Chapter 913: Ruthless Bloodline

The innermost layer of the small world contained eighty-one halls. Ye Fan and his companions now stood on the rooftops, overlooking everything. Mists swirled, the temples were grand, and shimmering lights dazzled.

“If I had a choice,” Hua Yunfei murmured softly, a dazed expression on his face, “I would rather spend my entire life never leaving Tai Xuan, the place where I was born and raised, never entering the cultivation world. I would simply be a pure and happy zither boy, lingering by small bridges and flowing streams.”

“You walk your own path. Everything is your choice. Why feign pretense before a life-or-death battle?”

Ye Fan formed the True Dragon Seal and attacked.

A true dragon sprang from his fingertips. Its green scales shimmered, its body powerful and emanating strong life fluctuations. Its eyes were spirited and gleamed brightly. With a single roar, winds and clouds dispersed, and the nine heavens thundered.

“How tragic it is if life offers no choices, only to be passively driven forward…” Hua Yunfei felt a pang of sorrow, but quickly calmed himself. He calmly made his move, as five-colored divine light burst from his fingertips, his five fingers seemingly suppressing the heavens and the earth!

Their battle began. Divine radiance erupted, strand by strand, ray by ray, surging in all directions. Lethal secret arts were unleashed simultaneously, clouds billowed, mists streamed, and immortal light shimmered brilliantly.

Hua Yunfei’s offense and defense were flawless, almost without a single imperfection. This was the secret art of Emperor Ruthless, the most astonishing Great Emperor of all time. With her own strength and talent that surpassed all ages, she sought to single-handedly counter the crystallization of wisdom from all past Daoist Sages – the Nine Secrets.

Of course, some also say that each of the Nine Secrets was created by a Heavenly Venerate of Daoism. Their cultivation realms were beyond anyone’s estimation; it is rumored that they were ancient beings who had long since ascended during the mythical era.

But Emperor Ruthless was on her own. In direct opposition, she uniquely created nine related secret arts, one person seeking to rival the entire Daoist sect!

Her secret arts each countered one of the Nine Secrets. Some also speculate that she encountered nine astonishing masters who had cultivated the Nine Secrets, and this greatly inspired her.

Others say that she single-handedly faced and painstakingly suppressed nine peerlessly invincible experts from nine ancient stars, and it was for this reason that she created her own unique set of nine secret arts.

Flying Immortal Power!

This was an unparalleled, sharp attack, a peerless secret art created by Emperor Ruthless, astonishing through the ages. It was born to counter the 'Dou' (Fight) character secret. No one knew what kind of enemy she encountered to create such an art.

Ye Fan countered with the authentic Daoist Dou (Fight) character secret. With a gesture of his hands, a magnificent Sacred Furnace appeared. The Hengyu Furnace, wreathed in crimson mists and radiating boundless light, pressed down.

“Myriad Transformation Saint Art, shattering all techniques!” Hua Yunfei roared. Ripples appeared from his left hand, dissolving time and shattering space as he enveloped the entire furnace, attempting to swallow it.

Boom!

In Ye Fan’s right hand, an ancient mirror appeared. It transformed into the Void Emperor Mirror, shining with an immortal divine radiance that immobilized Hua Yunfei’s entire left arm. At the same time, the Hengyu Furnace in his right hand also shot crimson mists into the sky. Immortal flames raged, churning and boiling as it smashed downwards, flashing with extreme divine might.

Bang!

Both were violently shaken, and blood splattered, though it was unclear whose. They transformed into two blurred figures, engaging in an astonishing, great duel, incredibly brave and charging forward relentlessly.

This was a life-or-death battle, holding nothing back. They unleashed their full power, their eyes almost bloodshot. Peerless secret arts like the Flying Immortal Art, Myriad Transformation Saint Art, Dou (Fight) character secret, and Bing (Soldier) character secret intertwined, igniting true combat fury.

The two flew over one hall after another, becoming two intertwining streaks of light as the battle reached a fever pitch. Hua Yunfei carried a divine diagram on his back, fluttering loudly.

Dragon Sealing Diagram!

This was a treasure he had discovered in a dragon cave within the Qinling Mountains of the Central Plains, after traveling across countless mountains and rivers. It was a relic of the third-generation Source Heavenly Master who had journeyed far into the Central Plains, capable of sealing the dragon energy of mountains and earth veins, preventing anyone from drawing it forth.

