Chapter 66: Yang Mausoleum and Yin Grave

Ye Fan didn't know much about "Dao patterns." He had only heard Elder Wu Qingfeng briefly mention that true powerful weapons had "Dao patterns" inscribed within them, which could be considered their soul and life.

Of course, "Dao patterns" were not limited to this. Their application in weapons was just one aspect; they possessed endless wondrous uses in various fields. For example, they could be carved onto mountain ranges and earth veins to form different "potentials," converging strange powers and transforming a region into an inexplicable, mysterious "domain."

Moreover, profound "Dao patterns" were extraordinary, possessing unfathomable unique powers. Once inscribed, they could alter the attributes and structures of all things, regulating life and death. Some mystical "Dao patterns," when deployed, could even affect the flow of time within a certain range, truly achieving "the capture of time in a single thought."

There were also some abstruse "Dao patterns" that could only be inscribed on rare materials. When precisely and flawlessly arranged, and if further supplied with powerful divine energy, they could pierce through heaven and earth, traverse the void, and instantly transport one from one place to another.

Furthermore, intricate and complex "Dao patterns" could condense "celestial potentials," possessing unimaginable transformations and power.

Naturally, many powerful "Dao patterns" were not widely circulated. They were held in the hands of sacred lands and ancient aristocratic families, kept secret. Outsiders had no idea of their true might, only fragments of legends.

In fact, "Dao patterns" were vast and profound, covering an extremely wide range of aspects. It was said that "Dao patterns" were something ancient powerful beings "transcribed" after gaining insights from comprehending heaven, earth, and nature. These transcriptions, passed down through generations, formed the "Dao patterns" known today.

Ordinary cultivators simply could not access this field. Only after reaching a certain level of strength could one study "Dao patterns," because, in a sense, they were "transcriptions of insights" from ancient mighty beings. The more powerful a cultivator, the more they enjoyed thoroughly studying the "Dao patterns" that had been passed down.

The mysterious green copper had no "Dao patterns" on its surface, except for dense, intricate, and unfathomably profound patterns at its fracture points, which were impossible to comprehend. Though exceedingly mysterious, they possessed a natural Daoist charm that deeply moved anyone who saw them.

"It looks very much like something naturally formed..." Ye Fan muttered to himself. Elder Wu Qingfeng had once said that some rare treasures contained naturally occurring "Dao patterns" that were not artificially forged. These were unique, irreplicable, and constituted the fundamental source of their power.

"Could it really be naturally formed Dao patterns...?" Ye Fan wasn't sure. He didn't know much about Dao patterns; he only felt a sense of doubt.

Suddenly, Ye Fan felt a strange fluctuation. He found the path ahead blocked, hazy and without end, with peculiar mists shrouding the way.

At the same time, he heard the earth-shattering roars of green dragons. A prominent figure from the ancient aristocratic Ji Family rushed past in a golden ancient war chariot, their chilling aura sweeping through the mountains.

"Temporarily seal the ruins! No one is allowed to leave!" Nine dragons pulled the chariot, blocking the path. The Ji Family's important figure carved endless Dao patterns onto the mountain ranges and earth veins, severing the way forward.

In another direction, nine Qilin beasts pulled a jade carriage, soaring through clouds and mist, their divine might overwhelming, blocking the east. Simultaneously, similar shouts echoed from several other directions as several prominent figures sealed off the ruins, forbidding anyone from leaving.

Ye Fan's heart tightened with alarm; he felt something was amiss. He quickly stopped, ceasing to circulate the profound methods recorded in the Dao Scripture. His golden sea of suffering returned to calm, then vanished.

The ruins instantly erupted into commotion. Many cultivators, unsure of what was happening, thought the important figures were about to unleash a massacre.

"What's happening?""Why aren't they letting us leave?"

Many rogue cultivators felt deeply uneasy, but cultivators from major sects remained relatively calm, showing no signs of panic.

"The Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure hasn't appeared. The important figures are panicking!""Exactly, they're blocking the way, fearing someone might take the treasure and leave.""If these five prominent figures couldn't find the Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure, how could anyone else possibly obtain it?"

Many cultivators discussed amongst themselves. When they learned that the area was sealed because of the Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure, most felt relieved, as they had not held much hope of acquiring it themselves.

The five prominent figures carved Dao patterns onto the mountain ranges and earth veins, sealing off all directions. Then, they returned to the site where the Demon Emperor's tomb had shattered and resumed their search.

"Why is our Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure so quiet? After the Demon Emperor's tomb shattered, it should have erupted with earth-shattering power."

