Through several rounds of probing, Ye Fan had at last gained something of substance — an initial understanding of the situation. The big black dog was not an ancient primordial race creature, and bore a certain affinity with the Great Emperor Wushi.

Yet he also reaped a bitter harvest. In the days that followed, he was bitten by the dog with regular frequency. The big black dog held grudges extremely well, ambushing him when he least expected it — whether eating or walking out the door, he had to be on guard at all times.

Dammit. Getting bitten by a dog every day — what kind of life is this?

He truly felt at a loss. He had never met a dog that held grudges like this.

A dignified cultivator being chased and bitten by a dog — if word got out, the laughter would be endless. It was genuinely humiliating.

Had his body not been comparable to divine iron, he truly could not have withstood it. Even so, there were a few spots on his body that had gone purple and bruised.

“Bite me again and I’ll skin you alive and eat the meat.” The moment those words left his mouth, he brought disaster upon himself. For the next several weeks he knew no peace, as the big black dog ambushed him with black-mouth bites at every opportunity.

Ye Fan struck back several times, but each time could do nothing against it — the dog’s sleek black body was absurdly solid. Even his golden palm strikes rang out like hammering iron, and without drawing on the Battle Saint Technique, he simply could not make a dent.

How does it temper its body? It’s monstrously tough. The one small mercy was that the big black dog seemed to refrain — for some reason — from actually biting into his body. It only tore his clothes to shreds.

Truly is a mangy cur — no wonder it’s this fierce.

Ye Fan watched for over ten days. Every morning the big black dog went to circle Purple Mountain once, then returned to absorb the essence of the sun and moon in cultivation. It had no other activities of note.

“Dark Sovereign, with a cultivation regimen like yours, you can’t even fly. That ‘supreme scripture’ of yours isn’t much, is it.”

The big black dog shot him a sideways glance. “My great Dao is profoundly subtle beyond measure. My realm has returned to the most fundamental simplicity. What can you possibly perceive? And stop trying to scheme against me.”

“Your broken scripture can’t even be cultivated by the human race — why would I scheme against it?” Ye Fan felt that this big dog’s vigilance was simply far too high. Prying anything more out of it would be harder than climbing to heaven.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re after…” The big black dog raised its enormous head, full of imperious disdain. “Let me tell you now — forget it. Give up while you still can.”

Ye Fan rubbed his chin, feeling that this old demon truly had no weaknesses to exploit. It had lived far too long — sharper than any human.

“If you want to discuss ancient scriptures, it’s not impossible. Bring me a divine source stone to eat.”

Ye Fan wanted to thrash it. “Why not just ask me to bring you the source stones from inside the Primordial Ancient Mine? How many divine source stones are there in all of the Northern Domain? First you want ten, then you want fifty — you think these are sweet potatoes?”

“Then there’s nothing to discuss.” The big black dog cocked its neck, looked at him once, then strutted away.

“Actually, I know the whereabouts of a demon emperor’s ancient scripture.” Ye Fan said it casually, as if in passing.

“You think that trick is worth pulling.” The big black dog showed nothing — didn’t even turn its head — and sauntered off with its bald tail held high.

Ye Fan flicked a finger, sending a bead of blood flying out. He said nothing and walked in the opposite direction.

The big black dog shot back with a whoosh, its white fangs bared, blocking his path.

“Dark Sovereign, what are you doing?”

“You’ve consumed the flesh and blood of some demon emperor — I can smell the aura of supreme demon blood on you.” Its expression was thoroughly unfriendly, more vivid than any human face.

“Do you think I’m as savage as you? I’ve never taken a life in all my days.”

“I’d see ghosts before I believed that.”

“Now do you believe me? This is the aura of a demon emperor — I do indeed know the whereabouts of a certain emperor’s ancient scripture.” Ye Fan pressed his advantage gently.

“No wonder I’ve always had this urge to swallow you whole. Your body contains a trace of an emperor’s essence blood.” The big black dog bared its fangs, its scarlet tongue licking at its lips.

“Dark Sovereign, what are you thinking?”

“This Sovereign wants to eat you!” The big black dog threw its jaws open and lunged.

Ye Fan formed the Sun-Moon Seal and went to meet it — his golden palms surging, intent on sending this big black dog to the ground.

