Chapter 1230: Tanmu

It was a thrilling time.

A divine parchment scroll appeared, causing a stir and attracting widespread attention. Although the ancient star had vanished, many still held onto hope.

Even the ancient races became aware of it. Some among them had heard of the Ancient Tree of Life, a miraculous tree said to grow in the Immortal Realm, knowledge passed down from their ancestors.

Beneath the surface of the extraterrestrial battlefield, undercurrents surged. Standoffs and fierce battles escalated, reaching a point beyond the control of either side, signaling an inevitable great war.

The ancient races were expectant. Rumors circulated that a Great Saint would arrive, potentially bearing an Extreme Dao Ancient Imperial Armament. Such a significant move suggested the burgeoning ambition of a certain Primeval Imperial Race; controlling the Eternal Starfield would have far-reaching implications.

However, some harbored hidden concerns, believing that if Eternal possessed the immortal raiment of an ancient deity, it was likely a ploy to lure out the Ancient Imperial Armament, a deliberate attempt to "lure the snake out of its hole."

“Ah!”

Deep within the starfield, an Ancient Saint from the Primeval Fallen Peng Clan was killed. Their head was severed, and their massive body toppled, gushing blood.

These beings were born with black Peng wings and human forms. A single flap of their wings could tear apart the cosmos and shatter the universe. Yet, now they were hunted as Sacred Beasts, unable to escape death.

The ancient races retreated into the deepest reaches of space, almost vanishing into the vast cosmos, awaiting the arrival of the Beidou Great Saint. Yet, they were still found.

Primarily, the emergence of the divine parchment, depicting the Ancient Tree of Life, caused immense unrest among the peerless experts of the Eternal main star, its impact was immense.

At the same time, the Sutra Clan of the Eternal Starfield was almost annihilated. King Nine Phoenix, from a Primeval Imperial Race, personally arrived, and with a single strike, an area spanning tens of thousands of miles was reduced to ashes.

Unfortunately, the clan had already departed; only their pure land was destroyed.

“The divine parchment scroll has been entrusted elsewhere, safeguarded by several major powers.”

Upon learning this, the ancient races frowned. Not only were Eternal's experts hunting them, but some powerful figures among the ancient races themselves were also actively seeking conflict, wishing to participate and destroy some inheritances.

“Luan Feng and Milo, along with several other peerless experts, joined forces and delved deep into space to assault the ancient races' mighty army. They killed several Sacred Beasts and returned, having obtained the divine parchment.”

This news spread, causing widespread upheaval in Eternal and unsettling many hearts. The ancient scroll, which contained the secrets of ancient deities, had finally been acquired.

Many smaller powers expressed regret, lacking the strength to participate.

“Wait, could this be a ploy by the Sacred Beasts? To ‘lure the tiger away from the mountain,’ distracting Luan Feng, Milo, and the other peerless experts so that King Nine Phoenix can sweep through Eternal’s major powers and inheritances?”

During this critical period, some sensitively raised doubts, fearing a catastrophe would descend and engulf the Eternal Ancient Star.

“There’s no need to worry. Our Eternal possesses true Great Saints. The Sutra Clan would not dare to ally with those Sacred Beasts; otherwise, they would face annihilation.

Luan Feng and Milo have vanished, venturing into the depths of the cosmos. They are well aware that even without them, a more formidable individual is present and in command.

The person they know harbors vast ambitions and will likely make a move while wearing the immortal raiment of an ancient deity. For now, they are observing coldly, ready to deliver a killing blow when necessary.”

Days later, the Sutra Clan released another piece of news: they possessed a secondary scroll, which could still be exchanged for Sacred Beast blood.

“The Sutra Clan is too greedy, selling the same item multiple times! This ancient scroll isn’t worth that much; with the starfield gone, who would still care so much?”

Despite the accusations, the Sutra Clan remained unfazed. They saw this as their chance to rise, believing that the starfield still existed, merely hidden.

