Chapter 983: Sacred Spirit Fetus
The Pamir Plateau, known in ancient times as the Congling Mountains, was a necessary passage on the Silk Road. Currently, except for the eastern slopes still under China's jurisdiction, the rest lies within other countries' borders.
In recent days, the events that had transpired caused an uproar. Even the Daoist sects had prepared for war, fearing that the flames of the Western Crusaders' conflict would spread into the Central Lands.
Ye Fan intended to fight all the way to the West, to welcome the ancestral artifact's return. By now, there was no concealment whatsoever; the label of "Demon of the Central Lands" had already been slapped on him.
Currently, the most discussed topic in the Western cultivation world was the demon. They were all speculating about who would emerge to eliminate this great demon and let the divine light shine upon the Central Lands.
The Congling Mountains had a high altitude. This was a land coiled with dragons and resting gods, where numerous dragon veins converged, bordering western China, becoming a region steaming with dragon qi.
This was the roof of the world, with many great mountains. The lowest points were over four thousand meters, and the highest reached over seven thousand seven hundred meters.
Ye Fan flew high into the sky, his gaze spanning a thousand miles. Lush mountain cliffs and dense wild ridges filled the view. He discovered traces of an ancient great battle here, the terrain complex.
This was the convergence point of five major dragon veins: the Tianshan Mountains, the Himalayas, the Kunlun Mountains, and the Hindu Kush. It formed a special pattern, with numerous dragons intertwining and joining together, making it a gathering point.
"What a strange terrain. The numerous dragons turn back their heads, climbing over each other. Could something be buried here?"
Ye Fan stared at the convergence point of several great dragon veins and descended with his disciples. He saw a lush valley, like a whirlpool formed by the circling dragons.
"Dig it open for me. Perhaps an ancient great cultivator buried something here. Today, let it see the light of day."
Ever since his disciples learned that their master was an Origin Heavenly Master, they had classified him as the founding patriarch of tomb raiders. Although he had explained a few times, their gazes remained strange.
"Master, we've already crossed the national border. If we dig recklessly here, will it cause trouble and lead to international disputes?"
Several disciples joked. Having grown familiar with Ye Fan and knowing his personality, they no longer feared him much.
In ancient times, this highland was called the Congling Mountains. The vegetation was abundant, and some areas were as lush and vibrant as the Southern Ridge.
"Alright."
Zhan Yifan made the first move, striking down with the Immortal Sword Art imparted by Ye Fan. Dust and smoke shot into the sky, and the spiral dragon valley rapidly split open. Below, dragon bones turned into rock formations appeared.
"Indeed, not an ordinary place. It depends on your fortune. You might even dig up Dragon Marrow. Not only can it extend your lifespan, but it also contains fragments of the Great Dao. It's especially beneficial for those in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. Back when I was in that realm, I received its aid in the Central Province."
With Ye Fan's encouragement, the disciples became even more motivated. They all set to work, even the delicate Yan Xiaoyu seemed like a professional digger, highly efficient.
This was indeed a sacred land. According to the records in the Source Heaven Scroll, if a dragon vein had not dried up, there must be something extraordinary gestating and incubating within.
If he were in the Big Dipper Star Domain, Ye Fan wouldn't dig up such a place unless he found two saints to help. Fortunately, Earth was depleted; even if something existed, it would surely be lifeless.
They dug a thousand zhang deep and encountered hard stone. It was inscribed with ancient formations protecting the earth, difficult to break through or shake.
"Sage-level ancient formations?" Ye Fan was startled. It seemed they had dug up something extraordinary, guarded by such ancient formations.
The several disciples tried their best but were useless. They couldn't break the restrictions and were nearly injured, so they quickly retreated.
"Indeed, an extraordinary place!"
Ye Fan surveyed the Congling Mountains, fixing his gaze on this place where the dragons circled and gathered. Even he found it difficult to crack, as it was after all a Sage-level ancient great formation.
"Everyone, fall back."
After retreating a great distance, he took out two ancient, unadorned black arrows, nocked one onto the bowstring, and poured all his strength into shooting it.
This arrow startled heaven and moved ghosts and gods. Even in the hands of the Dao Protector of Changbai Mountain, it had such great power, let alone in Ye Fan's hands. The material was very special, and the formations within were even more unique. Only a trace of power was needed to trigger it, transforming it into a God-Slaying Arrow!
