The onlookers were one and all shaken to their core. The power of this cauldron was immense — even a few stray wisps of cascading primal energy had been enough to crush two saints. What kind of overwhelmingly imposing ancient cauldron was this?

“This is the Primal Energy of All Creation. Even the great emperors of antiquity struggled to obtain this immortal material — and he has had it forged into a cauldron.”

“It is said that more than two hundred thousand years ago, a woman of breathtaking, eternal brilliance came to possess this very treasure, yet did not have time to cast it into a cauldron. Could it be that it ultimately fell into his hands?”

The three-legged, two-eared round cauldron, adorned with the sun, moon, and stars — birds and beasts, flowers, fish, and insects — vermillion bird divine beings, ancient ancestors of primordial times… all manner of life was present, vivid and lifelike. Primordial energy permeated everything, leaving the onlookers profoundly shaken.

A cauldron like this stirred the heart of every person present — especially those trial contestants who had set out on the ancient star road. Each one was supremely confident in themselves, and upon seeing a divine weapon that only great emperors of antiquity could possess, all were naturally deeply moved.

But who dared to step forward at this moment? Ye Fan had killed even the Grand Commander of the Human Race’s Second Sacred City. He was a figure who “made no distinctions whatsoever” — no one dared approach to seize the cauldron.

In a sense, a fearsome reputation was something one had to earn through fighting!

“Do you intend to act on their behalf?” Ye Fan held the dark gold long spear, his divine might imposing and formidable, the Cauldron of All Creation suspended above his head, its holy radiance pouring outward in ten thousand streams, surging and sweeping in a breathtaking display.

“These people did not achieve sainthood easily, and I am not certain why you wish to take their lives, so I have come to ask.” The celestial poem fairy spoke, her steps light and graceful, her figure elegant as a celestial being — brows like soft arcs, her eyes carrying an ineffable spirit.

“They are not trial contestants, nor are they of the human race, and yet they entered the primordial training ground to surround and attack me — is that reason enough?” Ye Fan said.

The onlookers drew a sharp breath. Six ancient saints joining forces to enter the training ground, and Ye Fan had managed to avoid their ambush and come out alive — this fact alone was enough to make him stand supreme above the ancient road.

All six were not of the human race — without even thinking, it was obvious they had been let in by Grand Commander Yu Han. Every other trial contestant felt a wave of belated fear, thinking: if these people had targeted any one of them, would they have escaped? In this moment, people’s sympathies shifted to Ye Fan’s side — because the Grand Commander had grievously violated the rules!

“Something like this truly happened…” The celestial poem fairy furrowed her brow, sighed softly, and drifted aside like a transcendent immortal.

Her figure was slender and graceful, her skin like ice and jade, smooth as congealed fat, gleaming white as jade. Her beautiful eyes carried a spirit of vitality. Her flowing hair shone with a luster like fine silk — a dazzling beauty.

Whether friend or foe, every person there had to acknowledge: this woman’s bearing was transcendent and otherworldly, pure and ethereal, like an exiled immortal skimming the water’s surface. Her white robes drifted in the breeze, carrying an indescribable flowing divine spirit.

Many people were disappointed. They had assumed that this celestial poem fairy — hailed as the foremost among trial contestants twenty years prior — would make her move, but unexpectedly, no conflict had come of it.

Beside her, little handmaiden Ling’er’s large eyes darted and rolled, spinning around alertly, black and white sharply distinct, carrying a crafty gleam. Unable to figure out what was going on, she murmured quietly to herself: “How has he become this strong?”

Ye Fan’s gaze swept in all directions, but unfortunately the remaining four were nowhere to be found. They had not yet left the city, however — setting out on the star road was an immensely complicated matter.

“That is enough.” An aged voice resonated.

Only at this moment did people notice that the guidance official had appeared — a blurred shadow, standing coldly in the plaza, at his feet a wide spread of blood.

The Grand Commander and more than ten soldiers all lay in their final rest, their flowing blood a sight that turned the stomach. The fact that the guidance official had appeared only now clearly conveyed something.

