Chapter 444: Fierce Person Turmoil

Hua Yunfei’s head was severed, spraying blood and shocking everyone. He was undoubtedly a prodigy, yet now…

His performance since the battle began had been astonishing; all the Holy Sons already held him in awe. Such a figure could easily dominate the younger generation.

Everyone had expected his battle with Ye Fan to continue, with the victor uncertain for some time. However, a shocking turn of events had just occurred.

“Is a hero of this generation truly gone, just like that?”

“Such powerful strength, such an ethereal aura. Few in the younger generation could rival him. It’s truly a pity.”

Many cultivators expressed their sorrow.

Still, many cultivators remained silent, believing it couldn't be that simple. They felt Hua Yunfei wouldn’t die so easily, as he possessed a supreme divine art.

The void violently collapsed, and energy storms raged. That part of the sky was chaotic, with a terrifying black hole emerging from the void, nearly devouring Ye Fan.

As the black mist dispersed, everyone gasped at the sight. A dark abyss, a black hole that swallowed all light, seemed to have opened in the sky.

Ye Fan struggled to emerge, having narrowly escaped being swallowed—it was an incredibly close call!

The instant he broke free, he pursued the head in the sky, determined not to give his opponent a chance to revive, for his foe possessed the Phoenix Tribulation Rebirth Art.

Moreover, who was the Ancient Ruthless One? He had created the Immortal Celestial Art, making him incredibly difficult to destroy.

The moment Ye Fan emerged, numerous fragments of flesh within the black hole surfaced, emanating a strange glow. Hua Yunfei's head, still in the distance, also began to radiate a vibrant light.

“Boom!”

Ye Fan’s golden blood energy surged, his entire being seemingly bathed in divine golden flames, like a sacred spirit emerging from the Seven Great Forbidden Zones of Life!

“Crack!”

He unleashed a golden palm strike, causing the void to shatter and massive black fissures to rip outwards in all directions.

Hua Yunfei’s head suddenly turned pitch black, and a small, dark vortex appeared, instantly drawing it away, leaving no trace.

“Escaping won't be that easy!” Ye Fan, skilled in the Great Void Art, was particularly sensitive to such void-traversing secret techniques and immediately tracked its path.

In a flash, he pursued it. The head had actually vanished into the dark abyss that had nearly swallowed him earlier, merging with the scattered fragments of his body and glowing with light.

“How will you escape now?!” Ye Fan’s colossal golden palm descended, covering the area, collapsing the void as it pressed down.

“It's a pity I couldn't unleash my full power; otherwise, the outcome would have been different!” Hua Yunfei’s spiritual message conveyed deep regret.

Suddenly, Ye Fan’s heart seized with dread, and a chill ran through him. He decisively retreated. Just then, the void where he had stood ripped open, and a large black hand emerged, striking that very spot.

A Half-Step Great Power!

Enveloped in mist, this figure exuded a powerful aura, surging like an ocean. He was not much weaker than a Holy Master; one more half-step would make him a truly formidable Great Power, capable of dominating the world!

Hua Yunfei’s protector had appeared. Ye Fan was already prepared, having anticipated this, as his prolonged battle with Hua Yunfei might have alerted the individual.

“Boom!”

The figure in the black mist attacked again, seeking to mercilessly obliterate Ye Fan. The terrifying fluctuations sent chills down the spines of all observers; apart from a Holy Master, who could possibly contend with such an individual?

Yet, Ye Fan merely smiled. He retreated with peerless footwork, moving like a streak of light, then roared, “Everyone, the inheritance of the Ruthless Emperor, the first and most formidable since ancient times, has appeared!”

This thunderous roar shook Yan Capital, like a sudden bolt of lightning tearing through the heavens, startling everyone.

Many figures, all white-haired elders, surged into the sky. They were not among the spectators but emerged from all directions.

Ye Fan's shout proved incredibly potent. Several Holy Lands and the supreme great sects of Zhongzhou had extraordinary figures present, all intending to enter the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land to gather divine medicines. All were now alarmed.

This was Ye Fan’s long-standing plan. He was determined to divert public attention, as too many eyes were on him. It was time for someone else to step forward and shoulder that hostility.

“Who is it?” An old voice came from the distant sky.

“It’s naturally Hua Yunfei of the Taixuan Sect,” Ye Fan loudly retorted. “He just demonstrated that inheritance. The black hole that nearly swallowed me hasn't vanished yet. Don't you think it resembles it?”

