Chapter 1421 - Emerging from Seclusion
The ten-foot-six-inch Bodhi tree bore the weight of past and present. Its lush green leaves shimmered with crystalline brilliance, flipping through the passage of time—a fleeting moment of light flowing by, like a hundred lifetimes slipping through one's fingertips.
A lifetime of cultivation, a lifetime of comprehending the Dao. In exchange, eternal invincibility, with corpses strewn across the wilderness.
The stubborn persistence of a moth diving into a flame, the final brilliance of a dying candle.
Mastering an unparalleled art in the world, yet unable to withstand the passage of time. A lifetime of ultimate splendor could not conceal the mottled tears and blood of years past. Looking back, the world fell silent, with no one from the same era to be found.
At this moment, Ye Fan had an illusion, as if he had arrived ten thousand years later, at the pinnacle of the Dao, with a few earthen graves, the vast world stretching endlessly. In his twilight years, he knew not what he sought. In his waning days, he looked back on his life, only a single sigh carried away by the wind.
Great enemies turned to ashes, beauties lay buried beside their graves, old friends returned to the yellow earth beneath their mounds. Not a single person remained; all acquaintances were silent.
This feeling was terrible, stirring his heart, making him sense the desolation of eternity. He longed to roar at the heavens, shattering this filthy haze, ushering in a scene of prosperity and splendor.
Was it real or illusory? Was it a flower in a mirror or a moon on the water's surface? Or was he standing at the pinnacle of his Dao, glimpsing a corner of the future from the other shore?
A mournful tune wailed, disturbing his heart, grieving the autumn mood, leaving only boundless desolation behind.
What was this? Beneath the Bodhi tree, Ye Fan awoke with a start. Why had he seen this corner? His body was as firm as a rock, his heart as still as water—how could he have glimpsed this scene?
Boom!
Ye Fan's entire body blazed with light, golden runes engraved on his skin. Countless great stars turned to ash, myriad rivers of stars collapsed, leaving only this true body—naturally, it had fused all Dao fruits.
His golden flesh pulsed, his bones chimed in rhythmic unison, like a battle hymn clanging with force. Within his countless meridians and acupoints, golden immortal radiance bloomed, dazzling and brilliant.
But at this moment, a vertical eye also split open on his forehead. In a daze, he saw reincarnation—scenes of the past.
"Is this the external demonic thought? I've never encountered it before, but today it finally arrives," Ye Fan murmured. He did not believe what he saw.
He said no more. Starting from the Wheel Sea Secret Realm, he evolved his path, his law, his conviction, all the way to the Four Extremes Secret Realm, unmoved by external forces.
"My path, my law—I am invincible. I do not believe in a next life, nor do I dwell on the past. How could there be reincarnation? How could I see the desolate scene ten thousand years later?!" he roared.
Ye Fan stretched his limbs, splitting heaven and earth. He slaughtered the demonic thoughts in his heart, cutting away all chaotic intentions, restoring his own clarity.
"Damn it, that might really have been a blurry glimpse of the future, but Ye Fan doesn't believe it. He insists on being invincible in this life," the Dragon Horse murmured.
"Could we have been affected too, seeing those illusory demonic scenes? Only he realized they were false and decided to break them?" Pang Bo pondered, sensing something amiss.
"This is too eerie. We have no way to judge, and naturally no way to warn him, or we might mislead him. Now, we're the ones getting confused," the Golden Lion said.
Hearing this, everyone shuddered. They all sat cross-legged in the void, questioning their hearts and seeking the Dao, trying to break through the illusions.
"You don't need to force it. This is my vision. I don't believe it; I only focus on the present. Don't get trapped in it. Treat it like snow and moon, like a gentle breeze," Ye Fan shouted.
They all trembled, retreating to a safe distance. The Life Spring gurgled and flowed, shimmering with radiance. Four dark-red killing swords lay silently in the spring's eye, forging a calamity of slaughter.
"We don't need to delve deeper. That's Ye Fan's path and vision. Whether real or false, let it pass and forget it," Pang Bo whispered.
Finally, only an indestructible golden body remained beneath the ten-foot-six-inch Bodhi tree. Everything else vanished. Ye Fan shattered all visions, his mind empty, free from worry.
The golden glow receded, and peace returned. Ye Fan sat cross-legged as the Bodhi tree swayed, its ten thousand green leaves rustling like a river flowing into the distance.
"It's done. Little Leaf's enlightenment is complete," Pang Bo laughed.
The Dragon Horse, Golden Lion, and others gathered around. Seeing Ye Fan return to simplicity, with his blazing radiance concealed within his body, they knew his three years of Dao comprehension had ended, and he had truly achieved something.
Unexpectedly, the seemingly calm Ye Fan walked forward. After just nine steps, he spat out a mouthful of blood—golden and brilliant, shocking to behold.
"Ye Fan, what's wrong?!" Everyone was alarmed, rushing to his side.
A cauldron floated, dripping with Mother Qi of All Things, with myriad spirits emerging, shielding Ye Fan and stabilizing his injured body.
"Did his enlightenment fail?" Pang Bo was startled, sensing trouble.
