Chapter 505: Seizing the Cauldron

Correction: Jiang Huairen is Jiang Yichen’s paternal uncle. He is also Po Dehuan’s grandfather. Additionally, the Ninth Elder and others are all of the great-grandparent generation. This correction has been made in the preceding text.

Everyone was left open-mouthed and speechless. The legendary Great Bandit was incredibly formidable, so direct and decisive!

“You little brat, that’ll teach you a lesson!”

*Slap, slap…* The resounding slaps echoed loudly as Jiang Yi swung his large palm, striking Jiang Yichen’s face with extreme force, showing no mercy at all.

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, but no one dared to step forward. This man was too formidable. He was slapping someone right in front of their own great-grandparent—they had never witnessed such a powerful and brazen individual.

What’s more, as he swung his palm, he continuously berated Jiang Yichen, repeatedly calling him a "little brat." This left everyone dumbfounded and made Jiang Yichen’s great-grandparent’s position incredibly awkward.

“And you…” Jiang Yi grabbed the gray-haired middle-aged man by the collar, pulling him close like a plucked chicken. Without a word, he delivered thirty-six resounding slaps before finally saying, “You’re over a hundred years old, yet you refuse to learn. I ought to slap you to death!”

Everyone was flabbergasted. “Do you even realize he’s over a hundred years old?” they seemed to think. How could the man possibly regain his standing or dignity after such a public humiliation?

“Enough!” Jiang Yichen’s great-grandparent exclaimed softly, striding forward. “Have you slapped them enough?”

“Not yet!” Jiang Yi replied curtly.

*Slap, slap…* As he spoke, he continued his assault, delivering eighteen more slaps—both forehand and backhand—leaving Jiang Yichen and the gray-haired man completely dazed and almost collapsing to the ground.

Those nearby were speechless. Even though Jiang Rui, a formidable expert, had intervened, Jiang Yi’s actions were his powerful and utterly dominant reply.

“You…” Jiang Rui’s expression turned frigid.

“What, do you intend to lay a hand on me?” Jiang Yi shot him a glance, then resumed his slapping.

“You little brat, I’ll teach you to behave! You little scoundrel, I’ll stop you from doing evil!”

Jiang Yi’s relentless barrage of “little brat” and “little scoundrel” nearly turned Jiang Rui’s face green. To beat and lecture his descendant in such a manner made the veins on Jiang Rui’s forehead visibly throb.

Many elders and members of the middle and younger generations of the Jiang family had gathered around, all staring in astonishment. This Great Bandit truly feared nothing; he dared to do and say anything.

Upon reflection, however, they felt a sense of resignation. This particular ancestor had dared to defy the family and leave it in the past—an act of extreme rebellion. Compared to that, what was this current display?

“You brat, if you ever dare to bully Tingting again or commit any wickedness, I’ll throw you into the ocean depths!” Jiang Yi finally stopped, not because he intended to spare the two, but simply because he had grown tired of hitting them. He then turned to Jiang Huairen and little Tingting, saying, “He upset you, didn’t he? Come over here and slap him back.”

Damn, who protects their descendants like this? This is outrageous… Everyone watched, utterly dumbfounded.

“Your grandpa is incredible…” Li Heishui and the others mumbled, equally stunned by the display.

Jiang Huairen was eager to try, genuinely wanting to go over and deliver a couple of slaps himself.

Tingting, feeling quite embarrassed by her great-uncle’s overwhelmingly powerful display, tugged at Jiang Huairen’s sleeve. “Uncle, please stop,” she said, feeling a bit shy about it.

“You see, when dealing with such villains, you should chop them into ten pieces,” Jiang Huairen said, patting her head.

Everyone present looked at him with disdain. “Is that how you teach a child?” they seemed to think. “He’s truly incorrigible.”

“Are you two injured?” Jiang Yi asked.

“No,” little Tingting quickly shook her head.

Those affiliated with Jiang Yichen’s faction felt an urge to spit blood. *You’re the ones who have been beating people up,* they thought, *and now you ask if they’re injured? Unless you hurt your fingers while slapping, of course.*

Jiang Yi dropped Jiang Yichen and the gray-haired middle-aged man, then stated in a deep voice, “I won’t waste any more words. Bring me the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi!”

