Chapter 652: The Holy Body Arrives

A divine source, inscribed with a million symbols, had crippled two mighty cultivators. Outside Xiba City, the land was ravaged and desolate; the ground had been carved down dozens of feet deep. Only some bloodstains remained on the battlefield; everything else was gone. The Wang family members stood in this wasteland for a long time, speechless. This was three days later; they had arrived too late.

"That junior, Ye, dares to challenge my Wang family, killing our mighty cultivators, slaying direct descendants of our royal lineage! There will be no place for him under heaven!" A furious roar echoed through Xiba City.

This incident caused a massive uproar. Ye Fan had killed Wang Teng's younger brother, Wang Chong, and his paternal uncle, Wang Chengfeng. This was an irreconcilable feud.

"The Sacred Body truly dares to act! He even cut down two of the Northern Emperor's closest relatives. Doesn't he fear tearing the heavens apart?"

Wang Teng inherited the legacy of the Chaotic Ancient Great Emperor and possessed astonishing destiny. Even the Diviner said he might one day achieve emperorship. Currently, few dared to provoke him, and some immortal lineages even sought marriage alliances with him.

"The patriarchs of all factions are wary of Wang Teng. Ye Fan was too decisive, directly slaying two of his kin. This enmity is irreconcilable!"

At present, almost no one wished to be Wang Teng's enemy, because he had grown into a formidable force and could not be easily contained or killed. Perhaps only Ye Fan was completely fearless.

"On the path to emperorship in the future, a world-shaking bloody war is inevitable. No one knows who will prevail, advancing over the bones of other kings to achieve the sole emperorship."

The great era had arrived, with numerous kings rising and stars shining brightly. Yet, in the end, it would be the glory of only one person. If others did not yield, they would lie dead at his feet.

"A Great Accomplishment Sacred Body can contend with ancient Great Emperors. Ye Fan's future achievements are similarly limitless. Even if Wang Teng walks the path of an ancient Great Emperor,..."

Xiba City was over five thousand li from the Qishi Mansion. For cultivators, this distance was negligible; it could be considered very close. The news spread instantly, causing a great stir.

The monstrous talent from the Eastern Wasteland, although he hadn't formally entered the Qishi Mansion, was always a subject of much discussion. His reputation was strong, and every so often, he became the center of a new topic.

"Who do you think is the strongest expert of this age?"

"Is that even a question? It must be that old lunatic from the Eastern Wasteland. He was an invincible figure six thousand years ago, and now he's comparable to an ancient Saint."

In an ancient town adjacent to Xiba City, several young cultivators were conversing in a teahouse. They yearned to meet the figures spoken of by the elders.

"The strongest expert of this age should be the Victorious Fighting Buddha of Mount Sumeru. He has been in seclusion in an ancient temple for many years; no one can fathom his depth."

"That's not necessarily true. The Five Domains are so vast and boundless. Who's to say there aren't other Saints? Furthermore, with so many immortal islands overseas, there might even be divine beings!"

These individuals debated, but no one could convince the other. They each held different opinions.

"All of that is hard to say. However, when it comes to the strongest expert of the young generation in this age, perhaps we can rank them. It's either the Central Emperor or Wang Teng."

"Wang Teng's own uncle was killed by the Sacred Body, and his brother was killed by Ye Fan with a single finger. His prestige has been damaged."

"Don't say that now. Aren't there also the Southern Demon and the Western Bodhisattva? It's hard to predict who will be first. Besides, the Sacred Body is growing so quickly; in the future, he will surely be able to contend with any of them."

"In just a few years, the strongest expert will emerge. Don't you know that the Qishi Mansion leads to outer domains? A starry sky ancient path will open, and only the three strongest among the young generation will be able to go."

Ye Fan also sat in the teahouse, lost in thought and longing. He sipped his tea while carefully listening. These were all young talents from the Qishi Mansion, passing through this area.

A few days later, Ye Fan arrived outside the Qishi Mansion. At the agreed location in a mountainous area, he met Pang Bo.

"Damn, those coffin planks taste awful!" These were Pang Bo's first words upon meeting, a string of complaints.

Ye Fan was speechless. His brother's nature had always been like this; there was truly nothing to say. He then asked, "Didn't you catch a snake in Tailin?"

"The trunk of the Ancient Comprehension Tea tree is a divine treasure. That snake isn't needed yet. I plan to save it for you to use when you break through to the Immortal Terrace," Pang Bo said. With a flash of light, a purple mist flew out. A small snake, only about a foot long, spiritual and crystal-clear, lay in his palm, emitting a fragrant scent.

A creature born from the Mother Plant of Dreamy Divine Marrow!

This was a priceless immortal treasure; even living fossils would covet it. That day in Tailin, countless people fought desperately. There were over a dozen such creatures in total, and Pang Bo had obtained one.

"Alas, the mother plant of the Dreamy Divine Marrow still managed to escape. No one caught it. That's a heaven-defying wonder, comparable to a mature Undying Divine Medicine."

