Chapter 1780: Grand Tales of the Heavenly Court

The Heavenly Court's power grew stronger by the day. Ye Fan became unrivaled throughout the world, defeating even the reigning Great Emperor. This shook the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, causing an uproar across all realms.

The decisive defeat of the Demon Emperor had a profound and far-reaching impact, reverberating throughout the cosmos for decades. Every race was filled with awe and trepidation.

After this battle, Ye Fan stood supreme, like a celestial god. Whenever his decree was issued, all corners of the universe submitted and obeyed; no race dared to defy the Heavenly Court's will.

Yet, the Heavenly Court did not become arrogant. It remained as before, with the eradication of the forbidden life zones as its sole goal, never engaging in disputes with other major sects.

Through this battle, the atmosphere in the universe gradually changed. There were indeed too many exceptional individuals in this generation. Previously, the Golden Crow's ascension to become the Demon Emperor had extinguished people's hopes.

Now, Ye Fan defied the heavens, decisively defeating the Great Emperor. This made the eyes of peerless prodigies gleam with an unusual light, strengthening their convictions.

As expected, in the following years, Huo Qilinzi, Yin Tiande, and others all engaged in arduous cultivation, striving to elevate their power and make further breakthroughs.

The glorious era of the Heavenly Court began. From then on, it was unrivaled in the world, with all quarters coming to pay homage. Its formidable reputation was praised throughout the cosmos, and all cultivators in the world respected and admired it.

Over two hundred years had passed in a blink since the battle to clear the forbidden zones. Ye Fan was now nearly two thousand years old, a truly unrivaled warrior whom none could contend with. He overlooked the vast cosmos, finding no opponent.

During this period, the Heavenly Court developed rapidly. The ancient prophecy of "Bodhi trees everywhere, faith gathering, an immortal sect established" gradually came true, with grand chanting sounds emanating daily from the Heavenly Court's altars.

There was a cauldron there, placed on the altar after Ye Fan's Myriad Things Mother Qi was reforged. It received faith power from all directions, and inside, the faith was like a boundless, chaotic sea.

The power of faith transformed into a vast and boundless liquid, causing the cauldron to undergo a complete transformation. Yet, Ye Fan never used a single bit of it, letting it accumulate.

Inside the cauldron, the power of faith formed a divine embryo, nurturing a person identical to Ye Fan!

Over these years, the Heavenly Court flourished, with everything on track and good tidings arriving frequently.

The Monkey brought joyful news to everyone: the Victorious Fighting Buddha had finally cast aside the last trace of obsession in his heart, returning to the mundane world and uniting with the Divine Silkworm Princess.

Finally, these two retired to a courtyard in the Heavenly Court—the Divine Ruins.

"Alas, time spares no one. My uncle is truly old," the Monkey sighed softly. Even he was over two thousand years old, but his uncle had already been several thousand years old during the ancient era, and was born two millennia before the Monkey in this life. By now, he truly appeared aged.

However, this was not important. What truly mattered in life was a peaceful and joyful state of mind.

The Victorious Fighting King had spent his life in battle, and even after entering Buddhism, it was the same. He couldn't let go of everything from the ancient past, fighting with himself within his heart. After so many years, he finally achieved complete enlightenment.

Now, he no longer had a trace of a cultivator's aura; he was like an ordinary old man. Every day, he walked with the Divine Silkworm Princess, watching sunrises and sunsets together. Their companionship in old age felt very warm.

Ye Fan sighed softly. The Old Victorious Buddha was indeed very old; perhaps his life was nearing its end, with not many years left. Ye Fan had once prepared to pluck an immortal medicine for the old monkey to consume, but the Victorious Buddha gently declined.

"Is living long a blessing?" he mused. "Look at the forbidden zones, how pathetic they are. Every supreme being within them has lingered for millions of years. Do they truly not regret it?"

The Victorious Fighting Buddha smiled. Accompanied by the Divine Silkworm Princess, he walked away, teasing the young children of the Heavenly Court under the setting sun. Genuine smiles bloomed on both their faces.

Behind them was a small divine silkworm, which had now transformed into a small golden lion, only a foot long, following like a tiny tail. It looked adorably clumsy and sparkling with cuteness.

