Chapter 127: The Gate of All Mysteries, Profound Yellow

"Is it really 'immortal blood'?" Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue couldn't help but wonder.

The vivid red blood, glistening brightly, was imprinted on the copper wall directly in front of them, forming a giant character "仙" (Immortal). It was about nine meters tall, radiating brilliant light, dazzling and magnificent, as if condensed from a splendid red mist. "Is the secret to becoming an immortal all here?" Ji Ziyue's eyes sparkled, her lips curved into a smile, and she tilted her head to observe.

The resplendent blood character gave Ye Fan a strange feeling. He calmed his mind and focused, examining it closely, hoping to discover something.

Chaos surged within the grand hall, and the energies of yin and yang flowed. The brilliant "Immortal" character possessed an indescribable charm. Unbeknownst to them, both individuals became somewhat dazed, as if touching upon an elusive profound concept.

The space ahead gradually became hazy, dreamlike and illusory, giving them a sense of unreality. The world withered, then flourished again, evolving, emerging, and perishing. The Great Dao was pure and ethereal, unfathomable, and never-ending.

Various inexplicable phenomena appeared, leaving them both entranced and bewildered, falling into a state of stupor. They reached out, seemingly wanting to grasp forward, to seize that indistinct trajectory. "The named is the mother of all things. Heaven and Earth have form and position; Yin and Yang have hardness and softness, combining to nourish all things and create life."

"The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth. Formless and shapeless, it emerges from nothingness, continuous and endless, like a wisp of silken thread, without trace, never decaying. It is the primordial beginning of Heaven and Earth, the fundamental root of the Dao."

In a trance, a voice seemed to echo within the grand hall, enticing them forward, urging them to explore the root of Heaven and Earth and open the Door of Myriad Wonders.

This was an immense temptation, as if the hope of becoming immortal was right before their eyes. The profound sounds of the Great Dao continuously reverberated, like the tolling of a great bell, leading them to complete enlightenment.

Although Ji Ziyue's divine power was sealed, her body was now free. Her face displayed a serene expression, and she was captivated, walking forward step by step.

Ye Fan was in the same state. A bright lamp seemed to hang high in the world, radiating endless spiritual charm, guiding him forward. Celestial melodies, profound truths, and countless techniques appeared before him, and a divine path of light unfolded beneath his feet.

Unable to resist the temptation, they unconsciously took steps forward. Both were profoundly devout, as if summoned and guided, slowly advancing.

At that moment, in their eyes, the earth gave forth sweet springs, golden lotuses descended from the heavens, luan birds and phoenixes danced, auspicious clouds filled a thousand paths, and divine rainbows stretched for ten thousand strips. Five colors intertwined, seven colors shone, and various auspicious splendors continuously circulated.

Suddenly, immense waves surged from Ye Fan's golden Sea of Suffering, intertwined with lightning. His body, as if cast from gold, became blazing hot. At this instant, all auspicious signs blurred, and everything around him became hazy. He felt as if he stood on the edge of an abyss, or had fallen into hell, his body chilling to the bone, cold sweat pouring down.

He could not discern his surroundings. Endless mist enveloped him, and a chilling, overwhelming murderous intent completely engulfed him.

A shiver ran through him. He vaguely felt that he was just a step away from death. The so-called profound sounds of the Great Dao were so illusory, so ethereal, and no longer true.

At the same time, Ji Ziyue's delicate body also radiated a rosy glow. Her jade-like skin shimmered with specks of light. As if struck by lightning, she halted her steps, appearing utterly bewildered. "Dong!"

In the spring eye at the bottom of Ye Fan's Sea of Suffering, the green copper block vibrated gently. Instantly, he felt his mind clear, and he fully recovered. As the mist gradually dispersed, he found himself standing before the copper wall, mere steps away from the blood-imprinted "Immortal" character, about to touch it.

Ji Ziyue was even closer; her jade hand was already outstretched, just inches away from touching the bloody "Immortal" character.

He quickly pulled the purple-clad girl back, then rapidly retreated. Once they were far enough away, the scene they beheld finally became completely clear, no longer dazed and hazy.

Looking ahead again, the nine-meter-tall giant "Immortal" character was terrifying, like a bloody hell, exuding an endless murderous aura.

All the wondrous phenomena and the boundless profound sounds of the Great Dao had vanished. There was no longer any mysterious Dao rhythm, only horror and dread. "This is..."

