Lu Zuo naturally understood this principle.
After all the experts from Huaxia were dealt with, he would be the only Emperor Realm powerhouse remaining.
At that time, he would be alone and vulnerable. The Elder Council would likely dictate terms, as their aggressive stance was precisely aimed at Huaxia's resources, the resources for cultivation.
However, he was now blinded by ambition. Any semblance of rationality had vanished.
He firmly believed that with his talent, given enough time, he could surpass the members of the Elder Council and stand supreme.
What he didn't realize was that he had already become a target. Time, in his case, was nonexistent.
"Die!"
In that instant, Lu Zuo made his move, intending to eliminate Lin Wushuang. However, the moment he acted, he discovered he couldn't move. A suffocating pressure emanated from the air, crushing him to the point of near organ rupture.
"What is happening?"
As Lu Zuo pondered in confusion, a figure arrived. It was Yun Fan.
Upon seeing Yun Fan, everyone's faces contorted with disbelief. They recognized him instantly as the Martial Saint from a hundred years ago.
In this technologically advanced era, a mere century had passed. Yun Fan's appearance had not only been perfectly preserved, but his deeds from a hundred years ago felt as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
Yun Fan had quelled the dark turmoil, suppressed the major powers of the West, and then ascended to godhood. Tales of Yun Fan's legends had been incessant for a century.
"Greetings, Martial Saint!"
Everyone quickly knelt on the ground, their faces filled with immense hope. With Yun Fan's return, Huaxia had a chance.
Even after a hundred years, Yun Fan remained their anchor.
Yun Fan calmly said, "Everyone, please rise."
"Yes!"
At this moment, Yun Fan walked towards Lu Zuo and Davis.
"Yun Fan, I never expected you to still be alive after a hundred years!"
Davis exclaimed in shock, looking at Yun Fan.
Yun Fan replied, "Of course I'm still alive. I leave for only a century, and you ants who grovel at my feet have become arrogant again!"
"Hmph!"
Davis scoffed. "Generations come and go, Yun Fan. Your era is over. Don't come out here and embarrass yourself. This is the era of my Elder Council!"
Even in Yun Fan's presence, his tone lacked any respect. According to the intelligence, before Yun Fan disappeared, his strength had reached the Emperor Realm, but he lacked the true mastery of that realm.
Now, a century later, Yun Fan had returned, but in his eyes, he was merely a relic of a bygone era.
Even though Yun Fan had saved Earth a hundred years ago, what did that have to do with their Elder Council?
Yun Fan said, "It seems you have a profound misunderstanding of me!"
Facing such a person, Yun Fan had no desire to waste words.
"How dare you insult the Martial Saint! If not for the Martial Saint, you would have perished a hundred years ago. Now, you don't remember his contributions, yet you mock him like this. Are you worthy of him?"
The crowd roared with righteous indignation.
In reality, for the past century, except for Huaxia, which continued to worship the Martial Saint as a god, the major Western powers had long forgotten his contributions, even going so far as to tarnish his image.
"What? I can't even speak about a relic discarded by time?"
Davis sneered. "Originally, I only intended to deal with these clowns today. But since you've returned, I'll deal with you as well!"
He knew the gravity of Yun Fan's sudden return. Even after a century, Yun Fan still had many supporters.
Yun Fan must not be allowed to live, otherwise, their plans might not proceed smoothly.
"If you want to kill the Martial Saint, you'll have to kill us first!"
The crowd, enraged, blocked Yun Fan's path.
However, Yun Fan said, "It's fine, everyone step aside!"
"Yes!"
Despite their anger, the crowd could only retreat.
At this moment, Yun Fan stepped forward and said, "Make your move! I don't like to waste words!"
"Very good!"
Davis sneered. "You're courting death!"
In an instant, he lunged towards Yun Fan, unleashing his formidable power, which was even greater than Lu Zuo's.
However, the moment he reached Yun Fan, he could not advance an inch further.
