Prince Hill withdrew his 'Illusory Divine Eye' and a satisfied smile spread across his kindly face.
"How was it?" Prince Moses asked.
"This Saint Master Zhang is quite remarkable. Although his realm has not yet reached the Earth Immortal stage, his physical body is exceptionally strong. My feeling is that none of us three could match Saint Master Zhang in terms of sheer physical strength," Prince Hill said with a smile.
"How is that possible? Has his physical body achieved sainthood, comparable to an Earth Immortal?"
Prince Hill's words left the other two princes in disbelief.
It was important to remember that within the Bloodline lineage, physical bodies were naturally much stronger than ordinary humans, and the bloodline power they cultivated further aided in physical cultivation.
Therefore, at the same cultivation level, typically only Earth Immortal powerhouses who specialized in physical cultivation could match them in terms of body strength.
However, according to Prince Hill, Saint Master Zhang was only a Divine Realm cultivator, yet his physical body's strength surpassed theirs. How could this not shock them?
"That is the truth of the matter. But, don't you think this Saint Master Zhang is an excellent candidate? I believe the Progenitor will be very pleased with his talent and physique."
"If we can successfully awaken the Progenitor, from this day forward, who on this planet will our Bloodline have to fear?"
As Prince Hill spoke, the kindly smile on his face grew increasingly sinister.
Lites, listening from the side, felt his heart pounding. Within the Bloodline, he was considered high-ranking, second only to the three princes. Therefore, he was aware of many of the Bloodline's secrets.
From Prince Hill's words, it was clear they intended to use Zhang Fan as a sacrifice for their sleeping Progenitor.
"My ancestors, isn't this too risky? This Saint Master Zhang from Huaxia is no ordinary person. Even the five Earth Immortals of the Holy See couldn't suppress him. Our strength is not superior to the Holy See's. Doing this might be too dangerous," Lites said with some worry.
"Lites, you overestimate this Saint Master Zhang. No matter what, he is ultimately only a Divine Realm cultivator. His strength, however great, is limited. Moreover, this is the Progenitor's Castle, our Bloodline's territory. Even if he were a Land Immortal, once he enters this place, he will be at our mercy!" Prince Moses sneered.
"What Lites said also holds some truth. Regardless, we cannot be careless. Therefore, this matter must rely on strategy. If that fails, we will have to resort to brute force," Prince Hill said.
"After this Saint Master Zhang finishes his seclusion, you will bring him to see us. During this period, any information related to Saint Master Zhang must not be leaked."
All three princes agreed to act against Zhang Fan. No matter how unwilling Lites was in his heart, he could only comply.
"They've gone mad!"
After leaving the attic, Lites still felt a profound unease. The main reason was that the decision made by their ancestors was simply too insane. If it wasn't handled properly, their Bloodline might cease to exist.
However, in the end, he was still a member of the Bloodline and had to consider the future of their race. If they could successfully awaken the Blood Progenitor as the three princes planned, then from then on, their Bloodline would be vastly different.
...
During Zhang Fan's first month of seclusion, a major event occurred in the East Sea that shook the martial arts world of Huaxia.
The White family's ancestor emerged from seclusion, and a pillar of energy shot straight into the sky, alarming the entire southwestern region. Wherever the White family's ancestor went, people involuntarily knelt in worship, and even Congenital Grandmasters couldn't resist his aura.
Rumors spread from the White family that their ancestor had broken through the limitations of the Divine Realm, condensed a Golden Core, and fully entered the Earth Immortal stage. His lifespan was over a thousand years, making him a true Land Immortal.
The first thing the White family ancestor did upon emerging was to declare in the Huaxia martial arts world, inviting Saint Master Zhang to the Heavenly Gate Mountain for a battle to the death. If Zhang Fan did not appear within three days, the White family ancestor would descend upon Lakeside Island and unleash widespread slaughter!
Upon hearing this, the entire Huaxia martial arts world was shaken.
Countless individuals from the Huaxia martial arts world rushed to the Heavenly Gate Mountain overnight, hoping to witness this battle of immortals.
No one doubted that Saint Master Zhang would avoid the fight, because since his debut, no matter what opponent he faced, he had never shied away.
And they believed this time would be no exception.
However, this time, it was indeed an exception. The White family ancestor, clad in a light gauze robe, sat withered on the summit of Heavenly Gate Mountain for three days, yet Zhang Fan did not appear.
"Supreme Master of the Martial World? It's nothing but a joke."
The White family ancestor uttered only this sentence before walking through the void, wielding a white bone sword, and heading towards the East Sea's Lakeside Island.
Accompanying him were the White family's three Divine Realm cultivators, their momentum vast and their presence shaking heaven and earth.
Saint Master Zhang's failure to appear at Heavenly Gate Mountain disappointed many in the Huaxia martial arts world, as in their eyes, Saint Master Zhang was the undisputed Supreme Master of the Martial World...
However, by avoiding the fight, he seemed to have lost some face.
"Although I am also an admirer of Saint Master Zhang, I must say that the White family ancestor has entered another realm. Saint Master Zhang, though powerful, is still only a Divine Realm cultivator. He likely knew that coming would be a death sentence, so it's understandable that he didn't show up."
"You fake fan, you don't understand Saint Master Zhang at all. If Saint Master Zhang knew, he would definitely come. The fact that he hasn't come only means he is in seclusion or traveling abroad..."
"Hmph, the White family ancestor is almost at Lakeside Island. Let's see how long Saint Master Zhang can hide."
...
Regarding Zhang Fan's avoidance of the fight, opinions varied, and thus, everyone's attention was focused on the happenings at Lakeside Island in the East Sea.
However, just as the White family ancestor arrived above Lakeside Island, something happened that rendered countless people's minds unresponsive.
The White family ancestor, along with three Divine Realm powerhouses, prepared to attack Lakeside Island. One Land Immortal and three Divine Realm cultivators – this was a force sufficient to make any power despair.
But, just as the White family ancestor was about to break through the formation of Lakeside Island, a dragon, entirely crimson, flew out from within the island.
The dragon's body was as thick as a barrel. In just one exchange, two of the White family's three Divine Realm cultivators met a tragic end under the dragon's claws, being swallowed by it.
The White family ancestor nearly fainted on the spot. Wielding his white bone sword, he engaged in a fierce battle with the crimson dragon. However, in the end, the White family ancestor was no match for the crimson dragon and fled in embarrassment with the surviving Divine Realm cultivator.
The White family ancestor fought and fled, eventually retreating to the White family's ancestral home, where they were barely able to resist using the family's protective array.
The crimson dragon fiercely attacked the White family's formation for three days and three nights, yet it could not break through. Finally, a mysterious figure intervened, joining forces with the White family ancestor, and together they managed to repel the crimson dragon.
This battle gave everyone a new understanding of Zhang Fan. Those who had previously thought Zhang Fan was afraid of death promptly shut their mouths. If his own pet could make the White family ancestor flee in disarray, how strong must Zhang Fan himself be?
This was something they dared not imagine.
And the crimson dragon that appeared at Lakeside Island became the focus of everyone's discussion. They had believed such creatures only existed in myths, but to find out they were real shattered the worldview of many.
...