# Chapter 1468: The Eighty-First Pass
The universe was truly vast. If not for tools like the Five-Colored Altar and Divine Light Platform, even Saints would likely lose their way, unable to find the path home.
The cold celestial expanse was so immense that cultivators felt their own insignificance. Even those who cultivated to the pinnacle could not explore the end of this starry sky, could not know the origin of this world.
The great cosmos, endless and infinite—perhaps only a Great Emperor could travel to its end, exploring the most simple and fundamental secrets.
The dark universe stretched on, unknowable in distance, unknowable in time. Ye Fan and the others had traveled for who knows how many months. Continuing like this, it seemed they would never encounter human habitation, never see living beings.
When contending on the ancient path, heroes stood side by side, and outstanding talents from many ancient domains came to attack. But now, once they left those specific locations, traveling for a thousand lifetimes might not reveal a trace of life.
The vast, boundless universe offered mostly desolation. This feeling was unpleasant. One or two years might be tolerable, but a lifetime of this would drive anyone mad.
"Humanity is too insignificant. In the blink of an eye of the universe, perhaps several lifetimes of the mortal world have already passed," Ji Ziyue murmured with a sigh.
"It depends on who you compare with. In the lifespan of a summer insect, perhaps we are immortals," Ye Fan said.
Cultivating until now, immortality remained unattainable. Many heavenly prodigies and supremes had been buried in the yellow earth. Emperor Venerable, Immortal Emperor, Human Emperor, Ruthless Person, Void, Wu Shi, Green Emperor—how supremely exalted were they? So stunning that one wished they had been born tens or hundreds of millions of years earlier, just to meet them once. Yet they too had passed away, becoming dust and earth.
Perhaps some people's fantasies that a few among them still lived were the last bit of encouragement for the pursuit of immortality.
Ye Fan and the others returned to the Ancient Human Path. Their next goal was singular: to reach the final pass of humanity and see the fundamental and ultimate truth.
The Human Clan Sacred City, the Eighty-First Pass, was grand and enormous. Suspended in a stretch of starry sky, it was bathed in silver-white starlight, appearing sacred and peaceful.
On this day, Ye Fan and his group arrived. But this was not the final pass of humanity; they were merely passing through here to learn what had happened over the years. Thus, they stopped.
When they entered the city, it caused an uproar. A crowd rushed into the streets, watching from afar.
In the battle at the Other Shore, whether human or other races, some experts had gone. Everything that happened there had been reported back, shaking the starry sky of this domain.
Ye Fan had created the Heavenly Emperor Fist, slaughtered many heavenly prodigies, and shattered many people's dreams of the Emperor Path. He had killed until the younger generation trembled, with no one daring to claim supremacy. When this was known, it shook the Stellar Ancient Path greatly.
On the current Ancient Human Path, the Overlord had been defeated. Di Tian, Divine Maiden, Great Demon God, and others had retreated. Who could still contend with Ye Fan? Vaguely, he was almost invincible on this path!
"Perhaps he can represent humanity in battle, competing for the final position of the strongest under the starry sky, reaching the pinnacle, attaining the Dao and becoming Emperor," some people whispered in private discussions.
"This path is not easy to walk. Throughout history, those who became Emperors—their relatives, friends, and old acquaintances mostly died in battle because of them. It has always been shrouded in misfortune, incomparably arduous."
Ye Fan and the others entered the city, drawing a crowd's attention. His fame now resounded through these dozens or hundreds of Sacred Cities. Everyone gazed, watching the group.
Many cultivators sighed softly after observing, feeling a heaviness. Although Ye Fan's blood energy was restrained, the pressure of his might still made it hard to breathe. They knew they were far inferior to this person.
Even though many people who had reached this point had long abandoned the Emperor Path, only training themselves to become strong enough to return to their own star regions in the future, they still couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Someone said sourly, "It's not necessarily that he will laugh last. Back then, people favored the Overlord, Di Tian, the Great Demon God, and others. In the end, wasn't it the Sacred Body that came from behind? It happened once, it could happen a second time. The ancient path is still far from closing. Who knows what stunning figures spanning past and present might still appear?"
"Can you find someone stronger than the Overlord or Di Tian?" someone retorted, and the speaker fell silent.
"This is just the Ancient Human Path. Don't forget, the final great collision is across all heavens and myriad domains, the supreme heavenly prodigies of all races facing off. Saying who is the strongest under the starry sky now is still a bit early."
"Not so. Human bloodlines may be weak in some star regions, at a disadvantage, but overall, in the great contention of the entire universe, they have never fallen out of the top fifteen."
Ye Fan and the others proceeded, drawing a crowd's attention. Many people began arguing privately, becoming quite intense by the end.
"According to your reasoning, on this era's Emperor Path, this person named Ye Fan is already among the top fifteen young experts in the entire universe?"
"Barring accidents, that should be the case."
"But don't forget, this is a golden age unlike any other, incomparable to the past. Heaven knows which experts might emerge. For example, the descendants of the strongest Great Emperors and Ancient Emperors throughout history—it's not just possible, but inevitable that they will appear, sealed until this era!"
