“One look at her and you can tell—she’s the type who coddles her own!” Duan De muttered. It was plain as day that she had come to stand up for the Celestial Imperial Prince, purely to demand an accounting.
This female king was strikingly beautiful—her body slender and light, almost translucent like jade, wreathed in seven-colored iridescent light. Her glossy hair fell in smooth, silken waves, and with each step she took, she seemed a living goddess.
Her gaze was sharp and piercing. She extended a slender, fair hand and pointed at the monkey, saying, “And what of it, being the Sacred Imperial Prince? Desecrating the divine beings of the ten thousand clans means death!”
Everyone around her fell into a hush—not a single person dared to step forward and intercede. Though she was breathtakingly stunning, she was a true Ancestral King in every sense, and none could rival her.
The human cultivators had even less to say. Silence reigned—for this was a being of the ancient sage level, something that, to them, resided in the highest echelons of legend.
Boom!
The monkey drove his great staff into the ground. His Fiery Eyes blazed with golden light, wild and untamed, without a trace of fear. There was truly no path of retreat anymore—only fighting to the death.
“Does a firefly’s glow dare rival the brilliance of the bright moon? I give you a chance: apologize to the Celestial Imperial Prince, repent before all the clans for your disrespect toward the Immortal Celestial Emperor—do that, and I may spare your life. Otherwise, even if the Victorious Battle Buddha still lives, I will act!”
A biting killing intent and cold, merciless words issued from this dazzlingly beautiful woman, adding an eerie tension to the air.
“Make me bow my head and shatter my emperor’s heart—you truly have it all planned out. If you feel no restraint at all, then kill me. At that time, everything left behind by the Immortal Celestial Emperor will be reduced to ash as well!” The monkey refused to yield.
At this moment, relying solely on his own strength, he had absolutely no way to counter this female king. Only his uncle could overawe her. Those nearby all trembled—knowing the temperament of this clan, they were fully capable of doing so.
If the Sacred Battle Emperor’s own son were slain, his uncle—even having become a Buddha—would likely transform into an Asura reborn, and bathe the Eastern Desolation in blood.
A cold light flashed in the female king’s eyes. She extended a delicate jade hand, sweeping it forward. In that instant, everyone was seized with shock—the pressure of a Sage swept across all ten directions.
More than half the people in the Jade Pool trembled and then fell to their knees. The female king had been restraining her aura up until then. Now that it was fully released, there was no way an ordinary person could endure it.
The sound of people crashing to the ground was unceasing—a vast expanse of them, beings of every clan, all their bodies shaking like sifted grain, trembling violently, prostrated on the ground.
This felt nothing like facing a being of flesh and blood. It was like worshipping a deity. The terrifying aura was incomparable; barely anyone could remain standing.
Boom!
The monkey’s great staff was instantly sent flying. Both his hands split open at the palms, blood streaming freely. Every golden hair on his body stood on end.
This was the might of a Sage! That slender jade hand had not even swept over yet, and already someone of the monkey’s level—one who had made initial strides in severing the Dao—had suffered severe injury, blood spilling from his lips.
Hum!
The fair jade finger finally swept across. Even kings would have their souls scatter in terror. This power was too fearsome. Whatever it struck would be reduced to ash.
This female king seemed to have set her mind on finishing the monkey off. Her expression was utterly indifferent—she showed not the slightest inclination to stop.
Boom!
Ye Fan finally acted. The void shook. The sacred shell he had inhabited blazed with radiance as it stepped in front, throwing a punch of absolute, heaven-dominating dominance.
All the radiance that erupted was not born from himself—his body was absorbing the vital essence from all ten directions. He did not wish to expose the secret of this sacred physique.
It was a single punch—fierce, overbearing, and forceful—shattering several layers of sacred light with sheer flesh and striking toward the female Ancestral King.
One had to acknowledge—she was a terrifying female king. She perceived the danger at once and did not meet it head-on. Instead, she borrowed the force to deflect it, shifting to the side—merely dissolving the blow.
Even so, her slender jade fingers spasmed—they had grazed the edge of that fist, leaving them drenched in blood, the finger bones fractured.
The four directions erupted in shock. Human cultivators were most astounded of all—who was this? Someone had blocked a female king. When had a Sage of this caliber appeared among them?
Everyone was stunned, staring in utter disbelief, speechless and dumbfounded. This person had entered the Jade Pool long ago, yet no one had sensed any sacred aura from them.
