In the cold expanse of the star-filled void, Ye Fan stood in silence, watching as he prepared to bid farewell to the Demon Man, his gaze fixed upon the figure who was about to depart.

The Demon Man, bearing a string of Golden Crows and an elderly dragon shimmering with violet scales on his back, turned to look at Ye Fan one last time, gave a wave of his hand, then sealed himself with crimson-gold divine chains, tore open the void, and embarked upon an eternal exile.

“Senior!” Ye Fan called out from behind.

The Demon Man looked back one final time and vanished into the cold void, entering a passage leading to an unknown destination — toward the furthest reaches of that dark universe.

His condition fluctuated between clarity and chaos; he had never truly escaped the predicament of “being a god by day and a demon by night.” He could only travel far away, for otherwise it might spell catastrophe for the Big Dipper.

Who knew when they would meet again after this parting? The Demon Man had gone to question the heavens — without an answer, that meant death. Even the path to immortality was no longer something he could concern himself with.

To simultaneously cultivate the Supreme Yin and Supreme Yang — this was a path to ruin, one that made reaching the pinnacle of glory nearly impossible, a path that led step by step down into the abyss of hell.

Yet the Demon Man had no choice. From the moment he set foot on this road all those years ago, turning back had become impossible. He could only press forward — ever forward!

To exile himself into the cold depths of the universe, drifting eternally, setting out alone in solitude — nine times out of ten, he would wither and perish in the darkness.

The Chaotic Dragon’s Lair was shrouded in the killing formations left by ancient emperors of old; no one could set foot inside. The immortal medicine could not be obtained, and this battle had finally drawn to its close.

The Big Dipper surged with turbulent waves; the Five Domains were swept by titanic swells. The world was unsettled, and all four seas trembled. Everyone was talking about it.

The Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest had been struck from existence!

This was a tremendous upheaval. No one had anticipated such an outcome — the Human Sacred Physique and the Demon Man had descended upon the ancestral land of an ancient imperial clan and annihilated that entire lineage.

The Great Sage Qianlun was dead, his body taken away to become someone else’s meal. It was the stuff of myth, and no one dared to believe it.

“Unbelievable — absolutely staggering!”

“That was a Great Sage of his era, a dignified ancestral land of an ancient imperial clan — and just like that, it’s gone!”

These were the words most often exchanged when people met. The whole world was discussing it; the affair was too monumental to be concealed, and besides, who would try to conceal it? It had long since spread throughout the Five Domains.

Many ancient royal clans were struck with fear, gripped by a profound unease. That had been a great imperial clan — eliminated just like that.

Though people knew that the people of the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest had simply departed and had not been wiped out in the true sense of the word, it was nonetheless an astonishing event. To call it one of the rarest great affairs in all of history would not be an overstatement.

“Once again, the Human Sacred Physique!”

Among the ancient clans, some eyes flashed with murderous light. They despised Ye Fan to the core. The last time, it had been he who brought out Gai Jiuyou to unleash his might, consecutively annihilating the saints of ten great malevolent clans.

And this time, the Demon Man had also made his return because of him, descending upon the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest and dealing that lineage a devastating blow — bringing about the fall of Qianlun.

Some people’s hatred for him had climbed to its peak. They longed to kill him, yet none dared to act rashly. First there was Gai Jiuyou, and now there was the Demon Man — both formed an enormous deterrent.

“Ha ha… excellent! Splendid!”

The human race was invigorated. Many people shouted with exhilaration. In recent years, they had felt suffocated — until recently, when it finally felt as though they could breathe freely once more.

“Well slain! A thoroughly satisfying victory! Even a great imperial clan has been struck from existence — I’d like to see now whether the radical vanguards of the ancient clans still dare to advance recklessly!”

People understood that this battle was no ordinary affair. In a certain sense, it had pacified the turmoil of the coming decades, perhaps even centuries.

Who now would dare to humiliate the human race?

Having endured several great calamities, one exceptional human powerhouse after another had emerged into the world, leaving the ancient clans unable to fathom the depths of the human race. They absolutely would not dare to act rashly again.

This battle had undeniably severed one of their most powerful and fearsome tendons!

Even an imperial clan had been cut down without mercy — to say nothing of other clans. Were the fighting to continue, entire ancient lineages might be consecutively wiped out.

“The Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest… that was a great clan that had produced ancient emperors, a colossal lineage protected and guarded by weapons at the peak of the Dao. In its heyday, its commands were obeyed throughout the world without exception — and just like that, they have been driven out of the Big Dipper!”

