Chapter 1340: Battle Challenge

"Who is it, and where are they now?" Ye Fan's emotions surged. For so many years, the lack of news from his old friends had cast a shadow over his heart.

"Hmm, it's a brother and sister," the Emissary Zhao Gongyi said unhurriedly. As he spoke, he poured himself a glass of amber-colored wine, tipped his head back, and drank it, the mellow fragrance lingering.

Ye Fan fell into a trance. After all these years, separated by the vastness of space, were his old friends finally going to reunite with him?

He had journeyed alone, enduring a decade of bloody battles. He had fought his way to the First Pass of the Human Race, officially embarking on his campaign. Then, the ancient path broke, and it took him another two decades to reach this place.

During this time, his name had spread. The Sacred Body from the Buried Emperor Star caused a considerable stir among the ancient cities along the path. Many believed that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would become a peerless powerhouse in the future.

For years, Ye Fan had not seen his old friends. He could only inquire about them discreetly, not daring to widely publicize their names, as that might put them in danger.

This was because many eyes were watching his every move, and he had numerous enemies!

"This brother and sister pair are formidable," the Emissary continued. "For years, they remained very low-key, almost overlooked. But now, at a critical juncture, they've risen and seized the opportunity to escape."

"Are they surnamed Ji?" Ye Fan asked, unable to be certain. In Beidou, two pairs of siblings had embarked on the ancient path, both with extraordinary identities and unique destinies.

"They are from the Demon Race, but they possess mysterious ancient artifacts that have concealed their identities. They've never been exposed along the way," Zhao Gongyi explained.

"It's them, the Southern Demon siblings," Ye Fan said, unsurprised by the revelation. The Ji family siblings were pursuing the Coffin of the Void Emperor, and although they were on this path, no one knew which segment of the ancient path they had reached.

"It's rumored they want to meet you," the Emissary stated.

In recent years, Ye Fan's prestige had grown. His acts of killing the Grand Commander of the Human Race's Holy City, battling the Sacred Spirit lineage, and sweeping through the younger generation of foreign races when the ancient path broke, had slowly spread to the path ahead.

This naturally attracted the attention of some individuals during this period.

"How are they doing? Are they well?" Ye Fan inquired.

The ancient paths crisscrossed, with countless routes leading from various domains to a common destination. The Demon Race, Human Race, Divine Race, and others each had their own ancient paths, and usually, those of the same kind competed. There were few trans-domain trial-takers.

This was because, if they did, they would likely attract significant attention, becoming common enemies to many cultivators, making survival difficult. Eons ago, the young Demon Emperor embarked on the Human Race's ancient path, battling all the way to the peak.

Few dared to do so!

"They are doing very well," the Emissary replied. "They are about to cross domains and will be leaving the Human Race's ancient path."

An astonishing ancient demon had recently visited this vast starfield to discuss matters with the human path-protectors. By chance, he discovered the Southern Demon, recognizing him as the reincarnation of a demon god, and wished to take him away.

Zhao Gongyi did not know much, only having heard of this matter occasionally. Since it concerned Ye Fan, he decided to disclose it.

Ye Fan inquired in detail and learned some of the circumstances. He had not expected that the Southern Demon might convince the ancient demon to take them back on their journey to meet him.

After all these years, he was finally going to see some old friends.

"What about my Divine Light Platform? When will it be given to me as a reward?" Ye Fan demanded, collecting a debt. The Emissaries of the ancient path owed him a divine artifact but had yet to provide it.

"Divine Light Platforms are incredibly rare; currently, there isn't even one available," Zhao Gongyi replied.

"I don't believe it. How could such a vast ancient path lack a divine platform?" Ye Fan was quite displeased, having been owed this for so long.

"Based on peaceful, friendly, and orderly competition, we believe it's better for you to proceed steadily, one step at a time," the Emissary suggested. He implied that Ye Fan was a harbinger of disaster, bringing death wherever he went, often resulting in widespread casualties. It was best not to prematurely cross certain sections of the path and interfere.

"What's all this nonsense?" Ye Fan muttered, though his displeasure changed nothing.

Next, Zhao Gongyi, with a serious expression, spoke of another matter: Ye Fan's destined rival was returning to fight him. The Hegemonic Body was about to appear, which was undoubtedly a major event!

Many elder figures were paying close attention, and recent discussions had created a huge stir along the path ahead.

"Many believe it's best for you two not to clash now; it's still too early," the Emissary said. "Especially with the Underworld mobilizing forces on such a large scale, the elders particularly don't want one of the two great physiques to be eliminated in a bloody battle."

"If he comes, I will fight him. If he doesn't, we'll meet again in the future," Ye Fan said calmly.

Ye Fan's composure, however, made Yang Yunteng restless. He clenched his fists. This was the fated battle between the Sacred Body and the Hegemonic Body, and he had endured too much humiliation in his heart over the years.

"If only I had been born an era earlier," the little fellow Yang Xi also muttered indignantly, clenching his tiny fists.

"This battle is still far off and will certainly be stopped. Especially in this era, with frequent chaos and uncertainty about where the Underworld and various gods will wage war, some path-protectors on the ancient road are concerned and will avoid the tragedy of seed-level talents falling too early."

Two days later, the altar at the Fiftieth Pass of the Human Race shimmered, and news brought by arrivals from the path ahead shattered the tranquility.

"Do you know that the Hegemonic Body is returning? The one who, years ago, traversed heavenly domains alone, invincible and sweeping through the heroes of all realms, is about to reappear!"

