Chapter 1705: Wind and Waves Fierce

Ye Tong was severely wounded. Had he not mastered the "Lineage" technique to perfection and possessed the peerless "Secret of the Word," he might not have returned alive.

With Ye Fan's assistance, his vital energy surged, expelling all the dark demonic qi. His broken bones regenerated, shattered organs healed, and his dim primordial spirit began to glow once more.

As a Quasi-Emperor capable of fighting an ancient imperial prince, Ye Tong's severe injuries highlighted the extreme danger of that battle; he had almost not made it back.

Flames flickered in Ye Fan's eyes. He could not forget the glimpse of the future he had seen: the Undying Empress and the Underworld advancing to this very place, brutally shattering Ye Tong and Xiao Song, who were protecting Xiao Zi, into a bloody mist.

Now, that tragedy had almost occurred prematurely. His killing intent became palpable; passivity was not in his nature. Having foreseen certain events, he was determined to stop them with all his might and strike first.

"Master, Anlan Star was obliterated by a single palm strike!" Hua Hua reported, her face pale, after receiving this new information.

Hearing this, Ye Fan's expression grew grim, becoming even more somber. He remained silent for a long time. That star, where Heavenly Soldiers of the Heavenly Court were stationed, had undoubtedly been reduced to cosmic dust.

It was a star Xiao Song and Yang Xi had visited, where they had cultivated and trained. Clearly, the perpetrator was targeting them, annihilating everything with a single palm strike to ensure a complete purge.

The only solace was that Xiao Song had returned and had not encountered that individual.

"Where is Yang Xi?" Ye Fan asked.

It was now evident that the Phoenix Nest had made a decisive move, resolved to eliminate Ye Fan's three chief disciples. Their exceptional talent and recent ascension to Quasi-Emperor status had clearly caused concern.

"We don't know where he went; he departed alone to cultivate and consolidate his Dao fruit," someone replied. Typically, the whereabouts of those traveling were reported back for easier contact and support.

However, Yang Xi had recently become a Quasi-Emperor and needed to journey alone to comprehend his own Path, thus temporarily losing contact with the Heavenly Court.

"Junior brother said he wanted to revisit his hometown, to remember everything there. Perhaps the familiar surroundings would allow him to gain deeper insights," Xiao Song said, arriving quietly.

A blood crow flew down from the moon, delivering a message received via a teleportation gate. It informed them that the Fiftieth Human Race Pass had been shattered by General Kuntian with a single punch, causing all nearby stars to collapse.

The three great generals of the Phoenix Nest — Youmo, Riyue, and Kuntian — had all been dispatched. To eliminate Ye Fan's three disciples, they were truly acting with genuine resolve.

Upon hearing this news, silence fell under the Bodhi Tree. Everyone was stunned. The Eight Divine Generals, who had once served the Undying Heavenly Emperor, were all supremely powerful. Even if they had not fully recovered their former might, they were not opponents a newly ascended Quasi-Emperor could hope to contend with.

"This is an outrage!"

Many people's eyes reddened with rage. Yang Xi was known for his forthright nature, always leading the charge in external battles and frequently sharing drinks with his comrades. He was deeply respected by countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

"I will go there myself!" Ye Fan declared, his killing intent now fully aroused.

"Calm down, kid. We are about to join forces with the Dao Palace and the Divine Organization. For now, we must prioritize the bigger picture and unleash a thunderous strike at the opportune moment," the Black Emperor interjected.

"I am perfectly calm," Ye Fan replied placidly. "If we don't respond, they will grow suspicious. I will go and kill them completely; this will also serve to mislead them."

"How do you know this isn't a ploy to lure you out, a deliberate ambush designed to ensnare you?" the Black Emperor countered, a sentiment shared by others.

"I know my limits," Ye Fan said. "This time, I'm destined to inflict severe pain upon them. Let them gather their forces; it will save us the trouble of eliminating them one by one."

The Heavenly Court, Dao Palace, and Divine Organization were forming an alliance specifically to compel all the Phoenix Nest's various forces to converge, allowing them to be wiped out in a single sweep. Ye Fan's current endeavor was meant to accelerate this process.

"Regarding the Divine Child, we can discuss it in detail after this battle, correct?" Ye Fan asked the Old God.

"No problem!" the old man readily agreed. Both the Underworld and the Phoenix Nest were enemies of the Divine Organization, and now there was the added connection through the Divine Child.