Both shivered with cold and broke out in cold sweat. If they had taken a few more steps forward, they might have been instantly killed, no longer existing in the world.

"I clearly heard the celestial sounds of the Great Dao, but how did they all disappear in an instant? Now there's no sign of immortality..." Ji Ziyue was utterly bewildered.

Ye Fan's heart, however, was chilled. He had intended to explore endless profound truths, but instead found himself on the brink of an abyss, led to the edge of death, sending a chill down his spine.

At the critical moment, if not for the surging waves of his golden Sea of Suffering and the vibration of the green copper block, he might have already fallen in a pool of blood, no longer in this world. At the same time, he was somewhat surprised that Ji Ziyue's physique was also very special; she had also stopped at the last moment. Although he had pulled her back, it was enough to show her extraordinary nature.

Looking at the skeletons in the grand hall, Ye Fan felt a chill. These individuals, seeking the secret to immortality, had turned into dry bones, sleeping here eternally. This was the bloody reality.

All the illusory and ethereal elements had vanished. The mist dispersed, revealing only murderous intent, causing cold sweat to pour from both of them.

"What does this signify? Does it mean the end of cultivation is an abyss, or hell, and one cannot become immortal?"

"In the ancient history of the Eastern Wasteland, many peerless experts painstakingly pursued traces of immortals. Was it merely a dead end? Would reaching the end mean a bottomless chasm?"

If this were the outcome, it would be disheartening, extinguishing the hope of cultivators and severing the very foundation of cultivation.

"Is there truly an immortal at the end of the cultivation path?" Ji Ziyue wondered if the legendary figures in the ancient history of the Eastern Wasteland, who were said to have become immortals, had truly crossed that threshold.

"Could it be that there are no immortals in this world at all?"

"Is this a broken path that suddenly ends?"

At this moment, she recalled the words of that unnamed cultivator:

"Dare I ask Heaven, are there immortals?"

Ji Ziyue resonated with the question, feeling a deep connection.

Ye Fan also pondered this question. He had seen the nine dragons pulling the coffin, but even the powerful individual inside the bronze coffin had died, and the nine dragons were also lifeless. He had entered the Great Thunder Sound Temple, but that legendary ancient temple was already desolate, and the so-called Buddhas were nowhere to be found. Was "Buddha" merely a state of being, rather than a truly immortal entity? This left him with doubts; he couldn't understand if immortals truly existed in this world.

"In any case, if someone can traverse starfields, reaching that level would allow them to open a path to the other side of the starry sky..."

What is an immortal? No one could say for sure. Whether they truly existed or not, there had never been concrete evidence, only endless legends. "In the ancient texts of the Eastern Wasteland, there are a few records of becoming immortal, but they are vague and unclear. This..." Ji Ziyue was puzzled.

"Why think so much? Worry about it when you reach that realm," Ye Fan said, tapping her head to bring her back to reality.

"You hit me again!" Ji Ziyue rubbed her smooth forehead, her eyes welling up with tears. She cried, "You're challenging the dignity of a future immortal!"

"You yourself said there probably aren't any immortals in this world."

"If I become an immortal, then there will be an immortal, won't there?" Ji Ziyue gnashed her glistening canine teeth, saying, "If you dare hit me again, I won't let you off in the future!"

Ye Fan chuckled, pinching her delicate, upturned nose. "So narcissistic..." "This is confidence!" Ji Ziyue dodged backward, gritting her teeth. "You'd better not provoke a future immortal."

A chilling murderous intent permeated the air. Although they had retreated a safe distance, they still felt the terrifying nature of the bloody character.

"Profoundly mysterious, the primordial qi has varying densities, giving rise to sages and worthies..."

The ethereal and elusive vibrations sounded again, emanating from the bloody "Immortal" character, tempting them to advance and glimpse the true realm of profound truths.

It was not a sound, nor a divine sense transmission, but rather an inexplicable aura flowing, making one believe they were receiving the divine sounds of the Great Dao's profound truths.

Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue exchanged glances, finding it increasingly terrifying. The vibrations, like both sound and divine sense, indeed contained indescribably wonderful cultivation principles, yet they dared not advance. The path ahead was a bottomless abyss; though the scenery along the way was beautiful, one more step could lead to eternal damnation.

"Eliminate desires, maintain balance, mystery within mystery, immortality within the Dao, the Door of Myriad Wonders, open quickly!"

