"It's true, but I still haven't figured out what kind of inner world I should construct, or rather, what kind of small world I am suited to build," Zhang Fan shook his head and sighed.
During his months of traveling on Zi Xiao Star, Zhang Fan had many speculations and experiments, but none yielded the results he desired. In the end, he gave up, hoping to find inspiration in the dojo of the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable.
"I am ashamed to say that although I have reached the peak of the Opening Realm, I still haven't fully grasped it. This is why I haven't been able to condense the Dao Origin for such a long time. As for how to construct an inner small world, I'm afraid young friend will have to comprehend it yourself," the white-haired elder said.
"If young friend is determined to go to the dojo of the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable, why don't we go together? We can look out for each other," the white-haired elder then invited Zhang Fan. It wasn't because of Zhang Fan's strength, but rather his talent, which he wished to foster.
Zhang Fan shook his head and replied, "No, I prefer to travel alone. Moreover, my strength is somewhat lacking, and traveling with others would likely be a burden. I shall take my leave now."
After speaking, Zhang Fan nodded to Fairy Zi Ling and turned to leave.
"He's so brazen, relying on his talent and not knowing his limits. Without our support, he wouldn't be able to make any progress even if he entered the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's cave mansion," Zi Shan Kun Ming sneered.
"Most of the Void Returning cultivators entering the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's cave mansion this time are indeed in the Opening Realm, and some even in the Dao Origin Realm will be entering. We should focus on our own affairs first," the white-haired elder said, shaking his head.
...
After leaving Zi Xiao Star, Zhang Fan embarked on his return journey alone. There was still a month before the opening of the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's dojo, so Zhang Fan wasn't in a hurry. He flew leisurely. By the time he reached the edge of the Dark Forest, a large number of Void Returning cultivators had already gathered there. Amidst the crowd, Zhang Fan spotted Zi Shan Kun Ming and the white-haired elder.
On one side were the cultivators from the Zi Xiao Star Domain. Zhang Fan scanned them briefly; there were over eighty of them. It was estimated that nearly half of the Void Returning cultivators from the entire Zi Xiao Star Domain, including the nine intermediate star domains, had come.
They were primarily in the Opening Realm, with less than a handful reaching the Dao Origin Realm. The rarest were those in the Great Dao Realm, only a few, brought by elders from their clans.
The number of cultivators from the Jiu Ya Star Domain was slightly smaller, only over seventy, and their quality was comparable to that of the Zi Xiao Star Domain.
Immortal King Zhen Cang and Immortal King Liuli each presided over their respective sides, standing still in the void. Several days later, when the appointed day arrived, Zhang Fan clearly felt the atmosphere in this part of space change.
"Zhen Cang, are you not afraid that all the Void Returning cultivators from your Zi Xiao Star Domain will die in there?" Immortal King Liuli's icy voice echoed from the void, causing the expressions of many Void Returning cultivators from the Zi Xiao Star Domain to flicker.
Before even entering the cave mansion, the two sides were already at each other's throats.
Upon hearing this, Immortal King Zhen Cang's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly replied, "Since we are prepared to enter the dojo of the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable, then we must all be prepared for death. What is there to worry about?"
Although the cultivators present already understood this, they couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease upon hearing Immortal King Zhen Cang's words.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Fan couldn't help but chuckle. Some Void Returning cultivators still hadn't grasped the current situation. Although both sides had agreed that only cultivators below the Combined Dao Immortal King realm could enter, ostensibly to control the scope of conflict, it was also a way to use Void Returning cultivators as cannon fodder to explore the situation within the dojo.
After all, it was the dojo of the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable. Even a Combined Dao Immortal King would not guarantee absolute safety. And how many Combined Dao Immortal King level experts were there in total in the Zi Xiao Star Domain and Jiu Ya Star Domain? The loss of even one would be immense.
"As cultivators of the Jiu Ya Star Domain, when you enter, you must unite. Not only must you avoid the dangers within the dojo, but you must also guard against cultivators from the Jiu Ya Star Domain. Within this dojo, it is essentially another cosmic battlefield, a battlefield created specifically for Void Returning cultivators," Immortal King Zhen Cang's voice resonated in the hearts of every Void Returning cultivator of the Zi Xiao Star Domain.
Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a jolt of realization, and some immediately formed factions, hoping to strengthen their own groups.
Many cultivators also cast their gazes towards Zhang Fan, but ultimately shook their heads and did not extend invitations to him. A cultivator in the Great Dao Realm, without the guidance of clan elders, would be a liability entering this Immortal Venerable's dojo. No one was willing to take him along.
Zi Shan Kun Ming clearly noticed Zhang Fan's predicament. The corners of his mouth curved slightly into a mocking smile. What was the use of high talent? He was ultimately only in the Great Dao Realm, the lowest of the low here.
"Young friend Zhang Fan, if you are willing, I can arrange for two cultivators in the Opening Realm to accompany you. What do you think?" Immortal King Zhen Cang had clearly noticed Zhang Fan's situation and, not wanting a talented cultivator to venture alone, inquired via telepathy.
"Thank you for your kindness, Immortal King. I prefer to travel alone and wish to venture by myself," Zhang Fan replied.
Immortal King Zhen Cang said no more. As someone of his status, his inquiry was already a form of favor. Since Zhang Fan had his own plans, he would not interfere.
Anyone who could cultivate to the Void Returning level was no fool. It was just that he couldn't understand what means Zhang Fan possessed that made him so confident in front of a group of cultivators in the Opening Realm, and even the Dao Origin Realm.
"Go forth. I will wait here before the dojo until all of you emerge," Immortal King Zhen Cang said.
Upon hearing this, the Void Returning realm cultivators from both sides transformed into streaks of light and rushed towards the palace cluster above the Dark Forest. Endless radiance shone down, suppressing the vast expanse of space. The closer they got to the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's dojo, the stronger this suppressive force became. Ordinary Nascent Soul stage cultivators would likely be unable to approach even with their full strength.
The palaces stretched endlessly, combining into countless vast and spectacular structures, spanning over a light-year in length, their ends invisible to the naked eye. In the center stood a colossal gate of light, billions of miles high, emitting a faint Buddhist glow. This was the only entrance for them to enter the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's dojo.
Zhang Fan followed the crowd at a leisurely pace towards the gate of light. The cultivators from both sides maintained a tacit distance, outwardly calm but with undercurrents of tension and vigilance in their hearts.
As Immortal King Zhen Cang had said, once they entered the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's dojo, it would no longer be a simple exploration, but a battlefield for Void Returning cultivators. If cultivators from both sides encountered each other within, it would likely mark the beginning of a fierce battle.
...