Top-tier Unruly Master

In the subsequent time, Ding Fan and the others began to chat leisurely with the middle-aged man Gao Feng while dining. For cultivators, Ding Fan had actually reached the stage of Fasting, but he still ate some food because it was a token of the other party's kindness. Moreover, Ding Fan knew that many foods were quite exquisite and even contained many Spiritual Materials, which were evidently beneficial for cultivators.

Although Ding Fan did not particularly need this, he knew that Ye Ningbing and the others needed it more. At this moment, Ye Ningbing and the others were evidently interested in the gourmet dishes on the table, eating happily for a time. It was evident that beauties always have a sincere love for good food.

For Ding Fan, this banquet was also quite pleasant. He had a great conversation with the middle-aged man Gao Feng, initially talking about cultivation matters. Ding Fan could tell that Gao Feng indeed had a gift for cultivation, but what Ding Fan truly admired was Gao Feng's attitude toward cultivation. Clearly, he wasn't the type to cut corners but rather focused on laying a solid foundation before advancing. Ding Fan had always agreed with this approach.

For Gao Feng, some of Ding Fan's words were unexpectedly profound and insightful regarding cultivation. Gao Feng realized that in some viewpoints, he even felt distinctly inferior, and during discussions on some issues, Ding Fan consistently offered profound insights and hit the nail on the head, which was quite in tune with Gao Feng's style.

However, what mattered most to Gao Feng were Ding Fan's insights into cultivation, which benefited him greatly. For a time, Gao Feng felt both admiration and gratitude towards Ding Fan.

It's important to know that enlightenment in cultivation is a significant milestone, crucial for advancing in cultivation. Especially later on, such realizations become increasingly vital. Some people have had their cultivation stagnate for decades due to enlightenment issues, while others see no progress at all.

This illustrates how essential understanding in cultivation is for a cultivator. Such comprehension cannot be bought, no matter how much money or Spirit Stones one has. Besides realizing it on one's own, the other way is being guided by a senior cultivator, which is evidently very challenging to come by. Seeking guidance from a higher-level cultivator is even tougher.

How many senior practitioners are willing to spend time on helping others comprehend? It's practically impossible.

However, at this moment, Gao Feng realized that some of Ding Fan's words clearly reflected insights into cultivation. The benefits to himself were immense, and he was immensely grateful that Ding Fan was utterly generous with his insights, rather than selfish.

Moreover, what astonished Gao Feng was that Ding Fan was only an Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, yet his insights into cultivation were so profound. Gao Feng already knew in his heart that, although Ding Fan was currently in the Early Nascent Soul Stage, his future was limitless. After all, his understanding and insights into cultivation surpassed Gao Feng's by far.

As long as he grows smoothly, advancing to the Spirit Division Stage in the future would be quite effortless.

This made Gao Feng regard Ding Fan with increasing importance.

Before long, some performing singers appeared in the middle of the hall and began to dance gracefully. For a moment, Ding Fan felt a sense of comfort in the environment, clearly having been tense for a long time. Although he didn't feel it markedly, the relaxing atmosphere made Ding Fan feel extraordinarily at ease.

Suddenly, at this moment, a black-clothed man in tight attire entered the banquet, quickly walking up to the middle-aged man Gao Feng and whispering something to him. Seeing that Gao Feng's previously bright face turned heavy upon hearing the black-clothed man, Gao Feng's expression immediately became grave, losing all previous lightheartedness, with his brows furrowed tightly.

At this point, Ding Fan saw this scene and became curious. Evidently, he was quite satisfied with this banquet, and his impression of Gao Feng was also good. So, Ding Fan directly asked:

"Sect Master Gao, what worries you?"

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, some other elders of the Hongshan Sect also noticed the sect master's grave expression. An elder indifferently waved at the singers, and they promptly departed. At this time, the sect elders also looked gravely at Sect Master Gao.

Clearly, the sect master's grave demeanor indicated something had happened.

At this moment, upon hearing Ding Fan's question, Gao Feng let out a bitter smile and then said to Ding Fan:

"Young man, you may not know, but our disciples sent back information indicating that many zombies have been discovered in a village not far from us. Those zombies are extremely formidable, not something ordinary cultivators can handle. Our disciples went to protect the village and slay those zombies, but not only did they fail, but they perished at the hands of the zombies. Moreover, the information brought back shows that those zombies are increasing in number and are clearly threatening our Hongshan Sect, sigh…"

At this moment, Gao Feng spoke with a somber expression, letting out a sigh, clearly indicating that this situation posed a very dangerous threat to their sect, concerning its very survival.