As a cultivator at the peak of the Saint King realm, the guidance official could absolutely overlook the entire city from above. No one would question his authority. Whatever he had to say, his will could not be defied.

“A pity. To have cultivated the Dao for so many years, with one foot in the Saint King realm — and in the end, to have been blinded by greed, dying with a tarnished reputation.” The guidance official let out a quiet sigh, scattering several snowy white flowers. As a gentle breeze passed over, the corpses, the bloodstains — all of it vanished.

No one spoke. Ye Fan was the same. His actions had brought things to this point — the most fierce protest possible. Nothing more needed to be said.

“On the ancient star road, any commander who oversees a trial ground must never act with selfish intent — otherwise, an enforcer will come to execute them.” The guidance official said.

“In the end, he did not manage to truly harm any of you. Allow him to atone for his crimes through death, and let this matter draw to a close — can everyone present accept this?” The guidance official said these words.

Naturally, no one present was willing to press further. In truth, they would be leaving before long — and making an enemy of a guidance official was unwise, as it would only invite trouble for themselves.

Yet Ye Fan, the chief aggrieved party, did not wish to settle things so simply. He spoke calmly: “There are six members of foreign races who were able to swagger openly into the primordial training ground to surround and attack me — and now they are still in this city. I ask the guidance official to execute them!”

“The sacred city is now sealed. No one can leave at this time.” After these words, the guidance official vanished from where he stood — with an abruptness that caught everyone off guard.

Many of those present wore strange expressions. The guidance official’s words and actions were deeply significant — he had not personally moved to execute the foreign races and had only said this much.

Foreign races penetrating the human race’s trial ground — this was no small matter. Though it had all been set in motion by Yu Han, who was now dead, how could these six foreign races go unpunished? It seemed hard to justify.

Yet the guidance official had also stated that the sacred city was sealed and no one could leave — meaning these several foreign race members could not escape. What did that signify?

“The guidance official is somewhat… wary.” Some people quickly arrived at this conclusion.

Once this was murmured among the crowd, everyone agreed it must be so — and every heart was stunned. What could make even the guidance official wary? What kind of power was this?

Ye Fan considered briefly, then abruptly raised his head and looked toward the celestial poem fairy. “Were these six people not traveling together with the fairy — coming from the forward stretch of the ancient star road and arriving at this city?”

The hearts of the crowd stirred, and everyone was shaken. This was indeed the crux of the matter. Only remarkable figures like the celestial poem fairy, who had rendered great service, were rewarded with a Divine Light Platform — allowing them to come and go freely on the ancient road.

Had these six not come with her? The crowd had previously assumed they were together. Now it seemed possible there was something else going on.

Indeed, the celestial poem fairy shook her head: “They did not come with me.”

Many people were greatly shaken. Someone else could travel back freely — arriving at this city with six foreign race members in tow — yet this had gone unnoticed by anyone. This was a significant matter!

“They did not come back with the celestial poem fairy? I once saw them appear in your residence, and assumed they were your attendants.” Yu Xian spoke with a note of sarcasm.

By the rules, unless one started over from the very beginning, one could not reappear at a trial location one had already passed through. Only exceptional figures who had obtained a Divine Light Platform could travel freely back and forth on the star road.

Many people exchanged glances with one another. Many had heard the name Emperor Tian before — and every heart gave a jolt. They immediately thought of him. Could it be that this person had also returned?

“Whoever discovers the whereabouts of those foreign race members — inform me, and I will offer a generous reward!” Ye Fan rode Long Ma away, leaving behind these words as he departed.

Everyone understood: he intended to seek out these foreign race powerhouses and execute them within the city. This was nothing short of overwhelming force — no matter who those six had come back with, he was going to strike.

A trace of cold cruelty showed at the corner of Yan Chifeng’s lips. A faint, cold smile. He sat upright on his ancient beast, watching Ye Fan ride away in the distance.

