“Ahh…” The Golden Crow Saint howled in agony, writhing violently. His golden divine wing had been pierced through, blood dripping and streaming down.

An Ancient Saint had nearly been killed and sustained severe injuries — this was nothing short of astonishing, given that his opponent was merely a Dao-Severing cultivator.

The black arrow shaft trailed a massive spray of blood as it flew on. A haze of blood mist lingered in the air, and a powerful field of force surged outward — one arrow that had cracked the sky and split the earth.

The Ancient Golden Crow reverted to human form. His complexion was ashen. His left forearm had been blown open, leaving a gaping hole — exposed white bone within, blood dripping freely — a horrifying sight.

“I can’t believe you actually managed to wound me!”

A fierce, scorching energy rapidly spread along his arm, destroying his Golden Crow sacred power and severing a great deal of his vitality. The vast and domineering arrow intent sent chills through all who sensed it.

Whoosh!

Ye Fan spread his arms wide. No bow was in hand, yet within his heart surged the intent to crack heaven and earth asunder. Energy condensed into a longbow, and the second black arrow was loosed — aimed once again at the wounded Golden Crow Saint.

Fast as a bolt of black lightning, it cut across the sky. The Golden Crow Saint’s wings quivered lightly, and a cascade of multicolored radiance burst forth as he retreated hundreds of li in an instant — equally swift to the extreme.

Yet the black arrow did not stop. It tracked and changed direction — it would not cease until it had struck its target. It trailed a vast spread of black lightning arcs, and the overwhelming killing intent it carried was deeply alarming.

“What — this is… a Dao arrow forged specifically to target our Golden Crow Clan!”

The other Ancient Golden Crow saw what was happening and his expression turned grave. He immediately moved to strike, attacking Ye Fan directly. Golden feathers flew — a hundred thousand wing-swords descended in unison, pulverizing the void.

Hum!

Behind Ye Fan, primordial chaos energy surged in billowing waves. Five-colored divine light blotted out the sun, transforming into five treasure swords. The primordial chaos sword energy swept outward in a wide arc, blocking the hundred thousand wing-swords bearing down from the front.

This was a clash of sword intent. Ye Fan lacked the power of a saint, but by wielding the Ancient Saint war armor he could barely contend against them — drawing upon the seed of power left behind by an ancient divine being to clash.

Whoosh!

At the same moment, Ye Fan summoned the two black Dao arrows back to himself, shattering a spread of wing-swords to serve as a defensive screen.

“It’s him — it’s his black arrows!” High above on the cloud of solar fire essence, the other Golden Crow shouted, his hair disheveled, his body drenched in blood, utterly wretched.

For the second black arrow, loosed moments ago, had also broken through his defenses — piercing through his shoulder and blasting apart a section of sacred bone. The sight was gruesome beyond description.

Powerful as the Ancient Golden Crow of the Golden Crow Clan was — having attained sainthood for over a thousand years — he was still reduced to such a miserable state. The sacred bones in the struck area were shattered. One could only imagine the sheer power behind those black arrows.

With the black arrows now held before him in defense, Ye Fan felt somewhat steadier. Without them, the pressure from two Ancient Saints would have been simply overwhelming. Even with the formidable war armor, it was not his own strength — and at a critical moment, it might not hold.

The two Golden Crows drew close together, their expressions dark and sunken. Their eyes blazed with fierce light as they fixated on the two arrows at Ye Fan’s side.

Not only them — even Ye Fan himself sensed something different. From these two ancient arrows, he perceived a towering killing intent, one that soared to the very clouds!

“Hou Yi… these are the ancient Dao arrows of Hou Yi from antiquity, infused with his life essence, spirit, and killing intent — forged specifically to slay the saints of our Golden Crow Clan!” one of the Golden Crows cried out, his expression one of disbelief.

They hailed from the Fire Mulberry Star — an ancient and vast realm belonging to the Golden Crow Clan, a land of divine fire everywhere and sacred trees in every direction, where Golden Crows soared through the sky and other races existed only in small numbers, none ever having been able to challenge the clan throughout all of history.

In the ancient era, their clan had produced a Quasi-Emperor, who had ten imperial sons at his knee. In search of an immortalization ground, he had led an expedition to an ancient source of life — and nine of his imperial sons had perished there, killed by a man known as Hou Yi.

The legends of that bygone age, the terrifying calamity it had wrought — the recollection caused the veins on both Golden Crow Saints’ foreheads to bulge. Their expressions turned ice-cold to the extreme.

