As time passed, everyone's cultivation rapidly improved. After all, with the aid of the Wuji Tower and abundant cultivation resources, such training conditions were considered top-tier, even in immortal sects.
Zhang Xing'an and Su Yun spent decades within the Wuji Tower, both now having reached the Nascent Soul realm. Although Zhang Lueying was playful, her talent was undeniable; she managed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in a short period and had now reached the advanced Nascent Soul realm.
As for Nan Zun and the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, they too finally broke through to the Nascent Soul realm after decades of effort. Lin Haotian and Tianhua Tianjun, among others, also experienced significant power boosts.
Zhang Fan sat cross-legged, motionless like a withered tree, for decades. While his aura remained unchanged, a seismic transformation had occurred within him.
The small world within his body had now fully evolved into a miniature universe, with a diameter reaching a million light-years. Even the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable residing within the miniature universe was filled with awe.
It was known that the miniature universes cultivated by ordinary powerhouses, even when evolved to their peak, rarely exceeded ten thousand light-years in diameter, yet they possessed boundless power. The power contained within a million light-year miniature universe would undoubtedly be terrifying.
The Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable even suspected that Zhang Fan, with his Chaos realm strength, could contend with those in the Eternal realm. If Zhang Fan hadn't cultivated a physical body, he might not have been a match for him.
It was understood that cultivators in the Tribulation Passing stage were divided into three major realms: Universe Realm, Eternal Realm, and Master Realm. The power gap between each realm was immense. Even a cultivator in the Universe Realm could easily obliterate those in the Chaos Realm; transcending realms was nearly impossible.
"Hoo!"
After meditating for nearly a hundred years, Zhang Fan finally rose to his feet. This cultivation session had been exceptionally smooth. His cultivation had advanced to the extreme of the Dao Integration stage, reaching the pinnacle of the Chaos Realm. His precise combat power, however, was difficult for even Zhang Fan to predict.
After all, he had never witnessed a miniature universe spanning a million light-years, even in his previous life. To further improve his cultivation, he would need to undergo tribulation.
The tribulations faced by cultivators in the Tribulation Passing stage were vastly different from the heavenly tribulations encountered by Nascent Soul cultivators. Nascent Soul cultivators faced nine tribulations, categorized into Wind, Fire, and Lightning. However, the tribulations for cultivators from the Dao Integration to the Tribulation Passing stages were never fixed.
The Heavenly Dao would generate different heavenly tribulations based on a cultivator's path of growth. Those with persistent obsessions might face heart tribulations, while those with emotional obstacles might encounter sentiment tribulations. If one's state of mind was perfect, they would face the Heavenly Dao Tribulation. Regardless of the type, none could be overcome easily.
"Master, you've finally come out of seclusion. If you hadn't, we would have all gone mad from boredom."
As Zhang Fan emerged from the Wuji Tower, he was surprised to see everyone gathered in the small courtyard. He asked, "Doesn't Lueying love to roam about? Why are you all staying in this courtyard?"
"It's not that we don't want to go out, it's that we dare not," Zhang Xing'an replied with a wry smile.
"What's going on?" Zhang Fan asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. Had something major happened during his seclusion?
However, before he went into seclusion, he had instructed them to inform him of any significant events, yet no one had disturbed him.
"It's not really a major event," Su Yun shook her head and said. "When the Blood Demon Flood Dragon took Ying'er out to play, they were targeted by a Void Returning stage cultivator. The opponent, seeing the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's pure bloodline, which was only one step away from fully reverting to its ancestral form and transforming into a Blood Dragon, wanted to capture it as his mount."
"However, within this city, the Luohe Immortal King has a decree prohibiting any combat. Therefore, even though the opponent's family has an expert in the Heavenly Origin realm, they did not dare to make a move."
"But because of this, we also dare not leave the city. For safety's sake, we haven't even dared to step out of this courtyard. However, now that Master is out, everything can be resolved."
This courtyard was protected by formations that Zhang Fan had set up beforehand, which were sufficient to repel all cultivators below the Dao Integration Immortal King realm, making it quite safe.
"Master, someone actually wants to snatch your person. What do you think we should do?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon wailed.
"Brother, that person is too arrogant. You must teach them a good lesson. They actually dared to try and snatch my mount," Zhang Lueying said, clenching her fists. She clearly considered the Blood Demon Flood Dragon her personal property.
Seeing Zhang Lueying's pouting face, Zhang Fan couldn't help but smile. "Let's go out for a stroll. I'd like to see who this person is?"
Under Zhang Fan's lead, the group of cultivators exited the courtyard. Simultaneously, in the mansion of the Oriental family, the foremost aristocratic family in Heavenly Saint City, a distinguished young man emerged. He boarded a luxurious dragon carriage pulled by nine magnificent dragons, their bodies covered in golden scales. They soared into the sky and flew in the direction of Zhang Fan and his group. Behind him, a throng of powerful cultivators followed, their presence imposing.
"They've arrived. Nine golden dragons pulling the carriage, each at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. Quite a display," Zhang Fan and his group remarked as they emerged from the mansion. Not long after, they sensed a powerful aura rushing towards them. Looking up, Zhang Fan said with a smile.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon seethed with anger at the sight. Golden dragons were its kin, and to see them used as mounts by that young man felt like a grave insult.
The arrival of the nine golden dragons on the wide street elicited gasps from the onlookers. Such ostentatious display could only belong to the young master of the Oriental family.
"Blood Demon Flood Dragon, you finally dare to leave your little courtyard. Do you really think this young master dares not act within Heavenly Saint City?" a mocking voice, laced with sarcasm, emanated from within the carriage.
"Dare you defy the ironclad decree of the Luohe Immortal King?" With Zhang Fan backing him, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon felt emboldened and retorted dismissively.
"Hah, brave indeed. If that's the case, then all of you shall remain confined within Heavenly Saint City for the rest of your lives. If you dare to step beyond its gates, I will make you understand what it means to wish you were dead." The youth stepped out of the carriage, casting a cruel smile at Zhang Fan and his companions.
Within Heavenly Saint City, it had been a long time since anyone dared to defy his will. After all, his grandfather was an Immortal King. The youth no longer wished to take the Blood Demon Flood Dragon as a mount; instead, he wanted to flay it alive and teach it the consequences of defiance.
"Such a spineless wretch. He doesn't even dare to fight within the city. What are you afraid of?" Zhang Fan mocked the Blood Demon Flood Dragon.
The youth, who was about to leave, halted abruptly upon hearing Zhang Fan's words. He cast a deep glance at Zhang Fan and said, "Kid, have you prepared yourself to spend your entire life in Heavenly Saint City?"
"Why would I spend my life in Heavenly Saint City?" Zhang Fan asked curiously. He had been in seclusion for too long and, seeking some amusement, had deliberately provoked the youth.
"Because the moment you step outside the city gates, my men will immediately cripple your cultivation and then subject you to the myriad tortures I have prepared. Do you fear that?" the youth threatened.
Hearing the youth's words, the surrounding onlookers cast pitying glances at Zhang Fan's group. Offending this spoiled brat would likely indeed mean being confined to Heavenly Saint City for life.
...