, though fearful of death, could not bring himself to give up at this point.
After much deliberation, Dao Zun thought of a plan that he believed was worth trying.
"Zhang Sheng Shi, your strength is indeed formidable. How about we call a truce?"
Dao Zun's voice emanated from within the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation.
"Hmph, what qualifications do you have to speak to me like this?" Hearing Dao Zun's words, Zhang Fan sneered dismissively.
"We know we cannot defeat you, Zhang Sheng Shi, but for the sake of opportunity, we are willing to pay with our lives. If Zhang Sheng Shi continues to press us, we will have no choice but to lead the battlefield to Donghai City!"
"As far as I know, Zhang Sheng Shi has many relatives and friends in Donghai, doesn't he?"
Dao Zun chuckled, speaking with a hint of malice.
During his first descent to Earth, Dao Zun had gathered considerable information about the planet, particularly regarding Zhang Fan, the strongest individual on Earth. Thus, he was aware of Zhang Sheng Shi's vulnerability.
In the past, he had not considered using such despicable tactics, believing that their strength was sufficient to crush the native inhabitants of Earth without such troublesome methods.
But now, in order to enter the immortal mansion, he had no choice but to resort to such means.
Hearing Dao Zun's words, an endless killing intent flashed in Zhang Fan's deep eyes. Those who dared to threaten him with his relatives and friends in the past had all met their end.
Despite the rage of killing intent surging within him, Zhang Fan remained calm. With the power of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation, once it entered Donghai City, the entire city would likely be reduced to ruins. Even a divine realm expert would struggle to survive the aftermath of the battle.
Although he had made preparations earlier, moving his parents, disciples, and Qin Luoshui and the others to the Half-Moon Cave Mansion, there were still many friends and family members he cared about in Donghai.
"I can stop, but I don't believe you are willing to give up this opportunity?" Zhang Fan looked up at the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon formation, his gaze sharp and penetrating, seeing through the formation's reality and fixing on Tian Hua Zhen Jun.
"As I said before, for the sake of obtaining this opportunity, we are willing to pay with our lives."
"Therefore, we naturally will not give up this opportunity. The condition for a truce is to allow us entry into the immortal mansion. To demonstrate our sincerity, the remaining dozens of Golden Core cultivators can be at Zhang Sheng Shi's disposal. What do you say?"
Dao Zun's tone was calm, but his words sent chills down the spines of the Golden Core cultivators who were struggling to resist.
...