Huo Yun City’s streets were ancient and weathered. The blue flagstones beneath one’s feet were pitted and uneven — worn down by the footsteps of countless travelers over countless years. One could only imagine how long ago this city had been built.

Within the city, vitality abounded. Fire-red color was everywhere. The people of this province loved the fire-cloud trees dearly; they lined both sides of every road, like great torches standing tall, or like fire-dragons lying along the streets.

Ye Fan walked through the city streets feeling perfectly at ease — like an ordinary man, strolling through this ancient city, entirely unhurried and carefree in his manner.

In years past, this city had given rise to a Desolate Ancient clan. Though they no longer existed, young cultivators still came here every year hoping for a chance encounter, hoping to receive some inheritance.

It was a pity. That undying clan, with its inheritance spanning more than a hundred thousand years, had ultimately become dust in the river of history, leaving nothing for those who came after.

Ye Fan was in no hurry to act. He did not go looking for the Ji Family, but instead walked along the ancient streets, carefully observing this city. He felt a profound sense of the weight of years.

This was the accumulation of time — the layering of eons past. An ancient city was truly something extraordinary. It had endured through too vast a span of time, and in it one could taste a quality of solidity and depth.

The city was prosperous and flourishing, befitting its status as the center of this great oasis. Yet it was not noisy or chaotic. Along the wide, ancient streets, the fire-cloud trees cast broad swaths of cool shade. There were many people, yet no sense of crowding.

For a long time now, Ye Fan had been immersed in cultivation. To let his mind relax and wander through the ancient city — he felt a thread of clarity and lightness, like emptiness.

The streams of people flowing to and fro could not touch him. He drifted with the current and walked the ancient streets without any particular destination, growing more and more at ease. His vital energy, spirit, and mind unified as one, and he entered a wondrous state.

Ye Fan’s clothing did not collect a trace of dust. He moved lightly and freely, and in his every gesture it was as though he moved in harmony with heaven and earth. Walking among the flow of people, he was entirely natural — each step he took left behind a ripple of the Dao.

Within his Dao Palace, his “Past Self” chanted sutras for this life; his “Dao Self” drew upon the world, perceiving the Grand Dao, nourishing the Lord of Fate. The heart-methods recorded in the Western Emperor Scripture activated on their own.

At the same moment, Ye Fan’s golden Bitterness Sea stirred. A green lotus trembled within it, shrouded in misty vapor. The secret art obtained from the remains of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, operating in concert with the Scripture of the Dao, activated on its own accord.

In that moment, two profound methods operated in tandem — harmonious and natural. The Wheel Sea and the Dao Palace pulsed as one. Divine power flowed through him from top to bottom, giving him the feeling of being in communion with heaven and earth — of floating freely through clouds on his own terms.

Ye Fan was as clear and open as the Dao itself. Though he stood in a sea of people, he felt as though he were poised upon cloud tips, filled with a sense of transcendence beyond the mundane.

He understood: this was a wondrous mystical state — an understanding and perception of cultivation. The Wheel Sea and the Dao Palace resonated together, blending like milk and water, and his Dao-power flowed without cease.

Just like that, Ye Fan walked on and on. Without realizing it, he arrived at a particular, special area of the city. It should have been the city center — yet there were no towering, imposing buildings here.

This place was planted with many ancient trees — not limited to fire-cloud trees. Various evergreens, ancient vines, and the like were countless in number. Many of the old trees required more than a dozen people linking hands to encircle. Ancient vines were as thick as a grown person’s waist. To have such a place in the very center of a city was genuinely startling.

These were the traces left behind by that ancient Desolate clan. Under the ancient trees and old vines lay many tiles and rubble — recording the rise and fall of long-ago days.

In truth, the entire site of this ancient city was once a corner of that Desolate Ancient clan’s holdings. But none of it remained now. Only beneath these ancient trees were there still a few scattered remnants.

Ye Fan naturally drifted to this place. His body and mind were clear and empty. Though he could not yet break into the Fourth Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace, he had tasted a kind of naturalness: heaven and earth exist for me, and the ten thousand things are as one.

