Chapter 308: Excessive Bullying

Around the great cauldron, lush vegetation thrived, sprouting leaves, creating a vibrant scene of life. This was a pristine land brimming with life and hope.

Chanting resonated deep within the mountains, as Buddhist hymns and prayers rose and fell. It was as if one had truly journeyed back to ancient times, where several great emperors were discussing the Dao.

On the twenty-first day, the great cauldron grew hazy. Although the scriptures of the Great Dao were still resounding, they had changed significantly. The mountain area now seemed to possess an indescribable, subtle aura.

Tu Fei and the big black dog looked up, their eyes met with a sea of lush greenery. It was as if they had arrived in the peak of summer, with vines and plants flourishing profusely.

Ye Fan sat cross-legged above the Cauldron of Myriad Things Mother Qi. He had reappeared, signaling the end of his seclusion. With a "swish," he opened his eyes, and a divine light, like a true dragon, shot forth, more dazzling than lightning.

But in the next instant, he became utterly serene. He descended to the ground, blending into the surrounding scenery, as if he had become one with the plants and trees.

The chanting ceased. The great cauldron, now over a meter tall, hovered above his head. Ye Fan, with the God-Beating Whip on his back, stood quietly, appearing peaceful and natural.

There was no intimidating aura, no ethereal demeanor; only an authentic presence. He resembled a radiant, fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy from next door, standing casually.

One could not sense his power; he did not appear to be a cultivator. Instead, he resembled a mortal being of flesh and blood, an ordinary human youth, exuding an aura of returning to one's true nature.

"He's finally emerged from seclusion and entered the Fourth Heaven of the Dao Palace. He's not far from grand completion," Tu Fei said with a smile.

The big black dog came over, circled him once, and surprisingly, drooled. "I heard that once the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body achieves minor success, its blood becomes extraordinary—a divine material for alchemy. Kid, how about you give me some blood?" it said.

Tu Fei glanced at it. "Alright, enough talk. Prepare a chamber pot tonight, put it in Ye Fan's room, and collect the sacred liquid tomorrow morning. The effect will be even greater."

"Woof!" A man-dog battle ensued. Whenever these two were together, they spent half their time bickering.

"Stop fighting," Ye Fan intervened.

This time, he finally entered the Fourth Heaven of the Dao Palace, just as he had expected. He had successfully cultivated the Divine Organ of the Spleen, which belongs to the Earth element of the Five Phases, cultivating the Dao Palace in reverse order.

The Divine Organ of the Spleen governs transformation and transportation, manages vital essence and blood, and distributes the refined essences of food and water. It is the source of qi and blood generation, nourishing all organs and limbs, and serving as the foundation of acquired vitality.

This divine organ was exceptionally important, as many of the body's acquired needs were generated through it. Ye Fan felt his qi and blood were even more vigorous, and the strength of his physical body had reached a terrifying level.

He was now fearless of any weapon. Any magical treasure or weapon could be withstood and shattered with a single punch by his physical body. Unless a weapon was of extraordinary origin, it would be utterly useless against him. Tu Fei tested this by manifesting a magical treasure, but under Ye Fan's golden fists, it was instantly pulverized, leaving nothing behind. "I think fighting you in close combat is bound to be a tragedy. One can only attack from a distance," Tu Fei concluded.

This time, Ye Fan had refined 100,000 jin of Source, plus a particle of Divine Source, which exceeded his expectations. The effects, however, were obvious; he didn't even need to test it to know how terrifying his power had become.

"This feeling is truly wonderful..."

Ye Fan and his companions did not leave An Prefecture. Two days later, they arrived at the last mountain cliff, the stronghold of the final major bandit group.

Stone cliffs stretched endlessly, rugged rock formations stood tall, and stone forests were ubiquitous. The area was utterly silent.

In this rocky terrain, a towering main peak served as the dwelling place for the fifth bandit group. Figures moved about on it, indicating a considerable stronghold.

Stars twinkled in the sky, and the night wind swept through the stone cliffs, producing mournful wailing sounds. Ye Fan and Tu Fei ascended the main peak under the cover of darkness.

Outside the stone stronghold, two large banners flapped in the wind. Several cultivators, holding wine jars, were drinking heartily, completely unaware of anyone approaching.

