The night was deep and the mountains were clear and still. A divine moon hung in the sky overhead, spilling a ground of white light. A clear spring gurgled softly, and now and then a night bird cried.
Ye Fan stood upon a mountain rock, his heart shaken. How had this person come to know these secrets? Could it be that one of his former companions had fallen into his hands?
“How did you come to know this?”
The Southern Demon Qi Lin stood tall and imposing, his bearing transcendent and grand, his black hair thick and dense, his gaze intimidating: “In the ancient Demon Emperor’s Palace, I witnessed all of it with my own eyes — I saw all of you descend from the sky and appear in the ancient wilderness forbidden zone.”
“How can that be? You are in the Southern Ranges — how could you possibly have seen events in the Eastern Wastelands?!” Ye Fan was thoroughly shaken.
The distance between the Southern Ranges and the Eastern Wastelands could only be measured in astronomical figures — incomprehensibly far. A cultivator would need to fly for more than ten years to travel between them. How could any one person’s gaze pierce such a distance?
“In the ancient Demon Emperor’s Palace, passed down from remote antiquity, there is a blood altar, and upon that altar grows a Heaven and Earth Law Eye — one of the most precious immortal treasures in all existence!”
If a person’s divine power were powerful enough, one could use this Law Eye to observe the three realms and six paths, the cosmos and stellar domains, and peer through past, present, and future. However, this eye required the divine power of an ancient great Emperor to operate — the energy demanded was so vast that no ordinary person could endure bearing it.
For this reason, although such a Heaven and Earth Law Eye existed, even the many great demons of the Demon Emperor’s Palace could not use it to survey all affairs under heaven. It would only activate of its own accord during the ten-thousand-year cycle of its rotation, allowing brief use during that window.
From ancient times to the present, the greatest problem haunting cultivators has been the question of life and death. No one can live forever — not even the ancient great Emperors.
For this reason, during this ten-thousand-year cycle, several peerless elder demons had used the Law Eye to survey the seven great life-forbidden zones of the Eastern Wastelands, probing the various secrets of the undying divine medicine.
And it was precisely because of this that they happened to witness the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin descend from the sky and fall upon an ancient wilderness forbidden zone — watching more than ten travelers from the outer domains emerge from within. The shock they felt in that moment can only be imagined.
“Since ancient times, legends of visitors from the outer domains have not been scarce, yet I never imagined I would one day witness it with my own eyes.” Qi Lin’s eyes blazed with a keen light, the sun and moon seemed to rise within them, and dragons and phoenixes flew forth — their brilliance awe-inspiring, profoundly mysterious.
“That is correct — we came from beyond. We arrived at this end of the stellar void by unknown means.” At this point, Ye Fan had no reason to conceal the truth any further.
Qi Lin stepped out from the Demon Emperor’s Palace in a single stride, descending from the sky as though he were walking down a heavenly staircase, composed and unhurried, his black hair billowing in the wind, possessing a certain grandeur unique to a world-shaking demon king.
He showed no intention of attacking. He sat cross-legged on the ground and asked Ye Fan about everything on the other side of the stellar void. To him, it was supremely important. Different stellar domains, different foundations of knowledge — this was a collision of ideas. Ye Fan’s past, his various experiences and perspectives, was to those of this world a treasure hoard worth a thousand years.
Ye Fan answered easily and spoke of some of the conditions on the other side of the stellar void. This left the Southern Demon gazing into the distance with longing, saying: “The outer domains — how vast is that world really?”
Ye Fan in turn asked him many questions about the secrets of this world. The two sat facing one another for half the night. At last the Southern Demon rose and said: “Not being able to go to that world in person — in the end, it is but a dream of flowers and moonlight.”
“There is an ancient starry path here that leads to the outer domains. Can you find it?”
“There is not a single clue. I truly do not know — and I suspect it is not within the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor.” The Southern Demon shook his head, then turned and departed.
After that, over the following days, the Southern Demon came every night without fail. The relationship between the two was unusual — they learned from each other, verifying and confirming the answers each sought within their hearts.
On the final night, just before leaving, the Southern Demon said: “In the future, when we contend with one another on the road to becoming Emperor — if you are defeated, I will let you go free. This is in gratitude for your generosity today.”
After that, he appeared no more. The formidable Southern Demon was unfathomably deep — even a single thread of his divine thought, when manifested, was enough to look down on all young cultivators of the age. He remained profoundly mysterious.
