Chapter 856: Transcendence Also Appears

A bloody scent permeated the air of the Divine City. Forty-one violent incidents had occurred the day before the battle, resulting in many casualties. All of this stemmed from the impending ultimate showdown.

“I bet on Yuangu to win, staking a piece of Nine Heavens Divine Jade – the Crimson Jade King!” A shocking high-stakes gamble unfolded. All pieces of Nine Heavens Divine Jade are divine materials, capable of forging legendary Holy Weapons. They are incredibly rare, priceless treasures that even Saints desire.

“One piece of Grand Luo Silver Essence!” The monkey arrived, betting generously against an ancient race member. It was also a rare divine material the size of a human head, seldom seen for centuries.

“Holy Imperial Son, are you betting on the Human Saint Body to win?” An ancient race expert was displeased but, restrained by the Monkey's identity, did not openly react.

“Is there a problem?” the monkey retorted, glaring forcefully. “Are all ancient tribes now subservient to the Primeval Lake?”

In this grand gamble, everyone could participate. Of course, some placed private bets, exchanging rare treasures that no one else could afford.

On the other side of the betting house, Dongfang Ye, Li Heishui, and Li Tian were also placing their wagers. They all bet on Ye Fan's inevitable victory, predicting he would sever Yuangu's head.

However, they found it difficult to engage in private bets like the monkey. This was because divine materials were too rare; even if ancient races possessed many treasures, who would be willing to part with them?

In another betting house, the Son of the Heavenly Emperor appeared, causing all cultivators to feel a surge of tension. He produced a crystal-clear pendant that, though not dazzling, captivated everyone.

The heart of the Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree!

When someone revealed the pendant's origin, it immediately caused a sensation. Many people were shocked and paled; it was a priceless treasure that could not be exchanged for anything.

“It’s really the essence of the Comprehension Tea Tree!”

The betting house erupted in excitement. What an incredible treasure! Cultivating with it would greatly accelerate progress and aid in comprehending the Dao – it was a highly coveted immortal treasure.

“Left by the Undying Heavenly Emperor...”

Soon, people recalled ancient secrets. The Undying Heavenly Emperor had cut down the Comprehension Tree to forge a Dao Coffin, burying himself with a divine grandeur unmatched throughout history.

Clearly, this Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree Heart was authentic, refined at that time. It was left to his offspring, and a second one was impossible to find in the world; it was a dream-level immortal material.

The crystal-clear tree heart was only the size of a dragon's eye, warm and translucent. It emanated strands of Dao waves, weaving mysterious and profound patterns around it, inherently resonating with the Dao.

The betting house was in an uproar, and the news quickly spread. This pendant was too precious, its value almost immeasurable.

“I bet on Yuangu to win; the Human Saint Body's blood will soak Qixia Plain,” the Heavenly Emperor Son stated calmly, appearing as graceful as jade. His black hair reached his shoulders, and he was more beautiful than any woman, with skin as translucent as crystal, almost perfect—a truly flawless man.

Everyone in the Divine City knew, and many rushed towards that location.

“I'll bet with you!” an elderly human cultivator declared, taking out a damaged Holy Weapon.

The Heavenly Emperor Son shook his head disdainfully. “That's far from enough; it's not even qualified. If you want to bet with me, first present your stake—at least an ancient scripture of a Great Emperor.”

“I, the humble Daoist, will bet with you!” Duan De appeared immediately, the grave robber unable to remain calm. He pulled out two ancient medicinal kings, instantly causing a huge stir.

“Medicinal kings! One can extend life by several centuries, and he just pulled out two at once! What's the background of this dead fatty?”

This was truly shocking. The depletion of life essence was an issue every cultivator eventually faced. A single medicinal king was rare worldwide, let alone producing two living ones at once.

Only a few individuals knew Duan De's true identity and warned those around them: “Shh, quiet down. Don't speak ill of him; he's the most vengeful person. Be careful, or your ancestral graves might get dug up.”

“Two medicinal kings are still not enough. If you could steal the Qilin Divine Medicine seeds, that would be more like it,” the Heavenly Emperor Son sneered.

