Zhang Fan and Xiao Yi spent several days and finally rendezvoused with Shen Feichen's group in a mountain range near the inner domain.
At the same time, he summoned the people who had been cultivating in the Golden Light Immortal Mansion, and the group of over a dozen people finally gathered.
During their time in the Great Luo Realm, cultivators from various factions had suffered some losses. Fortunately, their Six Kings' Mansion maintained a relatively high degree of integrity. Excluding Zhang Fan and his entourage, seven people from the Six Kings' Mansion were still alive.
Compared to before entering the Great Luo Realm, each of them had improved their strength. Now, gathered together, their overall strength had increased rapidly, and each of them was full of fighting spirit.
"It seems Brother Feichen also had some opportunities. In just this past year, you've actually broken through to the late stage of the Nine Tribulations Realm. Congratulations," Zhang Fan said as soon as they met, having sensed that Shen Feichen's aura had become even stronger, not far from the peak of the Nine Tribulations Realm.
Shen Feichen nodded, but there was no joy on his face. This was because he had also received news that the Immortal Ascension Mansion, Black Sand Cave, and Giant Spirit Hall had joined forces to raze the Domain Lake, which put him under considerable pressure.
"Elder Zhang Fan, what do you think about the alliance between the Immortal Ascension Mansion, Black Sand Cave, and Giant Spirit Hall?" Shen Feichen asked, fixing his gaze on Zhang Fan.
"Since the Giant Spirit Hall has allied with the Immortal Ascension Mansion and Black Sand Cave, they will likely attack me as well. If that's the case, then we'll simply leave all three of their forces in this Great Luo Realm," Zhang Fan replied calmly.
Although many had witnessed Zhang Fan's strength, having slain the peak Eighth Tribulation Realm cultivator Teng Chongyun in just a few encounters, that was still only the Eighth Tribulation Realm.
Nangong Feng, Fu Tianling, and Qin Hao were all peak Nine Tribulations Realm cultivators, each carrying a powerful inheritance. The weakest had cultivated a top-tier silver Nascent Soul, incomparable to ordinary Nine Tribulations Realm cultivators.
Fu Tianling, in particular, had cultivated a golden Nascent Soul, a prodigy with astonishing combat power.
Shen Feichen shook his head and said, "With our current strength, facing those three factions, the odds are not in our favor. I know Elder Zhang Fan's combat power cannot be simply measured by his realm. Even if you can contend with Fu Tianling or Nangong Feng, we will still be short one top-tier expert on our side."
"Brother Feichen, what are your thoughts?" Zhang Fan asked, knowing that Shen Feichen's words were not merely a casual inquiry.
"If we can win over either Gong Yiyi of True Fire Cave or Zhan Feiyang of Sun Shadow Cave, and have one top-tier expert join us, then even facing the combined forces of the Immortal Ascension Mansion and the other two, we would have nothing to fear," Shen Feichen stated.
In battles at the Nascent Soul stage, sheer numbers held little significance. It ultimately came down to battles between the top experts.
Just like at the Domain Lake, there were hundreds, even thousands, of Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts under the four overlords, and countless Golden Core stage demonic beasts. However, they were still slaughtered by Nangong Feng and his dozens of companions. Once the top-tier experts fell, the cultivators below could not resist.
"Fourth Brother is right. Given the circumstances, even if we have to pay some price, it's worth it if we can win someone over," Xiao Yi agreed.
Zhang Fan looked at the two, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. In such a situation, it was truly commendable that the Six Kings' Mansion had not distanced themselves from him. Perhaps this was why the Six Kings' Mansion was so united.
"Alright, having an extra force is better than none," Zhang Fan nodded, then added, "However, given the current situation, it won't be easy to win them over."
Although Zhang Fan was confident in dealing with the combined forces of the three factions, he knew that Shen Feichen and Xiao Yi were filled with anxiety. To reassure them, he agreed.
After several days of investigation, they finally contacted Zhan Feiyang of Sun Shadow Cave and met him in a valley near the core area.
Zhan Feiyang was tall and dressed in an icy blue robe, his face chiseled with sharp features. He looked at Shen Feichen's group, sensing their auras, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected the Six Kings' Mansion to be so powerful now.
"Brother Feiyang, the Immortal Ascension Mansion, Black Sand Cave, and Giant Spirit Hall have allied and are plundering vast resources in the inner domain. Not long ago, they swept through the Domain Lake. This move will likely provoke a beast tide. How about we form an alliance?" Shen Feichen proposed.
Perhaps due to cultivating the path of ice, Zhan Feiyang exuded a chilling aura that pierced the soul, and his eyes were sharp and piercing. He glanced at Zhang Fan, who stood beside Shen Feichen, and his lips twitched slightly, a hint of a smile playing on them. "Brother Feichen, the grievances between your Six Kings' Mansion and those two factions are well-known. To drag our Sun Shadow Cave into this so casually is rather impolite."
"A Nascent Soul from a Nine Tribulations Realm beast is our token of sincerity," Shen Feichen said calmly, his eyes unwavering.
"The Nascent Soul of a Nine Tribulations Realm beast is indeed precious, but it's not difficult for me to obtain at my current level," Zhan Feiyang replied, unfazed. His gaze was inscrutable as he softly continued, "I haven't had a suitable magic treasure since I began cultivating. If Elder Zhang Fan would be willing to part with that top-grade Heavenly Treasure, I might consider it."
As he spoke, the air grew heavy, and a brief silence fell upon the valley. Shen Feichen remained silent, knowing that this negotiation seemed to be at an end.
Zhang Fan grinned and drew his iron sword. Tempered by slaughter and bloodshed, this blood-forged divine weapon was sharper and more powerful than when it was first refined.
Zhan Feiyang's eyes fixed on the blood-colored long sword in Zhang Fan's hand, a cold glint flashing in them. Although he primarily cultivated the path of ice, he also practiced swordsmanship. Among the many top-grade Heavenly Treasures in the Wu Shan Star Domain, Zhang Fan's Xuan Tie Sword was the only one of its kind.
"Since you desire it so much, why don't you come and take it yourself?" Zhang Fan said with a light smile, his words filled with provocation.
This iron sword was Zhang Fan's blood-forged divine weapon, capable of growing with him, akin to a life-bound artifact. Since Zhan Feiyang had set his sights on it, it was inevitable that the two sides would not coexist peacefully.
Luo Xiaoxiao, Lin Haotian, and Wuchen Sword Immortal looked at the people from Sun Shadow Cave with hostility in their eyes. Daring to covet the Xuan Tie Sword was truly seeking death.
"Will there be a chance?" Zhan Feiyang did not make a move. He gave Zhang Fan a deep look and then left with the people from Sun Shadow Cave.
Shen Feichen sighed and shook his head. He had shown his sincerity by offering a Nine Tribulations Realm Nascent Soul to Sun Shadow Cave, but he hadn't expected Zhan Feiyang to say such things. This made him realize that Sun Shadow Cave had no intention of allying from the start and was even trying to take advantage of their situation.
...