Chapter 848: Establishing the Religion

The moon was round. Fog pervaded the mountain forests, and various wild beasts roared. Bonfires flickered brightly in the barbarian tribes, dispelling the mist from the ridge.

The aroma of various meats drifted through the air. Jar after jar of aged wine was brought by barbarian children. Ye Fan, Monkey, Duan De, Dongfang Ye, and others sat around with some barbarian elders, drinking heartily.

Dongfang Ye's return filled the barbarian tribe with joy. Ancient barbarian battle blood flowed within him, and if nothing unforeseen happened, he would become a War God in the future, his physical body second only to the Human Sacred Body.

"Yuangu is not a direct descendant of the Ancient Emperor; he is a successor from several generations later..."As people sat around the bonfire, eating dragon meat and drinking old wine by the bowlful, they inevitably started discussing Yuangu. Though not a son of the Ancient Emperor, his bloodline was not diluted, only separated by a few generations.

Moreover, his talent was extraordinary. In terms of cultivation alone, he was rarely seen throughout history, surpassing all others in his clan. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sealed away.

Monkey spoke, saying, "He is the eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Yuan. His bloodline power is no weaker than that of a true son of an Ancient Emperor, making him supreme within his clan."

"No way! Is he stronger than Emperor Yuan's direct descendants, ultimately replacing them?!" Li Tian asked, surprised and uncertain.

"Not at all. In the years when Emperor Yuan passed away, two terrifying Sacred Spirits emerged one after another. Both were at the peak of Sacred Spirit power, and each could contend with an Ancient Emperor..."

The two Sacred Spirits appeared, intending to seize Emperor Yuan's remaining artifacts. They descended upon the clan and nearly wiped out the great imperial family, which was at the peak of its glory, overseeing the ancient era. It could be said that in that battle, eerie winds howled, and blood rained down across the ancient lands. The earth turned red. Eight great royal clans, vassals who had rushed to their aid at the imperial family's command, were all annihilated.

Emperor Yuan had three direct sons, each astonishing gods and making immortals weep. Each was capable of reaching semi-enlightenment, but all perished in that battle, and their descendants were also lost.

Ultimately, only a dozen bloodlines from Emperor Yuan's youngest son's lineage survived. The once most prosperous imperial family was almost completely erased from the earth, a truly tragic sight.

It's important to note that from an Ancient Emperor's birth to their passing, and then to the rise of their imperial sons, there would typically be tens of thousands of years of prosperity. Yet, they only enjoyed half of that destiny before suffering a great catastrophe.

And precisely because of that battle, it was impossible for any imperial sons of Emperor Yuan's lineage to survive. Thus, from their later descendants, Yuangu was chosen, the most astonishing talent, almost as strong as a direct son of an Ancient Emperor.

At night, the mountain forest was bright. Distant mists drifted over, transforming into a shimmering, colorful haze. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the barbarians' immense hospitality.

When it was finally time to leave, Ye Fan took out nine drops of the True Dragon Immortal Medicine and presented them to the Barbarian King, explaining that they could extend the life of the Barbarian War God sealed within the source.

"This gift is too precious!" The Barbarian King exclaimed, excited.

Even the black mystic tortoise extended its enormous head from the pond's edge and said, "The ruthless person's True Dragon Divine Medicine from back then, truly rare!"

Finally, Ye Fan and his companions began their return journey to the Northern Region. They were to fight Yuangu, and although the time hadn't been set, they needed to make early preparations.

Monkey said, "I estimate this was Yuangu's own decision. People from Yunshi Lake would surely oppose such a life-and-death battle; they can't afford the risk. Especially if you also achieve Dao Severing, they'll be even more worried."

"Dao Severing... it's too difficult," Ye Fan murmured to himself.

Immortal Three Dao Severing severs a cultivator's path, leaving no further Dao to seek. Many spend their entire lives without making any progress. At this critical juncture, some achieve enlightenment in an instant, while others sit for a thousand years in vain sorrow. How many heroes have died spitting blood, how many beautiful women have turned grey-haired and become mere bones?

Heaven severs the human Dao, destroying the foundation. If one cannot achieve enlightenment, even great perseverance and diligent cultivation are useless; one remains blocked for a lifetime.