Many found it difficult to remain calm, their expressions revealing a strange mix of desire. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such a sacred artifact?

Even if it had an owner in the past, the various Holy Lands would set aside their dignity to contend for it. Now that it was in the Jiang family’s possession, parting with it would be incredibly difficult.

The emergence of an unowned ancient scripture would throw the world into chaos, with everyone frantically fighting to claim it.

The appearance of an unowned Ultimate Sacred Weapon would cause even greater upheaval, as only ancient Great Emperors could forge such items. Rarer than ancient scriptures, a Holy Land that possessed one would effectively wield a portion of a Great Emperor’s combat power.

Furthermore, if an ancient sage-level individual wielded a sacred weapon, they could unleash the divine might of a Great Emperor. In the past, an invincible Divine King of the Jiang family, using the Hengyu Holy Furnace, single-handedly razed a Holy Land on the icy plains.

The Myriad Mother Qi Origin Root had already taken the form of a cauldron, virtually an Ultimate Dao Embryo, a priceless treasure coveted by ancient Great Emperors. No one could possibly remain calm in its presence.

“The Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi is with Old Thirteenth,” stated the supreme expert Jiang Rui.

Jiang Yi’s expression darkened. “Then, Sixth Brother, please summon Old Thirteenth,” he said.

“What a coincidence!” Jiang Yi’s face was grim.

“He left the family the day before yesterday to embark on a journey,” Jiang Rui replied.

Not far away, Ye Fan’s heart sank. It was clearly not as simple as just Jiang Yichen; by now, it was evident that someone was backing him, intent on keeping the sacred artifact.

This was hardly surprising. An astonishing immortal treasure of this caliber, once it entered a Holy Land, would be incredibly difficult to relinquish. Its immense value was enough to cause Holy Lands to turn against each other.

Regardless of gods or saints, only Ultimate Weapons truly matter. If the Jiang clan could acquire it, their future prosperity would undoubtedly surpass that of any other Holy Land!

For instance, the Dragon-Continuance Cauldron of the Yaoguang Holy Land was the culmination of generations of sages’ collective efforts, not forged by a Great Emperor.

The Jiang clan had once produced the Great Emperor Hengyu and possessed the ancient Great Emperor’s sacred weapon-forging techniques. In the future, they might indeed be able to create a second Great Emperor Sacred Weapon.

If a Holy Land were to possess two Ultimate Sacred Weapons, it would truly be considered the paramount power in the world, unchallengeable by anyone!

Faced with such immense benefits, even many of the more detached individuals within the Jiang clan began to harbor ambitions, let alone those who would stop at nothing.

In that instant, Ye Fan’s mind raced. The ancient assassin dynasty’s attempt on his life was undoubtedly commissioned by an old lineage, and it was likely the Jiang clan played a part in it too.

If he were to die, the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi would inevitably and legitimately fall into their possession.

“I want to know when Old Thirteenth will appear, and if he intends to return the Myriad Mother Qi upon his return?” Jiang Yi asked in a deep voice.

“It’s truly difficult to say when he’ll return,” Jiang Rui replied. “As for the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi, I’m confident he will handle it appropriately.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Jiang Yi stared at him.

“Damn it, they’re clearly trying to renege on their promise and keep it!” the large black dog snarled from behind, glaring fiercely at some members of the Jiang clan.

Ye Fan was equally indignant. The peerless Divine King had shown him immense kindness, and he harbored gratitude toward the Jiang family, but the actions of certain individuals were simply unacceptable to him.

Were they leveraging a past favor to demand something now?

He had come this time to deliver the immortal divine medicine, but now he found himself unable to remain calm. If he didn’t get to see the Divine King, he absolutely would not leave a single sacred fruit behind.

“It hurts so much…” The dazed Jiang Yichen regained consciousness, groaning continuously in agony.

Ye Fan calmed himself, sitting cross-legged in the void. He activated the Dao Scripture’s cultivation method, carefully sensing his surroundings, while simultaneously forming hand seals and inscribing nine ancient characters in the air.

