Chapter 1701: United

Light emanated from Ye Fan’s glabella across many starfields. The Secret of the "Jie" character operated, repairing his wounded spirit, while blood energy steamed and the five great secret realms hummed in unison.

Finally, he recovered. For a Quasi-Emperor to pay such a price, it revealed the terrifying power of Lingbao Heavenly Venerate’s secret art.

A flicker of light rippled in Ye Fan's sea of consciousness. An Miaoyi’s words echoed, revealing a terrifying truth.

The Phoenix Nest and the Underworld had secretly maintained contact, negotiating in the deep pit of the sea of corpses. At that time, Underworld overlords accompanied the divine general to search for corpses, wanting to see if the Eight Divine Generals of yesteryear were truly there.

There, they discussed important matters.

The Underworld Emperor should not awaken; he needed to remain dormant and continue his slumber. However, the Undying Heavenly Empress invited him, hoping he would emerge to deal with a formidable enemy.

According to An Miaoyi, the Underworld Emperor had definitely been in contact and interacted with the Undying Heavenly Emperor’s lineage for a long time; otherwise, these dealings would not exist.

“The Heavenly Empress is willing to offer a bottle of immortal blood to invite the Underworld Emperor to emerge.”

Those were the divine general’s exact words. To be able to offer such a precious bottle of blood to compensate the Underworld Emperor for his emergence; it was said to fully cover any losses.

Of course, the Underworld Emperor was supreme, looking down upon all beings, and currently in deep slumber. It was impossible for him to converse with that divine general; everything was handled by a prominent figure who currently presided over the Underworld.

From their conversation, it was learned that the so-called immortal blood was the Undying Heavenly Emperor’s own essence blood, refined for many years and sealed, its value immeasurable!

It was not surprising that the Undying Heavenly Empress possessed such phoenix blood.

What did the Undying Heavenly Empress intend to do? It shouldn’t be just to mobilize such a grand force to destroy the Heavenly Court; there must be another purpose.

Ye Fan watched the scene rippling in his sea of consciousness. An Miaoyi had truthfully recorded the events of that day. The divine general made a gesture, an action of flying ascension, soaring into the heavens.

“The Underworld fears Lingbao Heavenly Venerate the most, and they have been searching for his formation diagram, but unfortunately cannot obtain it. Perhaps it can restrain the Underworld Emperor.”

This piece of news greatly affected Ye Fan. Ever since he had comprehended divine arts from the ordinary *Scripture of Deliverance* circulating in the mortal realm, he knew that the legend of Lingbao Heavenly Venerate suppressing the corpse plague was absolutely true!

And the *Scripture of Deliverance* he now possessed was the complete version, found within that human-bodied, ghost-faced lamp. He had recently been reciting it frequently, gaining even deeper insights.

“I want all Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to understand the *Scripture of Deliverance*. Then, dozens or hundreds of people chanting in unison, and if we can find that formation diagram and the four swords, it would be even better. All living beings filled with Yang energy will together activate them to strike down the Underworld Emperor.”

Ye Fan wanted to find that formation diagram, but he didn’t know if the four swords were destroyed during the dark turmoil of that era. If they no longer existed, he would have to use other weapons instead.

However, the most urgent task currently was to prevent the Phoenix Nest and the Underworld from completing their transaction. That bottle of Undying Phoenix Blood must not enter the Underworld. If intercepted, the Underworld Emperor would not dare to emerge casually.

If the Underworld Emperor did not emerge, it would give the Heavenly Court time to develop, and Ye Fan could calmly await his own realm ascension, rather than being so anxious.

A bottle of phoenix blood concerned a major change in some future period!

Killing intent flashed in Ye Fan’s eyes. For the first time, he was filled with such a fierce aura. He wanted to stop all this, carve out a different path, leading to another future.

