Deep within Emerald Valley, the trees swayed and bent.
Six individuals clad in purple Daoist robes were collaborating to force a kill.
The target was none other than Gu Fang, the messenger for Zhang Ming and the others.
"Hand over the Immortal Spirit Fruit, and I promise you a whole body for your departure from this world!"
A cold voice rang out, originating from a young man in purple attire.
He possessed a lofty demeanor, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes. His words were as cold as black ice, and the look he gave Gu Fang was filled with killing intent.
This man was not an outsider but the candidate Son of Heaven from the Thunder Heaven Cave's secret realm trials, Zhuo Zhaoping.
A formidable practitioner already at the peak of the True Immortal realm.
Upon hearing this demand, Gu Fang remained silent. Faced with the siege of six people, he chose to confront them in battle.
Despite possessing the Overlord Immortal Physique, his cultivation only reached the early stage of the Fifth Rank, and he had yet to learn the subsequent cultivation methods for the Overlord Immortal Physique.
It was truly difficult to contend with six peak True Immortal realm experts.
Especially Zhuo Zhaoping, who was a candidate for the Young Lord position and possessed such formidable strength that he was no less inferior even compared to sixth-rank True Monarchs.
At this moment, Gu Fang found himself at a disadvantage but always kept an avenue of retreat open.
He avoided allowing the six to completely encircle him, as once trapped in such a siege, the only outcome would be annihilation.
As for the Immortal Spirit Fruit mentioned by Zhuo Zhaoping, it was a sixth-rank immortal herb whose consumption would greatly aid in breaking through to the True Monarch realm.
When Gu Fang first entered the Holy Realm, he happened upon a ripe Immortal Spirit Fruit.
Just as he plucked it, members of the Thunder Heaven Cave's people noticed him, leading to the battle unfolding before his eyes.
"Boom!"
"Boom rumble rumble!"
Gu Fang's fists shook the heavens. Under immense pressure, the bloodline of the Overlord Immortal Physique gradually awakened.
Vast spiritual power erupted, causing brows to furrow among the Thunder Heaven Cave cultivators.
"This kid is extraordinary. Despite just entering the True Immortal realm, he possesses such capability!"
A young man at the peak of the Fifth Rank True Immortal realm looked astonished.
Ordinary cultivators who had just entered the True Immortal realm would likely crumble under the joint attack of the six, yet Gu Fang somehow managed to hold his ground.
Clearly, his background was deep and unfathomable, comparable to a major sect's true inheritance.
Zhuo Zhaoping's gaze turned cold upon hearing this: "He must be killed to prevent future trouble!"
Gu Fang's profound background made his murderous intent burn brighter. In his eyes, any genius could potentially become a stumbling block on the path to enlightenment.
Eliminating one early on meant less hidden danger.
Moreover, with both sides already in a life-and-death feud, there was no reasoning in letting the tiger return to the mountain.
"Boom!"
Zhuo Zhaoping stepped forward, his blood surging like thunder, unleashing a punch that instantly set off thunderous explosions.
Gu Fang roared, his right fist striking out, vast spiritual power scattering, conjuring a towering figure in the void, barely discernible.
Pressure descended like a mountain as their fists collided.
"Crack!"
The space shattered like a mirror, and Gu Fang felt his blood roiling, his figure retreating several steps.
Simultaneously, Zhuo Zhaoping's qi and blood surged violently.
Just as he sensed danger, a cold light suddenly appeared from his left. Instinctively evading, the sword tip narrowly grazed past his shoulder.
In an instant, the sword's trajectory shifted from a direct thrust to a diagonal jab, aiming straight for Zhuo Zhaoping's neck.
Zhuo Zhaoping flicked his finger lightly, containing the power of breaking gold, easily deflecting the long sword.
He then retreated a few steps.
At this moment, he finally saw the true face of the assailant.
"Who are you, daring to sneak attack me!"
Zhuo Zhaoping's face turned iron-blue, his gaze icy as he stared at Ye Jiu.
Although the opponent's strength was at most in the Transformation Dragon realm, the timing and technique of that thrust just now were exquisite to the pinnacle.
If it were any other peak True Immortal realm practitioner, they would have likely been struck.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye. It wasn't until Zhuo Zhaoping's fierce shout that the other five Thunder Heaven Cave cultivators snapped out of their daze.
At this moment,
Terrifying power erupted.
Above the sky, rolling thunder roared like a giant dragon breaking through clouds, instantly devouring two cultivators.
Almost simultaneously, another powerful force erupted, directly attacking the remaining Thunder Heaven Cave individuals.
"Come, let's fight for another three hundred rounds!"
Seeing this, Gu Fang knew Zhang Ming and the others had arrived, so he strode forward, heading straight for Zhuo Zhaoping.
"I didn't expect you to have a trick up your sleeve, but regardless of who comes today, you will undoubtedly die!"
Zhuo Zhaoping's face twisted with ferocity. As Gu Fang's background grew deeper, his killing intent intensified.
Despite the sudden change in situation, as a candidate Young Lord of Thunder Heaven Cave, Zhuo Zhaoping considered himself fearless.
Moments later,
The two figures intertwined once again, engaging in fierce combat.
...
In the realm of Qingyang, Lu Qingyang watched this battle, silently admiring.
"The Overlord Immortal Physique truly holds unmatched power. Such immortal physiques have boundless potential, growing stronger as battle fervor rises. Although the Thunder Heaven Cave's candidate is powerful, he may struggle to suppress Gu Fang."
"Zhang Ming, Lin Lin, and the others are no ordinary opponents either. If Thunder Heaven Cave has no other reinforcements or hidden cards, this battle may already be decided."
Despite being outnumbered and lacking in cultivation level advantages, in battles between the strong, cultivation alone isn't the sole determinant of victory. Factors like accumulated foundation, combat experience, and more can sway the tide.
Among the five, only Ye Jiu lacked a special immortal physique. However, his assassination skills had reached a state of perfection, allowing him to seize opportunities to kill even True Immortal realm practitioners as if plucking something from a bag.
As for Zhang Ming and the others, their strength far exceeded ordinary realms.
Therefore,
Lu Qingyang already had a judgment in mind for this battle.
Sure enough—
Shortly after Lu Qingyang made his judgment, within less than half an hour, the situation changed.
At a critical moment, Ye Jiu played a crucial role. A True Immortal realm expert who was fiercely battling Zhang Ming was caught off guard, pierced through the chest by Ye Jiu's sword, a fatal wound that swiftly rendered him powerless.
The first Fifth Rank True Immortal realm expert fell, instantly disrupting the balance of the battle.
Initially, Zhang Ming was single-handedly contending with two opponents. Now, he faced only one, the pressure drastically reduced, unleashing his potential in combat to suppress his adversary.
Finally,
Zhang Ming, despite sustaining injuries, shattered the skull of the Thunder Heaven Cave genius with a single punch, leading to his demise.