Chapter 1267: Exiled Immortal

Ye Fan did not want to interact with them much, as the presence of Guan Cheng and the second leader of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders made the group's hostility towards him evident.

He nodded and urged his horse forward. There was no need for confrontation at this moment; they would meet on the battlefield sooner or later.

"What arrogance! Who does he think he is?" a young man muttered sinisterly from behind as he watched Ye Fan depart.

Ye Fan's hearing was incredibly sharp; he had long mastered the Celestial Eye and Wind-Hearing abilities. He abruptly turned his head, and two brilliant golden rays shot from his eyes.

The man's heart immediately pounded, and his face changed color. He wanted to shout loudly to relieve the pressure, feeling as though he was being crushed by a mountain.

"Pfft." At that instant, he felt a suffocating tightness in his chest and a sweet taste in his throat. He opened his mouth and spat out a large mouthful of blood, his face turning pale. He nearly fell from his horse, his body swaying.

Everyone was startled, their expressions changing.

These individuals were all from prominent backgrounds, yet today someone dared to pressure one of them with such force, causing him to vomit blood. Passersby on the street looked on in astonishment.

Amidst the commotion, the group was about to charge forward, their mounts neighing and battle energy surging.

The man with the golden crown raised a hand, stopping them. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said, "Don't be reckless."

Seeing this, the others restrained themselves, sitting upright on their exotic beasts, deferring to him as their leader, for he possessed an extraordinary background.

Many on the street also knew the identity of the man with the golden crown: Yan Chifeng, the great-grandson of the retired old general. He possessed extraordinary talent in cultivation.

Although the old general no longer involved himself in worldly affairs, his influence over the years remained immense, making all factions wary. Naturally, they held his favored great-grandson in high regard.

Ye Fan gave them a cold glance, then turned and left, paying them no further attention.

"We can't let him walk away so arrogantly and calmly," Guan Cheng said chillingly. He was an old acquaintance of Yan Chifeng.

Yan Chifeng, with his robust physique, sat atop a tall savage beast. His golden crown gleamed, and his armor shimmered ominously. He carried a crimson-gold war god's whip on his back but said nothing.

The second leader of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders' eyes were dark and sinister. He said, "We cannot let him develop an invincible aura of supreme arrogance."

Someone in the crowd lightly shouted, and several divine Mastiffs nearby immediately stood on their hind legs, roaring as they lunged forward.

"Brother Guan, twenty-some years ago, you were so brilliant, yet you were defeated by *that* person. Today, you are suppressed by *this* person again. Watch how we avenge you."

Besides their mounts, these dozen or so individuals also had some battle beasts accompanying them. All of them now galloped and charged forward.

The man with the golden crown did not restrain the Nine-Son Demonic Qilin Tigers, allowing all nine savage beasts to move in unison. They were kings among battle beasts, their roars like thunder, as they pounced on Ye Fan and the Dragon Horse, their bloodlust terrifyingly palpable.

The group all sneered. Even if they couldn't directly act due to city regulations, they intended to make Ye Fan look disheveled and speechless. After all, it was just a beast rampage.

People on the street changed color, not daring to obstruct, and scattered to avoid the impending disaster.

These dozen or so individuals remained seated on their savage beasts, quietly waiting to watch the spectacle.

Ye Fan abruptly turned his horse around, pulled out a large bow more than half his height, and with decisive resolve, unhesitatingly drew it, firing a bone arrow.

"Pfft." A white light tore through the air, followed by a splash of blood. The ancient beast leading the charge was pierced through the forehead, let out a whimper, and fell into a pool of blood.

"Awooo..." The savage beasts charged forward. Although the Nine-Son Demonic Qilin Tigers were not yet fully grown, they already possessed the bearing of beast kings, their roars shaking mountains and rivers, causing half the city to rumble.

These were terrifying beasts, battle pets that Yan Chifeng had subdued from the depths of the cosmos. Once fully grown, they would be an invaluable aid.

Ye Fan remained as still as a rock, not even blinking an eye. Arrow after arrow, he fired continuously, each a blinding white light, his aura surging like a vast ocean.

His movements were incredibly swift; no one could stop him. Like lightning, he rapidly fired one bone arrow after another, each made from the bone spikes of a sacred beast.

