As Ling Fan departed from the Tongtian Sword Tablet, many other rogue cultivators followed in his wake. Having witnessed Ling Fan's near-divine performance, they were now utterly convinced of his terrifying martial arts comprehension. An unspoken thought had taken root in their minds: following Ling Fan meant a chance at sustenance, or at least a sip from the broth.
Every martial arts stone tablet at the Guansheng Cliff was almost entirely occupied by the Seven Stars martial arts powers. The opportunities left for them, the rogue cultivators, were exceedingly scarce, pitifully few. Ling Fan, however, had a habit of driving away the major powers that occupied the stone tablets wherever he went, creating ample opportunities for the rogue cultivators. It wasn't about letting every rogue cultivator comprehend the laws within the stone tablets, but at least giving each of them a chance to gain some insight.
Gradually, the number of people following Ling Fan grew, forming a spectacle. Ling Fan did not stop them, allowing them to follow. For several days, Ling Fan continued to comprehend several more stone tablets within the first layer of the tablet forest. However, the martial arts laws inherited from these stone tablets were not even as good as the Purple Lightning Sword Tablet, let alone the Tongtian Staff Tablet. Although the Myriad Laws Primordial Flow had grown after absorbing the power of these laws, its growth was limited.
The individuals from the major powers who had previously occupied these stone tablets were naturally driven away by Ling Fan. This also led to Ling Fan offending more and more of the Seven Stars powers of the Donglin Region. Han Hai and Lu Beinain watched with trepidation, deeply worried for Ling Fan. Yet, Ling Fan remained indifferent, as if he paid no heed to these Seven Stars powers of the Donglin Region.
During these days, the toad followed Ling Fan and gnawed on several more stone tablets. Its teeth chipped a few times, but it remained unconcerned, happily frolicking every day, occasionally letting out satisfied burps, appearing content.
Soon, as Ling Fan reached the southwest corner of the tablet forest, a special stone tablet standing amidst the ruins caught his attention. It was a relatively intact stone tablet, strangely shaped, its body resembling a mammoth elephant, yet possessing a ferocious dragon head and a long dragon tail, carved with countless scales. A primal aura emanated from it. This stone tablet had also been occupied by disciples of a major power.
A rogue cultivator couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Master Ling, this stone tablet is extraordinary. It is said to be the stone tablet with the strongest laws in the first layer of the Guansheng Cliff tablet forest, bar none. It is far more powerful than the Tongtian Staff Tablet. This stone tablet is named the Dragon Elephant Divine Strength Tablet, and it records the Guansheng Academy's martial skill, the Dragon Elephant Divine Strength Scripture. If one can comprehend this martial skill and its laws, they can possess overwhelming, supreme strength, where one force conquers all."
Ling Fan's deep eyes fell upon the uniquely shaped stone tablet, and he nodded slightly. The toad became excited, its eyes shining like a lecher spotting a naked beauty. "Boss! This stone tablet is great. I think this stone tablet suits me best. I am a demonic beast, and demonic beasts are adept at strength. If I can eat this... comprehend this stone tablet, my strength will definitely surge by a large margin!"
Ling Fan nodded. This stone tablet indeed had some compatibility with the toad. The creator of this martial skill was either a demon, a martial artist with demonic blood, or someone who had imitated the legendary divine beasts, the dragon and the elephant, to create it. Demonic beasts could indeed cultivate.
"Who is being noisy! Don't you know the Scarlet Flame Mansion is cultivating here? Scram quickly, or face the consequences."
Just then, a sharp shout came from beneath the Dragon Elephant Stone Tablet. The disciples of the Scarlet Flame Mansion who were cultivating there had discovered Ling Fan and his group, and were issuing a warning.
Scarlet Flame Mansion! Upon hearing this name, all the rogue cultivators' expressions changed. They were clearly not unfamiliar with this name. The Scarlet Flame Mansion was one of the few major Seven Stars powers in the Donglin Region, only slightly inferior to the Donglin Dynasty, the Three Royal Halls, and the Heavenly Dragon Academy, belonging to the first-tier ranks. It was far more powerful than Seven Stars powers like Xuanyue Island, Giant Whale City, or Ancient Serpent Sect.
A timid rogue cultivator nervously broke out in a sweat and said, "Young Master Ling, why don't we find other stone tablets? The Scarlet Flame Mansion is not to be trifled with."
"Tch, Mo Ye, I thought it was some formidable power, but it's even inferior to the Three Royal Halls!" the toad sneered, glaring at the people from the Scarlet Flame Mansion. After all, their boss Ling had already dealt with the Black King of the Three Royal Halls. What was a mere Scarlet Flame Mansion compared to that? Could they be stronger than the Black Water Martial Lord? The rogue cultivators might fear the Scarlet Flame Mansion, but the toad did not!
Just then, the commotion at the Dragon Elephant Stone Tablet attracted the attention of people beneath a distant stone tablet. A cold laugh echoed, "Heh heh, I didn't expect to run into you here, Ling Fan. You're getting worse and worse. After leaving our Xuanyue Island, you've stooped to associating with a rabble of rogue cultivators!"
Another voice chimed in mockingly, "Who isn't saying that? Without Xuanyue Island, he's nothing."
"Damn it, who's talking nonsense there, did you eat shit this morning? How dare you speak ill of boss Ling!" the toad roared in anger, looking towards the source of the voices.
Beneath an ancient stone tablet sat a group from Xuanyue Island. The Young Island Master of Xuanyue Island, Xuan Ye. The newly appointed Golden Core guest elder, Li Mòbīng. The second daughter of Xuanyue Island, Xuan Na, and Wei Bin. The accompanying Vice Island Master, Xuan Kui, were all present. The ones who had spoken earlier were Xuan Ye and Li Mòbīng.
"Brother Ling!"
"Young Master Ling!"
Wei Bin and Xuan Na noticed Ling Fan and called out with surprise and joy. Ling Fan nodded at Wei Bin and Xuan Na. He completely ignored Xuan Ye and Li Mòbīng. Xuan Ye and Li Mòbīng felt a surge of anger. This guy still dared to be so arrogant! He truly deserved to die.
Then, Xuan Ye thought of something and said smugly, "You have this day too! Did you beg people everywhere and get rejected? Look at yourself, don't you look like a stray dog! And we, Xuanyue Island, have occupied a superior stone tablet!"
Xuan Na couldn't bear it and said, "Brother, quickly let Young Master Ling come to our stone tablet to cultivate. The people from the Scarlet Flame Mansion won't agree to let him cultivate at that Dragon Elephant Stone Tablet."
"Shut up!" Xuan Ye reprimanded with a stern face. "This person is extremely arrogant. If he doesn't suffer a bit, he'll still think he's the King of Heaven! Ling, don't say I, Xuan Ye, don't remember our past. As long as you humble yourself now, kneel before me and beg for mercy, and become my dog from now on, I'll allow you to cultivate at my stone tablet. Otherwise, you can just wait at Guansheng Cliff, and when Guansheng Cliff closes, you still won't get a chance to comprehend the stone tablets!"
Li Mòbīng beside him sneered, "I'm really looking forward to it. Isn't he, Ling Fan, very tough? I wonder if he's still tough now!"