Chapter 1753: Bu Xian

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The only consolation was the presence of Ye Fan, a formidable Sacred Body in this era, who had previously slain an ancient Heavenly Venerate at the peak of their power. He now reigned supreme over the human realm, an unbeatable force.

As a being of this era, his vitality surged like an ocean, eclipsing the cosmos. He was in his prime, a state far surpassing ancient imperial figures. No one dared to engage him in a battle to exhaustion; perhaps he could even deter the assembled emperors.

Yet, this offered only slight comfort. Most people still trembled, knowing there was only one Sacred Body, while the number of ancient Supremes remained unknown.

"Is this battle truly upon us? Immortality, always immortality—how many lives have you ruined!"

"I hate this Golden Age! I hate this Path to Immortality! I hate all who achieved enlightenment! You should all die!"

Across the world, curses filled the air, a scene of desolation and despair. Many were gripped by fear, as the scars left by the Dark Turmoil had never truly healed.

While mortal generations had come and gone, many cultivators had lived through that dark period. Countless individuals had lost loved ones, carrying the raw, bloody pain of those memories.

"I pray Flying Immortal Star explodes this time," roared a white-haired old man, his eyes bloodshot, "turning into the greatest cataclysmic wasteland of all ages, burying all Supremes, and finally ending the Dark Turmoil in the human world!"

If Supremes simply died in the battle for the Path to Immortality, it would be acceptable. However, if the tribulation required them to replenish their vital energy, it would bring an unbearable burden, recalling the immense bloodshed and suffering of the past.

"When the Immortal Path prospers, lower-level cultivators suffer; when the Immortal Path declines, lower-level cultivators also suffer!"

Someone sighed deeply, lamenting that the Supremes' aspirations and hopes bore no relevance to the cultivators beneath them. Any upheaval would ultimately be borne by the weak.

Anomalies had begun on Flying Immortal Star, and even before its true mysteries were revealed, unease had already spread across the cosmos.

Never before had an era witnessed such a phenomenon: two disturbances on the Path to Immortality occurring within less than a millennium. This was an unprecedented miracle in ancient times, yet in the eyes of lower-level cultivators, it represented an unparalleled demonic tribulation.

Those who had endured bitter pain and personally witnessed boundless bloodshed and piles of bones still trembled at the memory. Therefore, as soon as the first signs of trouble emerged, the major powerful clans began a frantic relocation.

They could not endure another great tribulation!

The most desolate, barren, and isolated star systems became their targets, as an unprecedented cosmic migration unfolded.

Many ancient life-bearing lands were deserted, and powerful races vanished, heading to the cosmic fringes, entering dead star systems never before explored. The cosmos preemptively plunged into chaos.

The Heavenly Court remained unperturbed. Despite various external rumors circulating recently, they proceeded methodically, and everything remained stable. No one within felt any great fear.

While the Sacred Body, Ye Fan, might not be able to protect the entire cosmos, safeguarding the Heavenly Court was sufficient. All Heavenly Soldiers and Generals firmly believed this, confident that the path ahead would not be bleak.

Only the high-ranking members of the Heavenly Court felt a slight tension, for the Black Emperor, Dongfang Ye, Li Tian, and others knew of the burden in Ye Fan's heart. He constantly harbored an unforgettable yearning for his friend Ji Zi, the father-like Jiang Taixu, and Gai Jiuyou, among others. He would certainly seek revenge.

Especially upon learning that the Stone Emperor was still alive, Ye Fan had spent a century often sitting in quiet contemplation, gazing towards the Undying Mountain of the Big Dipper. People knew that once the great battle commenced, he would undoubtedly charge forth, seizing any chance to ambush and slay the Stone Emperor.

"I am ready for battle," Ye Fan declared. "But before that, I will create ten pure lands for you all, which no one will be able to discover or breach. The Heavenly Court will be divided into ten sections, each seeking refuge within one."

Everyone sighed, knowing his decision to fight was set. He might face more than one ancient Supreme, signifying an imperial-level struggle and a bloody war.

"Rest assured, I will return alive," Ye Fan promised. "I absolutely cannot die. The vast battle plan I once spoke of has not yet fully unfolded; it will surely be realized!"

Ye Fan made this promise, and it was the truth: he truly could not die. If he did, countless others would perish because of him, as the Forbidden Zone's descendants would undoubtedly slaughter the Heavenly Court's divisions.

His continued existence served as a deterrent, ensuring that ultimately no one would dare to strike. However, the opposing forces would still need to constantly press forward to maintain their own standing.

"Leader, we have a premonition," said Gu Lin and Gu Fei as they approached. "We feel that this tribulation on Flying Immortal Star will be very special, but we dare not delve deeper into it." Nearly a millennium had passed, and this brother-sister duo had become the most mysterious divine seers in the Heavenly Court.

"You sensed it too?" Ye Fan asked. This brother-sister pair indeed possessed astonishing talent. For some time, he had also been performing deductions, having mastered the 'Pre-word Secret' in hopes of a sudden flash of insight to glimpse a corner of the future. He had been trying to grasp it, always feeling that this time was exceptionally unique.

Hearing them, the others were also surprised. The Black Emperor pondered for a long time, but unfortunately, it, once the most spiritually attuned, had exhausted its ability to foresee the unknown during a previous incident where its forehead glowed like fire, rendering it unable to deduce anything further using the 'Pre-word Secret'.

"Use your talents to boldly deduce," Ye Fan said after pondering. "I will bear all terrible consequences."

His power had reached such a realm that he possessed this confidence. He could contend with the world's most terrifying tribulations, and under his protection, within a certain range, he could transfer the misfortunes and karma of others.

