Chapter 1140: Third Level

Chapter 1141: The Third Stage

"Hey, did you hear? That outsider failed again. He used up two portions of the evolution fluid, making quite a commotion but achieving no results."

While many people gloated over Ye Fan's failure, they also felt indignant, believing it was an extreme and wasteful squandering of divine minerals.

A sense of dissatisfaction was brewing, and some people were openly hostile towards him. Ye Fan clearly sensed this animosity whenever he went out, and a cold smile simply played on his lips.

"Hey, outsider, you're truly shameless. How can you still have the nerve to remain in Heaven? You've wantonly squandered divine fluid, relying on Miss Fan Xian's trust and protection, yet you can't even evolve. Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Come on, how about a contest? I think it's necessary to make you realize that a useless physique is utterly worthless!"

"Ants can never evolve into dragons. Stop fantasizing; do you really think Miss Fan Xian can protect you forever? I expect you'll be cast out very soon."

Ye Fan ignored all provocations; only those who dared to physically attack him would be punished. However, after the Xuan Mo incident, no one was foolish enough to resort to violence against him.

"Is his physique really that formidable?" Even Fan Xian found herself somewhat puzzled by her uncle's actions.

Yet, Ye Fan was in no hurry to leave. He had received a subtle hint from Fan Zhou, advising him to adjust his state, suggesting that unexpected changes might occur.

"Uncle, are you certain you want to give him the third-stage evolution fluid? This is the most precious divine fluid, one that even the major powers are eagerly anticipating. Not a single drop can be wasted!" Fan Xian questioned him skeptically.

The strongest evolution fluid was categorized by grade. Ye Fan distinctly recalled the purple-eyed woman and her companions stating that the precious fluid they refined outside Mount Buzhou was merely a preliminary grade.

This time, however, the Fan Clan of Heaven used ancient divine alchemical methods for extraction, which not only drastically shortened the processing time but also significantly elevated the fluid's grade. As a result, even their initial refinement yielded a second-grade fluid.

In the following days, they relentlessly pursued further refinement and were finally on the verge of obtaining the third-stage precious fluid, hailed as an unparalleled rarity.

Divine minerals were the most critical component. The Fan Clan had acquired several of the most precious primary extracts, which enabled them to refine the third-stage fluid. This was an astonishing feat, unseen in the Immortal Feather Star Sea for many years.

The Primordial Life Stone and Heavenly Mandate Divine Rock acquired by the Fan Clan were undoubtedly top-tier and unparalleled in the world. However, their other divine primary extracts were comparatively inferior, making further grade improvements impossible.

Furthermore, the refining method was equally crucial. Several ancient, god-level techniques had been lost, making it difficult for even major powers with divine materials to achieve significant success.

The third-stage divine fluid was of immeasurable value, enough to draw many ancient, powerful beings out of seclusion, causing them to fight fiercely for it.

"This person's blood will be even more valuable!" With this single statement, Fan Zhou dispelled all doubts among his direct descendants.

His eyes were profound, holding magnificent visions of crumbling mountains, flowing rivers, and turning stars. He gazed at Ye Fan's secluded retreat, filled with immense anticipation.

"Is his blood from within the tenth generation, or even earlier?!" Fan Xian exclaimed in shock.

Outside, a great stir had erupted, with everyone discussing Ye Fan's physique, claiming he possessed a useless body and that giving him the strongest precious fluid was a complete waste. Yet, Fan Zhou and a few others waited in silent anticipation, terrifying glints in their eyes.

Ye Fan rarely left his quarters; otherwise, he would invariably encounter trouble, and he preferred not to deal with such provocations.

However, events did not cease there. On another crisp, clear night, with soft moonlight, Ye Fan sat cross-legged on a stone cliff, his spiritual essence directed skyward, absorbing the vital energies of heaven and earth.

He had a premonition that a breakthrough was not far off. If he continued cultivating this way, he might soon break through his current state, as the second-stage strongest evolution fluid was still having some effect.

The world was boundless, the cosmos vast. He felt as though he was suspended in the cold expanse of the universe, absorbing and comprehending the secrets of creation, listening to the primordial sounds of the Great Dao.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a frigid blade light erupted, thousands of feet long, cleaving down from the cliff. It emanated a boundless and terrifying Saint-level fluctuation!

