Chapter 1249: Cross-Dimensional Battle

The middle-aged Taoist nun trembled. As Ye Fan lifted his finger, she nearly screamed, while the other two stiffened, breaking out in a cold sweat. Even with Lord Junwei Mountain, who possessed profound cultivation, standing before them, they remained terrified, their blood running cold. The hellish experience seemed to replay before their eyes, leaving them deeply shaken and fearful.

"Brother Daoist, you've frightened them terribly. Why not spare these pitiable people?" asked Lord Junwei Mountain.

"You see them as pathetic now, but did you see their vicious and merciless faces not long ago? They swore to eliminate me. What I am doing is merely self-preservation and counter-attack," Ye Fan retorted.

"We were wrong! Please, Emperor Ye, spare our lives!" one of the three men pleaded, collapsing in tears. He no longer bore any resemblance to a formidable expert.

"'Emperor'? He's just stepped onto the trial grounds. Do you truly believe he can walk the path of an Emperor? What a joke!" a person beside Lord Junwei Mountain sneered.

"Lord Junwei Mountain, save us!" Another quickly appealed to him, as if clutching at a lifeline.

"Brother Daoist, how about I owe you a favor if you spare them this time?" Lord Junwei Mountain said, looking at Ye Fan.

He was tall and robust, adorned with a purple-gold crown and a Qilin robe. His purple eyes and cascading hair made him appear exceptionally heroic, like a heavenly king descended to the mortal realm. Purple light shimmered in his eyes with every blink, and strands of Daoist radiance emanated from him. He exuded the aura of an ancient emperor, truly extraordinary, his every movement in perfect harmony with the profound principles of heaven and earth. Even when standing still, his presence was solemn, exuding an undeniable aura that commanded awe. This was undeniably a formidable master, a truly powerful and terrifying individual whom few could rival, possessing a unique imperial aura.

"No!" Ye Fan stated firmly, rejecting the offer with just two words. The middle-aged Taoist nun had aggressively targeted him, instigating others to besiege him; there was no way he would let her off. There's a limit to compassion; it shouldn't be extended to everyone. Sparing a malicious individual would be akin to harming oneself.

"You truly don't know your place. Lord Junwei Mountain is speaking kindly, yet you show no appreciation. Do you really believe you're invincible?" the person who had spoken earlier said with a cold sneer.

"What does my killing my enemies have to do with you? You're hindering me and still expect gratitude? That's an absolute joke!" Ye Fan said, ignoring the man but indirectly addressing Lord Junwei Mountain.

"Alas, Brother Daoist, there's no need to quarrel with him. It's simply that I have some prior connection with the Taoist nun, and thus cannot bear to see her perish," Lord Junwei Mountain explained, still intent on saving her life.

"In that case, my connection with her is far more significant. She targeted me for assassination; I absolutely cannot let her off," Ye Fan countered.

Behind them, the middle-aged Taoist nun and the other two turned deathly pale, their faces devoid of color. Their lives hung in the balance, depending entirely on the decision of the two men before them, leaving them utterly tense.

"Brother Daoist, are you truly unwilling to spare them?" Lord Junwei Mountain asked with a solemn expression.

"There's no discussing this!" Ye Fan stated sternly.

"Lord Junwei Mountain is speaking courteously to you, yet you repeatedly refuse, showing no appreciation!" Another of the four individuals accompanying Lord Junwei Mountain interjected, his words laced with frost.

"Are these your servants or retainers? Please instruct them to show some respect," Ye Fan said to Lord Junwei Mountain.

"These are fellow Daoists, not my servants," Lord Junwei Mountain replied, a hint of displeasure on his face.

"How dare you! Do you presume yourself to be invincible? Before Lord Junwei Mountain, you are nothing!" one of them retorted, stepping forward with an aggressive stance.

Ye Fan's face darkened. "If you utter another bark at me," he declared, "you'll be eliminated!"

This declaration instantly chilled the air, making the atmosphere incredibly tense. All four individuals beside Lord Junwei Mountain visibly blanched and were about to unleash angry retorts.

