“Brother Ye commands awe and respect. Without drawing upon Dao power, relying on physical body and speed alone, you can suppress a Fifth Transformation Dragon Ascension cultivator — you are very nearly unrivaled among the younger generation.” Feather Ascension King Xu Zixuan said with a smile.
“I’ve already self-severed my cultivation, so I truly have no way to draw upon Dao power — it was done out of necessity. Most regrettable.” Ye Fan shook his head, as though deeply sorry for himself.
Beside him, Wang Chongxiao had endless doubts in his heart. He had personally witnessed the previous exchange, yet had truly not seen Ye Fan draw upon divine power or anything similar. He could not make a judgment.
Xu Zixuan extended his fingers and shot out several divine feathers, healing Gao Linfeng’s injuries on the spot. Then he said: “Brother Ye, how about letting this matter go? He is hot-tempered and young — his words inevitably got out of hand.”
“No problem — I won’t hold it against him.” Ye Fan smiled and nodded.
“To think the renowned Feather Ascension King has arrived in the Northern Region’s Divine City…” A great laugh rang out as Prince Xia Yiming of the Great Xia strode inside.
“I have come to the Northern Region for the Yaochi Grand Assembly. Passing through the Divine City, I am fortunate to meet so many outstanding figures.” Feather Ascension King Xu Zixuan replied.
It became clear that the distinguished guests Gao Linfeng had invited were Wang Chongxiao, Xia Yiming, and Xu Zixuan — and now all three had arrived.
“Brother Ye, it’s wonderful that you’ve come back safe and sound.” Xia Yiming came forward with a great laugh.
“Narrowly survived a calamity — my life is intact, but I had no choice but to half-sever my cultivation. Such is life’s helplessness.” Ye Fan sighed.
Several people were at something of a loss for words, not knowing what to say. Everyone in the world knew that half a year ago he had self-severed his cultivation — yet he had still gone on to kill the Sacred Son of the Yin-Yang lineage.
At this moment, Gao Linfeng’s complexion cycled between green and white, overflowing with resentment — today had been an extreme disgrace, yet there was nothing he could do about it.
Especially now, hearing this — the other had already stated he’d severed his own cultivation, yet Gao Linfeng was still no match for him. He felt like burying himself in a hole and disappearing.
“For the Yaochi Grand Assembly to draw the attention even of kings from the Central Region — its influence is truly far-reaching.” An Miaoyi gave a light laugh, moving with ethereal grace as she poured tea. A beautiful handmaid served each person in turn.
“Those of us who have gone out on training expeditions naturally do not wish to miss such a gathering.” Feather Ascension King Xu Zixuan replied, refined and serene, giving a very distinctive impression.
Ye Fan knew that this person was certainly extraordinarily powerful. He recalled certain rumors — feathers ascending, complete rebirth, one secret realm per divine storehouse — this was very likely the person nearest to invincibility among the Central Region’s younger generation, and he felt an intangible pressure.
Suddenly, radiance surged like a tide, and the hall soundlessly gained a new presence — blazing with golden light, as though a sun were burning.
“Big brother, you’ve come?” Gao Linfeng instantly swept away his gloom, his expression surging with excitement as he quickly moved to greet him. At the same time, he swept a glance at Ye Fan, his eyes overflowing with limitless killing intent.
This was a towering man — like a wall of gold — who radiated a terrifying pressure. He stood motionless, his eyes sharp as a blade’s edge, sweeping across the room.
On his body, dazzling golden light surged like ocean waves. An ordinary person could not even look at him directly — the radiance was blinding, like a divine being descended, enough to make others feel inferior.
His thick black hair had been tinged with golden luster by the divine light. His face was like something carved by a blade — sharp-featured, well-defined. The electric radiance of his eyes shot in all directions. He looked supremely formidable.
“Brother Gao, I didn’t expect you to arrive this quickly.” Feather Ascension King Xu Zixuan smiled.
The Solar Sovereign of the Central Region’s younger generation had arrived in person. His expression was cold and detached — in the midst of his blazing radiance, he stood like a divine son.
He nodded, his towering frame solid as a mountain, and stepped forward one step at a time. His blade-like gaze remained fixed on Ye Fan the entire time, with intangible killing intent seeping out from his very being.
