Chapter 1359: Seeking Oneself

The Hegemon was sent flying, blood gushing from his mouth. His body was almost torn to pieces, and purple blood rained down, astonishing all the heroes present.

It was two pairs of golden fists, two dragon-shaped curves streaking across the sky. Like gods or demons, two individuals attacked simultaneously, sending the Hegemon flying and nearly shattering him.

What incredible combat power! The entire group fell silent, completely awestruck. A chill ran down their spines; they knew if it were them, they would instantly be reduced to a bloody mist.

How valiant was the Hegemon? Everyone on the ancient path knew of his might, yet he couldn't withstand such a powerful suppressive assault. He almost died on the spot—a truly absolute deterrent!

In a battle of equals, Ye Fan was swift and decisive. He launched a thunderous strike right from the start, leaving the Hegemon nearly crippled, with multiple bone fractures throughout his body, his powerful fists unable to clench.

"Argh..." The Hegemon growled like a wounded beast. Purple blood flowed back, converging on his injuries. The 'Heal' secret art activated on its own, repairing his wounds. His bones cracked and popped, reforging themselves.

"You only rely on secret arts; don't think I can't deal with you!" His eyes, a terrifying, eerie purple without discernible whites or pupils, stared coldly.

The Hegemon's fighting spirit remained undiminished; in fact, his morale surged. He stared coldly at Ye Fan, a powerful conviction rising within him. His hair flew wildly, and his gaze was piercingly cold, growing even more intimidating.

A mighty battle aura surged, shaking the very starry sky. All the heroes from every direction couldn't help but retreat. They hadn't expected the Hegemon to be so tenacious, possessing such fighting spirit despite repeated injuries.

"I am invincible!" the Hegemon roared, his body shrouded in purple mist that obscured the sun. His hair stood on end, his eyebrows bristled, and dazzling divine light emanated from him, causing the entire starry sky to tremble violently.

In a battle of equals, he feared no one. Even in his initial confrontation with Ye Fan, he hadn't been at a disadvantage. Although he suffered heavy losses later, his confidence remained absolute.

"Boom!"

The Hegemon's fist streaked across the sky, shattering the starlight of the universe. Two purple rivers seemed to span across time, their power astonishing. This was the Hegemon's true strength.

Ye Fan wore a cold smile as both of his bodies moved simultaneously. One advanced to block, while the other ruthlessly suppressed!

With a thunderous crash, the Hegemon was sent flying again. Against a single Ye Fan, he could certainly hold his own. His strength on the human race's ancient path was undeniable, and his title as a supreme being among the younger generation was well-earned.

However, facing two Ye Fans in a battle of equals proved arduous. His arms were mangled, his body nearly crippled, and he was flung tens of thousands of feet away.

Ye Fan didn't want to waste time. Whether it was a cross-realm battle or a fight among peers, everything had been made clear. He quickly followed up, raising his golden fists to strike.

The Hegemon's eyes suddenly blazed like torches, and his vital essence burned. In an instant, he shifted his position, narrowly evading the two golden bodies' killing blow.

His body flickered in the starry sky, like a battle immortal descended upon the world, supremely powerful and unyielding. Instantly, nine illusory figures manifested, each identical to him, simultaneously attacking Ye Fan in the center.

Everyone was greatly astonished, their hearts pounding. They all widened their eyes, watching the scene unfold.

Which of the saints had not cultivated the Heavenly Eye ability? Yet, at this moment, none could see clearly or discern which was the true body. The Hegemon's speed was too great, like a phantom moving, as the nine illusory figures simultaneously attacked Ye Fan.

Each figure seemed to possess world-shaking combat power, wreaking havoc on heaven and earth, rending the sky, and making the vast universe tremble. Purple energy billowed endlessly, stretching far and wide.

"This is bad!" cried the Emissary Zhao Gongyi. This was an ancient technique; if the illusory figures were lifelike, even those with the Heavenly Eye would struggle to see through them quickly. Once trapped, it would be dangerous.

Ten Hegemon bodies moved in unison, their combat power astounding. It was impossible to tell which was the true body. To be trapped among them meant passively taking blows, and a single mistake could lead to being slain.

