Chapter 1012: Penglai

An old Daoist priest from the ancestral home of Daoism, clad in worn robes, possessed white hair and a youthful complexion, appearing over a thousand years old. He informed Ye Fan that Penglai might hold a path leading to the outer realms.

However, the priest also stated that the inhabitants of this immortal island rarely set foot in the Central Plains, making them a rare sight, perhaps once every few centuries, and incredibly difficult for outsiders to find.

Penglai has been revered as an immortal realm since ancient times, a divine mountain in the sea where immortals reside. Ancient mortal emperors frequently dispatched ships across the sea in search of the elixir of immortality.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's heart stirred. He expressed his gratitude, presenting the priest with some precious spiritual medicines and sharing many insights on cultivation. He personally escorted the old Daoist priest outside the mountain gate.

"Kunlun on land, three mountains in the sea." This saying has been passed down since ancient times. Among these three mountains, one is Penglai, an eternal homeland for immortals.

The ambitious and strategic Emperor Wu of Han, in pursuit of immortals and immortality, once built an artificial Taiye Pool in Ganquan Palace, atop which was the legendary Penglai Immortal Mountain, at immense cost.

The most famous among these seekers was, of course, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who ordered the alchemist Xu Fu to lead thousands of boys and girls out to sea in search of immortals. From then on, they never returned, a fact widely known among the people.

Ye Fan pondered seriously. Since his return, he had explored almost all ancient Daoist sites but found no ancient starry sky path connected to the outer realms. Yet, in ancient times, many great sages on Earth eventually departed; they should have left some clues, no matter what.

"Perhaps it really is in the Penglai immortal realm," he murmured to himself. The only Daoist sites he hadn't searched were those in the sea.

Ye Fan set out to sea, riding on the Dragon Horse and accompanied by his disciples, including Zhang Qingyang and You Weiyu. This time, they were determined to come along, believing Ye Fan was going treasure hunting, just as he had in Kunlun.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas records that there are three immortal mountains in the sea: Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang. These mountains are immortal realms with elixirs of immortality.

These three immortal mountains have been immensely famous since ancient times, known as the Eastern Immortal Realms. After their rise, they seemed poised to replace Western Kunlun. Among the common people, when an immortal realm is mentioned, Penglai is often known, while Kunlun is rarely brought up.

The emerald sea surged with magnificent, boundless waves. Only by personally entering the sea could one truly understand this vastness that could open one's heart.

"Master, is there truly a Dragon Palace in this sea, and can we visit it?" Yan Xiaoyu suddenly had a whimsical thought.

"Even if there is, it would only be a few flood dragons," the Dragon Horse said disdainfully. "To visit a true dragon's abode, only ancient great emperors would have such prestige."

Several years passed, and its arrogance remained unchanged. But facing the powerful Human Sacred Body, even if it were a true dragon, it would have to coil. Thus, it couldn't stir up any trouble.

They had been at sea for half a month, still finding nothing and unaware of Penglai Immortal Mountain's location. However, they did discover a dilapidated ancient cave dwelling, long since submerged by seawater.

Ye Fan had no other option. The immortal mountains in the sea were the hardest to find. They had no interaction with land-based cultivators, leaving behind only legends.

"It should be in the Bohai Sea," Ye Fan murmured to himself, spreading his powerful divine sense to search. He wanted to detect anomalies and capture the aura of ancient magic formations.

The Records of the Grand Historian states: "Since Kings Wei, Xuan, and Zhao of Yan sent people into the sea to seek the three divine mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, it is said they are in the Bohai Sea, not far from humans. When danger approaches, boats are carried away by the wind. It is rumored that some have reached them, and all immortals and elixirs of immortality are there."

Boom!

Suddenly, waves dozens of feet high surged in the distance. Then a giant whirlpool appeared, threatening to drag Ye Fan and his companions in.

"It's a giant sea clam!" Yan Xiaoyu exclaimed.

Beneath the water, an old clam, dozens of feet long, opened its shell, seemingly devouring the sky and spitting out the earth. This stirred up fierce winds on the sea, aiming to swallow them.

This was an ancient demon, sensing the spiritual energy emanating from the group. If it could devour them, it would greatly benefit. So, it caused a maritime disaster, intending to pull them under.

"Rare, indeed, to encounter an old demon that has cultivated for over eight hundred years and is in the Dragon Transformation realm," Ye Fan remarked.

