When Zhang Fan returned to the island in the lake, everyone on the island sensed it. Aibelai was the first to greet him. Dressed in red, her exquisite and alluring face wore a casual smile, like a rose with thorns.
After two years, the strength of everyone cultivating on the island had also greatly improved. Aibelai had now cultivated her bloodline to the peak of the Divine Realm, and combined with her perfected Royal Body, she was capable of fighting against cultivators in the early stage of the Core Condensation Realm.
At her age, such an achievement was dazzling; even many older cultivators were no match for her. However, upon seeing Lin Haotian, the slight pride she had just felt was completely drowned out.
In the past, Lin Haotian had been bullied by her often, even being beaten black and blue the first time they met. But as time went by, Lin Haotian continuously narrowed the gap between them, and now he had completely surpassed her.
Yi Feicheng, Su Yun, and Zhang Xing'an and others had also reached the Divine Realm in terms of strength. As for Lin Haotian's little girlfriend, Hong Binglan, after Zhang Fan set up the Spirit Rain Formation, he brought her to the island as well. After two years of diligent cultivation on the island, Hong Binglan's strength had also greatly improved, reaching the Saint Realm.
The ancestor of the Hong Sect had long decreed that Hong Binglan would be the next successor of the Hong Sect.
"Are you finished with your seclusion?" Qin Luoshui also came forward. Now less than twenty-four years old, her strength had also reached the Divine Realm, and her graceful figure exuded a powerful divine aura.
"It's finished. Next, we'll go to the Qin family," Zhang Fan said with a gentle smile upon seeing Qin Luoshui.
"Why go to the Qin family?"
"To propose marriage!"
"Propose marriage?"
Upon hearing Zhang Fan utter those words, everyone was slightly stunned. However, once they realized what he meant, they all looked at Qin Luoshui with envy.
Zhang Fan, now the undisputed strongest person on Earth, was the dream of countless women to marry.
Furthermore, given Zhang Fan's status, it would have been perfectly normal for him to have multiple wives.
However, despite the many temptations, Zhang Fan remained steadfast.
"Isn't it too soon?" Qin Luoshui, who had always looked forward to this, felt a hint of nervousness as it was about to happen.
"No rush, no rush. You two have been together for so many years. It's good to settle the marriage early. Preferably, you'll have a few little ones after you get married," Zhang Xing'an said with a smile, his face beaming.
Su Yun nodded in agreement, looking at Qin Luoshui with a smile.
The Zhang Xing'an couple was extremely satisfied with Qin Luoshui. However, since Zhang Fan and Qin Luoshui had not been in a hurry, the Zhang Xing'an couple had not felt it appropriate to urge them.
Now that they had brought it up themselves, Zhang Xing'an naturally had to fan the flames.
Hearing Zhang Xing'an's words, a blush appeared on Qin Luoshui's exquisite and beautiful face. However, she still nodded and said softly, "Then I'll listen to you!"
"You go back to the Qin family first. After I prepare, I will come to propose in three days," Zhang Fan said with a smile.
As his strength increased, fewer things bothered him. Although there was the threat of cultivators from beyond the domain, no one knew when that would happen, so Zhang Fan decided to get this done first.
"Okay."
...
Regarding this news, Zhang Fan's parents were already impatient and relayed the news back to the Su family. Within the Su family, upon hearing that Zhang Fan was going to the Qin family to propose, there was great joy.
Even though Zhang Fan's strength was extraordinary, in the eyes of ordinary people, the four major families of Yan Jing still held significant weight. They were very happy to form a marriage alliance with the Qin family.
Zhang Fan had no intention of spreading the news, but his influence was too great. Even a slight rumor had already spread throughout Yan Jing.
The day after Qin Luoshui left the island, the Dark Emperor of the Dark Organization learned of Zhang Fan's emergence from seclusion and came to pay his respects with Tian Yi.
Upon entering the island, Tian Yi and the Dark Emperor were shocked by the dense spiritual energy. Sensing the powerful auras within the island, they felt somewhat relieved.