The Quasi-Emperor of the Golden Crow Clan had destroyed nine identical black arrows and brought the fragments back to the Fire Mulberry Ancient Star. Many Golden Crows had seen them and felt their power.

“Speak — how did you come to possess these Dao arrows, and what is your connection to Hou Yi?” one of the Ancient Golden Crows roared.

The other Ancient Golden Crow exerted every ounce of his power, activating his profound arts to peel away the killing intent embedded within his body, dissolving the killing energy — finally managing to stabilize his injuries and successfully repair his wounded form.

“These are not the true ancient black Dao arrows — but they absolutely came from Hou Yi’s own hands, imbued with part of his life essence and spirit. They are a demonic weapon capable of killing those of our clan!”

Ye Fan’s expression upon hearing this was cold and stern. In ancient times, the great hero Hou Yi shot down the suns and left behind an immortal legend — yet in the end he died in a pool of blood, slain by a Quasi-Emperor above the supreme realm. A fate that moved one to lament.

“To think you were merely a Human Holy Physique, and yet you also possess Hou Yi’s weapons — you absolutely cannot be allowed to live!”

“To the ends of heaven and the depths of the earth, we will take your life. The blood of the Golden Crow Clan’s imperial sons was not shed in vain — everything connected to Hou Yi must be destroyed!”

The two Ancient Golden Crows said this with bone-chilling coldness. They could well imagine: if they struck down Ye Fan and brought the two black arrows back to the Fire Mulberry Star, what glory it would bring upon them from those above.

Hum!

The two Ancient Golden Crows vanished — dissolving into the laws of heaven and earth. Only terrifying Golden Crow divine light remained, manifesting intermittently to attack the space before them.

A saint was omnipotent — omnipresent!

When a saint set aside all else and resolved to kill, it would cause all living beings to tremble. Now, the two Ancient Golden Crows no longer treated Ye Fan as an ordinary Dao-Severing cultivator. Their killing intent surged — heaven-annihilating and earth-destroying in its force.

Ye Fan’s brows furrowed deeply. He brought out the two black Dao arrows, establishing an all-encompassing defense while striking back intermittently.

Facing two powerful Ancient Golden Crow Saints, he had no certainty of victory. Were it not for the arrows in hand that were specifically effective against them, he would surely perish.

For he had, in the end, yet to attain sainthood!

Suddenly, a strange ripple transmitted from within the blazing solar star. Amid the torrential celestial fire of Heaven, Ye Tong sat cross-legged within the flames, comprehending the Dao.

Nine golden leaves came flying, encircling him. They exuded an incomparably serene radiance, and the aura of an ancient Great Emperor began to permeate the air.

“Nine leaves from the Fusang divine tree — they bear immortal imprints! Quickly, seize them!”

The two Ancient Golden Crows exchanged a glance and considered abandoning Ye Fan to rush forward, seizing those nine leaves before the imprints could be absorbed by Ye Tong.

By now, they no longer had any desire to take Ye Tong as a disciple. In their hearts, they had already decided to treat him as a cauldron body — whether or not he broke through was ultimately irrelevant. What truly mattered was one day seizing the Emperor Scripture and the divine source of fire within his body.

Ye Fan let out a long cry. No matter what, he could not allow the two Golden Crows to disturb Ye Tong during his Dao comprehension. This most critical moment could not be interrupted under any circumstances. For this, he was willing to resort to any and every means at his disposal.

Ye Fan was at a disadvantage — yet he had made up his mind to stand his ground and block the two Ancient Golden Crow Saints, fighting them to the end.

“Your fall is imminent, boy!”

“Let us see how many lives you have — today you will be executed in the midst of the solar fire essence!”

The two Golden Crows said this with cold cruelty, and both unleashed their full power without reservation. Their methods were inexhaustible, and Saint laws surged like a raging tide — unstoppable, annihilating — even the very sky that was struck became shattered beyond recognition.

“Master, I’m fine — you can come over. The Fusang divine leaves can provide a defensive barrier,” Ye Tong suddenly transmitted.

Ye Fan’s heart stirred. He deployed the word-formula movement technique beneath his feet and shot forward with the swiftness of wind and lightning, entering the solar fire essence and taking up his position before the nine Fusang leaves.

Golden light blazed brilliantly. The presence of an ancient Great Emperor permeated the air — not intensely, only wisps and threads of imperial might, and yet it still felt as though an Emperor-grade weapon were reawakening. It filled all who sensed it with awe.

