Chapter 103: Prediction Comes True

The white-haired old madman wailed and ran around the mountains. His clothes were tattered and looked very ancient, entirely unlike the attire of this era.

Not far away, Ye Fan's face was filled with disbelief. Could this really be someone from six thousand years ago? It was too astonishing, and a tidal wave of shock surged in his heart.

Ye Fan had lived in the Spirit Ruin Cave for a period and had some understanding of the sect. The oldest Grand Elder there was only a few hundred years old, considered a rare and highly respected figure.

If this old madman in front of him was indeed a figure from six thousand years ago, it was truly staggering! What kind of concept was such an ancient age? He would have transcended long historical periods, enduring through numerous eras, both bright and dark. He would be a living history book, utterly unimaginable.

On the other side, the old woman was equally shocking. To be able to recognize the old madman, she was likely from the same period. She looked no different from an ordinary village elder, yet her age was bewildering and dizzying—a sensation that was both astonishing and strange.

Ye Fan was lost in thought when he suddenly froze. The old woman had vanished silently, without a single movement, simply disappearing into thin air as if she had never been there.

"Dead... they're all dead..." the old madman muttered as he slowly walked away.

Just then, many people rushed towards the small town outside the mountains, all vying for position. Ye Fan, unsure what was happening, followed them, wanting to find out.

"The Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family are finally entering the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone!"

From the murmurs of the crowd, Ye Fan learned that the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family were about to enter the mountains. They were currently recruiting people, offering spirit medicine to resist curses to those who joined them.

A large number of cultivators gathered outside the town, all waiting for the two major powers to distribute the spirit medicine. After a full half hour, a rumbling sound, like thousands of horses galloping, came from within the town.

Hundreds of knights, radiating immense killing intent and high morale, galloped out from the town astride various mystical savage beasts. All the exotic beasts shimmered with divine light, their scales formidable. They moved three feet above the ground, surging through the air like a tsunami.

A formidable pressure shook the surroundings. The hundreds of knights were covered in divine iron armor, with only their eyes visible. They gradually ascended into the sky on their savage beasts, rising higher and higher above the ground. The sky and earth trembled as an aura of desolation enveloped the entire town and its surrounding area.

"Boom!"Behind the hundreds of powerful knights, fifty bronze chariots appeared. Stained with dark blood and riddled with sword and blade marks, they spoke of past glories, exuding an ancient and desolate aura.

The fifty ancient bronze chariots thundered through the sky, producing a deafening sound, vast as a tsunami. The cultivators on the chariots emanated an even more terrifying aura than the knights. The very sky seemed on the verge of being crushed as the wheels rolled and the ancient chariots ascended high into the heavens.

Following the ancient chariots, dozens of divine rainbows shot into the sky. These individuals, clearly of higher cultivation, were guarding two special palanquins.

Phoenix cries resounded across the sky as nine exotic birds, with brilliantly colored feathers, shimmered with divine radiance. Their bodies, vibrant and multi-hued, each stretched over ten meters long, resembling the legendary phoenix, as they pulled a five-colored divine chariot into the heavens.

"Those nine exotic birds definitely have phoenix divine blood flowing within them; they are descendants of divine birds.""That's the Yaoguang Holy Land's Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot, it's said. Only elders of extraordinary strength can ride in such a chariot.""An elder like that could probably destroy all six blessed lands in the Yan Kingdom alone..."

The numerous cultivators outside the town were all discussing animatedly, their faces showing surprise at such a formidable lineup.

Suddenly, the roar of a savage beast shook the heavens, making ears buzz and souls tremble. Nine exotic beasts, resembling golden Divine Gou, pulled a jade palanquin shimmering with divine aura. They soared through the clouds and mists, emitting bursts of thunderous sound as they ascended from the town into the sky.

"This is the Jiang family's Divine Gou Palanquin. Only direct descendants of the Jiang family with great power can ride it. It must be an elder-level figure!"

Everyone couldn't help but marvel. The Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family had clearly invested heavily, determined to obtain the sacred medicine deep within the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone.

Just then, an elder, riding a rainbow, appeared in the sky above the town, looking down at the crowd. He announced, "Our spirit medicine is limited and cannot be distributed freely. If you wish to receive it, you must follow our instructions when the time comes."

Immediately, a commotion arose below. These conditions were somewhat harsh, and many, fearing they would be used as cannon fodder, withdrew immediately.

