Chapter 1042: Yao Guang King
The first wave of the Celestial Prince's army was completely annihilated. As soon as they entered the Southern Domain, they were slaughtered cleanly, not a single person surviving. This was truly shocking.
On the island, everyone was left speechless, unable to utter a word for a long time. What kind of dominance and overbearingness was this? It was clearly a declaration of a fight to the death against the Celestial Prince.
"Such a thing actually happened. Did that mysterious expert strike again? Is he going to fight the Celestial Prince to the death in the Southern Domain?"
"A fierce battle between dragons and tigers is about to begin. There's no doubt about it—this is a true peak showdown, a great war against the son of an ancient emperor!"
The people on the island couldn't help but tremble, their emotions running high. If the situation was true, a great upheaval sweeping across the entire world had begun, and the battle of the heavenly prodigies was underway.
Soon, news kept coming from Cloud Peak City. Cultivators gathered there, and many experts appeared at the scene, all wanting to see clearly, but none could understand.
There was no trace or clue left behind. This was absolutely a world-shaking figure, coming without a shadow and leaving without a trace, disdainful of leaving any fame or merit, simply acting purely to kill those people.
Cloud Peak City had become a boiling pot. Although it was nighttime, cultivators came and went in an endless stream. People believed this place might evolve into the most terrifying battlefield.
That night, the news seemed to grow wings, spreading through domain gates to all parts of the Eastern Wasteland. Many major powers received reports, and sect leaders from all sides remained silent for a long time.
"Slap!"
In the Northern Domain, within a secret chamber, the Celestial Prince, upon learning the news, slammed a Nine Phoenix Cup made of jade essence heavily onto the ground, his face ashen with rage.
He was revered by the ten thousand clans as the Divine Son, the offspring of the Immortal Emperor, with a status unlike any other, even higher than the Holy Prince. Yet now, such incidents kept happening, as if slapping him in the face.
"Haha... hahaha!" Li Tian and the others burst into laughter upon hearing the news.
"Ye Fan has made a strong move. We have to cooperate too. The descendants of the Eight Divine Generals have split into several armies for a carpet search, right? Let's go kill one of their groups and confuse them," Li Heishui said.
"That's right. Everyone's hunting them down. As soon as they enter the Southern Domain, we'll kill them all, leaving the Celestial Prince completely baffled. We'll slaughter every last one," Dongfang Ye nodded.
"Be careful. This time, a Half-Saint has been dispatched. The army is just to track Ye Fan's trail; the real killing move is the Half-Saint in the shadows!" Yan Yixi warned.
Their group all sneered coldly, preparing to strike in the dark, killing the ancient clan experts heading south without leaving a trace.
"You all be careful. That bastard Celestial Prince has a few great artifacts on him. A few years ago, I tried to kill him with a slaughter formation and failed," Black Emperor suddenly remembered something, his expression turning grim as he warned.
Blood Phoenix Mountain stood towering, a vast expanse of giant peaks interwoven with traces of various great daos. The main peak looked as if it had been drenched in phoenix blood, bright red like blood. This place was a forbidden zone for the ten thousand clans.
On ordinary days, few could come here, and no one dared to disturb it. This was the dojo of the ancient imperial clan. The Blood Phoenix lineage once ruled the ancient times, and all within the nine heavens and ten lands paid homage to this peak.
At this moment, the Celestial Prince, with long hair flowing down his shoulders, eyes deep as the sea, and skin as clear and bright as jade, arrived here. He was as graceful as jade, with a handsome face that even heaven would envy.
He was a flawless man, tall and slender, with black hair dancing in the wind, his entire body flowing with precious radiance as he ascended the peak, facing a man whose entire being merged with heaven and earth.
"This time, I've come to invite you, brother, to go south with me."
On the main peak of Blood Phoenix Mountain, a man sat cross-legged, wearing a crimson blood imperial crown, his hair strands connecting and merging with the great dao of heaven and earth. Each strand could crush a great mountain!
Soon after, the Celestial Prince descended the mountain, his face cold, his eyes sharp as swords, piercing the soul.
