After a lavish feast, the group departed from Void Stone City, heading for the Misty Marsh.
The Misty Marsh was situated at the border between the Profound Heaven Domain and the Heavenly Demon Sect, a vast swampland perpetually shrouded in miasma. The humans and demons gathered here were mostly cultivators who had been branded fugitives by the Ten Great Immortal Sects, forced to seek refuge under the protection of Black Dragon Immortal Venerable.
Black Dragon Immortal Venerable had established a city deep within the Misty Marsh, naming it Misty City, and forging his own power base. Leveraging his position as a Dominator Realm expert and the geographical advantage, he had managed to make Misty City quite prosperous in an era where Immortal Emperors were absent.
News of the imminent ripening of the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit had once again placed the Misty Marsh at the center of attention for the Central Continent. The Ten Great Immortal Sects and various reclusive powerhouses had all converged on this location, aiming to claim a share of the prize.
After all, it was a Tribulation Realm divine fruit, a treasure rarely encountered even by Tribulation Realm Immortal Venerables, occurring only once in ten thousand years.
Having traversed three major domains, Zhang Fan and his party appeared at the periphery of the Misty Marsh. Dense miasma permeated the heavens, making the interior of the marsh seem like another world, a place even Deification Stage cultivators dared not approach.
Outside the Misty Marsh stood a desolate city, usually devoid of human activity. Now, however, it was crammed with cultivators from various races, many drawn by rumors, eager to witness the spectacle even if they couldn't enter the marsh itself.
"I heard that the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit will mature in three more days. Currently, Immortal Venerable-level experts from the Ten Great Immortal Sects have entered the Misty Marsh to discuss the distribution of the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit with Black Dragon Immortal Venerable."
"The Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit ripens only once every eighty thousand years. Since Black Dragon Immortal Venerable obtained the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit tree, this is its first fruiting. It yields only thirty-six fruits each time. Apart from the Ten Great Immortal Sects, there are also many reclusive Immortal Venerable powerhouses. Peaceful distribution might prove difficult."
"Heh heh, who would ever have too much of such a treasure? No matter how it's divided now, when it truly matures, it's inevitable that action will be taken."
Many cultivators in the Ancient Wasteland Ruined City were discussing the matter. They had already seen more than ten Immortal Venerable powerhouses, individuals rarely glimpsed in normal times, which was quite an eye-opener.
"I'll take the Blood Demon into the Misty Marsh. All of you, enter the Boundless Pagoda to cultivate," Zhang Fan said, having made up his mind, addressing his companions.
"A large number of Immortal Venerable powerhouses have gathered here, and the Ten Great Immortal Sects are also involved. You must be cautious in your actions," Qin Luoshui cautioned.
Zhang Fan nodded. After collecting everyone into the Boundless Pagoda, he mounted the Blood Demon Flood Dragon and flew into the Misty Marsh. Having consumed that blood pill, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's blood dragon physique had surpassed the perfect stage, just one step away from cultivating into a transcendent sacred body.
After all, a transcendent sacred body was akin to an existence invincible beneath Immortal Emperors. While they had not fully transcended yet, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon already possessed the strength of a Tribulation Realm Cosmic Realm expert, capable of fighting some newly ascended Immortal Venerables.
Its strength had evidently surpassed everyone else's, making it the strongest existence below Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan was somewhat astonished by its speed.
"Haotian and Nanzun's sacred bodies have also reached perfection. With this Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit, perhaps they too will have a chance to reach the transcendent realm." Zhang Fan had plans for his two disciples. However, Luo Xiaoxiao's cultivation was causing him some headaches. While the Dark God Body was indeed powerful, reaching perfection was even more difficult than with a sacred body, and treasures suitable for the Dark God Body were exceptionally hard to find.
Upon entering the Misty Marsh, all they saw was a misty expanse. Their intrusion had alerted the demonic beasts within the marsh, and the news quickly reached Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. After all, the intrusion of two unfamiliar Immortal Venerable powerhouses was enough to warrant his attention.
A black dragon, coiling for ten thousand miles, emerged from the depths of the Misty Marsh and transformed into a majestic young man. His eyes were dark, possessing a soul-stirring magical allure, and he fixed his gaze on Zhang Fan and the other, asking, "May I ask where the two of you hail from and what brings you here?"
"Just a rogue cultivator. I heard the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit is about to appear and wanted to taste a few," Zhang Fan replied with a light smile.
Hearing this, Black Dragon inwardly sneered. The Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit's allure was indeed immense, drawing even these reclusive old fellows. Yet, for a mere rogue cultivator to want to interfere, it was akin to courting death.
"Apart from the Ten Great Immortal Sects, the Misty Marsh does not welcome rogue cultivators. I ask for your understanding, Daoist friend," Black Dragon said politely, but the hint of disdain on his face was unmistakable.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon was instantly enraged. Having followed its master for many years, it had never endured such indignity. "Master, this Black Dragon possesses a rather pure bloodline. Why not slay him and refine him into a blood pill? Perhaps my Sacred Body Art could then reach the transcendent realm."
"Go ahead and try," Zhang Fan said, not stopping him but rather encouraging him.
Without hesitation, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon transformed into a ten-thousand-zhang blood dragon and charged towards Black Dragon. Black Dragon was slightly taken aback, not expecting the true form of this stout man to be a dragon, and one with a bloodline no less pure than his own. He immediately became interested.
Two pure-blooded dragons clashed fiercely within the Misty Marsh, their earth-shattering roars quickly alarming the cultivators in Misty City. Figures streaked across the sky, eager to investigate the situation.
Both Black Dragon and the Blood Dragon possessed the strength of the Tribulation Realm Cosmic Realm and had exceptionally tenacious vitality, recovering from injuries in the blink of an eye. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
"I've never seen this blood dragon before. This Central Continent truly harbors hidden talents," one of the Immortal Sect experts remarked with surprise.
"He likely heard about the Celestial Crystal Sacred Blood Fruit and wants a share. However, with Cosmic Realm strength, even Black Flame Immortal Venerable could hold him back. He'll probably make a wasted trip."
Experts from various Immortal Sects watched calmly. Even when facing Immortal Venerable powerhouses, with their sect's background, they didn't need to show excessive concern.
"For the sake of your dragon heritage, I advise you to leave quickly. If my sister intervenes, you might not be able to escape. You might end up being the one refined into a blood pill," Black Dragon said, knowing he couldn't defeat the Blood Dragon and issuing a warning.
"Who is your sister?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon asked curiously.
"My sister is the renowned Black Dragon Immortal Venerable. If she intervenes, you won't even have a chance to flee. Then, you will be the one refined into a blood pill," Black Dragon stated proudly.
"Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is actually a female dragon?" The Blood Demon Flood Dragon's eyes lit up, and it quickly asked, "Is your sister married?"
The observing experts from the Immortal Sects couldn't help but chuckle. This blood dragon was quite amusing, aspiring to target Black Dragon Immortal Venerable with his Cosmic Realm strength.
One must know that Black Dragon Immortal Venerable could establish her own domain under the watchful eyes of the Ten Great Immortal Sects; her power was evident from this alone. An Immortal Sect expert, not wanting to let the situation cool down, interjected, "Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is still unmarried."
Black Dragon's gaze turned cold. "Courting death!"
This blood dragon dared to set his sights on his sister, and a murderous intent instantly surged within him.