“That was not the Wushi Emperor — it was Zhong Hun, the divine spirit dwelling within the Chaos Bell!”Ye Fan sighed.
That bell was overwhelmingly powerful. Divine spirits are woven from the very laws of existence, and under ordinary circumstances they would never break free — a rare sight indeed. Yet the soul within the Chaos Bell had taken human form, and only because it had grown too powerful — identical in every way to Wushi himself.
The bell’s lingering toll rang out, shaking loose a lifetime of joys and sorrows. It dragged that fleshy mass into another realm and vanished without looking back, bound for its final reckoning.
Upon the great bell, the silhouette standing with its back turned to all living beings appeared utterly desolate yet overwhelmingly dominant — without beginning, without end — fading away into the river of time and space.
The Green Lotus swayed, shrinking to half a zhang in height, then transformed into a streak of jade-green light. Tearing open the void with the Chaos Sea in tow, it disappeared without a trace.
Ye Fan was at a loss for words. That small lotus had slipped away beyond his control, and the loss this time had been tremendous. His only consolation was that he had obtained the Dao patterns of the Immortal Bell, which had merged into the walls of his cauldron.
All things considered, joy still stirred within Ye Fan’s heart. He had unexpectedly resolved one of Huoying’s great disasters. He dimly guessed the identity of that figure — one of the mightiest beings across all ages, someone no one could possibly restrain once they emerged into the world.
“Has the bloodshed and chaos of Huoying truly been settled just like that?” Over a dozen Great Demon Lords all felt a profound sense of unreality.
One had to understand — this place had buried every powerful being of an entire era. Even cultivators at the Emperor’s Path level had fallen here, yet it had been resolved like this.
Perhaps, to put it more precisely, they had been nothing but witnesses — witnesses to an Emperor’s supreme bearing and transcendent methods.
The planet Huoying had cracked apart, but it had not shattered, for supreme array formations here had sealed the entire world within.
Ye Fan acted, forcing the planet’s fissures to close and re-sealing it before placing it into this stretch of desolate star-sea, exiling it there forever.
From this point on, it was nothing but a great burial mound — nothing more — and it was best if it never re-emerged into the world.
The starlight blazed brilliantly. Far from the pressure of the Emperor’s Path cultivators, all thirteen Great Demon Lords let out a long breath, finally setting their hearts fully at ease. That brief stretch of time had felt like pure torment. In ages past, each of them could have dominated an entire star domain, yet here they had been as small and insignificant as ants.
“I say, Brother Ye — when are you going to let these old bones of ours retire and go back home? After being suppressed for so many years, we really can’t keep accompanying you in conquering the world.”
The group set off on the return journey, heading for the Heavenly Court. Though the demon lords grumbled, there was nothing to be done — Ye Fan could not possibly release them now, fearing their untamed nature would bring disaster wherever they roamed.
“Brother Ye, you’re so young, yet after only five or six hundred years of cultivation you’ve already reached the sixth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm. You couldn’t be some Emperor’s child who’s just emerged into the world, could you? Perhaps the direct offspring of the Wushi Emperor, or a bloodline descendant of the Green Emperor — otherwise, how would you have crossed paths with them both?”
Along the road, the group of old demons were thoroughly bored, and their gossiping flames burned fiercely. Sealed away for two thousand years, they were completely in the dark about the outside world.
Ye Fan smiled and responded in kind. Subjugating thirteen Great Demon Lords — one of them even a Quasi-Emperor — was an enormous boon for the Heavenly Court. These were a group of peerless Heavenly Generals.
He quickly settled his emotions. He had glimpsed a corner of the future, as though he had truly lived through ten thousand years of time, enduring great sorrow, great suffering, and great joy. Now, as far as he was concerned, as long as his loved ones and friends were still alive, everything held meaning. He sought nothing more.
When one is in good spirits, even the starlight seems brilliant. Learning that Xiao Zi and the other close companions of the Heavenly Court were all still alive — that it had been nothing but a dream — Ye Fan’s heart found peace. And it was precisely because of this, that this state of natural serenity allowed his Dao foundation to stabilize and consolidate.
In particular, having just listened to the toll of the Wushi Bell and witnessed the Green Emperor’s runes, he had gained profound insights that completely reinforced the breakthrough of this cultivation level — advancing one step at a time, each step firmly planted.
“Oh — isn’t this my homeland? The Heavenly Silkworm Star System! If we’re passing by, we should at least go and take a look,” said the Centipede Celestial Worm.
