Chapter 716: Human Desire

Li Tian was covered in blood. Wounds on his back exposed bone fragments of his spine, and three of his ribs protruded from his chest. His abdomen was nearly ripped open, his intestines almost spilling out—a truly horrifying sight.

"If I suffer, none of you will have an easy time either! I no longer want the so-called most beautiful woman in the world. From this moment, the pure and unblemished Yi Qingwu will forever fall into a sea of carnal desire!"

Li Tian's expression was grim. They had already charged into the ancient palace above the Fusang Tree, battling to seize the legacy of the Ancient Sun Emperor. However, no ancient scriptures were found. Instead, the battle grew even more intense, with factions like Guanghan Palace and the Golden Crow Tribe attacking them with sacred weapons, inflicting severe injuries.

The Black-Winged Gilt Mirror soared across the sky, transforming into a Golden Crow in Lu Ya's hand. With every flap of its wings, thousands of light blades shot forth. Most of Li Tian's injuries were inflicted this way. Had it not been for the Goddess Furnace neutralizing the power of the ancient sacred weapons, he would not have survived and would likely have been reduced to ashes.

At this moment, many were attacking them, led by Guanghan Palace, which frantically activated its sacred weapons. With Yi Qingwu drawn inside, how could her sect not go mad? The ice-crystal-like palace descended several times, causing Yan Yixi to cough up mouthfuls of blood, his white robes stained crimson. He was in no better state than Li Tian. It wasn't that the Goddess Furnace was ineffective, but rather that too many sacred weapons—four in total—were besieging them. The Taiyin Divine Son and Daoist Sanque also launched fierce attacks periodically.

This palace possessed extremely potent solar divine power, leading people to believe it was the final resting place of a Human Ancient Emperor, yet they had found nothing so far. Below, a one-armed old man in green stood before the six-zhang (approximately 20-meter) golden Fusang Tree, utterly bewildered and unapproachable. Several stone coffins lay horizontally, and attacks from inherited sacred weapons were repelled.

The Goddess Furnace subtly vibrated, emitting five-colored divine light and circulating five vital energies. A hazy, brilliant spiritual glow shimmered around it, revealing a beautiful woman's head with dazed eyes, radiating waves of alluring charm.

"Li Tian, what are you doing? Stop this, and I'll let you leave!" cried the middle-aged beautiful woman from Guanghan Palace, her expression extremely grim. The Goddess Furnace had an infamous reputation with many legends surrounding it. This current transformation, without a doubt, was activating the 'Jade Desire Law,' capable of making anyone within it fall forever into the 'Sea of Desire.'

"Too late," Li Tian replied, "Do you take me for a peddler who bargains? The 'most beautiful woman in the world' will henceforth be known as the 'Guanghan Jade Maiden!'"

Li Tian completely ignored her, urging the Goddess Furnace forward with Yan Yixi as they charged through the ancient palace, searching for the Human Ancient Emperor's legacy.

"Jade slips! There's a bookshelf here..."

Someone in the ancient palace opened a secret chamber, and a group of people rushed in to contend for its contents, calling out to their respective sects. Lu Ya, Daoist Sanque, Taiyin Divine Son, and others abandoned Yan Yixi and Li Tian, rushing towards the chamber as well. Only the people from Guanghan Palace continued to battle the two brothers.

"Whoosh..."

Below the ancient palace, the six-zhang golden Fusang Divine Tree swayed, and solar divine power surged. The old man in green stood alone, murmuring in confusion, "Who can bury me in my homeland..."

"A Crow's Nest!" Someone exclaimed in surprise. On the Fusang Divine Tree, as the golden leaves trembled, a bird's nest became visible among the lush branches, containing shimmering Golden Crow divine feathers. "Is that... an immortal spirit's nest!?" People were astonished. The Golden Crow Tribe on Ziwei Star could not be true Golden Crows, just as there was a distinction between a flood dragon and a true dragon. However, for a Crow's Nest with shimmering Golden Crow divine feathers to appear on an Immortal Divine Tree was extraordinary; it was very likely left behind by an immortal spirit.

