“You want a reason from me? You want an explanation?” The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family spoke with a sinister edge to his voice.

“Save your breath. Why did you suddenly attack me without any cause or reason, using an Ultimate Dao Imperial Weapon to kill me?” Ye Fan was blunt, a surge of fury rising within his chest.

Just moments ago, the man had made his intentions clear — he wanted Ye Fan dead. He had unleashed a strand of Ultimate Dao might as an assassination attempt. How many people in this world could dodge such a strike? What made it all the more contemptible was that he had launched a sneak attack on a junior.

“You had the audacity to run wild in my Ji Family’s territory. Is that reason enough?” The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family fixed his cold and ruthless gaze on Ye Fan.

“Ji number Eight — that’s your reason?” Ye Fan demanded.

“Old Eight of the Ji Family, you’ve gone too far. What kind of reason is that? This battle was sanctioned by your family’s head. You intervened at a critical moment to kill Ye Fan — are you simply bullying others with your power?” The Red Dragon Elder’s expression darkened. He had come out of seclusion specifically for Ye Fan’s sake and had no intention of standing idly by.

“He fought Wang Teng in a life-and-death duel, yet killed indiscriminately, burning many uninvolved people to death. And now he wants to go after Cheng Kun and the others — if that isn’t running wild, what is?”

“Are you blind? Can’t you see what really happened? Those people attacked him first. Ye Fan was defending himself!” The Monkey stepped forward, his words even more unapologetic. Even within the Ji Family’s territory, he didn’t care.

The Old Eight of the Ji Family felt a fire ignite in his heart, yet he held himself back from lashing out. The Monkey’s identity was far too sensitive. The Ten Thousand Ancient Clans were soon to emerge into the world, and as the former son of the Holy Emperor, even though the Battle-Saint Elder Holy Emperor had already passed, moving against him would likely bring catastrophic trouble.

“I fought Wang Teng in a life-and-death battle — life and death were left to fate. Others interfered without cause and attacked me. You not only failed to stop them, but you showed such blatant favoritism, using an Ultimate Dao Imperial Weapon to kill me. What kind of thing are you?!” Ye Fan’s words were deeply disrespectful.

“Boy, are you looking for death? Provoking trouble in my Ji Family — you deserve to die a hundred times over.” The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family spoke in a cold and frosty tone.

“Is this how the Ji Family conducts itself? Everyone present witnessed what happened. You tried to kill me for no reason, and now you’re saying I’m the one provoking trouble — what kind of logic is that?” Ye Fan’s voice rang out loudly.

“Only one reason is needed to kill you: waging war in my Ji Family’s territory, stirring up trouble, killing without restraint — that merits execution.” The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family declared.

“Besides slapping empty labels on people, what else do you have? Just because you consider yourselves part of an ancient noble clan, do you think you can casually oppress your fellow cultivators? Do you truly think yourself the master of the Ji clan — or is it that you alone call the shots in this noble family?” Ye Fan swept his gaze across many of those present.

“Eighth Ancestor, why are you doing this?” Ji Ziyue stepped forward gracefully, her lips parting gently as she spoke. “Three years ago, Ye Fan saved my life and my brother’s life in the Immortal Mansion world of the Central Continent. How can you treat him like this?”

“Enough. Old Eight, stand down!” The Ji Family’s Holy Sovereign’s expression turned stern as he reprimanded the Eighth Ancestor.

“Family Head…” The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family had much he wanted to say. His most cherished descendant, Ji Hui, had been killed by Ye Fan back in the Southern Region years ago. He had been waiting for an opportunity to eliminate Ye Fan ever since, and today, with his target walking through their doors, the chance seemed too rare to pass up.

“Stand down!” The Ji Family’s Holy Sovereign’s tone grew heavier.

“Since ancient times until now, not a single Sacred Physique has ever proven their Dao and become an Emperor — they will always be nothing more than a supporting role.” These were the Eighth Ancestor’s parting words to Ye Fan as he turned and departed with a sweep of his sleeves.

“Even as a supporting role, it would still be the most brilliant one. Coming in second in the world is always guaranteed — what major power couldn’t be swept away?” Pang Bo muttered.

He had actually wanted to say “sweeping away an ancient noble family,” but the words died in his throat before he could speak them. It would have been too obvious and would likely have made many people in the Ji Family uncomfortable.