"Won't this be very dangerous?" Li Tian, Li Heishui, and others frowned, fearing that an accident might befall him.

"Don't worry," Ye Fan said calmly. "No matter how terrifying, it will only be the strongest blow of an Emperor; it won't be able to defeat me."

Gu Fei and Gu Lin exchanged glances. Finally, encouraged by Ye Fan, they calmed their minds, sat cross-legged on a giant white turtle shell, facing each other like transformed yin and yang, and began their deductions.

As Spirit Children, they naturally balanced yin and yang, transforming tribulations for each other. With Ye Fan's assurance, they could proceed with their divinations boldly and without concern.

Everyone withdrew, moving away from this isolated island suspended in the cosmos. Mist permeated the area, and mysterious energy emerged, transforming the place into a realm of primordial chaos.

The white turtle shell had been found by Ye Fan two hundred years ago during his travels in the chaotic cosmos. It was suspected to be the shed shell of a Profound Tortoise before it achieved enlightenment, and it possessed inexplicable power.

At that moment, a milky white radiance flowed, merging with the chaotic energy and engulfing the brother and sister. One after another, runes lit up on the turtle shell, transforming into mysterious patterns arranged across the ground.

Besides employing their own divine divination arts, Gu Fei and Gu Lin also activated the 'Pre-word Secret'. Both were in spiritual communion, their minds now aligned with the Dao heart of heaven and earth. A wave of light appeared before their eyes, as if they were glimpsing a blurred corner of the future.

Indeed, even Ye Fan sensed an aura of the future beginning to spread.

"Boom!"

From the center of the firmament, a primordial immortal light struck down, entwined with five-colored divine radiance and flowing with chaotic essence. It was incredibly terrifying. Then, it gathered thunder and lightning from all directions, shrouding the area below.

Everyone was horrified. This was an Emperor's divine tribulation, a world-shattering lightning strike powerful enough to harm ancient Emperors.

It was hard to imagine what Gu Lin and Gu Fei had seen to trigger such a tribulation; it was excessively powerful to be striking two individuals of relatively low cultivation.

"Rise!"

Amidst the endless Emperor's tribulation, Ye Fan roared. His unique phenomena unfolded, covering the divine island and protecting the brother and sister. He then reversed the flow, redirecting all tribulations towards himself.

The heavens collapsed and the earth tore apart; the cosmos seemed on the verge of exhaustion. Ye Fan's fist power surged, directly confronting the supreme divine tribulation and shattering it.

Fortunately, this great tribulation was merely a strike unleashed by heaven as a natural consequence, not a boundless, endless Emperor-level divine punishment.

When the light dissipated, the divine island was unharmed, but numerous cracks had appeared on the white Profound Tortoise shell. This greatly astonished those who rushed over afterwards. However, seeing that the pale-faced Gu Fei and Gu Lin were safe, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"What did you see?" the Black Emperor asked. The others, also tense, looked at the brother and sister.

"A vast expanse, very blurry," Gu Fei said, his face devoid of color. "There were many light and shadows, but we couldn't make them out. It's an unpredictable future."

"Yes, the future cannot be predicted," Gu Lin echoed.

Everyone was stunned. This was certainly no small matter. Was it like this even before they could make a clear prediction? To bring down such a tribulation was far too terrifying; the path ahead filled everyone with unease!

"Crack!"

Suddenly, the white Profound Tortoise shell shattered into many pieces, scattering across the divine island.

The island was unharmed, so how had the shell shattered? Even Ye Fan was surprised. This was suspected to be the indestructible remains left by a Supreme before achieving enlightenment, yet it had disintegrated so completely.

"This is like... divine armor," the brother and sister suddenly cried out, "the ultimate sacred object in innate divination! It calculated the future!"

They deciphered meaning from the shattered turtle shell, glimpsing a corner of the future. They were utterly shaken, their lips even trembling.

"What happened?" the others pressed.

"This... there will be a great tribulation," they revealed, "and some of the most powerful Emperors and Sovereigns will die!" As soon as these words were uttered, everyone's hearts trembled violently. It truly was another tragic battle.

"What else?" asked Huahua.

"This era will witness immortals! Someone has become an immortal!" Gu Lin and Gu Fei loudly proclaimed the ultimate secret they had seen.

With just this one sentence, a massive thunderclap reverberated throughout the entire cosmos, causing the ancient firmament to shake violently. Across the world, many cultivators looked up at the sky in confusion, utterly bewildered.

The appearance of an immortal — someone was about to ascend in this era, and it would happen on the very star bearing the same name. This news was earth-shattering, shaking the Heavenly Court and leaving even Ye Fan in a daze.

Throughout history, countless Human Emperors and rulers of powerful clans had sought immortality, hoping to break into another world, transcend decay, and achieve eternal life, but all had failed.

Yet now, someone claimed that in this era, someone would ascend to immortality and succeed. How could anyone not be shocked?

This would set an unprecedented precedent!

A miracle was about to occur; an immortal was on the verge of appearing between heaven and earth. This was an unprecedented historical event!

The Heavenly Court erupted in an uproar, immensely shocked. Everyone's hearts surged with excitement. In the near future, the greatest opportunity for immortality would emerge, and if they could seize it, they would make history!

"This time, the great tribulation of Flying Immortal Star has exceeded my expectations," Ye Fan sighed softly, realizing he needed to change his strategy. If there was truly hope for immortality, he would naturally have to bring the Heavenly Court's forces with him.

"Rumble, rumble, rumble..."

In the central sealed land of the ancient Flying Immortal Star, one stone tablet after another rose from beneath the ground, standing majestically on the surface, tall, grand, mysterious, and ancient.

On them, countless dense characters were carved, belonging to an unknown era and utterly incomprehensible.