A streak of golden light surged upward. A divine soul flew out — transforming into a tiny golden crow, beating its wings toward the sky.

Ye Fan’s right hand reached out, like a great dragon soaring through the void, and seized it. The golden divine soul struggled, and was instantly shattered into nothing, dissipating into the air as a wisp of mist and colored light.

Far away in the Northern Sea, in a vast expanse of black ocean, Lu Ya’s true body shuddered. His pupils shot out two streaks of sharp divine radiance, gazing toward Lu Province from across the distance.

“Who killed my projection?”

In the black ocean, waves surged and roiled; various powerful ancient beasts moved through the depths — far more dangerous than anything on land, with no shortage of primordial heavenly demons of extraordinary breed.

“Since the great emperor’s disappearance, even the immortal divine medicine has vanished from the world. Now the legendary one and only immortal divine tree shows signs of manifesting — this matter is urgent. I shall settle this debt of cause and effect another day!” Lu Ya’s true body flashed and disappeared, vanishing into the depths of the Northern Sea, gone in an instant.

On the Heavenwolf Howling Moon Platform, the eighty-one golden great banners fell from the sky, crashing to the ground with ringing, clanging sounds, sparks flying in all directions — each one gleaming and shimmering. Lu Ya’s projection had died, torn apart by Ye Fan with his bare hands — yet the treasure banners had survived without a single scratch. One look was enough to tell they were divine objects; otherwise they could not have allowed five sect masters to splash their blood across the banners that year.

“The Golden Crow clan’s golden treasure banners!”

The eyes of many turned red on the spot. More than a few wanted to rush forward and seize them. In years past, Lu Ya had used these to sweep across every domain, invincible wherever he went — the mention of them had sent many people in Lu Province’s heart into a frenzy.

Every single banner was embroidered with a golden crow — brilliantly colored, vivid and lifelike, passed down from antiquity to the present day, never destroyed. That alone spoke to the extraordinary nature of the treasure banners.

Yet now, though many were tempted, not a single person went to seize them — for they were a scorching hot potato. Whoever took them was inviting great disaster.

Leaving aside Ye Fan standing right before them, whose power was unfathomably deep and who had consecutively slain two Golden Crow princes — even just thinking about what came after was enough to fill anyone with dread. If the Golden Crow clan came to demand an accounting, that would be an immense calamity; anyone who touched those banners would most likely bring a world of trouble upon themselves.

On the severed platform, total silence descended. People knew: something heaven-shaking had happened. This young man named Ye Fan had stirred up a tempest reaching the heights of the sky.

In this battle, two Golden Crow princes had fallen. More than ten Golden Crow powerhouses had each been killed by a single arrow. This was a great earthquake — one that would trigger an enormous uproar.

The Golden Crow clan — how supremely dominant. The Ninth Prince had been slain. How could his older brothers possibly let this stand? People could almost see it now: nine crows flying out together to throw the world into chaos.

Furthermore, the old Golden Crow of the clan — what manner of person was he? Someone who, even in his youth, had dared to seize the sacred women of the Human King Hall — that was a truly ferocious character. Now his attainments approached the work of creation, and no one knew how terrifying he had become.

“The Golden Crow clan has powerful cultivators in abundance, with outstanding powerhouses emerging in great numbers — there will be a great upheaval!”

Everyone realized it: this young man named Ye Fan was about to stir up a raging storm, and would become the focal point of all eyes in the world.

Among those present were not a few heirs of great sects, as well as some heaven-blessed daughters. When they looked at Ye Fan, every one of them showed a strange expression — he was someone who had dared to strike at the Golden Crow divine kingdom, and it was difficult for them to remain calm.

In this battle, the Heavenwolf Mountain Manor was shaken; cultivators throughout Lu Province were stunned. With a single battle, the name Ye Fan reverberated throughout the world, known to all four directions.

The Old Wolf God could sit still no longer. From an ancient palace he walked out, appearing alongside a few old cultivators of awe-inspiring identity, arriving in person at the scene.

The crowd cried out. Several of the elders were recognized. Among them was one who was the vice-hall-master of the Human King Hall — already three thousand one hundred years of age.

The others were not recognized, but one could imagine they all had to be figures of astonishing standing — otherwise why would they be walking together with him?

“Two Golden Crow princes dead…” The Old Wolf God stared blankly, not having imagined things would escalate to this degree.

Everyone knew: the situation had spun entirely out of control. The Golden Crow clan would certainly respond with thunderous fury.

Yet the man at the center of it all did not care in the slightest. He descended onto the great platform, gathered up all ninety-nine eighty-one golden great banners, and examined them closely.

