"This formation..."
When Kuang Wu Zhen Xian brought Qin Yun to the outskirts of Wan Shan Sect, he was astonished by the sect's current guardian formation.
The radiant, colorful light screen emanated a divine aura. Even a peak Primordial Spirit Realm expert would likely sigh in despair when facing such a grand formation, unable to shake it in the slightest.
"Who in Wan Shan Sect could have set up such a grand formation?" Kuang Wu Zhen Xian stared at Qin Yun, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
As far as he knew, Wan Shan Sect's strongest, Dong Ji Zhen Xian, was only at the mid-stage Primordial Spirit Realm. How could he possibly set up a guardian formation that even gave him a headache?
Qin Yun remained silent for a long while before slowly speaking, "It seems we underestimated Zhang Fan. Someone who can cultivate the Rules of the Dao to perfection at the Nascent Soul stage is indeed extraordinary."
"You're saying this guardian formation was set up by Zhang Fan?" Kuang Wu Zhen Xian was astonished. This guardian formation was not easily broken even by Refinement God Realm experts. To set up such a formation, one would need at least the skill of an intermediate Immortal Array Master. Not only was Zhang Fan's Qi cultivation so heaven-defying, but his array formations were also this monstrous?
"It must be him. I can't think of anyone else," Qin Yun shook his head. He had initially thought that inviting Kuang Wu Zhen Xian would surely lead to success, but upon seeing the newly rearranged guardian formation of Wan Shan Sect, his confidence wavered.
"Brother Kuang Wu, perhaps we should withdraw for now and invite a few more brothers to ensure nothing goes wrong." At this moment, Qin Yun was already considering retreating. This time, it wasn't a probe; he truly did not wish to act rashly.
After all, the example of Yu Jian Zhen Xian was right before him. He did not want to follow in Yu Jian Zhen Xian's footsteps and become nourishment for Zhang Fan's cultivation.
"No need to rush. I'll test him first. Regardless of his methods, my strength is sufficient to protect myself," Kuang Wu Zhen Xian rejected Qin Yun's suggestion, stating it with great confidence.
What a joke. This might be the closest he had ever been to a Great Dao Secret Treasure in his life. Even if there was a risk to his life, he was willing to take the gamble.
If a few more Refinement God Realm cultivators were invited, even if Zhang Fan were dealt with, the ownership of the Great Dao Secret Treasure would be uncertain.
Moreover, Kuang Wu Zhen Xian was merely slightly surprised by Zhang Fan's methods and did not believe the latter could threaten his life.
"Since that is the case, then we shall see your skills, Brother Kuang Wu." Qin Yun nodded and said no more. He immediately retreated to a distance, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble.
He naturally understood Kuang Wu Zhen Xian's feelings. After all, it was a Great Dao Secret Treasure. If he had the slightest chance to kill Zhang Fan, he wouldn't have leaked the information.
"Truly cowardly." Kuang Wu Zhen Xian glanced at Qin Yun with disdain and then paid him no further attention.
Kuang Wu Zhen Xian landed on the ground and then stomped heavily on it. His seemingly frail body possessed a power capable of destroying the heavens and earth. The entire Wan Shan Continent trembled. A crack several zhang wide, originating from Kuang Wu Zhen Xian's foot, spread towards Wan Shan Sect.
The crack was bottomless. Wherever it passed, mountains crumbled, and the earth collapsed, only stopping when the guardian formation of Wan Shan Sect blocked the force.
In an instant, countless rocks rolled down from the peaks, and dust billowed into the air.
"What's happening?"
"Is this an earthquake?"
The cultivators on the Wan Shan Continent were greatly shocked. Although this continent fragment was not very large, to shake the entire continent required extremely terrifying power, something not easily achievable by ordinary Refinement God Realm cultivators.
The cultivators within Wan Shan Sect felt the tremor most acutely. Figures surged upwards from various peaks. Dong Ji Zhen Xian stepped out and appeared outside Wan Shan Sect, his gaze falling upon the slender figure at the end of the crack. He couldn't help but be slightly startled.
"I didn't expect it to be him." Dong Ji Zhen Xian naturally recognized the man. He was a Refinement God Realm expert from the Wu Ya Dynasty. However, upon remembering that Zhang Fan had now stepped into the Refinement God Realm, he felt much more at ease.
"To think that Kuang Wu Zhen Xian himself has arrived. It truly graces my Wan Shan Continent," Dong Ji Zhen Xian said with a smile.
"Enough pleasantries. Have Zhang Fan come out to see me, or I won't hesitate to smash your sect gate," Kuang Wu Zhen Xian demanded.
Zhang Fan flew out from the Golden Light Immortal Mansion and appeared beside Dong Ji Zhen Xian. He looked at the slender man not far away and said with a laugh, "Fellow Daoist Qin Yun is truly kind to me. Just after refining the primordial spirit of that Yu Jian Zhen Xian, knowing my cultivation resources are scarce, he has sent me another one."
"Fellow Daoist Zhang Fan, be careful. This person's Dao title is Kuang Wu, and he is quite skilled in combat. His Qi cultivation is only at the early stage of the Refinement God Realm, but his physical body is extremely powerful. It is said he has cultivated a top-tier Imperial Body Art to a level beyond perfection, making him comparable to mid-stage Refinement God Realm experts," Dong Ji Zhen Xian transmitted his voice secretly.
"Hahaha." Kuang Wu Zhen Xian laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Everyone says I am arrogant, and I admit I am. Hence my Dao title, Kuang Wu. But seeing you today, I find this junior of yours to be far more arrogant than I."
"If I kill you, will your Wu Ya Dynasty still send people to avenge me?" Zhang Fan asked.
"I am not here for revenge," Kuang Wu Zhen Xian replied, shaking his head. "With your strength and background, you are not worthy of possessing a Great Dao Secret Treasure. Hand it over, and perhaps you can save your life. I believe you understand the principle of 'possessing treasure brings guilt'."
"Too much nonsense." Zhang Fan summoned his blood-red longsword, transformed into a bolt of lightning, and charged directly at Kuang Wu Zhen Xian.
"Well met." Kuang Wu Zhen Xian let out a furious roar and expelled a surge of powerful energy from his mouth. The energy was incredibly condensed, like a meteor streaking across the void, shooting towards Zhang Fan.
While the methods of body cultivators might not be as varied as Qi cultivators, in their later stages, every part of their body can become a terrifying magic weapon.
Kuang Wu Zhen Xian's expelled energy was capable of shattering stars and forced Zhang Fan to treat it seriously.
He condensed the Rules of the Lightning Sword Dao onto the tip of his sword, shattering the energy with its edge. With another step, he was already three zhang in front of Kuang Wu Zhen Xian.
As Zhang Fan wielded his longsword, countless sword lights rained down upon Kuang Wu Zhen Xian. The latter sneered at the sight and made no attempt to defend, simply ignoring the onslaught.
Innumerable sword lights struck Kuang Wu Zhen Xian's body, producing sounds like clanging metal, as if striking steel. Sparks flew, but they could not harm him in the slightest.
"Who is this? How can his physical body be so powerful?" Nan Zun and others stood in the sky above Wan Shan Sect, their eyes filled with a solemn expression as they watched the slender figure.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon licked its lips, its appearance somewhat lewd. "If I could devour him, perhaps I could immediately break through to the Soul Transformation stage."
Dong Ji Zhen Xian was speechless. This Blood Demon Flood Dragon was too ignorant of its own capabilities. With a strength of only half a step into the Soul Transformation stage, it dared to think of devouring a mid-stage Primordial Spirit Realm expert. It was not afraid of bursting itself.
...