Bronze war chariots came rumbling forward, their wheels rolling and making the entire vault of heaven shake. Atop the chariots stood rank upon rank of soldiers, each clad in bronze armor, grasping war spears, whose cold luster gleamed with a chilling, sharp-edged light that sent a chill down one’s spine just to look upon them.

The cold and dark universe: the Spiritual Court’s boundless armies came killing forward, dense and innumerable, covering the sky and blotting out the earth, permeated by a fierce and murderous energy that made the hairs on one’s back rise like ice.

The Crimson Raven revealed its enormous true form, both wings spreading to a span of several thousand zhang. Carrying Ye Fan upon its back, it burst through the heavens and rose into outer space, where it faced off against the endless army.

The Spiritual Court had already issued the war cry — one by one they unsheathed blades and drew bowstrings taut, alight with killing intent, iron armor flashing cold light in all directions, pressing forward toward this side.

The brilliant genius Yu Mo’s face cycled between green and white. He too flew up into the high heavens. Though he had been struck into severe injuries and moved with difficulty, free of the pressure Ye Fan had imposed, he was finally able to move again.

Beyond him, Grand Commander Yu Lan and the dozen or so others who had suffered such heavy losses all flew upward as well, every face set with iron determination — they simply could not swallow this bitter indignity.

“Grand Commander Yu Mo, Grand Commander Yu Lan — are you all right?” someone called from the war chariots opposite, his voice resonant and sharp, like a war spear thrusting into an iron wall — oppressive and ear-splitting.

“Does the Spiritual Court intend to start a war? Our Heavenly Court is absolutely not afraid of conflict — but think carefully, you will bear the consequences yourself!” Dongfang Ye bellowed from this side as well, wielding a spiked wolf-toothed club, the upper half of his powerful body gleaming with a metallic luster, his hair wild and flowing, radiating a feral ferocity.

“All who obstruct us shall be slain!” A divine general on the opposing side roared, seated astride a blood-scaled tiger — tall, ferocious, a full head of crimson hair billowing in the wind, one hand gripping a great battle axe as he issued the command.

“Boom!”

In just one instant, the heavens and earth erupted — like a mountain torrent breaking free, sweeping up boulders and stone, charging forward like a furious sea, the mountains cracking and the earth splitting open!

The crimson-haired man was the first to strike, his target fixed squarely upon Ye Fan atop the Crimson Raven. He did not bother acknowledging Dongfang Ye — it was evident he wanted to slay the most important figure of the Heavenly Court.

It was a fearsome battle formation. Behind him, every war general clad in bronze armor held aloft a great banner — a world-shaking great formation designed to besiege the target.

“Damn it all!” Dongfang Ye raged. Over all these years, the wild man had shaken the stars and no one had ever dared disregard him. The savage clan’s physical constitution was the most indomitable beneath the heavens — setting aside Ye Fan, few dared to clash with him head-on.

Over these years, he had fought across the four corners of the universe, carving out a resounding reputation through battle, known as the Savage King. He was one of the Divine Kings of the Heavenly Court, sweeping everything before him, holding countless domains in awe, and had yet to know a single defeat.

Dongfang Ye charged forward with his wolf-toothed club, every step causing the heavens to shake and the earth to move — like a giant walking through mountains and rivers, with the sun, moon, and river-mountains all quaking.

“Hum!”

He swung the wolf-toothed club in a wide arc to meet the crimson-haired ferocious man head on. Their weapons collided, producing a deafening metallic reverberation, sparks flying in all directions, the vault of heaven cracking open.

Many in the crowd painfully covered their ears — for it was no simple sound wave. It was a Dao wave spreading outward, capable of slaying all things. This was a collision like a comet crashing into the moon.

“Crack!”

The great axe split apart. The crimson-haired man’s body shuddered and he was driven backward as if struck by lightning, the tiger’s mouth between his thumb and forefinger rupturing, a great deal of blood spraying outward.

He was a man of notorious ferocity within the Spiritual Court. With a thunderous roar, the silhouettes of various totems emerged at his back — chief among them a great grey wolf that pounced forward to kill. This was the manifestation of his Dao principles — a type of forbidden secret art — but the wild man was even more savage. The wolf-fang club crashed down, Dao-inscriptions exploding outward in all directions, obliterating every last Dao-trace the enemy had produced.