These nine characters were the innate divine script of ancient Great Emperors, also recorded in the Dao Scripture’s Wheel Sea Chapter, enabling one to cultivate and achieve instantaneous eternity.

At that moment, his mind stirred as he sensed a faint trace of the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi’s aura emanating from an island not far within the Jiang clan’s territory.

He had forged this cauldron according to the Dao Scripture’s records, following the supreme ancient path of 'one weapon breaking all methods.' It shared an unbreakable, mystical connection with him.

Ye Fan’s eyes snapped open. He quickly relayed everything he had sensed to Jiang Huairen and the Black Emperor.

Immediately, Jiang Huairen approached his grandfather and discreetly conveyed the information via spiritual transmission.

Jiang Yi fixed his gaze on a distant island and strode forward, asking, “Whose island is that?”

His status within the Jiang clan was highly unusual; he was favored by the elder ancestors of the family and backed by twelve even more formidable individuals. No one dared to cross him.

“That is Old Thirteenth’s cultivation retreat,” the Ninth Elder replied from nearby.

“I truly miss Old Thirteenth,” Jiang Yi said with a smile. “Since he’s not here, I’ll take a look around his island—to see his things and think of him.”

He immediately charged into the island. Ye Fan and the others, standing on the chessboard array patterns, moved horizontally to follow him inside.

Jiang Rui’s expression darkened, and he followed closely, with hundreds of others trailing behind them.

Jiang Yichen and the gray-haired man glared at Ye Fan and Jiang Huairen, their eyes filled with venomous malice, teeth nearly grinding to dust. Yet, they dared not make a move, paralyzed by the fear of being beaten to death by the Great Bandit.

Ye Fan, hovering in the void, further pinpointed the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi’s aura, almost certainly confirming its exact location.

Just ahead, on the sheer cliff face, a thousand-zhang waterfall cascaded down. His weapon was hidden precisely there.

“Is Old Thirteenth truly not on this island? If I discover he’s deliberately avoiding me, don’t blame me for retaliating!” Jiang Yi’s chilling spiritual transmission vibrated throughout the entire island.

Everyone present was startled. This Great Bandit Ancestor, notorious for his ferocity, was known to always follow through on his words and act with swift resolve. He was certainly not speaking idly.

Ye Fan conveyed his discovery via spiritual transmission, then followed Jiang Yi to the foot of the cliff.

The thousand-zhang silver waterfall was a vast expanse of white, its deafening roar echoing as it plunged thousands of feet, a truly magnificent sight.

“This is Grand-uncle Thirteenth’s favorite place for quiet cultivation,” someone remarked.

Grand-uncle Thirteenth, Jiang Chuan, would spend his days here listening to the waterfall, observing the celestial movements, the rising and setting sun, and comprehending the vitality of all evolving things. At times, he would remain seated for months without stirring.

“Old Thirteenth’s cultivation has reached this level; no wonder he’s so ambitious, even coveting the Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi for himself,” Jiang Yi sneered.

“Boom!” With a single punch, he caused the cliff to collapse, severing the thousand-zhang waterfall. White waves surged into the sky, resembling a terrifying tsunami.

“Jiang Yi, what are you doing?!” Jiang Rui roared, advancing several large strides. “Why are you destroying Old Thirteenth’s cultivation retreat?!”

“I am teaching him the principle of ‘destruction before creation,’” Jiang Yi replied coldly, delivering another punch that pulverized half the cliff into dust. “Without breaking, nothing can be established. Only through transcendence can one truly stand above all!”

“Boom!” Just then, an ancient pagoda shot skyward, hovering in mid-air and exuding an aura that suppressed the heavens and earth. It was clearly a magnificent artifact, a true treasure.

“This is Grand-uncle Thirteenth’s weapon!” someone exclaimed. “No wonder he spent years sitting here—he was nurturing his Dao-proving artifact!”

While others couldn’t perceive it, Ye Fan clearly sensed the aura of the Myriad Mother Qi. It was the sacred artifact born within his Wheel Sea, and his connection to it was inseparable.