"That's too much! I definitely won't take it. I might not even know how I die.""Let them use it themselves. Such spirit medicine is too hot to handle; I wouldn't dare take it."

Some cultivators remained, planning to seize the opportunity, take the spirit medicine, and then leave without following orders.

The elder in the sky continued to project his voice, the sound waves vibrating through the air: "We will not treat anyone as cannon fodder. You only need to advance and retreat with us..."

Many disbelieved and raised questions, but the elder above patiently explained. In the end, a fair number of people stayed, but the vast majority chose to observe without participating.

Half an hour later, the forces of the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family began their advance deep into the mountains. Many cultivators followed behind, not seeking the sacred medicine itself, but merely hoping to gather some spirit herbs. In reality, few wished to enter the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone; most only intended to search the outer regions, as no one would risk their life solely for spirit medicine.

Although the Yaoguang Holy Land and Jiang family forces displayed great pomp in the town, upon entering the deep mountains, everyone restrained their powerful aura, becoming as low-profile as possible. Their previous display had merely been to intimidate other cultivators.

"There are many powerful exotic beasts around the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, which even the strong cultivators from the Holy Lands might not be able to defeat. We need to divide into seven groups, entering the forbidden zone from different routes..."

No one expected the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family to make such a decision deep in the mountains. The cultivators behind looked at each other, unsure which group to follow.

A quick-witted cultivator chuckled, "Do we even need to think about this? The Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot and that other palanquin are flying that way, so we'll follow them."

However, everyone with this plan was disappointed. In the blink of an eye, the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot and the other palanquin, shimmering with divine radiance, vanished without a trace.

"The Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone is mysterious and unpredictable. Any powerful cultivator who enters might be reduced to a mortal. The two elders will not go deep inside; they will meet us at the periphery and help us clear any threatening exotic beasts."

Upon hearing this explanation, everyone was disappointed.

"Entering the forbidden zone means certain death. Let's just watch from afar; there's no need to get involved in this excitement."

At that moment, many cultivators reconsidered, stopping and refusing to proceed further. The vast expeditionary forces of the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family quickly split into seven groups, flying towards the distant sky from different directions.

Ye Fan observed and decided to follow the central group. He didn't fly in the sky but moved through the forest on the ground. Although many had retreated, a large number of cultivators still followed. Ye Fan walked slowly, waiting until everyone had gone ahead before he proceeded.

"Boundless bones, mountains of corpses and seas of blood... It... is here again..." Just then, the white-haired old madman suddenly appeared not far from Ye Fan, having surprisingly followed them.

"Elder, can your words be trusted?"

"Everyone will die..." he muttered absentmindedly.

Why did the old madman always say such things? It was indeed unsettling, but remembering his deranged state, Ye Fan relaxed. He couldn't retreat because of a few words; he had to obtain the sacred medicine, as it was crucial for his future.

Ye Fan continued his journey, leaving the old madman far behind.

Most of the cultivators ahead were flying, so their speed was rapid. An hour later, they arrived in a mountain range over two hundred *li* from the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone. In this primitive region, savage beasts became much more numerous, but with so many cultivators present, the exotic beasts chose to retreat, keeping a wide distance.

"This journey has been smooth. The Yaoguang Holy Land and Jiang family forces are probably less than a hundred *li* from the forbidden zone now, with no danger whatsoever.""Perhaps they really can collect the sacred medicine. Should we also go check the edge of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone?"

Many cultivators ahead were discussing this. Having encountered no danger along the way, they inevitably felt a little relaxed.

"Roar..."Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed from deep within the primitive mountain range. From the distant front, cries of terror erupted, and many cultivators quickly fled back.

"Hurry! This group from the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family is completely wiped out!"

Many cultivators, riding rainbows, fled back, their faces filled with terror. They didn't want to stop for a second, fleeing towards the outside of the mountains.

"What happened?" the cultivators behind asked, puzzled.

"A powerful exotic beast appeared ahead. It swallowed most of the knights from the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family in one gulp. With one claw, it smashed seven or eight ancient bronze chariots into dust. It roared nine times, shaking everyone within a one-*li* radius to death."

"That's terrifying!""Not a single person from the central team of the Jiang family and Yaoguang Holy Land escaped; they all died!"

Hearing this from the escapees, everyone's blood ran cold. What kind of savage beast was this? It was utterly terrifying; it had wiped out everyone.

