Chapter 915: Exiled Immortal's Demise

Welcome.

Wisps of dark light descended as the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot appeared nearby. The old blind man and Duan De had returned, jointly activating the weapon to shield Ye Fan.

The Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot, forged from the flesh and bones of the Ruthless Great Emperor, was profound and mystical, more mysterious than any other Emperor Weapon. Though ancient and unassuming in appearance, it possessed unfathomable immortal might! To behold it was to recall that stunning woman who had stood supreme through the ages. What immense courage did she possess to forge her very being into a weapon?

On its demonic lid was a ghost-face mark, appearing to cry yet also to smile. It was somewhat playful, yet also tinged with sorrow, bearing tear stains but also radiating light, making it unforgettable for anyone who gazed upon it.

The peerless aura of an ancient Great Emperor seemed to transcend eons, striking awe. It overlooked the nine heavens and ten lands. At that moment, all creation fell silent, all beings felt compelled to kneel, struck by utter dread.

The silence was profound. Only when Chang Wei's presence vanished did everything return to normal. Ye Fan spoke coldly towards the outside of the ancestral temple, “I knew you would come to kill me. Do you dare to face me in direct combat?”

Monkey, Duan De, and Dongfang Ye's pursuit of the Heavenly Emperor's Son was merely a feint. They hadn't truly gone far. Ye Fan had already anticipated that someone would strike with an Emperor Weapon and had made arrangements.

The Emperor Weapon intimidated everyone. All other cultivators retreated far, far away; not a single person dared to approach the temple, for even a wisp of the Emperor's might would instantly reduce them to dust, leaving no doubt.

Silence fell. No one responded to Ye Fan. The sudden wisp of Emperor's might vanished, as if it had never appeared at all.

“Tap, tap…”

Footsteps echoed within the empty hall, accentuating the profound silence. Monkey, Duan De, and the old blind man pressed forward together, determined to eliminate Hua Yunfei here.

“The Demonic Body must eventually shed, becoming nourishment for the Divine Embryo. I am unwilling to accept this,” Hua Yunfei murmured to himself with a soft sigh. He looked at Ye Fan and said, “I ask for nothing else. I wish to fight you one last time, without restraint.”

“Swish!” With a flash of blue light, Hua Yunfei vanished from their sight, having employed some ingenious technique. He rushed into the hall the big black dog had discovered, and the others immediately pursued him inside.

“Woof!” The big black dog pounced immediately, its massive paw swiping, causing several spatial cracks to appear instantly. However, as Hua Yunfei pressed his hand against a star map on the stone wall, a brilliant divine light erupted.

The stone wall softened, resembling a mire. He charged forward and instantly vanished into it, disappearing from the hall.

“These are all small teleportation arrays!” exclaimed the Black Emperor.

Ye Fan was the first to pursue him. The teleportation arrays in this place were of great significance; Heaven knew what secret lands they connected to.

With a flash of light, they entered a vast, silent platform. It was boundless in all directions and utterly quiet, with no one in sight, strongly resembling a training ground.

Below, figures were indistinct, and ancient temples stretched across the land. They had actually arrived in mid-air. This was a "battle island" suspended in the sky, formerly used for duels by masters within the ancestral temple.

“They’re up there!” Below, some people saw the two, all displaying surprise as they looked up and watched.

Everyone had come in search of treasure and were unwilling to waste time. They hadn't expected anyone to engage in such a one-on-one decisive battle, which naturally drew everyone's attention.

At the entrance of the minor world, even more people poured in, all witnessing this astonishing scene: the Human Saint Body battling the Ruthless Emperor's successor. It was a truly world-shaking confrontation.

“Damn it, we can’t get in! This is an ancient battle island; they’ve sealed it off. Outsiders can’t enter unless the fight concludes with a clear victor,” the big black dog snarled, baring its teeth. It had tried to rush into the stone wall just moments ago, only to crash its head and end up with a huge lump, like a large tumor.

“They can’t enter. No one will disturb us, and no one will interfere. Let us have our final duel in this life!” Hua Yunfei’s voice was low and resonant.

This battle could not be stopped until one opponent died. For them, it was truly the final confrontation; only one could survive. Two such exceptional talents could not coexist.

Below, Duan De and the old blind man also gazed up at the sky. They were about to activate the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Pot to shatter the light barrier shrouding the battle island and join the fray.

“You don’t need to intervene. I will fight this final battle myself!” Ye Fan declared, secretly transmitting a message to Pang Bo and the others to continue their search for the secret of crossing star regions.

A cruel and deadly battle, a true life-and-death duel, raged across the entire battle island. From time to time, a wisp of world-shaking killing intent pierced through the light barrier, leaving onlookers gaping in astonishment.