In a sense, that place undoubtedly held an immense secret; otherwise, why would it be so hidden from the world?

While ordinary people might criticize or show disinterest, immortal inheritances like the Cao family, the Canghai Clan, the Mohists of the Primordial Demon Sea, and the Sun Never Sets Royal Family were all eager to obtain it.

They were qualified to explore. If they could indeed find that ancient star, the resources alone would be enough to sustain their glory for ten thousand years, not to mention anything else.

The Ancient Tree of Life held immense value; it was a peerless immortal medicine. Its presence surely indicated an accompanying inheritance and secrets of ancient deities, making it a rare immortal land.

Several major families did not venture outside to hunt Sacred Beasts, as the losses would be too great, potentially leading to the demise of Saints within their clans. Instead, they pooled together various rare treasures, exchanging them with the Sutra Clan for the secondary scroll, and warned the clan against further sales.

The great importance placed on it by these inheritances left the world in doubt and heightened everyone's attention. Ye Fan was among those interested; he wanted to act but had not found an opportunity.

Finally, a disciple of the Yanyun Clan leaked the secret of the secondary scroll. He made a copy and secretly auctioned it, exchanging it for Sacred Beast blood, thereby defying his family's will.

However, that very day, the auction house was destroyed. Someone made a powerful move, seizing the secondary scroll, and then rumors spread far and wide.

“It was the Divine Hand! I’ve seen that person; they belong to that organization. Although they rarely appear, I could not be mistaken.”

On the same day, a disciple from another ancient noble family also leaked a core secret for Sacred Beast blood, trading a rubbing of an ancient scroll with someone.

Ye Fan seized the opportunity. His unmatched Movement Art, combined with his ability to contend with Ancient Saints, allowed him to streak through like a golden lightning bolt and snatch the secondary scroll.

From then on, the ancient starfield recorded on the divine parchment was no longer a secret. Various major powers took action, gaining information through different channels, and many obtained something.

Within a short time, a craze erupted. Even the Sacred Beasts from beyond the domain no longer commanded as much attention; many mercenaries embarked on journeys to explore that ancient starfield.

Among the ancient races and the sages from beyond the domain, some individuals' eyes gleamed with interest, strongly moved to go there and investigate thoroughly.

“Do not act rashly. Let them find that ancient starfield first, and then we will make our move. Why waste our energy unnecessarily? What can be seen is real; all those rumors are just fleeting clouds of the past.”

The Primeval Race remained still. They had received news that a certain Primeval Imperial Race was en route, with a world-shaking Great Saint bearing an Ancient Imperial Armament soon to arrive!

As for the sages from beyond the domain, a number of them set out, trailing the exploration teams into distant space. The situation grew increasingly perplexing, making it difficult to draw conclusions.

“This must be a conspiracy by those Sacred Beasts, a trick to draw away our Eternal experts! They want to launch a massive assault!”

“Exactly, it’s a trick by those Sacred Beasts. The Sacred Beasts from beyond the domain will greatly increase in number and attack our Eternal main star.”

It was unclear when these conjectures began to spread, but many people were hotly debating them, clamoring for an investigation into the Sutra Clan. They argued that by releasing the divine parchment scroll at that time, the clan must have colluded with external enemies, betraying the entire starfield.

Ye Fan pondered deeply for a long time and decided to set out. Regardless of the circumstances, he was confident in his ability to protect himself.

Even a great war did not frighten him. What he needed now was battle to temper himself, advance to a higher level, and break through the restraints of the Saint Realm barrier.

He felt that becoming a Saint required a passionate battle and a baptism by a life-and-death tribulation. He needed to find a suitable battlefield.

The Eternal Starfield no longer held such great attraction for him. His main priority now was to secure some protection for his disciples and friends, such as Ye Tong, Little Que’er, Li Tian, and Li Heishui.

If he could refine the fifth stage evolutionary fluid, it would drastically improve the Heavenly Court’s strength, potentially allowing even those of less than peerless talent to rule a region.

