Chapter 399: World Attention

After Ye Fan arrived in this world, he spent his time wandering and fleeing, struggling for survival. Now, he can finally face the various Holy Lands with peace of mind.

In the past few days, he has accepted numerous invitations from major powers, constantly attending banquets and mingling with various cultivators. With the Divine King's strong backing, his situation has completely changed. Only through experience can one truly understand the fickle nature of human relationships and the cold realities of the world. The same person, simply because of the Divine King's protection, became completely different overnight.

"Woof... Awoooo..." The big black dog was utterly drunk, alternately barking like a dog and howling like a wolf under the moonlight, startling countless waterbirds.

It was a tranquil small lake, with the scent of waterweeds mixing with the smell of earth. There were no beautiful trees planted nearby, nor any pavilions or palaces adorning it; only pristine nature. Waterweeds, wild birds, and pond fish gave it the distinct feel of the countryside. It was certainly an unconventional spot in the Divine City; though lacking elegant scenery, it was deeply favored by some cultivators.

"Let us drink and sing, for how long can life endure..." Ye Fan sang loudly.

"Why not just get utterly drunk..." Li Heishui swayed, raising his cup to the moon, nearly stumbling into the lake.

"You're truly 'black'..." The big black dog, eyes blurry with drink, tilted its head and looked at him.

"Damn it, you stupid dog, how many times will you say that?! Do you want a beating?!" Li Heishui raged.

Everyone around them burst into laughter. The atmosphere was joyful and lively as people clinked glasses and chatted merrily.

In recent days, such social engagements were an everyday occurrence. Numerous major powers extended olive branches, mostly having their younger generations come forward to win him over. Today, Xiang Yifei, the Holy Son of the Great Evolution Holy Land, along with disciples from several great sects only slightly inferior to the Holy Lands, extended an invitation. Ye Fan, of course, wouldn't refuse and brought Li Heishui and Tu Fei along.

The lakeside gathering didn't disperse until late at night, after the Great Evolution Holy Son and the others had left. Even in the latter half of the night, the Divine City remained brightly lit. It was an ancient city that was never lonely. Moonlight spilled down, like a thin mist spreading.

"I look forward to you breaking the curse; otherwise, even if I capture you, I won't be able to use you for alchemy." Just then, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy walked over from the opposite side, his clothes fluttering, like an exiled immortal gracefully treading on waves. He wore white clothes, spotless and untainted. His hair was black and lustrous, his skin like snow, his eyes like black jewels, and his lips red with white teeth. He was exceptionally handsome, with a beauty that would make even women jealous.

It was indeed Xia Jiuyou, the young prodigy. He stared at Ye Fan and said, "I'll wait for you to reach the Four Extremities Secret Realm. The Divine King has stated that by then, all of the younger generation can engage you in life-and-death duels, and if you are killed again, the Divine King will have nothing to say!"

"Are you a greenhorn, or a little girl?" The Black Emperor, reeking of alcohol, spoke without restraint.

Xia Jiuyou snorted coldly. He stretched out a snow-white palm and reached for the big black dog, intending to restrain it.

"Woof!" All of the big black dog's shiny black fur stood on end. It sensed danger and snapped its jaws to bite.

The void trembled as a mysterious ancient stele materialized, clinging to Xia Jiuyou's fingertip, pressing down towards the Black Emperor.

"Clang..." The Black Emperor opened its mouth and spat out a large bell, blocking the ancient stele, on which Dao patterns appeared. It emitted a lingering tremor that traveled for dozens of miles, startling numerous cultivators.

It must be said that Xia Jiuyou indeed possessed a heaven-defying talent, rarely seen since ancient times. Though very young, he was already a top-tier figure among the younger generation, his strength astonishing.

The Black Emperor was sent flying backward, but it wasn't injured. With its copper tendons and iron bones, it rolled over and got up, its drunkenness sobering up significantly.

"Woof, what a little monster! Even before the Desolate Ancient era, there were few people like him!"

