The outer reaches of the Dark Plains were surrounded by dense hordes of demonic beasts. The vast plains, spanning hundreds of thousands of kilometers, were completely sealed off. This was a testament to the ferocity of the beast tide.
While beast tides had occurred several times in the history of the Great Luo Realm, none had matched the scale of this current one.
Tens of thousands of kilometers away from the Dark Plains stood a towering mountain that scraped the heavens. Its previously steep and treacherous slopes had been leveled, creating a temporary gathering place for human cultivators.
Human cultivators arrived one after another. When they witnessed the endless expanse of demonic beasts encircling the Dark Plains, they were filled with dread. Even though the gates of the Great Luo Palace were now fully open, no one dared to trespass.
Several days after the Great Luo Palace opened, a considerable number of human cultivators had gathered on the flat-topped mountain. Some were meditating and cultivating, while others were contacting various parties to seek cooperation. The flat-topped mountain was bustling with activity, a rare sight in the Great Luo Realm.
"This is troublesome. All the demon kings from the core region have been mobilized, and even many powerful demonic beasts from the inner regions have been summoned. There are at least several dozen Nine Tribulation Realm demonic beasts gathered outside the Dark Plains. It seems entering the Great Luo Palace this time will not be easy," Gong Yiyi said softly, dressed in a fiery red robe. She stood at the mountain's peak, gazing at the immense horde of demonic beasts in the distance.
Under Gong Yiyi's leadership, the disciples of the True Fire Grotto-Heaven had seen their strength significantly increase during their two years in the Great Luo Realm. Gong Yiyi herself had obtained a source of true fire, and her current strength had reached the peak of the Nine Tribulation Realm. Yet, facing such a spectacle, she still found it challenging.
Behind her stood several disciples of the True Fire Grotto-Heaven, their eyes filled with worry. Anyone who had journeyed so far only to be blocked by demonic beasts would feel unwilling.
Currently, over a hundred Nascent Soul stage cultivators were gathered on the mountain. To reach the core region, the weakest among them had reached the Fifth Tribulation Realm. Of course, the most eye-catching figures were the leaders of various top-tier forces.
Cang Lan Mingyue and Cang Lan Qiuyue of the Canghai Palace, Gong Yiyi of the True Fire Grotto-Heaven, and Zhan Feiyang of the Sun Shadow Grotto-Heaven were all powerhouses within the Nine Tribulation Realm.
There were also many rogue cultivators, who could only band together to have a voice in such a situation.
"Fellow Daoists, I believe everyone is aware of the situation outside the Dark Plains. Although, in essence, we are all competitors, we must join forces to enter the Dark Plains. Otherwise, none of us will be able to break through," Zhan Feiyang's voice boomed across the mountain, drawing the attention of many cultivators.
"Brother Feiyang speaks the truth, we must unite!"
A somewhat loud voice echoed from afar. Dozens of figures tore through the sky and landed on the flat-topped mountain with great speed. Their arrival was accompanied by a surge of spiritual energy, causing strong winds to howl and clouds to gather.
Leading this contingent were Nangong Feng, Fu Tianling, and Qin Hao, representing three major forces. Their group of dozens exuded powerful auras, causing the expressions of most people to change.
Although this beast tide was largely a result of these three forces sweeping through various dangerous lands and slaughtering countless demonic beasts, no one dared to voice any accusations at this moment. It was all due to strength.
Cang Hai Mingyue and Cang Hai Qiuyue stood at a distance, observing the scene with calm expressions.
"Brother Nangong, Brother Tianling, it's been a while. I presume this is Young Master Qin Hao of the Giant Spirit Hall from the Shattered Star Domain. With your arrival, the strength of our human cultivators has greatly increased," Zhan Feiyang greeted with a smile, showing considerable enthusiasm.
Fu Tianling scanned the flat-topped mountain but did not see Zhang Fan or the members of the Sixth Prince's Mansion, showing slight disappointment. Suddenly, he felt a ripple of energy from afar, and a slight smile played on his lips.
The others seemed to sense it too and turned their eyes to the sky, where a dozen figures were slowly approaching.
Zhang Fan and the members of the Sixth Prince's Mansion arrived, appearing relaxed and at ease. Under the gaze of the crowd, they gracefully descended onto the flat-topped mountain.
Zhang Fan's gaze swept across the area. The representatives of the six top-tier forces had all arrived. Cang Lan Mingyue and Cang Lan Qiuyue stood at the edge of the flat-topped mountain, gazing towards the Great Luo Palace in the distance, appearing aloof as if the surrounding events had no bearing on them.
Gong Yiyi, leading the disciples of the True Fire Grotto-Heaven, stood to the side, quietly observing. Dozens of rogue cultivators were gathered together, with only a few exceptionally arrogant ones standing apart.
With the arrival of Zhang Fan and the Sixth Prince's Mansion, the atmosphere on the flat-topped mountain became subtly tense.