Cultivating in such an environment, achieving the Divine Realm would not be difficult, would it?
In the villa's main hall, Zhang Fan sat in the place of honor. On either side of him, Xue Jing and the Unmoving Sword Immortal stood like guardians.
The others sat below, watching the two visitors with interest.
"Tian Yi, it's been a long time."
Zhang Fan was quite happy to greet an old acquaintance after such a long time.
"Yes, it's been a long time."
Seeing Zhang Fan, Tian Yi could not help but feel a wave of emotion. The first time they met Zhang Fan was when they were on a mission in Africa and encountered a Saint Realm super-soldier from America. At that time, Tian Yi was only at the half-Saint Realm and could not defeat him, so he could only lead his team in retreat.
At that moment, Zhang Fan descended like a god and slew those Saint Realm super-soldiers, leaving a deep impression on him.
From then on, Zhang Fan embarked on his heaven-defying path. He slew eight Martial Saints at the Pill God Pavilion, exchanged a blow with the Pill Ancestor on equal footing, and forced the Pill God Pavilion to bow and apologize.
At that time, he was not yet twenty years old, and with this record, he became renowned throughout the martial arts world of China.
Afterward, he slew several more Divine Realm experts, silencing the entire martial arts world of China.
Three years ago, he slew several Earth Immortal cultivators on the island. Within a year, he led an army to attack the Papacy and overthrew the Holy See of Light, which had stood for thousands of years in the West.
Such deeds even made his grand-disciple sigh, "Master Zhang is undoubtedly the foremost person on Earth, and I am inferior to him."
After several years of cultivation, with the assistance of a large number of spiritual pills gifted to the Dark Organization by Zhang Fan, his strength had now reached the peak of the Saint Realm. If this were in the past, such strength would have been enough to look down upon the entire martial arts world of China.
However, coming to the island today, he felt a significant blow.
"Team Leader."
Lin Haotian greeted Tian Yi. Even with deliberate suppression, the aura emanating from his powerful physique made Tian Yi feel a tremor.
"With your current strength, how can I still be your Team Leader?" Tian Yi looked at the burly Lin Haotian and smiled bitterly.
"Team Leader will always be my Team Leader. As long as the Dark Organization needs me, Lin Haotian will be ready," Lin Haotian said seriously.
From the moment he embarked on the path of cultivation, he was sent by his master, Zhang Fan, to train in the Dark Organization. Following Tian Yi, he learned many things. Even now that he was powerful and no longer needed the training missions of the Dark Organization, he was eternally grateful to Tian Yi from the bottom of his heart.
"Good!"
Lin Haotian's sincere words moved Tian Yi. He gave Lin Haotian a hearty pat on the chest, which was how he used to greet people.
However, this time, he forgot that Lin Haotian was no longer the same as before. When he struck, Lin Haotian seemed unfazed, but Tian Yi's hand hurt so much that he gritted his teeth.
"I, Chen Dao, have met Master Zhang!"
The Dark Emperor, Chen Dao, was clad in a black robe, and it seemed as if he stood in the shadows everywhere, making people subconsciously overlook him.
"Dark Emperor of the Dark Organization, I have long heard of your name. It is finally an honor to meet you today," Zhang Fan said with a smile.
The Dark Emperor, the Pill Ancestor, and the Long-Browed Sword Saint were the three giants of the martial arts world of China during an era when Divine Realm cultivators were absent. Each possessed extraordinary talent and could be considered peak figures of an era.
Now, the Pill Ancestor was dead, and both the Long-Browed Sword Saint and the Dark Emperor had entered the Divine Realm.
"May I ask why the Dark Emperor has come to see me?" Zhang Fan asked, looking at the Dark Emperor.
"Someone wishes to meet Master Zhang. Is Master Zhang available?" the Dark Emperor asked.
"I've wanted to meet him for a long time but never had the opportunity," Zhang Fan said with a smile. Without the Dark Emperor needing to name him, Zhang Fan knew who it was that wished to meet him.
...