The second-in-command of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders, Ye Wuhun, caught that expression, his heart stirring. “Truly, I don’t know what sort of person has arrived in this city. Does the one surnamed Ye actually think to fight someone who possesses a Divine Light Platform?”

A contemptuous look crossed Yan Chifeng’s face: “If he’s smart enough to stay out of the way, that’s one thing. But if he dares come looking for trouble without knowing what’s good for him, he’ll be seeking his own death — not even a god could save him.”

“What’s there to be arrogant about? Sooner or later I’ll kill him and avenge my brothers!” The third-in-command of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders declared, with a hatred carved into his bones.

Of the Thirteen Riders, only Gu Ling, Ye Wuhun, and he himself remained. The three top leaders had survived. All the others had perished.

In the distance, Ye Fan suddenly wheeled around. A great bow was drawn, shaped like a full moon, and a bone arrow erupted in pure white holy light, loosed from the string. It gave off a sound like ghosts wailing and gods sobbing as it tore through the air.

“Whooo…”

Every person there went pale. No one had expected Ye Fan to dare to act like this — without even the slightest show of restraint.

“Pff!”

The third-in-command of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders was struck between the brows. He had no means of dodging — more than ten defensive magical artifacts were shattered, yet he was still shot down and killed.

“Ahhh…”

A piercing, mournful cry rang out. His entire body exploded. Fragments of broken bones and flesh fell in all directions, splattering across Yan Chifeng’s body.

“Come for me if you want me dead!” Ye Fan said coldly, then urged Long Ma away, leaving behind a tall, upright silhouette.

This sight made every powerful figure there go cold, a chill rattling through every one of their hearts. A seeded contestant had been openly shot to death in public — Ye Fan’s dominance had truly reached its extreme.

“Isn’t he afraid the city lord will suppress him for this? This time he’s truly violated city law.” One person said, uncertain and anxious.

“The Grand Commander had dispatched people to the primordial training ground to kill him — that was already a violation. In this city, the guidance official and the rest all feel they owe him something. They will not punish him.” Someone had seen to the heart of the matter.

The second-in-command of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders ground his teeth in fury. Of the thirteen, only he and Gu Ling remained. All the others had been killed by Ye Fan alone! And now, he and his great leader Gu Ling were at odds and had parted ways for the time being.

“Yan, brother — you were killed by him in the primordial training ground and only escaped through the death-substitution technique. Are you really going to let this go?” Second-in-command Ye Wuhun asked.

“If he stays on the road like a proper cultivator, fine. But if he dares to come looking for trouble without knowing his limits, that will be nothing but him seeking his own death — a god descending couldn’t save him!” Yan Chifeng said with a bone-deep coldness.

Ye Fan sat cross-legged in his dwelling and remained in quiet contemplation through the night, experiencing the myriad differences that had come with achieving sainthood. Only when the rosy hues of dawn spread across the sky did he open his eyes — more brilliant and radiant than the morning light itself.

“Found them. He spotted those foreign race members — it was that young kid Rui Wei who found them. Turns out they’re right inside the camp of Yan Chifeng’s clan — and they only just moved in.” First thing in the morning, Yu Xian arrived — bright eyes and white teeth, lively and energetic, an endearing face, big eyes blinking — and came dashing in to deliver this important piece of news.

Rui Wei followed behind, having been dragged in by her.

“Ye Fan, brother — don’t go. They are clearly unafraid. Even the guidance official is wary of them, which means they have enormous backing. Don’t go taking that risk.” Rui Wei urged.

“It’s fine. I’ll go take a look.” Ye Fan said, without the slightest fear.

“This seat is going too. Let’s see which blind wretch this is — a kick of this hoof will send them on their way.” Long Ma bragged shamelessly, then reared up on its hind legs and struck a pose, putting on the air of a peerless master, alone at the pinnacle of the world.

Yu Xian, fearing the world was not chaotic enough, clapped and laughed cheerfully: “Excellent! Today we’ll cause a great scene together. I’ll come with you — let’s see once and for all whether or not that self-important, self-assured pretty boy who thinks he’s destined to achieve the Dao has actually come back!”