A divine source stone inscribed with a million runes had reduced two mighty cultivators to uselessness. Outside of Xiba City, the land lay in ruins, the earth carved down dozens of zhang deep. Only bloodstains remained on the battlefield — everything else had ceased to exist. The members of the Wang Family stood in that wasteland for a long time without speaking. This was already three days later; by the time they had arrived, it had long been too late.
“That brat with the surname Ye dares to trample over our Wang Family, slaughtering our great cultivators, cutting down the direct-line descendants of our royal clan — there is no place in this entire world for him to hide!” A thunderous roar reverberated through Xiba City.
This incident had stirred up enormous waves. Ye Fan had killed Wang Teng’s younger brother Wang Chong and slain his own paternal uncle Wang Chengfeng — a hatred irreconcilable as fire and water.
“The Holy Body is truly bold — he even cut down two of the Northern Emperor’s closest kin. Is he not afraid of piercing the heavens themselves?”
Wang Teng had inherited the legacy of the Ancient Chaos Emperor and possessed world-shaking fortune. Even the Divine Calculator had said he might one day prove the Dao and become an Emperor. Few dared to provoke him now, and various immortal lineages had been seeking to forge marriage alliances with him.
“Even the leaders of various sects held Wang Teng in awe. Yet Ye Fan moved so decisively — he killed two of his close kin directly. This feud is without resolution!”
At present, almost no one was willing to make an enemy of Wang Teng, for he had already grown into a force that could no longer be suppressed. It seemed only a single Ye Fan harbored no apprehension.
“On the road to proving the Dao and becoming Emperor, world-shaking and bloody wars are inevitable. Who knows who will triumph in the end — advancing by treading upon the bones of the various kings, as only one can prove the Dao.”
The great age had arrived; the various kings rose together, and the stars shone brilliantly. But in the end, it would be only one person’s glory. Anyone else who refused to yield would have their corpse laid at that person’s feet.
“A Holy Body at Grand Completion could contend with the ancient Emperors. Ye Fan’s future achievements are similarly without limit — even if Wang Teng walks the path of the ancient great Emperors, he would still be worth fighting.”
Xiba City lay more than five thousand li from the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. For cultivators, that was nothing — practically nearby. News had reached the manor at the very first moment, igniting a wave of excitement.
The demon genius of the Eastern Wastelands had not truly entered the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, yet topics surrounding him never dwindled. He remained a towering presence, always sparking discussion every so often.
“Tell me — who is the greatest expert of the current age?”
“Do you even need to ask? It must be that old madman of the Eastern Wastelands. Six thousand years ago he was already an undefeatable figure, and today he stands comparable to the ancient sages.”
In an ancient town neighboring Xiba City, several young cultivators were chatting in a teahouse. They were fascinated by the figures spoken of in the tales of their elders.
“The greatest expert of the current age should be the Battle-Victorious Buddha on Mount Sumeru. He has been in closed cultivation in an ancient temple for many years — no one can fathom the depths of his strength.”
“That’s not certain. The Five Great Domains are so vast and boundless — who can say there are no other sages? And beyond the seas, there are countless immortal islands; who knows if there might even be divine beings!”
These people argued, and not one could convince the others. Each held their own opinion.
“Those are all hard to say. But if we were to rank the greatest expert among the young generation of the current age, that could perhaps be determined — it would be either the Central Emperor or Wang Teng.”
“Wang Teng’s own paternal uncle was killed by the Holy Body, and his younger brother was tapped to death by Ye Fan with a single finger. His fearsome reputation has taken a blow.”
“It is hard to say now. Aren’t there still the Southern Demon and the Western Bodhisattva? It is difficult to determine who ranks first. Besides, the Holy Body is growing so quickly — in time, he will surely be able to contend with any of them.”
“In just a few years, the greatest expert will surface. Don’t you know? The Eccentric Scholar’s Manor has a connection leading to the outer domains — a path through the starry sky will be opened, and only the three strongest among the young generation may travel it.”
——
Ye Fan sat in that teahouse as well, gazing into the distance with a leisurely air, drinking tea while listening carefully. All of these were outstanding talents from the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, passing through this place.