“What a formidable physical body. I truly underestimated you. To think there is such a figure here. But even so—it matters little.”
From behind came these words. Two middle-aged men strode forward shoulder-to-shoulder—both imposing and martial in bearing, clad in pristine silver battle robes—advancing alongside the female king to face Ye Fan.
No one dared to speak now. Behind the Celestial Imperial Prince were these ancient kings—all descendants of his father’s former followers. Truly formidable—a force that had to be carefully reckoned with.
“Esteemed seniors, this gathering has rules. One may not seek quarrels or resort to violence within the Jade Pool.” The Jade Pool’s Sacred Maiden spoke, her voice gentle and unwavering. She did not shrink back, and her words rang clearly into every ear.
Above the heavens, the Immortal Tear Green-Gold Pagoda let fall stream after stream of pale green vapor—each one thick as a mountain peak, heavy and towering, making everyone present feel as though they couldn’t breathe.
At this moment, the people of Shencan Ridge stepped forward. “Esteemed seniors, please restrain your anger. After all, he is the son of the Battle-Victorious Sacred Emperor. Even if there has been some transgression, please show restraint.”
Others from ancient clans chimed in as well, pleading on the monkey’s behalf. They feared that if all three ancient kings acted together, no one could stop them.
“I have stated my terms: first, he must apologize to the Celestial Imperial Prince, and then, before all the clans, repent and kneel before the Immortal Celestial Emperor’s divine tablet. Without that, there can be no forgiveness—only death.” The female king’s jade hands were restored. She spoke with cold indifference.
“A consensus was reached long before this ten thousand clans’ grand assembly commenced—no great battles are to take place here. Do you believe you three can stand above all ten thousand clans? The sages in this world do not consist solely of your three.” Ye Fan said.
“Is that so? Then let us settle it outside.” This female king had made up her mind to act against the monkey. She extended her hand forward, intent on seizing him and carrying him out of the Jade Pool.
“You are being far too reckless!” Ye Fan stepped forward, moving to block her.
The monkey’s fury blazed even hotter. Golden hair standing on end across his entire body, he seized his great staff again and swung it down, hacking forward in a killing strike.
“Human race—how fortunate that you have a single Sage. Cherish your life well. Because we know that the so-called Divine Enshrinement Scroll is also a fabrication.” The two ancient kings in silver battle robes at the back smiled coldly and advanced together to deal with Ye Fan.
It was obvious—their views aligned with the Celestial Imperial Prince’s. They believed Wushi had passed away eighty thousand years ago at the Dao Altar and could not possibly still be alive.
Ye Fan’s brow furrowed deeply. These were three genuine Ancestral Kings—and he was nothing but an impostor. In a true confrontation, he would certainly suffer a bitter defeat. He had some formidable trump cards in reserve, but this was not the time to reveal them. They had greater use for the future.
“A tiny little monkey—your father was guilty of ten thousand crimes, destroying the only divine sanctuary of the ten thousand clans. Do you think you can make any waves here? Today we will teach you a lesson well and make you understand the consequences of desecrating the divine.”
The female king harbored deep-seated grievances—it was plain to see she had long carried resentment. When the Battle-Victorious Sacred Emperor had been alive, his power had pressed down upon heaven and earth, and they had been forced to endure. Now she intended to recover her losses through the monkey.
At this moment, not a single one of the ten thousand clans dared to say a word. All held their breath. Three Ancestral Kings were, to them, divine existences.
Boom!
Ye Fan acted, confronting one of the Ancestral Kings head-on. His physical body shattered through several layers of radiant barriers, but in the end he was blocked by the power of the divine principles.
“Little monkey, let’s see who can save you today!”
A faint hum resonated as the female king sent the jet-black gold staff flying from the monkey’s hands—though she did not break it. Her expression shifted with surprise. “Is this the same ferocious weapon from back then?”
The monkey let out a long howl, yet he could not break free. He was lifted up by the female king as she flew toward the outside of the Jade Pool. Against a being of this level, anyone who had not yet reached the Sage realm was ultimately powerless—no different from an ant, with no suspense whatsoever.
“Let’s see who saves you now. A tiny little monkey who dares to disrespect the Immortal Celestial Emperor—today I will slowly pull out your bones and peel your skin.” The female king smiled coldly, carrying the monkey out of the Jade Pool.
Many beings followed them out, all wanting to see what would unfold.
