On the surface of the Azure Wave Lake, dozens of Golden Core stage cultivators and several Nascent Soul stage cultivators gathered. They were divided into two factions, facing each other in a standoff.
The names of the Heavenly Sea Sect and the Phantom Blood Palace were extremely well-known on Earth. The Heavenly Sea Sect was relatively well-behaved. In the years since their arrival on Earth, their disciples had been reasonably disciplined, rarely engaging in acts of slaughter. They had also disseminated numerous cultivation techniques, earning them a decent reputation within the cultivation world of Huaxia.
However, the mere mention of the Phantom Blood Palace struck fear into everyone. The disciples of the Phantom Blood Palace, due to the nature of their cultivation methods, relished the consumption of blood. To acquire a sufficient blood source, they had committed numerous bloody atrocities in various countries on Earth.
It was fortunate that Lin Yun had intervened, compelling the Phantom Blood Palace to restrain themselves. Otherwise, over these years, it was likely that a majority of Earth's cultivators would have fallen victim to their depravity.
Now, the two most powerful sects on Earth had descended upon the lake island, causing a tremendous stir within Huaxia. Countless cultivators and martial artists who had received the news rushed from all directions, eager to witness what was unfolding.
"Old Ancestor Heavenly Sea, we have clashed for so many years, and you have never won. Why do you come today to invite humiliation?" the Phantom Blood Old Fiend taunted, emanating a demonic and sinister aura. He fixed his gaze on the silver-haired elder opposite him.
"Phantom Blood Old Ghost, in the past, you may have had a slight edge because I didn't take it seriously and didn't fight with all my might. The treasures of this place of opportunity are crucial for me to overcome my fourth Nascent Soul tribulation. If you force my hand, I will self-detonate my Nascent Soul and take you with me," the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor said with a grim expression.
"Ridiculous, you think you can threaten me?" The Phantom Blood Old Fiend's eyes were filled with disdain, yet a sense of caution began to stir within him. If he truly pushed the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor to self-detonate his Nascent Soul, he would be gravely injured, even if he survived.
After all, both were at the peak of the Three Tribulations realm. His ability to defeat the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor was merely due to his more abundant spiritual energy.
"My lords, what are you two fighting over treasures so fiercely?" Zhang Fan emerged from the lake island, with Lin Yun and Blood Demon Flood Dragon following closely behind him.
The Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor and the Phantom Blood Old Fiend simultaneously turned their gazes towards Zhang Fan. Contrary to their expectations, Zhang Fan appeared remarkably young.
"Kid, hand over the treasures you obtained in the place of opportunity, and this seat will grant you a complete corpse. Otherwise, I will drain every drop of your blood and refine you into an undead demonic corpse, to suffer endless agony." The Phantom Blood Old Fiend took a step forward, his powerful Dao intent permeating the air, causing the surrounding cultivators to turn pale.
"What ruthless means!" Zhang Fan exclaimed, and those behind him chuckled.
"And you, what means do you have to force me to hand over my treasures?" Zhang Fan directed his gaze at the silver-haired elder.
The Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor stared intently at Zhang Fan, remaining silent, yet a sense of unease grew within him.
The cultivators standing behind Zhang Fan, although none revealed their aura, all appeared extraordinary. Facing this group of cultivators, Zhang Fan showed no fear whatsoever. Without sufficient confidence, who could remain so composed in the face of death?
"It seems you have some sense, not blinded by the treasures," Zhang Fan remarked, seeing the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor's silence. He knew the elder was likely making conjectures and dared not act rashly.
"Blood Demon Flood Dragon, go and swallow all those from the Phantom Blood Palace for me!"
As Zhang Fan finished speaking, a short, stout, and disheveled man standing behind him transformed. He turned into a blood demon flood dragon hundreds of feet long. Its powerful aura was no longer concealed. It hovered in the void, regarding the cultivators of the Phantom Blood Palace as mere ants.
Having consumed an Immortal-grade Blood Spirit Pill, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's cultivation had now reached the peak of the Nine Tribulations realm. With its formidable physique, it was capable of fighting against a Half-step Soul Transformation stage cultivator. Merely revealing a fraction of its power was enough to instill despair in cultivators of the Three Tribulations realm.
"How can this be so strong!"
The Phantom Blood Old Fiend cried out desperately in his heart. He had never encountered such a terrifying demonic beast in his life. He couldn't even muster the slightest thought of escape.
As the Blood Demon Flood Dragon opened its cavernous maw, the cultivators of the Phantom Blood Palace were instantly swallowed into its belly, leaving no trace behind, as if they had never existed in this world.
The cultivators of the Phantom Blood Palace were too weak. Swallowing them provided no benefit to the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, leaving it feeling rather uninspired.
"Master, should I swallow this group as well?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon asked.
"Never mind," Zhang Fan shook his head. The Heavenly Sea Sect had been relatively law-abiding since their arrival on Earth. If they continued to behave well, Zhang Fan wouldn't mind sparing them.
"Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor, is it? Follow me. The rest of the Heavenly Sea Sect's disciples are all waiting here," Zhang Fan said, then turned and walked towards the lake island.
Upon hearing Zhang Fan address him, the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor snapped back to attention. Without the slightest hesitation, he quickly followed.
What a joke! That flood dragon was too terrifying, and Zhang Fan was its master. One could only imagine what realm his cultivation had reached. Even on the bustling Realm Heart Continent, he would be considered a powerful figure.
This was his first time seeing the interior of the lake island, and it filled the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor with curiosity. The island, less than a kilometer in circumference, was planted with various high-grade spiritual herbs. The spiritual energy on the island was so abundant that it exceeded his wildest imagination. A refined middle-aged man was setting up formations on the island, formations so profound that he couldn't comprehend them at all.
"May I ask, senior, what formation are you setting up?" the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor asked, mustering his courage.
"A teleportation array, an array to transmit to the Realm Heart Continent," True Monarch Tian Hua replied without looking up.
"The central continent of the legendary Wu Shan Star Domain, the Realm Heart Continent?" the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor exclaimed, his body trembling slightly with excitement.
At the same time, he was utterly astonished. "I have consulted ancient texts. To set up a teleportation array over such a vast distance, at least a Grand Formation Master is required. Is this man before me a Grand Formation Master?"
"Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor," Zhang Fan turned to the silver-haired elder after ascending the lake island and said with a smile.
"Senior, you may call me Heavenly Sea," the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor stammered, quickly responding.
Zhang Fan nodded and asked, "Do you know why you are still alive?"
"Senior's benevolence," the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor replied hastily.
"Haha, this is the first time I've heard someone call me benevolent," Zhang Fan laughed heartily. "If you knew that I had annihilated tens of thousands of cultivators from two major sects on the Realm Heart Continent, you probably wouldn't say that."
Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor's legs went weak. Zhang Fan, despite his youthful appearance, wielded such ruthless methods.
"You can live because you have been relatively well-behaved on Earth. I can give you a chance to survive."
"Please speak, senior. As long as it is within my ability, this junior will not refuse." The silver-haired Heavenly Sea Old Ancestor addressed Zhang Fan as "junior," which felt very strange to Lin Yun and the others.