Chapter 1725: Difficult Decision

Ye Fan sat cross-legged, not moving for a day and a night. When he finally opened his eyes, he was utterly exhausted.

Yes, he was mentally and emotionally drained. As much as he tried, he genuinely had no viable solution. They were Supremes, and even with all his calculations and strategies, he couldn't stop them. He possessed the Heaven Swallowing Pot and the Immortal Bell laws, but could they contend with one Supreme? What about two or three? Even if he laid countless traps and devised endless schemes, setting up a kill-zone would be utterly useless. In the face of absolute power, his efforts might seem as ridiculous as a mayfly trying to shake a tree to those Supremes; they simply couldn't halt their advance.

He currently had secret techniques to conceal his aura, providing temporary safety. However, once he underwent his tribulation, he would inevitably be exposed. The three great tribulations would shake the universe, presenting three opportunities for his enemies to kill him—opportunities that some Supremes would not miss. In short, this "ant" of his had grown strong enough to catch the attention of the Supremes!

Ye Fan had reached the Seventh Heaven of Quasi-Emperor, already incredibly powerful, yet he felt an unprecedented weariness. The path ahead seemed increasingly difficult, hard to break through. "It doesn't matter if I die, but they... they cannot be buried with me." Ye Fan's strength had greatly increased, his vitality was vibrant, and his lifespan extended. Yet, his dark hair was now streaked with white, and he felt profoundly weary in his mind.

As he traveled, deep in thought, he returned to the Heavenly Court. Seeing his home flourish, seemingly on its way to becoming the strongest lineage in the universe, his emotions were turbulent. All of this was the result of everyone's efforts, destined for immense glory. However, in the future, it could invite a great catastrophe. If the Supremes emerged, they would undoubtedly sweep it away.

"Is there no other way?" He had glimpsed a corner of the future: one Underworld was already terrifying, and now with the addition of the Great Accomplishment Hegemonic Body and other forbidden zone Supremes, how could they possibly contend? Ye Fan suddenly felt a chill throughout his body. The road ahead was arduous. No wonder so many Great Emperors faced misfortune; none truly smiled amidst their glory; they were all so serious. They had experienced joy and sorrow, separation and reunion. They had lost too much, and the price they paid was unimaginable.

"Uncle is back!" A stocky, energetic boy ran up, greeting him enthusiastically, and then a group of children rushed over from afar. This was Li Heishui's child, already a teenager, sturdy and well-built. Having consumed the Divine Fluid of the Nine-Aperture Stone Man since childhood, his natural talents were exceptional, far surpassing his father's.

"Uncle, did you bring us any gifts?" asked a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, the Wild Man's youngest daughter. She wore a beast-bone necklace, her hair braided into numerous small plaits adorned with tiny bells forged from pure Daluo silver, which shimmered and chimed softly as she moved. These were the descendants of the Heavenly Court, each exceptionally gifted. Any major power would envy them, as Ye Fan, Li Tian, Black Emperor, and others spared no expense. After their birth, they were bathed in Celestial Venerable's Life Spring Divine Fluid, fed Nine-Aperture Divine Embryo Treasure Liquid, and even had parts of the Immortal Qilin Medicine and Bodhi Tree essence refined into precious pills to lay their foundations. It could be said that these dozens of children were the Heavenly Court's most precious treasure, representing its future and hope.

"I came and went in a hurry, so I didn't prepare any gifts," Ye Fan said with a smile. "Today, I will impart several great divine abilities to you and explain the Immortal Scripture of the Sun."

"Yay, Uncle is going to teach us! Come quickly!" The children cheered, immediately attracting more people. Many Heavenly Court members also rushed over to listen to his teachings. Ye Fan sat cross-legged on a large green stone, with people filling the space below him. Mostly children, they all listened attentively, their eyes wide. Of course, some mischievous little ones were laughing, running, and jumping far away, full of boundless energy. Among them, two were particularly bold. They successively climbed onto the green stone; Little Nannan sat quietly, chin in hand, appearing quite well-behaved. As for Little Zi, she was like a mischievous monkey, climbing onto Ye Fan and leaving a wet kiss on his cheek.

