Chapter 1082: Ancient Foreign Road

Eternal Azure Gold!

A palm-sized piece of metal shimmered with a mysterious luster, a thousand times more ethereal than sapphire, making it impossible to look away once seen.

This was an emperor-level divine material, a rare immortal substance reserved for ancient Great Emperors, beyond the reach of others.

This was Ye Fan's first encounter with Eternal Azure Gold, dazzling and dreamlike, with blue light flowing as if it were the most brilliant star in the universe.

However, its eerie and terrifying nature also sent shivers down one's spine. Blood beads rolled across its surface, each one startling, like vast seas that, if they were to pour forth, could perhaps drown all life.

"The Void Great Emperor's blood, huh..." Ye Fan murmured to himself, his eyes filled with awe and a touch of surprise as he observed carefully.

Without a doubt, the Eternal Azure Gold was merely a fragment, a broken piece of a weapon stained with the Void Great Emperor's blood, which had fallen from the Ji Family Ancestral Hall.

These circumstances sparked endless contemplation and a sense of shock. The Void Great Emperor had suffered a grievous wound, leaving a fragment of himself behind!

Tens of thousands of years had passed, and the aura contained within these few drops of supreme imperial blood had dissipated, their Daoist charm worn away by the Eternal Azure Gold. Thus, it was no longer intimidating and could be approached.

"This piece of Eternal Azure Gold contains fragments of divine consciousness that corrupted Wang Teng's soul," the immortal crane stated. "I don't want it to continue causing harm in the world, so I will cast it into the divine lake and suppress it with the tomb gate of the Chaotic Ancient Emperor."

The immortal crane said this, having no intention of giving this precious imperial weapon material to Ye Fan, fearing it would cause great trouble and necessitate eternal suppression.

"Let the events of the past scatter with the wind, and do not let them affect future generations."

Thud.

After the old crane finished speaking, it threw the Eternal Azure Gold into the lake. Water splashed high, and then the crane soared into the sky, letting out a resonant cry.

"A millennium from now... a new generation of the Chaotic Ancient Emperor's inheritors will reappear in the world... cleansing impurities and radiating the most brilliant light."

Ye Fan walked out of the vast Gobi Desert, took one last look back, and then disappeared into the boundless grasslands. He held a piece of ancient wood... it had no luster, but when flicked, it produced a resonant sound like metal.

"The 'Former' incantation is related to it, yet I can't discern anything unusual about it..." he couldn't help but murmur to himself.

According to the old crane's hint, this piece of ancient wood was of immense importance. If it were destroyed, the 'Former' incantation among the Nine Secrets would have its inheritance completely severed.

Ye Fan observed it for half a day but found not even a wisp of Daoist trace. He finally put it away, understanding that some scriptures could only be comprehended when the time was right, depending on one's destiny.

He left Beiyuan, passed through a domain gate, and traveled alone into Zhongzhou, heading towards Qishi Manor, intending to investigate the ancient starry path leading beyond the realm.

"Where exactly is this 'strongest trial in history' taking place?"

In recent days, the Eastern Wasteland had been in great turmoil. The Heavenly Emperor's Son was dead, the Eight Divisions of Divine Generals were annihilated, and Great Sage Kunzhou was slain, like an ocean breaching its dam, surging forth.

Everyone in the Eastern Wasteland was discussing it, and people across the land were paying close attention. Although the Saint Emperor's Son claimed responsibility for everything, everyone knew it was a mysterious individual who had slain the Heavenly Emperor's Son.

Who exactly was this person? People from all five domains wanted to know, making it a focal point of discussion. The world speculated that Ye Fan must have returned.

Now, all parts of the Eastern Wasteland were restless. A great battle had concluded, but its repercussions were only just beginning to sweep across the continent.

Although the Victorious Fighting Buddha possessed boundless magic power and forcefully deterred many, he had, after all, returned to Mount Sumeru. There was no telling when he might descend again.

Many sought to find Ye Fan, especially the ancient clans, who wished to learn what kind of world he had gone to and what secrets he held.

Back then, during the battle at Zhongzhou Ancestral Temple, no one found the Green Cauldron. People had reason to believe that the ultimate five-colored altar might hold its secrets.

But in the end, only Ye Fan departed through that stellar domain gate; no one else could ascend it. Many among the ancient clans wanted to discern if there was a connection.

"It might not necessarily be Ye Fan," some speculated. "Now, the Saints from beyond the realm are arriving, and the path to immortality will open. It could be the disciple of any Saint."

