Chapter 1269: No Good People

Ditian, a name that struck fear into many, was truly invincible as he traversed the ancient starry road.

Even after more than twenty years, no one had forgotten him. He was a god-like figure who had stifled many cultivators, already beginning to display the bearing of a Great Emperor.

"It's him… Ditian, whose aura could engulf ten thousand miles." Grand Commander Yu Han was momentarily lost in thought. He had seen that man over twenty years ago, and the memory still made his heart race.

"Ditian is a forbidden existence. He was among the same group of trial-takers as Fairy Qingshi. Later, they parted ways to pursue enlightenment."

Some prominent figures in the Second Holy City frowned. For years, messages from the ancient starry road had consistently reported Ditian's terrifying power, which was said to be truly astonishing.

Tuoba Yu from the Ancient Star of the Human King, Yu Xian from the Ancient Land of Feathered Ascension, and others, their eyes briefly flashed with brilliant light. They had clearly heard of him through various channels, and their emotions were slightly stirred.

Yan Chifeng, the great-grandson of the old commander of the Human Race's Second Holy City, remained expressionless. This name was certainly not new to him; he had personally witnessed this individual in the past and had never forgotten it. It was precisely after seeing Ditian's unparalleled grace that he had not yet embarked on his own journey.

Ditian was enveloped by a divine halo, peerless in the starry sky, dazzling and radiant, illuminating the entire ancient starry road. Even without seeing him in person, merely hearing his name commanded utmost respect.

"Ditian is a proud talent of his generation, and Brother Ye is also an exceptional figure. Befriending him would not diminish your reputation," Fairy Qingshi said softly and melodiously.

Ye Fan understood that the Banished Immortal was attempting to recruit him. The Ditian she spoke of must be an extraordinary young supreme being, and her previous remarks were simply a modest way of putting it.

Was this an attempt to find a right-hand man for Ditian? Ye Fan remained calm. He surmised that Ditian must be an exceptionally powerful individual if even the Banished Immortal was helping him seek allies.

A soft flute melody drifted, like a bubbling spring in a desert or a cluster of magnificent palaces appearing on a vast grassland. It soothed the soul and filled listeners with yearning.

Fairy Qingshi, the Banished Immortal, put her cherry lips to the jade flute. Notes flowed out, resounding throughout the Jade Wave Immortal Forest. A shower of flowers rained down, their petals glistening and exuding a delicate fragrance, making the entire place seem dreamlike.

Within the forest, some withered ancient trees had long lost their vitality, but after the flute melody swept over them, they sprouted new shoots and were revived.

Many rocks shimmered with light, as if coming to life. Flowers and plants became sentient, swaying rhythmically as clouds drifted and thousands of birds gathered.

Sweet springs gushed from the ground, and golden lotuses appeared in the sky. Such a divine melody caused strange phenomena in heaven and earth, bringing exceptional peace to all.

This melody was greatly beneficial for cultivation, allowing one's spiritual platform to become clear and making it easy to enter a state of enlightenment. It was likely that even Fairy Qingshi could not play it every day.

Hundreds of birds chirped softly, and iridescent petals rained down. It was a long time before people fully regained their senses.

Ultimately, Ye Fan did not exchange the Source of Dao. He subtly hinted that he might agree to the exchange if several ancient scriptures and the Divine Light Platform were offered together.

The Banished Immortal could not possibly agree. The Divine Light Platform held immense significance; losing it would be akin to having her immortal wings severed, preventing travel between the various ancient cities.

"Be careful, don't actually wipe out the Thirteen Riders of Tianhuang," the young maid Ling'er mumbled.

"Is the Great Demon God really that terrifying?" Ye Fan asked.

"Of course. Although Gu Huang is still very young, he has traversed through a sea of blood, slaying countless formidable figures. He is comparable to an unparalleled demon lord, making even Young Master Ditian extremely wary."

*Gu Huang*, *Ancient Emperor* – Ye Fan silently repeated the words. The homophonic names seemed to foreshadow something. This was a young supreme being, yet he was known as the Great Demon God.