Ye Fan and his companions did not attack, quietly entering the stronghold with the intent to directly eliminate the bandit leader. Lights flickered on the mountain, and the stronghold seemed quite lively.

Many people were clinking glasses, and the aroma of wine wafted far and wide. Numerous individuals gathered around bonfires, while the sounds of drums and music drifted through the air. These people were quite carefree, indulging in drinks and entertainment.

In mid-air, several young maidens were dancing, appearing ethereal under the night moon, gracefully like celestial maidens from the Moon Palace.

Celestial melodies drifted through the air, creating a serene atmosphere.

"This stronghold is truly not simple," Ye Fan thought. "To have female cultivators singing and dancing, their display is quite grand."

Ye Fan, with the God-Beating Whip on his back, strode in, with Tu Fei walking alongside him. The big black dog waited outside, not showing itself.

"How audacious!" Just then, by a bonfire ahead, someone coldly shouted, "You suicidal fools, you've finally shown yourselves! Our twenty-odd days of waiting weren't in vain!"

A group of people filed out from the inner stronghold, and even more rose from around the bonfires, swiftly surrounding the area.

Ye Fan's true face was shrouded in mist, as he had not used his transformation technique. He stood side by side with Tu Fei in the middle of the scene.

"Were it you two who plundered all the bandits in An Prefecture?" The middle-aged man, appearing to be thirty-five or thirty-six, stared grimly at them.

Tu Fei was startled. This was a cultivator from the Four Extremities Secret Realm, not much weaker than himself. He immediately spoke, "They committed countless bloody crimes and deserved what they got. Could it be that you were supporting them?"

"You've ruined the young master's plans. Even skinning you alive wouldn't atone for it," the middle-aged man said with a grim face.

As a descendant of a great bandit, Tu Fei never showed weakness, instead asking forcefully, "Who are you? You have quite the nerve. No one in the Northern Region has dared to skin me alive yet!"

The middle-aged man sneered, "You dispersed all the bandits in An Prefecture, and now you're acting tough. You say we wouldn't dare skin you alive?"

"Chen De, don't be rude. This is the direct descendant of Seventh Master Tu Tian. Apologize at once." Just then, a soft, effeminate voice drifted over.

From the inner stronghold, two cultivators from the Dao Palace Secret Realm carried a soft chair. Over a dozen experts followed, guarding all sides, and quickly approached.

On the soft chair lay a very effeminate young man, reclining and gently swirling a cup of fine wine. Four young maidens attended him on either side; one of them used a white silk scarf to wipe a wine stain from the corner of his mouth.

His complexion was fair, lacking masculine vigor. He gently waved his hand, and the four maidens retreated. He then tossed the wine cup aside.

"Brother Tu, I trust you've been well," the effeminate man greeted faintly. "It's you, Xu Yuan!" Tu Fei exclaimed in surprise, his expression instantly turning grim.

"Who is he?" Ye Fan asked secretly.

"He's a troublesome degenerate, the youngest grandson of the Third Great Bandit, Xu Tianxiong," Tu Fei began. "He's extremely favored, but utterly corrupt from head to toe, utterly worthless, and has never done anything good."

"Is he very powerful?" Ye Fan asked.

Tu Fei transmitted his voice: "He isn't particularly strong; he should still be in the Fifth Heaven of the Dao Palace. However, his grandfather is incredibly powerful. The Third Great Bandit, Xu Tianxiong, ranks even above the mighty Azure Dragon King—who would dare provoke him? Furthermore, his elder brother, Xu Heng, is the top master among the descendants of the Thirteen Great Bandits, even surpassing Wu Zhongtian. This kid acts without scruples, having done all sorts of unsavory things, even laying hands on women belonging to the descendants of other great bandits."

Ye Fan frowned. This was a typical villain, extremely difficult to deal with, possessing both power and connections.

"If it can be avoided, it's best not to clash with him," Tu Fei said. "This degenerate is very vengeful and capable of anything."

"Brother Tu, do you have a prejudice against me? Why are you so indifferent upon our meeting today?" Xu Yuan asked somewhat coolly, half-reclining on the soft chair.