"Lord Junwei Mountain, he possesses speed surpassing a Saint! I suspect he has a forbidden secret art, spoken of by the ancients, one that could one day evolve into the universe's fastest immortal speed. Perhaps it could be of great use to you!" the middle-aged Taoist nun exclaimed, a sinister gleam in her eyes as she fixed her gaze on Ye Fan.

"There's always something hateful about a pitiable person. Lord Junwei Mountain, do you see? Even now, she still seeks to use your power to eliminate me," Ye Fan remarked coldly.

With that, he left a blur of motion in his wake, breached Lord Junwei Mountain's defenses, and moved to strike down the middle-aged Taoist nun and her two companions. Behind him, the four individuals who had accompanied Lord Junwei Mountain sneered and simultaneously acted, summoning a palace into which they absorbed the middle-aged Taoist nun and her two companions. The luminous palace shrunk, becoming fist-sized, and settled into one person's palm. It glowed with transparency, radiating holy brilliance and countless auspicious energies.

"We have already shown you ample courtesy, yet you fail to recognize your place. Do not bring ruin upon yourself!" one of them solemnly warned.

"Is this your decision?" Ye Fan asked Lord Junwei Mountain, his voice cold.

"I do wish to save them," Lord Junwei Mountain replied. Though only a few words, they clearly conveyed his stance, and a palpable aura of killing intent permeated the air.

"Then I shall have no choice but to unleash a massacre. Whoever obstructs me... will be killed!" Ye Fan stated in a deep, resolute voice.

"How arrogant! Who do you think you are, daring to speak to Lord Junwei Mountain like that? If you don't offer a satisfactory explanation, we will capture and slay you immediately!" one person roared.

"Do not compare us to those from minor realms or barren heavenly domains. Our lineage stems from true ancient star fields; we will not tolerate your recklessness and disrespect!"

Hearing this, Ye Fan's expression turned icy. This was clearly a premeditated scheme, a deliberate provocation to find an excuse for attack. Otherwise, why would they be so aggressive?

"I told you, if you utter another bark at me, you'll all be eliminated!" Ye Fan stated coldly.

Several cold snorts were heard. The four men's expressions turned sinister as they strategically positioned themselves, forming an ancient Four Symbols formation with the intent to ensnare him.

"Brother Daoist, if you refuse to relent, then I'm afraid I'll have to take offense. I merely wish to save a life; why must you be so heartless?" Lord Junwei Mountain spoke then, a hint of coldness in his tone.

Ye Fan knew these individuals couldn't have just entered the trial grounds. Since they hadn't intervened to save Lan Feng, Hong Liu, or others, their offer to help the middle-aged Taoist nun was merely a pretense, not their true intention.

"Hypocrites," Ye Fan sneered, a cold smile curling his lips.

"Those who refuse to choose wisely, who won't listen to kind persuasion, must we beat you into submission? You're forcing us to act," one person scoffed.

"Thwack!"

At that instant, Ye Fan moved with blinding speed, transforming into a bolt of lightning. He appeared beside the man and delivered a resounding slap, a flash of golden light accompanying the impactful sound. Ye Fan's speed was utterly astonishing. The Four Symbols formation displayed a critical flaw, unable to intercept him. He delivered a powerful slap, sending the man sprawling. Blood splattered as half of the man's face was ripped away, leaving a gaping, bloody wound where his jaw had been. He slammed into a distant stone wall with a resounding crash, kicking up a cloud of dust. Hundreds of ancient trees shattered, and a human-shaped crater appeared on the stone mountain, silencing the scene instantly. It was a long moment before the man painfully crawled out. Missing his lower jaw, his entire face was grotesquely distorted, bloody and terrifying. He let out a low, beast-like growl from his throat.

"Foolish," Ye Fan stated flatly. Although he hadn't taken the man's life, the impact of that slap was hardly better than death itself. The expressions of the others changed dramatically. None had anticipated Ye Fan to be so terrifying, significantly stronger than they had predicted.

