The crisis averted, cheers of joy erupted in Fuliu City as the imposing intruders retreated in disarray. As Zhang Fan landed, the crowd surged around him.
Fu Mengtian, followed by Fu Feng and a group of Golden Core realm cultivators from the Fu family, approached Zhang Fan.
“Thank you, Daoist friend Zhang Fan. Though our Fu family is small and our power limited, if you ever need us, we will gladly go through fire and water to assist!” Fu Mengtian bowed deeply to Zhang Fan, his words earnest and his expression solemn.
After extending their thanks, Fu Mengtian invited Zhang Fan and Liu Mu to Fuliu Villa, but Zhang Fan declined.
“Gong Ziru tried to kill me earlier, and he will undoubtedly have alerted the strong cultivators from Black Sand Cave Heaven to rush to Dayan Star. My staying in Fuliu City might not be beneficial for you,” Zhang Fan stated.
Before Fu Mengtian could respond, Zhang Fan continued, “Even if you don’t consider yourselves, you should consider the Fu family.”
This incident had originated from their Fu family, yet Zhang Fan was now bearing the brunt of it. Fu Mengtian felt immense guilt. However, as Zhang Fan had said, he himself did not fear death, but he had a vast Fu family behind him.
Liu Mu’s bright eyes fixed on Zhang Fan, surprised that this seemingly unapproachable young man possessed such a magnanimous spirit.
“Patriarch Fu, I will leave with Daoist friend Zhang Fan. We shall meet again if fate allows!”
Liu Mu also bid farewell to Fu Feng and Fu Sisi.
“Why are you following me?”
Zhang Fan glanced sideways at Liu Mu’s delicate features, finding the young man exceedingly handsome. If Liu Mu were a woman, he would surely be a devastating beauty that could bring kingdoms to ruin.
“Why can’t I come along?” Liu Mu found Zhang Fan’s gaze strange, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
“Black Sand Cave Heaven might not be considered a particularly powerful force, but your current strength is too weak. Any Nascent Soul cultivator of the Fourth Tribulation could easily defeat you. Traveling with me at least guarantees your survival.”
Liu Mu said this with confidence.
Zhang Fan was surprised that the usually gentle and courteous Liu Mu had also learned to boast.
However, after leaving Fuliu City, he had intended to find a place to go into seclusion and break through to the Nascent Soul stage. If Liu Mu had the patience to accompany him, he didn’t mind.
…
As the two figures shot into the sky, transforming into streaks of light, they vanished from sight within a few breaths.
“Everyone, disperse. What are you still looking at?”
Seeing Fu Sisi staring in the direction Zhang Fan had departed, her expression unreadable, Fu Feng gently patted her shoulder. “Let’s go. We and Daoist friend Zhang Fan are ultimately from different worlds.”
“To be able to befriend such a powerful cultivator is an honor for our Fu family. With Daoist friend Zhang Fan’s talent, within a hundred years, the entire star domain will surely look up to him,” Fu Mengtian said with great admiration.
There was no doubt in Fu Mengtian’s words. Even now, the strength and talent Zhang Fan had displayed were enough to make him famous throughout the entire Wushan Star Domain.
“Father, will it be very troublesome that Zhang Fan killed someone from Black Sand Cave Heaven?” Fu Sisi asked with concern.
“Haha, don’t worry too much. While the elders of Black Sand Cave Heaven are valuable, they are not irreplaceable.”
“With Daoist friend Zhang Fan’s talent, if there is no other way, he can simply join a top-tier force, and his life will be assured.”
Fu Mengtian smiled.
If his Fu family had killed an elder of Black Sand Cave Heaven, they would likely face annihilation. But for Zhang Fan, there were many options.
…
“Where are we going next?” Liu Mu asked.
“Northern Ice Plains.”
“To do what?”
“Cultivate in seclusion.”
“Oh.”
Liu Mu’s eyes brightened slightly. Zhang Fan was already at the peak of the Golden Core realm. If he were going into seclusion, he must be intending to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.
He was incredibly curious. Zhang Fan was already so monstrous in the Golden Core realm; how powerful would he become once he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage?
Just as Zhang Fan and Liu Mu were heading towards the Northern Ice Plains, the inter-stellar teleportation array in Dayan City suddenly lit up, surprising the guards on duty.
Inter-stellar teleportation arrays allowed cultivators to travel rapidly between various star systems, representing the fastest mode of travel below the Divine Transformation True Immortal realm. However, they were also the most expensive.
