The battle at Fire Demon Ridge had established Ye Fan’s name across the Eastern Desolation. Battle records like these left everyone wide-eyed, and even the leaders of major sects felt their eyelids twitching.

In truth, even before this, Ye Fan had already become famous throughout the Eastern Desolation — there were few who did not know of him, for far too many extraordinary events had occurred around him.

Yet before now, not many had truly feared him. Many had wanted him eliminated. But now, his existence sent a tremor through every heart.

So many powerful experts had gone — numerous Supreme Elder-level figures from Sacred Grounds, several half-step Great Abilities — and in the end, even Great Abilities had died. It was truly staggering.

“This person must not be allowed to live. If he is permitted to grow further, no one in the world will be able to oppose him!” This was the first thought that seized those who wanted him dead, the moment news reached them.

Thirteen Holy Sons struck down in an instant. Half-step Great Abilities dispatched in a flash. Every single one of those formidable individuals had been a renowned figure — all wiped out.

“The ruthless one reborn!”

Within moments, someone put forth this declaration, and it swept through the world like a storm — drawing enormous attention.

Methods like these. Decisiveness like this. Drawing down the heavenly tribulation to break a death trap, treading on the bones of all those powerful enemies, advancing to Four Extremities Grand Perfection.

This style of conduct chilled all who heard it. It branded him with the name of the ruthless one reborn — placing him atop the crest of the storm, making him the target of a thousand arrows.

Without question, many major factions were guiding events from the shadows, steering this wave of public sentiment toward its peak — ensuring he remained the focus of all eyes, naturally becoming the common enemy.

This time, Ye Fan’s rise to fame was unavoidable. His battle records were simply too extraordinary. Who else could have done what he had done?

There had been, in the ancient past, those of heaven-defying talent who, not yet twenty years of age, could annihilate even supreme-level Great Abilities. This was not legend — it was recorded history.

But in this day and age, such figures were rare. Ye Fan had done it — regardless of the means he employed, one fact remained: he had done it without calling on anyone else to fight for him.

“What a monster — every time he advances a realm, he undergoes a heavenly tribulation. Even in the most ancient of times, there were few like him!”

“Is he truly walking the path of the Great Emperor?” The moment this thought arose, many could not sit still — especially those who bore old grudges against Ye Fan.

“He is comparable to the great monsters of the ancient era. At minimum, he could reach the level of the remote-age sages!” Many stood fixed in a daze.

The battle at Fire Demon Ridge sent shockwaves across the Eastern Desolation. The bones of Holy Sons and Great Abilities had made Ye Fan’s name soar.

Among the young generation of the Eastern Desolation, who else still dared stand beside him? Hearts were gripped with awe — perhaps only Yao Guang’s Holy Son, and the Eastern Desolation’s Divine King.

Step by step, Ye Fan had advanced from behind, catching up at last. He was now a Four Extremities Grand Perfection cultivator — no longer significantly below the others in realm.

And his actual combat power was far more frightening still. At the Four Extremities Second Heavenly Layer, he could already fight the top-tier figures of the young Eastern Desolation generation — how much more so now!

Once he broke through into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, perhaps not one of the Holy Sons could match him — this was everyone’s conjecture.

Ye Fan was like a great beast from primordial times, chasing the heirs of the supreme sects, drawing closer and closer, pressing them until they had no choice but to break through to higher realms.

Otherwise, they would lose the qualification to even be considered his rivals. But the Sacred Body’s progress was too swift — every member of the young generation felt they could barely breathe.

Behind them, like some terrifying primal creature, he was about to surpass them all — to charge past and leave them behind. The pressure was beyond words; nearly suffocating.

At Yao Guang Sacred Ground, beneath the Peak of Ageless Spring, a thousand-foot waterfall descended — a vast white curtain, the roar of it deafening, like ten thousand horses in full gallop.

Yao Guang’s Holy Son sat with closed eyes before the waterfall, motionless, black hair dancing in the mist, his skin crystalline and radiant. He had already learned of Ye Fan’s exploits — yet his expression remained calm and even, silently contemplating the Dao.

