“Li Xiaoman, it really is you — it’s been five or six years since we last saw each other…” Zhang Wenchang’s composure wavered. These past years had been nothing but gray and empty for him. To encounter an old friend who had come from the other side of the stellar void filled him with warmth and something close to elation.

“Zhang Wenchang, are you well? It’s been so long since I’ve had any news of you.” Li Xiaoman wore white robes, her appearance elegant and composed, giving off an impression of quiet serenity.

“I’m alright, I suppose.” Zhang Wenchang was his usual wooden self — and once the initial rush of emotion faded, he found himself with nothing to say. He had no desire to look back on the past.

“I heard the news about you. Take care of yourself and recover.” Li Xiaoman looked at Ye Fan with steady, composed eyes.

“It’s nothing. Good people die young — disasters linger for a thousand years. Someone like me — a disaster if there ever was one — how could I possibly die?” Ye Fan laughed.

At this point, several Star Peak disciples came flying in — clearly all outstanding inheritors, their cultivation levels formidable. They landed and approached Ye Fan.

“Brother Ye — I hadn’t expected you’d return to Taixuan.”

They were warm, yet there was a hint of wariness in their manner — they couldn’t quite let themselves go. Back in the day, Ye Fan had sent Star Peak’s disciples away with dust on their faces and humiliation in their hearts, and they had not forgotten it.

Not one of them had imagined that in roughly two years’ time, the man before them would have stirred an endless storm. Though he was reportedly on the verge of death, not a single one of them dared take him lightly.

“Brother Hua Yunfei has been busy and couldn’t step away — he feared Brother Ye might leave before he could properly receive you. He asked us to come on ahead to welcome you. He’ll come in person in a short while.” someone said.

“Junior Sister Xiaoman is here too.” Another greeted her.

“All of you go ahead. I’ll take the two of them to see Senior Brother Hua in a moment.” Li Xiaoman’s standing was evidently exceptional — everyone nodded and departed.

Zhang Wenchang, though wooden by nature, was deeply sentimental, and he found more words rising in him now than usual — because he felt that the people closest to him in this world were these old classmates from another life.

Li Xiaoman’s eyes were clear and still as water, fixed quietly upon Ye Fan. “Is your life really so close to its end?”

“It’s not necessarily a matter of having to die. Back in the Northern Region, the peerless Divine King found me a divine physician. He said that as long as I sever my own cultivation, I can live.”

“Then live quietly as a mortal,” Li Xiaoman said.

In the distance, a flash of blue light — and a young man in blue robes appeared, more radiant and pure than any woman, extraordinarily lively and light, approaching like an immortal gliding across still waters. His manner was unworldly and sublime — this was Hua Yunfei.

Jiang Yifei’s refined scholarly bearing, and Hua Yunfei’s airy transcendence — both had left a deep and lasting impression on Ye Fan. Hua Yunfei especially was someone he held in wary regard.

In this age, the outstanding figures of the Eastern Wasteland’s young generation were rising one after another — yet Hua Yunfei, formidable as he was, remained hidden away in the Southern Region, his name unknown to most of the world.

“Welcome back, Brother Ye.” Hua Yunfei’s face carried a warm and gentle smile as he came personally to receive him — otherworldly and effortless as drifting mist.

Ye Fan broke into a broad smile. “It’s been two years since we parted. Senior Brother Hua’s brilliance shines even brighter than before.”

“How could I compare to Brother Ye — your name now resounds across all the world. There is no one who does not know of you.” Hua Yunfei laughed and shook his head, revealing teeth like luminous jade — utterly sincere in his warmth. “Years ago, you once cultivated here. Though you have since departed, the gates of Taixuan will always be open to you.”

“Hearing Senior Brother Hua say this, my heart is truly moved.” Ye Fan paused mid-sentence and could not help but cough, a thin stream of faintly golden blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

“Brother Ye, are you alright?!” Hua Yunfei stepped forward, his concern and worry evident.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry.” Ye Fan shook his head and wiped the blood from his lips with a white cloth.

Hua Yunfei turned to Li Xiaoman and said in a quiet voice, “Junior Sister Xiaoman, please bring me the sacred medicine I’ve been keeping.”