Ye Fan stepped forward, calmly looking at Xia Jiuyou, and said, "You want to fight me? Very well, wait a few days. If I enter the Four Extremities Secret Realm, you will be my first opponent!"

"I'm just afraid you'll disappoint me!" Xia Jiuyou, as before, was arrogant and full of himself, completely disregarding Ye Fan.

Numerous palaces lined both sides of the street. Many cultivators appeared, standing under the moonlight to watch. They hadn't expected anyone to dare provoke Ye Fan at such a sensitive time.

"Are you truly a greenhorn, or a little girl?" The Black Emperor persistently badgered him with the question, its breath reeking of alcohol.

"You wretched dog, I'll skin you alive!" Xia Jiuyou grew angry.

"Young Master, please calm your anger and do not act." Two grey-robed elders appeared silently, stopping the prodigy, fearing he might thus offend the Divine King.

"Little Ye Zi, your future opponents are truly more powerful and monstrous than the last!" Tu Fei exclaimed on the way back. Shaking Light Holy Son, Golden-Winged Little Peng King, the Divine Physique, the Innate Dao Fetus, Xia Jiuyou... which one of them wasn't a world-shaking talent? They were all destined to be future kings of the Eastern Wasteland.

"Quickly conserve your strength, because once you enter the Four Extremities Secret Realm, you'll likely face continuous battles, and who knows what other ruthless characters might appear!" Li Heishui also nodded.

"That's how you get a sense of accomplishment! Suppress all the men, and capture the women to be wives..." The big black dog was completely drunk, drooling and babbling nonsense.

The next day, sensational news arrived: the Holy Lord of the Jiang Family brought ten million catties of Origin to the Divine City, piling this world-shaking divine treasure into the Dragon Transformation Pool. Even during the day, one could see auspicious light shooting into the sky and divine radiance eclipsing the sun; it was incredibly dazzling. Rich spiritual energy flowed, almost turning into liquid, permeating the entire Divine City.

Everyone was shocked. Ten million catties of Origin! It had truly been brought here. This was undoubtedly a world-shaking event, and everyone was discussing it.

Now, there was only one topic in the Divine City: could the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body break the curse and break through to the Four Extremities Secret Realm? Everyone was talking about it. Now, only with the Divine King's return could Ye Fan enter the Dragon Transformation Pool and challenge the first great hurdle of his cultivation career!

In the following days, the entire Eastern Wasteland, and numerous great sects, were paying close attention. Even Holy Lord-level figures were no exception, as this matter was of immense importance. If Ye Fan successfully broke through, it would mean that a Great Accomplished Desolate Ancient Sacred Body might reappear in the world in the future, completely breaking the existing order! For a Great Accomplished Desolate Ancient Sacred Body could almost rival a Great Emperor. What kind of concept was that? In an era without Great Emperors, a quasi-Great Emperor might emerge, shaking people to their core! Its influence would be immeasurable.

Currently, Ye Fan was undoubtedly the focus of all cultivators in the Eastern Wasteland. Everyone was paying attention, everyone was awaiting the result, quietly waiting for the Peerless Divine King to return and preside over everything.

The commotion was greater than people imagined. Even the Central Plains were alarmed, and some from the Hundred Schools of Thought were coming to personally witness whether the Sacred Body could break the curse and create a miracle of the Post-Desolate Ancient era.

"Little Ye Zi, do you feel pressured? The whole world is watching!" Tu Fei exclaimed.

"How could there be no pressure? If this world changes, even ten million catties of Origin might not be enough for me to squander," Ye Fan pondered seriously.

In the following days, quite a few people from the Central Plains actually arrived and entered the Divine City. A Great Accomplished Sacred Body was invincible under heaven, almost capable of challenging a Great Emperor, and this breakthrough attempt drew the attention of the entire world. Now, the eyes of the world were all fixed on the Eastern Wasteland's Divine City. Universally watched, Ye Fan began to consider all possibilities, preparing to face immense turmoil.

