The battle had concluded. Eight true-transmission disciples of the Ji Family and Yao Guang Holy Land had been slain — this would inevitably become a massive storm.

Ye Fan descended onto the Broken Mountain. The young cultivators of Qu Province retreated one after another. Though this young man with his billowing hair appeared gentle and quiet, everyone had already branded him with the mark of a youthful demon king.

Many people were whispering among themselves. When this news spread across the Northern Region, how would this young man survive?

The Ji Family and Yao Guang Holy Land possessed immortal inheritances and stood as transcendent presences in the Eastern Desolation. To antagonize them meant there would likely be nowhere left in the world to hide.

“You should all disperse.” Ye Fan spoke with a smile.

“Let’s go — the gathering of Qu Province’s young cultivators cannot proceed now. But having witnessed such a battle, this trip was already worthwhile.”

“Shh, keep your voice down — if the Ji Family’s people hear you, you’ll be in for it.”

“What does it matter? The Ji Family doesn’t necessarily have that much influence in the Northern Region. What’s wrong with me saying a few words?”

Many people murmured among themselves and flew off into the distance, departing from the scene.

Though Qu Province was not particularly large, it still had no shortage of talented young powerhouses. Naturally, quite a few of them had their eyes on Ye Fan’s cauldron — an undeniable sacred object.

Many wanted to make a move and seize it, but none dared act rashly. The cauldron forged from the Primordial Source Root of All Things hovered above Ye Fan’s head, cascading yellow-black energy down in fine threads, enveloping him completely in a near-impenetrable defense.

Ye Fan paid them no mind and walked forward. No one blocked his path. He went directly to a jade vessel — the conveyance the Ji Family and Yao Guang disciples had flown here on, specifically designed for aerial travel.

It was over ten meters in length, able to expand or contract, capable of carrying dozens of people, and requiring no divine power to drive — only a small amount of source stones needed to be placed within, and it could fly at great speed, far faster than an ordinary cultivator in flight.

Such a treasure could not be refined by just anyone. It required the inscription of many intricate and profound Dao-patterns, and must have been forged by a powerful elder of an older generation — a rare and valuable means of transport.

Ye Fan swept it up with a broad sleeve, and the jade vessel appeared in his hand, reduced to the size of a palm — five-colored and radiant, flawlessly jade-white, exquisitely crafted.

“Why are you all following me? Do you want to make it known to others that you participated with me in slaying the true-transmission disciples of a Holy Land?” Ye Fan said with a smile.

Whoosh!

At these words, many people stumbled backward. This was no laughing matter — if they were implicated in this affair, the consequences would be catastrophic.

“I understand now — you want to make a name for yourselves this way. Rest assured: I will certainly tell people that you all joined me in striking down the disciples of the ancient family.” Ye Fan’s smile was radiant.

Quite a few people’s faces turned green. If that accusation were to stick, it would bring enormous trouble. On the spot, many took to the air and departed.

The cauldron forged from the Primordial Source Root of All Things was a peerless rarity, but they had enough self-awareness to know they could never take it. And they certainly weren’t willing to stake their lives on trying.

Of course, there were also some arrogant souls who had not left, still staring at the cauldron above Ye Fan’s head. This was a once-in-a-lifetime treasure — enough to make even Holy Lands envious, let alone the likes of them.

Ye Fan said nothing more. He deployed the Mad Elder’s footwork, leaving only a phantom in his wake, and charged into the depths of the mountain range.

One after another, figures took to the air from the Broken Mountain in pursuit. Sure enough, the allure of a supreme treasure was irresistible — even at the cost of their lives, some people would throw themselves into the flames like moths.

Boom!

Suddenly, Ye Fan wheeled around. The cauldron descended like a great mountain — the few figures at the very front were instantly reduced to ash, dispersed into the air.

“The sacred object tempts the heart, but before acting, it would be wise to weigh your own capabilities. Don’t throw away your life for nothing.” Ye Fan’s expression was ice-cold.

Having said this, he vanished into the mountains in a few fluid leaps and bounds, pushing the Mad Elder’s footwork to its absolute limit.

Before long, Ye Fan had taken on an entirely different appearance — dressed in a purple robe, transformed into a graceful and dashing young man. With a large black dog in tow, he emerged from the mountain range.

