Chapter 236: The Old Place of the Jade Pool

After several attempts, Ye Fan finally made some progress, gaining initial insights into what he wanted to know. He learned that the large black dog was not an ancient race, but seemed to have a connection to Emperor Wu Shi.

However, he also faced consequences. In the days that followed, he was frequently bitten by the dog. The large black dog held a strong grudge, often nipping at him unexpectedly. Ye Fan had to be cautious whether he was eating or leaving the house.

"Damn it, bitten by a dog every single day! What kind of situation is this?" He was truly speechless, having never encountered a dog so vindictive.

A dignified cultivator being bitten by a dog—if word got out, it would surely provoke widespread laughter, truly shameful.

Had his physical body not been as strong as divine iron, he would have been unable to endure it. Even so, he still had several bruised spots on his body.

"Bite me again, and I'll skin you alive and eat you!" These words unleashed major trouble. For the next ten days, he had no peace, as the large black dog continued to nip at him unexpectedly.

Ye Fan also retaliated several times, but he was no match for his opponent. The dog's sleek, black body was incredibly robust; his golden palms and fingers struck with earth-shattering force, yet failed to make a dent.

"How did it cultivate its body? It's ridiculously abnormal." The only thing that made him fortunate was that, for some reason, the large black dog only knew how to bite and pounce, unable to cast spells or even fly.

"How strange. A typical dog demon would be able to fly."

Ye Fan observed for over ten days. Every morning, the large black dog would take a turn around Purple Mountain, then absorb the essence of the sun and moon for cultivation, with no other activities.

"Black Emperor, you cultivate in such a way, yet you can't even fly. Your supreme scripture must not be very effective."

The large black dog cast a sideways glance at him. "My Great Dao is profound and unfathomable," it said. "My realm has returned to its original simplicity. What could you possibly discern? Stop trying to scheme against me."

"That tattered scripture of yours isn't even suitable for human cultivation. Why would I scheme for it?" Ye Fan felt the large dog was excessively vigilant; trying to extract any more information from it would be an insurmountable task.

"Don't think I don't know what you want..." The large black dog raised its massive head, an expression of immense arrogance on its face. "Let me tell you, there's no chance. Give up now."

Ye Fan stroked his chin, realizing this old monster was truly difficult to handle. It had lived for too long and was far more cunning than any human.

"If you're eyeing the ancient scripture, it's not impossible. Just bring me a piece of divine source to consume."

Ye Fan felt like hitting it. "Why don't you just ask me to dig up the source from the Primeval Ancient Mine for you to eat?" he retorted. "You want divine source? I haven't even seen one yet!"

"Then there's nothing to discuss," the large black dog said, tilting its head to glance at him before swaggering away.

"Actually, I know the whereabouts of an ancient scripture belonging to a Monster Emperor," Ye Fan stated nonchalantly.

"You'd really try to pull a trick like that?" The large black dog expressed disdain, not even turning its head as it walked away with its bald tail held high.

Ye Fan flicked his finger, sending out a bead of blood. Without a word, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

With a sudden rush, the large black dog darted back, its gleaming white teeth bared as it blocked his path.

"Black Emperor, what do you intend to do?"

"Have you consumed the flesh and blood of some Monster Emperor? I detect the scent of that supreme monster blood." Its expression was grim, more varied than a human's.

"Do you think I'm as vicious as you? I've never taken a life in my entire existence."

"It would be a cold day in hell if this Emperor believed a word you said!"

"Do you believe me now? This is indeed the aura of a Monster Emperor. I truly do know the whereabouts of an ancient scripture belonging to a certain Emperor, don't I?" Ye Fan coaxed patiently.

"No wonder I always feel an impulse to devour you; there's a trace of an Emperor's essence blood in your body." The large black dog's canine teeth gleamed sharply as its bright red tongue licked its chops.

"Black Emperor, what are you trying to do?"

"This Emperor wants to eat you!" The large black dog opened its massive jaws and suddenly lunged forward.

Ye Fan formed the Sun and Moon Seal and met the attack. His golden palm trembled, intending to subdue the large black dog.

