After more than a century of development, although Cloud Mist City remained low-key, it had gathered a terrifying force within. Apart from the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor, there were nearly twenty Immortal Venerable level powerhouses in the city.
Before Zhang Fan left, he specifically left the Boundless Pagoda in Cloud Mist City. While only a little over a hundred years had passed in the outside world, those cultivating within the Boundless Pagoda had experienced over three thousand years.
During this time, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's Sacred Body finally reached the transcendent realm, and he had also cultivated the Divine Body Technique imparted by Zhang Fan to an extremely high level. It was only a matter of time before he broke through to the Immortal Emperor realm with sheer power.
Nanzun and Lin Haotian, relying on the peculiar properties of the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit, had also cultivated their Sacred Bodies to the transcendent realm, possessing peak Dominator realm strength.
Qin Luoshui, Zhang Lüeying, Zhang Xing'an, Su Yun, the Unalloyed Sword Immortal, and Heavenly Splendor Heavenly Monarch had all seen significant improvements in their strength. Now, Cloud Mist City, in addition to Black Dragon Immortal Venerable and Black Flame Immortal Venerable, had many rogue Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings joining, further expanding its power.
Currently, Cloud Mist City's strength, in terms of both Immortal Emperor powerhouses and Immortal Venerable level combat power, was no less than that of the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
It is worth mentioning that Immortal King Zhiwu, after venturing into the True Thunder Emperor's Mansion, had also entered the Tribulation Transcending stage. He had come to the Central Continent and was greatly impressed by Zhang Fan's series of achievements there. He had come to Cloud Mist City hoping to meet Zhang Fan but missed him.
"Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, I've recently felt my cultivation reaching a bottleneck. How about we spar?" As soon as the Blood Demon Flood Dragon emerged from seclusion, he would always seek out Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. Originally, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's strength was vastly inferior to Black Dragon Immortal Venerable's, but after thousands of years of cultivation, he had managed to gain the upper hand, much to Black Dragon Immortal Venerable's chagrin. Therefore, every time the Blood Demon Flood Dragon challenged him, Black Dragon Immortal Venerable would always accept.
Two true dragons, one black and one red, flew into the void, unleashing an astonishing battle. Every collision was breathtaking.
This battle, occurring periodically, had become a unique spectacle of Cloud Mist City, with many cultivators coming to watch.
"Doesn't Blood Demon like Black Dragon Immortal Venerable? Why does he still suppress Black Dragon Immortal Venerable every time and not hold back? He's so stupid," Zhang Lüeying commented while watching from Cloud Mist City.
"Blood Demon is very astute. He knows that Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is extremely proud. If he were to go easy on her, it would only anger her more. Only with strength can she be conquered," Nanzun said with a smile.
"Nanzun's words are quite true. My sister is incredibly proud. Even though this darn Blood Dragon can suppress her, she won't easily concede defeat, unless the Blood Dragon breaks through to the Immortal Emperor realm through sheer force, perhaps then he might have a chance," Black Flame agreed, nodding. After thousands of years of coexisting, he had long accepted the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, but his sister was not someone to be easily conquered.
Just as the two true dragons were locked in a fierce struggle, the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor suddenly appeared and stopped the battle, "Cease. We have guests."
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon, puzzled, was about to ask for clarification when he saw the dense miasma of Cloud Mist Marsh suddenly disperse. Two figures, stepping on the void, slowly approached. The one in the lead laughed heartily, "To achieve the Immortal Emperor position through the Myriad Buddha Path, Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor is indeed well-deserved of his reputation."
The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor looked at the approaching figures, his usually calm eyes showing a trace of solemnity. With his current strength, he no longer held Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor in high regard, but the green-robed man leading the group exerted immense pressure on him.
"Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor!" Black Dragon Immortal Venerable's expression changed slightly as he identified the person.
At this moment, many cultivators in Cloud Mist City also recognized the newcomers, and their hearts tightened. Among the many Immortal Emperors on the Central Continent, only five had reached the peak of the Heavenly Dao realm, and Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor was one of them.
"It seems my master was right. Even with my current strength, I would not be able to last ten moves against this Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor thought to himself.
Before Zhang Fan left, he had specifically instructed him that the only person to be wary of in the Xuan Tian Immortal Sect was this Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor, as he possessed the genuine ability to slay Immortal Emperors.
"Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor himself has graced Cloud Mist City with his presence. It is truly Cloud Mist City's honor." As the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor spoke, he simultaneously activated the city's protective array, a rippling curtain of light enshrouding Cloud Mist City.
Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor maintained a faint smile, "Is this the hospitality of Cloud Mist City?"
"A person's reputation precedes them. Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor's prestige shakes the Eastern Starfield. Facing such a figure, the Evil Buddha cannot afford to be careless," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor stated calmly, not hiding his thoughts.
A commotion arose within Cloud Mist City. They had not expected Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor himself to appear, likely coming for Zhang Fan.
"Where is your master? Have him come out to see me. Does my name, Azure Cloud, not warrant his audience?" Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor's divine sense had already enveloped Cloud Mist City, but he did not detect the aura of the Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable.
"My master is out on business and has not returned to Cloud Mist City for a hundred years," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor replied.
"Hmph, out on business?" Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor sneered and said, "Is this Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable afraid and hiding from Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor?"
"Screw you! Your Xuan Tian was beaten by my master and fled in disgrace, yet you dare to speak? How can my master be like you?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon couldn't help but curse. With his current strength, although not a match for Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor, he no longer held much reverence.
Insulted by an Immortal Venerable, Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor's old face instantly darkened. He nodded to Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor and retreated to the side.
"Cloud Mist City provokes my Xuan Tian Sect and insults my sect's Immortal Emperor. Since he is absent, you shall receive punishment in his stead." Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor's eyes were indifferent as he looked down at the people within Cloud Mist City. He gently pushed forward with both hands, and layers of worlds pressed down. Even with the protection of the city's array, the gathered Immortal Venerable powerhouses felt immense pressure.
The Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable's hand produced a string of prayer beads. With a wave of his hands, the twenty-four beads scattered, transforming into numerous Buddha images that suppressed various points of Cloud Mist City. With the might of the city's protective array, this attack was blocked.
"Oh?" Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor seemed slightly surprised. He had initially thought the city's protective array was ordinary and that his casual strike would easily break through it. To his surprise, he had misjudged.
"Did you set up this city's protective array?" Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor asked, staring at the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor.
"My master set it up personally. What do you think, Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor?" the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor replied.
"To cultivate the profound and unfathomable Extreme Path, to fight Immortal Emperors as a Dominator, Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable is indeed extraordinary. This makes me even more eager," Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor said, summoning a three-zhang-long Azure Cloud Spear into his hand with a single gesture.
"Azure Cloud Divine Spear, an Immortal Emperor true artifact!" The Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable stared intently at Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor, his expression becoming extremely solemn. He had not expected that someone of Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor's stature would bring out an Immortal Emperor true artifact to deal with him.
Peak Great Dao realm strength combined with an Immortal Emperor true artifact – with such a configuration, virtually no one below the peak Great Dao realm could resist.
"All Immortals, take your positions!" The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor's voice echoed into Cloud Mist City. Eighteen Immortal Venerable level powerhouses flew out of the city and, in an instant, formed a battle formation with the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor as the core, commanding the strength of eighteen Immortal Venerables.
Facing the renowned Azure Cloud Immortal Emperor, Nanzun, Lin Haotian, Qin Luoshui, and the other cultivators showed no fear, with even a hint of excitement in their eyes. They had never expected to fight such a formidable opponent one day.