Hua Yunfei had truly entered his state, casting aside all hesitation. Like a lone wolf facing the apocalypse, he fought with a tragic resolve, giving his all to complete this final segment of his journey.

“Splat!” Blood splattered from both of them, flying dozens of feet away. A true death match held no room for fancy moves; only the most ferocious techniques were employed.

Ye Fan’s eyes were exceptionally cold. Since this was a life-and-death duel, showing mercy would be equivalent to forfeiting his own life. Furthermore, his opponent’s actions made any leniency impossible. He could only eliminate this enemy in this battle.

The Flying Immortal Art! The Myriad Transformations Sacred Art! A Single Thought Blooms, Dominating the World!

Hua Yunfei’s demeanor transformed completely, starkly different from before. Killing intent filled the heavens; his ethereal divine charm receded. His hair flew wildly, and his eyes sharpened with fierce resolve.

The exiled immortal had transformed into a god of slaughter!

His aura became immensely powerful, and blood-red light erupted from his body. With a roar, the entire minor world quaked, and temples across the land trembled violently, as divine principles penetrated the battle island and spread outward.

Ye Fan had not anticipated that the usually refined and elegant Hua Yunfei could possess such a terrifying aspect when enraged. There was no resemblance to his former self.

At this very moment, Hua Yunfei seemed to have succumbed to demonic influence, transformed into an Asura. Endless killing intent permeated the air; his hair was disheveled, and his fighting spirit soared. His eyes grew increasingly dazzling, like two divine lamps. He fought with the ferocity of a madman.

“Splat!” Flying Immortal energy ripped a large quantity of blood from Ye Fan’s abdomen. Simultaneously, five-colored light flickered around Hua Yunfei as five spirits emerged from his body, all surging forth for a decisive strike.

Ye Fan roared, growing stronger the fiercer the opposition. With a single utterance of the 'Om' syllable, he shattered the five spirits of Hua Yunfei's Dao Palace. His Six Paths Reincarnation Fist blasted forward, as six ancient universes revolved, tearing off one of Hua Yunfei’s arms.

Golden battle-blood boiled within him. Ye Fan grew even more frenzied when faced with such madness. He crushed one of Hua Yunfei’s arms with a single punch, pushing forward valiantly. This was a clash between titans, a confrontation on a narrow path where only the brave could prevail.

Three thousand rounds had passed since the battle began, an extremely perilous duration. Hua Yunfei spared no cost, exhausting immeasurable sources of power—some from kings, some from ancient saints—all originating from others.

Since Ye Fan embarked on his cultivation path, he had endured countless hardships. Bitter battles lasting three thousand rounds were few and far between. It was rare to find an opponent who could push him to such an extent and demand such a price.

Ye Fan gained the upper hand, his destructive power growing increasingly astonishing. Even though Hua Yunfei had devoured the origins of many, he was now severely wounded, with over a dozen places where his flesh and bones were shattered.

Suddenly, black divine chains shot forth, silently entangling Ye Fan, drawing away his divine power, vital essence, and original source. It was terrifying beyond measure.

This was the true essence of the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art. It could typically only be unleashed upon a defeated foe. With Hua Yunfei’s current cultivation, he could not arbitrarily launch such an attack against a powerful, actively fighting enemy.

However, he had cultivated a secret art from the Forbidden Chapter—Severing the Heavenly Dao!

Once this art was mastered, it significantly boosted his combat power. It could be used in conjunction with the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art’s core technique, granting him immense versatility and causing his combat power to skyrocket.

Severing the Heavenly Dao, with a name so audacious, was naturally terrifying beyond measure. It embodied the path of severing the heavens, offering a comprehensive enhancement of offensive power, control, and primordial spirit power, making an individual terrifying to the extreme.

Various colorful glows burst forth, revealing thousands upon thousands of immortal blades. Some were dragon-shaped, others phoenix-shaped, shaking heaven and earth. They cut down whatever they encountered and slew whatever they touched!

Having fought to this extreme, Ye Fan also unleashed his fury. Golden blood flowed, his hair disheveled, and a multitude of secret arts erupted from him, countering this never-before-seen technique. Both fought until their blood boiled with intensity.

An Immortal King descended upon the nine heavens, holding a lotus, stepping upon a golden sea of suffering, and bearing the sun, moon, rivers, and mountains on his back. Ye Fan displayed this phenomenon, employing broad, sweeping movements to counter the immortal blades and launch his attacks.

Ye Fan's main body, however, was even more tyrannical. Once his right hand unleashed the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, nothing could impede it. His body moved with the 'Dou' character art, every part capable of attack. His left hand occasionally unleashed a fragmented form of the Peerless Art, causing everything to revert to its origin.

Hua Yunfei suffered a severe blow. Although he had unleashed a brand-new forbidden secret art, he was still nearly shattered. Many shattered bones flew outwards, and his physical body struggled to reassemble in the distance.

