The elderly Daoist who had come from the ancestral seat of Daoism wore a worn and faded Daoist robe. His hair was white but his face was young, and he was perhaps over a thousand years of age. He informed Ye Fan that Penglai might hold a path leading beyond the domain.
However, he also made it clear that the people of this immortal island almost never set foot in the Central Plains — they were barely seen once in several hundred years, and it was very difficult for outsiders to find them.
Penglai had been hailed as an immortal realm since ancient times — a divine mountain inhabited by immortals in the sea. In ancient times, emperors among ordinary mortals often sent ships across the sea in pursuit of the immortality-prolonging medicine.
Hearing this, Ye Fan felt a stirring in his heart. He expressed his gratitude, gave the elder some precious spirit medicines, spoke at length about his insights on cultivation, and personally saw the elderly Daoist to the foot of the mountain gate.
“On land there is Kunlun; in the sea there are the three mountains.” This saying had been passed down since ancient times. One of the three mountains was Penglai — the enduringly flourishing homeland of immortals.
The bold and visionary Emperor Wu of Han, in his pursuit of immortality, had constructed an artificial lake called Taiye Pool at the Ganquan Palace, upon which sat the legendary immortal mountain of Penglai, at an immense cost.
And the most famous of all, of course, was the First Emperor — who had once commanded the fangshi Xu Fu to lead thousands of young men and women to sea in search of immortals. They went and never returned, and the tale was known throughout the people.
Ye Fan pondered carefully. Since his return, he had visited nearly every ancient sacred ground, yet had discovered no ancient star path connecting to the domain beyond. And yet in the ancient age, the Earth had housed countless sages who had all ultimately departed — however they had gone, they must have left some clue behind.
“Perhaps it really is in the immortal realm of Penglai.” He murmured. It was only the sacred grounds in the sea that he had not yet searched.
Ye Fan set out to sea, riding upon Long Ma, bringing Zhang Qingyang, You Wei Yu, and a full party of disciples. They had insisted on coming along this time, under the belief that Ye Fan was going to seek treasures as he had in Kunlun.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas recorded that there were three immortal mountains in the sea — Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang — and that upon them lay an immortal realm where undying and immortality-prolonging medicines grew.
These three immortal mountains had enjoyed immense renown since ancient times, hailed as the Eastern Immortal Realm. After they rose to prominence, they began to supplant even Western Kunlun’s standing. When the common people speak of immortal realms, most know Penglai, while Kunlun is rarely mentioned.
Azure seas rising in billows — vast and mighty, stretching endlessly to the horizon. Only those who had personally ventured out to sea could understand this vastness, which could open one’s entire heart and chest.
“Master, are there truly Dragon Palaces in this sea? Could we go pay a visit?” Yan Xiaoyu had a sudden flight of fancy.
“Even if there are, they would only be a few flood dragons at most. To be received as a guest in the abode of a true dragon, one would need to be an ancient great emperor — no one else would have that much face.” Long Ma said with disdain.
Years had passed, and not a trace of his arrogance had diminished. But having met a forceful human saint physique, even a dragon had to coil up — there were no waves he could stir.
They had been at sea for half a month and had still found nothing. The immortal mountain of Penglai was nowhere to be found. They had, however, discovered an ancient cave dwelling in ruins, long since submerged beneath the sea.
Ye Fan had no options. Immortal mountains in the sea were the hardest to find, having had no dealings with cultivators on land — only a few legends remained.
“It should be in the Bohai Sea.” Ye Fan murmured, spreading his powerful divine sense to search for anything anomalous and capture the energy of any ancient formation.
Records in the Shiji stated: “Since the kings of Qi and Yan sent people to sea to seek the three divine mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, it is said they lie in the Bohai Sea, not far from people. But as boats approach, the wind and waves drive them away. It is said some have reached them. All the immortals and the medicines of immortality are found there.”
“Boom!”
Suddenly, in the distance, waves erupted dozens of zhang high, and then a great vortex appeared, threatening to drag Ye Fan and the others down into it.
“It is a great sea clam!” Yan Xiaoyu cried out.
Beneath the sea, a giant clam several dozen zhang in length had opened its shell, exhaling and inhaling between heaven and earth, sending furious winds raging across the sea surface — attempting to suck them down.
This was an ancient monster of accumulated years. Sensing the spiritual energy emanating from the group, it had stirred up a sea disaster, hoping to draw them under — for devouring them would greatly benefit its cultivation.
“Rare indeed — we have actually encountered an old demon that has cultivated for more than eight hundred years, currently in the Secret Realm of Dragon Transformation.” Ye Fan said.
Zhan Yifan wasted no words. He summoned his flying sword, which transformed into a blazing radiance that split the great sea in a single slash — instantly giant waves surged in all directions, and a channel several hundred zhang in length was cleaved into the sea, forcing the seawater to both sides.
