Chapter 418: Nirvana**

This was a yellowed ancient scroll. I couldn't tell what material it was made of—it looked like animal hide, yet also like ancient cloth. One glance revealed it to be a very ancient artifact.

The opened scroll bore two characters: Nirvana!

Ye Fan's heart immediately skipped a beat. These two characters held extraordinary significance in Buddhism, representing the process of achieving Buddhahood.

"Is this the Buddhist Nirvana Sutra?" he wondered, his heart trembling.

"It's just an essential chapter from an ancient scripture, specifically for healing," An Miaoyi replied. "Years ago, a dying abbess of my Miaoyu Temple obtained this ancient scroll. Not only did her injuries fully recover, but she also experienced a rebirth-like transformation."

The yellowed ancient scroll contained numerous densely packed ancient characters, perhaps hundreds of words. They expounded on the mysteries of life and death and the profundities of rebirth, yet they were so abstruse that it was difficult to fully comprehend them.

Ye Fan quieted his mind and focused, remaining still as he meticulously pondered and carefully sought enlightenment.

Although it was called the Nirvana Sutra and claimed to grant rebirth, this was merely a metaphor. Who in this world could truly be immortal? Even ancient emperors could not escape death.

The essential teachings described in the Nirvana Sutra only allowed one to change their life state and gain power akin to a unique rebirth, rather than true reincarnation or resurrection.

Although practicing this scripture would not grant eternal life, it possessed unparalleled power to increase lifespan and delay decay. Furthermore, this essential chapter was a supreme healing divine art, possessing incredible efficacy.

The moment he began to comprehend, Ye Fan's body immediately radiated brilliant light. Golden vital energy surged, escaping his physical form and swirling around him, making him appear like a deity.

"Because ignorance is extinguished, the mind does not arise; because there is no arising, phenomena cease; because causes and conditions are all extinguished, mental appearances cease, which is called attaining Nirvana..."

The Nirvana Sutra was a supreme heavenly art from the Western Desert, comparable to several ancient scriptures from the Eastern Wasteland. Chanting sounds rose, resonating melodiously throughout the palace, immensely profound, with a mysterious energy circulating.

This was a treasure-level secret art from the ancient scripture, a supreme healing sacred art that possessed the profound and deeply enigmatic mystery of seizing the creations of heaven and earth.

Ye Fan, being a Sacred Body himself, and then using the Nirvana Sacred Art for healing, immediately manifested various extraordinary phenomena: a chaotic green lotus accompanied him, an immortal king seemed to possess him, mountains and rivers appeared, and a yin-yang life-and-death diagram swirled around his body.

His indestructible golden body shone brightly, possessing both the solemnity of a deity and the unique divine martial aura of a Sacred Body, as if he were seated high in the nine heavens, gazing down upon the mortal world.

An Miaoyi's beautiful eyes gleamed with a unique brilliance. She hadn't expected Ye Fan to not only have an unparalleled physical body but also such high comprehension; he had gained such profound understanding immediately after receiving the sacred art from the ancient scripture. She gently parted her red lips and explained in detail.

"Because of various causes and conditions, one revolves in life and death; free from all causes and conditions, this is called Nirvana. Nirvana and the world are not distinct in any way; the world and Nirvana..."

Ye Fan remained silent. The golden vital energy grew even stronger, swirling around him and engulfing him. His entire body radiated divine light, and his indestructible golden body was almost transparent, like multi-colored glass, pure and flawless.

He was painstakingly repairing his life's origin, hoping to make the great Dao's crack disappear, so that he would be flawless from then on, forever preserving his immortal Sacred Body to exist perpetually in the world.

"Bang!"

Ye Fan's body shook, and his vital energy surged, almost reducing the entire palace to dust. If An Miaoyi hadn't already set up formation patterns, everything would have been destroyed.

This was the physical body of a Sacred Body, so incredibly powerful that even a slight tremor possessed the might of thunder, making it unbearable for others.

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. The first attempt to repair his life's origin had failed; even the supreme healing sacred art from the unparalleled ancient scripture could not heal the wound left by the great Dao.

An Miaoyi's hair cascaded like a waterfall, her skin fairer than snow, crystalline and smooth. Ethereal as an immortal, she stood by Ye Fan's side and said, "Again!"

