Chapter 1633: Strange Purpose

A Fire Lotus Seed, forty thousand years old, growing deep within the earth's core fire, rooted in magma, about to transform into a Medicine King—don't miss it!

Heavenly Demon Blood Crystal, formed from the vital essence of a fallen peerless Demon Lord in a blessed grotto-heaven, its value is immeasurable!

Essence of the Earth's Dragon Veins, a rare divine material from ancient times, unlikely to be seen again in this lifetime.

Divine Punishment City was bustling with activity, a cacophony of sounds rising and falling. There were no weaklings here, only powerful cultivators, and the rare treasures they exchanged were naturally extraordinary.

Many eyes turned towards Ye Fan; his entrance into the city drew an immense amount of attention. When he passed through certain areas, the silence was so profound that you could hear a pin drop.

Though it was a busy market, as his group passed through, even the unruly rogue cultivators from the cosmos and powerful figures with deep backgrounds stepped aside, clearing a path for them.

The Heavenly Court was destined for a battle with the Divine Court's army, and people did not want to get involved. Provoking trouble at this time would be asking for discomfort.

Ye Fan commanded apprehension. Even though rumors claimed he was almost crippled, forced to withdraw from the Emperor's Path, and had been deteriorating for ten years, his every appearance and action still stirred everyone's hearts.

Along the way, the Black Emperor's eyes nearly popped out of its head. Among the natural treasures being exchanged, there were indeed divine-grade items, making it drool uncontrollably.

"Is that the Nine Yang Divine Grass that only grows on the Sun Star?" the Black Emperor muttered, saliva almost dripping from its mouth as it stopped at a stall, unable to move.

It was a plant radiating divine fire, resembling a cluster of chaotic immortal light. It had six leaves that illuminated everything around it. This was an exceedingly rare divine herb; finding even one across many Sun Stars would be remarkable.

It was an excellent plant for body cultivation and tempering one's Yang energy, capable of forging a person into having muscles and bones of bronze and iron, refining them into an indestructible physique.

The presence of such an item in the ancient city demonstrated its prosperity. Only a treasure land where Great Sages frequently appeared to exchange divine materials could have such a divine object in circulation.

Unfortunately, the Black Emperor was infamous. As soon as the seller saw the large black dog, they immediately fled in a streak of light.

"Woof, why are you running?"

"Anyone with sense knows never to exchange anything with a black dog or a fat Daoist priest!"

"Woof, you're discriminating against this Emperor!" The large black dog, with its square head and large ears, looked fierce and was about to give chase, but Ye Fan grabbed its neck, stopping it from causing trouble.

Many narrowed their eyes, streaks of sharp light emanating from them, fixed on Ye Fan's hand, wanting to discern the truth.

Ten years had passed; had his body changed? Everyone wanted to understand his true condition, and many gazes, like bolts of silk, shot towards him from all directions.

However, they were disappointed; Ye Fan's hand exerted no force. The large black dog also seemed to sense something, narrowing its bell-like eyes and scanning its surroundings.

On a broken mountain, a young man asked, "What do you think? Has he recovered?"

Beside him stood an elder with hair as white as snow, yet a ruddy complexion and skin as delicate as a newborn's. His eyes were sharp and piercing. He said, "It's hard to say. By all accounts, he should never recover in this lifetime. He is fated to die in illness and hardship."

The seemingly young man, with divine light gleaming in his eyes, spoke coldly and mercilessly: "Tell me, what would be the consequences if I were to suddenly strike and kill him?"

The elder's expression grew solemn upon hearing this. He said, "Yu Mo, don't be reckless. You most likely cannot kill him."

"I am very eager to verify whether he is truly weakening day by day or if he has improved," the young man's gaze grew even more fervent.

The elder cautioned: "Don't act rashly. Even setting aside the question of success, the consequences of attacking him are more than an ordinary person can bear. He once fought against the Supremes in the Restricted Zones of Life and died; now he has returned alive. If he were to be assassinated, the world would not stand for it."