“Clang!”
Yet the old clam was no ordinary creature. Its cultivation was deep and its abilities extraordinary. It opened its shell wide, and eighteen sea divine pearls flew out, freezing the void itself.
Zhan Yifan struggled desperately. With all seven swords united as one, he slashed open a path to survival and narrowly escaped, revealing an expression of shock. Over these years, under Ye Fan’s protection as he underwent repeated tribulations, he had already reached the Secret Realm of Dragon Transformation — few could trouble him.
“It is a dragon clam with life-exchanging cultivation pearls. No wonder its strength is exceptional.” Ye Fan showed a surprised expression. Within the clam shell was a dragon-shaped old clam, and its eighteen pearls of the Dharma had been ground from its own flesh and blood. Having grown to this state, they had long since become spiritually integrated — comparable to ancient Dharma pearls.
Long Xiaoque made his move. Being of the demon clan himself, he understood the old clam’s weaknesses clearly. He came in with a rainbow of light aimed directly at the vital point within the shell — demon energy surging like a tide, striking at its vital area.
“Clang!”
The eighteen pearls blazed with radiance, stirring up boundless surging waves. The dragon clam was an old demon of many years of cultivation and immediately sensed that something was wrong. This group was not to be provoked. It turned and fled.
Yet how could Ye Fan allow it to escape? From within his brow, a strand of mother qi shot out — heavier than Mount Tai — and in that instant pinned it down, the shell letting out cracking sounds.
“I beg you, heavenly immortal, to spare my life. This small demon was ignorant and should not have given offense.” The old clam was terrified out of its wits. It had never imagined that in this era of waning Dharma it would encounter a being that surpassed even the ancient patriarchs of old.
“If you want to live, tell us where the immortal mountain of Penglai is.” Huang Tiannu smiled pleasantly, her peerless beautiful face layered over with killing intent.
Ye Fan nodded. This old clam was no virtuous creature. Even if he did not sever its cultivation, he still had to give it a thorough warning. And if it could provide information about the immortal realm’s location, so much the better.
“I do not know. The three immortal mountains of the sea are far too mysterious — there is no way to trace them. If I knew, this old clam would have gone to pledge allegiance long ago. I am told that the spiritual energy there is abundant and has never run dry from ancient times to the present.”
“Then what use are you? Rather than continuing to be a menace in these waters, it would be better to simply kill you.” Huang Tiannu released killing intent, intimidating the old demon.
“I beg the immortal ones to spare my life. I may not know, but I can provide some clues.” The old clam pleaded for mercy.
In the end, it led the group to an undersea cave dwelling. The world beneath the water was hazy and dim, yet this place radiated treasure-light, crystalline and glistening throughout.
It was a palace complex, constructed from various beautiful and translucent corals engraved with numerous formation patterns and Dao markings — an ancient aquatic dwelling of considerable age, housing a collection of small demons including fish and shrimp.
The master of the dwelling was a sea horse spirit, who had now lived for fifteen hundred years and was a dominant force in these seas. The creatures of the four surrounding sea territories all paid it deference.
The old sea horse’s true form was several hundred zhang in length. It had transformed into a red-haired Daoist and came out to welcome them with great courtesy. Its spiritual perception was sharp and powerful, and it sensed Ye Fan and Long Ma’s terrifying natures — its heart was filled with trepidation.
Ye Fan stated his purpose directly and inquired about Penglai’s location. If even a dominant lord of the seas did not know, then there was truly nothing to be done — he would have no choice but to withdraw.
“This old creature does truly know, but that place is far too terrifying. Ancient killing formations are laid throughout the water surrounding it. I have attempted to enter several times and have never been able to pass through — I cannot reach the island.” The old sea horse gave a well-meaning warning.
“No matter. Sea Lord, please simply tell us and it will suffice.” Ye Fan was also quite courteous, exchanging words with a pleasant smile.
In the end, the old sea horse personally led the way, guiding them into a mysterious sea territory that ordinary people could simply not approach — they would inexplicably circle around it. But they were extraordinary people. Drawing close, they felt wave after wave of bone-chilling killing intent, and at the slightest brush with it, beam after beam of sword energy shooting to the heavens would come slashing down.
“This old creature can only bring you this far. I dare not go deeper.” The old sea horse said.
“Many thanks, Sea Lord.” Ye Fan expressed sincere gratitude, brought his several disciples forward in great strides, his cauldron suspended above his head, raining down endless mother qi to envelop them all. Whatever thousands of techniques and countless divine abilities came at them, all were taken in without exception.