The five prominent figures whispered, not using secret communication, as there was no need for concealment."Where is the Desolate Pagoda? Why hasn't it appeared...?""It's been missing for tens of thousands of years. The Desolate Pagoda really should reappear in the world. Why is there no trace of it?"

In the distance, numerous cultivators felt awe. The prominent figures were clearly determined to obtain it. If they couldn't find this supreme treasure, no one knew how long the area would remain sealed.

Ye Fan was surprised. Only now did he learn that the Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure was called the "Desolate Pagoda." The name alone sounded extraordinary.

Many cultivators from major sects were discussing, speaking of the supreme treasure's past.

"It's said that the Desolate Pagoda has existed for endless ages. No one knows what era it originated from.""Legend has it that it co-existed with the Eastern Desolate, present on this vast land even when life first emerged.""What does the Desolate Pagoda actually look like?" Many cultivators weren't very familiar with it.

"As the name suggests, it's naturally a pagoda. The Nine-Tiered Desolate Pagoda possesses immense and unfathomable power, eternal and indestructible, capable of suppressing all mighty cultivators in the world!""Is it really that terrifying?""Even if your divine might covers the world and you look down upon the Eastern Desolate, you cannot withstand the Desolate Pagoda's suppression. Otherwise, why would it be called the Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure?""Since ancient times, countless legendary powerhouses have suffered bitter defeat beneath the Desolate Pagoda. No one can withstand its suppression."

With his path blocked, Ye Fan could not leave. He returned to the depths of the ruins, and as he listened to the cultivators' discussions, he felt a surge of longing. The Desolate Pagoda was so defiant of nature, it was truly captivating.

Just then, the unscrupulous Daoist Duan De appeared, rushing towards Ye Fan at an extreme speed, as if he were on fire. He arrived in an instant, his face filled with excitement, and asked, "Where's that scrap copper?"

"I threw it in the pond."

"What?!" The unscrupulous Daoist's face was filled with shock, then extreme anxiety. He grabbed Ye Fan's shoulders and shook him hard, saying, "Which pond? Take me there quickly!"

Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat. Could this green copper be of great origin? Initially, he had thought it might be related to the Eastern Desolate's supreme treasure, but once he learned that the Desolate Pagoda was a nine-tiered structure, he immediately realized that the green copper could not possibly be the Eastern Desolate Human Race's supreme treasure; it had no connection to a pagoda at all.

"The ruins are so vast, filled with dense forests and mountains everywhere. I got disoriented long ago and forgot which places I've walked through."

"No, you *must* remember!" The unscrupulous Daoist's face was somewhat terrifying, his eyes bloodshot, gripping Ye Fan tightly.

"It's just a piece of broken copper, isn't it? You looked at it repeatedly for a full fifteen minutes, but then you threw it on the ground yourself. Why are you looking for it now? Does that scrap copper have some special origin?"

"You wouldn't understand if I told you. Just find it for me now, quickly!" The unscrupulous Daoist had no smile, looking extremely serious at that moment as he pulled Ye Fan along.

Ye Fan understood. It seemed the mysterious green copper indeed had a significant background and was extremely important.

"By the heavens above, how could this poor Daoist be so careless?! I had it in my hands, and I threw it away..." The stout Daoist's face was ashen with immense regret and vexation, a stark contrast to his smiling demeanor just moments before.

Ye Fan felt a chill. He sensed that the unscrupulous Daoist was now in a murderous rage and, not wanting to provoke him, honestly walked forward.

"Young friend, you must think carefully. If you can find that green copper, I'll give you anything you want!" The stout Daoist's face was serious as he earnestly instructed, "You must remember it well."

"What exactly is that thing?"

"Don't ask anymore! If you ask again, this Daoist master will go mad!" The stout Daoist slapped his right hand hard and exclaimed, "How could I be so foolish? I've spent my life searching for treasures, only to be so blind in the end." It was clear he was deeply remorseful, without any pretense, as if he wished to chop off his own hand.

"We separated here, and then I saw you keep running into the distance..." The stout Daoist led Ye Fan to the mountain peak where they had parted ways.

"Yes, this is it. Let me think about where I went..." Ye Fan slowly walked down the mountain, the unscrupulous Daoist following closely, not pressing him, letting him recall at his own pace.

Ye Fan walked very slowly, pondering how he could shake off the stout Daoist. Unconsciously, they crossed three mountain ridges. As they ascended the fourth, Ye Fan's face lit up with joy. "It's here," he said.

Looking in the direction he pointed, the stout Daoist's face instantly turned grim. On this mountain ridge was a dark, deep pond, still as stone, without a ripple, emanating chilling cold that made one's heart pound.