Although Yun Fan's realm had declined, crushing Davis was as easy as crushing an ant.
In that split second, Yun Fan flicked a finger.
It pierced directly through Davis's head.
The formidable Davis, one of the eight great experts in the world, was easily killed by Yun Fan.
At this moment, everyone was utterly stunned. It seemed that after disappearing for a century, the Martial Saint had become even stronger.
He had far surpassed their expectations. In that instant, he didn't even have the courage to resist.
At this, he quickly knelt before Yun Fan. "Martial Saint, my mind was clouded. I beg the esteemed Martial Saint to overlook my petty transgressions and spare my life!"
However, Yun Fan said, "Someone like you, who betrays his master for personal gain, is not worthy of pity. Therefore, you must die!"
Upon hearing this, everyone felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Lu Zuo's transgressions were enough to warrant his death hundreds of times over.
At this moment, everyone wished they could swiftly eliminate Lu Zuo and would never plead for his mercy.
Lu Zuo listened and fell into despair. His strength was inferior to Davis's, and even Davis had been instantly killed by Yun Fan.
If he dared to resist, he would only die a more gruesome death.
Therefore, he quickly said to Yun Fan, "Martial Saint, although I have made grave mistakes, I recognize them. It is never too late to amend. If the Martial Saint spares me, I am willing to atone for my wrongdoings!"
Even Lin Wushuang couldn't bear to watch such shamelessness.
"Martial Saint, he killed another patriotic Emperor Realm expert! Unforgivable!"
"Of course, he will not be forgiven!"
Yun Fan stated directly. "Lu Zuo, stop struggling. Do you want to do it yourself, or shall I help you!"
His words were equivalent to a death sentence for Lu Zuo.
Lu Zuo, though unwilling, could only accept reality with resignation.
Just as everyone expected him to commit suicide, he suddenly lunged at Yun Fan.
"Unbearable!"
Yun Fan unleashed a casual strike, directly annihilating Lu Zuo. Lu Zuo was utterly destroyed, without even time to cry out.
However, judging by his expression, he must have died with despair and regret.
At this moment, Lin Wushuang quickly asked Yun Fan, "Martial Saint, where did you go during these past hundred years?"
Everyone was also very curious.
Yun Fan had been invincible a hundred years ago, yet he had vanished for a century. Did the divine realm truly exist?
Subsequently, Yun Fan spoke to them briefly, and everyone was instantly shocked to learn that the divine realm did indeed exist.
Moreover, Yun Fan encouraged them to cultivate diligently, stating that the path of divinity was not the ultimate, and that true cultivation began after reaching divinity.
Everyone nodded in agreement, for this was Yun Fan's most valuable advice.
However, Yun Fan did not wish to linger. His return to Earth this time was specifically to deal with those eight beings.
He surmised that they should have arrived on Earth by now.
But at this moment, Lin Wushuang called out to him.
"Martial Saint..."
Before he could finish, Yun Fan interrupted him. "You can still call me Brother Yun!"
Yun Fan had a good impression of Lin Wushuang. However, after leaving Earth for the divine realm, he had not seen Lin Wushuang again.
He had initially intended to guide Lin Wushuang, but he discovered that Lin Wushuang was someone who would achieve greatness later in life.
Forcing guidance would only damage Lin Wushuang's foundation.
Lin Wushuang had a long road ahead and would reach even greater heights in the future.
"Brother Yun!"
Lin Wushuang spoke, sounding unaccustomed. "Now that you've returned, you'll likely have to meet someone!"
"Who?"
Yun Fan asked, puzzled.
Lin Wushuang quickly replied, "Bai Zhilan!"
The mention of this name almost made Yun Fan forget. A hundred years ago, he had first met Bai Zhilan in a bar.
Later, Bai Xiaotian's death had deeply affected Bai Zhilan, leading her to withdraw from public life. He was surprised to hear her name again after a century.
"She's still alive?"
