At this moment, Dao Huang attacked Yun Fan with the Heaven and Earth Dao Qi Art, his blade strike seemingly capable of severing all obstacles in its path.
Jian Huang also unleashed the first sword strike of Heaven and Earth.
Dao Qi and sword Qi locked onto Yun Fan.
Xi Huang watched, her heart pounding, for the scene was terrifying. Even she trembled, and at this moment, she couldn't help but worry for Yun Fan.
Unexpectedly, after the Dao Qi and sword Qi shattered, Yun Fan stood firm, unyielding.
There wasn't even a scratch on his body.
"So strong?"
The two were stunned, never expecting Yun Fan to be so powerful after his seclusion, approaching invincibility.
It was clear that in a one-on-one fight, they might not be Yun Fan's match.
Dao Huang struck again. This time, it wasn't brute force, but a display of exquisite skill.
Jian Huang also employed an unconventional sword move, wanting to gauge Yun Fan's true strength.
Unfortunately, Yun Fan had already seen through their tactics.
Yun Fan effortlessly evaded their power.
Had it been Emperor Shen Xu, he would have likely died countless times over.
Yet, Yun Fan landed safely.
Of course, this was with Yun Fan on full alert. If he hadn't been so guarded, the two wouldn't have fared so poorly.
At least, they were on the same level as him; how much worse could they be?
At this point, Yun Fan said, "Two esteemed seniors, I will make my move now. Are you ready?"
"Ready!"
Dao Huang said to Yun Fan, "Young friend, give it your all!"
"Indeed!"
Jian Huang concurred, "Let us see how strong you are!"
Without a doubt, both were brimming with fighting spirit, eager to know Yun Fan's true strength.
They also wanted to see the limits of Yun Fan's power.
As expected, when Yun Fan moved, there was no destructive force, nor any world-shattering feat.
It was remarkably calm.
Yet, the calmer it was, the more unfathomable it seemed.
Soon, Yun Fan unleashed a clone, which attacked in the opposite direction, one heading towards Jian Huang, the other towards Dao Huang.
"Concentration split?"
They were shocked. While splitting one's focus wasn't rare, Yun Fan had managed to imbue his clone with power comparable to his main body.
This was truly terrifying.
The two unleashed their full might, wanting to see if Yun Fan could withstand their assault.
But after a series of exchanges, Yun Fan repelled them both, simultaneously.
They stood frozen, stunned.
Was it merely a repulsion? Little did they know, if Yun Fan had willed it, he could have taken half their lives.
Conversely, they could have at best severely injured Yun Fan.
From this, it could be concluded that if this were a battle for survival, Yun Fan could have killed them by sacrificing half his life.
One could imagine how fearsome Yun Fan was.
So fearsome that even they felt wary.
Although Yun Fan was so powerful, he was still far from Saintess Tai Hua. However, in the path of martial arts, one could never reach the absolute peak.
Yun Fan still had immense room for growth.
Meanwhile, the two sheathed their blade and sword.
"Young friend, you have won!"
They praised Yun Fan.
"You are too kind, esteemed seniors!"
Yun Fan replied, "It is you who showed restraint!"
"That is not true!"
They said, "We always fight with our full strength. Therefore, in this regard, we are inferior to you!"
Xi Huang became incredibly excited, never imagining her "husband" was so powerful.
Invincible among peers was indeed not just an empty phrase.
At this moment, the two bid Yun Fan farewell for the time being.
They were not leaving for their own sakes, but to find a way to conceal Yun Fan.
After all, Yun Fan was currently too conspicuous and could attract the attention of Saintess Tai Hua at any moment.
The only reason Saintess Tai Hua hadn't acted was that Yun Fan didn't pose a threat to her. But if he one day did, she would emerge from her slumber.
In any case, she would not stand by and watch Yun Fan grow stronger step by step.
After bidding the two farewell, Yun Fan began to consolidate his cultivation.
For now, he was in the most relaxed position.
After he emerged from seclusion, he would seek out Xi Huang and prepare to return to the Fusang Divine Realm.
"Husband, you're out of seclusion so soon?"
Xi Huang was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Yun Fan to emerge so quickly.
In fact, given Yun Fan's potential and talent, consolidating his cultivation wouldn't take much time.
"Husband?"
Yun Fan was slightly puzzled, as Xi Huang had never called him "husband." She had always called him "official."
And he would not call Xi Huang "wife," but "lowly maid."
Of course, these were not derogatory terms. Only when both parties truly cared for each other would they use such appellations, and only in private.
Therefore, Yun Fan immediately said, "Wife, my cultivation consolidation is almost complete, so I have emerged from seclusion!"
"Mmm-hmm!"