Shimmering golden light radiated outward, illuminating Ye Fan’s entire body in a crystalline glow. The banners fluttered, emanating a primordial and ancient aura. The golden crows embroidered upon them looked as though they might tear through the silk and take flight.

Ye Fan was inwardly astonished — these were genuine treasures. No wonder they could trap and slay five sect masters; had he not possessed the Word of Travel, being sealed within the banner formation would most likely have cost him his life as well.

“This fellow Daoist…” The Old Wolf God chose his words carefully, speaking in the manner of an equal. Yet he did not know what to say.

Given the power Ye Fan had displayed, those present naturally had no desire to offend him or make trouble for him. The Golden Crow clan would act of their own accord — others had no wish to wade into this murky water.

In the end, people returned to the Heavenwolf Mountain Manor, and the birthday celebration began. Many glanced at Ye Fan from time to time, all finding the situation quite strange — yet few dared sit near him.

People knew: this was no brief flash of brilliance, but the rise of a rare talent of his generation. If he could withstand the pressure of the Golden Crow clan, his future achievements would know no limit.

Would he become a second Yin Tiande — or would he be a bright talent cut down too soon? That was the question in every heart.

“Brother, you have invited catastrophic trouble upon yourself, and yet you remain this calm. I am impressed.” Finally, a young man in moon-white precious robes walked over — quite handsome and refined in his appearance.

“Sitting with me — aren’t you afraid the Golden Crow clan will hold it against you?” Ye Fan smiled.

This was a man with a captivating smile, one that would prove devastating to young women — a mouth full of snow-white teeth, refined manners, a bearing full of character.

Not a few people watched from nearby, especially the women, whispering in quiet discussion.

“Even if I challenged you to a duel right now, the Golden Crow clan would have no particular goodwill toward me either.” He stood white-robed as a painting, his spirit graceful as jade, his smile possessed of considerable magnetism.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Because I am a man of refined tastes, and I once traveled for a period of time with a little princess of the Golden Crow clan. They would sooner flay me alive.”

Ye Fan smiled. This dashing, white-clad young man evidently had some personality and backbone.

“I am Yan Yixi.” The white-robed young man introduced himself. “Heaven and earth are my witnesses — I truly did nothing to wrong the Golden Crow clan.”

“He is none other than the celebrated Yan Yixi — passing through ten thousand flowers without a single petal touching him.”

“That is Master Yixi? Six desires in the red dust traversed — a heartless heart, cultivated within.”

Ye Fan was inwardly startled. Yan Yixi was clearly no simple figure — even from the people’s discussions, one could tell as much. Walking alone through the red dust of the mortal world, cultivating a heart that remained unmoved — this was someone extraordinary.

This person was very powerful; Lu Ya and the Three-Deficit Daoren had each in turn hunted him down across eighty thousand miles, yet he had slipped away each time. He was a rare prodigy of the younger generation, and the depth of his strength was impossible to gauge.

Hearing those discussions, Ye Fan could not help but smile. “What on earth have you done to invite such resentment?” he asked.

“I am someone who appreciates all beautiful things — especially beautiful women. I consider them the most beautiful scenery in the human world, and I always look upon them with eyes of appreciation. Yet I am perpetually misunderstood.” Yan Yixi sighed.

Isn’t that just a lecher? Ye Fan thought privately. No wonder Lu Ya hunted him — traveling alongside the Golden Crow clan’s little princess, a man of such appalling character — anyone would be furious.

“Do not measure my pure and spotless Dao heart with those impure eyes of yours. Heaven and earth are my witness — I have never once wronged a single woman.” Yan Yixi said.

From the quiet discussions of those around him, Ye Fan gathered that this man was not in fact vulgar at all. His acquaintances were all breathtaking beauties of matchless appearance, yet he never acted improperly — sharing talk of sentiment and scenery, carrying himself with great refinement.

Passing through ten thousand flowers without a single petal clinging — feeling it yet feeling nothing. He had occasional romantic liaisons and affairs, tempering his heart amid the six desires and red dust, all in pursuit of the Dao.

However one might evaluate it, this was clearly a remarkable and unusual genius. Every woman he kept company with was one of the world’s great beauties, and he was very well received among women. Of course, some had been wounded by his indifference to deeper feeling; others positively despised him, and no shortage of incidents had arisen from it.

“Brother Ye, you slew the Golden Crow Ninth Prince — aren’t you afraid disaster may fall upon you? The Golden Crow clan can look down upon all beneath heaven.” Yan Yixi smiled; an extraordinary and elegant spirit radiated from him.

“Even you, tangled up in your unclear history with the Golden Crow clan’s little princess, managed to stay alive — my luck can’t be worse than that, can it?” Ye Fan smiled.