Ye Fan remained unmoving, as if seated in a dust-covered ancient celestial court, dormant in Nirvana, awaiting his transformation into a dragon.

His body became increasingly imposing; even An Miaoyi had to step back. With the golden vital energy swirling around him, he was as terrifying as an eternal divine furnace, making it impossible for others to approach him.

Sublime and mysterious chanting emanated from within him. It was his "past self" and "Dao self" chanting sutras, praying for this life in pursuit of eternal life.

"Bang!"

Ye Fan trembled again. Fresh red blood, faintly tinged with gold, seeped from the corner of his mouth, and even as a Sacred Body, he swayed.

The second attempt also failed. The wound left by the great Dao showed no signs of healing at all, causing him to sway, and his indestructible golden body even dimmed slightly.

Ye Fan opened his eyes and sighed softly. This sacred art was infinitely profound, but ultimately it could not contend with the wound of the great Dao, making him feel powerless to reverse the situation.

"Don't give up," An Miaoyi said, unwilling to accept defeat. "If once isn't enough, try twice, three times, four times. There will always be some effect."

Ye Fan shook his head and said, "It's too difficult. This consumes my own vital essence to achieve Nirvana. If this continues and isn't effective, even as a Sacred Body, I cannot sustain it."

An ordinary person would need to rest after just one sacred art healing session and couldn't continue. As a Sacred Body with an unparalleled physical body, Ye Fan could manage one or two times, but continuous use would also be too much to bear.

"How could this be...?" she murmured. "Sakyamuni's disciple once said that the Nirvana Ancient Scripture was the supreme healing sacred art in the Western Desert. Even though this is only an essential chapter, it's almost the ultimate in the world; it should be able to cure any injury."

"Sakyamuni's disciple, who exactly is he?" Ye Fan desperately wanted to know, and even more, he wanted to learn everything about the Tathagata.

"I don't know who he is either," the peerlessly beautiful An Miaoyi replied, shaking her head.

Miaoyu Temple was originally a sect in the Western Desert, inheriting unparalleled Buddhist Chan techniques. Later, it split and moved eastward, obtaining Daoist dual cultivation techniques and changing its name to Miaoyu Temple.

"Do you know anything about Sakyamuni's past?" Ye Fan asked.

"I only know it's a Buddhist taboo and don't know the specifics," An Miaoyi replied, shaking her head.

"The wound of the great Dao cannot be healed..." Ye Fan said, standing up.

An Miaoyi stood gracefully. Moonlight streamed in, making her appear ethereal and peerless. Her dark hair was beautiful, her eyes vibrant, her skin like ice and bones like jade, her figure gracefully curved and captivating, like heaven's most perfect masterpiece.

"The Nirvana Sutra combined with my Miaoyu Temple's supreme dual cultivation technique, for one last attempt. If you still don't survive, little man, you'll truly have let me down." She walked over lightly, extended her slender jade hand, pinched Ye Fan's cheek, and with a beautiful smile, said, "It's always been others who fulfilled the Miaoyu disciples' needs. Today, I might be the first to break that rule and fulfill yours for rebirth."

In the palace, An Miaoyi's jade-like, crystalline body was almost transparent under the hazy moonlight. It was perfectly flawless, shimmering with a faint glow all over. Her beautiful hair was disheveled, and her delicate face was like a flower.

This was not about romance, but merely a method to save a life. Ye Fan had always held a negative attitude towards dual cultivation techniques, but unexpectedly, he experienced it himself.

"Little man, compose yourself!" On the white jade bed, within the red gauze canopy, An Miaoyi's skin shone with snowy brilliance. She lightly touched Ye Fan's forehead, urging him to calm his mind.

Facing such a peerlessly beautiful woman, no normal man could remain perfectly calm. Naturally, Ye Fan could not quickly enter meditation like an old monk.

An Miaoyi's entire immortal body was as white and translucent as ivory, graceful like a beautiful snake, her curves exquisitely undulating, her body flawless.

Not long after, the chanting sounds recorded in the Nirvana Ancient Scripture began, filling the palace with a sacred tranquility. At the same time, Ye Fan lay over An Miaoyi, and the dual cultivation technique began to operate.

