Chapter 102: Prophecy Comes True
The white-haired old madman cried and laughed, running through the great mountains. His clothes were tattered and looked very ancient, not at all like the attire of this era.
Not far away, Ye Fan's face was filled with disbelief. Could this really be a figure from six thousand years ago? It was far too shocking. Waves of astonishment surged within his heart.
Ye Fan had once lived in the Spirit Ruins Cave Heaven for a time and had some understanding of that sect. The oldest Supreme Elder there was only a few hundred years old, already considered a rare surviving eminent elder.
If the old madman before him was truly from six thousand years ago, the impact was overwhelming! What kind of concept was such a long lifespan? It spanned vast historical epochs, crossing through many bright and dark eras, essentially a living history book—utterly unimaginable.
On the other side, that old woman was equally shocking. Being able to recognize the old madman meant she was likely a figure from the same period. She looked no different from an ordinary village grandmother, yet her age left people dizzy and dazed—a feeling both stunning and bizarre.
Ye Fan stood in a daze, then suddenly froze. The old woman had vanished without a sound, without any visible movement, disappearing into thin air as if she had never existed.
"Dead... all dead..." The old madman gradually drifted away.
Just then, many people rushed toward the small town outside the mountains, all scrambling to be first. Ye Fan, not understanding why, followed behind them to see what was happening.
"Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family are finally entering the Ancient Forbidden Land!"
From the crowd's discussions, Ye Fan learned that Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family were about to enter the mountains. They were now gathering people, promising spiritual medicines to resist the curse to anyone willing to join them.
A large number of cultivators had gathered outside that small town, all waiting for the two superpowers to distribute the medicines. A full half-hour later, rumbling sounds came from within the town, like thousands of troops and horses galloping.
Hundreds of knights sat atop various divine beasts, their killing intent soaring to the heavens, their battle spirit high. They charged out of the town, all the exotic beasts shimmering with divine radiance, their scales gleaming. None touched the ground, hovering three feet above it as they galloped through the void, sweeping forward like a tsunami.
An immense oppressive aura shook the ten directions. The hundreds of knights were fully clad in divine iron armor, only their eyes visible. They drove their beasts higher into the sky, ascending further from the ground. Both sky and earth trembled, and a killing aura enveloped the entire town and its surrounding regions.
"Boom—"
Behind the hundreds of powerful knights came fifty bronze war chariots, stained with black blood and covered in sword and blade marks, recording their glory and exuding an ancient, desolate aura.
The fifty bronze ancient war chariots rolled across the sky, producing deafening sounds as vast as a tsunami. The cultivators on the chariots emitted even more intense terrifying fluctuations than the knights. The sky seemed nearly crushed beneath their wheels as they rolled, the ancient chariots rising to high altitudes.
Behind the war chariots, dozens of divine rainbows shot into the sky—these people were clearly of a higher cultivation level. They were guarding two special carriages.
Phoenix cries echoed across the heavens. Nine exotic birds, their feathers extremely resplendent, flashed with divine radiance, brilliant and dazzling. They had five-colored bodies, each over ten meters long, closely resembling the legendary phoenix divine birds. They pulled a five-colored divine chariot rising into the sky.
"Those nine exotic birds definitely have phoenix divine blood flowing within them—they are descendants of the divine bird."
"That's the Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot of Yaoguang Holy Land. It's said that only elders of extraordinary strength can ride such a chariot."
"I'm afraid that just one such elder could wipe out all six cave heavens of the Yan Kingdom."
The many cultivators outside the town were all discussing, all showing shocked expressions. Such a powerful lineup was truly astonishing.
Suddenly, the roars of beasts shook the high heavens, making ears ring and souls tremble. Nine exotic beasts shaped like golden divine apes pulled a jade carriage shimmering with divine clouds, riding mist and clouds, producing thunderous sounds as they rose from the town into the sky.
"This is the Jiang Family's Divine Ape Chariot. Only direct-lineage strong members of the Jiang Family can ride it—definitely an elder-level figure!"
Everyone couldn't help but exclaim. Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family had clearly invested heavily, determined to obtain the sacred medicine deep within the Ancient Forbidden Land.
Just then, an old man flew on a rainbow, arriving above the town. Looking down at the crowd, he said, "Our spiritual medicines are limited and cannot be distributed casually. If you wish to receive them, you must follow our orders when the time comes."
