The white-haired old madman wept and wailed, running back and forth through the mountains. His clothes were ragged and looked ancient — nothing like the garments of this era.
Not far away, Ye Fan’s face was filled with utter disbelief. Could this person truly be from six thousand years ago? It was simply too shocking to the world. Waves of astonishment crashed inside his heart.
Ye Fan had once lived for a time in the Lingxu Grotto-Heaven and had some understanding of that sect. Even the eldest among their Supreme Elders was only a few hundred years old — already considered a rare and venerable elder.
If the old madman before him was truly from six thousand years ago, the impact of it was staggering beyond words. What kind of concept was that span of years? Having traversed the long ages of history, threading through countless eras of light and darkness alike — he was essentially a living history book in the flesh. It was truly impossible to comprehend.
And on the other side, the old woman was equally startling. That she could recognize the old madman meant she was most likely a figure from the same period. She looked no different from an ordinary old woman from a village, yet her age left one’s mind reeling and dizzy — a feeling both awe-inspiring and deeply strange.
As Ye Fan stood there lost in thought, he was suddenly jolted — the old woman had vanished without a sound. There had been no visible movement from her whatsoever. She had simply disappeared from thin air, as though she had never appeared at all.
“Dead… all dead…” The old madman gradually moved away as well.
Just then, a great many people surged toward the small town outside the mountains — all racing to get there. Ye Fan didn’t understand, and followed along behind them to see what was happening.
“The Yao Guang Holy Land and the Jiang Family are finally going to enter the Forbidden Desolate Land!”
From the discussions around him, Ye Fan learned that the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family were preparing to enter the mountains. They were now gathering willing participants — anyone who joined them would receive a spirit medicine to resist the curse.
An enormous crowd of cultivators had gathered outside that small town, all waiting for the two great powers to distribute the spirit medicines. A full half an hour passed before a thunderous rumbling rang out from inside the town, like a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses in full gallop.
Several hundred knights sat astride a variety of strange and extraordinary savage beasts. Their killing intent rose to the heavens, their will to battle burning high. They came charging out of the town. Every beast flickered with divine radiance, scales gleaming and bristling — none of them touched the ground, hovering three feet above the earth and galloping through the void, sweeping forward like a tidal wave.
A boundless oppressive pressure shook all directions. The several hundred knights were clad head to toe in divine iron armor, only their eyes left exposed. They drove their beasts higher and higher above the ground, and the sky and the earth both trembled. A murderous aura shrouded the entire small town and the surrounding area.
Rumble!
Behind the several hundred powerful knights, fifty bronze war chariots appeared. They were spattered with black blood, covered in the scars of blades and swords — testament to their glories — emanating an aura of antiquity and desolation.
The fifty ancient bronze war chariots rolled across the sky, producing an ear-splitting roar as vast as a tidal surge. The terrifying emanations from the cultivators aboard those chariots were even more intense than those of the knights. The very vault of heaven seemed on the verge of being ground to pieces by them. Their wheels turned as the ancient war chariots ascended high into the sky.
Behind the ancient war chariots, dozens of divine arcs of light shot skyward. The cultivations of these individuals were clearly a step above the rest — these people were guarding two special carriages.
The cry of a phoenix rang across the heavens. Nine exotic birds with dazzlingly brilliant plumage, each shimmering with streams of divine radiance and blazing with glorious light, bore five-colored bodies and stretched well over a dozen meters in length — looking for all the world like the legendary divine phoenix. They pulled a five-colored divine carriage up into the vault of heaven.
“Those nine exotic birds definitely carry phoenix divine blood in their veins — descendants of the divine bird.”
“That’s the Yao Guang Holy Land’s Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage. It’s said that only an Elder of supremely exceptional power is permitted to ride in it.”
“An elder of that caliber could probably destroy all six of the grotto-heavens and blessed lands of the Yan region alone…”
The many cultivators gathered outside the town were all murmuring and exclaiming, every face lit with astonishment. Such a powerful formation truly left people stunned.
