Within the main hall of the Six Kings' Mansion, only Nan Zun and Zhang Fan remained.
Zhang Fan sat on the upper seat, looking down at Nan Zun standing below, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The number one expert in the Wushan Star Domain, truly lives up to your reputation."
Hearing Zhang Fan's words, Nan Zun wore an unsightly wry smile. "With Senior Zhang Fan here, the title of the Wushan Star Domain's number one expert truly feels undeserved."
Even without Zhang Fan having yet fused his rules and divine soul, his Great Dao Domain alone was enough to place him in an unassailable position below the God Transformation stage. Moreover, he could clearly sense that the Great Dao Domain Zhang Fan had cultivated fused the Dao of the Sword and the Dao of Thunder. Even with his vast knowledge, he had never heard of anyone achieving such a feat.
Zhang Fan chuckled, not dwelling on the topic. He rested his hands on the chair and spoke, "Tell me, what is it you wish to see me about?"
Nan Zun's expression grew solemn, and he bowed. "This junior indeed has a matter to request, hoping Senior can enlighten me."
"What matter is it that even Zi Wu cannot resolve, requiring me to enlighten you?" Zhang Fan stared at Nan Zun with a half-smile, inquiring.
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's words, Nan Zun's eyes widened, and a tempest of shock churned within him. After a long moment, he took a deep breath. "I did indeed consult Immortal King Zi Wu about this matter, but he was also helpless. However, years ago, Immortal King Zi Wu returned to the Wushan Star Domain and met with me."
"He brought a woman named Qin Luoshui, who, I heard, is Senior's Dao companion," Nan Zun paused here, looking up at Zhang Fan.
"Luoshui..." Even though Zhang Fan already knew of this matter, hearing the name still stirred ripples within his heart.
"Continue," Zhang Fan commanded.
"Immortal King Zi Wu mentioned that if there was an opportunity to meet Senior, I could seek guidance from Senior," Nan Zun said respectfully.
"Seek guidance from me?" Zhang Fan's interest was piqued. "Tell me, what problem is it that Zi Wu believes I can solve?"
"This junior cultivates the Water Element Dao. At the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, I cultivated the Water Rule to nearly nine hundred thousand Daos. However, due to certain reasons, I began to fuse my divine soul and rules before reaching nine hundred thousand Daos."
"Now, my divine soul and rules are completely fused, and I have even cultivated a Primordial Spirit. Yet, the nine hundred thousand Daos of rules have become an indelible inner demon in my heart. If I cannot break through to God Transformation with ninety percent Daos of rules, I fear there will be great hidden dangers for my future cultivation."
"Therefore, I have lingered here for over a thousand years, seeking various methods. Even Immortal King provided help, but with the Primordial Spirit formed and rules established, no matter what method I used, I could not increase the number of Daos of rules."
"So I wish to ask Senior, is there still hope for me?"
"Zi Wu sent you to ask me?" A smile played on Zhang Fan's lips. "It seems Zi Wu must have had some suspicions, sending Nan Zun here, likely to verify his own conjectures."
Zhang Fan knew that through Qin Luoshui, Immortal King Zi Wu could clearly understand his growth trajectory and thus make a judgment about his identity. He likely suspected Zhang Fan was a reincarnation of a great being, hence the inquiry.
However, the actual situation was far more complex than Zi Wu guessed. He wondered what expression Zi Wu would have when he eventually learned the truth.
Zhang Fan looked forward to it.
Nan Zun stood below, not receiving a response for a long time. He looked up at Zhang Fan and saw the smile on his lips, instantly igniting a flicker of hope within him.
"Does Senior have a solution?" Nan Zun asked again, his eyes filled with anticipation, staring at Zhang Fan.
"Yes!"
"Really?" Nan Zun's voice soared at this moment, his eyes filled with disbelief. Even Immortal King Zi Wu had no solution, and Zhang Fan could actually solve it?
"Haha, as my identity, would I still deceive you?"
Zhang Fan laughed. "I do have a method, but it depends on whether you can bear it, or rather, whether you have the resolve."
"Senior, please speak. No matter the price, no matter the pain I must endure, I can accept it," Nan Zun declared with firm conviction. He had waited a thousand years for this matter, which was enough to prove his resolve.
"Now that your Primordial Spirit is formed and your rules are set, by conventional means, even if you cultivate new Daos of rules, you cannot fuse them into your Primordial Spirit."
"However, I have a secret art that can strip away a wisp of divine soul from your Primordial Spirit."
"Stripping away a wisp of divine soul, can it be fused with rules again?" Nan Zun asked doubtfully.
"Naturally," Zhang Fan stated, looking at Nan Zun, word by word. "As the saying goes, destruction leads to creation. To re-fuse the divine soul and rules, one must shatter the Primordial Spirit, leave a wisp of divine soul, and re-fuse."
"However, as you should also know, there are great risks involved. Shattering the Primordial Spirit is tantamount to crippling oneself."
Nan Zun's face grew grave, and he nodded. At the Nascent Soul stage, the Primordial Spirit and divine soul were the core. Even if the physical body was destroyed, the Primordial Spirit could possess another body and cultivate anew. But if the Primordial Spirit was destroyed or the divine soul extinguished, then it was truly over.
"I know this is difficult. You can consider it carefully. Come see me again after you have thought it through." Zhang Fan stood up, preparing to leave.
"I have considered it clearly. Please teach me, Senior," Nan Zun said without hesitation, bowing solemnly with unwavering determination.
Nan Zun's resolute attitude surprised Zhang Fan. He nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. What is needed for destruction and creation is an unyielding resolve. If you had come to see me after hesitating, I would not have taught you."
Nan Zun's heart jolted. If he had hesitated for even a moment, he would have truly missed his chance.
Zhang Fan sat back down on the chair, looking at Nan Zun below, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "The Dao cannot be lightly imparted. I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"
"This disciple is willing. Cang Lan Nan Zhou greets Master!" Nan Zun bowed down without the slightest hesitation.
The world knew Nan Zun, but very few knew his true name.
"Since that is the case, you shall be my third disciple."
"Entering my sect has only one requirement: you must not defy the sect. Otherwise, I will personally mete out punishment," Zhang Fan stared intently at Nan Zun, his powerful Dao might enveloping him. Even Nan Zun, who had cultivated a Primordial Spirit, felt his mind tremble.
"Nan Zhou respectfully abides by Master's teachings," Nan Zun replied respectfully.
"Above you, there is a Senior Brother and a Second Senior Sister."
"This Senior Brother Zi Wu, I have met. I wonder who the Second Senior Sister is?" Nan Zun inquired.
"If you succeed, you might have a chance to meet him in the future," Zhang Fan said. "Since you have made your decision, do not leave yourself any room for retreat. I will give you three days to settle your personal affairs. Come to the Golden Light Immortal Mansion to see me in three days."