Chapter 1324: Fifty
Prince Ziwen felt a sense of melancholy—different moods brought different scenes.
Ye Fan ascended the heavenly path, seemingly carefree, yet he carried unique emotions, witnessing a flourishing age while facing mountains of white bones.
The land was like a painting, stained with blood. In the end, who could say whose prosperous era it was, whose glory? Or was it merely a desolate, tragic scene?
Ye Fan returned to the main path, entering the former Human Sacred City, beginning a new journey. He advanced along this ancient road, watching stars shift and the sun and moon rise and fall.
The stellar path stretched without end; the strong only grew stronger. Along the way, he grew accustomed to life and death, saw much desolation, blood rain scattering, and many outstanding talents falling, becoming scenery in others' stories.
In the following year, Ye Fan became almost a lone traveler, rarely seeing other trial takers, as for long periods he advanced along outer domain branch paths.
Just as the Human Race's Thirtieth Pass could lead to the Heavenly Soldier Ancient Star, subsequent passes also had such branch paths. However, life-bearing lands were hard to find; some were nothing but vast, uninhabited forbidden zones.
Ye Fan feared no danger, continuously crossing, breaking through pass after pass, tempering himself.
Some of these ancient lands had been abandoned for a hundred thousand years, others even longer. Now they were only open to a few powerful individuals, offering selective paths.
One ancient branch path after another was extremely harsh, filled with trials and countless obstacles. In many people's eyes, they were dead ends.
"Young man, the Golden Branch Path is the first choice, for it is the return route of the strongest. The deepest talents will seek such trial grounds."
Along the way, an old man had once said this. Ye Fan unexpectedly learned that deep in the universe, there were golden trial grounds prepared for those contending for the Imperial Path, many located on branch paths.
Ye Fan advanced resolutely, breaking through pass after pass, tempering himself.
Time passed swiftly, and nearly two years went by in the blink of an eye. Ye Fan encountered dozens or even hundreds of battles, large and small, bringing the Dragon Horse, Golden Lion, and others along as he arrived at the Human Race's Fiftieth Pass.
He stopped here, for this was a peculiar place—a half-hundred pass, the number of the Great Dao, a very important sacred land.
"Aoowoo..."
The Dragon Horse, Black Bear Saint, and others all howled. Over the past two years, they had roamed various forbidden zones, constantly walking in desolate, uninhabited regions, not even seeing a bird feather, fed up with such monotony.
"Finally entering a life-bearing ancient land! I can't wait to arrive immediately."
This was a magnificent giant city, more imposing than any seen before, floating in the universe. Approaching it felt grand and vast.
Ye Fan and his group entered the city smoothly.
Early morning, the rising sun was brilliant. Dewdrops rolled on roadside fine trees and ancient vines, reflecting the glow like crystalline pearls, sparkling with vitality.
The ancient city was very tranquil, bathed in the morning light. A layer of golden radiance flowed over the entire city, appearing solemn and sacred.
Especially the ancient buildings—golden light scattered over their rooftops and grand halls, making them even more solemn and towering, inspiring reverence and inner peace.
The Human Race's Fiftieth City was majestic and extraordinary. As soon as Ye Fan entered, he felt dense Dao marks, almost merging with the Great Dao itself.
"Aoowoo..." The Dragon Horse let out a long howl, shattering the morning's stillness.
In the Human Race's Fiftieth City, the streets were wide, paved with bluestone. The Golden Lion, Nine-Tailed Alligator Dragon, Black Bear Saint, and others charged in like a mountain flood, spreading noise throughout the ancient path.
Some people stood on bluestone, others sat on Dao platforms, breathing in the essence of heaven and earth. White pillars of Qi shot from their mouths and noses, rumbling like thunder.
Many opened their eyes and looked toward them at once.
"The Burial Emperor Star... the Human Sacred Body has come!"
Someone said this, immediately stirring a commotion. Many turned their heads, staring at them without pause.
The Stellar Ancient Path had been interrupted for over twenty years. Ye Fan could not take the road until now, finally reaching the Human Race's Fiftieth Pass, naturally causing quite a stir.
Some of his achievements at the Human Race's Tenth Pass had gradually spread here. His identity was especially sensitive, so some people took note and paid attention.
However, the ancient path had been broken for over twenty years, and the records of his battles were vague, hard to distinguish truth from falsehood. Most were rumors, impossible to confirm or verify.
Of course, one thing people could be sure of: Ye Fan was very domineering. He had killed the Great Commander of the Human Sacred City, slain a Law Enforcer's nephew, and seized the Law Enforcer's Sacred Robe and Divine Order.
These were events before the ancient path was interrupted, so they were clearly known.
"So this is the Sacred Body from the Burial Emperor Star. He's finally arrived. The road ahead will certainly not be dull. I just wonder if those ahead will try to return and fight him."
Many were expectant, strange expressions on their faces.
The Human Race's Fiftieth City was extremely grand, housing a vast population. On this early morning, many were breathing in the morning glow—some trial takers, some natives.
This was a special ancient city. Even children in the Human Race's Fiftieth Sacred City knew how to practice Qi, breathing and cultivating the Dao. The city was filled with experts.
"A half-hundred ancient city, the number of great evolution. This giant city is extraordinary. So many trial takers are lingering here—are they searching for something, or comprehending ultimate principles?" the Golden Lion asked.
"Everyone is watching me. There's no helping it—wherever I go, I become the focus of all eyes." The Dragon Horse boasted shamelessly, feeling very pleased with itself.