At the Ji Family, the Divine King Body Ji Haoyue wandered through a quiet forest, feeling the workings of heaven and earth, watching fallen leaves drift, listening to a distant stream flow on — unhurried, at ease in all things.

The Wind Clan’s peerless talent stood fixed in thought, murmuring to herself: “Such power…”

She had gone into seclusion that very day — not to advance a single realm. She would not go to the Remarkable Scholars Academy in the Central Region. She needed to build within herself the conviction that she alone was supreme.

The heirs of other supreme sects also seized the time before the Remarkable Scholars Academy opened to enter seclusion and push further. None of them wanted to be among the lowest-tier Holy Sons at the academy. All were striving to rise higher.

Because in the not-too-distant future, the strongest of the young generation from the Eastern Desolation, the Southern Ranges, the Central Region, and the other great domains would collide — and among them would almost certainly be monsters to rival Ye Fan, or even surpass him. Not a single one of them was without worry.

“The Sacred Body is too powerful. Unless he dies, my heart will find no peace!” These were the words in the hearts of those who hated him.

“Severing one’s own cultivation? That’s a joke.” From beginning to end, many people had refused to believe it — they had been probing, testing, all along.

Now, with Ye Fan undergoing the heavenly tribulation, all doubt had been swept away. He had concealed it before — his Dao injury had fully healed long ago!

Without question, when people arrived at this realization, many felt their hearts seize. If the Sacred Body reached full completion — who in the world could oppose him?

Unless an Ancient Great Emperor were to be reborn, no one among the human race could truly overpower him. At most, another might fight to a draw.

“This is well. The Ancient King will soon emerge. At last there will be someone to contend with him.”

“Precisely. It is good that there is a Sacred Body — otherwise, who knows what might unfold in the future.”

Those without personal grudges against Ye Fan were speaking this way — impartially, without personal bias.

Ye Fan had shaken the world, and many great factions had voiced their positions. Quite a few had pointed to him directly as a grave threat!

Not long before, he had slaughtered numerous powerful figures at the Myriad Dragon Lair. Now he had used the heavenly tribulation to annihilate all his enemies — leaving many with deep and undying resentment.

Many rose up, weaving various pretexts, stirring the powerful figures of the Eastern Desolation to step forward and strike Ye Fan down — to cut off this threat before it grew further.

“The ruthless one’s second coming — if left unchecked, he will advance treading on the bones of countless powerful enemies…”

“This person’s methods are extraordinary. His killing intent runs deep. He is absolutely a source of catastrophe!”

Some even spread rumors — that Ye Fan had obtained the succession of the ruthless one, and that was why he acted with such cold finality, cutting down all enemies. The resemblance was hard to deny.

To that was added the earlier rumor, already circulating, that he had entered the Bronze Immortal Palace and obtained the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art. Many threw fuel upon the fire, fanning the flames.

The world is not so easily fooled — people were capable of seeing the truth — but these voices grew louder and louder regardless, and many clamored for the Sacred Body to be cut down.

In truth, a number of great factions capable of looking down on the entire Eastern Desolation had already moved in the shadows. Powerful figures had been dispatched, tasked with eliminating Ye Fan without a sound.

This decision had been made from the moment the blood massacre at the Myriad Dragon Lair occurred. It was simply that Ye Fan had been sheltering at the Jade Pool all this time, making it impossible to act.

Now, the thirteen Holy Sons had perished. Great Abilities, too, had been struck down by the tribulation. Many powerful figures had died — reduced to tribulation ash — and more than a few Sacred Grounds were beside themselves with fury.

“Serves them right — they were all asking for it. We were acting in self-defense!” the great black dog bellowed, his voice carrying throughout the Northern Region, disturbing the peace of the Eastern Desolation.

The sects that had lost their heirs and powerful figures could not argue — it was true. All of this had been brought upon themselves.

Ye Fan’s name spread throughout the Eastern Desolation. For the first time, the Sacred Masters took genuine notice of this young one — his methods, now on full display, were something they could no longer dismiss.