“The sacred medicine…” Li Xiaoman was surprised.

“It’s the medicine left behind by Taixuan’s founding ancestor. I believe it can ease Brother Ye’s wounds.” Hua Yunfei smiled gently.

Li Xiaoman nodded, cast a glance at Ye Fan, and then turned and departed in a graceful flutter.

“There’s no need for this — my wounds are nothing serious.” Ye Fan shook his head. Even as he spoke, he wiped another thin thread of golden blood from the corner of his mouth.

“Brother Ye’s gifts are such that the world has rarely seen. He is a talent without equal through the ages. One day you will stand supreme over all the world — you will surely survive this trial.” Hua Yunfei sighed gently. Even with a slight furrow of his brow, he looked as otherworldly as a banished immortal.

“Senior Brother Hua — the Yao Guang Sacred Maiden has arrived,” someone came to report to Hua Yunfei.

“Brother Ye, please don’t leave — I’ve invited several peerless talents, and in a little while we’ll drink and talk and exchange insights on the Dao. I must go now to welcome Yao Xi.” Hua Yunfei offered his apologies to Ye Fan, and was equally courteous to Zhang Wenchang, asking them both to wait a moment.

“Senior Brother Hua need not be so formal with me.” Ye Fan smiled, watching him go.

Just how powerful Hua Yunfei truly was, it was difficult to say even now. Years ago, Ji Ziyue had mentioned it with all seriousness: before the Divine King Body Ji Haoyue emerged into the world, there had been one remarkable battle — and his opponent had been none other than Hua Yunfei. The two had fought to a standstill, unable to gain the upper hand.

In the end, the Divine King Body Ji Haoyue had paid no small price to win by the narrowest margin of a single move. All of this had been described by Ji Ziyue during Ye Fan’s first encounter with Hua Yunfei, spoken beside him as though in commentary.

After that, Hua Yunfei had entered secluded cultivation for two years — and it was only two years later that the Divine King Body truly emerged into the world. Yet the two had never crossed swords again.

Light stirred in Ye Fan’s eyes, as though in quiet thought.

“Is he very powerful?” Zhang Wenchang asked. He had heard of the Divine King Body — but the name Hua Yunfei had never reached his ears.

This was a man who had once intended to kill Ji Haoyue — and his sister as well. Could someone like that be anything but powerful? But these circumstances were things Ye Fan could not tell Zhang Wenchang. Knowing would only bring disaster down on him.

“While you’re cultivating at Taixuan, whatever you do — don’t provoke him. Best to stay on Zhuo Peak and not descend the mountain lightly.”

In Ye Fan’s estimation, Hua Yunfei was fully the equal of the Yao Guang Sacred Son. Years ago, he had only barely lost to the Divine King Body by a single move — and years had passed since then. If the two were to fight again, who would come out ahead was impossible to say.

“The Taixuan Sect has no ancient scripture — and yet he has reached this level of power, holding his own against the Divine King Body. Truly remarkable…” Ye Fan murmured to himself. He had never once taken Hua Yunfei lightly.

Beyond matters of cultivation, there was also the fact that this person kept himself very well concealed. Who could have imagined that years ago, it was he who had sought to kill Ji Ziyue — and every time Ye Fan thought of it, he felt a chill of wariness.

Not long after, Hua Yunfei returned, accompanied by an enchantingly beautiful young woman of transcendent loveliness — the Yao Guang Sacred Maiden herself.

“I know there is some misunderstanding between the two of you. But the past is like clouds dispersing — it is all behind us now. Today, both of you are my honored guests.” Hua Yunfei seemed to worry the two might come to blows.

“Not at all — Senior Brother Hua, you worry too much.” Ye Fan smiled and looked toward the Yao Guang Sacred Maiden. “Yao Xi, we haven’t seen each other in months — and yet you are just as I remember: luminous as a pearl in full bloom, clear and beautiful as a celestial lotus.”

Yao Xi responded with a charming smile — while inwardly grinding her teeth with hatred. Ye Fan had suppressed her inside the Departure Fire Divine Furnace for nearly half a year. And beyond that, back in those days, he had seized one of her garments. Every time the memory arose, it drove her half-mad.

