Chapter 1166: The Brilliant Big Dipper

Chapter 1167: The Resplendent Beidou

"What? A mysterious ancient star with many powerful bloodlines? Doesn't that mean this life-bearing planet is incredibly formidable?"Inside the dueling arena, a cacophony of voices filled the air. Many cursed their luck, having bet on Silver-Eyes only to lose everything they had.

"What a joke," someone scoffed. "If such a treasure-rich star truly existed, you'd have set out yourselves long ago. Why bother revealing it and inviting us along?"The offspring of various princes had naturally wagered rare minerals, and many had lost significant amounts. In their foul mood, they were disinclined to believe his claims.

"Let him elaborate," a voice from the crowd demanded. "I wish to listen carefully." There were indeed genuine princes present, their expressions grave and their interest piqued.

The young man on the stone platform was slender, with a pale complexion and long, aquamarine hair. He possessed a distinguished demeanor, exuding a calm confidence as he quietly observed the crowd's reactions.

"That appears to be someone from the Lanto family," someone remarked with surprise. "It's Lanto Tu, the youngest and most favored grandson of Saint Lanto."

The Lanto clan was renowned on the Eternal Main Star for their dedication to exploring star systems. They began as plunderers and gradually grew into a formidable power. They had once discovered an ancient life-bearing land, selling its powerful inhabitants to accumulate their initial capital.

Ye Fan clenched his fists. From the murmurs of the crowd, he learned of the family's past: they were, in essence, a human trafficking syndicate. Now, they had targeted the Beidou star system, and they had begun by capturing his old acquaintances.

"Everyone," Lanto Tu began, "you don't understand, you haven't grasped the immense value of that ancient star. While my Lanto clan intends to advance, we feel our power is insufficient. If we were to venture there alone, we would likely achieve nothing significant. I can confidently tell you all that it is a divine land, bearing traces of ancient deities, home to various powerful bloodlines, ancient mines formed from Primordial Life Stones, and a diverse native population, among whom are naturally some formidable cultivators."As Lanto Tu unveiled more about Beidou, a commotion erupted. People could no longer sit still, their attention completely captivated.

"That place possesses Immortal Tear Green Gold, Dragon-Patterned Black Gold... materials that can be refined into divine mechs. Moreover, it holds supreme immortal medicines, used by ancient deities to refine immortal pills!"

"Do you understand what this signifies?" he exclaimed. "It's beyond imagination! All of these resources are incredibly precious, their value immeasurable. In the hands of those natives, they are merely wasted; it is up to us to unearth them and reveal their true worth!"

Lanto Tu spoke with fiery passion, rallying the major clans and asking who wished to join forces with them to embark on a joint expedition to the Beidou star system.

This declaration created a huge stir. The outcomes of the duels within the arena suddenly seemed insignificant; everyone was completely captivated by this mysterious ancient star.

"Traces of ancient deities, countless precious resources – these are precisely what we lack. Those natives simply don't understand the value of these treasures; they cannot allow them to truly flourish."

The Lanto clan intended to launch a massive plunder. They felt their own power was insufficient, however, and would need powerful allies, lest they suffer a devastating defeat in the Beidou star system.

With such a promising outlook and so many divine minerals, it was an opportunity worth seizing for every major power. No one could remain calm.

"The Lanto clan rose to power through plunder and became a behemoth," someone countered. "Their intentions can't be so benevolent. If the path ahead were truly filled with immortal medicines, would they still invite us along? It's obvious the journey is fraught with danger."

Naturally, some remained unconvinced, particularly those factions hostile to the Lanto clan, who spoke up and voiced their loud skepticism.

"High risk brings high reward," Lanto Tu stated. "The natives of that place are indeed not weak, otherwise, why would we need allies? But regardless, they are no match for my Eternal Nation."

Finally, he dropped a bombshell that astonished many princes, and even a few saints who had secretly attended, causing them to rise to their feet and stare at him in disbelief.