Zhan Yifan, without a word, summoned his flying sword, which transformed into a brilliant streak of light and slashed into the sea. Instantly, enormous waves surged, and a chasm hundreds of feet long was cut into the sea, forcing the water to either side.

Clang!

However, the old clam was no ordinary creature; its cultivation was profound and formidable. Its shell wide open, eighteen sea spirit pearls flew out, surprisingly stabilizing the void.

Zhan Yifan struggled, narrowly escaping disaster. His seven swords merged into one, cutting open a path, and he managed to escape with difficulty, a look of astonishment on his face. In recent years, under Ye Fan's protection, he had undergone several lightning tribulations and was now in the Dragon Transformation realm, making it rare for anyone to challenge him.

"It's a dragon clam, possessing life-bound cultivation pearls. No wonder its strength is extraordinary," Ye Fan revealed a look of surprise. Inside the shell was an old clam shaped like a dragon. The eighteen magic pearls were pearls refined from its own flesh and blood, and by now, they had fused with its spirit, comparable to ancient magic pearls.

Long Xiaoque made his move; as a demon himself, he profoundly understood the old clam's weaknesses. He unleashed a long rainbow of demonic energy that surged directly into the clam's shell, aiming for its vital points.

Roooar...

The eighteen magic pearls shone dazzlingly, stirring up boundless waves. The dragon clam, an ancient demon cultivated for many years, immediately sensed trouble. This group was not to be trifled with, so it turned and fled.

However, how could Ye Fan allow it to escape? A wisp of mother qi shot out from between his brows, heavier than Mount Tai. It instantly pinned the clam down, and its shell began to crack.

"Immortal, spare my life! This humble demon was ignorant and should not have offended you." The old clam was terrified out of its wits. It had never imagined encountering a figure who surpassed even ancient sect masters in this Age of Dharma Decline.

"You can live, but tell us where Penglai Immortal Mountain is," Huang Tiannv said with a grin. Despite her peerless beauty, her body emanated layers of killing intent.

Ye Fan nodded. This old clam was not a benevolent creature. Even if they didn't cut off its cultivation, they should give it a good warning. And if they could ascertain the location of the immortal realm, that would naturally be for the best.

"I don't know. The three immortal mountains in the sea are too mysterious, completely untraceable," the old clam replied. "Otherwise, this old clam would have long since gone to seek refuge there. I heard that the primal energy there is abundant and has never dried up since ancient times."

"Then what use are you? Instead of continuing to harm the sea, it would be better to just kill you," Huang Tiannv revealed killing intent, intimidating the old demon.

"Honored immortals, spare my life! Although I don't know, I can provide some clues." The old clam pleaded for mercy.

Finally, it led them to a submarine cave dwelling. The underwater world was dim, but this particular spot was filled with radiant treasure light, sparkling and crystalline.

This was a palace, constructed from various beautiful and translucent corals, and inscribed with many magic formations and Dao patterns. It was a very ancient water mansion, inhabited by some small demons like fish and shrimp.

The master of the mansion was a seahorse spirit, now 1,500 years old. It was a hegemon of this underwater world, revered by all creatures in the surrounding seas.

The old seahorse's true form could reach hundreds of feet in length. It transformed into a red-haired Daoist and came out to greet them, acting very courteously. Its spiritual sense was sharp and powerful, perceiving the terrifying presence of Ye Fan and the Dragon Horse, filling it with apprehension.

Ye Fan directly stated his purpose, asking for the location of Penglai. If a hegemon of the sea didn't know, then there would truly be no other way, and he would have to withdraw.

"This old one does know, but that place is too terrifying. Ancient killing formations are laid out in the water," the old seahorse kindly warned. "I have tried several times but couldn't pass through or enter the island."

"No matter, Mansion Master, just tell us," Ye Fan was also very polite, conversing with him with a smile.

Ultimately, the old seahorse personally led the way, bringing them into a mysterious sea region. Ordinary people couldn't even approach it; they would inexplicably slow down and pass out. But they were extraordinary; upon nearing it, they felt waves of bone-chilling killing intent. With just a slight touch, towering sword qi would slash out.

"This old one can only lead you this far; I dare not go deeper," the old seahorse said.

"Many thanks, Mansion Master," Ye Fan expressed his gratitude earnestly and strode forward with his disciples. His cauldron hung above his head, letting down endless primordial qi, enveloping them. No matter how many thousands of spells or tens of thousands of divine abilities attacked, all were effortlessly withstood.

