Chapter 1205: Hellish Wild Beast

Having concluded the instructions, the Grand Libationer looked up at the Heavenly Mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, and murmured with emotion:

“A thousand miles of painted land, mournful souls lamenting like song. Everyone, if you encounter the fallen heroes of Taicang, take only what you need and do not disturb their rest.”

These simple words carried an unspoken, profound sadness. It was as if he had personally witnessed the tragic events of that time.

Jiang Fan remembered the disciples from the Nine Sects who had bravely fallen on Mount Jie while resisting the undead army. Moved by his words, he replied, “I understand!”

Everyone from the various sects felt a surge of respect. The millennium of peace in the Central Plains was bought with their flesh and blood, and their very lives. It was not to be desecrated.

Only Venerable Evil Raven cast an indifferent glance at the ancient battlefield, his eyes alight with nothing but greed. For other sects, the ancient battlefield was merely a hunting ground for ancient scriptures, precious techniques, spiritual artifacts, and divine relics. But for the Grand Yin Sect, the greatest resource lay in the well-preserved corpses. Even though the fallen had been dead for a long time, the power of the yin corpses refined from them would be significantly diminished. Nevertheless, the transcendent experts who had perished there possessed immense power. If successfully refined into yin corpses, their strength would still be quite formidable.

He gave the Grand Yin Sect Master a subtle look. An indifferent voice echoed in his mind.

“Do you remember my instructions?”

The Grand Yin Sect Master nodded. Before their departure, Venerable Evil Raven had given him two instructions. Firstly, to proceed to the westernmost reaches of the Heavenly Mountain range, where a Grand Yin Sect Venerable had fallen a millennium ago, and retrieve his remains. Secondly, to collect as many powerful corpses as possible, regardless of whether they belonged to ancient giants or the myriad races of Taicang. And a third, to find an opportunity to kill Jiang Fan.

Since the Grand Libationer intended to protect Jiang Fan, Venerable Evil Raven would naturally not act against him openly. However, that only applied to overt actions. If he were targeted covertly, who would be aware? The Heavenly Mountain battlefield was fraught with peril; Jiang Fan’s accidental death within it would be perfectly normal.

Meanwhile, Venerable Heart Demon produced several primal essences and handed them to the Myriad Tribulations Palace Master.

“Protecting yourself and the disciples who have reached the Eight Apertures realm is your primary mission. Acquiring resources comes second.”

The Myriad Tribulations Palace Master accepted the essences and replied, “Yes, Venerable.” This time, the Myriad Tribulations Holy Temple had brought five powerful cultivators who had reached the Eight Apertures Nascent Soul realm, which was more than enough to handle most challenges.

Venerable True Word also approached a young man who stood with his head bowed, remaining silent. It was none other than Master Dust Mirror.

“Once inside, do not overexert yourself; do your best in all matters.”

Master Dust Mirror remained with his head lowered, his expression unreadable. “Yes, Venerable,” he replied.

Venerable True Word paused for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. In the past, Master Dust Mirror had always addressed her as ‘Master.’ Now, he called her ‘Venerable.’ The sight of her two daughters sharing a husband had profoundly affected Master Dust Mirror’s disposition. Reflecting on this, her eyes showed a hint of apology.

“If you cannot recover from this, then I, your master, am truly at fault.”

Venerables from other regions and the sect masters of various factions were also giving final instructions to their disciples.

Jiang Fan, however, had no special instructions to give. He was merely curious that all sects, large and small, had arrived. Only the White Horse Temple had no representatives present.

“Grand Libationer, what about the White Horse Temple?” Jiang Fan asked with surprise.

The Grand Libationer replied meaningfully, “The White Horse Temple is currently facing some difficulties. They have no energy to spare for other matters.”

To forgo such a grand opportunity, just how severe were their troubles? Could it be related to the Vajra Seal?

Just as he considered quietly asking for more details, the colossal seal above the Heavenly Mountain range completely vanished. This signaled the opening of the ancient battlefield!