"Daddy, I missed you," she said sweetly and innocently. Watching her flutter her big eyes, feigning good behavior, Ye Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He couldn't scold her, so he simply settled her beside him and continued his discourse. The Heavenly Court truly felt warm and inviting, permeated and interwoven with all kinds of familial and friendly bonds—bonds that one would give their life to protect, allowing no one to trample or destroy them.

The children dispersed. The Bodhi tree's leaves were verdant, swaying with emerald light, and fragments of law scattered, making it easy for one to fall into a state of enlightenment. Ye Fan sighed softly and stood up.

"Ye Zi is back! Come on, let's drink! Haha, quite a few people have returned recently, it's a good time for a celebratory drink!" Li Heishui and Dongfang Ye ran over to pull him along.

"Haha, it's worth celebrating! Pang Bo has consolidated his Quasi-Emperor realm and just came out of seclusion," Li Tian also shouted with laughter from afar.

"Alright, let's go drink!" Ye Fan nodded.

Gathered together, they naturally prepared a variety of delicacies: Teng Snake soup, Golden Crow wings... everything imaginable, all from primordial exotic beasts they had slain in past battles. The aroma of cooked meat and the rich scent of wine filled the air. Ye Fan, Yan Yixi, Pang Bo, Dongfang Ye, Li Heishui, and a large group of others sat together, clinking cups and enjoying themselves immensely.

Before long, a swarm of little ones, both boys and girls, came running, their mouths watering. They rushed forward like a band of little bandits, scrambling for food. Everyone burst into laughter.

"You little rascals, you're so young and already daring to snatch wine! And you, Li Hu, why aren't you looking after your sister, letting a little girl drink alcohol?"

"Hey, Little Zi, you're just a little girl, only two or three years old, barely able to walk steadily, and you dare to sneak drinks like them?" The adults were both annoyed and amused.

"Don't be so stingy! Little Zi just wanted a taste," the little girl argued, then stealthily gulped down the rest, afraid of being denied. But as soon as she swallowed, she stuck out her tongue, complaining, "Spicy! Yucky!"

"Only Nannan is the most well-behaved," someone remarked. She alone was the quietest, sitting obediently beside Ye Fan.

In the distance, dog barks sounded as Black Emperor came running wildly, shouting that it was unfair they hadn't called him. "You were too busy, engrossed in the Phoenix Nest. We called you twice, but you didn't hear us." Mountain Phoenix and other great demons, along with Dragon Horse, Golden-Winged Great Peng King, and others, also arrived upon hearing the news. The drinking party instantly swelled, and finally, many Heavenly Generals joined in.

"If I'm well, then it's a clear day. But I'm really not well! This damn Phoenix Nest is like a hornet's nest, Uncle Black Emperor, please spare me!" Hua Hua wailed. He had truly suffered a lot in recent days; Black Emperor had almost beaten his backside into eight pieces.

After the laughter faded and the effects of the wine wore off, Ye Fan once again sat cross-legged beneath the Bodhi tree, still as a rock, motionless as a withered tree.

"Ye Zi has something on his mind. What kind of trouble has he encountered? He seems to be deep in thought, trying to figure out a solution."

"I imagine it must be quite troublesome. With his current cultivation, ordinary matters wouldn't bother him; it most likely involves the Ancient Supremes."

Pang Bo, Li Tian, and Li Heishui knew him well. They immediately sensed something was amiss and huddled together to discuss. Finally, carrying wine jars, they walked over and directly questioned him.

"Ye Zi, tell us what's wrong. Let's find a way together; don't let it turn your hair white all by yourself. Our cultivation might not be as high as yours, but we can certainly offer advice."

"Exactly! Speak your mind. Let's share the burden; don't carry everything by yourself. There's no need to be a stranger among friends."

The group looked at him. Each one was a close friend who had faced life and death together, fighting major enemies side by side to reach this point. Ye Fan was deeply moved. The moment he became lost in thought and showed signs of distress, they noticed. He sighed and recounted his recent encounter.

