Chapter 1518: Directly Facing the Undying Hermit

Anpu beckoned, and a servant returned, carrying a cup of immortal tea on a jade tray. A delicate fragrance wafted from it as the servant approached Ye Fan.

Ji Ziyue sat with Ye Fan in the pavilion, her large eyes curved into crescents as she smiled radiantly. She, of course, knew who this was.

Ye Fan stood up, looked at Anpu, and said, "Thank you for your kind offer. If you were to send two cups, we would accept."

Not far away, Anpu shook his head. "Unfortunately, an ancient feud has no resolution. If I don't make a move, I can't account for it to my elders. I can only offer this immortal tea."

"So, I can only thank you. What if we are indeed ancient enemies? Wouldn't you regret it?" Ye Fan said.

"It's fine, I'm giving this cup of tea to you!" Anpu said calmly, but there was a forceful intensity in his pale face, starkly different from before.

This sent a shiver down people's spines. They sensed an overwhelming, domineering aura, an air of supreme uniqueness that seemed to sweep away all illness. It made people's legs tremble and sent chills down their spines.

He was an extraordinary individual. There was no fluctuation of power, and his cultivation level was unfathomable. Yet, his mere natural demeanor made all the heroes present tremble.

"Tea, and it's being forced upon me?" Ye Fan shook his head.

"Ordinary people can't even dream of drinking this kind of immortal tea; it's considered an immortal blessing. What's there to hesitate about?" the servant said coldly.

Ye Fan ignored him and spoke only to Anpu, saying, "Before, when you offered me tea, I was grateful. But if it's forced upon me like this, then we are enemies."

Although it was a divine tea, being offered with such forcefulness implied coercion. Since he had made his debut, no one had ever been able to pressure him in this manner.

Anpu's expression was indifferent; he said nothing. But the servant holding the teacup became even more aggressive. Where did they come from? The true Restricted Life Zones! All the power and inheritances in this world were a mere joke to them!

From ancient times until now, what power could truly compare to their elders? Unless a true Great Emperor appeared, everything else was merely fleeting dust, amounting to nothing.

Ye Fan paid him no mind and simply sat down. He was just a servant; no matter how powerful, he was still merely a servant. Arguing or talking further with him would only be a loss of dignity.

"Everything in this world is beneath our feet. My master controls the ups and downs of the human realm. For tens of thousands of years, no one has ever dared to refuse our good intentions like this," the servant said, emphasizing his words.

Ye Fan looked directly at Anpu and said, "It seems you're not very satisfied with this servant. Do you want me to eliminate him for you?"

His words were not loud, but his imposing aura shot straight into the heavens, making everyone's ears hum and their hearts pound. They realized what a powerful individual he truly was.

His voice reverberated through the sky, containing an invincible martial will. One could truly feel that such a figure was undoubtedly peerless, with few rivals among their contemporaries.

Clap, clap, clap...

Anpu clapped his hands and said, "In all these years, you are the first person to be so forceful with me. I remember, since I was born, very few have ever defied me."

He instructed the servant to step back and take the Enlightenment Tea back.

"Master!" The servant was unwilling. He stared coldly at Ye Fan, unable to tolerate such an attitude. From beginning to end, Ye Fan had not even glanced at him; even when speaking, he addressed Anpu directly.

While this might be considered self-respect, not engaging with a mere servant, where did *he* come from? He walked out of the Undying Mountain! Even as a servant, he had once commanded great influence in the outside world. Who would dare belittle him? Ye Fan's attitude ignited his furious rage!

He did not retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, towering over Ye Fan, and looked down upon him. A powerful aura surged out, sweeping towards Ye Fan, intent on suppressing and killing him.

Poof!

A cold light flashed, followed by a spray of blood, and then everything was over.

Ye Fan didn't even blink. He remained seated cross-legged, perfectly calm, having directly slain the man without saying another word.

Everyone was shocked, tidal waves of horror rising in their hearts. They couldn't even say how powerful that servant had been, like a raging storm, yet he was unexpectedly sliced apart and exploded into a pool of blood in an instant.

People hadn't even seen what weapon it was, or how the person had done it. It was too fast; a single strike had finished him completely.

Anpu's expression instantly turned cold, like a demon god. His entire being erupted with an overwhelming aura that directly shattered the sky.

"I respect you as a formidable individual, but your servant did not know his place. If our positions were reversed, what would you do? Wouldn't you kill him?" Ye Fan asked calmly.

Thump, thump, thump...

Rhythmic footsteps approached, and the Ji family's Great Saint appeared. A precious mirror hovered above his head as he stood some distance away, gazing towards them and staring at Anpu.

Everyone's expressions froze. What was the origin of this person, that a Great Saint would watch with an Emperor-level artifact? This was truly shocking.

Anpu's expression was utterly cold, but after a long time, he slowly calmed down and said, "Very well, he brought this misfortune upon himself by disobeying my command. He deserved this calamity."

No one had expected that after such a fierce display, he would calm down again, becoming utterly unruffled.

"Who is that person?"

Everyone was filled with uncertainty and surprise, staring at Ye Fan. However, some already understood, realizing who he was and even knowing how the servant had died.

Ye Fan's sword had flashed with cold light, striking down the armored servant from Undying Mountain. This could not have escaped the notice of Huo Lin'er, Jiang Yifei, Princess Yueling, and others; they had seen it clearly.