Several days later, Ye Fan arrived at the outskirts of the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. Following the agreed-upon location, he found Pang Bo in a stretch of mountain terrain.
“Damn it, coffin boards are absolutely terrible to eat!” That was the very first thing out of Pang Bo’s mouth — a string of complaints.
Ye Fan laughed despite himself. This brother of his had always been like this; there was truly nothing to be said. He opened his mouth and said, “Didn’t you catch a snake in the Qinling Mountains?”
“The trunk of the Dao-Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree is itself an immortal treasure — that snake isn’t needed yet. I planned to keep it for you to use when you assault the Immortal Platform.” Pang Bo said. A radiant light flashed, and a streak of purple-tinged brilliance flew out — a small snake no more than a foot long, spiritually attuned and crystalline, lying coiled in his palm, its fragrance drifting pleasantly.
A living creature born from the mother plant of the Dream Divine Marrow!
This was a priceless immortal treasure. Even living fossils would turn red-eyed with envy at the sight of it. Back in the Qinling Mountains, who knows how many had fought desperately over it. There had been more than ten such creatures in total, and Pang Bo had obtained one.
“What a pity — the mother plant of the Dream Divine Marrow ultimately managed to escape. Not a single person caught it. That thing was a world-defying treasure comparable to a fully matured undying divine medicine.”
“Count your blessings. If you had truly obtained something like that, it would have brought a great calamity upon you. I have three fragments of an immortal pellet here — more than enough to break through a barrier. Keep this little purple snake safe.” Ye Fan’s palm flickered with radiance as three very small fragments appeared, each a different color, their fragrance seeping deep into the heart.
One was golden, one was green, and the third was purple, shimmering with a dreamlike luster. These were merely three pieces from among more than a hundred shards.
“What a pity. If it were a whole, undamaged immortal pellet, it could one day help a person prove the Dao. To think it has been shattered into this state.” Pang Bo felt the loss keenly.
“A perfect undying immortal pellet — if obtained by a single person, it would surely invite the envy of heaven. To obtain even one percent of it is heaven’s fortune.” Ye Fan felt no regret.
“True enough. An immortal pellet like that is too world-defying; no one today could possibly bear to receive it.” Pang Bo agreed.
“The ancient great Emperors each had a plant of the undying divine medicine — only they could possess something that world-defying, cultivating it at their side.” Ye Fan said.
“No matter. In the future, we will each plant one ourselves. I don’t believe they are truly extinct.” Pang Bo yearned for it deeply. A world-defying undying medicine could extend one’s lifespan by an entire era, seizing the creative power of heaven and earth.
The two talked for a long while before departing from that mountain range.
“You slaughtered Wang Teng’s uncle and younger brother. That will most likely drive him to madness — you must be careful.” Pang Bo said.
“I am not too worried about myself. What I fear is that he might move against you, Li Heishui, and the others.” Ye Fan furrowed his brow and said: “How about we leave the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor first?”
“You don’t need to worry. The Old Blind Man and the Red Dragon Daoist have come by several times already and long since made it clear — if anyone dares to kill their descendants, they will use extreme path emperor’s weapons to annihilate all of that person’s posterity. On the surface, we are only friends with you, not fellow clansmen or members of the same lineage. Even if Wang Teng vents his fury, he will not go out of his way to offend one great power after another.”
“Still, it is best to remain cautious. Do not venture far from the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, and do not wander alone to any desolate place.” Ye Fan urged.
“Are you going to go see Li Heishui and Ji Ziyue and the others?”
“It is not quite appropriate for me to go in, and besides, the Wang Family is searching for me all over the world.” Ye Fan had some reservations.
“No matter. Fighting within the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor is strictly forbidden — no one can run wild in there. Young friend, if you wish to enter the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, I can open the gates for you right now.” An aged voice suddenly drifted over.
Both Ye Fan and Pang Bo were startled. Their divine senses were both extremely powerful, yet neither had detected the newcomer’s arrival beforehand.
“Who’s there?” Pang Bo was deeply unsettled. He gazed toward a distant mountain peak — the fluctuation had come from there.
