Chapter 626: Eight to Nine Thousand Years

The Qinling Mountains hold two treasured places: the Pool of Immortality and the Ancient Dragon Lair. Legend has it that acquiring either one can lead to enlightenment.

There's no need to elaborate on the Pool of Immortality; even the Azure Emperor was born there. How many astonishing figures like him have existed throughout history? That alone speaks volumes.

The Qinling Dragon Lair is arguably the strongest dragon lair in the Central Plains. Otherwise, why would ancient emperors vie to be buried here? The legend of becoming an immortal through corporeal dissociation at this site has led to numerous ancient tombs beneath the ground.

Everything revolved around that ancient dragon lair. Everyone desired to be buried there, hoping to someday achieve corporeal immortality, enduring in the human world forever.

The Third Grand Master of Source Arts, whose techniques could seize the very essence of heaven and earth and calculate everything, managed to locate and secure the Qinling Dragon Lair—a place no one else throughout history could find—and was buried within it.

So many years have passed—a full seventy thousand years. Even a mere blade of grass placed inside would have gained sentience by now, let alone an extraordinary corpse.

The ailing elder speculated that the Grand Master of Source Arts' remains, having absorbed moonlight and the ancestral energy of Qinling, and nourished by the dragon lair, had long become 'longevity flesh,' containing life-extending essence.

"Where there is light, there is darkness; where there is yang, there is yin; where there is life, there is death. This is clearly an ancient, extraordinary corpse, yet it has been deeply permeated by the sun, moon, and the dragon lair, thus acquiring the secret of longevity!"

The great sages had long believed that the Third Grand Master of Source Arts' body had formed a divine elixir, akin to a point of yang within extreme yin. By absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, it had crystallized into a 'Yang Elixir.'

After seventy thousand years of cultivation, who knows how potent its divine effects might be? Some ancient sages speculated it would be a worldly immortal elixir, easily absorbed by the human body.

This is an incredibly rare and immeasurable immortal medicine, whose value cannot even be quantified. While bringing the dead back to life and regenerating flesh and bone are minor benefits, its greater marvel lies in offering an opportunity for enlightenment.

Upon learning all this, Ye Fan couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. The red-haired humanoid creature, which he initially found repulsive and considered an ill omen, now seemed to contain an unparalleled immortal treasure.

"The Ancient Dragon Lair in Qinling truly rivals the Dragon Transformation Pool. Both contain unparalleled rare treasures, and obtaining either one can lead to enlightenment. It seems this is no mere exaggeration."

His heart stirred. Instead of searching for the Dragon Transformation Pool, it would be better to start with the ancient tombs. Having inherited the Grand Master of Source Arts' legacy, he possessed a significant advantage in this area.

Specifically, the burial site of the Third Grand Master of Source Arts would undoubtedly adhere to the geomatic principles described in the Book of Source Arts. With careful deduction, he was sure to find clues.

The ailing elder said, "Within the Qinling Mountains lies an ancient great dragon, and naturally, it also contains a dream-grade divine marrow. It must be either in the Pool of Immortality or in the Dragon Lair!"

This was another astonishing piece of news. The precious marrow produced by an ancient great dragon would undoubtedly be a top-tier divine substance. If it transformed into a living being, it could rival an immortal medicine!

There had long been a legend that a dream-grade divine marrow truly existed, possessing its own life and potentially immense power, yet no one had ever seen it.

"I have a feeling something world-shaking is about to emerge from Qinling this time," Ye Fan murmured to himself. "Perhaps even just the dream-grade dragon marrow would be enough to cause a stir across the five great regions."

However, the ailing elder shook his head, saying, "I don't think so. I'm afraid it will lead to great chaos. After so many years, it wouldn't be surprising if the dream-grade dragon marrow has already transformed into a Saint Spirit."

"What?! An ancient Saint Spirit capable of contending with a Great Emperor?!" Ye Fan was greatly astonished. If such a being truly existed, no matter how many people came, they would all surely perish.

"Li Heishui is here too..." From a distance, Ye Fan spotted Li Heishui, Jiang Huairn, Liu Kou, and Wu Zhongtian. Their strength had significantly improved.

