More than ten breaths of time passed. When Lei Hong Tian Xian returned, he was followed by two familiar figures, Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si.
"Zhang Fan?"
Seeing Zhang Fan again after several years, Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si were filled with emotion. With Zhang Fan's current status and strength, even Fu Meng Tian, with his experience, didn't know how to address him.
"Long time no see, both of you." Zhang Fan's face showed a smile as he saw his old acquaintances.
Liu Mu, standing beside Zhang Fan, also came forward and looked at them with a smile. Like Zhang Fan, Liu Mu didn't know many people in the Wu Shan Star Domain. Seeing old acquaintances again brought a sense of warmth.
"I never thought that those two obscure cultivators from Da Yan Star would have ascended to the Wu Shan Star Domain in just a few short years. It is an honor for our Fu family to be acquainted with them." Fu Meng Tian felt as if he were dreaming, it was unreal.
"How have you been lately?" Zhang Fan asked again.
Fu Si Si stared at Zhang Fan in silence, a fleeting sense of loss flashing in her eyes. Fu Meng Tian chuckled and said, "We're doing alright. It's just that the Jie Xin Continent is too vast and not very suitable for our Fu family. We're more accustomed to Da Yan Star."
Zhang Fan nodded. For Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si, it was indeed difficult to thrive on the Jie Xin Continent. They lacked strength, background, and their talent wasn't outstanding. However, with Lei Hong Tian Xian's protection, they at least weren't bullied.
"Fei Xian Prefecture and Hei Sha Grotto-Heaven have been destroyed by me."
As soon as Zhang Fan spoke, everyone fell silent. Fu Meng Tian, who was still immersed in emotion, immediately sobered up. Zhang Fan bringing people from the Sixth Prince's Estate wasn't just for a casual reunion.
Because they had moved so quickly, the news of the destruction of Fei Xian Prefecture and Hei Sha Grotto-Heaven had not yet reached Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven. However, from the oppressive atmosphere within the sect in the past few days, they could sense that something was amiss.
Lei Hong Tian Xian and the half-step Deity Transformation expert stared at Zhang Fan with trepidation, awaiting his next words.
"Originally, I intended to level Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven directly. But since this is your sect, I want to ask for your opinion."
"If you've been living well here, I can give Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven a chance to continue its legacy."
"If you find it unbearable, then it will be destroyed." Zhang Fan said casually. Having already destroyed Fei Xian Prefecture and Hei Sha Grotto-Heaven, he wouldn't mind doing it again.
Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si never imagined that with their meager strength, they would be able to decide the life and death of a top-tier force.
Both of them were nervous. Lei Hong Tian Xian and the old man in grey robes dared not speak, waiting anxiously for judgment.
"If possible, please spare Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven, Brother Zhang Fan." Fu Si Si said.
"Alright." Zhang Fan nodded, then turned to the remaining half-step Deity Transformation expert of Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven and said, "Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven can continue its legacy, but there are two conditions!"
"Whatever conditions you have, Senior Zhang Fan, please state them." The old man in grey robes trembled slightly with excitement upon hearing Zhang Fan's words and quickly replied.
"First, hand over the treasure trove accumulated by Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven over tens of thousands of years."
"Second, I will not harm the disciples of Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven, but all cultivators above the Sixth Tribulation realm, including you, must die!"
Zhang Fan's first condition, though painful for the half-step Deity Transformation expert, was within his expectations. After all, the combined forces had attacked the Sixth Prince's Estate before, not just out of enmity, but also due to coveting its treasure trove.
Moreover, treasures could be accumulated again. As long as the sect remained, and as long as he was alive, Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven, even if not a top-tier force, could maintain its standing as a first-rate sect.
However, Zhang Fan's second condition almost made the half-step Deity Transformation expert lose his composure. If not for the last vestiges of his reason restraining him, he would have likely fought Zhang Fan to the death on the spot.
"Refuse or accept? I have great patience. You have three breaths of time to think." Zhang Fan said.
Liu Mu, standing beside him, rolled her eyes at Zhang Fan speechlessly. With only three breaths, if he was even slightly slow in agreeing, he would have exceeded the time limit.
"I agree!" These two words carried immense weight. After the old man in grey robes uttered them, he felt as if his life force had drained away.
"In that case, shall I deal with the cultivators above the Sixth Tribulation realm within the sect, or will you?" Zhang Fan asked.
Cultivators above the Sixth Tribulation realm were already considered top powerhouses on the Jie Xin Continent, possessing considerable destructive power. Zhang Fan naturally would not allow such powerhouses to exist in Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven.
"I will!" The old man in grey robes finally made up his mind and flew back into the sect. Within ten-odd breaths, he returned, having eliminated all cultivators above the Sixth Tribulation realm in Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven.
"I hope Senior Zhang Fan will keep his promise. After my death, the grievances between Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven and Senior Zhang Fan will be settled!" The half-step Deity Transformation expert threw a storage treasure to Zhang Fan and, in front of everyone, self-destructed his Nascent Soul, severing his life force.
Thus, the three top-tier forces that had previously besieged the Sixth Prince's Estate—Fei Xian Prefecture and Hei Sha Grotto-Heaven—were destroyed, their sect lands reduced to ruins. The only survivor, Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven, was severely weakened.
Without top powerhouses to anchor it, and without substantial resources to support it, Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven had completely fallen to the ranks of a third-rate force. In the coming period, they would likely face immense difficulties.
After all, Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven had once been glorious. As a top-tier force, their actions were bound to be overbearing, naturally creating numerous enemies.
When they were powerful, those enemies dared not show their hostility and could only endure. But now that Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven had suffered a severe blow, it was hard to guarantee that there wouldn't be those who would kick them while they were down.
"Ri Ying Grotto-Heaven is no longer a suitable place for you to stay. Why not come to the Sixth Prince's Estate?" Zhang Fan asked Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si.
Fu Meng Tian shook his head. "The Jie Xin Continent is ultimately not suitable for our Fu family. I plan to take my clansmen back to Da Yan Star. Elder Ku Jian is dead, and I could have returned long ago. But I was always hesitant. Now, I've finally come to terms with it."
Zhang Fan nodded. Everyone had their own aspirations, and he didn't force them. Before leaving, he gifted Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si some cultivation resources and advised them, "If you encounter trouble in the future, you can mention my name. If I leave the Wu Shan Star Domain, you can seek help from the Sixth Prince's Estate."
"You're leaving the Wu Shan Star Domain? Where will you go?" Fu Si Si looked very surprised. In her eyes, the Jie Xin Continent was already unimaginably vast.
Zhang Fan smiled and said, "I don't have a definite direction. But among the myriad domains of the starry sky, I must venture out and see."
"Yes, for you, this Jie Xin Continent doesn't seem that big either." Fu Si Si felt inexplicably a little lost.
After bidding farewell to Fu Meng Tian and Fu Si Si, Zhang Fan and his entourage headed towards the Sixth Prince's Estate. At the same time, the news of the destruction of Fei Xian Prefecture and Hei Sha Grotto-Heaven began to spread wildly across the entire Jie Xin Continent.
...