After more than a century of development, despite its low profile, Cloud Mist City had accumulated a terrifying power. Aside from the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor, there were nearly twenty Immortal Venerable-level powerhouses within 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 period, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's Holy Body finally reached the Transcendent Realm. Moreover, the Divine Body Technique taught by Zhang Fan had also been cultivated to an extremely high level, and it was only a matter of time before it broke through to the Immortal Emperor realm through sheer force.
Relying on the peculiar effects of the Heavenly Crystal Holy Blood Fruit, Southern Venerable and Lin Haotian had also cultivated their Holy Bodies to the Transcendent Realm, possessing the strength of the peak Sovereign Realm.
Qin Luoshui, Zhang Lueying, Zhang Xingan, Su Yun, the Undust Sword Immortal, and Tianhua Tianjun had all experienced significant increases in their strength. Furthermore, Cloud Mist City had seen the addition of many rogue Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings, in addition to Black Dragon Immortal Venerable and Black Flame Immortal Venerable, further bolstering Cloud Mist City's might.
Currently, in terms of both Immortal Emperor and Immortal Venerable-level combat power, Cloud Mist City was no less than the Ten Great Immortal Sects.
It was worth mentioning that after venturing into the True Thunder Emperor's Mansion, Silent Noon Immortal King had also entered the Tribulation Passing Stage. He had arrived on the Central Continent and, upon learning of Zhang Fan's string of accomplishments there, was greatly impressed. He had come to Cloud Mist City hoping to meet Zhang Fan, but had missed him.
"Black Dragon Immortal Venerable, I've recently felt my cultivation reach a bottleneck. How about we spar for a bit?" As soon as the Blood Demon Flood Dragon emerged from seclusion, he would 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 an edge, much to Black Dragon Immortal Venerable's displeasure. Thus, every time the Blood Demon Flood Dragon came to challenge him, Black Dragon Immortal Venerable would invariably accept.
One black and one red true dragons soared into the void, unleashing a startling battle. Every collision was incredibly dramatic.
This fight occurred periodically, becoming a unique spectacle of Cloud Mist City, with many cultivators coming to witness it.
"Doesn't the Blood Demon like Black Dragon Immortal Venerable? Why does he always suppress her and not hold back? He's so stupid," Zhang Lueying commented while watching from Cloud Mist City.
"The Blood Demon is extremely shrewd. He knows that Black Dragon Immortal Venerable is extremely proud. If he were to go easy on her, it would only enrage her further. Only through strength can he truly conquer her," Southern Venerable said with a chuckle.
"Fellow Daoist Southern Venerable speaks wisely. My sister is incredibly proud. Even though this damned Blood Dragon can best her, she wouldn't easily admit defeat unless the Blood Dragon breaks through to the Immortal Emperor realm through sheer force, then perhaps there might be a chance," Black Flame agreed, standing beside them. After thousands of years of interaction, he had come to accept the Blood Demon Flood Dragon wholeheartedly, but his sister was not someone who could be easily subdued.
Just as the two true dragons were locked in a fierce battle, the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor suddenly appeared, halting their fight. "Cease your combat. We have guests."
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon, bewildered, was about to question him when he saw the dense miasma of Cloud Mist Marsh part. Two figures emerged, stepping through the void. The one leading the pair laughed heartily, "To achieve the Immortal Emperor realm through the Myriad Buddhas Path, Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor, you truly live up to your reputation."
The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor looked at the newcomers. A hint of solemnity flickered in his usually calm eyes. With his current strength, he no longer regarded Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor with much concern, but the young man in the green robe before him exerted immense pressure.
"Qingyun Immortal Emperor!" Black Dragon Immortal Venerable's expression shifted slightly as she uttered his name.
The cultivators of Cloud Mist City recognized the arrivals 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 Qingyun Immortal Emperor was one of them.
"It seems my master was right. Even with my current strength, I wouldn't last ten moves against Qingyun Immortal Emperor," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor mused inwardly.