The battle at the Myriad Dragon Lair had cost many elders their lives. Now this — drawing down the heavenly tribulation to destroy all enemies — made many fear him deeply.

Ye Fan’s name spread throughout the Eastern Desolation, but it brought too much pressure upon the Jade Pool as well. Many factions had already demanded that the Jade Pool release him — no longer offering him shelter.

“Ziling and I entered that immortal palace…”

Inside the Jade Pool, Ye Fan walked with Liu Yiyi as they talked, and he heard something that astonished him.

Years ago, when they parted ways, Liu Yiyi, Zhang Ziling, Wang Ziwen, Lin Jia, Zhou Yi, and Li Xiaoman had managed to escape the ancient forbidden land — and some had successfully entered the immortal palace.

Beyond that ancient forbidden land, there was a distant, ethereal palace complex — a legend stretching back through history, nearly impossible to set foot in. Only those who received the blessing of heaven could enter and obtain a supreme destiny.

“Not only Ziling and I entered — I think all the others followed as well.”

“Is that right? I’ve seen Li Xiaoman, but she never mentioned it,” Ye Fan replied, surprised.

Liu Yiyi and Zhang Ziling had walked together and nearly gotten lost within the palace. It was too vast — like a small immortal realm unto itself, boundless and without end.

Zhang Ziling had obtained an ancient weapon and several pages of a silver book. He had accidentally stepped on an array inscription and vanished — transported somewhere unknown.

As for Liu Yiyi: before a divine shrine, she had discovered a small white jade gourd. Inside was an ancient pill. She swallowed it and slept for six years.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan reached over and took her pulse. His heart immediately jolted: within her body resided an overwhelming divine power — truly awe-inspiring!

“What kind of ancient pill was this — to cause six years of sleep and produce divine power of such staggering enormity…” Ye Fan was stunned. That immortal palace was no ordinary place.

After waking, Liu Yiyi had been walking through the empty, silent palace complex when she accidentally stepped on another array inscription and was transported outside.

She had then been captured by unknown persons and had fallen into enemy hands. She did not know who they were.

“Ye Fan, you must be careful!” Liu Yiyi said with worry.

“Did they search your divine sense sea?” Ye Fan asked, hoping to pin down certain details and make a more precise judgment.

“I don’t know.” Liu Yiyi shook her head. She had been sealed for a very long time and was unaware of what had happened.

“It doesn’t matter — that person will amount to nothing.” Ye Fan offered a brilliant smile to reassure her not to worry.

“Sister, sister — have some fruit.” Xiao Nannan held up a bright red peach in both hands and brought it to Liu Yiyi, her little face soft and rosy, endearingly cherubic.

“So adorable!” Liu Yiyi crouched down and gently patted the top of her head.

The Supreme Elders of the Jade Pool examined Liu Yiyi’s body and were beside themselves with delight. Divine power of this magnitude was equivalent to countless years of bitter cultivation saved in an instant. They immediately accepted her as a disciple of the Jade Pool, intending to nurture her with great care.

Ye Fan smiled. This set his heart entirely at rest — for Liu Yiyi to have found a sect like this was the best possible outcome.

In recent days, pressure had mounted from one major sect after another, warning the Jade Pool not to shelter Ye Fan — never stated outright, but heavily implied.

Ye Fan prepared to journey far away. He had no wish to cause trouble for the Jade Pool.

“Where in the world are the Nine Secrets now? Are any of them still in the Eastern Desolation?” Ye Fan murmured to himself.

“Almost all of their lineages have died out. Finding three Secrets in the Eastern Desolation as you did is already an extraordinary stroke of fortune,” the great black dog said with a sigh.

“Is that so? In that case — it is time to leave the Eastern Desolation. We shall go to another world!” Ye Fan reached this decision.

Farewell, Eastern Desolation.

Ye Fan resolved to leave this vast land and set foot on a new journey.

Before departing, there were still a few matters to settle.

Not long after, they crossed the void and arrived outside the Tai Xuan Sect in the Southern Region. They did not enter — instead, they passed a letter inside to the old man Li Ruoyu.