"Everyone, do you still remember Wan Qing?" he asked. "He achieved the Dao through a Chaos Green Lotus, and he originated from that very ancient star!"

"What? Is what you're saying true?" A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

"I can tell you all," he continued, "Wan Qing eventually returned to that ancient star and entered nirvana ten thousand years ago, leaving behind his spiritual lineage and imperishable treasures." This information was irresistible; everyone's heart was stirred. Back then, Wan Qing had swept through this realm, leaving behind an indelible legend.

"If what you say is true, we can certainly consider a partnership," one prince declared, making a positive response. "Battles across star systems are truly the most exciting!"

Within the dueling arena, only Ye Fan's gaze remained cold. Some princes were overly arrogant, treating the cultivators of the Beidou star system as lowly natives. The Lanto clan, especially, deserved death!

However, he could do nothing to change the situation. The news had been leaked, and a massive interstellar confrontation was now inevitable.

Ye Fan felt no anxiety; his heart was calm, even somewhat expectant. He firmly believed in the formidable power of the Beidou star system's Saints. If these outsiders were to launch an expedition, he knew who would suffer a devastating loss. He would simply wait and see!

"Everyone," Lanto Tu announced, "we need to plan this carefully. Any prince interested in joining this expedition is welcome to come here and consult with the Saints of my clan."

The dueling arena transformed into a meeting hall. Numerous major powers engaged in heated discussions, many arguing until their faces were red and their necks strained. Faced with such immense potential profit, no one was willing to concede.

Lanto Tu then stated, "As you all know, such an expedition will incur enormous costs and require immense expenditure. My clan is willing to travel there with ten other clans. Any who wish to form an alliance can discuss the specifics."

Many cursed this as a blatant demand. The Lanto clan sought collaborators and had explicitly limited the number of allies, not intending to accept everyone.

People understood that the Lanto clan intended to make a killing: they would choose whoever offered the most value and was willing to contribute the greatest variety of resources.

The various princes naturally refused to comply, and the scene devolved into chaos.

Not far away, Zhao Qingchuan approached Qi Meng and began discussing the Indestructible Golden Body. He politely inquired if the ascetic cultivator was indeed from the Beidou star system.

Qi Meng naturally remained silent. The Qi clan had long since made their stance clear: they would not antagonize Ye Fan. Having such a person as an ally was far more advantageous than having him as an enemy.

At this moment, even someone of Qi Yaoguang's stature had ascended the stone platform in front of the dueling arena, gathering detailed information about the Beidou star system. The entire venue was abuzz with activity.

A few others had accompanied Zhao Qingchuan. One of them cast a sidelong glance at Ye Fan and sneered, "Who are you, kid? You dare to defy Brother Zhao when he merely wished to swap seats with you? You must have just left your master's sect; you're truly ignorant!"

"What's it to you?" Ye Fan replied, glancing at him.

"You have two choices," the young man declared, his arrogance insufferable. "Either get out of my sight immediately, or wait for death!" He pressed directly toward Ye Fan.

Qi Meng secretly transmitted a message: "This is a rogue cultivator named Xu Hai. He has quite a reputation in Yuan City, having achieved Dao Slaying many years ago. He's very close to some aristocratic family scions and serves as their sharp blade."

"Is Zhao Qingchuan so perceptive?" Ye Fan wondered, "that he treats me this way upon our first meeting? Has he perhaps discerned my identity and wishes to test me through Xu Hai?" Ye Fan's heart stirred.

"Xu Hai, what are you doing? Come back now!" Zhao Qingchuan called out.

"Brother Xu, come back," several aristocratic scions urged. "Anyone who doesn't know might think Brother Zhao is bullying people."

"I just can't stand his composure," Xu Hai declared, still arrogant. "I want to see who exactly he is." He immediately grabbed Ye Fan's arm.

