"I concede!"
Under Zhang Fan's relentless assault, True Immortal Ju Feng could no longer hold on. Even with his robust physique and his Dao Body nearing completion, he couldn't withstand Zhang Fan's fierce onslaught. Covered in sword wounds and having lost over thirty percent of his blood, the ground of the决战擂台 (Juézhàn Lèitái - Duel Arena) was stained a deep crimson.
Zhang Fan held his immortal sword, its blade greedily devouring drop after drop of blood. He could even feel the divine weapon trembling with excitement. For a blood-refined divine weapon, devouring the blood of powerful cultivators was a swift path to advancement.
"Your strength is commendable. To last this long under my sword, you truly are a powerhouse of the Giant Spirit tribe," Zhang Fan said with a faint smile. "Also, don't forget to transfer the hundred thousand military merits to me from the armory."
Hearing Zhang Fan's words, True Immortal Ju Feng felt utterly humiliated. Both were late-stage Soul Transformation realm cultivators, yet he, a powerhouse of the Giant Spirit tribe, had been so ruthlessly crushed by Zhang Fan. It was a significant disgrace.
After speaking, Zhang Fan turned his gaze to Prince Wuyou below the stage. "True Immortal Ju Feng has been defeated. Do you wish to try?"
Prince Wuyou, usually composed and calm, appeared somber at Zhang Fan's question. However, the vast disparity in their strength forced him to yield. He dared not accept the challenge and could only snort coldly before turning to leave.
"Even Soul Transformation realm powerhouses are nothing more than this. In front of my master, they can only bow their proud heads," sneered the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, relishing the drama.
What was expected to be an evenly matched battle ended so quickly, leaving the onlookers feeling unsatisfied. Zhang Fan's power far surpassed their understanding. To be able to压着 (yāzhe - suppress/overwhelm) an established late-stage Soul Transformation realm expert like True Immortal Ju Feng so early in his own late-stage Soul Transformation realm cultivation was truly incredible.
"I will submit the information of this battle to King Zhen Cang later. I believe Daoist Ten Absolutes' marquis rank can be elevated by another two levels," True Immortal Qiong Yu stated from the side. Currently ranked as a seven-star marquis, an increase of two levels would make him a nine-star marquis, a level that typically required peak Soul Transformation realm cultivation.
"Furthermore, with Daoist Ten Absolutes' talent, if he reaches the peak of the Soul Transformation realm, he has a high chance of being enfeoffed as a King," True Immortal Qiong Yu added with admiration. Those who achieved the title of King during the Soul Transformation realm were destined for extraordinary accomplishments. Among the hundred thousand Soul Transformation realm cultivators in the Purple Firmament Star Domain, only Fairy Ziling had ever been granted the title of King.
Zhang Fan nodded. His physical body was only one step away from complete Daoification. With his achieved Dao Body, he could easily grasp the Great Dao and even merge it with his own. Why would he care for such fleeting titles?
"Master, your strength has improved too rapidly. How can I possibly catch up?" the Blood Demon Flood Dragon complained, running over.
Zhang Fan chuckled. "Let alone catching up to me, if you don't work hard, you might even be left behind by Master Nan."
After a brief conversation with Master Nan and others, Zhang Fan once again went to the armory to exchange for a pile of medicinal herbs needed to refine Soul Transformation Foundation Pills. He then returned to his secret chamber and resumed his seclusion.
...
Time flowed by. Six months later, above the war base, another thousand Soul Transformation Foundation Pills ascended into the sky to undergo their tribulation. However, the quality of these pills was significantly higher than the last batch. Less than a hundred pills were destroyed by the pill tribulation. This spectacle once again caused a considerable stir within the war base, making some Soul Transformation realm cultivators envious.
Yet, ever since Zhang Fan displayed his power last time, no one dared to come and force a transaction. After all, even True Immortal Ju Feng, an eight-star marquis, had been utterly defeated by Zhang Fan. With such strength, even a nine-star marquis would likely fare poorly.
Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Ju Feng were also at a loss. After being defeated by Zhang Fan, their strength could not improve in a short period. However, they were worried that the ancient temple on the edge of the Dark Forest might disappear due to spatial distortions. They had genuinely sensed the aura of a Great Dao treasure within it, sufficient to make them risk their lives.
Thus, after discussion, Prince Wuyou and True Immortal Ju Feng decided to invite a top-tier nine-star marquis to explore with them. If successful, even if they couldn't monopolize the Great Dao treasure, they would still receive a considerable share.
However, this venture of theirs caused a massive sensation in the starry battlefield. Someone, somewhere, triggered a restriction within the dilapidated ancient temple, fully activating it. The temple transformed into a palace complex spanning over a light-year, standing majestically in the starry expanse.
Endless radiance emanated, assimilating a portion of the Dark Forest's dark matter, causing its boundaries to shrink slightly. King Zhen Cang, stationed at the war base, was also alarmed. Upon reaching the edge of the Dark Forest, he too was stunned by the scene before him.
"If I'm not mistaken, this ancient temple is the dojo of the legendary Evil Buddha Demonic Venerable, a figure from a million years ago, at the Immortal Venerable level. This place is no longer something you can interfere with. Leave quickly," King Zhen Cang believed that the old fellow guarding the starry battlefield of the Nine Abysses Star Domain would soon receive this news. After all, involving an Immortal Venerable level figure meant even they dared not venture recklessly, and could only quickly relay the news back to the Purple Firmament Star Domain.
...
"Dao Body fully achieved, the Great Dao is within my grasp." In the dark secret chamber, the moment his Dao Body reached completion, Zhang Fan could finally effortlessly control the power of the Great Dao. If he wished, with a single thought, he could break through Soul Transformation, surpass the Immortal King realm, and directly reach Immortal Venerable.
"I still haven't fulfilled my promise to that Grand Luo Artifact Spirit. I cannot break through yet." To obtain the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, Zhang Fan had promised the Grand Luo Artifact Spirit that he would kill cultivators from the Nine Abysses Star Domain on the starry battlefield and accumulate one million military merits. For his past self, this goal was quite challenging, but now, it was effortless.
If he were to break through to the Void Returning or even Dao Integration realm, according to the rules of the Purple Firmament Star Domain and the Nine Abysses Star Domain, he would have to leave the starry battlefield. Therefore, Zhang Fan could only suppress his cultivation for now and would break through after accumulating the million military merits.
With this thought, Zhang Fan took out the Myriad Beasts Cauldron. This cauldron was still a semi-finished product; the primordial spirits of the Soul Transformation realm exotic beasts within had not yet reached ten thousand. However, Zhang Fan was now prepared to complete this number, making this Myriad Beasts Cauldron truly whole and refining it into a veritable Immortal King Sacred Weapon.
On this day, Zhang Fan emerged from seclusion, his gaze directed towards the Dark Forest. Most Soul Transformation realm cultivators on the starry battlefield were exploring in that area. If Zhang Fan wanted to quickly accumulate military merits, he naturally set his battlefield there as well.
...