Suddenly, the roaring of savage beasts shook the high heavens, sending everyone’s eardrums buzzing and their very souls trembling. Nine beasts resembling golden divine chimeras pulled a jade carriage glimmering with divine mist and riding on clouds, releasing rolling peals of thunder as they rose from within the town up into the heavens above.
“That’s the Jiang Family’s Divine Chimera Carriage — only direct-lineage powerhouses of the Jiang Family may ride in it. That must be someone at the Elder level!”
The crowd could not hold back their astonishment. The Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family had clearly gone all-in. They were absolutely determined to claim the sacred medicine deep within the Forbidden Desolate Land.
At that moment, an elder riding a rainbow arc of light approached and hovered above the crowd outside the town. Looking down upon everyone, he said, “Our spirit medicines are limited and cannot be handed out at random. Those who wish to receive one must be willing to act under our direction when the time comes.”
An immediate uproar broke out below. Those terms were considered somewhat harsh, and many people, worried about being used as cannon fodder, withdrew at once.
“This is outrageous — I won’t take one. Whoever takes it will probably die without even knowing how.”
“Let them keep it for themselves. That kind of spirit medicine is too dangerous to touch — I won’t dare take one.”
Some cultivators did remain, intending entirely to fish in troubled waters — take the spirit medicine and leave right away without obeying any orders.
The elder in the sky continued to project his voice, the sound waves shaking the high air: “We will not treat anyone as cannon fodder — only act in concert with us, advance and retreat as one…”
Many people did not believe it and raised objections. The elder above responded patiently to each. In the end, no small number of people stayed — but the great majority chose to observe from the sidelines, not participating at all.
Half an hour later, the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family’s contingent began advancing into the depths of the mountains. Large numbers of cultivators followed behind — not seeking to seize the sacred medicine, only hoping to find some spirit medicines in the outer areas. In truth, very few people wanted to enter the Forbidden Desolate Land itself. Everyone was thinking only of searching the outer zones. No one was willing to stake their life in exchange for spirit medicines.
The Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family’s forces had made quite a spectacle in the town, but once they entered the deep mountains, everyone restrained their powerful auras, making themselves as inconspicuous as possible. What had come before was simply to overawe the other cultivators.
“The Forbidden Desolate Land’s surroundings are home to many powerful savage beasts — even powerful figures from the holy lands might not be able to defeat them. We’ll split into seven groups and enter the life-forbidden zone from different routes…”
No one had expected the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family to make such a decision in the deep mountains. The cultivators following behind looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure which group to follow.
Some quick-witted cultivators smiled and said, “What’s there to think about? Wherever the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage and that jade carriage fly, that’s where we follow.”
But all who formed such plans were disappointed — the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage and the brilliantly gleaming jade carriage vanished in the blink of an eye, their whereabouts lost entirely.
“The Forbidden Desolate Land is unpredictable and inscrutable. Any powerful cultivator who enters may well be stripped down to an ordinary mortal. The two Elders will not venture deep inside — they will remain at the outer perimeter to support us and sweep away any threatening savage beasts.”
Upon hearing this explanation, everyone was deeply disappointed.
“There’s no surviving going into the life-forbidden zone. Let’s just watch from a distance — there’s no point getting swept up in this.”
At that point, a good number of cultivators lost their nerve and halted one by one, advancing no further. The Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family — a vast and surging formation — quickly split into seven currents that shot off into the distant sky, advancing from different directions.
Ye Fan surveyed the scene and decided to follow the central contingent. Rather than flying through the air, he moved through the mountain forest at ground level. Although many had retreated, a large number of cultivators had still followed along. Ye Fan walked slowly and waited until everyone had moved far ahead before he set off after them.
