# Chapter 1246: Wolves Hunting a Dragon
The mysterious ancient island told the story of endless ages, time passing like a knife, carving mottled ancient marks upon it.
In the cold universe, starlight scattered down. Over four hundred and thirty trial-takers followed the Great Commander of humanity's first city as they descended to the shore of the giant island.
"The trial ground is about to open. The path to your enlightenment begins here. Whether a Great Emperor who will astonish the ages appears—we shall wait and see!" the Great Commander said.
Beneath him, the massive Celestial Wolf sat, its eyes flashing with cold light as it gazed at the first checkpoint on the Stellar Ancient Path—Fallen Saint Island—as if sensing something.
"Roar…"
A tremendous howl erupted, a spiritual shockwave, wild as the sea, boiling like a tide, coming from the untamed mountains on the island. Clearly, there were peerless savage beasts.
Many changed color. This island might harbor Saint Beasts, and it was not merely a place to comprehend the Dao. If careless, one could become food for ferocious beasts.
Fallen Saint Island was vast enough. The Great Commander explained that the outer area was divided into forty-nine regions. Adding the central forbidden zone, that made fifty.
The Great Commander warned, "The central forbidden zone is a death ground. For most of you, the beings there are invincible. If you want to live long, do not challenge beyond your level."
The forty-nine regions had mysterious barriers between them, hard to break. Once a region was chosen and one delved deep, crossing boundaries became difficult. Otherwise, breaking the barrier would impose a seal of a million jin in shackles.
Everyone listened quietly. This was likely a restriction to protect cultivators, preventing mutual bloodshed. It meant one could not fight across regions.
"With a million jin of shackles on you, if you meet a cultivator of the same level, you will surely die. This forced measure is very effective."
In fact, many might not even withstand the million jin seal. Their physical bodies could be directly crushed into broken bones and bloody mud.
Of the four hundred and thirty-seven people, three had already died. They would enter through forty-nine ancient path entrances, clearly enough for distribution—less than ten per region.
Most did not move, choosing to observe, afraid that several powerful competitors might follow and join forces to kill them.
This was not impossible. In recent days, some had formed alliances, creating terrifying small teams far stronger than individual combat power.
All were walking the Stellar Ancient Path, each a regional overlord. Who was much weaker than whom? Of course, exceptions came from certain ancient star domains.
A flash of light—the Brocade-Clothed Young Master moved. He came from the Human King Ancient Star Domain, named Tuoba Yu, with profound cultivation. No one had yet seen through his depth. He charged straight toward the entrance of the Fifth Region.
At the same time, the Bitter Monk from the Amitabha Ancient Star Domain also moved, chanting a Buddha's name, charging into the Fifteenth Region, disappearing in a flash.
These two could not encounter each other. Crossing one region would bring a million jin shackles, crossing two would bring two million jin, and so on. With ten regions between them, one would inevitably suffer a huge disadvantage if they met.
Clear bell sounds rang out, melodious and pleasant. A woman with a graceful figure, snow-white arms, long straight beautiful legs, soft and shiny black hair, jade-like crystalline skin, sweet features, and large eyes stepped out from the crowd.
On her wrists and ankles were sparkling bells, jingling crisply, complementing her snow-white delicate beauty.
She had bright teeth and beautiful eyes, a smile that could topple cities. With graceful lotus steps and a confident smile, she entered the Fourth Region's entrance, her figure vanishing.
Everyone's heart jumped. This stunningly beautiful, sweet-faced girl was next to Tuoba Yu of the Human King Ancient Star Domain. Could she intend to cross regions?
"Her name is Yu Xian, from the Feather Transformation Ancient Star Domain. Her strength is unknown; no one has seen her fight yet," someone murmured, revealing her origin. This stirred something in Ye Fan's heart. Did the ancient Feather Transformation Star Domain have any connection to the Feather Transformation Divine Dynasty?
Silently, a tall figure stepped out from the crowd. He did not look young anymore—crow's feet had appeared at the corners of his eyes, his hair streaked with white.
Though no longer young, he showed no signs of aging. Instead, he looked very martial, moving like a dragon or tiger, his gaze sharp as a blade, as intimidating as a demon god.
His Dao cultivation was world-shaking. A supreme Dao path extended from under his feet, stretching all the way to the farthest Forty-Ninth Region.
Boom!
With one step, heaven and earth resonated, all Daos trembled. True Dragons and Immortal Phoenixes appeared, as if three thousand demon gods were chanting scriptures, emitting a surging demonic might.
This man was tall, with graying temples and deep eyes, bearing an air of "only I am supreme," like a Demon Lord on the move.
He vanished into the Forty-Ninth Region's ancient path, casually sealing the entrance with a talisman, forbidding anyone else from entering.
People exchanged glances. This demonic figure was very domineering, unwilling to share a region with anyone.
"He cultivates a supreme demonic art. In fact, he is only a little over a hundred years old—still 'young' at this realm—yet his appearance is so weathered. Clearly, he has experienced countless killing tribulations."
