Chapter 462: Killing Intent

"I truly don't believe Brother Ye would cripple his own cultivation. Once a person stands at the pinnacle, they would rather die than descend to mediocrity just to survive." The Saint Son of Yao Guang chuckled, his teeth pristine white, his skin shimmering with golden light, and his hair turned to gold. He looked as if he were draped in divine raiment.

Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat. He finally witnessed the sharpness of the Saint Son of Yao Guang. This was the first time he had launched an offensive against him, subtle as it was, yet it laid the groundwork for a fierce killing move.

Ye Fan had spoken of crippling his own cultivation, but the Saint Son's remark left an indelible mark in everyone's minds, ensuring that people would test him in the future.

Sometimes, the destructive power of a single sentence can be more effective and terrifying than a full-fledged battle. The Saint Son of Yao Guang's casual remark had already planted a seed in everyone's hearts.

"Different people have different mindsets and make different choices. I don't have your grand ambitions, so naturally, I can let go. I only wish to survive," Ye Fan said with a smile.

"Brother Ye possesses great resolve. As the first Sacred Body in over a hundred thousand years to break the curse, how could you willingly give up? I wish you success in overcoming this deadly trial." The Saint Son of Yao Guang's smile was radiant, his entire being radiating divine light.

Ye Fan sighed and said, "Your path ahead is the supreme Emperor's road, while mine is a dead end. Here, I wish you smooth sailing."

The path of ancient Great Emperors was never smooth; they had to battle all kings, sweep aside the heroes of the world, and ascend to the pinnacle alone before they could rule supreme.

When Ye Fan uttered these words, the other Saint Sons and Saintesses remained impassive, but no one knew what they were thinking.

The Saint Son of Yao Guang paid no mind, his golden hair gleaming. He resembled a resurrected deity, offering a faint smile and saying nothing further.

"He definitely won't survive. Even if he cripples his cultivation, he won't get through this trial. It will be even more tragic then," a young man from the Feng Clan muttered softly.

"Exactly! If he takes the Qilin divine medicine seed, it'll just be a waste. It won't do any good. He might as well return it to our Feng Clan to pay his debt!" Another Feng Clan disciple also expressed dissatisfaction.

Feng Huang's beautiful maid, whose status was no lower than that of ordinary Feng Clan disciples, had been subdued by Ye Fan in the Divine City of the Northern Region and had held a grudge against him ever since.

At this moment, she naturally spoke up, scoffing, "The Sacred Body is renowned throughout the world; who doesn't know of it now? I wonder what birthday gift you've prepared for our clan's Saint Lord. He has always favored divine artifacts. Are you planning to offer the Sacred Sword and the Qilin divine medicine seed as gifts?"

Ye Fan glanced at her and said, "You're just a servant. Do you have a place to speak here?"

"You..." The woman's body trembled with rage. As the Feng Clan Princess's maid, even direct descendants of the Feng Clan treated her politely. No one had ever dared to speak to her like that.

"You don't understand the rules. Go where you belong. You're just a maid; how dare you tell me what to do? What I give as a gift is not for a servant like you to decide!" Ye Fan reprimanded her coldly.

"You... audacious!" As someone close to the Feng Clan Princess, she had always been arrogant and simply couldn't tolerate such disrespect. Her almond eyes widened in anger, and her body trembled with fury.

The Saint Sons and Saintesses were all present, and everyone looked over, their expressions varied.

"Yes, I am indeed too bold," Ye Fan chuckled, no longer paying her any attention. He merely cast a fleeting glance at Feng Huang but said nothing.

"You, step back!" Feng Huang said coldly.

"Miss..." the maid shrieked.

Feng Huang's gaze swept over her coldly, scaring her into silence. She quickly lowered her head and hurried away from the divine island.

"My apologies, everyone. My discipline has been lax, and I've caused you to witness something unbecoming," Feng Huang said. She then glanced at Ye Fan and added coldly, "Please don't stoop to her level."

This was clearly a veiled insult, subtly implying that Ye Fan was stooping to the level of her maid, which was beneath his status. Her words were cold and carried a hint of disdain.

The Big Black Dog bared its fangs. It detested such posturing the most. If this weren't a vital area of the Feng Clan, it would certainly have launched another sneak attack.

"Be a good doggy, okay? Don't bite people. Even if you came with Big Brother, you'll still get punished," little Nannan, not even as tall as the Black Emperor's leg, looked up and gently pushed it with her small hand.

Ye Fan immediately burst out laughing, picked her up, and said, "Nannan is so well-behaved."

Upon hearing this, Feng Huang was somewhat speechless. She turned and walked to the other side.

The other Feng Clan disciples exchanged glances. Although some were quite displeased with Ye Fan, they dared not show it, fully aware of his current predicament.

This place gathered disciples from numerous major sects of the Eastern Wasteland. Many were extraordinary individuals, gathering in small groups to chat and form connections. In the future, many of them would become leaders of their respective sects.

If they could establish some interactions and friendly relations now, there would certainly be immense benefits in the future. No ambitious individual would miss the present opportunity to network.

"Brother Ye, I am willing to exchange a Nine-Revolving Divine Elixir for your Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Sacred Spirit Sword. It can extend your life," Zhao Fa returned, smiling as he spoke.

Though his voice wasn't loud, it still caught the attention of some nearby individuals, who turned their heads to look in their direction.

Ye Fan harbored murderous intent towards him. For this person to bring it up now, it was clear he had discerned the Saint Son of Yao Guang's intention. Such an offer was undeniably insidious.

