"Little brother-in-law, don't be impulsive!"
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon shrieked, transforming into human form and hiding behind Zhang Fan. He shouted, "We're all family, there's no need for bloodshed."
Hearing this, the Black Dragon became even angrier. He spat out a stream of scorching dragon's breath towards Zhang Fan. Facing this breath, capable of melting divine iron, Zhang Fan surprisingly opened his mouth and swallowed it whole, his expression calm.
Such a display shocked all parties. They stared at Zhang Fan with astonishment and doubt in their eyes.
"Another Dominator realm expert. No wonder that Blood Dragon dared to be so arrogant. Yet, on the Central Continent, every Dominator is renowned. How have I never seen this one before?"
The Black Dragon ceased his attack. He knew the strength of the man before him was on a different level. Just as he was at a loss, a voice entered his ear, "Let them in."
The Black Dragon glared fiercely at the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, a flicker of unwillingness in his eyes, but he still said, "My sister allows you to enter, but don't think that Cloud Mist Marsh fears you. Your strength is not weak, but it's unlikely you'll obtain the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit."
After speaking, the Black Dragon reverted to his true form and soared away.
With the Black Dragon's departure, the many experts hidden around gradually dispersed. They paid little attention to the arrival of Zhang Fan and his companion. After all, the competition for the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit was destined to be dominated by the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
"Master, why didn't you tell me that the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable was a female dragon? You know, after cultivating for so many years, I haven't met a suitable partner," the Blood Demon Flood Dragon complained to Zhang Fan.
"Didn't I bring you here? The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is indeed beautiful. Whether you can win her over depends on your own abilities," Zhang Fan said as he strode deeper into the Cloud Mist Marsh.
Cloud Mist City was built in the depths of Cloud Mist Marsh. Shielded by formations, the surrounding miasma could not penetrate. The environment within Cloud Mist City was excellent. Moreover, any cultivator who dared to come here had at least reached the Void Return realm. Although the number of cultivators was far less than in cities outside, their quality was incomparable to those elsewhere.
Relying on the city's protective formation, the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable could withstand attacks from any cultivator below the Immortal Emperor realm. Even dozens of Immortal Venerables working together might not be able to break it, which was why she could establish herself here without relying on any immortal sect.
However, at this sensitive juncture, the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable did not dare to refuse entry to the experts of the Ten Great Immortal Sects. Faced with the temptation of the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit, any overly aggressive stance could lead to the Ten Great Immortal Sects forming an alliance, bringing Cloud Mist City close to destruction.
In the center of Cloud Mist City stood a divine tree, one hundred and eight thousand feet tall. The tree was surrounded by shimmering ripples, and thirty-six scarlet divine fruits hung like blazing suns on its branches, emitting an alluring fragrance that made many cultivators' mouths water.
Due to the presence of the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree, the entire Cloud Mist City was filled with an exceptionally dense blood qi, making it a sacred ground for body-refining experts.
Even though the fruits had not yet fully matured, countless eyes were already fixed upon them. Immortal Venerable experts from all Ten Great Immortal Sects had arrived, engaged in a subtle power struggle, each attempting to secure the greatest benefit.
Upon returning to Cloud Mist City, the Black Dragon first sought out the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable.
"Black Flame, you seem unhappy?" the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable asked her brother, dressed in a black gauze dress, with a graceful figure and a cool demeanor.
"Sister, why did you let those two in? Now that all Ten Great Immortal Sects have arrived, and several Dominator realm rogue cultivators have joined, the order within Cloud Mist City is on the verge of collapse. If mishandled, it could be a catastrophe for us," Black Flame said with considerable worry.
The Black Dragon Immortal Venerable looked at Black Flame with surprise. She hadn't expected her dissolute brother to think this far. A hint of gratification flickered in her eyes. "You can think this through, showing that you have indeed grown. However, your strength is slightly lacking, and your vision is still a bit narrow."
"There are only thirty-six Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruits. When the Ten Great Immortal Sects intervene, it's already destined that Cloud Mist City will not get much. Even if we stop other rogue cultivators, can we truly contend with those immortal sects?"
"Our only advantage is our location. The more powerful rogue cultivators enter Cloud Mist City, the more chaotic the situation will become, and the less likely the Ten Great Immortal Sects will be to obtain the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit. We dare not snatch it from the immortal sects, but can we not snatch it from the rogue cultivators?"
Black Flame suddenly understood, never imagining his sister had this strategy in mind.
"There are still three days left. Prepare well, and at the same time, keep track of the movements of all Dominator realm experts within Cloud Mist City, reporting to me at any time," the Black Dragon Immortal Venerable instructed.
Black Flame nodded. This was clearly a battlefield for Dominator realm experts, and even he dared not interfere.
...
"Master, the strength of this Cloud Mist City is truly formidable. Void Return cultivators are as common as dogs, and Immortal Kings walk everywhere. That's exactly what this place is like," the Blood Demon Flood Dragon exclaimed noisily as they walked the streets of Cloud Mist City, drawing the attention of many cultivators.
To describe their Void Return mighty figures as dogs immediately drew ire, and they were about to lash out. However, upon sensing the speaker's aura, they all fell silent, turned, and left, not daring to provoke him.
"To traverse through this dense miasma, even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator would risk perishing. It's natural that there are very few Nascent Soul stage cultivators in this city," Zhang Fan stated. He had not brought Qin Luoshui and the others out. The competition for the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit in three days was likely to be extremely fierce, and it was safest for them to remain in the Boundless Tower.
"As we've traveled, I've sensed the auras of no less than ten Tribulation Crossing Immortal Venerables. There are certainly more powerful individuals in hiding. Do you have confidence, Master?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon asked.
"Don't worry, since I've come, how can I leave empty-handed?" Zhang Fan said with a faint smile. He had traveled such a long distance not solely for the Heavenly Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhang Fan and the Blood Demon Flood Dragon wandered the city, gaining a basic understanding of its situation. Zhang Fan was quite satisfied with the circumstances of the city.
"Blood Demon, how about we make Cloud Mist City our base in the Central Continent from now on?" Zhang Fan inquired of the Blood Demon Flood Dragon.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon looked up in confusion. After pondering for a while, he was greatly astonished. "Master, are you planning to take this Cloud Mist City for yourself?"
"You can have designs on that Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, so why can't I have designs on this Cloud Mist City?" Zhang Fan chuckled. "If you try hard enough and capture that Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, wouldn't this Cloud Mist City be ours?"
"I, Blood Demon, am a pure-blooded Blood Dragon. How could I be a kept man?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon declared proudly.
"If that's the case, then I can only resort to slaughter. I'll kill anyone who disagrees," a murderous intent rose in Zhang Fan's eyes.
"Master, don't be rash. Leave it all to me," the Blood Demon Flood Dragon relented, quickly saying.
...