Chapter 414: The Curtain Falls

Xia Jiuyou exuded an overwhelming arrogance, looking down on the younger generation with an air of unparalleled superiority.

When the Transcending Tribulation Immortal Melody resounded, stars shifted, the divine moon dimmed, and heaven and earth descended into chaos. The world was stunned; even the supreme patriarchs of Zhongzhou were deeply moved, and many among the younger generation turned pale.

Yet, at this very moment, this peerless genius was being spanked, creating an incredibly striking contrast!

Possessing a rare talent seldom seen since ancient times, he could effortlessly look down upon his peers. Across the Eastern Wasteland and even gazing towards Zhongzhou, few could rival him.

However, he was currently being treated like a disobedient child, receiving a vigorous spanking. This spectacle left everyone utterly dumbfounded, jaws agape, unable to believe their eyes.

"That's Xia Jiuyou! He played the supreme Transcending Tribulation Immortal Melody, capable of killing his contemporaries as easily as plucking flowers, comparable to a young Emperor, yet he's being suppressed like this..."

Countless cultivators and powerful individuals were left wide-eyed with astonishment.

Xia Jiuyou, furious and frustrated, struggled violently, flailing his arms and legs. However, due to the backlash from the Transcending Tribulation Immortal Melody, he was utterly powerless and couldn't harm Ye Fan in the slightest.

"Little brat, let's see how arrogant you can be," Ye Fan chuckled, genuinely treating him like a child as he swung his large golden palm.

*Slap, slap...*

With each sharp smack, Xia Jiuyou's eyes blazed with fury, tears threatening to spill as he shrieked, "Ye! I'm not done with you!"

As a supreme master of the younger generation, who had been enveloped in endless glory since his emergence, how could he endure being treated like a naughty child?

Had any young Emperor from ancient times ever been spanked? The very idea was unheard of. He was on the verge of tears, seized by an urge to bite, almost fainting from sheer rage.

"Little Ye is too devious; this is even more humiliating for Xia Jiuyou than being killed," Li Heishui chuckled secretly.

"Xia Jiuyou's arrogance knows no bounds; he deserves this kind of humbling," Tu Fei also roared with laughter.

"It's undeniable, he truly is a peerless genius of this era. Once he enters the Dragon Transformation realm and performs the Transcending Tribulation Immortal Melody, who could possibly contend with him?" someone worried.

"Little brat, do you yield?" Ye Fan asked with a faint smile.

"I don't!" Xia Jiuyou cried out defiantly.

He struggled with all his might, tears welling in his eyes. His long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall, his Adam's apple vanished, and the heroic aura on his face receded.

"A girl... she's a young girl! Her disguise is gone!"

From a distance, everyone gasped in surprise, having never imagined that Xia Jiuyou was actually a very young girl. No wonder her lips were red, her teeth white, and she was so exceptionally beautiful.

"Heavens, it turns out to be an incredibly arrogant little girl! This is... too formidable!"

People were utterly speechless. The thought of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl being so dominant and invincible among her peers left them wide-mouthed and unable to utter a single word, as if they had just swallowed a dragon.

Xia Jiuyou's dark hair fluttered, and her skin, fair and translucent like carved mutton-fat jade, made her resemble an exquisite porcelain doll—beautiful and dazzling.

"I'll fight you to the death!"

Xia Jiuyou flailed her limbs, her large eyes brimming with tears. A single blink of her long eyelashes would send tears cascading down, perfectly showcasing her stubbornness and willfulness.

*Whoosh!*

A flash of light, and two grey-robed old men appeared nearby, both expressionless. One of them spoke, "The victor has been decided. Please release our young lord."

At the same time, Jiang Yun also ascended into the night sky. Fearing that Ye Fan, in his youthful impetuousness, might kill Xia Jiuyou, he also spoke up, "Release her."

Clearly, Xia Jiuyou possessed a formidable background; the fact that even members of the Jiang family came forward to intercede on her behalf spoke volumes.

Ye Fan released her, deliberately ruffling her beautiful hair, then casually gave her a sharp flick on the forehead. "Behave yourself from now on," he advised.