Ye Fan felt something was very wrong. According to common understanding, while there were many powerful exotic beasts outside the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, they usually didn't specifically target cultivators. It shouldn't be this brutal.

Suddenly, terrifying energy fluctuations emanated from the distant mountain range. Soon after, the screams of numerous cultivators were heard, and a large number of them fled in panic.

"What happened?""A peerless exotic beast appeared and tore everyone at the very front to shreds. No one from the Yaoguang Holy Land and Jiang family escaped alive; they all died."

The cultivators behind were all horrified upon hearing this. Another team had been annihilated, which was completely beyond everyone's expectations.

Ye Fan grew increasingly uneasy. Two teams had already been wiped out before even truly entering the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone. This was not a good omen, and he couldn't help but think of the old madman.

Suddenly, phoenix cries pierced the sky. Nine exotic birds, their feathers incredibly vibrant and luminous, like blazing divine flames, pulled a five-colored divine chariot as it tore through the vast sky.

"The elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land has finally made a move! There's no need to flee now; he will surely eliminate the fierce beasts ahead." Everyone thought so.

However, in an instant, everyone's expressions changed because the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot was actually fleeing!

"Heavens, that's the legendary roc!"

In the sky, a colossal bird, its wingspan hundreds of meters wide, blotted out the sun. Its entire body shimmered with dazzling divine light, like it was cast from gold, gleaming golden and resembling a golden cloud. It charged rapidly, pursuing the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot.

Seeing this, Ye Fan didn't hesitate; he immediately fled back. The depths of the mountain range were absolutely abnormal. All sorts of powerful exotic beasts had appeared, and even an elder from the Yaoguang Holy Land could only flee for his life. It was too anomalous!

"Are the old madman's words coming true?" A chill ran down Ye Fan's spine. He rode a rainbow through the forest, not rising into the sky, fearing discovery by the terrifying exotic beasts.

"Ah..."Suddenly, screams of terror came from ahead, and a large number of cultivators surged back into the deep mountains like a tide.

"Savage beasts are blocking the path ahead, quickly flee!""It's too horrible! Hundreds of people were crushed into blood mist in the blink of an eye..."

Ye Fan suddenly felt a headache. Even the escape route was cut off by exotic beasts. This was truly bad news. His only consolation was that he hadn't rushed into the sky earlier, otherwise, he would likely be in danger too.

The primitive mountain range plunged into chaos. Terrifying savage beasts blocked both the front and rear, and many cultivators began flying sideways, attempting to break through.

Suddenly, mournful cries echoed. The Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot was intercepted for the seventh time. The colossal roc, incredibly sharp and radiating golden light that filled the sky, had already torn two phoenix-like exotic birds to shreds.

An enraged roar was heard. An elder burst out from within the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot. A blood-red seal flew from his body, rapidly enlarging to the size of a mountain in the blink of an eye, and pressed down towards the roc.

Dazzling golden light shot skyward as the roc's body erupted with blinding brilliance. Its golden wings slashed down, producing a mighty "clang" in the sky, instantly cleaving the blood-red seal away.

Simultaneously, a golden vortex appeared before the roc, like a colossal ocean eye, rapidly engulfing the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Chariot and the elder.

Mournful cries resounded as the phoenix-like exotic beasts were all swallowed by the golden vortex. It was clearly visible that the multi-colored exotic birds shattered, turning into vast clouds of blood mist and vanishing completely, while the five-colored divine chariot, wreathed in radiant light, also turned to dust on the spot.

The elder's hair and beard bristled. Countless beams of light, all sorts of spiritual treasures, surged from his body, striking towards the golden-winged roc.

But the roc was too powerful. All its tens of thousands of golden feathers radiated divine light, shooting out golden beams like sharp swords. All the spiritual treasures filling the sky were blocked, and many were even shattered.

"Annihilate!""Destroy!""Kill!"These three words, like celestial thunder, shook the entire primitive mountain range. The three words roared by the elder seemed to possess a strange magical power, causing even the roc to tremble.

A vertical eye suddenly opened on his forehead, emitting three purple rays. Combined with the three celestial syllables he roared, these rays instantly pierced three bloody holes in the roc's golden body.

Bird cries tore through the sky as the golden roc soared, shedding golden blood. But in an instant, its wounds healed, and it rapidly swooped back down.