“Boundless withered bones, seas of blood and mountains of corpses… it… has come again…” Just then, the white-haired old madman appeared suddenly — right nearby. He had followed along as well.
“Old man, are you sure about what you’re saying?”
“Everyone will die…” he muttered vacantly to himself.
Why did this raving old man keep saying things like this? It was genuinely unsettling. But thinking of how he was not in his right mind, Ye Fan relaxed again. He could not allow a few words to make him retreat. He had to obtain the sacred medicine — it was bound to his future.
Ye Fan continued on his way, leaving the old madman far behind.
Most of the cultivators ahead were flying, so their speed was swift. An hour later, they had entered a mountain range two hundred or so li from the Forbidden Desolate Land. Upon reaching this primeval territory, there were considerably more savage beasts — but with so many cultivators present, the beasts all chose to withdraw, clearing the path from a distance.
“The journey has been very smooth so far. The Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family’s people are probably less than a hundred li from the life-forbidden zone by now — no danger at all.”
“Perhaps they really can gather the sacred medicine. Should we go to the edge of the Forbidden Desolate Land for a look as well?”
Many of the cultivators ahead were murmuring amongst themselves. They had come this far without encountering any danger and were feeling somewhat at ease.
Roar!
Suddenly, a terrifying howl rang out from deep in the primeval mountain range. Far ahead, screams of panic spread out in waves. Many cultivators came fleeing back at full speed.
“Run — the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family’s central contingent is finished!”
Many cultivators rode arcs of light in retreat, their faces filled with terror. They did not want to linger for even a moment, fleeing back toward the outside of the mountains.
“What happened?” Cultivators farther back asked in confusion.
“A powerful savage beast appeared ahead. It swallowed more than half the mounted knights of the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family in one gulp, crushed seven or eight of the ancient bronze war chariots to dust with a single swipe of its claw, and roared nine times in a row — killing everyone within a one-li radius!”
“Too terrifying!”
“Not one person from the central contingent of the Jiang Family and Yao Guang Holy Land escaped — everyone is dead!”
Hearing this from those who had fled back, many people were shaken to the core. What kind of savage beast was this? It was simply too terrifying — to have annihilated everyone completely.
Ye Fan felt something was very wrong. According to common knowledge, although there were many powerful savage beasts around the Forbidden Desolate Land, they did not specifically target cultivators — the carnage should not have been this extreme.
Suddenly, waves of terrifying energy ripples spread out from the mountain range in the distance. Before long, agonized screams from large numbers of cultivators came through, and masses of cultivators fled in terror.
“What happened?”
“A peerless savage beast appeared and tore apart everyone at the very front. Not one person from the Yao Guang Holy Land or the Jiang Family made it back alive — all dead.”
Cultivators farther back were all panic-stricken upon hearing this. Another contingent had been annihilated — far exceeding anyone’s expectations.
Ye Fan felt increasingly uneasy. They had not yet truly entered the Forbidden Desolate Land, and already two contingents had been destroyed. This was not a good omen. He couldn’t help thinking of the crazy old man.
Suddenly, the cry of a phoenix rang across the heavens. Nine exotic birds with extraordinarily brilliant plumage blazed with gorgeous light, like divine fire in full blaze. They pulled a five-colored divine carriage, cleaving through the sky.
“The Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land has finally made a move. There’s nothing to run from now — he’ll definitely destroy the beasts ahead.” Everyone thought so.
But in an instant, everyone’s expressions changed completely — because the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage was actually fleeing!
“Heavens — that’s a legendary Roc!”
High in the sky, a colossal bird blotted out the heavens. Its wingspan stretched hundreds of meters when extended, its entire body blazing with radiance so brilliant it was blinding — as though cast from molten gold, shimmering gold all over like a piece of golden cloud. It came surging forward, in pursuit of the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage.
At this sight, Ye Fan did not hesitate for a single moment. He turned and ran immediately. Something was deeply wrong deep in that mountain range. All manner of powerful savage beasts had appeared. Even the Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land could only run for his life — it was far too abnormal.
