Chapter 691: Ye Shengzhu

Chapter 694: Saint Lord Ye

In the deepest darkness and cold, Ye Fan sat motionless, drifting alone in the frigid universe, with no path ahead.

A crescent-shaped pendant floated motionless before his brow, maintaining a stable distance, radiating brilliance like a divine lamp. However, this brilliance was intensely cold, capable of freezing anything. Several ancient treasures Ye Fan had collected had already turned to dust, unable to withstand the profound chill.

He held a black gourd, inside which a ball of flame flickered, surrounded by nine-colored misty threads like a thin wisp of smoke. He was using the nine-colored holy flames to resist the Taiyin holy power. Otherwise, he might be transformed into a wisp of Taiyin energy and cease to exist, and this was still far from the core Taiyin. This was the terrifying power of Taiyin; once unleashed, it was difficult to withstand. If not for the blazing nine-colored misty threads, it would have been impossible to resist.

Around Ye Fan, a vast expanse of black mist lightning drifted. This was the primordial Taiyin of the universe, which was extremely rare even in star domains, yet here it was abundant. Like an boundless dark cloud, it submerged this place. The Taiyin holy power was vast, and for this reason, the crescent-shaped pendant glowed as if life had been revived within it. From afar, it resembled a Taiyin divine lamp, fixed before Ye Fan's brow, absorbing and releasing Taiyin, forming a close connection with him.

He secretly felt fortunate that the black gourd's interior was like an ancient universe, infinitely vast and containing endless nine-colored holy flames; otherwise, there wouldn't be enough to sustain the consumption. Taiyin, inheriting the ultimate Yin power from the dawn of creation, harbored infinite destructive intent, was uncontrollable, and almost impossible to refine, let alone use for body tempering. Since ancient times, those who truly cultivated the Taiyin Ancient Scripture to perfection could be counted on one hand. This was akin to contending with the heavens for destiny and good fortune.

Inside the pendant, ancient characters flickered one after another, then transformed into an oscillating imprint that resonated like a grand bell, making one feel as if undergoing a baptism. Of course, this was a terrifying baptism; even if all the Saint Lords arrived, they couldn't endure it. They would surely be transformed into Taiyin energy and reduced to dust. This temperature was too low; a slight tremor could freeze an area of fifty thousand kilometers, impossible to stop its spread. Wherever it went, it would become a barren wasteland, extinguishing all life.

Ye Fan tried to calm his mind, using the nine-colored fiery threads to counteract the Taiyin power, carefully observing and comprehending the imprint within the pendant. Although he had long had a premonition, truly confirming that it contained the Taiyin Ancient Scripture still filled him with excitement. This was one of humanity's two foundational scriptures; even ancient Great Emperors benefited greatly from studying it before achieving enlightenment.

However, this was still an incomplete scripture, not whole. It contained the Dao Palace and Immortal Platform volumes but lacked three other volumes and the Taiyin secret techniques. Of course, having the Immortal Platform volume was enough. He had already cultivated the Sea of Bitterness, Dao Palace, Four Extremities, and Dragon Transformation stages, all from the strongest ancient scriptures. Now, with Taiyin and Taiyang gathered and converging on his Immortal Platform, he could perfectly balance Yin and Yang to manifest the legendary supreme Immortal Platform art!

Of course, this was a hopeful fantasy. Since ancient times, who could truly unite these two opposing ancient scriptures? Even ancient saints who attempted it drove themselves to madness.

"Taiyin and Taiyang, which is weaker, which is stronger? When Yin and Yang coexist, one can rule the world."

This ancient saying, like a mantra, constantly echoed in Ye Fan's ears. The chanting sound came from the crescent pendant, making it difficult for him to remain calm. Since ancient times, achieving enlightenment has been fraught with difficulties. Besides possessing great perseverance and wisdom, one must also have supreme destiny; merely having ancient scriptures is not enough. For example, immortal divine dynasties and holy lands that have existed since ancient times all possess ancient scriptures, yet, apart from their founders, no one in later generations ever achieved enlightenment. It was as if a single path could not be walked twice; those who achieved enlightenment before blocked the path for future generations, leaving no hope.

Yet Taiyin and Taiyang were particularly special. There was a legend that cultivating them both to perfection could lead to enlightenment; as long as these two ancient scriptures were mastered, one could achieve it. Other ancient scriptures, even if cultivated to great perfection, did not guarantee one could take that step of their ancestors, only becoming an existence comparable to a quasi-emperor.