He was receiving a kind of baptism. His physical body shimmered crystalline light. His spirit was full and vigorous. His body and mind were being forged and refined, elevated to a higher plane — bringing his original realm ever closer to its fullest perfection.

He was still at the Third Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace, yet it felt entirely different from before. The Wheel Sea and the Dao Palace pulsed in perfect unison — and he had caught a glimpse of the traces of the Dao.

Yes. For the first time, the Scripture of the Dao and the Western Emperor Scripture blended like milk and water — harmonious and unified. His body and mind became bright and clear. His every gesture was as though moving the Grand Dao itself.

The Wheel Sea and the Dao Palace resonate together; the Scripture of the Dao and the Western Emperor Scripture operate in parallel — flawless and complete. Truly the two most supreme heart-methods.

Ye Fan emerged from the wondrous state and murmured inwardly. He felt that after the two scriptures had harmonized, his combat power had increased considerably — he was closer to the Grand Dao than ever before.

He made a few light practice movements. Though he did not truly unleash any of the attacking arts from within the Nine Secrets, he could sense that their power had grown enormously — this was a small metamorphosis, a step from technique toward Dao.

The power of the Dao… Ye Fan left that place, walking back along the ancient streets.

After wandering through the ancient city and gathering sufficient information, he departed from Huo Yun City and disappeared over the horizon.

Before long, Ye Fan was back in Huo Yun City, heading toward the Ji Family’s ore-essence gambling hall — a garden-like complex of buildings where several dozen riders were stationed.

“What?! Someone has come with information?!”

The garden grounds were expansive. Stone materials were stacked in piles. Halls, pavilions, and towers rose throughout. Dozens of spirit beasts were tethered within the grounds — each one ferocious-looking and tremendously powerful.

Ye Fan stood within the garden and did not have to wait long. Several dozen young people came rushing out — all of them he had seen at the city gate earlier.

“You’ve seen that cripple? Where is he? How far from Huo Yun City?” The young man at the head of the group asked.

He was named Ji Yunge, a cultivator at the Fifth Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace. He led this group and was notably steady and composed.

“I am providing information. Will you give me the hundred thousand catties of ore-essence immediately?” Ye Fan asked.

“What did you say?” A Ji Family disciple immediately bristled, and said in a cold voice: “Providing information is worth only ten thousand catties of ore-essence. Do you really dare open your mouth so wide to the Ji Family?”

Those nearby heard this and felt a surge of delight. Ji Yunteng laughed coldly: “That boy surnamed Ye has finally been spotted. This time I’m going to reduce him to ash.”

“As it should be. Because of him — this cripple — we’ve been running all over the place, turning up nothing. He should have been killed long ago.”

“He’s just a Second Heavenly Layer cripple. Killing him would be as easy as reaching into a bag. The only problem has always been finding his whereabouts. This time we’ll make him suffer and burn away to nothing!”

These people were all brimming with resentment. Every last one of them wanted to kill Ye Fan on the spot and seize the cauldron. It wasn’t merely because of the dreary days of searching they had endured — it was also because the Ji Family’s Grand Elder Patriarch had been burned to death, leaving every one of them nursing a suppressed rage.

If he had been killed by a powerful expert, that would have been one thing. But for a towering Grand Elder Patriarch to be burned to death by a minor cultivator — they all felt their faces had been lost. The most effective way to wash away that humiliation was to erase Ye Fan.

Ye Fan opened his mouth and demanded ten thousand catties of ore-essence, insisting they honor their promise.

“First lead us to that mountain range. If the information proves accurate, you will naturally not lack for reward.” Ji Yunge smiled.

Many people wore expressions of contempt. They hadn’t expected him to actually dare demand the bounty from the Ji Family — they found it completely unexpected, and deeply disdainful.

In the past they had received some information, but those cultivators had provided it free of charge, not daring to request ore-essence at all — hoping only to build a connection with the Ji Family.

“I see clearly on the notice what is written: provide information and the ore-essence stones will be issued,” Ye Fan said, refusing to back down.

“What if the information you provide turns out to be false?” Ji Yunteng said with cold contempt.

“Under all of heaven, does anyone dare play games with the Ji Family? Besides, I am offering to lead you there myself — would I be unafraid to lose my life?” Ye Fan pressed his case.