The small gathering concluded. People rose and departed one by one. Ye Fan walked on in the setting sun, casting an unconcerned glance at several elders in the distance before proceeding.

"His spiritual perception is quite formidable. That meaningful glance suggested he detected our true forms. He is a sharp sword. As Young Master Ditian embarks on the Imperial Path, he will need powerful figures who command their own regions as his allies. If this person genuinely submits, he will secure a place in the future."

"My concern is his untamed nature, thinking he can forge his own path. Perhaps we should make him understand his true identity and standing beforehand."

The elders watched Ye Fan's retreating figure, whispering among themselves.

"He possesses more than one ancient scripture, in addition to the Source of Dao. I wonder if he'll survive these next few days," the second leader of the Thirteen Riders of the Heavenly Emperor remarked, his eyes gleaming coldly.

"Hmph!" Yan Chifeng, his hair secured by a golden crown, had an indifferent expression. Seated atop a towering savage beast, he appeared somewhat cold, uttering only a single sound.

Everyone gradually departed the Jade Wave Immortal Forest, all convinced that a significant upheaval was likely to occur in the coming days, with the cultivator named Ye Fan at its epicenter.

Several prominent figures in the city harbored their own thoughts. They dispersed without discussion, their true intentions unreadable.

Kutuo, Mu Guanghan, Ou Yemo, and others also appeared unremarkable, saying almost nothing at the gathering. All of them possessed extraordinary backgrounds and were considered among the strongest seeded trial-takers in this group.

"Did the Banished Immortal truly give up just like that? It's unfathomable. Will she depart?" an old warrior whispered.

Grand Commander Yu Han remained expressionless as he patrolled atop an ancient beast. "It's difficult to say about all this," he stated, "but it's highly probable that the trial-taker named Ye Fan will encounter some trouble in the coming days."

"Hey, hey, slow down," a girl's voice called from behind Ye Fan. Yu Xian approached gracefully, treading lightly, her snow-white robes fluttering. She had a sweet face and beauty that could captivate any city.

"What do you think the Banished Immortal's intentions are? Is she flaunting her strength to us, and does she harbor ill will towards you? Why don't we unite, gather Mu Guanghan, Kutuo, Ou Yemo, and the others, and eliminate her together? What do you say?" Yu Xian asked.

She was as fresh as a flowering tree covered in snow, as lively as an elf, pretty and sweet. It was truly surprising to hear such words from her, making her seem like a mischievous girl.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong? She is among the most formidable individuals on the ancient starry road, and eliminating her now is a rare opportunity," Yu Xian said, blinking her large eyes and fiercely shaking her small fist.

Ye Fan responded, "Can you defeat her? Even her young maid has achieved sainthood, and even the reception envoy treats her with the utmost courtesy, personally greeting her upon arrival."

"Hmph, isn't she just an old woman? She's merely cultivated for a bit longer. In twenty years, I'll completely surpass her!" Yu Xian said, her voice betraying a hint of unease. She slyly glanced around, fearful of being overheard.

Ye Fan pondered, then said, "Her age truly isn't great. I must admit, her cultivation surpasses even saints and challenges gods; she has few rivals on the ancient road."

"Who can say what will happen in twenty years? If she were truly the undisputed foremost figure on the ancient road, she wouldn't have returned," Yu Xian declared, once again "fiercely" inviting Ye Fan to help "eliminate" the Banished Immortal.

Ye Fan, of course, did not take these words as mere childish complaints from an innocent girl. He had already learned from the Banished Immortal's young maid that Yu Xian, Kutuo, Mu Guanghan, Tuoba Yu, and others were connected to some supreme experts from earlier on the ancient road. He surmised that Yu Xian's faction was hostile to Ditian's.

Ye Fan rode his dragon horse back to his residence alone. Before long, a visitor arrived: an elder, one of the men he had seen at the exit of the Jade Wave Immortal Forest.

