Chapter 1488: Mixed Sky Lake

Chapter 1492: Hun Tian Lake

Hun Tian Lake was shrouded in misty haze. From time to time, terrifying ancient fish-beasts would emerge from the water, their backs breaking the surface and leaving dreadful ripples, exuding an aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

This was a vital stronghold of the Hun Tian clan. Ordinary individuals, let alone reaching this place, would face grave danger just by approaching its outer regions.

The Hun Tian clan was among the Ten Great Royal Clans, renowned for their immense power, ranking only below a few supreme ancient royal clans such as the Silverblood and Primeval clans.

Here, mountains loomed majestically, and ancient peaks pierced the sky. The sizable Hun Tian Lake, rarely disturbed by ripples, was situated amidst the mountains and often enveloped in a chaotic mist.

Discussions revolved around the necessity of unity: though powerful, they lacked Imperial Weapons, making an alliance crucial for advancing further on the path to immortality. Only by uniting and forming a vast network of power could they contend for dominance in the world and ultimately enter the Immortal Realm.

Along the lake shore, a chaotic aura permeated the air. Hundreds of individuals sat cross-legged on meditation mats. Each one was exceptionally powerful, radiating terrifying, suffocating fluctuations of energy.

For days, the area had been consumed by intense discussions and secret deliberations, far from peaceful. Dozens, even hundreds, of ancient clans had gathered, discussing the future of the Primordial clans and the various possibilities that would arise once the path to immortality opened.

No Ancient Emperor clans like Primeval Lake, Fire Qilin Cave, or Blood Phoenix Mountain were present; only royal clans. While powerful, their sole deficiency was Imperial Weapons, making an alliance necessary.

All powerful royal clans had sent representatives. They took this alliance very seriously, aiming to consolidate an incredibly formidable power bloc.

Among the discussions, it was stated, "You must have all heard: the Human Saint Body has returned, and he is exceptionally strong now."

The vast lake was as dark as ink, with terrifying fish-beasts occasionally splashing up waves. The shore was dim and heavily shrouded in mist, enveloping the hundreds of seated figures and making them appear hazy.

Here, everyone's face was difficult to discern. All were hidden within the clouds and mist, appearing indistinct and adding to the mysterious atmosphere.

There was a lamentation that the Human Saint Body had truly come into his own. It was a pity, they said, that he hadn't been found back then, for he wouldn't have reached this stage; he should have been killed during his formative years.

In the past, the ancient clans had launched several large-scale operations to eliminate Ye Fan, but all failed, allowing him to escape. The most severe attempt involved all the Sages acting together, which led to grave consequences: it alarmed Gai Jiuyou, the Human Supremacy, who then annihilated ten fierce clans, silencing the world.

Someone coldly stated, "What if he's back? What concern is that of ours? If he pushes too hard, someone will take care of him!"

A question was raised: "Are there truly reclusive 'old seniors' who haven't appeared yet? Why is there no movement? They should be fighting Gai Jiuyou to the death! Who in this world would then dare to challenge the dignity of our Primordial clans?"

Everyone sighed softly, for it was rumored that ancient clan seniors were still alive in this world. However, after so many years, none had ever emerged.

It was lamented that the major Ancient Emperor clans were ignoring these concerns, instead accumulating power and awaiting the path to immortality. Otherwise, they could simply bring out their Imperial Weapons and suppress the Human Saint Body.

Someone cautioned, "Say less. Do you really think his combat strength is still what it used to be? He single-handedly annihilated the Golden Crow clan's army that descended upon Beidou. It's rumored that Great Sage Jin Yu has also disappeared, presumably killed by him."

Everyone fell silent. Ye Fan's return was a miracle in itself, and his survival after battling on the ancient path placed immense pressure on everyone present.

Someone questioned, "What about the Silverblood Royal Clan? The Human Saint Body has returned; will he let things go?"

Another suggested, "If it truly comes to it, let those two go. Don't force them."