"The Immortal Tree belongs to our Golden Crow Tribe!" exclaimed several powerful figures from the tribe who had not entered the ancient palace but were gathered there, including several Golden Crow Princes.

"Nonsense!" a human cultivator scoffed. "The Fusang Divine Tree accompanied our Human Ancient Sun Emperor on his path to Dao. How can it belong to your Golden Crow Tribe?"

"Who in the world doesn't know that Fusang and Golden Crow are inseparable? It's the dwelling place of our tribe's ancestors!" a Golden Crow Prince retorted coldly.

"Then how do you explain our Human Ancient Sun Emperor cultivating a Fusang Tree?" someone challenged.

Above the six-zhang golden ancient tree, a roar sounded as a massive palace was opened, releasing an ancient aura, prompting many exclamations of surprise.

"The Human Ancient Emperor's Alchemy Chamber!"

"Heavens! There's a bottle of Nine-Turn Immortal Elixir! This kind of thing is indestructible through myriad eons, refined from immortal medicine. Is there still more in the bottle?"

Inside the ancient palace, screams of surprise quickly turned into cries of agony as a fierce battle erupted. Many people went mad, fighting over the Ancient Emperor's treasures.

Inside the Goddess Furnace, Ye Fan was greatly affected. The Six-Desire Divine Tribulation descended, and the Great Path of Desire permeated everything, slowing his movements. This was not a direct attack but a strange force influencing one's emotions, causing people to succumb, willingly degenerate, and lose the will to awaken. Nevertheless, during this process, he and Yi Qingwu continued their fierce battle without holding back, each employing all their lifelong skills in a life-or-death struggle.

In the Ziwei Ancient Starfield, if only two people in the future could achieve Dao, Yi Qingwu would undoubtedly be one of them, a testament to her immense talent and potential.

"The laws of desire..."

Yet at this moment, her star-like eyes grew hazy, and she found herself losing control. Her primordial spirit wavered, and her flawless jade-like body trembled slightly. Her body, usually radiant as silk, now showed signs of deep arousal. Her slender waist, easily spanned by a hand, and her well-proportioned, long legs shimmered, as waves of rosy blush spread across her smooth, pristine white skin.

But she was, after all, extraordinary, with peerless talent and exceptional willpower. Two intelligent lights shone in her eyes, and she instantly regained her clarity. Ye Fan also felt the impact, but he too was extraordinary. A divine lamp lit up in his heart, preventing him from falling into decadence.

"Ye Fan, how about we cooperate?" Yi Qingwu suggested, her breath like orchids. "Otherwise, if we succumb here, we will have no hope of achieving Dao in the future!"

"Is that necessary? What can this furnace do to me?" Ye Fan flatly refused, then brazenly gazed at her smooth, jade-like body, looking it over from every angle. Although Yi Qingwu's mental fortitude far surpassed that of ordinary people, being stared at by a man in such a manner was a first for her, and she found it somewhat unbearable.

"If this continues, neither of us will be able to resist the power of the Goddess Furnace's Dao patterns," Yi Qingwu pressed. "Do you think we'll just fall into this state for a while? It can affect one's ability to achieve Dao!"

"I'm not afraid," Ye Fan said. "Using this furnace to temper my heart is ideal. No matter how charming you are, I'll appreciate it with an ordinary Dao heart."

"I can withstand the trial of tempering my heart, but can you contend with the power of a Saint?" Yi Qingwu could no longer remain calm. The aura of the Goddess Furnace was growing increasingly terrifying to her, and she certainly didn't want to "fall" here.

"Bang!" The two continued their battle, which grew even more intense, moving from the vastness of the furnace interior into its core world, where they saw a glowing, god-like altar suspended. On it, prominently inscribed, were the names of Yi Qingwu and Ye Fan, connected by mysterious Dao patterns, manifesting a terrifying aura.