The Twin Kings of the Central Region had shaken the heavens in every generation. This combination was the most fearsome of all constitutions, and after four thousand years had arisen once more.
Legend had it that the Twin Kings united were invincible under heaven — the most fearsome combination in existence, capable of sweeping through their entire generation without a single rival, utterly peerless in the world.
For each of them individually was the equal of any Divine King of the Eastern Wasteland, possessing the world’s most fearsome bloodlines. And most crucially, heaven had made them naturally complementary to one another — once they joined forces, they were unstoppable.
Throughout history, only the Unparalleled Divine King had ever killed a Twin King alone — and even then, not fighting both simultaneously. He had struck them down separately, four thousand years apart. Had the Twin Kings been united at the same time, none among their peers could have withstood them.
“Are you the Solar Sovereign? If you want to make a move, come forward — I’m not afraid of you.” Ye Fan spoke with calm composure, without the slightest fear of the other.
The Solar Sovereign bathed in golden divine light, like an immortal war god reborn through fire — towering, magnificent, radiating immense power. He said nothing, but continued to fix his gaze on Ye Fan like a blade.
“Big brother, kill him!” Gao Linfeng gnashed his teeth, his eyes seething with murderous grudge. He wanted revenge this very instant.
Ye Fan naturally understood what lay behind their killing intent. The Unparalleled Divine King had slain their two ancestors, and they had transferred all of that enmity onto him.
Because in the eyes of the world, the Unparalleled Divine King had used his very life to help Ye Fan break the curse. In the view of many, Ye Fan was the person whom the Divine King had cultivated with his life.
“This is all just a misunderstanding — there’s no need to come to blows and sour the atmosphere.” Prince Xia Yiming of the Great Xia stepped forward to mediate.
“The Sacred Physique, once fully grown, could rival a great emperor. The Twin Kings, once united, are invincible in the mortal world. Both are supreme heroes of the future — why clash now over a minor matter?” The Feather Ascension King also offered words of dissuasion.
An Miaoyi came forward as well to mediate. Her eyes were intoxicating, her words like a spring breeze, bringing a stillness to the heart — easing a very tense atmosphere somewhat.
The Solar Sovereign had come to the Northern Region, where he had many restraints to consider, and he had no wish to engage Ye Fan in a great battle at this moment. He let out a very cold grunt, shot a glance at Ye Fan, and said nothing further.
“Just letting you live a few more days!” The hatred in Gao Linfeng’s eyes was brimming over.
Everyone present frowned, and even the Solar Sovereign could not help casting a glance at this younger brother — finding him impossibly spoiled, a person who would never amount to anything.
“It’s been a long time since anyone spoke to me that way. Your pair of brothers, the Twin Kings, couldn’t get away with it either — I would discipline them just the same. As for you…” Ye Fan struck.
“Bang!”
The Solar Sovereign’s entire body erupted in divine flames. He reacted quickly to intercept Ye Fan — but he had underestimated his opponent’s speed.
Ye Fan’s right hand transformed into a great golden heaven-sealing stamp, and he slapped Gao Linfeng flying on the spot — bones shattered, tendons broken, very nearly reduced to a pulp of flesh.
“Next time, keep your mouth shut.”
“Aah!” Gao Linfeng had dozens of bones broken. The excruciating pain made him cry out involuntarily.
“You…” Behind the Solar Sovereign, a massive sun rose into view. Nine golden crows flew out and circled above his head.
A terrifying aura burst forth like a flooding tide, making this piece of the celestial palace tremble. Many cultivators were startled and turned their gaze toward this location.
The Solar Sovereign’s heroic spirit was like a stretch of brilliant stars surging and rushing. He raised his hand and struck toward Ye Fan. To have his brother disciplined right before his eyes was the same as striking him in the face.
“Bang!”
Ye Fan was like someone walking between sun and moon — as though traversing through time itself — dodging aside at maximum speed. He swung his golden fist, shattering the void, crashing in close, matching him with his peerless physical body.
Just as the two were about to erupt into full battle, the Feather Ascension King and Prince Xia Yiming both moved. Infinite divine feathers spread across the sky, and nine streams of dragon energy severed the heavens — placing themselves between the two.