"Cultivating to this point, bearing the imprint of an Emperor's son is not necessarily an advantage. Have you not seen that most ancient Great Emperors were of ordinary physiques? It has never been heard that one bloodline produced two Emperors. Moreover, after entering the Great Sage realm, what physique, what bloodline, are no longer the most important. Who among those who reach that step is ordinary? They all have extraordinary qualities!"
Pang Bo's Wind Ear had just begun to develop. He listened attentively and couldn't help but smile.
Ye Fan's Heavenly Ear had long been perfected, and he also noticed their discussion. The awakening of divine abilities varied in timing. Some people's abilities appeared early, while others might appear very late.
"Brother Ye!" At that moment, a shout came from the crowd, drawing sidelong glances. The streets quieted down considerably. After all, being acquainted with the Sacred Body who had survived a hundred battles and advanced triumphantly all the way was now considered an honor.
"Rui Wei." Ye Fan turned around and saw this old acquaintance. The once thin youth had actually reached the Human Clan's Eighty-First City. This was no small feat.
Decades, nearly a hundred years, had passed since they last met. Rui Wei had become a Saint, not far from Saint King. For someone of his aptitude, this was already quite remarkable.
In the past, he had entered the Human Clan's First Pass together with Ye Fan and traveled together for a time. Rui Wei's cultivation was weaker, but they had a good relationship.
Meeting now, Ye Fan thought of many things. Time flowed like water, passing too quickly. This youth, whom no one had thought much of, had also reached this place. Back then, the strongest among that group were Bitter Head Tuo, Feather Immortal, Ouye Mo, and Mu Guanghan. He wondered how they were doing.
Rui Wei stepped forward, very excited, and met with Ye Fan. The people nearby were even more shocked, not expecting their relationship to be so close. They all showed a hint of reverence.
Nowadays, being able to associate with Ye Fan, who was vaguely the strongest young supreme on the Ancient Human Path, made many people both envious and wary.
"Tonight, we drink heartily, not going home until we're drunk," Ye Fan laughed heartily. Seeing Rui Wei naturally made him happy. He pulled him along as they walked forward, introducing his friends along the way.
That night was naturally lively. Everyone exchanged toasts, drinking and chatting merrily, discussing the events of the past years.
Bitter Head Tuo had been defeated, taken away by someone named Jin Chanzi. Ouye Mo had long since killed his way to other ancient paths, disappearing for over fifty years. Mu Guanghan should be ahead. Feather Immortal had been taken away by a clan brother, possibly going to another path.
These were the tidings Rui Wei revealed.
At night, nebulas drifted by, and gloom shrouded the entire ancient city. Ye Fan's eyes snapped open. Silently, he arrived in the courtyard, staring at Rui Wei's room. His expression was complex, and he did not move for a long time.
"What's wrong?" In the shadows, Ji Ziyue transmitted her voice. She was a Primordial Spirit Body, most sensitive to various source fluctuations. Even Ye Fan's movements, powerful as they were, could not escape her.
"Only now have I discovered that this friend might be a great evil," Ye Fan said softly.
"I also sensed it. There is yin energy inside him, as if there are two souls, one of which is nearly extinguished," Ji Ziyue said. She had wanted to tell Ye Fan that this person was too unusual.
"I'll go find out clearly," Ye Fan said, walking forward and knocking on Rui Wei's door.
"Do you need us to come along?" Ji Ziyue asked.
"No need. I'll handle it myself," Ye Fan said secretly.
Rui Wei opened the door, somewhat surprised. He was about to invite Ye Fan in, but seeing his expression was wrong, he was confused.
"Let's go to the starry sky." Ye Fan suddenly struck out, restraining him. The next moment, they left the Human Clan's Eighty-First City and appeared on a brilliant river of stars.
"Brother Ye, what are you doing?" Rui Wei showed a hint of anger.
Starlight swirled like thin smoke. Ye Fan stared at him for a long time without speaking. Finally, he let out a sigh and said, "The murderous demon from back then was you, wasn't it? You devoured the flesh, blood, and soul bones of many cultivators."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Rui Wei stepped back, his face full of fear.
"Even now, you still want to hide it? I have become an Origin Heavenly Master. My Heavenly Eye has advanced further, far surpassing others. Now I can see your true form," Ye Fan said calmly.
"You..." Rui Wei's expression changed.
"To be precise, you are not Rui Wei. His soul is nearly extinguished. You are another person." Divine light burst from Ye Fan's eyes as he stared at Rui Wei's face. At the same time, a Dao Roar accompanied it, like a great bell or giant chime echoing, deafening and awakening.
Under this Dao Roar, Rui Wei screamed, grabbing his hair in pain. His face twisted, sometimes ferocious, sometimes sorrowful. Tears kept rolling down as he roared hoarsely, "I am Rui Wei... For my clan, I can die. I want to find a suitable life-bearing star... I am not a demon... I really am not a demon! Wuwu..."