“Thump!” Jiang Yi extended a large hand, reaching forward. Jiang Rui’s expression changed, and he moved to block, shouting, “What are you doing, Jiang Yi?! Are you trying to forcefully seize Old Thirteenth’s divine artifact?!”

“I’m merely curious; I wish to examine it,” Jiang Yi replied.

“Clang!” Under the immense pressure from the two, the ancient pagoda erupted with ten thousand divine rays, vibrating with overwhelming radiant flames, like a surging ocean.

Ye Fan, with a solemn expression, inscribed characters in the void. As the nine mysterious characters of the ancient Great Emperor appeared, a much closer connection instantly formed with his cauldron.

The small golden lake at his glabella transformed into a divine spirit and flew out. Cast in shimmering gold, it was dazzlingly radiant and, upon closer inspection, appeared identical to him.

Ye Fan exerted all his might, secretly deploying the All-Character Secret, instantly enhancing the god-like golden deity’s power tenfold!

The golden divine spirit, dazzling and radiant, was an extension of himself. It continuously evolved, sitting cross-legged before his glabella, stirring the Great Dao, and connecting with his cauldron.

“Boom!” Suddenly, the Myriad Mother Qi surged, pouring down from the ancient pagoda. An ancient, unadorned cauldron, unstoppable, flew forth.

“The Cauldron of Myriad Mother Qi!” many people cried out, simultaneously reaching out to seize it.

The golden divine spirit at Ye Fan’s glabella let out a long howl, and powerful spiritual pressure swept in all directions. The ancient cauldron, as if drawn by a summon, instantly flew back, hovering above his head. Ten thousand strands of mother qi descended, each as heavy as a mountain, enveloping him in protection.

“Don’t let him take that cauldron!” Jiang Yichen shouted from a distance.

By then, even without his shout, many had already sealed off the surroundings, preparing to seize it.

“Sixth Brother, what do you mean by this?” Jiang Yi asked coldly, confronting Jiang Rui.

The Ninth Elder also stepped forward, saying, “Sixth Brother, do you truly intend to indulge them? This isn’t like you at all.”

Jiang Rui’s expression remained indifferent as he surveyed the two of them, then fixed his gaze on Ye Fan, who was not far away, and the small cauldron hovering above his head.

The Myriad Mother Qi cascaded down, each strand capable of crushing a mountain range, heavy as mountains, truly the world’s most precious immortal treasure. No one could remain calm in its presence.

Ye Fan was exhilarated to reclaim his cauldron. This was destined to be his Dao-proving artifact; its loss would undeniably impede his progress.

“Brother Jiang Yi, why go to such lengths?” Just then, a clear voice resonated. From a nearby mountaintop, a man in purple robes slowly approached, step by step.

He appeared to be no older than thirty, with black hair cascading like a waterfall and eyes as profound as the starry sky. He exuded an inherent imperial majesty, and his every movement seemed to merge seamlessly with heaven and earth.

“Old Thirteenth…” Jiang Yi gazed at him intently.

“Brother Jiang Yi, it seems you intend to obstruct me today. Is a confrontation truly unavoidable?” The purple-robed man’s gaze was sharp as lightning.

“Do you truly believe this cauldron is yours? And do you actually intend to keep us here?” the large black dog snarled. “If you’re so capable, try severing this section of the Great Emperor’s array patterns!”

The chessboard array patterns flickered, wavering in and out of sight, ready to transport them away at any moment.

“This cauldron is destined for my Jiang family,” said the purple-robed man, Jiang Chuan, looking at Ye Fan with an air of unquestionable authority. “It should become our clan’s second sacred weapon and remain here.”

As he spoke, mysterious array patterns emerged in the distance, severing the sky with an imposing and awe-inspiring presence.

The Black Emperor’s expression changed. “A fragment of Great Emperor Hengyu’s array patterns!” he exclaimed.

“Indeed. Can you still cross it now?” Jiang Chuan glanced at the dog.

Ye Fan’s heart sank. This was clearly the will of a faction within the Jiang clan, represented by Jiang Rui and Jiang Chuan. They intended to keep the cauldron and had no desire to return it.