Chapter 1561: The Pressure of Attaining the Dao
The pressure was immense and boundless!
Everyone felt as if a great mountain was pressing down on their hearts, nearly suffocating them, their primordial spirits on the verge of cracking.
Those who aspired to the Imperial Path were especially silent. This was like an insurmountable mountain blocking their way forward, leaving no hope in sight.
Whether it was the Holy Prince or Ji Zi, both were shocked. They had never known that someone in this era had actually reached this step!
They were the direct descendants of ancient emperors and imperial sovereigns. No one understood better than them how incredibly difficult it was to truly reach that step. It was not something accumulated through time alone—without heaven-defying talent, without brilliance that stunned the ages, one should not even think of touching the steps of that domain.
Let alone stepping onto those steps and truly pushing open that door. It was simply too difficult. From ancient times to the present, among so many imperial descendants, almost none had attained the Dao. None could cross that threshold!
No matter this person's background—whether an imperial son or a mortal body—he surpassed all the heroes of this world. There was no need to overthink it. He had surpassed all the mighty figures of the present age.
If this person became an emperor, the world would have no hope. Was it possible for two great emperors to exist in the same era?
When Ye Fan was weak, he once thought that by changing the starry sky or moving to another ancient life-bearing land, multiple emperors could coexist. But as he grew stronger, his heart wavered. Various signs indicated that this was extremely difficult.
Attaining the Dao in different places was feasible, but it only resulted in becoming a Quasi-Emperor, not a true Great Emperor at the Great Perfection realm.
In the end, the strongest beings of all heavens and realms would have to cross a single-plank bridge, competing for the one and only qualification!
Unless an exception occurred, unless it was the bizarre mythological era of the Emperor Venerable, it might be possible to break the shackles of heaven and earth and allow multiple emperors to coexist.
Of course, this was only a conjecture, not necessarily true, because even now there was no direct evidence that multiple great emperors existed in the era of the Emperor Venerable.
The brown-haired Great Sage wore a cold expression, saying nothing. But his demeanor said it all—he stood proudly, backed by an emperor who would rule the entire universe. Even if he stood in a Forbidden Zone of Life, he might not face mortal danger, as no one would dare touch him.
Because, at this moment, he represented a supreme being. He was an imperial envoy. No one dared to move against him.
"Ye Fan, will you accept the decree or not? This is not a bad thing. The Imperial Lord greatly admires you and intends to entrust you with an important task," the brown-haired Great Sage spoke again.
How powerful must one be to dare come here and recruit the Human Sacred Body? One must know that he was a Great Sage, with limitless future achievements. Who could command him?
And yet, such a person had truly appeared, directly stating that he would entrust him with an important task—essentially wanting to take him under his command, without fear of backlash. This represented absolute confidence and arrogance!
"What Imperial Lord? Is he more powerful than this Heavenly Emperor?" the Divine Child huffed angrily. Although this little fatty was young, his self-confidence was overflowing.
Ye Fan walked forward step by step, his expression cold and indifferent. Someone wanted to take him under their command. Even if that person was about to become an emperor, it was still unacceptable to him.
"Arrogant fool. Don't forget, he hasn't crossed that threshold yet. Remember, as long as one has not truly become an emperor, there are still countless variables. This world may not lack someone who can take him down!" Black Emperor said coldly, but his expression was already very grave.
A creature who had once followed Emperor Wu Shi speaking like this naturally made everyone's expressions shift.
"Is there really such a person? I truly don't know who in this world could take down the Imperial Lord. At this point, no one can do anything to him!" the brown-haired Great Sage said with great confidence.
He pointed to the thirty-three-story blue immortal gold tower above his head, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Even if someone could temporarily take away this tower, it would be useless. The supreme being's divine power penetrates the heavens, reaching the eight extremes in an instant. No one can harm even a single hair on his head!"
Perhaps the so-called Imperial Lord had some sincerity in wanting to recruit Ye Fan, but this man definitely had selfish motives and hostility. Otherwise, he would not have chosen this special day to deliver the decree and letter.