"Ah!" Xia Jiuyou screamed in a mix of anger and pain, tears streaming down her face, but the two grey-robed old men held her back firmly.

In the night sky, a flash of light indicated they had used a profound jade platform to cross the void, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Although defeated, Xia Jiuyou still shone brilliantly, her performance stunning the world. The two grey-robed old men, clearly wary, dared not let her linger there.

This was because she was merely around thirteen years old, far from adulthood, and her vital energy had not yet reached its peak; she still possessed infinite untapped potential!

Furthermore, with the emergence of the Transcending Tribulation Immortal Melody, it was likely that both the Holy Lords of the Eastern Wasteland and the Supreme Patriarchs of Zhongzhou would harbor ulterior motives.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to fight me?" Ye Fan stood beneath the night sky, enveloped in moonlight, a serene and tranquil aura flowing around him—a stark contrast to his earlier aggressive, blood-surging demeanor during the intense battle.

Yet, no one was fooled by his seemingly harmless appearance. This was undeniably a dormant savage dragon who had just defeated the incredibly arrogant Xia Jiuyou. How many would dare to step forward now?

The Golden-winged Little Peng King, wielding his Great Desolate Halberd, cut a daunting figure, resembling a demonic deity. He longed to charge forward, but the Old Peng King held him firmly by the shoulder, rendering him utterly motionless and speechless.

Ye Fan's gaze swept over the Shaking Light Saint Son, the Ji Family's Divine King Body, the Purple Mansion's Innate Dao Embryo, Yao Xi, and others. The distinguished disciples from the various Holy Lands remained calm, offering no response.

While the Divine Body and the Shaking Light Saint Son were undoubtedly the pinnacle figures of the Eastern Wasteland's younger generation, their complete lack of intention to engage in battle left many observers feeling regret.

Numerous cultivators reached a consensus: it would be exceedingly difficult for anyone in the Four Extremities realm to kill Ye Fan, unless they entered the Dragon Transformation realm and overpowered him with a higher cultivation level.

Naturally, even ordinary cultivators in the Dragon Transformation realm wouldn't suffice; only those at the Saint Son level could pose a threat.

The Four Extremities realm, corresponding to the four limbs of the human body, allows one to harness the Grand Dao. It comprises four distinct levels, with each level representing a vast chasm in power; a cultivator from a lower level attempting to defeat one from a higher level is akin to fighting against immortals—rarely successful.

Now, with Ye Fan only at the initial stage of the Four Extremities realm, he was already capable of slaying grand perfection masters, a chilling revelation to all. Such was the might of the Sacred Body that no one dared to challenge or kill him within this particular realm.

Although no one stepped forward, an endless killing intent permeated the air. The divine city beneath the night moon became bone-chilling, as if the depths of winter had suddenly arrived.

Ye Fan could faintly perceive that his path ahead was fraught with conflict and war. He would likely follow in the footsteps of Emperor Wu Shi, becoming an enemy to the entire world.

No one challenged him now because they lacked confidence, but in the future, endless battles were certain, culminating in life-or-death duels.

All he could do was swiftly enter the Dragon Transformation realm. Only then would he fear no challenge among the younger generation and could even sweep across the entire world.

Many patriarchs from Zhongzhou, who had come to observe the ceremony, frowned deeply. The Sacred Body, merely at its initial stage, already possessed such might. They considered the few young kings in Zhongzhou who might be able to contend with the Sacred Body in the short term, but what about the future?

This was a deeply troubling question. The thought of a perfected Sacred Body being able to challenge ancient Great Emperors was unsettling, and perhaps eliminating him early was the only viable option.

Ye Fan stood in the night sky, smiling brightly, his teeth sparkling white. Outwardly, he appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen, still bearing a trace of youthful innocence.

At his age, and with such a cultivation level, he silenced the Saint Sons, made numerous major powers uneasy, and left many with inexplicable feelings.

Ye Fan asked three times, yet no one responded. Not a single person from the younger generation dared to step forward and contend with him.

It wasn't that there were no young kings capable of fighting him, such as the Ji Family's Divine Body or the Demon Race's Heavenly Demon Body, but not a single one stepped forward.

