“Who is it, and where are they now?” Ye Fan’s emotions surged violently — so many years now, never once any news of old acquaintances, and it had left a shadow of gloom in his heart.
“Well, it’s a pair of siblings.” The Guide, Zhao Gongyi, said unhurriedly, pouring himself a cup of amber-colored fine wine as he spoke, tilting his head back to drink it down, the mellow fragrance lingering.
Ye Fan fell into a daze for a moment — after so many years, separated across the two shores of the starry sky, were old acquaintances finally to be reunited?
He had traveled alone, fought bloody battles for ten years, campaigning all the way to the front of the Human Race’s First Pass, formally setting foot on the journey. Afterward, the ancient road had been severed, and it had taken him more than twenty more years to reach this place.
During this time, his name had spread — the Sacred Body from the Emperor’s Burial Star had stirred no small waves among the ancient road cities nearby; many believed that, barring any accident, he would one day become a peerless powerhouse.
All these years, Ye Fan had never once seen his old acquaintances, only able to make discreet inquiries, not daring to widely spread those names, lest it place them in danger.
Because many eyes were watching his every move — he had no shortage of enemies!
“This pair of siblings has been very low-key all these years, nearly overlooked entirely, but now at this critical moment they’ve risen up, seizing the opportunity and breaking free.” the Guide said.
“Would they be surnamed Ji?” Ye Fan asked, unable to be certain. There were two pairs of siblings from the Northern Dipper who had set foot on the ancient road, all of extraordinary status, each with their own fortunes.
“They are of the Demon Race, but carry mysterious ancient artifacts that concealed their identities, never once exposed along the way.” Zhao Gongyi said.
“It’s them, the Southern Demon siblings.” Ye Fan wasn’t surprised by this outcome at all — the Ji siblings were pursuing the Void Emperor’s coffin; though on this road, no one knew which stretch of the ancient path they had reached.
“According to what’s been said, they want to meet with you.” the Guide said.
In recent years, Ye Fan’s might had grown daily — killing the Human Race’s Sacred City’s Grand Commander, fighting fiercely against the Sacred Spirit lineage, sweeping through the younger generation of other races when the ancient road had shattered — word of this had slowly spread ahead.
These past days had naturally drawn the attention of some.
“How are they doing, are they alright for now?” Ye Fan asked.
The ancient roads were densely woven, one path after another leading from every domain toward a common endpoint — the Demon Race, Human Race, Divine Race, each had their own ancient road, generally competing among their own kind, rarely any cross-domain trials.
Because, once that happened, one might draw too much attention, becoming a common enemy to countless cultivators, making it very hard to survive. In ages past, a young Demon Emperor had walked the Human Race’s ancient road, fighting all the way, ultimately charging to the very peak.
Few dared do such a thing!
“They’re doing very well, and are about to cross domains now, about to break free from the Human Race’s ancient road.” the Guide said.
A world-shaking ancient demon had come to visit, arriving in this vast star domain to discuss certain matters with the Human Race’s Path Protectors, and happened to discover the Southern Demons, marveling at them as the reincarnation of a Demon God, wanting to take them away.
Zhao Gongyi didn’t know much, only having occasionally learned of this matter; because it concerned Ye Fan, he had spoken of it.
Ye Fan asked in detail, learning some of the situation — he hadn’t expected that the Southern Demons might have that ancient demon bring them along on the return journey, to come meet him.
After all these years, he would finally see some old acquaintances.
“Where’s my Divine Light Platform, when will it be awarded to me?” Ye Fan pressed for the debt owed — the Guides of the ancient road owed him a divine treasure, never yet given.
“Divine Light Platforms are truly far too rare — currently there isn’t even one spare.” Zhao Gongyi answered.
“I don’t believe that — could such a vast ancient road really lack even one divine platform?” Ye Fan was rather displeased — how long had they been putting this off?
“In the spirit of peaceful, friendly, and orderly competition, we feel it’s best for you to proceed steadily, step by step, along the road.” the Guide suggested like this. He said Ye Fan was a disaster star, bringing the aura of death wherever he went, and it always came as a whole batch, a whole crowd — best not to cross too many stretches of the road too early and get mixed up in things.
“What kind of nonsense is that.” Ye Fan’s displeasure changed nothing.
Next, Zhao Gongyi said with a grave expression another matter — his fated rival was about to return to fight him, the Overlord Body would appear — this was without question a major event!
Many elders were paying attention, recently discussing it endlessly; up ahead it had already stirred up a great commotion.
“Many people feel it’s best if the two of you don’t clash right now — everything is still too early, especially with the Underworld mobilizing troops on such a large scale; the old-timers especially don’t want to see one of the two great physiques bled dry in battle.” the Guide said.
“If he comes, I will fight him. If he doesn’t, we’ll meet again in the future.” Ye Fan said calmly.
As calm as he was, Yang Yunteng couldn’t sit still, clenching both fists — this was the fated battle between the Sacred Body and the Overlord Body; all these years he had endured too much humiliation in his heart because of it.
“If only I’d been born an era earlier.” the little fellow Yang Xi said indignantly too, clenching his small fists.
“This battle is still premature, and will surely be halted. Especially in this generation, with chaos appearing everywhere, no one knowing where the Underworld and the gods will make war — some Path Protectors on the ancient road have reservations, and will avoid the tragedy of a Seed-level talent falling too early.”
Two days later, the altar at the Human Race’s Fiftieth Pass flickered, and news brought by someone from up ahead on the ancient road shattered the calm.
