When will the opportunity begin?
Zhang Fan had already pondered this question. If his guess was correct, the cultivators from the Wu Shan Star Domain were the catalyst for the opportunity's beginning.
"Soon, it won't be long now," Zhang Fan said softly, a hint of killing intent unconsciously seeping into his words. He knew that when the opportunity arrived, it would inevitably bring a bloodbath that would sweep across the entire Earth.
For the cultivators of the Wu Shan Star Domain, it was an opportunity; for the people of Earth, it was a disaster!
Xue Jing was a very intelligent person. He observed Zhang Fan's expression and had some guesses in his mind.
"Master, you mentioned earlier that Austin cultivated a second-grade top-tier Golden Core because he obtained a companion flower of the Ziwu Yuan Fruit from the land of opportunity. Does that Ziwu Yuan Fruit companion flower truly have such a miraculous effect?" Xue Jing asked curiously.
Zhang Fan glanced at Xue Jing, understanding his thoughts, and couldn't help but smile. He nodded, "The Ziwu Yuan Fruit companion flower indeed has such an effect. It is influenced by the immortal energy of the Ziwu Yuan Fruit and grows alongside it. Golden Core realm cultivators who consume and refine it can gain an extra Golden Core Dao pattern."
"However, a cultivator only experiences this effect when consuming the first companion flower. It is still far inferior to the Ziwu Yuan Fruit itself."
"How many companion flowers can one Ziwu Yuan Fruit grow?"
After Zhang Fan's confirmation, Xue Jing, suppressing his excitement, pressed on.
"Generally speaking, if a Ziwu Yuan Fruit can grow even one companion flower around it, it's considered a miracle. Growing two is basically impossible."
Upon hearing this, Xue Jing, who had been very excited, deflated.
With Zhang Fan around, he no longer held any hope for the Ziwu Yuan Fruit. He had originally thought he would never achieve a first-grade Golden Core in his lifetime, but the Ziwu Yuan Fruit companion flower had reignited his hope.
He was already a second-grade top-tier Golden Core cultivator. With just one more Golden Core Dao pattern, he could enter the ranks of first-grade Golden Core cultivators.
Even a first-grade low-tier would be a huge leap from a second-grade top-tier.
But the flicker of hope that had just been ignited was ruthlessly extinguished by Zhang Fan's words.
"Second-grade it is then. As long as I can break through the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul, overcome the Ninefold Nascent Soul Tribulation and the Transformation Tribulation, and achieve the status of a Nascent Soul True Immortal, I can still stand proudly before my father!" Xue Jing vowed inwardly.
Each of the Ninefold Nascent Soul Tribulations was incredibly difficult. Throughout the history of the Wu Shan Star Domain, cultivators who had overcome the Ninefold Nascent Soul Tribulation were few and far between.
As for the Transformation Tribulation, it was the final hurdle to entering the Transformation stage. Its difficulty could be gauged by the fact that in the Wu Shan Star Domain's millions of years of history, only the True Immortal Zhiwu had overcome it.
If the Ninefold Nascent Soul Tribulation was a nine-deaths-one-life ordeal, then the Transformation Tribulation was a ten-deaths-no-life one.
Xue Jing's obsession with a first-grade Golden Core stemmed from the belief that only by becoming stronger during the Golden Core stage would he have a greater chance of overcoming the Ninefold Nascent Soul Tribulation.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Fan chuckled, seeing Xue Jing's distressed expression.
"Nothing," Xue Jing replied dejectedly.
"The situation I described earlier is only the general outcome," Zhang Fan said, staring at Xue Jing with a knowing smile.
Xue Jing caught the deeper meaning in Zhang Fan's words, and his eyes lit up. The hope that had been extinguished by Zhang Fan flickered back to life.
"And what would be the outcome in the not-so-general circumstances?" Xue Jing asked.
"As long as one masters the method of cultivating the Ziwu Yuan Fruit, a single Ziwu Yuan Fruit can yield up to three companion flowers!" Zhang Fan said, then glanced at Xue Jing, not wanting to keep him in suspense any longer. He continued, "Coincidentally, I know how to cultivate the Ziwu Yuan Fruit."
Although Zhang Fan's words sounded incredible, Xue Jing wasn't surprised at all.
The Ziwu Yuan Fruit was an immortal tree unique to True Immortal Zhiwu. This tree had never appeared in the universe before. Before Zhang Fan came to Earth, he didn't know what the opportunity left by True Immortal Zhiwu on Earth was.
However, Zhang Fan knew, and from his conversation with Austin, he understood that Zhang Fan was telling the truth.