"When Taiyin and Taiyang coexist and are cultivated to perfection, one can rule." This was truly astonishing. No wonder that ancient saint risked his life to defy the heavens, cultivating himself to madness and becoming a human devil.

Time flowed like water, never to return. In the void, there were no eras. Ye Fan was like a fossil covered in dust, sitting motionless in the dark universe, silently comprehending. Beside him, the old man in green robes held the stone coffin, like a stone sculpture. It was hard to describe his state. It was said he had merged with the Dao, yet he still existed, not completely decayed. It was also said he was still alive, yet he had lost his self-awareness. As for the stone coffin, it was now closed, with no trace of vital energy emanating from it. Otherwise, at such a close distance, it would have been impossible for Ye Fan to meditate safely.

In this dark universe, time was the least valuable thing. Taiyin mist swirled around him; Ye Fan had not moved for half a year, continually comprehending. Back then, he hadn't spent so much time cultivating the Taiyang True Scripture, emerging after three months. But now, half a year had passed, and he still frowned. The Immortal Platform volume of the Taiyin Ancient Scripture was extremely profound. It required a clear and flawless Dao heart to comprehend, and a powerful divine sense as a foundation upon which to build the Immortal Platform.

He possessed all of these, so he should have achieved twice the result with half the effort. However, he encountered great trouble; not only was his progress slow, but he also nearly ruined himself several times. He had cultivated the Taiyang True Scripture and was now refining the opposing Taiyin holy power. The two severely clashed, making integration impossible and almost causing his Immortal Platform to shatter. What Yin and Yang coexistence, what mutual generation of the Two Poles — none of it could be achieved. There was only conflict and self-destruction.

*Pfft*

Half a month later, Ye Fan opened his mouth and spat out a large mouthful of blood. The clash between Taiyin and Taiyang caused his Immortal Platform to tremble, and a terrifying bloody crack appeared on his brow, which was frightening.

"Taiyin, Taiyang, how can they coexist?!"

Ye Fan pondered, employing all his methods. He was not overly arrogant, nor did he believe he was stronger than that ancient saint; rather, he had an advantage. He came from the other end of the starry sky and had seen Taiji. Although not a cultivation method, it had given him infinite inspiration, perhaps the most effective means to resolve the conflict between Taiyin and Taiyang. Therefore, he was attempting this method. Yet, even so, he suffered injuries. The two opposing forces almost shattered his Immortal Platform, turning it into chaos.

Ye Fan persevered, silently pondering, sitting cross-legged in the dark universe, and began comprehending the Dao once more.

"The Dao of Heaven and Earth uses Yin and Yang energies to create all things. The principle of life uses Yin and Yang energies to nourish the body. Within one's own body, all principles align with Yin and Yang. I should start from this point."

"Taiji refers to the time before heaven and earth were separated, when primordial energy was merged into one; that is Tai Chu (Primordial Beginning) and Tai Yi (Great Oneness)."

Ye Fan muttered to himself, comprehending with his heart, circulating the Taiyin Ancient Scripture within his body, and once again began to try. The Dao is the ultimate essence; it cannot be described by form, nor given a name. If forced to be named, it is called Tai Yi (Great Oneness).

"I am Tai Yi, my body is the Dao. Through me, Yin and Yang separate, giving rise to two energies, interacting to create life."

With a clear mind, Ye Fan deduced step by step, combining what he knew to evolve Taiyin and Taiyang, making them advance together, like water and fire merging peacefully. He regarded himself as the Dao, separating Yin and Yang within it, focusing on making Taiyin and Taiyang coexist and rely on each other.

Just like this, another half year passed. Ye Fan cultivated the Taiyin and Taiyang Ancient Scriptures using the principles of Taiji, finally making a breakthrough and achieving crucial progress. Of course, this didn't mean he had truly merged Taiyin and Taiyang, but merely that he could begin to cultivate them. To cultivate both scriptures simultaneously was truly too difficult. To achieve such a small step, besides his talent, it was also because he drew upon the millennia of essence from ancient China, gaining comprehensive understanding through analogy and comprehending the Dao through Taiji.

