Chapter 587: Taihuang

An ancient coffin lay horizontally, from which a half-meter-long tender branch sprouted. It was unnervingly eerie, especially considering it had existed for millions of years yet still possessed vitality.

Chaotic mist swirled and immortal mist flowed around the motionless coffin. On its side, some blurry markings caused many people to blanch instantly.

All eyes immediately turned to the members of the Great Xia Dynasty. Everyone felt a profound, inexplicable shock, as these were the markings of their clan!

"It's... Tai Huang from the Desolate Ancient Era!" someone stammered, uttering the formidable name.

A chill ran through everyone. No wonder the faces of the Great Xia imperial family showed agitation when the ancient characters were discovered on the ice; the legendary later Great Emperor was, in fact, their ancestor.

"No wonder those characters looked familiar," someone exclaimed in sudden realization. "I've seen them before in the Tai Huang Hall of Great Xia!"

The Great Xia Dynasty, one of the Four Immortal Dynasties of Zhongzhou, stood as one of the oldest and most formidable top powers, founded by a human Great Emperor.

The Tai Huang Hall was the residence left by that ancient Great Emperor. Although long deserted, it still offered later descendants and sect leaders an opportunity to pay their respects.

Although the markings on the coffin were indistinct, they could be discerned as a blurry humanoid imprint, uniquely featuring a dragon as its spine!

This unique symbol was used only by the ancestor of Great Xia, and later generations adopted it as the emblem of their Immortal Dynasty.

"How could Tai Huang be here?!" Everyone was stunned, their gazes turning collectively to the Great Xia Dynasty.

In all of history, how many Great Emperors have there been? This human Great Emperor, in his later years, chose not to reunite with his kin. Instead, he came here alone, borrowed a coffin from a deity, and was buried within it.

This situation felt sinister, exuding an inexplicable strangeness. Why would he do such a thing?

"Tai Huang... the mystery of his life and death, long unknown and perplexing, is actually revealed here!"

Someone stared at the Great Xia imperial family members, noticeably trembling when the name "Tai Huang" was uttered. No one dared to disrespect that name, even though he had been gone for countless ages.

"Our ancestor... according to records, he departed alone in his later years, his destination unknown to all," the Great Xia Emperor sighed, "We never imagined he would be found here."

Everyone felt a little lightheaded. An ancient Great Emperor, who personally founded an immortal divine dynasty, ruled millions of miles of territory, was invincible under heaven, and was among the strongest in history—could he not find a burial place? To actually compete with a deceased being for a coffin seemed unbelievable.

However, people eventually understood. This was a coffin carved from the Immortal Tree, rumored to bestow eternal life and unobtainable by anyone except deities.

Tai Huang had seized a deity's burial ground, effectively taking over another's nest. This deduction, once articulated, sent a shockwave through the crowd!

It wasn't just the coffin; this entire location must hold immense significance. Otherwise, a human Great Emperor would not have acted in such a manner. There had to be a profound secret related to cosmic creation at play.

"Ancestor, your unworthy descendants have come to receive you. We welcome you home!" an old imperial uncle choked, using his purple-gold dragon robe to brush away tears.

After the initial shock, people suddenly realized something was amiss. What did the old imperial uncle mean by his words? It seemed he intended to claim everything for himself.

This was a coffin left by an ancient deity; it would be impossible for them all to simply take it.

Everyone’s expressions shifted. A Great Emperor's corpse was an unparalleled immortal treasure, capable of being refined into an ultimate sacred weapon. But even the coffin itself, carved from the Immortal Tree, was exceptionally rare; enlightenment wood was a coveted treasure for any cultivator.

"This is our Great Xia's ancestor. Fellow Daoists, surely you won't make things difficult for us?" the Great Xia Emperor asked in a deep voice, his figure imposing, wearing a nine-dragon crown.

No one responded. Ethically, it was entirely appropriate for them to retrieve their ancestor's remains, making it difficult to object.