“Boom!”

Every kind of light danced through that space, terrifying force churning in all directions, Dao-talisman light flickering — as if one divine idol after another were being awakened, colliding in that space, surging back and forth in great waves.

In the end, only one wolf-toothed club remained in that heaven and earth, descending overhead with overwhelming force, and with a thud sent the crimson-haired man’s bones snapping and tendons breaking, sending him flying sideways through the air.

He was clearly not going to survive — for his head was nowhere to be seen. The lower half of his body was a bloody pulp, tumbling crooked into the dark depths of the universe.

The battle formation in the rear had failed to take effect. The Black Emperor, at the critical moment, had done no more than toss out six small banners — and yet that alone cut off the path of those soldiers, allowing them to watch helplessly as one of their commanders was slain.

The Heavenly Court had few people here — only a handful of important figures — and yet they were utterly unafraid, facing a million-strong army without a single step backward. More than that, they had opened with a powerful display of force, seizing the initiative and stunning all onlookers.

Clearly, the Black Emperor and Dongfang Ye had been aiming for precisely this effect — an intimidating display of power.

Yet after that brief stillness, the killing intent aboard those boundless war chariots, as well as across the battle-ships mottled with green corrosion and spattered with old bloodstains, grew even denser than before. The one in command issued an order to encircle and annihilate everyone present!

Truly covering the sky and blotting out the earth — the army, as far as the eye could see, came surging like wave after wave of the sea, cracking the heavens in four directions, shaking all of creation, bearing down upon this place.

The Spiritual Court’s army moved in impeccable formation. The reason so many came charging forward was that they had all been deployed in strict arrangement — every single person was a component of the great battle formation.

Men as formation — a tide of killing intent reaching the heavens. A million-strong army together could drown and eradicate anything, naturally shaking all of creation!

Yet both Ye Fan and the Black Emperor were masters of this very discipline. They hurled banner after banner outward, planting them into the vault of heaven, dividing the army in the first instant and severing their connections to one another.

“Kill them — give them no opportunity!” someone on the Spiritual Court’s side bellowed.

The great formation shifted. War chariot after war chariot merged together, dividing into several distinct zones — unafraid of the Black Emperor severing their links to one another.

This was no ordinary tactical formation. It had been crafted by the hand of a near-Emperor, and the one wielding the command banners had long been prepared. The formation held steady — without the slightest disorder, its deployment methodical and precise, advancing forward to reap lives.

They intended to capture in one fell swoop every leading figure of the Heavenly Court!

“Stand back.” Ye Fan leapt upward like a dragon crossing the heavens, charging straight toward a massive war vessel where a divine general was commanding the troops — a figure of considerable standing.

Out here in outer space, Ye Fan surged upward, unaffected by the barrage of Dao arts raining down upon him, and crashed down upon the ancient bronze battle-ship like a boulder, both legs driving in like nails, cracking the entire vessel beneath him.

“We’ve finally reached this point!” The Black Emperor and the others retreated, using formation banners to partition the void of heaven, preventing the boundless army from breaking through, watching the battlefield closely and providing cover for Ye Fan.

“Ye Fan the Holy Body — let me see just how strong you truly are. This era no longer belongs to you!” From aboard the war vessel, a humanoid creature came charging forward — eyes blazing like torches, entire body sheathed in purple scaly armor, sporting a scorpion’s tail. He transformed into a bolt of violet lightning and arrived in an instant.

Within the Spiritual Court there was no shortage of young prodigies like Yu Mo who had achieved great things early in life, nor was there any lack of individuals like Yu Lan whose cultivation shook the world — all were figures of grand renown. They harbored deep disrespect for Ye Fan and did not acknowledge his brilliance of three hundred years past. In particular, upon hearing that he had stormed the Ancient Road of the Human Race, killing until all four directions fell silent, they had only scoffed coldly.

Clearly, this being of unknown species before him now was of that same disposition. Possessing extreme speed, it transformed into a streak of violet light, encircling Ye Fan and launching a thunderous assault.

