Chapter 102: Ding Wei

## Chapter 101: Cauldron Might

Ye Fan showed no mercy to Han Feiyu. He didn't know how many times he had slapped him, but his hand felt sore. Finally, he threw Han Feiyu to the ground, stood up, and walked towards the others, at which point screams immediately erupted.

"Ye Fan, stop hitting them! Someone's going to die," Zhang Wenchang said, looking very anxious.

"Don't worry, they're tough."

It was another fifteen minutes before silence finally fell, with everyone having passed out.

Ye Fan glanced at the somber old man in the tavern, then looked towards several other pubs in the distance before finally stopping. He quietly asked, "The old man in the tavern..."

"The people who run taverns here are like me," Zhang Wenchang sighed. "They have no talent, they've wasted half their lives, and they've achieved nothing by old age, but they don't want to leave..."

Ye Fan nodded, then whispered, "Tell me about these people. Let's see if I can help you completely eliminate any future troubles."

"You... no, you don't have to! You really don't!" Zhang Wenchang shook his head repeatedly in alarm.

Looking at his simple, honest old classmate, Ye Fan sighed and gently patted his shoulder. "I won't act recklessly. Tell me everything in detail, or how else can we handle this aftermath?"

After listening carefully, Ye Fan sneered, "So he just has an older sister in the Life Spring realm, and that's why he dares to be so arrogant and bully fellow disciples..."

Zhang Wenchang sighed, "Where there's light, there's darkness; where there's white, there's black. It's the same everywhere. Not everyone can be good, and not everyone can be evil. There's a mix of good and bad, and if you don't like it, you just have to bear it..."

Ye Fan's mind was unsettled. He said, "I'll take care of all of them, and then I'll deal with Chen Feng's sister. Seeing you being bullied by them makes me uneasy."

Zhang Wenchang was touched yet scared by these words. He stopped Ye Fan from speaking further, glanced to his left and behind, and said, "Please, don't stir up trouble. You don't understand cultivation. You were only able to defeat these people because your physique far surpasses ordinary people after eating that holy fruit, but you can't imagine how terrifying cultivators in the Life Spring realm are..."

Ye Fan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't cause trouble here."

Zhang Wenchang's expression suddenly changed several times. "You need to leave now," he urged. "Otherwise, when they wake up and call that woman, the trouble will be immense. Even if Yiyi comes out of seclusion, she won't be able to stop it."

"If I leave like this, won't they take all their anger out on you?"

"It's fine, they wouldn't dare kill me. Killing a fellow disciple without cause means paying with their life. You don't need to worry about me; just get out of here!" Zhang Wenchang anxiously pushed Ye Fan, urging him to flee quickly.

Just then, Ye Fan sensed that Han Feiyu and Chen Feng on the ground had regained consciousness. He immediately said loudly, "Alright, in that case, I'll leave here at once."

After saying this, he stomped heavily on Han Feiyu's and Chen Feng's faces several times. The two on the ground suppressed their excruciating pain and didn't cry out. They pretended to be unconscious, planning to immediately summon someone to ambush him once Ye Fan left.

"Hurry and go," Zhang Wenchang urged, both tense and anxious. "There's a river outside the mountain gate. I remember you're a good swimmer. Once you're out, jump straight into the river and swim, trying to stay hidden underwater. Otherwise, that woman can fly and will find you quickly."

"Okay, I understand," Ye Fan said loudly, then turned and walked away, with Zhang Wenchang following to see him off.

No sooner had the two left than Chen Feng sat up, gritting his teeth. "You think you can just leave... it's not that easy. I'll grind your bones to dust!"

Meanwhile, Han Feiyu also endured the excruciating pain of his broken bones and got up. His eyes filled with murderous intent. "Brother Chen, quickly go and ask your sister to hunt him down! We must capture him. If we don't skin him alive, my hatred will never be appeased!"

After arriving at the mountain gate, Ye Fan turned back to Zhang Wenchang and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Go back quickly."

"You go now! Please take care!" Zhang Wenchang urged, his face filled with anxiety.

"Alright, goodbye!" Ye Fan turned and strode away.

The river in front of the Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven's mountain gate was wide and swift. Ye Fan walked slowly downstream along the river, not fleeing, but waiting for his pursuers.