Under the bright moonlight, time flowed like water, and the divine city was peaceful.

This section of the Miaoyu Temple palace was sealed off to prevent the heavenly sounds of the great Dao from spreading outwards, shrouded in a hazy glow.

An Miaoyi was the foremost successor, her status no less than that of the various saintesses, and her beauty surpassed all others in the world. She had no rivals in Miaoyu Temple; whatever she wanted to do, no one among the younger generation dared to defy her.

Although some people might have speculated, no one dared to approach or disturb them, nor would they say anything more.

In the latter half of the night, the palace remained harmonious and tranquil. Ye Fan said nothing, as the Nirvana Sutra and the dual cultivation divine art could not heal the wound left by the great Dao, failing to change anything.

He twirled An Miaoyi's beautiful hair around his finger, quietly pondering if there was still a path to survival and where he would go. Were even mature immortal medicines useless?

Primordial divine medicines were the most precious sacred objects in the world. If even they were ineffective, then a person's life truly would be at its end.

However, Ye Fan found it difficult to accept. Wasn't even the Divine King somewhat uncertain, unable to confirm that immortal medicines were absolutely ineffective? He decided to take a chance, no matter the cost.

Originally, he had prepared stone skins to venture forth for the Divine King and for Xiao Tingting. Now, with his own life at risk and no path of retreat, he could only press forward.

"This might be the last time we see each other," An Miaoyi said, slowly sitting up, her hair flowing like water as she gazed at Ye Fan.

"This is definitely not the last time we'll see each other," Ye Fan said seriously, with a brilliant smile. "Please believe me, I won't die. I still want to live another ten thousand years and leave those holy lands speechless."

"Ten thousand years... beauty turns to dust... so long," An Miaoyi murmured. She rose, walked to the jade bed, stood by the window, and gazed at the bright moon.

"The other half of the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot is about to appear," An Miaoyi suddenly said after an unknown period of time.

"Do Divine Bodies, Sacred Bodies, Heavenly Demonic Bodies, and others need to go together?" Ye Fan asked.

"You must not go. Don't ask why," An Miaoyi said calmly, without turning around.

"Alright, I won't go," Ye Fan replied.

After a long time, she walked back, looked at Ye Fan, and said, "Little man, you should leave."

"I will live," Ye Fan said, sitting up.

"It's time to leave," An Miaoyi said, helping him put on his clothes with very gentle and slow movements.

"Alright, to prove that I'm still alive in this world," Ye Fan said as he departed, "you will hear news of me periodically. This land will not be quiet."

The divine city was prosperous, and although Ye Fan would eventually depart, he didn't leave immediately because he was waiting for the Black Dog.

In the following days, he walked through the divine city, causing the younger generation to tremble with fear. No one dared to speak much, as the Sacred Body's might remained undiminished, inspiring awe.

He easily annihilated Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian, intimidating everyone, who feared following in their footsteps and being ruthlessly killed by him.

Everyone knew that the Sacred Body's time was limited and he had no scruples whatsoever. No one dared to cross him again.

Even the various Holy Sons kept their distance, feeling apprehensive, fearing that Ye Fan might challenge them at this time. This was not impossible; in a final act of madness, he might unleash his power and eliminate them, which would truly be a terrible misfortune.

Even the Golden-Winged Little Peng King became very well-behaved and rarely appeared. It was said he was returning to the central region of the Eastern Wasteland with the Old Peng King.

Feng Huang also became low-key, seemingly quieting down all at once and rarely appearing.

In these final days when his life was limited, Ye Fan's might was so great that no one dared to confront him. All the Holy Sons and Saintesses avoided him, and the younger generation was filled with even more fear, remaining silent and not daring to utter a single disrespectful word.

Every time he appeared, an area would fall silent. This was completely different from a few days ago, and everyone felt uneasy.

The Black Dog returned, listless and filled with dejection, constantly cursing and saying, "Damn it, I can't get into Purple Mountain! What the hell happened?!"

Farewell, Divine City!

Ye Fan went to bid farewell to the Peerless Divine King and happened to see the Holy Lord of the Feng Clan discussing a marriage alliance with the White-Clad Divine King.