Chapter 778: The Whole World Against or Utter Silence

## Chapter Seven Hundred and Eighty-One: An Enemy of the World or Universal Silence

"Could it be that she truly passed away while awaiting the Arctic Immortal Light?" Ye Fan's heart trembled. After reactivating his Divine Eye, he saw the old woman's body surrounded by intricate dao patterns, on the verge of dissolving into the void. This was a unique sign of an ancient Saint undergoing dao transformation. "Is she truly undergoing dao transformation?" Ye Fan couldn't help but sigh, looking up at the sky. Another human Saint was about to depart the world. Who else could resist the Primordial Ancestor Kings in this era?

No matter how many times he called out or sent telepathic messages, the old woman in front remained unresponsive, still as a stone statue, cold and without any trace of life. Only the cyan-gold pagoda above her head hovered in the air, releasing streams of azure energy that resonated with the dao transformation patterns, forming a single entity. "How could this be? She's going to silently pass away here..." Ye Fan sighed. Saints often remained nameless, not revealing themselves to the world, and even their deaths were silent. Ye Fan believed she was likely waiting for the Arctic Immortal Light to appear, but ultimately failed to obtain it, otherwise she wouldn't be in this state. It was a pity.

He tried to take a step, entering the region supposedly accessible only to Saints, but in an instant, he saw cracks appearing on his foot. Even as a Saintly Body, his physical form far surpassed all other constitutions, yet he still couldn't compare to a Saint. The difference was vast; if ordinary cultivators were mortals, Saints were like immortals.

"Crack!" Even unleashing his Purple Lightning Hammer was useless; the cracks on it were audible. At this rate, if he forced his way deeper, it would surely shatter. Even possessing a true inherited Saint Weapon wouldn't work, as this place required the support of a Saint's power. A mere weapon couldn't solve the problem. This place involved not only dao patterns but also spiritual pressure and trials of origin. Hence, there was a stone tablet here inscribed with "Saints Below, Stop."

"Senior, if you are aware and still able to act, please rescue the young man sealed within the divine ice and free him." Ye Fan said this because he couldn't advance. Ultimately, he had to retreat step by step from the terrifying vortex, as chaotic light slashed and clanged against his body. A brief glance earlier seemed to confirm he'd seen Tu Fei, but he couldn't enter. This world had not only seven great forbidden zones in the Eastern Wasteland but also terrifying restricted areas elsewhere that humans found impossible to tread. "A Saint has died..." Ye Fan's heart felt heavy.

In this era, there was no Saint left to protect them. The Mad Old Man had died in battle beyond the borders, and this old woman was also undergoing dao transformation, soon to vanish from the human world. In the Western Desert, on Mount Sumeru, there was a Dou Zhan Sheng Fo (Buddha of Fighting and Conquering) whose abilities were rumored to be heaven-shattering. However, upon Ye Fan's return, he had already heard rumors that this Buddha had also seemingly entered nirvana and departed.

With the Primordial Ancestor Kings of various races emerging, who could stop them? Ye Fan didn't know. After retreating from the terrifying, colorful vortex, he felt a pressure greater than the heavens. This was a desperate era. The human race surprisingly had no living Saints left to awe the world. Those who passed away did so, those who fell perished; all had withered. Furthermore, even if the terrifyingly ancient Dou Zhan Sheng Fo in the Western Desert was still alive, it was difficult to say whether he was truly human.

The Barbarian War God appeared unharmed, but Ye Fan had learned a secret from the Old Barbarian King: this was an ancient Saint who had almost undergone dao transformation. By chance, he obtained divine source liquid to seal himself, existing in a state between life and death, unable to truly emerge. Otherwise, who would choose self-sealing at the peak of their power? All Saints were individuals of great willpower, with hearts as firm as iron, never retreating. Achieving the Dao was their only choice. Transforming oneself into a "reserve" was a last resort, the most helpless choice. As long as the divine source was shattered, he wouldn't be able to exist for long.

Ye Fan, Li Tian, and Yan Yixi all sighed with emotion, never expecting to witness a Saint about to undergo dao transformation in a place where a wisp of immortal light appeared only every hundred thousand years. At this moment, immense pressure descended, filling their hearts with gloom. This current grand era was terrifying; there was not a single human Great Saint left unharmed and standing.

"Actually, if the Primordial Races had emerged a few millennia later, everything would be different. This is an era where many kings rise and various unique constitutions appear. If these individuals were to grow, they would be astonishing!" Cold winds howled, and heavy snow fell. It was a vast, white world, with bone-chilling cold.