The animosity between the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven and the Flying Immortal Mansion, two major top-tier forces, and Zhang Fan was well-known. Many powerful figures from the Flying Immortal Mansion and Black Sand Grotto-Heaven had died at Zhang Fan's hands, including elders. Zhang Fan had even seized an immortal treasure from the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven. The conflict between the two sides had reached an irreconcilable point. How would they resolve this situation now, with the demonic beasts surrounding the Great Luo Palace?
No one spoke. Even Zhan Feiyang, who had been quite active earlier, stood aside. His calm eyes swept over Zhang Fan, a peculiar glint in them.
Nangong Feng, holding a black spear, suddenly lunged at Zhang Fan. Lightning flashed, and the spear moved like a dragon, seemingly piercing through space. The crowd only saw Nangong Feng attack, and in the next instant, the spearhead was aimed directly at Zhang Fan's face.
The sudden attack by a peak Nine Tribulation Realm spear master caught everyone present in a momentary daze. When they recovered, they silently offered their condolences to Zhang Fan.
Even an ordinary Nine Tribulation Realm cultivator would find it difficult to withstand such an attack. However, Zhang Fan's divine sense was incredibly powerful. The moment Nangong Feng attacked, his Xuan Tie Sword appeared in his hand. With a casual flick of his sword, he easily blocked Nangong Feng's sudden thrust.
Fu Tianling and Qin Hao stepped forward simultaneously, coming to Nangong Feng's side. Fu Tianling stared at Shen Feichen, his expression indifferent and his voice cold. "Shen Feichen, the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven has some private grievances to settle. I hope you will not interfere."
"Enough with the nonsense. Don't think you can be invincible just because you've found a few helpers. If you want a fight, I, Shen Feichen, will accompany you to the end!" Shen Feichen retorted sharply, showing no deference.
"Esteemed Daoists, with the beast tide upon us, you are the peak combat power of our human cultivators. If we engage in infighting at this time, it is likely that none of us will be able to enter the Great Luo Palace. Why don't we set aside our personal grudges and deal with them after entering the Dark Plains?" Gong Yiyi, seeing the tense and confrontational atmosphere, could not help but speak.
"Miss Yiyi, you speak incorrectly. Even if it were just my sister and I, we could still enter the Great Luo Palace. So, let's fight as we please, no need to consider our feelings," Cang Lan Mingyue said with a smile, his demeanor relaxed and his words filled with ease, as if observing children fighting.
Hearing this, everyone cast a helpless glance at Cang Lan Mingyue, acknowledging his point. But then again, they were disciples of the Canghai Palace, and they certainly possessed the strength.
"This beautiful lady speaks well. It is indeed inappropriate to fight at this time. Regardless of who wins, it would be a loss for us human cultivators," Qin Hao stepped forward and spoke a word of reason, earning the approval of many, but also eliciting confused glances from Nangong Feng and Fu Tianling.
Qin Hao paid no mind. Instead, he turned his gaze to Zhang Fan and said, "However, this fellow Daoist has seized an immortal treasure from the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven. If you are willing to return the immortal treasure to the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven, I can guarantee that the Flying Immortal Mansion and the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven will not pursue the matter for the time being. What do you say?"
Zhang Fan scoffed, "And if I refuse?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Hao stared at Zhang Fan with a smile that was not quite a smile. "The Black Sand Grotto-Heaven merely wants to reclaim its property. They might even overlook the matter for now and join forces to confront the beast tide. You, Daoist, are so unreasonable. With such an attitude, how can we cooperate in the future?"
"Young Master Qin Hao speaks the truth. Daoist Zhang Fan, why cling to a treasure that does not belong to you? Return it now, and everyone will be happy. Wouldn't it be wonderful to enter the Great Luo Palace together?" Zhan Feiyang also chimed in.
Some other rogue cultivators began to discuss amongst themselves, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhang Fan's attitude. However, with Zhang Fan backed by the Sixth Prince's Mansion, they, as a group of rogue cultivators, dared not offend him and could only communicate through secret transmissions.
Seeing this situation, Nangong Feng and Fu Tianling couldn't help but reveal smiles. This Young Master of the Giant Spirit Hall had a bit of strategy. Even when possessing an absolute advantage in strength, he knew how to leverage his influence.
"You want the immortal treasure? Then come and take it by force. To demand that I hand it over with just a few words is utterly laughable." Zhang Fan had no desire to explain. Could such deep animosity be resolved by merely returning an immortal treasure? Did the Black Sand Grotto-Heaven ask his permission to temporarily drop the matter?
"I originally intended to let you live a while longer. Since you seek death, I shall fulfill your wish!" As Fu Tianling's icy voice resounded, powerful auras permeated the air without restraint. The flat-topped mountain was instantly shrouded by countless sword shadows.
A great battle was about to begin.