Chapter 50

After Chen Fan returned home, he called Zhou Tianhao to inquire about Xu Ao, the biological father of Xu Rongfei.

"Xu Ao? Why did he come to Chuzhou?" Zhou Tianhao was very surprised.

"Is he very powerful?" Chen Fan asked curiously.

"Master Chen, as you know, among the cities in Jiangbei, the economic level of Chuzhou and Tianhe is the most average," Zhou Tianhao said with a bitter smile. "Haizhou is the most economically developed and populous city in Jiangbei, close to Zhonghai and Jiangnan. Therefore, Xu Ao is considered the top figure in the Jiangbei circle."

"Even you and Old Wei San can't match him?" Chen Fan asked.

"I am far inferior to Xu Ao," Zhou Tianhao shook his head repeatedly. "The total assets of my Tianhao Entertainment Company are only a few billion. Xu Ao's business in Haizhou is enormous, and he even has shares in the largest port in Haizhou. Even Third Master is a notch below him."

"Master Chen, did Xu Ao offend you?" Zhou Tianhao suddenly became nervous, thinking of something.

"No, I just found out he is the father of a friend of mine," Chen Fan said calmly.

"That's good, that's good," Zhou Tianhao sighed with relief. "Xu Ao has a very deep background. Even Third Master finds him a headache."

"Oh? Isn't the Wei family known as the first in Jiangbei? Even Xu Ao is afraid of them?" Chen Fan laughed.

"Ah, in terms of background, Xu Ao is indeed inferior to the Wei family. But as you know, Third Master is not favored at home and has limited power. If there's a real conflict with Xu Ao, the old man might not take his side," Zhou Tianhao could only laugh bitterly.

"Xu Ao's father-in-law is the former head of the provincial military region. Although he has retired, he still has many disciples and old friends. So, there are very few people in Jiangbei who can afford to offend him."

"I see," Chen Fan nodded.

With such a powerful father-in-law, it's no wonder Xu Ao is so successful. It also explains why he knows Chu Minghui. From his appearance, it seems he still has feelings for Xu Rongfei and her mother, but a powerful backer is both a support and a constraint. Divorce is clearly impossible for him.

"By the way, Master Chen, I have a favor to ask," Zhou Tianhao suddenly said cautiously.

"What is it?" Chen Fan asked indifferently.

"In half a month, the leaders of the major cities in Jiangbei will gather to divide their spheres of influence and interests. In the past, it was decided through underground fighting tournaments. In recent years, I have barely managed to get through with Ah Biao. But this time, the tournament will have many experts, including internal strength martial artists," Zhou Tianhao sighed.

"Master Chen, you know how powerful internal strength martial artists are. Lin Bao alone can defeat dozens of my men. If an internal strength martial artist participates this time, Ah Biao won't last long."

Saying this, Zhou Tianhao felt bitter.

He might look powerful as a leader in Chuzhou, but behind the scenes, it's a different story. Outside Chuzhou, he is the least respected in the Jiangbei circle. Without the Wei family's support, few would take him seriously.

This annual tournament, where the winners are decided by martial prowess, is a fierce competition. People from Southeast Asia, Zhongzhou, Japan, and South Korea are invited to participate in various martial arts, such as Muay Thai, Bajiquan, and Taekwondo. He can only rely on Ah Biao to hold the fort.

This time, it's even worse, with internal strength martial artists participating. Ah Biao is clearly not enough.

"Do you want me to fight for you?" Chen Fan frowned.

The underground fighting tournament, no matter how it's described, is just a black-market boxing match, not even as legitimate as regular boxing.

"I wouldn't dare to ask that," Zhou Tianhao was scared, breaking out in a cold sweat. "Actually, I have already invited Master Guo to participate. Master Guo is also an internal strength expert. Although he hasn't fought for over a decade, he was once a famous boxer in Chuzhou. I'm just worried about any mishaps, so I want you to come and stabilize the situation."

"If a master like you is there, no one from other cities will dare to look down on Chuzhou."

"Hmm, that makes sense," Chen Fan nodded. "I also want to see other internal strength experts."

"Alright, I'll go with you. Just let me know when it's time."

"Yes, yes," Zhou Tianhao agreed respectfully.

After understanding the situation with Xu Ao, Chen Fan continued working on the villa's array.

Now, the four sub-arrays of the Yunshan Array have been partially completed. The Spirit Gathering Array is done, and the Spirit Attraction Array has been arranged by Wei Lao San, who contacted a salvage company to purchase many deep-sea stones, which have already been transported to Chuzhou. However, the treasures needed for the Mist Array and the Protection Array are still nowhere to be found, and it's unknown how long it will take to locate them.

"Fine, I'll set up the Spirit Attraction Array first. The other two arrays are not essential."

Chen Fan made up his mind.

For the next half month, he almost ran to the villa on Yunwu Mountain right after class to refine the deep-sea stones.

These stones were not as small as the Spirit Gathering Jade Disks. Each weighed several tons, like huge stone pillars. After all, they were just ordinary stones, and the water essence inside small pieces was too little, so they had to rely on their size.