Now, he was most confident in his speed. Whenever he flew with all his might, his golden Sea of Suffering would surge with towering waves, accompanied by lightning and thunder. His body would be engulfed in golden light and lightning, with gusts of wind and thunder, making his speed incredibly fast.

"Even if I really can't win, I can still escape..."

Only fifteen minutes later, sounds of rushing through the air came from upstream of the river, and several figures, riding rainbows, swiftly approached.

"You want to leave... it's not that easy!" a woman in blue robes lightly scoffed. Her sleeves fluttered and rustled as she landed in front, blocking Ye Fan's path.

Soon after, the other three also flew over, cutting off Ye Fan's escape route and surrounding him. All four were cultivators in the Life Spring realm, two men and two women, appearing to be in their late twenties. Their expressions were hostile; they didn't see Ye Fan as a living person.

Ye Fan stared at the beautiful woman in blue in front of him and asked, "Are you Chen Feng's sister?"

"Yes!" The woman in blue had a grim expression, looking coldly at Ye Fan. "So young, yet already so vicious. If you were to grow up, who knows how many more people would suffer? Today, we'll eliminate you, this menace."

Ye Fan didn't get angry. He said, "That's a joke. I think you know very well who is truly vicious and who is a menace."

The woman in blue looked down on him. "What do you mean? Do you think you're justified in injuring people?"

"Don't you know what kind of person your brother is? Arrogant and overbearing, bullying fellow disciples, and even threatening to cripple me. When he was taught a lesson because his skills weren't good enough, he got you all to ambush me. You truly are a good sister to him; indeed, you were born of the same mother, even your characters are identical."

"You... you're asking for death!" The woman in blue hadn't expected Ye Fan to retort to her like that, and her face turned extremely ugly.

The three others nearby completely disregarded Ye Fan. One man casually remarked, "Chen Yu, you've really made a fuss by inviting all of us. There's no need for such a grand display. Isn't he just an ordinary mortal? What's the difference between him and an ant? Just kill him; why waste words?"

"Just finish it quickly; there's no need to waste time."

"I think I'll head back. Dealing with a mortal like this, I could kill him with just one finger. Why do we need to be here?"

The other two were even more dismissive, already considering Ye Fan dead and not even bothering to look at him properly.

"Don't kill him yet, save him for me..." A shout came from upstream of the river as Chen Feng ran quickly towards them.

Han Feiyu, clutching his chest with blood at the corner of his mouth, also rushed towards them, gritting his teeth and shouting, "Don't let him die painlessly!"

"Do you really think I'm already dead?" Ye Fan looked at the four people in front of him, then towards Chen Feng and Han Feiyu not far away, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Beside him, a man scoffed, "Do you think you can still leave here alive?"

Another woman said with disdain, "You have no idea what's coming. A mortal like you, I could kill with a single spit. Killing you is no different from crushing a bug."

"Next life, don't be so reckless, or you'll die just like today, without even knowing how," another man quipped.

Chen Yu's blue robes fluttered, and the murderous intent on her face gradually receded. She said, "Killing him would indeed dirty my hands. Let the Han boy kill him; that way, people in the sect won't gossip."

Watching Chen Feng and Han Feiyu about to arrive, Ye Fan shook his head and smiled, then sighed, "They're really rushing to their deaths."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Fan suddenly attacked, lunging directly at a man three meters away and swinging his palm with full force.

A mortal launching a surprise attack caught the others off guard. Ye Fan's speed was incredible, like a flash of lightning. He instantly appeared before the man, slapping him so hard that he was sent flying, the sound causing a ringing in everyone's ears.

"Thwack!"

The power of that slap was unimaginable!

The man's head instantly split open, his eyes filled with fear and disbelief. Until his death, he couldn't comprehend why a mere mortal could be so terrifying; he had been struck dead.

During this process, another woman also let out a shriek. The golden book Ye Fan summoned, like a sun enveloped in golden divine fire, shot past and sliced off her head. Blood gushed out, and her lifeless body fell to the ground.

This happened in an instant. Ye Fan had eliminated two Life Spring realm cultivators. Chen Yu and the remaining man quickly retreated, each summoning their weapons to guard themselves.

"This is..." Both felt a chill run down their spines. They had never imagined that this seemingly delicate young man before them could be so terrifying, killing two of their companions with a mere lift of his hand.

"What you said also applies to yourselves," Ye Fan shook his head. "You won't even know how you died..."