"Nine Transformations of the Illusory God!" An elder in the depths of the starry sky recognized this secret art and couldn't help but be startled. Clearly, even the Guardians didn't know the Hegemon possessed this ancient technique.

"Boom!"

In that split second, Ye Fan activated the 'Movement' secret art. Imprints appeared beneath his feet, and he tore open a gap like lightning, rushing out of the battlefield.

The Hegemon pursued relentlessly, surging with immense divine power behind him, like a demon lord radiating terrifying might. Some illusory figures wielded Phoenix Blood Battle Spears, swinging them to kill, tearing open the universe, while others brandished the Hegemon's fist, charging forward with unstoppable momentum.

"Some secret arts I've never used before; I was saving them as a surprise for my decisive battles with the Great Devil God, Human King, Di Tian, and others. I never expected you to push me this far," he said chillingly, his thick black hair swirling.

Everyone's hearts froze. The Hegemon was indeed formidable, having not yet revealed all his trump cards, possessing unparalleled techniques and divine arts.

Ye Fan's true body and his Dao body separated, each rushing to a different side, displaying their techniques from two distinct directions. This was undoubtedly a clever move to break through the nine illusory figures.

The Hegemon only had one true body; the other nine were illusory. If they moved too far from the true body, the illusory figures would become sluggish, making it easier to identify some of the fakes.

Ye Fan opened his Origin Heavenly Eye, and his heart trembled. He could shatter illusions and recognized the true body, but he also discovered that five of the illusory figures possessed real combat power.

The Origin Heavenly Eye was unique; it could see through deception!

Other Heavenly Eyes also had their own unique advantages, such as the Martial Dao Heavenly Eye, which could slow down an opponent's moves many times over, allowing one to clearly perceive their changes.

"The young supreme being of the Hegemon Bloodline is extraordinary, having condensed five illusory figures, all with formidable combat power. It truly is meant to counter the Great Devil God, Human King, and others," a Guardian said, standing in the starry sky.

However, these illusory figures had a clear weakness: their combat power was inferior to the true body's and could not compare to Ye Fan's Dao body. If identified, they risked being destroyed.

Nevertheless, this was sufficient; at the very least, it temporarily resolved the Hegemon's peril, blocking one of Ye Fan's Dao bodies for him.

After Ye Fan recognized his true body, he charged directly forward, and his Dao body acted in concert, moving to strike down the illusory figures. A fierce battle erupted once more.

The Hegemon's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Ye Fan's Heavenly Eye to be so special, distinguishing truth from illusion almost instantly, which put him on the defensive once again.

Ye Fan's Dao body was incredibly formidable, instantly annihilating three of the Hegemon's illusory figures. While he could continuously replenish them to block his powerful adversary, these were formed from his vital essence, consuming his very foundation.

The Hegemon let out a long roar, his blood energy surging, purple mist billowing. His true body and the nine illusory figures unleashed their power simultaneously, shattering the universe. Beneath his feet, azure lotuses appeared, permeated with chaotic energy, and his speed reached an extreme, making it impossible for eyes to follow.

He realized that the reason Ye Fan's Dao body was so unstoppable, continuously slaying his illusory figures, was simply its overwhelming speed. His true body couldn't rescue them in time, and the illusory figures couldn't evade either.

This was a peculiar footwork, no weaker than the 'Movement' secret art within a confined space. It was incredibly fast, leaving streaks of afterimages as the Hegemon's bodies moved, proving that it significantly boosted his combat power.

"This is the Chaos Lotus Step, known as a minor supreme footwork! Within a small universe, its speed can reach the ultimate limit!"

Someone recognized this footwork. Its name alone suggested its extraordinary nature; within a limited range, it was unparalleled, truly astonishing. It was as famous as the "Divine Light Evasion" and suitable for close combat, but not for long-distance travel.

Aside from the 'Movement' secret art, it could be called supreme in the world.

The 'Movement' secret art, regardless of distance, maintained the same extreme speed, which Ye Fan demonstrated perfectly at this moment, moving so fast that people couldn't react.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have forced the Hegemon to use the Chaos Azure Lotus Step, where each step left an azure lotus imprint, and chaotic energy surged, appearing strange yet powerful.