"The so-called Immortal Three Dao Severing is about cutting off a cultivator's path!" Monkey said, sharing his own experiences and insights as a reference for Ye Fan.

As the great battle approached, who among the young generation of the current era could underestimate a challenge from a descendant of an Ancient Emperor's bloodline? An Ancient Emperor's son-level figure achieving Dao Severing would be an invincible existence among his peers!

"Dao Severing, how does one contend with it? Perhaps it can be understood as cutting oneself with a blade, severing the thoughts in one's heart, severing everything, cleansing everything, and forging one's own Dao," Qi Luo explained from the side.

In the following month, Ye Fan sat cross-legged on a cliff, watching the morning glow by day and the stars by night, practicing qi absorption, partaking of mist and dew, and seeking to comprehend his own Dao.

Every morning, Little Sparrow would waddle up, pacifier in mouth, panting as she asked, "Has the Divine Son achieved Dao Severing?"

As the eldest disciple, Tongtong naturally didn't fall behind. Every day, he sat cross-legged on the cliff, practicing qi absorption and drinking the morning glow alongside Ye Fan. The Bodhi seed was now passed between him and Little Sparrow, as Ye Fan no longer needed it.

A month of contemplation, a month of comprehending the Dao, a month of silent meditation – though Ye Fan's mind was as still as water, he couldn't take that final step. Eventually, his heart grew troubled. Unable to achieve Dao Severing, with no opportunity to break through this barrier, he stood up.

"Has the Divine Son achieved Dao Severing?"It was another morning. Little Sparrow waddled up the mountain with her milk bottle, wiped off some sweat, and plopped down on the grass, asking.

"Master, have you succeeded?" Tongtong also asked, full of anticipation.

"Still need to wait," Ye Fan said, patting their heads before heading down the mountain.

On the other side of the starry sky, there were too many things he cared about. He constantly yearned to return; this had almost become a curse.

Was he to sever everything related to Earth? That would be akin to denying himself, forgetting his past, and eradicating his true heart.

At the same time, there was much in this current world that he might soon leave behind, leading to reluctance and various dilemmas that made it difficult for him to find peace.

Severing emotions, severing the Dao, severing oneself – Ye Fan had silently calculated and carefully considered this. There were many things he couldn't let go of, many entanglements. If he were truly to follow it through, it seemed he would have to sever himself completely.

What kind of Dao was that? He didn't know, and he wouldn't do it that way at all.

"Ah..."The Silver Blood Twin Emperors were screaming, as usual. Black Sovereign was drilling them almost to madness, doing so every day, their cries echoing with dog barks.

Li Tian and Yan Yixi had frequently disappeared for days recently, going to the Heavenly Jade Stone Workshop in the Divine City to seek guidance, truly having the potential to become disciples of a Saint.

Monkey, aside from occasionally appearing to steal some divine wine from Qi Luo's cellar, was always out and rarely returned.

Li Heishui, meanwhile, had officially become a disciple of the Northern Region's foremost bandit, and spent less time back. He might even go into secluded cultivation for several years and not reappear.

As for Duan De, he reportedly discovered an ancient tomb that was constantly haunted. He fled back disheveled several times, surmising it might be the tomb of a Sacred Spirit. With a passionate heart, he dedicated himself to the great cause of archaeology and rarely showed his face anymore.

Ji Ziyue came every few days, but seeing Ye Fan was cultivating, she didn't disturb him much, instead gazing into the distance from a nearby peak, chin in hand.

Dongfang Ye, however, came often and enthusiastically offered to help Duan De with his archaeology. But the unscrupulous Daoist vehemently refused, because the barbarian's Saint weapon had been taken back by his clan, and if they really dug up treasure, he feared the barbarian would try to snatch it with bloodshot eyes.

Half a month later, news spread from the Northern Region that the Human Sacred Body had founded a sect called the Heavenly Court, and the news swept across the land.

"Who leaked the news?" Ye Fan stared blankly, because they had not yet announced the Heavenly Court to the public. Otherwise, it might be stifled in its infancy by Hell and the Human World.

"The two little ones have divined it. Someone is deducing everything about you and knows you've founded a sect," Qi Luo said, also sensing the gravity of the situation.