What also baffled Xue Jing was that Zhang Fan consistently referred to True Immortal Zhiwu by name, as if they were old friends. Furthermore, Zhang Fan had once said that the current True Immortal Zhiwu had likely already entered the realm of a Dao Integration Immortal King.
...
"Perform well. If you have the talent and strength, and are worthy of my guidance, after I obtain the Ziwu Yuan Fruit, I will consider cultivating a Ziwu Yuan Fruit companion flower to bestow upon you," Zhang Fan said, patting Xue Jing's shoulder before walking away.
Xue Jing stood frozen for several seconds before slowly coming back to his senses. Hearing Zhang Fan's words, he could already envision himself achieving a first-grade Golden Core.
"In the days to come, I must cultivate diligently. If my cultivation cannot improve, I will focus on comprehending artistic conceptions and practicing my divine abilities. In short, I will strive to improve all means that can enhance my strength."
Xue Jing made up his mind. If cultivators from the Wu Shan Star Domain were to descend, he was determined to be the most dazzling among the warriors fighting them. The Ziwu Yuan Fruit companion flower, he was going to obtain it!
After leaving the Half-Moon Cave, Zhang Fan extended his divine sense. His divine sense was now more powerful than that of an ordinary second-grade Golden Core cultivator, covering hundreds of miles.
To his surprise, Zhang Fan discovered Lin Haotian and his companions in a forest dozens of miles from Kunlong Mountain. The forest was dense and sparsely populated, making it a good place for cultivation.
When Zhang Fan arrived with Xue Jing and the others, Lin Haotian and the Pure Sword Immortal were already engaged in combat. Both were peak Core Condensation realm cultivators.
Lin Haotian followed the path of body refinement. With his Saint Body at minor success, he wielded a pair of mid-grade spiritual treasures, the Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers. He unleashed a heavy hammer technique, each strike carrying the irresistible force of heaven and earth. Even a peak Core Condensation realm cultivator would likely be severely injured if struck by one of his hammers.
The Pure Sword Immortal, on the other hand, was a peak Core Condensation realm cultivator who had already etched True Intent. His strength was equally extraordinary. Wielding his Black Wood Sword, his sword techniques were elusive and unpredictable, allowing him to easily find the weak points in Lin Haotian's attacks and neutralize his powerful force.
Both sides fought with all their might, holding nothing back. The surrounding trees within a few kilometers were affected by the residual forces of their battle, turning the area into a flat plain.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon, with its massive body, hovered not far from the battle, leisurely observing the fight. The powerful shockwaves had no effect on it.
"Azure Moon Six Manifestations, First Style, Cloud Shattering Strike!"
Lin Haotian unleashed the first strike of the Azure Moon Six Manifestations hammer technique. Flames surged from the Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers, and as the giant hammers descended, boundless flames gushed out, covering the Pure Sword Immortal in an overwhelming torrent.
"Break!"
Facing this fierce attack, the Pure Sword Immortal did not retreat. He gripped the Black Wood Sword with both hands and slashed with all his might. Numerous black shadows flickered, and space itself seemed to split in two. The flames parted automatically, narrowly missing the Pure Sword Immortal.
*Dong!*
The Black Wood Sword collided with the Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers, and a violent ripple spread out, stirring up dust and sand.
Lin Haotian stood unmoving. Under this force, the Pure Sword Immortal was forced back six steps, his tiger's mouth cracking from the intense impact.
"I never expected this brat to reach such a level of strength at such a young age. Even the Pure Sword Immortal, who has etched Golden Core Dao patterns, is no match for him. Such talent is rarely seen even in the Wu Shan Star Domain," Xue Jing praised.
"His talent is indeed good, but defeating the Pure Sword Immortal might still be difficult for him," Zhang Fan said, his gaze fixed on the Pure Sword Immortal with a hint of satisfaction.
Lin Haotian, seizing the advantage, pressed his attack. After forcing the Pure Sword Immortal back, he stomped on the ground, leaping dozens of meters into the air.
"Second Style, Meteorite Strike!"
Lin Haotian transformed into a falling star, wielding the Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers, and smashed directly at the Pure Sword Immortal!
"This is the end!"
Facing the imposing Lin Haotian, the Pure Sword Immortal did not choose to surrender. Despite his bleeding tiger's mouth, he paid it no mind, gripping the sword in his hands even tighter.
"Heaven Splitting!"
The Pure Sword Immortal silently chanted, and he himself soared into the air. Holding his sword with both hands, he slashed forward fiercely!
Boundless sword qi extended outwards, spanning the entire sky, as if splitting it in two!
Lin Haotian's twin hammers struck the sword qi. After a brief moment of stalemate, the sharp sword light cleaved his hammers and landed on Lin Haotian's body.
Lin Haotian was sent flying, tossed hundreds of meters away before slowly coming to a halt.
...