"Pfft," "Pfft"... Bloody and brutal, over a dozen bone arrows were unleashed, their divine power vast, tearing through the sky. Six exotic beasts and all the Nine-Son Demonic Qilin Tigers were pierced through, pinned to the ground, bleeding profusely!

Only a few inferior battle beasts, lagging behind and not charging forward, escaped the ordeal. They returned whimpering with their tails between their legs.

The street was utterly silent, to the extreme. No one had expected Ye Fan to be so decisive and ruthless, slaying the savage beasts with lightning speed right there on the street.

The owners of the battle beasts all gasped, their faces grim. They had thought Ye Fan would merely scare off the savage beasts, causing a bit of a commotion, but they never imagined he would be so cold and reckless.

"You...how ruthless! Killing in the city, you've violated city regulations and committed a capital offense!" one person shouted.

Yan Chifeng's face was ashen. The Nine-Son Demonic Qilin Tigers were his beloved pets. To acquire them, he had spent immense effort, battling adult savage beasts in the cosmos, a perilous undertaking.

Now, to have them all shot down felt like a slap in the face.

The street was very quiet, with all pedestrians backing away. Everyone knew that the old general's great-grandson was not to be trifled with, and now that he had been openly challenged, the situation would likely not end well.

"What's going on?!" City guards rushed over, shouting loudly.

Ye Fan's expression was calm; he said nothing. The group behind him, however, all had murderous glints in their eyes, looking as if they were about to charge.

Yan Chifeng's face flickered with changing emotions, but he finally responded calmly, "Nothing. My battle pets were startled and nearly harmed someone, so they were killed on the street."

The dozen or so guards breathed a sigh of relief. They had genuinely feared Yan Chifeng would insist on making a big deal out of it, which would have caused considerable trouble.

"The old general's descendant truly has extraordinary bearing," a captain said, cupping his hands, and then left without further interference.

Ye Fan turned his horse around and headed towards the Celestial Forest of Emerald Waves.

The events on the long street naturally spread, leaving many people speechless. That such an incident occurred at this overcast and tense moment was surprising.

"If one attends this small gathering, something is bound to happen."

"Yan Chifeng will likely embark on the ancient starry road because of this. He has been dormant for so many years; it's time for him to depart."

Within the city, beautiful mountains and emerald waters were naturally rare sights. Majestic peaks, unusual ancient trees, gurgling streams, and faint bird song created an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere.

Ye Fan dismounted before the mountain gate, presented his invitation, and walked straight in. He passed through an ancient forest and arrived before a hillside covered in lush green grass and blooming exotic flowers.

On the cliff, green pines stood tall, and clear springs gurgled forth, cascading down as multicolored small waterfalls, shrouded in mist.

Some people sat cross-legged on the fragrant grassland, each with a jade table before them, laden with spirit fruits, fine wine, and other delicacies, all shimmering with crystal luster in their jade vessels.

In front, a lively young girl was playing a zither, with a touch of playfulness. Her slender, delicate fingers moved gracefully, producing a very pleasant melody.

As if sensing the arrival of many cultivators, she began to pluck the strings seriously. Streaks of celestial music flowed, causing hundreds of flowers to instantly bloom as they brushed past them. They swept over clear springs, creating a misty vapor that rose into the sky, attracting various birds that danced around her.

Many cultivators were astonished. There were no fluctuations of Dao power, only a clear and ethereal zither melody, yet it could create such phenomena.

Ye Fan paused, then fell silent for a long time. He thought of someone, ethereal as an immortal, beyond the mortal realm, whose zither music could cleanse worldly dust.

Sadly, he could no longer see that person. He had personally sent that person on their way, ending their life.

"I am a poor fish, for so many years, leaping up again and again, each time thinking I had escaped that river..." These words still echoed in his ears. Even for an enemy, they were unforgettable.

"I don't play well, please excuse me. Oh, Miss has arrived." The lively young girl stood up, twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, and remained energetic even as she stood aside.

"Miss Ling'er is too modest. Your zither music makes hundreds of flowers bloom, attracts thousands of birds, and causes mist to rise from the ground. How many can compare to such a convergence of auspicious phenomena?"

"Such wondrous music moves heaven and earth; how often can one hear it in this world?"

