Chapter 220: Blood Spills at the Origin The Fire Dragon's Tomb

Two chapters released together.

Chapter 223: Blood Spills in the Primordial | Chapter 224: The Fire Dragon Tomb

Source City was small and ancient, resembling a slightly larger town more than a city. No one could recall when it was built; its reddish-brown walls were marred with the indelible marks of time and numerous cracks.

As Ye Fan walked through the city, he felt the ancientness of time's passage and settled years. The flagstones on the streets were worn concave from countless footsteps, and only cultivators were seen coming and going.

“Young man, are you new to Source City? Looking to buy Origin Stones? Come check out our Stone Pavilion; we guarantee you’ll find a rare stone to your liking.”“Young Taoist priest, do you need genuine, high-quality materials brought from the edge of the Primordial Ancient Mine? Feel free to come in and see for yourself.”

The streets were lined with numerous shops dealing in various Origin Stones, their owners enthusiastically greeting passing cultivators.

Ye Fan did not dare to underestimate these people; despite their small shops, they all possessed significant backgrounds and intricate connections with the major Holy Lands.

He entered a stone shop and chatted idly with the owner, noting the exorbitant prices of the stone materials there.

The stone shop was no more than a single room facing the street. Inside, a lone rosewood shelf held only about a dozen pieces of stone.

Ye Fan gasped; these stone materials were worth ten times the value of Origin Stones of the same weight.

“This is far too expensive!”“These are not ordinary stones,” the owner explained, “they are precious materials destined for Holy City, imbued with the immortal energy of the Primordial Era.”

At such exorbitant prices, the gamble was no longer on Origin Stones themselves, but on something far more precious sealed within the stone materials. After comprehending the “Origin Heaven Book,” Ye Fan’s discernment was exceptional; he selected only one piece and then ceased his attempts.

Gambling on stones here was hardly worth the effort; things more valuable than Origin Stones were rare and not to be found casually. His sole reason for making a purchase was to build rapport with the shop owner.

“Brother, do you know of any way for me to visit the Primordial Ancient Mine?” He wanted to go there but had encountered difficulties.

The mining areas surrounding the Primordial Ancient Mine had been carved up by the major Holy Lands. While other regions were manageable, outsiders found it exceedingly difficult to traverse the areas adjacent to the life restricted zone.

Ye Fan was not a successor of a Holy Land; without another method, he, as a rogue cultivator, would be utterly unable to pass through those regions.

“I tell you, young brother, that place is absolutely forbidden. Even the Holy Lords cannot make a ripple after entering,” the stone shop owner advised.

Ye Fan smiled and said, “I’m not going to my death; I simply wish to observe from a distance. It would be a great regret to have heard so much about the Primordial Era yet never witness it.”

The owner laughed and replied, “I understand completely. Young people like you often wish to observe from a distance, but eventually, they can’t control themselves, as if summoned by a demonic lord, and venture deep into the restricted zone. Many people disappear there every year.”

“So, there is a way to go to the Primordial Ancient Mine?” Ye Fan’s eyes lit up.

“Young Taoist priest, I advise you not to take such a risk. Curiosity truly can kill,” the stone shop owner kindly urged.

“Please help me, brother. I understand the gravity of the situation,” Ye Fan insisted.

“In that case, go find a man named Old Knife Handle. Be warned though, his prices are steep, and he’s quite the swindler,” the owner informed Ye Fan.

Afterward, he wandered extensively through the stone city, learning more about this “Old Knife Handle.”

This “Old Knife Handle” was a long-established local power, not a mere ruffian among mortals, but a stubborn, unyielding figure among cultivators. He possessed extensive connections in the region and undertook a variety of tasks, from escorting Origin Stones to even assassinations.

Old Knife Handle lived in the South City District, in nothing more than five low, dilapidated blue-tiled houses.

He exhibited none of the swagger of a local strongman, appearing instead like a simple old farmer. His face was deeply wrinkled, his hands rough with calluses, and he squatted on the ground, puffing on a dry tobacco pipe, his cultivation level imperceptible.

“It’s truly perverse; every year, people willingly go to their deaths…” Old Knife Handle mumbled in an almost inaudible voice. Then he looked up at Ye Fan and said, “Wait a few days. We’ll go once we have a full team.”

“Old man, are these all the jobs you take?” Ye Fan asked, noticing numerous notices posted on one wall.

“I’m an honest man; I don’t kill people. These are all commissions; I’m merely a liaison. Those seeking work come to me for tasks,” Old Knife Handle said, puffing on his dry tobacco pipe. “If you’re interested in taking a job, I can connect you. As for my fee, I’ll take twenty percent.”

Ye Fan casually scanned the notices, his eyebrows twitching in surprise when he realized some of the tasks involved him.

He picked up a golden paper, on which his likeness was clearly drawn. Providing clues alone would earn one hundred catties of Origin Stone; killing him, five hundred catties; and capturing him alive, one thousand catties.

This was truly an exorbitant price, sparing no expense to hunt him down.

The employer had not concealed their identity; a large character, “Ji,” was clearly written.

Damn it! Although Ye Fan had prepared himself mentally, he was still somewhat unsettled. He had fled to the Northern Region, yet the Ji family still refused to let him go, issuing a kill order against him.

Since the people of Yaoguang knew he had arrived in the Northern Region, it was impossible for the Ji family not to have received the news.

“I believe I’ve seen such kill orders in other cities as well,” Ye Fan probed.

Old Knife Handle exhaled a puff of smoke. “He provoked the wrong people,” he said. “This child won’t live long. Many young cultivators from the Ji family have arrived, and some young people from Yaoguang are with them.”

Ye Fan indifferently checked the other commissioned tasks, and to his surprise, he found several more “Arrest Ye” orders concerning him.