"What?! That old bastard, the Hegemonic Body, also attacked? Shameless! He's gone too far, truly despicable!"

"Look at his pathetic act! A Great Accomplishment Hegemonic Body, attacking Ye Zi during his tribulation? Does he want to feed his old face to the dogs?"

"Woof! This Emperor warns you: you can eat whatever you want, but don't just say whatever you want!"

Ye Fan smiled. This group was always like this; they could even laugh in the face of such immense difficulties, easing the atmosphere. In the past, Ye Fan was never afraid. As long as he was strong enough, he could crush any formidable enemy before him. But now, the situation was unequal. His adversaries were Ancient Supremes, each once the strongest person of their era, invincible throughout their lives.

"I've thought and thought, and there truly is no other way," he said. "The Heavenly Court is too vast. In the future, it will surely suffer a devastating blow because of me. I want to disperse the Heavenly Generals and reunite them in the future."

At these words, everyone fell silent. The Heavenly Court was currently immensely powerful; its commands were obeyed in all directions. It was in its most glorious ascending phase, and now it was to cripple itself, to disband outright. However, they knew that despite how painful it was, Ye Fan's words made sense. The best option now was for the various Heavenly Court divisions to go into seclusion and await a future reunion.

"Regarding our children, I want to seal them away and have them reappear a century later," Ye Fan stated. "I need a hundred years to make a desperate push. If I succeed, no one will dare to provoke my Heavenly Court again. If I fail and my soul returns to the earth, the Supremes won't care anymore."

A deeper, more profound silence fell over the scene; no one spoke. Finally, everyone nodded, silently agreeing to the decision. The ultimate outcome was that the Heavenly Court would be sealed for a century, and the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals would lay down their arms and go into hiding, each seeking their own seclusion.

"I'm sorry," Ye Fan said, "for making you all suffer along with me."

"What kind of talk is that?" someone replied. "From now on, you'll be fighting with your life on the line alone. If you succeed, the Heavenly Court will be glorious for eternity. If you fail, you alone will be doomed forever. Yet, we, your brothers, can't help you with anything. All we feel now is helplessness and pain. Ye Zi, you must strive!"

"Don't say such things," another added. "In these hundred years, you will face two death tribulations. As for the third, it doesn't matter if you don't pass it; achieving great success in two tribulations will be enough. Ye Zi, remember, just survive, that's all we ask!"

Each of these brothers, who had shared life and death with him, expressed their heartfelt emotions, urging him to survive, no matter what. To cripple their own strength and disband the Heavenly Court was a difficult decision, with immense, earth-shattering implications that many might not understand.

"It's alright," they reassured him. "We can certainly start over. When the Heavenly Court's banner is raised again, I believe many Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals, our brothers, will return. They won't blame you."

"Daddy, what are you doing? Why are all your eyes red?" Little Zi ran over from a distance. These grown men naturally wouldn't shed tears in front of the little girl. But Ye Fan's heart ached at the thought of personally sealing Little Zi away, bidding her farewell as she fell into slumber. She was so small. If he failed, this would be the last time he saw his daughter. And beyond that, how was he to face the Heavenly Court members?

"I am incompetent!" Ye Fan sighed, looking up at the sky.

"No, you are strong enough," said Black Emperor. "Few Great Emperors in history at your age have achieved such cultivation."

Though he said this, when Ye Fan stepped out and ascended the commander's platform step by step, looking at the vast, densely packed army below, he found it hard to speak, his heart heavy. "To be forced to this point, this day has come, leaving me powerless..." he whispered to himself, looking at the myriad faces, wondering how he would announce this news.

Below the platform, a group of people stood with solemn and dignified expressions, commanding respect—these were the veterans who had been with the Heavenly Court since its inception. There was also an endless army, full of vigor and high spirits, a generation that had witnessed the Heavenly Court's glory. And another section of newer, slightly more naive faces, vibrant and full of hope for the future—these were the recently joined Heavenly Court members. This scene left Ye Fan speechless; only bitterness remained.