Of course, not everyone thought so. Some cultivators speculated that it might have been the work of other visitors from outside the realm.

"Impossible! It must be the Human Sacred Body who returned! Otherwise, why would he act alongside the Saint Emperor's Son? Even that wretched big black dog showed up!"

The vast majority of people firmly believed that the Human Sacred Body had returned. As soon as he arrived on this ancient star, he accomplished a world-shaking feat by slaying the Heavenly Emperor's Son, which was undoubtedly sensational.

In the Eastern Wasteland, in every street and alley, wherever cultivators gathered, the conversations revolved around Ye Fan.

The people of Zhongzhou, Southern Ridge, and Western Desert were no different; these days, they were all speculating about where he had gone and when he would reveal his true form.

"The Human Sacred Body is too powerful; he even killed the Heavenly Emperor's Son. Even Huang Xudao and Huo Qilin couldn't stop the tragedy. What a horrific incident!" an ancient clan member remarked.

"Hmph, I imagine he hasn't had an easy time these past few days," another scoffed. "Even if the Victorious Fighting Buddha declared that Saint-level Ancient Kings should not act against him, I refuse to believe no one would dare take the risk!"

"That's true," someone agreed. "The Undying Heavenly Emperor is a deity revered by all races. To have his son brutally killed and forbid revenge, there must be Saint-level Ancient Kings seething with anger. If they can't act openly, won't they try to assassinate him in secret?"

"Precisely. He possesses the secret to traverse stellar domains and knows of a mysterious ancient life star. Even without other reasons, this alone would draw Ancient Kings to seek him out."

In recent days, Ye Fan had left the Eastern Wasteland, and forces from all sides had mobilized, all searching for him, eager to be the first to find him.

If no Saint emerges, who can contend with him?

Now, this was the common consensus: in this era without Saints, perhaps few could be Ye Fan's opponents. The slaying of the Heavenly Emperor's Son was a glorious achievement difficult to surpass.

Huang Xudao, Ji Zi, the Saint Emperor's Son, and a few others were among the rare individuals who could rival him. Unless powerful figures descended from beyond the realm, who could stand against him?

Ye Fan arrived at Qishi Manor and entered discreetly, not wishing to be recognized. The world was in turmoil now, and countless people wanted to uncover his whereabouts.

Many years had passed. Qishi Manor had changed little, nestled amidst immortal mountains rich with spiritual energy. Thousands of layers of purple mist and ethereal light swirled, creating a magnificent and picturesque scene.

Orchids were rooted on stone peaks, old dragons played in deep pools, phoenix-like birds soared outside jade palaces, and ancient Qilin beasts rested alone before stone platforms.

Many years had passed, and the cultivators who remained in the manor had long since made names for themselves... almost all had matured, gradually replacing the older generation.

Catching up with this era of cosmic change, where the Great Dao's rules were no longer terrifying, as long as one strove forward, prodigies and geniuses would always shine, each able to forge their own path.

Returning to a familiar place, Ye Fan observed everything in Qishi Manor with a sense of nostalgia. Ji Ziyue, Pang Bo, Zhong Huang, and others had all gone far away, and Wang Teng had even died by his hand. Powerful individuals had departed, no longer in this world.

"What kind of place did they go to, that it would be called the 'strongest trial in history'?"

Ye Fan walked on, heading towards the Qishi Manor Lord's secluded cultivation spot. Having reached such a stage in his cultivation, he increasingly found Qishi Manor unfathomable, every layout meticulously arranged.

Stone mountains undulated, beautiful peaks stretched for miles, and the earth's dragon qi surged upwards. Every excellent disciple could possess a mountain peak as their place of seclusion.

A winding ancient path, whose origins were unknown but had existed for countless years... it appeared short, but one could never reach its end.

"Our generation, alas, those who died are dead, those who vanished have vanished. Few of the heaven-defying prodigies of yesteryear remain."

By the roadside, there were teahouses and small taverns, built against the mountainside, where disciples of Qishi Manor and other cultivators sat, chatting and discussing the state of the world.

"Do you think the Sacred Body really returned? He's truly too powerful; he even killed the Heavenly Emperor's Son. Who in the world can contend with him?"

"Hmm, have you heard... someone saw Wang Teng in the Western Desert, supposedly struck down by the Sacred Body. Someone witnessed that battle from afar."

