Chapter 240: West Emperor Scripture Obtained

The big black dog looked thoroughly displeased, a sight Ye Fan unfortunately missed, otherwise he would have undoubtedly gotten into a huge fight with it, even at the risk of being bitten.

At this moment, above the stone cliff, a colossal, sun-like entity, vast as a mountain, filled the sky. The surroundings were bathed in a blinding white light, as if full daylight had descended. Ye Fan sat cross-legged and motionless at the center of this celestial manifestation, his expression serene and detached, completely immersed in a profound state of spiritual enlightenment.

The "catalyst scripture" recorded in the Origin Heaven Book had triggered the imprint left by the Western Empress, causing the colossal, sun-like entity to surge forth.

That palm-sized celestial sun was an unimaginably complex Dao pattern, imbued with the Western Empress's imprint. Even after hundreds of thousands of years, it remained immortal, enduring in the world.

Ye Fan's mind was clear, and he was bathed in intense, fiery light. His Divine Heart Treasure blazed red like the sun, glowing brilliantly upwards, illuminating his Dao Palace with pure radiance.

The scriptures he had learned from the Origin Heaven Book were incomplete and fragmented. Now, they were being perfected. His Divine Heart Treasure, radiant like the midday sun, corresponded with the colossal entity outside, emanating an abundance of vital energy.

Innate essence was generated, and acquired essence provided nourishment. Fiery red vital energy and surging Dao power flowed from that "human body sun" into every inch of his flesh and blood.

His entire body turned crimson, then slowly became transparent, as fiery clouds enveloped him. The essence of his heart purged all impurities, leaving his Dao Palace completely pure, inside and out. His physical body gradually became crystalline.

This was a completely new transformation. Inside his Divine Heart Treasure, fiery red vital energy, both innate and acquired, circulated along more intricate pathways.

Ye Fan remained motionless, intently sensing this profound transformation.

The colossal, sun-like entity that filled the sky contained no scriptures or sounds; it merely exuded a profound Dao rhythm that perfectly elucidated the Divine Heart Treasure within the Dao Palace Secret Realm.

The heavenly sun carved on the stone cliff corresponded to the "Heavenly Sun Scroll" of the Dao Palace Secret Realm. After Ye Fan triggered it, he did not receive specific scriptures, but rather experienced the profound process of its evolution.

This inheritance left no words or fragments of text; it conveyed only the creator's profound intent, deducing various transformations of the ancient scripture. Though not the main text of the "Western Empress Scripture," its insights were comparable to an ancient scripture.

Ye Fan remained seated and motionless until the sun rose and the morning light appeared. Only then did he suddenly open his eyes. Simultaneously, the colossal, sun-like entity in the sky erupted into countless fiery rays with a bang, rushing back into the imprint on the stone cliff.

Ye Fan felt that the Divine Heart Treasure chapter of the Dao Palace Secret Realm had been perfected, becoming profoundly different from before. He sensed that his Dao power circulated more freely, and his body was brimming with vital energy.

He stood on the cliff, facing the morning light, his clothes fluttering and his skin like jade. Though still a youth, he exuded an immortal aura, with an ethereal grace evident even in his tender appearance.

"Did you really obtain the Western Empress Scripture?" the big black dog asked, clearly unwilling to believe it.

"What do you mean?" Ye Fan asked, glaring at it. "Do you think that even after bringing me here and guiding me, I still wouldn't be able to cultivate the Western Empress's ancient scripture?"

The big black dog gave an awkward laugh. "How could that be? Is this Emperor really that dishonest? I was just asking casually."

"Quickly, take me to find the other parts of the Western Empress Scripture!" Ye Fan urged.

"Kid, have you encountered the Western Empress Scripture before and obtained the so-called 'catalyst scripture'?" the big black dog asked.

"What are you talking about? What is a 'catalyst scripture'?" Ye Fan asked, staring at it.

"Damn it, how could he cultivate without obtaining the 'catalyst scripture'?" the big black dog muttered in an almost inaudible voice. "This time I've suffered a great loss."

Ye Fan's divine consciousness could manifest, far exceeding his current cultivation. He faintly heard its whispers and immediately felt his face darken with annoyance. This damned dog truly couldn't be trusted.

"Black Emperor, have you found the Western Empress's relics?"

"No, I've searched everywhere, and this is the only spot," the big black dog said, shaking its head shamelessly.

