Zhang Fan smiled faintly, looking at these old rivals from his previous life. They had fought fiercely for the last True Thunder Emperor Seal, causing countless stars to fall. Now, before him, they likely wouldn't even dare to make a move.
"Haha, I didn't expect to encounter such a powerful being just by searching for some materials. May I know your origin, fellow Daoist?" A voice, filled with heroic spirit and containing the power of the Heavenly Dao that shook the hearts of every cultivator, suddenly echoed through the void.
"It's Revered Celestial Wrath," Immortal King Shen Yu's heart jolted. He hadn't expected Revered Celestial Wrath to actually arrive.
Zhang Fan looked up and saw a ten-thousand-zhang crack appear in the starry sky. A majestic and domineering man emerged from the spatial rift, like a ruler of heaven and earth.
Zhang Fan naturally recognized the man. This was Revered Celestial Wrath from the Five Elements Immortal Sect in the Central Star Domain. He cultivated the Dao of the Five Elements and possessed profound attainments in each of them, considered the most likely to reach the Immortal Emperor realm within the Five Elements Immortal Sect.
"Revered Celestial Wrath, I know you," Zhang Fan said, looking at the newcomer.
The Immortal Kings Zhi Wu and the others were also stirred. How could they not know this peak existence below the Immortal Emperor, a renowned powerhouse across myriad star domains? They wondered if Zhang Fan had any chance against Revered Celestial Wrath.
"What prowess is there in bullying juniors? Fellow Daoist, why not exchange a few blows with me?" Revered Celestial Wrath's gaze was calm yet incredibly piercing. He stared at Zhang Fan, trying to discern his background, but found nothing.
"Wrath, I heard you are hailed as the most promising figure in the Five Elements Immortal Sect to reach the Immortal Emperor realm. I wish to test if you possess that qualification," Zhang Fan said, initiating the attack.
"Flame Saber!"
Zhang Fan formed his arm into a saber, condensing countless rules of fire. The temperature in this expanse of starry sky rapidly increased. Even cultivators in the Dao Integration stage felt their Dao bodies scorching, as if about to melt.
Revered Celestial Wrath's eyes narrowed. The technique this person used was a supreme art of their Five Elements Immortal Sect, and he had achieved an incredibly high level of mastery. This made him even more curious about Zhang Fan's origins.
"Flame Saber!"
Revered Celestial Wrath cultivated the Great Dao of the Five Elements, and he was also proficient in their supreme techniques. He initiated his attack with the Flame Saber, slashing furiously at Zhang Fan.
In the starry sky, two flame sabers, each millions of miles long, collided. This unleashed a fierce and scorching wave of energy that spread outwards. Stars within a light-year radius were subjected to this intense impact and exploded violently, erupting with the brightest light in the darkness of space. However, it was but a fleeting moment, eventually turning to nothingness.
The Dao Integration Immortal Kings quickly retreated to the side, their eyes filled with awe. The battles of Revered Celestial beings were indeed on a different level from Dao Integration cultivators. If they were too close, the residual power could crack their Dao bodies.
Fortunately, this cold and dead starry expanse was devoid of life. Stars for thousands of light-years around were uninhabited. If a battle of Revered Celestial caliber were to erupt within a star cluster, countless innocent lives would likely be affected.
"How is this possible?" Immortal King Hei Mu's sunken eyes widened. With a single blow, Zhang Fan remained as still as ever, yet Revered Celestial Wrath was sent staggering back.
Revered Celestial Wrath's expression grew solemn. He brought his fists together with a sudden impact, uttering a low chant, "Vajra Sky-Piercing Pillar!"
Countless rules of metal were condensed, forming a golden pillar of immeasurable length before him. Revered Celestial Wrath clasped his hands and charged at Zhang Fan with the pillar.
The colossal Sky-Piercing Pillar swung, and to the eyes of the many Immortal Kings, the cosmic space seemed to invert. An overwhelming force surged towards them, and even though it wasn't directed at them, they still felt immense pressure.
"Water Shield!"
Zhang Fan once again unleashed a defensive supreme art of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, evolving a massive light shield with the Dao of Water. Countless rules of water converged, and layers of ripples flickered, blocking Revered Celestial Wrath's Vajra Sky-Piercing Pillar. Simultaneously, the recoil pushed Revered Celestial Wrath back several steps.
"Your mastery of the supreme arts of the Five Elements Immortal Sect is even greater than mine. Who exactly are you?" Revered Celestial Wrath gazed deeply at Zhang Fan, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"The cycle of the Five Elements. The Vajra Sky-Piercing Pillar, though incredibly fierce, ultimately belongs to the Five Elements. It is merely a matter of using softness to overcome hardness. Revered Celestial Wrath's foundations are indeed profound, and you have the potential to contend for the Immortal Emperor position," Zhang Fan said with a smile, not answering Revered Celestial Wrath's question.
"I have some connection with the Five Elements Immortal Sect. You may leave. Perhaps we will have a chance to meet again in the Central Star Domain."
Sensing the goodwill in Zhang Fan's words, Revered Celestial Wrath felt a sense of relief. Although they had only exchanged two moves, Revered Celestial Wrath clearly understood that the opponent had not used his full strength and was by no means someone he could defeat.
"I hope there will be a day when we meet again," Revered Celestial Wrath said, cupping his fist. He then tore through space and vanished from their sight.
With Revered Celestial Wrath's departure, the gazes of all the cultivators present fell upon Zhang Fan, filled with reverence and shock. Even the peak-level Revered Celestial Wrath was no match for him. Had he reached the legendary Great Dao realm?
Zhang Fan's gaze turned to Immortal King Zhi Wu and the others. He smiled and said, "This matter is concluded. It is time for me to leave."
"If I can break through my limitations and ascend to the Revered Celestial realm in the future, I will certainly journey to the Star Domain of My Heart and share a few drinks with brother Zhang Fan," Immortal King Zhi Wu nodded.
After bidding farewell to the group, Zhang Fan willed it and disappeared from his spot. His internal universe was now nearing completion, with a diameter of a million light-years. His mental power could cover a radius of a million light-years. The universe was vast, and he could go anywhere.
Returning to the courtyard in the Luo River Domain, they had lived there for decades. These decades had been extremely comfortable. Abundant cultivation resources had led to rapid improvements in everyone's cultivation. With the power of Dao Origin, his parents and Zhang Lueying had now reached the Void Return realm.
However, Zhang Fan estimated that this was the limit of their cultivation. To advance further would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Qin Luoshui, Nan Zun, and Lin Haotian, relying on their talent and Zhang Fan's guidance, had also reached the Void Return level after cultivating for an extended period in the Wuji Tower. Their potential was clearly greater, and there was a decent chance they could advance further.
The Blood Demon Dragon had now fully mastered the Blood Dragon Body Refining technique. Its bloodline had completely evolved into a Blood Dragon bloodline, making it a pure Blood Dragon with the combat power of the Void Return realm.
As for the less talented Immortal Sword Wuchen and Celestial Monarch Tianhua, after cultivating for several hundred years in the Wuji Tower, they had only reached the Divine Transformation realm. Without external help, the possibility of them breaking through to Void Return in this lifetime was extremely slim.