Even more obscure and profound vibrations emanated. The bloody "Immortal" character in front actually vibrated, then split into two halves, opening a mysterious portal. Four ancient characters materialized: Door of Myriad Wonders!

"It's not a dead end! There's hope for immortality! The broken path connects! There must be the secret to becoming immortal inside!" Ji Ziyue bit her red lips, her pearly teeth sparkling. Her large eyes curved in a smile, and a small dimple appeared on her left cheek, making her look mischievous and lively, filled with delight.

However, she did not step forward. Instead, she glanced at Ye Fan and said, "I'm giving you a chance to become immortal. Go ahead!" Was it an abyss, or an opportunity?

Ye Fan felt a chill all over. He did not advance; instead, he retreated a few more steps. "Future immortal, I'm giving you the opportunity," he said.

Ji Ziyue also dared not move forward, retreating a few steps herself. Both shared the same apprehension, believing the path ahead was likely an endless abyss.

But if they didn't go forward, how would they escape their predicament? There was no way back.

Suddenly, Ye Fan's heart jolted. He sensed a unique aura, like the fishy smell of lake water.

The bloody "Immortal" character had split into two halves, forming the Door of Myriad Wonders. Not far from it, chaos surged and yin-yang energies flowed, but they were highly unbalanced, continuously collapsing and sinking.

"What's that..." Ji Ziyue followed Ye Fan's gaze and quickly noticed the anomaly. "It looks like a passage!"

Ye Fan walked forward step by step, with Ji Ziyue following behind. Various profound divine sounds emanated once more, and their minds were instantly affected, becoming somewhat disoriented.

The green copper block in Ye Fan's Sea of Suffering seemed to resist, vibrating gently, which diffused the crisis. Their minds cleared, allowing them to continue forward.

Right beside the "Immortal" character, beneath the chaotic mist, there was a gap. The copper wall had been forcefully pierced, revealing a rugged, artificially created path leading to an unknown destination.

"Heavens, who possessed such formidable combat power to pierce through the copper hall and carve out such a path?" Ji Ziyue exclaimed in amazement.

The legendary Bronze Immortal Palace was indestructible, like a cage of Heaven and Earth, seemingly impossible to break. Many powerful cultivators in the Eastern Wasteland had been trapped inside, none having escaped alive, all perishing within.

It was said that the most successful exploration in the past had only resulted in a corpse being brought out, though there was no concrete evidence. However, this legend now seemed to be broken!

A faint fishy smell of lake water wafted towards them. Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue moved quickly. Half an hour later, following the rugged copper path, they emerged, arriving at the top of the Bronze Immortal Palace.

"Oh my heavens, someone actually pierced through the Bronze Immortal Palace and escaped! What an incredibly powerful figure!" Ji Ziyue's beautiful eyes were filled with shock.

Ye Fan was also inwardly horrified. Their survival was solely due to the green copper, yet someone else was so terrifying as to punch through the copper hall and create this opening by themselves!

"This person didn't choose to enter the Door of Myriad Wonders. It seems they had the same considerations as us, retreating from the abyss." Ji Ziyue's large eyes shone with a strange light. "It's incredible! They broke through the legendary Bronze Immortal Palace. If this gets out, it will surely shake the Eastern Wasteland!"

Based on the rugged marks, it could be inferred that countless years had passed.

Someone had escaped from here thousands, or even tens of thousands of years ago, but had not publicized it in the Eastern Wasteland. Why did they conceal it?

If this person were still alive, what realm would they have reached? After careful consideration, both Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue felt a chilling awe in their hearts, giving rise to various thoughts.

Ye Fan conjured a light barrier, enveloping Ji Ziyue within it. Standing on the immense copper palace, as vast as a city, lake water flowed around them, and a faint ripple of energy emanated.

However, this time, it didn't pull him down into the copper palace. The green copper block in Ye Fan's Sea of Suffering was silent and still, yet possessed a strange power, and the terrifying fluctuations no longer affected them.

Both felt a sense of unreality at their unexpected escape from the copper hall.

Not long ago, at the Door of Myriad Wonders, various phenomena had appeared. Although they brought temptation and a chilling murderous intent, those strange fluctuations indeed contained profound truths of cultivation. Both silently recalled them and committed them to memory; this was their only gain.

By instinct, Ye Fan felt it was no worse than the Dao Scripture, though he had only grasped a few fragmented words. Ji Ziyue, comparing it to her Ji family's ancient scripture, also felt it was comparable.

