All the Saints had converged, surrounding the great tomb. The atmosphere was charged with tension as all factions faced off against one another.

Though the magnificent ancient bronze palace was mottled with rust, its radiance was boundless — illuminating the sky with hundreds of millions of strands of immortal light. Above all else, the word “Immortal” it projected made every single person’s heart tremble.

Grand Saint Huntuo, the Grand Saint of the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Lair, and more — over a dozen Ancient Kings stood side by side like ten-plus primordial demonic peaks risen from the earth, sending shock and dread through the hearts of all living creatures.

The human race’s Saints were too few. So far, only Wei Yi and Jiang Taixu had been seen; no others had shown themselves. Against such numbers, the human race seemed dangerously outnumbered.

Grand Saint Huntuo narrowed his eyes and looked toward the Bronze Immortal Palace. This structure that had existed from time immemorial had come back to life, and even as powerful as he was, he did not dare charge in recklessly.

“The fluctuations are intense. I have a faint impression that someone within is reciting an immortal scripture — deep and unfathomable. Once one sets foot inside, what fate awaits is impossible to predict.”

For a Grand Saint to develop such a feeling, and make such a judgment, filled everyone else with even greater wariness toward the bronze palace. Not a single person dared act rashly.

Ye Fan, the Black Emperor, and the others were eight hundred thousand li away. Through a mysterious crystal stone, they could observe the situation near the great tomb with perfect clarity — a function made possible by the marvelous workings of Emperor-level Dao markings.

“The Ancient Tribe’s Grand Saints have personally arrived. If they wield several Ancient Imperial weapons in an attack, they would most likely truly obtain what they seek. That would be a great deal of trouble.”

The Ancient Tribes were not short of supreme imperial weapons. The Golden Staff was said to be capable of striking down immortals. One shake of the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Bell and even the cosmos would shatter. If the Fire Kirin Cave, the Primordial Lake, the Divine Silkworm Ridge, and the Blood Phoenix Mountain all came bearing weapons, to say nothing of the Southern Region — even the Eastern Wasteland could be struck to pieces.

“My proposal — what do you all think? Let us enter together, and probe the secret of immortality.” Grand Saint Huntuo spoke again.

“If we bring Ancient Imperial weapons inside, we should have no major problem — at the very least, we should be able to keep ourselves safe.” The Grand Saint of the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Lair, Qian Lun, nodded in agreement.

These two were the ones leading the way. They were among the absolute pinnacle of existences within the Ancient Tribes. Even Saint Kings who saw them did not dare breathe too loudly, and no one dared defy them.

Gazes turned toward Divine King Jiang and Wei Yi — two human race Saints, neither of them simple figures to deal with. In the ancient past at the Jade Pool, the white-robed Divine King alone had shaken the heavens, and the impression he left upon the Ancient Kings was one they could never forget.

“Do the two of you wish to enter?” Grand Saint Qian Lun of the Ten Thousand Dragons’ Lair said with a smile, looking in their direction.

“Never mind — we cannot compete with you. No use adding to the confusion.” Wei Yi shook his head.

“Ten thousand races exist together. All under heaven is one family. There is no distinction of this side or that — all are welcome to enter.” Qian Lun said.

A heavenly sound rang out, and above, the radiance of the Bronze Immortal Palace grew even more intense. The word “Immortal” it projected was drenched in blood — immense, boundless, filled with an overwhelming sense of awe.

This time, over a dozen Saint-level Ancient Kings all furrowed their brows. They too had heard someone reciting scripture — hazy and indistinct, impossible to make out clearly.

“Could there truly be a living presence inside the bronze palace?”

So many years had passed. Even an Ancient Great Emperor would have long since sat in meditation and passed from this world. No life could possibly remain. Could this truly be connected to immortality?

“I can smell blood. This word ‘Immortal’ is composed at minimum of an Emperor’s blood — it may even be the blood of a true immortal.” Grand Saint Huntuo said.

Either possibility was absolutely staggering.

An Ancient Great Emperor — who could wound them? Who could use their blood to inscribe a word? That would be a desecration. And if it were truly the blood of an immortal, it was even more beyond comprehension.

Eight hundred thousand li away, Ye Fan furrowed his brows. He had been inside in those early years and had seen this word “Immortal” — but was it written in the Fierce Man’s blood? It did not quite seem so.

Behind the word “Immortal” was a mysterious door. He had only reached that far, with no opportunity to go further, for one more step would have meant death.

“Let the ordinary cultivators withdraw. Great disaster is coming to this place — no one should linger.” In the midst of the scene, a sickly-looking old man appeared and spoke quietly to Divine King Jiang and Wei Yi.