Behind them, the old seahorse spirit was dumbfounded, almost petrified. It murmured, "Even ancient sect masters are far inferior. Could this be the Lord of the Heavenly Court from the land?"

Ye Fan rode on the Dragon Horse. The cauldron above his head dropped ten thousand strands of light, rendering all techniques ineffective against them. He led his companions as if entering an uninhabited land, directly penetrating deep into this mysterious sea region.

"This ancient magic formation is truly vast; we've traveled hundreds of miles and still haven't broken through it," You Weiyu secretly marveled.

"This is too slow! Watch me!" The Dragon Horse grew impatient, feeling that Ye Fan's disciples weren't moving fast enough. Its four hooves shone brightly, and suddenly, flames soared into the sky, creating a fiery path on the azure sea that stretched far into the distance.

The Dragon Horse let out a long neigh, carrying Ye Fan as it charged ahead. It almost sent Xiao Song, who was on its rear, flying off. The little creature, quick-handed and sharp-eyed, grabbed its tail and grumbled discontentedly.

Zhang Qingyang, You Weiyu, Zhan Yifan, and the others found themselves involuntarily pulled by a beam of firelight, traveling along the fiery path as if being dragged through the air.

"This Dragon Horse truly possesses boundless magic power; only Master could subdue it," they said. "This is the legendary Firelight Divine Escape technique from ancient times. When mastered, no techniques can approach, one can travel through the sun and moon, and even ancient magic formations cannot stop it."

Ye Fan's disciples all changed their expressions. It was said that anyone capable of performing this technique must possess bloodline power unrivaled in the mortal world. In ancient times, such beings were terrifying existences who ruled regions and were invincible among their peers.

The Dragon Horse galloped for eight hundred miles. The fiery path pressed upon the water, rendering all ancient Dao marks unable to approach or obstruct them. Even the most potent killing light that occasionally rushed forth was dispelled by the Myriad Manifestation Mother Qi Cauldron.

Finally, surrounded by ethereal immortal qi, a colossal island appeared ahead, standing majestically in the sea. It made the surrounding area glow with vibrant hues and auspicious light.

"We've finally found it," Ye Fan murmured softly. This place should be Penglai Immortal Mountain.

Both the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Records of the Grand Historian mention that these three immortal mountains in the sea—Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou—possess elixirs of immortality. Regardless of whether this is true or false, it is enough to infer their extraordinary nature.

Upon landing on the island, Ye Fan and his companions couldn't help but marvel at its immense size. It was almost comparable to a small continent. Even the usually reserved Long Xiaoque couldn't help but comment that perhaps an eighth continent could be added to the seven.

As they left the coast and ventured hundreds of miles inland, they were even more astounded. Besides discovering some towns, they also saw several ancient cities.

The island had many residents. It was an ancient world, with clothing and customs indistinguishable from those of pre-Qin China.

"The spiritual energy on this island is incredibly abundant, completely unaffected by the Age of Dharma Decline!" They were utterly amazed.

In the desolate mountains and wild plains, on cliffs and precipices, spiritual essence permeated the air, and spiritual medicines could be found. It was as if they were in ancient times, with rare herbs and precious medicines not extinct, being discovered frequently.

Ye Fan inquired among the people, learning that there was only one sacred immortal cultivation sect on the island, sharing the island's name: Penglai.

"Honored immortals, Penglai Immortal Mountain is far from here, but a young Fire Venerable is residing in a sacred city not far away. You might consider visiting him first," a kind woodcutter offered directions.

Ye Fan and his group thanked him. They originally intended to go directly to Penglai Immortal Mountain but did not know the way, so they had to proceed to the sacred city first.

"They certainly have a lot of nerve, calling themselves 'Heavenly Venerables'," the disciples discussed among themselves. "Do they really possess power like Master's?"

The sacred city was magnificent, tall, and grand. Its gates were guarded by cultivators. Seeing Ye Fan arrive on the Dragon Horse, they were immediately startled and reported it inside. This alarmed the so-called Young Heavenly Venerable, who personally ascended the city tower to observe.

"It's him!"

Zhang Qingyang's expression immediately changed. Staring at the young man on the city wall, he remembered that four years prior, this very person had severely wounded him, dismantled a section of the Heavenly Court's buildings, and burned Ye Fan's idol.

"Oh, it's you! I wondered who it was. Have you disbanded the Heavenly Court Sect?" The young man on the city gate tower said with a hint of mockery, "You truly don't deserve that name. You should burn all those Heavenly Emperor idols to ashes as soon as possible."