Chapter 629: Landing to Immortal Realm

Ye Fan was overwhelmed. The vast starfields, ancient stars appearing one after another – where did the ancient paths lead?

He and Pang Bo exchanged glances, thinking of many possibilities. This ancient star was definitely not the final destination; it was very likely just a "relay station." To advance and return home, they had to transcend. They could only constantly grow stronger to leave this world; otherwise, they would remain trapped as if in a cage.

How many secrets did the vast universe and boundless starry sky hold? Where did the Pre-Qin Qi Refiners go after leaving Earth?

"Ah, don't think so much about it," Pang Bo sighed. "We don't plan to join those ancient sages; returning home is the true path."

At present, even harboring such thoughts was futile. To enter the star domain, they would need to be at least on par with ancient sages; otherwise, they could only rely on the Five-Colored Altar.

"Perhaps there are other star gates, not just the altar in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land," Ye Fan secretly transmitted. "To go home, we need to understand this world better."

Ji Haoyue used the Divine Calculation Art, examining both imprints thoroughly, but gained nothing. This was a unique talent of the Divine Body, incredibly useful in combat.

Finally, they left and continued forward. Mist rose from the dried lake. It seemed close, but it was difficult to approach.

"Oh, this is not simple!" Ye Fan exclaimed, his expression one of surprise.

"We've been here once before, but couldn't get through," Li Heishui explained. "We specially prepared some materials – all array patterns capable of breaking through illusions – and want to try and force our way in."

Jiang Hairen, Wu Zhongtian, and Liu Kou took action, conjuring star stones, withered dragon wood, and other items, placing them in front of the stone forest and throwing them into the lake.

The misty vapor lingered without diminishing; in fact, as they approached, it grew even thicker. The dry lake, with just a small puddle, gradually became enveloped in a dense fog that covered the entire stone forest.

"It's no good; just like last time, there's no way to get through," Pang Bo said, frowning.

The mist was so thick it quickly engulfed the area, making them lose their way and unable to discern directions. They had to retreat; this place was truly peculiar.

They caught a lone wolf and drove it into the mist. Almost instantly, it dissolved, vanishing as if it had evaporated, leaving no trace of flesh or bone. It was truly horrifying.

"This place is indeed peculiar..." They conjured their magic artifacts, but soon heard cracking sounds as the items were destroyed by the mist.

"Could it really be the Immortal Transformation Pond?" Ye Fan's heart stirred. If it was an Immortal Pond, there would be immense opportunities!

It had dried up and become a small puddle, meaning any immortal treasures could be easily found and retrieved.

"Shakyamuni and Laozi both came here," Pang Bo said, rubbing his hands. "Perhaps this really is the Qinling Immortal Pond, the birthplace of the Azure Emperor."

"Since ancient times, countless divine objects have sunk into the Immortal Pond," Ji Ziyue said, her dark eyes shimmering with intelligent light. "Legends say there are shattered Ultimate Emperor Weapons and immortal treasures."

"Don't act rashly," Ye Fan said. "Let me take a closer look." He retreated and observed the mountain terrain from outside the mist.

The stone forest was dense, and sheer cliffs towered. Near the dry lake, there was little green vegetation, yet the surrounding mountains were vibrant with life.

"This place is quite unusual," he mumbled. "The more I look, the more familiar it seems..."

No one disturbed him, as they all knew he had inherited the Source Heavenly Master's legacy and was considered an authority on mountain and land formations.

"This is—a Land of Ascension!" Ye Fan's heart trembled violently. This place was very similar to the terrain described in the Source Scripture, leading to mysterious and unfathomable realms.

The others were astonished. Just by its name, they knew it was no ordinary land; it had to be incredibly divine and likely close to the Immortal Transformation Pond.

"As the name suggests, this is a rare and wondrous place leading to an immortal land," Ye Fan explained. "The path is difficult, with great dangers ahead."

Although recorded in the Source Scripture, the Land of Ascension was only a legend and had never been truly seen. Even several Source Heavenly Masters had not been fortunate enough to witness it, merely speculating about such a terrain.