Yet, this corpse was far from ordinary. It was a priceless immortal material that could be refined into a peerless imperial weapon, a treasure exceedingly rare in the world. No one present remained unmoved by its potential.

The atmosphere grew tense; no one spoke. The figures gathered here were all powerful rulers, capable of dominating the world. Beyond the prominent figures from various schools and sects, the other three great divine dynasties of Zhongzhou alone were comparable to Great Xia.

Furthermore, the Demon Lord and Battle Lord of the Southern Ridge were present, as well as the Divine Monk of the Western Desert—each a formidable representative of a terrifying major power.

"In ancient times, when Tai Huang walked the mortal realm, unrivaled and solitary for eternities, what a magnificent figure he was! We all yearn to behold his esteemed presence."

"Precisely," another agreed. "We lament the countless ages past; how few Great Emperors have there been? We were never fated to see them. If today we are fortunate enough to behold Tai Huang's true visage, it would be worth dying for."

Someone broke the impasse, and others quickly assented. The Great Xia Dynasty was in a bind: the moment the corpse in the coffin was exposed, a bloody battle was inevitable.

"Our ancestor's body must not be desecrated!" the old imperial uncle of Great Xia roared, his white eyebrows trembling with fury.

"Precisely," the Great Xia Emperor affirmed, his black hair swirling and his eyes flashing like lightning. "Our ancestor, a human Great Emperor, cannot be disturbed by opening his coffin!"

A sect leader countered, "That is incorrect. We are here to admire the supreme bearing of an ancient Great Emperor, to worship with devotion and reverence. How can that be considered desecration?"

The atmosphere grew tense again, hinting at an impending storm. The remains of a Great Emperor were enough to ignite a bloody war, leaving countless corpses adrift.

Yet, no one dared to be the first to open the coffin. They were wary not only of each other but also of the deceased Great Emperor himself, given the sheer number of legends surrounding him.

Tai Huang, whose renown shook both ancient and modern times, authored the "Tai Huang Scripture," an invincible ancient text. Its offensive chapter, "Imperial Dragon Qi," was unparalleled in Zhongzhou, subtly hinting at its potential as the strongest technique of the current age.

It was rumored that in terms of offensive power, the only technique capable of rivaling it was the "Dou" (Fight) character secret from the Nine Secrets. Unfortunately, this technique appeared only rarely, and its inheritance was almost lost.

Tai Huang was a legendary figure, walking among mortals like a deity. Some claimed he could defy the natural order and even slay immortals, marking him as an extraordinary, peerless individual.

In his time, his offensive power made the entire world tremble; it was unparalleled. Once the Imperial Dragon Qi was unleashed, no one, above or below, could contend with him.

Tai Huang surveyed the world and left an indelible, glorious mark on the ancient history of humanity!

Despite his death, people feared he might have left behind some hidden contingency, dreading a devastating catastrophe should the coffin be opened. Such an outcome was not entirely impossible.

The members of the Great Xia Dynasty frowned, understanding the difficulty of taking the entire divine coffin; no sect leader in the realm would permit it.

"Very well," the Great Xia Emperor stated directly, "we will open the coffin. We of Great Xia will only take our ancestor's remains; the coffin will be left for all of you."

A commotion swept through the crowd. Even the most formidable cultivators could not remain composed, knowing that opening the coffin might trigger a bloody conflict. Everyone instinctively took a few steps back.

"Tai Huang is revered by all races, ancient and modern. His esteemed presence is not for everyone to behold," Old Sect Leader Wang Yangzhan of the Yin-Yang Sect announced. "Some unrelated individuals should depart, lest they desecrate the Great Emperor."

Several people nodded in agreement, understanding his intent: it was time to clear the area. Any item left by the Great Emperor within the ancient coffin was a priceless treasure, and there were simply too many people present to divide them among.