"Ye Fan, the Human Saint Body, it's been a long time!" Shi Zhongxuan spoke.

Ye Fan smiled, raised his cup in a gesture, and the mist around his face instantly cleared, revealing his true appearance. Since he had been recognized, there was nothing to hide. He didn't want trouble, but he wasn't afraid of it either.

Indeed, when Ye Fan's true form appeared, it immediately caused a stir. Many exclaimed in surprise, and quite a few rushed forward, chattering excitedly.

"Brother Ye, we heard you ventured onto the Ancient Starry Sky Road, striking fear into enemies from all directions and becoming invincible on the path. Is that true?" someone eagerly asked.

"Senior Ye, what difficulties are there on the ancient road, and what should one pay attention to? Do you think I could embark on that path?" a newly emerging junior asked, full of hope.

Ye Fan felt helpless. He knew this would happen, but there was nothing he could do. He answered each question, and it was a long time before the crowd dispersed, leaving him truly exhausted from the constant attention.

This was after he had secretly hinted that a battle might be imminent here, likely resulting in a river of blood. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to escape the crowd. Now, his name resonated throughout Beidou, and his appearance inevitably led to such a scene.

Of course, there were also those who regarded him with hostility, standing in the shadows and watching indifferently. But now, few could kill Ye Fan, and who would dare to easily confront him? He was no longer the minor cultivator of the past; his might shook the world.

Huo Lin'er smiled, walked forward, and whispered, "You've noticed it too, then? You know where he's from?"

Ye Fan nodded. "The Enlightenment Tea was freshly picked, not blown off by a strong wind like in the past. It seems that only someone from *that* place has emerged."

"Since you know that, why did you brutally kill his servant? That place is far more terrifying than our imperial family; it has true Emperor-level powerhouses guarding it!" Huo Lin'er said.

This was a reality: who in this world could be immortal, who were the true rulers? Naturally, they were the Supremes within the Seven Restricted Life Zones!

Ji Ziyue giggled, pulled Huo Lin'er, and made her sit down, then personally poured her a cup of tea.

"Little sister, are you trying to get me into trouble? Pulling me to sit here, what if Undying Mountain also holds it against me?" Huo Lin'er said.

"Sister, as a member of the imperial family, the daughter of the Ancient Qilin Emperor, what do you have to fear from them?" Ji Ziyue said nonchalantly.

"You mischievous one, you clearly want to drag me onto your war chariot, yet you say such things. They have true Emperor-level masters, while our most glorious era, like your family's, has already concluded," Huo Lin'er complained bitterly, stating that there was Enlightenment Tea to drink over there, but coming here simply made enemies.

"It's just normal social interaction. I don't think that guy is petty; it'll be fine," Ji Ziyue said with a smile.

Jiang Yifei also walked over and greeted Ye Fan. The two had known each other for a long time, back when Ye Fan was just a minor cultivator, having just learned the methods of cultivation.

"What a wonderful aroma!" The Dragon Horse, Ancient Golden Peng, and eleven other Saints emerged from the Central Heavenly Palace. They caught the scent of the Enlightenment Tea, then saw Ye Fan, and were immediately overjoyed. They exclaimed, "Quickly brew a whole vat, and let's drink our fill!"

Ye Fan's forehead was covered in black lines. These guys, in the past, each used to carry large vats to drink from; they were all big drinkers.

He took out some Enlightenment Tea leaves, boiled the Divine Liquid from the Ancient Heavenly Venerate's Spring of Life, and began to brew the tea. A crowd in the distance watched, dumbfounded.

Since when had Enlightenment Tea leaves become so worthless? How could anyone just brew a pot and casually offer it like this?

Especially when they saw that Ye Fan didn't put in just a few tea leaves; if distributed, there really would be enough to brew a whole vat. Everyone was envious. This kind of peerless immortal tea was incredibly rare, yet he was drinking it so casually, leaving them speechless.

Many knew what had happened. Back then, Ye Fan had fought Emperor Prince to a bitter end, slaying him and shaking the world. Afterward, he raided his lair and obtained a thousand eight hundred leaves of the Divine Enlightenment Tea.

Whose legacy was that? The Undying Heavenly Emperor!

The Enlightenment Tea tree only produced 108 leaves a year. Only in special years could it grow thousands of leaves, and the Undying Heavenly Emperor had encountered such a year. He cut down the entire plant, using the main trunk for his coffin and leaving the branches for his descendants.

As for the poor old tea tree, it could only regrow.

"It's not a loss, being able to drink a few more cups of good tea here. Ah, it really makes one reflective. When my father was alive, he drank this tea every single day, plucking fresh leaves daily. How things have changed," Huo Lin'er sighed.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt an urge to cough up blood. What they had seen and heard that day was truly unbearable; each person's background was more formidable and astonishing than the last.

"Ye Fan!" Prince Huai Zun of the Golden Crow race stood up and called out sharply.

"Can I help you?" Ye Fan looked at him calmly.

Beside him, Shi Zhongxuan narrowed his eyes, smiled, and said, "I've long heard of the Human Saint Body's great name. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation; your profound power is unmatched!"

He glanced at Anpu from the corner of his eye but found him completely calm, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Feng Huang, the current head of the Feng clan, possessed unparalleled beauty. Her eyes shimmered with light as she also looked towards them, her heart quite unsettled.

Princess Yueling, however, frowned slightly. She knew that if things continued like this, there would be considerable trouble.