Chapter 432: Heavenly Thunder Strike

As he was about to leave, Ye Fan ascended the nine sacred mountains, digging up some of each of the nine divine roots. His aim was to synthesize a complete immortal medicine to save lives.

Furthermore, the nine life spring pools, capable of resurrecting the dead and healing any wound, were priceless treasures in the world, and he certainly would not overlook them.

He had brought nine jade bottles, each large enough to contain a mountain, hoping to collect a vast quantity of the immortal divine spring water. However, the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone had the power to degrade any treasure into an ordinary item.

As a result, all nine jade bottles had become ordinary vessels, each capable of holding only about a dozen pounds of water, making it impossible to collect even a single extra drop.

Even so, Ye Fan was thoroughly satisfied. He had even acquired the immortal medicine and healed the wounds on his Great Dao. The rewards of this journey were nothing short of miraculous; what more could he possibly desire?

Since ancient times, many aged Holy Lords, entering the forbidden zones of life in their twilight years, had been like moths drawn to a flame. Almost all had turned to dust, making it nearly impossible for them to reappear in the mortal world.

“It’s time to leave…” Ye Fan stood over the Ancient Desolate Abyss, staring intently at the five-colored altar shrouded in darkness. A sudden urge seized him: he wanted to carry the small bronze coffin and leap into the depths. When, he wondered, would he finally be able to traverse the starfields?

After a considerable time, he finally turned and approached a life spring pool. He took out the Qilin seed, examining it repeatedly, pondering whether to plant it there.

Undoubtedly, the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone was exceptionally suited for its growth; in the future, it would surely transform into a mature immortal medicine, a celestial treasure of the world!

Yet, ancient divine medicines possessed profound spiritual awareness. He feared that once it took root and sprouted, it might fly away on its own before fully maturing, escaping into an unreachable sanctuary.

Ultimately, Ye Fan put the seed away. This immortal medicine seed still held significant future use, and he could not let go of it yet. He could plant it himself at a later date.

Ye Fan descended the mountain and spent a long time circling the colossal bronze coffin. He then gazed repeatedly at the nine dragon corpses. He genuinely wanted to drag them all away, recognizing them as invaluable divine treasures.

Suddenly, he chuckled wryly, realizing he was being too greedy. Why did he want to take everything he laid eyes on?

“It seems I’ve spent too much time with the Black Emperor; I’ve picked up its habits.”

Ye Fan chuckled to himself. He had already gathered all the sacred fruits, not even sparing their roots and leaves, and had filled many containers with divine spring water. Now, he was even eyeing the bronze coffin.

The Black Emperor was notorious for its 'better safe than sorry' approach, snatching everything it saw with boundless greed, even trying to pilfer treasures from its acquaintances, and often plotting against Ye Fan.

“That damned dog is full of bad habits, and its influence is quickly making me just like it…” Ye Fan declared, pushing all the blame onto the Black Emperor without a hint of shame.

He stroked his chin, genuinely wanting to carry the small bronze coffin away. But in the end, he sighed; the coffin was simply too sinister to be put away.

If he were to carry it every day, he would be exhausted to death over time; it was simply too heavy. Moreover, its mysteries would surely be discovered, leading to everyone in the world pursuing him to seize it.

Ye Fan returned the small bronze coffin to its original place, then departed without a backward glance. Holding the Qilin seed and the seven-colored pebble, he drank large gulps of divine spring water, moving with incredible speed.

It wasn't long before he reached the edge of the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, spotting the 800-li primeval forest, indicating he was about to exit the forbidden area.

He glanced back at the forbidden zone of life, which held countless secrets. He doubted anyone could fully uncover them without first becoming an existence akin to an ancient Great Emperor.

“My Great Dao wounds are finally healed; I’m back…” Ye Fan’s heart was far from calm. Upon his initial arrival in the Southern Region, his life had been in grave danger, but now he had finally overcome that perilous predicament.

Suddenly, he sensed an immense danger, and all the hairs on his body stood on end.

“Boom!” A massive purple lightning bolt, over ten meters in diameter, descended from the sky, piercing through heaven and earth. It was incredibly sudden, striking Ye Fan and sending him flying hundreds of meters away.