"Don't tell me you threw the scrap copper into *this* deep pond!" The stout Daoist's eyes emitted an eerie light, instantly making Ye Fan's mind feel hazy. He vaguely sensed something was wrong, as if the other party was peering into his spiritual sea.

At that moment, Ye Fan felt a jolt of tension. He quickly focused his mind, strenuously imagining a scene: standing by the black pond and throwing a piece of scrap copper into it.

The stout Daoist's eyes returned to normal. Gritting his teeth, he said, "You prodigal son! I... I wish I could throw *you* in there!"

"It's just a piece of broken copper, isn't it?" Ye Fan replied, feigning indifference.

With a "plop,"

the stout Daoist plunged directly into the deep pond. Initially, divine radiance flickered beneath the water, but soon it dimmed and vanished, and the dark, deep pond gradually returned to calm.

Ye Fan waited for a full half-hour but saw no sign of the unscrupulous Daoist surfacing. He muttered to himself, "Could this immoral fatty be facing retribution down there?"

After another fifteen minutes, there was a light splash on the water's surface, and the stout Daoist burst out, covered in a thick layer of black ice, like an ice sculpture.

With a "bang,"Within the black profound ice, flashes of light continuously appeared. It took dozens of breaths for the unscrupulous Daoist to finally break through the solid ice with divine light, sending ice fragments scattering to the ground. At this moment, his face was purplish-blue, and his lips were trembling.

"By the heavens, this Daoist master is frozen to death!" He shivered uncontrollably, divine light constantly overflowing from his body to expel the cold. Wisps of black mist could be seen emanating from his skin, instantly freezing the surrounding vegetation, which then crumbled into dust.

From a distance, Ye Fan gasped. He had chosen this black pond simply because he thought it was deep enough, never imagining it would be so terrifying. The solid ice that fell to the ground froze everything within a ten-meter radius. Many stones had already cracked, and even from afar, Ye Fan could feel an bone-chilling cold.

"Did Daoist Priest not find it?"

"I dived several kilometers. Midway, I saw a broken stele with the words 'Underworld Pond' carved on it. It's bottomless; I have no idea how deep this black pond really is!"

"Daoist Priest, why did you throw it away in the first place? Regretting it now, are we...?"

"Don't say another word!"

Seeing the stout Daoist's exasperated expression, Ye Fan almost burst out laughing. He felt immensely pleased inwardly, but on his face, he displayed extreme nervousness, asking, "Could it really be a treasure?"

The stout Daoist's face was livid with anger. He paced back and forth furiously, exclaiming, "I have nothing to say to you!"

Ye Fan wisely moved aside, picked two wild fruits, and began to eat them with relish.

Seeing Ye Fan's nonchalance and his appetite for wild fruit, the stout Daoist's anger flared. His face darkened as he said, "You are the biggest prodigal son under heaven, to throw it into that deep pond! I... I wish I could kill you!"

"Daoist master, you were the one who threw it away first. Why are you blaming me now? Didn't you also treat it as junk at first...?"

"I... I hate it!" The unscrupulous Daoist wished he could slap himself, then with a "plop," he jumped into the deep pond once more.

This time, more than an hour passed before the stout Daoist burst out of the water, entirely encased in a large block of ice, glimmering with dark light and emitting bone-piercing cold.

Ye Fan kept his distance. This time, it took the unscrupulous Daoist fifteen minutes to break free from the ice. His body was purplish-black, and black mist surged from all his pores. A large area of the mountain ridge had turned into black ice, vegetation withered endlessly, and many rocks had cracked from the frost.

After a long time, the unscrupulous Daoist finally recovered. He dejectedly walked out of the frozen area and slumped onto the ground, muttering, "I hate it..."

Beside him, Ye Fan was secretly delighted. Seeing the immoral stout Daoist in such a state of despair made him feel extremely pleased.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, the unscrupulous Daoist leaped up in surprise. He looked towards the distant active volcano, then back at the black, cold pond before him, exclaiming, "I understand! The Demon Emperor has two tombs: one is a Yang Tomb, and the other is a Yin Grave!"

Ye Fan was startled by him. "Daoist Priest, what are you talking about?"

The stout Daoist ignored him, seriously sketching on the ground. He marked the active volcano and the black pond, then meticulously drew out all the surrounding terrain to scale.

"By the heavens, it really is like this! One Yang, one Yin, embracing the Tai Chi principle. The heart, the source of power, is buried in the Yang Tomb, while the true, cold corpse is interred in the Yin Grave." The unscrupulous Daoist's expression fluctuated between dark and light.