Chapter 1367: Crossing Domains
Golden Cicada was a person who should not have appeared. Why had he shown himself on this ancient path? Ye Fan found it somewhat unbelievable, staring blankly in thought.
"How old is he?"
"At most one or two hundred years old." The Southern Demon sat on a stone chair, his heroic posture upright, black hair scattered, his expression solemn, showing great wariness toward Golden Cicada.
Ye Fan pondered. This should have been a phantom of a person, one who ought not to exist in the world. Why had he truly appeared? He was utterly perplexed.
Golden Cicada was the previous incarnation of Tang Sanzang—this was a claim from *Journey to the West*. Yet orthodox Buddhist teachings contained no such record; it was merely a fabrication.
But now Golden Cicada had actually appeared, truly a disciple of Shakyamuni, with boundless divine power. Even the peerlessly talented Jue Youqing was far from his match, and her current fate—alive or dead—remained unknown.
Golden Cicada on the Ancient Human Path was only one or two hundred years old, yet the real Master Xuanzang was a figure from fifteen or sixteen hundred years ago. To forcibly link the two as the same person was clearly inconsistent.
Ye Fan pondered for a long time, lost in thought. This ancient path was truly complex, filling his heart with fog.
"Is there any more news about him?"
The Southern Demon shook his head and said, "This young monk is very mysterious, always appearing and disappearing like a divine dragon showing its head but not its tail."
Although Golden Cicada also appeared on the Ancient Human Path, he was not heading toward the endpoint. He was tracing the footsteps of his master, Shakyamuni.
Ye Fan's heart trembled. "News of Shakyamuni—are there legends about him on this path?"
The Southern Demon said, "I haven't heard any. It's just that Golden Cicada leaked some information while inquiring. According to him, his master vanished on the ancient path long ago, and even he cannot find him."
Ye Fan was deeply concerned about Shakyamuni. This was an ancient man of great wisdom, peerlessly powerful, who had ventured into the starry sky and ultimately disappeared without a trace.
Now, unexpectedly, he had gained a shred of news, drawing his intense attention. Even Golden Cicada had emerged, unsettling his heart.
"Where was Shakyamuni heading as he traveled along the ancient path?" Ye Fan murmured to himself, his mind surging with waves.
The Southern Demon said, "He wasn't limited to the Ancient Human Path. Golden Cicada is crossing domains, having appeared on the star paths of the God Clan, Human Clan, Demon Clan, and others, searching for his master's whereabouts."
Shakyamuni had vanished for a very long time, and no one knew his traces. If not for Golden Cicada's emergence, people would never have known he had passed through.
There were many secrets about Shakyamuni, considered taboos in the Western Desert Buddhist Gate, regarded as the demonic shell of Amitabha. Over two thousand years ago, he had fought a battle on Mount Sumeru. Those who had reached the Southern Demon's level could naturally learn some of this.
"Brother Ye, would you be willing to join us in venturing onto the Ancient Demon Path?" the Southern Demon asked.
Ye Fan shook his head. Although the Ancient Human Path was full of thorns and he might encounter great trouble ahead, he did not wish to leave.
The Ji siblings and Pang Bo were ahead, and he needed to meet them, especially to rescue Pang Bo from that Great Emperor's tomb as soon as possible.
"My words from before still stand. If we meet on the Imperial Path in the future and you are defeated, I will let you go," the Southern Demon said. In his eyes, stars and rivers shattered, exuding an aura of sovereign rule over the realm.
Ye Fan laughed heartily and nodded, saying that if they truly met, he would not show mercy, but in the end, he would spare him.
Qi Huoshui curled her lips disdainfully and said, "Sigh, you two are really fools. What's there to fight over? In the end, you'll both be defeated by time—all losers."
She was tall and slender, with long legs, a waist that could be encircled with one hand, skin white as jade, hair light and ethereal, eyes like water, red lips bright, and teeth like crystal—truly a peerless beauty.
On the ancient path, few were as carefree as she. Everyone who set foot on this road was filled with fighting spirit, vying for supremacy all the way.
Hearing this, Ye Fan let out a soft sigh, feeling she had a point. Fighting all the way might not lead to the desired outcome.
But in a hundred boats contending for the current, with heroes competing, one either advanced or fell back. There was no choice now. Talk of immortality was too distant. For now, rising on the ancient path, strengthening oneself, charging toward the Imperial Throne, and constantly drawing closer was the true path.
"Let me urge you to drink one more cup of wine. Once you journey far on the demon path, there will be no old friends." Starlight flickered as Ye Fan stood outside the fiftieth city of the Human Clan, raising a cup to see off the Southern Demon siblings.
"See you on the path to immortality!" The Southern Demon held a silver cup, drained it in one gulp, and, taking his sister, soared into the sky.
Only a man like this dared to speak so boldly, to aim for the Immortal Domain. This required a great breadth of spirit. How many in the world could compete?
On the starry river, an ancient demon squinted, beams of sharp light shooting out as he looked down at the fiftieth city of the Human Clan. He transmitted a message to Ye Fan, saying, "Young friend, how about taking a stroll on the demon path?"
"There will be collisions. The Demon Clan should prepare to marry off their daughters." An aged voice from within the city answered on Ye Fan's behalf, starlight cascading like silver waterfalls, cutting off the path ahead.
"Heh!" The ancient demon turned and disappeared into the cold universe with the Southern Demon siblings.
