Chapter 1609: Flying Immortal Battlefield

At the end of the gray, misty land, there were not only many points of light, but also some beautiful mountain peaks nearby. On these peaks stood grand palaces and towers, and phoenix-like Luan birds soared through the sky.

"Those are a few immortal sects," the young man, Bai Ye, said with regret. "It's a pity I never had the chance to enter; I'm not suited for cultivation."

Ye Fan had already realized that the old man was a cultivator, but the young man had not embarked on that path, though his muscles and bones had been tempered to an extraordinary degree of strength.

"You're not suited?"

"Yes, my cultivation speed is too slow; I can't draw the essence of heaven and earth into my body," the young man whispered, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Ye Fan said nothing. The path of cultivation was arduous, naturally requiring one in ten thousand; it was impossible for everyone to possess the talent suited for this journey.

He had long discerned that the young man's physique was remarkably strong, capable of making him an astonishing master among mortals. However, he struggled to absorb spiritual energy, undergo spiritual baptism, or progress further on the true path.

"In life, don't dwell too much on many things. Let your heart remain peaceful and content; always maintain that state, and no worries can touch you," Ye Fan comforted him.

The young man, Bai Ye, nodded without saying much, but he truly yearned in his heart to become a cultivator.

How could Ye Fan not understand his feelings? Yet, he said no more and walked down the mountain. Having unexpectedly arrived here, he found an unusual tranquility. He had once fought to the death against ancient supreme beings, and should have perished, but somehow his life had been spared. He felt no great sorrow or joy from this turn of events.

His head still throbbed. His primordial spirit felt as if it were being torn apart, an unnamed energy seemingly slicing through his Celestial Platform. Furthermore, the fragments of his cultivation path were sealed and imprisoned within his own flesh.

In the following days, Ye Fan remained largely silent, strolling through the village and fields, breathing the crisp mountain air. He often walked alone, lost in thought.

Despite his efforts, his condition remained unchanged; he still couldn't use his abilities. However, his physical agility and strength recovered at an astonishing pace.

He had floated in the cold universe for many years, barely able to move. It was only in recent years that he regained some control over his movements, and now, having fallen to earth, he deliberately exercised his limbs. Through breathing exercises, he finally felt his body fully belonged to him again.

Over the next half-month, Ye Fan would greet the morning sun, "swallowing mist and expelling impurities," starting from the most basic foundational exercises, hoping to change his current state.

Each morning, young Bai Ye would come running, watching and imitating him. He knew Ye Fan must be a powerful cultivator; otherwise, how could he have crashed from the sky and shattered Ox Head Peak?

In those days, the villagers kept discussing how a snake demon had appeared in the rocky mountain, and the heavens had split the peak, killing the demon. Only Bai Ye and the old man knew it had actually been shattered by a person.

Half a month passed. In the afternoons, Ye Fan walked through the fields, practicing his punches. In the mornings and evenings, he performed breathing exercises, absorbing vital energy and essence, all in an effort to recover.

His efforts indeed yielded results. His body became as robust as a dragon, moving with the speed of lightning. He could shatter the void with his bare hands, possessing a shocking, explosive power.

It was important to note that the fragments of his cultivation path were still confined, leaving him with only his physical body. He couldn't utilize any principles or secret techniques.

Young Bai Ye had only witnessed this once from afar and was utterly astonished, believing Ye Fan to be a deity. He stood dumbfounded, barely able to believe his eyes. He had heard Ye Fan say that he was currently only using his physical strength, and yet it was so terrifying. Capturing wild dragons and ancient beasts would certainly be no problem.

As Ye Fan tempered his muscles and bones, he moved with lightning speed. He could leap from the village to the mountaintop in an instant, like a divine demon on the move, making even the old man's heart pound with alarm.

Was he truly not using secret techniques or employing his cultivation path? The old man felt his hair stand on end. How incredibly powerful must a person be for their physical body alone to be so terrifying, truly unprecedented.

Even just by using such a physical body, without employing any principles, he would be capable of slaying powerful demons. This was undoubtedly an extraordinary individual, leaving the old man in awe.

"I... I can't cultivate the Dao. Could you teach me methods for tempering the body?" Young Bai Ye mustered his courage and asked Ye Fan, his eyes filled with hope, longing, and a touch of apprehension, fearing rejection.

"Yes," Ye Fan replied simply. When he stretched his muscles and bones, he made no attempt to conceal his movements, which were the fundamental actions of some of the most powerful combat techniques, allowing Bai Ye to observe freely.

A few days later, Ye Fan ceased his physical tempering. It had become meaningless to him; his physical strength had, for now, reached its peak, lacking only the fragments of principles.

For the rest of the time, he simply walked, as if measuring the land, spending most of the day traversing the area. In his leisure moments, he would instruct Bai Ye.

Ye Fan sighed softly. There was still no improvement. The bone-splitting pain persisted, his primordial spirit power remained suppressed, and he couldn't soar into the sky. He was still the same as before, with no signs of recovery.

Later, he stopped forcing himself to ponder deeply. Instead, he would fish by the pond, or go into the fields to help villagers plant seedlings, and sometimes he would even hunt for wild game.

One day, Ye Fan set out, intending to visit the Immortal Flight Battlefield. Bai Ye was surprised and quickly tried to stop him, explaining that the place was very peculiar and it was best not to take risks.

However, Ye Fan's mind was made up, and Bai Ye couldn't stop him. In the end, he followed along, walking together towards the end of the gray, misty land.