By now, having arrived at this point, Ye Fan — as a Holy Body — would inevitably have to contend with others on the road to becoming Emperor in the future. Even with those he had no conflict, a battle was still unavoidable.
This was an inescapable choice borne of helplessness, for one world and one age could produce only one Emperor — never two. The various kings rose together, and the scene appeared flourishing, but hidden within that flourishing was endless sorrow.
The path of an Emperor was a path of no return. One could only press forward. To fall even one step behind meant one’s blood would stain the yellow earth. Only by treading upon the corpses of the various kings and advancing forward, singing all the way to the very end, was there any hope.
To lose just once, to err just once, could mean ruin for ten thousand lifetimes — no path of survival remaining, body destroyed and Dao extinguished from that moment on.
The Southern Demon had no great enmity with Ye Fan — yet the future ordained that there would be one great battle of life and death between them, unavoidable, beyond right or wrong. It was simply the cruel choice demanded by those who walked the path of an Emperor.
Ye Fan’s arrival at the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor had caused a great stir. Over these past few days, people had continually come from afar, drawn by his reputation, watching from a distance — some out of admiration, but more out of resentment and hatred.
“Little Ye Fan, you are a truly unreliable sidekick. Wherever you go, you draw onlookers and invite trouble.” The Ji Family’s Little Moon complained.
“Since when did I become your sidekick?”
“I am leading you around in search of that ancient starry path. You are following behind me — what is a sidekick, if not that?” Ji Ziyue blinked her large eyes and said with dissatisfaction.
“Is that how it works…” Ye Fan was left speechless.
Over these past few days, he had been asking Ji Ziyue to help him search for the ancient starry path. This had made the Ji Family’s Divine King physique scowl with dark rolling eyes, watching him like he was a thief — terrified that he might spirit their Ji Family’s Little Moon away.
After the battle at the Qinling Mountains, the Ji Family had greatly increased their protection of Ji Ziyue, refusing to allow any harm to come to her.
And it was also precisely because of that battle that countless great powers and immortal lineages had come calling, all with a single purpose — to propose a marriage alliance. Each and every one of them wished to forge a matrimonial bond.
As to what physique Ji Ziyue possessed, those great powers did not know. Only figures like the Peacock King and others of extraordinarily broad knowledge were aware — yet that did not diminish the high regard in which all held her.
She could borrow the power of heaven and earth and elevate Ye Fan to a level where he could contend with a Sacred Lord. That had stunned everyone present. Such a physique was absolutely surpassing and extraordinary.
“Holy Body, halt — I challenge you to a decisive battle!” At last, someone could contain themselves no longer and stepped forward, blocking Ye Fan’s path and issuing a challenge.
Within the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor, private fights were strictly forbidden. Only issued challenges — and only when the other party agreed — were permitted. All of this existed solely to protect the weaker party.
“Who are you? Do I know you?” Ye Fan glanced at the newcomer.
“Whether you know me or not is of no importance. What matters is that I find you displeasing to the eye, and I simply wish to suppress you to death!” The newcomer was extremely arrogant, stopping just short of pointing directly at Ye Fan’s nose to curse him.
“Are you tired of living?” Pang Bo beside him was hot-headed and wanted to slap the man to death on the spot.
“Holy Body, do you dare to fight me? No source arts — only true cultivation as the measure of superiority!” This young man was excessively self-important. His voice was loud and drew the attention of many nearby cultivators.
“Very well — I will fight you!” Ye Fan nodded and agreed.
“Little Ye Fan, something feels off. Setting aside the Northern Emperor, there are a handful of world-defying demon geniuses who would dare to challenge you. But this person, though strong, is nowhere near the Northern Emperor’s level.” Pang Bo was puzzled.
The Severing Immortal Platform was the designated dueling ground of the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor. Ye Fan ascended it and, facing the clamoring young man, immediately summoned the black war chariot — its thunderous wheels rolling forward.
“Is he serious? A legendary king-level divine weapon — how are you supposed to fight against that? Undefeatable at the same level — even a dozen people wouldn’t be enough to kill!”
“You are cheating!” The man opposite was frightened into shooting upward through the air, not daring to receive the blow head-on.
“Nobody said I couldn’t use it. Better to end this quickly!” Ye Fan was truly too lazy to engage personally. He used his treasure to overpower his opponent by force, not wishing to waste time.
“Boom!”
