Around the great cauldron, vegetation flourished — buds sprouting, leaves unfurling, a scene of teeming vitality. This was a pure land overflowing with life and hope.
Sounds of scripture chanting rang through the depths of the mountain range, Buddhist incantations and prayers rising and falling one after another, as though one had truly arrived at the time before the ancient wasteland, when several great emperors were discoursing on the Dao.
On the twenty-first day, the great cauldron was shrouded in haze. Though the Great Dao scripture still resonated, it was already very different — this stretch of mountain land seemed to have gained an indescribable quality.
Tu Fei and the Great Black Dog raised their eyes and looked around. Their vision was filled with lush green, as though they had arrived in the height of summer. Vines and vegetation flourished to an extreme degree.
Atop the Ten Thousand Things Mother Qi Cauldron, Ye Fan sat cross-legged. He had already emerged — this period of closed-door cultivation was coming to an end.
“Swish!”
He opened both eyes. Divine radiance like a true dragon surged out, more blinding than lightning.
But the next moment, he calmed completely. He descended to the ground, merging with the surrounding scenery — becoming one with the vegetation and trees.
The chanting ceased. The cauldron shrank to just over one meter in height and hung above his head. Ye Fan slung the God-Beating Whip across his back and stood there quietly, peaceful and natural.
No awe-inspiring presence, no ethereal bearing — only authenticity. He was like a bright, ordinary neighbor-boy of fifteen or sixteen standing there.
One could not sense his power. He did not seem like a cultivator — more like a mortal body of flesh and blood, an ordinary young man of the mundane world, radiating a quality of returning to one’s true nature.
“Finally out of seclusion — entered the Fourth Level of the Divine Palace. Not far from the peak of perfection.” Tu Fei smiled.
The Great Black Dog came over, circled around him once, and began drooling. “I’ve heard that once the Ancient Sacred Physique reaches minor completion, the blood becomes something different — a divine substance for refining medicines. Young one, why not give me a bit of your blood?”
Tu Fei shot it a glance. “Enough. Don’t say another word. Tonight prepare a chamber pot and leave it in Ye Fan’s room. Go collect the sacred fluid in the morning — much more potent.”
“Woof!”
Man-and-dog warfare commenced. These two — one man, one dog — spent half their time together bickering and fighting.
“Stop fighting.” Ye Fan pulled them apart.
This time, he had finally entered the Fourth Level of the Divine Palace. As he had expected, he had cultivated the Divine Storehouse of the Spleen — belonging to earth among the five elements. He was cultivating the Divine Palace in reverse order of the five elements.
The Divine Storehouse of the Spleen governed transformation and transportation, commanded essence and blood, distributed the refined essence of food and water, and was the source of qi and blood generation — nourishing organs and bones, the foundation of all post-natal existence.
This divine storehouse was of extreme importance, as much of what was needed post-natally was generated through it. Ye Fan felt his qi and blood surge with even greater intensity, and the strength of his physical body had reached a staggering level.
He was now impervious to blades and weapons. Any magical treasure or weapon could be met with his bare flesh and shattered with a single punch — unless it was a weapon of notable origin, nothing could affect him at all.
Tu Fei tested this by bringing out several magical treasures, which all crumbled to powder beneath those golden fists, leaving nothing behind.
“I feel that to engage you in close physical combat would be a guaranteed tragedy. One can only attack from a distance!” Tu Fei arrived at this conclusion.
This time, Ye Fan had refined one hundred thousand jin of source stones along with one grain of divine source — exceeding all expectations. The effects were evident. Without even trying, he knew what a terrifying degree of power he now possessed.
“This feeling is truly wonderful…”
Ye Fan and company did not leave Anzhou. Two days later they arrived at a cliff face — the last of the five major outlaw bands.
Stone cliffs stretched in sheets, mountain crags jutted upward, and stone forests covered the land everywhere. The area was utterly quiet.
Within this stony terrain stood a main peak, imposing and lofty — the dwelling of the fifth outlaw band. Figures could be seen moving on it, and the mountain stronghold was of considerable scale.
Stars scattered across the sky. The night wind swept in, producing a low moaning sound as it passed through the stone crags. Under cover of darkness, Ye Fan and Tu Fei ascended the main peak.
Outside the stone stronghold, two large banners snapped in the wind. Several cultivators sat hugging wine jars, drinking freely, completely unaware that anyone was approaching.