The area below immediately erupted in uproar. Such conditions were too harsh. Many feared being used as cannon fodder and directly withdrew.
"This is too much. I absolutely won't take it. I'd probably die without even knowing how."
"Keep it for yourselves. Such spiritual medicine is too hot to handle—I wouldn't dare take it."
Some cultivators remained, fully intending to fish in troubled waters: take the medicine and then leave, ignoring the orders. The old man in the sky continued speaking, his voice vibrating through the air: "We won't treat anyone as cannon fodder. As long as you advance and retreat with us..."
Many didn't believe him and raised doubts. The old man above patiently explained. In the end, quite a few stayed, but the vast majority chose to observe without participating.
Half an hour later, the forces of Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family began advancing deep into the mountains, followed by a large number of cultivators. They didn't seek to obtain the sacred medicine, only hoping to gather some spiritual herbs. In truth, few wanted to enter the Ancient Forbidden Land; they only planned to search the outer regions. No one would gamble their life for spiritual medicine.
Although Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family had put on a grand show at the town, once they entered the deep mountains, everyone suppressed their powerful auras, acting as low-key as possible. The earlier display was merely to intimidate other cultivators.
"There are many powerful exotic beasts around the Ancient Forbidden Land. Even strong members of the Holy Lands might not be able to defeat them. We'll split into seven groups, taking different routes into the Forbidden Zone of Life..."
No one expected Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family to make such a decision deep in the mountains. The cultivators behind looked at each other, unsure which group to follow.
A sharp-minded cultivator laughed and said, "What's there to think about? The Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot... wherever that chariot flies, that's where we follow."
But everyone who made such plans was disappointed. The Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot and the divine-cloud-shimmering carriage vanished in the blink of an eye, disappearing without a trace.
"The Ancient Forbidden Land is mysterious and unfathomable. Any powerful cultivator who enters might be reduced to a mortal. The two elders won't go deep; they'll wait at the periphery to support us and help eliminate threatening exotic beasts."
Hearing this explanation, everyone was disappointed.
"Entering the Forbidden Zone of Life means certain death. Let's just watch from afar and not join the excitement."
At that, many cultivators backed out, stopping and refusing to advance. The grand forces of Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family quickly split into seven groups, flying into the distant sky from different directions.
Ye Fan thought for a moment and decided to follow the central group. He didn't fly in the sky but advanced through the mountain forests on the ground. Although many had retreated, a large number of cultivators still followed. Ye Fan moved slowly, waiting until everyone else had gone far before following behind.
"Endless bones, mountains of corpses and seas of blood—it's coming again..." Just then, the white-haired old madman suddenly appeared not far from Ye Fan. He had followed as well.
"Old man, is what you say reliable?"
"Everyone will die..." he muttered dazedly to himself.
Why did the crazy old man always say this? It was somewhat unsettling. But thinking he was mentally unstable, Ye Fan relaxed. He couldn't retreat because of a few words. He had to collect the sacred medicine—it concerned his future.
Ye Fan continued on his way, leaving the old madman far behind.
Most of the cultivators ahead were flying, so they moved quickly. An hour later, they reached the mountain range two hundred miles from the Ancient Forbidden Land. In this primeval region, exotic beasts increased significantly. But with so many cultivators, the beasts all chose to retreat, clearing the path.
"This journey has been smooth. Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family are probably less than a hundred miles from the Forbidden Zone of Life. No danger at all."
"Maybe they really can collect the sacred medicine. Should we go to the edge of the Ancient Forbidden Land and take a look?"
Many cultivators ahead were discussing. Having followed all the way without encountering any danger, they had let their guard down.
"Roar—"
Suddenly, a terrifying roar came from deep within the primeval mountains. From far ahead came panicked screams. Many cultivators quickly fled back.
"Run! That group from Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family is completely finished!"
Many cultivators fled back on rainbows, their faces filled with terror. They didn't want to stay a moment longer and rushed toward the outer mountains.
"What happened?" the cultivators behind asked in confusion.
"A powerful exotic beast appeared ahead. It swallowed most of the knights from Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family in one bite, smashed seven or eight bronze war chariots to dust with one claw, and roared nine times, killing everyone within a mile radius."
"How terrifying!"
"Not a single person from the central group of the Jiang Family and Yaoguang Holy Land escaped—all dead!"