In the Qinling Mountains, such a path undoubtedly led to the Immortal Transformation Pond. The so-called Path to Immortality surely originated there.

"Is it easy to get through?" Jiang Hairen asked, full of hope.

"It's a narrow escape from death, like breaking through a death barrier; very difficult to pass," Ye Fan said, adding that it was no less dangerous than the various forbidden lands in the Eastern Wasteland.

"This... can we only just watch?" someone asked. "Ahead might be the Immortal Transformation Pond! Since ancient times, who knows how many immortal treasures and fragments have sunk into it?"

The Land of Ascension, as its name implied, was undoubtedly a terrifying place that blocked the path of mortals. Otherwise, if everyone could ascend, it wouldn't be much of an immortal land.

"We can try," Ye Fan suggested. "Now that it has appeared on its own, the danger should be minimal, and there's a good chance."

The Land of Ascension was usually invisible, hidden in nothingness year-round. Only those who had cultivated the Heavenly Eye could see it, but even for them, it was extremely difficult.

It might only reappear in the mortal world and take form every ten thousand years or so. Only then could its traces be captured by mortals, allowing them to glimpse a thing or two.

Ye Fan finally understood why the Immortal Transformation Pond was unfathomable: appearing only once every ten thousand years and existing in nothingness, it truly didn't belong to the mortal realm; it was a genuine immortal land.

"It's almost as if it descends from another world!"

This was also an opportunity, because under normal circumstances, even if one happened to glimpse it with the Heavenly Eye, they wouldn't be able to enter; it would be a near-certain death.

Whenever it descended autonomously, its power would greatly diminish, making it less terrifying. With exceptional methods, one could pass through.

"Using an ancient sage's weapon to clear the way, we should be able to get in," Ye Fan said.

"Is there no other way?" Pang Bo asked, clearly unwilling.

"Brother, go report to the family head," Ji Ziyue said, blinking her big eyes. "You'll surely be able to respectfully request a Saint's weapon."

"Didn't we already agree to split any gains from this place evenly?" Li Heishui retorted. "If you invite those old folks from your family, we'll go invite our bandit grandpas."

If they really alarmed the Ji family, these "little bandits" would definitely have to flee. Even if their grandfathers were invited, they'd need to bring the Sky Swallowing Demonic Pot to stand a chance.

"Don't rush yet," Ye Fan said. "I'll try to open a path."

Following the records in the Source Scripture, he observed the surrounding mountain and land formations, felt the world's pulse, and continuously deduced, engraving numerous Source Heavenly patterns on the ground.

After a long while, Ye Fan stood up and walked step by step towards the dry lake. Beneath his feet, Source Heavenly patterns automatically appeared, flickering like starfields.

"Ye Zi, are you confident?" Pang Bo urged, fearing for his safety. "If not, let's not go!"

"Don't worry, I'm just testing," Ye Fan said with a smile. "I definitely won't put myself in danger."

"You must be careful, don't be reckless," Ji Ziyue whispered, wrinkling her pretty nose and waving her slender, snow-white hand.

"Little Ye Zi, be extra careful!" Li Heishui and the others also warned.

Soon after, Ye Fan's voice came from within the mist, telling them to enter. He had tentatively judged the path to be feasible and, at worst, they could retreat.

Pang Bo, Ji Ziyue, and the others entered the mist. As if standing on clouds, they looked around. The fog was so thick they couldn't see each other even when standing close; it was very strange and constantly made them feel uneasy.

Beneath Ye Fan's feet, the complex and profound Source Heavenly patterns flickered, merging with the earth's pulse to reveal the path and its secrets.

The others followed closely behind, stepping cautiously forward, their hearts both nervous and excited, as they were approaching the legendary Immortal Transformation Pond.

The birthplace of the Azure Emperor, where the green copper block was also submerged—no one could say what else lay within, filling them with endless anticipation.

"Do not stray far from me," Ye Fan solemnly warned. "Stay within a thirty-foot radius, or else even a mighty individual who takes a wrong step will be turned into bloody pus."

"That terrifying?" Jiang Hairen muttered, his calves cramping at the thought of mighty beings dissolving.