The area resounded with deafening noise, like a blacksmith's forge.

Two hours later, Ye Fan's arms were numb, and he could no longer fight. He flew into the air, pulling out a piece of clothing to put on, as the large black dog's tearing and biting had nearly caused him significant harm.

"Damn it, bitten by a dog again!" Ye Fan looked at the canine teeth marks on his body, truly speechless. He doubted any other cultivator had ever been pursued and bitten by a dog in such a manner.

The large black dog, panting with its red tongue hanging out, said, "I believe you now. You truly have refined an Emperor's essence blood. Your skin is thick and tough; you wouldn't be tasty."

Ye Fan cursed his bad luck and turned to leave immediately.

"Don't go, we can talk," the large black dog called from behind. "If you bring me a piece of divine source, I'll tell you the whereabouts of an ancient scripture."

"No interest!" Ye Fan flew towards the stone village without looking back. The large dog was clearly tempted, yet it still demanded an exorbitant price. Ye Fan knew he had to remain patient.

For the next two days, Black Emperor remained composed, not seeking him out, which finally granted Ye Fan two days of peace without being bitten by the dog.

On the fourth day, the large black dog finally reappeared. "Hey kid," it said, "are you deliberately trying to tempt me? We both want the ancient scripture, so we can sit down and discuss this now."

"Give me three pieces of divine source, and I'll tell you the whereabouts of the Monster Emperor's ancient scripture."

"Woof..." The large black dog nearly pounced, glaring at him ferociously.

"Alright, one divine source then," Ye Fan said unhurriedly.

"Kid, you're trying to extort me now! I'm telling you, you won't even get half a divine source. If you want the human ancient scripture, then you'll give me a piece of divine source," the large black dog gnashed through its teeth.

"Dream on. I haven't even seen what a divine source looks like."

"Don't think I don't know you acquired the Source Heaven Book; you'll certainly be able to find divine sources in the future."

"Even if I find it, I won't give it to you."

Their first discussion ended unfavorably, with neither Ye Fan nor Black Emperor willing to yield.

The following day, their dispute flared up once more.

"Kid, give me one divine source, and I'll tell you the whereabouts of an ancient scripture. Give me ten, and I'll recite half an ancient scripture for you. Give me fifty, and I'll give you a complete ancient scripture," Black Emperor patiently enticed.

"Why don't you just plunge into the Primeval Ancient Mine yourself? How many divine sources do you think there are in the entire Northern Region? You just throw out numbers like ten or fifty, do you think they're sweet potatoes?" Ye Fan's fingertips turned faint gold; he desperately wanted to smack the dog's head a few times.

"You can't put it that way; a supreme ancient scripture is priceless. How about this: you tell me the whereabouts of the Monster Emperor's scripture..."

"Everything you've said can be reversed," Ye Fan replied with a smile. "You can use divine source to exchange for the Monster Emperor's ancient scripture."

"Woof, you're truly ruthless!" The large black dog's tone finally softened slightly. "Let's exchange the whereabouts of ancient scriptures with each other. That way, neither of us loses out."

"I feel like I'd be at a disadvantage. You old monster are too cunning; who knows if what you say is true or false." Ye Fan pulled out the gleaming green mystical tortoise and toyed with it in his hand. He did this intentionally, as the large black dog's origin was mysterious, and he wanted to see if it could discern anything.

The outcome exceeded his expectations. The large black dog's eyes immediately turned green, and it pounced silently, launching a lightning-fast sneak attack and biting him unexpectedly.

Even though Ye Fan was prepared, he was still bitten twice. However, he managed to prevent the dog from snatching the mystical tortoise and soared into the sky.

"Damn it, bitten by a dog again!" Ye Fan was absolutely furious, truly wishing he could skin it and eat its flesh.

"Kid, how dare you speak like that? 'Bitten by a dog again'? That sounds like an insult to me," the large black dog retorted self-righteously.

"Do you have any canine decency? Always launching sneak attacks and biting unexpectedly? I've never seen such an unscrupulous dog." Ye Fan felt a bit awkward talking to a dog this way, but this dog was truly sly and malicious, no different from a cunning human.

