When the path of thunder and the path of the sword were fully integrated, Zhang Fan did not realize that his entire demeanor had quietly transformed, imbued with an endless destructive aura amidst his sharpness.
"Next is to pursue the perfection of the thunder sword path's rules," Zhang Fan closed his eyes tightly, carefully sensing the rules of the thunder sword path within his body, contemplating in silence.
During Zhang Fan's secluded cultivation, many events transpired within the Six Kings' Mansion.
The day after Zhang Fan entered seclusion, the Six Kings' Mansion received visitors from various factions across the Realm Heart Continent. They presented countless rare treasures, spiritual pills, and heavenly elixirs. The Six Kings' Mansion naturally hosted them with warmth.
"Lord Ling, is Senior Zhang Fan still within the mansion? We too wish to pay our respects and witness the Senior's demeanor." Many cultivators came to visit the Six Kings' Mansion, not only to see the Six Kings but also to see Zhang Fan.
Apart from Zhang Fan's current formidable strength, the primary reason was his other identity: an Immortal-grade Alchemist, the first of his kind ever born in the Wu Mountain Star Domain.
This identity, in the eyes of countless Nascent Soul cultivators, was more esteemed than a Soul Transformation expert.
Ling Xiu had already received word from Lin Haotian about Zhang Fan's seclusion. He refused to see any cultivator who wished to meet Zhang Fan, regardless of who they were.
Therefore, Ling Xiu could only politely decline the requests of the numerous visitors.
However, when the Southern Venerable arrived, Ling Xiu finally felt at a loss.
"Senior Southern Venerable, Brother Zhang Fan instructed before going into seclusion that no one was to disturb him, so I apologize." Ling Xiu maintained a respectful attitude towards this expert, known as the foremost in the Wu Mountain Star Domain.
Ever since he embarked on his cultivation path, he had often heard legends of the Southern Venerable. Although the Southern Venerable had not made a move for over a thousand years, standing before him, he understood that the Southern Venerable had likely reached that realm.
Though not yet in the Soul Transformation stage, he was as if he already were.
The Southern Venerable's visit this time was exceptionally formal. He had not only shaved his beard but also donned a white Daoist robe, exuding an air of gentle refinement.
Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue stood obediently behind the Southern Venerable. They had cultivated under the Southern Venerable for decades and had never seen him in such a state.
"It is of no consequence. We are visitors, and we naturally abide by the rules. Since Senior Zhang Fan is in seclusion, I shall wait here," the Southern Venerable said casually, waving his hand.
"Senior?" Ling Xiu was astonished, doubting if he had heard correctly.
While the cultivation world valued strength above all else, and age was irrelevant, Zhang Fan's strength was not superior to the Southern Venerable's. Why would he be referred to as a senior?
Seeing the Southern Venerable's composed demeanor, Ling Xiu was certain he had not misheard. Though filled with questions, he suppressed them and said, "In that case, I shall arrange a place of rest for Senior Southern Venerable."
The news of the Southern Venerable personally visiting Zhang Fan caused quite a stir across the Realm Heart Continent. After all, the Southern Venerable's name was immensely renowned. The fact that even he had come to visit led many cultivators to lament the immense charm of an Immortal-grade Alchemist.
However, Zhang Fan, having entered his cultivation state, refused all visitors. Not a single person managed to see him from beginning to end.
As time passed, the matter gradually subsided.
"Master, Zhang Fan was already at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage before his seclusion. Could this seclusion be aimed at directly breaking through to the Half-step Soul Transformation?" Canglan Mingyue believed she was quite patient, but after waiting for nearly a year in the Panlong Mountain Range, with no sign of Zhang Fan emerging, she was becoming restless.
The Southern Venerable replied calmly, "Since we are seeking a favor, we must naturally adopt the attitude of someone seeking a favor. Let alone a year, even ten or a hundred years, we must wait."
"Seeking a favor?" Canglan Mingyue and Canglan Qiuyue exchanged glances, looking bewildered. With their master's capabilities, what matter required him to seek Zhang Fan's help?
Moreover, given their master's relationship with King Zi Wu, wouldn't it be better to seek King Zi Wu's assistance?
The Southern Venerable offered no explanation. Some matters, without reaching a certain level, could not be understood even if explained. He sat quietly by the cliff edge, gazing at a distant mountain peak, his eyes deep and serene.
Time flowed on. A year had passed since Zhang Fan entered seclusion. During this period, cultivators in the Six Kings' Mansion continuously broke through. The Panlong Mountain Range was frequently shrouded in thunderclouds. Now, even Lin Haotian, Wuchen Sword Immortal, and Tianhua Tianjun had successfully passed their seventh Nascent Soul tribulations, their strength greatly enhanced.
On this day, the rules of heaven and earth suddenly became chaotic. Dark clouds churned in the sky, and purple lightning flickered within them, containing terrifying power that alarmed all cultivators in the Six Kings' Mansion.
"Brother, who is undergoing tribulation?" Xiao Yi asked, looking at the rolling dark clouds in the sky with surprise.
Ling Xiu shook his head. Cultivators in the Six Kings' Mansion who were to undergo the heavenly thunder tribulation would generally inform the sect in advance. However, he had not received any news of an impending tribulation today.
"This is likely not tribulation clouds," the Southern Venerable said, walking from behind. His gaze was solemn as he looked at the vast expanse of purple lightning. "It is unlikely to be tribulation clouds."
"Not tribulation clouds?" Ling Xiu and the others were puzzled. "Senior Southern Venerable, you say this is not tribulation clouds?"
"Indeed," the Southern Venerable nodded. "The purple lightning contains a sharp intent of the sword path. It cannot be tribulation clouds." 138 Reading Network.
Boom!
Thunder roared, and suddenly, lightning descended, transforming into a vast expanse of thunderous light. The area within a thousand miles instantly became a world of thunder.
A figure rushed out from the Golden Light Immortal Mansion. He was bathed in the sea of thunder, his body shimmering with dazzling electrical light, like a god descending. The mighty aura of the Great Dao pressed down, making everyone feel breathless.
"This is the Domain of the Great Dao?"
The Southern Venerable had not experienced such a sense of pressure for many years. His heart trembled as he watched this scene in disbelief, his eyes filled with astonishment.
"He actually succeeded?" Canglan Mingyue also found it hard to believe. Although Zhang Fan's sword path rules had already been incredibly close to perfection before, he had never thought Zhang Fan could cultivate them to completion during the Nascent Soul stage.
However, the Domain of the Great Dao, covering a thousand-mile radius, was undeniable. The powerful aura of the Great Dao made Canglan Mingyue's heart tremble.
Previously, he had been confident he could withstand a few of Zhang Fan's moves. But now, he clearly felt that if he were to fight Zhang Fan again, he would likely be killed in a single blow. In just one year, the gap in their strength was like that between heaven and earth.
Ling Xiu and the others looked at the figure in the sky, their eyes filled with shock and awe.
The Domain of the Great Dao was a technique that even many Soul Transformation cultivators could not master. Yet, Zhang Fan had grasped it in the Nascent Soul stage. Within the Domain of the Great Dao, even though Zhang Fan had not unleashed any techniques, Ling Xiu, as a Half-step Soul Transformation expert, still felt like a small boat in a vast ocean, unable to move freely.
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