Last time, Li Heishui was humiliated. Although Ye Fan later avenged him by killing those responsible, Li Heishui remained deeply affected and had been diligently cultivating for over two years.

Ye Fan had given the coffin lid from the Ancient Enlightenment Tea Tree to Pang Bo, asking him to give a piece to Li Heishui, which indeed proved highly effective.

In the Qinling Mountains, colossal peaks loomed majestically, and ancient trees twisted like dragons. Many venerable trees were as tall as mountains, thriving luxuriantly. It was an ancient land brimming with vitality.

Although a million square *li* was considered a mere "bullet-sized" area in the Central Plains, its actual territory was boundless, many times larger than Earth on the other side of the starry sky.

"It's too vast; this ancient great dragon lies hidden underground, practically impossible to find..." Ye Fan finally realized the immense gap between himself and the Grand Master of Source Arts. The Grand Master could pinpoint and secure a true dragon's ancient lair, while Ye Fan couldn't even find its entrance.

"It's him..." The ailing elder's expression froze as he stared blankly ahead.

Ancient trees swayed. Ahead lay a vast lake, shimmering with countless ripples, its emerald waters stretching boundlessly, imparting a sense of grandeur and magnificence.

By the vast lake stood a man, seemingly in his early twenties, possessing an imposing martial presence, yet his face was expressionless, his hair dishevelled. He stood there like a fossilized statue.

"Time makes mortals old, and old friends are buried in yellow earth. Even a generation's prodigy cannot resist it, yet he somehow avoided it and came to this world..." the ailing elder murmured to himself.

At that moment, they were standing on a mountain ridge, still more than ten *li* away from the great lake, so they weren't worried about being discovered.

"Are you talking about him?" Ye Fan asked in surprise.

"The Central Emperor, a hero of his generation, Xiang Yufei. At nineteen, he overpowered all the powerful figures across the land, becoming the youngest emperor in the Central Plains at that time," the ailing elder sighed.

Ye Fan felt a shiver. What was the ailing elder's background? His tone seemed off; how old was he, exactly?

Who was the Central Emperor? A hero from nine thousand years ago, astonishing throughout history. Although he had been revived in the current era, few had seen him. Why did the ailing elder speak this way?

"You're overthinking it. Who in this world could live for nine thousand years..." The ailing elder laughed wryly and shook his head, saying, "I merely read his life records, hence this lament."

"You really startled me, old man."

"Back then, the Central Plains, rich in spiritual energy and outstanding individuals, produced several extraordinary figures. It's regrettable, however, that apart from Xiang Yufei, who was hidden away by the Qishi Mansion, all the others have returned to dust."

"Were there others comparable to Xiang Yufei?" Ye Fan asked in surprise. The emergence of even one such hero would be enough to be recorded in ancient texts.

"There was another, astonishing throughout history. Unfortunately, he pursued a single path, never looking back, and ultimately couldn't withstand the ravages of time," the ailing elder sighed deeply.

"Who was that person?" Ye Fan asked.

"Gai Jiuyou." The ailing elder uttered only these three words, a hint of desolation flashing across his face.

"It's him!" Ye Fan immediately recalled. He was an extraordinary, peerless figure.

Eight thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou was invincible across the land, with no one in the five great regions able to stand against him. People believed he could achieve enlightenment and become an emperor, yet ultimately, he failed.

The Azure Emperor had only died two thousand years prior, and his Dao had not dissipated despite his death. This world could not birth another Great Emperor. Gai Jiuyou sighed mournfully, journeyed far to the Eastern Wasteland in his later years, and was finally buried in the yellow earth.

Now, in the Eastern Wasteland, a stubborn and strong young girl named Xia Jiuyou had emerged, inheriting Gai Jiuyou's legacy. When her Nine Nether Immortal Melody was played, it could shake the nine heavens.

"The Azure Emperor was truly formidable. He achieved enlightenment in the post-Archaic era, forging another path for future generations. However, precisely because of his immense power, even ten thousand years after his death, his Dao remains undissipated, making it difficult for others to become emperors."

Ye Fan nodded, fully understanding. From all accounts, this Demon Emperor was incredibly powerful, to the extent that even those close to him couldn't fathom the depths of his attainments.

