Everyone had not expected that this Master Zhang not only possessed profound attainments in the way of the sword, but also had such a formidable physique.
A full-powered thrust from the Wuchen Sword Immortal was a blow that even the Martial Saint of Changbai Mountain would need to prepare carefully to withstand, yet Zhang Fan remained unharmed despite Wuchen Sword Immortal's surprise attack.
"The strength of this Master Zhang's physique probably rivals that of a Martial Saint."
Daoist Changsheng exclaimed, a hint of unease creeping into his heart.
He glanced at Daoist Niu, only to see his expression calm and his demeanor indifferent. This slightly eased Daoist Changsheng's apprehension.
This Master Zhang's strength far surpassed his estimations. If it weren't for Daoist Niu's presence, he would have turned and fled upon witnessing this scene.
Bai Tu, standing nearby, shared the same sentiment. After exchanging a look with Daoist Changsheng, he became resolute: regardless of whether the Golden Core could be obtained, Master Zhang had to be killed today.
Otherwise, if Master Zhang escaped today and they were without the support of Daoist Niu and his ilk, their future would be incredibly difficult, and they would not dare to show their faces.
"I never imagined that there would be someone on Earth capable of cultivating their physical body to such a degree. I wonder what kind of body-refining technique this Master Zhang practices?"
The Martial Saint of Changbai Mountain's attention was no longer on the Golden Core; instead, he had developed a strong interest in Zhang Fan's body-refining technique.
From what he understood, this Master Zhang was only in his early twenties. Even with extraordinary talent in body refinement, he couldn't have reached this level without a high-tier body-refining art.
His own practiced 'Zhang San Golden Body' was a powerful body-refining technique, but even if cultivated to perfection, it could only reach the peak of the Condensing Core realm.
To break through this bottleneck, a more advanced body-refining technique would be necessary.
...
At this moment, the most bewildered was none other than Wuchen Sword Immortal, who held his sword and had thrust it at Zhang Fan.
He had employed the 'Myriad Laws Untouched' sword technique, creating two clones and calculating with utmost precision, all for this one strike.
In his plan, a single sword thrust would pierce Zhang Fan's heart and gravely wound him.
Although the heart was not a fatal weak point for a cultivator in the Condensing Core realm after forming the Core Yuan, piercing it with a sword would instantly incapacitate Zhang Fan.
However, plans often fall short of reality. He could never have imagined that his full-powered strike, far from piercing Zhang Fan's heart, wouldn't even break his skin.
"It seems I still underestimated you. Your sword technique does have some merits."
Zhang Fan turned around, looking at the Wuchen Sword Immortal whose face was etched with shock, and gave a chilling smile, revealing a row of neat, white teeth.
Seeing the chilling smile on Zhang Fan's handsome face, Wuchen Sword Immortal felt an inexplicable coldness. Just as he was about to withdraw his sword and retreat, Zhang Fan directly reached out and grabbed the sword's body.
The sharp blade caused Zhang Fan no harm. Zhang Fan clenched his fist and, with a direct punch, aimed at Wuchen Sword Immortal's chest.
Wuchen Sword Immortal was anxious. He channeled the power of his Core Yuan into his arm, trying to pull the sword free, only to find the gap in strength between him and Zhang Fan too vast; the sword remained completely still.
"Let go!"
Just as Zhang Fan's punch was about to land on Wuchen Sword Immortal, a voice like a thunderclap resounded in Wuchen Sword Immortal's ear.
Daoist Niu appeared beside Wuchen Sword Immortal in a flash, his palm forming a blade and chopping diagonally, colliding with Zhang Fan.
"Go!"
Daoist Niu shouted, grabbing Wuchen Sword Immortal and using the momentum to retreat rapidly, withdrawing from Zhang Fan's attack range and stopping only when he reached the Martial Saint of Changbai Mountain and the others.
Seeing Daoist Niu rescue Wuchen Sword Immortal, Zhang Fan did not pursue.
With a slight flick of his finger, Wuchen Sword Immortal's long sword spun in the air. Zhang Fan grasped the hilt, flicked his finger, and the snow-white sword emitted a clear, resonant clang.
Then, Zhang Fan turned his gaze to Wuchen Sword Immortal, his eyes sharp yet tinged with mockery. "As a sword cultivator, to abandon your own sword so casually, it seems there's a reason for your poor sword mastery."
Wuchen Sword Immortal's face turned ashen. Zhang Fan's words had indeed struck a painful chord within him. The ethereal, immortal aura he once possessed seemed to have been shattered, and his entire demeanor became listless.
Bai Tu and Daoist Changsheng inwardly sighed upon hearing this. This Master Zhang not only surpassed their expectations in strength but was also incredibly cunning.
Attacking the heart was more cruel than killing; killing meant only one death, while attacking the heart could make life worse than death.
Daoist Niu patted Wuchen Sword Immortal's shoulder and turned to Zhang Fan, saying, "Master Zhang, your words are amiss. Although I do not understand the way of the sword, I have cultivated for over a thousand years and have considerable insight into the path of cultivation."
"The sword, for a sword cultivator, is indeed important. However, compared to life itself, the sword appears so insignificant."
"We cultivators must live to continuously perfect our Way, and only by living can we continue to pursue our Way."
"Haha, to be able to say such things, no wonder you old fellow have cultivated for a thousand years and still cannot condense a Golden Core."
Zhang Fan burst into laughter, his voice filled with disdain and mockery. "What is the purpose of a cultivator's existence?"
"For eternal life?"
"Even if you condense a Golden Core and form an Nascent Soul, you cannot resist the erosion of time. The 'Way' is the sole objective pursued by us cultivators. The moment you abandon your sword, you are doomed to halt your progress in the Way forever!"
Sharp light flashed from Zhang Fan's eyes as he stared at Wuchen Sword Immortal, articulating each word: "Because you no longer believe in your Way of the Sword."
Zhang Fan gripped the sword behind his back and, with a casual swing, sent the snow-white sword flying towards Wuchen Sword Immortal.
Wuchen Sword Immortal clutched his innate divine sword, his arm trembling uncontrollably. Zhang Fan's words had shattered his once-proud sword intent. He was now lost, completely devoid of fighting spirit.
Zhang Fan, witnessing this, was somewhat surprised. He had uttered those words solely for psychological warfare and had not expected Wuchen Sword Immortal to lose his will to fight because of them.
This was an unexpected bonus. Although Zhang Fan was confident in his ability to contend with all five of them and defeat them, if they were determined to escape, Zhang Fan couldn't guarantee he could kill them all. Moreover, during the battle, he would need to consider the safety of his parents and disciples.
Even with the Blood Demon Flood Dragon guarding them, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon was seriously injured, its strength greatly diminished, capable of only fending off early-stage Condensing Core realm experts like Bai Tu and Daoist Changsheng.
"Come, let me see what courage you 'common folk' have to dare intrude upon my Lakeside Island!"
Having said this, Zhang Fan wasted no time. He lightly tapped the sand with his feet and charged towards Daoist Changsheng and Bai Tu.
...