Chapter 828: Fall of the Curtain

Little Nannan ascended to immortality! When this news broke, Ye Fan stumbled, and everyone else was stunned, speechless for a long time.

"Who are you trying to fool? Tell me quickly, where did she really go? Did you lose her?" Ye Fan grabbed its shiny black fur, which resembled a lion's mane.

"Truly, I swear I'm not lying. I saw it with my own eyes: flowers rained down from the sky, immortal music resounded, and then she flew towards the firmament. There was no way to catch her." The big black dog swore to the heavens.

Back then, when Wu Zhongtian and Li Heishui were attacked, Liu Kou was directly blasted into a pulp of blood. If not for the timely appearance of the big black dog, everyone would have been annihilated.

"That time was extremely dangerous. First, there were the inheritors of the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art—the Male and Female Fiends. Then came the Heavenly Emperor's son's servant with divine wings on his back—Zuoshan Diao. And finally, a mysterious, unknown, incomplete Nine-Aperture creature appeared—Big Stone. It was truly terrifying."

The Black Emperor used array patterns to rescue several people, but it was struck itself. A divine light penetrated the domain gate, slicing it out of the void. Even with its steel-like bones and iron-like physique, it was torn to pieces.

Little Nannan fell from its body, crying heartbrokenly. Her small hands vigorously shook it, calling for it to wake up, and she sobbed uncontrollably while lying on its body.

Ye Fan could imagine the scene. Little Nannan regarded him and the Black Emperor as her closest kin. At that time, he wasn't by her side, and only the big dog was with her. The little one must have been utterly heartbroken.

"Later, the pursuers drew near..." The big black dog recounted the events of that year, sounding a little forlorn.

Little Nannan was distraught. Crying, she tried to carry it and run, stumbling, tottering, and falling repeatedly.

"I will definitely kill those people!" Ye Fan clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

Eventually, the child and the dog were surrounded.

But at that moment, Nannan's small body radiated a brilliant light. Auspicious omens descended from the sky, immortal music resonated, and it was as if she were ascending to immortality, rising with the Black Emperor into the firmament, beyond anyone's reach.

"When we reached outside the domain, her tears instantly healed me. That feeling... it was too mysterious." The Black Emperor still found it incredible to recall.

Afterwards, it was swept down from the sky by a beam of Dao light, falling into a vast wilderness, and survived.

At that moment, the Black Emperor frantically etched ancient emperor's residual patterns with rare precision, directly arriving beyond the heavens and returning to that place. However, it never saw Nannan again.

From that day on, her trace was completely lost. For years, the Black Emperor spent most of its time above this ancient star, yet it never managed to see Little Nannan again.

"Why did this happen?" Ye Fan stared blankly.

"Poor Little Nannan..." Ji Ziyue whispered. She was very fond of the little one and always wanted to tease her, but now she had vanished.

Everyone else frowned as well. Many had seen the little girl, who was well-behaved and adorable, never growing up. Her disappearance worried everyone.

Ascended to immortality? Who could believe it?

"Don't worry," the Black Emperor said. "I don't think anyone in this world could kill her. She possesses a unique quality that I've only ever sensed in one other person."

Ye Fan finally understood why the habitually greedy and arrogant big black dog was willing to be Little Nannan's mount. It was a pity that he might never see the little girl again.

People gathered, discussing their individual experiences, and the Black Emperor also revealed many secrets.

Gu Tianshu is still alive!

This was a bombshell revelation from the Black Emperor after it admitted to having followed Emperor Wushi.

This time, it was only by relying on the Black Emperor's knowledge of the killing formations at Holy Cliff and its revelation of the various mysteries of the Investiture of the Gods that Gai Jiuyou and Gu Tianshu were able to unveil them.

Of course, those two also borrowed an Ultimate Emperor Weapon, which was temporarily suppressing Holy Cliff. Now that the Investiture of the Gods has returned, they should have retrieved it.

"The Sages sacrificed a lot and accomplished many feats, yet they never mentioned them. Outsiders simply cannot comprehend it."

They felt respect, but also became more aware of their own shortcomings, realizing the need to rapidly improve their strength during this rare period of peace.

"I sensed the aura of the Grand Emperor Sword," said the Great Xia Prince. The little nun also nodded earnestly, as that power was connected to their bloodline.

Everyone was astonished. Another Ultimate Emperor Weapon was in Jade Lake. If a real war broke out, the entire Northern Region would be flattened. Humanity had prepared a great deal.

"Undeniably, some forces in this world only care about themselves, heedless of the consequences, but many major sects are very responsible and look far into the future," Ji Haoyue said.

"If a full-scale battle were to erupt, the ancient races would suffer heavy losses. Unfortunately, they have more than one Great Saint. Even eliminating Great Saint Huntuo and the present Ancient Kings would be useless," Yao Yuekong stated.

Finally, the music faded, the Jade Lake gathering concluded, and people from all factions departed in batches.

Of course, many still lingered, with old acquaintances gathering to drink and converse, as a rare period of peace had arrived.