At the horizon's edge, the light rain still drifted, and the ancient battlefield continued to change. The nearby beautiful mountain peaks were now deserted; the cultivators from several minor immortal sects had withdrawn, fearing being affected by the impending terrifying battle.

"You two little ones have quite some courage! How did you end up here? It's very dangerous. Do you also want to enter the Immortal Flight Battlefield to seek treasures or stumble upon an immortal destiny?" a bearded man ahead called out.

There were over a dozen cultivators there, all of whom were quite powerful, certainly stronger than those from the sects who had fled or relocated. They were led by the burly, bearded man.

"This little one hasn't even entered the cultivation world yet, and he's far too bold. Go home quickly, don't be mischievous here," a young woman chuckled lightly. Although it sounded like teasing, it was actually a kind warning.

"We just came to look," Bai Ye explained.

"Then follow us, don't run around. Just observe from outside and gain some experience," the bearded man said grandly, a large, formidable sword strapped to his back.

"Thank you, Uncle," Bai Ye replied.

This group consisted of both old and young, all rogue cultivators. They cautiously approached the Immortal Flight Battlefield, their expressions solemn as they gazed at the world within.

Ahead, light rained down, like fireworks blooming one after another. When large swathes of light swept across, they resembled meteors streaking through the sky. It was truly magnificent.

Even Ye Fan was surprised. This place was indeed very mysterious; the world was vast and boundless, with talismans flickering intermittently among the mountains and rivers. It was as if ancient immortal grottoes were about to open.

"Those peerless experts should be appearing soon. I truly wonder what this generation's battle will turn out like," an old woman remarked.

"Those people are indeed terrifying," the bearded man sighed. "After leaving this battlefield, they recover their original cultivation, capable of plucking the sun, seizing the moon, and shattering stars with a mere lift of a hand. Their divine might is unparalleled. Ah!" He continued, "Such power is astonishing and only possessed by a few of the most powerful individuals in this world."

Ye Fan noticed that it wasn't just their group; people frequently appeared in adjacent areas as well. Some arrived in teams, others acted alone, all observing the battlefield. Moreover, he saw some individuals entering and heading deeper into the vast battlefield.

Though called a battlefield, its mountains and scenery were magnificent. There were ancient trees and grand waterfalls. The only difference from the outside world was the continuous showering of light rain, which subtly transformed into flickering talismans.

"They're trying to find ancient treasures and stumble upon an immortal destiny," the bearded man explained.

Before the great battle began, some people would enter the battlefield to observe the talismans, hoping to gain enlightenment. If they were lucky enough, they might even find divine artifacts among the mountains and rivers where the talismans were imprinted.

It had been this way since ancient times. Whenever this period came, people would enter, but they risked a great deal. Upon entering, their cultivation would be suppressed, and it would take months or even years to recover after exiting.

During this period, anything could happen. Dying inside was one thing, but after coming out, they could be ambushed and robbed of their treasures. Those who had lost their cultivation would naturally face a grim fate. Therefore, ordinary cultivators wouldn't dare to take such risks.

As for mortals, most could not withstand the overly powerful energy field inside; their bodies would quickly wither and die. It was impossible to expect them to find divine artifacts and bring them out.

Furthermore, once the battle inside truly began, those peerless experts would mercilessly kill anyone unfamiliar to them. Cultivators who entered seeking opportunities would face a tragic end, the bloody scenes akin to a nightmare.

"Awooo..."

A dragon's roar, shaking heaven and earth, even disrupting the light rain in the Immortal Flight Battlefield. A colossal azure dragon, ten thousand feet long, descended from the distant sky, truly astonishing.

This made Ye Fan's expression shift; it was actually a Great Saint!

That dragon's might made many cultivators tremble. Finally, it entered the Immortal Flight Battlefield. The moment it plunged in, its entire body glowed, and its form shrunk many times over.

Moreover, it could no longer fly; it could only leap from one mountaintop to another, its cultivation realm having been suppressed.

"That's... Venerable Azure Dragon!"

Many exclaimed in surprise. That azure dragon was a renowned mighty being in this world, its fame widespread, guarding an entire region.

"Is it also trying to stumble upon an immortal destiny?" Ye Fan asked.

"No, it's going to participate in the battle, to seize an immortal destiny by force," the bearded man replied.

Some of the sufficiently powerful individuals in this world chose to enter, contending with the foreign experts who had descended upon the Immortal Flight Battlefield, engaging in fierce battles to seize their magical artifacts and inheritances.

"This old dragon's physical body is unrivaled," the bearded man continued. "Its immense stature means that, compared to other races, a single crushing blow from it could cause mountains to crumble and earth to crack, shattering bones and pulverizing flesh. If it enters, it will naturally be overwhelmingly powerful."

The Great Saint-level azure dragon inherently possessed an advantage, allowing it to enter without fear. Of course, it didn't intend to sweep everything away; it would undoubtedly withdraw immediately after obtaining what it sought, and there would surely be people outside ready to receive it.

"Dong..."

Suddenly, a bell rang, shaking the vast human settlements. In this region, bordering the Immortal Flight Battlefield, the sound was naturally clearly audible, and everyone's expression changed simultaneously.

"This place has truly become the most terrifying battlefield," someone said. "The divine bell has rung, indicating that some outsiders have already descended. The bell toll warns people that the mysterious duels, hunts, and encirclements have begun."

Ye Fan's expression froze, then two beams of light shot from his eyes, for he saw dozens of colossal pillars of light descending from the sky, piercing through both heaven and earth, appearing like divine beings.

They were golden pillars supporting the sky, each one massive and majestic, propping up the nine heavens. One powerful being after another was descending.