“Ah…!” Hua Yunfei roared, having consumed most of his life force. His body was nearly transforming into light, and endless potential was forced out without regard for consequence, causing Ye Fan to also spill golden blood, paying a corresponding price.

He unleashed several secret arts simultaneously; it wasn't a mere superposition. Each secret art was intricately linked, mutually transforming and enhancing one another, amplifying their power severalfold. This had catastrophic consequences for Ye Fan.

When one fights desperately, the potential unleashed is boundless. Hua Yunfei's physical body was almost dissolving, and various secret arts merged into one, nearly cleaving Ye Fan in half!

“Witness my supreme secret art!” Ye Fan roared back, enraged. Having sustained such injuries—his skull nearly ripped open—he fully activated his secret arts.

His first move was the Peerless Art, causing everything to revert to its primitive state, to its origin. Ye Fan fully activated this singular technique, nearly causing Hua Yunfei to suffer a great calamity.

“The Ruthless Emperor’s secret arts are astounding through the ages; even the Peerless Great Emperor cannot surpass them!” Hua Yunfei roared, his black hair standing on end. With a shift in his Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, a Grand Dao Treasure Bottle flickered between his eyebrows, rendering the incomplete Peerless Art ineffective!

“Sacrifice my divine form and evolve a true Great Emperor Art!” Hua Yunfei whispered, a myriad of light rays shooting from his glabella as his physical body ignited. Flying Immortal energy surged from the treasure bottle mark between his eyebrows, transforming into an exiled immortal.

Then, Severing the Heavenly Dao was also unleashed. Various colorful glows burst forth, as dragon and phoenix shapes revolved around the exiled immortal, becoming his weapons, as if draping him in a layer of immortal raiment.

“A Single Thought Blooms…” Hua Yunfei whispered, blood seeping from his true body. The wondrous arts of the Forbidden Chapter were fully unleashed without reservation.

Pure white petals danced in the air, surrounding him, each one stained with blood. They rendered the battle island incredibly desolate yet beautiful, fluttering and scattering down from the sky.

The power of the Myriad Transformations Sacred Art also merged into the various lights, connecting with Hua Yunfei as one. He advanced in the void, treading on snow-white petals, launching his ultimate attack!

Ye Fan had already made his move, his entire being vanishing as he transformed into a golden Taiji circle. This was his divine form. Only a rare few in all creation could cultivate their own “divine form.”

Using his divine form to unleash various wondrous arts, his spiritual power rapidly surged. He was submerged in Dao light as the Six Paths Reincarnation, Nine Secrets, and fragments of the Peerless Art were unleashed simultaneously, countering the Ruthless Emperor’s flawless secret technique!

Below, everyone ceased fighting and stopped contending for treasures. All were drawn by the battle above. They knew that life and death would be decided in this ultimate strike!

“Boom!” Immeasurable Dao light burst forth, causing everyone to close their eyes; even those who had severed their Dao were no exception. No one could see clearly; this kind of duel was too terrifying, beyond human imagination.

The battle island shattered, and this minor world itself was pierced through. Yet, there was utterly no sound. Terrifying energy scattered wildly for an instant, then swiftly receded, all converging on that single point.

The two became intertwined!

No one knew what had happened, nor who had lived or who had died. It was extraordinarily eerie!

It was a “singularity,” which no one could directly observe from beginning to end. It was thousands of times brighter than the sun; the surrounding void transformed into black holes as chaos surged.

It was as if heaven and earth were being created: the spot shattered and reformed, cycling endlessly.

At this moment, all factions were stunned. No one dared to approach, only watching from afar, quietly waiting for the chaos to subside.

After an unknown period, the light dimmed. Ye Fan, covered in golden blood, slowly emerged from the sphere of light, step by step, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in the void.

From within the “singularity,” where light still blazed, another figure emerged. Clad in a light blue immortal robe that fluttered softly, he was transcendent and refined, seemingly untouched by mortal concerns. He appeared like a true immortal, imbued with an unspeakable ethereal quality.

A rain of petals filled the sky, shimmering and descending into the minor world. Hua Yunfei, more graceful and beautiful than any woman, had skin fairer than snow, and his dark hair glowed faintly.

His entire body appeared to be composed of light, every inch of his being exuding immortal radiance. At that moment, like an exiled immortal, tears suddenly streamed down his face, tinged with a hint of sorrow. He said, “It’s finally over… My Taixuan Star Peak, which gave birth to me and nurtured me—I can no longer elevate you to the zenith of this ancient star, rise…” He concluded, “In the end, I failed to break free from the shackles of fate.”

His body was etherealizing, and showers of light emanated from him. His exiled immortal body continuously faded as he descended beside the ancient cave within this minor world.