What followed was like a blacksmith’s forge, the noise deafening.

Two full hours later, Ye Fan’s arms had gone completely numb. He simply could not do anything more. He flew into midair and yanked a robe over himself, for the big black dog had torn and bitten at him to the point of nearly putting him in real danger.

Dammit — bitten by a dog again! Ye Fan looked at the tooth marks on his body and was truly speechless. There could not be many cultivators in the world who had been chased and bitten by a dog the way he had been.

The big black dog was also panting as it lolled its red tongue, saying, “I believe you now. You’ve genuinely refined an emperor’s essence blood into yourself. Tough hide, stringy meat — not worth eating.”

Ye Fan cursed his luck and turned to leave.

“Don’t go — we can talk. If you find me a divine source stone, I’ll tell you the whereabouts of an ancient scripture.” The big black dog called after him.

“Not interested!” Ye Fan didn’t look back, flying toward the stone fortress. The dog was clearly tempted, but was still asking an exorbitant price. He would have to hold his nerve.

Over the next two days, Dark Sovereign held its ground with impressive patience — did not come looking for him, and for once gave him two days of peace free from being bitten.

On the fourth day, the big black dog finally showed itself. “Boy, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you — dangling the bait in front of me? We both want ancient scriptures. We can sit down and talk now.”

“Give me three divine source stones and I’ll tell you the whereabouts of the demon emperor’s ancient scripture.”

“Woof—!” The big black dog nearly pounced, glaring at him with barely restrained fury.

“All right, one divine source stone then.” Ye Fan said, unhurried.

“Boy, you have the nerve to try to swindle me now? Let me tell you — not half a divine source stone will you see. And if you want a human ancient scripture, you’ll send me one divine source stone.” The big black dog gnashed its teeth.

“You’re dreaming. I’ve never even seen what a divine source stone looks like.”

“Don’t think I don’t know — you’ve obtained the Source Heaven Book. You’ll definitely be able to find divine source stones someday.”

“Even if I find one, I won’t be giving it to you.”

The first exchange ended in mutual dissatisfaction, with neither side yielding.

The next day, arguments flared again.

“Boy, give me one divine source stone and I’ll tell you the whereabouts of one ancient scripture. Give me ten and I’ll recite half an ancient scripture from memory. Give me fifty, and I’ll give you a complete ancient scripture.” Dark Sovereign wove its case with patient persuasion.

“Why not just throw yourself headfirst into the Primordial Ancient Mine? How many divine source stones are there in all of the Northern Domain? You open your mouth and ask for ten, shut it and ask for fifty — you think these are sweet potatoes?” Ye Fan’s fingers had gone pale gold, and he very much wanted to smack it several times on its dog head.

“You can’t put it that way. A supreme ancient scripture is priceless. Or how about this — you tell me the demon emperor’s scripture location…”

“Everything you’ve said can be flipped around. You can use divine source stones to exchange for the demon emperor’s ancient scripture.” Ye Fan smiled.

“Woof — well played!” The big black dog’s tone finally softened somewhat. “We exchange ancient scripture locations with each other. That way neither side loses out.”

“I think I’m the one who loses out. You old demon are far too crafty — who knows if what you say is true or false?” Ye Fan produced the luminous jade tortoise and turned it over in his hand, playing with it deliberately. He was doing this on purpose — the big black dog’s origins were peculiar, and he wanted to see whether it could read anything from the object.

The result surpassed his expectations. The big black dog’s eyes went green on the spot — and it launched a silent ambush, fast as lightning, biting with deadly intent.

Even with his guard up, Ye Fan was still caught twice. But he at least managed to keep the jade tortoise from being snatched, shooting up into the sky.

Dammit — bitten by the dog again! Ye Fan was furious, genuinely tempted to skin it and eat the meat.

“Boy, how are you talking to me? What’s this about ‘bitten by the dog again’ — to my ears, that sounds like an insult.” The big black dog demanded indignantly, in a tone of complete righteousness.

“Where’s your canine dignity? Always ambushing and going for the throat — never seen a dog as wretched as you.” Ye Fan felt awkward speaking to a dog like this, but this dog truly was underhanded and devious — no different from a seasoned, cunning person.

“Boy, let me have a look at that piece of jade in your hand.” The big black dog eyed him sideways.

