Chapter 1137: Saint Mecha

Chapter 1138: Saint Mech

A gentle breeze caressed the face, and the bamboo grove in the courtyard rustled. Dusk was approaching, and fiery clouds scattered across the sky, their afterglow staining the plants and rooftops red. The place was quiet and harmonious.

Ye Fan pulled the wooden stopper from the purple gourd, and a fresh fragrance immediately wafted out! Soon, the entire garden was filled with the aroma, and an ethereal aura, like smoke and mist, flowed, intoxicating both body and mind.

He quickly determined that this liquid was more potent than the evolution fluid he had obtained from the purple-eyed woman and her companions earlier. The liquid was crystal clear, and its enchanting aroma was so captivating that it gave one the illusion of ascending to immortality.

"As expected of something refined using ancient methods for immortal elixirs from ancient deities; it achieved such potency in just a few months!"

Typically, taking evolution fluid required meticulous preparation, bringing both body and mind to their peak state, then focusing one's consciousness and maintaining a steadfast Dao heart. Otherwise, significant problems could arise.

This preliminary preparation process could not be rushed or contain the slightest error, lest all previous efforts be wasted and the divine liquid squandered.

However, Ye Fan had no such concerns. Unlike the people of the Eternal Kingdom, he focused on developing the treasures of his physical body and nurturing his primordial spirit, rarely relying on external artifacts. He could proceed at any time.

"It truly lives up to its name as a divine mineral, forged from primary ingredients like Fate Rock, Meteorite Withered Vine Heart, and Primordial Life Stone. Now, transformed into a liquid, its miraculous effects are astonishing!"

In the dead of night, the garden was utterly still, with only moonlight like water cascading down, causing wisps of pure white, thin smoke to rise from the bamboo courtyard, making it appear graceful and mysterious.

Ye Fan poured a little of the divine liquid into his palm, and it instantly transformed into a stream of pure energy that circulated around his body. It entered through his pores, causing his flesh to tremor and rumble as if undergoing a unique physical training.

This was just an initial experiment, but he felt the effects were extraordinary and required serious and cautious handling.

A jade pool had already been prepared in the courtyard. Ye Fan sat cross-legged in it, took out the purple gourd, and prepared to pour all the evolution fluid into the pool for refinement.

The purple gourd appeared small, a fruit from a spiritual vine, only about half a chi long. However, it contained a substantial amount of divine liquid, imbued with spatial laws that allowed it to fill half a square jade pool.

The Fate Rock, Meteorite Withered Vine Heart, and other ingredients had dissolved, releasing their active components. The liquid itself was formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but the true essence came from the ultimate, divine substances contained within the Primordial Life Stone and similar materials.

"If this has a miraculous effect on me and allows me to break through and advance, then the Eternal Kingdom will truly be my 'place of enlightenment'!" Ye Fan murmured to himself.

Suddenly, a chilling cackle echoed. A black cloud obscured the bright moon in the sky, and the courtyard instantly turned cold.

The white moonlight vanished, and all sacred aura dissipated. The bamboo grove became eerie and pitch black. Someone had sealed the bamboo garden with immense power, and a cold, murderous intent permeated the air.

In the darkness, a silver-white figure emerged from the black mist, exceptionally bright and conspicuous. In the entire darkened garden, only he was illuminated.

It was an old man with a goatee and silver pupils. His body was gaunt, like an ancient, gnarled tree root that had gained sentience.

Though he appeared small and withered, he exuded immense vitality. His eyes, in particular, glowed like two lanterns, making it difficult to meet his gaze directly. He wore silver metal armor that gleamed brightly, dazzling in the night.

"Who are you, and why have you trespassed into my dwelling?" Ye Fan asked in a deep voice, staring at the man while putting away the purple gourd without pouring out the evolution fluid.

"Young man, you're quite capable. Your cultivation is not shallow. Not to mention the Immortal Feather Star Sea, even the Eternal Kingdom might have a place for you in the future." His silver pupils glowed with divine light as he calmly approached the stone table and chairs in the garden and sat down without hesitation.

In this bamboo garden, he seemed more like the host, while Ye Fan was the intruder. His voice was penetrating, buzzing like a brass bell. He said, "Kneel before me. I have a soft spot for talent and will show you a bright path."