The twelve saints also felt a sinking in their hearts. For cultivators, the most terrifying harm was failed enlightenment, destroying one's foundation. Nothing was more serious.
The Dao Ye Fan had just displayed was too terrifying—shattering the myriad realms of the human body, leaving only one true body, inspiring awe. Yet it was also extremely dangerous; a slight misstep would lead to total annihilation of body and soul.
"Could he really have encountered a calamity?" the Dragon Horse muttered.
"It's nothing serious. Don't worry," Ye Fan said, wiping the blood from his lips. He was clearly injured, causing concern among the group.
"What exactly happened?" Pang Bo asked.
"The Dao is not yet complete. The Four Extremes scripture still has flaws. This path is too fierce and has wounded me," Ye Fan said.
Everyone understood. What Ye Fan had just done was indeed extremely fierce, directly destroying the human body's universe. This was something ordinary people couldn't accomplish.
It could be said to be heaven-defying. It would be strange if he came through unscathed!
Moreover, how many years had it been since he entered the Saint King realm? He couldn't achieve it overnight. The scripture needed further refinement and couldn't be perfected in a single day.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but seeing the golden bloodstains at the corner of Ye Fan's mouth, they still worried. For him to be injured was no simple matter.
"Are you really okay?"
"Just a minor Dao wound. It's nothing," Ye Fan said.
"A Dao wound..." The Black Bear Saint and the Scorpion were alarmed. This was no good thing. Dao wounds were the hardest to heal. Many ancient great saints had passed away from them, often considered incurable.
"Don't worry. It's just a single wound, nothing major. In the past, I was rejected by the Dao itself, and it was far worse than this," Ye Fan said.
Beside him, faint strands of electric light flickered, entering the ancient Heavenly Venerable's Life Spring. This was a sign of an impending heavenly tribulation!
"Are you about to undergo tribulation?"
"Today's enlightenment caused some injury. I'll go bathe in the sea of lightning tribulation. Perhaps it can mend that crack," Ye Fan said.
Whether it was the Golden Lion, the Nine-Tailed Crocodile Dragon, or the twelve saints, they were all speechless. Others feared heavenly tribulation, but he planned to use it to heal his wounds while advancing his realm.
Before leaving, Ye Fan and the others carefully examined the four killing swords, confirming they couldn't be taken. Then they approached the cave where the Six-Eared Macaque had passed away, but that also failed. They could only sigh.
Each person took out a vessel to collect the ancient Heavenly Venerable's Life Spring divine liquid. This was a peerless great medicine that could revive the dead and regrow flesh, immensely useful for cultivators.
The group rose from the Life Spring, flying to the surface of the sea. Others needed ancient boats to sail the sea, but they no longer had to worry, having collected a large amount of the ancient Heavenly Venerable's divine liquid, which could counteract the black Sea of Suffering.
For three years, they had not emerged. The outside world had changed drastically, with countless deaths. Corpses could often be seen sinking and floating in the Sea of Suffering.
"I'm going to undergo tribulation. Be careful," Ye Fan said.
The twelve saints nodded, setting up the Heaven-Deceiving Array left by Emperor Wu Shi to conceal their tracks. They watched Ye Fan's tribulation from a distance, without fear of discovery.
This sea area was very quiet, with no one passing by on ordinary days. People mainly gathered near the Life Springs, trying to seize the ancient Heavenly Venerable's imperial artifacts and scriptures from the spring eyes.
"Boom!"
Ye Fan underwent tribulation. As expected, it was vast and earth-shaking, drawing the attention of nearby powerful figures.
Coincidentally, someone else was also undergoing tribulation in another direction, far away but equally imposing. A golden flood dragon could be faintly seen crossing the sky, thicker than a mountain range, terrifying beyond measure.
The Dragon Horse cursed, sneaking over to see who was causing such a commotion. It had to be a peak-level expert.
"A golden flood dragon with some true dragon aura—this is a royal clan among flood dragons. I wonder which ancient domain it comes from."
They didn't dare get too close, as several other powerful beings were guarding the golden flood dragon royal saint king, watching closely.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, thunder roared from another direction, deafening. Another heavenly tribulation was underway, equally vast. They discovered a third party undergoing tribulation, also with strong guardians.
"This isn't right. What a coincidence—why are all the tribulations happening at once?" Pang Bo found it strange.
Among the twelve saints, someone turned into a bolt of lightning and flew into the distance to investigate. Soon, they returned with shocking news. The various races had agreed to let those on the verge of breakthrough undergo tribulation in the Sea of Suffering, hoping to pierce the black ocean, activate the ancient Heavenly Venerable's life wheel, cause the Life Spring to erupt fully, and build a divine bridge to reach the other shore.
"That's a bold idea, quite innovative!" Pang Bo exclaimed.
Over the past half month, more than ten people had undergone tribulation, trying to stir up great waves and make the Life Spring beneath the Sea of Suffering erupt, but none had succeeded in building a divine bridge.
"Boom!"
Ye Fan's heavenly tribulation was unparalleled in the world. At his realm, no one could surpass it. It was too vast, drawing attention from all directions as it progressed.