Hearing this from the fleeing cultivators, many were chilled to the bone. What kind of beast was this? So terrifying that it had annihilated everyone.
Ye Fan felt something was very wrong. According to common knowledge, although there were many powerful exotic beasts outside the Ancient Forbidden Land, they didn't specifically target cultivators. It shouldn't have been this brutal.
Suddenly, terrifying energy fluctuations came from the distant mountains. Soon after, the screams of many cultivators rang out, and a large number fled in panic.
"What happened?"
"A peerless exotic beast appeared and tore apart everyone at the front. Not a single person from Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family escaped alive—all dead."
The cultivators behind were horrified. Another group annihilated—this was completely unexpected.
Ye Fan grew increasingly uneasy. Before even truly entering the Ancient Forbidden Land, two groups had been wiped out. This was not a good omen. He couldn't help but think of the crazy old man.
Suddenly, phoenix cries echoed across the sky. Nine exotic birds, their feathers extremely resplendent, shone brilliantly like blazing divine fire, pulling a five-colored divine chariot as they streaked across the sky.
"Yaoguang Holy Land's elder has finally made his move. No need to flee now—he'll definitely kill those fierce beasts ahead." Everyone thought so.
But in an instant, everyone's expression changed. Because that Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot was fleeing!
"Heavens! That's the legendary Peng bird!"
At the horizon, a giant bird blotted out the sky. Its wings stretched hundreds of meters wide, its entire body dazzling and brilliant, divine radiance blinding, as if cast from gold. Golden all over, it rushed forward like a golden cloud, chasing the Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot.
Seeing this, Ye Fan didn't hesitate. He turned and fled back. Something was definitely wrong deep in the mountains. All kinds of powerful exotic beasts had appeared. Even Yaoguang Holy Land's elder could only flee for his life—this was too abnormal!
"Could the old madman's words come true?" Ye Fan felt a chill. He flew on a rainbow through the forest, not rising into the sky, afraid of attracting the attention of terrifying beasts.
Suddenly, terrified screams came from ahead. A tide of cultivators fled back into the deep mountains.
"Exotic beasts blocking the way ahead! Run!"
"So brutal! Hundreds of people turned to blood mist in the blink of an eye..."
Ye Fan's head spun. Even the return path was cut off by exotic beasts. This was not good news. His only comfort was that he hadn't flown into the sky earlier, or he'd likely be in danger too.
The entire primeval mountain range was in chaos. Terrifying beasts blocked both front and back. Many cultivators began flying sideways, trying to break through.
Suddenly, mournful cries came. The Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot was intercepted for the seventh time. The massive Peng bird was fierce and sharp, its whole body radiating golden light that covered the sky. It had already torn apart two phoenix-like exotic birds alive.
An angry roar rang out. An old man rushed out of the Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot. A blood-red seal flew from his body, rapidly enlarging until it was as big as a mountain, pressing down toward the Peng bird.
Brilliant golden light shot into the sky. The Peng bird's body erupted with blinding radiance. Its golden wings slashed down, and with a thunderous sound, the blood-red seal was sent flying.
At the same time, a golden vortex appeared before the Peng bird, like a massive sea eye, rapidly sucking the Nine Phoenix Morning Sun Chariot and the old man into it.
The huge golden vortex made the mountains below tremble, as if they would be uprooted, devouring all tangible things in all directions.
Mournful cries rang out. The several phoenix-like exotic beasts were all swallowed by the golden vortex. The five-colored birds could be seen clearly shattering into large patches of blood mist, completely annihilated. The five-colored divine chariot, wreathed in clouds, also turned to dust.
The old man's hair and beard bristled. Countless beams of light shot from his body—all kinds of spiritual treasures—slashing toward the golden-winged Peng bird.
But the Peng bird was too powerful. Thousands of golden feathers on its body all bloomed with divine radiance, shooting out sword-like golden beams. All the spiritual treasures in the sky were blocked, many even shattered.
"Annihilate!"
"Extinguish!"
"Kill!"
Three words rumbled like heavenly thunder, making the entire primeval mountain range boom. The words the old man shouted seemed to possess strange magical power, even shaking the Peng bird.
A vertical eye opened on his forehead, shooting three purple beams. Combined with the three heavenly tones he shouted, they pierced three bloody holes in the golden Peng bird's body.