Ye Fan's expression turned cold. He stared at the man indifferently, saying nothing. The atmosphere in the bamboo garden instantly became eerie.

"What, you don't believe my words?" the silver-eyed old man said faintly, pouring himself a cup of tea and taking a small sip.

"What is your relationship with Xuan Mo?" Ye Fan asked.

"He is my grand-nephew," the old man replied, setting down his teacup and lightly tapping the stone table with his finger, producing a rhythmic sound.

"No wonder. You've come to stick up for him?" Ye Fan said with a cold expression.

Xuan Mo had provoked Ye Fan, intending to stomp on his head and attack him. Unexpectedly, he was instead abused, slammed repeatedly into the ground by Ye Fan, who then continuously stepped on his face with the sole of his foot, shattering his cheekbones and forehead.

"Young man, being too prominent makes one prone to great losses and an early death. So-called prodigies either die young or are killed," the silver-eyed old man said ambiguously.

"So, you're a good-for-nothing, which is why you're still alive?" Ye Fan sneered.

"Your mouth is quite sharp, young man. People like you die the fastest. I don't think you'll see tomorrow's sun!" the old man said grimly.

Ye Fan said nothing, but suddenly moved, transforming into a flash of lightning as he lunged at the old man. Feeling a sense of danger, he didn't want to give the other party the initiative, choosing instead to strike first with deadly intent.

He flew horizontally, pressing his hands forward as if a golden heavenly stele was descending. The silver-eyed old man's expression changed. His silver-white metal armor glowed, rapidly enlarging into a small giant forged from silver, several zhang tall.

"Clang!"

Ye Fan's palm clashed with the alloy body, leaving two shallow palm prints on it and producing a piercing sound, but it remained undamaged.

He couldn't help but retreat, his eyes shining brightly, emitting two beams of light over ten zhang long as he stared at the metal armor.

"What a powerful physical body, beyond my imagination. I almost underestimated you, but your struggle is futile, without any hope!" the silver-eyed old man said, equally surprised.

The silver-white metal figure began to emit surges of saint artifact fluctuations, boundless and terrifying, as it fully awakened.

This was a Saint Mech. While not exceptionally large or as terrifyingly boundless as a Saint Ship, it belonged to the rank of 'Saint' and was formidable in combat.

Such saint artifacts were rare and difficult to forge. Even super-factions possessed few, and only important figures could control them.

"Heh, Ye Fan, weren't you arrogant? Today, let's see how you escape this ordeal!" Xuan Mo's voice, filled with bitter hatred, came from a distance.

Clearly, this was a revenge plot; he had invited his grand-uncle. Unless one was a saint, who could possibly withstand this with their bare body?

Controlling a Saint Mech was enough to contend with peerless masters, striking fear into anyone. He stood in the distance, his face etched with bone-chilling malice. Having suffered a great loss recently, he intended to repay it now.

"Young man, hand over the strongest bloodline evolution fluid you possess, and I will grant you a dignified death," the old man's voice echoed from within the silver-white mech.

Xuan Mo scoffed cruelly from afar, saying, "You got a spot, hoping to break through tonight, didn't you? I'm here to interrupt you at this crucial moment, seize your divine fluid, and make you watch helplessly!"

This was a masterful form of torment. If it were an ordinary person, having such a precious fluid snatched away at a critical moment would surely drive them mad with rage.

The silver-eyed old man and Xuan Mo were indeed vicious, intending to make Ye Fan die suffocated with anger, regret, and despair. That was why they attacked in the dead of night.

"You think you've got me cornered?" A cold sneer played on Ye Fan's lips.

"No one can save you. This garden is sealed. Unless I die, no one outside will know what's happening. Young man, I'll send you on your way!" the silver-eyed old man declared.

"Hahaha... hahaha..." Xuan Mo laughed wildly, his voice chilling. "Outsider, your time to submit has come! Not long ago, you humiliated me beyond measure, making me unable to lift my head. Now, I will repay you a hundredfold! I'll refine your skull into a delicate ring and wear it on my finger as a war trophy!"

The silver-eyed old man seemed unwilling to cause too much commotion and charged directly. Though the mech was several zhang tall, it was incredibly agile, wielding a large silver sword.