"Flowing waters depart afar, waves wash away heroes. Green mountains remain, yet how many times has the sun set in crimson hues..." The ailing elder shook his head, saying, "Gai Jiuyou, astonishing as he was, walked his path to the very end, never looking back, and did not accept the good intentions of the Qishi Mansion. He ultimately failed, but to have fallen to a deceased ancient emperor is no disgrace."

"Such unwavering determination. He must have been a truly proud and magnificent man," Ye Fan sighed.

Ahead, the Central Emperor stood before the lake, still motionless, as if devoid of life, silently gazing at the vast waters, his body like withered wood.

A long time passed, and he remained unchanged. Ye Fan, astonished, asked, "What is he doing there?"

The ailing elder looked thoughtful. "In earlier years," he said, "Xiang Yufei died young, before the age of twenty. A woman committed suicide for him, throwing herself into this very lake."

"Ah..." With a great roar, Xiang Yufei vanished, disappearing instantly with incredible speed.

"Nine thousand years have passed. Even if he were to obtain an immortal medicine now, it would be of no avail. He can only mourn sorrowfully at the place where his beloved woman perished," the ailing elder shook his head.

"Indeed, such figures always have an unknown past, with their own stories..." Ye Fan murmured to himself.

He traveled with the ailing elder, encountering many old acquaintances along the way. Eventually, he departed alone, heading out of the mountains to gather materials that only a Grand Master of Source Arts could use, preparing to explore the Ancient Dragon Lair.

Amidst the vast Qinling Mountains, there stood an ancient capital whose age was unknown to anyone. Known as Qin City, it was acclaimed as one of the ten oldest cities in the Central Plains.

The city walls were mottled, etched with the marks of time. Within the city, people came and went in a ceaseless flow, making it very prosperous. There were many commoners, but also a considerable number of cultivators.

The sounds of acrobats, medicine vendors, and various food hawkers rose and fell, creating a lively, bustling atmosphere, with the pervasive 'dust of the mortal world' filling the air.

Ye Fan spent five or six days, expending a great deal of 'source,' visiting many auction houses, yet he only obtained a small amount of divine source stone skin, nowhere near what he needed.

The Ancient Dragon Lair, home to dream-grade divine marrow and the burial site of the Third Grand Master of Source Arts, surely held untold peculiarities. He needed various materials to refine and carve the Six Forbidden Immortal Seals.

On the seventh day, Ye Fan headed towards Qin City's renowned Heavenly Capital Pavilion. This was a super treasury with nine levels, selling all kinds of rare and precious items.

From a distance, he heard arguing. In front of the magnificent Heavenly Capital Pavilion, two factions were in a standoff.

Ye Fan paused, recognizing several old acquaintances in front of the Heavenly Capital Pavilion. The situation seemed tense. One of the factions included Li Heishui and Pang Bo.

The other faction was led by a young boy, Wang Teng's younger brother, the eleven-year-old prodigy who was incredibly domineering, looking down on Jiang Huairn and Liu Kou.

Around him stood over a dozen men and women, all formidable. They were all in the Dragon Transformation realm, figures of Saint Son and Saintess caliber.

One of the women mocked Li Heishui's group while aggressively provoking Wang Chong's faction to attack.

"Do you of the Yin-Yang Sect wish to replace your Saintess for the third time?" Pang Bo spoke mercilessly.

Another man swept a disdainful glance over them and said, "There's no point in airing grievances like this. If we truly come to blows, do you few really think you can survive?"

"Yin-Yang Saint Son, you should be careful what you say. The previous lesson isn't far off; you should learn from it."

The Yin-Yang Saint Son sneered, mocking, "Are you referring to that Sacred Body? He's been holed up for over two years now, not daring to show his face. It's a pity our sect has so many masters who wish to take his life but don't know where he is."

They did not make a move, only because Ji Haoyue and his sister were also present, standing on Pang Bo's side. Even Wang Chong was wary of them.

"The Yin-Yang Sect has chosen another Saint Son? Aren't you tired of it? I think you shouldn't even exist!" Ye Fan said with a smile, walking step by step from a distance.