"Brother Ye, you are forcing my hand into a confrontation!" Lord Junwei Mountain's face darkened.

"I am eliminating my enemy, and you obstruct me. Yet, you expect gratitude? If I refuse to yield, that constitutes forcing your hand? What an absurd rationale!" Ye Fan's body radiated killing intent. He advanced step by step, confronting the group. "Whoever blocks me," he declared, "I will kill!" This was an aura of invincible dominance, his words ringing with undeniable power, clearly no idle threat.

He strode directly toward one individual who held the fist-sized, luminous, translucent palace. Inside, the middle-aged Taoist nun and her two companions were visible.

"Then I must act!" Lord Junwei Mountain roared. His primordial chaotic energy surged forth, chaotic laws manifesting as if to create heaven and earth, as he delivered a powerful punch.

"Boom! Boom!..."

Ten successive strikes violently shook this region. Mountains and rivers turned to ash, towering peaks vanished into smoke, the desolate mountain range was flattened, and a great river and over a dozen vast lakes were all evaporated! This was a terrifying confrontation that even startled Ye Fan. It must be said that Lord Junwei Mountain was incredibly formidable, astonishingly capable of meeting him head-on. After ten years of campaigns and bloody battles, this was one of the most formidable adversaries Ye Fan had ever faced. Truly, Lord Junwei Mountain lived up to his origins from a genuine ancient star field, a powerful expert who displayed hints of invincibility.

After these ten most forceful strikes, Lord Junwei Mountain turned without looking back and fled, his entire body enveloped in chaotic light, carrying the other four individuals as he surged into the distance. With astonishing speed, the chaotic energy transformed into a river of light, whisking them hundreds of miles away in an instant, where they vanished into the ravaged depths of the land.

Ye Fan, radiating killing intent, followed unhurriedly, giving chase. This location was adjacent to the Thirty-Seventh Zone. Lord Junwei Mountain and his four companions vanished in a flash, having crossed the boundary and plunged deep within. A cold smile played on Ye Fan's lips. He pondered for a moment, opting not to follow immediately. He was waiting for the Dragon Horse, preparing to cross the boundary together to confront the enemies.

Finally, a moment later, a long neigh echoed, and the Dragon Horse appeared, its entire body ablaze with fire. It had dealt with all the mounts and arrived at the location.

"What happened? The entire world felt as if it had been turned upside down," the Dragon Horse inquired suspiciously.

"I encountered a very powerful enemy," Ye Fan replied, "one from an ancient star field, not merely a minor divine realm."

Soon after, Ye Fan and the Dragon Horse entered the Thirty-Seventh Zone. This region was equally vast and boundless, characterized by tranquil mountains, towering ancient trees, and the cries of apes and roars of tigers. The deeper they ventured, the greater the pressure grew, eventually feeling as though they were shouldering a colossal mountain. Millions of pounds of shackles materialized around them as if on cue. Blood-red shackles appeared on Ye Fan's and the Dragon Horse's hands and feet, glowing with a bright sheen and weighing as heavily as the sky itself. If ordinary cultivators were bound, their bones would surely shatter, and their bodies would be crushed into pulp. Even many who traversed the strongest trial path would find the burden unbearable. This was an immense restraint!

However, Ye Fan and the Dragon Horse paid it no mind, treating it purely as a form of training. They delved deeper into the Thirty-Seventh Zone, searching for Lord Junwei Mountain and his companions. They ventured into the depths of a mountain range, where a wild, untamed scent assailed their nostrils. Strange beasts roamed freely, fierce birds soared through the sky, and simultaneously, a hostile aura enveloped them.

Ahead, in a wide open area, Lord Junwei Mountain and his group stood side by side, observing them with cold gazes. They too wore blood-red shackles, which pulsed with a fearsome glow.

"Why aren't you fleeing now?" the Dragon Horse mocked.

"We never fled; we merely retreated to this location. We've chosen an excellent graveyard here to hunt you down!" one of them retorted coldly.

Ye Fan's gaze, sharp as a sword, swept over the group, finally revealing a flicker of killing intent as he strode forward.