"Nonsense! Don't try to fob me off. Lead the way quickly. Don't tell me you don't want that Mystic Turtle anymore?" Ye Fan threatened.

"Lend me that nut with the bald head carved on it; I can definitely use it to find the Western Empress Scripture," it said.

"Stop spouting nonsense. Do you even know what this seed is for?" Ye Fan said, casting a sidelong glance at it.

"Of course I do! Didn't you just use it to trigger that heavenly sun and obtain the Western Empress Scripture?"

"Don't you get any wrong ideas!" Ye Fan sternly refused. Lending it to the dog would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog – it would never come back.

In the end, the big black dog compromised, sullenly leading Ye Fan to another stone mountain. This mountain bore a palm-sized golden essence imprint.

This time, Ye Fan was more practiced and didn't waste much time, quickly triggering the imprint left by the Western Empress.

In an instant, energy surged skyward, accompanied by the clang of golden essence. He was absorbed into a metallic divine light, sitting cross-legged beneath the heavens as his Qi Sea surged forth like a tide.

The Divine Lung Treasure, corresponding to the Metal element of the Five Phases, is considered the chief of the five internal organs and is known as the "Splendid Canopy." Now, with its scriptures completed, a sharp aura soared skyward, ringing loudly as if a myriad of swords were clanging in unison.

Ye Fan's body shimmered with a metallic luster, like a sharp blade cleaving the sky, its formidable edge daunting and irresistible.

Here too, there were no scriptures, only the ultimate exposition of the Divine Lung Treasure chapter, transmitting knowledge without words.

The Divine Lung Treasure stirred all energies, drawing vital essence, Qi, and spirit, distributing them throughout his body, even reaching his skin and hair. It absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, brimming with vibrant vitality!

At this moment, the turbid Qi in Ye Fan's Dao Palace vanished, and divine essence surged, utterly crystalline. It extended outwards to his six internal organs, connecting to all his limbs and bones, muscles, and skin, leaving them exceedingly clear and pure.

All forms of Qi belonged to the Divine Lung Treasure, connecting to heaven and earth. The vital energy required by the physical body was primarily generated through it.

When the light receded, Ye Fan opened his eyes. Having perfected the Divine Lung Treasure chapter of the Dao Palace, and with all his pores open, he felt his physical body had merged with heaven and earth, capable of drawing upon all forms of Qi at any time.

"The Western Empress Scripture is indeed profound, seizing the very creation of heaven and earth—it's astonishing!"

He had cultivated both of these Divine Treasures before, but this time, after their completion and perfection, he experienced even deeper profound mysteries. It was as if divine enlightenment had descended, leaving his mind utterly clear.

"If he hadn't cultivated the 'catalyst scripture,' I wouldn't believe he could get the Western Empress Scripture even if you killed me!" the big black dog muttered, its face long.

"Black Emperor, what are you muttering about?"

"Kid, you must have seduced a Holy Maiden of the Jade Lake, right?" the big black dog said fiercely. "Otherwise, you definitely wouldn't have gotten the Western Empress's catalyst scripture."

"What kind of nonsense is that?" Ye Fan retorted. "Quickly, go and lead me to find the other scriptures. The old Jade Lake site isn't suitable for staying long; we'll leave immediately after we're done."

Things went smoothly afterwards. On a stone mountain carved with an ancient tree, Ye Fan found the Divine Liver Treasure chapter. Subsequently, the Divine Spleen Treasure and Divine Kidney Treasure chapters were also obtained.

The five Divine Treasures of the Dao Palace were now complete. He hadn't yet cultivated the latter three, merely perfected and memorized them in his heart. At this point, he had finally obtained the Dao Palace volume of the "Western Empress Scripture," acquiring a complete cultivation method.

Ye Fan stood silently for a long time, unable to hide his shock. This scripture was incredibly profound and unfathomably mysterious. It revealed heavenly secrets and seized the very creation of heaven and earth!

"You're truly lucky!" the big black dog said, baring its fangs. "The Dao Palace volume of the Western Empress Scripture is arguably the best in the Eastern Wasteland, the most perfect cultivation method, and you actually managed to complete all five Divine Treasure chapters. Quickly, give me the Mystic Turtle."

"What's the rush?" Ye Fan chuckled. "I've only just obtained the Dao Palace volume. The Western Empress Scripture encompasses several great secret realms; there are still volumes like the Four Extremities that I haven't obtained yet."