Yun Fan asked, confused. He had assumed Bai Zhilan would have married and had a happy family, living out her days without regret.
"She's alive!"
Lin Wushuang said. "In fact, she waited for you on Earth for a hundred years!"
"What?"
Yun Fan froze. He had never expected such a situation.
Lin Wushuang continued, "After you left, I met Bai Zhilan. She told me she regretted not seizing the opportunity with you back then. If not for her own insecurities, she would have been with you long ago!"
Yun Fan believed this wholeheartedly. Although Bai Zhilan appeared lively and adorable, her mentality was fragile.
Yun Fan had wanted to counsel her properly back then, but unforeseen circumstances had arisen, causing him to miss the opportunity to guide her.
At this, Lin Wushuang said, "Therefore, she decided to embark on the path of cultivation. However, her progress was not smooth. Upon reaching the half-Emperor Realm, she became overly eager and damaged her dao heart. For years, various elders have tried to heal her, but to no avail. Thus, she asked the elders to seal her, in hopes of seeing you again when you returned!"
Yun Fan said, "Lead the way, I'll go see her!"
"Okay!"
Subsequently, Lin Wushuang led Yun Fan to where Bai Zhilan was sealed.
They discovered it was a forbidden area. Outside the forbidden area stood the ancient figures of various major factions, most of whom had existed since Yun Fan's era.
Upon seeing Yun Fan, they immediately paid their respects.
Yun Fan waved his hand, and a surge of power entered each of them. As this power expanded, their strength rapidly increased. This sight astonished them, and even Lin Wushuang was taken aback.
For with a mere flick of Yun Fan's finger, seven Emperor Realm powerhouses, identical to himself, had emerged. Such a feat was unmatched.
The fundamental reason was that they were all infinitely close to the Emperor Realm and had reached the limit of their progress. Therefore, Yun Fan had forcibly enhanced their strength.
If there had still been room for advancement, Yun Fan would never have done so. After all, in Yun Fan's eyes, letting nature take its course was the true path.
Of course, not only Yun Fan understood this principle; Lin Wushuang and the others did as well.
"Thank you, Martial Saint!"
These cultivators expressed their gratitude to Yun Fan.
Yun Fan said, "No need for pleasantries. As long as I am here, Huaxia will remain safe!"
"Yes!"
The crowd, filled with excitement, had been subjected to the Elder Council's arrogance for the past century. But now, they had nothing to worry about.
With Yun Fan's return, and their own breakthrough to the Emperor Realm, dealing with the Elder Council would not be an issue.
In fact, the entire Elder Council was no match for Yun Fan.
At this moment, everyone withdrew, knowing that this was a time for Yun Fan and Bai Zhilan.
It was truly a pity for Bai Zhilan. Her cultivation talent was exceptionally high, even surpassing Lu Zuo, whom Yun Fan had killed.
If she hadn't been so eager for success back then, she wouldn't have ended up in this state. Yun Fan wondered if he had the means to save Bai Zhilan.
At this moment, Yun Fan entered the forbidden area and saw Bai Zhilan lying in an ice coffin. She looked so peaceful, with her captivating doll-like face.
She possessed an indescribable exquisite beauty. This young woman had waited for him on Earth for a hundred years.
Perhaps, as Bai Zhilan slept, she had still hoped that Yun Fan would return to wake her personally.
In reality, if not for the sudden arrival of those eight powerhouses, Yun Fan might never have returned.
Although reality was cruel, it wasn't that Yun Fan had forgotten his homeland. It was that Yun Fan had a longer road to travel.
Whether it was the Lord of the Universe, the sudden disappearance of the Zhan Tian Clan, or being besieged by ten beings surpassing Immortal Emperors in the Spirit Mirror, all these pressed down on him relentlessly.
He never expected that this return would lead him to stumble upon the slumbering Bai Zhilan.
Although they had no substantial relationship before, Yun Fan felt a deep sense of guilt at this moment.
After all, she was a girl who had waited for him for a hundred years.