Ye Fan and his companion did not strike yet either. They slipped quietly into the stronghold, intending to go directly for the bandit chief. Firelight danced on the mountain above — the stronghold inside was apparently quite lively.
Many people were exchanging toasts, the fragrance of wine drifting far. Groups of people gathered around bonfires, and the sound of drums and music carried over as well. These people were certainly at ease — drinking and making merry.
Up in the air, several young women of striking beauty danced. Beneath the night moon they appeared ethereal, like fairies of the Moon Palace floating in graceful flight.
Celestial music drifted through the air, serene and harmonious.
“This stronghold is truly no simple affair — having female cultivators perform song and dance, quite a lavish display.”
Ye Fan slung the God-Beating Whip across his back and strode in with broad steps. Tu Fei walked abreast of him. As for the Great Black, it waited outside and did not show itself.
“What audacity!” At that moment, from beside a bonfire ahead, a cold voice called out. “Ignorant creatures who don’t know their own mortality — so you’ve shown your faces again. All the waiting across these twenty-odd days was not in vain!”
A group of people filed out from the inner stronghold, and even more rose from around the bonfires and quickly moved to surround the area.
A mist veiled Ye Fan’s true appearance. He had not used his heaven-and-earth-transforming technique, and he and Tu Fei stood side by side in the open ground.
“It was the two of you who wiped out all the outlaws in Anzhou?” This middle-aged man appeared to be about thirty-five or thirty-six. He stared at them with a darkened expression.
Tu Fei was startled — this was a cultivator of the Four Extremes Secret Realm, not much weaker than himself. He spoke up: “They had blood on their hands in heaps — they deserved what came to them. Could it be that you were supporting them?”
“For ruining our young master’s affairs, flaying you alive would hardly begin to atone for it.” The middle-aged man said with a stern face.
Tu Fei, as a descendant of a great bandit, would never bow his head in submission. He interrogated harshly: “And who are you people? Quite an impressive tone — in the Northern Region, I’ve yet to meet anyone who dares flay me.”
The middle-aged man sneered. “You wiped out all the outlaws of Anzhou and now you’re putting on airs? You think we wouldn’t dare flay you alive?”
“Chen De — be respectful. This is the true-blooded grandson of Tu Tian the Seventh — offer your apologies at once.” At this moment, a soft, effeminate voice rang out.
From the inner stronghold came two Divine Palace Secret Realm cultivators carrying a cushioned sedan chair, accompanied by over a dozen powerful escorts positioned on four sides, who quickly approached.
Reclining on the sedan chair was a very effeminate young man. He lay tilted to one side, holding a cup of fine wine and swirling it gently. Four beautiful young women attended him on either side. One of the women used a pristine white silk handkerchief to dab at the traces of wine at the corner of his mouth.
His complexion was pale and fair, lacking any masculine vigor. He gave a gentle wave of his hand, dismissing the four women to step back, then casually tossed his wine cup to the side.
“Brother Tu — I trust you’ve been well.” The effeminate man offered a cool greeting.
“It’s you — Xu Yuan!” Tu Fei was startled, and his expression immediately turned sour.
“Who is he?” Ye Fan asked quietly.
“This is a very troublesome piece of scum — the youngest grandson of Xu Tianhong, the Third Great Bandit, extremely doted upon, but rotten from head to toe, the worst of his kind. Not a decent thing has he done!” This was Tu Fei’s assessment.
“Is he very powerful?” Ye Fan asked.
Tu Fei transmitted: “He isn’t particularly strong — probably still at the Fifth Level of the Divine Palace. But his grandfather is tremendously powerful. The Third Great Bandit Xu Tianhong ranks above the formidable Azure Flood Dragon King — who could possibly afford to provoke him? Moreover, his elder brother Xu Heng is the top fighter among all the descendants of the thirteen great bandits, firmly above Wu Zhongtian. This kid acts with complete impunity — he’s done far too many indecent things. He’s even laid hands on the women of other bandits’ descendants.”
Ye Fan frowned. This was a textbook villain — with backing, with connections, thoroughly difficult to deal with.
Tu Fei said: “In a moment, if it can be avoided, it’s best not to clash with him. This piece of scum is extremely vindictive — there is nothing he won’t do.”
“Brother Tu, do you have a grudge against me? We meet today — why this cold shoulder?” Xu Yuan asked with a touch of indifference, half-reclining on his sedan chair.