"Sect Master, we should relocate the sect as soon as possible! My disciples have already heard that many sects nearby are planning to relocate. Those zombies evidently aren't easy to deal with!"

An elder stood up immediately after hearing Gao Feng's words, speaking gravely to Gao Feng.

"Indeed, Sect Master, this concerns the survival of our Hongshan Sect, it must not be underestimated."

"Yes, those zombies are truly too formidable, clearly the nearby village has already been massacred, and their next step might very well be us!"

"We should relocate, Sect Master, be cautious."

...

In an instant, the elders present stood up one after another, and spoke to Gao Feng with very serious expressions on their faces. It was clear that this matter had been troubling them for a long time, and everyone was deeply concerned. From their words, Ding Fan could tell that those zombies were extremely formidable.

However, Ding Fan felt a hint of interest. It was truly intriguing for zombies to exist in the Cultivation World. He didn't believe that these zombies were traditional ones; it was more likely that they were demon cultivators who had used some special method to cultivate.

"How could relocation be so easy? You have to understand that the Hongshan Sect has been in this place since its founding. Many of our cultivation resources rely on the nearby mountain range. If we relocate now, have we thought about what will happen to Hongshan Sect in the future? Where will we settle, and what places can accommodate us? Let's not forget how much effort it took to establish the Sect here back then. Whether Hongshan Sect can still exist is an unknown if we truly relocate!"

At this moment, Gao Feng spoke with a solemn expression, his brows tightly furrowed. Obviously, considering relocation was an option of last resort for him as the Sect Master, he clearly understood what relocating meant for the Sect—undoubtedly danger. Until the final moment, he still hoped not to take this step.

At this moment, the many elders who heard Gao Feng's words became silent. Clearly, the issues considered by the Sect Master were indeed present. For the Sect, relocating was undoubtedly a variable-filled possibility, and whether Hongshan Sect could survive was a very real issue. After all, these elders knew that many places in the cultivator world currently had the presence of Sects. Many established forces were already stable, and their own Sect venturing there suddenly would definitely face serious exclusion by other Sects. No other Sect would carve out a territory for Hongshan Sect.

This was obviously an impossible matter. Everyone in Hongshan Sect was aware that their Sect's strength wasn't very strong, and had no ability to stand against some of the Great Gate Sects. Venturing into someone else's territory rashly would obviously lead to their annihilation.

"What can we do about it? We must know that those zombies have been running rampant recently. Many of our disciples have already unfortunately perished. If this continues, the Sect will also be wiped out by those zombies..."

"Alas..."

...

For a moment, some elders couldn't help but frown slightly. Clearly, this was a very tricky issue and a critical period of life and death for the Sect.

At this moment, Ding Fan listened to the discussions, then curiously asked Gao Feng:

"Sect Master Gao, what's the origin of those zombies?"

Upon hearing Ding Fan's question, Gao Feng shook his head with a bitter expression and replied bitterly:

"We also don't know the origin of the zombies, but they have been active around us for a while. Some neighboring Sects have already relocated, clearly none are a match for the zombies..."

This caused Ding Fan to ponder deeply. Who could be behind this? After all, so many zombies appearing for no apparent reason in the Cultivation World was impossible.

Ding Fan knew that this was definitely abnormal, so he stood up and solemnly said to Gao Feng:

"Why don't I go have a look for you, and see if I can kill them!"

At this moment, the many elders at the banquet were taken aback by Ding Fan's words. They then felt quite amused, but out of respect for the Sect Master, no one laughed aloud. However, the hint of disdainful amusement in their hearts was undoubtedly hard to hide.

After all, these zombies were extremely powerful. Even some elders in the Emergence Stage within the Sect couldn't handle them. For someone who seemed to be merely an Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivator to claim to kill zombies was clearly a big joke. It was evident they didn't know how Ding Fan had managed to save Zhong Hao earlier. But since the Sect Master had shown quite a favorable attitude towards him previously, everyone had to consider the Sect Master's reputation.

At this moment, an elder stood up with a very solemn expression. Without even glancing at Ding Fan, he directly addressed Gao Feng and said:

"Sect Master, if it's not feasible, let me take some disciples to investigate."

Hearing this elder's words, everyone couldn't help but show a worried expression. Although the elder's strength was recognized by all, it was known that the zombies were extremely formidable. A moment of inattention could lead to death, so everyone earnestly advised the elder:

"Elder Fa, please reconsider. You know how formidable that Sect is; it's definitely not easy to deal with!"

"Indeed, Elder Fa is a pillar of our Sect. If anything were to happen, it would be a huge loss for the Sect!"

"That's right, that's right..."