"Tu Fei, I hope one day to see you break free with power and fight your way out." Ye Fan turned away. He didn't know how many years it would be before they met again, if ever. Things would have changed drastically; once prosperous lands would be overgrown with withered grass, and many heroes would have aged and died, returning to dust. Rivers would change course, great lakes would dry up, human affairs would ebb and flow, and time would pass. Even human prodigies would have their day of old age and death.

If one day, all his old acquaintances, including his enemies, had grown old and were buried in the yellow earth, and only he remained immortal, even if he awed ancient and modern times, that would probably be a sorrow. The world would be vast and empty, with no one he knew left. Ye Fan smiled. He thought of these things in an instant, deeming them too distant and unreal. Yet, why did his heart seize with a jolt of alarm?

A Great Accomplished Saintly Body could live for at least ten thousand years. Would he only be able to sigh alone and reminisce about the past in his old age? His friends and beloved would certainly have returned to dust many years prior. Looking around the world, with not a single old acquaintance left, and even his enemies all dead, with no one from his own era remaining – that would truly be terrifying. Being an enemy of the world could very well transform into another scenario: universal silence. Perhaps even ancient Great Emperors had experienced this sorrow. This was more terrifying than having enemies throughout the world!

In the Southern Ridge, mountains stretched endlessly, with grand ley lines everywhere. It had been half a month later. Ye Fan and the others returned, but they didn't go to the Barbarian tribe, keeping a low profile and moving silently. Ye Fan knew that once he appeared, there would likely be continuous battles. He didn't know how many eyes were watching him. Even after flattening an Archaic Family, there were still ruthless individuals who wanted to eliminate him. Of course, he also wanted to cut down those people. Some grudges were irreconcilable and needed a complete resolution. Ye Fan was unaware that old acquaintances were waiting for him in the Barbarian tribe. He came to Vermilion Bird City because he heard that Zi Tiandu had arrived.

The Moon Bright Palace was a very mysterious celestial palace, hidden above Vermilion Bird City. Only powerful figures could enter, and everyone who came here had a significant background. It contained a serene pure land for sect masters to gather and discuss Dao and techniques. There were also places for entertainment, where peerless beauties from the Southern Ridge performed, but they would never stay overnight. Additionally, there were ancient grotto-mansions left by ancient sages, relocated here, allowing later generations to gain enlightenment, attracting even living fossils.

The Moon Bright Pavilion, located above Vermilion Bird City in the Southern Ridge, appeared to be just a celestial palace from the outside. However, upon entering, it revealed a world of its own—a separate minor dimension, roughly a hundred li in circumference, that had existed for many tens of thousands of years. In one of its gardens, the forest was deep and secluded, bordering a small river. A zither played, its enchanting melody first soothing, then growing tense, layering and resonating, depicting a scene of a hundred boats vying for supremacy and dragons leaping across the vast ocean.

In front of the zither was a radiant and captivating maiden, dressed in light gauze, with dark hair like clouds. Her fingers moved gracefully, and her entire being glowed with divine splendor, making her exquisitely beautiful and moving. "The Heavenly Maiden Wu of the Southern Ridge lives up to her reputation; one marvelous melody moves the nine heavens, truly fitting for the times. In this era, dragons leap and tigers pounce; it's a grand age where all kinds of unique constitutions emerge, and many prodigies appear, all wishing to rise and transform into the singular true force, soaring alone into the nine heavens," a man sighed. Wu Fei, one of the four Heavenly Maidens of the Southern Ridge, was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also entered the Dao through music, possessing astonishing accomplishments.

Chen Yuan, Liu Yunjie, Kong Lingdao, and Xie Siyuan were several of the Southern Ridge's young masters. Though not as formidable as the Southern Demon, they had immense backgrounds—some were divine sons, others direct descendants of ancient demons, and some even inherited major orthodoxies, formally becoming esteemed sect masters like Mu Qing. However, at this moment, they were not the main figures. They were accompanying the Young Master of the Divine Spirit Valley, hosting Zi Tiandu with grand ceremony.