The Black Emperor, Ye Tong, Qi Luo, and others were tasked with negotiating and coordinating with the Dao Palace and the Divine Organization. A major and truly serious war was imminent, requiring each faction to commit fully and clarify which forbidden methods would be deployed.

Reassuringly, upon opening the treasury and retrieving Yang Xi's soul lamp, they found it was still brightly lit, indicating he had not perished.

Even so, Ye Fan prepared to depart.

The Old God narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you truly so confident, leaving alone first? Aren't you afraid we might forcibly take the Divine Child, which would be detrimental to the Heavenly Court?"

Ye Fan simply smiled without a word.

"Big brother, be careful on your journey." In the distance, a rosy-cheeked little girl ran over, walking alongside Xiao Zi. Both beautiful and delicate, the two girls resembled porcelain dolls.

The Old God's hairs stood on end, a chill piercing his bones as goosebumps erupted across his skin. He felt as though he were facing a primeval beast, capable of devouring all living beings in the world.

He immediately fell silent, saying nothing more.

Yet, within his heart, immense waves surged. This was the Dao Fruit of a Great Emperor; hearing was one thing, seeing was another. To exist in the mortal realm for countless millennia in this manner was truly defying all natural order!

The Divine Organization boasted a long legacy. They had once visited Beidou, where, many millennia ago, an old Quasi-Emperor had encountered Xiao Niannian and been utterly terrified. This secret was recorded in a yellowed scroll within the Divine Organization's archives.

"She hasn't perished, still living in the mortal world—it's simply astonishing!" His heart struggled to find calm.

"Old man, you're so naive! Haven't you seen my sister Nian before? What a country bumpkin!" Not far off, the Divine Child scoffed at the Old God, trying to ingratiate himself with Xiao Niannian, yet refusing to come any closer for fear of losing his own vital energy.

A swathe of Grand Yin mist drifted by, obscuring the vast starry river. Ye Fan walked alone, unleashing secret techniques from the Grand Yin Immortal Scripture to sweep across the star domains ruled by the Phoenix Nest.

Across dozens of consecutive stars, many Phoenix Nest leaders were decapitated, none able to withstand a single blow. While he did not commit a full-scale massacre, his method of only taking the heads of key figures spread even greater terror.

Ye Fan arrived, first employing the Grand Yin Immortal Scripture, then activating the Grand Yang Mother Scripture. His entire body radiant with light, he struck with thunderous force, directly assaulting the Phoenix Nest.

Reports emerged continuously, sending new ripples through the calm universe.

Ye Fan had slain twenty-seven masters, all high-ranking Phoenix Nest cadres. He pressed forward relentlessly, with no intention of stopping, his blade aimed directly at the Phoenix Nest, deep within the universe.

His garments flapped in the wind as blood splattered. In just a single day, Ye Fan had slain fifty-four Phoenix Nest masters, each a formidable figure who commanded a region.

A portion were Phoenix Nest retainers, while others were contemporary powerhouses who had defected and become regional commanders, only to be ruthlessly slaughtered and utterly eradicated by Ye Fan.

The news was undeniably explosive, leaving all major powers throughout the universe stunned!

What was Ye Fan attempting? Was he starting a war, regardless of the consequences? Following this clash, one of the two organizations was bound to be annihilated; there would be no peaceful resolution.

For twenty years, all parties had maintained restraint. While covert skirmishes occurred, there had been no signs of large-scale conflict. Ye Fan's sudden, fierce purge, carving a bloody path forward, shocked the entire cosmos.

"Hmm, I heard Ye Fan's disciple, Yang Xi, was killed. He's gone berserk, determined to avenge his disciple at all costs."

"Latest news: the Saint Body Ye Fan was ambushed! The Phoenix Nest's three great generals, each guarding a specific region, had long awaited him, and a major battle has erupted!"

"Ye Fan clashed with Kuntian, unleashing an earth-shattering blow. The former Eight Divine General coughed up mouthfuls of blood, narrowly escaping death!"

Reports poured in, shocking all parties, especially the last one. Many were left dumbfounded: it had only been twenty years; how had Ye Fan grown so powerful?

"The Phoenix Nest has torn open the universe; the Undying Empress has made her move!"

When that final report arrived, this was no longer a minor disturbance but a cosmic-level upheaval. A vast war was about to commence, one that would sweep across the entire universe.