Xi Huang nodded, her eyes shining with immense happiness. But in Yun Fan's eyes, Xi Huang wouldn't normally act so overtly.
After all, she was a formidable figure, not someone who would be so flimsy. The only possibility was that Xi Huang was not herself.
He knew that when he addressed Xi Huang as "wife," she had shown no reaction. Everything pointed to the person before him possibly not being Xi Huang.
Thus, Yun Fan became extremely vigilant.
"Wife, before I went into seclusion, I told you I was returning to the Fusang Divine Realm. Are you ready?"
Xi Huang glanced at Yun Fan with surprise and then said, "I'm ready. I was just waiting for my husband to emerge from seclusion!"
"That's good!"
Yun Fan smiled. Now he was completely certain that the Xi Huang before him was not the real one, which angered him.
Just as he moved to attack Xi Huang, Xi Huang reacted quickly, evading his killing blow.
"Very good!"
Yun Fan said, "I know her strength, and she absolutely couldn't evade my full-power strike. Yet, you, though appearing flustered, managed to evade it. Therefore, I am now completely certain that you are not her!"
"Husband, what are you talking about?"
Xi Huang said angrily, "I've improved! It's only natural that I could evade your strike!"
"Hmph!"
Yun Fan snorted, "She would never call me husband, so you are not her!"
"Is it wrong for me to call you husband?"
Xi Huang said angrily, "People change!"
"Even if this explanation is valid, do you think you can escape suspicion?"
Yun Fan sneered, "Before I went into seclusion, I never told you I was returning to the Fusang Divine Realm, yet you agreed to it. I am now completely convinced you are not the real person!"
Upon hearing this, Xi Huang knew she could no longer hide it.
Therefore, she sneered at Yun Fan, "You really are an old fox. That's right, I am indeed not her!"
With that, Xi Huang transformed, revealing a peerlessly beautiful woman, though not as stunning as Saintess Dong Hua, she was still comparable to Xi Huang.
More importantly, she was not human; she was, in essence, a tree.
Her strength was self-evident, on par with Dao Huang and Jian Huang. Theoretically, she was on the same level as Yun Fan.
But Yun Fan was invincible among peers, hence he was stronger than her.
At this moment, Yun Fan asked coldly, "Where is she?"
Yun Fan was extremely worried about Xi Huang's safety.
She said to Yun Fan, "Of course, I have imprisoned her. As for you, what if you see through me?"
"What if?"
Yun Fan chuckled playfully, "Killing you is not a problem!"
"Is it?"
She said to Yun Fan, "I admit, your strength is indeed formidable, but I am fully prepared. You cannot kill me!"
"That's not necessarily true!"
Just as Yun Fan launched an attack, the woman unexpectedly activated a formation. Countless flower pollens fell onto Yun Fan.
A fragrance wafted out, undoubtedly the most intoxicating scent in the world.
Yun Fan initially felt nothing amiss, but soon, he felt dizzy and his vision blurred.
He had indeed fallen for the trap.
She said to Yun Fan, "How does it taste? I've been waiting here for you to emerge from seclusion. Before you did, I prepared everything!"
"Who are you?"
Yun Fan asked angrily.
She replied, "There's no harm in telling you. I am the Mother Tree of All Things!"
"What?"
Yun Fan gasped. The first tree born at the dawn of creation was called the Mother Tree of All Things.
He never expected it to be her.
"Were you sent by Saintess Tai Hua?"
Yun Fan asked coldly.
"Of course not!"
She told Yun Fan, "I heard that by refining you, I could become a being surpassing Saintess Tai Hua. Therefore, I naturally came to refine you!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan understood her intention.
"That's probably impossible!"
Yun Fan said, "If you refine me, she will definitely not let you go. In fact, as long as I am near you, Saintess Tai Hua will find you. You are as good as dead!"
"Ridiculous!"
She said to Yun Fan, "My advantage is that I can shield all traces of aura. Even if I take you away, no one will be able to detect your presence!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan said, "I surrender. Take me away!"
"So straightforward?"
She looked at Yun Fan incredulously.
Yun Fan said, "I can't resist anyway. Why not be straightforward? Wouldn't it be better to avoid physical suffering?"
"You are indeed decisive!"
She said to Yun Fan, "Since you are so cooperative, I will take you away!"
The next moment, she took Yun Fan away. Once everything was arranged, she would refine Yun Fan.
In fact, this was Yun Fan's plan. He was confident she couldn't refine him, as he had the Battle Heaven Power to protect him.
However, he needed her protection to erase all traces of his aura so that Saintess Tai Hua couldn't find him.
What he needed now was to develop in obscurity.
It was fortunate that he had this opportunity now.