"You people are always so hesitant, overthinking everything. If he's killed, he's killed. What does it matter once it's done? I believe in just a few years, everyone will forget him, and his so-called accomplishments will be nothing but fleeting clouds!"

With Ye Fan's arrival, many grew restless, and undercurrents stirred. Some even wished to act violently! Most of those harboring animosity were key figures of the Divine Court, including their youngest Grand Commander, hailed as one of the strongest three talents of their generation in the last three hundred years.

Clearly, everyone had reservations. Even if they could secretly assassinate Ye Fan, they wouldn't dare act rashly. If exposed, many would undoubtedly raise their banners in condemnation.

Regardless, no one currently dared to openly advocate for Ye Fan's death; doing so would be defying the world and making an enemy of all living beings.

A considerable number of hostile cultivators wished for Ye Fan's demise sooner rather than later, unwilling for him to live. They always felt he was an unstable factor and would try every means to make this hope a reality.

Outside this great star, the Divine Court's frontier army, controlling vast territories, was boundless, almost engulfing the area.

With such a massive force deployed to the border of the star domain, Ye Fan and his companions, standing on this planet, could clearly feel the immense pressure emanating from space.

A bloody war seemed to be drawing ever closer!

Ye Fan and his group, riding on the back of the Blood Raven, arrived in outer space. In the distance, banners fluttered, arrayed in a magnificent formation across the cosmos.

"The Sacred Body Ye Fan has appeared. Does he truly believe we won't dare to act? Let him not think that his glory from battling the Supremes in the Restricted Zones of Life serves as a protective amulet."

Some powerful and valiant generals were clearly discontent, staring coldly from within the star domain, but they had not yet received the order for battle and dared not act on their own.

On the other side, in the territories controlled by the Heavenly Court, the frontier was also densely covered with banners, brimming with killing intent. Powerful experts, each a King-conferred, had arrived, leading their respective forces, glaring at each other across the void.

The Divine Court and Heavenly Court armies faced each other across a zone, poised to strike at any moment.

The central buffer zone was Divine Punishment City itself.

Legend had it that long ages ago, this was a vibrant, life-filled star, but a fierce battle transformed it into a land of calamity.

It was said that the battle involved the Divine Organization and the Underworld, a conflict so devastating that the heavens collapsed and the earth split, with ghosts wailing and gods howling. Even the almost perfect Great Emperor array patterns were destroyed.

History was remarkably similar; now, two great organizations stood opposed, poised for a decisive battle here. At present, only Divine Punishment City remained on this planet, with no Emperor patterns to protect it. It might be utterly reduced to cosmic dust.

Ye Fan, the Black Emperor, Li Tian, Yan Yixi, and others calmly returned to Divine Punishment City, ignoring the armies across from them, seemingly fearless.

"So composed, aren't they? Aren't they afraid that I'll simply order the army to charge in and wipe them all out?" The young man who had been standing on the broken mountain scoffed moments earlier.

He was Yu Mo, the Divine Court's youngest Grand Commander, hailed as one of the strongest three talents of the past three centuries, and an extraordinary rising star, having been accepted as a personal disciple by the Divine Court Lord.

Beside him, the white-haired elder, the Divine Court's eldest commander, also furrowed his brow. Could Ye Fan's composure truly stem from an underlying confidence?

"Report! The Sacred Body Ye Fan has accepted an invitation and begun lecturing in Divine Punishment City. Many people have gone to discuss scriptures and share insights on cultivation."

Divine Court scouts immediately detected the activity in Divine Punishment City and rushed to report. This instantly caused the young Grand Commander Yu Mo's sword-like eyebrows to furrow deeply. Was this a blatant disregard for them?

"Let's go. We'll take a look, and enter Divine Punishment City as well." A woman's voice, magnetic, alluring, and possessing astonishing charm, spoke.

The adopted daughter of the Divine Court Lord had arrived. Adopted by a soon-to-be Dao Attainer, her status was exceptionally prominent; the daughter of a Dao Attainer-to-be commanded respect wherever she went.

Divine Punishment City was vast, encompassing several mountain peaks. Within one area, five stone mountains stood side by side, resembling a Five Finger Mountain range. These were typically places where cultivators discussed the Dao and debated doctrines.