"Wait, we've entered the dry lake," Wu Zhongtian wondered, "Why isn't there any water? It feels like we're walking on mountains."

"Most of what we see is illusory, not real," Ye Fan explained. "Unless one cultivates the Heavenly Eye, it's hard to see through."

They were cautious, following closely behind Ye Fan, almost stepping in his footprints. They walked for more than half an hour, covering a great distance, and the mist grew even denser.

Suddenly, they felt something was wrong, though none of them could pinpoint what it was. The path had been too quiet, and a strange, eerie aura had emerged.

"Damn it, there's an extra person among us!" Pang Bo exclaimed, his hair standing on end.

As soon as this was said, everyone's hearts trembled. There should have been eight people, but now a ninth had appeared, following them.

The mist was so thick they couldn't see clearly even when standing very close. A humanoid creature stood among them, and they couldn't tell which one was the newcomer.

At that moment, everyone's scalp tingled. The appearance of an extra person was truly not a good sign, and vaguely, they smelled a rotting odor.

"Hmph!"

Ji Haoyue let out a cold snort, and a string of blood beads shot from his fingertips, lighting up the dense fog like a rainbow and piercing through it.

A horrifying wail, like that of a vengeful ghost, rang out. The humanoid creature in the mist was pierced; it staggered away and vanished in the blink of an eye.

However, that terrifying scream still echoed, making them feel uneasy, like the chilling and malevolent curse of a thousand-year-old vengeful ghost.

"That creature was very powerful, no weaker than someone at the first layer of the Immortal Terrace," Ye Fan said, surprised. "Brother Haoyue actually scared it away with a mere flick of his finger."

"Divine blood dispels evil; they simply counteract each other," Ji Haoyue explained. "That was a rotting corpse. In fact, the Saint's Blood within you could also be used to turn it to ashes."

Ji Ziyue was very astute. Her big, sparkling eyes turned, and she mumbled softly, "How come I don't feel like we're entering an Immortal Pond? Why would there be such undead creatures otherwise?"

"It's a Land of Ascension," Ye Fan explained. "It's not surprising to encounter such things on the way."

Half an hour later, they emerged from the misty area. Ahead, the evening glow was like blood, staining the sky red, accompanied by a faint golden radiance.

"What is this place?" Li Heishui asked, frowning. "When we observed the terrain from outside, we didn't see this kind of landscape at all."

"This is the true appearance of this place," Ye Fan explained. "Everything we saw before was an illusion."

This terrain was extraordinary: towering mountains, wide valleys, and dragon energy coiling around the peaks. It was a magnificent sight, filled with myriad phenomena.

"Thump!"

The ground ahead cracked open. From a dilapidated, almost completely rotted wooden coffin, a large, red-haired hand reached out, and then something climbed out.

"What is this place?" Jiang Hairen exclaimed, his hair standing on end. "Is this truly a Land of Ascension? Why has another undead creature appeared? It's practically a burial ground!"

It was a tall corpse, very eerie under the bloody red sunset, its eyes vacant as it approached them.

Ye Fan flicked his fingers, and eight or nine golden blood beads flew out, landing on the corpse with a sizzling sound. Golden flames erupted, making it shriek in agony as it fled like a blur.

In the distance, over a dozen silver-winged yakshas, their bodies like cast silver and gleaming with a metallic sheen, stared fixedly at Ye Fan but dared not approach.

Not long after, a giant mountain loomed ahead. At its summit was a pool of water, shimmering under the sunset with a dreamlike radiance.

"An Immortal Pond! It must be the Immortal Transformation Pond!" they all exclaimed excitedly.

"Huh, wait," Pang Bo said, pointing to the other side. "Look, there's another extraordinary place not far away."

Beside it was a great mountain with an ancient cave that exhaled and inhaled dragon energy, captivating people's minds. Two banana trees, countless tens of thousands of years old, shimmered with green light, growing on either side of the ancient cave.

"The Qinling Mountains' Ancient Dragon Lair!" Ye Fan's heart trembled. The third Source Heavenly Master might be buried inside.