“You are quite amusing!” Ji Yunteng’s expression was cold. Even after all that had been said, he still dared demand ore-essence — didn’t he tire of living?

“Fine. We have no time to waste. Go to the stone hall and bring five thousand catties of ore-essence!” Ji Yunge waved his hand, ordering someone to fetch the ore-essence, and said: “If the information proves accurate, you’ll receive the other half at that time. If your information leads to the capture of Ye Fan, then giving you the full hundred thousand catties of ore-essence would be no problem at all.”

In a short time, someone brought five thousand catties of ore-essence — glittering and brilliant, piled in a heap. Ye Fan was utterly shameless about it; with a sweep of his wide sleeve, he collected every last piece.

“Now lead us to that mountain range.” Ji Yunteng’s cold laughter came without pause, the killing intent in his eyes flashing and vanishing.

Ji Yunfeng, for his part, smiled faintly and said nothing. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to mount their spirit beasts and set off. At the same time, they procured a powerful beast for Ye Fan to ride, seating him atop it as his means of transport.

Several dozen mounted riders burst out of Huo Yun City. Many people within the city were surprised. Seeing them advance at such speed, the onlookers knew a major event must be afoot.

These spirit beasts were remarkable creatures. Once they left Huo Yun City, all of them lifted off the ground and soared into the high sky — like a torrent rushing through the heavens, rumbling forward toward the mountain range Ye Fan had indicated.

“That’s the mountain range up ahead.” Ye Fan pointed to a lush, green cluster of peaks in the distance.

The several dozen mounted riders immediately fanned out, sweeping in from all directions to encircle the mountain peak Ye Fan had indicated.

“Someone is indeed cultivating here — this place is inscribed with Dao patterns…” A Ji Family disciple stepped forward. He had considerable expertise in Dao patterns and quickly dissolved the restrictions placed on the area.

The several dozen mounted riders charged in, murderous intent thick around them. In one surge they reached the summit of the mountain peak, and directly split open the cave dwelling — sending smoke and dust billowing into the sky.

“No one here!” Immediately, several Ji Family disciples turned their eyes toward Ye Fan, killing intent rising.

“Don’t look at me like that. This has nothing to do with me. I only provided the information. How was I to know he would suddenly leave?” Ye Fan wore an expression of pure innocence.

Ji Yunge waved his hand and personally entered the cave dwelling to examine it. The others followed.

“This set of clothing is identical to the one he was wearing that day — it truly was him!”

“Look — the marks of the Void Great Handprint are here. This cave dwelling was opened up using the Great Handprint!”

The Ji Family disciples quickly uncovered a wealth of crucial clues, and every one of them was furious, grinding their teeth.

“Damn it all — he got away again. If not for that, I’d have stomped him to death with one foot!”

They felt utterly stifled. A cripple whose cultivation was only at the Second Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace had repeatedly stirred up enormous trouble, and each time he managed to escape. They could barely contain their desire to seize him at once and burn him to nothing.

“Now you all believe me, don’t you? I would never dare provide false information.” Ye Fan spoke up from the side. In that moment, he sensed killing intent — someone wanted to move against him. Yet he felt no panic. He calmly continued: “You can pay me the other five thousand catties of ore-essence when we return, I trust?”

“Aren’t you afraid we’ll kill you right here?” Ji Yunteng said coldly.

“Before I came, many people in Huo Yun City knew I was leaving the city to provide information to you. I trust the Ji Family is an honorable institution.” Ye Fan was unconcerned. Even if there was a cultivator here at the Fifth Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace, their speed was certainly no match for his — he had no need to worry about being unable to escape.

Ji Yunge smiled and said: “I will pay you the other five thousand catties of ore-essence when we return. The Ji Family keeps its word.”

They lingered at the site for quite some time, searching the entire mountain range. Then everyone returned to Huo Yun City, and Ye Fan followed them back into the garden compound.

“This fellow has some nerve — he actually dared to collect the bounty!” one Ji Family disciple said coldly.

Ji Yunge shot him a sharp look: “This is a bounty the Ji Family itself established. Don’t cause trouble. If I find out anyone has tarnished the family’s reputation, don’t expect me to show mercy!”

