Chapter 1049: Deceptive Maneuver

Chapter 1050: Striking East to Attack West

In the dead of night, the starlight was cold and clear, and the silver moon slanted westward. All was silent, with thin mist lingering on the mountain peaks, creating a tranquil and ethereal scene.

Ye Fan and the Holy Prince both sat cross-legged on the bluestones, their expressions serene, free from joy or worry. Even as a large army approached from dozens of miles away, they showed no reaction whatsoever. This was to wear down the morale of the Heavenly Sovereign's Son. No matter how much their enemies clamored, the two remained as steady as rocks, unmoved. They were calm as maidens, but when they moved, they would be like divine lions tearing apart elephants, with countless streaks of blood light, awaiting a thunderous strike!

"After so many years, what cultivation realm has the Heavenly Sovereign's Son reached?" Ye Fan asked. It was natural to understand their opponent thoroughly before the war began.

The Holy Prince had been in seclusion and hadn't expected Ye Fan to suddenly launch an offensive, traveling day and night to the Southern Domain to coordinate with his thunderous strike. Hearing the question, he replied, "He is in the same realm as you, standing at the sixth minor stage of the Dao-Slaying realm."

Ye Fan's eyes flickered. This Heavenly Sovereign's Son was indeed formidable, progressing remarkably fast. Despite Ye Fan's arduous cultivation over all these years, he hadn't been able to pull ahead by even a single step.

Seeing his expression, the Holy Prince said, "You have every reason to be proud. He embarked on Dao-Slaying before you; it should be said that you've caught up to him. If he knew, he would surely be indignant."

Dao-Slaying is a difficult process. Otherwise, the successors of divine dynasties and sacred lands like Guhua, Jiuli, Dao Yi, and Zifu wouldn't have fallen one after another. Few of the former Holy Sons and Holy Maidens remain now; most have long since been replaced by younger generations, turning into a handful of dust.

When Ye Fan returned to the other side of the starry sky, he spent three years accumulating power before finally achieving Dao-Slaying, directly ascending to the third minor stage. However, every step forward since then has been fraught with hardship. Initially, he could advance one minor stage per year. But later, it took him a full eight years to successfully advance further, moving from the fifth to the sixth minor stage.

"How strong is his actual combat power?" Ye Fan asked, this being the question he was most concerned about.

"Extremely powerful, immeasurable," the Holy Prince said solemnly. "Otherwise, I would have long since slain this great enemy; how could I have allowed him to live until now?"

The occasional assistance from Huang Xudao and Fire Qilin Son was one reason, but the main reason was that the Heavenly Sovereign's Son himself was strong enough, far surpassing ordinary people, with a bloodline power unparalleled throughout history.

The Holy Prince's fur shone brilliantly under the moonlight, as if forged from gold. His expression was solemn as he revealed a secret astounding enough to shock the world.

"He has a major battle almost every month, a life-and-death duel with an incredible existence. Do you know who it is?"

Ye Fan was puzzled. He looked at the solemn-faced Holy Prince, questioned him, and listened intently.

"He has at least ten opportunities a year to battle against the Undying Heavenly Sovereign in his youth!" The Holy Prince's words were low.

"What?!" Ye Fan's eyes widened dramatically, emitting two lightning-like beams of light, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

This news was astounding. Battling against the Undying Heavenly Sovereign in his youth—this was like a dream! That was a being considered to have surpassed gods, revered by all races.

"How is this possible?"

"The Undying Heavenly Sovereign was very strict with his only son, leaving behind many contingency plans to temper him."

Legend has it that the Undying Heavenly Sovereign's power reached the pinnacle of creation. He left behind an indestructible imprint of his youth that only his bloodline could activate, allowing the imprint to revive and engage in duels.

Ye Fan frowned upon hearing this. What a terrifying teaching method this was, beyond the reach of ordinary people! To battle against the legendary supreme being of all races was something any Dao Prover yearned for.