A person of high status sought out Ye Fan; it was Lin Daochen, the Deputy Head of the Qi Shi Mansion. He informed Ye Fan of a piece of news: a path leading beyond the domain would open within the next few years.

After many years, the Qi Shi Mansion was finally making a decision, once again inviting Ye Fan and telling him that if he was interested, he could make a trip to the Central Plains.

"Of the nine Great Accomplishment Saint Physiques, a few have walked this path, and some even returned alive."

"In the Post-Desolate Era, why the Azure Emperor was able to achieve enlightenment also related to this path."

"The shortest journey takes a year's effort, with survival possible. The longest is a lifetime, leading to eternal damnation outside the domain."

Lin Daochen said no more, leaving with just these three sentences.

Ye Fan stood rooted to the spot, lost in thought for a long time. When he suddenly looked up, he realized that Lin Daochen had also separately approached the Shaking Light Saint Son, the Southern Demon, and the Central Emperor!

"Has the selection of candidates not been finalized yet, or does this mean more people will go this time than ever before?"

Ye Fan was surprised; even that scoundrel Duan De had been approached. Even Ji Family's Little Moon was among the candidates, and she seemed quite open-minded, smiling brightly and looking eager to try.

Pang Bo had once told him that the journey beyond the domain was a blood-soaked path, and few had returned alive from ancient times to the present.

"Hey, Lord Black Emperor, look over there, there's a guy who seems quite well-matched with you," Li Tian pointed into the distance.

It was an ancient creature with a dog's head, a human body, and a pair of pure white divine wings on its back. A divine halo enveloped its head, making it appear quite sacred.

"Too ugly..." the Black Emperor slurred.

Instantly, a chilling aura of pressure surged forth. The dog-headed angelic creature's divine halo outside its body grew even brighter, and it cast a cold glance.

"Don't mention it, there's a certain appeal, damn it, too bad it's male!" the Black Emperor drunkenly cursed.

Bang!

A group of people were sent flying, their drinking spot exploded, and the ancient creature departed from Jade Lake.

"That's a powerful expert from the Heavenly Dog clan," the Jade Lake Saintess warned, telling them not to speak carelessly.

Finally, it was time to part ways. Ye Fan and his companions were embarking on a long journey, stepping out of this pure land together.

In the coming period, the myriad races would multiply and recuperate, with no major wars. However, no one could afford to relax.

The Black Emperor was drunk, slurring its words, standing upright. It actually ended up with Duan De, the two of them with arms around each other's shoulders, looking very discordant.

Two individuals of questionable character coming together like this felt quite bizarre; they looked like a combination of greed and shamelessness.

"I am electricity, I am light, I am the sole myth..." the Black Emperor howled dryly, startling countless wild ducks.

"Break to establish, establish to break, a great image has no form, a great person leaves no trace. I am your only Holy Emperor..." Duan De also howled drunkenly like a wolf.

Afterwards, the two scoundrels finally revealed their true colors, grappling with each other, resorting to underhanded tactics to seize each other's treasures and divine weapons.

"Damn it, tomb robber, don't think I don't know! You've been eyeing Purple Mountain for years. You dare covet this Emperor's lair? I'll bite you to death! Tremble, human pet, woof!"

"Dead dog, don't think I don't know your true nature! Your claim of reaching the limit of a Great Power is false; breaking and establishing, repeatedly, that's the truth! You always want to snatch my Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Lid, Boundless Heavenly Venerate's uncle... You dare use your black mouth!"

Neither of them was virtuous; put them together, and they were bound to fight to the death. Yet, no one tried to mediate; instead, they clapped and cheered, seemingly enjoying the chaos.

"Woof, woof, woof!" After so many years apart, the big black dog had become a supreme Grand Power, even close to severing its Dao.

Duan De, too, was unfathomably mysterious, his strength indiscernible. He fought the big black dog to a standstill. Both of their objectives were to seize treasures, employing unheard-of secret arts that could even extract ancient weapons from within others' bodies.

Eventually, the big black dog stopped first, solemnly declared a truce, and then trotted off excitedly into the distance.

Ahead were the contingents from the various Holy Lands, preparing to depart by carving array patterns.

Among them were many young disciples, but a girl in purple robes was undoubtedly the most eye-catching. She was naturally aligned with the Dao; if she didn't deliberately suppress it, a curtain of heavenly radiance would pour down.

Even so, she was enveloped by various Dao lights, impossibly sacred and ethereal. Coupled with her unparalleled beauty, she appeared like the Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens incarnate—she was none other than the Saintess of Zi Fu.

The big black dog, wearing floral shorts, ran over upright, immensely eager. It declared, "For peace, for the tranquility of this entire ancient star, for the future of humanity, please give birth to a Congenital Saint Body Dao Embryo!"

Outside Jade Lake, forces from all sides were petrified. The people of Zi Fu were also stunned, and the world suddenly fell silent, utterly still.

However, the silence didn't last long. The people of the Zi Fu Holy Land all shouted angrily, and various lights flew out, striking the Black Emperor, making it scamper away, covering its head.

Of course, people didn't use lethal force. Everyone knew by now that it was the divine dog that followed Emperor Wushi. If they truly killed it, who knew what great calamity might ensue?