“You shall not slander him!” the Half-Step Great Power retorted, taking a step back towards the abyss in the sky.

“Swish!”

With a flash of light, an unharmed Hua Yunfei burst forth. The Phoenix Tribulation Rebirth Art had resurrected him, but using it twice in a single day had exacted a heavy toll, damaging his fundamental essence.

“If you say I'm slandering,” Ye Fan said casually, “you can stand there and wait for all the seniors to arrive and discern the truth. The innocent will be proven innocent, and the guilty, guilty.”

“Next time, I will unleash my supreme celestial art as you desire, and I will surely kill you,” Hua Yunfei transmitted with his divine sense. There was no despondency in his tone, only calm confidence.

“If you truly dare to seek death again,” Ye Fan retorted, “I will gladly send you to your end.”

“I never expected you to obtain the *Jie Zi Mi* from the Crude Peak. My inheritance is not inferior to any technique, ancient or modern, and possesses its own method to counter the *Jie Zi Mi*.”

Hua Yunfei’s words then shifted, as he uttered another perplexing statement: “You believe you've uncovered everything, but you've only guessed half the truth. The other half remains unknown even to me.”

He transmitted this via divine sense, so others naturally couldn’t hear. In fact, before departing, Hua Yunfei still wished to prove that the Ruthless Emperor’s inheritance had no connection to him.

In the distant sky, several elders appeared, quickly closing in. They were all Holy Master-level figures from the Holy Lands of the Eastern Wasteland and the great sects of the Central Plains.

“I will prove my innocence,” Hua Yunfei stated. “If I remain here now, I fear someone lurking in the shadows might not give me the chance, and silence me instead.”

Then, he manifested a profound jade platform, which caused the void to crack open. He and the Half-Step Great Power then traversed through it and departed.

The entire city erupted in an uproar, a flurry of excitement. What was happening? Was Hua Yunfei, a prodigy of his generation, truly the inheritor of the Ruthless Emperor?

Not long ago, the Ruthless Emperor’s Daoist temple in the Northern Region suffered a great catastrophe, resulting in many casualties and shaking the Eastern Wasteland. Was Hua Yunfei connected to this?

But he was far away in the Southern Region; how could he have orchestrated such events? Did he truly possess such immense power?

This night was destined to be sleepless. The commotion was too great; the Ruthless Emperor’s inheritance stirred the hearts of too many. If he were to reappear, it would spell an immense disaster.

Many elder figures gave chase, heading directly to the Taixuan Sect. Whether the claims were true or false, as long as there were doubts, they were determined to investigate thoroughly. Otherwise, who knew how many would suffer calamities in the future?

“Where did that woman go?” Someone finally realized and sought to find Li Xiaoman’s whereabouts.

However, she was nowhere to be seen; she had already left the city. Ye Fan was also startled, realizing he hadn't even noticed Li Xiaoman’s departure.

That night, Yan Capital was thrown into great chaos as news spread like wildfire, transmitted across the world instantly.

“Cough…” Ye Fan landed on the ground, coughing up faint golden blood.

Many people were filled with reverence, instinctively clearing a path for him. Though his Sacred Body was gravely wounded by the Great Dao and he was nearing his end, he still commanded such awe-inspiring power that it sent shivers down their spines.

Still, many others cursed, bewildered that someone so close to death could still be so formidable, leaving them speechless.

People believed that if Ye Fan fought with all his might, he could easily drag a few Holy Sons to hell with him before he died.

The Divine King Body of the Ji family calmly observed Ye Fan, showing no emotion. He firmly grasped Ji Ziyue’s arm, preventing her from approaching. Ji Ziyue, filled with worry, had tears welling in her eyes.

In the distance, the Yaoguang Holy Son’s eyes were profoundly deep; no one knew what he was thinking. Divine light flowed across his body, making him appear incredibly sacred.

At that moment, Ye Fan had only one thought: to quickly find Little Niannian and then leave the Southern Region. This place was no longer safe for them.

“Awooo…” The next day, a prolonged howl shook Yan Capital, making people think a millennia-old demon wolf had invaded.

The large black dog arrived, accompanied by Pang Bo, Li Heishui, and Tu Fei. The three men had altered their appearances before entering the ancient city.

“Why are you here?” Ye Fan asked, surprised to see them, as they had originally agreed to meet in the central region of the Eastern Wasteland.

“Naturally, we came to fight by your side. We rushed here the moment we heard the news,” Pang Bo said.