“Damn it, what’s going on? The sky is clear, not even a single cloud, so how can there be lightning?”

His entire body was blackened, and his clothes had turned to ash, clinging to him. Though he hadn’t sustained even the slightest injury, he was utterly disheveled, with all his hair standing on end.

“Boom!” Another purple lightning bolt plummeted from the sky, its light dazzling. It was like a colossal, terrifying purple mountain range crashing down, making it impossible to breathe.

At first, Ye Fan thought someone was ambushing him, but he quickly realized something was amiss. This lightning was undoubtedly from the heavens, not man-made.

“Heavenly tribulation!” He deduced the truth, his expression instantly changing. How could he have attracted a heavenly tribulation for no reason? He found it utterly absurd.

The dreadful lightning transformed into a surging purple ocean, engulfing the area. Its terrifying fluctuations were suffocating, turning ancient towering trees, hundred-foot boulders, and everything else into ash.

“Why am I being struck by lightning for no reason…?” Ye Fan was truly speechless.

“Boom!” The sea of lightning raged, nearly pressing down to the ground and engulfing him. Lightning bolts struck one after another, causing all the strange beasts in the boundless mountain range to tremble in terror.

“Could this be due to my breakthrough to the second layer of the Four Extremities realm?” Ye Fan instantly felt a headache. If so, he realized he would have a lot to endure in the future.

He recalled what the Black Emperor had said: tens of thousands of years ago, Emperor Wu Shi was frequently struck by lightning and eventually grew accustomed to it. It seemed Ye Fan would likely share the same fate.

“My grandpa is so kind, my uncle is so loving, but why do *I* have to be struck by divine lightning? Damn it!” Ye Fan cursed.

Heavenly tribulations struck one after another, shaking the boundless mountain range. The mountains in this region crumbled, turned to dust by the lightning, and transformed into a barren wasteland.

Just like his previous breakthrough, a full five layers of heavenly tribulation descended, each comprising nine minor tribulations. They were terrifying in the extreme, shaking mountains and earth and startling every beast.

This mountainous region was utterly devastated, a scene of apocalyptic destruction. Aside from Ye Fan, all other living beings ceased to exist, and the lightning created an incredibly vast abyss.

However, Ye Fan was not severely injured. This time, having undergone a complete transformation in the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone, he withstood the lightning tribulation with his Indestructible Saint Body, no longer suffering as miserably as before.

When everything calmed down, he gently shook his body, and his injuries instantly recovered. His entire being radiated auspicious light, pure, flawless, and as clear as jade. His powerful 'Treasure Body' had successfully withstood the heavenly tribulation.

“If I had ever robbed a Saintess or seized an ultimate sacred weapon, I’d accept being struck by lightning, but I haven’t done anything like that yet…” Ye Fan complained indignantly.

Fortunately, this location was still 800 li from the outside world; otherwise, such a massive commotion would undoubtedly attract many people. If word got out that he had harvested all the sacred fruits, it would surely spell disaster.

Ye Fan put on a set of green clothes and strode into the ancient primeval forest. As he passed a stone wall, he paused, thinking of some distant memories.

How were his classmates who had come to this world with him faring now? He sighed softly, then vanished into the forest.

Far in the distance, a vast, ethereal immortal palace appeared, its countless halls stretching endlessly, as if a celestial palace had descended upon the mortal world.

Ye Fan attempted to approach, but just as in previous years, the immortal palace outside the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone proved impossible to reach. He didn't force the issue and simply departed.

Ye Fan had been away for three months and was unaware of what had transpired during that time. Most likely, many people believed him dead, so he was eager to leave quickly.

As he was about to exit the 800-li ancient forest, he discovered cultivators who had sealed off the area; they clearly belonged to a super sect.

Ye Fan was surprised and concealed himself, wishing to avoid any trouble. However, things went against his wishes; someone had laid array patterns in the forest, revealing his presence.

“You… come here!” An arrogant young man in the forest stood not far away, shouting at Ye Fan.

