Chapter 1453: Shocking the World

Chapter 1457: Shaking the World

Ye Fan awoke, like a true dragon in human form, reawakening after slumbering for eons. Instantly, a powerful will emanated from him, irresistible and omnipresent. His eyes were sharp, like a drawn immortal sword, revealing its full keenness, intensely brilliant. They cut streaks of lightning across the sky and earth, rushing in all directions, terrifying everyone.

Many felt a tremor in their hearts, a chill down their spines, and goosebumps rose on their skin. Wherever Ye Fan’s gaze swept, it was like a heavenly sword striking horizontally, clanging. It directly sliced into people's souls; many found their foreheads cracking, bloodlines appearing, and stumbled backward. Everyone gasped in cold air; Ye Fan had clearly succeeded. He had comprehended his supreme path, acquiring the power to disdain all heroes under heaven. This martial will shook the world.

Broken spears were lodged in the gaps of Pang Bo’s bloody flesh and bones, a black long saber pinning against him, his entire body covered in bloodstains. Yet, at this moment, he was laughing, and as he moved, pulling his wounds, blood flowed out. “He finally woke up!” Longma also shouted; he was under immense pressure. From the start of the battle until now, his body was covered in wounds, and at this moment, he was facing a Sky-Devouring Beast of a higher realm, already exhausted and bleeding profusely. It was truly difficult, but Ye Fan awoke at this critical moment. This allowed his heavily wounded allies, who were like dying dragons, to breathe a sigh of relief, alleviating some of the pressure.

For a Saint comprehending the Dao, sitting for ten years is nothing. A Great Saint might spend centuries, during which they wander the Void, forget self and matter, with only the Dao in their eyes, tolerating nothing else. This is also why cultivators always choose quiet places for seclusion, away from worldly clamor. Especially deep-level comprehension of the Dao, like Ye Fan’s, where the mind is immersed in the Dao realm, and the spirit wanders the nine heavens, forgetting everything. Even deafening thunder would barely wake them, and if someone were to approach and pose a threat, disaster would befall them.

Now, he had finally awakened. For his own people, it was a piece of wonderful news; for his enemies, it was terrible.

Ye Fan sat cross-legged beneath the Bodhi tree, its myriad leaves swaying and rustling. It seemed to be turning ancient scriptures, reciting eternal laws and Dao, spanning past, present, and future, resonating endlessly. Suddenly, a trace of golden blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto his clothes, a startling sight. This made many people pause in surprise.

“Ye Fan!” Ji Ziyue exclaimed, clenching her small fists tightly, filled with worry. She wanted to rush over but was blocked by Sang Gu’s cold sneer. “What’s wrong, Ye Fan?” Pang Bo asked anxiously, extremely worried, fearing something had happened to him. “The Four Extremities are perfected, and the Celestial Emperor Fist is complete, but the Dao injuries remain,” Ye Fan secretly replied, telling him not to worry.

Pang Bo breathed a sigh of relief but still couldn't quite let go, asking, “Why is this happening?” “No need to worry. The Dao injuries haven’t deepened; they are nothing significant and won’t affect my combat strength. I’ll resolve them when I find the time,” Ye Fan reassured him.

The expressions of the Gold-Devouring Beast, Copper Ant King, and others were quite vivid; moments ago, they were shocked and worried, but then instantly relaxed, their brows unfurrowing to reveal a look of satisfaction. “Heh, injured by the Great Dao, he most likely failed his enlightenment!” someone said gleefully. “He looks powerful, but he’s clearly fierce in appearance but weak in reality, all bluster and no substance. He’s a paper tiger; who dares to go take his head?” someone laughed heartily.

Despite saying so, no one stepped forward; they all looked at each other, fearing they might hit a steel plate. Ye Fan did not rise; instead, he closed his eyes, savoring the marvelous state of enlightenment he had just experienced. The gains this time were truly immense; he had forged his own great art. Protecting his sect, protecting his law, and protecting the Dao all required means. Now that he had honed the Celestial Emperor Fist, an unparalleled divine art, he would be fearless. He possessed a surging fighting spirit that could contend with all nine heavens.