“My relationship with the Golden Crow princess is perfectly pure.”

“Pure as that snow and ice — which, the moment it meets fire, melts into muddy water. Go say that to Lu Ya.” Though they had just met, Ye Fan’s impression of him was not bad, and he spoke without reservation.

“Alas — in this world, those who know how to appreciate beautiful things are always misunderstood. Is this the tragedy of the age, or my own helplessness?” Yan Yixi mused.

“There exists a type of thief in this world, honored with the elegant title of ‘flower thief,’ with whom you would share a deep mutual understanding. You would not lack for kindred spirits.”

“A true man of refinement is naturally at ease with romantic feeling — yet not vulgar about it. Do not lump me together with those people who have no technique or artistry.” Yan Yixi retorted with a perfectly serious expression.

From a distance, many showed baffled expressions, murmuring in quiet discussion. These two sitting down together struck people as very unexpected.

“Brother Ye, did you come to the Heavenwolf Mountain Manor for that one page of the divine spirit ancient scripture?” Yan Yixi raised his cup and asked quietly.

“What?” Ye Fan was startled.

“You really did happen upon this by sheer coincidence.” Yan Yixi was surprised, then muttered: “The Golden Crow Ninth Prince truly was unlucky — of all people, how did he run into you?”

“The divine spirit ancient scripture… what is the situation?” Ye Fan pressed.

“Reportedly, the Three-Deficit Daoren will be escorting half a page of scripture to exchange with the Human King Hall’s half page, so that both parties may contemplate the Dao together.”

Underworld Ridge housed an ancient Daoist temple known as the Temple of Eternal Life, its lineage so ancient one could not trace its origin — with only a handful of people across every generation. Yet it was incomparably powerful, and no one dared provoke it.

According to legend, they possessed half a page of an ancient scripture — extraordinarily mysterious, containing supreme Dao principles. The Human King Hall also possessed half a page, and it was said the two could be joined into one, carrying within it the secret of immortality.

Immortality without death — who would not desire it? Yet since ancient times to the present, who had ever achieved it? Even the great emperors of antiquity had to die. Naturally, this mysterious page of ancient scripture drew everyone’s attention, coveted by all.

Had it not been for the fact that the Temple of Eternal Life on Underworld Ridge and the Human King Hall had existed since antiquity and were terrifyingly powerful, it would long since have been seized. Now that the fragmented chapters were about to be combined, of course all eyes under heaven were fixed upon it.

“The vice-hall-master of the Human King Hall is passing through this place — and who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching.” Yan Yixi said.

“Could it truly be half a page of an immortal scripture?!” Ye Fan stroked his chin, gazing toward the ancient halls of Heavenwolf Mountain.

“How about it — tempted, aren’t you? We could go and take a look — I’m sure it will be quite lively.” Yan Yixi smiled.

“You want me along — aren’t you afraid that if we run into the Golden Crow clan, you’ll suffer disaster just from being with me?”

“Precisely because you attract more hatred than I do, that is why I want to travel with you. If they truly do come for us, they’ll surely abandon me and chase after you.” Yan Yixi smiled — his expression like divine jade suffused with radiant mist, causing the young women at a nearby table to fall into something of a daze.

“You lecher!” Ye Fan cursed at him.

The River of Fallen Stars stretched for hundreds of thousands of miles. In Lu Province it was quite well-known — legend had it that countless ancient stars had plunged into it over the ages, and the river’s waters carried the power of the stars. Every night it gleamed and sparkled brilliantly.

It was a night of the full moon. Ye Fan and Yan Yixi sat in a small single-leaf boat, drinking wine and toasting the moon, having left the Heavenwolf Mountain Manor several days ago.

“It seems we have not gone in the wrong direction. It is here, on this River of Fallen Stars — look, some powerful cultivators are appearing.” Yan Yixi said.

Suddenly, countless flower petals rained down from the sky — each one crystalline and translucent, extraordinarily beautiful in the illumination of the moonlight, their fragrance drifting pleasantly to the nose.

A jade carriage like a divine moon moved through the sky, enveloped in a rainfall of crystalline, gleaming petals, the air suffused with immortal energy — utterly dreamlike beneath the bright full moon.

Yan Yixi raised his head to look, his expression changing — as though gazing upon the most beautiful treasure in all the world.

“What is it — who is that?” Ye Fan asked.

“This is the most beautiful woman in the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain — without rival. She is the most beautiful woman of the present age, and she is also your mortal enemy without peer — the future Dao companion of Yin Tiande, who can reduce every sect master in the world to gasping for breath.”