"This man is Ouye Mo. Only his name is known, not which star domain he comes from. No need to think much—he is definitely extremely terrifying!"
The fifth to move was a woman, born bright as the moon, holy as a deity, like a reincarnated immortal. Not the ultimate beauty, but possessing an otherworldly temperament.
She was very cold. Though a divine ring like a moon disk enveloped her body, she seemed not of the mortal world, unapproachable, keeping others at a distance.
She had icy skin and jade bones. Though not peerlessly beautiful, this cold purity and special temperament made her the focus of attention, impossible to ignore—like the Guanghan Fairy Maiden isolated in her ice palace.
Moonlight flowed like water around her as she entered the First Region's ancient path, flying straight in.
Everyone's expression shifted. She directly chose the First Region without hesitation, becoming the center of attention.
"Entering the First Region—what does that signify? Does she have the supreme strength to dominate among the four hundred plus?"
"Though the order of the forty-nine regions means nothing, most people still avoid the First Region. She is truly confident."
Many were astonished.
The path of a Great Emperor was paved with bones. Peerless talents naturally competed fiercely, but not everything required conflict. Knowing when to yield was also necessary.
"Her name is Mu Guanghan. It is said she comes from a very ancient star domain, but exactly where, no one knows yet."
Next, the most powerful seed-level experts entered Fallen Saint Island one after another, each taking a different path, not repeating those before.
"These people should all have become Saints!"
Many felt increased pressure. Especially those who planned to break through on the ancient path fell silent. Their star domains had ancient secrets—it was said that breaking through on the ancient path and enhancing strength brought great benefits later. Hence, many had suppressed their power, currently at a disadvantage.
People chose entrances one by one. Almost no one followed the paths of the first dozen or so, unwilling to clash with them early. After all, this trial was only about comprehending the Dao, not competing.
Compared to the cold, empty regions of Tuoba Yu, the Bitter Monk, Yu Xian, Ouye Mo, Mu Guanghan, and others, Ye Fan's chosen region was completely different. He was equally eye-catching, for as soon as he appeared, twenty or thirty people followed. His region was the most "lively."
"I advise you not to enter, or some unpleasant things might happen," said Lan Feng, dressed in blue robes, with an extraordinary aura, speaking indifferently.
The middle-aged Daoist nun also sneered coldly, standing in the cold universe, holding a whisk, her beautiful face filled with endless killing intent.
"Some people are arrogant and domineering and won't listen to advice. Perhaps only a bloody scene will make them understand reality!" mocked Hong Liu, clad in fiery red battle armor.
Their group totaled twenty-three people, all experts on the Stellar Ancient Path, each a regional overlord who dominated their own star domain. Such combined strength naturally inspired fear—anyone would change color.
Each wore a cold smile, all difficult overlords, clearly united to kill Ye Fan!
Chilling cold, merciless killing intent—all spread out together. The twenty-three stood side by side, like a group of death gods descending to the mortal world, making many cultivators change color.
Ye Fan walked forward indifferently, first pausing at the Thirty-Third Region entrance, then coming to the Thirty-Sixth Region entrance. Daoist teachings had different sayings—some spoke of thirty-three heavens, others of thirty-six heavens. He observed for a long time, finally choosing the Thirty-Sixth Region.
"You really dare to enter the trial ground?" the middle-aged Daoist nun sneered coldly.
"Choosing any region is the same. Pick a good grave," another mocked.
The remaining two to three hundred people all paused, looking this way. These twenty-three combined were definitely a powerful threat, easily capable of killing ancient Saints and the like.
This was clearly bullying. So many joining forces to suppress one person—how could this be fought? It was a death sentence!
"What, hesitating? If I were you, I'd turn around immediately, withdraw from the strongest trial path, and never return," Lan Feng said indifferently.
"Wanting to leave is impossible. If you want to live, cut off your dignity and give us a reason to forgive you!" Hong Liu sneered.
"If you want to die, all of you follow me in!" Ye Fan only had this one sentence. Without looking at them, he strode directly into the Thirty-Sixth Region.
These words shocked many cultivators. He truly would not bend, choosing to fight over twenty people alone?
This would surely be the first shocking killing tribulation and bloody battle on the trial ground. Win or lose, this cultivator named Ye Fan was destined to be remembered.
"Great Commander, aren't these people going too far? Over twenty besieging one—his chance of survival is slim. It's unfair," a soldier said. He had experienced these trials and knew their cruelty. On the strongest path, who was much weaker than whom?
"We do not interfere!" the Great Commander, seated on the Celestial Wolf, said coldly.
Ye Fan entered the Thirty-Sixth Region. Just over ten steps in, he stopped, standing on a green stone with his back to the crowd, like a demon god.
"Hmm, want to back out? Too bad—you can't leave. You can only die here!" one of those who rushed in sneered coldly.
"Shut up!" Ye Fan's golden blood energy surged sky-high. He suddenly turned, throwing a punch. With a thunderous boom, blood splattered, bone fragments flew, and a mist of blood rose.
A golden fist became the only thing in heaven and earth. In an instant, it struck down the one who had just spoken, killing him on the spot!