Was the old madman’s prophecy about to come true? Ye Fan felt a chill creeping into his heart. He traveled through the forest by riding a rainbow arc, not soaring into the open sky, for fear of being noticed by the terrifying beasts.
“Ah…”
Suddenly, screams of terror erupted ahead. Masses of cultivators flooded back into the deep mountains like a tide.
“There are savage beasts blocking the way ahead — run!”
“It was horrifying — hundreds of people were pulverized into a blood mist in the blink of an eye…”
Ye Fan’s head throbbed immediately. Even the route of retreat had been cut off by savage beasts — this was truly not good news. His only consolation was that he had not shot up into the sky just now; otherwise, he would likely have been in danger as well.
The primeval mountain range descended into complete chaos. There were terrifying savage beasts blocking both front and back, and large numbers of cultivators began flying sideways in an attempt to break out.
Suddenly, mournful cries rang out. The Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage was intercepted for the seventh time. The Roc was ferocious and formidable, its entire body blazing with golden light that covered the sky. It had already torn apart two of the phoenix-like exotic birds alive.
An enraged roar rang out. An old man burst forth from within the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage, a massive vermillion seal the color of blood flying out from his body, rapidly growing until it was as large as a mountain, pressing down upon the Roc.
Brilliant golden light burst into the sky. The Roc’s body erupted with blinding radiance, and its golden wing struck — slicing through the heavens with a resounding clang that rang through the sky, sending that blood-red mountain-sized seal flying far away.
At the same time, a golden vortex appeared before the Roc, like a colossal eye of the sea. It rapidly began consuming and swallowing both the Nine Phoenixes Sunrise Carriage and the old man.
The massive golden vortex set the great mountains below trembling, as though they might be uprooted and pulled into it — consuming everything material in all eight directions.
Mournful cries rang out. The few phoenix-like exotic birds were all swallowed into the golden vortex. It was clearly visible as those five-colored birds were shattered, dissolving into vast clouds of blood mist — completely reduced to dust and ashes without a trace. The five-colored divine carriage wreathed in misty light was ground to powder on the spot.
The old man’s hair and beard stood on end. Countless rays of light burst from his body — all manner of sacred treasures — slashing toward the golden-winged Roc.
But the Roc was too powerful. Ten million golden feathers across its entire body all blazed with divine brilliance, shooting out rays of golden light like sharp swords in every direction. Every last sacred treasure was blocked, and a good number were shattered outright.
“Sever!”
“Obliterate!”
“Kill!”
Three words rang out like heavenly thunder, sending the entire primeval mountain range rumbling. The three words the old man roared from his mouth seemed to carry some strange power, making even the Roc shudder.
A vertical eye suddenly opened on his forehead, shooting out three rays of purple light. Combined with the three thunderous words he had shouted, they pierced three blood-holes straight through the Roc’s golden body.
A bird-cry split the heavens. The golden Roc spread its wings and shot high into the sky, scattering a shower of golden blood below — but in an instant its wounds closed, and it swiftly dove back down.
The old man’s body rapidly expanded. In a flash it towered from earth to sky, becoming a giant taller than the mountains. He reached out a great hand toward the Roc, intending to tear it apart.
The blood-red seal that had been struck away earlier flew back as well, pressing down from above. Simultaneously, his vertical eye suddenly transformed into a great purple sword, which slashed straight downward.
The Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land unleashed every manner of great divine ability in his attempt to suppress the Roc. But at that moment, he fell into complete despair. The golden-winged Roc transformed into a golden sun, blazing with fierce fire. Ten thousand rays of golden light drowned out the heavens and the earth.
The great purple sword shattered without a sound. The blood-red seal rapidly dissolved. The Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land vaporized on the spot — becoming a sheet of blood-light that ultimately faded to ash and smoke, vanishing completely from the world.