Before Zhang Fan left, he had specifically warned him that the only individual from Xuan Tian Immortal Sect worth paying attention to was this Qingyun Immortal Emperor, as he possessed the true ability to slay Immortal Emperors.
"Qingyun Immortal Emperor, your personal presence in Cloud Mist City is indeed an honor," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor said, simultaneously activating the city's protective formation. A wave-like barrier enveloped Cloud Mist City.
Qingyun Immortal Emperor maintained his relaxed smile. "Is this how Cloud Mist City treats its guests?"
"A person's reputation precedes them. Qingyun Immortal Emperor's renown strikes fear across the Eastern Starry Sky. Faced with such a figure, the Evil Buddha must be cautious," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor stated calmly, not hiding his true feelings.
A stir rippled through Cloud Mist City. They hadn't expected Qingyun Immortal Emperor to appear in person, and likely, it was on Zhang Fan's account.
"Where is your master? Have him come out to see me. Does my name, Qingyun, not command enough respect for him to grant an audience?" Qingyun Immortal Emperor's divine sense had already enveloped Cloud Mist City, yet he detected no trace of the Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable.
"My master is out on business and has not returned to Cloud Mist City for a century," the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor replied.
"Hmph, out on business?" Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor sneered. "Is it that the Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable fears Qingyun Immortal Emperor and has gone into hiding?"
"Your mother's a b*tch! Xuan Tian was beaten so badly by my master that he fled in disgrace, yet you have the audacity to speak? Would my master be like you?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon couldn't help but curse.
With his current strength, though not a match for Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor, he felt no overwhelming reverence.
Insulted by an Immortal Venerable, Xuan Tian Immortal Emperor's face instantly darkened. He nodded to Qingyun Immortal Emperor and stepped aside.
"Cloud Mist City has provoked my Xuan Tian Sect and insulted my sect's Immortal Emperor. Since he is not here, you shall all receive punishment in his stead." Qingyun Immortal Emperor's gaze was indifferent as he looked down upon the inhabitants of Cloud Mist City. He gently pushed his hands forward, and world upon world descended, crushing down. Even with the protection of the city's formation, the assembled Immortal Venerable powerhouses felt immense pressure.
The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor produced a string of prayer beads. With a wave of his hands, twenty-four beads scattered, transforming into myriad Buddhist figures that suppressed the various parts of Cloud Mist City. Relying on the power of the protective formation, they managed to block this attack.
"Oh?" Qingyun Immortal Emperor showed a hint of surprise. He had initially thought Cloud Mist City's protective formation was ordinary, easily broken with a single strike from him. To his surprise, he had misjudged it.
"Did you set up this protective formation?" Qingyun Immortal Emperor asked, staring at the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor.
"My master set it up himself. What do you think, Qingyun Immortal Emperor?" the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor replied.
"To cultivate the profound and mysterious Extreme Path, and to battle Immortal Emperors as a Sovereign, Ten Absolute Immortal Venerable is indeed extraordinary. This makes me even more eager," Qingyun Immortal Emperor said. With a beckoning motion of one hand, a green cloud spear, three zhang long, appeared in his grasp.
"Immortal Emperor True Artifact, the Green Cloud Divine Spear!" The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor's eyes were fixed on Qingyun Immortal Emperor, his expression becoming extremely grave. He hadn't expected someone of Qingyun Immortal Emperor's stature to bring out an Immortal Emperor True Artifact to deal with him.
With peak Great Dao Realm strength combined with an Immortal Emperor True Artifact, few below the peak Great Dao Realm could resist such a combination.
"All Immortals, take your positions!" The Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor's voice echoed within Cloud Mist City. Eighteen Immortal Venerable-level powerhouses flew out from the city and instantly formed a battle array, with the Evil Buddha Immortal Emperor as the core, leading the combined strength of the eighteen Immortal Venerables.
Facing the renowned Qingyun Immortal Emperor, Southern Venerable, Lin Haotian, Qin Luoshui, and the other cultivators showed no fear, their eyes even gleaming with excitement. They hadn't imagined they would one day have the chance to fight such a formidable opponent.