Ye Fan turned and fled. Someone was attempting to assassinate him, having made thorough preparations, using Ancient Saint-level magical power to suppress him with sheer cultivation, denying him any opportunity for close combat.

The dazzling blade light, thousands of feet long, was sharp and merciless. A vast white expanse, it severed the moonlight from the sky. Under the night, only it radiated an immense, cold brilliance!

In the distance stood a pale blue metal mecha, eight zhang tall. Though not exceedingly large, it was terrifyingly formidable, radiating Ancient Saint-level fluctuations as it wielded a blue demon blade and cleaved downward.

Forged from a blend of divine metals, its blue metallic luster shimmered, giving the mecha a crystalline appearance, imbued with both power and aesthetic appeal. Its assault was overwhelming and incredibly potent!

Ye Fan's expression shifted. He had recently learned that the more powerful the pilot of a Saint-level mecha, the more terrifying the power it could unleash. If a Half-Saint controlled it, it could even contend with an Ancient Saint!

Evidently, this was a powerful Half-Saint, exerting immense pressure on him. Now residing within the blue mecha, the myriad traces of the Great Dao flowed like water, imprinted upon the eternal void.

It was like a reborn blue phoenix, spreading its wings and crying out, tearing apart the very fabric of the cosmos. Ye Fan used black arrows to shield himself, swiftly retreating, barely escaping with his life.

His only fortune was the dense underground Dragon Qi in the area. Utilizing the Source Heaven Divine Art to travel beneath the earth, he instantly fled eight thousand li, evading what would have been a fatal blow.

Although he appeared somewhat disheveled, it was undeniably a miracle to have escaped such a supreme, fatal attack, one equivalent to that of an Ancient Saint!

The moment he burrowed eight thousand li into the earth, the rocky forest above instantly disintegrated into dust, and the vast area became a black hole, leveled by the mecha wielding its battle blade, its blue metallic luster glinting.

"Who dares to attack my Heaven's holy land!?" Fan Zhou roared in fury, leading a contingent of experts in pursuit. Unfortunately, they were a step too late; the blue-gold mecha had already warped through space and vanished.

This sparked another major disturbance; a multitude of people created an uproar, and large groups rushed to the scene, shattering the tranquility of the deep night.

In Cao Qing's courtyard, the old servant bowed in apology, saying, "This old servant is guilty. I never imagined I would fail and allow him to escape."

Cao Qing's face was grim as he stated, "This person's instinctive intuition is truly terrifying. He can sense danger approaching in advance. It seems the Heavenly Mandate Rock and Primordial Life Stone have bestowed immense benefits upon him. He is indeed a diligent cultivator, having unlocked many divine gateways within the human body's hidden potential, making him not someone to be underestimated!"

"My primary issue was unfamiliarity with this super Saint mecha, which caused some sluggishness in its movements. Otherwise, even if he had dodged the first strike, he couldn't have escaped my grasp. An Ancient Saint's magical power is boundless; how could he possibly contend with it?" The old servant chastised himself.

"We cannot allow this individual to become a formidable force. Contact our people immediately and eliminate him by any means necessary. I require his Indestructible Golden Blood; its value is immeasurable!" Cao Qing stated with a sinister expression.

"Is his value... truly that immense?" The old servant asked, skeptically.

Cao Qing responded with absolute certainty: "Of course! If I'm not mistaken, he possesses at least one of the earlier generations of Indestructible Golden Body. It's precisely because his own physique is already so powerful and perfect that the second-stage evolution fluid didn't have a significant effect on him. If he consumes the third-stage evolution fluid, I believe his Indestructible Golden Blood might fully awaken, making him one of the true strongest physiques in the universe!"

The old servant was aghast, saying, "So, he will possess the strongest ancient blood, almost perfectly? If that's the case, his blood will be exceptionally valuable, comparable to the extraordinary beings of the Eternal Main Star!"

"Precisely, he must die. I intend to acquire his blood to cultivate my own strongest physique!" Cao Qing whispered cruelly, as a chilling murderous aura permeated the entire courtyard.

The next day, various discussions erupted once more, stirring up a massive uproar, and as before, everything revolved around Ye Fan.

"Hey, this outsider isn't particularly capable himself, yet he constantly stirs up major trouble. Why is it always directed at him?"

"I believe someone can't stand him and wants to eliminate him. If I were him, I'd have left long ago. Is he truly waiting to be killed or cast out? I even heard that Miss Fan Xian no longer pays him much mind."