However, before the Grand Libationer could even announce their entry, a whimpering sound, like a broken bellows, suddenly echoed from within the ancient battlefield. It was akin to spending a night in a desolate mountain temple and suddenly hearing the sobs of a female ghost in the dead of night. A strange, terrifying, and chilling aura seeped into everyone’s skin, sending shivers down their spines.

Jiang Fan couldn’t help but feel goosebumps rise on his skin. He recalled the ‘living beings’ the Grand Libationer had mentioned. Could it be that this ancient battlefield, sealed for a millennium and supposedly devoid of all life, truly harbored living beings?

The Grand Libationer’s aged eyes narrowed slightly. “All of you, take care,” he said. “The ancient battlefield is now officially open! Proceed!”

The Divine Movement Sect was the first to react. As a sect that had specialized in tomb excavation for centuries, the ancient battlefield was undoubtedly a domain where they excelled. Immediately following, the Grand Yin Sect and the Seven Great Teachings also sprang into action. The disciples of the Venerables then stepped in one after another. Jiang Fan dared not delay either, leading the Heavenly Dao Pavilion members into the ancient battlefield. Subsequently, the numerous small and medium-sized sects also entered.

He wondered if it was merely a hallucination. The moment Jiang Fan stepped onto the battlefield, he vaguely sensed a pair of eyes filled with deep animosity fixed upon him. When he vigilantly turned to look, the animosity retreated, concealed once more. The individual was hidden among the hundred or so Nascent Soul cultivators, making them difficult to pinpoint.

“What’s wrong?” Yue Mingzhu, having quietly moved beside Jiang Fan, asked with concern.

Jiang Fan narrowed his eyes. “Among the Nascent Soul cultivators from these smaller and medium sects, there’s someone with deep hostility towards me.” If it had been the Grand Yin Sect, Three Pure Mountain, or Divine Movement Sect, he wouldn’t have been surprised. He had significant grievances with all three. However, he had never offended any of the smaller or medium-sized sects. That deep animosity was utterly inexplicable.

Yue Mingzhu shrugged. “You’re surrounded by beauties, all the finest women of this age. If I were a man, I’d hate you even more than he does.”

Jiang Fan gazed around. “These are all individuals who have endured countless trials to reach the Nascent Soul realm,” he said. “How could mere jealousy breed such profound animosity? Could it be one of my old adversaries?” He scanned the surroundings, but no sign of an enemy. With many sects already venturing deep into the battlefield, there was no time to linger. He could only set the matter aside for the time being.

“They had better not provoke me,” Jiang Fan thought, letting out a cold snort. This expedition to the ancient battlefield was crucial for the advancement of the entire Heavenly Dao Pavilion. If anyone dared to hinder his progress, he would show no mercy!

With that, he led his group into the ancient battlefield.

From a medium-sized sect called the Palace of Stars, its master, a woman in palace attire who had reached the Five Apertures Nascent Soul realm, stood wearing a long purple gown embroidered with numerous stars. Her eyes, cold and mysterious, fixed on Jiang Fan’s retreating figure, and a cunning, cold smile appeared on her face.

“Jiang Fan! Of all places, why did you choose to come to the Heavenly Mountain battlefield? You shun the path to heaven, yet you insist on forcing your way into the doorless hell! Since you wish for it, I shall grant your desire and ensure you have no burial place!”

A wisp of pure Yin energy flickered in her eyes. Few beings in the Central Plains possessed such pure Yin energy. And of those with a deep-seated vendetta against Jiang Fan, there was only one: The Hellish Desolate Beast! Ever since escaping Jiang Fan’s pursuit, it had transformed its appearance by devouring the true Palace Master of the Palace of Stars. Disguised in her likeness, it had successfully infiltrated the Heavenly Mountain battlefield.

It watched Jiang Fan’s figure vanish, then its gaze shifted towards the center of the Heavenly Mountains. The thousand-mile-long Heavenly Mountain range bore a massive, hundred-mile-wide fissure. That was the result of a great human sage’s self-detonation in ancient times. And the Giant Emperor was located within it.

“I had intended to resurrect a Giant King to rescue you. But now, I must come personally! Taicang Grand State, prepare yourselves to face the wrath of an ancient emperor from a millennium past!”