Ye Fan stood alone beneath the moonlit sky, challenging every powerful figure of his generation, yet no one dared to contend with him. For the first time, he established his formidable reputation, and from this night forward, he was destined to be renowned among the younger generation.

The Peerless Divine King stepped forward. Though his eyes were dim and lifeless, his heroic demeanor remained undiminished, inspiring awe in all who beheld him. He approached Ye Fan, extended a hand, and a brilliant streak of light vanished into Ye Fan's body.

"That's... the Divine King's Mark!"

"With this mark upon him, the Divine King will perceive anyone who attempts to harm the Sacred Body."

Everyone was alarmed. The Divine King intended to protect the Sacred Body all the way, but how much longer could he live? He was clearly at the end of his lifespan.

As the great battle concluded and the night's turmoil faded, the Peerless Divine King was on the verge of demise, the Sacred Body's curse had been broken, and its bearer now looked down upon the younger generation...

Though the Divine City's history was vast, this particular night was destined to be etched into memory. It marked the dawn of a grand era, an unprecedented event in the post-Ancient Desolation Era.

That night, news spread rapidly, shaking the Eastern Wasteland and causing ripples in Zhongzhou. It was destined to be a massive uproar, one that would not subside anytime soon.

In the days that followed, countless cultivators arrived to visit and forge connections, including representatives from various Holy Lands, powerful figures from ancient aristocratic families, and successors from major sects. Ye Fan found himself unable to escape.

His residence became a bustling hub, akin to a marketplace. He had virtually no private time, constantly being invited to banquets or receiving visitors throughout the day. Despite his exhaustion, he had no choice but to attend to them.

Everyone displayed great enthusiasm, but he wondered how many of them were truly sincere. He knew that if his breakthrough had failed, the outcome would likely have been entirely different.

Over the past few days, he had remained with the Divine King, humbly seeking guidance, all the while hoping for a miracle that would save the Peerless Divine King's life. He genuinely did not wish for his demise.

However, the Divine King's eyes grew increasingly dim, almost turning a lifeless grey, devoid of any sparkle.

"Divine King, please consume the Qilin divine medicine seed!"

The Divine King shook his head, saying nothing further. He was returning to the Jiang family, preparing to leave the Divine City, wishing to go back and see the Grand Yin Body.

Over the past few days, Ye Fan had met numerous individuals, including Yaoyuekong, the Great Xia Imperial Prince, Jin Chixiao, Xu Heng, and the little nun in white, yet he had not once gone to see An Miaoyi.

This was because he hadn't stepped outside a single time. With the Sacred Body newly formed, the Feng clan intended for him to remain in seclusion for a hundred years, absolutely forbidden from appearing until he reached the Saint Lord level.

This was indeed a prudent idea: enduring a century of solitude for ten millennia of prosperity, allowing him to rule the world for ten thousand years in the future.

It was clear that both the Jiang family and the Feng clan would fully support his cultivation, meaning he wouldn't need to worry about any of his training needs.

"A hundred years... that's too distant," Ye Fan murmured, gazing towards the far reaches of the starry sky. He simply couldn't wait that long.

Feng Huang had not appeared, which didn't surprise him. The Feng clan had only entered the Divine City to test him, and had never explicitly promised a marriage alliance beforehand.

If he had failed his breakthrough, the topic would certainly not have been raised. Previously, the best strategy was to keep Feng Huang from appearing, allowing them flexibility regardless of the outcome.

Now that he had succeeded in his breakthrough, Feng Huang still hadn't arrived. The Feng clan tried to cover this up, claiming she was in seclusion attempting to reach the Dragon Transformation realm and should arrive within ten days.

In reality, the Feng clan's esteemed daughter had disdained the idea of a marriage alliance from the very beginning, explicitly stating she would never marry the Sacred Body. Even with his successful breakthrough, the Feng clan's princess remained exceedingly proud and simply refused to come.

The Feng clan members were currently making great efforts to persuade her...

The Northern Region arc is drawing to a close. As for where he will go next, the groundwork has long been laid, and I believe you have all already guessed.