Chapter 1192: Earth's Ancient People

A green ox walked slowly, its hide lustrous like green silk. Its build was sturdy and powerful, and its massive head bore long, thick horns that were rough and dull. It leisurely emerged from the depths of the starry sky, startling many. Its appearance and calm demeanor drew attention; by all accounts, it was extraordinary.

On its back sat an old man with a gaunt face, a full forehead, and clear eyes. He seemed detached from worldly affairs, his body untainted by the dust of the mundane. Even the sages found it difficult to discern his cultivation. Only the Old Patriarch of Blood Phoenix Mountain, among others, saw threads of divine light flickering in their eyes, profoundly discerning something.

A master! And an unparalleled one, whom no one dared to easily provoke!

Ordinary cultivators couldn't fathom the old man's depth, but they could infer a thing or two from his mount, all staring at the sturdy green ox.

“A Saintly Ox!” Everyone gasped, drawing a sharp breath. A mount that had reached the Saint level was truly astonishing and shocking, and all the sages present showed surprise. If the mount was like this, could the master be weak? He must have an astonishing background; if not a Great Saint, then close to it, otherwise a Saintly Ox would not submit.

“Are you... Niu Yi? Really... is it Yi'er!?” Suddenly, an old Saint from the Great Strength Bull Demon Race trembled. Shaking his massive bull head, he opened his eyes and stared forward with an incredulous expression.

“Niu Yi... it's him! He disappeared for two thousand years and actually became a Saint!” Another member of the Great Strength Bull Demon Race cried out in surprise, clearly astonished.

The two old bulls' display of emotion naturally caused a stir. All cultivators from beyond the domain widened their eyes, staring at the man and ox emerging from the depths of the starry sky. Who was this person? The ancient races hadn't even emerged two thousand years ago; how could he have subdued a powerhouse of the Bull Demon Race?

“Moo...” The green ox bellowed, its sound amplified by divine consciousness reverberating, and a primordial aura swept across the starry sky.

“Greetings, Martial Uncle.” The green ox nodded in greeting towards them, also somewhat agitated.

“Who is he? Why have you become his mount? Where have you been all these years?” The two old bulls looked displeased, staring at the old man as they questioned Niu Yi. Their killing intent was thick, as if they would strike at the slightest disagreement.

“Two thousand years ago, after I revived, I left the Bull Demon Cave...” Niu Yi explained, urging them not to be angry.

In the past, Niu Yi was very weak, merely a 'little calf'. Unable to bear the loneliness, he emerged prematurely and met a master. Now he had returned as a Saint.

After a secret conversation, the two old bull demons reined in their killing intent. However, they still looked displeased at the gaunt old man, because Niu Yi, despite their persuasion, did not want to return to the clan.

“Fellow Daoist, where are you from, and what is your name?” An old Saint King from Fire Qilin Cave spoke, his eyes narrowed, truly sensing the immense power of the person before him.

“This old one is Yin Xi. I am merely passing through this place with no other intentions,” the old man said with a gentle and calm smile.

If Ye Fan had been there, he would have been greatly astonished. This was an ancient figure from China's Spring and Autumn period, whose true body had now appeared in the Beidou Star Domain.

Yin Xi's arrival on the ox was undoubtedly influenced by his master. This lineage was known for its serene detachment, freedom from worldly disputes, emphasis on following the ways of nature, and inner peace through inaction.

Many cultivators were surprised, recognizing him as an undeniably powerful human expert from beyond the domain. It seemed the human race in the depths of the starry sky was far from weak, making them wary.

“Fellow Daoist, are you also here for the path to immortality?” an old Saint from Blood Phoenix Mountain asked.

“To break through the celestial path, we cultivators only seek to become immortals. This old one naturally shares that intention,” Yin Xi said, speaking frankly without concealment.

In fact, it was clear that everyone who came from beyond the domain was here for the path to immortality, and surely more would follow. Neither the human race nor the ancient races wished to needlessly antagonize cultivators from beyond the domain. Naturally, no one would provoke him, especially such an extraordinary ancient Saint.

“If the path to immortality opens, heaven and earth will surely fall into chaos, and all Saints will rise. My business here concluded, this old one must also return to my homeland to guard Hangu Pass. Farewell to you all.” With these words, Yin Xi rode the ox away, slowly disappearing beneath the starlight and entering the life source land below.

When Ye Fan heard of this, he was dumbfounded. He immediately rushed beyond the domain, then pursued into the desolate lands, searching for Yin Xi, this ancient figure from across the starry sky. He never imagined that this formidable individual, the wise man who once guarded Hangu Pass, would appear in the Beidou Star Domain at this time.

“The path to immortality is about to open. Will other ancient figures also appear?” Ye Fan murmured to himself. He searched everywhere but found no trace of Yin Xi, unable to discern where he had gone. Ye Fan knew that a great tribulation was approaching, and the path to immortality might truly exist; otherwise, why would a figure like Yin Xi appear?

“He said he would go to guard Hangu Pass in the future. What exactly will happen? If the path to immortality appears, will there be an unprecedented war?” Ye Fan already knew that beings from Feixian Star and other ancient domains had once attacked ancient China along an old path. Would this happen again in the future?

The immortal gate vanished, no longer visible, and a massacre concluded, leaving many Saints trembling with fear. People deeply realized the brutality of contending for the path to immortality. The appearance of just one expert from beyond the domain had caused such a huge stir; what kind of slaughter would there be in the future!? The path to immortality had not yet opened, but the Saints already seemed to see rivers of blood and mountains of corpses. It would undoubtedly be incredibly cruel.