Hua Yunfei’s flight had been entirely Ye Fan’s doing. He was not fit to enter that sect now. But he was uneasy about Zhang Wenchang and feared he might be captured and taken hostage the way Yiyi had been.

So he had come here specifically to deliver a letter, with explanations.

Having done all of this, Ye Fan let out a long breath and prepared to leave the Eastern Desolation behind.

“Wuwu… Nannan doesn’t want to leave Big Brother.” Xiao Nannan sobbed, gripping a corner of Ye Fan’s garment in both hands and tilting her little face up toward him — tearful and pitiable, refusing to let go.

“Where I am going is very far away, full of a thousand dangers and difficulties. Once I’ve settled down, I’ll come back for you.” Ye Fan crouched to her level, speaking gently, helping wipe the tears from her small face.

“But Nannan really, really doesn’t want to part with Big Brother…” The little one’s eyes were glistening with tears, heartbreakingly sweet, absolutely refusing to say goodbye.

“Let him go. Before long, I’ll take you to find him myself,” the great black dog said from the side, trying to comfort her.

“How long is ‘before long’? Why can’t we go right now?” Xiao Nannan wept, and though she was asking the great black dog, her eyes were fixed on Ye Fan.

The little one lingered with reluctance, and only after much patient coaxing did she nod at last, tearfully. “Big Brother, you must come to pick up Nannan early.”

“Doggie — wuwu… you mustn’t lie. If Big Brother doesn’t come, you have to take me to find him.” She made the great black dog swear an oath and wept without stopping.

“Here are several enormous formation platforms — capable of crossing the major domains without difficulty. More than enough for several uses.” The great black dog handed Ye Fan a set of formation platforms, and Ye Fan placed them inside the cauldron.

“Where are you going?” Ye Fan asked.

“Back to the Purple Mountain for a look. If it can be opened, I’ll take her inside for a visit.” The great black dog hoisted Xiao Nannan onto his back.

Ye Fan’s expression shifted immediately as he fixed his gaze on the great black dog and said nothing.

“Don’t look at me like that!” the great black dog grumbled, and then said: “I know you’re thinking about the Beginningless Sutra. But I can’t open it either — and besides, most likely it wouldn’t suit your cultivation anyway. Work hard toward manifesting the innate Sacred Body Dao Womb. The truth is, every sacred art you are currently cultivating comes from the supreme profound methods of each secret realm — none of them is inferior to any ancient scripture!”

“Big Brother, take care of yourself — come pick up Nannan soon…” The little one waved her small hand with all her might, tears scattering as she waved — waving and crying without end.

“Fate will bring us together again!” The great black dog shot away like a bolt of black lightning, carrying Xiao Nannan on his back, and disappeared into the vast horizon of the land.

“The affairs of the Eastern Desolation are settled. It is time for me to go.” Ye Fan murmured to himself, wandering without destination through an ancient city.

“The Sacred Body must be cut down — we cannot leave this threat alive!”

“This person cannot be allowed to remain in this world!”

All along his path, he heard talk like this — with the Wanchu Sacred Ground’s cry the most fierce, nearly on the verge of issuing an open death proclamation.

Thinking it over, one could hardly blame their rage. The Holy Son had been slain by Ye Fan. The Sacred Master had perished in the Myriad Dragon Lair. The Holy Maiden Zhao Yanran had been struck down by the tribulation.

A hatred this deep — how could they let it rest?

Beyond that, the Purple Mansion Sacred Ground, the Dao-Yi Sacred Ground, and others were furious as well — all searching for any trace of him.

And Ye Fan had also learned of another piece of news: the Dayan Holy Son Xiang Yifei had recently broken through, advancing to the Dragon Transformation Second Change — his strength surging dramatically.

“The Holy Son of our sect is truly a rare talent. At such a young age, to have become a Dragon Transformation Second Change cultivator — how many could do the same?” one of the sect’s Supreme Elders was heard saying.

“A true prodigy!” Everyone marveled.