“Linfeng was indeed in the wrong this time. Let the two of you not be driven to a life-or-death clash over this.” Feather Ascension King Xu Zixuan spoke.
“Feather Ascension King, do not stop me — I have been patient enough. Yet he still dared to strike, and he deserves to die!” The Solar Sovereign’s killing intent was surging, his expression ice-cold.
“I still have nine chances to re-enter the Four Extremes Secret Realm, which allows me to duel Sacred Sons on equal terms. If you insist on forcing me to kill you, by all means come forward.” Ye Fan stood his ground against him.
“Ding dong…”
An Miaoyi began to play a celestial melody. The music was serene — like clear springs flowing between pine trees under the night moon — bringing peace to the heart.
“Let everyone stand down. No one has ever dared to use my Wondrous Desire Nunnery as a battlefield.” Her voice was like heavenly music, yet carried with it a trace of authority.
The Solar Sovereign was supremely forceful, but having come to the Eastern Wasteland, he dared not be too extreme. He reined in his killing intent and sat down to one side.
Ye Fan wore an air of complete indifference. Now that he had obtained the Glyph of Traversal, all the world lay open to him. Even if the world knew his body had recovered, it mattered little.
After this confrontation, even as the group drank tea and made conversation, the atmosphere could not possibly relax. The Solar Sovereign’s complexion remained dark without a hint of a smile.
Ye Fan, on the other hand, was quite at ease — sipping tea while chatting leisurely with the Feather Ascension King and Prince Xia Yiming, occasionally exchanging a few words with Wang Chongxiao.
An Miaoyi played her celestial music, and the whole palace grew harmonious and peaceful, the tension easing somewhat. The only note of discord was Gao Linfeng — covered from head to toe in blood.
“I wonder where the saint of Heavenly Rotating Star has gone?” the Feather Ascension King asked.
Ye Fan smiled. The current-era saints truly did command a power of intimidation — even the young powerhouses of the Central Region kept them in their hearts and asked with careful respect.
“He is in closed-door cultivation in a hidden location.”
“At that level of cultivation, still needing to enter seclusion — could there be hope of a breakthrough?” The hearts of Wang Chongxiao and the others jolted.
The Solar Sovereign was inwardly unsettled as well. Even knowing Ye Fan’s words could not be taken at face value, he could not help but pay close attention — after all, this was a figure comparable to an ancient saint.
Eventually, as night deepened, the group rose and took their leave. Ye Fan departed but then returned, meeting with An Miaoyi in a separate palace hall.
“Have your injuries healed?” An Miaoyi asked softly.
Ye Fan handed her a jade vial. Inside was divine spring water. When opened, the fragrance filled the air — any cultivator could tell at once: this was the Spring of Life, capable of bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh upon bare bone.
“You have astonished me completely!” An Miaoyi’s beautiful eyes were filled with amazement. “You entered a primal ancient forbidden ground and actually came back alive.”
Ye Fan did not conceal anything and regarded her with calm eyes. “I want to ask you something.”
“I know what you’re going to say. If it concerns the ruthless one’s inheritance, don’t ask too much — just know that I will not harm you.” At this, An Miaoyi gave a light laugh, her movements light as an immortal’s, as she came to his side and pressed on his acupuncture points to help him.
“Why?”
“Don’t ask so many questions.” An Miaoyi shook her head and would say no more.
“Has Hua Yunfei come to the Northern Region?” Ye Fan asked.
“I don’t know. This person is very dangerous — you must be careful.” An Miaoyi warned.
Everyone had their own reasons and could not lay all their secrets before others’ eyes — just as Ye Fan, who had come from the other end of the starry sky, had never spoken a word of it to An Miaoyi either.
“You are in great danger right now. A Sacred Slaughter Alliance has recently appeared in the Eastern Wasteland — likely with Sacred Son-level figures operating it.”
“An alliance to kill me… two Ancient Assassin Divine Dynasties weren’t enough, and now there’s a Sacred Slaughter Alliance as well.”
An Miaoyi delivered the warning gravely: “Its members are unaware of each other’s identities, yet they act with remarkable coordination. They share a single purpose — to slay you.”
Ye Fan smiled. He felt the Heavenly Court’s supreme scepter had truly found its use at last. It was time for the Heavenly Court to reappear in the mortal world.