"What? The one with the Tyrant's Blood of the Heavens flowing within him has turned back? He was invincible on the path ahead; why has he returned?"

This news caused a tremendous stir and uproar. Everyone was astonished, and a sense of awe filled their hearts regarding the Tyrant's Body of the Heavens. Many past events involving him were still fresh in their memories.

The Hegemonic Body would confront the Sacred Body—a fated battle!

Undoubtedly, after a brief shock, everyone realized that with Ye Fan's arrival and the appearance of the Sacred Body from the Buried Emperor Star, these two great physiques, ancient rivals, were now poised to continue their ancestors' struggle in a world-shaking battle.

The Fiftieth City of the Human Race was abuzz. Everyone was filled with anticipation; this was undoubtedly the most anticipated battle since embarking on the ancient path!

On the path ahead, several young supreme beings seemed to be deliberately avoiding something. Their subordinates had clashed many times, but the supreme beings themselves had yet to engage in a direct, peak life-and-death confrontation.

No one had expected that a young supreme being from the front would turn back and kill his way here, intending to strike at the rear and be the first to break the stalemate. Was this a signal for a great slaughter?

"This is the overture," someone predicted astonishingly. "The world-shaking battle between the Hegemonic Body and the Sacred Body will commence, setting the entire ancient path ablaze. Young supreme beings will then contend one after another, and ancient paths everywhere will be shattered!"

"Lord Emissary, didn't you say someone would prevent all this?" Yang Yunteng asked urgently. "But how is the one with the Tyrant's Blood of the Heavens returning?" He knew that Ye Fan had embarked on the ancient path later than the Hegemonic Body and feared that Ye Fan might be at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation level.

Zhao Gongyi also frowned, wondering if no one was stopping him on the path ahead. He sighed, "Anything can happen on this ancient path. While some oppose it, others naturally wish to see this battle occur."

He did not explicitly state it, but it was clear that certain individuals harbored selfish motives, favoring the physique they endorsed in their hearts, which was why the imminent great battle between the Hegemonic Body and the Sacred Body was happening.

"Don't worry," Zhao Gongyi said, "I believe someone will intervene and prevent this life-and-death struggle from happening so soon."

"I hope it becomes a divine battle in the future, not a confrontation right now," Yang Yunteng said.

In fact, although many wished for an immediate clash between the Sacred Body and the Hegemonic Body, they also felt a twinge of regret. Divine battles between these two physiques had occurred in the past, and their premature encounter now would inevitably diminish the impact of this particular conflict.

"Once trial-takers embark on the star path, they are forbidden from turning back to kill latecomers. A confrontation in the depths of the starry sky is the proper and best choice; otherwise, it constitutes a violation of the rules."

"What does that matter? Rules are dead, but people are alive. The Tyrant's Blood of the Heavens is strong enough that even if enforcers appear, they likely won't be able to stop him."

Discussions about the Sacred Body and the Hegemonic Body were widespread throughout the city.

Messengers frequently traveled along this long star path, typically Emissaries conveying important news. This time, in addition to their routine reports to the Emissary, the messenger also delivered a challenge from the Hegemonic Body on the path ahead.

Clearly, the Tyrant's Body of the Heavens had established a formidable reputation on the path ahead, and his every action was highly regarded. The Emissary from the front had even arranged for one of the Hegemonic Body's attendants to accompany the messenger, showing considerable respect and importance.

Hun Zhan, the young supreme being of this generation with the Tyrant's Blood of the Heavens flowing within him, had forged an invincible reputation on the path ahead and was revered as the Hegemon King.

The Tyrant's Body of the Heavens did not necessarily originate from a specific family, much like the Sacred Body. After a certain period, one might be born among different clans.

The letter sent by Hun Zhan contained only a single, blood-red character: "War." It was shocking to behold, emanating overwhelming dominance and battle intent, as if a hegemon stood before them.

This character was written in archaic divine script, imbued with the essence, qi, and spirit of a young supreme being. It seemed to pierce through the paper, resonating like the clang of a sword.

On that day, streams of chaotic sword energy soared into the sky, shattering the peace and making the hearts of all heroes tremble. What kind of person was this? A challenge consisting of just one character was so awe-inspiring that it sent shivers down their spines.

"The Hegemon King wishes for you to await him in the Fiftieth City of the Human Race, to unleash your full power and make this battle truly glorious."

The attendant of the Tyrant's Body of the Heavens was a young man named Liu Yun. He was remarkably handsome, with long black hair and bright eyes, and his cultivation was powerful. Many in the city were secretly alarmed, questioning if they could match him.

"Will he actually come?" Ye Fan asked.

"Please rest assured, Brother Ye," Liu Yun replied calmly and steadily. "The Hegemon King is a man of his word; he will certainly return for this battle and not disappoint any of you."

Those present murmured among themselves. This clearly meant he intended to force his way back, undeterred by enforcers or emissaries—he would turn back for this fight.

"Why must the decisive battle take place in the Fiftieth City of the Human Race?" Ye Fan asked blandly.

"In the primordial era, a divine battle once took place here," Liu Yun answered. "The Hegemon King wishes to continue that glory and make this place the battle city of the Tyrant's Blood of the Heavens lineage from now on, a place for all to remember."

Everyone showed surprise. Hun Zhan was truly confident and domineering. He wanted to transform this place into a glorious ground for the Hegemonic Body lineage, illuminating it with the divine radiance of victory. How would the Sacred Body lineage maintain its dignity after that?