"Even greedier than me!" the big black dog commented, gritting its teeth.

They only found one imprint of the Four Extremities Secret Realm, but even with the Bodhi seed in hand, Ye Fan couldn't trigger it. After trying for a long time, he simply couldn't obtain it.

"Is the 'catalyst scripture' really necessary?" He immediately thought of the Western Empress's catalyst scripture that the Black Emperor had mentioned.

Soon after, they found another imprint of an extremity, but unfortunately, it still couldn't be triggered, and he couldn't obtain that volume of scripture.

"I thought you could compete with a Great Emperor and obtain the Western Empress Scripture without needing a catalyst scripture," the dog continued. "Now it seems you definitely must have seduced a Holy Maiden of the Jade Lake and cultivated the Dao Palace volume's catalyst scripture."

"You damned dog! You knew about this but didn't tell me? Did you trick me into coming here, hoping I'd make a wasted trip?"

"Kid, you're challenging my dignity! Be careful, or I'll eat you!" the big black dog snarled fiercely.

"Isn't that the truth?!" Ye Fan retorted, glaring at it.

"How could this Emperor, being so righteous, be so inconsiderate? I naturally have a solution. I just wanted to tell you after you arrived here and offered the Mystic Turtle."

"You're truly scheming!" Ye Fan said, resisting the urge to hit it. "You led me here to see the true scripture, making it irresistible yet untriggerable, thus forcing me to offer the Green Jade Mystic Turtle, right? Fortunately, I have the Dao Palace volume's catalyst scripture."

"Don't think so poorly of this Emperor," the big black dog said without a hint of shame, enticingly. "Don't you want the other volumes of the Western Empress Scripture?"

"You damned dog, you're truly cunning!" Ye Fan said, glaring fiercely at it. "Do you have the 'Four Extremities catalyst scripture'? How can you let me obtain the Western Empress's Four Extremities volume?! If you do, recite a passage for me to hear."

The Black Emperor stammered and stuttered, unable to recite anything. It opened its gaping maw and said, "Kid, you've repeatedly blasphemed me, daring to call me a damned dog! This Emperor will teach you a lesson!"

"Damned dog, I wanted to deal with you too!" Ye Fan said, forming a hand seal, launching a preemptive sneak attack, and unleashing the Saint Battle Art.

The big black dog was by no means an easy target. Almost simultaneously, it lunged with its jaws.

"Damn it, this damned dog really can't change its nature; it just knows how to bite!"

"This time you attacked me first!"

"If I didn't strike first, I would have been bitten by the dog again."

"Damn it, kid, you're insulting me!"

Ye Fan and the Black Emperor began to fight in the stone forest. Both possessing abnormal physiques, their battle caused earth-shattering noises, and their collisions sounded like metal striking metal.

"Kid, no matter what, you obtained the Dao Palace volume of the Western Empress Scripture, so give me the Mystic Turtle," the big black dog barked while biting.

"As if I would give it to you! You want something for nothing? Don't even dream about it for the rest of your life!" Ye Fan's golden palms began to move. He unleashed the Sun and Moon Seal, raised the Mountain and River Seal, and attacked with full force.

"Do you mean to make this Emperor work for nothing...?" the big black dog snarled menacingly.

"Damned dog, what did you eat growing up that even the Saint Battle Art can't affect you?!" Ye Fan cursed.

"Damn it, so it's one of the Nine Secrets!" the big black dog yelped. "No wonder it hurts so much, it's practically killing this Emperor!" Its cries of agony were definitely not faked.

Ye Fan was bitten more than a dozen times in a row, leaving him truly speechless. The Saint Battle Art could only make the opponent feel pain—what kind of situation was this?!

"Damned dog, you're a true freak!"

"You're the freak!" the big black dog snarled, wailing in agony. "If cultivators of the Four Extremities Secret Realm were slapped by your palm, they'd shatter. Only this Emperor can withstand it. Damn it, it's killing me!"

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a terrifying fluctuation erupted. Dozens of miles away, rolling black mist surged skyward, and that part of the sky instantly turned inky black.

"The Immortal Pond!"

"It's from the Immortal Pond!"

Ye Fan and the big black dog immediately stopped fighting. They made the same choice, turning to flee wildly towards the exit.

At the source of the Jade Lake, an extremely terrifying fluctuation burst forth from the Immortal Pond, and black clouds churned.