"What?!" Yi Qingwu's face completely changed. At first, she thought only her name was inscribed, but upon seeing both, her body trembled. The fact that both their names were carved while they were together in the furnace world filled her with a terrible premonition.

"The Great Path of Desire!" The ancient altar boomed, emitting ripples that pressed downwards. At this moment, both of them felt a strange sensation.

"Ye Fan, let's cooperate! Otherwise, neither of us will have any hope of achieving Dao in this life..."

"Boom!" The ancient altar above vibrated, emitting a grand Dao heavenly sound that pressed down, rumbling like a great bell, giving them the illusion of achieving enlightenment. In reality, both felt they were on the verge of succumbing, their bodies burning hot. This was the Great Path of Desire, the fundamental law of the Goddess Furnace. All humans possess emotions and desires. This altar directly interfered with their primordial spirits, intending to make them fall into a state of carnal indulgence.

"Sever it!" Ye Fan let out a cold snort. His primordial spirit, with an iron will, transformed into a Dao sword from the golden lake in his glabella and struck out.

"Boom!" However, a divinely beautiful goddess appeared in the sky, sealing his Dao sword back. She descended softly, without lethal intent, yet her presence made both Ye Fan and Yi Qingwu feel even more strange.

"This is a Saint's power! It's a divine being nurtured by the Goddess Furnace! How can we resist?!" Yi Qingwu cried out in alarm. She was truly terrified, and abandoning her confrontation with Ye Fan, she flew into the distance. As the foremost Celestial Maiden of the Ziwei Ancient Starfield, she had been aloof and pure since childhood. How could she possibly endure such degradation and violation? It would be worse than death itself.

"Clang!" At this moment, Ye Fan attacked again. He was also somewhat worried that it might truly affect his path to Dao in the future. With the laws of desire upon them, no one knew what might happen. However, this time he was not confronting the Goddess Furnace but instead lunged at Yi Qingwu, unleashing various secret arts in an astonishing confrontation.

"What? Why are you so little affected?!" The Ziwei Ancient Starfield's most beautiful woman was astonished. At this moment, she felt weak and powerless, with the Great Path of Desire suppressing her, making it difficult even to launch an attack. Ye Fan instantly understood: it was all thanks to the two old copper pieces. He had often cursed the green copper for never allowing him to proactively attack, always forcing him into passive defense. And now, it was the same. However, this passive defense enabled him to resist the Great Path of Desire from the Goddess Furnace, with minimal impact on himself.

Fierce confrontation!

"Hum!" Finally, a dazzling light flashed, and a splash of blood flew over ten meters high. Yi Qingwu's head was severed and sent flying within the furnace world. The world's most beautiful woman had perished, yet Ye Fan showed little emotional fluctuation. This woman was dreamily beautiful and incredibly powerful; without the furnace's influence, she would have been extremely difficult to defeat. No matter how peerlessly graceful and captivating one might be, eventually, all beauty turns to dust. Everyone must face death.

Ye Fan, protected by the green copper, felt the Great Path of Desire descend. Although somewhat affected, he was largely unharmed. He stood silently, waiting for Li Tian and the others to open the furnace.

"Crack!" Suddenly, a sound echoed from afar. The Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel shimmered with dazzling light, emitting streams of vital energy, and Yi Qingwu was resurrected there. Ye Fan's head snapped up, and he immediately understood. This treasure was incredibly powerful and mysterious. Legend had it that it was once a sect's sacred weapon but had been shattered and fallen into the hands of Guanghan Palace. Even though damaged, it still possessed potent immortal properties. The eight patriarchs it could manifest were eternally indestructible, and unexpectedly, it remained effective for its wielder.

"Poof!" Ye Fan leaped forward, pointing a finger. A blossom of blood burst forth from the brow of Yi Qingwu, who had just reappeared. She was struck down again.