“Actually, we should have arrived sooner,” Tu Fei cursed. “It’s all thanks to this damn dog! When it traversed the void, it claimed the margin of error wouldn’t exceed three thousand *li*, but we ended up three million *li* off!”

“It was three point three million *li*!” Li Heishui corrected.

“That was merely an occasional mishap,” the large black dog retorted, baring its teeth.

Ye Fan finally understood: his previous deviation of one point five million *li* had actually been considered lucky!

The moment the Black Emperor appeared in Yan Capital, many people’s faces darkened instantly. He had caused such a ruckus in the Northern Region—chasing chickens and dogs, loudly demanding human pets—that many people wished to skin him alive.

However, the elders disdained to stoop to the level of a mere dog. The younger generation, on the other hand, feared that the Doomsday Sacred Body might fight desperately, and being killed that way would be utterly worthless.

The large black dog, completely oblivious, greeted everyone it saw, acting overly familiar as if it were incredibly popular.

“Long time no see, we meet again.”

Even when ignored, it remained completely oblivious and continued to be very enthusiastic.

“Hey there, little lady,” it barked. “This Emperor is talking to you! Why are you ignoring me? Don't you think this is a beautiful encounter?”

“I’ll kill you…”

“Woof! This Emperor refuses to fight women!”

Upon arriving at Ye Fan’s residence, they learned the full details of his ordeal and were immediately astonished.

“Wonderful! Your Dao injuries are finally healed!” Pang Bo exclaimed, exceptionally excited.

“From now on, you are free to soar as high as the sky and swim as deep as the ocean!” Tu Fei laughed heartily.

“Yes, and we absolutely must not let this news leak out,” Li Heishui added. “Let the world continue to believe your life is nearing its end.”

“Holy fruit…” The large black dog drooled profusely, its tongue practically hanging out.

“You’ll get your share, but first, quickly tell me everything about the Ruthless Emperor,” Ye Fan said, nudging the dog to attention.

The Ruthless Great Emperor, who defied both ancient and modern times, contended against heaven, earth, and even himself. Not born with extraordinary talent, he relied solely on his own strength to slay numerous kings, ultimately reaching the pinnacle with a mortal body.

The divine arts he created were unparalleled. First, he used the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art to defy fate and achieve the status of an Immortal Great Emperor, reigning over the world and looking down upon all beings.

Later, he dedicated his entire life's energy to create the Immortal Celestial Art. This art allowed him to transcend his demonic body, eliminate all lingering issues that defied natural order, cultivate a divine embryo, and ultimately triumph over himself.

Legend has it that he might be the longest-living among all Great Emperors. Everything about him is shrouded in mystery; few in the world can truly explain his story.

“‘One Thought, Flowers Bloom, Ruler of the World’ is an unparalleled divine art, and when combined with the peerless ‘Myriad Transformations Sacred Art,’ it should be utterly insurmountable! How did you overcome it, kid?!” The large black dog's eyes nearly bulged out upon learning that Ye Fan had suppressed such a divine art. “Even the Battle Saint Method, facing such a combined art alone, might not prevail,” it added.

Ye Fan described the details of the battle. The large black dog gritted its teeth and asked, “This kid has obtained the Ruthless Emperor’s inheritance? Does he possess half of the Ancient Heaven-Devouring Demonic Pot’s lid?”

“It's hard to say,” Ye Fan replied, shaking his head. He had many thoughts, and continued to press for more information.

The Black Emperor explained, “That Ruthless Emperor was truly extraordinary. The world-shaking divine arts he created were not just those two; there’s also the ‘Only I Am Supreme Divine Art,’ and others. From what you’ve described, he indeed didn't have time to fully unleash them. Furthermore, these are only the divine arts associated with the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art…”

Ye Fan’s heart seized in surprise. “You mean?”

“And then there’s the Immortal Celestial Art,” the Black Emperor continued. “That was a unique technique the Ruthless Emperor developed in his later years. No one knows what divine arts are associated with it.”

“The Ruthless Emperor is that formidable?” Pang Bo asked, equally surprised.

“Naturally so,” the large black dog mumbled. “Otherwise, why would this Emperor be so keen to dig up his grave…”

“You suspect the Yaoguang Holy Son is involved, and he tried to test you the night before last,” Li Heishui said. “Now that we’re all here, why don’t we go eliminate him tonight?”

“Exactly, let’s take the initiative!” Tu Fei agreed.