"Since that is the case, then let us ascend the arena," Zhang Fan said, a smile blooming at the corners of his mouth as Tie Hou Zhen Xian had gathered ten immortal treasures. He was already pleased to have struck gold before even entering the battlefield.
The two men ascended a dueling platform, one after the other.
Though the square platform appeared to be no more than a hundred meters long and wide, upon stepping onto it, Zhang Fan felt as though he had entered another space entirely. He understood that this was the work of a cultivator at the Void Refinement stage, able to conceal worlds within leaves and merge stars with grains of sand.
Within this miniature world, the length and width both exceeded ten thousand li, and the space was incredibly stable, sufficient for cultivators at the Soul Transformation stage to engage in full-blown combat.
The ten immortal treasures serving as stakes caused quite a stir within the battle formation base, drawing an increasing number of cultivators. Before the fight had even begun, thousands had gathered around the arena.
They all wished to see which newcomer was so wealthy, so confident, and so foolish.
"Bearded one, ten immortal treasures. After Master wins, it wouldn't be too much for me to pick one or two, would it?" Xue Mo Jiao asked, rubbing his plump belly with excitement as he addressed Nan Zun.
Nan Zun shook his head and replied, "If Master is willing to bestow them, I shall choose first."
Xue Mo Jiao's eyes widened as he stared at Nan Zun, indignant. "Why should you choose first? I suggested it, I get to pick first!"
Nan Zun was speechless. Having spent a long time with Xue Mo Jiao, he knew the man to be a rogue and decided not to argue further.
However, the surrounding cultivators were stunned by their conversation. The battle had not even started, and these two were already bickering.
Seeing this, Pang Qing and Pang Yun exchanged glances, both offering wry smiles. What kind of team had they joined? It was one thing for their captain to be arrogant, but for two other teammates to be so ostentatious as well.
"Quick, look, it's starting!"
...
"Fellow Daoist Shi Jue, you take the Ten Absolutes as your moniker. I wonder which ten absolutes they are. Would I be fortunate enough to witness them?" Tie Hou asked with a meaningful smile.
"If your strength is sufficient, you will naturally have the chance to witness them. I fear you will not last that long," Zhang Fan replied with a wicked grin. His entire demeanor shifted, his eyes holding a detached indifference as he calmly stared at Tie Hou.
"New recruits are always so arrogant. I most enjoy seeing you like this, only to witness the stark contrast after your inevitable defeat," Tie Hou roared. Under Zhang Fan's gaze, his slender body suddenly expanded, transforming in an instant into a colossal ape-demon dozens of feet tall.
His arms shimmered with a dark, lustrous glow, and his entire body was covered in thick black fur. His eyes were no longer gentle, but held a bloodthirsty ferocity.
"So it's a Golden Armored Iron Ape."
Zhang Fan lightly stepped on the void, and a powerful wave of energy emanated outwards, crashing towards the enormous iron ape.
"A mere trick."
Tie Hou leaped into the air, his arms like pillars supporting the heavens as he smashed down at Zhang Fan.
The space within the miniature world was incredibly stable, and the immense force caused no spatial fluctuations. However, Zhang Fan could feel its formidable power, truly exceptional.
This iron ape's strength was likely incredibly close to the late stage of the Spirit Refining realm. If he were to be re-evaluated, he might even be classified as a five-star general. Perhaps this was why he was so confident.
But during the years spent traveling, Zhang Fan had depleted all the resources he had obtained from Zi Yue Zhen Xian and the others, focusing entirely on cultivating his physical body. Now, his physical strength was far beyond what it used to be.
"Scram!"
Zhang Fan clenched his fist and struck the void. A powerful burst of qi shot out like a cannonball. Before the iron ape could fully descend, it was struck in the chest by a single punch. Its massive body was sent hurtling backward.
A streak of lightning flashed across the void. Before Tie Hou could regain control of his body, Zhang Fan was already upon him with even greater speed. He could only swing his fist in mid-air, but his feet lacked purchase, and the punch lacked power. In Zhang Fan's eyes, it seemed incredibly weak.
*Boom!*
Another punch landed heavily on Tie Hou's body. Like a sandbag, Tie Hou was continuously sent flying by Zhang Fan, unable to even control his own body.
In just a few short breaths, Zhang Fan, relying on his supreme speed, weaved and dodged, landing dozens of punches on the iron ape.
At this moment, Tie Hou's body was covered in punch marks, and crimson blood seeped from his mouth, staining his black fur.
"Enough!"
Tie Hou had never suffered such humiliation at the hands of a recruit. His eyes filled with rage. With a roar, he unleashed his innate divine ability. His dark arms transformed into dazzling gold. He swung his arms, like pillars stabilizing the sea, and landed steadily in the void.
Looking at Zhang Fan once more, his gaze now held a sinister glint. He grinned menacingly, "Had enough? Now it's my turn."
"We're only just getting started. On this arena, it's not your turn to act!"
Zhang Fan sneered, his Great Dao domain and physical domain simultaneously spreading out, engulfing Tie Hou.
Instantly, an ocean of power enveloped Tie Hou. He felt as though he were trapped in a swamp, his speed and strength severely restricted.
Tie Hou's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to make a move, Zhang Fan flew towards him again, delivering a "Rising Dragon Fist" to Tie Hou's chin, causing him to momentarily dizzy.
At this moment, the numerous cultivators outside the arena stared at the scene in stunned silence, their eyes betraying their astonishment.
"This new recruit is actually this strong, completely overwhelming Tie Hou with no chance to retaliate!" Many cultivators were shocked because they could all sense Zhang Fan's aura; he was only at the mid-stage of the Spirit Refining realm.
Within the battle formation base, there were indeed some cultivators at the mid-stage of the Spirit Refining realm who could display the strength of the late stage, but that was after enduring countless battles. For Zhang Fan, a mere recruit, to achieve this was truly rare.
"Here we go again. Even after using his innate divine ability, Tie Hou can only take hits. This is too painful!"
Fist shadows rained down. The five years spent traveling, Zhang Fan had diligently cultivated his physical body, and today, he was truly letting loose.
Even though Tie Hou's body was as strong as vajra steel, he was being tossed and battered in Zhang Fan's hands. Even he couldn't bear it. His internal organs had already shifted, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and a row of his ribs had been broken.
"How could this happen!" Tie Hou was utterly bewildered. After unleashing his innate divine ability, his strength had definitely reached the threshold of a five-star general. Even so, he was still being brutally beaten by this new recruit.
Zhang Fan paid no mind. As long as he didn't kill him, he would keep fighting. He knew well how terrifying the physical body of a great demon at the Spirit Refining realm was, and that with his pure physical strength alone, he couldn't kill him in a short time.
As long as Tie Hou didn't surrender, he would continue to fight.
"Too cunning, this new recruit definitely possesses the strength of a five-star general!" Tie Hou cursed inwardly. Though extremely unwilling, he couldn't stand being beaten any longer.
"I surrender!"
...