“You actually have a cauldron forged from yellow-black primordial energy — let me have a look!”

All along the way, the large black dog’s eyes gleamed with a green light, practically drooling.

“I’ve told you a hundred times already — you saw wrong!” Ye Fan said with some exasperation. This insufferable dog was far too persistent, always scheming after the treasures on his person.

“Just let me look for a moment!” The Black Emperor was relentless.

Out of options, Ye Fan brought out the cauldron and let it get a good long look. The large black dog lunged at it several times.

Ye Fan issued a stern warning: “Don’t you dare drool on it. This cauldron will absolutely never be given to you. If you try to steal it, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The large black dog’s paws ached with want — yet it knew that the cauldron forged from yellow-black primordial energy was not something easily stolen. One wrong move and it might crush itself half to death.

“Black Emperor, you said that broken mountain is the cultivation ground of a formidable figure from the past. Why didn’t I notice anything particularly special about it?” Ye Fan quickly changed the subject after putting the cauldron away.

“That figure’s background was so immense it would make people struggle to breathe. A cultivation ground he left behind would naturally not be so easy to see through.”

“Can’t we dig it out with our current abilities?” Ye Fan asked.

The large black dog immediately grew wary, baring its teeth: “You little brat, I’m warning you — don’t get any crooked ideas. Whatever treasures are in that place have nothing to do with you. They’re mine!”

Suddenly, a warship came flying over — resplendent with brilliant light, cleaving through the sky and charging into the depths of the cloud-piercing mountain range at tremendous speed.

The warship, refined from colorful jade, flew a great banner that snapped and fluttered in the wind — upon it was written, in bold strokes large as a bucket, a single character: “Ji.”

Ye Fan’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t expected the Ji Family to move so quickly. It had been less than half an hour, and already powerful experts had arrived.

Before long, figures poured out from the mountains, searching in all directions. Many cultivators who had not yet managed to leave were intercepted by the Ji Family’s people and brought back.

Ye Fan moved at an unhurried pace — he was already dozens of li away — yet even so, those sweeping in this direction had blocked his path. He had no desire to turn back. If his disguise were seen through, disaster would follow.

“Halt!” a powerful Ji Family expert shouted.

This put a frown on Ye Fan’s face. The man was a fourth-level Dao Palace cultivator; the fluctuation of his divine power was genuinely intimidating, and Ye Fan felt the weight of the threat.

The Black Emperor curled his lip: “This king could bite him to death in one go!”

“Are you sure?”

“I mean… in the past…” it said, suddenly less certain.

“We have to deal with him. If we don’t, we risk exposing ourselves. Black Emperor, I’ll be counting on you in a moment.” Ye Fan said.

“He’s not my enemy. If you want me to act, fine — give me the seed carved with the bald one’s likeness, or give me the Black Tortoise.”

“Of all the times to be haggling — act or don’t, I don’t care. If I run, I change my appearance and vanish into the vast sea of people. They’ll never find me in this lifetime. But you’re different — your features are too distinctive. And that bare tail of yours…”

“Bring that up again and I’ll fall out with you!” The large black dog’s face stretched very, very long.

The Ji Family expert touched down, looking no older than twenty-three or twenty-four — yet already a fourth-level Dao Palace powerhouse. His face was dark with anger: “Come with me back to the mountain range. There are things I need to ask you.”

Ye Fan took a few steps forward: “Can’t you ask here?”

“Enough nonsense — move!” the Ji Family cultivator barked.

His mood was utterly foul. A young man they were hunting had turned around and blatantly slaughtered Ji Family disciples in broad daylight — when word got out, the Ji Family would be deeply humiliated.

One could imagine it spreading across the entire Northern Region before long. There was no way to contain it.

“If you don’t want to die, turn around right now and go back to the Cloud-Breaking Mountain Range!” the Ji Family expert snarled.

“Very well.” Ye Fan nodded.

Suddenly, the large black dog burst forward — like a black bolt of lightning, it lunged straight onto the Ji Family expert.

A surprise attack — successful!

The Ji Family cultivator had been watching Ye Fan with his guard up but had paid absolutely no attention to a mere black dog. In one instant, he was pounced upon and knocked flat.