In that very instant, his pair of purple, scale-covered palms had already struck at Ye Fan tens of thousands of times — and yet every single one had been blocked by a single one of Ye Fan’s hands.

“This fast?!” He was appalled. Was Ye Fan truly crippled? Moving like lightning, with one hand blocking both of his, without missing a single strike — so fast it made even his own eyes swim.

“Clang!”

The scorpion’s tail of the purple-scaled humanoid creature pierced through the void from behind, producing a sound like metal striking stone, thrusting straight toward Ye Fan’s skull — precise and vicious, fast and devastating.

This kind of attack was nearly impossible to guard against. Engaged in a frontal clash, a razor-sharp scorpion sting was suddenly striking from behind — if it hit, it would be more than enough to poison a Great Sage to death.

Yet the outcome was something else entirely. Ye Fan’s other hand, which had not moved until now, shot forward with a loud smack and seized the violet-gleaming scorpion tail. With a savage wrench — a burst of blood-light — he tore it clean off.

“Ah…”

The divine general let out a great cry. His entire body erupted with light as the most powerful Great Dao inscriptions within him surged forth like a flood, pouring into Ye Fan’s body, exploiting what he believed to be a half-crippled state incapable of invoking the laws of order.

What a pity that, though he had witnessed how Yu Mo and Yu Lan had been defeated, he still could not comprehend the reality of the situation. Otherwise, perhaps he would have been more cautious.

Every one of his Great Dao fragments rushed into Ye Fan’s body, transforming into fire that forged that physical form — then reversed direction, surging back with ferocious force and crashing into his own body.

Pft!

He coughed up blood. More than half the bones in his body broke, and he went flying sideways — unable to move.

“Kill!”

From deep within the army came a chilling voice. The near-Emperor killing formation was activated, with each division of the army serving as a cutting edge, becoming components of the great formation. Boundless light erupted, surging toward Ye Fan.

Rumble!

Great banners unfurled, and the endless army swept forward like a tide of steel — a sight to horrify the world.

Yourou, the adopted daughter of the Spiritual Court’s master, stood in the vault of heaven. She had said nothing throughout — and this itself had served as enough of a statement. The proud generals and fierce warriors on her side surged with killing intent. The commanders and those in charge led the grand assault, pressing down upon Ye Fan!

Golden blades flashed, cleaving across the long sky. Iron armor gleamed cold, killing intent boiling over. The rows of battle soldiers on the opposing side, operating according to the near-Emperor formation’s layout, moved in order, channeling a towering tide of murderous energy as they bore down to crush Ye Fan.

“You truly have impressive skill — you finally could not hold back any longer. In years past you did not dare to confront those ancient Supremes who posed a grave threat to the lives of all living beings — yet now you raise your blades of slaughter against the very person who fought in that battle. Toward outsiders you are rabbits, but toward your own you are decisive killing tyrants.” The Black Emperor sneered.

Many of the ordinary soldiers of the Spiritual Court shuddered upon hearing these words. They came from various clans and naturally knew of the events three hundred years ago — hesitation stirred in their hearts.

“Kill!” The one commanding the troops was resolute. The overseers and commanders all looked coldly intent, issuing an order that brooked no refusal.

The battle erupted!

Before this battle, no one would have imagined that a half-crippled Holy Body could defy the heavens. They believed that however strong his physical body might be, he would be put to death beneath the near-Emperor killing formation.

They had prepared for the worst — to cut down Ye Fan and bear the world’s condemnation. When the time came, even if they truly had to pay a price, they could push out a few scapegoats. But they could not show mercy now. Ye Fan the Holy Body had to be ruthlessly toppled from his divine pedestal, this uncertain variable eliminated!

And yet, the result of this battle left people stupefied. Ye Fan glowed from head to toe, vast as the great sea receiving all rivers. The boundless Dao-inscriptions that surged toward him were absorbed by that luminous curtain of light around his body.

Then, transformed into streak after streak of rosy radiance, they came surging back in reverse — inflicting no small losses on the Spiritual Court’s side.

Furthermore, as the battle continued, this phenomenon did not change in the slightest. Ye Fan’s body was trembling violently, yet there was never any sign that he was about to fall.

“Activate the near-Emperor killing formation to its full power — grind him into dust!” someone bellowed.