The level of the black arrows was hard to define. Their power was immense, but they didn't consume vast oceans of magical power like a Saint Weapon. They were a kind of secret treasure, listed as a divine great killing weapon in ancient times.
"Boom!"
A tremendous sound came. The surrounding mountains, five to six thousand meters high, collapsed. A violent earthquake occurred, dust and smoke shot into the sky, and the earth split open.
"I say, Master, the commotion is too big. It'll give those seismologists a headache. Such a big earthquake will make international news."
Several disciples clicked their tongues, telling him to take it easy.
After one arrow, Ye Fan didn't completely destroy the ancient formation. He retrieved the black arrow and began shooting continuously. After who knows how many shots, he finally completely blasted open the underground great formation.
He caressed the two black arrows, liking them more and more. Their power was truly extreme. The arrow bodies showed not a single bit of damage. With so many arrows shot, a Greatly Accomplished King could probably be killed several times over.
Now, relying on them to blast open a Sage-level formation made them stand out even more and become more precious. They were truly worthy of being divine artifacts capable of killing a Demon Saint.
"Roar..."
Suddenly, a great roar surged up from underground. The distant mountains and rivers collapsed, the earth rapidly cracked, and soil and stone turned into waves surging three thousand meters into the sky!
Divine Might!
This scene was too shocking. Fortunately, Ye Fan was well-prepared and used the Primordial Qi Cauldron to take in all his disciples. Otherwise, just this roar alone would have shaken the several young prodigies into bloody mud, ceasing to exist.
This was a Sage-level roar, shaking heaven and earth. Even though he was thousands of zhang away, his body swayed and was knocked back by the immense sound waves.
Ye Fan moved quickly, retracting the cauldron into his brow and retreating rapidly. Otherwise, even hiding in the cauldron, his disciples would be shaken to pieces. Their cultivation was too weak; they definitely couldn't withstand it.
He used his physical body to resist. Without the protection of the Primordial Qi, he immediately bore immense pressure. A Sage-level roar at its weakest could shatter mountains and rivers. The most terrifying record was that in ancient times, a Great Sage's roar had shaken the moon.
The underground roar continued. A trace of blood seeped from the corner of Ye Fan's mouth, filling his mind with shock. There were still living Sages on Earth!
A surge of fiery red blood qi rushed up, over a thousand zhang high. A stone fetus appeared, its aura surging into the sky, its momentum reaching its peak. Thousands of mountains trembled!
"We really dug up a big one!" Ye Fan muttered to himself, his head aching. It turned out to be a Sacred Spirit Fetus.
"Tsk, no, something's off." Suddenly, his mind stirred. This stone fetus was very strange. It was formed from a surge of blood qi, not its true body. More precisely, it was like a surge of resentment.
In the sky, the essence of the sun scattered down. Its body quickly faded, emitting a wisp of green smoke, and then dissipated like an illusion.
Ye Fan had heard that those with great resentment buried underground could remain undecayed for tens of thousands of years. Once they saw the light of day, they might be released in an instant and turn to dust.
"An ancient being with deep hatred and great resentment, a stone fetus buried underground?"
According to ancient records, the resentment had just dissipated, so this place should be safe. He released his disciples and together they headed into the underground world.
Deep within the earth, it was a vast open space, the convergence point of several great dragon veins. There were actually several pieces of Divine Source sparkling. Little Pine's big eyes were bright, and he turned into a purple light to pick them up.
At the deepest part of the dragon cave was a peculiar place. A vermilion great coffin pressed down on a strange stone. Inside the coffin sat an old man with red hair and a red beard, looking extremely fierce.
"A Sage's remains!" Ye Fan was astonished. He hadn't expected to first see a Sage.
Under the vermilion great coffin, the strange stone was also very special, nearly transparent. Inside, the shadow of a human figure could be seen, gestating a life form.
"Stone Fetus Sacred Spirit!"
Ye Fan had already seen that the pattern of this place was extraordinary. It had indeed gestated a Sacred Spirit. But why was an ancient Sage's coffin pressing down on it?
"Master, there are words here."
Ye Fan read carefully and was startled. This old Sage, when choosing his burial site, had accidentally discovered an immature stone fetus. He wanted to seize its body but ultimately failed.
"No wonder there's such great resentment. A stone fetus that could have become an invincible existence was blocked by someone. Although it counter-killed the Sage, its own primordial spirit also perished."
