"Taishang Zhenren? Good! Now that I know your name, it's easier!" Patriarch Tongtian smiled slightly and said to Granny Lishan, "Wudang! Let your grand-disciple rest. You take care of this old fellow!"
"Yes, Master!" Granny Lishan responded, and with her Creation Sword in hand, she walked towards Taishang Zhenren.
"Hmph! Granny Lishan!? Don't think that just because you possess the Creation Sword, you can defeat me. You are no match for me!" Taishang Zhenren slowly raised the golden brick in his hand.
The brick was a treasure of Taishang Zhenren, and smashing with it was his specialty. During the Investiture of the Gods calamity, he had dispatched quite a few people with it. He loved this treasure; it was direct, decisive, and satisfying to wield!
Granny Lishan slowly raised the Creation Sword. Swish... Behind her, ten silver greatswords instantly rose, their blades aimed at Taishang Zhenren. It was as if they were threatening to turn him into a hedgehog if he dared to move.
Behind the two, their respective followers' eyes were wide open. They all wanted to see how spectacular a battle between saints would be! However, only Granny Lishan knew that she was merely a clone of Saintess Wudang, and not even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. She was far from being a match for a saint.
Fight... The golden brick in Taishang Zhenren's hand suddenly grew in size, becoming as large as a small mountain. With a whoosh, it was brought down towards Granny Lishan.
Whoosh... The golden sword in Granny Lishan's hand also moved. With a swift point forward, the ten immortal swords, accompanied by immense power, instantly flew towards Taishang Zhenren.
Bang... The golden brick and the eighteen immortal swords collided, becoming locked in a stalemate between the two.
However, Granny Lishan's expression changed instantly. She felt that the power of the golden brick was beyond her ability to resist. The eighteen immortal swords could not hold against the golden brick and were directly pushed back.
In the grand hall, within Lu Fan's sea of consciousness where he was meditating, a child called out, "Taishang Zhenren!"
Swish... A star above flashed. Whoosh... Golden Child threw a punch.
Suddenly, Taishang Zhenren, who was about to exert more force to smash Granny Lishan into a patty, felt his mind go blank for a moment. Although it was only an instant, the eighteen immortal swords seemed to seize the opportunity to counterattack. Whoosh... Pushing the golden brick, they surged towards Taishang Zhenren.
Bang... Taishang Zhenren was hit by his own brick and with a whoosh, he flew out. Bang... He landed on the ground, struck by his own brick.
"What the hell... What's going on?" The other Twelve Golden Immortals were completely bewildered. Taishang Zhenren clearly had the upper hand, and they were just waiting to see him smash Granny Lishan to death with his brick, but then there was a sudden reversal. What was this all about!
They rushed over to retrieve Taishang Zhenren's brick and helped him up. However, Taishang Zhenren was already bruised and swollen.
"I..." Granny Lishan herself was stunned. Did Taishang Zhenren fall in love with her? Hmph! This old woman is not that easily swayed. Don't think you can make me feel indebted to you with such petty tricks!
The other members of the Twelve Golden Immortals were also bewildered. They dared not act rashly, and helped Yun Zhongzi and Taishang Zhenren retreat. They all knew something was amiss but couldn't figure out what it was, so they went to discuss countermeasures.
"Master! They've retreated!" Granny Lishan said with some excitement. She hadn't expected to defeat Taishang Zhenren herself, and so easily at that. Even her true form wouldn't dare to claim victory against Taishang Zhenren.
"Hmph! A bunch of rabble," Patriarch Tongtian snorted coldly, and then took out his treasure, the Fishing Drum, and handed it to Granny Lishan. "Wudang! If they dare to come again, strike the Fishing Drum."
"Master! Striking this Fishing Drum can summon countless disciples. However, our Jie Sect disciples... seem to have all gathered here," Granny Lishan said somewhat awkwardly.
"How will you know if no one else comes if you don't strike it?" Patriarch Tongtian said and turned to leave.
In the grand hall, Lu Fan was meditating. His sea of consciousness had expanded significantly. Two little children, from his sea of consciousness to his qi sea, played there, having a grand time.
Swish... A mist emerged from Patriarch Tongtian's body and quickly returned to Lu Fan's body. Whoosh... Lu Fan opened his eyes. The Patriarch Tongtian beside him immediately reverted to a soulless husk.
"Master! Your soul can travel between two people? You're amazing!" Zhan Tai Ruomei said enviously from the side.
"Soon, I won't have to travel back and forth anymore," Lu Fan said with a slight smile.
"Master! Have you broken through to the Nascent Soul stage?" Li Jingjing immediately asked excitedly.
"Mmm!" Lu Fan responded and sat down cross-legged. He suddenly took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused his mind.
Beside him, Li Jingjing and Zhan Tai Ruomei's eyes widened, and they stared intently at Lu Fan. From Lu Fan's body, a virtual humanoid form slowly separated. The humanoid form was ethereal, neither real nor illusory.
Whoosh... Lu Fan raised his hand, and the virtual humanoid form suddenly flew towards Patriarch Tongtian, who stood beside them, and quickly merged into his body.
Swish... Patriarch Tongtian's eyes suddenly moved.
"Master! Is this your second primordial spirit?" Zhan Tai Ruomei asked excitedly.
"Mmm. I didn't expect that the first clone I separated after reaching the Nascent Soul stage would gain such a great advantage, possessing the indestructible body of a saint. With some time, I can fully comprehend all of Patriarch Tongtian's cultivation. He will then become the foremost person under heaven," Lu Fan said with some pride.
"Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Master! With the identity of Patriarch Tongtian, you will be immortal!" Li Jingjing immediately clasped her fist and said.
"You two should also make good use of this environment and cultivate diligently!" Lu Fan said with a smile.
"Yes, Master!" Li Jingjing and Zhan Tai Ruomei responded, and then sat down beside him to meditate and cultivate.
Lu Fan stood up and walked towards the depths of the Biyou Palace. He arrived at the blood ganoderma where the Golden Silkworm Gu was located. The blood ganoderma, which was originally blood-red all over, had now become translucent and white. The liquid that was once like blood inside the ganoderma had completely disappeared.
And now, the Golden Silkworm Gu's originally golden-yellow exterior had turned a purplish-gold color. Buzz... The Golden Silkworm Gu flew up and landed on Lu Fan.
"Hahaha! Little fellow, I didn't expect this Snow Ganoderma to benefit you." Lu Fan rejoiced in his heart, clearly feeling that the Golden Silkworm Gu had become incredibly powerful! He then went to the side hall and retrieved the three Zombie Gu. After being soaked in spiritual medicine for a hundred days, the Zombie Gu no longer carried the scent of dead bodies and emitted a faint black glow.
Thump thump thump... Suddenly, the sound of the Fishing Drum came from outside. Lu Fan frowned slightly. Had the Twelve Golden Immortals returned so quickly? Hmph! It seems it's time for me to go out and stretch my legs!