"Scram!" Ye Fan commanded. He remained perfectly still, but his 'Om' Character Heavenly Art, mixed into his voice, formed a concentrated wave that surged into Xu Hai's Immortal Platform.

*Pfft!*Xu Hai bled from all seven orifices, his forehead bone cracking. He was sent flying, landing precisely in his own seat, his body wracked with convulsions and tremors, utterly unable to move.

Some onlookers changed color, but no one spoke further. Clearly, such incidents were common; the scions of certain princes were fervent enthusiasts of dueling, and their battle pets and slaves frequently participated in fights here, often leading to clashes.

Zhao Qingchuan cast a deep glance at Ye Fan before leading his companions away. As he turned to leave, he quietly told Qi Meng, "The Cao family is furious. If the Qi clan intends to venture to the Beidou star system, you should exercise caution."

The dueling arena descended into utter chaos. People were deeply dissatisfied that only ten clans could ally with the Lanto clan; this number was simply too small, as many princes desired a share of the lucrative spoils.

An elder from the Lanto clan stepped forward to offer reassurance, promising that this initial group would merely be a vanguard, primarily for reconnaissance. A larger army would embark once the findings were confirmed.

"Everyone, perhaps you're unaware, but there's a vital piece of information I haven't shared yet: the value of that ancient star is even greater than we've imagined. Do you remember the person named Wu Shi? Tens of thousands of years ago, he nearly shattered our Eternal Main Star. And in his later years, he, too, descended upon that ancient star and entered nirvana there!"

"What?!" The people in the dueling arena were utterly stunned. These events were ancient history, yet the various princes would never forget them.

Back then, that battle had been a nightmare. Peerless masters, wielding battle armors left by ancient deities, had suffered a crushing defeat!

Furthermore, a divine battle suit was permanently shattered and destroyed in that conflict. Wu Shi had swept across the Eternal Star System, leaving behind a terrifying legend.

Ye Fan's mouth opened and closed in silent astonishment. Even Emperor Wu Shi had left his mark here, his incredible power inspiring profound awe.

He recalled hearing the Black Emperor mention that Emperor Wu Shi didn't embark on his journey from the Qishi Mansion in a conventional, step-by-step manner. Instead, he set out many years after becoming a Saint and traveled to numerous places.

"I wonder if the female Saint who wished to follow in Emperor Wu Shi's footsteps and admire him for eternity also came from here," Ye Fan mused. "It's a pity she pursued him her entire life, only to die in the starry sky."

The Resplendent Beidou!

The arena meeting concluded, and the various clans gradually dispersed. However, the ripple effect of the revelations spread like a hurricane, and the entire Eternal Main Star erupted in agitation.

A great era of pioneering had arrived. Many major powers were eagerly preparing to make a significant move, intending to enter Beidou and extract its rare and precious resources.

In the days that followed, the major powers held secret deliberations, initiating cross-star system expeditions. Everything was proceeding at a rapid and intense pace.

Many rogue cultivators became active, as all the major clans were recruiting. An expedition would naturally require powerful individuals, and some major clans even directly hired mercenaries.

In the eyes of many, this was a grand era, one in which endless wealth awaited them. That mysterious ancient star was perceived as a realm brimming with dreams and divine treasures.

As for Ye Fan? He was, of course, among those being recruited. He intended to use this opportunity to return and observe, harboring a faint anticipation in his heart that the confrontation between the mother ship and the Saints would soon be revealed.

"So many years have passed, and Wu Shi's tomb is still there, known as Purple Mountain," someone remarked. "Those natives are truly pathetic. Since they are too reluctant to touch it, we shall go and unearth it ourselves."

Upon learning that Wu Shi's great tomb still existed, the major clans who had suffered at his hands back then became instantly excited. They firmly believed that the supreme human had surely left behind countless divine treasures.

"I look forward to you opening it!" Ye Fan merely let out a cold laugh upon hearing this.