Chapter 1470: Yin Tiande
Ye Fan strode forward, his expression more agitated than it had been in years. He went straight to the towering sacred wall, reaching out to caress the image, studying it intently.
How many years had Little Nannan been missing? Over a hundred years!
Back then, he had searched the Eastern Wasteland, traversed the Central Province, scoured the entire world, but she was nowhere to be found. The pitiful little girl seemed to have vanished into thin air, never to be seen again.
He had his suspicions, at least a fog of uncertainty in his heart, guessing where she might have gone, but lacking the coordinates for those places, he could not go and look.
This was one of Ye Fan's greatest regrets. He had searched for many years without finding Little Nannan, never expecting to see her carved image at the final checkpoint of the Human Clan, leaving him deeply shocked.
It was left by a master, etched with such spirit that it seemed alive. The little girl looked on the verge of tears, as if she might step out of the stone wall, wiping her eyes.
For a moment, Ye Fan seemed to hear that weak voice again, timid and childish.
"Who left this image?!" Pang Bo also came over, asking loudly, his expression equally stirred. He still remembered those days; anyone who saw that little one would feel pity for her.
Ji Ziyue touched the carving, murmuring, "It should have been carved in recent years." She had once held that little girl, adoring her dearly, never expecting a parting that would last over a century.
"A peerless expert left this, probably carved five years ago," said one of the Three Heroes of Kunlun, stepping forward.
"Who is he?" Ye Fan asked urgently.
After years of cultivation, his heart was as still as water. No matter how great the matter, he remained calm and composed, unshaken even if Mount Tai crumbled before him. But today, his mind was unsettled, eager to find Little Nannan at once.
Tattered little clothes, shoes with holes for her toes, begging alone in the crowd, timid, head lowered as if she had done something wrong. Big eyes brimming with tears... These images surged into his heart, making it hard for Ye Fan to stay calm.
"Is the medicine paste good to eat?" Bullied by the Yin Yang Sect, the hungry little one watched longingly while asking other children. These memories still stung Ye Fan to this day.
"His name is Yin Tiande. His achievements shake the world. He seems to have come specifically to wait for you," said one of the Three Heroes of Kunlun.
"Him!" Ye Fan's eyes burst with cold light, like lightning tearing through the void, silencing the entire street in an instant, a stillness so profound it was absolute.
Ye Fan would never forget this man—an absolutely terrifying, peerless enemy!
He never thought that after so many years, with no news of her, a trace would appear at the final checkpoint of the Human Clan, leaving such a mark.
"Yin Tiande of the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain?!" Pang Bo was startled, stepping closer to examine the carving, truly feeling a natural Dao rhythm emanating from it.
Ji Ziyue and the others had all heard Ye Fan speak of his experiences in the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, and each wore a grave expression.
Because when Ye Fan evaluated the most terrifying figures of this generation, he had singled out this man, calling him a sure peerless enemy, one who would bring an unimaginable fierce battle in the future.
"How strong can he be?" Dragon Horse had heard Ye Fan mention him before but hadn't paid close attention, dismissing it. Now that the name came up again, he naturally felt some disdain.
"If we meet in the future, there will be a battle. Then you'll know his strength. If you're careless, you'll die without a burial place," Ye Fan warned him.
He rarely judged anyone this way, but this man, whom he had only briefly encountered and never truly fought, left a deep impression. He knew well how powerful he was.
Remember, back then, Yin Tiande had only just severed the Dao, yet he dared to snatch food from a tiger's mouth, forcibly taking the Divine Spirit Ancient Scripture from several Greatly Accomplished Kings.
Who were those people? The Golden Crow King, Qinggu Daoist, Radiant King, Human King—each one had a greater background than the last!
Not to mention others, just the old Human King of the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain alone possessed at least Eight Prohibitions, because that physique was too terrifying, reigning supreme among humans, seen once every fifty or a hundred thousand years.
As for the Radiant Body, it was said to be a physique equal to the Divine Body, sacred and supreme.
And Qinggu Daoist was equally extraordinary, hailing from the Ziwei Mingling Longevity Temple; one could guess his caliber from the temple's name alone.
Back then, Yin Tiande had only just severed the Dao, yet he dared to strike at these Greatly Accomplished Kings who had severed the Dao in the desolate post-ancient era, seizing the Divine Spirit Ancient Scripture—that alone spoke volumes.
"Many years ago, when I entered the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, this man had already triggered the Divine Seal," Ye Fan added. He had learned this secret from Yi Qingwu, and it was absolutely certain.
"Divine Seal?!" Dragon Horse gasped, this time not distracted, truly hearing clearly.
In that battle back then, if Ye Fan hadn't intervened, the Presence Secret would have been fully mastered by Yin Tiande alone. As it happened, Ye Fan snatched half a page, creating a grudge.
Moreover, when Ye Fan first arrived in the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, his very first battle was killing Yin Tiande's younger brother—a deep enmity with no resolution.
"What does Yin Tiande mean? Is Little Nannan in his hands? Is this a provocation and a threat to us?!" Pang Bo was furious, eager to cut down this man at once.
Ji Ziyue also began grinding her little tiger teeth, her crescent-moon eyes rarely showing a trace of killing intent. Though they hadn't spent as much time with Little Nannan as Ye Fan had, they all adored her.