Chen Yu and the man's faces turned ashen. Without a word, they launched into the air, intending to flee.

Not far away, Chen Feng and Han Feiyu were utterly stunned, unable to believe their eyes. Two cultivators in the Life Spring realm had died instantly, striking terror into their hearts.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Ye Fan's golden book merged back into his body, and a small golden cauldron instantly flew out, chasing after the man like a golden bolt of lightning.

"Clang! Clang!"

Two metallic trembles rang out as the man's two spiritual treasures were shattered. The small golden cauldron pierced through his head and passed right through, sending his lifeless body plummeting to the ground.

The small golden cauldron did not stop. It quickly caught up to Chen Yu, radiating brilliant golden light, invincible in its might. It successively pulverized Chen Yu's three treasures into dust.

"No!" Chen Yu shrieked in terror, unleashing her divine ability. A dazzling flame burst from her palm and fingers, rushing towards the small golden cauldron. At the same time, she gestured repeatedly in the air, and several bolts of lightning struck down, creating a spectacular display in the sky.

However, none of this could stop the small cauldron. Its golden light blazed fiercely, dazzling and invulnerable. It instantly pierced through Chen Yu's forehead, leaving a thumb-sized blood-hole, and her lifeless body fell to the ground.

The small cauldron glowed brilliantly as it flew back, stunningly radiant and seemingly infused with natural dao charm.

"I look forward to the moment when one artifact can break all techniques!"

With a flash of light, the small cauldron merged into Ye Fan's body and vanished.

"My golden Sea of Suffering is unique; the divine power it contains is many times that of an ordinary person. It didn't disappoint me..." Ye Fan had no strong feelings about this battle. From the moment he saw the four individuals, he knew he could eliminate them.

Not far away, Chen Feng and Han Feiyu turned pale, trembled, and wobbled as they ran, utterly terrified.

"Since you're already here, don't bother going back." Ye Fan reached them in a few strides, extended his hand, and pressed forward. Chen Feng died instantly, falling heavily into the dust.

Han Feiyu shrieked in terror, "Don't kill me... I am..."

"It doesn't matter who you are. Your grand-uncle has already been dealt with by me."

"What? You..." Han Feiyu's face turned ashen, and he cried out in despair, "No!"

"Elder Han is waiting for you down below!" Ye Fan was swift and decisive, pointing a finger that instantly killed Han Feiyu.

After clearing the scene, Ye Fan had just stood up when sounds of rushing through the air came from the horizon. An old man with a youthful complexion and an ethereal demeanor, accompanied by Zhang Wenchang, flew over and rapidly descended.

"Thank goodness you're safe," Zhang Wenchang said excitedly, running quickly towards him. "I've invited Elder Ma Yun; he'll see you off."

Ye Fan was touched. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm very resilient."

"You..." Just then, Elder Ma Yun's expression suddenly changed. He smelled blood and stared at Ye Fan. "You killed all of them?!"

"They tried to kill me. I had no choice but to retaliate," Ye Fan calmly replied.

This old man was not a stranger to Ye Fan; three years ago, he had brought Liu Yiyi and Zhang Wenchang back to the Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven, and he was also the first to discern Ye Fan's Desolate Ancient Sacred Body.

"You..." Although Elder Ma Yun possessed an ethereal demeanor and seemed detached from worldly affairs, at this moment, a murderous intent showed in his eyes.

"Elder Ma Yun, I have always respected you. From our first meeting, I felt you were a benevolent elder. I hope you won't disappoint me; I believe you understand the truth of right and wrong." At this point, Ye Fan slowly ascended into mid-air, golden divine fire blazing around him like an incarnate deity. He continued, "With my speed, you cannot stop me."

"You... you can actually cultivate?!" Elder Ma Yun's face was filled with shock. He murmured to himself, "You have the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, which should make cultivation impossible... yet now you've reached the Life Spring realm. Could the holy fruit from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land have such a miraculous effect? This cultivation speed... it's too terrifying."

"Just by chance."

"Are you willing to join my Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven?" Elder Ma Yun's face was filled with hope.

"I appreciate your kind offer, but I'm accustomed to a free and unrestrained life. It's truly not suitable for me to join any sect."

Ma Yun's expression showed deep regret as he sighed, "We were blind that day, turning you away..."

"Elder Ma, how do you intend to handle today's events?" Ye Fan calmly asked.