They did not know what lay behind the Door of Myriad Wonders and had no desire to investigate; being able to escape alive was already a blessing from Heaven.

Ye Fan observed carefully. The lake water above was covered by a cloud-like mist, but it was somewhat thin. The copper palace had been pierced at this point, and consequently, the mist above it had thinned considerably.

"Perhaps we can escape..."

He lifted Ji Ziyue and shot upwards through the water. Just as they ascended halfway, they again experienced immense pressure, as a gigantic, living shadow-like behemoth seemed to glide across above them.

However, this time he did not flinch. Enduring the pressure, he continued upwards, his entire body emitting golden light that spread far through the water.

The higher they went, the greater the pressure. Ye Fan gradually felt as though his body would shatter. He summoned his cauldron to lead the way.

Although this area was the weakest, Ye Fan still felt he could barely endure it. Just then, Ji Ziyue cried out in surprise, "It's Profound Yellow Qi!"

Above them, vast, mountain-like, cloud-heavy shadows appeared in profound yellow and black hues, hazy and indistinct. It seemed a single wisp of this mist could crush a mountain range, its weight utterly suffocating. Ye Fan hadn't even touched it yet, nor truly encountered it, but he was already struggling to breathe under its oppressive might. The stars were in disarray, Yin and Yang misaligned, and Profound Yellow Qi surged forth. While ordinary people considered Profound Yellow Qi to be the energy of chaos, true cultivators knew better. They believed "Profound" represented the essence of Heaven and "Yellow" the marrow of Earth, forming the very essence of the cosmos, thus representing Heaven and Earth themselves.

"Oh my god, it's real Profound Yellow Qi, and there's so much of it!" Ji Ziyue was incredibly shocked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is the best sacred material for refining artifacts!"

Enveloped by the light barrier Ye Fan had conjured, she didn't feel much pressure, but Ye Fan was already covered in sweat, on the verge of collapsing. "What are you shouting about?!" he demanded.

"I'm saying this is the rarest essence between Heaven and Earth, a sacred material for refining artifacts! Many powerful cultivators search their entire lives and can't obtain even a wisp, yet there's so much here!" Ji Ziyue was extremely excited, her face flushed, as she shook Ye Fan's shoulders repeatedly. "Quick, collect it! Use it to forge your own artifact! In the future, you can definitely condense 'Dao' and 'Principles' into an ultimate weapon!"

"You're just talking without feeling the pain..." Ye Fan was swaying, unable to move forward another step.

"The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth, which is the Dao. The Named is the mother of all things, which is Heaven and Earth. Profound Yellow Qi is the essence of Heaven and Earth, the mother qi of all things, a sacred material for forging all tangible substances, and the most precious!" Ji Ziyue was very excited, a blush spreading across her face, making her look incredibly sweet. She proclaimed loudly, "Normally, even peak cultivators search tirelessly but rarely find any, yet there's so much here! We must collect some!"

Hearing this, Ye Fan was indeed tempted. If his cauldron were forged with Profound Yellow Qi... he felt his heart rate quicken. However, given his current strength, he truly couldn't obtain it; he couldn't even get close.

Ji Ziyue shook Ye Fan's shoulder. "Quick, remove my seals! I have a way to collect it."

Ye Fan naturally wouldn't break her seals; that would be asking for trouble. The purple-clad girl's strength was unfathomable, and he didn't want to be subdued by her.

"Don't worry, I won't attack you." Ji Ziyue tugged at his arm, gnashing her glistening canine teeth. "This is an enormous opportunity! If we don't seize it, we'll be struck by lightning!"

At the dawn of Heaven and Earth, essence overflowed, forming Profound Yellow Qi. Its quantity was pitifully small, almost depleted, making it a favorite of peak cultivators and a treasure for artifact refining.

Ye Fan knew a little about it, but nowhere near as much as the purple-clad girl. Seeing her excitement, he too found it hard to remain calm, pondering how to acquire the Profound Yellow Qi.

However, according to legend, a single wisp of Profound Yellow Qi was enough to crush a mountain range. Currently, he had no ability to collect it; if he went up, he would likely be instantly shattered into a bloody mist. "Rumble!"

Above, in the area where the Profound Yellow Qi was weakest compared to other regions, a booming sound now echoed, and dazzling light streamed from afar.