Ye Fan sighed softly, remembering the time he, Old Madman, Black Emperor, Li Heishui, and Little Nannan had ventured into Sacred Cliff together. Seeing the Reincarnation Lake, Little Nannan said she saw a purple great star—a vision of the future.
Ye Fan had also wondered if that might be the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, that Little Nannan might have ended up there. But without coordinates, he couldn't go to search.
Now, it seemed his guess might be true; otherwise, how would Yin Tiande know of Little Nannan?
"Where is Yin Tiande?" Ye Fan asked in a deep voice.
"This man is unfathomable. He arrived here ten years ago, waited for you for five years, but never saw you. So he set out and left this carving," said the Heavenly Gang Daoist.
"Yes, this man is truly remarkable. It's said he took the golden ancient path of another clan, not the Human Clan's path, reaching the pinnacle, crossing various paths to fight, ultimately breaking through, and then coming here," others added.
Yin Tiande was a powerful, heaven-defying prodigy—there was no doubt about that. He had fought across the stellar path for over a hundred years, sweeping through the world without defeat.
He was far away in another star domain when he heard Ye Fan's name, learned of the Other Shore, and crossed domains to come. Unfortunately, he didn't meet Ye Fan, leaving a battle letter: at the final Imperial Pass before the end of all paths, they would settle the score.
After passing this final Human Clan checkpoint, if one met the conditions, they could enter the only true path, reaching that Imperial Pass. Yin Tiande was waiting ahead!
"A black sun hangs in the sky, blocking the way ahead—something to be wary of," Ji Ziyue said.
"Did he mention what happened to this little girl?" Ye Fan asked the crowd.
"No. He only said he'd wait for you on the road ahead. When you meet, all will be known," someone said. It seemed many at the final Human Clan checkpoint had seen Yin Tiande.
A great enemy waiting ahead filled Ye Fan with fighting spirit! These days, few could be considered worthy opponents in his eyes.
"Little Nannan won't be harmed, will she?" Pang Bo worried.
Concern clouded judgment. Ye Fan was anxious at first, but slowly calmed down, no longer troubled. "There aren't many in this world who can harm her."
He recalled past events. Entering life-forbidden zones like Immortal Mountain and Sacred Cliff, she walked as if on flat ground, able to see the true patterns of Great Emperor arrays, and even Sacred Spirits feared her.
Black Emperor willingly let her ride him, and Old Madman marveled at her.
The stronger and more knowledgeable one was, the more they revered her. In the past, Ye Fan was just a greenhorn, seeing nothing and feeling nothing.
Now, he realized that the most powerful beings could hardly truly harm her. If they tried, it might awaken some mysterious force within her.
Still, even with these thoughts, Ye Fan couldn't be completely at ease. He decided to find her as soon as possible, charge to the only Imperial Pass where all clans gathered, meet Yin Tiande, and settle the score.
All rivers flow to the sea; the sea accepts all streams. The final supreme path was like that—one would encounter the most powerful prodigies from across the entire universe!
The final Human Clan checkpoint was vast. At its center, various islands, taverns, and such floated in the sky, a spectacular sight.
Surrounded by a crowd, Ye Fan and his group arrived at the central square, climbing into an old, renowned tavern where ancient Great Emperors were said to have tasted fine food.
"It's said that Emperor Wu Shi came here, and the Green Emperor too, both climbing this tower for a small drink."
"Tch, just legends. Who can say for sure that those two were Emperor Wu Shi and the Green Emperor?"
Some argued.
This was a grand jade tower, with carved beams and painted pillars, resplendent. Many beautiful female cultivators moved about, serving dishes and pouring wine, like a group of fairies banished to the mortal world.
Some were pure and ethereal, others seductive and charming, some bold and daring—each with a different style and demeanor.
Ye Fan's arrival naturally drew sidelong glances. All the heroes were quietly watching, many with strange looks in their eyes, because their fame was too great, echoing across the Human Clan ancient path.
So many had followed, inviting Ye Fan and his group to drink and chat. They naturally didn't want to refuse the goodwill. They exchanged cups, naturally discussing many battles.
Beautiful women poured wine for them, like butterflies circling trees, dancing gracefully. The place was lively.
"Brother Ye, once you pass this checkpoint, you'll enter another world. May you attain the Dao!" someone stood up to toast.
"Well, generally speaking, without the strength of a Great Sage, one can't pass this checkpoint or enter the ultimate Imperial Path," another said quietly, reminding them.
"It's not that strict. Besides, Ye Fan has killed many supremes from various domains. As a Saint King, he's enough to enter another battlefield directly."
As they spoke of battles over the years, they couldn't help but discuss Ye Fan's achievements—truly glorious. Praise flowed freely.
Suddenly, someone snorted. A pair of very intimidating eyes, coming from a child of about ten, turned and left, his gaze filled with venom.
"Whose child is this? Such strong resentment?" Pang Bo frowned.
Everyone shook their heads, saying they didn't know, that they had never seen him before.
A divine thought echoed through the jade tower: "Where is the Human Clan Sacred Body? Come and talk, how about it?"
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" Ye Fan asked, looking toward the grand hall outside.
"You owe me something. Today, I've come to reclaim it," said a group of people walking in from outside. One old man said, "Hand over the Primordial Qi Cauldron."
Before Ye Fan could respond, Dragon Horse was already furious. "Big talk! Who are you?"
"The Primordial Mother Qi Root was left by my ancestor, belonging to my clan. Today, I ask you to return the divine material!" someone said coldly.