Although Tu Fei had no good feelings towards him, he had no choice but to reply, "How could that be? I was merely a little surprised, not expecting Brother Xu to be here."

"Hmph!" Xu Yuan let out a cold snort, sat up from the soft chair, and stared fixedly at them. "You truly have a good disposition, coming to An Prefecture and slaughtering my subordinates cleanly!" he said.

"This is a misunderstanding," Tu Fei said. "I saw them burning, killing, and looting, committing all sorts of evil deeds. It never occurred to me that they were Brother Xu's subordinates."

"Are you accusing me?" Xu Yuan's gaze was sinister as he swept it back and forth between Tu Fei and Ye Fan. He made a gesture, and a young maiden poured him a cup of fine wine, gracefully presenting it.

"The Thirteen Great Bandits have their own code of conduct," Tu Fei said. "As their descendants, we should not act like this."

"Smash!" Xu Yuan violently smashed the jade cup in his hand onto the ground, his expression grim. "You're meddling too much! Don't think that just because we're both descendants of great bandits, I wouldn't dare kill you!" he said.

"You..." Tu Fei's anger flared, preparing to turn hostile, as his absolute combat power was far superior to Xu Yuan's.

Four figures shot over, standing in front of Xu Yuan, blocking Tu Fei. Killing intent permeated the air.

"You may retreat." Xu Yuan sighed. "Forget it, my temper is a bit fiery. Since we're both descendants of great bandits, even though you killed so many of my subordinates and destroyed my base in An Prefecture, I'll endure it. After all, we're old family friends."

Tu Fei was stunned. This degenerate was notorious for being vengeful and sinister; how could he possibly be so magnanimous? However, he soon understood the other party's true intention.

Xu Yuan gently tapped the soft chair with his slender, jade-like fingers. His voice was very effeminate as he said, "Since we're old family friends, I won't dwell on it much. However, I cannot let this person go." He then stared at Ye Fan.

"Xu Yuan, you're using retreat as a means to advance, setting your sights on him. I'm sure you know who he is, don't you?" Tu Fei's face fell, realizing the other party intended to seize the sacred object.

Xu Yuan smiled faintly and coldly. "I don't care who he is," he said. "I only know that he killed many of my men, and today he must be suppressed."

Ye Fan understood. The other party must have inferred his identity from Tu Fei and intended to scheme against him. He revealed his true face and asked, "What do you want?"

"What do I want? You killed so many of my men, so naturally, I want your life," Xu Yuan replied, his tone very effeminate.

Tu Fei stepped forward. "This is my friend," he said. "If you want to make a move, you might as well include me."

"Tu Fei, don't force me," Xu Yuan said with an unfriendly expression. "Family friends are family friends, but he destroyed my base in An Prefecture. Today, I must suppress him."

"What if I don't agree?" Tu Fei said in a deep voice.

"Then I'll have no choice but to displease you and bring you before Seventh Master Tu Tian. I must take this person," Xu Yuan said with a smile, casually taking a sip of wine.

"Then I'll have no choice but to fight you," Tu Fei said coldly.

"I truly don't wish for us to turn against each other. How about this, I'll take another step back..." Xu Yuan leaned back in his soft chair. "Have him apologize to me, and of course, it must be with sincerity," he said.

"How does one show sincerity?" Tu Fei asked.

Alongside them, Chen De, the cultivator whose strength had reached the Four Extremities Secret Realm, stepped forward. "Naturally, he must kowtow and apologize," he said. "Otherwise, wouldn't it be a joke?"

"Indeed, there should be some sincerity," Xu Yuan said with a faint smile.

"Doesn't he possess the Myriad Things Mother Qi? He stole so many of our sources; why not just make him compensate with the cauldron?" another cultivator suggested, who had also reached the Four Extremities Secret Realm.

"That works too," Xu Yuan said faintly, leaning back in his soft chair. "Just have him kowtow to me a few times and present the Cauldron of Myriad Things Mother Qi. I will then spare his life and let him leave."

"This is going too far!" Tu Fei exclaimed in rage.

"Are you sure you can take me?" Ye Fan asked calmly, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he strode forward. "Is the Four Extremities Secret Realm so impressive?" He took a large stride forward, and the entire mountain peak began to tremble.