Therefore, he would gladly be a captive. It wasn't a big deal.
When Yun Fan reappeared, he had arrived at the domain of the Mother Tree of All Things.
At this point, she said to Yun Fan, "Next, I will refine you. If you don't cooperate, I guarantee you will suffer greatly. If you cooperate, I can give you a swift death!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan asked, "May I know your name?"
"You're about to die, and you're still asking my name?"
She looked at Yun Fan with disdain.
"What? Is that not allowed?"
Yun Fan smiled, showing no signs of anger, completely unlike a captive.
"Of course, it's allowed!"
She told Yun Fan, "Listen carefully, my name is Tai Fei!"
"Such a peculiar name?"
Yun Fan couldn't understand why Tai Fei would use such a strange name.
"Is it not allowed?"
Tai Fei asked Yun Fan coldly. In her opinion, Yun Fan's questions were too numerous. Since he was a dying man, there was no need for so much trouble.
"It is allowed!"
Yun Fan said, "I want to know, after I die, will you spare Xi Huang, my lowly maid?"
Tai Fei sneered, "Of course, I will. I never pay attention to the life and death of an ant. That's provided you cooperate!"
"You can rest assured about this. I will cooperate fully!"
Yun Fan said firmly.
Tai Fei was very satisfied upon hearing this.
Then, she began to refine Yun Fan.
She used her peak power, all of it directed at Yun Fan, but to her surprise, it was completely useless.
"How is this possible?"
Tai Fei was surprised that Yun Fan couldn't be refined. Although Yun Fan couldn't resist, it didn't mean his power couldn't resist.
Every time her power reached Yun Fan, it was neutralized by his power, which was truly miraculous.
Yun Fan said, "You see, I am not resisting. I am cooperating fully! It's you who cannot refine me!"
"Are you gloating?"
Tai Fei said angrily, "Next, you'll have a hard time!"
As expected, she then resorted to other tricks, pouring all her power into herself.
She then transformed into a ball of green flame, intending to utterly incinerate Yun Fan.
Unfortunately, Yun Fan's Boundless Karma Fire was not to be trifled with. It completely neutralized this terrifying green flame, even devouring it.
"This..."
Tai Fei was truly at a loss now. Even if she increased the flame, it would be of no use to Yun Fan.
Not only would it be useless, but it would also burn her own body.
"How can I refine you?"
She angrily cursed at Yun Fan.
Yun Fan shook his head, "I don't know! I don't research things that can counter me!"
"You don't know?"
Tai Fei sneered, "I believe you do know. If you don't tell me, I'll kill your lowly maid first!"
At this moment, Tai Fei brought forward the lowly maid, no, Xi Huang, and aimed at Yun Fan.
Xi Huang looked at Yun Fan with guilt, never imagining she was once again holding Yun Fan back.
"This time, I believe you will speak!"
She said to Yun Fan with a cold smile, "If you don't speak, I will let her die before your eyes!"
"Husband, you absolutely cannot say anything!"
Xi Huang warned Yun Fan, "If you dare to say it, I will self-detonate before you!"
"Silence!"
Tai Fei was about to strike Xi Huang, but Yun Fan said, "If you hit her, I will never speak!"
"Fine! Then say it!"
Tai Fei looked at Yun Fan coldly. She was certain she had him cornered.
Xi Huang insisted on intervening, but upon seeing Yun Fan's gaze, she fell silent.
At this moment, Yun Fan said, "I want you to promise me one condition!"
"You are not qualified to negotiate with me!"
Tai Fei sneered, not taking the captive Yun Fan seriously.
"Then do as you please! I have all the time in the world, but you don't!"
Yun Fan said indifferently.
Ultimately, Tai Fei relented, as she urgently needed to refine Yun Fan and gain the capital to confront Saintess Tai Hua.
"Alright, I promise you!"
Tai Fei said to Yun Fan, "If you dare to lie to me, do you think she'll be fine if she leaves? I will kill you and your woman!"
Although she couldn't refine Yun Fan, it didn't mean she couldn't kill him.
Yun Fan said, "Of course, I won't lie to you. To prove my sincerity, I've decided to tell you first, and then you can release my lowly maid!"
"Speak!"
Tai Fei asked expectantly.
Yun Fan said, "It's very simple to refine me. You must first make me ingest something containing the strongest power, and then neutralize that power. Only then can you refine me!"
It seemed simple, but Tai Fei didn't believe him.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
She sneered, "At that time, if you explode, wouldn't I get nothing?"
Yun Fan said, "No, at that point, I'll only become a cripple. With the two powers canceling each other out, I'll have no resistance against you, and then I'll have to be refined by you obediently!"
"Husband, no!"