The aim was to force some people to leave, allowing only the most powerful factions to remain and discuss the distribution and ownership of the immortal treasures.

Grand Tutor Xiao and his group stood with the Yin-Yang Sect. Xiao Yunsheng smirked, his gaze cold and menacing as he stared at Ye Fan and his companions. "Leave now, and you might prolong your lives by half a day," he said.

"What do you mean?" Ye Fan asked, staring back indifferently.

"Everyone present here has a known background; only your origins are unclear," Xiao Yunsheng said at leisure, his gaze fixed on Ye Fan and the others, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. He then added nonchalantly, "I believe it's necessary to first remove these individuals who are not fit to be seen or to grace this stage."

As such a formidable figure spoke, several people immediately nodded in agreement, convinced that certain individuals needed to be asked to leave.

Duan De, Dongfang Ye, and the others were all incensed. The old blind man also snorted twice, his eyes rolling dramatically.

Xiao Yunsheng stated blandly, "This place is for powerful cultivators, people of great standing. You few ants should leave quickly."

Even half-step powerful cultivators had stopped at the base of the ten-thousand-foot high platform; no one had followed them up. A cultivator like Ye Fan, from the Dragon Transformation realm, was particularly conspicuous.

Ye Fan extended a finger, showing not a shred of reverence for a powerful cultivator, and pointed it directly at Xiao Yunsheng's nose. "What are you?" he demanded.

A murderous glint appeared in Xiao Yunsheng's eyes; he yearned to strike Ye Fan dead with a single blow. However, his divine power was restricted here and flowed sluggishly. "This place is for sect leaders and powerful figures," he stated coldly. "You have no place here. Get out immediately! We are to conduct important discussions."

"Who do you think you are?!" Ye Fan sneered.

Xiao Yunsheng's face darkened. "You little piece of trash, you're seeking death. Fellow Daoists, how about we politely escort them out? That bowl of his is rather remarkable."

He once again incited the crowd, his gaze fixed on Duan De's bowl. If it were seized here, Ye Fan and his companions would undoubtedly be annihilated.

Many had already recognized the bowl's extraordinary nature, and for a moment, numerous individuals were tempted, pressing forward.

"Let me see how formidable you truly are!" To everyone's astonishment, Ye Fan suddenly made his move, launching an unprovoked attack against a powerful cultivator.

"Boom!" He swung his palm directly towards Xiao Yunsheng's cheek. The fierce winds roared like thunder, and the very void seemed to twist.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded. This young man was far too brazen, daring to slap a powerful cultivator so disrespectfully—it was a blatant humiliation, utterly astonishing.

After all, he was merely a cultivator of the Dragon Transformation realm. Attacking a powerful cultivator in such a manner was an act of overt defiance.

Xiao Yunsheng’s expression changed drastically. He had dominated the world for years, and no one had ever dared to simply walk up and slap him!

He retreated, his hands moving rapidly. Although his divine power was sealed and its flow was not smooth, an ocean-like surge of vital energy still surged within him, weaving a tapestry of laws before him, resembling five-colored light rain—a clear manifestation of his profound cultivation.

"Thud!" Ye Fan's palm struck Xiao Yunsheng's defensive light screen. The ten-thousand-foot high platform shook, and both men were forced back several steps.

"What is this young man's background? His pure physical strength can withstand a powerful cultivator's overwhelming Dao power. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!"

All those present were formidable rulers. After their initial surprise, they maintained their composure, merely exchanging quiet whispers.

"You, an insignificant 'onion' like you, think you can make me leave? I'll even let you have one hand!" Ye Fan taunted, beckoning to Xiao Yunsheng, relentlessly provoking him to attack.

"You little bastard!" Xiao Yunsheng's face turned ashen. Surrounded by the most formidable cultivators, to be so utterly scorned and humiliated by a mere cultivator from the Dragon Transformation realm was unbearable.