Below, Zhang Wenchang was completely stunned, gazing blankly at Ye Fan, who was enveloped in brilliant golden light. He found it hard to believe.

"I know the character of those few," Elder Ma Yun mused for a long moment before saying, "You... may leave."

"Thank you, Senior," Ye Fan continued. "I would like to take Wenchang with me."

"Are you worried about him?" Elder Ma Yun shook his head. "It was I who brought Wenchang and Yiyi back to the sect in the first place, and I haven't taken enough care of them. Today, I will accept Wenchang as my disciple. From now on, no one will dare to humiliate him again."

"Then I am relieved. Thank you, Elder Ma."

Below, Zhang Wenchang felt as if he were dreaming, finding everything unreal.

"Please, Senior, do not speak of my affairs."

Ma Yun nodded. "I understand."

Ye Fan descended to the ground and approached Zhang Wenchang. "Goodbye for now. I'll come to see you again in the future."

Long after Ye Fan had left, Zhang Wenchang still silently gazed in the direction he had departed.

"Though you are a bit dull, you have a kind heart. Being honest is a blessing..." Elder Ma Yun walked over, patted his shoulder, then looked in the direction Ye Fan had left, lost in thought.

Two days later, Ye Fan heard that the Desolate Ancient Aristocratic Family Jiang and the Yaoguang Holy Land had joined forces and were about to enter the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land. Upon receiving this news, he quickly rushed there.

This terrifying forbidden zone of life was located in the central region of Yan Country. It could be approached from all directions, but since the Jiang family and Yaoguang Holy Land had determined a route, almost all cultivators who heard the news chose that direction.

Several days had passed, and the powerhouses from the Jiang family and Yaoguang Holy Land were staying in a small town outside the great mountain, still showing no intention of moving. Other cultivators could only linger outside the mountain.

Ye Fan had initially intended to venture deep alone, but after learning some details, he broke out in a cold sweat and decided to follow behind the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family.

"Let them face the danger first, I'll fish in troubled waters from behind." The allure of sacred medicine was too great for him; no matter how dangerous, he had to acquire it. His greatest advantage was having consumed a holy fruit, which allowed him to resist the curses within the forbidden land.

In the outer regions of the great mountain, many unfamiliar faces could be seen daily as cultivators from the Eastern Wasteland continuously arrived, and their numbers grew.

For the past few days, Ye Fan had been wandering nearby, gathering a lot of valuable information.

In the past, a certain Immortal Sect Holy Land attacked the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, but was utterly annihilated. Since then, the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land became even more terrifying, having a profound impact on cultivators. It could suppress all divine abilities and power, even reducing powerful figures to mortals.

"For me, this might be an opportunity!" Ye Fan showed no fear; instead, a divine light shone in his eyes.

Another half a month passed, and the Jiang family and Yaoguang Holy Land still hadn't moved, seemingly waiting for something.

On this very day, Ye Fan unexpectedly saw Zhou Yi, Wang Ziwen, Lin Jia, and Li Xiaoman in the distance. They were being protected by many powerhouses from the Jiang family and Yaoguang Holy Land as they entered the small town.

Ye Fan frowned. He knew that these two families must have learned that these individuals had previously entered and exited the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land. They likely wanted to learn more from them and might even ask them to accompany them.

"Dead, dead, everyone's dead..." A white-haired old madman cried and laughed outside the great mountain, repeatedly muttering some words.

Ye Fan walked closer and asked him, "Old man, what are you saying?"

"Dead, dead, everyone's dead. As long as you enter the forbidden land, no one can survive..." He cried and laughed, raving madly, "I've already seen scenes of rivers of blood and mountains of corpses..."

"You..." Ye Fan stared at him, uncertain and bewildered.

"Turn back quickly, or you'll die too..." The old madman continued to cry and laugh, "Endless dry bones, mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It... it's here again..."

Ye Fan listened, completely baffled and perplexed.

At that moment, an old woman silently appeared not far away, staring blankly at the old madman and murmuring to herself, "Could it be him? Six thousand years ago, weren't all the powerful cultivators from that incredibly prosperous Immortal Sect Holy Land already annihilated in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land? How am I seeing him again..."

Upon hearing these words, Ye Fan suddenly felt a headache coming on.

"Endless dry bones, mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It... it's here again..." The white-haired old madman alternated between crying and laughing, wandering around the outer regions of the great mountain.