Ye Fan glanced at him, then ignored him, walking straight towards the edge of the forest. His heart was aching to return; he wondered how Little Nannan was doing. If she hadn't given him the seven-colored pebble, he would most likely have died inside this time.

“I’m talking to you! I told you to come here!” The young man erupted in rage, pointing at Ye Fan and shouting loudly.

“Who are you, and by what right do you command me? What are your intentions, setting up obstacles here for no reason?” Ye Fan asked, his gaze cold.

The young man was momentarily stunned, then said coldly, “Several supreme sects have sealed off this area; everyone knows that. Yet you dare to trespass? You’re courting death!”

Ye Fan’s heart stirred. Were people attempting to target the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone again? What a pity, it was destined to be a futile effort. A slight smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re at death’s door, and you can still laugh!?” The young man sneered repeatedly.

“What arrogance! This forest is unclaimed land; what concern is it of yours if I pass through?” Ye Fan said calmly.

“You’re truly tired of living! Do you really not know? The Yin-Yang Sect has allied with the three great Holy Lands of the Eastern Desolation to carve a peerless array pattern here, opening a domain gate to transport people to the nine sacred mountains to collect divine medicines. Anyone who dares to trespass will be killed without mercy!”

Ye Fan was startled. Three months had passed, and the Yin-Yang Sect still hadn’t given up. Three Holy Lands from the Eastern Desolation had also made their move. He surmised that Yan Capital must now be a hub of significant activity.

“Go to hell!” The young man produced dozens of source stones, intending to activate the array patterns and refine Ye Fan to death.

“Whoosh,” Ye Fan performed the Great Void Art, traversing space to instantly appear beside the young man. With a soft press, he ended his life with a faint *poof*.

“What happened?” An elder, accompanied by seven young cultivators, entered the forest.

“Who are you?” someone demanded.

The elder, clearly a formidable expert of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, his face darkening, strode menacingly towards Ye Fan. He flipped his hand and struck down, aiming to subdue him.

Ye Fan immediately smiled. Someone daring to engage him in close combat truly had a death wish.

“Whoosh,” he extended a large golden hand to meet the attack, crushing all resistance. The elder’s arm shattered inch by inch, and his physical body was pulverized into dust.

The elder was undeniably powerful, but unfortunately, he had overestimated himself by not employing his full magical power, leading to his instantaneous death.

“Who are you?” Everyone else’s expressions changed drastically. An elder from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm had been killed with a single slap; it was utterly terrifying. Every one of them was trembling with fear, their legs turning to jelly.

“That surging golden vital energy, that physique comparable to a true dragon… He is… that Saint Body!”

“What? He’s not dead yet? Weren’t there rumors that he died three months ago?”

These individuals immediately realized the gravity of the situation and turned to flee. The Saint Body appearing near the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone was indeed curious and significant.

“Bang!” Unfortunately, they couldn’t escape. Ye Fan’s large hand pressed down from the void, and before they had run even ten steps, they were all pulverized into a mist of blood.

“Yan Capital, where the winds and clouds are stirring, with all the Holy Lands and the great sects from the Central Plains… it’s a pity you’re all destined for futile efforts.” Ye Fan chuckled softly.

“Whoosh,” he vanished in a flash into the dense forest, and shortly thereafter, entered Yan Capital.

Upon his return to Yan Capital, Ye Fan heard many pieces of news, and many people were discussing them.

Besides the Yin-Yang Sect and the three great Holy Lands, the Ancient Hua Dynasty had also remained, and other major sects were preparing to act, seeking to gather the immortal medicine.

The young kings of the Central Plains and the prodigies of the Eastern Desolation were locked in continuous battles, alarming even many older generation figures and becoming the current focal point.

“He doesn’t have much life left; he’ll die soon. Given his nature, he should return to take a look…” In Zhang Wenchang’s small tavern, Ji Hui entered, dragging her dragon-head cane. She cast a scornful glance at Zhang Wenchang, a cold smile playing on her lips.

“That lingering, evil old hag!” The moment Ye Fan returned, he spotted the old woman, and an endless murderous intent surged within him.