The black ancient war chariot flew upward and struck the opposing young man, who coughed up great mouthfuls of blood. His whole body was shattered and cracked, and he fell screaming onto the Severing Immortal Platform. Were it not for the rule against killing opponents, this man would surely have died.
“And someone like this dares to issue a challenge?” Pang Bo shook his head.
Yet matters did not end there. Over the following half month, challengers continued to step forward to confront Ye Fan, drawing many others into the conflict.
Then, at last, the fires of true battle were ignited. Some demanded life-and-death duels on the Dragon-Scraping Platform before the mountain gate. Ye Fan held firm, turning no one away — within two days he had killed three people.
“Come fight to the death in the immortal veins — unleash everything without restraint!” At last, someone pushed further still, demanding a battle with no regard for consequences, fighting Ye Fan to the point of mutual destruction.
“Have they grown weary of living? The truly world-defying demon geniuses have not made a move yet — what immortal’s gall have these people swallowed?” Pang Bo was increasingly uneasy.
“They are trying to lure me out of the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor one step at a time, beyond the range of perception of the manor’s great cultivators. Someone wants me dead.” Ye Fan said with cold contempt.
“What do you intend to do?”
“This immortal vein holds great dragon energy in its depths. I will inscribe formation runes here. If they dare to come, I will ensure none of them leave.” Ye Fan said in a cold voice.
Dongfang Ye said: “Brother Ye Fan, the sacred bone you gave me has been refined by my grand-uncle-ancestor into my wolf-tooth great club — it can release one strike equivalent to a peerless sacred weapon of a past age.”
He held the wolf-tooth club out, offering to lend it to Ye Fan. This was truly a priceless sacred weapon. Although it could only release a single strike, that strike was absolutely capable of devastating the heavens and destroying the earth.
Even an undefeatable king-level cultivator struck by a weapon of an ancient sage would be reduced to ash. A Sacred Lord would fare no better. Lifting that heavy wolf-tooth great club, both Ye Fan and Pang Bo felt their hearts pound fiercely.
“With a sacred weapon like this in hand, whoever comes will die!” Pang Bo said.
“Ssss!” But Ye Fan drew a sharp breath and said: “Does this group of people actually intend to make a large move? Could they have brought a sacred weapon as well?”
Bringing an extreme path emperor’s weapon was out of the question. One had only just been used not long ago, and the various great immortal lineages could not immediately produce another — they required such weapons to suppress the foundations of their power, and each deployment demanded lengthy preparations.
“Someone wants me dead. Ziyue — please go speak to your brother and ask whether he can lend me a flawless, perfect peerless sacred weapon.” Ye Fan said.
“You — do you think sacred weapons of the saints are so easy to come by? Even immortal lineages find them extremely difficult to deploy. The Yin-Yang Sect stands in the Central Province and became a supreme great sect on the basis of a single Yin-Yang Mirror — and it was because of that weapon alone that they were once undefeatable under heaven.”
“Tell your brother about it. This time, there might even be a chance to capture the Yin-Yang Mirror and send it to your Ji Family as bride gifts.” Ye Fan laughed.
“Drop dead. What are you thinking? Weapons forged by ancient sages contain divine beings within them — they are nearly impossible to subdue, and are existences without equal.” Ji Ziyue rolled her eyes at him.
“In the Central Province there are dragon-seeking geomancers. This terrain is well suited for channeling dragon energy. In order to counter my source arts, someone extraordinary may have been invited here this time.” Ye Fan murmured to himself.
Five days later, Ye Fan walked out of the Eccentric Scholar’s Manor and came to a stretch of immortal veins. The moment he arrived, he said nothing at all and simply shook out more than a thousand jade pieces from his hand, moving preemptively. Every one of them was inscribed with Source Heaven divine runes.
One thunderous boom after another erupted. The dragon energy stored in the ancestral roots deep underground came surging upward all at once. A terrible fluctuation came from the distance — a peerless killing formation had been activated.
“Just as I suspected — an extraordinary person has indeed been invited, and they have activated the power of the underground ancestral roots.” Ye Fan’s heart tightened, but he felt no fear. He had struck first.
“Damn it all!” A voice of furious cursing came from the distance. The dragon-seeking geomancer’s formation runes had been triggered, continuously destroying everything in their path.
“Aaoooh…”
A tremendous dragon’s roar resounded. From the depths of the earth, eighty-one heavenly dragons — nine times nine — surged upward through the sky, each one thousands of zhang in length. The enormous dragon formation had been activated.