Yet she revealed none of this now — instead, her smile was radiant enough to bring cities to their knees, a bewitching light flowing and shimmering in her eyes.

Hua Yunfei had indeed gathered several peerless talents. Ahead of them, fragrant flowers and clear springs surrounded a grove of purple bamboo where a pavilion sheltered a number of exceptional figures.

Wang Chongxiao had come from the Central Province — one of the young kings among its ranks. His expression was cold and distant, and he sat motionless with composure. But the moment he saw Ye Fan approaching, he shot to his feet, killing intent flooding off him.

“You want to kill me?” Ye Fan walked directly toward him, the corner of his mouth carrying a faint cold smile — bold and supremely confident.

Everyone present tensed, rising to their feet as one. One was a king from the Central Province, the other the Sacred Body of the Eastern Wasteland — and the two of them, meeting face to face, looked ready to come to blows immediately.

“The two of you, please calm down!” Hua Yunfei quickly stepped between them.

“In our last battle, my body developed a resonance with yours. When I suddenly saw you appear just now, I reacted with some degree of excess.” Wang Chongxiao sat back down.

Ye Fan could not suppress a cough. He pressed a white silk handkerchief to the corner of his mouth to wipe away a thread of blood — and a strange light passed through many pairs of eyes.

Everyone sat down. With a smile, Hua Yunfei made the introductions: beyond Wang Chongxiao, there were two other peerless talents from the Central Province — one was the Yin-Yang Sect’s Sacred Son, and the other a princess of the Ancient Hua Imperial Dynasty.

In addition, there were over ten Southern Region cultivators present — though aside from Yao Xi and the Carefree Sect’s Li Youyou, none of the rest were particularly well-known.

They drank and spoke of the Dao together, and the atmosphere grew warm and easy, all trace of tension from before dissolving. At one point during the gathering, Hua Yunfei played a piece on the qin. The music seemed to descend from the highest reaches of the nine heavens — causing countless flower buds throughout the surroundings to bloom ahead of their time, and drawing many spirit birds to land nearby and begin to dance along to the melody.

His mastery of the qin had long since entered the realm of the Dao, filling every person present with a surging of the heart — breathless with admiration. In battle, the sound of his qin would most likely be capable of killing with perfect silence.

Before long, Li Xiaoman returned with graceful steps, carrying a small purple jade cauldron no bigger than a palm. The moment the lid was lifted, a fragrant aroma drifted outward.

“Brother Ye, please take this medicine. It will certainly help slow your wounds.” Hua Yunfei personally delivered it to Ye Fan.

“I know my own condition. There’s no need to waste such a precious elixir on me.” Ye Fan shook his head.

“This is the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Pill, refined by Taixuan’s founding ancestor. Its effects are extraordinary without question,” Hua Yunfei said.

Many people were visibly surprised. Not a few had heard of this pill. Even Yao Xi showed a flash of emotion. “Your sect’s ancestor refined one hundred and eight of these in total. Surely there can’t be many left by now?”

The Carefree Sect’s Li Youyou also exclaimed in wonder: “This pill can nearly restore life and mend shattered bone. Though it cannot compare to a true divine medicine, it can extend life.”

“I was fortunate enough to obtain one. I truly cannot bear to see someone of Brother Ye’s extraordinary gifts fall before his time. I wish to help him through this life-or-death threshold.” Hua Yunfei extended the small cauldron to Ye Fan.

Inside the purple ding-cauldron, a pill the size of an infant’s fist rested in stillness — nine apertures running through it, the whole thing resembling a small ginseng spirit child, pulsing with a brilliant violet glow.

After a round of polite refusal, Ye Fan accepted it with a smile. “My thanks to Senior Brother Hua for the gift.”

This truly was a gathering for exchanging insights on the Dao. Everyone present shared some thoughts on their cultivation. Even the supremely proud Wang Chongxiao offered a few words of reflection.

Ye Fan was quite surprised — this man who held the cultivators of the Eastern Wasteland in open contempt had been willing to sit here at all. Hua Yunfei truly had a way with people. In the end, Ye Fan found himself unable to hold back a question: “Brother Wang, I heard that you and Ye Huiling fought to the death — and in the end, both of you were ambushed by a mysterious figure. What exactly happened? Where has Miss Ye gone?”