The Divine Race Princess once said that this little silkworm's origin was incredibly strange; it had inexplicably appeared in the ancestral land. Its transformations were identical to those of the Divine Emperor of their clan in ancient times, truly forgetting its past, with each transformation being a rebirth.

Other divine silkworms could retain old memories through certain means, but this one was different. The Divine Silkworm clan once believed it was another re-emergence of their ancestor.

"Ah, time is truly sorrowful," Pang Bo, Li Tian, and others all sighed, because they clearly felt that although the Old Madman and Human Demon still had sufficient vital energy, they were truly very old and in the twilight of their lives.

All in all, the Heavenly Court was still quite peaceful and warm.

Ji Haoyue, who had been missing for many years, returned. He had suffered a great defeat within the Divine Race back then, crying out in sorrow across the cosmos, and accidentally fell into a Celestial Venerable's formation, where he was trapped for over a thousand years.

After Ji Chengdao advanced to Quasi-Emperor, he had been searching for all these long years, traveling across the universe, hoping for his parents' reunion. The call of his bloodline allowed him to sense his father's trapped location.

Finally, Ye Fan personally took action, breaking open the Celestial Venerable's formation and rescuing Ji Haoyue.

In fact, Ji Haoyue himself was close to breaking out. He had comprehended the Dao there for over a thousand years, fully grasping all the techniques of the "Tribulation-Crossing Celestial Venerable," and his profound cultivation had reached great perfection.

"Ziyue..." When Ji Haoyue heard everything that had happened over the years, tears welled in his tiger-like eyes. "Your brother failed to protect you!" he lamented.

Hearing this, Ye Fan felt a pang in his heart.

"Father, Auntie and Little Zi have become immortals, you need not grieve," Ji Chengdao said, holding his arm.

"I was too attached to appearances," Ji Haoyue said, wiping the tears from his tiger-like eyes. "Becoming an immortal, how many people's dream! This is a good thing. Ye Fan... don't overthink it. Thank you for bringing joy to Ziyue all these years."

Ji Haoyue was a strong-willed person. After being freed, he immediately went to see his wife. Not long after the family reunion, he went to the Divine Race and battled the Divine Venerable.

In this battle, with Ye Fan's subtle intervention, both sides eventually ended in a draw, and all grievances dissolved the moment they collapsed.

After all, that was his wife's elder brother and his children's uncle; Ji Haoyue also didn't want to make things difficult for his family. Afterwards, Ji Haoyue and his wife also retired into the Heavenly Court.

Duan De rushed over as if his backside was on fire upon hearing the news, eager to discuss the Tribulation-Crossing Heavenly Art with Ji Haoyue. He forcefully inserted himself into the family of three, discussing endlessly every day. Finally, Ji Haoyue realized that Duan De wasn't after the cultivation method but rather bits and pieces about that ruin, as if trying to unlock some old memories.

"Alas, everyone has their own happiness. Even a grave robber is busy and happily rushing around all day. How should this Emperor plan his life's direction?" the big black dog muttered drunkenly.

"Indeed, even that monkey seems to be smitten. It's rumored that the Six-Eared Macaque might be female. Now the Holy Prince spends his days sparring and battling with her, I think..." the Dragon Horse slurred, only to be struck on the back of the head with a stick, raising a huge bump.

It immediately roared in fury, "Who dares to ambush this Emperor?!"

However, when it saw the Monkey holding the stick, glaring at it from behind, it was quite quick, immediately flopping onto the table and falling asleep, snoring like thunder.

"Hmm, Monkey, you're here. Come, come, have a couple of drinks. Let me tell you about my life's ideals," the big black dog slurred, pulling the Monkey down to sit with bleary, drunken eyes.

"What ideals?" someone retorted. "Just now you said you didn't even have a direction in life."

"Who says I don't?" the big black dog retorted. "Just now I thought of so much. Let me tell you slowly." It forcefully poured a cauldron of wine into its mouth, then slammed it heavily onto the table. Unfortunately, it landed on the head of the feigning-dead Dragon Horse, making it grimace in pain, jump up, and curse loudly.

"Quiet! Listen to this Emperor tell you slowly!"

The big black dog's eyes were a little unfocused. At this moment, a group of children also ran over to hear it begin its talk.