Even so, the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family glared over at him, his eyes fixed on him and Ye Fan for a long while before finally flicking his sleeves and leaving.

The Northern Emperor had been defeated. Even now, people still couldn’t quite bring themselves to believe this fact. The foremost young talent of the Northern Plains had been struck down just like that — it felt too surreal.

It was worth noting that Ye Fan’s absolute combat power was genuinely inferior to the Northern Emperor’s, and by no small margin. Yet the outcome was what it was, leaving many people in a daze.

Ye Fan had faced many great enemies and survived countless death tribulations. Without question, the Northern Emperor was the most powerful of them all — and yet the threat this particular battle posed hadn’t been all that overwhelming, inconsistent with the Northern Emperor’s reputation.

Ye Fan had relied on the Black Gourd and the bronze coffin, circulating various cultivation techniques to completely suppress Wang Teng, giving him no opportunity whatsoever to display his combat power. The battle had barely begun before it was over.

Wang Teng had inherited the legacy of the Chaotic Ancient Emperor and had only managed to demonstrate two types of Imperial Techniques. He never had the chance to unleash the world-shaking follow-up feats that followed, and was shattered just like that.

Not only did the people of the Wang Family lament this outcome, but even the spectators felt a sense of regret. The Northern Emperor, whose combat power had sent shivers down the spines of even elder-generation figures, had fallen in too pitiable a fashion. This was not representative of his true level.

The golden ancient war chariot drifted through the air, its divine radiance undiminished, with a true dragon, divine phoenix, white tiger, and Black Tortoise spiraling around it — one had to admit this chariot was extraordinarily mysterious.

And at this moment, Wang Teng’s flesh and shattered bones were smeared across the chariot’s body, fused together with this sacred and magnificent war chariot — the contrast was immense, a sight that struck one to the core.

Ye Fan had failed to obtain the front character art of the Nine Secrets. This secret art might have vanished from the world forever — a source of helplessness and profound regret for him.

Moreover, he had wanted to burn the golden ancient war chariot with fire and destroy everything cleanly, leaving not a single trace behind. Yet at that moment, he had been given no opportunity to act, as the Ji Family’s Eighth Ancestor had disrupted everything.

Everyone returned to the vast hall forged from refined gold. The way people now looked at Ye Fan was entirely different. Beating the Northern Emperor to death with his bare hands — such combat power sent chills down the spine of every single Holy Sovereign present.

The Southern Demon fixed his gaze on the bronze coffin at Ye Fan’s side, looking at it again and again, yet said nothing, silently contemplating.

Qi Huoshui was utterly astonished, staring at Ye Fan as if she didn’t recognise him at all, unable to stop looking. She truly had never imagined that Ye Fan would kill the Northern Emperor — someone considered his equal and his brother’s equal in reputation. Her cherry lips were parted wide.

On the other side, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi floated over gracefully, offering a faint smile and a nod to Ye Fan. They had known each other for a long time, so naturally there was a warmth of goodwill between them.

“Be careful!” The Yaochi immortal maiden condensed her voice into a thread that reached Ye Fan’s ears alone, leaving behind a faint and delicate fragrance before she moved away to one side.

In another corner, Zi Tiandu was ceaselessly pondering, murmuring to himself in the Ancient Primordial divine tongue. He found the appearance of the Black Gourd impossible to believe, and was in a state of intense agitation.

His elder sister had violet hair cascading like clouds and cheeks as pale and flawless as jade. She too was observing Ye Fan, a trace of an enigmatic smile curling at the corners of her lips. “Will this person be able to go head-to-head with our clan’s Ancestral King in the future?” she murmured.

“Future matters — who can say for certain. Wang Teng had boundless potential, and didn’t he still fall? The human race is a thing to be feared. But this person won’t live long.” Zi Tiandu said with a cold laugh.

“Don’t make a move for now — observe for a while.” The violet-haired young woman smiled softly. Her ethereal beauty made the surrounding space seem to brighten.

“The Sacred Physique is unrivalled — his growth can no longer be stopped.” In another corner, a figure of grandmaster-level sighed.

“Not necessarily. In this world, anything can happen. Monstrous geniuses who defy Heaven have always been prone to dying young throughout history.” Another person spoke up.