Today, however, only Ye Fan sat on the Dao platform, explaining his past cultivation insights, which genuinely attracted a large crowd.

"What an excellent Daoist sermon. What a pity that only these experiences remain; can the Sacred Body still fight?" Yu Mo descended, speaking very directly.

Mid-way, he had already resolved not to let Ye Fan continue like this. His contributions to various races shouldn't always be brought up; they were fleeting. If this continued, the Sacred Body's reputation would only grow. Even if he wasn't going to fight Ye Fan to the death today, he intended to humiliate him, make him lose face, and strip away his aura.

Even if people might be displeased with him, he had to do this. He wanted to make Ye Fan fall from his pedestal, to show everyone that he was now merely an ordinary person, and that three hundred years ago was just a specific historical period when the Sacred Body Ye Fan coincidentally emerged and shone.

The adopted daughter of the Divine Court Lord frowned, but ultimately acquiesced, allowing him to proceed and push Ye Fan's divine image from its high platform.

"It's one thing for a young man not to respect his elders, but to be so arrogant only makes you seem ignorant and shallow," the Black Emperor said bluntly, even extending a large paw, preparing to strike.

Yu Mo sneered, saying, "Talents emerge from generation to generation, each dominating for centuries. Some grow old, and once they're crippled, they should retire and not reappear."

He knew the consequences of saying such things—he would likely be condemned by the world—but he simply wanted to humiliate Ye Fan, shatter the fact that he was respected by various races, and drag him from his pedestal.

After one, two, or many such incidents, if controversy arose and many opposed the Sacred Body, Ye Fan's so-called divine halo would dim, and he would no longer be so widely supported.

"It seems you very much wish to fight me, do you not?" Ye Fan, seated cross-legged on the Dao platform, looked at Yu Mo with a calm, unperturbed expression, devoid of joy or sorrow.

"I have some thoughts, but it's a pity you are no longer your former self. I've heard that you've been deteriorating for ten years and no longer possess the strength to fight, which is quite disappointing." Yu Mo landed on the ground.

The crowd erupted in an uproar. It was clear the Divine Court people were there to cause trouble, their words full of disrespect, especially since they were aware of Ye Fan's condition yet pressed him so relentlessly.

"Child, let this Emperor teach you what it means to be a powerhouse!" The Black Emperor spoke, resembling a demon god descended to the mortal realm, its entire body shrouded in mist, blood energy like a vast ocean.

Ye Fan waved his hand, stopping the Black Emperor from acting. He said, "I do have some issues, but I can still fight. Child, come, strike at me."

When the Black Emperor heard Ye Fan's words, its heart pounded. Was he truly going to take that step? It mourned for the Divine Court's million-strong army and sighed for all those who had come to attack him.

"Heh, I'm looking forward to this endless divine army helping Little Yezi break out of his cocoon like a butterfly. It would be even better if a Vice-Patriarch came along at a crucial moment to kill him!" Li Heishui was also excited, but he kept all these thoughts hidden in his heart, not revealing them.

Yu Mo's expression was cold and merciless. He said, "What if I injure you? I'm afraid I'd be scorned by the world. I'm not like you, covered in divine halos, with your statues in many places."

"It's fine, come on then," Ye Fan said.

Yu Mo sneered, saying, "Since that's the case, don't blame me if my strike is heavy. If you can't endure it, feel free to cry out!"

Leaving aside everything else, considering his past achievements, how many people had dared to disrespect Ye Fan over the years? His words were utterly outrageous, and many were enraged!

Divine Punishment City suddenly fell silent. After so many years, could Ye Fan still make a move? Rumors had persisted that his physical condition seemed to be worsening.

Ten years ago, he could still fight at Emperor Pass by utilizing the divine chains of order within his blood. But recently, a secret was rumored that Ye Fan could no longer even mobilize the divine chains of order.

Yu Mo struck, directly slapping Ye Fan's chest. To everyone's shock, the Sacred Body did not evade. All hearts trembled, secretly lamenting the hero's decline. Could he not even dodge such a blow?