"I wish to live out this life quietly, in a beautiful environment. For example, I'd plant an enlightenment tree in the backyard for shade during summer. In the front yard, I'd have a medicinal garden with a few True Dragons, Immortal Phoenixes, Nine Wonders, Qilins, and Myriad Years plants, just to watch them bloom and wither, enjoying their fragrant aroma – that would truly cultivate one's character. Hmm, and of course, it must be elegant. I'd have a bookshelf, adorned with dozens of books to showcase this Emperor's erudition and literary talent. The secret texts of the Emperor, the Great Emperor Wushi, the Ruthless Great Emperor, and others would certainly be on display. The Nine Secrets, the Buddhist Six-Character True Mantra, and similar texts could be casually placed there. And naturally, it would be best to compile a compendium of eighteen forbidden arts, collecting and unifying all the strongest forbidden secret techniques of the various Great Emperors. As for household items: the Hengyu Cauldron for the fire stove, the Void Mirror for the looking glass, the Immortal Heavenly Blade for peeling radishes and cutting vegetables, and the Myriad Things Mother Qi Cauldron for cooking. The Western Emperor Pagoda could serve as a bird's nest or cage. And for birds, I must raise a Demon Emperor – the Golden Crow species, for example, would be excellent. Oh, I almost forgot, I'd also dig a source of creation well, so when thirsty, I could simply scoop a ladle..."

The Black Emperor spoke incessantly, saliva flying. The Monkey, Dragon Horse, and the later arrivals Pang Bo, Li Tian, Yang Xi, and others all exchanged glances, their hearts itching with desire.

"You haven't mentioned the most important point yet," Duan De said, walking in and chuckling, "you should at least leave behind a few puppies, otherwise, who will inherit your mantle?"

"Woof! Grave robber, tell me, are you or are you not the Underworld Emperor?" the big black dog demanded, drunkenly pouncing and grabbing Duan De's collar. Then it shouted to the others, "Come on, everyone, help me! Hold him down and give him the Ten Great Tortures of Mythology to make him confess!"

With a whoosh, everyone rushed forward, including the Monkey, Dragon Horse, Dongfang Ye, Li Tian, and even some young children, ready to interrogate Duan De collectively.

"Infinite Heavens and Earth, who's stripping my Daoist robe?! Who's stealing my hairpin...!" Duan De yelled.

He was covered in treasures, but he was held down by the Monkey and others. A group of young children swarmed him, snatching everything clean; even his shoes, socks, and trousers were pulled off, leaving him almost completely naked.

Ye Fan came alone to a courtyard. This was originally his home, the residence of Ji Ziyue and Little Zi. But now, it was very quiet, lacking the laughter of the past, and he could no longer hear their voices.

In the courtyard, there was a phoenix tree. The Lightning Phoenix bird, Little Dot, raised by Ji Ziyue, lived above it. Her mistress and daughter had left, but it had always been waiting and guarding.

"Brother Ye, you're here," Little Dot said. Little Dot had long grown up, its cultivation formidable. Having consumed the Demon God Flower and possessing an astonishing bloodline, its progress could only be described as terrifying; it was a hidden master of the Heavenly Court. However, it remained very pure, its character unchanged, and also very optimistic, firmly believing it would one day reunite with Ziyue.

Ye Fan nodded and greeted it.

In the courtyard, there was also a plant: the Demon God Flower. Its flowers had withered, and it would take fifty thousand years to bloom again. Ji Ziyue had transplanted it here.

"Divine Son!" Little Sparrow was also there, tidying the courtyard.

"Sister Little Sparrow often comes to clean," Little Dot said.

Ye Fan sighed inwardly, spoke with them for a while, then picked up a rotten wooden box from inside the house and left.

Little Sparrow stared blankly at his receding back, and didn't speak for a long time, her heart feeling empty.

Ye Fan wanted to say something, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to speak.

Little Sparrow, seeing the Divine Son — who had always remained constant in her heart — disappear, murmured, "Divine Son, please don't speak. I'm happy just being able to see you every day. I don't want to leave this place."

After all these years, Ye Fan was finally going to deal with this rotten wooden box, because no one else, apart from a Great Emperor, could move it!