As time passed, everyone's cultivation rapidly improved, aided by the Wuji Tower and abundant cultivation resources. Such conditions were considered top-tier even in immortal sects and sacred lands.
Zhang Xing'an and Su Yun spent decades within the Wuji Tower, both now having reached the Nascent Soul realm. Although Zhang Luoying was playful, her talent was undeniable, as she managed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in a short period. She had now reached the Nascent Soul realm.
As for Nan Zun and the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, they finally broke through to the Nascent Soul realm after decades of effort. Lin Haotian and Tian Hua Tianjun's strength also saw significant enhancements.
Zhang Fan sat cross-legged like a withered tree, motionless, for decades. While his aura remained unchanged, his internal world had undergone earth-shattering transformations.
The small world within him had fully evolved into a miniature universe, with a diameter reaching a million light-years. Even the Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable within the miniature universe was filled with astonishment.
It was known that the miniature universes cultivated by ordinary powerful beings, even at their peak, rarely exceeded ten thousand light-years in diameter, yet possessed boundless power. The power contained within a million light-year miniature universe would be truly terrifying.
The Evil Buddha Immortal Venerable even suspected that Zhang Fan, with his Chaos realm strength, could contend with Eternal realm powerhouses. If Zhang Fan hadn't cultivated a physical body, he might not have been a match for him.
It was understood that cultivators in the Tribulation Crossing stage were divided into three major realms: Universe realm, Eternal realm, and Sovereign realm. The power difference between each realm was vast. Even a Universe realm powerhouse could easily annihilate a Chaos realm cultivator. Transcending realms was almost an impossibility.
"Hoo!"
After meditating for nearly a hundred years, Zhang Fan finally stood up. This cultivation session had been exceptionally smooth. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Dao Integration stage, the apex of the Chaos realm. His precise strength, however, was difficult for even Zhang Fan to predict.
After all, he had never witnessed a miniature universe of a million light-years, even in his previous life. To further advance his cultivation, he would need to undergo tribulation.
The tribulation faced by Tribulation Crossing stage cultivators was entirely different from the heavenly tribulations of Nascent Soul stage cultivators. The latter involved nine tribulations of wind, fire, and lightning. However, the tribulations for cultivators from the Dao Integration stage to the Tribulation Crossing stage were never fixed.
The Heavenly Dao would manifest different heavenly tribulations based on a cultivator's path of growth. Those with obsessions might face inner demons, while those with emotional blockages might encounter emotional tribulations. If one's state of mind was perfect, they would face the tribulation of the Heavenly Dao. Regardless of the type, none could be easily overcome.
"Master, you've finally emerged from seclusion. If you hadn't, we would have all suffocated," a voice exclaimed.
As Zhang Fan stepped out of the Wuji Tower, he saw everyone gathered in the small courtyard, which surprised him. "Isn't Luoying the one who loves to play everywhere? Why are you all staying in this courtyard?"
"It's not that we don't want to go out, it's that we dare not," Zhang Xing'an replied with a wry smile.
"What's going on?" Zhang Fan asked, feeling puzzled. Had something major happened during his seclusion?
However, before he went into seclusion, he had instructed them to inform him of any significant events, yet no one had disturbed him.
"It's not really a major event," Su Yun shook her head and said. "When the Blood Demon Flood Dragon was out playing with Ying'er, they were targeted by a Void Returning stage expert. The opponent saw that the Blood Demon Flood Dragon's bloodline was pure and that it was only a step away from fully returning to its ancestral form and transforming into a Blood Dragon, so he wanted to capture it as his mount."
"However, within this city, the Luo River Immortal King has decreed that no fighting is allowed. Therefore, even though the opponent's family has a Heaven Manifestation stage expert guarding them, they dared not make a move."
"But because of this, we also did not dare to leave the city, and for safety's sake, we didn't even dare to step out of this courtyard. Now that Master is out of seclusion, everything will be resolved."
The courtyard was protected by formations Zhang Fan had set up beforehand, capable of withstanding any expert below the Dao Integration Immortal King realm, making it indeed quite safe.
"Master, someone actually wants to seize your person. What do you plan to do?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon pleaded tearfully.
"Brother, that person is too arrogant. You must teach them a good lesson for daring to try and steal my mount," Zhang Luoying also said, clenching her fists. She clearly considered the Blood Demon Flood Dragon her personal possession.
Seeing Zhang Luoying's flushed little face, Zhang Fan couldn't help but smile. "Let's go out for a stroll. I'd like to see who this person is?"
Led by Zhang Fan, the group of cultivators walked out of the courtyard. At the same time, in the mansion of the Dongfang family, the foremost aristocratic clan of Heavenly Saint City, a suave young man emerged from the manor and boarded a magnificent golden dragon carriage. Nine flood dragons, covered in golden scales, soared into the sky, flying towards where Zhang Fan and his group were. Behind them, a group of powerful figures followed, exuding an imposing aura.
"They're here. A carriage pulled by nine Golden Flood Dragons, each reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. Quite a show," Zhang Fan's group, having walked only a few steps from the mansion, detected a powerful aura approaching directly. Looking up, he remarked with a smile.
The Blood Demon Flood Dragon gritted its teeth in anger. The Golden Flood Dragons were somewhat kin to it, and seeing them used to pull a carriage by that youth felt like an insult.
The arrival of the nine Golden Flood Dragons on the wide street caused a stir. Such ostentation could only belong to the young master of the Dongfang family.
"Blood Demon Flood Dragon, you've finally decided to leave your little courtyard. Do you really think this young master dares not act within Heavenly Saint City?" a mocking voice, tinged with sarcasm, emanated from the carriage.
"Do you dare to defy the ironclad rule set by the Luo River Immortal King?" With Zhang Fan backing him, the Blood Demon Flood Dragon felt emboldened and retorted dismissively.
"Haha, brave! Since that's the case, then all of you will remain in Heavenly Saint City for the rest of your lives. If you dare to step a single foot outside the city gates, I will make you wish you were dead," the young man stepped out of the carriage and stared at Zhang Fan's group with a cruel smile.
Within Heavenly Saint City, it had been a long time since anyone dared to defy his will. After all, his grandfather was an Immortal King. The young man no longer wished to take the Blood Demon Flood Dragon as a mount; instead, he wanted to flay it alive and make it understand the consequences of defiance.
"This useless wretch doesn't even dare to act within the city. What are you afraid of?" Zhang Fan taunted the Blood Demon Flood Dragon.
The young man, who was about to leave, stopped abruptly upon hearing Zhang Fan's words. He glanced deeply at Zhang Fan and said, "Kid, have you prepared yourself to stay in Heavenly Saint City for the rest of your life?"
"Why would I need to stay in Heavenly Saint City for the rest of my life?" Zhang Fan asked curiously. Having been in seclusion for too long, he was looking for someone to alleviate his boredom, which was why he had spoken mockingly.
"Because the moment you step outside the city gates, my men will immediately cripple your cultivation and then subject you to the myriad torturous methods I have prepared for you. Do you fear that?" the young man threatened.
Hearing the young man's words, the surrounding onlookers cast pitying glances at Zhang Fan's group. To have provoked this second-generation scion, they would likely have to remain in Heavenly Saint City forever.
...