Before long, five thousand catties of ore-essence was brought out. Ji Yunge walked out and personally handed it to Ye Fan, then sent him on his way.

Ye Fan offered his thanks with a smile, then turned and walked away without looking back.

“You’re just going to give him ten thousand catties of ore-essence like that? The information he provided was completely useless — we didn’t even catch a shadow of that boy surnamed Ye!” someone said, disgruntled.

Ji Yunge swept his gaze over them and said: “All of Huo Yun City’s people were watching. Did you want to kill him right here? This isn’t without its benefits, actually — it’s like paying a thousand gold for a horse’s bones. In the future, others will bring us more valuable information.”

At this point, Ji Yunge’s expression faltered: “Where have Ji Yunteng and Ji Yunbiao gone?”

“They followed after him — most likely they’re…”

“Impudent fools. If word gets out, what will others think of the Ji Family?” Ji Yunge was furious.

“Knowing Ji Yunteng’s temperament, he certainly couldn’t stomach watching someone walk away with ten thousand catties of ore-essence just by opening his mouth. I’d wager he’s killed him by now.” Another Ji Family disciple said.

Ji Yunge slapped a stone table in the garden to pieces with his palm. He was silent for a moment, then said: “Since it’s already done, send a few more people. Handle the matter cleanly. I don’t want any rumors to spread.”

Outside the walls of Huo Yun City, Ye Fan stopped in his tracks. He turned around and smiled: “Friends of the Ji Family, why such enthusiasm in seeing me off? You’ve followed me all the way out of the city — why not head back?”

Swish! Swish!

Ji Yunteng and Ji Yunbiao stepped out from the shadows. Both were wreathed in killing intent, advancing on him one step at a time.

“You want to kill me — what for?” Ye Fan’s expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on the two of them. “I acted in good faith to provide you with information — why would you repay kindness with enmity?”

“Brat, did you think the Ji Family’s ore-essence was so easily had? A flap of the mouth and you walk away with more than ten thousand catties — it’s not that simple!” Ji Yunteng laughed coldly.

“You people are too faithless and heartless. I provided information — yet you’d kill me for it.”

“So what if we kill you? You led us to an empty cave dwelling and walked away with the ore-essence. Doesn’t that feel a little hot in your hands?!” Ji Yunbiao was seething with murderous intent.

Ye Fan suddenly broke into a laugh — wide open and deeply satisfied.

“You’re about to die and you still find something to laugh at? I’ll send you on your way!”

“Do you think you are actually capable of killing me?” Ye Fan’s lips curled in a cold smile. “I’m afraid it’s you who will end up buried here.”

“Based on what… you’ve just barely stepped foot into the Dao Palace Secret Realm. Does firefly light dare compete with the bright moon?” Ji Yunteng’s cold laughter continued, and killing intent was now fully unmasked.

“Killing you would be no different from crushing a stinking insect!” Ji Yunbiao said, and charged forward directly, slamming down the Void Great Handprint.

A black great hand covered the sky, blanketing Ye Fan from above, sending a thunderous rumble rolling out.

Crack!

At that very moment, Ye Fan struck. A golden great palm swept across the void and in one motion shattered the black hand, then came crashing down to cover the now-terror-stricken Ji Yunbiao beneath it.

Splat!

It was difficult to imagine how tremendous a divine power lay in that golden great palm. It crushed Ji Yunbiao directly — alive, smashed into a pulp, vanishing without a trace.

“You… who exactly are you?!” Ji Yunteng shouted.

A cultivator at the Third Heavenly Layer of the Dao Palace had been slapped to death with a single blow — it made his heart lurch with fear.

“I am the Ye Fan you said you could stomp to death with one foot.”

“What?! How can this be?!” Ji Yunteng recoiled in shock, his face turning an ashen gray.

“Ha ha…” Ye Fan laughed aloud: “Of course it is. Thank you for gifting me the ore-essence. I’ll use it well in my cultivation.”

“You…” Ji Yunteng heard those words, connected everything that had transpired, and trembled from head to toe with rage, his very fingertips quivering.