To exchange or not to exchange? This was tantamount to coercion. With a life-extending treasure elixir right there, not exchanging would raise suspicions. However, Zhao Fa hadn't made it known to everyone on the divine island.

"You want to exchange a single elixir for my Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Sacred Spirit Sword? Are you trying to extort me?" Ye Fan questioned, half-seriously and half-jokingly, his expression somewhat cold.

"Brother Ye, there's a misunderstanding. This isn't just an ordinary elixir. It's refined from tens of thousands of years' worth of peerless spiritual herbs, capable of reviving the dead and mending flesh and bones. It's a life-saving holy medicine, an invaluable life-extending divine item for you," Zhao Fa explained with a smile.

Ye Fan had already learned from little Nannan that this person was not benevolent, intending to take advantage of his limited lifespan to strike ruthlessly and seize his treasures in the future.

"A rare commodity indeed. You're subtly extorting me," Ye Fan said. Although he knew this person was not virtuous and wanted to eliminate him and seize his treasures, it wasn't a good time to show his hand.

"How could that be? Brother Ye, please don't misunderstand me. I merely wish to deliver what you need most to you," Zhao Fa said with a refined smile.

Li Heishui scoffed, "If you truly wanted to help Ye Fan, you would simply give him a Nine-Revolving Treasure Elixir. Why bother with a transaction? Even Hua Yunfei once gave little Ye Zi a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Elixir."

Zhao Fa's expression stiffened. "Brother, that's not a good joke. Hua Yunfei and I are completely different people. He harbors malicious intentions, while I am truly sincere."

Currently, Hua Yunfei was rumored to be the successor of the Ruthless Great Emperor, a fact known throughout the world. No one wanted to be associated with him, let alone be compared to him.

"I wish to exchange the Sacred Sword for an Immortal Divine Elixir; other elixirs wouldn't be very effective," Ye Fan said with a smile, saying nothing more.

Zhao Fa's face darkened. Unable to say more, he turned and departed.

Little Nannan's large, bright eyes, distinct in black and white, looked towards a certain direction, listening intently. Then she tugged Ye Fan's arm and whispered, "Big Brother, he said he'll make you pay, and he'll trample you underfoot before long."

"This Zhao fellow is truly two-faced, honey-mouthed and dagger-hearted, just as the rumors say. He deserves to be torn limb from limb!" Li Heishui's face clouded over.

"Be careful," Yao Yuekong warned.

The Feng Clan Saint Lord's grand birthday celebration hadn't arrived yet, but Ye Fan had to consider what gift to give. Enlightenment Tea was definitely out of the question; it involved too much.

As for divine springs, holy fruits, and the like, they were even more impossible. Presenting them would immediately make people realize that he had successfully repaired his Dao injuries by entering the Desolate Ancient Sacred Land.

After lingering at the gathering for a long time, he, Li Heishui, and little Nannan departed, intending to visit the neighboring ancient city of "Zitian Capital" to prepare some birthday gifts.

The young nun in white loved little Nannan very much and, as they left, gave her a bracelet adorned with lifelike carvings of smiling divine Buddhas holding flowers.

The Feng Clan's eight hundred divine islands faded into the distance. After Ye Fan and his companions flew several hundred miles, someone suddenly sneered, blocking their path.

Feng Huang's maid appeared, a sinister smile on her face, and gritted her teeth, "Do you still think you can leave?"

Behind her stood an old man. Although dressed as a servant, his strength was unfathomable; one glance was enough to tell he was a super expert.

"Is there something else you need? Did Feng Huang send you? What is your intention?" Ye Fan asked.

"If it weren't for the three million catties of Origin provided by the Feng Clan, you'd be nothing but a good-for-nothing! Yet you've repeatedly shown me disrespect. Don't forget where this is!" Feng Huang's maid's expression grew colder. "You won't be leaving today!"

"What arrogance! You're just a maid of Feng Huang, yet you dare to intercept and kill me here. Do you know what this means? Did Feng Huang send you?" Ye Fan looked at her with a calm expression.

The woman held her head high, brimming with arrogance, and said coldly, "You won't be leaving today. Due to the pressure from the Divine King, we won't kill you, but we can certainly peel off a layer of your skin. This is also a good opportunity to reclaim your Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Sacred Spirit Sword and the Qilin divine medicine seed, etc. I'll take them to offer to the Saint Lord on your behalf, to settle the debt you owe!"

"This is the first time I've encountered such an arrogant servant who dares to act like this. Truly unique," Ye Fan remarked.

Feng Huang's maid seemed to detest being called a servant. She shrieked, "Even the Princess has never reprimanded me, yet you repeatedly treat me disrespectfully! You wait to die. Uncle Yi, quickly capture him and break every bone in his body!"

"Alright!"

The old man in green nodded and lunged forward. His hair was white, his build thin and gaunt, and from his fingers shot out razor-sharp blades like gusts of wind.

"Seventh Transformation of the Dragon!" Li Heishui exclaimed in shock. They were utterly incapable of fighting someone of this caliber; the difference in cultivation levels was too vast.

The old servant extended a large hand, reaching for Ye Fan, a grim, cold smile on his face, as if he had already sealed their fate.

"You're just an old servant under Feng Huang. Aren't you afraid the Feng Clan will punish you once they find out?" Ye Fan retreated, shouting his question.

"My young miss won't punish me because you've been too outrageous and have long displeased her," the old servant in green said with a cold expression. His large hand descended, conjuring endless innate patterns that wove together into a terrifying black cage. With a look of disdain, he intended to suppress Ye Fan.

"You two, acting like such slaves, are truly going too far!" Ye Fan's face darkened. He quickly dodged away and turned to the Black Emperor, saying, "Block them!"