Under Ye Fan's pressure, a wisp of black primordial spirit was forced out of his body, roaring loudly, weeping in grief, appearing mad. It was a small figure the size of a fist, filled with sorrow and demonic energy.
Ye Fan pointed a finger, instantly fixing it in place. He observed its fundamental heart and was immediately moved. Then he let out a soft sigh, seeing a tragic song. He felt his heart heavy and oppressed.
There was a pure land, created by an ancient Great Sage. But now it had dried up. The people there could barely cultivate anymore. Elders constantly went out, sending disciples to search for suitable life-bearing stars.
One day, a dark cloud pressed down from the starry sky, covering this place. A demon creature attacked, having arrived by devouring a clan member who had gone out to seek a life-bearing land. It bloodily washed this pure land, killing all the men, women, and children.
In a desperate battle where several elders sacrificed themselves, the demon creature was also severely wounded, nearly dying, left with only a wisp of primordial spirit. In the end, it devoured a returning youth and occupied his body. That person was Rui Wei.
Life was the greatest miracle of time. Rui Wei's will was unyielding, constantly resisting. That wisp of demonic primordial spirit was even more severely damaged. In the end, although it erased Rui Wei's main consciousness, it could not completely kill it. They merged into one.
Now, this half-demon, half-human black primordial spirit was the combination of the demon creature and Rui Wei. Blood tears flowed down its face as it roared, wanting to find a suitable dwelling place for its clan.
Ye Fan sighed. This person—half lived in a dream, while the other half occasionally gave rise to demonic thoughts, killing wantonly in the darkness.
"I am Rui Wei. I will search the world, bringing hope to my clan..." Tears streamed down his face, filled with sorrow. His eyes were nearly hollow as he roared in grief.
He did not admit he was dead. He did not accept that his clan had been destroyed. The last wisp of the demon creature's primordial spirit was also in a half-extinguished state, merging with him to become such a unique existence.
Ye Fan felt pity for him. He extended a finger, pointing at his primordial spirit, erasing the last bit of the demon creature's own memory, allowing this strange life to coexist like this.
Rui Wei's main consciousness had been destroyed. If completely separated, it would vanish into ashes. Only this symbiotic existence was possible, with Rui Wei's memories as the foundation of this life.
This way, it also eliminated the future demonic person. He would not kill indiscriminately from now on.
Ye Fan sent the primordial spirit back to its body, erased what it had just seen and heard in its sea of consciousness, made it faint, and carried it back to the Human Clan's Eighty-First City.
The next day, Ye Fan and the others prepared to depart. Rui Wei came to see them off, still full of anticipation, saying, "I will definitely find a suitable blessed land for my clan. Brother Ye, we will meet again. Then, in a pure land full of flowers, birdsong, and vitality, I will invite you for a drink."
Ye Fan nodded, not shattering his dream. Let him continue pursuing it like this. People always need dreams. As long as the dream does not die, hope still exists. For him, this was better.
Many people in the Human Clan's Eighty-First City took to the streets, watching Ye Fan and the others leave. Among them, a woman also hid in the crowd, staring at Ye Fan's back, slightly dazed, softly muttering to herself, "How can he be so powerful?"
This person was Xu Li, the youngest daughter of the master of the Human Clan's Eighty-First City. In the past, she had admired the Overlord and had gone with the eldest grandson of the Human Clan's Dao Protector Qi Tian to the Human Clan's Fiftieth City to trouble Ye Fan. Instead, she was captured and worked as a "miner" for dozens of days, digging sources and carving array patterns everywhere.
Later, Ye Fan did not make things difficult for them and released them all.
"His future achievements and heights are no longer something you can see clearly," the master of the Human Clan's Eighty-First City appeared beside his daughter, patting her shoulder, telling her not to overthink. Then he muttered to himself, "His future heights are also beyond what I can reach."
"The Overlord was defeated. Is he really not as good?" Xu Li was dazed, full of unwillingness. "The Overlord's bravery has been rare since ancient times. He just lacks the Divine Seal."
"Who can say about the future?" the old city master muttered to himself.
Ye Fan and the others stepped onto the Five-Colored Altar, hearing some shouts from behind.
"Senior Ye Fan, you must defeat all the heroes. You are the first under the starry sky."
"Senior Ye, I hope you can attain the Dao, unmatched in the world."
Ye Fan couldn't help but look back. He saw some relatively young faces, all later arrivals who had stepped onto the star path decades or a century after him. They were actually calling him senior.
He was momentarily stunned. Time, ah. Another generation had risen. He wondered how many heroes would remain beneath the waves. He thought again of the Big Dipper. How were Ye Tong, Huahua, and the others now? Would they step onto this path?
Perhaps, in the near future, he would still face challenges from later generations.
And so, Ye Fan and his group departed, taking a detour here, heading toward the final pass of humanity!
Recently, the plot is about to reach another turning point. I need to consider it, so tonight there is only this chapter. To write the later parts of Zhe Tian well, this is necessary. Please understand.