In the following days, the atmosphere within the Divine City grew increasingly tense. Experts were appearing, and powerhouses were gathering from all directions, not limited to the Eastern Wasteland. And during this period, none of the Golden-Winged Little Peng King, Shaking Light Holy Son, Ji Family's Divine Physique, Yao Xi, Holy Maiden of Purple Mansion, or Xia Jiuyou had left. Their intentions were obvious. Ye Fan had not yet broken through, but the aura of great battle already permeated the air. Everyone had already seen glimpses of the future: there would surely be an earth-shattering battle of kings!

And in these few days, even more major powers tried to win Ye Fan over. Some Holy Sons and Holy Maidens personally arrived, setting aside past unpleasantness and improving their relationship with him. They feared the 'what if'. If Ye Fan truly succeeded in his breakthrough, it was foreseeable that the glorious era of a Great Accomplished Sacred Body would surely arrive.

At noon, Ye Fan and a few others, including Li Heishui, were invited to the Illusory Food Pavilion, where they unexpectedly met an acquaintance. The Golden-Winged Little Peng King's golden hair fluttered, unruly and untamed, possessing an innate wildness. His golden pupils held endless killing intent, and his tall, burly physique exuded a sense of oppression.

"If you enter the Four Extremities Secret Realm, I will surely take your life!" he said coldly, glaring at Ye Fan. "Pray that day, your blood will be drained dry."

Ye Fan smiled, but his words were firm. "I look forward to our second great battle!"

"Last time, I restrained myself, but now I have no more restraints. I will tear you to shreds with my Supreme Roc Dragon-Slaying Art!" The Golden-Winged Little Peng King's killing intent soared; his entire being exuded a demonic aura.

"Brother Peng, let's go drink. Let's not discuss tomorrow's rights and wrongs today." Someone beside them laughed and pulled the Golden-Winged Little Peng King away. It was Pang Bo, who had his arm around the future king of the demon race, seemingly on very close terms with him.

Ye Fan rubbed his chin, then smiled, and stepped into the Illusory Food Pavilion.

"Little Ye Zi, is the Mystical Desire Convent inviting you again?" Inside the Illusory Food Pavilion, Tu Fei asked in surprise, "I thought you'd already been a few times?"

Li Heishui chuckled. "Does that even need to be said? An Miaoyi must be choosing a husband. Little Ye Zi has a chance."

"Is that true?!" Tu Fei immediately widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Ye Fan, I want to fight you!"

"Don't listen to his nonsense." Ye Fan shook his head.

Li Heishui continued, "Last time, Ye Fan was in a disadvantageous position and was decisively abandoned by An Miaoyi. This time is completely different, with the Peerless Divine King's backing. If he breaks the curse, he could challenge a Great Emperor in the future, giving him a definite advantage over the other Holy Sons. If he enters the Four Extremities Secret Realm, An Miaoyi will undoubtedly choose Ye Fan."

"Ye Fan, I'll fight you to the death!" Tu Fei continued to shriek.

"However, I think An Miaoyi might have already found a powerful young king, so Ye Fan will have competition," Li Heishui said.

"You two should talk about something useful. I'm thinking about all the challenges of breaking through. There will definitely be great turmoil; it will certainly not be a calm affair," Ye Fan mused.

On the ninth day, the Peerless Divine King returned, reappearing in the Divine City! The white-robed Divine King had been absent for nine days, and many rumors had circulated across the Eastern Wasteland. Many people had seen his lonely figure. For these nine days, he had carried the body of Immortal Lady Caiyun, visiting one place after another, all regions they had traveled together in the past. The Peerless Divine King revisited old places, re-experiencing past emotions. Sadly, the beloved was gone, leaving only the Divine King to mourn alone.

On the day the Divine King returned, the entire ancient city trembled. Everyone was filled with anticipation, quietly waiting for the Sacred Body to attempt the breakthrough. The Holy Lands of the Eastern Wasteland paid extraordinary attention. The eyes of everyone across this land converged on this spot; everyone gazed from afar. Representatives from the Four Immortal Imperial Dynasties of the Central Plains, as well as the Hundred Schools of Thought, all arrived, solely to witness the ceremony.