Ye Fan would naturally not be so heartless as to refuse, and they made their way toward the ancient life-bearing star ahead. The Centipede Celestial Worm was brimming with excitement — after two thousand years apart, to return home alive was something worth celebrating more than anything else.
“ROAR—!”
It let out a long howl, sending the entire star domain into turmoil, then manifested its true form — a colossal celestial worm as vast as a mountain range dove downward, resembling a many-legged dragon from a distance, fierce and overwhelmingly dominant.
“Who dares trespass upon our Celestial Worm Ancestral Star?!” A surge of divine thought immediately shot upward — a powerful will — as a silver-robed middle-aged man ascended into the sky.
The Centipede Celestial Worm’s body stiffened at once. The man on the other side froze as well, and then, trembling, asked: “Father…is that you?”
“It’s me. I’ve come back!” It was a scene of father and son reuniting.
Naturally, it was a sight that moved the heart deeply. Both father and son were overwhelmed with emotion, and they had far too many things to say. Only after a long time did they finally calm down.
“Where did the others go? Are they still alive?” The Centipede Celestial Worm had taken human form and descended, trying its best to keep its voice from trembling.
“During the Dark Upheaval, several of my elder brothers all perished. The population of our ancestral star has been reduced by ninety percent.” The silver-robed middle-aged man wept as he spoke.
This drew sighs all around. No one went to intrude upon the moment. Ye Fan nodded. The old celestial worm’s eyes glistened with hot tears that rolled down its face — one could see that it was a creature of genuine feeling.
Ye Fan said: “You may stay — but do not let me hear that you have been causing harm and chaos in these lands. Even if you flee to the ends of the heavens, I will drag you back and reduce you to ash.”
“Who are you to speak to my father like that?!” the silver-robed middle-aged man demanded, glaring furiously.
The Centipede Celestial Worm waved a hand. “Do not be rude.” It then turned to Ye Fan: “Though I am nothing but a heap of old bones, I am still unwilling to live in obscurity. I am willing to follow you — but before that, I must return to the ancestral star and take one last look.”
Ye Fan nodded in agreement. This was only human.
The other ancient demons muttered inwardly to themselves. Having lived for so many years — their very eyelashes were hollow from the weight of it all — they naturally understood the Centipede Celestial Worm’s intentions. Ye Fan was this young, yet already at the sixth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm. In the future, he might well become a Great Emperor. Following him now and helping him “conquer the world,” once he attained the Dao, he would naturally find ways to extend their life spans.
With such a young cultivator of limitless potential, why would one ever pass up the chance? Even for the sake of one’s descendants, one had to make every effort to build connections — even though they kept grumbling about wanting to leave, they had long since made up their minds to stay after carefully thinking it through.
Before long, the Centipede Celestial Worm departed and returned. The group set off again, and in the distance, the silver-robed middle-aged man saw them off, declaring that he would gladly join the Heavenly Court in the future.
With this first example set, the others naturally all wanted to go back and take a look as well. Ye Fan nodded — how could he refuse?
And so they journeyed through star domain after star domain. Along the way, some were overjoyed at reuniting with their kin and loved ones, while others grew desolate and grief-stricken — some even could not hold back howls of anguish, for their descendants, even their ancestral stars, had been destroyed, never to be seen again.
“We’re finally getting close to my old home! Here, I am the supreme sovereign — I will host you all properly!” said the Silver Serpent, one of the thirteen Great Demon Lords, flying forward and calling out: “Children! Come welcome your ancient ancestor — your Sect Master has returned!”
Yet in the outer space of that star, three individuals simultaneously turned their heads, glanced in this direction, and paid it no further heed.
“Juniors — have you truly forgotten me? Once, there was a Silver Serpent Sovereign — who has returned after two thousand years away. Quickly come and receive me!” The Silver Serpent put on airs.
This was because, not long before, several of the other Great Demon Lords had made quite the grand impression — the moment they appeared, disciples and descendant students had kowtowed in worship, and entire star domains had trembled.
But the scene the Silver Serpent anticipated did not come to pass. The three individuals completely ignored it.
“Old Serpent, do you need some help? We can clean up the clan for you,” someone teased.
The three were young people. Two of them appeared to be siblings, for they looked very alike — both had long, water-blue hair that flowed with an aura of serene harmony.
The other male had a pale complexion and handsome features, with a kind of sickly beauty. At this moment, all three of them were staring directly at Ye Fan — not at the Silver Serpent or anyone else.