This was what he aimed to achieve. Once he embarked on the ancient path of the strongest trial again, there would be no turning back.

“Delve deep into the Tanmu Ancient Starfield, find the stars where ancient deities reside, obtain the Ancient Tree of Life, and let us set sail for our dreams!”

“Warriors, what are you waiting for? Take up your weapons, venture into the depths of the universe, explore the unknown divine land, and embark on your journey for our glory and rise!”

Some mercenary groups were recruiting elites, forming various small teams, all eager to enter the Tanmu Starfield recorded on the divine parchment scroll.

Ultimately, Ye Fan set out, joining a mercenary group called Sacred Light. He also wished to leverage this powerful mercenary group for his exploration.

The starry river gleamed, and the universe stretched boundlessly. A massive mothership ascended, surrounded by a dozen warships, before plunging into a stargate beyond the domain.

Darkness descended as they traveled through the void passage, constantly traversing according to the coordinates on the divine parchment scroll. The entire journey was profoundly solitary.

Meanwhile, a colossal cosmic mothership from the Beidou Starfield traversed the universe, approaching the Eternal main star and emanating a terrifying aura of prestige.

This was Beidou’s reinforcement. An elder sat unmoving with closed eyes, though when they occasionally opened, their divine light was awe-inspiring and terrifying beyond measure.

“We are approaching the Eternal Starfield; a Grand Ancestor King is here to greet us.”

The Great Strength Bull Demon King personally came to greet them and was invited into the cabin. He was immediately taken aback, for he saw an ancient imperial prince with a tall, robust physique and blue hair draped over his shoulders. He knew this surely signaled a great war.

Afterward, he paid respects to the unmoving Great Saint, explained the current situation, and only departed much later.

Huo Linzi’s hair was disheveled, his eyes like divine lamps, and his physique was tall and robust. The ancient imperial blood within him roared like thunder, shaking one's spirit. He sat there, looking towards the Great Saint of his clan, and asked, “Is the Ancient Tree of Life a ploy arranged by King Nine Phoenix?”

The Great Saint of Fire Qilin Cave, whose gaze was like lightning, stood within the mothership, gazing at the ancient living star named Eternal. He declared, “I sense a powerful killing intent. Blood will surely flow like rivers; a world-shaking battle is imminent!”

Inside the cosmic mothership, many powerful individuals stood, some with majestic physiques, others lean and intimidating. This was the allied army of the major Primeval powerful races, intending to sweep clean this starfield in one fell swoop.

A great calamity was about to begin!

After more than a dozen detours, the cosmic mothership appeared repeatedly in space, constantly performing spatial jumps. The Sacred Light mercenary group finally arrived in the Tanmu Starfield half a month later.

This was a tranquil starfield, undisturbed for untold tens of thousands of years, yet recently its peace had been broken, gradually becoming lively.

Many spacecraft entered, coming to explore. Everyone wished to find that ancient living star, but days passed without any clues.

“Young man, you don’t look very old. Why are you here on such a perilous adventure? This is a job where you could lose your life at any moment,” an old mercenary asked a young man.

“I enjoy adventure; it offers a challenge. A monotonous life of unchanging routines and repetitions holds no meaning,” the young man replied, smiling brilliantly, his teeth sparkling white, and his golden hair shimmering and flowing smoothly.

This was precisely Ye Fan’s spaceship, merely one of the dozen warships belonging to the Sacred Light mercenary group.

“What’s your name?” the old mercenary asked with a smile.

“My name is Dao Yi,” the young man replied with a brilliant smile.

“Hmm, a formidable surname. I recall that a million years ago, the deity of our Eternal main star was named Dao Yan, a dazzling and great divine being. That was an immortal legend,” the old mercenary sighed.

“Indeed,” the young man nodded.

Ye Fan sat nearby, listening to their conversation while simultaneously watching the large screen, where he saw a colossal mothership traversing the void.

“That’s… the Divine Hand!” The old mercenary’s expression suddenly changed as he spotted the mothership’s insignia.