Now it was too late to resist. The Black Emperor’s sinews were copper and bones were iron — no attack could move it.

Boom!

Ye Fan, fearing something would go wrong, brought out the cauldron forged from the Primordial Source Root of All Things and suppressed it downward. The Ji Family expert let out one cry and was crushed to death.

Two days later, Ye Fan encountered Tu Fei at a stone-gambling establishment in Chaoyang City, Qu Province.

“I say, little brother Ye — you really play things big, don’t you? I said you should kick up some commotion and then come to this stone-gambling shop, and I’d show myself. But you went and butchered eight true-transmission disciples of a Holy Land and an ancient family like you were cutting melons — and now you’ve brought the fire right to my doorstep. My heart hasn’t stopped racing.”

“Is it really that serious?”

“How could it not be? The Ji Family has sent a whole lot of powerful experts to this oasis. Even the Divine Body, Ji Haoyue, has arrived in person. And people have spotted the Yao Guang Holy Son as well. Ji Haoyue and his younger sister had originally planned to attend the Yaochi Grand Gathering, but because of this affair they’ve come here to Qu Province and entered Chaoyang City. I don’t think I can stay in my little hideout much longer.”

Ye Fan frowned. Ji Haoyue was a Divine Body — once his divine form manifested, he could slay powerful figures of the fourth secret realm, unmatched among his generation. Ye Fan knew with certainty he was no match for him right now.

At the same time, a thought stirred in his mind. “Has the Yaochi Stone Appreciation Grand Gathering not started yet?”

“Not yet, but it won’t be long. When it does, we’ll go together.” Tu Fei replied.

“By the way — you said Ji Haoyue and his younger sister both came to the Northern Region for the Yaochi Grand Gathering. Is his younger sister Ji Ziyue or Ji Biyue?” Ye Fan asked.

“I say, little brother Ye, our profession demands loyalty. You already have the holy maiden Yao Xi — are you planning to extend your reach toward the Ji Family’s treasured pearl as well?”

“Tu Big-Mouth, stop talking nonsense. I just want to ask.”

“I have no idea which moon it is. We’re going to the Yaochi anyway — won’t you see for yourself when we get there?” Tu Fei then complained: “You’ve really stirred up a massive headache for me. I’ve heard the Yao Guang Holy Son has arrived as well. I genuinely can’t stay here anymore.”

“The Yao Guang Holy Son…” A jolt ran through Ye Fan.

This person was undoubtedly a talent born once in a generation — capable of contending with Divine Kings, his cultivation fathomless, with few who could match him among the Eastern Desolation’s younger generation.

He understood at once that the man had surely come for the cauldron forged from the Primordial Source Root of All Things. The Yao Guang Holy Son was a genius of staggering brilliance, determined to become a Great Emperor. Unable to obtain the Phoenix-Blood Crimson Gold, he must have set his sights on the yellow-black primordial source root.

Tu Big-Mouth cast a glance at the Black Emperor, unable to help himself: “Where did you find this black dog? Its tail is all bare — clearly one with some age to it. Now that’s something nourishing. What are you being so polite for, coming to see me like this? Actually, that’s fine — tonight I’ll find a good cook and we’ll have braised dog meat.”

Ye Fan knew immediately that things had gone wrong.

Sure enough — the large black dog shot forward in an instant, clamping its jaws onto Tu Fei’s right hand, baring its teeth and snarling: “You’re the one that looks nourishing to me, you little brat!”

“What in the — this mangy dog can talk?!” Tu Fei was startled out of his wits, and immediately cried out in pain: “Ow ow ow, it hurts!”

“Black Emperor, let go!” Ye Fan rushed to intervene.

“Has this wretched dog become a demon or something? But its tail is all bare…” Even as Tu Fei screamed, he couldn’t stop his big mouth.

“Tu Big-Mouth, would you please stop talking? Do you not want your hand anymore?” Ye Fan quickly stopped him while simultaneously trying to pry the large black dog’s jaws apart — he genuinely feared the Black Emperor might snap in fury and bite it clean off.

“I @#$%… you rotten dog, let go! Don’t you know who I am?!” Tu Fei howled in agony.