The moment he appeared, Grand Saint Huntuo and Grand Saint Qian Lun could no longer maintain their composure. Solemnity was written across their faces. Gai Jiuyou had arrived, and even they felt the pressure multiply.

The white-robed Divine King nodded. Every Ancient Great Emperor had been extraordinary — who could rob them of their tombs? If the occupant was unwilling, anyone who came would perish. Just like that Purple Mountain — everyone knew the Great Emperor Wushi lay within, yet after so many ages, who had been able to do anything about it? In ancient times, several imperial weapons had attacked the mountain, yet could only withdraw in defeat.

Many great figures had come, and all sides grew unsettled. Ordinary cultivators began to pull back. This was no simple battle — if a war among Saints broke out, to say nothing of a range of several hundred thousand li, the entire Southern Region could become a place of devastation.

Whether human race, demon race, or Ancient Tribe — all showed good sense and began withdrawing. Those who wished to observe would have to use formation eyes and other methods to watch from afar. Otherwise, if some change occurred, ordinary cultivators would be as fragile and insignificant as ants.

“Quite the spectacle.” Yet another Ancient Saint had arrived.

Before the ruins of Yao Guang, a beam of golden light appeared. The Grand Saint of the Golden Tribe appeared, bearing the Golden Staff — the might of an Ancient Imperial weapon spreading outward, causing even the Bronze Immortal Palace to shudder, its immortal light blazing fiercely.

The Golden King cast a glance toward Gai Jiuyou, then looked toward Wei Yi and the white-robed Divine King, saying nothing. After his defeat at the hands of the Battle-Victorious Buddha, he had been subdued for a time. Now he had come bearing the Golden Staff, hoping to compensate for the loss of his priceless divine marrow.

“Yet another Grand Saint has arrived. If they truly begin fighting and those Ancient Imperial weapons start swinging — can the Southern Region even survive?”

The crowd grew worried. Even Divine King Jiang and Wei Yi furrowed their brows.

With so many great figures assembled, they represented the most pinnacle of battle power in existence today. The situation was growing ever larger, and ordinary cultivators had no right to participate at all — they retreated like a tide.

Before long, the vast ruins of Yao Guang had grown silent and desolate. Not a single ordinary person remained. All who stayed were Saints.

“Boom!”

The Bronze Immortal Palace rang with a thunderous sound, and at the same time, the sound of the Grand Dao grew more vast and immense — as though a true immortal were delivering a teaching, shaking the deaf and awakening the enlightened, drawing all toward understanding.

“This is… careful — I nearly dissolved into the Dao!”

One Ancestor King, his lifespan nearly spent with only a few months left to live, was horrified. He was an elder of an earlier generation, and every hair on his body stood erect, his skin rising into a layer of bumps.

“Clang!”

The Golden Staff rang out with a thunderous cry and transformed into an undying divine radiance that could sever the sun, moon, and stars above and destroy all living things below — the Ancient Imperial aura surging back to life.

At the same instant, the sound of bells rang out in meditation. Countless golden and purple divine bells were strung together in an endless chain, forming the shape of a true dragon, its head swaying and tail moving, materializing in the void.

The Ten Thousand Dragons’ Bell — each bell was a single dragon bone, and when sounded, the nine heavens and ten earths could be split open. It held the power of the creation of heaven and earth, as chaos churned and roiled.

Two Ancient Imperial weapons were deployed together. The Bronze Immortal Palace seemed to sense them, its radiance undiminished as it slowly descended, sinking back down into the sinkhole and positioning itself at the entrance of the chaotic immortal ground, actively defending.

“Remarkable — even after the death of a human race Great Emperor, his tomb cannot be disturbed. Even the Bronze Immortal Palace has come to stand against us.” Grand Saint Huntuo murmured to himself.

“For the secret of immortality, we have no choice but to assault the immortal palace directly. And the chaotic immortal ground is also a prize worth competing for.” The Golden King was the first to make his move, descending into the sinkhole.

“Let no idle bystanders approach.” Grand Saint Huntuo spoke, leaving several Ancient Kings above to provide support.

Everyone moved. Together they descended into the abyss.

“A momentous event — all Saints have gathered and are moving to open the Bronze Immortal Palace, to enter the ancient tomb of the Great Emperor!”

“A great storm is rising. With so many Ancient Saints making their move, the Southern Region may be struck and sunk!”

“There are rumors that this is the ancient tomb of the Fierce Man Emperor — the most magnificent and breathtaking figure of ancient times. Can they succeed?”

News spread in all four directions. The gaze of every cultivator in the world converged upon this place, though they lacked the qualification to participate — they could only watch from afar.

On that day, many sacred sites throughout the Southern Region had ancient formation platforms glowing with light, using their all-seeing formation eyes to observe this world-shaking upheaval.