"He has suffered quite a bit over the years," the Holy Prince teased, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Ye Fan nodded and said, "That's true. The Undying Heavenly Sovereign is very likely the strongest being throughout history. Even inheriting his bloodline and heavenly techniques might not make one comparable."

"I really hope the Undying Heavenly Sovereign in his youth could cripple that kid," the Holy Prince said with a laugh, "but I suppose a father wouldn't do that."

Ye Fan rolled his eyes. Expecting a father to cripple his own son was unrealistic.

The mist in the mountains formed into bands, wrapping around the peaks and spreading through the forest, blending with the moonlight. Enveloped in a silvery-white shroud, the two seriously exchanged thoughts, analyzing their powerful opponent.

"Before the Heavenly Sovereign's Son was born, he was inside a stone immortal embryo, situated atop a Source of Creation Eye. This alone could make his life essence hundreds or even thousands of times stronger than others!"

Ye Fan had entered the Purple Mountain and observed that terrain; he was still deeply moved by the memory. Several generations of Source Heaven Masters couldn't find a single Source of Creation Eye, for it was a true immortal eye capable of defying and seizing the creation of heaven and earth.

The Undying Heavenly Sovereign left the best environment, making his bloodline power unparalleled in the world and cultivating him step by step. This Heavenly Sovereign's Son couldn't help but be powerful; it was truly unknown what other heaven-defying contingency plans existed.

"Hmm, their morale isn't that strong anymore, is it?" The Holy Prince chuckled.

It was now the darkness before dawn. Soon, the stars filling the sky would fade; this night was almost over.

"They came with great fanfare, their momentum overwhelming. Let time wear down their formidable aura, then strike them when their power wanes," Ye Fan also smiled.

Suddenly, a golden edge appeared on the main peak. A portal appeared and opened, and the Big Black Dog strolled out, followed by the Dragon Horse and the unscrupulous Daoist Duan De.

Upon seeing this trio, Ye Fan felt something strange. These truly weren't good people; three scoundrels gathered together. Especially seeing Duan De's lewd smile, it always made one feel uneasy.

Behind them, Ye Tong, Dongfang Ye, and a few others also emerged, each of them rubbing their hands together, seemingly extremely excited.

Ye Fan made a gesture with his hand, and Source Heaven patterns filled the sky, forming dense Dao marks that sealed the mountain. This concealed their aura, preventing anyone from dozens of miles away from deducing anything, as the distance was too close.

"Looking at your devious smile, you must be up to no good," Ye Fan said, staring at the Big Black Dog.

"Damn it, this Emperor will spit immortal jade liquid on your face!" The Big Black Dog cursed, immediately pulling a long, displeased face.

"It was this poor Daoist's idea," Duan De chuckled, "a sudden flash of inspiration to pull off something big."

His face was flushed with health, his hair jet black. He wore a purple-gold king's Daoist crown adorned with a true dragon wooden hairpin, and was dressed in a sun-and-moon Daoist robe with a diagram of yin-repelling power on his back. Every item on him was a rare treasure. Yet, setting aside these external items, the person himself, no matter how you looked, didn't seem like a good person; he made one want to punch him.

"You charlatan, what crooked ideas are you cooking up?" Ye Fan vigilantly stared at Fatty Duan. This guy was not good news.

"The Heavenly Sovereign's Son came with great fanfare, so his old lair in the Northern Domain must be empty. Let's go raid his nest," Duan De said with a lewd smile.

"You are truly something else!" The Holy Prince burst out laughing. Although he said that, he was clearly delighted and appreciative.

"This is a really good idea! This Lord Dragon already expressed agreement just now; if we're going to do something, let's do something big!" The Dragon Horse wagged its head and tail, exhaling white mist, looking overly excited.

"You three..." Ye Fan rolled his eyes. He knew it; these three rascals together always meant trouble.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; miss this chance, and it's gone," the Black Emperor said proudly, clearly displeased with Ye Fan's attitude.