“Kneel or not—your life and death are in your own hands.” The female king spoke. Though exquisitely beautiful, a murderous aura seeped out from her.
The monkey naturally would rather die than submit. He would never yield—that would be harder to bear than being killed.
Ye Fan knew he could not delay any further. He silently activated the Heaven-Devouring Demon Jar, dissolving the divine principles that were surging toward him, breaking through the encirclement, evading the Ancestral King that had been holding him in check, and rushing toward the monkey.
“If you refuse to kneel, I will personally snap both your legs and force your head to the ground, where you will kneel for eternity.” The female king was glacially cold, about to strike.
Behind them, the Celestial Imperial Prince and Yuangu smiled coldly. Not a word passed between them. They watched in silence, a faint curl of mockery at the corners of their lips.
Crack!
Suddenly, a sharp and resonant slap rang out in the open space—so abrupt that the expressions of everyone present froze solid.
A young girl had appeared in the midst of the scene—no one knew when. She was lovely and ethereal, her skin like translucent jade—fair, delicate, and tender. A head of flowing violet hair partly concealed half of her celestial face.
She had slapped the female king across the face, then reached down and pulled the monkey up from the ground. A flash of radiance, and she had wiped the blood from him and healed his wounds.
Everyone was dumbstruck. What kind of existence was this? She had walked up and struck a primordial female king across the face as though strolling through an empty space.
Outside the Jade Pool, spiritual springs bubbled softly. Green grass stretched like fine carpet. This was a land of pure serenity, so still it had reached the ultimate extreme—not a single person spoke.
All of this was too sudden and too shocking. How powerful must this young girl be? To dare slap a female Ancestral King—appearing in this manner left everyone utterly stunned.
The female king herself was dazed. It had been countless years since anyone had dared to humiliate her like this. But when she saw that celestial face, she couldn’t stop her heart from leaping violently.
Boom!
In that very instant, Ye Fan burst out from the Jade Pool. Not fully understanding what had happened, he lunged at the female Ancestral King, his fist fierce and overbearing, vital energy surging powerfully. Sand and stones flew in all directions, and several of the low hills nearby were ripped from the ground, collapsing in midair.
The female king snapped back to herself and hastily raised a defense. With a muffled sound, one of her lotus-white arms was shattered, reduced to a mass of pulp, and her entire body was sent flying sideways—nearly torn apart.
Ye Fan pressed the advantage without mercy, continuing his pursuit. An ancient king in silver battle robes came charging over, shouting loudly, trying to block his path.
But when this person caught sight of the ethereal young girl standing in the scene, they were equally dumbstruck—just like the female Ancestral King, standing there stunned, and then stumbling backward, step after step.
“You… you’re still alive!”
Boom!
On the other side, Ye Fan and the female Ancestral King collided again. This time, half of her body split apart, and she went flying backward, drenched in blood.
“Ahh…” The female king let out a long cry. Boundless divine principles burst forth, surging forward in a tidal wave—intent on burying Ye Fan beneath them.
At that moment, the young girl in the center of the scene acted. She gave a light, unhurried wave of her hand. The boundless divine principles, the overwhelming power—all of it was stilled into silence and then annihilated.
Only now did Ye Fan come to a stop. When he looked carefully and recognized the features of the ethereal young girl at the center of the scene, his eyes went wide.
It’s her… she’s alive!
Long ago, within a peculiar stone in the Divine City—a stone known as the “Blood Sacrifice Platform”—there had been a Divine Maiden sealed inside. At the time, she had been pierced through the chest by an unrivaled ferocious weapon, pinned to death within a divine source, before being seized away by the monkey the moment he came into the world.
It was actually her!
From a distance, a young Daoren with disheveled hair, an imperial prince clad in a Nine Dragons golden battle robe, and a little Buddhist nun dressed in snow-white robes were walking over together.
Between them flitted a tiny spirit—resembling a small phoenix in form—radiant and resplendent, fluttering back and forth.
The instant it caught sight of the violet-haired young girl outside the Jade Pool, it went rigid with bewilderment. In its large eyes, tears fell entirely beyond its control, one after another, streaming down without stopping—and then, with a whoosh, it came flying over.
Whimper, whimper…
Even this little spirit itself did not understand what was happening. Toward the young girl at the center of the scene, it felt an indescribable sense of closeness and familiarity. It landed on her shoulder and wept with heartfelt, mournful sobs.