"A top-grade Golden Core, and an excellent one at that!"
While Ouyang Jing's demise shocked everyone, Zhang Fan's strength was their primary focus.
"Such a person, appearing in our Great Rock Star!"
"Where did this monstrous talent emerge from? We've never heard of him before."
Even though Zhang Fan hadn't admitted it, all the spectators were convinced that Zhang Fan had cultivated a top-grade Golden Core! Otherwise, there was no way to explain what they were witnessing.
It was predictable that news of this battle would spread throughout the entire Wushan Starfield at an astonishing pace. After all, in tens of thousands of years, no Golden Core stage cultivator had ever managed to kill a Second Tribulation Nascent Soul stage expert with a single sword strike.
Such talent and power would undoubtedly attract invitations from various factions. Even some second-rate forces would be too ashamed to invite such a monstrous talent to join them, as they couldn't offer sufficiently enticing terms.
"I wonder when this news will reach Luo Shui and the others."
Zhang Fan had gone all out, killing Ouyang Jing with a single sword strike, precisely to achieve this effect—an effect that would cause a sensation. Although this would expose some of his strength and cause him considerable trouble, it would also rapidly spread his fame, allowing Qin Luoshui and Xue Jing to learn of his whereabouts sooner.
"I'm starting to understand Zhang Fan's strength less and less," Liu Mu sighed, feeling greatly dejected. He hailed from a distinguished background and his cultivation journey had been incredibly smooth. During his Golden Core stage, he had even condensed a top-grade Golden Core. Yet, even now that he had condensed his Nascent Soul, he still couldn't comprehend Zhang Fan's sword strike—that peerless speed.
"Now it's your turn!" Zhang Fan's gaze fell on Ouyang Ye. With a flash, he moved straight towards him.
"Master Gong, Patriarch Li, please save my life!" With Ouyang Jing's demise, the strongest two remaining on their side were Gong Ziru and Li Danyun, who now represented Ouyang Ye's last hope.
"You two also intend to stop me?" Zhang Fan's gaze swept over Gong Ziru and Li Danyun. To be honest, Ouyang Ye was the one he most wanted to kill in this entire affair. The others were of little consequence to him. However, if anyone dared to step forward and seek death, he would show no mercy.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan, please don't misunderstand." Gong Ziru quickly waved his hand and conjured a small, lotus-shaped formation in his palm. He then tossed it towards Ouyang Ye. Ouyang Ye tried to dodge, but it was impossible to escape, and he was instantly bound by the formation, his internal spiritual energy sealed.
"Master Gong, what is the meaning of this?" Ouyang Ye's eyes were filled with shock and anger. He hadn't expected Gong Ziru to attack him.
"You said earlier that if Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan could slay Bai Yunhu, you would present your head to him. You cannot go back on your word." Gong Ziru spoke with righteous indignation.
"..." Ouyang Ye cursed Gong Ziru countless times in his heart. He hadn't expected to encounter someone even more despicable and shameless than himself. He had to admit defeat.
"This Ouyang Ye is now at Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan's disposal. Dispose of him as you see fit." Gong Ziru waved his hand, and Ouyang Ye's body involuntarily floated towards Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan glanced at Gong Ziru with some surprise. His actions were unexpected. Furthermore, Gong Ziru's skill also made Zhang Fan realize that being able to instantly conjure a palm-sized formation meant that Gong Ziru's attainments in formations were likely nearing the level of a Third-Rank Formation Master.
"Spare my life, and I will be your slave forever, serving you as my master!" Ouyang Ye's conduct was base. His pride was long gone. To save his life, he uttered words that disgusted everyone present. Especially the members of the Ouyang family. Ouyang Ye's elder brother had just been publicly executed by Zhang Fan, and now he was willing to serve the Ouyang family's enemy, which filled all the Ouyang family members with shame.
"Even as a slave, you are not worthy of living!" With a swing of his sword, Zhang Fan directly pierced Ouyang Ye's Nascent Soul.
"A despicable villain like Ouyang Ye truly is unworthy. In that case, this entire affair was likely a misunderstanding. The Ouyang family misled everyone and spread rumors. They deserve to die!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan, how do you think they should be punished?" Gong Ziru asked with a hint of obsequiousness.
"That has nothing to do with me." Zhang Fan glanced at Gong Ziru and waved his hand.
"This siege on Fuliu City has caused considerable losses to the Fu family. Patriarch Li, you must provide ample compensation." Gong Ziru turned to Li Danyun.
"Naturally." Li Danyun nodded repeatedly, his demeanor respectful. "My Li family will take the lead and ensure the Fu family receives a satisfactory explanation." As he spoke, Li Danyun cast a glance at Zhang Fan, filled with trepidation, fearing that this young man might attack him with a sword if he displeased him. Although he was also a Second Tribulation Nascent Soul expert, he was still somewhat inferior to peak Second Tribulation Nascent Soul experts like Ouyang Jing. If Ouyang Jing couldn't withstand a single sword strike, how could he?
Fu Mengtian, standing within Fuliu City, felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction as he witnessed this scene. He had initially believed the Fu family was doomed today, but he never expected it to end this way. The demise of Ouyang Jing and Ouyang Ye also signified the complete decline of the Ouyang family. The remaining Golden Core stage cultivators would be unable to sustain the vast Ouyang family. It was conceivable that even if the Fu family didn't act, many greedy individuals would emerge to plunder the Ouyang family's resources.
Zhang Fan waved his hand indifferently at Gong Ziru and Li Danyun's overtures. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Gong Ziru called out to him.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan, please wait!"
"Today, Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan has become famous after this battle. I believe it won't be long before your name spreads throughout the Wushan Starfield, and various factions will come to invite you to join them. As an elder of Black Sand Cave Heaven, I have some influence within the sect. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan would be interested in joining Black Sand Cave Heaven. With your talent, upon joining, you would undoubtedly be bestowed with abundant treasures and cultivation resources, and your status and position would be no less than mine."
Zhang Fan shook his head, indicating his lack of interest. What valuable cultivation resources could a sect that lacked even a Nascent Soul True Immortal offer?
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan, are you truly not considering it?" Gong Ziru asked again.
"There's no need to consider it. I am inherently unrestrained and accustomed to freedom. I do not like being bound by a sect," Zhang Fan replied.
"Then, that is truly a pity!" Gong Ziru shook his head, feigning regret.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Ziru waved his hand, and eighteen formation plates shot out, surrounding Zhang Fan. With streaks of brilliant light soaring into the sky, a trapping formation was established, enclosing Zhang Fan within it.
"Since you cannot be of use to our Black Sand Cave Heaven, you have no reason to live!" Gong Ziru's amiable demeanor vanished, replaced by a chilling, murderous glint.
...