In the early morning, golden rays shone everywhere. A group of sacred beasts and foreign races bathed in the light, looking quite majestic. Indeed, many eyes fell on them.
"That horse is indeed not bad." Among the cultivators breathing and practicing Qi by the roadside, someone spoke.
Hearing this, the Dragon Horse raised its massive head, striking a pose of unmatched dominance, striding forward with an air of arrogance.
"Hey, young man, you're quite impressive, taming so many sacred beasts. Sell me this stupid horse." A burly man by the roadside spoke, his face full of bristly beard, extremely sturdy like a black iron tower.
The Dragon Horse immediately snapped out of its self-satisfied state, twisting its big head, perking up its ears, glaring with eyes like copper bells, and staring fiercely.
"Damn, a donkey meat restaurant?!" The Dragon Horse saw the golden sign behind the man and was furious. It reared up and was about to charge over.
"Our shop sells premium donkey meat, and occasionally some horse meat." The man rubbed his hands, looking like a butcher, sizing up the Dragon Horse, picking and choosing, criticizing its fat and lean.
"Charge! Tear down this shop together!" The Dragon Horse roared, summoning the Nine-Tailed Alligator Dragon and the others to attack.
Ye Fan was speechless. This man was really unscrupulous, provoking the Dragon Horse like that. But he was clearly a tough opponent, obviously a master.
The Dragon Horse had great authority among the Twelve Saints. With a whoosh, the other eleven charged together, sacred might spreading, ready to strike.
"Alas, poor kid, running into such a shameless Guide Envoy."
Someone nearby murmured. Ye Fan was startled, showing a hint of surprise. This was actually the city's Guide Envoy? How could he be like this?
"What? You're the Guide Envoy? You provoked us first. I'm just defending myself—I'll suppress you first!" The Dragon Horse was quite domineering, signaling the group to act.
Light flashed. The Guide Envoy's huge hand spread, covering heaven and earth, about to press down.
"Guide Envoy, why is this?" Ye Fan shifted positions, standing before the Dragon Horse, extending a golden, radiant hand forward, divine light blazing.
The Guide Envoy withdrew his hand, shaking his head. "Fighting you in a palm-to-palm clash isn't worth it." Without any embarrassment, he calmly stepped back.
"Senior, you are this city's Guide Envoy? Why are you running a food stall here?" Ye Fan asked.
"Alas, a Guide Envoy is also human and needs to make a living." The burly man said with a weathered expression, but somehow he looked like a weird old uncle.
"I spit! Damn you, you really opened a donkey meat restaurant?!" The Dragon Horse was furious, eyes wide, ready to pounce. "You've insulted my dignity!"
"I was just greeting you all, coming from afar." The man with steel-needle-like bristly beard laughed slyly.
This was the Guide Envoy of the Human Race's Fiftieth City, powerful, mingling in the mortal world without any dignity, completely different from the Guide Envoys seen before.
The Dragon Horse sized him up, knowing this guy was hard to mess with. Since he said that, it didn't want to cause trouble. "Old man, don't let it happen again."
"To make amends, I'll treat you to horse meat." The Guide Envoy warmly invited Ye Fan, the Scorpion, and the others.
"I spit!" The Dragon Horse was furious, raising its hooves to stomp. It had never seen such an unwelcome Guide Envoy, infuriating it to the point of exploding.
In the distance, whispers spread.
"The Guide Envoy was badly tricked by an old donkey four thousand years ago. He's still holding a grudge, who knows how much donkey meat he's eaten since."
"Exactly. Even donkey-like spirits are treated the same way."
Hearing this, the Dragon Horse almost spat blood. It was born from the essence of heaven and earth, not mortal flesh. In a sense, it was a kind of Sacred Spirit, yet it was considered a relative of donkeys.
In the end, no battle occurred. Although the Guide Envoy was badly tricked by an old donkey, he wouldn't mess with trial takers over it. He was an eccentric who played in the mortal world.
"Alas, if you encounter an old donkey on the road ahead, be careful." In the donkey meat restaurant, the Guide Envoy looked bitter, claiming they might really meet one deep in the stars.
A group of fierce beasts hypocritically comforted him, led by the Dragon Horse, delighted to see the Guide Envoy like this. Their joy came from others' pain—these guys were all malicious.
Ye Fan, the Black Bear Saint, the Golden Lion, and others ate heartily, devouring everything. At their level, they naturally didn't need to eat, but this was just enjoyment of delicious food.
"Child, eat your fill, drink your fill, and cry if you want." The Guide Envoy said.
Ye Fan was startled, not knowing what trick he was up to now.
"What are you saying? What did you feed us?" The Dragon Horse changed color, shouting harshly.
"Horse meat." The Guide Envoy said bluntly.
"Old bastard!" The Dragon Horse yelled, charging into the distance.
"Let's go look around and get familiar with this ancient city." The Golden Lion, Black Bear Saint, and others all slipped away, feeling it was dangerous to stay with the Guide Envoy.
After they left, the Guide Envoy's expression turned serious. "The Human Race's Fiftieth Pass holds special meaning for you. There are some places you need to see."
Seeing him so solemn, Ye Fan was puzzled, not understanding his intention.
"Come, I'll take you to see." The Guide Envoy sighed.
They went straight to the city's central area, where a massive mansion stood, covering vast grounds with expansive gardens, enclosing several peaks within.
Normally, no one could enter. It had been sealed for ages, protected by terrifying great arrays.
"Creak... bang."
The Guide Envoy activated the ancient array, pushing open the old gate, leading Ye Fan inside. As soon as they entered, he smelled some blood.