"Kid, let me see that tattered jade in your hand," the large black dog said, eyeing him sideways.

"If I show it to you, it'll definitely be like giving a meat bun to a dog—gone forever. Don't even think about it." Ye Fan remained suspended in the air.

The large black dog was clearly displeased with the idiom "giving a meat bun to a dog." With a dark expression, it said, "Isn't it just a piece of old jade? You're too petty. It just looked a bit like one I used to wear, that's all. If you're not going to show it, then never mind, I'm done talking."

It put on an air of indifference and strutted away.

Ye Fan realized this large black dog was truly insidious and more cunning than any human. "Black Emperor, don't pretend," he said. "Do you really think I don't know what this is? How dare you call it 'broken jade'? This is a divine source shell."

The large black dog suddenly halted, turning its head. "Nonsense," it said. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Ye Fan sneered, "Keep on pretending then."

Black Emperor stopped walking and slowly ambled back. "This is merely a divine source shell, with not much essence left inside," it said. "Alright, I'll reluctantly count it as half a divine source. If you find another half, I'll tell you the whereabouts of the ancient scripture."

"I've never seen such a sly and malicious dog. Stop pretending; I know there's an astonishing secret sealed inside." Ye Fan's lips curved slightly as he slowly stated, "This is something I brought out from a magnificent temple within the Primeval Forbidden Zone. I'm sure you've discerned something. If you want it, exchange it for an ancient scripture."

"Stop your nonsense. You? Entering the Primeval Forbidden Zone? Any random creature that pops out of there could chew you up!" The large black dog held its head high.

Ye Fan shook the green jade in his hand. "This was enshrined on the divine altar of an ancient temple," he said. "Even Grand Luo Silver Essence has decayed, but this remains perfectly intact."

"Really? Let me see it more clearly." The large black dog leaned forward.

"You're trying to bite me again, aren't you?!" Ye Fan shot up into the sky.

In the days that followed, Ye Fan and Black Emperor's endless bickering continued. He found the dog incredibly bothersome and genuinely wanted to kill it and make spicy hot pot with its meat.

Unfortunately, this large black dog was indestructible, its life seemingly tougher than his own.

Half a month later, he could no longer endure it. Losing patience for further bargaining, he decided to leave the stone village. It was at this moment that the large black dog finally relented.

"Kid, you're truly ruthless. This is the first time in this Emperor's life that I've ever yielded to a human. I'll show you a path to find the scripture; whether you obtain it depends entirely on your luck."

This dog's words were entirely untrustworthy. Ye Fan's forehead creased with exasperation. "Don't bother with useless talk," he said. "I only want the Western Emperor's Scripture. If you can't provide it, then don't say another word. I'm leaving right now, and you'll never see this green jade mystical tortoise again."

The large black dog's expression flickered erratically. "You young brat are too ruthless," it said. "Why should I take you to find the scripture first, only to receive my reward after you've acquired it? That's far too unfair."

"My credibility is guaranteed. Yours... I can't see any!"

"Kid, what exactly do you mean? You're slandering this Emperor."

"We'll never meet again!" Ye Fan turned and walked away.

"Young people truly have no patience. Alright, this Emperor will take you to find the Western Emperor's Scripture," the large black dog said fiercely. "But let's be clear: if you gain anything, you absolutely must give me that green jade mystical tortoise!"

"No problem," Ye Fan nodded and agreed.

"And you must also tell me the whereabouts of the Monster Emperor's ancient scripture," the large black dog added.

"That can also be arranged."

"Kid, you agreed so readily. Is there some trick?" the large black dog asked suspiciously.

"I truly wonder if you're a black dog or a black fox."

"Dare to show discrimination against this Emperor again, and you'll regret it!" Black Emperor threatened.

The large black dog showed only slight deference to Old Man Zhang, then raised its bald tail in farewell and departed with Ye Fan.

*Crackling sounds*

Ye Fan once again employed the Heaven-Changing Earth-Shifting Great Art, transforming into a different young man, his appearance completely altered.