Nearby, Gu Fei and Gu Lin nodded seriously, their large eyes incredibly pure. Their Heaven Stealing Art was still immature and not yet perfected, but their outstanding talent still allowed them to deduce some things.

"It might be one of our uncles," After a long divination, the young siblings concluded it was someone from the Divine Diviner's lineage. The two spirit children's father and one or two of his martial brothers were still alive.

The Human Sacred Body establishing a sect named Heavenly Court – this news swept across the land like a gust of wind, stirring up a flurry of discussion.

"It's... Heavenly Court! What exactly does he intend to do?""How could it be this name? What are his plans?"

Almost everyone was stunned. These two characters carried immense weight, with extraordinary significance that unsettled people's minds. Even the Myriad Ancient Races were extremely sensitive to this name, and all felt a shock in their hearts.

In the ancient histories of both humans and the Myriad Ancient Races, there were beautiful myths and legends about the Heavenly Court. Although unproven and everything had vanished like smoke, many ancient clans believed that in the distant past, there was a forgotten history where gods existed, immortals were born, and an Ancient Heavenly Court appeared!

The Assassin Divine Dynasty—Heavenly Court—also left an unforgettable memory for human cultivators. In that dark era, Heavenly Court reigned supreme, and the entire land was shrouded in death.

Later, in the Desolate Ancient era, it was rumored that Emperor Qing also intended to establish a Heavenly Court, having entered the Divine Ruins and the Immortal Mausoleum, even wanting to move the South Heaven Gate from the Divine Ruins. However, all these efforts ultimately came to nothing. The great Emperor of the demon race eventually passed away, leaving behind an eternal mystery; no one knew why he made such attempts in his later years.

Perhaps Emperor Qing discovered something or wished to achieve something, but ultimately, it became a part of the past, a secret that could not be unveiled.

"Did you know the Human Sacred Body established a sect called Heavenly Court!""I've heard about it already. To choose this name, what grand ambition!""Named Heavenly Court? Who can tell me what he intends to do? Isn't his ambition a bit too grand?"

Initially, there wasn't much reaction, but once people began discussing it and recalling the various implications of the name, many grew restless. Even the various ancient races found it hard to remain calm.

Ye Fan's establishment of the sect caused a huge uproar because "Heavenly Court" carried immense significance. Many couldn't articulate why, but they knew this name absolutely could not be used casually. Had he glimpsed some heavenly secret? This was the question of many immortal great powers among both humans and ancient races, and the entire world was watching.

"Why has he established a sect now? Even my father didn't dare to establish a Heavenly Court back then, so what makes him dare to do it now?!" In the Northern Region, the most agitated person was the Emperor's Son, his heart churning with immense waves.

Regarding the two characters "Heavenly Court," he had long pondered them, for an unknown period of time. He murmured to himself, "I originally planned to attempt establishing the Heavenly Court only on the day I attained Dao enlightenment. Perhaps in the future, I will establish it prematurely and seize everything from you!"

In Celestial Village, two children were divining, again and again. Cold sweat ran down their faces. Just the two characters "Heavenly Court" left them terrified and unable to deduce anything.

"All we know is that using this name to establish a sect now will have an incredibly profound impact. Whether it's good or bad, we simply cannot deduce," the two little ones said, their bodies and minds exhausted.

"Now is not the time to reveal all our trump cards. Do you have a way to conceal all of this?" Ye Fan asked.

"No problem! Grandfather Divine Diviner gave us talismans consecrated by all previous patriarchs; they can suppress all heavenly secrets," the two little ones answered confidently.

"Alright then, I'll go out and establish the sect. It will be a Heavenly Court of only one person; conceal everything else. Don't let the heavenly secrets leak," Ye Fan said, turning and leaving.

On this day, another wave of commotion arose in the Eastern Wasteland: Ye Fan established a sect named Heavenly Court, with only one member, causing shock waves in all directions! Many people journeyed north, and numerous major powers were dispatched, all wanting to see why a single person dared to adopt such a title. Of course, this was also a major crisis, because that very day, some declared that this title must not appear in the world, that no one in the world was worthy of it.