At this moment, people suddenly realized he had come specifically for the immortal medicine on Ye Fan. This was a pre-death bet.

“Woof!” The Black Sovereign growled, secretly frustrated he couldn't find Ye Fan's whereabouts. Otherwise, he would have gone all out for a high-stakes gamble, his bell-like eyes already fixated on the Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree Heart, unable to look away.

The monkey, Li Tian, Dongfang Ye, and others also arrived, staring at the Heavenly Emperor Son in front of them. They were forcibly restraining themselves from rushing forward to fight because he had Dao protectors by his side.

Of course, those by the Heavenly Emperor Son's side also dared not attack them. As long as the Victorious Fighting Buddha existed in the world, anyone who opposed his lineage would live in dread.

“Holy Imperial Son, how about we make a wager? If you don't have a suitable stake, perhaps you could offer one or two volumes of your father's scriptures,” the Heavenly Emperor Son suggested.

“This bastard is provoking us,” the Black Sovereign snarled.

“Why don't we fight it out at Qixia Garden? If I die, you take my father's scriptures; if you die, I take the Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree Heart,” the monkey retorted sharply.

“What's there to argue about? We are all Imperial Families from the Primordial Era; we should live in harmony.”

An elder from an ancient race stepped forward to mediate.

However, both the monkey and the Heavenly Emperor Son scoffed. While the Ancient Imperial Families appeared harmonious, they had rarely been truly amicable, each ruling powerful tribes and seldom uniting against external threats.

“I, the humble Daoist, will bet with you.” Just then, a young Daoist walked in. He held only a single page of scripture that emanated Dao traces, which he put away before anyone could clearly see it.

“Who are you, and what are you betting?” the Heavenly Emperor Son asked casually. Yet, his heart was shaken, as that scripture page was certainly no ordinary item.

“I am Yuanshi, the humble Daoist, and I'll stake a volume of the Yuanshi Scripture,” the young Daoist said, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth and smiling confidently.

“Never heard of it. Do you think a random scripture can compare to the Ancient Comprehension Tea Tree Heart?” someone by the Heavenly Emperor Son's side sneered.

*Whoosh*

The scripture page flashed again, and nine mysterious ancient characters erupted with light before disappearing, leaving behind only a trace of Dao rhythm, instantly astonishing all the experts present.

“How about it? There are nine ancient characters on it; is that enough for a stake?” This Daoist was, of course, Ye Fan, who had also arrived in the Divine City. His Origin Arts were now not far from the Celestial Master realm, making it impossible for anyone, even with a Celestial Eye, to discern his true identity.

“Very well, I'll bet with you!” A shocking high-stakes gamble began.

Qixia Plain, an ancient battlefield, barren and vast, stretching as far as the eye could see. It had existed since the Primordial Era, with endless legends surrounding it.

Ancient texts from various races recorded that Emperor Yuan had slain his most formidable lifelong adversary here. From then on, he embarked on an invincible path, ultimately achieving Dao and becoming an Emperor.

Yuangu's choice of this place for the decisive battle revealed his clear determination and intention. He was resolved to attain Dao and forge his own supreme imperial path!

In the early morning, a ray of dawn light pierced the heavens and earth as the crimson sun rose from the horizon. Its brilliant light bathed the plain, bringing much vitality.

At this moment, Qixia Plain was far from desolate; it was already teeming with countless people, standing shoulder to shoulder. No one knew how many cultivators had traversed the void to arrive. And they were still coming, with domain gates continuously opening, all for this battle that had been anticipated for days.

What was originally a desolate wilderness was now a sea of people, stretching as far as the eye could see, a truly spectacular sight.

The Southern Barbarian King arrived, descending atop an azure dragon. Attentive observers were startled to see a small black turtle perched on his head.

“People from the Demon Palace have also arrived...” A group of ancient demons descended, including the Southern Demon and Qi Huoshui, unwilling to miss this battle.