Xi Huang understood Yun Fan's intention, but at this moment, she had to act, feigning concern for Yun Fan.
"Be quiet, you have no right to speak here!"
Yun Fan said, feigning sorrow, "Don't blame me, I'm only doing this to save you!"
"Very well!"
With the two of them acting in concert, Tai Fei actually began to believe him. Thus, she said to Yun Fan, "You know the consequences. If you dare to lie to me, you will be the first to die!"
"Don't worry, I won't lie to you!"
Yun Fan said, "Can you release my lowly maid now?"
"Get lost!"
Before Xi Huang could react, Tai Fei directly teleported her to the Origin Realm.
Then she left. She was looking for a treasure containing unparalleled power.
It was the Heart of the Mother Tree of All Things, a treasure containing one of the strongest powers in heaven and earth.
She returned quickly.
Without her heart, she could live, because she was not human, she was a tree.
To refine Yun Fan, she directly took out her own heart.
At this moment, Yun Fan asked, "May I know what your grudge is with Saintess Tai Hua?"
"How do you know I have a grudge with her?"
Tai Fei looked at Yun Fan with disdain.
Yun Fan said, "If you want to possess the power to confront her, then you must be intending to deal with her!"
"I can see through that much!"
Upon hearing this, Tai Fei said, "That's right, you've guessed correctly. I do intend to resist Saintess Tai Hua, because in the near future, she will set her sights on me, at most within one epoch. Therefore, I must acquire the power to stand on equal footing with her within this epoch, otherwise, I will die!"
"Why does she want to kill you?"
Yun Fan continued to ask, not caring that Tai Fei was already becoming angry.
Tai Fei said, "Since you are going to die anyway, there's no harm in telling you!"
"Because in her eyes, I am the best healing sacred item. Only by obtaining me can she contend with the Four Great Clans!"
"The Four Great Clans?"
Yun Fan looked at Tai Fei with confusion.
"There's no need for me to explain so much to you, because you are about to die, and knowing this will be of no use!"
Tai Fei said impatiently.
Yun Fan didn't want to say too much at this moment either, because he would not die. Soon, he would show Tai Fei how formidable he was.
At this moment, Tai Fei immediately fed her tree heart to Yun Fan.
When the tree heart entered his body, Yun Fan felt the most primordial power churning within him.
At this moment, Yun Fan clearly felt an extreme, piercing pain.
"It's indeed neutralizing!"
Tai Fei was very satisfied with this, as she would soon be able to refine Yun Fan.
Little did she know, the power of the tree heart was being gradually devoured by the Battle Heaven Power, and Yun Fan's strength was also rising.
He directly broke free from Tai Fei's confinement.
Although his realm hadn't advanced further, his strength had increased significantly. It could be said that within this realm, he was invincible.
At this moment, he had reached the peak of the Void Realm. As long as he stepped out of the Void, he could contend with Saintess Tai Hua.
Although he hadn't recovered his previous peak, it didn't matter, as Saintess Tai Hua was currently the most significant threat to him.
Tai Fei sneered, "Accept my refinement! From now on, everything about you will be mine!"
Just as she was about to refine Yun Fan, Yun Fan unleashed a blast of power directly at her.
Tai Fei was forced to retreat in disarray.
"You escaped?"
She looked at Yun Fan in disbelief. No matter what, she never expected such an outcome.
Yun Fan sneered, "That's right. It's all thanks to your tree heart. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so successful!"
"You..."
Tai Fei was almost infuriated to death. No matter what, she never imagined that Yun Fan had tricked her. This feeling was truly unbearable.
Yun Fan said, "What? Are you surprised?"
"Indeed, I am very surprised. Actually, I had my suspicions about your intentions long ago, but I didn't persist."
Tai Fei regretted it immensely at this moment.
But at this time, no matter how much regret she felt, it was of no use.
"This is my territory!"
Tai Fei said domineeringly, "Even if you've recovered, so what? If I could capture you once, I can capture you twice!"
"You are too confident!"
Yun Fan said, "If you hadn't used trickery before, you wouldn't have been able to subdue me. Now I'll let you know the true difference between us!"
In an instant, Yun Fan roared, and all his power converged in his body. The peak of the Void Realm was not to be underestimated.
Because within this realm, he had no equal.
His aura alone made Tai Fei breathless. The gap between them was simply too vast.
This time, she had ultimately miscalculated.
Before she could even make a move, Yun Fan unleashed a wave of power. Even if Tai Fei wanted to repeat her trick, Yun Fan easily saw through it.
Then, Yun Fan struck her with a wave of power, and Tai Fei was defeated.
Even though she was the Mother Tree of All Things, in the face of Yun Fan's immense power, it was of no use.
She was no match for Yun Fan.