For one must understand — a Holy Son reaching the Dragon Transformation Second Change was absolutely terrifying — far stronger than an ordinary person, capable of killing enemies across multiple cultivation levels.

The Dayan Sacred Ground’s Supreme Elder was quite proud of this, hinting obliquely that Xiang Yifei could now overpower the Sacred Body — that he was the foremost figure among the young generation.

“Xiang Yifei is still alive?” Ye Fan was stunned, and in a flash he understood — this person had survived the tribulation, gained great benefits from it, and broken through a realm.

Xiang Yifei had first appeared on the night of flowing blood, attempting to enter the Beginningless Killing Formation to eliminate him. Now, he had joined so many Holy Sons in setting that death trap. Never did Ye Fan expect the man to have survived and broken through. But he could not be left alive any longer.

“You escaped, and even broke through — I’ll still send you on your way!” Ye Fan’s cold smile surfaced. This man must be eliminated.

The Dayan Holy Son Xiang Yifei’s breakthrough to the Dragon Transformation Second Change caused a great stir — many voices in admiration.

Say what one might, no one yet knew the true cultivation level of Yao Guang’s Holy Son or Ji Haoyue. At present, Xiang Yifei was the first Holy Son known to have reached the Dragon Transformation Second Change.

In the depths of the night, a torrential rain poured down. Ye Fan gripped a golden scepter, appearing like a demon god in a small town. After half a month’s pursuit, he had at last tracked Xiang Yifei to this place.

“Still daring to travel through the countryside, training…” Ye Fan’s cold smile was sharp. He had been born with divine eyes — on that day, he had clearly seen through the man’s disguise.

Boom!

Lightning flashed, and rain poured down in sheets. Ye Fan gripped the Heavenly Court Scepter, split the inn apart in a single strike, and locked an endless killing intent directly onto Xiang Yifei.

“Who goes there?!” The Dayan Holy Son cried out in shock, shooting skyward.

“The one who will kill you,” Ye Fan said, walking toward him through the great rain, every step causing the small town to tremble.

“It’s you — Ye Fan!” The Dayan Holy Son was startled when a bolt of lightning illuminated the sky and revealed the figure standing in the rain.

“Correct.”

“Brother Ye, what is the meaning of this?”

“Sending you on your way.”

Boom!

A tide of killing intent surged skyward. The rain fell in curtains, veiling all of heaven and earth. Darkness closed over everything as Ye Fan charged forward with the killing scepter in hand.

Clang!

Blinding radiance and golden light erupted upward as the Dayan Holy Son fought back — and the two of them clashed in fierce combat!

Awe-inspiring divine radiance, sky-piercing killing intent — on this rainy night, lightning flashed and thunder cracked, blades gleamed and swords sang, shaking the entire small town to its foundations.

A fierce and intense battle — cold light on all sides, illuminating the night sky.

“Ahh…”

The Dayan Holy Son let out a cry. His golden sacred sword was shattered by the killing scepter, and then with a soft pfft, his head was severed.

Ye Fan departed into the rainy night, vanishing into the downpour, leaving behind only a silhouette — like that of a demon god — for the many witnesses to remember.

The following day, when word spread, the world was shaken. People had barely finished marveling at how formidable the Dayan Holy Son was.

And yet, not long after, Xiang Yifei had been cut down. Many had clearly heard him call out Ye Fan’s name — so naturally, all understood who had done it.

“The Sacred Body is too overwhelming — he acts without the slightest restraint now!”

“Heavens — the Sacred Body is so audacious! He’s openly cutting down Holy Sons now. What is he trying to do?”

The Dayan Holy Son Xiang Yifei, struck down in a small town — only a headless corpse left behind. It shook everyone to the core.

Was the era of the Sacred Body upon them? He showed absolutely no sign of concealment anymore!

“Let any who dare hunt me in the shadows hear this: I will eliminate your heirs, one by one!” That same day, Ye Fan let these words fly outward.

When those words broke across the world, the Eastern Desolation erupted. The Sacred Body feared nothing — absolutely nothing at all!