“I feel somewhat uneasy…” Wei Yi said, turning to look in another direction of the Southern Region. In those early years, Tianxuan Sacred Ground had been almost utterly annihilated — an event that had left him with a lifetime of pain and old memories.

“Let us observe for now.” Gai Jiuyou said with great calm.

The white-robed Divine King and the others did not move. They stood above the abyss, watching the Ancient Tribes make their move, waiting quietly for the outcome.

Several Ancient Saints flew out in different directions, patrolling the surroundings. In truth, it was obvious — they were guarding against the few human race Saints, fearing they might lay out a killing formation up above.

“Boom!”

In the Southern Region, within an ancient forbidden land, the atmosphere at that moment was eerie. From the abyss below the nine sacred mountains standing in a ring, a terrifying aura shot toward the sky.

Two Ancient Saints who had come from outside the domain became deeply unsettled and withdrew at the first opportunity. They had already learned that in another location, the tomb of an Ancient Great Emperor had emerged, and they rushed off in that direction, departing from this place for the time being.

Ye Fan and the others were not far away, and the sight of this left every one of them shaken.

“What has happened here? Surely the immortal path has not truly begun to open — in these very days, perhaps? If so, this is a world-shaking transformation!”

Every one of their hearts hammered violently. Was the illusory realm of immortality truly about to appear? Who would seize upon this and ascend in a blaze of glory, transforming into an immortal?

“Boom!”

Suddenly, a force of enormous magnitude surged forward, driving ten-thousand mountains before it. Lead-grey clouds filled the sky like a vast ocean, and the whole of the heavens seemed about to come crashing down, striking toward Ye Fan and his companions.

“Terrible — a Saint is attacking!” The Black Emperor bellowed.

In a single shaking of its hand, twelve formation platforms flew out, arraying themselves in the void to block the surging tide of holy radiance. With a flash, the chessboard formation platform opened a void, and they plunged inside.

“Bang!”

The twelve formation platforms were instantly pulverized, reduced to ashes of the tribulation — not blocking even a fraction. And one should know that this was a fragment of an imperial formation, enough to slay a Half-Saint and send their blood and corpse flying.

And yet the formation diagram was incomplete — only one-tenth of it remained. It could not withstand the attack of a full Saint.

“Human race’s Sacred Body — you cannot escape. Next time, I will certainly kill you, and no one who comes will be of any use. You are my blood food, and the Mother Qi you took will belong to me.” Huo Tan said, his voice cold and eerie.

He was filled with regret. Guided by a Grand Saint’s deduction, they had calculated that the group should be in this general area, and he had come charging in — but in the end, he had still missed. Only the aftershock had destroyed a section of formation platforms.

Eight hundred thousand li away, Ye Fan, the Black Emperor, Duan De, and the others furrowed their brows. That had truly been dangerous — they had nearly been intercepted.

“A Grand Saint spent enormous effort on the deduction — otherwise Huo Tan, only recently become a Saint, could not possibly have located us.” Duan De said.

“I have the broken immortal cauldron on me, so they cannot calculate my whereabouts. It seems a different secret method was used — deducing the rest of you.” Ye Fan said.

“We must be vigilant. This Emperor will inscribe more smaller evasion formation markings. Everyone carry several — not even a Grand Saint will be able to divine our location.” The Black Emperor said.

Not long before, they had slain the celestial prince and looted the enlightenment tea. Using that divine wood’s trunk, they had inscribed the Heaven-Deceiving Formation Markings created by the Great Emperor Wushi. The Black Emperor was confident this would ensure their safety.

“This is not a good sign at all — a Grand Saint has clearly given the order and personally performed the deduction. This is an ominous signal.” Duan De said.

Ye Fan paced back and forth, his gaze fixed on a certain place in the Southern Region, his eyes cold. “All the Ancient Saints have come crawling out. Do they truly believe I cannot slay a Saint?”

“What are you thinking of doing?” Long Ma asked, both excited and nervous. It feared chaos in the world, yet held deep reverence for the Ancient Saints, knowing full well that the gap was far too large and that it was genuinely impossible to defy the heavens.

“Huo Tan wishes to kill me — not necessarily a certainty that he will succeed. And if I put my mind to it and find a way — going to slay an Ancient Saint — that, too, is not necessarily certain to fail.” Ye Fan’s words were cold and ruthless.

“You… what is your plan?” The Great Black Dog asked.

“The world now knows I have returned. It seems I have been quiet for far too long. The Ancient Tribes bully me — then I will slay an Ancient Saint and send them a great gift.”

“Master, you…” Ye Tong clenched his fists, both tense and exhilarated.