For this entire year, Ye Fan had not moved an inch, just like a statue in an ancient temple, with a solemn visage, his Dao and mind clear. Finally, the nine-colored misty threads outside his body faded slightly, and black mist lightning flowed in. This was pure Taiyin power, threads of it entering his pores. After more than a year of arduous cultivation, he finally managed to draw in the true Taiyin power, refining it into his body to cleanse it. Although it was very little, it was astonishing.

In the Big Dipper Star Domain, on an ancient star, within an ancient forbidden land of primeval creatures in the Eastern Wasteland, a divine platform was flickering. After more than a year, they finally made a decision to summon something from the desolate universe. The requirement was immense, with Divine Source blocks piled at the four corners. Array patterns flickered, and Dao marks densely covered and interwoven in the void, instantly submerging the place.

At the same time, in the depths of the desolate universe, Ye Fan awoke with a start, feeling a powerful force tearing at him, trying to pull him into a tunnel.

"What's happening?" Suddenly, he felt a mysterious and profound power restraining him. They directly drew forth the true Taiyin power, sending it through the distant void and into a channel.

In the Eastern Wasteland, the divine platform flickered, and a vast expanse of black mist lightning surged out, filled with destructive aura, instantly pulverizing the ancient land into dust and turning it into frozen earth.

"Taiyin Holy Power!""To be able to cultivate Taiyin Holy Power, which race's king could this be?"

A group of primeval creatures were astonished and retreated, protecting themselves with various magical treasures to block the approaching black mist. At the same time, with a flash of light, the divine platform dimmed.

"Should we continue the summoning? This entity seems very displeased."

In the universe, Ye Fan was surprised. He vaguely felt that the ancient king he had carried out from the purple bronze warship had caused the pulling force just now, but he didn't think much of it. He once again began to meditate, arduously cultivating Taiyin power. Threads of mist lightning surged into his body, moving in and out through his pores, gradually allowing him to adapt.

Thus, one month, two months... another year passed in the blink of an eye. Ye Fan achieved minor accomplishment in Taiyin; though far from reaching mastery, he nonetheless possessed extraordinary means. During this period, he continuously refined the Taiyin holy power. The vast expanses of black mist lightning within this ancient domain were almost entirely absorbed. Ye Fan was very focused. Day after day, month after month, he consistently cultivated in silence, needing powerful strength and continuous comprehension.

"Taiji in motion generates Yang; when motion reaches its extreme, it becomes still. Stillness generates Yin; when stillness reaches its extreme, it moves again. One motion, one stillness, each is the root of the other; separating Yin and Yang establishes the Two Poles."

Grasping Yin and Yang, and cultivating Taiyin and Taiyang together, he finally achieved a certain level of success, but he was still not satisfied. Ye Fan had been in this dark star domain, in seclusion for over three full years without moving an inch, finally refining all the black mist. In the past, he spent three months cultivating the Taiyang Ancient Scripture, but now he had spent a full three years cultivating the Taiyin Ancient Scripture. The time difference was immense, but the results were also astonishing.

It had been nearly seven years since Ye Fan entered the desolate universe, and his strength had made great strides. Finally, after refining all the Taiyin mist lightning, he experienced a great tribulation that shook this star domain. A super terrifying lightning tribulation descended, a group of humanoid lightning bolts appearing, and then even an entire Heavenly Palace descended, threatening to crush him to death. Ultimately, he successfully passed the tribulation, taking the most crucial step in a cultivator's life by entering the second layer of the Immortal Platform, becoming a Saint Lord-level figure!

This held immense significance for Ye Fan. As a Sacred Body and having entered the Eight Prohibitions domain, once he became a Saint Lord, he would be extremely terrifying; he could travel anywhere in the world, and no one could stop or kill him.

"Now that I've reached this realm, if I return to the Big Dipper Star Domain, what fear could I have of the various Holy Lands?!" However, he could only sigh; he couldn't go back.

Late at night, in the Eastern Wasteland, Pang Bo, covered in blood, gazed up at the starry sky and said, "Seven years have passed, Ye Zi, are you still alive? Have you returned to our homeland? Do you know how brutal the battles here are...?"

"Cough..." Li Heishui coughed up blood and said, "This time, I might also die. I wonder if Barbarian survived."

On another ancient platform, Ji Ziyue coughed lightly, a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, and gazed up at the starry sky, saying, "Ye Zi, where are you? Have you returned to the other end of the starry sky? Your old friends have now encountered great disaster, and my brother, who stepped in to help, was ambushed and severely wounded."