"Last words?"
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's words, Wu Chen Jian Xian and Chang Bai Shan Wu Sheng exchanged knowing smiles. This Saint Master Zhang was indeed as domineering as the rumors claimed.
However, their purpose for coming was for the Golden Core, and they had made thorough preparations, yet they had completely forgotten to prepare last words.
"Heh heh, Saint Master Zhang, it's said you possess peerless combat power and are adept at fighting across realms. Today, with five Earth Immortals gathered here, and with Elder Niu Dao Ren presiding, you still dare to speak such words? Are you not perhaps too arrogant?"
Hearing Zhang Fan's words, Bai Tu sneered dismissively.
"Mere defeated foes!"
Zhang Fan had nothing to say to Bai Tu. Instead, he turned his gaze to the ever-smiling Chang Sheng Dao Chang, who stood to the side.
"For a mere Earth Immortal cultivation technique, you schemed endlessly, even betraying and killing your long-time friends."
"This was originally none of my concern. But you, after painstakingly condensing your Yuan Dan and cultivating into an Earth Immortal, instead of hiding away to enjoy your life, you chose to come to my Lake Heart Island to seek death. Do you not find that a pity?"
Zhang Fan asked slowly.
"We haven't even fought yet, Saint Master Zhang. Why are you so confident? It's not yet certain who will seek death," Chang Sheng Dao Chang replied nonchalantly.
"Very well. Regardless of your reasons for coming, your actions have already sealed your fate. Today, all of you shall die!"
A murderous intent surged within Zhang Fan. With a casual wave of his hand, his ancient bronze sword appeared. As Zhang Fan grasped the three-foot blade, a sharp sword intent soared into the heavens, as if a Sword God had descended!
"Such potent sword intent!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian's sword sheath trembled. His natal divine sword, agitated by Zhang Fan's sword intent, seemed on the verge of breaking free from its scabbard.
He, Jian Wu Chen, had practiced the sword for centuries, yet this was the first time anyone's sword intent alone had caused his natal divine sword to stir restlessly. This indicated that the opponent's mastery of the Way of the Sword surpassed his own!
"How is this possible?"
Wu Chen Jian Xian found it unbelievable. He stared at the seemingly very young man, an intense battle intent surging within him.
The sword was his life. He, Jian Wu Chen, had entered immortality through the sword, earning the title of Sword Immortal. On Earth, he believed his mastery of the Way of the Sword had reached the pinnacle. In a contest of swordsmanship, he had never lost.
"Out!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian beckoned, and his natal divine sword unsheathed, falling into his hand. Gripping the snow-white longsword, Wu Chen Jian Xian's battle intent escalated rapidly.
"Young friend, hold on a moment."
Seeing Zhang Fan about to make a move, Niu Dao Ren quickly waved his hand to interrupt.
"Oh? Do you have any last words you wish to speak?" Zhang Fan slightly raised an eyelid, glancing at Niu Dao Ren, and asked indifferently.
"Actually, anything can be discussed. My purpose for coming today is different from theirs. They are after the inheritance you obtained from the Half-Moon Immortal's cave, while this old daoist only desires the Flood Dragon you are raising."
"If you can gift this Flood Dragon to me, we can discuss any terms." Niu Dao Ren, having witnessed Zhang Fan's true form, felt he was not someone to be trifled with, and thus chose negotiation.
"Any terms can be discussed?"
Zhang Fan let out a scoff and said, "In that case, let's exchange it for your Yuan Dan!"
Niu Dao Ren heard this and shook his head. Judging by Zhang Fan's attitude, it seemed negotiation would be fruitless.
"As arrogant as ever. Then let me see if you truly possess the right to be so arrogant!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian moved with an ethereal grace. With just two steps, he was before Zhang Fan.
The Way of the Sword is a great dao.
Some sword cultivators wield swift and fierce techniques, following a path of overwhelming force, breaking through any obstacle with a single strike.
Others employ elusive and unpredictable sword techniques, following a path of skill, using minimal force to counter immense power.
Wu Chen Jian Xian clearly followed the path of skill. His movements were ethereal, his swordplay profound. With a simple swing, he created a world of sword intent, engulfing Zhang Fan.
"An axe at the gate of a craftsman!"
Zhang Fan sneered. Previously, his strength had limited him, making many profound sword techniques difficult to execute. But now that his strength had improved, even without relying on spiritual power, he could unleash many powerful sword techniques with his sheer might.
Moreover, what Wu Chen Jian Xian considered profound swordplay was riddled with flaws in Zhang Fan's eyes.
"Break!"
Zhang Fan, wielding his ancient bronze sword, cleaved forward forcefully.
A crisp metallic clang echoed. Shaken by the immense force, Wu Chen Jian Xian was forced to retreat step by step, and the myriad sword intents that had enveloped Zhang Fan instantly dissipated!
"Wu Chen Sword Technique, Ten Thousand Laws Untouched!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian gave a light snort and then rapidly darted towards Zhang Fan again. As he moved, two identical figures split off from his body. Three Wu Chen Jian Xians attacked Zhang Fan from three different directions.
Zhang Fan remained rooted to the spot, his eyes emitting divine light. He could not discern any flaws; it seemed all three Wu Chen Jian Xian figures were real.
"Wuji Sword Qi!"
With a slight turn of his wrist, Zhang Fan unleashed a sword qi formed by rapidly spinning sword intent, which enveloped one of Wu Chen Jian Xian's figures!
The moment the sword qi enveloped it, that figure of Wu Chen Jian Xian instantly dissolved. The other two figures simultaneously struck at Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan employed his footwork, evading one figure's attack, and swung his sword towards another.
However, upon contact, that figure also vanished, transforming into a cascade of sword light!
"Die!"
The last remaining Wu Chen Jian Xian figure seized this opportunity. With a flash of sword light, he lunged directly at Zhang Fan's back.
...
"Saint Master Zhang was so arrogant earlier, not even respecting Elder Niu Dao Ren. Yet, Wu Chen Jian Xian has cornered him in just two moves. Heh heh." Bai Tu, seeing that Zhang Fan would almost certainly be unable to evade Wu Chen Jian Xian's sword strike, couldn't help but smile.
"Wu Chen Jian Xian's 'Ten Thousand Laws Untouched' is truly remarkable. His true body can switch between illusions seamlessly, leaving almost no openings. Even I could only withstand it with sheer physical might. It's not surprising that Saint Master Zhang falls victim to this move."
Chang Bai Shan Wu Sheng nodded gravely. While he was strong and could suppress Wu Chen Jian Xian with his robust physique, defeating him would be exceedingly difficult.
"Wu Chen Jian Xian truly lives up to his name!" Chang Sheng Dao Chang couldn't help but exclaim upon witnessing this. Internally, he pondered how he would counter if Wu Chen Jian Xian used this move against him.
Though it seemed slow, the thoughts of everyone present flashed by in an instant.
Wu Chen Jian Xian's sharp sword pierced Zhang Fan's body. Instead of the expected heart-piercing strike, a metallic clang resounded, leaving everyone present stunned.
...