Ye Fan returned, his expression cold and stern. Had his cultivation not been profound, he would have been killed by that Ancient Saint-level combatant last night.

The only reason he remained was the imminent appearance of the third-stage evolution fluid. Otherwise, he would have retaliated fiercely, slaying his enemies before calmly departing.

Over the next few days, he developed a profound sense of impending crisis. The one trying to kill him lurked like a ghost; he could even perceive the chilling breath of death. He desperately yearned to become stronger!

However, the situation only worsened. Half a month later, individuals arrived from the Eternal Main Star. Powerful figures from Xuan Mo's family came to demand an explanation, including Xuan Mo's great-grandfather.

"A life for a life, debts must be paid – it's only right and proper!"

Xuan Linfeng, a powerful Half-Saint, arrived piloting an Ancient Saint mecha. He was extremely aggressive, brandishing his sword and forcibly entering Ye Fan's secluded retreat, intent on killing him.

"Brother Xuan, what is the meaning of this? To come to my Fan Clan and commit murder is utterly reckless." An elder from the Fan Clan stepped forward.

"Do not attempt to stop me! My great-grandson was cultivating here to pursue your Fan Clan's maiden, Fan Xian, and you allowed him to perish. We will settle that score later; for now, no one is to hinder me!" Xuan Linfeng forced his way forward.

A powerful Half-Saint, piloting an Ancient Saint mecha, raised his sword, intending to sever Ye Fan's head. This was a truly terrifying prospect, causing a significant headache for the Fan Clan.

Ye Fan's gaze was icy as he watched the person in the distance pointing a sword at him. A tempest raged within him. Now, there was truly no end to the troubles, which seemed to seek him out even when he did not provoke them.

"If I can achieve a breakthrough, I will cut down every single one of them!"

He desperately yearned for strength, truly unwilling to continue enduring in this place. Not only was his own life in extreme peril, constantly at risk of being killed, but he was also relentlessly pressured, his heart already filled with revulsion and hatred.

"Very well, I will not act today. I will see how long your Fan Clan can protect him. I shall take up permanent residence here and patiently await his emergence, then I will claim his head!" Xuan Linfeng declared grimly.

That very evening, even after Ye Fan was relocated to a secure location, powerful individuals still launched covert attacks, breaching several layers of defense in an attempt to assassinate him.

By this point, even those who had previously gossiped and mocked him dared not speak much more. Many people acutely realized that this outsider was no ordinary individual; for Ancient Saint-level combatants to be mobilized against him, he could hardly be considered a mere mortal.

In just half a month, several Half-Saints piloting Ancient Saint mechas launched successive attacks. The situation was exceedingly perilous, pushing Ye Fan to a critical juncture: he either had to leave immediately or achieve a breakthrough. Otherwise, continuing to stay would undoubtedly lead to a life-or-death confrontation.

Fortunately, at this critical moment, the third-stage evolution fluid was successfully refined and finally produced!

"His Indestructible Golden Blood belongs to me; I must acquire it!" Cao Qing declared.

"This old servant has made the arrangements. This time, he will be utterly eliminated. During his breakthrough, his precious blood will be seized, and the Fan Clan will be powerless to protect him!" the gray-robed old servant said, his tone sinister.

"The third-stage precious fluid is complete. I wonder if this fellow will manage a breakthrough and what kind of performance he'll exhibit," Fan Xian murmured to herself.

"I'm eager to see just how extraordinary he can be," Fan Tian said, "and what kind of evolution his Indestructible Golden Blood will achieve. Will it truly be as terrifying as the legends claim!"

All those privy to the inner workings were watching intently, eager to learn the final outcome.

Fan Zhou arrived in person, bringing a five-colored divine bottle containing the third-stage evolution fluid. Every single drop was priceless, enough to incite envy among even the major powers.

His eyes gleamed with a strange light, fixed on Ye Fan as if he were gazing upon the most brilliant jewel.

Ye Fan opened the five-colored jade bottle and knew instantly, just by its scent, that this divine fluid was absolutely effective and would enable his breakthrough. In that single moment, he felt as though he were ascending to immortality, his body light, and every bone in his frame vibrating.

"If I achieve a breakthrough, I will settle accounts with all of you!" he murmured to himself.

Everyone watched with bated breath, eager to discover the outcome.