Chapter 974: Taking Disciples
Ye Fan spoke these words with great calm, as if recounting a very ordinary matter, seemingly unaware of the storm that would surely follow.
He alone was about to declare war on the Crusaders of the Eastern Expedition!
What immense boldness this was, daring to act in such a way, undoubtedly stirring up monstrous waves. In the eyes of these sect leaders, it might even pierce the heavens.
In ancient times, for the sake of contending over the holy city of Jerusalem, the Crusader Eastern Expeditions had led to widespread suffering and devastation. Back then, experts emerged in droves, and mighty figures were as numerous as clouds; every campaign resulted in earth-shattering battles.
Ye Fan showed no agitated emotions. All of this was merely a counterattack against the Western orthodoxies who intended to move against him. He had no overly vehement rhetoric.
"I don't care who they are. Since they want to pass a doomsday judgment on me and enforce their law, then I'm sorry—whether it's Crusaders or Divine Knights, they can only be killed."
Now, in this Age of Dharma's End, he had no desire to eradicate any sect or school, but he would not tolerate others bullying him to his face. Several fallen angels had traveled east, coming to the Central Land to pass judgment on him and take his life—this was utterly unbearable.
With such an uproar at the Cultivators' Assembly, people had lost all interest in watching the competitions. Even several of the younger generation's peerless talents had been overshadowed. The sect leaders were all discussing the matter of Ye Fan going west.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, you are about to face the Crusaders alone. Although you are powerful, it is still too risky. Why not take on a few disciples? Even if you don't want to establish a sect, having a few students to pass on your legacy would be good."
The Kunlun Sect Leader Xue Chen spoke earnestly, trying to persuade him. He felt that Ye Fan was too young and had no intention of taking disciples, which was truly a pity.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, the path of cultivation is long and arduous. One day, you will surely choose to travel far. The spiritual energy of Earth has dried up, and you will inevitably follow the example of the ancient sages and leave. But if you go like this, what will become of your ties to this world? Even if you transcend the mundane, there will always be some people, some matters, that you find hard to forget. Leaving behind a few disciples to pass on your great Dao and protect your worldly attachments—what harm is there in that?"
Kunlun Sect Leader Xue Chen's words made Ye Fan pause. Yes, perhaps decades or centuries from now, he would eventually set foot on the stars. Even if it was difficult to cross back to the Big Dipper, he would still try his utmost to make the attempt, to go see those old friends.
After he left, who would stand guard before his parents' graves? Who would look after those unforgettable people for him? Who would protect the worldly attachments he could not bear to leave behind?
In the end, Ye Fan agreed, taking several people in as nominal disciples.
At the same time, he also hoped to learn from these sects where the ancient sages had gone, what kind of ancient path they had taken, and perhaps uncover some clues.
The Cultivators' Assembly came to a close, ending on a satisfactory note. Everyone was pleased, feeling that the journey had been worthwhile. To witness the actions of a being comparable to the great divine ability users of antiquity was the greatest gain.
According to reports, he was a powerful figure at the peak of the Dragon Transformation realm, a fact demonstrated in his battle with the fallen angels. Several sect leaders judged that he might soon ascend to the Immortal Platform.
As for the true situation, Sect Leader Xue Chen and the others naturally would not reveal it, because they knew that Ye Fan might soon face the Crusaders of the Eastern Expedition alone!
Concealing his true strength might be his greatest trump card, as Ye Fan intended to reclaim all the ancient artifacts of the Central Land that the Western orthodoxies had plundered, and did not want to alert the enemy prematurely.
"The various museums are nothing much, but places like Jerusalem and the Vatican hold some ancestral artifacts that should be taken back!"
Speaking of these matters, the sect leaders' words also carried indignation. Many of the Central Land's ancestral artifacts had been seized in the past—a disgrace. They were still on display in the West, never to be returned.
"I will make a trip there and retrieve all the ancestral artifacts," Ye Fan said softly, gazing toward the distant West.
Afterward, he took his several nominal disciples down the mountain, leaving the Supreme Purity Sect. He declined the invitations of some sect leaders to stay, as he had already lingered there for many days.
Ye Fan and his group left the sacred land and entered the mortal region of Maoshan. They had not traveled far when suddenly the stars shifted and the scenery transformed dramatically. Peerless sword qi came assaulting them, and ancient weapons gleamed with light.
"What's happening?"
Kunlun Twin Fish, Phoenix Heavenly Maiden, and the others exclaimed in alarm, all assuming combat stances. Each guarded one direction, then looked to Ye Fan, awaiting his orders.
"An ancient slaughter formation. Someone wants to eliminate me," he said, his expression turning grim. He had just displayed his might at Maoshan, yet someone was undaunted, laying down such a grand formation to refine his soul.
This slaughter formation was enormous, likely the result of immense effort. Ye Fan examined it closely and recognized it as a peerless ancient formation, moved here by great power and hidden for many days.
It was a stretch of ancient heaven and earth. Primeval trees towered to the sky, vines were like mountain ranges, and countless peaks rose into the clouds. Boundless killing intent swirled across the land.
"Boom!"
A great seal came crashing down, engraved with nine ferocious, majestic dragons. It weighed ten thousand jun, cast from bronze and covered in green patina.
"A King's weapon!"
A cold light flashed in Ye Fan's eyes. This time, the enemy had truly come with ill intent, deploying such an ancient weapon. The one hiding in the shadows must be very powerful.
His expression unchanged, he called the others over and had them stand behind him. He acted alone, pointing his fingers like swords and slashing at the nine-dragon bronze seal.
A thunderous roar erupted. His fingers sent out a wave of sword ripples, like golden billows, layer upon layer, surging toward the heavens.
Dragon Little Sparrow, Kunlun Twin Fish, and the others were all shaken. This was the first time they had seen Ye Fan unleash his full power. The golden blood energy radiating from him made their ears ring.
Ye Fan's golden blood boiled within him, roaring like a great river or rumbling like thunder. The sound nearly knocked the few of them off their feet.
"Is this our master's true combat power?" Even Dragon Little Sparrow, who had been inwardly resistant, was stunned. His whole body trembled. The great divine ability users of antiquity paled in comparison!
"Clang!"
Ye Fan's blood energy soared to the heavens. The golden sword ripples he unleashed numbered in the tens of thousands, shearing off a corner of the nine-dragon bronze seal, which crashed to the ground.
"A Dao-Severing King's weapon has been damaged!" Zhan Yifan exclaimed in awe.
A dragon's cry resounded through the nine heavens. The ancient nine-dragon great seal shed its green patina, erupting with ten thousand rays of light that illuminated the sky. It transformed into a bronze dragon mountain, pressing down with crushing force.
In that instant, a terrifying aura split heaven and earth. Ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains roared. The ancient land within the slaughter formation cracked open, distant mountains collapsed—a scene of horrifying grandeur.
"This is... the Nine Dragons Sacred Bronze Seal! A renowned ancient artifact that can unleash its power autonomously to suppress and kill Dao-Severing Kings!" Dragon Little Sparrow cried out in shock.