The bird's cry split the sky. The golden Peng bird spread its wings and flew high, spilling a patch of golden blood. But the wounds stopped instantly, and it quickly dove back down.
The old man's body rapidly expanded, becoming a giant taller than a mountain. He reached out a massive hand to grab the Peng bird, trying to tear it apart.
The blood-red seal that had been knocked away earlier flew back, pressing down. At the same time, his vertical eye transformed into a purple giant sword, slashing down vertically.
Yaoguang Holy Land's elder displayed various great divine abilities, trying to suppress the Peng bird. But at that moment, he was utterly despairing. The golden-winged Peng bird transformed into a golden sun, burning fiercely. Ten thousand feet of golden light flooded heaven and earth.
The purple giant sword silently shattered. The blood-red seal rapidly disintegrated. Yaoguang Holy Land's elder instantly turned to mist, becoming a flash of blood light, then vanished into nothing, completely disappearing from the world.
In the primeval mountain range, the hearts of many cultivators were frozen. A Yaoguang Holy Land elder, utterly destroyed in body and spirit—this was too unexpected and shocking.
"A dignified elder of Yaoguang Holy Land turned to ashes. This Peng bird is too terrifying..." Ye Fan muttered to himself.
"The Peng bird is like an immortal, not descending to the mortal world. This is its descendant..."
Hearing this, Ye Fan quickly turned his head and found the crazy old man standing not far away, appearing there at some unknown time.
Screams rose and fell continuously. Those who had fled sideways earlier had all retreated. Terrifying exotic beasts had appeared in every direction, slaughtering countless cultivators.
"The Jiang Family's Divine Ape Chariot!" someone exclaimed.
At the horizon, nine exotic beasts covered in golden scales, wreathed in brilliant divine radiance, pulled a carriage rushing forward. The jade carriage sparkled, emitting ten thousand auspicious rays, truly extraordinary.
"The Jiang Family elder is also fleeing!"
"What's going on? Why is this happening?"
Everyone was stunned. The nine golden divine apes fled like stray dogs, pulling the carriage rumbling across the sky. A blood-soaked old man stood on the jade carriage, desperately resisting the beast pursuing from behind.
But it was all futile. A massive beast claw, like a small mountain, slammed down, smashing the carriage, crushing the nine golden divine apes into blood mist, and shattering the old man!
This shocking scene made everyone gasp. This was insane! A Jiang Family elder couldn't withstand a single blow from that beast. Just how powerful was this exotic beast?!
Deafening roars made souls tremble. Black mist churned. The terrifying beast revealed its true form, hideous beyond compare, standing in the distant sky. Its fierce bloodthirsty aura made everyone's body cold.
It was as huge as a mountain, exuding an extremely oppressive presence. Black mist swirled around it, its massive body faintly visible. Its form resembled a Qilin, but it had nine huge snake heads, looking especially ferocious.
At the same time, from all directions, more than a dozen peerless exotic beasts appeared, each different, all terrifying beyond measure. Some spewed demon clouds that blotted out the sky, their bodies as large as mountains. Others shone with brilliant divine radiance, dazzling and surpassing the sun. All were incredibly divine.
Every direction was surrounded. All seven groups from Yaoguang Holy Land and the Jiang Family were completely annihilated!
The large number of cultivators following behind, hoping to fish in troubled waters, were all trapped. Not a single one escaped.
Ye Fan's heart turned cold. The old madman's prophecy seemed about to come true!
A moment of oppressive gloom, then an explosion. Countless evil and demonic beams of light fell from the sky. Terrifying fluctuations made the mountains tremble. All the exotic beasts attacked together, joining forces to slaughter the many cultivators.
The mountain forest instantly became a hell of screams. Lives continuously faded. Blood dyed the ground red. Countless corpses lay on the earth.
More than a dozen terrifying beasts—each capable of killing Yaoguang Holy Land and Jiang Family elders—now easily slaughtered the remaining cultivators.
In just a few minutes, the forest became a world of blood, a slaughterhouse. The screams grew fewer and fewer. The forest was stained red by blood mist.
Seeing the crazy old man still nearby, not having left, Ye Fan rushed over and grabbed his arm. "You really are a living ancestor!"
He didn't know if he could survive. He held onto the old madman tightly, refusing to let go. Perhaps only this old man could lead him out of this place alive.
The old madman's prophecy had come true!