"I'm serious! Emperor Wushi sent me out to find an inheritor, and only a Congenital Saint Body Dao Embryo will do!" The big black dog, despite its injuries, remained defiant, speaking fervently from a distance.

"Not mere nonsense? If that's the case, then please let the supreme Great Emperor issue a decree." To everyone's surprise, a living fossil from the Zi Fu Holy Land actually said this.

"Of course it's true! To tell you the truth, Emperor Wushi himself was a Congenital Saint Body Dao Embryo. Otherwise, how could he have swept across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands unrivaled, wandering through the long river of time, lonely without a match? He needs someone of the same physique to inherit his legacy!"

The big black dog swore solemnly, almost cursing itself, its face full of fervent zeal. It moved close to the people of Zi Fu Holy Land, speaking with spittle flying.

Bang!

Ji Family's Little Moon made a rare violent move. She borrowed an extra-large divine hammer from Duan De, bigger than a house, and brought it down on the Black Emperor's back of the head, knocking it unconscious.

"Brother, drag our dog home and throw it in the woodshed," Ji Ziyue said, dropping the large hammer, clapping her hands, and calling out to Ji Haoyue.

"No problem, leave it to me. Brother Duan is also a brother. My only strength is in excavating residual value and discerning the true beauty and goodness of the world with an archaeologist's eye." The unscrupulous Daoist stepped forward, clearly intending to strip the big black dog bare.

Ye Fan quickly stopped him, otherwise, the Black Dog would surely go berserk upon waking, and the entire Northern Region would have to listen to its barking every night.

"We're leaving now, everyone dispersing. Until we meet again!" The Great Xia Prince, the little nun in white, Yao Yuekong, and others departed one after another.

"Let's go too. Little Ye Zi, what are your plans for the future?" Li Heishui asked.

"Establish an unparalleled great sect," Ye Fan replied.

"Let's found a sect together, choose two neighboring mountain peaks," Li Tian said, lamenting that the ancient divine women were too powerful to handle. "These days, if you're not a Sect Master, you don't even have the confidence to get close to an ancient goddess."

They hadn't walked far, and Jade Lake was still faintly visible behind them, when suddenly a blinding flash of light appeared from the void.

A single sword sealing the Heavenly Spirit!

This was a deadly strike: a blood-dripping demonic sword, swift as lightning, plunged towards Ye Fan's glabella, terrifyingly potent, and it evaded his spiritual perception.

Any ordinary person would have been certain to die, utterly unable to avoid it. It was incredibly sharp, a thunderous strike from an Assassin King!

At that moment, Ye Fan became exceptionally calm, his mind clear and ethereal. His body moved like a green rainbow, utilizing the "Travel" character secret art, dodging the blow by a hair's breadth and shifting thousands of feet sideways.

Puff!

However, blood splattered. As if his evasion to that spot had been anticipated, an Assassin King who had been waiting there for a long time emerged from the void and thrust a blood-dripping demonic sword through his body.

"Little Ye Zi!" Ji Ziyue exclaimed, rushing forward instantly, and everyone else also made their moves.

"Don't come over! Everyone, retreat!" Ye Fan roared, his voice like thunder, shaking the mountains.

If it had been anyone else, their body and spirit would have long been annihilated, because although the two attackers were extremely old, they had both successfully severed their Dao at Immortal Stage Three, possessing boundless terror!

For such figures to strike a cultivator at the second layer of the Immortal Platform was a sure kill. It would be difficult for anyone else to revive.

Only the Saint Physique was special; its physical body was unparalleled, resisting the King-level impact. It prevented the laws from scattering and forcefully shattered the demonic sword.

However, Ye Fan was still bleeding, wounded. His golden sacred blood was dazzling, and his vital energy roared like thunder.

"Hell, Human World, I swear I will not rest until you are all destroyed!" Ye Fan swore fiercely, pointing to the sky.

Everyone else was also enraged. At this crucial moment, the ancient Assassin Dynasty actually intended to strangle the Human Race's Saint Physique, causing everyone's eyes to redden and their anger to surge to the heavens.

"Indeed, all kinds of people exist!" Even Duan De's expression changed.

Some great sects would fight to the death for humanity, doing everything in their power to resolve crises, even sacrificing Ultimate Emperor Weapons, which was considered nothing.

Yet, other great sects cared nothing for the deluge after their death, considering only their own interests from beginning to end, fearing that the Saint Physique would grow strong enough to uproot them.

When the Great Xia Prince mentioned that the Grand Emperor Sword was also in Jade Lake, people were still lamenting that the radiance of human nature was always brilliant, but in the blink of an eye, they encountered the current situation.

"Damn it, Little Ye Zi risked his life entering Purple Mountain and did so much. Where were these inhuman bastards then? Now that everything is peaceful, they attack him! They deserve to be executed!" Li Heishui was beyond furious.

"The rise of a supreme great sect is always accompanied by blood and gore. For the next hundred years, let Ye Fan's unparalleled great sect be built upon the ruins of the Human World and Hell!" Li Tian declared.