Ye Fan's expression turned serious, and he said, "Not to mention whether we can find the Heavenly Sovereign's Son's lair, even if we find it, can we truly raid it? Most likely, ancient Ancestral Kings are guarding it."

"I know where the Undying Heavenly Sovereign's Palace is," the Holy Prince said. He also confirmed that there were indeed ancient Ancestral Kings guarding that area, but those individuals were some distance from the ancient Daoist ground.

"Exactly how far apart are they? This Emperor came here precisely to ask you; this is the question I'm most concerned about." The Black Emperor's bell-like eyes gleamed, clearly not joking.

"No outsiders are allowed into the Undying Heavenly Sovereign's Palace, except for the Son of God and his servants. Several ancient Ancestral Kings are in seclusion on the main peaks somewhat further away in that region..."

The Holy Prince explained in detail, even drawing out some topographic maps on the ground to precisely estimate the distances.

"No problem! I can set up the world's number one Heaven-Deceiving Secret Formation," the Black Emperor declared confidently. "This was what the Great Emperor Wushi used to deceive the heavens back then. Deceiving a few Ancestral Kings from such a distance will absolutely be no problem; we can pull off something big!"

"Haha... let's go raid the Heavenly Sovereign's Son's lair and let him kick around in the Southern Domain first!" Dongfang Ye, Li Heishui, and the others were all greatly invigorated and extremely excited.

The Heavenly Sovereign's Son had led the Eight Divisions of Divine Generals south, coming with great fanfare and attracting worldwide attention. He had even invited Huang Xudao, Fire Qilin Son, and Fire Lin'er, and had a half-saint holding down the fort. If they were to raid his rear at this moment, it would absolutely make him so furious that he'd vomit blood.

In the end, Ye Fan and the Holy Prince also nodded in agreement. If the Northern Domain became unstable, the Heavenly Sovereign's Son would surely be infuriated and flustered, and they could ambush him halfway when he returned to rescue it!

"At that time, the Ancient Prince Alliance, the Eight Divisions of Divine Generals' army, and others would all fall into chaos, disintegrate, and we could strike at their vital point!" Ye Fan said.

The Holy Prince narrowed his eyes, divine light flickering with each blink, and said, "The act must be complete. For now, we must first tie them down in the Southern Domain. We should also stretch our limbs and accompany them for a few rounds. Then, we will go to the Northern Domain to collect the spoils of war. I heard the Undying Heavenly Sovereign left behind several astounding immortal treasures."

The three rascals—Duan De, the Black Emperor, and the Dragon Horse—took the lead, activating a domain gate and heading straight for the Northern Domain. Ye Tong, Dongfang Ye, Li Tian, Li Heishui, and others howled and yelled strangely, their faces filled with excitement as they chased after them.

In the early morning, outside Qingxia City, the ancient races stood with cold expressions, each one motionless like an ancient divine statue. Their army had marched south, but they found nothing; no one came to meet their challenge, leaving them with a sense of powerlessness, like punching air, their fury unable to be vented.

"Weren't you going to challenge the Heavenly Sovereign's Son? His true body is here, so why don't you dare to fight, you useless things? We'll kill as many as come!"

"From now on, wherever the Heavenly Sovereign's Son goes, you'd best tuck your tail between your legs and hide forever! Otherwise, you'll die without a burial place!"

"You're just clowns! How dare you mere nobodies contend with the Heavenly Sovereign's Son? You're nothing but useless ants, never fit to be the Son of God's opponents!"

Many descendants of the Eight Divisions of Divine Generals were shouting, their voices resonating and causing the distant mountains to rumble and shake.

"Who can contend with the Heavenly Sovereign's Son once he emerges? From today onwards, such beings can only prostrate themselves, utterly unworthy to be the Son of God's opponents."

"Do you dare to come out now? If you appear, I'll crush you to dust with a single toe! What are you worth?"