"Let me!" The Dragon Horse was eager. Although burdened by millions of pounds of shackles, heavy as a mountain, which significantly hampered its movements, it still transformed into a flash of fire, demonstrating extraordinary speed.

"Whoosh!"

On the opposing side, two individuals moved simultaneously, even faster, evading the Dragon Horse's massive hooves. Lightning flashed and thunder roared as laws intertwined, and they activated sacred artifacts, unleashing a direct assault to suppress and kill. The Dragon Horse was startled, quickly retreating as it narrowly avoided being outpaced by the opponents' speed. Feeling unsettled, it muttered, "Do they also possess the 'Word of Travel' technique?"

Ye Fan shook his head. "This is their home turf," he said. "Their shackles are fake."

"What?" The Dragon Horse gasped in surprise.

"They were originally in the Thirty-Seventh Zone. Their brief foray into the Thirty-Sixth Zone was merely a ruse to lure us here, concealed by a secret art," Ye Fan explained.

"Treacherous and malicious," the Dragon Horse gritted its teeth.

"Precisely. We entered from the Thirty-Seventh Zone entrance, concealed by a prime magnetic secret art, and crossed into the Thirty-Sixth Zone to lure you here. Did you truly believe we were inferior to you just now?!" the cultivator whose jaw Ye Fan had shattered now spoke, his wounds apparently healed. His tone was gloomy and cold, laden with hatred.

Lord Junwei Mountain now radiated even stronger strands of chaotic energy, standing there like a reincarnated divine king, his purple eyes flashing like lightning!

"Originally, I intended to cross realms for cultivation. The millions of pounds of shackles are merely a form of tempering for me; having them is ideal!" Ye Fan declared with immense force, not considering the shackles a burden at all. At that very moment, he unleashed his full power. Behind him, the Golden Divine Treasury materialized. This golden world contained golden Daoist bells, heavenly pagodas, immortal swords, ancient mirrors, and more, all dazzling brightly. They surged forth simultaneously, launching an indiscriminate attack.

The individuals facing him were greatly startled, resisting with all their might. Various magical artifacts appeared, and sacred artifacts were fully activated, descending upon Ye Fan.

"Clang!"

From the Golden Divine Treasury, dozens to hundreds of golden divine weapons, each dazzling brightly as if forged from Dao Calamity Gold, appeared, emanating boundless power. These weapons all struck simultaneously, cleaving into a jade palace. Though it was naturally a sacred artifact, it instantly shattered into pieces, unable to withstand the assault of this secret art, and was utterly destroyed.

"Ah..." The palace's owner cried out in agony, but there was no changing this reality. This rare treasure, however, could not withstand the secret art from the Ancient Emperor's Forbidden Chapter. It was utterly destroyed, reduced to scrap.

The middle-aged Taoist nun and her two companions all collapsed to the ground, their faces ashen. They had escaped from the shattered sacred artifact palace, but were trembling uncontrollably, their faces utterly devoid of color. They were terrified beyond measure, knowing that disaster was imminent. Now, truly, they had nowhere left to hide; no path led to salvation above, and none below. Chased like dogs, they had initially believed encountering Lord Junwei Mountain would grant them escape, but now it seemed death was inevitable. The individual before them was simply too formidable. Even pursuing them across realms, he still appeared like a demon god, radiating an aura of invincibility!

"Before the true battle begins, I shall deal with you first," Ye Fan stated coldly.

"No!" The middle-aged Taoist nun shrieked in terror, while the other two instantly collapsed to the ground.

"Stop!" Lord Junwei Mountain cried out, attempting to intervene as he strode forward with powerful, resolute steps.

"Splat!"

The Golden Divine Treasury behind Ye Fan blazed even brighter, unleashing dozens of golden magical artifacts that, in an instant, sliced the middle-aged Taoist nun and her two companions into bloody pulp, their souls utterly annihilated.

"If I wish to kill you, no one can save you!" Ye Fan's icy words echoed through the mountain range, radiating immense confidence. Even if gods were to descend, they too would be slain.