Everyone offered sincere praise.

The young girl smiled shyly and said, "What is my zither music? Only Miss's truly attains the Dao. After she plays a piece, she can make decaying bones revive..."

A woman walked over, interrupting her, and said, "Ling'er is being mischievous again. Please don't listen to her nonsense."

Undoubtedly, she was Fairy Qing Shi. Her figure was graceful, and as the encircling immortal mist dispersed, her celestial countenance was revealed: bright eyes and pearly teeth, exquisitely beautiful and otherworldly. Her smile was gentle and kind.

Her dark hair shone so brightly it could reflect a person, her eyebrows were elegantly curved, her skin was fair and delicate, and her eyes held a poetic charm, possessing a spiritual liveliness that seemed to penetrate the mortal world.

"I once heard that over twenty years ago, the immortal maiden's ethereal flute melody permeated the cosmos, causing four sages to instantly integrate with the Dao. It was truly astonishing to immortals and brought gods to tears," an elder said.

Upon hearing this, everyone was awestruck.

Fairy Qing Shi was an unparalleled beauty. Even if she surpassed other beautiful women, she wouldn't necessarily cause such a strong reaction, as the cultivators present, having reached their current realms, had seen countless beautiful women among the populace. However, she possessed a unique aura; the more one looked at her, the more extraordinary she seemed. Her beauty was in harmony with the Dao, radiating an air of warmth and spiritual tranquility that naturally drew people to her.

She was tall and slender, with a radiant celestial face. Her lotus-like arms were flawless, her chest full, and her slender waist delicate and shapely. Her legs were straight and long, and her steps were light and graceful, as if she were treading on waves. Her white robes fluttered, giving her an ethereal and transcendent appearance.

"Those are just rumors, not to be taken seriously," Qing Shi said with a gentle smile, inviting the cultivators present to take their seats. She greeted both old acquaintances and newcomers whom she hadn't met before, ensuring no one felt overlooked.

At this moment, Yan Chifeng, Guan Cheng, and the second leader of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders also arrived. They stood far from Ye Fan, observing him with cold indifference.

Fairy Qing Shi had invited many people, and the overall atmosphere was joyous and lively. Among the guests were esteemed figures from the city, such as the Grand General and heads of several major families, as well as newly promoted experts.

Before long, Gu Ling, the leader of the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders, also arrived, surprising Ye Fan because he did not come with Yan Chifeng and the others.

As for Tuoba Yu, Ascetic Kutu, Yu Xian, Ou Ye Mo, Mu Guanghan, and others, they were also among the invited and had already arrived, sitting amidst the flowers and grass.

"Hey, we're here for you. Alright, since we're asking for something, we should definitely offer some benefits first," a lively and quick-witted divine sense secretly transmitted.

Ye Fan was surprised. He hadn't expected the immortal maiden's personal maid to be so familiar, acting as if she had known him for ages, ready to tell him something.

"I heard you've almost wiped out the Tianhuang Thirteen Riders. I advise you not to kill them all, especially the first two," she whispered via spiritual transmission.

"Why?" Ye Fan asked.

"They are thirteen retainers of a great demon god from deep within the ancient starry road, and they have only just set out. If that great demon god were to know you've wiped them all out, even if he didn't act personally, a mere command from him would make your future path awash in blood."

"Who is this great demon god, and how formidable is he?" Ye Fan's heart stirred.

The little maid seemed to have a headache. She mumbled something, rubbing her fair forehead with her slender, pale hand, and frowned, "Heavens, you know nothing! Which starfield are you from? Has no 'senior' ever guided you? The great demon god is a young man named Gu Huang. He has left many prodigies on the path helpless and might be unrivaled throughout the entire ancient road. Seriously, besides a select few, no one can contend with him."

"Oh, and the group of trial-takers you're with—like Ascetic Kutu, Yu Xian, Tuoba Yu, and Mu Guanghan—none of them are simple individuals. They are all connected to certain people further along the path," the little maid said, still with a headache.

"Actually, Qing Shi's return this time is primarily for the Origin of Dao," the immortal maiden said at that moment.

Everyone was startled. They hadn't expected her to bring it up so directly in public; given her intelligent mind, it shouldn't have been like this.