“Damn it — just as I feared, an extraordinary person has truly been brought in.” Ye Fan laughed coldly.
The power of ancestral roots like these, channeled through such a terrifying great dragon divine formation, could absolutely grind several Sacred Lords to death through sheer attrition.
“Boom!”
From the distance, a terrifying wave of energy swept in. A blazing brilliance descended from above, and an ancient mirror hung in midair, emitting fluctuations that would make even a peerless king-level cultivator tremble.
“An ancient sage’s weapon — the Yin-Yang Mirror!” Ye Fan’s heart lurched violently. Just as he had predicted — a sacred weapon had been brought.
“Boom!”
Behind Ye Fan, a burst of divine radiance took flight. A crimson-blood divine phoenix soared skyward, and a vermillion-gold divine lamp blocked that terrible beam of light, withstanding the force of the ancient Yin-Yang Mirror.
“With power this overwhelming, even a host of Sacred Lords would die!” Pang Bo’s heart pounded with terror.
“This is only a replica of an ancient sacred weapon. Though it was crafted by a sage’s hand, it is not a true peerless sacred relic — it has flaws.” Behind them, Ji Haoyue had appeared.
“Wang Yang Zhan — so your lifespan is nearly exhausted!” Ye Fan called out loudly.
The Yin-Yang Sect Master appeared, an ancient red-and-black mirror suspended above his head. His aura swept across the land like a storm. His expression was blank, drained of vitality, suffused instead with the hue of death.
“Time does not wait for me. My lifespan has dried up. Today, I rid my descendants of you — the great threat before them!” The Yin-Yang Sect Master spoke with resignation. He had lived for more than three thousand years, but had ultimately been unable to resist the erosion of time — his lifespan had worn down to nothing, and he could not survive.
Originally, he had been due to die several years ago. He had sustained himself on dragon marrow all along, yet in the end had failed to obtain the Dream Divine Marrow. Ordinary dragon marrow was no longer of any effect.
“You believe this is enough to kill me?” Ye Fan laughed coldly.
The Yin-Yang Sect Master’s vitality was nearly extinguished — little different from a dead man. The smile that now crossed his face, like that of a malevolent ghost, was terrifying to behold: “The Yin-Yang Mirror I have brought may not be that true peerless sacred relic, but it also came from a sage’s hand. I did not expect the Ji Family’s great cultivators to arrive as well, bearing a similar weapon.”
Ye Fan’s expression was cold and indifferent. He looked at the Sect Master quietly and said nothing more.
“But none of that matters. Inviting the extraordinary person, bringing the flawed sage’s weapon — none of these are the means by which I will kill you.” At this point, the Yin-Yang Sect Master suddenly roared: “What matters is that I have seen you. With just one look — you are already dead!”
“Get back!” Someone in the shadows cried out, a warning in their voice.
But it was already a little late. A terrifying aura spread outward, instantly locking onto Ye Fan.
“Boom!”
The Yin-Yang Sect Master’s body shattered apart. He sat in extinction in this world, evaporating into a blazing beam of light — which then condensed into a silver figurine no larger than a fist.
Its left eye was black as ink; its right eye was crimson as blood. The appearance was profoundly eerie. Though it stood less than the height of a palm, it inspired a bone-chilling dread.
“This is terrible — the Yin-Yang Sect’s death curse. There is no antidote in this world!”
“To kill one’s enemy, one must oneself descend into purgatory, enduring every most terrible torment the world can offer before finally being extinguished. The Yin-Yang Sect Master regarded the Holy Body so highly that even at the moment of his death, he unleashed the Yin-Yang Death Curse!”
A great cultivator in the shadows cried out in alarm. Even they dared not approach — whoever touched it would die.
“I have died — but in doing so, I have thoroughly eliminated the great threat to my descendants…” The Yin-Yang Sect Master bellowed.
One could well imagine how much pressure Ye Fan’s rise had put upon them. His ascent had become unstoppable, and this living fossil had resorted to such a method — dragging Ye Fan down with him even in death.
The silver figurine — its expression caught between weeping and laughing, one eye black as ink, one eye red as blood — crossed time and space. It could not be avoided, could not be shaken off. It surged directly toward Ye Fan.
“Boom!”
Ten thousand zhang of radiance erupted. The power of yin-yang life and death buried Ye Fan in an instant. The death curse struck, and a boundless purgatory appeared — the Palace of the Underworld and the infernal abyss rose and fell, grinding away at all things.