Many among the ancient clans seethed with hatred; their fury toward Ye Fan surged.

Of course, so many races could not possibly be a monolithic bloc. All those who harbored hatred and rage were still the same radical great clans from before. In truth, after so many years, many clan groups had dealings with the human race and shared no ordinary relationship with them.

“One day I will kill the Human Sacred Physique!”

It was not only the saints among the ancient clans who swore these oaths — many among the younger generation clenched their teeth and vowed the same. It was a form of burning hatred that they used to steel their resolve.

Yet at this moment, the reputation of the Human Sacred Physique had spread throughout the world. Those who could truly kill him were very few, and as for the younger generation — they were close to despair.

“The human race is formidable — not to be provoked, not to be touched!”

The elder figures of the ancient clans lamented. This battle had set the tone for the future. No one would gamble with their own life. Unless the path to immortality opened, there would be an era of peace and prosperity for a long time to come, with no more large-scale conflict.

Had the Demon Man’s condition not fluctuated so erratically, Ye Fan had even considered launching another campaign against an ancient imperial clan — then truly no lineage would dare to cause trouble.

A pity. The Demon Man had once again exiled himself into the Desolate universe. Whether they would have the chance to meet again in this lifetime was unknown. Ye Fan murmured to himself, “Fire Unicorn Cave — consider yourselves fortunate.”

Of course, this battle had also made Ye Fan acutely aware that his standing as a target of hatred had overflowed. Every single powerhouse among the ancient clans wished to kill him.

The human race was naturally jubilant. This battle had shifted the entire landscape; there was no longer any need for worry. Yet of course they also understood Ye Fan’s precarious situation full well.

“The Human Sacred Physique has sacrificed a great deal. From those early days until now, he has continually provoked the ancient clans, placing himself in peril — his life is ever at risk.”

“True enough. Certain ancient kings surely do not wish for him to continue living. Sooner or later, some will move against him in secret.”

People understood the significance of this battle. The majority held him in high regard and believed he had contributed enormously. Yet a small minority spoke ill of him in private, spreading rumours and slander.

This could never be avoided — such was the nature of people. Not even the gods could win the approval of all, for demons coexist with them too.

“All that happened was sweeping away the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest — why all the fuss? This was nothing more than stirring up conflict without cause, making the ancient clans despise us all.”

“Indeed. Haven’t things been peaceful recently? Even if there were undercurrents, there was no large-scale slaughter — why go so far as to destroy the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Nest?”

“In my view, it was entirely that Ye Fan wanting to make a name for himself, building his fame across the Big Dipper. Truly incomprehensible.”

A small number of people gossiped in this way, harboring all manner of thoughts, refusing to acknowledge the impact and significance of this battle and instead heaping endless criticism upon Ye Fan.

Some even composed manifestos calling for campaigns against Ye Fan, fancying their own brush to be flowing with divine inspiration, their writing magnificently ornate, every phrase and clause brilliantly adorned.

This naturally stirred up a commotion. Someone shook their head and said, “Wait until the path to immortality opens — let’s hope they can still say such things then. Go curry favor with the ancient clans, by all means!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan shook his head and paid it no attention. He had no inclination to concern himself with any of this. Now that he had settled all affairs in the Big Dipper, he was preparing to set out and undertake the greatest trial ever known.

He invited the Monkey, Ji Zi, and others to come along as well. At the same time, he advised the Heavenly Court to migrate — to temporarily leave the Big Dipper, to escape this most terrifying vortex in the entire universe, and to return only when necessary.

The opening of the path to immortality would perhaps become the greatest upheaval in all of heaven and earth’s history. Without the strength to participate, entering at all was nothing short of seeking death. When the time came, heaven only knew what supreme beings might emerge.

The Holy Ape Zi and Ji Zi were both considering setting out, though they would need to delay, for they each had their own affairs to settle first. Perhaps they would depart at the same time as the relocation of Heavenly Village.

The small faction of the human race that targeted Ye Fan and sought to befriend powerhouses among the ancient clans was ignored entirely. In the end, a batch of them were devoured, stirring up a farce that ultimately came to nothing.

“We have suffered defeat. A good number of our pathfinders died on Eternal Main Star, cut down by the powerhouses there!”

A shocking piece of news arrived, exploding like thunder across the Big Dipper star region. Many among the ancient clans erupted in fury — not a single vial of evolution fluid had been seized, and they had lost a portion of their people.