"What? Even Wang Teng is dead? The Northern Emperor of yesteryear, one of the foremost figures in Qishi Manor, the strongest among the young generation across the land, a paragon of his era, just... ended like that."

Many lamented that a generation's prodigy had met such an end, shocked by Ye Fan's power. Sweeping aside the top figures of both ancient clans and humanity, he was clearly unrivaled.

"I never would have imagined," a cultivator remarked, "that after over a decade of no news, he'd return with such formidable combat power. The path to Dao Proclamation is littered with corpses; Saint Sons, Divine Sons, Ancient Imperial Sons, all have fallen at his feet one after another. How is it that I faintly see a Great Emperor rising?"

"This... he truly has few rivals. If Huang Xudao and Huo Qilin don't appear, there's no one in this era who can contend with him. I wonder when those few with Ancient Emperor bloodlines will fight him."

"Ultimately, he'll find it difficult to proclaim Dao," another added. "Everyone knows that throughout history, there have only been Great Accomplishment Sacred Bodies, with no special cases of Dao Proclamation. Furthermore, can he evade the Saint-level Ancient Kings? It's said the ancient clans are stirring; some might try to act in secret."

Ye Fan heard their conversation and subtly frowned, but he wasn't overly worried. The broken Immortal Cauldron could obscure heavenly secrets, making it impossible for anyone to divine his whereabouts or anything about him, so he didn't fear being found.

"Ah, you've arrived," said the old tavern owner, stepping out as he saw Ye Fan, his voice hoarse with age.

"You are..." Ye Fan said, surprised and uncertain.

"The Manor Lord of Qishi Manor from several generations ago," the old man replied, wiping a table clean with a rag. He invited Ye Fan to sit and set down a pot of aged wine and a few small dishes.

Thump!

Nearby, people stumbled, cups and plates clattered, and a group of startled individuals rose to their feet, staring incredulously at the old man.

The proprietor of the small tavern appeared to be sixty or seventy, frail and senile, with cloudy eyes, showing no signs of being an otherworldly master, his hair sparse and graying.

"Our human race has another extraordinary Sacred Body; this is truly rare," the old man said. "Tens of thousands of years ago, several Sacred Bodies departed from here. Some became unrivaled in other starry skies, forging immortal legends, while others encountered emperor-level figures who shook the ancient cosmos, bleeding and being buried beyond the realm."

Ye Fan's heart jolted. This was undoubtedly a Saint. Rumors had long circulated that the Qishi Manor Lord from several generations ago was an old Saint who lived in seclusion; he had never expected to meet him today.

"He's truly our... esteemed Old Manor Lord, an Ancient Saint!"

"It's him! This young man is the Sacred Body, he is Ye Fan! I can't believe he's really returned and come to Zhongzhou Immortal Manor again!"

Everyone was astonished and couldn't help but rise from their seats. Neither of these two was an ordinary person; whether old or young, if either stepped out, the entire world would tremble.

Especially Ye Fan; if he were to walk out now, Zhongzhou would boil, the Eastern Wasteland would explode, and cultivators across the land, all eager to find him, would be in an uproar!

"Come, sit down," the old man said, setting out bowls and dishes, inviting Ye Fan to sit. He poured two cups of wine and raised his glass in a gesture. "Let's talk about the path to immortality, and about the strongest trial in history. I've been waiting for you for fourteen years."

The crowd, understanding, all retreated and stood outside the small tavern.

"Your troubles are not small," the old Saint said.

Ye Fan nodded, not daring to be negligent. He helped pour wine and earnestly sought guidance, saying, "You're referring to the ancient clans, aren't you?"

"Not just them, but also these," the old man said, pointing to the sky. "Among the Saints from beyond the realm, who could tread the ancient starry path and find their way here if they were ordinary? They are arriving soon, and if disciples accompany them, there will undoubtedly be some astonishing young people. You will not lack opponents."

Boom!

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the distance, very noisy, with many people shouting.

"Major news! Super major news! A Saint from beyond the realm has descended upon the Eastern Wasteland!"

"It's said he arrived two days ago, but the news was suppressed. Now it's only just spread to Zhongzhou. The strong external cultivator was received by an ancient clan. One of his disciples wants to challenge all the heroes of the Eastern Wasteland, then fight his way to Zhongzhou, specifically naming Huang Xudao, seeking to defeat the Saint Emperor's Son, and aiming to suppress the Sacred Body, Ye Fan!"