The Eight Trigrams Grand Array, spanning the heavens, cast its shadow over Wenlan City.
Between heaven and earth, it seemed as if only this grand array existed.
All eyes were drawn to the array, interwoven with dao patterns, leaving everyone in awe.
A pressure, akin to the heavens caving in, suppressed all directions.
Before the Eight Trigrams Array manifested, its impact was not deeply felt.
Now, even Chen Fan was stunned by the might of the Wuji Supreme.
"Wuji Supreme."
A divine light seemed to flicker in Chen Fan's eyes: "He has already touched that realm."
He could feel it.
That aura had surpassed the limits of a Supreme.
"Buzz."
Suddenly, the world turned black.
Abruptly, without a sound, the world plunged into darkness.
Like the transition between perpetual day and perpetual night, without any warning.
Only the Eight Trigrams Grand Array continued to emit light, illuminating this world.
In the center of the Eight Trigrams Array, a figure with their back to all living beings slowly appeared, a crown atop their head.
"Wuji."
Chen Fan's body trembled with excitement.
Finally, I've found you.
Even if it was just a back view, left behind from countless years ago, Chen Fan could clearly sense the aura of the divine artifact.
An aura of the same origin, no mistake.
The ancient crown, as profound as a deep abyss.
That figure stood before the immortal gate.
Creak.
The immortal gate opened.
Someone emerged from the immortal gate.
"Kill—"
Wuji's voice, traversing the eons, boomed in everyone's ears.
Their eardrums nearly burst.
There was no grand battle, only a single fist that sent the figure emerging from the immortal gate flying back.
"I wish to tread the heavens, this mortal realm, immortals and gods are forbidden to enter, kill..." Wuji charged into the spatial gate.
"Ugh—"
The darkness vanished, and light returned.
Silence.
The entire Eastern Manor was eerily silent.
As they exchanged glances, they saw shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.
The words echoed in their minds involuntarily.
"I wish to tread the heavens, this mortal realm, immortals and gods are forbidden to enter."
What immense arrogance was required to utter such astonishing words?
Immortals and gods forbidden.
If you dare to come, I will charge into your realms of immortals and gods, and slaughter all under heaven.
This was the domineering aura of a Supreme.
"Mighty."
It was Hong Si who spoke.
In his understanding, in all the world, no one could match the King of Qin in terms of overbearing might.
Today, he was convinced.
This mortal realm, immortals and gods forbidden.
It was so imposing it stirred the soul.
This was the true demeanor of humanity's top powerhouses.
"Hoo."
It wasn't until Chen Fan exhaled that the crowd finally emerged from their shock.
That scene was too overwhelming.
"Crack."
The Eight Trigrams Grand Array in the sky began to collapse.
A wisp of immortal aura slowly seeped out.
Just a wisp of immortal aura, yet as it dispersed into the world, it brought a feeling of utter comfort, as if one had been purified.
"So good."
Old Demon Chu's voice sent goosebumps down their spines.
Chen Fan also felt it, but immediately, his pupils contracted.
"Bang."
The wisp of immortal mist that had infiltrated his body was forcefully expelled by him.
"What's wrong?" everyone asked, puzzled.
Seeing the City Lord's grave expression, they were momentarily bewildered.
"Something's not right."
Chen Fan's tone was serious: "This immortal energy seems to be assimilating us, making us unconsciously identify with it."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Old Demon Chu was the first to react: "Damn it, I actually felt a yearning for immortality!"
He was a genuine demonic cultivator, not someone who had switched paths.
When had a demon ever felt identification with others?
Even towards Chen Fan, Old Demon Chu only felt admiration, not the kind of innate identification that arose from the depths of one's being.
Such a feeling could only arise towards fellow demonic cultivators.
Yet, moments ago, just a wisp of immortal aura had caused him such a disoriented feeling.
The others also reacted, quickly expelling the immortal energy that had invaded their bodies.
This was merely a trace; what if there was more?
They dared not imagine what would happen.
"The immortal gate has not yet opened."
Chen Fan spoke: "When the immortal gate opens, I will enter. As for others, I don't care, but Tian Zai, Huang Die, and Bai Gu Sen Lin need to accompany me. For anyone else who wishes to join, use this time to settle your affairs."
After speaking, Chen Fan descended directly, returning to his pavilion.
At the same time, a voice entered Lan Kuang's ear: "Inform the others, tell them this news."
"Yes."
Lan Kuang replied.
As for whom to inform, besides the major powers, who else was worthy of the City Lord's personal notification?
...
Time flowed by quickly.
Three days passed in a blink. During these three days, Chen Fan had been continuously observing the Eight Trigrams Grand Array in the sky.
The Eight Trigrams Grand Array was on the verge of collapse.
The immortal gate grew clearer, and the aura it emitted increased.
The sun blazed in the sky, and noon had arrived.
At the moment when the sunlight was most intense.
"Boom."
A roar that resounded across the entire continent erupted, raging like a storm.
Everyone was alerted and looked up.
They saw the colossal Eight Trigrams Grand Array in the sky shatter.
The Eight Trigrams Array was broken.
Below, a dazzling sword light ascended to the heavens.
From the shattered grand array, the immortal-energy-shrouded portal, with a creak, opened a slight gap.
Clang.
The sword sang out, deafening.
That was the brilliance of the Tian Cong Yun Sword, a sword that pierced through heaven and earth, and stabbed into the portal.
"Presumptuous."
A scolding voice echoed from within the immortal gate.
A noble arrogance from on high descended, a suppressive aura.
The illusion of noble bloodline made Chen Fan feel an urge to be suppressed.
This feeling enraged him.
Clang.
The sword light, following the gap in the immortal gate, pierced directly in.
Immediately after, an irresistible force spread outwards.
With a boom, Chen Fan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his expression changing drastically.
So strong.
Not just strong, but a sense of innate bloodline suppression.
It felt as if an ancient ancestor of humanity was disciplining a descendant.
"City Lord."
Old Demon Chu shot up into the sky: "What's happening?"
"There's someone inside," Chen Fan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
In the first contact, he had actually been injured.
He was already the strongest in this world, yet he was injured in one blow. Although it was a minor injury that would heal in an instant, Chen Fan was still shocked.
Was he truly that strong?
How did the Wuji Supreme back then manage to smash the opponent back into the immortal gate with a single punch?
Could it be that Wuji Supreme was that strong?
Was he insurmountable?
Chen Fan did not believe it.
Shaking his head, he dispelled the thoughts in his mind and looked at Old Demon Chu: "Have you decided?"
"Yes."
Old Demon Chu nodded firmly: "In my life, I love challenges the most; comfort is not my nature."
"Good."
"And me too."
Wu Sheng stepped into the air, arriving.
Chen Fan was not surprised by Wu Sheng's arrival, even certain he would come.
"City Lord, I've also come..." What Chen Fan didn't expect was that Hong Si had also followed.
He was alone.