When Ye Fan safely delivered Hai Wuzi to Sang Yuan, everyone present was astonished.

Hai Wuzi was at the late stage of Integration, and when attacked by Huang Ze, who was at the mid stage of Great Ascension, Ye Fan was actually able to aid in rescue. This seemed inconceivable to many.

The people from the Tianxuan Sect knew Ye Fan had advanced to the early stage of Integration, while the rest of the sects believed Ye Fan was only at the Divinity Transformation Stage.

For someone in the early stage of Integration to rescue someone at the late stage seemed absurd, yet it truly happened, and Hai Wuzi even graciously bowed to Ye Fan, saying, "Thank you."

"Master." Min Shang saw her sect lining up with her husband, a slight smile on her face as she walked up to support Hai Wuzi.

Hai Wuzi looked at his disciple with satisfaction, nodding, his expression full of kindness.

The people opposite were sizing up Ye Fan; they already sensed that things weren't simple. Not only did Ye Fan have a powerful force backing him, but his cultivation level also advanced rapidly.

"You brat, you're only at the early stage of Integration, yet you dare to face overwhelming odds?" Huang Ze exclaimed angrily.

He could perceive Ye Fan's cultivation level, which was indeed early stage Integration, but he didn't know Ye Fan had two Nascent Souls. Whichever cultivation level Ye Fan wanted him to see, he would seal off the Spiritual Energy of the other, so no one would ever suspect he had a second Nascent Soul hidden away.

What Huang Ze detected was merely Ye Fan's original Nascent Soul, which had reached early stage Integration. However, the Nascent Soul formed from his Tongling Mirror was now at initial stage Great Ascension.

Ye Fan chuckled, "Whether or not it's facing overwhelming odds is another matter. Which sect is willing to join me in battling the Heavenly Tribulation?"

Those present couldn't help but glance around at each other.

By rescuing Hai Wuzi, Ye Fan had already demonstrated his capability, indicating he wasn't merely ornamental but capable. From the start, Ye Fan was the one speaking up, showing he also had sufficient authority, and even the mysterious force was willing for Ye Fan to be the spokesperson.

Huang Ze cast a knowing glance at Hua Wu, "Sect Master Hua, if you don't wish to clean up your sect now, I'll do it for you. Would you object?"

Huang Ze harbored murderous intent toward Ye Fan. He believed that with his cultivation level it would be easy to kill Ye Fan, but feared the Tianxuan Sect interfering, so first he sought Hua Wu's opinion.

At that moment Hua Wu remained noncommittal, neither agreeing nor objecting, causing Wu Ding to nervously say, "Master, Ye Fan is one of our Tianxuan Sect…"

"Quiet!" Master Hui Ning shouted angrily beside him.

Hua Wu tacitly approved, with Master Hui Ning reprimanding Wu Ding, which implied that the Tianxuan Sect not only didn't side with Ye Fan on this issue but was also prepared to push Ye Fan into the abyss. Ye Fan walked to the center of the field, slightly saluting the Tianxuan Sect people as a show of gratitude to the sect, then looked at Huang Ze and smiled, "Sect Master Huang, actually I've long hoped to spar with you."

"Hahaha…"

This remark not only made Huang Ze laugh but also amused the representatives from five major sects behind him. You brought a bunch of mysterious forces here, which is something we have to be cautious about, but you're advancing yourself, knowingly challenging Huang Ze who is at mid stage Great Ascension, isn't that asking for death?

Huang Ze sneered, "Arrogant brat, let me show you what's powerful."

Speaking, Huang Ze was about to make a move, but Ye Fan suddenly gestured and said, "Sect Master Huang, you may fight me from the stance of a senior, but I don't consider that honorable. Some rules should be laid out in advance; if I lose, then I'll accept death as proof of my inferior skill. But if Sect Master Huang loses, then what?"

Huang Ze coldly chuckled, "You think I would lose to you, brat?"

"In any matter, there's always a chance of an unexpected outcome. If Sect Master Huang does lose, I'd hope for a temporary reconciliation with the Emperor Sect and focus entirely on battling the Heavenly Tribulation," Ye Fan said.

Huang Ze sneered inwardly. You brat want to trick me into agreeing? I would never lose, but even if I somehow did, I'd never meet your terms. Huang Ze believed he could leverage his experience in politics to pressure Ye Fan, thus he didn't even respond with words, directly waving a hand to attack Ye Fan.

Yet Ye Fan seemed to vanish, reappearing beside his camp. Huang Ze watched Ye Fan disappear, and when he tried to attack again, he noticed all those stern gazes fixed on him. If he went forward, it wouldn't be just battling Ye Fan, but taking on the whole group.

"Brat, playing tricks?" Huang Ze shouted angrily.

Ye Fan smiled, "Isn't it Sect Master Huang playing tricks? With conditions not agreed upon before starting a battle, you aim to win and dismiss me, upholding order, but if lost you wouldn't honor it, having the Emperor Sect engage in a battle of attrition against me?"

Huang Ze's face was livid. Despite Ye Fan's harsh words, some truth hit home.

Huang Ze was confident in an easy victory over Ye Fan, winning allows him to boast and warn everyone of the consequences of arrogance.

If he lost, he wouldn't honor the agreement, refusing to submit to Ye Fan and continue the struggle, possibly escalating into a conflict involving six major sects plus the force in support of Ye Fan.

"Brat, I could never lose to you! Do you challenge or not?" Though Huang Ze spoke of a challenge, in truth, he planned to kill Ye Fan in the forthcoming competition.

"Challenge, of course. But what of the conditions?" Ye Fan asked.

Huang Ze was watched by all, and now his main concerns were face and dignity. He couldn't show fear before a junior; otherwise, the other sects wouldn't believe him.

Huang Ze said, "Fine, as per your terms. If you win, the Emperor Sect falls under your command. But if you lose, not only will you die, all your forces, including Yun Zhao, will fall under my command!"

It was an unequal challenge, Huang Ze imposing harsher terms than even Ye Fan proposed, as he posited himself as a sect elder challenging Ye Fan. Ye Fan smiled, "What Sect Master Huang suggests seems fair enough, I agree."

With that, Ye Fan genuinely stepped forward, prepared to engage with Huang Ze.

On the Tianxuan Sect's side, neither Hua Wu nor Master Hui Ning spoke for Ye Fan, and even Jingya and Elder Wu remained silent. Wu Ding was most anxious, saying, "Junior brother, you cannot duel the Sect Master Huang!"

"Thank you, senior sister, for your good intentions." Ye Fan smiled at Wu Ding, "But if by chance I win, don't forget your previous promise!"

Wu Ding was initially taken aback but soon realized the implication: If Ye Fan defeated Huang Ze, then his cultivation level would far surpass hers, and the Cold Extreme Lock she prepared might bind herself, turning her into Ye Fan's servant.

Hua Wu coldly eyed Wu Ding and asked, "What promise did you make to him?"

"Disciple promised if his cultivation exceeds mine, I would become his slave…" Wu Ding lowered her head.

"Reckless!" Hua Wu berated, but there was nothing to be done. In the cultivation world, promises and oaths must be honored, even by sect members.

At this time, Ye Fan had already summoned the Fire Dragon Sword, ready to duel Huang Ze to the death.

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