The Holy Prince sneered, "You are overconfident. After my father attained the Dao back then, he did not put on such a grand display like the person behind you. A single decree wants to make a future contender for the emperor's throne your subordinate? I think he is uneasy and wants to keep him close to watch!"
Both he and Ji Zi had the right to say such things. Their fathers were true great emperors, giving them the final say.
"The Lord of the Divine Court greatly values you and intends to appoint you as the Heavenly King and Lord of the Big Dipper Star Domain. I hope you will not refuse and not bring harm upon yourself," the brown-haired Great Sage said, staring at Ye Fan.
The Divine Court—this divine dynasty was first heard of in the Big Dipper Star Domain, causing the saints from all heavens and realms to be astonished, then to discuss it.
"The Lord of the Divine Court has achieved supreme cultivation and unparalleled magical power. If he truly acted, he would be invincible under heaven. Some Great Sages deep in the universe have voluntarily submitted to him, expanding his territories."
"This is an incomparably great force that will sweep through the eight extremes and unite all under heaven. It has grand ambitions to rule the world!"
Some had heard of the Divine Court because of its immense influence. It had already ruled over some ancient domains, shaking the universe!
Ye Fan's heart tightened, and he suddenly understood. This was not the first time he had heard of them. He had clashed with them before. When he went to the Ziwei Star Domain to find Little Nannan, he had almost eradicated the Divine Court organization there.
The former Ziwei Divine Dynasty had been destroyed by this extraterritorial organization, which had replaced it as the ruler of that domain.
The master of the Divine Court imitated the ancients, wanting to rebuild the ancient Heavenly Court of the mythological era and recreate the glory of the Emperor Venerable's time. Back in the Ziwei Star Domain, Ye Fan had guessed that there must be an extremely powerful Quasi-Emperor behind the Divine Court, but he never expected it to be stronger than he imagined!
"Is it your so-called Imperial Lord who sent you to deliver the message today?" Ye Fan asked coldly, then continued on his own, "I don't think so. If I'm not mistaken, you have a close relationship with that Great Sage I killed in the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain. Today, you deliberately provoked me to anger, so that your Imperial Lord behind you would take action."
"So you know you killed such a Great Sage?" the brown-haired Great Sage finally exploded, no longer hiding the hatred in his heart. The depths of his eyes were filled with endless coldness.
"I do not trouble others unless they trouble me. He brought it upon himself," Ye Fan said.
The thirty-three-story imperial tower hung high, dripping strands of Mother Qi. The Eternal Blue Gold shone with light that illuminated the starry river of the universe. The brown-haired Great Sage stood beneath it, his expression growing darker. Relying on the fact that there was a man about to become an emperor behind him, he feared nothing here. He was not even afraid that the Ji Family, which had produced a great emperor, could do anything to him.
"Then accept the decree!" he said coldly. Things had already reached this point, and he had steered them to an extreme. At this moment, making Ye Fan accept the letter was equivalent to making him bow his head, forcing him to submit.
This was clearly bullying. He was using this opportunity to anger Ye Fan, wanting to use the Lord of the Divine Court as a knife to kill the enemy he saw.
The Holy Prince, Dongfang Ye, Black Emperor, and others were all indignant and furious. Even Ji Zi, who was usually quiet, had a cold expression and was ready to strike.
This was simply too much. The Lord of the Divine Court might have intended to recruit Ye Fan, but he would never have been so rude. This was truly going too far.
Forcing him like this at the engagement ceremony, the brown-haired Great Sage had orchestrated it step by step, making Ye Fan lose face in front of the world, deliberately provoking him to resist.
"Relying on a man about to become an emperor behind you, do you think I dare not touch you?!" Ye Fan's expression was extremely cold as he walked forward step by step, filled with killing intent.
The brown-haired Great Sage's heart jumped, and he urged the imperial tower above his head more cautiously, saying, "I am merely a messenger. If you wish to defy the Imperial Lord, you are free to do so."