“Boom!” In the distance, Golden Snake Great Young Master, who was clashing with Ji Haoyue using an ancestral artifact, launched the first attack. With an open-mouthed roar, he stirred up a whirlwind, tearing through the sky with a fierce gale, sweeping towards the Bodhi tree. Within that fierce gale, there was a Dao diagram formed from runes, rumbling like thunder, suppressing everything downwards. It wasn't a particularly powerful attack; it was mainly a test.

Ye Fan opened his eyes, his gaze still sharp, and a flash of light emanated from his glabella. He unleashed a sword beam, cleaving the Dao diagram into two halves on the spot. This combat power made everyone frown, finding it hard to assess. It seemed like a Saint King of a higher realm, yet also like he was only at the sixth heaven of the Saint King realm. “He has gained something, and his combat strength has soared, but he hasn’t undergone tribulation, which is why his performance is unstable. This is the best chance to kill him,” Sang Gu instantly saw through the situation.

“Kill!” But more people were after the Bodhi tree. Who wouldn't covet such a divine medicine? In this chaos, as long as they could get close, they didn't need to seize the entire plant; breaking off a single branch would be enough! This was a true immortal medicine, capable of aiding enlightenment, its value immeasurable. It drove even Great Saints mad, otherwise, those people wouldn't have mobilized such forces to attack the divine realm. The Earth Corpse chanted demonic incantations, its gaze cold and sinister; it was one of the most terrifying figures among them. It was only one step away from becoming a Great Saint, and now its personal intervention encouraged a group of people to charge frantically. There was only one Bodhi tree; even if it were broken into pieces, there wouldn't be enough for everyone, so only those who acted first would gain.

“Croak!” A dull toad croak, like deafening heavenly thunder, resounded as the Nine-Eyed Jade Toad manifested. “A bunch of trash!” At the same time, a cold voice resounded, and a Celestial Roc appeared, its entire body as radiant as cast gold, dazzling to behold. The ancient Golden Roc had arrived; it spread its wings in mid-air, faster than everyone else. It was said to soar 90,000 li in an instant, and its enormous golden roc wings flapped, creating gales that swept many people away. Its gaze was sharp, coldly sweeping over everyone, even intending to strike the Earth Corpse. It transformed into a streak of golden light and streaked past, its divine speed reaching an extreme, looking down upon all heroes. Many people attacked, but none managed to hit it. The Roc priestess was the first to arrive, diving towards the precious Bodhi tree. It extended a pair of enormous golden claws, about to uproot the tree.

A supreme martial will surged skyward, transforming into a golden river that violently struck and sent it flying. That was the golden vital energy emanating from Ye Fan’s crown. Everyone was terrified! The ancient Golden Roc was enraged; it spread its wings, striking the heavens. Whether in ancient myths or the real world, they were always untamed, unbound by heaven and earth's rules, and unwilling to bow. Now injured, it did not retreat but advanced, its dazzling golden wings tearing apart the sky as it swooped down. It opened its mouth, attempting to swallow Ye Fan, who was beneath the Bodhi tree. Its golden beak, sharper than a heavenly blade, shattered the firmament. Once opened, it could swallow all things; not to mention Ye Fan, even the entire ancient land seemed about to be devoured by it.

However, the Bodhi tree swayed, shimmering with emerald light. Ye Fan remained seated there, not moving an inch, still as a rock. A terrifying change was occurring: the ancient Golden Roc, with its golden wings covering the sky, swooped down. Its body grew smaller and smaller, not of its own volition, but suppressed by a martial will. The tens of thousands of zhang-tall ancient Golden Roc descended, eventually shrinking to a mere foot in length, utterly unable to swallow Ye Fan, and its golden claws and beak were sealed. It shrieked in rage, unable to break free, and fell straight down. It was enveloped by a gentle Dao light and descended onto Ye Fan’s shoulder.

Ye Fan sat there, chanting true scriptures, his Immortal Platform radiating myriad Dao patterns, baptizing the Golden-Winged Heavenly Roc. No matter how it flapped its wings or shrieked, it remained unable to break free. Everyone was shocked; this was a Golden-Winged Great Roc, the fiercest and one of the strongest ancient bloodlines. Yet, it was suppressed in such a way, now resembling an ordinary bird. Eventually, the ancient Golden Roc quieted down, its body a foot long, standing on Ye Fan’s shoulder. It no longer struggled and had actually submitted.

“Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, subjugating the Great Bright King Peacock—no, now it’s a Golden-Winged Great Roc!” Pang Bo was dumbfounded, recalling Buddhist allusions, and truly felt there was some similarity.

At this moment, Ye Fan stood up, his formidable aura sweeping over everyone, filling the heavens and the earth. The world was vast, filled with enemies, yet his expression was calm and fearless. The Golden-Winged Great Roc was very quiet, standing on his shoulder, its eyes gleaming, looking down on all heroes, ready to pounce at any moment. This result was shocking, terrifying, and utterly speechless.

“Are all of you here to kill me?” Ye Fan’s voice was not loud, but it was like a magic curse, making everyone’s hearts tremble. Everyone retreated. The Golden-Winged Great Roc King was so powerful, one of the foremost among them, yet it was instantly subdued. How could they dare to go and court death? “We… bear you no ill will. We merely wish to obtain a Bodhi branch,” one person at the very front said, bracing himself.

Ye Fan ignored him, fixing his gaze on the Gold-Devouring Beast, Copper Ant King, and others who were also at the forefront. He swept his gaze over these old adversaries one by one, his killing intent undisguised. Although he had not undergone tribulation, his true combat strength had already reached its peak, capable of defying the Great Dao without needing heaven and earth’s recognition; outsiders simply did not know. He looked majestically across the eight directions, his aura swallowing mountains and rivers, suffocating those around him.

“What do you want?” the Gold-Devouring Beast roared. This pressure made even its immortal metallic body feel suppressed, on the verge of disintegration. “To kill you,” Ye Fan said calmly, simply, and directly. “You alone dare to contend with so many of us? Aren't you afraid of dying in vain?!” the Copper Ant King also shouted loudly, inciting the heroes to attack together. “See if I dare!” Ye Fan declared.

He vanished from his spot, transforming into a surging golden light that rushed forward. Or perhaps it could be called a hurricane, for it was so wild and domineering, sweeping across heaven and earth, like a raging storm passing through. The people in front were sent flying one by one, bleeding from their seven orifices, their gallbladders splitting, all turning pale. Everyone’s scalp tingled; this display of power was truly shocking.

“You…” The Gold-Devouring Beast was greatly alarmed, doing its utmost to resist. However, chaotic energy surged forth. He did not see Ye Fan’s entire body, only a pair of fists, radiating power across the cosmos, pulverizing all things! “Pfft!” The Gold-Devouring Beast let out a shriek as its body burst apart, unique blood splattering. It was nearly in despair; it hadn't even seen its enemy clearly, yet it was directly blown apart in the void. The Dragon-Patterned Black Gold vibrated and surged from within its body, transforming into a poisonous barb that shot forward. With a clang and a tremor, it was caught between two golden fingers, unable to move an inch.

“Everyone, this person is invincible! He has touched upon a forbidden domain! Attack him together!” the Gold-Devouring Beast shrieked frantically, filled with terror. The only response it received was a single fist. After that blow, the Gold-Devouring Beast’s shattered body turned to dust, and its primordial spirit transformed into smoke, its form and spirit utterly annihilated.

Beside it, the Copper Ant King was terrified, his face ashen white, almost trembling, fleeing for his life. However, a figure emerged from the chaos and walked towards him. It seemed slow, but in a single step, mountains and rivers inverted, stars and moon shifted, its immense speed defying logic. It was as if it hadn't moved, yet it directly blocked the Copper Ant King's path. Chaotic mist surged, and a fist appeared, dominating heaven and earth. Although the Copper Ant King was renowned for possessing world-shaking divine power, with a copper head and iron arms, he was now pierced by a single punch, blood spraying dozens of meters high. No ancient treasure could stop it; all thirty-odd weapons, secret treasures, and other collections the Copper Ant King had amassed in his life were pulverized by a single strike of the Celestial Emperor Fist, utterly annihilated. Blood splattered high, the Copper Ant King’s expression froze, his head exploded, and then the chaotic energy dissipated. Ye Fan’s figure vanished into the distance, leaving only the King Ant’s shattered bones and blood behind.