In his later years, the third-generation Source Heavenly Master met with misfortune. He hid in the Qinling Mountains, died, and was buried in the dragon cave. Seventy thousand years later, his corpse emerged and caused chaos, only to be annihilated by a wisp of killing intent from the Azure Emperor.

It wasn't that he wasn't powerful enough; it was simply that ancient Great Emperors were too terrifying. Otherwise, few in this world could have restrained him. The treasure diagram he refined was naturally profound beyond compare.

The earth’s dragon energy was locked, and Ye Fan’s Source Heavenly patterns could not manifest effectively, dissolving his advantage. The two darted like rabbits and falcons, engaging in fierce contention, fighting their way from above the halls into the ancient temples.

Time was pressing. Ye Fan didn't want to waste much time; he needed to find the Scripture Repository before others. Otherwise, if the secret of traversing star fields became known to others, the trouble would be immense.

Six Paths Reincarnation Fist!

Creation of heaven and earth, chaos surging, six ancient universes appeared, with suns, moons, and stars revolving. His pair of golden fists shattered the void and annihilated all obstacles.

Pfft!

Hua Yunfei coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining his blue robes crimson. But the battle intent in his eyes grew even stronger. Divine chains of order rattled throughout his body, transforming into phoenix divine wings, slashing horizontally and vertically, radiating boundless light.

This was a perilous battle. Hua Yunfei was no longer what he used to be; even back then, he could contend with Ye Fan and vie for superiority. Now, having devoured various origins and even unearthed the tombs of saints, he was even more terrifying.

Fortunately, the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art was too profound. He had only mastered three or four of the forbidden secret arts on the last page, not yet reaching the state of mastery where he could display them all. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unpredictable.

Even so, it was extremely terrifying, making many living fossils tremble with fear. This was also why the emergence of Emperor Ruthless's inheritor caused panic throughout the world; they were simply too invincible.

They fought their way from one hall into another. The battle was so intense that the sky grew dim, and the sun and moon lost their light. Various immortal lights and divine clouds surged, shaking the entire small world.

Even the ancient cave leading deep into the Central Plains' First Ancestral Vein began to crack. It emitted demonic light, constantly rumbling, as strands of Dao light rushed out.

Bang!

Ye Fan coughed up a mouthful of golden blood. The Flying Immortal Power was one of the few secret arts in this era that could injure him. Legend had it that when Emperor Ruthless used it, it was truly 'flying to immortality'! That had long surpassed the scope of human power and was fundamentally not something a 'human' could contend with; some even speculated it was meant to kill immortals!

Pfft!

Hua Yunfei suffered even greater injuries. He was sent flying by Ye Fan's hand, which was like a golden grinding wheel. Although it was merely a graze, his bones cracked loudly, and over a dozen of them snapped. He coughed up large mouthfuls of blood.

He was originally a graceful and transcendent figure, rarely suffering such setbacks. Especially in the past twelve years, he had been unstoppable wherever he went, and the mere mention of Emperor Ruthless's inheritor made everyone's expression change. Yet now, facing Ye Fan again, he suffered a huge loss.

“Ye Fan, your path ahead will not be easy. Someone has been eyeing you for a long time.” Hua Yunfei smiled, a touch of desolation in it. Blood trickled from his mouth, giving off a strange sensation.

“Such words are useless. Today, we decide life and death, nothing else matters!” Ye Fan moved with grand, sweeping gestures, letting out a long roar that made everyone in the entire small world tremble.

The golden blood energy of the Human Sacred Body was exceptionally unique. It was like an immortal furnace that had existed since ancient times, left behind by divine beings. Golden blood energy filled the sky, engulfing all eighty-one ancient temples.

Ye Fan’s unbound, dense black hair wildly danced. He strode forward like a god or demon, unleashing the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist again, its masculinity reaching an extreme. This profound art was most suited to his physique.

Boom!

Heaven and earth surged because of him, essence energy surging wildly. If not for the ancient sages' magic formations, nothing would be left here; it would be razed to the ground, leaving only ashes.

Hua Yunfei struggled even while employing the Myriad Transformation Saint Art. Even with this world-defying wondrous art, he couldn't completely neutralize it, because Ye Fan had comprehended the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist to a brand new realm. It was no longer merely a confrontation of techniques and Dao; it also contained belief and soul.