With a rumble, Ye Fan directly took out the Green Copper Cauldron, releasing a burst of imperial might, pressing down and striking immediately.
Everyone exclaimed in surprise. This was the weapon of the Emperor Venerable, containing the secret of becoming an immortal, born from Kunlun. It had once caused upheaval in heaven and earth, leading to all kinds of changes.
All races desired it. Everyone looked at the Green Cauldron with burning eyes as it emitted a soft glow, dripping down, with myriad spirits appearing on it, and Primordial Qi rising.
"What do you think you're doing? Are you going to oppose the Imperial Lord? Aren't you afraid of bringing destruction to your clan?!" the brown-haired Great Sage shouted. The thirty-three-story imperial tower above his head flashed with brilliant blue immortal gold light, thousands of strands, blinding people's eyes—the most perfect masterpiece of heaven.
"You are merely a messenger. Naturally, I won't bother with a errand boy like you," Ye Fan said calmly.
The brown-haired Great Sage was furious upon hearing this. What status did he have? He was a sect founder of a domain. Yet the other party truly treated him like a mere messenger. His tone was full of indifference, as if he were looking down on a menial servant, dismissing him with extreme contempt.
"However, even a messenger delivering a letter must understand etiquette. You have offended me. Although I won't kill you, the offense you have committed cannot be lightly forgiven," Ye Fan said coldly.
The crowd was in an uproar. Ye Fan's words meant that he truly regarded this Great Sage as a servant, not as an equal or a peer.
The brown-haired Great Sage was enraged. His eyes grew even colder. Today, he wanted to use the power of the Divine Court's master to trample on Ye Fan's dignity. He never expected the other party to be far more domineering than he had imagined. Even though the Imperial Lord was destined to attain the Dao, the other party still refused to yield.
"Aren't you here to deliver a letter? I would like to hear the Imperial Lord's goodwill. Kneel and read the letter to me," Ye Fan said calmly, as if it were only natural.
The crowd was shocked, then showed strange expressions. Ye Fan was using a domineering approach to defuse the crisis, subtle and without a trace. He did not bow his head, yet he did not completely offend the Imperial Lord.
Li Heishui, Dongfang Ye, and others all smiled, looking forward, staring at the brown-haired Great Sage.
The brown-haired Great Sage's heart jumped, and a chill ran through his body. He felt that things were going badly. Ye Fan's move was extremely malicious toward him. Making him kneel and read the letter completely ruined his previous plan.
By doing this, Ye Fan would not lose his dignity, nor would he immediately break with the Imperial Lord. Only the brown-haired Great Sage would suffer, bearing all the humiliation.
In fact, this whole incident was instigated by the brown-haired Great Sage himself. He wanted to use the situation to pressure Ye Fan, forcing him onto a dead end.
By doing what he did now, even if word reached the Imperial Lord's ears, nothing could be said against him. The brown-haired Great Sage would suffer humiliation in vain. Perhaps the Imperial Lord might even appreciate the Human Sacred Body even more.
The brown-haired Great Sage's expression immediately turned cold. He could not tolerate such a thing happening. For now, he had to leave this place.
Unfortunately, coming was easy, but leaving was difficult!
Ye Fan's Green Copper Cauldron pressed down. At the same time, the Monkey swung his black immortal iron staff, smashing it directly, imperial might surging. He had long found the brown-haired Great Sage displeasing! Ji Zi also attacked with the Void Mirror. Not to mention his relationship with Ye Fan, just the fact that this was his home meant he had to extend the host's "courtesy."
The blue immortal gold imperial tower trembled, emitting Mother Qi, extremely extraordinary. It was almost an imperial artifact. Moreover, because its master was still alive in this world, it would gain boundless power, as this weapon was always awakened and alive!
But under the pressure of three imperial artifacts, it still could not hold out. It was forcibly suppressed. In the end, this artifact directly tore through the void, trying to escape.
"Kneel and read the letter!" Ye Fan pressed forward.