The large black dog sneered disdainfully from the side. "Just by looking at you, it's clear you've committed terrible deeds," it said. "You even have to travel disguised. What kind of heinous acts have you committed?"

"Stop showing off. Hurry and take me to find the Western Emperor's Scripture," Ye Fan said, feeling that the large black dog was truly difficult to handle.

"First, take me to visit the surrounding cities," Black Emperor said, holding its head high as it surveyed the reddish-brown earth.

"Why wander around cities for no reason? We're not sightseeing; we're searching for the Western Emperor's Scripture. Didn't you say the Western Empress Mother carved it onto a sheer cliff when she first drafted it?"

"This Emperor has been in seclusion for many years; the mountains and lands have changed. How could I remember so clearly? I need to look around carefully to pinpoint the location." The large black dog held its bald tail high, looking utterly detached.

"How long have you lived for the mountains and terrain to have 'changed so much'...? You're truly boasting!" Ye Fan glared at it.

Even a Divine King could only live for a few millennia; the lives of others were significantly shorter.

"Don't worry," the large black dog said, running forward like a black streak of lightning. "Once I've circled around, I guarantee I'll be able to find that sheer cliff."

Over the next few days, they visited more than thirty cities. The large black dog simply wandered around, appearing to be sightseeing.

"Kid, you've really committed terrible deeds. Look, your portrait is posted all over this city, with a reward of a thousand catties of source!"

In an ancient city named "Changfeng," Ye Fan saw his own image displayed. It was undoubtedly a warrant issued by the Ji family and Yaoguang Sect, which someone had posted.

He had seen similar arrest warrants at the leader's place; they were identical.

"When I have some free time, I'll eliminate all the young cultivators from their generation who have entered the Northern Region."

"You want to get the Western Emperor's Scripture and then use them for practice, don't you?" The large black dog saw right through his thoughts.

"Have you not found the location yet? Don't tell me you've forgotten," Ye Fan said, his face darkening.

"I'm gradually remembering now; we can depart," the large black dog confirmed.

After traveling for several days, Ye Fan sensed something was amiss: the large black dog was leading him towards the Primeval Ancient Mine.

"Are you certain you haven't mistaken the path? This leads to the Primeval Ancient Mine."

"That's correct; this path leads to the former site of the Jade Lake," the large black dog replied.

Ye Fan had heard that the former site of the Jade Lake was over ten thousand li from the Primeval Ancient Mine, and the entire sect had relocated only later. However, no one knew the current whereabouts of the so-called Jade Lake's former site; it remained undiscoverable. It was rumored that the site had been completely sealed when the Jade Lake withdrew.

The vast, boundless region surrounding the Primeval Ancient Mine was entirely mining territory. Like an old horse finding its way, the large black dog observed the mountains and terrain, continuously circling to bypass the sacred lands' mining areas, leading Ye Fan deep into the reddish-brown earth.

"Why did the Jade Lake withdraw?" Ye Fan asked.

In fact, many ancient texts recorded that the Jade Lake was over ten thousand li from the Primeval Ancient Mine, but none mentioned any supposed relocation.

"No one knows the specific reason."

Under the moonlit sky, Ye Fan and Black Emperor had been traveling through the uninhabited region for over ten days, yet they still hadn't found the so-called Jade Lake ruins.

"This isn't right," the large black dog muttered suspiciously. "The former Jade Lake site was renowned for its beautiful mountains and scenery; it was an oasis. It should be in this very region, so why is it missing?"

Under the moonlight, the red earth stretched endlessly, vast and empty. Not only were there no mountains, but even large stones were scarcely to be seen.

Black Emperor gazed up at the bright moon, then surveyed the blood-red earth. "This place is sealed," it said. "Kid, hurry and search. If we enter a world filled with fragrant flowers and birdsong, there might be a great opportunity."

Suddenly, Ye Fan's heart jolted. He saw a white figure ascending into the sky on the distant horizon.

"Jade Lake Flying Immortal!" Two streaks of divine light shot from the large black dog's eyes. "It seems we've come to the right place," it said. "We must find the sealed former site of the Jade Lake. I'm curious to see why they withdrew."