The two Ancient Golden Crows pursued and killed their way to this point — only to suddenly experience a violent shock. They could not break through. They could not advance.

“These are notes on cultivation left by our ancestor — the Fusang Leaf Sutra. It records some insights on the cultivation of the Extreme Yang Physique,” Ye Tong said.

Ye Fan’s expression shook. For Ye Tong, this was a genuine stroke of profound fortune. The Solar Sacred Emperor had once passed through this star — most likely one or two million years ago — and the thought of time’s merciless passage filled one with emotion.

“Comprehend it carefully — but do not allow yourself to be entirely led along by the path of those who came before,” Ye Fan instructed.

Ye Tong replied: “I understand. Our ancestor left a written note as well, saying that while the path of those who came before can be followed, what matters most is finding the one that suits yourself.”

The two Ancient Golden Crows grew frantic. With the nine Fusang divine leaves blocking their way, they could neither break through nor take the leaves for themselves — they could only stare helplessly.

“Ant — do you dare come out and fight!?” They shouted in challenge at Ye Fan, revealing the anxiety in their hearts. They feared the imprints on the nine Fusang leaves would fade and be entirely absorbed by Ye Tong.

“For now, both of you enjoy what remains of your time,” Ye Fan said. “One month from now, I will have killed you both!”

One month later, the fourth-stage evolution liquid would surely be extracted. At that point, his cultivation would reach an entirely new level — one capable of doing battle against saints!

Ye Fan stood close to the Fusang leaves, enveloped by a single wisp of an ancient Great Emperor’s presence. He no longer needed to defend himself at all, and devoted his full energy to attacking the two Golden Crows.

The black arrows were like lightning tearing heaven and earth apart. Within the solar fire essence, they struck with thunderous force — targeting the clan’s bloodline, suppressing the Golden Crow sacred light, their power absolute and supreme.

The two Golden Crows were struck in succession. The black Dao arrows pierced them through, nearly wounding their very foundations. Their furious roars rang out again and again — yet there was nothing they could do.

“You two fire crows — if you’re not afraid of death, then come at me. Today, I’ll be roasting squab!” Ye Fan’s words were infuriatingly mocking.

“Brat, I swear I will kill you!”

The two Ancient Golden Crows screamed in rage — yet they were unable to overcome the faint, thread-like yet terrifying Emperor aura emanating from the Fusang leaves. The slightest approach put them in danger of being torn to pieces.

Ye Fan laughed heartily. He focused his whole spirit and energy into a single arrow shot, piercing one of the Golden Crows straight through the chest. The heart was blown apart — a bloody gaping hole ran completely through him, front to back. Sacred bone and blood splattered in all directions.

“Brat, I will remember this debt. One day I will grind your bones to dust and scatter them to the wind!” The gravely wounded Ancient Golden Crow shot skyward.

Splat!

At the same moment, the other Golden Crow was struck by a devastating blow as well!

Ye Fan’s body and mind united as one. An inextinguishable force of will fused into the Dao arrow as he loosed it, shattering the second Ancient Golden Crow’s thigh — blood flowing in torrents.

The two Ancient Golden Crows were beside themselves with fury, yet there was nothing they could do. Unable to penetrate the nine Fusang divine leaves, everything was futile.

Though furious, they had no choice but to fall back and halt in the distant sky, their eyes blazing with hatred as they stared ahead.

“Master… I have severed my Dao…” Ye Tong’s voice came through. He rose to his full height, opened his eyes — deep as the starry sky — with fire essence swirling around his body.

Crack!

All nine Fusang leaves shattered. The nine imprints entered Ye Tong’s body, making him appear even more gallant and extraordinary. Every inch of his flesh and blood shone with light — his entire body crystalline and blindingly radiant, surpassing even the brilliance of the sun itself.

“Kill!”

The two Ancient Golden Crows saw this and transformed into two bolts of golden lightning, charging forward in an attempt to cut down both master and disciple.

Yet at that very moment, both of them felt their hair stand on end. They retreated at the first opportunity — for within the fire essence, a heavenly tribulation comparable to a saint’s had appeared.

Massive bolts of lightning descended from above, submerging the entire area. Five-Phase Heavenly Tribulation, Solar Divine Tribulation, Primordial Chaos Great Tribulation, World-Shaking Spiritual Court Tribulation…

Sheets of thunder and lightning descended simultaneously, sweeping across all ten directions!

The two Ancient Golden Crows knew full well how terrible heavenly tribulation was. If they were caught within it, they would be subjected to it as well — and moreover, it would manifest as the saint-level great tribulation specifically directed at them.