From the depths of the morning glow in the east, a new day began. Outside Qingxia City, thin smoke lingered and mist permeated the air.

*Whoosh!*

Suddenly, a blazing immortal light shot out as the Holy Prince tore open the void and charged into the crowd. His great staff swept across, breaking bones and snapping tendons, splattering brains, and killing a large number of those who had just shouted.

"What?! The Holy Prince is here! Stop him, kill him without mercy!" a master shouted.

However, the monkey came and went swiftly, unrivaled in bravery, his blood energy surging to the sky. With a sweep of his great staff, crushed bones and flesh exploded together. He forcibly forged a bloody path, cut through the crowd, leaving behind hundreds of corpses, and vanished into the sky.

"Decisive battle outside the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone!" These were the words the Holy Prince left behind, shocking many people and causing their ears to ache severely, even bleeding.

Outside Qingxia City, it was boiling with excitement. People had waited all night and finally saw the outcome: someone had made a move and set the location for the major battle.

On the ancient war chariot, the Heavenly Sovereign's Son's face was grim. He had no time to stop it, watching the monkey slaughter a group of his subordinates and swagger away. The Heavenly Blade in his hand emitted dazzling, blinding light, cutting across the sky.

"Damn it!" an ancient race member cursed bitterly.

However, before the commotion and wailing had died down, a blazing immortal light appeared as a dark gold long spear tore through heaven and earth, as if opening a chaotic pathway.

An incredibly sharp spear light shot out, stretching for several miles and sweeping downwards. The ancient races screamed as flesh and blood flew. Ye Fan descended with his spear, slaughtering all in his path!

*Pfft!*

A streak of blood light flashed, accompanied by a shrill scream, as a Grand Accomplishment King had his forehead pierced by Ye Fan and exploded in the void.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

The Heavenly Sovereign's Son was furious. To openly slaughter in front of him was a severe humiliation to his prestige; what face did that leave him with?

The Undying Heavenly Blade in his hand transformed into a blindingly bright and furious blazing light, like the Milky Way cascading from the Nine Heavens, pouring down dazzling blade light across the sky, striking directly at Ye Fan.

*Clang!*

Ye Fan used the black dark gold long spear like a great staff, swinging it. He directly smashed the firmament until it cracked, and some ancient races in the vicinity disintegrated, flesh and blood flying. The spear's shaft, with its dark gleam, flashed blindingly, instantly colliding with the Undying Heavenly Blade. A heaven-shaking crash erupted between the two, shaking everyone and causing them to scream and cover their ears.

"Very strong!"

Ye Fan couldn't help but exclaim. This Heavenly Sovereign's Son indeed possessed a bloodline unparalleled throughout history, truly worthy of being the Undying Heavenly Sovereign's Son, unrivaled in divine courage.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Sovereign's Son's expression was cold. The blade strike he unleashed even shattered the traces of the Grand Dao, and chaotic energy permeated the air, yet it was blocked by his opponent's single blow.

Ye Fan naturally wouldn't linger in battle. This was a powerful enemy who had been battling the young Undying Heavenly Sovereign for so many years, and his cultivation was unfathomable.

"A battle outside the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone!"

He left behind these words, then his body merged with his spear, transforming into a long rainbow. It pierced through the body of a Grand Accomplishment King, causing him to explode into pieces, and then vanished into the long sky.

Where he disappeared, four terrifying Dao marks appeared, striking the spot into annihilation, but unfortunately, they missed.

Outside Qingxia City, there was a great uproar. People's hearts surged with excitement; the awaited major battle had finally begun, creating a clamorous scene.

Several hundred miles away, Ye Fan and the Holy Prince exchanged smiles. They could well imagine that, given the Heavenly Sovereign's Son's temperament, he would surely first ascertain the situation when heading to the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, which would give them enough time.

"Let's go, raid his home base!" The two activated a domain gate, traversed space, and headed for the Northern Domain.