“What is the Undying Heavenly Empress’s true purpose in seeking the Underworld Emperor’s help? Is it to contend for Little Nannan’s Dao fruit, or has she already known about the existence of that ‘meatball’ and is paving a path?”

Ye Fan harbored a suspicion that the “meatball” might be the Undying Heavenly Emperor. Besides him, who else could make Great Emperor Wu Shi unable to attend to other matters?

Many events linked together, and flashes of lightning streaked across Ye Fan’s mind. During the dark turmoil, those in the restricted life zones had all mentioned the Undying Heavenly Emperor.

It stood to reason that if this Heavenly Emperor were still alive, he wouldn't be solitary; he likely had interactions and companions with other Emperors in the past.

Ye Fan returned to the Heavenly Court, secretly gathering everyone, and dispatching people to find Li Heishui and Duan De. He needed to borrow the Heaven-Swallowing Pot. He had no time and had to act decisively.

All of this was based on his promotion to the sixth layer of the Quasi-Emperor realm and his ability to trigger divine prohibitions at any time, allowing him to contend with the greatest experts of the current age.

Heavenly Court’s various departments secretly began their operations, searching for Duan De, hoping the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Pot could be reassembled quickly to confront the Phoenix Nest Heavenly Empress.

Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were dispersing to various regions. The outcome of this battle was unpredictable, and Ye Fan had to make all necessary preparations to prevent any mishaps.

During this period, Yang Xi returned, covered in blood. Upon meeting Ye Fan, he immediately said, “Master, someone bullied me.”

Ye Fan was startled, but when he saw that the blood was not his own, he relaxed and asked what happened.

“In recent years, the Phoenix Nest and the Underworld have been targeting us. I got angry and meddled in their affairs, leading to conflicts.”

“And then?”

“I accidentally killed them.”

Ye Fan sighed, saying, “Is this what you mean by being bullied?”

“Yes, they were going to use divine generals! I can’t cultivate outside anymore. Those divine generals’ power has been gradually recovering recently. When I see them, I definitely have to run. Isn’t that being bullied?” Yang Xi complained, feeling wronged.

“For now, behave yourself.” Ye Fan didn’t say much more, but he didn’t restrict his disciple’s conflicts with the Phoenix Nest either, as long as Yang Xi ensured his own safety.

Because he himself was about to make a move, and it would undoubtedly be a decisive and heaven-shattering one!

“All of you, be careful recently. Inform everyone.” Ye Fan reiterated, revealing some of his intentions, which made the belligerent Yang Xi excitedly rub his hands.

Ye Fan left the Heavenly Court. He headed to the end of the ancient starry path, seeking the Woodcutter in the ruins of the ancient Heavenly Court, intending to collaborate with him.

Above a golden sea of thunder, a white jade passage extended. Some important figures from the Dao Palace descended to greet him. Ye Fan was all too familiar with one of them; it was Lin Jia, the Woodcutter’s disciple.

Although they had met in recent years, they hadn’t had a detailed conversation, both being busy with secluded cultivation.

As for another acquaintance, Zhou Yi, he had been cultivating in various regions in recent years, gaining great renown and subtly rising like an Imperial Star. He was not present at this time.

“How have you been these past years?” Ye Fan asked, feeling boundless emotion as he spoke. Who would have thought that their group would embark on such a path?

“Not as good as the other side of the starry sky,” Lin Jia smiled, a complex expression of nostalgia and contemplation on her fair face. Embarking on the path of cultivation was not her original intention.

“One day, I might put everything down and return to the city to live as an ordinary mortal,” she added, quite seriously.

“Put it down?” Ye Fan was deeply moved. But having come so far, could he still let go? He had already embarked on a path from which there was no turning back, only forward.

“Hey, I say, young man, did you grow up eating Emperor’s flesh? How is it that after only twenty years, you’ve suddenly broken through to the sixth layer? Isn’t that going to scare this old man?” The unseemly old man with yellow teeth shuffled closer, clicking his tongue in wonder.