"That's an Immortal Pond!" they thought. "What changes have occurred? Could the Jade Lake people's departure be related to this?"

Not long ago, they had even explored deep within the pond. Remembering this, both Ye Fan and the Black Emperor felt a chilling sensation.

Their speed was extremely fast. In a short time, they reached the dried-up lake and rushed towards the ancient well along the great crevice.

Although the Immortal Pond had undergone an anomaly, nothing seemed to be chasing them, which made them breathe a sigh of relief.

Just then, Ye Fan screamed as the big black dog bit his left hand, refusing to let go no matter what he said.

"You…! Why do you always resort to biting?!"

"Kid, I can't fly," the Black Emperor muttered, still biting his left hand. "What if you reach the ancient well, run off by yourself, and leave me here? I'll just bite you first to make sure."

"After we get out, let's never see each other again," Ye Fan grumbled. "I'm a dignified cultivator of the Dao Palace Secret Realm, yet I'm bitten by you every day..."

Following the riverbed, they successfully returned to the ancient well. Ye Fan, carrying the Black Emperor, soared into the air, and it wasn't long before they reached the surface.

Sunlight shone down on the vast, empty land. The scenery of the Jade Lake could no longer be seen, and the entire experience of the trip felt surreal.

Ye Fan immediately dropped the Black Emperor and fled.

The big black dog was furious and cursed, "Kid, you got the Western Empress Scripture, but you haven't given me the Mystic Turtle yet! And you haven't told me the whereabouts of the ancient scripture left by the Great Demon Emperor! If you dare to escape, I'm not done with you!"

"You go back to the stone village first; I'll find you later!" Ye Fan transmitted his voice while fleeing rapidly.

"Kid, you want to renege on your promise?!" the big black dog shouted. "If you dare to run, I'll reveal all your secrets and claim rewards from the Ji family and the Yaoguang Holy Land!"

Ye Fan slowed down, feeling that this big black dog was truly difficult to deal with.

"Kid, you actually tried to escape and deceive this Emperor!"

"Black Emperor, how dare you say that?" Ye Fan retorted. "You didn't have the 'catalyst scripture,' yet you led me here. You were the one who tried to deceive me first."

The big black dog, knowing it was in the wrong, said, "No matter what, you've already obtained the Western Empress Scripture, so fulfill your promise."

Ye Fan stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "I can't give you the Mystic Turtle yet, but I can take you to find the ancient scripture of the Great Demon Emperor."

"You're not trying to scheme against me, are you?" the big black dog asked suspiciously.

"Do you think I'm like you?" Ye Fan replied. "Don't worry, I would never be so dishonest."

"I think you're even less trustworthy than me!" the big black dog said, baring its fangs.

"To find the ancient scripture of the Great Demon Emperor, we might have to enter the secluded abode of a powerful figure," Ye Fan said. "Do you think we can succeed?"

"A powerful figure? You certainly know how to present a challenge," the dog replied.

"Although it's in such a place, we might not necessarily encounter the powerful figure," Ye Fan explained. "The ancient scripture isn't in his hands; it's with someone else."

The big black dog pondered for a moment and said, "That might be worth a try." Then, it suddenly raised its head, gritted its teeth, and added, "Kid, you're not trying to trick me, are you?"

"Don't think so badly of me," Ye Fan responded. "Do you think I'm like you—insidiously wicked?"

The big black dog stared at him. "You're very unreliable."

"That's what I should be saying," Ye Fan retorted. "Since entering the Jade Lake, have you done anything reliable?" He then added, "The person who holds the ancient scripture has two souls in their body. Do you have a way to extract one of them?"

The big black dog looked suspicious. "Kid, why do I feel like you have ill intentions?"

"Am I that kind of person?" Ye Fan retorted, exposing its shortcomings. "From beginning to end, it's always been you who's been dishonest! Don't worry, the process might have some twists and turns, but you'll definitely get the ancient scripture."

"I just feel like you're unreliable, kid," the big black dog said, staring at him.

"It's because you've done too many bad things and always try to scheme against others," Ye Fan scoffed, "that you think everyone else is as bad as you."

"I'll believe you this one time," the big black dog threatened fiercely. "But kid, you'd better think carefully. If you dare to scheme against this Emperor, I'll make sure you have no way to reach the heavens and no door to enter the earth!"