“Show it to you, and it’ll be like tossing a meat bun to a dog — gone forever. Don’t even think about it.” Ye Fan stood in midair.

The big black dog was very displeased at the phrase “meat bun to a dog.” Its face darkened as it said, “It’s just a broken piece of jade. You’re too stingy. I only looked because it resembles a piece I once wore. If you won’t show me, forget it — no more discussion.” It put on an air of complete indifference and sauntered away.

Ye Fan noticed that this big black dog was truly devious — sharper than any human. “Dark Sovereign, stop pretending. Do you think I don’t know what this is? A ‘broken piece of jade’ — how can you say that with a straight face? This is a divine source shell.”

The big black dog stopped dead, turned its head, and said, “Incomprehensible. Makes no sense.”

Ye Fan laughed coldly. “Keep acting.”

Dark Sovereign stopped walking, and came slowly sauntering back. “This is merely a divine source shell with very little essence remaining inside. Tell you what — I’ll generously count it as half a divine source stone, and if you find another half somewhere, I’ll tell you an ancient scripture’s location.”

“Never seen a dog as underhanded as you. Stop pretending — I know there’s an earth-shattering secret sealed inside.” The corner of Ye Fan’s mouth curved upward as he slowly spoke: “I brought this out of a grand and magnificent temple within the Primordial Forbidden Zone. I’m certain you’ve seen what it is. If you want it, exchange it for an ancient scripture.”

“Enough nonsense — as if you could enter the Primordial Forbidden Zone. Any random creature that jumped out of there would chew you up and spit you out.” The big black dog held its head high.

Ye Fan shook the green jade in his hand. “This was something worshipped on the altar of an ancient temple. The great silver essence has already rotted away, but this remained completely intact.”

“Truly? Let me see it more clearly.” The big black dog edged closer.

“And there you go — trying to ambush me again?!” Ye Fan shot upward into the sky.

In the days that followed, Ye Fan and Dark Sovereign continued their back-and-forth squabbling without end. He felt the dog was insufferably difficult to deal with — he genuinely wanted to finish it off and make it into a spicy hotpot.

Regrettably, the big black dog was impossible to beat — it had a harder life than even he did.

Not until half a month had passed, when he had truly run out of patience and could no longer bear to continue bargaining and was about to leave the stone fortress altogether, did the big black dog finally relent.

“Boy, you win. In all this Sovereign’s life, this is the first time I’ve ever conceded to someone. I’ll point out a path for you to find the scripture — whether you can obtain it comes down to your own luck.”

There was no trusting a single word this dog said. Ye Fan’s forehead was covered in lines. “Leave out the preamble and get to the point. I only want the Scripture of the Western Empress. If you can’t produce that, then there’s nothing more to say — I’m leaving right now, and you’ll never see this jade tortoise again for the rest of your days.”

The big black dog’s expression shifted through clouds and sunlight, unable to settle. “Little upstart, you’re too ruthless. How can you demand I take you to find the scripture first, and only pay up after you’ve gotten it in hand? That’s completely unfair.”

“I have my integrity as guarantee. Yours — I can’t see it.”

“Boy, what do you mean by that? You’re throwing mud on this Sovereign’s name.”

“Goodbye — perhaps we’ll never meet again!” Ye Fan turned and walked away.

“Young people truly have no patience. Fine — this Sovereign will take you to find the Scripture of the Western Empress.” The big black dog said fiercely. “Let it be said first: if you find what you’re seeking, you must give me that jade tortoise!”

“No problem.” Ye Fan nodded in agreement.

“And the whereabouts of the demon emperor’s ancient scripture — that too you must tell me.” The big black dog added a second condition.

“That’s also manageable.”

“Boy, you’re agreeing awfully quickly — is there a trick here?” The big black dog grew suspicious.

“I genuinely wonder whether you’re a black dog or a black fox.”

“Dare to look down on this Sovereign again and see what happens!” Dark Sovereign threatened.

The big black dog was mildly obedient toward Master Zhang the Fifth alone. It raised its bald tail in farewell and departed alongside Ye Fan.

“Crack, pop, snap!”

Ye Fan called upon the Great Transformation Art again, shifting into a different young man’s appearance entirely — his features transformed beyond recognition.