“Do you all know the Overlord Body is returning? The one who once crossed the heavenly domains alone, invincible, sweeping through the Heaven’s Chosen of every domain — he’s appearing again!”
“What, the one with the Heavenly Overlord Blood flowing within him has turned back? Up ahead no one dares provoke him — why has he turned to kill his way back?”
This was a world-shaking piece of news, stirring up a great uproar; everyone was in an uproar, feeling a deep dread toward the Heavenly Overlord Body — too many things had happened in the past, still fresh in memory to this day.
The Overlord Body would face off against the Sacred Body — a battle destined by fate!
Without doubt, after the brief shock, everyone thought of the same thing — Ye Fan had arrived, the Sacred Body from the Emperor’s Burial Star had appeared, these two great physiques had been fated rivals since ancient times, and now would continue the battle of their ancestors, an all-out clash across generations.
The Human Race’s Fiftieth City was boiling with excitement, everyone anticipating — this was without question the most eagerly awaited battle since setting foot on the ancient road!
Up ahead, several young Supremes seemed to be deliberately avoiding something — their subordinates had clashed many times, but the several of them had still not personally fought, in a peak battle to the death.
No one had expected that a young Supreme from up ahead would turn back and strike from the rear — was this a signal for a great slaughter to begin?
“This is the prelude — the world-shaking battle between the Overlord Body and the Sacred Body will open the curtain, and from now on the entire ancient road will boil, the young Supremes will contend one after another, and the ancient roads everywhere will be fought to the point of breaking!” someone made such a stunning prediction.
“Lord Guide, didn’t you say someone would stop all this? Then why is the one with the Heavenly Overlord Blood flowing in his veins about to return?” Yang Yunteng said anxiously, knowing well that Ye Fan had set foot on the ancient road later than the Overlord Body, worried his cultivation level might not measure up.
Zhao Gongyi was frowning too — was there no one up ahead to stop this? He sighed, “On this ancient road, anything is possible. Some oppose it, but naturally, some also wish to see this battle happen.”
He didn’t say it outright, but one could sense it — certain individuals had their own selfish motives, favoring the physique they personally recognized in their hearts, and that was why the great battle between the Overlord Body and the Sacred Body was now imminent.
“Rest assured, I believe someone will step forward — this life-and-death battle won’t happen so quickly.” Zhao Gongyi said.
“I hope a War of the Gods happens in the future, not a confrontation right now.” Yang Yunteng said.
In truth, though many anticipated the immediate clash between the Sacred Body and the Overlord Body, there was a lingering regret in their hearts too — in the past, wars between the two physiques had happened; meeting too early now might lessen the impact of this battle.
“Once a trial-taker sets foot on the star road, they are not to turn back and kill those who come after — facing off in the depths of the starry void is the proper way, the best choice; otherwise it counts as violating the rules.”
“What is this — rules are dead, people are alive. The Heavenly Overlord Blood is strong enough that even if an enforcer appeared, they likely couldn’t stop him.”
The city was filled everywhere with discussion of the Sacred Body and the Overlord Body.
Along this long star road, messengers often came and went, generally Guides and others relaying important news. This time, besides the routine report to the Guide, the messenger also brought the Overlord’s battle summons from up ahead.
Clearly, the Heavenly Overlord Body had built up a formidable reputation up ahead — everything he did was taken seriously; the Guide up ahead had this messenger bring along one of the Overlord’s attendants, giving him full face, showing considerable regard.
Hun Zhan — this generation’s young Supreme with Heavenly Overlord Blood flowing in his veins, had built an invincible reputation up ahead, revered as the Overlord King.
The Heavenly Overlord Body did not come from a fixed lineage, much like the Sacred Body — after a span of years, one might be born into a different bloodline.
The letter Hun Zhan had sent bore only a single blood-red character: “Battle” — startling to the eye, radiating an overwhelming overlord’s aura and fighting intent, like a hegemon standing before them.
Battle!
This character was written in ancient divine script, containing the essence and spirit of a young Supreme, piercing through the paper, ringing out like the clash of swords.
On this day, strands of chaotic sword energy surged into the sky, shattering the calm, making all the heroes’ hearts tremble — what kind of person was this? Even a single character in a battle summons was this shocking, giving rise to a chill in people’s hearts.
“The Overlord King hopes you will wait for him at the Human Race’s Fiftieth City, holding nothing back, letting this battle be glorious and magnificent.”
The Heavenly Overlord Body’s attendant was a young man named Liu Yun, quite handsome, black hair draped over his shoulders, eyes clear and bright, his cultivation formidable — many in the city secretly felt a chill, doubting they were his match.
“Will he really come?” Ye Fan asked.
“Please rest assured, Brother Ye — the Overlord King’s word is his bond, he will absolutely return for this battle, and will not disappoint any of you.” Liu Yun said, steady and composed.
Those present all murmured at this — this was clearly a declaration to charge right back in, that not even an enforcer or a Guide could stop him; he would turn back for this battle.
“Why must the decisive battle be at the Human Race’s Fiftieth City?” Ye Fan asked calmly.
“In ancient times, a War of the Gods once took place here. The Overlord King wishes to continue that glory, and from now on make this the battle-city of the Heavenly Overlord Blood lineage, for people to reminisce over.” Liu Yun answered.
Everyone showed a look of surprise — Hun Zhan was truly confident and overlord-like, wanting to make this place a glorious site of the Overlord Body lineage, spreading the radiance of victory — was he trying to make the Sacred Body lineage lose face?