From a great distance, people couldn't understand the situation or judge the tribulation accurately. Many rushed over.
"What, it's him?!" The powerful were shocked. Some recognized Ye Fan. After disappearing for three years, he had returned and broken through, undergoing tribulation here.
By the time they arrived, Ye Fan had already completed his tribulation. The Primordial Qi Cauldron absorbed the sky full of tribulation light, with chaotic lightning engraved on it, giving it an ancient and majestic air.
This wasn't a tribulation for advancing to a major secret realm, so no ancient great emperors appeared. Relatively speaking, Ye Fan passed through it easily.
Twenty-some years had passed since he reached the first level of the Saint King realm. During that time, Ye Fan had undergone two tribulations. This was his third, advancing two levels to reach the fifth level of the Saint King realm.
When the hundreds of thousands of zhang of lightning vanished, Ye Fan descended, with faint golden bloodstains at the corners of his mouth. This made Pang Bo, the Dragon Horse, and the others feel a sinking in their hearts.
"Little Leaf, are you okay?" Pang Bo asked anxiously.
"This is the first time you've been injured during tribulation. No, it's that Dao wound—you didn't mend that crack?" The Dragon Horse was startled.
"It's fine. This Dao wound can't stop me," Ye Fan said, wiping away the golden blood from his lips. His eyes were clear, without any sign of weakness.
"Is this the Human Clan's Sacred Body? Injured during tribulation? And he calls himself a young supreme? How laughable. Golden Serpent Second Young Master, didn't you say he was a formidable foe? He's nothing special. I'm disappointed."
In the distance, six figures approached rapidly, like immortal rainbows streaking across the sky, leaving brilliant trails of light as they descended on this sea area, staring down Ye Fan and his group.
Golden Serpent Fourth Young Master was among them, along with two other young experts never seen before. They had clearly arrived from other ancient star domains over the past three years, each a supreme being of their domain, the strongest among the trial-takers on their respective ancient paths.
One was a peacock, though transformed into human form, with immense power. Behind him, five-colored divine light radiated, emitting a terrifying aura.
The other held a pagoda in his hand, his true form a divine fox. His eyes were cunning, making him seem hard to deal with.
"Golden Serpent Second Young Master, are you sure this is the Human Clan's Sacred Body you spoke of? You didn't deceive us? So pathetic—he suffered a Dao wound just from tribulation. He's worthy of being our enemy?!"
The peacock and the divine fox stood proudly on the scene, their faces showing disdain. They felt the Golden Serpent Clan's Second Young Master had tricked them.
The four Golden Serpent young masters also had doubts. They had never heard of a young supreme suffering a Dao wound during tribulation. How could such a person be a formidable foe? Had they misjudged him before?
This clearly didn't live up to the reputation. A true supreme wouldn't suffer a Dao wound in such a minor realm's heavenly punishment. Had they really overestimated Ye Fan?
The Golden Serpent Second Young Master's eyes flickered, golden light shooting out. He didn't quite believe it. In their battle years ago, his physical body had suffered quite a bit, enduring unbearable pain.
"Second Young Master, I admit I'm not your equal, but you've exaggerated this opponent. Let me strike and kill this so-called rare bloodline you mentioned," the Five-Colored Peacock said, very arrogant.
The Golden Serpent Second Young Master said nothing. The four golden serpents were all cold, staring at Ye Fan, trying to see through him.
Chi!
The peacock spread its wings, its feathers dazzling. Five-colored divine light swept out, a direct killing strike, weighing billions of jun. It went straight for Ye Fan, trying to suppress him without any probing.
"At the same fifth small step of the Saint King realm, you dare to fight me?" Ye Fan said coldly.
With a rumble, he took a step forward. Wind and thunder roared between heaven and earth, lightning flashed and thunder boomed. Even with golden bloodstains on his robes, he was majestic, like a god or demon!
"Someone who gets injured during tribulation dares to show off in front of me? What a joke!" the Five-Colored Peacock sneered, his divine light blazing even brighter as he struck down.
"Bang"
Ye Fan moved, decisive and domineering. He stretched his limbs, and the Four Extremes of his body glowed, instantly causing heaven and earth to split, the Sea of Suffering to surge, nearly bringing down great stars.
"You..." The Five-Colored Peacock changed color. This scene terrified him.
"Boom"
The divine fox suddenly acted, sacrificing an ancient pagoda that turned into thirty-three layers, pressing down on Ye Fan to rescue the peacock. He could see that this divine might truly had an aura of invincibility and supremacy.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Ye Fan swept past, his body tracing a dragon-like curve, cutting through the five-colored divine light. He closed in, grabbed the Five-Colored Peacock with his bare hands, and with a "pu," tore him in two. Blood rained down as he was split on the spot.
"Ah..." The Five-Colored Peacock screamed in agony.
"What is a supreme? There is only one in this world!" Ye Fan said coldly.
Then, with a sweep of his arm, the descending ancient pagoda reversed course, trembling violently before exploding with a "boom," no longer under the divine fox's control.
"You..." The divine fox was terrified.