The elder's body rapidly expanded. In an instant, he became a towering giant, taller than a mountain, reaching out with a massive hand to grab the roc, intending to tear it apart.

The blood-red seal that had been blasted away earlier also flew back, pressing down. At the same time, his vertical eye suddenly transformed into a colossal purple sword, slashing down vertically.

The elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land displayed various great divine abilities, intending to suppress the roc. However, at that moment, he fell into complete despair. The golden-winged roc transformed into a golden sun, burning fiercely, its brilliant golden light inundating the heavens and earth.

The colossal purple sword silently shattered, and the blood-red seal rapidly disintegrated. The elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land instantly vaporized into a bloody mist, ultimately turning to dust and vanishing completely from the world.

In the primitive mountain range, the numerous cultivators were struck with dread. The elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land had been utterly annihilated, which was truly unexpected and shocking.

"Even a dignified elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land turned into ashes. This roc is too terrifying..." Ye Fan murmured to himself.

"Rocs are like immortals, not of this mortal realm. It is its descendant..."

Hearing this, Ye Fan quickly turned around and found that it was the old madman, who had appeared nearby without him noticing.

"Ah..."Screams rose and fell intermittently. Those who had fled sideways earlier had all retreated, as terrifying exotic beasts appeared in every direction. It was unknown how many cultivators had been slain.

"The Jiang family's Divine Gou Chariot..." someone shrieked.

In the sky, nine exotic beasts, entirely covered in golden scales and wreathed in brilliant divine radiance, pulled a palanquin. The jade palanquin glittered translucently, emitting countless auspicious rays, truly extraordinary.

"The Jiang family's elder is also fleeing!""What exactly is happening? Why is this happening?"

Everyone was stunned. The nine golden Divine Gou beasts fled like dogs whose homes had been destroyed, dragging the palanquin through the sky with a thunderous roar. A blood-soaked elder stood on the jade palanquin, desperately resisting the pursuit of the savage beast behind them.

But it was all in vain. A giant beast claw, like a small mountain, struck down, instantly smashing the palanquin, crushing the nine golden Divine Gou beasts into blood mist, and tearing the elder apart!

This shocking scene made everyone gasp in cold air. It was utterly insane; even an elder from an ancient aristocratic family couldn't withstand a single blow from that savage beast. What an incredibly powerful exotic beast this was?!

A deafening roar made souls tremble. Black mist surged as the terrifying savage beast revealed its true form, monstrously hideous. It stood high in the distant sky, its gruesome, blood-chilling aura making everyone feel cold.

It was as colossal as a mountain, radiating an immensely terrifying oppressive aura. Numerous black mists swirled around its massive, indistinct body. Its form resembled a Qilin, yet it possessed nine enormous snake heads, making it appear exceptionally ferocious.

Simultaneously, from all directions, more than a dozen peerless exotic beasts appeared one after another. Each was different and terrifying beyond measure. Some exhaled demonic clouds, blotting out the sky and sun, their forms as vast as mountains. Others shimmered with brilliant divine radiance, dazzling and outshining the blazing sun in the sky, all extraordinarily mystical.

They were surrounded from all directions. All seven groups of the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang family forces were annihilated!

The large number of cultivators who had followed, hoping to profit from the chaos, were all encircled. Not a single one escaped.

Ye Fan's heart turned cold then. The old madman's prophecy seemed to be coming true!

The oppressive stillness exploded an instant later. Countless sinister lights descended from the sky, and terrifying fluctuations made the mountains tremble. All the exotic beasts launched their attacks, joining forces to slaughter the numerous cultivators.

Immediately, screams tore through the forest. Lives were continuously extinguished, blood stained the ground red, and countless corpses lay fallen.

The dozen terrifying savage beasts, each capable of killing an elder from the Yaoguang Holy Land or the Jiang family, now found it effortless to slaughter the remaining cultivators.

In just a few moments, the forest became a world of blood, a veritable slaughterhouse. The screams grew fewer and farther between, and the entire forest was stained red with blood mist.

Seeing that the old madman was still nearby and hadn't left, Ye Fan quickly rushed over, grabbing his arm and exclaiming, "You truly are a living ancestor!"

He didn't know if he would survive, so he held onto the old madman tightly, refusing to let go. Perhaps only this old man could lead him out of this place alive.

The old madman's prophecy had come true!