“I don’t care who you are. How dare you insult this king — I’ll swallow you whole!” The large black dog’s face was dark as a storm; it would not release its grip.

Tu Fei channeled his divine power and shook his right hand violently — yet he could not break free at all. He could only scream: “I’ve gone from birth to now without ever being bitten by a dog!”

“Tu Big-Mouth, please just shut your mouth. I tell you, it’s not just you — I’d bet even your grandfather would get bitten a couple of times if it saw him.” Ye Fan tried to persuade him while threatening the large black dog to let go.

“Where does this baldy-tailed dog come from?!” Tu Fei was still running his mouth even as he screamed.

Ye Fan sent a secret transmission to the Black Emperor, warning it that only Tu Fei knew the whereabouts of the demon clan’s hidden powerhouse, and if it wanted to obtain the ancient scripture, it had better release him now.

But the dog was utterly set in its ways, with a will of iron — it refused to let go. It bit and bit as Tu Fei howled like a ghost.

In the end, Tu Big-Mouth begged profusely and, enduring the pain, produced over a hundred jin of source stones — only then did the large black dog release its grip, swallowing every last source stone in one go.

“Damn it, I’m not done with that dog!” Once Tu Fei was freed, he immediately moved to bring out his treasures and fight to the death.

But the large black dog was quicker — sneaky and underhanded, it clamped its teeth onto his ankle.

“I @#$%… damn it, it bit me again!” Tu Big-Mouth was so furious smoke was rising from the top of his head. It took another hundred jin of source stones before he screamed his way to freedom.

This time, Ye Fan hurried to stop him: “Don’t start trouble. Wait until you’re wearing a precious garment before you settle accounts with it — otherwise you could be a whole secret realm higher and it’d still bite you.”

“What are you looking at? Never seen such a magnificent and heroic Sacred Emperor?” The large black dog shot Tu Fei a sideways glance.

“I’ve never suffered like this in my entire life.” Tu Big-Mouth was fuming, glaring furiously at the large black dog.

“Don’t look at this king like that — I won’t be taking you on as a pet human. Being seen out and about with someone like you would be an embarrassment to this king’s dignity.” The large black dog raised its head and refused to look at him again.

“Little Ye, don’t stop me — I’m going to skin it alive!” Tu Big-Mouth was so livid he was seeing in seven colors.

Tu Fei had truly been pushed past his limits. Being savaged and made a fool of by a large black dog was an absolute outrage he could not stomach.

Ye Fan was also a bit speechless. This insufferable dog truly deserved a lesson. He sent a secret transmission to Tu Fei: “Don’t rush. When the time is right, we’ll deal with it together.”

After a long while of persuasion, Tu Fei finally calmed down and asked, “What did you want to see me for? Are you wanting to head to the Yaochi early?”

“The grand gathering at the Yaochi is naturally not to be missed — but that’s not what I came for. I wanted to ask you about the whereabouts of the fourth great bandit, the Azure Flood Dragon King.”

“Why are you asking about the Azure Flood Dragon King’s cave dwelling? Is something going on?”

“The Peacock King and the descendants of the demon clan’s great emperors should be there. I want to go and visit some old friends.” Ye Fan replied — he could not possibly mention Pang Bo.

The large black dog’s ears immediately pricked straight up. At this point it became completely well-behaved, not making a single sound, listening closely.

“You wouldn’t happen to be going for a certain beautiful face, would you?” Tu Big-Mouth’s imagination ran away with him again.

“Do you know or don’t you?” Ye Fan pressed.

“Of course I know. Come to think of it — the last time I was there, a demoness was asking after you.”

“Who?”

“Forgot to ask the name. Just someone very seductive and captivating.”

“Hurry up and take us to the Azure Flood Dragon King’s dwelling.” The large black dog cut in.

Tu Big-Mouth’s face darkened. He ignored it and turned to Ye Fan: “We have to leave Chaoyang City immediately. You’ve stirred up such a massive mess — all sorts of people have shown up. Especially that scoundrel, the Yao Guang Holy Son — him showing up here is making me genuinely nervous.” At this point, he laughed: “Don’t you want to know what they’re saying outside? Come on, let’s go to another oasis and see just what kind of a storm you’ve kicked up.”