Chapter 377: Divine Order

"Senior Li, you are truly wise and discerning. These two clearly can't accept losing and are trying to renege on their bet."

"The Great Source Art Battle has concluded. If you are a man, stop being so indecisive and hand over the Qilin Seed immediately."

The young people from the ancient Source Art families smiled and spoke up, naturally pleased with the situation. They hoped more "old acquaintances" would stand up for them.

Li Heishui's anger surged. He wanted to stomp on their faces, feeling they were bullying him and Ye Fan because they lacked powerful backgrounds. Slowly, he composed himself and sneered.

"The rarity Brother Gufeng cut out should be worth more," said Yao Yuekong, the Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace, siding with Ye Fan at this crucial moment.

Great Xia's Imperial Prince, Xia Yiming, nodded and said, "A living ancient royal family member is priceless. Through them, we can truly understand the great secrets of the ancient era."

"That's incorrect," said Supreme Elder Li Yishui of the Illusory Palace, shaking his head with a half-smile as he glanced at Ye Fan. "Ancient royal family members cannot be tamed and are useless. On the contrary, that peerless fierce weapon is immeasurably valuable. How can you compare the two?"

"Brother Li is absolutely right. It's just an ancient monkey; it's not very useful," Nangong Qi said with a smile and a nod.

Ye Fan spoke calmly, "Since you insist that a living ancient royal family member is inferior to a fierce weapon, let me give you a simple example: What about the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art of the Battle Saint Ape clan?"

The expressions of the ancient Source Art family members froze. If meticulously examined, that was an immortal legacy whose value was incalculable.

"Can it compare to the ancient scriptures of the various holy lands? Can it surpass that fierce weapon?" Ye Fan asked repeatedly, leaving the ancient Source Art family members speechless, wanting to argue but unable to form words.

"We were also hesitant just now, but thinking about it now, a living ancient royal family member is immensely valuable, immeasurable, and indeed more precious!"

"Exactly! Even in the ancient era, there were only two or three Battle Saint Apes, comparable to Great Emperors. Their cultivation method is naturally a world-shocking ancient scripture, a priceless treasure!"

Some of the old men present nodded and chimed in. They coveted divine medicine but wouldn't go so far as to twist facts.

Supreme Elder Li Yishui of the Illusory Palace shook his head and laughed, "Gentlemen, you are mistaken. Humans may not be able to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art of the Battle Saint Ape clan, so it's not necessarily precious."

Ye Fan sneered, "You're talking nonsense. The ultimate paths of cultivation are interconnected. The Nine Revolutions Heavenly Art has immeasurable value. Moreover, some human holy lands' ancient scriptures originated from ancient legacies."

"Why are you always here, you old geezer?!" Li Heishui was thoroughly disgusted with him.

"Young man, watch your tongue; speak with more respect, lest disaster strike from your mouth!" The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace's face darkened.

"Do you even deserve my respect?" Li Heishui shook his head.

The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace immediately revealed killing intent and said, "You disrespectful junior, today I will teach you a lesson." He was about to act. Although his words were directed at Li Heishui, it was clear he intended to suppress Ye Fan as well.

"These two are too arrogant; they deserve a lesson."

"Insulting elders is a grave sin. They should be suppressed for several years."

The young disciples of the ancient Source Art families eagerly hoped someone would step forward, sneering and chiming in their agreement.

The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace advanced step by step. Having found an excuse, he was completely uninhibited and about to make a public move.

"Li Yishui, your mom is calling you home for dinner," a voice suddenly bellowed from outside the crowd, with a drawn-out, peculiar sound.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was instantly petrified.

Ye Fan knew it had to be Pang Bo. Such words were too unconventional in this world; only he would utter them.

"Who, who is it?!" Li Yishui was furious. Someone dared to speak to him like that, making him burn with rage.

Only then did people burst into laughter. Many older individuals couldn't help but chuckle, and the young people were unrestrained, bending over with laughter.

Ye Fan teased, "Senior, why don't you go home for dinner first? Your mom is looking for you."

"Haha…"

Everyone laughed loudly. Even the corners of the ancient Source Art family members' mouths twitched as they struggled to suppress their smiles.

Li Yishui, as a Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace, was old enough that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had one foot in the grave, yet someone invoked his mother to call him home for dinner. How humiliating was that for him?

At this moment, he was enraged, like a cat with its tail stepped on. He glared menacingly at Ye Fan and Li Heishui, overflowing with murderous intent, wanting to kill them to vent his anger.

"I'll send you on your way!"

"Don't act like a Saint Lord, old geezer, thinking you can suppress whoever you want." Li Heishui, unperturbed, threw a black iron token, aiming for the Illusory Palace Supreme Elder's face.

"How dare a junior disrespect me like this? Even taking your lives wouldn't be excessive!" Li Yishui said coldly, grabbing the black iron token with a "bang," intending to crush it. However, he tried several times but couldn't even budge it, which greatly surprised him.

"Old man, look at what that is!" Li Heishui sneered.

"The God Token of the Old Undying!" Many elders nearby exclaimed, their faces filled with alarm.

The iron token was as black as ink, without any luster. It was palm-sized, with a mountain carved on it, obscured by clouds and mist, making it indistinct.

The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace stared at the iron token in his hand, his eyes widening instantly, his body trembling slightly. He said, "How could you have…"

"It really is… the God Token of the Old Undying."

"Who are they, and why do they possess such a thing?"

All the elders were startled, their expressions changing as if they had seen a venomous snake or a fierce beast.

The Old Undying was mysterious and terrifying, the number one bandit in the Northern Region. No one knew the true depth of his cultivation. A thousand years ago, he pursued a Saint Lord, almost forcing him into the Primordial Restricted Zone. He even waited outside a holy land for several years, and when a powerful figure emerged, he took their head.

