The outcome of this battle was beyond everyone's expectations. Although some cultivators felt that Zhang Fan had been holding back and his strength was not as simple as it appeared on the surface, none of them had expected Zhang Fan to win so decisively.
After Tiehou Zhenxian conceded, Zhang Fan did not make another move. Instead, he smiled and looked at him.
Tiehou, in his human form, looked extremely pathetic. His originally dark skin was now completely stained with blood. While this injury was not significant for a cultivator at the Refinement Realm, it was extremely humiliating.
"You're formidable," Tiehou Zhenxian knew he had been tricked by Zhang Fan, but a loss was a loss. No matter how unwilling he was, he could only take out his immortal treasure and throw it at Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan casually put it away, then stared at Tiehou and smiled, "Tiehou Zhenxian's physical body is indeed powerful; it made my fists go numb."
"Hmph, don't get cocky. Even if you have the strength of a five-star general, you're nothing in this war base," Tiehou said coldly.
"Tiehou Zhenxian is right. If there's a chance in the future, we can exchange pointers. However, as you know the rules of this war base, exchanges usually come with stakes. Once Tiehou Zhenxian has obtained immortal treasures, you are welcome to seek me out for an exchange at any time," Zhang Fan said very seriously.
Hearing this, Tiehou Zhenxian glanced guiltily at Chihuo Zhenxian outside the arena. Not only had he lost his own five immortal treasures, but he had also lost the five immortal treasures lent to him by Chihuo Zhenxian.
Moreover, he had borrowed five immortal treasures but had to compensate for six.
Thinking of this, his anger grew. Tiehou flew out of the arena and, turning into a streak of light, quickly fled the scene, too ashamed to stay any longer.
"Tiehou, you'd better not die too soon," Chihuo Zhenxian, with his red hair, shouted as he saw this.
Zhang Fan flew off the stage, and a group of cultivators immediately surrounded him.
"Congratulations, Daoist Shijue, on such a harvest right after entering the war base. You'll probably be able to accumulate military merits soon."
"Daoist Shijue, I am Liefeng Zhenxian. If you have time, please visit my cave mansion. We can exchange pointers."
Many cultivators congratulated Zhang Fan while also inviting him to visit, showing great enthusiasm.
This was understandable. Given the strength Zhang Fan had just displayed, he was at least on par with a five-star general. With such strength upon entering the star battlefield, as long as he didn't perish midway, it was only a matter of time before he reached the level of a six-star general after some tempering.
Although there were tens of thousands of cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage in the war base, there were not many who could reach the level of a six-star general. Each of them was worth befriending.
In the battlefield, forming a connection with such an existence could even save one's life at a critical moment.
"Fellow Daoists, I am new to the war base and have many things to familiarize myself with. I will definitely visit you when I have time," Zhang Fan replied politely, before quickly leaving the scene with Mu Shan and others.
Watching Zhang Fan's departing figure, many cultivators were filled with envy. Twenty immortal treasures made him incredibly wealthy, even among cultivators of the Refinement Realm. One could only imagine how many immortal herbs and elixirs they could be exchanged for.
"This matter is not over yet. Tiehou has suffered too great a loss this time. I doubt he will let it go so easily," Chihuo Zhenxian shook his head and sighed. He was very familiar with Tiehou and understood his personality.
Hearing Chihuo Zhenxian's words, someone beside him nodded and said, "Tiehou Zhenxian hails from the Heavenly Demon Star Domain. There are quite a few powerful cultivators from the Heavenly Demon Star Domain in this war base, so he won't let it go easily."
The Heavenly Demon Star Domain was one of the nine intermediate star domains under the Purple Heaven Star Domain, primarily inhabited by demon cultivators with powerful physiques. They had a considerable reputation in this star battlefield.
...
"Daoist Shijue, you've been hiding your strength too deeply," Mu Shan looked at Zhang Fan with astonishment in his eyes.
"I originally wanted to keep a low profile, but that Tiehou Zhenxian was too enthusiastic. I couldn't help it," Zhang Fan said with a smile.
"That Tiehou was indeed arrogant. Fortunately, he met Daoist Shijue this time. Having lost ten immortal treasures, I think he'll have to risk his life in the star river again soon," Mu Shan Zhenxian also felt a sense of satisfaction. If his strength were sufficient, he would have liked to teach that Tiehou a lesson himself.
"As satisfying as it is, I still need to remind you," Mu Shan Zhenxian said with a slightly solemn expression, "Tiehou Zhenxian hails from the Heavenly Demon Star Domain, one of the nine star domains under the Purple Heaven Star Domain. In this star battlefield, there is more than one Marquis-level cultivator from the Heavenly Demon Star Domain. You must be careful."
"Are they going to attack me directly?" Zhang Fan asked.
"Not exactly," Mu Shan Zhenxian shook his head. "No matter how strong the Heavenly Demon Star Domain is, they must abide by the rules of the war base and dare not openly deal with you. However, on the battlefield, situations change rapidly. In critical moments, they might resort to dirty tricks, which some armies may not be able to investigate."
Zhang Fan nodded. If that were the case, there was even less to fear. Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Fan asked, "Earlier, someone mentioned that I could quickly accumulate enough merits. What did they mean by that?"
Mu Shan Zhenxian looked at Zhang Fan with some surprise and then said, "All cultivators who join the star battlefield must complete a certain amount of merit to apply for retirement; otherwise, they will be in violation of military regulations and face military law."
"A certain amount of merit?" Zhang Fan understood.
Although he had participated in the star battlefield in his previous life, the detailed regulations of star battlefields in different star domains had minor differences.
For example, some star battlefields stipulated a minimum service period, after which one could choose whether to retire.
However, the star battlefield in the Purple Heaven Star Domain stipulated that one must accumulate a certain amount of merit to regain their freedom.
Although the regulations differed, the purpose was the same: to facilitate the management of the war base. If one joined the star battlefield today and applied for retirement tomorrow, it would not only lead to management chaos but also potentially destabilize morale and diminish fighting will.
Mu Shan Zhenxian nodded and said, "Military merits are calculated based on the tested strength of new recruits, with a one-to-ten ratio. For example, a one-star soldier needs to accumulate one hundred thousand military merits to apply for retirement."
"Your tested strength is that of a four-star general, so you need to accumulate four hundred thousand military merits to apply for retirement."
"And a seven-star Marquis requires the accumulation of one million military merits to apply for retirement."
Xue Mo Jiao exclaimed in surprise, "Then a ten-star King would need to accumulate one hundred million military merits to apply for retirement? To accumulate one hundred million military merits, how many enemies would one need to kill?"
"According to the ratio, that's correct. However, the war base has no restrictions on ten-star Kings; they can come and go as they please," Mu Shan Zhenxian said.