Jianyu Zhenxian’s eyes flickered with surprise and admiration. He couldn't help but speak, "Fellow Daoist Shijue, your heart holds the world. It's no wonder you can comprehend the profound mysteries of the Great Dao in the mid-Refinement Realm. I am truly impressed."
Behind Jianyu Zhenxian, his teammates' eyes were filled with envy. This Shijue Zhenxian was not only powerful but also incredibly generous to his team members, making them restless and longing for an opportunity to join such a group.
Even in teams led by six-star generals, earning military merits on the Starry Battlefield was exceedingly difficult. Even if they got lucky and obtained treasures worth tens of thousands of military merits, it was considered immense fortune. These merits would then be distributed based on contribution, with the captain generally receiving over fifty percent, or even more, due to their superior strength, which was understandable.
Consequently, after distribution, ordinary members would consider themselves fortunate to receive a few thousand military merits.
However, in this battle, Zhang Fan and his team achieved significant results. They not only earned two hundred and thirty thousand military merits for killing enemy soldiers but also acquired a large number of immortal treasures and other precious items. According to the distribution ratio decided by Zhang Fan, even the weaker members like Nanzun, Blood Demon Dragon, and the Pang brothers would each receive at least thirty thousand military merits.
The Blood Demon Dragon's heart burned with excitement. Over thirty thousand military merits could be exchanged for nearly ten immortal treasures at the war base.
"Since it's decided, let's distribute the spoils quickly!" The Blood Demon Dragon, with its massive body, circled Zhang Fan, its booming voice filled with excitement.
Zhang Fan waved his hand, batting away the Blood Demon Dragon's enormous form and forcing it back to its original size. He said, "No rush. After this battle in the Fire Element World, information about our team will quickly spread throughout the war bases in the Jiuyai Starfield. We must seize this opportunity to kill as many enemy soldiers as possible before the news breaks, to gain more military merits."
Although Zhang Fan was only in the mid-Refinement Realm, he had mastered the Great Dao. He was already capable of posing a fatal threat to five-star generals. Once the news of Jiutong Zhenxian's demise spread, teams led by five-star generals in the Fire Element World would likely withdraw rapidly. It was also possible that a Marquis-level expert might specifically come to the Fire Element World to deal with him.
The Blood Demon Dragon's eyes lit up. Despite being hit by Zhang Fan and feeling like its bones were about to fall apart, it didn't complain. A smile remained on its plump face as it nodded repeatedly, saying, "Master's considerations are indeed thorough. Let's set off quickly then."
Seeing the Blood Demon Dragon's demeanor, Nanzun couldn't help but feel contempt. However, what Zhang Fan said was indeed very appealing. If they could kill another enemy squad, tens of thousands more military merits would be theirs. The wealth gained from this single battle alone was comparable to tens of thousands of years of accumulation for their Canghai Hall. How could Nanzun not be tempted?
The Pang brothers were also somewhat dazed by this sudden good fortune. As new recruits, they knew how difficult it was to earn military merits. Simply surviving their initial entry into the Starry Battlefield was considered a success.
"In that case, let's depart," Pu Ji Zhenxian was also full of fighting spirit. Although he had lost twenty immortal treasures to Zhang Fan earlier, the military merit distribution from this battle alone had allowed him to recoup his losses. Moreover, there was the chance to kill more enemy cultivators, making him naturally excited.
After bidding farewell to Jianyu Zhenxian, Zhang Fan unleashed his surging spiritual energy, enveloping Pu Ji Zhenxian and the others. They transformed into streaks of light and vanished into the sea of flames.
Watching Zhang Fan and his group depart, Jianyu Zhenxian's gaze was unreadable. Finally, he let out a light chuckle and said, "I wonder which unlucky group will encounter this killing star."
...
The Fire Element World was vast and boundless. Even flying at a speed of a thousand miles per instant, it would take centuries to traverse. Therefore, Zhang Fan could only lead Nanzun and the others to constantly tear through space, shuttling through various parts of the Fire Element World.
Three days later, a team led by a five-star general from the Jiuyai Starfield finally encountered Zhang Fan's group.
When encountering enemy cultivators with similar strength, neither side would directly engage, as they were well aware that it would merely be a waste of time and spiritual energy.
However, while combat was avoided, a verbal exchange was unavoidable.
"Pu Ji Zhenxian, I'm surprised you could assemble a team. I must say, your resourcefulness is admirable," said a young man in a blue robe, staring at Pu Ji Zhenxian. His face was stern, and his eyes held a cold glint as he spoke mockingly.
Pu Ji Zhenxian remained unfazed, his gaze towards the other party carrying a hint of indifference, as if looking at a dead man.
"This person's Dao name is Suihan. He is skilled in the Way of Ice. Among five-star generals, his strength is only average, even weaker than Jiutong Zhenxian. However, his team is large, and when they form an offensive formation, even teams led by six-star generals cannot defeat them," Pu Ji Zhenxian whispered to Zhang Fan.
"More people are better!" Zhang Fan smiled. Suihan Zhenxian's team consisted of ten people. Apart from the captain, all other cultivators were at the Nascent Soul stage. This was much easier to deal with than Jiutong Zhenxian's team.
"Suihan, two six-star generals from your Jiuyai Starfield attacked me, resulting in the demise of all my teammates. Today, I will make you taste the same fate," Pu Ji Zhenxian drew the three-foot green sword from his back. Its sword light was sharp, emitting a cold, chilling gleam.
"With just you lot?" Suihan's stern face was filled with disdain as he scoffed, "I didn't want to waste too much time on you. But since you seek humiliation, I shall grant it."
"Form up!"
Following Suihan Zhenxian's command, his nine teammates simultaneously activated their cultivation techniques. Immense spiritual energy converged onto Suihan Zhenxian, and his aura rapidly ascended, nearing the peak of the Refinement Realm.
"Go!"
With a gentle stomp of his foot, Suihan Zhenxian transformed the boundless spiritual energy into endless ice, which surged towards Zhang Fan and the others layer by layer.
"So what if you're strong? How can a mere six-person team contend with me?" A playful smile appeared on Suihan Zhenxian's handsome and cold face. Pu Ji Zhenxian's individual strength was indeed formidable, but with the advantage of numbers, he was confident he could overpower him.
Pu Ji Zhenxian took a step forward, borrowing the spiritual energy from Nanzun and the others. He unleashed a powerful sword strike. The sword light that split the heavens carried a trace of profound mystique, breaking through the endless ice and slashing towards Suihan Zhenxian.
"Boom!"
Snowflakes danced in the air, forming a stark contrast with the world of flames and heat that permeated the surroundings. Suihan Zhenxian's hands surged with immense spiritual energy. Two crystalline ice lotuses condensed in his hands, emitting an extreme cold that could freeze the void, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet.