Chapter 703: The Prestige of the Lord of Eight Views Palace

Chapter 720780

The Pure Land of Xuandu Cave was a place where purple rocks towered, cliff walls were smooth, dragon grass grew, rare herbs flourished, and a Qilin lay alone beneath a bluestone. Silver waterfalls cascaded, mists ascended, spiritual birds soared, and the air was fragrant with ancient medicines.

On this day, within the Taiqing Sacred Land, the Eight Sceneries Palace, long absent from the world, suddenly materialized. Its purple tiles gleamed and the ancient hall was shrouded in mist, appearing abruptly as if it had descended from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. An ordinary-looking man, not tall and utterly unremarkable from every angle, walked out. There was a slight resemblance to the deceased Yin Tianzhi in the corners of his eyes and brows.

He let out a soft sigh, standing within the Taiqing Sacred Land, in front of the Eight Sceneries Palace, and staring at the broken mountain outside Xuandu Cave. "Tianzhi is dead," he sighed. "I spoiled you. I knew you were arrogant and overbearing, and that sooner or later you would suffer a great loss. I never imagined it would be a final farewell." As he spoke, his eyes suddenly became sharp, sweeping away his previous peaceful demeanor. Like two divine lamps, they shot out two streams of divine light, tens of miles long. At the same time, a vast purple qi surged, ascending three thousand miles into the sky. He was enveloped by boundless purple qi, appearing unfathomable, like a true saint. "Tianzhi may have been wrong," he said calmly, "but he was still my brother. He cannot die in vain." His words, though calm, were incredibly shocking, audible even across the Great Wilderness, echoing for an unknown number of miles.

On this day, Yin Tiande, the master of the Eight Sceneries Palace, emerged from his seclusion and spoke only one sentence: "I want to kill someone." He then projected a portrait for all to see. This simple act alone sent shockwaves through all quarters!

Yin Tiande, a mysterious and powerful young expert, had defeated various sect leaders ten years prior. No one knew his origins. In the same year, he took up residence in the long-sealed Eight Sceneries Palace, becoming the master of the Taiqing Sacred Land, an event that shook the world. Over two thousand years ago, an old Daoist riding an ox had journeyed from the stars, carved out Xuandu Cave, built the Eight Sceneries Palace, and caused purple qi to surge for thirty thousand miles. This place became a sacred land. No one knew how powerful the person named Laozi was; he eventually vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a secret realm. Many had searched for it, but all returned empty-handed. Ultimately, Yin Tiande, the young prodigy who had defeated various sect leaders and carried immense heavenly fortune, took up residence in the Eight Sceneries Palace when passing by. Ten years had passed, and people no longer knew how powerful this young man, who had risen like an emperor from myths and legends, truly was! Now, his emergence from seclusion in this manner, with only a single declaration to kill someone, naturally drew attention from all directions.

However, he did not personally appear; he had once again entered a death-seclusion. His cultivation had reached a critical stage, and he seemed unwilling to waste even a moment. Yet, since he had made such a declaration, someone would surely act on his behalf. His rise was unstoppable. Several major powers were on good terms with him, and they would accomplish this without him lifting a finger. Everyone knew that the young man in the portrait was in danger. Most likely, he would not even wait for Yin Tiande to emerge from seclusion; his head would be cut off by then.

"What an imposing aura," Ye Fan murmured, a cold smile playing on his lips. "A single word from him stirs all directions. Is he to be compared to a saint's might?"

A month had passed since the battle beyond the domain. The ancient ship had vanished, never to return. Only a piece of purple copper, stained with the holy blood of the human race, had fallen to the earth. After that battle, the Great Sage of the human race, the Old Madman, never reappeared. Ye Fan sighed tragically to the sky, knowing it was a bloody end. The Old Madman had not allowed a single Primordial Ancestor King to return. He had spilled his blood across the sky in exchange for the peace of the human race. Yet, people would never see him again. A saint had fallen, and it was a time for lamentation. However, time smoothed over everything. In just a month, everything on the land had returned to peace.