“We have gauged their strength. They have Sacred Kings, and no Great Sage has been spotted. Their battle armor is truly special — capable of significantly enhancing their combat power.”

A mother ship returned, bringing back detailed intelligence about Eternal Main Star — in particular, very specific accounts of the divine efficacy of the evolution fluid. Many great clans grew restless.

To campaign against Eternal Main Star!

This became the central topic of discussion. Many great clans wished to send out troops, to seize the evolution fluid. Through careful analysis of the intelligence that had been sent back, they concluded that breaking into that ancient star region posed no problem and that great gains would be made.

On this very day, several of the most powerful royal clans of antiquity, along with imperial clans, convened in secret, preparing for the expedition, and began mobilizing their forces.

At the same time, Heavenly Village was also making busy preparations. The Black Emperor proved to have an exceptionally deep mastery of Dao patterns, having deciphered more than half of the secrets of the star gate. Combined with the formation platforms, long-distance navigation had become achievable.

“Even without a mother ship, before long we will be able to traverse the heavens and visit one ancient star after another!” it declared with full confidence.

Ye Fan was also about to depart — to undertake the greatest trial in history. He needed to become a saint, in preparation to face the upheaval that would come when the path to immortality opened.

“I’ll go ahead and scout out the path for you. Heavenly Village doesn’t need to be conspicuous — migrate over gradually, recover and grow in secret, and return when the moment calls for it.”

In the days before his departure, Ye Fan deliberately allowed his whereabouts to spread through various means and channels. He was heading beyond the domain, setting foot on the ancient star roads of the cosmos, and making for Eternal Main Star.

“He dares to leave this place — with no Gai Jiuyou, no Wei Yi, no Demon Man, who is left to shelter him? Let us go and kill him!”

Upon learning of this, many among the ancient clans bared their fangs. If it came to the expedition, and they crossed paths with him there, they would not let Ye Fan escape.

An even more brazen faction declared outright that they would hunt him down across the cosmos and have him slain beyond the domain.

“Hmm — he’s leaving the Big Dipper? This is a fine opportunity. The might of the Verdant Copper Cauldron is plain for all to see — it was precisely because of it that the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Bell was held at bay. If we strike down the Human Sacred Physique, that cauldron will belong to us!”

“Indeed. The divine entity dwelling within that cauldron is extraordinary. To truly subdue it would be like obtaining a peak Dao imperial weapon — its value is immeasurable!”

Many people were overcome with excitement, their hearts nearly boiling over. Once Ye Fan left the Big Dipper, it would be the perfect opportunity to deliver a killing blow.

And it was not only the ancient clans — even saints from beyond the domain harbored the same intentions. They would spare no cost to slay Ye Fan in the depths of space.

“A road to heaven lies before you and yet you refuse to walk it — you force your way through a hell that has no gate. Kill him, or divine law cannot be upheld!” The great army of the Golden Crow Clan arrived once more; an ancient patriarch spoke coldly, likewise intent on the hunt.

“We can cooperate with the ancient clans — have them provide the coordinates of that place, while we travel the ancient star roads of the cosmos. There is no need to sail aboard a cosmic mother ship.” A sage from beyond the domain proposed.

“He is too arrogant — incredibly conceited to dare act like this. We will go as well, and seek an opportunity to seize the evolution fluid. If we can kill him and claim the cauldron in the bargain, so much the better.” Even some cultivators among the human race whispered such things.

These were people from the Four Symbols Sacred Ground and the Nine Heavens Sacred Ground. In recent days, they had been the primary force stoking the flames of criticism against Ye Fan. Not long before, when the two great ancient divine dynasties were being suppressed and destroyed, they had forged enmity with him.

The mountain demon and another powerful archaic spirit creature from the Nine Heavens Sacred Ground also set out, traveling together with the sages from beyond the domain.

“Ye Fan, doing this is far too reckless. You are drawing away so many enemies — if you are surrounded and cut off, you may face utter destruction.”

In Heavenly Village, the Holy Prince, Dongfang Ye, Li Tian, and others tried to dissuade him. Even the Slaughter Saint Qi Luo emerged from closed cultivation to see him off.

“It’s fine — I know what I’m doing. Everyone, I’ll take my leave first.” Ye Fan seized control of a mother ship and shot skyward, vanishing into the depths of the cosmos, then began performing spatial jumps.

Of course, before departing, he had made certain arrangements — drawing in the various saints, who then launched into a frenzied pursuit.