Chen Fan placed great importance on Yan Meng.
This individual grasped a rare Rule Dao.
The speed of detachment seemed to have mutated.
Chen Fan didn't quite understand, but it was effective, which was all that mattered.
"Many thanks, City Lord," Yan Meng said gratefully, her voice filled with emotion.
Everyone around felt a pang of envy.
After killing Qi Mu and shattering his Great Dao, the residual Rule power was unclaimed.
Although this Rule was originally Qi Mu's Death Blade Dao, one could absorb its power without absorbing its blade intent.
This was a true treasure.
Without further ado, Yan Meng immediately sat down to absorb it.
There was no helping it, too many envious eyes were watching.
What if someone stole it?
Even though they were on the same side, this Rule-infused item was too important to not be wary of betrayal.
...
As Yan Meng cultivated, the battle gradually subsided.
The enemy was completely annihilated.
On their side, only three had perished, not counting the injured.
The path of cultivation was inherently against the heavens, and no journey was smooth sailing.
As long as no one died, that was enough.
Rules drifted through the heavens and earth; it was the aura of Emperor Dao Rules.
Such a valuable thing should not be wasted.
Everyone began to absorb the gently dispersed residual Rules.
...
From a great distance, gazes were slowly withdrawn.
They already knew who the second Half-Emperor to fall was.
First Zang Di, then Qi Mu.
Who would be next?
Under the dim sky, a hint of night gradually emerged.
Night had arrived.
It was slightly darker than day, not overtly so, but it didn't escape the perception of the strong.
"Let's go."
Chen Fan rose.
The day's time had allowed everyone to cultivate.
Rising, they looked ahead.
The objective... Zang Mountain.
Everyone returned to the River of Rules.
Cultivating in the River of Rules, comprehending the Great Dao at close proximity, this was a monumental opportunity that no one wished to miss.
Xi Qiu and Xiao Wu accompanied him outside, walking towards Zang Mountain.
"Hum."
The colossal coffin mountain loomed like a heavy leaden cloud.
Above, a pair of enormous eyes opened like black holes.
Their gaze, cold and indifferent, fell upon the approaching figures.
"Heh."
Chen Fan's lips curved upwards.
A hint of devilish charm spread: "I have arrived..."
"..."
The owner of the eyes did not respond but continued to stare at him.
Chen Fan paid it no mind.
He had no intention of hiding his movements; he approached Zang Mountain brazenly.
If he couldn't even conquer the humble Zang Mountain, how could he contend in the Central Domain?
That was the ultimate destination.
"Da da da."
The sound of footsteps grew clearer.
Like the tolling of a death knell, each step drew closer to Zang Mountain.
"Boom."
Ahead, powerful auras spread outwards.
The intent was not benevolent.
The vanguard of Zang Mountain had already come to greet them.
The aura of Emperor Dao experts resonated like thunder ahead.
Hostility was unmasked.
"Hahaha."
Suddenly, a burst of wild laughter echoed from the front.
Black demonic flames boiled ahead.
Demonic energy surged to the heavens.
In contrast, a smile appeared on Chen Fan's face.
That demonic energy was too familiar.
"Rumble."
The demonic energy surged forward, as if to burn through this realm: "Kill."
Xi Qiu and Xiao Wu were about to intervene, but Chen Fan stopped them: "I'll do it..."
"..."
The two retreated, not daring to object.
"Chh."
Chen Fan's figure instantly vanished from his spot.
When he reappeared, he was already within the demonic flames.
"City Lord."
A familiar voice brought a smile to Chen Fan's face: "Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
Chu Old Demon's wrinkled face was filled with an excited smile.
It had indeed been a long time.
Neither Chu Old Demon nor Chen Fan had anticipated meeting here this time.
Rumble.
The demonic flames continued to boil; the situation within was unclear from the outside.
The commotion of their clash was evident.
"Why are you here?" Chen Fan asked.
He hadn't seen Chu Old Demon when they first entered.
"Heh."
Chu Old Demon grinned: "I entered even before you. It was good luck that I was chased here, and somehow, I fell into this unfamiliar place..."
Chen Fan smiled: "Alright."
"City Lord."
Chu Old Demon continued: "Don't be in a hurry to attack Zang Mountain. Give me one more day."
"En?"
Chen Fan was surprised.
He knew Chu Old Demon's character well, and it was sure to be something good.
"Do you need any help?"
"No need."
Chu Old Demon was supremely confident: "One day will be enough. I will be able to devour all of Zang Ren's power. Then, Zang Tian will surely hunt me, and at that time, we can join forces and deal with him."
"You rascal."
Chen Fan chuckled: "Alright, I'll wait one day."
"Thank you."
"No need."
Chen Fan said, "I haven't heard from you all for many days and thought something had happened. I didn't expect you to have such an opportunity. So now..."
"Let's put on a show."
"Fine."
...
Boom.
The demonic flames exploded, and Chu Old Demon spat blood, flying backward.
As he retreated, he frantically fled towards Zang Mountain, shouting: "This opponent is tough, call for more people..."
"Clang."
From behind, a divine sword pierced through the heavens.
Killing intent spread.
"Bastard."
Chu Old Demon's eyes immediately turned red.
Roar.
With a roar, a colossal maw of a Taotie appeared above his head: "Devour it for me."
The great maw swallowed the sky.
The sharp sword light was completely devoured by the Taotie's maw.
"Hahaha."
Chu Old Demon roared with laughter as he fled.
He had also taken away a powerful sword intent from Chen Fan.
The members of Zang Mountain didn't make a move; they all retreated.
As they retreated, they praised Chu Old Demon...
"Brother, you're ruthless, to be able to fight a Half-Emperor and retreat unscathed..."
"This so-called Chen Fan isn't that impressive..."
"Indeed. If we gather more brothers later, we can take him down without the Mountain Lord's intervention."
"Right..."
The group quickly departed.
...
Watching them leave, Chen Fan stood his ground, not pursuing.
The play couldn't be overdone.
"City Lord."
Xi Qiu and Xiao Wu approached: "Let me take men to capture them back..."
"No need."
He then added, "Rest here."
Although they didn't understand why, the two obeyed without question.
Resting on the spot.
One day would pass.
Although this place seemed to have no distinction between day and night, the strong had a keen sense of time.
One day was one day, no mistake.
...
On the other side.
Chu Old Demon returned to Zang Mountain, bloodied, and entered its depths.
"Hum."
As soon as he entered a room, a powerful Half-Emperor appeared before him: "Chu Old Demon..."
Chu Old Demon bowed: "Greetings, Mountain Lord."
"Mm."
Zang Ren nodded and asked, "You fought with Chen Fan. What are your thoughts?"
"Very strong."
Chu Old Demon said this with absolute conviction.
"Compared to me?"
"Shall I speak frankly?"
"Speak."
"He is stronger than you."
This statement was not flattery but Chu Old Demon's honest opinion.
His injuries were not fake; they were inflicted by a single palm strike from Chen Fan.
With that single palm strike, he knew for certain that the City Lord's cultivation was definitely above Zang Ren's.
Zang Ren didn't say much, but nodded and asked, "How much stronger do you feel he is compared to me?"