Years passed in the blink of an eye for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, but for Xue Mo Jiao and Nan Zun, these years were a daily dance with death. Under the guidance of Pu Ji Zhen Xian, they progressed from the first level of the Seven Star Tower and had now reached the third level, the Earth Element World.
The closer they got to the top of the Seven Star Tower, the more perilous the worlds within became. Fortunately, Pu Ji Zhen Xian's strength had improved by leaps and bounds after receiving guidance from Zhang Fan. He was now among the top-tier among the Six Star Generals, making him qualified to venture further.
"Three years have passed. I wonder if Master has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage yet?" Xue Mo Jiao had also made considerable progress over the years, just a step away from entering the Spirit Refining stage. Yet, he still yearned for the days he adventured with Zhang Fan. The gains from a single battle with Zhang Fan surpassed those from ten of their own battles. How could he not miss it?
"After we finish exploring the Earth Element World, I plan to go into seclusion for a period of cultivation, striving to break through to the Spirit Refining stage in one go," Nan Zun suddenly declared.
Xue Mo Jiao was taken aback and asked curiously, "Do you have confidence, kid?"
"Of course, breaking through to the Spirit Refining stage is not difficult," Nan Zun replied with a faint smile.
Their teammates were already immune to the boastful conversation between the man and the beast. After all, Nan Zun's master was Shi Jue Zhen Xian. Hadn't Pu Ji Zhen Xian's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds after just a word of advice from Shi Jue Zhen Xian?
...
At the War Base, Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian had been keeping a close eye on Zhang Fan's news since their return from the Dark Forest. However, they waited for a full three years with no movement from Zhang Fan's seclusion.
This caused Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian to worry. Had the dilapidated ancient temple in the Dark Forest already vanished? If so, had their efforts been in vain?
However, the War Base had strict rules, and no cultivator dared to trespass into another's abode. Even with their backgrounds and their anxiety, they could only wait obediently.
Ten more months passed, and Zhang Fan's cave dwelling, which had been closed for years, finally opened.
"Quickly notify Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian. Shi Jue Zhen Xian has emerged from seclusion. Judging by his aura, he has likely broken through to the Nascent Soul stage."
Given their status, Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian naturally wouldn't wait outside themselves. Instead, they had arranged for a Nascent Soul stage cultivator to constantly monitor Zhang Fan's news and notify them immediately upon any development.
"Hoo!"
Exiting the cave dwelling, Zhang Fan let out a long sigh. After nearly four years of seclusion, he had not only entered the Nascent Soul stage but had even cultivated to the late Nascent Soul stage. However, the quantity of Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills was still a bit short, and Zhang Fan's physical body had not yet fully achieved Daoization.
Therefore, upon emerging from seclusion, Zhang Fan planned to visit the military storehouse again to exchange for some medicinal ingredients to refine another batch of Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills.
Zhang Fan was quite helpless about this. He had cultivated the rules of Thunder Dao and Sword Dao to perfection. To fully Daoize his physical body, he needed to fuse all two million Dao rules into his body, a feat several times more difficult than for other Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
Thus, even though Zhang Fan had prepared over a thousand Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills, he was still a little short.
"Fellow Daoist Shi Jue!"
A deep voice sounded in Zhang Fan's ear. Zhang Fan looked up to see a man clad in a yellow robe and wearing a crown striding towards him. His eyes twinkled like stars, exuding an indescribable noble aura.
Beside him walked a man built like a tower. With each step he took, it was as if stars were falling, exuding a palpable oppressive aura.
Although Zhang Fan had not actively sought information about other cultivators at the War Base, he was aware of the top powerhouses.
These two were Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian, both late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, who held the titles of Eight-Star Marquises. With such strength, they stood almost at the pinnacle of the War Base. Coupled with their considerable backgrounds, they could roam freely even in the star river battlefield, a place teeming with experts.
However, their strength usually kept them adventuring in the outer regions of the Dark Forest, and they rarely interacted with cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. Thus, this was their first meeting.
"Prince Wu You, Giant Peak Zhen Xian," Zhang Fan said as he looked at the approaching pair. "May I ask what brings you here?"
Prince Wu You's starry eyes fixed on Zhang Fan. Observing his calm, unruffled gaze, he smiled faintly and said, "I heard that Fellow Daoist Shi Jue has refined a batch of Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills. My friend Giant Peak Zhen Xian and I are at a critical juncture in our cultivation breakthroughs. I wonder if you would be willing to sell us a batch of these pills? The price would be according to the normal market rate."
Zhang Fan chuckled. Not only did he not have any Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills at the moment, but even if he did, he would never sell them to Prince Wu You. The scarcity of Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills was well-known at the War Base. Prince Wu You's expectation of purchasing them at the normal market price was simply unrealistic.
"I've already used up all my Nascent Soul Cultivation Pills. If you wish to buy them, you'll have to wait for the military storehouse to restock," Zhang Fan said softly, preparing to leave. However, he was blocked by Giant Peak Zhen Xian's massive true body.
"Fellow Daoist Shi Jue, please don't rush," Prince Wu You said, fixing his gaze on Zhang Fan. "With your alchemy skills, refining another batch should not be difficult. If you lack materials, I can provide them."
"No time!" Zhang Fan looked up at the towering Giant Peak Zhen Xian and asked, "Could you please move aside?"
Giant Peak Zhen Xian stared at Zhang Fan, a strange feeling stirring within him. This was the first time someone at the War Base had dared to speak to him in such a manner. "What if I don't move?"
"Oh?" Zhang Fan's interest was piqued. Although Giant Peak Zhen Xian and Prince Wu You were both at the late Nascent Soul stage, just like him, he had never truly regarded them as equals. Even their backing forces held no sway in his eyes.
But he was curious to know how much stronger he was compared to other Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
Since two opponents had presented themselves as free sparring partners, Zhang Fan naturally wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
"It seems you two are determined to get your way?" Zhang Fan smiled at Prince Wu You and said, "Why don't we head to the Duel Arena and have some fun?"
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's words, Prince Wu You and Giant Peak Zhen Xian exchanged a knowing smile. This Shi Jue Zhen Xian was truly confident.
They could sense Zhang Fan's current cultivation level, which was the same as theirs, the late Nascent Soul stage. However, Zhang Fan had only recently reached this stage, while they were both just a step away from the peak Nascent Soul stage.
Therefore, they readily accepted Zhang Fan's proposal.
...