Not only were there signatures from several top young masters of the Ji family, but another kill order had been issued by a disciple of the Yaoguang Holy Land.

Ye Fan had mastered the Great Void Technique and used it to burn a Grand Elder of the Ji family to death, so it was no surprise that this family would not let him go. However, he pondered why a Yaoguang disciple, whom he had never met, would do this. He instantly thought of Yao Xi, suspecting she was behind it.

“Hunt me down... I’d like to see how you’ll manage to drag me out,” Ye Fan sneered inwardly. He had cultivated the “Origin Heaven Book,” which allowed him to alter his aura, making it difficult for his pursuers to track him.

“I am rather keen to test myself against these young masters.” Ye Fan’s strength had been increasing steadily, and he was quite eager to find someone to spar with.

He didn’t believe everyone was on the same level as Ji Haoyue or the Yaoguang Holy Son. If they were young cultivators at the second or third heaven of the Dao Palace Secret Realm, he felt confident he could defeat them.

“What is this Ye Fan’s strength, and why are they making such a fuss?” Ye Fan asked casually.

“It’s said that a little over half a year ago, he was a cultivator in the Sea of Wheels Secret Realm; I don’t imagine much has changed since then,” Old Knife Handle said, blowing a smoke ring and fixing Ye Fan with his cloudy old eyes. “Interested in taking on the task? I’ll only take one and a half tenths of the bounty; the rest is yours.”

“Alright, this humble Taoist accepts. Please tell me all the details,” Ye Fan replied.

A short while later, Ye Fan left the South City District.

“Well, young Taoist priest, did you reach an agreement? You weren’t severely ripped off by that old man, were you?” the owner enthusiastically asked as Ye Fan passed the stone shop.

“He charged me fifty catties of Origin Stone, and we depart in two days,” Ye Fan replied.

“Though the price is steep, it’s not overly exploitative,” the stone shop owner commented. He then recommended, “Buy a stone robe from me. It’s old stone skin, peeled from a precious source, and it has protective, evil-warding properties.”

Savage beasts roared as a team of young cultivators, all seemingly in their twenties, stormed into Source City. Their extraordinary mounts, hovering three feet above the ground, sped through the streets.

Ye Fan stroked his chin; he had just been pondering, and now, unexpectedly, he quickly encountered members of the Ji family. He had no desire to provoke them.

Two days later, Ye Fan arrived at Old Knife Handle’s dilapidated tiled house in the South City District, where over a dozen people, mostly young, were already waiting.

“It’s been half a month, and we finally have enough people,” Old Knife Handle said, his dry tobacco pipe clenched between his teeth. “Let me be clear: I am only responsible for guiding the way. Your life and death are your own. If you are truly drawn into the ancient mine, it will be no concern of mine.”

Having already understood the rules, no one spoke further; they simply urged to set off.

“What’s the point? What’s so captivating about an ancient mine? Many people are lost there every year,” Old Knife Handle grumbled.

Some didn’t appreciate his words. “Old man,” one retorted, “can’t you say something more auspicious? It sounds like you’re cursing us to our deaths.”

“Alright then, may we have a smooth journey!” Old Knife Handle said no more. He always took personal responsibility for this particular task, never delegating it to others.

As they exited Source City, Ye Fan once again saw the young members of the Ji family, who were hurrying along, galloping away on their savage beasts.

Even though the exotic beasts barely touched the ground, their rapid movement still stirred up considerable dust and sand, drawing angry glares from those intending to venture into the Primordial Ancient Mine.

“What’s there to be so arrogant about? Do they truly believe this city is their personal palace?”“Shh, keep your voice down! Do you know who those people are? They’re from the Ji family; speaking like that will invite disaster.”

Among the departing group, a few turned to glare. One sneered, “Trouble comes from the mouth; control your tongue.” They did not stop, flying away swiftly.

“This is truly... too arrogant! So what if they’re an Archaic Family?!” someone muttered indignantly, but only after the group had disappeared into the distance.

True to his decades of experience, Old Knife Handle managed to bypass the Holy Land’s blockade, leading them in along a secret path.

The group proceeded, sometimes stopping, sometimes moving, and ten days later, they had traversed vast uninhabited zones and boundless Gobi deserts. Old Knife Handle finally led them to the outer perimeter of the Primordial Ancient Mine.

Now less than a thousand li from the supposed edge of the Primordial, they had arrived outside the legendary life restricted zone.

“You can only advance another eight hundred li, or you’ll be in danger,” Old Knife Handle solemnly warned. “You must control yourselves, do not be impulsive, and certainly do not speak carelessly.”

Here, there was nothing but barrenness. The earth was a persistent reddish-brown, like blood, and had been so since ancient times. Desolation was its eternal theme.

Sand and gravel covered the ground, and the occasional stone mountains were also blood-red, silent like tombstones.

“This place is truly desolate; you can’t even see a ghost,” someone lamented.

“Don’t speak carelessly!” Old Knife Handle snapped.

“Is it really that serious?” a young man grumbled, displeased and thinking Old Knife Handle was being overly cautious. “There’s nothing here; what’s there to fear in speaking a few casual words?”

Old Knife Handle mumbled continuously, his words indistinct, while simultaneously bowing repeatedly towards something ahead. Only then did he turn back to glare angrily at the young man, bellowing, “If you wish to die, go by yourself; do not follow us. Since I am leading this team, you will obey my every command!”

“Old Knife Handle, you’re being outrageous! We’ve paid you Origin Stones; how can you treat us with such an attitude?” the young man retorted, unconvinced and with a cold voice.

“I can return your Origin Stones, and then you may leave on your own,” Old Knife Handle replied indifferently.

“Let’s just drop it, everyone calm down. We’re almost at our destination anyway, let’s all say less,” someone nearby advised.

Old Knife