At the foot of the mountain, an ancient clan elder of terrifying age stepped forward and said, "Divine Son, did Huang Xudao agree? Is he willing to go south?"
The Celestial Prince nodded, his gaze fierce, and said, "This time, no matter how many people want to target me, I'll take them all out in one go. Not one will escape!"
The ancient clan elder nodded and said, "Now, several Half-Saints have already arrived there. Unless that person has stepped into the sage realm, even if he doesn't die, he'll break half his bones. Touching the word 'sage' means the difference between heaven and earth!"
"Let's go to Fire Qilin Cave. He wants a duel, doesn't he? I'll see it through to the end!" the Celestial Prince said, mounting auspicious clouds and flying toward another ancient emperor's immortal realm.
"Young master, are you going to invite Huo Qizi to act as well? That lineage is extremely powerful. Rumor has it that Huo Qizi can almost pluck stars and catch the moon..."
In the Southern Domain, at Green Cloud City.
On the island above Li Lake, many cultivators were speaking, their voices chaotic and noisy.
Ye Fan remained very calm, sipping tea on the side, observing the assembled heroes and listening to their discussions. Without a doubt, this dirty debt had fallen on his head. The one who acted might not have thought much about it, but everyone would assume he did it.
In a sense, this world-shaking expert was also helping him, slaughtering all the invaders cleanly, saving him a lot of trouble.
Not long after, a man landed on the island. He was not very tall, nor could he be called heroic—ordinary and plain. It was Ji Zi, who had returned.
Ye Fan restrained his gaze, using his spiritual sense to observe him. Ji Zi was very silent, barely speaking, finding a quiet spot and sitting alone in a corner.
"How powerful! This person's might is unimaginable. Even among Dao Cutters, he's at the peak level. I think the ancient imperial princes have met their match!"
"You don't suppose a human imperial son has emerged, do you? Otherwise, in this era, is there such a figure who dares to strike so dominantly?"
"This... hard to say!"
People discussed and made many speculations.
The path to immortality would open in this era. The ancient emperors had sealed their sons into this age because achieving the dao in this world would make them stronger. Breaking through in this great era, they would then charge into the immortal domain.
"The human great emperors were invincible through the ages, but immortality was their only hope. They sat in meditation and couldn't wait for this era. Perhaps a few sealed their imperial sons to this age."
Many firmly believed that if so, it would definitely be a unique, alternative showdown between the ancient great emperors and the ancient emperors. Unable to clash directly, they would compete through their sons!
"The ancient great emperors and the ancient emperors—who is weaker, who is stronger? Perhaps it needs to be compared through their sons!"
Once this view was raised, it naturally caused a great stir. Many marveled and nodded, finding it not impossible. To this day, imperial sons remained unseen, but perhaps they truly should have emerged.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a vast aura came from the distant sky. A streak of light flew over, transforming into a figure above Li Lake, then ascending into the heavens.
The powerful aura quickly faded, and this figure returned to plainness, but it startled Li Qingshou, who quickly stood up and greeted, "Master!"
Everyone was greatly shocked. The Yao Guang King had actually come!
Even Ji Biyue, Li Youyou, and Feng Huang changed their expressions. This man's name shook the world. He was a heaven-defying figure of their generation, dominating the eight wastelands and standing at the peak of humanity in this era.
In the present world, aside from sages, who dared to disrespect him? All were in awe, even those who had lived for thousands of years were not worth mentioning and dared not offend him.
"Greetings, Yao Guang King!"
"Bow to the Saint Lord of Yao Guang!"
Almost everyone stood up, showing extremely respectful expressions, stepping forward to pay great respects to this generation's heavenly prodigy who had shaken the human race.
Even Ji Biyue and Feng Huang had to step forward a few paces. Yao Guang was known throughout the four seas, revered by the human race of the five domains, and regarded as a king among men who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the ancient imperial princes.
Yao Guang was very humble, saying there was no need for such formality, asking everyone to rise. He descended like an immortal king, with divine bearing and sacred bones, his expression peaceful, making people feel like a spring breeze. Who would dare to be rude and not pay respects?
"Oh? There really are people so impolite, not even rising to greet Yao Guang King?"