Ye Fan likewise said nothing, activating his Source Heaven Divine Eyes and fixing his gaze on that direction.
This was an immortal vein, ordinarily suffused with steaming clouds and purple mists. From afar one could see tens of thousands of great dragons coiling above — a sacred land connected to the heavens.
This place was dotted with vermillion cliffs and sheer precipices, without a single blade of common grass, while orchids exhaled rosy vapors and ancient medicines of many centuries could often be seen.
Yet the mountain peak ahead was peculiar — there were no spiritual medicines there, only brambles and wormwood. And at the summit, a boulder moved, with dust cascading down in a soft shower.
“That is a person!” Pang Bo cried out in astonishment.
A person had been buried beneath yellow earth, their entire body overgrown with weeds, and even a bird’s nest sat atop their head. With the slightest movement, dust came raining down in a steady stream.
How long must one have sat in place to end up like this?!
Both of them were utterly stunned. This person had been sitting right here in sealed meditation, utterly motionless — at the very least for several decades. What extraordinary willpower.
“You need not worry. I bear no ill intentions.” An elder — a perfectly ordinary-looking old man with nothing remarkable about him, the kind who would be forgotten the moment he stepped into a crowd — carefully lifted the bird’s nest from his head, then stood up. Wormwood and clumps of earth fell away in great quantities.
“I am one of the deputy masters of the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. Though I have been sitting here in stillness, I am not unaware of matters in the outside world…” He extended an invitation for Ye Fan to enter the manor.
“I wish to know — does the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor truly have an ancient path through the stars leading to the outer domains?” Ye Fan asked. This was the answer he most wished to know.
“Indeed. There is an ancient starry path that leads to the ancient outer domains.” Lin Daocheng answered.
“There is truly such a path?!” Ye Fan and Pang Bo exchanged glances, their hearts deeply shaken. In an instant, they had seized upon hope of returning home.
“Once every ten thousand years, there are only three places available. To travel to the outer domains, only the strongest of the young generation may go — as a Holy Body, you can compete for one of those spots in the future.” Lin Daocheng smiled.
“What ancient star does the outer domain refer to? What lies at the other end?” Pang Bo could not help asking.
“I have already told you this much, and that alone is an exception. It is a great secret of the highest order. If you wish to understand, the only way is to overwhelm your contemporaries and secure a place among the top three.”
“Little Ye Fan can consider entering the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. Although there is a good chance he will encounter that bastard Wang Teng, even Wang Teng would not dare to make a move inside the manor.” Pang Bo said.
“Young man, do you not wish to know of the cultivation experiences of the nine Holy Bodies at Grand Completion from the ancient wilderness? Do you not wish to know what unparalleled sacred arts they cultivated? Do you not wish to obtain their legacies?” Lin Daocheng said with a smile.
Ye Fan’s heart leaped — but then he silently cursed to himself. Damn it, how had this old fellow turned into a sly old fox in the blink of an eye? He still looked simple and honest enough, yet something about him made one feel uneasy.
Ye Fan shook his head vigorously and said, “I am not going!”
“Young man, your wariness is far too strong. What could I possibly want from you? If I meant to rob you, I could have struck without warning just now and slapped you both to death with a single palm.”
Ye Fan rubbed his chin and said, “How about letting me look around first — for instance, getting a look at that starry ancient path, and browsing the cultivation methods of the nine Holy Bodies at Grand Completion from the ancient wilderness?”
Lin Daocheng burst out laughing despite himself and said, “Your demands are excessive. But I can let you wander around and broaden your horizons.”
The Eccentric Scholar’s Manor occupied the heart of this immortal vein. Purple mist churned and swirled; its nobility was beyond measure. The deeper Ye Fan’s research into the Source Heaven Scripture, the more he felt the wondrous ineffability of this place.
“This should count as a landscape formation that could only take shape in the immortal world. I wonder what would be excavated if this place were dug up?”
Before the ancient mountain gate, strange rocks loomed upon vermillion cliffs. On the thousand-ren precipice, luminous fungi of ten thousand years’ growth shimmered brilliantly, while ancient medicines of more than ten thousand years drifted their fragrance on the breeze.