"That mech wasn't fully awakened just now; try it again now!" He engaged in close-quarters combat. In this world, no one who wasn't a Saint could withstand this soldier.

Ye Fan's expression changed. This was a Saint-level fluctuation; a true Saint artifact had awakened. The silver greatsword was incomparably sharp, emitting thousands of Dao traces that filled the air with a dazzling white light.

Furthermore, the old man himself was a Great Accomplished King, close to a Half-Saint. Controlling this Saint Mech with such mastery, he perfectly wielded its power, not wasting a single trace of divine energy. Countless Dao traces and sword qi descended upon Ye Fan.

Ye Fan acted decisively. His true body entered the stone fetus, with a black Saint Arrow hovering above his head and another in his left hand, providing double protection. Simultaneously, he carried the seemingly damaged green cauldron in his right hand and transformed into a bolt of lightning, crashing into the silver battle armor.

"Clang!"

The green bronze cauldron slammed onto the silver greatsword. Although the cauldron showed no fluctuations or divine Dao marks, and wasn't fully awakened, it still shattered the greatsword!

"Boom!"

Moreover, the green cauldron's momentum was unchecked. Ye Fan swung it like a green streak, striking the chest of the silver-white metal armor and piercing it instantly.

Ye Fan, having gained the upper hand, showed no mercy. His opportunities were limited; if the distance between them increased, the opponent, controlling the mech, could unleash Saint-level magical power. Furthermore, alerting others would be a disaster for him.

He had to seize this rare opportunity to kill him!

It could be said that initially, neither side wanted to cause too much commotion. They engaged in full combat from the start, both aiming to resolve the fight in the shortest possible time, relying on their robust Saint bodies.

At this moment, the silver-eyed old man was filled with regret. This was a monster; though without Saint-level magical power, he possessed a Saint-level physique, and the green cauldron in his hand was terrifyingly powerful, having shattered his Saint Mech.

The metallic clangs were incessant. Ye Fan struck repeatedly with heavy blows, all aimed at vital points, creating large holes all over the mech. In recent days, he had thoroughly studied Saint Ships, Mechs, and similar constructs, understanding where their weaknesses lay.

"Crunch!"

Sparks flew as many of the silver-white mech's Dao traces were destroyed, and its body's luster dimmed considerably. The silver-eyed old man paled in terror; the sudden turn of events was too fast! He had never imagined that a Dao Severing expert could break a Saint artifact!

"Your Indestructible Golden Body... your bloodline has fully awakened, transforming into one of the strongest physiques!" he couldn't help but exclaim.

In the past, only the Primordial Demonic Body, Brahma War Body, and Grand Supreme Immortal Body could tear apart Saint artifacts with bare hands. Yet, the person before him possessed such power without even becoming a Saint! He was definitely not from the tenth generation or later.

Amidst a burst of electric light, Ye Fan, wielding the green bronze cauldron, smashed half of the mech's body, sending Dao patterns and sparks flying, with wisps of white smoke rising.

The silver-eyed old man was filled with such regret he wanted to smash his head against something and die. He had been far too overconfident, resulting in the destruction of a precious Saint Mech, an immeasurable loss.

However, this was no time for hesitation; saving his life was paramount. He burst out of the mech, tearing open space, attempting to escape.

However, how could Ye Fan give him a chance? This person had dared to bully him, and now that the green bronze cauldron had been exposed, he absolutely had to be silenced!

"Bang!"

He executed the "Nine Secrets of Movement" technique, transforming into a fleeting light, arriving instantly, and seizing the old man.

The silver-eyed old man was greatly alarmed. He was a Great Accomplished King, yet he had been grabbed like a chick, unable to break free.

"Young man, let's talk. I can offer you endless benefits," the silver-eyed old man completely softened, his face pale.

Ye Fan sneered and, with a soft tear, twisted off his head. Blood gushed from the severed neck.

"Stop! Stop! Killing a Great Accomplished King like me will bring you immense trouble!" the silver-eyed old man's primordial spirit shrieked in terror.

"So what if you're a Great Accomplished King?" Ye Fan's expression was ruthless. He brought his palm down, crushing the head like a rotten watermelon, turning it into a pool of blood and utterly obliterating the man.