"Crack!" The Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel resounded again, soaring upwards and flying deep into the furnace world. Ye Fan pursued, unleashing his Six Paths Reincarnation Fist! However, Yi Qingwu remained hidden within the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel, unwilling to emerge. Although cracks had appeared on it, it was still a fragment of a sacred weapon and could not be truly annihilated.

"Boom!" The Great Path of Desire descended! The goddess in the sky, captivatingly charming, turned her head and smiled, eclipsing the beauty of all palace maidens. Her feathered robes fluttering, she descended. This was a power that made one's primordial spirit feel as if it were about to leave the body, drawing one into an endless abyss, causing a desire to simply succumb.

"No!" Yi Qingwu shrieked. She hadn't been this terrified when Ye Fan had slain her, but now she cried out, utterly filled with fear. Even hiding within the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel was useless; the laws of the Great Path of Desire could permeate everything.

"Ye Fan, how about we cooperate? If you help me resist this tribulation, I am willing to pay any price!" As a celestial maiden, someone who looked down upon all living beings, it was extremely difficult for her to utter such words.

"Alright," Ye Fan replied. "I have the green copper to resist the Goddess Furnace. You only need to manifest a wisp of your primary primordial spirit, and I can ensure you never succumb." He made a counter-demand, mirroring Yi Qingwu's earlier conditions.

"You... you're going too far!" Yi Qingwu's star-like eyes were hazy, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Her flawless face was filled with indignation. Her body glowed translucently, her skin snow-white, as she stood within the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel, struggling to resist the laws of desire.

"Then I have nothing more to say." Ye Fan walked aside, allowing the Great Path of Desire to descend unimpeded. The goddess almost seemed to embrace the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel in her arms.

"Ah... quickly, drive away the Great Path of Desire! I agree!" Yi Qingwu yielded, crying out in terror. She feared falling forever into the Sea of Desire; those ancient legends terrified every woman in the world.

Ye Fan stepped forward, activating the Soldier Character Art to resist the Great Path of Desire. He took the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel into his hand and compelled her to manifest a wisp of her primary primordial spirit.

"Hum!" From the Eight Virtues Treasure Wheel flew out a multicolored fairy, a manifestation of her primordial spirit. She was incredibly sacred, like the reincarnation of a Ninth Heaven Mystic Maiden, unrealistically beautiful, capable of making even stone men speak.

"Whoosh!" A primordial spirit rushed out from Ye Fan's glabella, transforming into himself. It flew over, intending to suppress the multicolored fairy and imprint his mark upon her.

Suddenly, the multicolored fairy let out a soft cry and opened her mouth to spit out a divine moon, which slashed forward. She intended to use this to counter-control Ye Fan.

"Smack!" Ye Fan's primordial spirit, wielding the God-Beating Whip with utmost calm, swung it down and smacked the divine moon away. Evidently, the divine moon was an astonishing secret treasure; otherwise, any other primordial spirit weapon would have been reduced to ashes by the God-Beating Whip.

"I knew you wouldn't be content and would have other tricks," Ye Fan's primordial spirit said, advancing with the God-Beating Whip and charging forward.

"Boom!" At that very moment, the Great Path of Desire descended from the sky, instantly engulfing both primary primordial spirits, causing them to merge.

"Ah..." Yi Qingwu's primordial spirit gasped, her body limp, her skin ivory-white, enveloped in multicolored radiance. The two primordial spirits, identical to their physical bodies, became entangled in the void. Because they were some distance from the two old copper pieces, the Goddess Furnace took advantage of the situation.

"Ah..." Yi Qingwu's physical body cried out softly. And Ye Fan's physical body nearly cried out as well. Everything his primordial spirit experienced, he felt as if it were happening to his true self, with no difference whatsoever.

"How could this happen..." Not far away, Yi Qingwu's physical body trembled. For her, who was pure and unblemished, this was too bizarre and terrifying; it was no different from experiencing it herself. Their physical bodies stood facing each other, both staring at the void with strange expressions, watching their entangled primordial spirits, and trembling themselves.