Ye Fan returned to the city. On the ancient streets paved with bluestone, many cultivators looked at him with strange expressions. Ye Fan's battle had shaken all directions, causing the Overlord to bleed and subduing all heroes.
In the eyes of the sages, this would likely become the most formidable contender on the Ancient Human Path. His rise was unstoppable.
Ye Fan went to see the Guide Envoy Zhao Gongyi, earnestly requesting the Divine Light Platform. He did not want to proceed step by step any longer. Time was pressing; he needed to rescue Pang Bo.
"It's really not abundant. There aren't many of these divine artifacts." Zhao Gongyi rubbed his hands, his face showing a troubled expression.
"The twenty-year battle with the Sacred Spirit was my deserved reward. Guide Envoy, you wouldn't want to drag this out for four thousand years, would you?" Ye Fan urged.
"In truth, letting you rush too early into the depths of the starry sky is not good for you or others. You must be very cautious," Zhao Gongyi said solemnly.
"I only want to save a friend, not clash with anyone else," Ye Fan replied.
"Hmm, very well." The Guide Envoy Zhao Gongyi nodded and finally agreed to hand over the Divine Light Platform to Ye Fan.
The starry river was brilliant. The fiftieth city of the Human Clan hung in the universe, wrapped in silvery waterfall-like radiance, appearing sacred and peaceful.
The Sacred Body was about to leave. When this news spread, all the trial takers breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a weight had been lifted.
The battle in the starry sky had had too great an impact. Ye Fan was like a great mountain pressing down on this city, giving everyone on the ancient path a sense of oppression.
By now, many had recognized the situation and had long given up on the Imperial Path, seeking only to ascend to the next level and find their own opportunities.
Traveling alongside such a man, who was at his peak like a god or demon, would be unbearable. No one wanted it; it would be a torment.
"Master Uncle, are you really leaving? Can you take me with you?" Under the starry sky, Yang Xi clung to Ye Fan's leg, refusing to let go, looking up at him with wide eyes, pitifully pleading.
"Practice well here. We will meet again in the future." Ye Fan crouched down, patted his head, and showed a doting expression.
"When is the future? How far away will it be?" The little boy stared at him with tears in his eyes, filled with reluctance.
"It won't be too far. As long as you are strong enough to cross the starry sky on your own, you can come find me anytime." Ye Fan comforted him, pinching his little cheek.
"I will become very strong, just like Master Uncle, defeating the Heaven-Dominating Bloodline clan and suppressing all enemies." Yang Xi clenched his small fists and said seriously.
Ye Fan smiled and said, "Hurry up and get stronger. Maybe one day, I'll really need you to fight alongside me."
"Definitely!" Though the little boy said this, he burst into tears at the farewell, crying very sadly, constantly wiping his tears, waving at him, and shouting.
"Let's go." Ye Fan rode his horse across the starry sky, leading the twelve sages away from the fiftieth city of the Human Clan.
They arrived in the starry sky and stayed for several days before the ancient Heavenly Court's remnant formation. Ye Fan studied it carefully and finally dug up several formations.
The Divine Light Platform flickered, its patterns mottled, emitting strands of immortal radiance. Ye Fan and his group turned into a blazing light and vanished from the spot, reaching the depths of the starry sky.
"Hmm, the Sacred Body should be coming soon. He's about to advance to the front of the ancient path. He'll probably arrive soon."
"Right, I heard he crossed the starry sky a few days ago. He should be here by now. Why isn't he showing up?"
"This will be lively. If the young supreme beings ahead learn he's coming, do you think they'll turn back to fight him?"
In recent days, the front of the ancient path had been buzzing with noise. The Sacred Body was about to arrive, crossing dozens of cities ahead of schedule, becoming the focus of heated discussion.
Star Ruins, with its many star fragments, was like an abandoned wasteland, a burial ground for stars.
As its name suggested, Star Ruins consisted of continent after continent floating in space, most lacking life, appearing unusual in the dark universe.
This was a vast, boundless ancient star domain full of mystery. Over the years, it had drawn cultivators from all directions to gather here.
Star Ruins contained the tombs of ancient Great Emperors. Every cultivator wished to obtain the fortune here, coming and going, with countless people spilling blood beyond the domain and being buried here.
Among them, over a dozen continents were the most famous. Over the years, young supreme beings had come and gone, repeatedly attacking the gates, trying to open them, confirmed to hold the secrets of Great Emperors.
Ruins City, the center of this star domain, lay between over a dozen Imperial Continents, not far from each ancient land.
The starry sky was silent, but this city had always been lively, never lacking in powerful figures. Over the years, too many heart-stopping battles had occurred.
This day, bolts of blazing lightning appeared outside the city. The cosmic starry sky was torn open, and a divine platform emitting dazzling light flew out from the void.
On it stood a calm-faced man, behind him a group of sages—some ancient beasts, some foreign races—all unruly and fiercely powerful, surging with overwhelming blood energy.
"We've arrived. This is that star domain. This should be the legendary Ruins City." Ye Fan had arrived, dressed in green clothes, stepping on starlight, looking at the ancient city floating in the universe ahead.
"Eh, who is that? He didn't come from an altar formation. He can cross star domains on his own."
"This... could it be the Sacred Body everyone's been talking about? Calculating the time, he should be appearing!"
Two cultivators returning from beyond the domain were about to enter the ancient city when they saw Ye Fan and his group, their eyes widening.
They sensed that Star Ruins was about to become lively. A controversial figure with terrifying potential had appeared, likely accompanied by great upheaval.