During this past month, Ye Fan had traveled the land, familiarizing himself with this world and gathering information about the Taiqing Sacred Land, Xuandu Cave, and the Eight Sceneries Palace. He had finally gained some understanding. During this time, he was also doing his utmost to refine a dried-up Divine Source Shell, hoping to prevent future calamity. Several years ago, after he entered the starry sky from the desolate ancient altar in the Big Dipper Ancient Domain, he had brought out a corpse with a dragon head and human body when he first encountered the purple copper warship. Reflecting now, the Primordial King had not truly perished, but his life essence had dried up to an unrecognizable state, with only a last trace of life force remaining. This was a major hidden danger. If given the chance to absorb vital essence, it would most likely recover in the future! However, what brought him some peace of mind was that the ancient king could not actively absorb life essence. As long as he kept it sealed properly, it should not be able to revive. For the past month, he had been cultivating and, at the same time, using the Dou Zhan Saint Art to evolve a black hole, devouring the Divine Source Shell and seizing the last trace of life force within, hoping to ensure that this saint would never have any hope of resurrection.

"Ten years ago, Yin Tiande defeated all sect leaders, and then obtained the legacy of the Eight Sceneries Palace in the Taiqing Sacred Land," someone remarked. "We don't know how powerful he has become now." "The one who killed his brother—are they tired of living?" another wondered. "To dare provoke the master of Xuandu Cave is incomprehensible." In Luzhou, on the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, many people were discussing this matter, expressing different opinions.

Ye Fan had only recently arrived at the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain. His appearance quickly spread throughout the continent, and without engaging in any prominent battles, he had become a well-known figure in the region. Of course, this fame was not glorious. Many people believed he was doomed; to offend Yin Tiande, Luzhou's prodigy of this generation, was almost equivalent to being half-dead. "What great might!" Ye Fan exclaimed. He was not in a good mood; the Old Madman's blood staining the heavens beyond, a fated end, made it difficult for him to calm his emotions. Such a price had been paid for this ancient star, and he himself had contributed some effort. Yet, unexpectedly, he had incurred enmity with a powerful figure, and others were also preparing to kill him. Of course, few people had seen Ye Fan during that battle. Only a few individuals from Tianyuan City had followed, witnessed the might of a saint, and taken note of Ye Fan. "He looks familiar," someone noted. "When the human Great Sage fought the Primordial Ancestor King, this young man intervened and sent out a black gourd!" "It seems to be him," another confirmed. "There is indeed a resemblance." In Tianyuan City, several sect leaders were astonished. The person Yin Tiande wanted to kill had been depicted in a portrait and circulated, and he was almost identical to the young man they had seen that day. They had questions, but it wouldn't change anything. Most people in other regions of Luzhou were unaware, and were all quietly observing.

"Yin Tiande has several sworn brothers, all of whom are extraordinary figures," people discussed. "One is Duanmu Ming, the Taiyin Divine Son. Another is Lu Ya, the Sixth Prince of the Golden Crow clan from the Fusang Divine Tree Kingdom. And the third is Daoist Sanque from the Ancient Daoist Temple of the Underworld Ridge." "These individuals are all remarkable heroes. Given that Yin Tiande is in death-seclusion and cannot act, they will most likely kill that young man on his behalf." People discussed this with great reverence. Duanmu Ming, the Taiyin Divine Son; Lu Ya, the Sixth Prince of the Golden Crow; and Daoist Sanque from the Ancient Daoist Temple of the Underworld Ridge are all paragons of the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain. They reside on different continents, and their fame has long spread across the land, each possessing immense backgrounds. "It is said that Lu Ya, the Sixth Prince of the Golden Crow, is passing through Luzhou for some matter," one person speculated. "Do you think he will stop, specifically to slay that young man?" "Daoist Sanque from the Ancient Daoist Temple of the Underworld Ridge might also come," another added. "It is said that he is escorting half a page of a mysterious scripture to the Human King Hall to exchange for the other half. As he passes through Luzhou, will he make a move?"

Upon learning all of this, Ye Fan couldn't help but frown. Just by hearing their names, he knew they must have immense backgrounds! The prince of the Golden Crow clan, residing on the Fusang Divine Tree—could they truly be the clan from ancient myths? Ye Fan shook his head, finding it unlikely. The Underworld Ridge, an ancient Daoist temple; if even half a page of scripture requires such protection, how extraordinary must it be? To be exchanged with the Human King Hall—could it be an immortal scripture?

Although Ye Fan frowned, he felt no fear. He was now a Saint Lord-level figure, having cultivated ancient scriptures with an unparalleled physical body. There was no need for him to live a suppressed life. "Even if I am stranded in the mythical Ziwei Ancient Star Domain," he thought, "I am not to be easily bullied." This ancient source of life had no ultimate emperor artifacts, but it was extremely prosperous, with ancient methods from various sects and long-standing inheritances. If one wished to temper oneself, it was truly a divine place. After becoming a Saint Lord-level figure, what he feared most was the deterrent power of emperor artifacts. Now, without such supreme holy artifacts hanging over his head, and possessing the Lineage Movement Secret, he could go anywhere in the world. The Ziwei Ancient Star Domain had long been known in the Central Ancient Kingdom, with many legends surrounding it. Ye Fan speculated that there must be an ancient path connecting the two places, and he intended to find it. At the same time, he also had a theory: the Big Dipper Star Domain did not lack ultimate artifacts, and this was likely related to the disappearance of emperor artifacts from the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain and even other ancient lands. "The Big Dipper most likely holds unknown secrets," he mused. "Perhaps this place has an ancient path leading to that star domain." Whether to return to his homeland or to cross back to the Big Dipper Ancient Star Domain, he might find the ancient path on this ancient star.

Tianlang Mountain, a place of renowned fame, had been the birthplace of seven generations of Heavenly Wolves from ancient times until now, making it a sacred land for the demon race. Currently, the master of Tianlang Mountain, the Old Wolf God, was at the peak of his power, unfathomable, and held great prestige in Luzhou. On this day, he celebrated his 2,800th birthday since transforming into human form. In Luzhou, many great sects sent representatives to offer congratulations, including several sect leaders who came in person. It was a rare grand event.

Ye Fan also arrived, gazing from afar at Tianlang Mountain. It was majestic and formidable, with green qi rising. At the same time, it was incredibly magnificent, with many thousand-zhang waterfalls cascading down and ancient divine trees growing among the cliff walls. Upon closer inspection, this ancient mountain resembled a divine wolf howling at the moon, lying across the front. It possessed a wisp of immortal divine power. The massive cliff fissure, like a wolf's mouth, was breathing in and out essence. Today, many people were entering and exiting the ancient Tianlang Mountain. All had come to congratulate the Old Wolf God on his birthday, and all were renowned experts or rising stars from various clans. Ye Fan used the Lineage Movement Secret, ascending as if on a heavenly ladder, rendering all ancient formations ineffective. He crossed perilous lands step by step, arriving before a magnificent mountain villa. Although he had no invitation, merely by virtue of this supreme skill, the Heavenly Wolf disciples at the gate dared not be negligent. They respectfully ushered him in. The Old Wolf God, who had been in human form for 2,800 years, had long instructed that any cultivator without an invitation who managed to enter by their own formidable strength must be treated as an honored guest.

"Someone from the Human King Hall is also here!" someone exclaimed. "The Old Wolf God has immense prestige. A top figure from that hall has come to celebrate his birthday." "You're mistaken," another corrected. "This is merely a side trip. They are here to welcome Daoist Sanque from the Ancient Daoist Temple of the Underworld Ridge, for the exchange of that half-page scripture." "Just for exchanging half a page of scripture, these two great sacred lands are making such a big fuss and being so solemn?" someone wondered. "Could it be half an immortal scripture?!"

Just then, several streaks of True Solar Flames streaked across the sky, dazzlingly bright. Several young people in golden feather robes descended. Each had long golden hair, as if cast from divine gold, and their eyes were also golden. At this time, many people had arrived at the villa, and it was very lively. Many were powerful figures who dominated regions, including quite a few top sect leaders. Not to mention the younger generation, all of whom were outstanding talents from various clans. But at this moment, their expressions changed. Many carefully avoided them, fearing a confrontation with these young people from the Golden Crow clan.

"These are people of Lu Ya, the Sixth Prince of the Golden Crow clan," someone whispered. "He has indeed come. Is he going to stay in Luzhou to help his sworn brother Yin Tiande make a move?!" People felt a tense atmosphere. Everyone knew that Luzhou would likely not be peaceful anymore. With a *whoosh*, a young man from the Golden Crow clan unrolled a portrait, asking loudly, "Has this person arrived?" It was indeed Ye Fan's portrait. "Haven't seen him!" someone replied, unwilling to get involved. "I knew he wouldn't dare come," one of the young men from the Golden Crow clan sneered with immense arrogance. "Wherever the Sixth Prince goes, he can only retreat. Who would dare contend?"