At this question, all eyes turned to Wang Chongxiao. Everyone present had heard this rumor, and Wang Chongxiao had disappeared for a long stretch of time because of it.

“Ye Huiling is certainly not dead. The person who ambushed us that day was extraordinarily powerful — absolutely a figure from the older generation!” Wang Chongxiao said through gritted teeth, refusing to say any more.

In the end, Ye Fan coughed up blood and excused himself early — and the gathering came to a close, with an agreement to reconvene in seven days’ time.

“Brother Ye, must you really leave? Why not stay at Taixuan a while longer? Yao Xi, Wang Chongxiao, the Ancient Hua princess — all of them are peerless talents. In seven days we gather again to exchange insights. There would be much to gain.” Hua Yunfei extended a sincere invitation.

“I need to find a way to prolong my life — I cannot afford to delay. I must leave now. Senior Brother Hua — until we meet again. My deepest thanks for your kindness.” Ye Fan bid farewell.

Li Xiaoman walked with him partway. “If there’s no other choice, then sever your cultivation. Being a mortal is actually a fine life.”

“I know what I need to do.” Ye Fan walked away.

He and Zhang Wenchang returned to Zhuo Peak, then he sought Li Ruoyu for a private meeting.

“I need to ask a favor of Senior.”

“What is it?”

“Help me intercept a terrifying figure.” Ye Fan said plainly.

“What has happened?” Li Ruoyu was puzzled.

“I am certain someone intends to kill me. I ask that you follow behind me for a few days and block one terrifying elder. As for anyone from the young generation who tries to move against me — I’ll handle them myself.”

“You’re certain someone intends to kill you?” Li Ruoyu’s eyes were as still and clear as water.

“Yes. I am completely certain.” Ye Fan was resolute.

“If you already know this — why not withdraw and avoid the encounter altogether?” Li Ruoyu asked.

“Because I want to verify something.” Ye Fan replied.

That very day, Ye Fan left the Taixuan Sect and made his way toward Yan City. He walked slowly, in no hurry, keeping his awareness sharply attuned to everything lurking in the shadows around him.

Hum!

On the seventh day, a dazzling burst of radiance descended from the heavens toward him — a vast violet hand, covering the sky, its shockwaves surging outward with oceanic terror.

Bang!

Li Ruoyu appeared — his single hand raised to the sky, an earth-yellow great hand extending to meet the blow. Rumble — the peak of an entire mountain nearby was torn away and sent hurtling through the air. From this alone, one could imagine the staggering magnitude of the forces at play.

“What incredible lethality — nearly a match for a Saint Ruler!” Ye Fan’s heart lurched, a deep wave of concern for the old man Li Ruoyu rising within him.

Bang!

Li Ruoyu was utterly composed. His comprehension of the natural Dao encompassed the secrets of mountains and rivers and all things. Within this stretch of forest, he was like a divine being of the land — an entire domain materializing around him.

Ancient trees pierced the sky, immense vines coiled like dragons and sprawled across the heavens, dense vegetation spreading in every direction — every tree and root drawing power from the void itself. Their root systems could be seen splitting open the fabric of space, blanketing the entire area.

Every blade of grass, every vine, every tree was drawing force from the void — an entire living domain sealing off this stretch of heaven and earth.

One withered and gaunt elder was forced bodily into the open. Trapped within this natural domain, he was unable to break free. He was a figure barely inferior to a Saint Ruler in power — extraordinarily formidable, his spiritual power towering to the heavens. He had shattered an entire mountain peak — and still could not break out.

Pop!

An ancient vine bloomed in mid-air — drawing power from the void — surging forward like a true dragon, coiling toward the old man.

“Who are you? I believe I’ve sensed your aura before.” Li Ruoyu stood with perfect calm, addressing the powerhouse imprisoned within the void.

“You cunning little wretch!” The gaunt elder did not respond to Li Ruoyu. He fixed his cold, unblinking gaze on Ye Fan.

“I knew long ago that you were coming to kill me.” Ye Fan laughed coldly. “Since you cannot kill me — then I’m sorry to say, I’ll be going after him.”