“I think no one would dare to act recklessly against him now. Offending a Sacred Physique with such boundless potential — you’ll be living in his shadow for the next ten thousand years.”

“You’re all mistaken. If the Ji Family wants to kill him, it would be easy right now — beneath the Void Mirror, no soul survives! If they truly set their minds to it, even a Saint might not be able to hold them off. This is a very good opportunity.”

Many people’s expressions shifted. If the Ji Family were to turn against him now, they would absolutely be able to bury the Sacred Physique here. To kill him, one reason would be more than enough.

In the distance, even more people were discussing the recent battle, all finding it breathtaking. The fact that both parties commanded the Nine Secrets was no longer any secret.

When many people looked at Ye Fan, their gazes carried a peculiar quality. Here was a young man with immense potential — once he fully matured, he would be able to live for ten thousand years, and their future descendants and offspring would all have to live beneath his supreme and sacred might.

A dominion spanning ten thousand years!

Every time this possibility crossed their minds, an enormous pressure rose within them. It truly was like an immovable mountain, making it hard for many people to breathe, filling them with worry for the generations to come.

In the great hall, people gathered in clusters of three to five, or groups of seven to eight, those with close ties assembling together and discussing whatever topics they preferred.

Yet many people’s gazes drifted toward Ye Fan time and again. After this battle, his name and reputation would inevitably spread far and wide, reaching all Five Regions — the impact was too great.

With the rise of the Sacred Physique, he would be like the sun at its zenith. For a very long time to come, he would likely command the attention of all eyes in the world — a figure upon whom the entire world would fix its gaze.

“He’s still so young — his future achievements are beyond prediction!”

“The Yin-Yang Sect is in trouble. Everyone in that sect, from top to bottom, will probably be losing sleep now.”

“On the path to becoming an Emperor, the road is paved with countless bones. In the long years ahead, whenever there are Emperor Battles, most of the bodies falling at his feet will be many.”

The news spread out at the very first moment, shaking the Southern Region. All who had been watching this battle were stunned with shock and awe.

The result of this battle spread swiftly in every direction, rippling across the vast expanse of the Eastern Desolation, reaching even further to the Central Continent, the Southern Ridge, and beyond. The very words “Sacred Physique” carried an incomparably heavy weight.

“The Sacred Physique — his rise can no longer be stopped!” This was the first reaction of everyone who received the news. He had even slain the Northern Emperor — what person could still stand in the way of his path?

In the great hall, Ji Ziyue was like a sprite — smiling with radiant charm and captivating eyes. She was Heaven’s favorite, gathering the essence of ten thousand kinds of divine beauty within herself, with bright eyes and gleaming teeth and a spiritual energy that overwhelmed the senses.

Ye Fan walking alongside her drew sideways glances. Many people watched — it was clear why the Sacred Physique had come. To resolve Ji Ziyue’s troubles, he had intended to strike down the Northern Emperor, and now he had truly done it. Many people’s minds filled with all manner of thoughts.

On the other side of the hall, the people of the Wang Family were grieving and furious, yet they had no way to strike back. The treasures in Ye Fan’s hands were too terrifying — with the Black Gourd drawn, fire swept through everything, and there was no way to resist it.

“Teng’er died too unjustly. Rest assured — I will avenge you!” Wang Cheng’kun let out a low and hoarse howl, like a night owl.

On the golden ancient war chariot, the shattered flesh and bones flickered with undying divine radiance, and as if they possessed a spirit, trembled faintly.

Clang!

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out, piercing to the ears. Every person in the Ji Family heard it, and the Ji Family’s Holy Sovereign’s expression changed at once. “Please excuse me for a moment, everyone.”

He departed in haste, and several Elders also changed expression, quickly walking out and following along, rushing together toward the deepest and most restricted area of the Ji Family.

Others hadn’t yet sensed anything amiss, but Ye Fan had keenly detected a trace of something unusual. He let out a long sigh and placed the bronze coffin upright before him. In the end, he would still have to make use of it.

“Is this the collective will of the entire Ji Clan, or merely a faction within them moving to act? Are they intent on snuffing out the Sacred Physique today — killing him while still in the cradle?!” Several living fossil figures had also sensed the abnormality.