Behind them, the sea horse spirit stood transfixed, nearly turning to stone, murmuring, “Even the ancient patriarchs are far from equal — could this truly be the master of the Celestial Court on land?”
Ye Fan rode astride Long Ma, the cauldron above his head raining down tens of thousands of silk-like threads. Ten thousand methods left no mark on him. He led the group through as though in an uninhabited realm, pressing straight into this mysterious sea territory.
“This ancient formation is truly immense. We have pressed forward several hundred li and still have not broken through.” You Wei Yu quietly marveled.
“This is too slow. Leave it to me!” Long Ma grew impatient, feeling that Ye Fan’s several disciples were not moving fast enough. His four hooves radiated light, and in that instant fire erupted toward the heavens. On this azure sea surface there appeared a great blazing road of fire stretching all the way into the far distance.
Long Ma let out a long cry, bearing Ye Fan on his back, charging forward at the head of the group — nearly sending Little Pine flying off the rear, but the little creature was quick-eyed and nimble-handed, seizing Long Ma’s tail with a firm grip, muttering discontentedly.
Zhang Qingyang, You Wei Yu, Zhan Yifan, and the others could not help themselves — a streak of fire drew them along, stepping onto the blazing road of fire and moving as though pulled by some force.
“This dragon horse truly has skill that reaches the heavens. And only Master could have subdued it — this is the legendary Blazing Road Divine Evasion Art. At its pinnacle, no law can approach, one can travel through the sun and moon, and no ancient formation can obstruct it. In the ancient age, those who could perform this art had bloodline power that was supreme among humankind, invincible among peers, standing as a domain’s sovereign — truly terrifying beings.”
Ye Fan’s disciples all changed their expressions. It was said that those who could execute this technique possessed the most exceptional bloodline power imaginable — in the ancient age, they had been domain-ruling, peer-invincible, terrifying existences.
Long Ma charged eight hundred li. The blazing road pressed down upon the wave surface, and every ancient Dao marking failed to approach — it could not obstruct them at all. Even the rare occasional burst of the sharpest killing radiance that came rushing at them was dissolved by the Myriad Origins Mother Qi Cauldron.
At last, immortal aura grew hazy. Ahead appeared a massive island rising from the sea, transforming everything around it into an overflow of rosy clouds and a riot of auspicious colors.
“It is finally found.” Ye Fan said quietly. This place should be the immortal mountain of Penglai.
Whether in the Classic of Mountains and Seas or the Records of the Grand Historian, both had mentioned that the three immortal sea mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou held undying medicines. Whether true or false, one could infer their extraordinary nature from this alone.
Ye Fan and the others came ashore. They could not help but marvel at the island’s immensity — it was nearly comparable to an entire continent. Even Long Xiaoque, normally quite cold, could not help remarking that beyond the seven continents, perhaps an eighth could be added.
When they had left the shore and gone several hundred li inland, they were left completely stupefied. Beyond discovering several towns, they also encountered several ancient city complexes.
The island had many inhabitants. It was an ancient world — its clothing and way of life were no different from China’s pre-Qin era.
“The spiritual energy on this island is truly abundant — untouched by the influence of the era of waning Dharma!” They could not but be amazed.
Across the wilderness and wild mountains, on sheer cliffs and steep precipices, spiritual energy billowed and spirit medicines could be found. It was as though they were in the ancient age — rare grasses and precious medicines had not gone extinct, discovered here and there.
Ye Fan asked about the situation, and learned that on the island there was only one immortal sacred teaching — sharing the island’s name: Penglai.
“Honored immortals, the immortal mountain of Penglai is quite far from here. However, a young Celestial Sovereign presides not far from here in a sacred city — you may first go pay him a visit.” A kind-hearted woodcutter offered guidance.
Ye Fan and the others gave their thanks. They had originally intended to go directly to the immortal mountain of Penglai, but not knowing the way, had no choice but to first proceed to this sacred city.
“Their tone is quite bold — calling themselves Celestial Sovereign. Surely they don’t have Master’s level of ability?” Several disciples discussed it among themselves.
The sacred city was grand and imposing, tall and magnificent. Cultivators stood guard at its gates. When they saw Ye Fan approaching astride a dragon horse, they were immediately startled and reported inside, alarming the so-called young Celestial Sovereign, who personally ascended the city tower to observe.
“It is him!”
Zhang Qingyang’s expression changed at once. He stared fixedly at the young man on the city wall — this was the same person who had, four years prior, sent him off severely injured, torn down a section of the Celestial Court buildings, and burned Ye Fan’s divine effigy.
“Well now — so it is you people. Have you dissolved the Celestial Court religion yet?” The young man on the city gate tower had a faint trace of mockery in the corner of his mouth. “You are in no way worthy of that name. You had best burn every last one of those Celestial Emperor effigies clean.”