“A mere little silver serpent dares to throw its weight around.” The blue-haired male on the other side spoke, his voice icy cold.
“My, my — your ancient ancestor has been away for two thousand years, and no one even recognizes me anymore. Any young upstart just goes straight to mocking me.” The Silver Serpent laughed bitterly at its own expense.
“Don’t move rashly — you are not his match,” Ye Fan stopped it.
“I’m not his match?” The Silver Serpent went blank.
“He is a Quasi-Emperor,” Ye Fan said.
“What?!” The group of Great Demon Lords all gasped in shock.
“Brother Ye, it’s been a long time.” The blue-haired young woman smiled — overwhelmingly alluring and incomparably beautiful. Her fair, luminous face bore no hostility; the corners of her crimson lips curved upward with a hint of playful mischief.
“I’ve been well enough — but your elder brother doesn’t seem too pleased to see me,” Ye Fan replied. He had not expected to encounter Huo Qizi and his sister here. Facing them in confrontation stood An Pu from the Undying Mountain.
“They all seem to be…” Mountain Phoenix, herself a Quasi-Emperor, could naturally sense the exceptional nature of the figures ahead.
“Correct — three Quasi-Emperors.” Ye Fan nodded.
The dozen-or-so Great Demon Lords were immediately stunned. When had Quasi-Emperors become so commonplace? Three encountered all at once — in the past, figures like Shakyamuni and Mountain Phoenix facing off against each other would have been an extraordinary event that sent shockwaves through the universe. Yet now, several had appeared at once, and all of them were this young.
“They are all children sealed into this age by ancient emperors,” Ye Fan explained.
The Great Demon Lords were all left dumbstruck, feeling utterly out of touch with the times. Having been suppressed for two thousand years, so much had happened in the outside world — they had now personally laid eyes on this many descendants of ancient emperors!
“I’ll be honest — I’m not particularly welcoming toward you. You’ve interrupted my duel with someone. Why don’t you take their place?” Huo Qizi said.
“Fine — no problem,” Ye Fan said with a smile.
Huo Lin’er’s eyelid twitched. She wanted to stop her elder brother, for she genuinely could not gauge Ye Fan’s depths — he had obviously broken through again — yet she also knew her brother’s stubbornness. Whenever he encountered a powerful adversary, he absolutely had to fight.
“Please, Brother Ye, show mercy,” Huo Lin’er said. He was famed as the slayer of ancient emperors’ children — his fearsome reputation had spread far and wide over the years. To all those of ancient emperor bloodlines, he was absolutely the number one great enemy.
“No problem,” Ye Fan nodded.
Upon hearing this, Huo Qizi’s eyebrow arched, and he launched himself into an attack without another word. The might of a Quasi-Emperor shattered the nine heavens; divine power surged in torrents.
Yet what awaited him was a single great sleeve. Ye Fan struck casually, using the technique known as Universe Within the Sleeve, sealing him within it — swift and clean.
Every person present turned to stone. What a staggering gap in power. Though both were Quasi-Emperors, the difference in cultivation levels was enormous — they were not even in the same tier.
Huo Lin’er sighed softly. Her beautiful eyes flickered. She knew — Ye Fan had completely left his entire generation behind. From this day forth, there would no longer be any rival for him within this generation.
This heralded the day when the peerless Holy Body of a generation would reign supreme over this era.
Huo Qizi let out a great roar but could not break free no matter what. He could not fathom that in just twenty short years, Ye Fan had surpassed him by several cultivation levels — it was simply beyond imagining.
“I hope that one day I can face you as an equal in battle,” Huo Qizi said. Unwilling as he was, he had no choice but to bow to reality. For now, he truly could not match Ye Fan.
“Has this day finally come?” On the other side, when An Pu saw Ye Fan turn to face him, he was utterly calm — not a single ripple crossed his face. He had been defeated at the ruins of the Heavenly Court twenty years ago, and as years had passed, the gap between them had only widened further.
“Make your move!” Ye Fan said.
An Pu said nothing more. A great halberd appeared in his hand. His entire being blazed with fire. The sickly, frail appearance was swept clean away — he came forward using his full power from the very start, fighting with everything he had in a desperate, blood-fueled battle.
Yet in the face of absolute strength, no matter how fiercely one burned their life force, it was useless. With a single palm strike, Ye Fan pressed downward. An Pu’s weapon shattered piece by piece, and his whole body was covered in blood as he was pressed down from above.