The two fought fiercely. The Hegemon's illusory figures were continuously slain, making his expression change. If this continued, he would undoubtedly suffer a great loss.

"I'll ask again: Do you want to buy your life by handing over the nine ancient characters from the Grand Yin Immortal Scripture and the 'Heal' secret art?" Ye Fan asked coldly.

"You're delusional!" the Hegemon replied with a chilling voice.

"Kill!" Ye Fan's true body and Dao body positioned themselves on opposite sides, trapping the Hegemon and his nine illusory figures between them. He then unleashed another secret art, beginning their suppression.

Golden energy surged. Behind each of Ye Fan's bodies, a golden divine treasury appeared. Within them, immortal swords hummed, great bells tolled softly, ancient pagodas floated, and precious mirrors gleamed...

It was a golden world, filled entirely with golden Dao artifacts, which now flew out in unison, launching indiscriminate attacks.

Furthermore, this was symmetrical; the same occurred on the other side. Ye Fan's Dao body and true body simultaneously activated their golden divine treasuries, like opposing Yin and Yang, trapping the Hegemon and his illusory figures between them to deliver a fatal blow.

"Argh..."

The Hegemon screamed. All nine illusory figures were instantly suppressed and annihilated, cut down into purple blood mist by the endless golden Dao artifacts, proving impossible to resist.

This secret art was best suited for group battles. It was a terrifying ancient method for simultaneously dealing with multiple avatars. It held an advantage against a single opponent, and likewise against a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, with its indiscriminate attacks.

With both golden divine treasuries fully open, they overwhelmed the Hegemon, striking him until blood splattered, bones shattered, and fragments of white bone flew everywhere. It was a gruesome sight.

By now, neither of the two young supreme beings held back; they unleashed their full power, fighting until blood rained down and bones fractured.

The Hegemon suffered heavy losses. He knew he held no advantage in secret arts; the Sacred Body from Burial Emperor Star had thoroughly studied various ancient techniques, possessing far more than he did.

"Roar..."

He let out a long roar, evolving his divine form, releasing his origin, tearing the universe apart, and assailing Ye Fan's world of Dao techniques.

In that instant, the Hegemon transformed into a Kunpeng, spreading its wings to soar above the heavens. This was his divine form, invincible and unstoppable, as it charged towards Ye Fan.

A few drops of golden blood splattered, and a crack appeared on Ye Fan's forehead; he was almost torn apart by the Kunpeng. His body, in turn, transformed into a dragon-shaped curve, evolving into a golden circle.

The Hegemon was sent flying, covered in blood, gaining no advantage whatsoever. Yet, his body changed again, transforming from a Kunpeng into a large bell that tolled softly.

This was no ordinary transformation; it was a divine form change, an innate divine ability of the Hegemon Body. When cultivated to its peak, one would possess nine divine forms, each a manifestation of the immortal path!

"Dong..."

The great bell tolled softly, suppressing everything beneath it.

In that instant, Ye Fan suddenly reined in his golden blood energy, and the Taiji Immortal Diagram vanished as well. In this world, only he remained.

Numerous attack methods—secret arts, ancient techniques—flashed through his mind one by one, but he used none of them. At that moment, he experienced a profound tranquility of enlightenment, inspired by this critical juncture between life and death.

In the end, he delivered only a simple strike, an upward flick, which sent the Hegemon flying with a resounding crash. His body was severed into two halves, and purple blood rained down across the sky.

"What?! Such power from a mere casual strike?!" At this point, even the Guardians were moved.

"All methods in the world are merely forms, merely manifestations of means. True power still lies within oneself," Ye Fan mused silently, comprehending this truth. At this moment, he had reached the Divine Prohibition state, existing in a realm of ethereal transcendence.

He felt a unique insight in his heart: true Great Emperors likely remained permanently in the Divine Prohibition state. At that level, everything else became illusionary; there was only one invincible person in the world.

"Seeking arts, seeking methods, seeking the Dao, it's all inferior to seeking oneself," Ye Fan murmured to himself, his heart serene.