Hum!

Eight colossal beams of light descended. The eight great armies of the Spiritual Court struck simultaneously. Though the near-Emperor inscriptions held certain imperfections, they were genuine — and they came crashing down upon Ye Fan.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, Ye Fan was like the most terrifying primordial beast awakening. A hazy mist arose around him, making every single person’s hairs stand on end.

Before him and behind him, silhouette after silhouette emerged — the shadows of the Master of Reincarnation, the Supreme of Light and Darkness, the Stone Emperor, the Master of the Divine Ruins, and the Heaven-Forsaken Supreme all appeared, radiating a divine might that overshadowed the world.

Beyond them, the Void Emperor, the Eternal Universe Emperor, along with imperial weapon after imperial weapon and their fragments — all emerged, radiating an astonishing and terrible power!

“This is…” Everyone was thunderstruck. Mouths fell open; not a word could be spoken.

People finally understood the source of Ye Fan’s chronic affliction — why it had been so impossible to cure. It was the Dao-traces of those former Supremes, entangled within him. Far too many things had been buried in his body, sealing his arts and his Dao within his own flesh and blood.

At this moment, the pressure from outside was too immense. Those entangled Supreme Dao-traces and everything else were forced out into the open, resisting the suppression.

“A near-Emperor physique!”

“His flesh and blood is approaching the near-Emperor level — or perhaps it already is?!”

Someone perceived the anomaly and cried out in shock. When those silhouettes and inscriptions appeared, Ye Fan’s body became translucent and dazzling — as though cast from celestial gold — releasing a terrible aura of oppressive power.

The Holy Body was rising again — and perhaps nothing could stop it now!

This was the understanding that gripped every person present. With a body so powerful, what did Ye Fan have left to fear? Perhaps the arts and Dao sealed within him would, sooner or later, break free as well — and when that day came, how many in this world could match him?!

Boom!

The divine light of the eight great armies all shattered and collapsed, purified by those Supreme inscriptions and phantoms, pouring into Ye Fan’s body, transforming into Dao fire that tempered his physique and primordial spirit.

Those on the outside did not know this. Believing they could wound him, they attacked with savage frenzy — because Ye Fan’s display had been far too extraordinary. Not only had he endured with great difficulty and survived three hundred years, he now appeared to possibly be climbing out of the valley of his life and ascending again to the absolute pinnacle.

Perhaps now was the only opportunity. While his body still bore ailments, this was the moment to finish him completely.

But this was precisely what Ye Fan needed!

He stood at the heart of the battlefield, allowing the endless army’s assaults to pour in, drawing upon ten thousand Dao fire-sources to temper himself. Though he trembled incessantly, his will never wavered by a single fraction.

“Kill him!” The one commanding from deep within the Spiritual Court roared.

And Yourou, the adopted daughter of the Spiritual Court’s master, also changed expression drastically and joined in, taking command of the great formation. She perceived the anomaly, yet had no more choices left. If she did not destroy Ye Fan today, then in the future this world would see the rise of the most terrifying enemy imaginable — one who might threaten her father’s dominant position.

In this heaven and earth, every person in the Spiritual Court’s army sent their Great Dao fragments flying outward simultaneously. Combined with the Dao-inscriptions of the battle formation, these came together like a boundless flood, concentrating on the center of the battlefield — their radiance shaking both heaven and earth.

Ye Fan sat cross-legged in that place, his being like a celestial furnace, receiving ten thousand Daos. That was the fire of Dao burning, honing his form.

And toward the end, he changed once more. In the eyes of those watching, he seemed to shift between furnace and cauldron, his human form disappearing entirely — a sight that left people astonished!

“Using the self as cauldron-furnace, drawing in the fire of ten thousand Daos for tempering — nurturing the true self. If he succeeds, it will truly be a defiance of the heavens.” The Black Emperor murmured, its eyes flickering with a brilliant light.

Ye Fan glowed with translucent radiance from head to toe, flowing with resplendent light, like an ancient deity emerging from the primordial age, brushing away the dust of the ages, preparing to reveal himself.

“Is he truly about to climb out from the valley of his life and return to the ranks of the strong?”

“Ye Fan the Holy Body is truly about to rise again!”