“Where’s your shy granddaughter?” Ye Fan asked.

“I warn you, that’s my grandson, not my granddaughter! Don’t you dare get any ideas!” The yellow-toothed old man glared at him like a thief.

“I think he has good potential and is fated with one of my disciples. How about marrying him into my Heavenly Court?” Ye Fan said with a faint smile.

“You cunning rascal! You want my grandson to bind this old man to serve you? Impossible!” The old man bared his teeth and widened his eyes, showing no hint of a master’s demeanor.

“Where’s Big Beard? I plan to send him two disciples, one named Li Tian and the other Yan Yixi, both of whom he favored back then.” Ye Fan looked around.

Lin Jia let out a chuckle, saying, “Please, isn’t it too obvious if you try to poach people from our Dao Palace like this?”

“Sigh, we’re short on people, severely understaffed,” Ye Fan sighed, saying no more. Accompanied by everyone, he entered the Central Heavenly Palace.

Twenty years had passed. The Dao Palace now boasted numerous experts, with countless cultivators flocking to it because its allure was immense. The Heavenly Palace contained various runes for comprehending the Dao, all legacies of the ancient Heavenly Court.

The Woodcutter sat cross-legged on a damaged Dao platform, his face rosy. He looked well, but Ye Fan knew that his Dao injuries had not yet healed.

Ye Fan presented a jade box containing a medicine king exuding a fragrant aroma. This kind of item could directly extend life by several hundred years, its value immeasurable, tempting any expert.

This was dug up by Little Pine in the Kunlun Land of Immortality when he was still in his non-human form, carrying his small medicine basket. Now, Ye Fan had brought a few stalks to the Heavenly Court.

Ye Fan gave one to the Woodcutter, hoping he would heal his injuries as soon as possible. He was direct. After others had left, he stated his purpose: to unite with the Dao Palace and jointly attack the Phoenix Nest, flattening it in one battle!

The Woodcutter, the unseemly old man, Lin Jia, and the others were all startled. This was undoubtedly a major undertaking. After so many years of standoff, they deeply understood the formidable nature of their opponent.

“Now, those two divine generals have recovered very powerful magic, far more terrifying than before!” the yellow-toothed old man said with a solemn expression.

“I don’t fight unprepared battles. This time, you, I, and the Divine Organization will move together. My Heavenly Court can deploy two complete Imperial Weapons. This time, I will break the Phoenix Nest!” Ye Fan said, radiating killing intent.

“Allow me to investigate one matter clearly,” the Woodcutter said, speaking honestly. The two divine generals in the Phoenix Nest might not only be continuously recovering their powerful magic, but they may also have found another extraordinary divine being who has returned. This needed to be clarified.

“Alright, I’ll await your news!” Ye Fan said.

A few days later, Ye Fan received good news: Duan De had arrived, and the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Pot was fully reassembled.

Duan De was very displeased. “Kid, I feel like this pot has become the Heavenly Court’s. Whenever there’s a battle, this Daoist has to rush over and lend you the pot.”

“If we take down the Phoenix Nest, you’ll gain many benefits. You won’t need to raid tombs anymore,” Ye Fan laughed.

“Nonsense! I suffered a great loss this time, being called around by you all. Do you know what I missed? A Heavenly Blade and a stone egg! I was just about to trap them, but that little rascal Huahua scared them away!” Duan De fumed indignantly.

Everyone was astonished by his words.

As the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Pot became whole, a unique aura immediately permeated the area. It hung above Ye Fan’s head. He instantly triggered divine prohibition, feeling at that very moment as if he could contend with a Supreme Being!

At this realm, he could wield this terrifying demonic pot, unleashing its most powerful might, swallowing heaven and earth.

Ye Fan did not delay. He traversed the starfields, heading towards the Divine Organization. He didn't know enough about this lineage and needed to be wary. If their alliance succeeded, the Phoenix Nest would find it difficult to avoid destruction.