The method to refine deep-sea stones was different from the Spirit Gathering Jade Disks.

Chen Fan held a sharp dagger, channeling his true essence, and cut through the stones like tofu, quickly carving many mysterious runes. These runes looked ancient and seemed to come from the primordial era, with faint golden light flashing in the deep cuts.

It took Chen Fan at least a few hours to carve a single deep-sea stone with runes.

The entire Spirit Attraction Array required sixteen large stones. Chen Fan worked day and night to refine all sixteen large stones.

"Finally, it's done."

Chen Fan took a deep breath and stood on the mountain top, looking down. Along the mountain path to the Yanhui Lake at the foot of the mountain, large black-green stones were placed at intervals, covered with dense, tadpole-like runes. Upon closer inspection, golden light could be seen swirling inside.

"Next is to activate the Spirit Attraction Array."

Chen Fan sat cross-legged, facing the vast Yanhui Lake. He closed his eyes, extending his spirit infinitely.

In this vast void, his spirit could only sense darkness, but there were sixteen faint light points shimmering. These were the spiritual imprints Chen Fan left on the sixteen sea stones.

"Activate!"

Chen Fan shouted, connecting his spirit to the first light point.

The light point suddenly trembled and then shone brightly. A faint chain extended from the first light point to the next, and the second light point lit up.

One, two, three... finally, all sixteen light points were lit.

In the dark spiritual world, it was like sixteen torches rising to the sky, shining brightly, visible from the far void.

In reality, if someone noticed, they would see the runes on the sixteen sea stones glowing with golden light, though not very bright in the sunlight, but visible to the naked eye.

"They're here."

The moment the sixteen torches lit up, Chen Fan's spirit tensed, activating the array and preparing fully.

The most critical step of the Spirit Attraction Array was the initial moment. The accumulated spiritual energy of Yanhui Lake for countless years would surge like a flood. If it couldn't be contained, it might burst the array.

Sure enough, a surging water-based spiritual energy rushed through the channel formed by the sixteen sea stones. The five Spirit Gathering Jade Disks vibrated simultaneously, operating at full power, locking the massive spiritual energy inside the villa.

Chen Fan, at the forefront, felt the vast spiritual energy pouring directly into his head. Even though he practiced the Void Body Cultivation Technique of the Great Dao Sect, which made his physical body and meridians far stronger than those of ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, he still felt his body swelling, with a faint urge to explode.

"Good, it's here!"

Chen Fan was not only not surprised but also delighted.

He allowed the massive spiritual energy to flow into his body, washing over every muscle, bone, organ, and dantian. The Void Body Cultivation Technique operated at full speed, greedily absorbing the spiritual energy into his cultivation cycle.

Soon, his bones gradually glowed with a jade-like light.

This jade light grew stronger, eventually enveloping all 206 bones in his body. A mysterious transformation occurred within the bone marrow, and finally, these bones became as clear and luminous as jade, filled with spiritual energy.

"The second level of the Void Body Cultivation Technique, 'Jade Bones,' is finally complete."

Chen Fan opened his eyes and took a deep breath.

The spiritual energy surge gradually calmed down, turning into a gentle stream, locked by the Spirit Gathering Array. The white mist in the villa increased, creating a misty, ethereal atmosphere, reminiscent of a fairyland.

"The effect of the sea stones is ultimately inferior to true heavenly treasures. I still need to find better alternatives," Chen Fan sighed, but he wasn't too disappointed.

Instead, he felt a bit excited.

The Void Body Cultivation Technique, as the foundational cultivation method of the Great Dao Sect, was not as simple as ordinary Foundation Establishment techniques. It was divided into five levels:

'Ice Skin, Jade Bones, Silver Blood, Golden Eyes, Dao Body.'

If one could cultivate to the fifth level, Dao Body, they could gain the physical body of a先天 realm cultivator, directly entering the先天 realm without any obstacles. Every movement would be in harmony with the boundless primordial energy, almost like a primordial energy being.

Unfortunately, even in the Great Dao Sect, those who could cultivate to the Dao Body in the Foundation Establishment stage were few and far between, each a true heir of the sect.

"I automatically cultivated Ice Skin when I broke through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, but it took me until now to break through to Jade Bones with the help of the Spirit Attraction Array. The cultivation environment on Earth is truly too poor," Chen Fan sighed.

He slowly stood up, feeling boundless strength throughout his body. Each bone was ten times stronger than before, comparable to Wolverine's Adamantium, impervious to knives and bullets.

"Though I am strong, there are no worthy opponents to spar with," Chen Fan sighed, feeling a sense of loneliness as a master.

If Lei Qianjue were to show up now, it would be good.

At this moment, Zhou Tianhao called.

The underground fighting tournament was finally about to begin.

PS: Thank you to Xin Ruo Xuan Ji Wan Yao Qin for the 600, and to Lao Na Fa Hao Xin Wei Zhong, You Ming V Xue Jun, Wu Di Chao Da Xuan Feng, Yan Xiao Xu, and Shi Wo Hui Wan for the donations.