"Boom!" Despite the sluggish flow of his divine power, he forcibly amplified it. The mystical light before him surged like a mighty river, laws intertwined, and a forbidden artifact hovered above his head as he struck with lethal intent!

"Fatty, charge with me!" Ye Fan roared, instructing Duan De to continue protecting him. He then formed hand seals and struck forward.

"Rumble!" Ye Fan unleashed his attack. Like a human-shaped wild dragon, every move of his hands and feet shattered the void. His palms struck out, as if uprooting mountains and splitting peaks, unstoppable.

He had endured until this moment, finally finding such an opportunity. Naturally, he would not let it slip away; he pointed towards the heavens, and a devastating strike tore downward.

"Rumble!" The light screen before Xiao Yunsheng shattered, and its laws continuously crumbled! After all, his divine power was sealed. Though still functional, it was utterly incomparable to his usual overwhelming magical might.

"Thud!" He was instantly sent flying, utterly unable to withstand the beast-like ferocity of Ye Fan. The impact was immensely powerful and terrifying.

"Fatty, follow up!" Ye Fan roared, instructing Duan De to continue protecting him. He then formed hand seals and struck forward.

Embracing Mountain Seal! He seemed to hold a colossal mountain in his embrace, pushing it forward. His palms and fingers were as black as ink, and an ancient demonic mountain descended.

"Thud!" Xiao Yunsheng's expression changed. He passively counterattacked, his right hand weaving laws to block, but his divine light, far weaker than usual, was instantly pierced through.

Ye Fan's hand, transformed into the mountain seal, pierced straight through, striking Xiao Yunsheng's palm. Blood immediately splattered.

"Ah!" Xiao Yunsheng screamed, retreating quickly. His right hand was completely mangled, bones shattered and tendons torn.

Ye Fan pursued him like a phantom. The black mountain seal, still retaining its formidable power, continued its assault, slamming down violently.

"Pfft!" Blood spurted forth as Xiao Yunsheng's right forearm was pulverized into a bloody mess, bone fragments and flesh splattering, astonishing everyone present.

What kind of physique was this? Even a powerful cultivator's physical body couldn't withstand it. In close-quarters combat, he was immediately devastated, suffering such a brutal loss!

Just then, Ye Fan activated a secret technique of the ancient divine dynasty, the Heavenly Court. He struck out with a peculiar palm, utterly unpredictable and impossible to dodge.

"Smack!" Xiao Yunsheng received a resounding slap that cracked his jawbone, sending a spray of blood droplets flying diagonally.

Everyone was utterly stunned. A powerful cultivator had actually been slapped across the face by a mere cultivator from the Dragon Transformation realm!

This was utterly preposterous, like a lion being tripped by an ant. It was completely unrealistic and defied all common sense!

Yet, it had undeniably occurred before their very eyes. This formidable figure from the Xiao family had suffered a severe setback; his jaw was nearly shattered.

Not a single person wasn't dumbfounded. It was so utterly unexpected that it left everyone at a loss for words.

"You bastard!" Xiao Yunsheng's lungs felt like they would burst. With his jawbone cracked, he struggled to speak, his words muffled as if he had a salted duck egg in his mouth.

"Trash!" Ye Fan's expression remained cold as he rapidly closed in. Duan De, highly cooperative, held the broken bowl steady as he advanced, providing protection.

"Smack!" Ye Fan delivered another backhand slap, again utilizing the Heavenly Court secret technique. It was bizarre and impossible to guard against, as if it had abruptly descended from outside the heavens.

Xiao Yunsheng was utterly bewildered; he had just received a second resounding slap, solid and loud!

Blood was splattered from the corner of his mouth for over two meters. Half of his face was nearly torn off and almost completely disfigured.

"Ah!" At that moment, Xiao Yunsheng was on the verge of madness. A powerful and esteemed figure of the Xiao family had suffered such profound humiliation.

"You worthless 'onion'!" Ye Fan followed up with those four contemptuous words.