Someone noticed that Ye Fan hadn't moved at all, and Ji Zi on the other side was also silent, not rising, standing out from the crowd around them.
"The Saint Lord of Yao Guang has arrived, and they don't even get up. Their arrogance is too great." Everyone's gazes swept over sharply, and naturally, many were displeased, because these two looked so young, not elders with terrifying seniority.
"One of them is called Ji Zi. Isn't he said to be a rising star of the Southern Domain along with Li Qingshou and Purple Robed Marquis? How dare he be so rude? Even Divine King Haoyue wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!"
Everyone looked over. Just now, Ji Biyue had gone to greet him. How could this Ji Zi dare to be so presumptuous? Many people's expressions were unfriendly.
"Greetings," Ji Zi said, standing up as people looked at him, then sat down to the side, silently gazing at the night sky, as if nothing in the world could attract his attention.
On the other side, Ye Fan still hadn't moved, naturally causing some dissatisfaction, with all eyes fixed on him.
"Who are you? You're too arrogant. You don't even rise in the presence of the Saint Lord of Yao Guang. Do you have no respect at all?" one person couldn't help but say.
With Ye Fan's level of cultivation, everything came from his true heart. How could he possibly bow to Yao Guang? Even saying a greeting was unnecessary.
In the past, this was a great enemy. When he finally left this world, Yao Guang had ambushed him with the Dragon-Pattern Gold Cauldron at the ancestral temple of Central Province. They had long been opposed. Not starting a battle immediately now was already being polite.
"Our Saint Lord has come here, and you don't even deign to acknowledge him. Isn't that too rude?" A boy and a girl, attendants following Yao Guang, one of them scolded.
"Exactly. Who is this person? So ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth, not even greeting Yao Guang King?" Others discussed with hostility.
"Who does he think he is? Does he really think he's an ancient imperial prince, or does he see himself as the Sacred Body of the past, wanting to stand against Yao Guang King?!"
Ye Fan glanced at them, just shook his head, and said nothing.
Such an action naturally stirred up waves. Even Feng Huang and Ji Biyue couldn't help but look over. In this era, to act so recklessly—was this transcendent disdain or excessive arrogance? Perhaps only that person from the past dared to do so.
"Children, no rudeness!" Yao Guang scolded the attendants, then cupped his hands to the crowd. With his status, there was no need to argue.
"But, Saint Lord, he doesn't put you in his eyes at all..." the attendants complained. In all these years of following Yao Guang, who still dared to be so arrogant?
Li Qingshou also frowned, showing a hint of dissatisfaction. His master's status was what it was, yet someone still dared to face him like this.
Yao Guang swept his gaze over them, and the attendants immediately dared not speak, falling silent. The crowd also sat down one after another.
"Yao Guang King, I heard you deduced that the path to immortality will open in the Ancient Forbidden Land of the Southern Domain. Is that true?" someone asked with respect.
"That's just a guess, not to be taken seriously. It's hard to predict how things will turn out," Yao Guang said, explaining the reasoning. In the past, why did the Celestial Pivot Holy Land attack this forbidden zone with all its strength? Perhaps only the pursuit of immortality could make them pay such a price.
"Yao Guang, is this your Sacred Light Body?" Ji Biyue asked.
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this. This wasn't Yao Guang's true body, yet it looked no different. His strength was indeed world-shaking.
Yao Guang nodded and said, "My true body is in bitter cultivation, hard to leave seclusion. I can only move about with my Sacred Light Body."
People couldn't help but marvel. Yao Guang was truly powerful to a terrifying degree, sending chills down their spines.
During this process, Ye Fan could sense that Yao Guang was using his spiritual sense to observe him and Ji Zi, clearly already aware of their strength and extraordinariness.
"Yao Guang King is truly worthy of being the number one expert under the human sages, unfathomably deep and awe-inspiring!" someone said.
Others echoed, all nodding, offering nothing but praise.
Ji Biyue glanced at Feng Huang and said with a light laugh, "In fact, the human Sacred Body could also reach this height. Unfortunately, he left without looking back, his heart on the other shore of the starry sky."