That was the entrance connecting to the deepest part of the Central Plains Ancestral Vein. Borrowing the power of this earth vein to temporarily prevent his light body from dispersing, he sat there, took out an ancient zither, and began to play, its notes tinkling softly.

The zither’s music was moving, painting a captivating scene: under the clear moonlight, pure springs flowed over stones and past the roots of pine forests, creating a scene of immense harmony and tranquility.

The entire battlefield, the entire minor world, fell into silence. Everyone looked towards the ancient cave, gazing at Hua Yunfei, who resembled an exiled immortal, watching showers of light emanate from his body as he slowly faded.

“A pathetic life, a future devoid of choice… all of this…” Hua Yunfei whispered. “It’s finally over. If I cannot break free, then let me scatter with the wind.” His body dimmed further as the light-rain continuously dispersed.

“Hua Yunfei!” Ye Fan called out in a low voice.

The ethereal, transcendent man looked up at Ye Fan while continuing to play the zither. Through divine sense, he said, “The Ruthless Emperor’s lineage is beyond your imagination. I am merely a pathetic abandoned pawn.”

“It has always been the demonic body that perfects the divine embryo, just as… the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art perfects the Undying Heavenly Art.”

“I did not wish to walk this path. If I had a choice, I would only wish to be a happy zither player.”

“When I was five years old, they found me. I still remember the inheritor of my Undying Heavenly Art; he was the same age as me, a tiny child, his whole body glowing with light.”

“I know that even if I reveal everything, Taixuan Star Peak would not be enough to withstand their wrath.”

Scene after scene appeared in Ye Fan’s mind. He saw two young children and a mysterious Dao Protector.

One child, glowing all over, appeared intelligent and sacred, truly like a child of the gods. The other child must have been Hua Yunfei; he looked delicate and lovely, even more pitiable than a little girl, clutching an ancient zither, timid and fearful, constantly shrinking back.

“One of them was me. You must have already guessed the other, no? Long ago, I told you that you only guessed half correctly; you guessed me, the abandoned pawn.” Hua Yunfei smiled, his body growing increasingly blurry as showers of light rose from him.

“I rarely killed truly good people. Most of the origins I absorbed were obtained from ancient tombs I unearthed. All those I eliminated were guilty. My pursuit of you, Ji Ziyue, and others was merely fate’s manipulation; an unseen hand pulled the strings in the shadows…” At this point, he softly murmured, “You may choose not to believe me.”

Hua Yunfei was smiling, a mix of loneliness, reluctance, and a touch of melancholy. He gazed into the distance, as if to pierce through time and space for one last look at the distant Taixuan Star Peak.

“All the secret arts I know, he knows as well. The Undying Heavenly Art surpasses even the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art. The greater my achievements, the stronger his power became. I… I was merely someone who toiled for another’s benefit.”

“My Dao Protector was also his Dao Protector. He merely regarded me as a chess piece. Who was he truly trying to elevate? The choice was made from the very beginning; my destiny was sealed when I was but a child. All my reluctance, all my efforts, ultimately amounted to nothing.”

Ye Fan said nothing, listening quietly, his gaze serene. He looked at Hua Yunfei, then at his own blood-stained hands.

“They all say the Ruthless Emperor’s lineage is truly awe-inspiring, shaking ancient and shining in modern times. Indeed, it’s not wrong. Even sacred lands have become the very soil from which it draws nourishment. How terrifying is this, just like the Undying Heavenly Art developing from the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art. This inheritance is reborn within the aging sacred lands, transforming into a divine embryo!”

Ye Fan was stunned; all of this truly surpassed his imagination!

“I am a pathetic fish. For so many years, time after time, I leaped with all my might. Each time I believed I had escaped that river, leaping upwards, plunging into another river of life that was truly my own. Yet each time, a large hand forcibly dragged me back, tossing me into that unchanging current, always flowing in one direction.”

“If I could choose, I would only wish to be a young child of Taixuan Star Peak—those were my happiest times.” Hua Yunfei’s face was filled with melancholy and regret, and he offered a final, mournful smile that was unspeakably heartbreaking.

The zither music lingered, and endless pure, beautiful flowers bloomed. Pure white petals danced across the sky, encircling him, engulfing him, burying him.

He was so transcendent and refined; shower after shower of light emanated from his body. He slowly etherealized, gradually vanishing as his life reached its end.

“My Taixuan Star Peak, which gave birth to me and nurtured me, I have failed. I lost to fate, unable to break free from these shackles. Alas, I can no longer look upon you. Father, Mother, elder and younger brothers, I did not betray Taixuan. Yunfei had no choice. May Taixuan prosper and protect all its disciples! I am leaving.”

He gazed into the distance towards Southern Region Taixuan, as crystalline tears rolled down his face. The last shower of light dissipated, falling into the ancient cave of the ancestral vein. Hua Yunfei completely vanished then, utterly gone.