The visitor was very amiable, drinking tea in the hall. He looked at Ye Fan with an appreciative and admiring gaze, subtly expressing his desire to exchange a supreme treasure for the Source of Dao.

Unfortunately, Ye Fan remained unyielding. Though he chatted cheerfully, he was completely unswayed, merely sharing tea and engaging in aimless small talk—from spaceships to romantic tales, then the ancient starry road, and even discussing the Banished Immortal's figure, which made the elder wish he could strike him.

"Young Master Ditian and several powerful individuals have discovered a massive, boundless mausoleum deep within the ancient road, possibly an Emperor's tomb. If you are interested, young friend, you may join us in future excavations."

The elder then offered another enticing prospect, which could be considered groundbreaking.

True tombs of ancient Great Emperors certainly existed in Beidou, but to this day, no one had managed to unearth one fully. At best, a secondary tomb might be partially opened, and even those were intentionally left for descendants by the ancient Emperors.

Deep within the ancient starry road, if there truly was a Great Emperor's tomb, it would undoubtedly be a place of immense conflict and bloodshed, attracting trial-takers from countless star systems. Perhaps, then, it could truly be unearthed.

Subsequently, the elder produced a jade weapon. It featured a tiger-shaped hilt and an ancient blade less than a foot long, crafted from ancient celestial jade. It was a Saint artifact, though it seemed more like a symbol of status.

"Young Master Ditian has campaigned and fought bloody battles for decades. To date, he has bestowed five Saint artifacts. Whoever possesses one of them can obtain information about divine conflicts and all necessary provisions along the way."

The elder spoke, albeit vaguely, but it was enough. This was a token, a test for Ye Fan, an attempt to recruit him as an aide for Young Master Ditian.

Ye Fan glanced at him, clearly discerning a true dragon-shaped Saint artifact and an immortal phoenix-shaped Dao weapon. However, the elder chose to present him with a white tiger-shaped sword.

Although the elder performed the act discreetly, summoning the item from within himself, Ye Fan's Heaven-Origin Eye was exceptionally sharp and had already seen through the deception. It appeared that in the elder's estimation, Ye Fan was worth recruiting, but not considered a top-tier "sharp sword."

"Elder, I have no interest in such matters. I detest fighting and killing; I rarely take lives, and my hands are virtually unsullied by blood. What I most enjoy in life are romantic pursuits. I was wondering, does Fairy Qingshi have a sweetheart? Could you discreetly inquire for me? If you could help make an introduction, I would be eternally grateful…"

Upon hearing this, the elder almost overturned the table and stormed away. He ultimately stood up with a dark expression and took his leave.

"How did it go?" As soon as he returned to a garden, the other individuals stood up and inquired.

"He claimed he rarely takes lives. Bah! From what I know, he's forged his path through a sea of blood, having slain countless experts long ago."

"It seems he's unwilling to surrender the Source of Dao. Unless we apply some pressure, he won't understand, won't recognize that he's merely a supporting character in this world."

"The most aggravating part is that he spoke so arrogantly, disrespecting the Banished Immortal, and lectured me about romantic trivialities."

"This scoundrel is truly audacious. If Young Master Ditian knew, he would surely subdue him with a mere gesture, making him understand his place and face reality."

The elder returned indignant, recounting his experience to the others. Ye Fan's teasing and dismissiveness had clearly displeased them all.

In the sky, Grand Commander Yu Han, riding a savage beast, patrolled the city. Observing the elder's departure, he adopted a thoughtful expression and stated, "The true forms of these individuals are not human. Their strength is formidable. They must have been sent back by Ditian, plotting to acquire the Source of Dao."

An old soldier narrowed his eyes and said, "Grand Commander, the Primordial Dao Field is about to open. We could create an opening and allow these non-human individuals to enter. If they are indeed plotting to acquire the Source of Dao, we can… eliminate them at the last moment. We would gain the Source of Dao, and it would also be a great service in protecting the Dao Field."