Someone strongly disagreed: "How can we do that? Our alliance of hundreds of royal clans aims to unify the ancestral blood of various clans, merge the fragments of the Great Dao, and give rise to a Supremacy. These two are extremely important."

Another scoffed, "Are so many of our great clans truly afraid of one Human Saint Body?"

Someone affirmed, "Indeed, the ancestral blood of the Silverblood Royal Clan is crucial. We need them to join and provide a continuous supply of blood."

The scene devolved into a cacophony of arguments, unable to reach a consensus. Not far away, the two Silverblood Imperial figures were imprisoned, unable to move.

One voice argued, "All of us have ancestral stars. The Silverblood Royal Clan isn't truly extinct; there must be another lineage deep in the universe. It's not absolutely necessary for these two to join."

The Great Strength Bull Demon King was challenged: "What do you mean, are you compromising? It's difficult to enter the starfield now, and even harder to find that clan, plus their blood might not even be suitable. What's so terrifying about the Human Saint Body? Are all our clans afraid of one person?"

Someone added, "Precisely! We've heard he's bound for a conflict with Buddhism. Would he really risk offending us before that?!"

The scene was chaotic, filled with differing opinions, loud arguments, and utter disarray.

One suggested: "Actually, releasing these two Silverblood Royal figures would be most appropriate. It could foster good relations with the Human Saint Body, allowing him to focus on his confrontation with the Buddhist Sect. Using him to probe the true strength of the Great Thunder Sound Temple would be ideal."

Someone concurred: "Indeed, Mount Sumeru holds great terror. In ancient times, an Ancient Emperor once parted the mists to glimpse a corner of the future, stating that a great sect would emerge from the Western Desert, shaking the world when the path to immortality appeared. Yet, even Ancient Emperors couldn't discern the ultimate truth!"

Someone scoffed, "Hmph, I simply refuse to compromise with the Human Saint Body. What right does he have? He was just a minor cultivator in the past; now we're supposed to fear and look up to him?!"

Outside Hun Tian Mountain, Ye Fan arrived. He had learned the whereabouts of the two Silverblood Imperial figures, and after only a few days of raising his banner in Divine City, he led his people directly there, making no attempt to conceal his movements.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, he directly announced his name. This startled the young ancient clan members guarding the gate, making their hair stand on end. Ye Fan's past deeds, like slaying ancient beings and killing the Heavenly Emperor's son, had been profoundly shocking, leaving a shadow in the hearts of this generation.

A guard exclaimed, "Oh no, the Human Saint Body has arrived!"

Someone came to report this news on the shore of Hun Tian Lake, instantly sending a ripple of alarm through the gathering. Many immediately fell silent.

"Pardon my intrusion," Ye Fan said. He had arrived uninvited, directly entering the mountain gate as if it were uninhabited territory, and proceeded to the heavily mist-shrouded stronghold.

The previously clamoring crowd grew silent. Some eyed him with hostility, others with indifference or blank expressions, but all remained utterly silent.

Great Sage Jin Yu's death weighed heavily on many hearts. Now, facing the Human Saint Body in person, they all fell silent, no longer clamoring as they had been.

Many were unsure whether to fight or not.

An ancient king of the Hun Tian clan inquired, "For the past two days, I've heard many rumors about you, some concerning your achievements on the ancient path. I wonder if they are true."

"My master has vanquished all rivals on the Human Ancient Path!" replied the Young Celestial Master Zhang Qingyang.

At these words, the shores of Hun Tian Lake fell into a sudden, deathly silence. Everyone gasped, realizing the rumors were true: this was a rising Human Supremacy whose future was unforeseeable!

Those who had previously voiced opposition now looked grim, unable to utter a word. They felt a deep sense of dread for the future, as this news was truly terrifying.

Swish, swish.

Ye Fan raised his hand and pointed forward, two beams of light shooting out and embedding themselves into Lei Bo and Wang Shu. The two immediately trembled, regained their freedom, and stood up.

"Ye Fan!" they cried out, quickly rushing over.