The garden was very tranquil, with a small river flowing through it and pavilions and towers interspersed among the trees. The scent of grass mingled with the aroma of earth, creating a feeling of returning to nature and simplicity. Chen Yuan, Liu Yunjie, Kong Linghua, and Xie Siyuan, these young masters, had not only invited Wu Fei, one of the four Heavenly Maidens of the Southern Ridge, but also several other "bright pearls" of the Southern Ridge. They gathered, discussing ancient and modern affairs, each speaking with eloquent wit. With the emergence of the Primordial Races, these masters clearly wished to foster good relations and ties with the Divine Spirit Valley.

Ordinarily, the "bright pearls" of the Southern Ridge were haughty, always ignoring the pursuits and flattery of their peers, showing no pleasant expressions. But now, it was completely different; their captivating smiles were dazzling, and they were very agreeable. Only when invited by the Southern Ridge's outstanding talents would they grant face and lower themselves to attend gatherings, especially since today's honored guest was quite extraordinary.

"Brother Zi's emergence has drawn the world's attention; your cultivation inspires our admiration. We hope for more guidance from you in the future," Chen Yuan said, his intention to build closer ties clear. "Brother Chen, you flatter me," Zi Tiandu replied. "There are so many powerful cultivators in the world today. What am I? Not to mention other races, just the outstanding talents among humans are enough to shake the world." "Brother Zi, why be modest? How many in the world today can contend with you? Even the currently prominent Saintly Body probably can't compare," said Kong Linghua. "In this grand era, though many prodigies emerge and a hundred boats vie for supremacy, Brother Zi is too humble. You are certainly among the strongest," a "bright pearl" of the Southern Ridge said with a smile, her bright eyes and white teeth making her very charming.

Another "bright pearl" of the Southern Ridge smiled faintly and said, "The Myriad Ancient Races are about to emerge. I've heard that Yuan Gu, Huang Xudao, the Heavenly Emperor's Son, the Divine Silkworm Daoist, and others are astonishing figures from ancient times, possessing the bloodline of ancient Emperors. They must also be unparalleled masters, among the strongest few in this era, correct?" With several such stunning women present, the atmosphere was far from dull; it was very lively, and everyone conversed with great pleasure. "Those few are unfathomable. They indeed possess ancient Emperor bloodlines, and their future achievements are unpredictable," Zi Tiandu said.

"Yuan Gu, Huang Xudao, and the others rarely appear in the world. I wonder if they have passed the 'Immortal Three Dao Severing' stage?" At this moment, Wu Fei, one of the four Heavenly Maidens, also spoke, her voice melodious, like large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate. She was radiant and captivating, enveloped in divine splendor, known as the Heavenly Maiden in the Southern Ridge. She had countless suitors and was almost impossible to invite ordinarily, so today was quite an exception.

Nearby, although the other "bright pearls" of the Southern Ridge were all exceptionally beautiful—either Phoenix Maidens of top great sects or princesses of demon dynasties—they were still slightly inferior. Despite their reluctance to admit it, they knew there was a certain gap. At this moment, even Zi Tiandu, a person who prioritized cultivation above all else, was astonished upon seeing Heavenly Maiden Wu Fei of the Southern Ridge. He paid close attention and, hearing her words, said, "Whether they have severed the Dao, I do not know. However, if they were to face your human Saintly Body, it would be no problem at all. They would surely be able to kill him."

"They are so powerful that they can even kill the Saintly Body who flattened the Northern Plains in a fit of rage?" A Southern Ridge "bright pearl" exclaimed in surprise. "Naturally. Those are descendants of Primordial Emperors, some even direct sons of ancient Emperors. The power of their bloodline is unimaginable. The human Saintly Body is no match," said Xie Siyuan, one of the Southern Ridge's talents.

Chen Yuan said, "Brother Zi, we hope you can introduce us in the future. If we could invite ancient Emperor descendants like Yuan Gu and Huang Xudao to discuss the Dao, it would be a great event." "Very well. This time, I came for the human Saintly Body. If I deal with him, I will naturally invite these individuals to the Southern Ridge to meet all of you upon my return to the Eastern Wasteland."

At the scene, there were not only divine sons and sect masters of the demon race but also human talents and "bright pearls." Upon hearing this, none of them showed any particular expression. "Rest assured, everyone, I am only an enemy of the human Saintly Body. Now that the Myriad Races have emerged, there will be no conflict with the human sects. I will foster closer ties with all of you," Zi Tiandu said.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Longswords clanged. Someone played a sword like an instrument and sang loudly, charging all the way into the garden. The entire forest seemed to boil, murderous intent like a sea, and golden vital energy shot skyward. "Zi Tiandu, did you come for me? How could I not oblige? Today, I shall kill you!"