Each teleportation consumed enough spirit crystals to make a Golden Core cultivator wince. Therefore, for most Golden Core cultivators, unless it was extremely urgent, they would opt for inter-stellar flying ships, which, though slower, were considerably cheaper.
Those who used inter-stellar teleportation arrays were typically Nascent Soul cultivators.
Of course, there were a few top-tier Golden Core cultivators whose strength was comparable to ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, possessing deep reserves and not minding the cost.
An old man clad in gray hemp robes emerged from the teleportation array. His body was gaunt, and his eyes were sharp like a falcon’s, sweeping across the surroundings. The guards, all of whom were in the Golden Core realm, felt a prickling sensation on their skin, filling them with awe.
“In which direction is Fuliu City?” the old man asked, his voice somewhat hoarse.
“Reporting to senior, Fuliu City is located southwest of Dayan City, approximately ninety-eight thousand kilometers from here,” a guard in a standard combat uniform replied quickly.
The old man in hemp robes nodded slightly after hearing this and then took a step forward, vanishing from everyone’s sight.
“Who exactly is that senior? He gives me a feeling of being much more powerful than the Star Lord. Why would such a powerful being come to our Dayan Star?”
After the old man in hemp robes departed, the guards who had been manning the inter-stellar teleportation array began to discuss amongst themselves, their hearts filled with questions.
Although Dayan Star had some renown, it was merely a third-rate planet. Such a powerful individual should hold no attraction for him.
A third-rate planet meant that the strongest cultivator on the planet would be at most at the Nascent Soul realm of the Third Tribulation. For beings beyond the Third Tribulation of the Nascent Soul, it truly offered no allure.
“Regardless, this matter is of great importance and must be reported upwards.”
…
The Northern Ice Plains were situated in the northernmost region of Dayan Star. Tens of thousands of miles were covered in snow and ice, presenting a vast expanse of white as if one had stepped into a world of ice and snow.
“Why did you come so far to close-door cultivate? And to such a cold place?”
The snow and ice concealed all signs of life. Not only were there no traces of humans, but even demonic beasts were rarely seen, making Liu Mu feel somewhat bored.
“Quiet.”
Zhang Fan replied with a smile.
To break through to the Nascent Soul stage from two top-grade Golden Cores, Zhang Fan himself was unsure what unexpected events might occur. Therefore, it was better to break through in a secluded place.
Furthermore, this place was remote and sparsely populated. The extremely low temperature made it difficult for ordinary Golden Core cultivators to adapt, yet the spiritual energy was even denser than in Fuliu City, making it suitable for cultivation.
They traveled for over a thousand *li* into the Northern Ice Plains, and along the way, they did not encounter a single demonic beast.
“Let’s stop here.”
Zhang Fan selected an ice peak over ten thousand meters high and, with a single sword strike, leveled it.
The ice surface was as smooth as a mirror. Looking down, Liu Mu could clearly see his own reflection. A smile involuntarily appeared on his handsome face.
“Pretty boy!”
Zhang Fan muttered upon seeing this, then took out the eighteen array discs he had seized from Gong Ziru. He spent half an hour refining them completely.
“These array discs are quite good. I can give them to Luo Shui as a life-saving tool when I meet her.” Zhang Fan thought of her, unaware that Qin Luoshui had already been taken by Immortal King Zhiwu and had gone somewhere unknown.
After completely refining the eighteen array discs, Zhang Fan waved his hand, and the discs flew out in an orderly fashion, scattering around them.
“Rise!”
With a low shout, streaks of pure white, transparent light barriers shot up into the sky, enveloping Zhang Fan and Liu Mu.
This was a trapping formation, which could be used to entrap enemies or impede their advance.
Protected by the Nine Peaks Spirit Confinement Array, ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators of the Fifth Tribulation would not be able to break through it. After all, Zhang Fan’s array-laying skills were far superior to Gong Ziru’s.
The same array discs, when laid by different setters, would produce vastly different levels of power.
“I am about to go into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. It might take some time. If you get bored, you can go explore,” Zhang Fan said.
“I’m not that bored. I feel my cultivation has improved recently, and I’m preparing to face the Nascent Soul Tribulation. You don’t need to worry about me,” Liu Mu retorted, pouting.
There was no one for tens of thousands of *li* in this ice plain; what was there to explore?
…