They broke out in a cold sweat. After being struck dozens of times by the lightning — sparks flying in all directions — they finally managed to withdraw.

Ye Tong stood within the sea of thunder, beginning to face the divine punishment. He was like a young deity receiving the baptism of the heavens, bathed within a sea of lightning.

“This great tribulation is too terrifying — look, ancient imperial phenomena have appeared! Ten radiant suns blazing across the sky have manifested within this star domain!”

“This tribulation calamity is comparable to a saint’s great tribulation — many people might not even be able to survive it!”

The two Ancient Golden Crows were filled with bitterness and cold dread. Unable to approach, they could only watch helplessly as a youth made his powerful rise.

Ye Fan nodded, his heart filled with warm admiration. This great tribulation was extraordinarily terrifying. Surely even an ancient Great Emperor, during the Dao-severing of their youth, had not faced anything beyond this?

He positioned himself at the edge of the heavenly tribulation, not wishing to disturb Ye Tong, and simply observed in silence. The two Ancient Golden Crows meanwhile kept their distance, afraid that Ye Tong might use the tribulation against them as a weapon.

“How infuriating — we can only stand and watch, powerless to stop this!”

“What can we do? This is a youth with the bearing of an Emperor — and his master is even more unfathomably deep. Could it truly be that an unprecedented miracle is about to take place — that one lineage will produce two Emperors?”

The two Golden Crows were deeply anxious, harboring a growing sense of dread about the future.

Hours passed, yet the heavenly tribulation had still not dispersed. Ye Tong sustained devastating injuries — this great tribulation was too overwhelming. Dozens upon hundreds of times his body was struck and shattered, and yet each time he endured and held on.

Finally, another hour passed. The endless thunder and lightning scattered, and the primordial chaos energy dissipated. Boundless essence from heaven and earth, together with the solar fire essence, surged violently toward Ye Tong, flooding into his Dao-severed body.

The tribulation had been passed!

“Let’s go!” Ye Fan appeared. He brought out a formation platform, opened a domain gate, took Ye Tong by the hand, and the two stepped through it together, crossing to the other side.

“Don’t you dare leave!” The two Ancient Golden Crows howled — but the distance between them was too great, and there was no way to stop it.

The heavenly tribulation moments ago had been too terrible. Afraid of being entangled in its cause-and-effect chain and pulled into a tribulation of their own, they had never managed to close the distance.

“Wash your necks clean and wait. One month from now, I will come for both of you — to slaughter Golden Crow meat over a bonfire!” Ye Fan’s cold words drifted out through the narrowing gap of the closing domain gate.

The two Golden Crows were consumed with rage — yet by the time they reached the spot, everything had long since ended, and there was no way to block the escape.

“We only managed to extract part of the secrets from that Extreme Yang physique child’s sea of consciousness. Before we could continue, that Human Holy Physique arrived. We do not know where the Village of Heaven is — how are we supposed to go and claim that great fortune?”

The two Golden Crows frowned, yet there was nothing whatsoever they could do.

Ye Tong’s Dao severance and the celestial phenomena triggered during his tribulation had indeed set off a tremendous wave of shock across the Northern Dipper Star Domain. Ancient Saints surged toward the sun — only to come away empty-handed.

In the Village of Heaven, Ye Fan and the others returned, and were immediately surrounded by many of the elder members of the community, all of whom had already learned that the phenomenon had been caused by Ye Tong.

“Senior brother, you really are something else! True to being named alongside me as the Two Absolute Prodigies — you have all my style.” The little bald-headed child came running over with a skip, hugging his leg to offer congratulations, while blinking those big eyes like black gemstones as he angled for a gift.

Clang!

In the distance, the Myriad Life Mother Qi Cauldron shuddered. Qi Luo opened her eyes and stared fixedly, not blinking.

Various phenomena swirled atop the cauldron — azure dragons, divine phoenixes, soaring immortals, vermilion birds, divine figures — an array of radiant shadows clustered together, passing through the cauldron walls to emerge outside, with immortal energy drifting in a sacred, ethereal mist.

“The fourth-stage evolution liquid is about to be successfully refined!”

At that moment, Ji Zi, the Sacred Emperor’s Son, Dongfang Ye, and others all emerged from their closed-door cultivation. Even the Great Black Dog was startled and came peeking over, extending its enormous head.

“The evolution liquid will be ready within the next few days. The era in which we can battle saints has arrived!” Ye Fan declared.