“Hua Yunfei, are you here to die today? With other thoughts in your mind, yet still wishing to fight me, you have no hope of survival!” Ye Fan roared.

Although golden blood also trickled from Ye Fan’s mouth, this life-or-death adversary was in a more severe condition than him. If not for the miraculous Phoenix Nirvana Regeneration Art, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The two battled all the way, blood splattering, charging into one ancient hall after another. Ye Fan searched for the Scripture Repository as he fought. This formidable foe was truly more terrifying now; having devoured kings and saints, his physique was quite extraordinary.

Pang Bo and the big black dog were also engaged in fierce combat with others. However, they both had trump cards they hadn't used yet, especially Black Emperor, who was grinning sinisterly and had not yet delivered a killing blow.

Meanwhile, Qi Luo and the half-saint disappeared simultaneously, beginning a hunt-and-be-hunted operation. Occasionally, terrifying fluctuations would emanate from the void.

Most astonishing was Ji Ziyue, who was battling Li Xiaoman. She displayed astonishing strength, colliding back and forth with three hundred and sixty-five golden divine spirits without falling into a disadvantage.

“Ah…”

Hua Yunfei was wounded once more. The blood he coughed up nearly stained half of his body crimson. His eyes were cold, almost crazed, as the Great Dao Treasure Bottle above his head descended, merging with the Flying Immortal Power. He continuously unleashed wondrous arts.

“A single thought blossoms, reigning over the world…”

Flying Immortal Power surged forth, and pure white flowers blossomed, one after another. Their petals were crystalline and drifted down, each emitting a resounding hum. This place was pierced through and utterly engulfed by various divine chains of order.

Rattle!

The divine chains were as if corporeal, interweaving one after another. Crimson as blood, sky-blue as crystal… they were multi-colored, each distinct, dazzling yet intimidating.

Pfft!

Ye Fan dodged hundreds of these chains, but one eventually pierced through his chest. It could heavily wound even the Human Sacred Body; one could imagine the terrifying nature of Emperor Ruthless's secret art.

A wisp of golden blood emerged from his chest. Ye Fan's eyes instantly turned cold. He reined in all his thoughts, no longer paying attention to the ancient temples or the Scripture Repository, and focused all his strength on utterly slaying Hua Yunfei.

He let out a clear roar, his dense black hair dishevelled. Behind him, eighty-one golden waterfalls surged defying the heavens, each as massive as a celestial river, rolling upwards.

Especially the central one, which burst from his crown, pierced through the entire small world. Its magical power was like an ocean, severing all divine chains of order.

Ye Fan wielded the Sacred Battle Art with his left hand and the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist with his right. His moves were unparalleled in their fierce might and boundless domineering power, his eyes blazed with intense resolve. Behind him, golden rivers surged upwards, crushing all obstacles, displaying astonishing divine bravery.

Boom!

Amidst the overwhelming roar, Hua Yunfei staggered backward, leaving a bloody footprint with every step. A crack opened from his glabella, then spread like a spiderweb, extending all the way to his chest. Finally, his sternum exploded.

He flew horizontally backward, coughing blood as he laughed, “The Sacred Body lives up to its reputation, but you are also someone else’s prey.”

“Given your current state of mind, you are bound to die fighting me today!” Ye Fan displayed the 'Zhe' (Recover) character secret. His entire body glowed golden like immortal fire, golden flames burning fiercely, and his bones cracked and popped as his injuries instantly recovered.

“I don’t want to be someone else’s shadow. In this battle today, either you die, or I perish. If I succeed, I will travel to the other side of the starry sky, and one day I will return in glory to kill my way back!” Hua Yunfei activated the Phoenix Nirvana Regeneration Art. His physical body also rapidly healed, displaying the miraculous effect of rebirth after nine deaths.

“What are you saying?” Ye Fan advanced coldly, fearless. Among his peers in this era, he feared no one.

“Emperor Ruthless’s lineage is far more terrifying than you imagine. Today, you are merely prey…”

“Are you trying to reveal something to me?” Ye Fan asked.

“I am simply unwilling,” Hua Yunfei replied, “unwilling to be a mere pawn on someone else’s chessboard. Today, I, Hua Yunfei, will fight my way to a future that truly belongs to me!” His demeanor changed, becoming utterly resolute.