“Amitabha Buddha.” A Buddhist chant resonated as several Golden-bodied Arhats appeared. Behind them followed over a dozen young monks, each with a halo of Buddha light behind their heads, forming a disc—mysterious and powerful.

“These are people from the Great Thunderclap Temple!” Many exclaimed in surprise. There were many ancient temples in the Western Desert, but if one traced their origins to Sumeru Mountain, then this lineage had arrived.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the distance. People from Primeval Lake arrived, a vast, dark mass. Over a thousand people came, including no fewer than a hundred from the Imperial Family, and even an Ancestral King!

Leaving aside everything else, just this presence was enough to intimidate any opponent. With an Ancestral King in formation, who wouldn't be alarmed? Conversely, Yuangu's domineering aura would surely intensify.

“Can Ye Fan win?” Ji Ziyue was filled with worry, her lively eyes searching for him; Ye Fan hadn't arrived yet. She stood alongside Ji Haoyue, accompanied by many old masters, as the Ji family had also arrived.

“What right does the Saint Body have to contend with an Ancient Emperor's bloodline? This grand display is unnecessary; we can just kill him ourselves!”

At Primeval Lake, a thousand people gathered, and many radical young disciples were discussing, showing no respect for the Saint Body. They claimed Yuangu didn't even need to act; they alone would be enough.

Immediately, many people from neighboring ancient tribes responded, and the atmosphere reached its peak. Even before Yuangu appeared, the place was already boiling with excitement.

“Where is the Human Saint Body?” A young man from an ancient race stepped forward, standing tall and proud, his eyes cold. “Do you truly intend to challenge an Imperial bloodline to a decisive battle? I see no need; my intervention alone will be enough to kill you!”

This was a young man from a royal family, one of the eight major royal families under Primeval Lake. His cultivation had reached the Peak of Immortal Stage Two, and he was close to severance of Dao.

Everyone's heart tightened; this was definitely a deliberate arrangement. It was designed to enhance Yuangu's aura while undermining the Human Saint Body's confidence, constantly weakening his morale before the battle.

It wasn't necessarily the Imperial Family of Primeval Lake that sought this; it could have been the powerful tribes under their command acting on their own initiative.

“Indeed, what is the Human Saint Body? What right does he have to fight the bloodline of an Ancient Emperor? I say, let me go forth and kill him first!” A young expert from an ancient race stepped out to challenge.

“You despicable rascals, I, the humble Daoist, shall slay you all.” Just then, a tall, imposing figure strode forward.

“Who are you?”

“I am Tongtian, the humble Daoist. I will eliminate all you rotten wood, so as not to disrupt the true decisive battle.” The young Daoist, who called himself Tongtian, acted with great nonchalance.

“Since you dare to come, then it's a fight to the death,” several ancient race members who had been taunting earlier stepped out, grinning grimly as they approached.

“I, Tongtian, shall send you all on your way!” the young Daoist roared, surprisingly attacking several people simultaneously.

In an instant, various lights soared as all of them were drawn into a life-and-death struggle.

However, the battle did not last long. Soon, blood splattered. Several ancient race members were successively cut down, their blood staining the earth crimson.

Dragon Qilin soared across the sky, and the demon giants of the Eastern Wasteland arrived. Red Dragon Daoist, Yao Yuekong (the successor of the Heavenly Demon Palace), and a group of others descended. Among them, a woman, like a celestial maiden descended from the Nine Heavens, possessing peerless grace and beauty capable of toppling cities, was none other than Yan Ruyu, a descendant of the Azure Emperor.

On the other side, a domain gate opened wide, and the Saint Son of Yaoguang appeared as the successor. He possessed an indescribable aura, and numerous old masters guarded him with utmost deference.

“Ancestral King Nine Phoenix has arrived!”

In the distance, nine terrifying ancient beasts pulled a chariot, and an ancient divine carriage appeared in the void. No one had anticipated that this battle would draw the attention of such an unparalleled figure.

“No one is permitted to cause disturbance or disrespect. Let the Human Saint Body and Yuangu have their duel,” a clear, cold voice resonated from within the carriage.