He represented mystery and terror. To this day, no one had seen his true face, nor did they know if he was male or female. People only knew he was ancient and unfathomably powerful, but no one could say how long he had truly lived. In the Northern Region, he was synonymous with terror. Many said it was better to provoke a Saint Lord than to make an enemy of him, or you wouldn't even know how you died.

The black iron tokens were passed down by him; there were only two or three in total. They were life-saving divine tokens, and even people from the holy lands were extremely wary of them.

At this moment, An Miaoyi, Jin Chixiao, and the various Saint Sons all showed unusual expressions. The elders' gazes changed when they looked at Ye Fan and Li Heishui. With the God Token of the Old Undying, very few in the Northern Region dared to make a move.

"Didn't you want to take our lives? Come on then, we'll let you kill us," Li Heishui took two steps forward.

The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace's face flushed crimson, extremely embarrassed. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. Who would dare kill someone connected to the Old Undying in public? Even if Li Yishui had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare, unless he no longer wished to live.

"Clang!"

In his distraction, his hand trembled, and the black iron token fell to the ground, emitting a crisp metallic clang.

"You dropped the divine token. Are you trying to attack us?"

"I didn't drop it," the Supreme Elder of the Illusory Palace's expression changed dramatically. He quickly picked up the black iron token, fearing that the peerless demon might appear and kill him with a single finger.

"My two young friends, I have been very offensive before. Please forgive me. I am old and muddled; please don't hold it against me," Li Yishui's face was flushed. As he said these words, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He returned the divine token with both hands, then turned and walked away. He simply couldn't stay any longer, filled with a sense of defeat and humiliation.

"Time to go home for dinner!" Pang Bo bellowed again.

"Who was that? I completely idolize you!" Li Heishui laughed heartily, looking around for the speaker.

Others also couldn't help but twitch their mouths. This was truly wicked; how would Li Yishui ever face anyone again?

"Seniors, you lost," Ye Fan reiterated the outcome of the Source Art duel.

"Wrong, young friend, you should hand over the Qilin Seed," Nangong Qi shook his head. The Source Art families stubbornly insisted the fierce weapon was priceless and they had won.

The four great ancient Source Art families were deeply rooted and highly influential in the Northern Region. Many major sects sought their assistance, and naturally, some of their "old acquaintances" were present.

"Hand over the Qilin Seed; you've already lost."

"The outcome is decided. Quickly concede to Master Nangong."

"Why not settle for a draw?"

The young people from the ancient Source Art families and their "old acquaintances" all spoke up, applying pressure. After all, the other side had the divine token, so they wanted to advance by retreating, settling for a draw. Naturally, some couldn't stand it and sided with Ye Fan, arguing on the spot. Most others, however, remained aloof and unconcerned.

"Ridiculous!"

A figure silently appeared in the field. The Red Dragon Daoist had returned, like a plague god, instantly silencing the stone garden.

"Do you know the value of an ancient royal family member?" He calmly scanned the Source Art family members. No fluctuations emanated from him, yet his presence was suffocating.

Everyone was surprised. What was the relationship between Red Dragon Daoist and Gufeng? It was clear he was stepping up for him.

"You clearly lost, yet you still try to bully others with your influence. Do you have no shame?" The Red Dragon Daoist's expression was cold. With his hands clasped behind his back, he looked at Nangong Qi and said, "If you insist on using influence to settle this, then what if I use my influence to destroy you? Would you be convinced then?"

Everyone was stunned. The Red Dragon Daoist had a close relationship with Gufeng and was about to intervene for him. Many showed surprised expressions, including An Miaoyi, Yao Yuekong, and the various Saint Sons. Nangong Qi and the others turned pale, completely subdued. How could they provoke this old Daoist who even dared to pursue Saint Lords?

"We admit defeat," Nangong Qi lowered his head and conceded.

Once the old Red Dragon Daoist stepped forward, who dared to disobey? Even if he were in the wrong, people would still have to yield, let alone when he was in the right.

"Thank you, Senior!" Ye Fan stepped forward to show his respect.

The Red Dragon Daoist nodded, then scanned everyone with an incredibly sharp gaze, saying, "Anyone who dares to harm him is disrespecting this old Daoist." Upon hearing this, everyone gasped. With such protection from this peerless demon, who would dare to touch Gufeng now? Furthermore, Ye Fan's Source Art skills were astonishing, and many major sects had long wanted to recruit him. Now, they dared not neglect him even more.

"Little Brother Gufeng, you've defeated a Source Art Grandmaster, gained instant fame, and won millions of catties of source. You must treat us!" An Miaoyi secretly transmitted, her eyes sparkling. Even the proud Saint Sons and Saintesses were each having their own thoughts. The other party would likely become a Source Heavenly Master in the future, and they absolutely had to forge a good relationship with him.

"Clang…"

Suddenly, the Bell of No Beginning rang again!

The Divine City resonated, and everyone showed shocked expressions. People knew that this attack on Purple Mountain had yielded a final result.

"Roar…"

Suddenly, terrifying roars erupted, accompanied by screams.

"What happened?" Everyone's expressions changed.

"Roar…"

The roars shook the heavens; it seemed many unknown creatures had appeared in the Divine City.

"The attack on Purple Mountain yielded a result, but these roars…" Many cultivators were startled and uncertain.

"Oh no, ancient creatures have emerged!" A terrified cry came from afar.

"Purple Mountain has been breached! Many ancient creatures have come out and are pursuing us!" The warning cry pierced the sky.

The Divine City descended into chaos. Terrifying ancient creatures had emerged, crossed through space, and entered the city—this was truly dreadful news.

Ye Fan: I stand on this end of the starry sky, calling out…