"Be content. If you truly obtained something like that, it would bring great calamity. I have three fragments of immortal pills here, enough for breaking through. Keep this purple little snake safe." Light shimmered in Ye Fan's palm, revealing three tiny fragments of different colors, their fragrance refreshing the mind.

One was golden, one green, and another purple. They gleamed with a dreamy radiance. These were merely three among hundreds of fragments.

"What a pity. If it were a complete immortal pill, it could help someone achieve emperorship in the future. But it's shattered like this." Pang Bo felt regret.

"If a perfect Undying Immortal Pill were obtained by one person, it would surely invite divine jealousy. Obtaining even one percent of it is heavenly fortune." Ye Fan felt no regret.

"True. Such an immortal pill is too heaven-defying. Right now, probably no one can handle it." Pang Bo agreed.

"Ancient Great Emperors each possessed an Undying Divine Medicine. Only they could have such heaven-defying items, planted beside them," Ye Fan said.

"No matter. In the future, we'll each plant one. I don't believe they're truly extinct." Pang Bo yearned for this. A heaven-defying undying medicine could extend one's lifespan for an entire era, seizing the fortune of heaven and earth.

The two conversed for a long time before leaving the mountain range.

"You killed Wang Teng's uncle and brother; he'll likely go mad. You must be careful," Pang Bo said.

"I'm not too worried about myself. I'm just afraid he'll act against you, Li Heishui, and the others." Ye Fan frowned and said, "How about you leave the Qishi Mansion for now?"

"You don't need to worry. The Old Blind Man and Daoist Scarlet Dragon have visited several times and already declared that anyone who dares to kill their descendants will have all their future generations wiped out by an ultimate imperial weapon. Outwardly, we are only your friends, not part of your clan or from the same lineage. Even if Wang Teng takes out his anger, he won't offend one powerful force after another."

"Still, it's best to be careful. Don't stray far from the Qishi Mansion, and don't go alone to deserted places," Ye Fan cautioned.

"Are you going to see Li Heishui and Ji Ziyue?"

"It's not really appropriate for me to go in. Besides, the Wang family is searching for me all over the world." Ye Fan had some reservations.

"No matter. Killing is strictly forbidden within the Qishi Mansion. No one can act wildly there. Young friend, if you wish to enter the Qishi Mansion, the doors can be opened for you now." A venerable voice suddenly came.

Ye Fan and Pang Bo were suddenly startled. Their divine senses were both powerful, yet neither had detected the newcomer beforehand.

"Who's there?" Pang Bo asked, full of doubt, looking towards a distant mountain peak from which the fluctuations emanated.

Ye Fan, without a word, activated his Source Heaven Divine Eye and gazed intently.

This was a celestial vein, where clouds and mists usually steamed, and purple qi ascended. From a distance, tens of thousands of great dragons could be seen coiling. It was a heaven-reaching divine land. This place, with its cinnabar cliffs and sheer precipices, saw no common weeds, but ancient herbs, aged for countless years, were often visible. However, the mountain peak ahead was special; it had no spirit herbs, only some thorny bushes and reeds. On its summit, a stone moved, and dust cascaded down.

"That's a person!" Pang Bo exclaimed in surprise.

A person was buried under yellow earth, covered in weeds. There was even a bird's nest on their head. With a slight movement, dust cascaded down.

How long must one have meditated to become like this?!

Both were greatly astonished. This person had been sitting in solitary cultivation here, motionless, for at least several decades. Such perseverance was truly remarkable.

"You don't need to worry; I bear no ill will." This was an old man, who carefully set down the bird's nest from his head. Then he stood up, and reeds and dirt fell away to the ground.

This was a very ordinary old man, with nothing remarkable about him. If placed in a crowd, he would be forgotten; there was nothing special about him.

"I am one of the vice-chiefs of the Qishi Mansion. Although I sit in seclusion here, I am not unaware of the outside world..." He then invited Ye Fan to enter the mansion.

"I want to know, is there truly an ancient path leading to the outer domains in the Qishi Mansion?" Ye Fan asked. This was the answer he most wished to know.

"Indeed, there is a starry sky ancient path that leads to the ancient outer domains," Lin Daochen replied.

"There really is such an ancient path?!" Ye Fan and Pang Bo exchanged glances, their hearts stirred. They instantly grasped the hope of returning home.

"For ten thousand years, there have only been three spots to travel to the outer domains. Only the strongest individuals of the young generation are eligible. As a Sacred Body, you can certainly contend for one in the future," Lin Daochen said with a smile.

"Which ancient star is the outer domain? What exactly lies on the other end?" Pang Bo couldn't help but ask.

"By telling you this much, I've already broken a rule. It's a huge secret. To learn more, you must surpass your peers and earn a spot among the top three."

"Little Ye Zi, you could consider entering the Qishi Mansion. Although you might encounter that bastard Wang Teng, he wouldn't dare to act inside the mansion," Pang Bo said.