Though Tu Fei had no goodwill toward him, he had no choice but to respond. “How could that be? I was simply somewhat surprised — I had not expected Brother Xu to be in this place.”
“Hmph!” Xu Yuan gave a cold snort, then sat upright on the sedan chair and stared them down. “You really have quite the nerve — coming to Anzhou and cutting down all my subordinates clean!”
Tu Fei said: “This was a misunderstanding. Seeing them burn, kill, and plunder — committing every kind of evil — there was no way for me to imagine they were Brother Xu’s subordinates.”
“Are you criticizing me?” Xu Yuan’s eyes were cold and sinister, sweeping back and forth between Tu Fei and Ye Fan. He gave a slight wave of his hand, and one of the beautiful young women poured him a cup of fine wine and brought it forward gracefully.
“The thirteen great bandits — even outlaws have their code. As their descendants, we should not conduct ourselves this way.” Tu Fei said.
“Crack!”
Xu Yuan suddenly smashed the jade cup in his hand to the ground. His expression darkened. “You’re overstepping, managing too much. Don’t think that just because we’re both descendants of the great bandits, I wouldn’t dare kill you!”
“You…” Tu Fei’s temper surged and he prepared to turn hostile — his absolute combat power was far above Xu Yuan’s.
Four figures shot forward and planted themselves before Xu Yuan, blocking Tu Fei, killing intent permeating the air.
“Stand down.” Xu Yuan let out a sigh. “Forget it — my temper flared a little. We are both descendants of the great bandits. Even though you killed so many of my subordinates, even though you destroyed my foundation in Anzhou — I’ll bear it. What can I do? We are old family friends.”
Tu Fei was taken aback. This piece of scum was notorious — the most vindictive and vicious of all. How could he possibly be this magnanimous? But soon enough, he understood the other party’s scheme.
Xu Yuan tapped the arm of his sedan chair lightly with his slender, jade-like fingers. His voice was soft and effeminate. “We’re old family friends — I won’t press the matter further. But this person — I cannot let him go.” He fixed his gaze on Ye Fan.
“Xu Yuan — you’re retreating to advance, setting your sights on him. I would imagine you already know who he is?” Tu Fei’s face fell. The other party wanted to seize the sacred object.
Xu Yuan gave a cool, cold laugh. “I don’t care who he is. All I know is — he killed many of my men, and today I must suppress him.”
Ye Fan understood. The other party had clearly deduced his identity from Tu Fei and was looking to make a move against him. He let the mist over his true appearance clear and said: “What do you intend?”
“What do I intend? You killed so many of my men — of course I want your life!” Xu Yuan smiled with effeminate cunning.
Tu Fei stepped forward. “He is my friend. If you want to strike, you’d best count me in as well.”
“Tu Fei, don’t push me. World friendship aside, he destroyed my foundation in Anzhou — today I have no choice but to suppress him!” Xu Yuan’s expression was unfriendly.
“And if I refuse to agree?” Tu Fei said gravely.
“Then I’ll have no choice but to offend you — drag you before old Tu Tian the Seventh, but this person I must take away.” Xu Yuan smiled, and helped himself to another cup of wine.
“Then I’ll have no choice but to fight you.” Tu Fei said coldly.
“I truly do not wish for us to cut down our own kind. How about this — I’ll retreat one more step…” Xu Yuan leaned back on his sedan chair. “Let him apologize to me properly. Of course, it must be sincere.”
“What counts as sincere?” Tu Fei asked.
Nearby, the cultivator named Chen De, whose strength had reached the Four Extremes Secret Realm, stepped forward. “Naturally he must kowtow in apology — otherwise, wouldn’t that be a joke?”
“True enough — there should be some sincerity.” Xu Yuan smiled faintly.
“Doesn’t he have the Ten Thousand Things Mother Qi Cauldron? He stole so many source stones from us — might as well have him hand over the cauldron as compensation.” Another cultivator stepped forward, his strength also having entered the Four Extremes Secret Realm.
“That would do.” Xu Yuan leaned back on his rattan chair languidly. “Have him kowtow a few times to me, offer up the Ten Thousand Things Mother Qi Cauldron, and I’ll spare his life and let him go.”
“This is pushing too far!” Tu Fei was furious.
“You’re certain you’ve got me cornered?” Ye Fan was very calm. A cold, indifferent smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He began walking forward in broad strides. “What makes the Four Extremes Secret Realm so impressive?” With each step he took forward, the entire mountain peak shook.