The Empress and the other two great generals rushed towards the location, but they were all too late; they had been unable to stop Ye Fan. He had nearly slain General Kuntian before departing triumphantly.

"What a formidable Saint Body! Even the Undying Heavenly Emperor's former Eight Divine Generals were helpless against him, nearly being killed. Just how powerful has he become?"

After that day, an atmosphere of extreme tension permeated the universe. Everyone knew a major war was inevitable; the Undying Empress would certainly not relent.

"There must be someone in the Heavenly Court whom the Empress fears, otherwise she would have simply flattened it." People recalled the former Imperial Lord, who had mobilized a vast force only to return in defeat.

"What could the Empress possibly fear? When she fought alongside the Heavenly Emperor to conquer the world, she saw all manner of heroes. Who could possibly compare to the Heavenly Emperor?!"

The Undying Empress's handmaiden appeared, beating a divine drum to begin summoning generals. This was the Heavenly Emperor's General-Summoning Drum, forged by all the races of the universe in ancient times and presented to the Heavenly Emperor.

As soon as the drum sounded, all races were compelled to gather and heed its command.

This drum was profoundly mysterious. The moment it resonated, the ancestral lands of many races immediately flared with brilliant light, and the booming drumbeats, like thunder, reverberated across the entire cosmos.

The universe stirred. No one had expected this drum to sound again after remaining silent for countless ages. A portion of the ancient races embarked on the expedition.

Naturally, more major clans remained silent, ignoring the summons. So many years had passed; who among the descendants would still take their ancestors' ancient oaths to heart?

"The Undying Empress is not gathering armies from various races; she's aiming to summon the Eight Divine Generals!" the Woodcutter Elder declared, his eyes gleaming brightly.

"Indeed, several of the Divine Generals have long since passed on. I believe she is attempting to summon the First Divine General, intending to use him for regicide, to deal with that little girl in the Heavenly Court," the Old God from the Divine Organization said, his expression grave.

Should the First Divine General appear, it would undoubtedly unleash a major upheaval. He was a figure who dared to contend with the Undying Heavenly Emperor himself; everyone claimed he could achieve the Dao!

"What now?"

"What else can we do but fight!"

The Heavenly Court, Dao Palace, and Divine Organization finally united, preparing to launch their attack.

"I'm here! I hope I'm not late; I finally made it!" Pang Bo declared upon his return to the Heavenly Court. Alongside him was a woman of unparalleled grace and beauty: Yan Ruyu.

Previously, Pang Bo had ventured out to cultivate with the Black Emperor, and on a particular star, they unexpectedly discovered a descendant of the Azure Emperor, witnessing her formidable presence as she wielded the Demon Emperor's weapon.

Now, he had invited Yan Ruyu and successfully borrowed a second Imperial artifact for the impending battle!

"Boom," "Boom"…

The Heavenly Emperor Drum rumbled, shaking every corner of the universe. Those who had initially resisted participation now found their ancestral lands flashing with lightning and thunder, on the verge of collapse.

This was the power of ancient vows!

The great clans who had once sworn allegiance to the Undying Heavenly Emperor, and had sprinkled their ancestral blood upon their respective ancestral altars, were now being compelled by this power of vows. Failure to participate in the war would incur a severe cost.

No one had anticipated the Heavenly Emperor Drum to be so formidable; even after countless ages, its mystical power and divine might persisted!

"The situation is ominous; the Underworld also appears to be stirring, showing signs of action," the Black Emperor said, his brow furrowed. They had been constantly monitoring that behemoth and had noticed anomalies.

"It's fine. As long as the Underworld Emperor doesn't appear and the ancient Supremes remain hidden, their deployment of a few experts won't change the course of the battle."

"We cannot underestimate the Underworld," the Old God said with a grave expression. "Since they have made their move, and even the Heavenly Emperor Drum has appeared, then we have no reason to hold back!"

He knelt devoutly on the ground, set up an incense altar, and offered worship. Then, he solemnly opened a stone box, retrieved a dim horn, and personally sounded it.

"Woo-woo…"

As the horn's call echoed, all corners of the universe were shaken. Many did not know its origin, yet they instantly realized that the summons from the Heavenly Emperor Drum had been nullified.

Naturally, some supreme races awakened, exclaiming, "It's the Emperor Venerable's War Horn, summoning us to battle!"