"Pfft."
The Sage's remains suddenly dissolved into a pool of pus and blood. They hurriedly dodged. Truly tragic enough. A dignified Sage of an era died so disgracefully.
"Is the stone fetus truly dead?" The several young prodigies felt uneasy. Sacred Spirits were synonymous with invincibility. As long as they had a single breath left, they could destroy an entire world.
"Don't worry. When the dragon vein dried up, it was still immature. It fought with the old Sage, and its primordial spirit was destroyed."
Ye Fan saw clearly. This Sacred Spirit had failed at the last moment, becoming a stillborn fetus, withered within the stone. He personally acted, peeling it out. It was indeed a Nine-Orifice Sacred Fetus.
A golden light flashed from his brow, and a golden figure stepped out, entering the body of the Nine-Orifice Sacred Spirit. The stone man instantly stood up.
A powerful aura immediately overflowed. The several disciples knelt straight down, unable to withstand this pressure, trembling with fear.
"What a pity. It was almost transformed into a body of flesh and blood, but it was destroyed halfway. Its blood qi has dried up. It's no longer a supreme stone fetus." Ye Fan sighed softly.
Not only had the old Sage died tragically, but this Sacred Spirit Fetus had also almost turned into ordinary stone. Apart from being sturdy and indestructible, this fetus had no divine power sea left; its stone blood had dried up.
"It's not bad as an incarnation."
"Congratulations, Master. You've comprehended a Dharma Body and obtained this Sacred Spirit Stone Fetus. It will be like a tiger gaining wings. This western journey will have no worries." The several disciples were overjoyed.
"Yes, Master. We should go to the Western holy lands of Jerusalem and the Vatican. We might as well visit Mount Olympus and other places. Maybe we can dig up something too."
Seeing such a great harvest here, before even confronting the Western orthodoxies, the disciples had already set their sights on some divine mountains over there.
There was no helping it. Having such a master, they felt that the divine objects gestating in the mountains and terrain of the world couldn't escape, already infected by him.
Then, they continued their journey. Along the way, they surveyed the landscapes and terrain, making several moves. They truly reaped great rewards, digging up Dragon Marrow in some countries.
In this age of depletion, it was too rare, making it even more precious. It was of great benefit to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, able to enhance cultivation, and was divided equally among the disciples.
Along the way, the West sent people several times to block them, attacking them directly. The result was always the same: they were all slain by Ye Fan without any suspense.
Thus, they traveled with stops and starts, arriving at Jerusalem half a month later. During this time, it caused a great shock in the West. They were the topic of conversation every day.
"Master, the Central Lands Daoist sects have sent us a message. They say there are ancient holy knights still alive in the Western lands, sitting in Jerusalem, waiting for our arrival."
"Furthermore, after the Pope's call to arms, strong experts from various ancient families have responded, forming an invincible Crusader army, also waiting for the demon from the East."
"I've also heard that true divine clans have descended, not just humans who have achieved cultivation through practice." Long Yuxuan also whispered.
"Oh? Are there still living ancient clans?" Ye Fan muttered to himself.
They arrived at Jerusalem, but instead of entering the city, they circled around it and vanished into thin air.
This was because the Jerusalem of cultivators was hidden within an ancient great formation, invisible to ordinary people. It was a true City of Saints.
"Incredible! Such a magnificent ancient city exists!" The several disciples were shocked.
On the horizon, a giant city, as if forged from black gold, gleamed with a cold, metallic luster. The entire city emitted faint holy light, solemn and sacred.
They felt as if they had returned to the ancient barbaric world. Outside the city, ancient trees towered to the sky, with the roars of apes and tigers. The contrast with the mortal world was immense.
This was a divine city that had existed since ancient times. Those entering and leaving the city gates were all cultivators, not a single mortal. Many rode ancient beasts, their scales gleaming, their auras imposing.
"I feel like I've stepped into a mythological world. That beautiful, flawless green-haired woman... is she an elf?"
"Was that a divine clan just now? Three heads and six arms, a divine disk behind its head, a halo enveloping its body. Truly mysterious."
Clearly, this was a world of cultivators. It had been called the Holy City since ancient times. For such an ancient giant city to still exist in this era was truly a miracle.
"This is somewhat troublesome. This city has existed since ancient times. There might indeed be some ancient relics still alive." Ye Fan muttered to himself.