In that moment, Ye Fan’s aura erupted in full.
“The sixth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm!” An Pu sighed inwardly. How could one ever hope to surpass this? He cast aside the shattered halberd in his hand.
Ye Fan felt no particular joy, for he knew — far more terrifying great enemies waited ahead on his path. If he did not strive forward, everyone in the Heavenly Court would die.
He did not deliver a killing blow immediately. Instead, with a wave of his hand, he prepared to strip away a portion of An Pu’s cultivation, leaving him a path to survival.
After all, whether at their first encounter or later at his wedding with Ji Ziyue, this person had carried himself with a certain dignity. He had even once blocked the disruption caused by the Shen Ming, leaving Ye Fan with a decent impression of him.
“A loss is a loss. You and I are destined to be mortal enemies — there is no resolution between the Undying Mountain and the Ji Family. I ask only for a final battle to the end!”
An Pu appeared frail, his complexion pale, but his character was unyielding. Having seen through Ye Fan’s intention, he refused to submit. Even the Headless Knight had died on his behalf — he was unwilling to have his cultivation stripped away and his life spared. Better to die than to be reduced to a cripple.
“Kill!”
An Pu let out a great roar. Every strand of hair stood on end. He charged skyward, hurling himself at Ye Fan, his life blazing in full splendor. The imperial bloodline burned throughout his body, triggering the Forbidden God Domain.
Ye Fan was astonished. After Yin Tiande, An Pu was now the second person in the world to trigger the Forbidden God Domain before him. An Pu’s aura surged to explosive heights, his entire being wreathed in the infinite laws of the Grand Dao.
And yet — it was still not enough.
After a brief moment, Ye Fan also triggered the Forbidden God Domain. Despite the decent impression An Pu had made on him, their paths in this life were destined to be those of enemies — there was no choice. Out of respect for An Pu, he refused to do anything that would humiliate him.
BOOM!
A great golden hand pressed downward. Within the boundless radiance of divine light, a life blazed brilliantly to its end — in the supreme domain of the Forbidden God, this person displayed the full force of their most powerful attack.
But escape from defeat was impossible. That silhouette was torn into four or five pieces. Blood dyed this stretch of space crimson. An Pu fell.
Ye Fan let out a quiet sigh. There was no question of right or wrong. In this life, their paths differed — they were destined to be enemies, unable to coexist in the same world.
“Would the two of you be willing to visit my Heavenly Court as guests?” Ye Fan turned and asked Huo Qizi and his sister.
“We’d be glad to!” Huo Lin’er, wary of her elder brother overreacting, answered first before he could speak.
Ye Fan’s return — bringing three Quasi-Emperors and twelve peak Great Sages — immediately sent shockwaves through the Heavenly Court, as a crowd of people came out to welcome them.
“Father!”
In the Pure Land, Xiao Zi came tottering forward on unsteady little steps, arms stretched wide open, running toward him.
“Xiao Zi!” Ye Fan was overcome with emotion. He swept her up into his arms. Xiao Zi laughed and called out with endearing cuteness, and with a loud smack, planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving behind a great deal of drool.
Everyone broke into laughter — yet Ye Fan was on the verge of tears.
That dream had been far too real. It had been a glimpse of the future — he remembered with vivid clarity how helpless Xiao Zi had been, how small and young, and yet she had walked straight into a dead end. Being able to see her now, to hold her in his arms — it felt so precious to him that he could not bear to let go.
“Papa will absolutely protect you. No one will be allowed to hurt Xiao Zi,” Ye Fan murmured softly.
Then, he set the child down and pulled Pang Bo and the others into fierce embraces, one after another. These brothers who had faced life and death together were all still here, all still alive. It felt wonderful.
“Big Brother, Big Brother — what about me?” Xiao Nannan called out with a joyful laugh.
Ye Fan’s nose stung again. The Xiao Nannan of the future had faced several Supreme Beings entirely alone, with no one to help her. The fierce battle had almost destroyed the universe — and in the end, every creature of the Forbidden Zones, along with her, had ceased to exist.
“In the future, Big Brother will protect everyone — I won’t let you fight alone in blood and battle!” Ye Fan lifted her up into his arms, suppressing the surging waves of his emotions with great effort, making a silent vow within his heart.
Even so, tears glistened in his eyes — from joy, and from being deeply moved. That dream had been too vivid and too terrifying. He felt as though he had been separated from these people for ten thousand years, and seeing them now made each moment all the more precious and overwhelming.