Throughout the primeval mountain range, every cultivator was shaken to the core. The Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land had been reduced to nothing — body and spirit alike destroyed. It was far beyond what anyone had expected or believed possible.
“A venerable Elder of the Yao Guang Holy Land turned to ash… that Roc is too terrifying…” Ye Fan muttered to himself.
“The Roc is like an immortal — it does not descend into the mortal world. This must be one of its descendants…”
Hearing these words, Ye Fan turned around sharply. It was the rambling old madman, who had appeared nearby without anyone knowing when.
“Ah…”
Screams of agony rang out one after another in unbroken succession. Those who had fled sideways just now were all retreating back — terrifying savage beasts had appeared from every direction, and no one could count how many cultivators had been wiped out.
“The Jiang Family’s Divine Chimera Carriage…” Someone cried out in alarm.
High in the sky, nine beasts entirely covered in golden scales, radiant with glorious divine light, pulled a carriage hurtling through the air. The jade carriage gleamed with crystalline light, blessed mist trailing in thousands of streams — truly extraordinary.
“The Jiang Family’s Elder is also fleeing!”
“How can this be? Why is this happening?”
Everyone was stunned. The nine golden divine chimeras fled like stray dogs, dragging their carriage rumbling across the sky. A blood-soaked old man stood on the jade carriage, fighting with all he had against the pursuit of the savage beast behind him.
But it was all futile. A massive beast claw, like a small mountain, came crashing down — smashing the carriage to pieces on the spot, grinding the nine golden divine chimeras to a blood mist, and shattering the old man apart!
This breathtaking sight made everyone draw sharp breaths. It was simply too insane. The elder of an ancient family was unable to withstand even a single blow from that savage beast. What degree of power did this creature possess?!
Ear-splitting roars made every soul tremble. Black mist churned. The terrifying beast revealed its true form — utterly hideous — standing in the high sky far ahead. The brutal and bloodthirsty aura it radiated set everyone’s bodies running cold.
It was as large as an entire mountain and carried an unbearably oppressive presence. Black mist coiled around it in abundance, its enormous body flickering between visibility and shadow. Its shape resembled that of a qilin, yet it bore nine massive serpent heads — making its appearance extraordinarily ferocious.
At the same time, from every direction, over a dozen supreme savage beasts — each different from the last — appeared in succession. All were terrifying beyond measure. Some exhaled demonic clouds that blotted out the sun, their bodies as large as mountains. Some radiated glorious divine mist in dazzling brilliance, surpassing the blazing sun above, every single one utterly extraordinary.
Every direction was sealed off. All seven contingents of the Yao Guang Holy Land and Jiang Family were annihilated!
The enormous numbers of cultivators who had followed behind — hoping to fish in troubled waters — were entirely surrounded. Not a single one escaped.
Ye Fan’s heart turned cold in that moment. The old madman’s prophecy seemed to be coming true.
The heavy, oppressive silence erupted all at once. Countless demonic and sinister rays of light descended from above. The terrifying energy waves set the mountain ranges trembling. Every savage beast moved together, joining forces to slaughter the gathered cultivators.
In the mountain forest, screams shook the heavens. Life after life was extinguished. Blood stained the ground red. Countless bodies fell.
Over a dozen terrifying savage beasts — each one capable of killing the Elders of the Yao Guang Holy Land and the Jiang Family — now set about eliminating the remaining cultivators. It could not have been easier for them.
In just a brief moment, the mountain forest became a blood-red world — a true hell on earth. Screams grew fewer and fewer, and the forest itself was dyed red with blood mist.
Ye Fan noticed that the rambling old madman was still nearby and had not left. He rushed over quickly and grabbed hold of the old man’s arm. “You truly are a living treasure!”
He did not know whether he could survive this. He clung to the old madman and refused to let go. Perhaps only this old man could lead him out of this place alive.
The old madman’s prophecy had come true.