The ancient clansmen's faces were grim. Ye Fan had rescued the two Silverblood Imperial figures right before their eyes. Many wanted to stand up and stop him, but they all sat back down.

The scene remained silent, and ultimately, no one dared to stop him.

Ye Fan smiled, cupped his hands to everyone, and said, "Many thanks to you all for your cooperation."

With that, he calmly led Wang Shu and Lei Bo towards the mountain gate, composed and self-assured.

Many felt a bitter taste in their mouths. The Human Saint Body, with his gentle demeanor yet unparalleled dominance, had actually intimidated dozens, even hundreds, of clans into immobility. This was a terrifying outcome.

He hadn't brought a large army, only a few disciples. Yet he had audaciously entered this place, demonstrating great courage. Undoubtedly, once this news spread, all clans would hold him in extreme awe from this day forward.

"Brother Ye, please wait," an old Ancestor King said, rising.

"Do you need something, Daoist brother?" Ye Fan asked, turning around.

"We've heard you intend to attack the Western Desert, and we are deeply moved. We will certainly support you and can lend you a hand at a crucial moment," the old Ancestor King said, hesitating a moment before adding, "In the Primordial era, there was a rumor that a great sect would emerge from the Western Desert, shocking the world when the path to immortality appeared. Yet, even Ancient Emperors couldn't discern the ultimate truth!"

"Understood. Many thanks!" Ye Fan said, turning and departing.

Long after, the old Ancestor King smiled coldly. He said to the others, "At this point, it's better to do nothing. What does it matter if we let the two Silverblood individuals go? We will remain on the sidelines and observe the true situation of the Western Desert."

In Divine City, a storm of unrest swept across the lands, stirring up immense waves. When Ye Fan's proclamation for a punitive expedition was issued, the world was shaken, erupting into a frenzy!

All clans were in an uproar, their voices rising to the heavens. This didn't mean Ye Fan was solely revered in Beidou with all clans responding to him; rather, it was because many harbored ulterior motives, wishing to use him to gauge the strength of Buddhism.

This was obvious, and Ye Fan understood it from the very beginning. He simply aimed to create a grand momentum, and by factoring in this element, he indeed caused a sensation.

Both the Sages from beyond the realm and the ancient clans were fueling the flames, pushing the situation to a boiling point, as if the entire world were truly united in attacking the Buddhist Sect.

Naturally, some were destined to take action, seeking to fish in troubled waters, strike a blow against the Buddhist Sect, and test the waters with it.

In the following days, the Buddhist lands of the Western Desert grew uneasy. Mount Sumeru was filled with a solemn atmosphere, as if facing a formidable enemy, taking this great upheaval very seriously.

Ye Fan, by leveraging the world's momentum to incite this upheaval, truly made the Buddhist Sect feel as if they were sitting on pins and needles. If handled poorly, they could genuinely become the target of a worldwide punitive expedition, posing a grave threat that could shake the very foundations of the ancient sect.

At this moment, all directions were in turmoil. The entire world watched with anticipation, many holding high expectations.

"I ask the Buddhas of Mount Sumeru: why have you imprisoned my disciple and enslaved him? Can you release him?" Ye Fan sent this message, appearing anything but forceful, his tone consultative.

The Western Desert refused, not allowing Huahua to descend the mountain.

Ye Fan sneered. On that very day, he led a vast and mighty army directly towards the Western Desert. Eleven Saint Kings, including Dragon Horse and Ancient Golden Roc, marched alongside him. Qi Luo, Dongfang Ye, and Li Tian were also in the Saint King realm, along with Saints like Little Sparrow, Ye Tong, and Jiang Ting. Many other powerful allies, including the Divine Silkworm Princess, Divine Silkworm Daoist, Peacock King, Great Xia Imperial Lord, and Yao Yuekong, also joined.

During this time, others gradually joined, including Ji Ziyue.

In the past, Ye Fan had only ever gazed at Mount Sumeru from afar but had never ascended it. Now, he led a large army, approaching the location, ready to launch an assault!