The presence of Nine Tribulation Realm cultivators was scarce in the Wu Shan Star Domain, and witnessing them in action was an event rarely seen in a century.
Therefore, even though they were fully aware that Ping Ding Mountain could be leveled at any moment by the ensuing battle, potentially affecting them, they were unwilling to retreat, fearing they might miss this ultimate confrontation.
Fu Tianling, as the son of the Black Sand Cave Heaven's sect master, not only had to contend with the prodigies within his own sect but also represent the Black Sand Cave Heaven against the prodigies from various top powers across the Jie Xin Continent.
Consequently, this battle was not merely about the dignity of the Black Sand Cave Heaven; it was also intrinsically linked to his personal future.
If he could kill Zhang Fan here and reclaim the immortal treasure belonging to their Black Sand Cave Heaven, his status within the sect would become even more secure, and he could lay the groundwork for his future succession as sect master.
It was important to note that in ancient sects like the Black Sand Cave Heaven, factional struggles were extremely fierce. Even as the sect master's son, he still needed to demonstrate his strength and potential to win over others. Otherwise, he would not be qualified to enjoy the sect's abundant resources for cultivation.
Thus, despite the significant disparity in their realms, he held nothing back in his attack. As the Sword Dao Domain spread, Fu Tianling unleashed the Black Sand Cave Heaven's supreme skill, locking onto Zhang Fan with an intimidating aura of killing intent.
"Black Water Overwhelms the Heavens!"
As the sword light flowed, the entire Ping Ding Mountain was enshrouded by a layer of dark clouds. The sword light surged like a tidal wave, engulfing Zhang Fan from all directions.
Even from a great distance, the immense pressure tightened the hearts of the onlookers, who marveled at the terrifying power of Nine Tribulation Realm cultivators.
"I've heard tales of the Black Sand Cave Heaven's Black Water Sword Technique for a long time, and seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation!" Qin Hao of the Great Spirit Hall commented, a flicker of emotion crossing his usually calm face as he observed the scene.
Legend had it that the Black Water Sword Technique was conceived by the founding sect master of the Black Sand Cave Heaven from the Black Sand Cave, comprising nine forms. When cultivated to its peak, it could allow one to traverse the Nascent Soul realm with unparalleled might.
However, only the most core disciples of the Black Sand Cave Heaven knew that the Black Water Sword Technique actually possessed a tenth form. This final form was comprehended by their founding sect master just moments before he perished under the heavenly tribulation.
If he had grasped it earlier, perhaps the founding sect master of the Black Sand Cave Heaven could have shattered the heavenly tribulation with this sword technique, ascended directly to the Transformation God realm, and passed down an immortal lineage.
Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, Nangong Feng remained silent, but his expression turned solemn. Since entering the Great Luo Realm, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he believed few of his peers could match him. Yet, under Fu Tianling's full exertion, he felt immense pressure.
From afar, the two core disciples of Cang Hai Palace, Cang Nan Mingyue and Cang Lan Qiuyue, watched with keen interest. Given their backgrounds and talent, few young cultivators across the entire Jie Xin Continent could catch their attention. However, Fu Tianling, who had cultivated a golden Nascent Soul, was undoubtedly among them.
Cang Lan Mingyue, clad in snow-white robes, resembled a graceful young nobleman. His deep eyes reflected the two figures. He turned and chuckled, "This Fu Tianling truly has some skill, though not much. Ordinary Nine Tribulation Realm cultivators trapped in this black water would likely find it difficult to escape."
"This young master Tianling not only cultivated a golden Nascent Soul but has also achieved such mastery of Sword Dao rules. It seems the Black Sand Cave Heaven has indeed produced a remarkable individual this generation. For Zhang Fan to dare provoke him while only at the Eight Tribulation Realm, one must admit, it requires immense courage."
Though not explicitly stated, the outcome of this battle was already being foreshadowed.
The cultivators surrounding them nodded in agreement upon hearing Cang Lan Mingyue's words. Although Zhang Fan had a history of defeating opponents in unfavorable circumstances, facing Fu Tianling, who had also cultivated a golden Nascent Soul, he likely had no chance of victory.
"Watch closely. Perhaps the ending will surprise you," Cang Lan Qiuyue suddenly remarked, causing everyone to turn and look at her in surprise. They wondered if Zhang Fan possessed some hidden trump card that even this cultivator, considered the most astonishing of this era, regarded with such high esteem.
Meeting her brother's slightly puzzled gaze, Cang Lan Qiuyue offered no explanation. Her eyes, as bright as stars, remained fixed on the two figures, unwilling to miss a single detail.
She possessed extraordinary talent and exceptional comprehension, surpassing even her brother in some aspects. Few young cultivators were beyond her understanding.
Yet, inexplicably, this cultivator at the Eight Tribulation Realm gave her a feeling akin to a flower in mist or the moon in water, extremely enigmatic.
The wave formed by countless sharp sword lights surged like an about-to-collapse mountain, assaulting Zhang Fan with thunderous force.
"Using Sword Dao rules as a guide and the Black Water Sword Technique as its foundation, it draws upon the power of heaven and earth for hundreds of miles, crushing down with immense momentum. It is inescapable. With this single move, it is sufficient to heavily injure an ordinary Nine Tribulation Realm cultivator."
Zhang Fan lightly praised with a smile. The onlookers, however, held their breath, their hearts filled with pity for him. In such a desperate situation, Zhang Fan showed no signs of using any techniques. Had he accepted his fate, believing resistance futile?
Just as the black water was about to descend, Zhang Fan finally made his move. Holding his iron sword, he gently pointed forward. The black sword light, imbued with hundreds of thousands of Sword Dao rules, instantly dissipated.
The dark clouds in the sky vanished, the sword technique was broken, and Fu Tianling, who had been charging forward, abruptly stopped. A muffled sound escaped his lips, the ferocity in his eyes instantly receding, replaced by a look of profound astonishment as he stared at Zhang Fan.
"He could actually discern the weakness of my sword technique, breaking it with a single point? With his Sword Dao cultivation, how could he possess such perception?"
As if seeing through Fu Tianling's thoughts, Zhang Fan laughed heartily, "A frog in a well, how can it fathom the vastness of the universe? Since you consider yourself a genius of the sword, today I shall shatter your illusions and show you what true Sword Dao is."
"Sword Dao Domain, rise!"
As the Sword Dao rules within Zhang Fan circulated, countless sword lights erupted from his body, and an even vaster Sword Dao Domain instantly took shape.
While there was a difference between over 700,000 Sword Dao rules and over 900,000, they seemed to be on the same level.
However, this was not the case. A Nascent Soul stage cultivator would reach perfection upon cultivating one million Sword Dao rules, and Zhang Fan had already cultivated 970,000, nearing completion.
The Sword Dao Domain formed by such an abundance of Sword Dao rules was no longer comparable to Fu Tianling's.
Therefore, the moment the Sword Dao Domain took shape, Fu Tianling's released domain instantly collapsed. Zhang Fan stood at the center of the Sword Dao Domain, radiating brilliance and dazzling like the lord of the sword.
At this moment, whether it was Fu Tianling or the many onlookers, their souls trembled. Gazing upon the endless sword domain that spanned hundreds of miles, their eyes were filled with shock and terror, and their gazes towards Zhang Fan were filled with disbelief.