"Young man, don't you want to know about the cultivation experiences of the nine Great Accomplishment Sacred Bodies from the ancient past? Don't you want to know what extraordinary sacred techniques they cultivated? Don't you want to obtain their inheritances?" Lin Daochen asked with a smile.

Ye Fan's heart stirred. But then he silently grumbled, "Damn, how did this old fellow turn into an old fox in an instant?" Although he still looked plain, there was an unsettling feeling about him.

He shook his head vigorously and said, "I'm not going!"

"Young man, you are too wary. What do you think I want from you? If I wanted to rob you, I could have caught you off guard just now and killed both of you with a single palm strike."

Ye Fan rubbed his chin and said, "How about you let me visit first? For example, I could see the ancient starry sky path, or perhaps browse the cultivation methods of the nine Great Accomplishment Sacred Bodies from the ancient past?"

Lin Daochen chuckled, rendered speechless, and said, "Your requests are too excessive. However, I can let you move around and see things."

The Qishi Mansion, located at the center of this celestial vein, was permeated with ascending purple qi, making it indescribably noble. The deeper Ye Fan delved into the Source Heaven Book, the more he found this place to be miraculously profound.

"This terrain must be something only an immortal realm could form. I wonder what could be unearthed if it were excavated?"

Before the ancient mountain gate, on the strange rocks of the cinnabar cliffs and the thousand-ren walls, spirit ganoderma, tens of thousands of years old, shimmered with brilliant colors. Ancient herbs, over ten thousand years old, diffused fragrance on the wind.

Lin Daochen was startled and said, "Young man, I know you've studied Source Arts, but don't get any ideas about this place. If you truly dare to dig here indiscriminately, be careful you don't get your tendons pulled and bones stripped."

Ye Fan awkwardly rubbed his chin and said, "Just saying it casually."

Soon after entering the Qishi Mansion, Lin Daochen was invited away by a peak-level mighty cultivator. He had urgent matters to discuss and quickly departed.

"Why does that young man look so familiar?"

"Wait, isn't that the Peerless Young Lord? He actually ran into the Qishi Mansion!"

"What young lord? He's the Sacred Body Ye Fan!"

"No way! The Sacred Body Ye Fan, who just killed the Northern Emperor's uncle and indirectly caused his brother's death?!"

"That's right, it's him!"

"Heavens, he's too bold! How dare he come here? Is he really going to challenge the Northern Emperor to the death?!"

As soon as Ye Fan entered, he caused a sensation, drawing a crowd. Everyone found it hard to believe he dared to come here.

"Wait, isn't that Little Miss Qi?" As soon as Ye Fan entered, he spotted an acquaintance: Qi Huoshui.

Princess Qi, with unparalleled elegance and beauty that could topple nations, possessed truly peerless looks. Her dark hair was so lustrous it reflected light, falling naturally. Her skin was as delicate as mutton-fat jade. Her eyes were like autumn waters, captivating souls. Her waist was supple, and she walked with graceful lotus steps, passing by.

She could be called a beauty of the "disaster-level," a peerless siren who charmed all beings. Coincidentally passing by, she heard Ye Fan's words, turned her head, and instantly her slender eyebrows shot up in anger.

She turned and left quickly. Yet, she swayed like a willow, her figure graceful and captivating.

"Little Miss Qi, why are you running?" Ye Fan called out from behind.

"I don't think she's running." Pang Bo had a bad feeling.

"Princess Yueling, from the Jiuli Divine Dynasty..." Ye Fan saw the second most beautiful woman in Central Plains, his gaze fixed. He certainly hadn't forgotten that the Jiuli Divine Dynasty had made a move against him in Tailin.

The Qishi Mansion was a place where dragons coiled and tigers crouched, filled with young talents from all regions. Princesses of nations, heirs of sacred lands, saintesses of great sects, divine sons of temples, celestial demons from demon emperor halls, and the like – seeing them here was not surprising.

"Princess Yueling, that person is looking at you," a nearby woman reminded her.

Princess Yueling, whose beauty surpassed all under heaven, had not disguised herself this time; her beauty was suffocating. She looked over, saw Ye Fan at a glance, and her expression froze. She said, "It's him! He actually came to the Qishi Mansion. What does he want?"

Suddenly, a clamor arose in the distance, and a large group of people rushed over. Qi Huoshui was at the forefront, her slender waist swaying, gritting her teeth. Her vibrant red lips gleamed enticingly, and her long hair flowed as she charged back.

"It's him! Surround him, seize him!" she commanded imperiously.

"I knew something was wrong," Pang Bo muttered. "This Little Miss Qi is the most dazzling pearl of the Southern Ridge; her own cultivation is powerful, and she has countless admirers. Moreover, she has a monstrously talented brother who knows many people. She's here to cause you trouble."

As soon as Ye Fan entered the Qishi Mansion, he was surrounded. Qi Huoshui lifted her fair and beautiful chin and said, "You dare to come here..."

"Little Miss Qi, my presence here has nothing to do with you. Can you please not be so enthusiastic?" Ye Fan said.

Princess Qi had brought forty to fifty people, and with a crowd of onlookers, the area became congested.