“Someone wants to clear the field now. How many will survive in the future? The Beidou Star Domain might even be shattered and cease to exist because of this.” The unknown path ahead filled people with hesitation and fear. The terrifying great era, seen once in eons, had arrived, and human lives would surely be cheaper than grass, and the immortal path would be stained with blood.

During this period, undercurrents surged. The Golden Crow Clan from Huosang Star, the Divine Clan from Tongtian Star, and many rogue cultivators from beyond the domain had appeared one after another, making Beidou increasingly complex and turbulent. Furthermore, mysterious ancient ruins had appeared beyond the domain, and powerful beings rushed there, establishing their palaces in the starry sky without their true bodies descending. The atmosphere in Beidou grew increasingly tense, to the point of suffocation. This period felt like the calm before a storm!

All races were nervous. Every cultivator who had severed their path yearned to become a Saint, because only then could they secure a place in the future grand scheme of heaven and earth and contend for the chance to become immortal.

“How could this be? The two old ancestors just vanished...” In the Minor God Realm, amidst palaces built of white bones, roars of unwillingness erupted from the most ancient hall, their killing intent piercing through the nine heavens.

“No, the Killer Ancestors are immortal; they will surely reappear. Not even Great Saints can do anything to them!” The bone halls shook. Skulls of special constitutions and the withered bones of Saints emitted crystalline luster, as two Killer Saints fully revealed their murderous intent, surging like a vast ocean.

In the Southern Ridge, in front of the Demon Emperor Palace, a figure stood with his back to the ancient hall, gazing up at the starry sky, and said: “Will the path to immortality truly appear? In a few years, or a few hundred years? How many will die on that sole bloody path?”

In the Western Desert, on Mount Sumeru, an old monk also gazed at the sky, seeking answers with his heart. The entire Great Thunderclap Temple was solemn, sacred, and peaceful.

The situation grew increasingly complex, causing cultivators to worry. People did not know what lay ahead, unable to clearly foresee the future, and even the Saints felt uneasy. During this period, the seven great life forbidden zones remained tranquil, with nothing special happening. However, this very peace made the atmosphere feel heavier.

“Haha, it's going to succeed! It's finally being refined!” The big black dog grinned widely, its bright white teeth extending to its ears, its face full of slyness and joy. The Dragon Horse also stared with wide, round eyes, its body radiating auspicious light like a propitious beast. Its dragon scales shimmered, and flames surged as it waited there.

Heaven's Village was peaceful; its people did not feel the tension outside. They were filled with the joy of harvest, for the precious medicine was about to be refined.

“No need to worry about failure now. The dragon pulse fire essence can be extinguished. After two more days of gentle nurturing, the evolutionary liquid will be ready.” Killer Saint Qiluo said, his brows relaxing. After months of guarding, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. This carried the future hope of the Heavenly Court. It could allow younger generations to undergo a complete transformation, rapidly boosting their combat power and significantly increasing their strength. He already envisioned the revitalization of the Heavenly Court.

The cauldron pulsed, enveloped by immortal energy. Various auspicious phenomena appeared in abundance, manifesting myriad forms, almost defying the heavens, as mythical beings seemed to encircle it. Dragons and phoenixes harmonized, white tigers leapt into the sky, black tortoises emerged from the sea, deities soared among the nine heavens, human-like beings ascended with a glow... Auspicious light and shimmering colors completely enveloped the cauldron, gathering around its center.

In just two more days, the medicine furnace could be opened, and the precious evolutionary liquid retrieved!

Some elders in Heaven's Village were very old, like living ancient scriptures. Their faces, now full of wrinkles, showed smiles, and they murmured to themselves as if in prayer. They had waited for many years, hoping for the Heavenly Court to grow strong and regain its former glory. Their lives were almost over, their bodies failing, but now they finally saw a glimmer of hope.

“Grandpa Tianqi, there are tears in your eyes,” little Que'er said, wiping them away for the old man.

“Grandpa is very happy; I've finally waited for this day,” Elder Tianqi said.

The other elders were the same. Unlike Qiluo, they had not become Saints and were already in their twilight years, their hair almost completely gone. Yan Yixi was also present, supporting two of the elders, showing them great respect. Since arriving at Heaven's Village, he had often played chess with them, received their guidance, and benefited greatly.

“The Heavenly Court's restoration will surely lead to great prosperity. Even if we die now, we will rest in peace.” The elders spoke tremblingly, their voices agitated, old tears almost falling.

“Heh, is that so? I think you'll all die restless anyway. This Lord will send all of you on your way!”

Killing intent suddenly descended, sweeping across the entire Heaven's Village. The overwhelming might of an ancient Saint descended. The elders, little Que'er, Yan Yixi, and others immediately coughed up large mouthfuls of blood. Their internal organs were shattered, their bodies on the verge of disintegration, as they continuously reeled backward.

In a flash, Killer Saint Qiluo, treading the "Line" character secret, as if time itself was flowing backward, transformed into a bolt of lightning, and instantly blocked the ancient Saint's pressure.

“What a great fortune! You've been busy for so long and finally refined the precious evolutionary liquid. We've specially come to collect it; you may all go on your way!”

Another Killer Saint appeared, laughing coldly, his voice bone-chilling. He extended a large hand toward the Mother Qi Cauldron of All Things.