The big black dog stood beside him and laughed with undisguised contempt. “One look at you and it’s clear you’ve done nothing but evil in your life. Even going out requires a disguise like this. What manner of heinous things have you done?”

“Less chatter from you. Take me to find the Scripture of the Western Empress.” Ye Fan felt that this big black dog was truly impossible to deal with.

“Take me around the nearby towns and cities first.” Dark Sovereign held its head very high, surveying the reddish-brown earth with a sweeping gaze.

“What’s the point of wandering around towns when we’re not out for leisure? We’re going to find the Scripture of the Western Empress. Didn’t you say the Western Empress Mother inscribed it on a sheer cliff face when she first drafted it?”

“This Sovereign has been in seclusion for many years. Mountains and rivers have all changed — how can I be expected to remember it so clearly? I need to scout around carefully before I can locate it.” The big black dog held its bald tail high with a manner of great transcendence.

“You’ve been alive how long, and the landscape has already changed beyond recognition? That’s a truly outlandish claim.” Ye Fan glared at it.

Even a Divine King could only live a few thousand years. Other cultivators had considerably shorter lifespans.

“Rest assured. Once I’ve made a circuit, I’m certain I’ll find that cliff face.” The big black dog ran ahead, like a bolt of black lightning.

In the days that followed, they visited over thirty towns and cities in succession. The big black dog wandered around each one — looking every bit like someone taking a leisurely stroll.

“Boy, you truly have done nothing but evil. Look at this city — they’ve even posted portraits of you. A reward of a thousand catties of source material!”

In an ancient city called Long Wind, Ye Fan saw his own likeness posted on a notice board — without question a wanted order sent out by the Ji Family and Yao Guang, and someone had put it up here.

He had seen wanted notices like this before at Old Blade-Hilt’s place — exactly the same.

“When I have some leisure time, I’ll cut down the entire younger generation they’ve sent into the Northern Domain.”

“Trying to use them as practice after you get the Scripture of the Western Empress, are you?” The big black dog saw right through him.

“Haven’t you found the location yet? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.” Ye Fan’s face darkened.

“I’ve been gradually remembering. We can set out now.” The big black dog gave a firm answer.

Several days into their journey, Ye Fan began to feel that something was off. The big black dog was leading him in the direction of the Primordial Ancient Mine.

“Are you sure you haven’t gotten the route wrong? This is the way to the Primordial Ancient Mine.”

“No mistake. This is the way to the Former Grounds of Yao Pool.” The big black dog answered.

Ye Fan had heard of this. The Former Grounds of Yao Pool lay over ten thousand li from the Primordial Ancient Mine, and the sect had relocated later. However, no one today knew where the so-called Former Grounds lay — no one could find them. It was said that when Yao Pool withdrew, they had sealed the location completely.

Around the Primordial Ancient Mine, the vast and boundless surrounding territory was all mining zones. The big black dog moved like a horse that knew its way home, reading the lay of the mountains and rivers, constantly making detours to avoid the holy land’s mining zones, guiding Ye Fan deep into the reddish-brown earth.

“Why did Yao Pool withdraw?” Ye Fan asked.

In truth, many ancient texts had records of this. Yao Pool lay over ten thousand li from the Primordial Ancient Mine, and nowhere was there mention of any so-called relocation.

“The precise reason, no one knows.”

The moonlight flowed like water. Ye Fan and Dark Sovereign had already been traveling through uninhabited wilderness for over ten days, and still had not found what was said to be the ruins of Yao Pool’s former site.

“Something’s not right. The Former Grounds of Yao Pool had beautiful mountain scenery — a green oasis. It should be somewhere in this region. How can there be nothing here?” The big black dog was puzzled.

In the moonlight, the red earth stretched away without end or edge — boundless and open. To say nothing of mountains, there was not even a large rock in sight.

Dark Sovereign looked up at the bright moon, then looked again at this expanse of blood-red earth, and said, “This place has been sealed. Boy, start looking quickly. If we find ourselves in a world of fragrant flowers and singing birds, there may be a great opportunity here.”

Suddenly, Ye Fan’s heart lurched. In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, white silhouettes rose into the sky.

“Yao Pool flying immortals!” Dark Sovereign’s eyes shot out two beams of divine light. “It seems we’ve come to the right place. We must find this sealed Former Grounds of Yao Pool. I rather want to see why they chose to withdraw.”