Lin Daocheng was startled, and said: “Young one, I know you have studied source arts, but don’t go getting any ideas about this place. If you truly dare to go digging around here, watch out — someone will pull out your tendons and flay your bones.”
Ye Fan rubbed his chin sheepishly and said, “I was just speaking casually.”
Shortly after entering the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, Lin Daocheng was summoned away by a supremely powerful cultivator — there was an urgent matter to discuss, and he departed quickly.
“Why does that young fellow look familiar?”
“What the — isn’t that the supremely arrogant young master? He actually came into the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor!”
“What young master? He is Holy Body Ye Fan!”
“No way — is this the Holy Body Ye Fan who just killed the Northern Emperor’s uncle and tapped his younger brother to death?!”
“That’s right, it’s him!”
“Good heavens, his gall is enormous. He dared to come to this place — is he truly going to fight Wang Teng to the death?!”
——
The moment Ye Fan entered, he caused an uproar, drawing onlookers from all around. No one could believe that he had dared to come here.
“Oh, isn’t that Little Qi?” No sooner had Ye Fan entered than he spotted a familiar face — it was Qi Huoshui.
The Qi Commandery Princess was a beauty of unrivaled grace, capable of toppling a nation. Her beauty could be called the finest under heaven — her black hair shone like a mirror and fell naturally in cascading waves; her complexion was as delicate and fine as mutton-fat jade; her eyes were like the limpid waters of autumn, capturing the soul and snatching the spirit; her waist was supple, and her lotus steps were light and measured as she passed by nearby.
She could rightly be called a catastrophically beautiful woman, a matchless beauty who sent all who beheld her into a daze. She happened to be passing by and overheard Ye Fan’s words, and as she turned her head to look, her delicate brows immediately shot upward.
She turned and left at once, walking quickly — yet even in retreat, she swayed like a willow in the wind, her figure graceful and enchanting.
“Little Qi, what are you running for?” Ye Fan called out after her.
“I don’t think she’s running,” Pang Bo murmured, sensing something amiss.
“Princess Yue Ling, someone from the Nine Li Divine Dynasty…” Ye Fan spotted the second most beautiful woman of the Central Province, and his gaze paused briefly. During the battle at the Qinling Mountains, the Nine Li Divine Dynasty had moved against him — he had not forgotten.
The Eccentric Scholar’s Manor was a place where dragons and tigers lay hidden. It housed outstanding talents from all corners — a princess of a nation, the successor of a sacred ground, the saintess of a great sect, the divine son of a divine hall, the celestial demon of the Demon Emperor’s Palace, and more. Encountering them here was nothing remarkable.
“Princess Yue Ling, that person over there is looking at you,” a young woman beside her remarked.
Princess Yue Ling’s beauty was unmatched beneath the heavens. On this occasion she had not disguised herself — she was breathtakingly beautiful, a sight that stopped the breath. She glanced over in this direction and immediately spotted Ye Fan, a flicker of surprise crossing her expression. “It is him. He has actually come to the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. What is he planning?”
Suddenly, a great clamor broke out in the distance. A large group of people came running over, with Qi Huoshui at the front — her slender waist swinging, her teeth clenched, her vivid red lips gleaming with a captivating sheen, her long hair streaming behind her as she came charging back.
“It’s him — surround him, seize him!” she commanded imperiously.
“I knew it was trouble,” Pang Bo muttered. “That Little Qi is the most dazzling pearl of the Southern Ranges. Not only is she extremely powerful in cultivation herself, she has countless admirers protecting her, and an extraordinarily gifted elder brother on top of that. She has come to make things difficult for you.”
Ye Fan had barely entered the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor before being surrounded. Qi Huoshui lifted her snow-white and beautiful chin and said, “You dare to come here—”
“Little Qi, my coming here has nothing to do with you. Must you greet me with such enthusiasm?” Ye Fan said.
The Qi Commandery Princess had brought forty or fifty people along. Together with the gathering crowd of onlookers, the area had become densely congested.