"Profound" represented the essence of Heaven, "Yellow" the marrow of Earth. When combined, they typically did not emit radiance. However, at this moment, one particular strand of Profound Yellow Qi was exceptionally brilliant, far more dazzling than the other dense, unadorned Profound Yellow Qi.

"Oh my god, it's the root of Profound Yellow, its very essence!" Ji Ziyue was incredibly excited, her small face flushed. Then, exasperated, she grabbed Ye Fan. "Quick, undo my seals! That's the legendary mother qi essence, the purest Profound Yellow! It's rarely seen in a thousand generations. If we don't get it, both gods and men will be indignant!"

Just then, Ye Fan's Sea of Suffering vibrated, and the green copper block flew out, plunging into the Profound Yellow. It absorbed the brilliant essence and descended.

Ji Ziyue was both shocked and excited. "Give me some!" she cried, thinking Ye Fan had collected it.

In fact, the green copper block was completely uncontrolled. Ye Fan quickly summoned his cauldron to meet the green copper block and absorb the Profound Yellow essence. "Crack!"

A cracking sound echoed. The small cauldron couldn't withstand the immense pressure at all and was shattered, mixing with the Profound Yellow essence.

The green copper block only absorbed a portion of the Profound Yellow essence, merely "sampling" it. The rest of the essence swirled around it, and the shattered cauldron also adhered to the green copper.

Ye Fan was unsure whether to be happy or worried. The green copper was too mysterious, easily capturing the Profound Yellow essence, yet his painstakingly refined cauldron had shattered, leaving him with mixed feelings.

"This is a good thing! Your shattered cauldron has merged with the Profound Yellow. You can re-forge it and get the weapon you've always dreamed of! And don't forget to give me a wisp of the Profound Yellow essence; you can't possibly use all of it!" Ji Ziyue waved her small fists, her eyes sparkling, practically biting Ye Fan's ear as she loudly reminded him.

As the green copper block flew towards him, Ye Fan's heart filled with apprehension. A single wisp of Profound Yellow Qi could crush a mountain range; such concentrated Profound Yellow essence would surely be even heavier. He feared that if it entered his Sea of Suffering, he would instantly shatter.

However, there was no way to evade it. The green copper flashed, instantly sinking into the spring eye at the bottom of his Sea of Suffering. Everything became calm, and nothing bad happened, which put his mind at ease.

At this moment, above them, a booming sound continued. After the Profound Yellow essence was taken, the clouds and mist dispersed, and this area remarkably cleared up, revealing an opening.

This was a rare opportunity. Ye Fan lifted the purple-clad girl and shot upwards like a bolt of lightning, instantly leaving the lake bottom.

"So much Profound Yellow Qi, and we can't take it all! What a shame..." Ji Ziyue grumbled unwillingly, truly like a little money-grubber.

"Splash!" Waves rolled as Ye Fan burst out of the water, finally letting out a long breath.

It was a vast lake, with endless clear blue waves stretching as far as the eye could see. Mist shimmered, and the lake's surface was a translucent emerald, like a natural gem, imbued with an ethereal aura, gracing the boundless land.

Ye Fan flew for fifteen minutes before reaching a shore. Before his eyes lay lush greenery; countless ancient trees grew on the bank, verdant and full of vitality.

"Finally, we're out of danger..." They felt like survivors of a catastrophe.

On the bank, ancient trees towered, verdant green. Ye Fan's mind completely relaxed.

Ji Ziyue's large eyes fluttered, shimmering with light. She wrinkled her nose, then her glistening canine teeth and cute dimples appeared simultaneously. "Hey, hey, hey! We've been through hardships together, practically comrades in life and death, so why haven't you let me go yet? Now it's time to share the good fortune. Quickly, give me some Profound Yellow essence!"

She completely regarded herself as an insider, lively and a little mischievous. She gracefully approached, tilting her head and giggling sweetly, extending a slender jade hand and waving it lightly before Ye Fan's eyes.

"Indeed, it's time to share the good fortune," Ye Fan said with a faint smile, patting the spot beside him, motioning for her to sit down. "Now, write down your Ji family's ancient scripture for me."

"What?!" Ji Ziyue stared at him with her bright, intelligent eyes. "You're acting like a bandit!"

"That's right, today I'm going to rob you," Ye Fan said with a brilliant smile. "And I'm going to rob everything. Hand over your treasures, hand over your ancient scriptures..."