# Chapter 1632: Returning to the Heavenly Court
Ye Fan had defied heaven and returned, but before he could unleash an even more brilliant imperial radiance, he departed once more. In people's eyes, the glory belonging to the Sacred Body had reached its end.
Famous for three hundred years, he had fought against the Supremes of the Forbidden Zones of Life, his blood completely spent in death. But his brilliance had pierced through time and space for three hundred years, illuminating an entire era. He had come back to life, yet this was also the lowest point in the great ups and downs of his life. With hidden injuries in his body, he faded into obscurity three hundred years later.
This marked the end of an era belonging to the Sacred Body!
This was the view of many people. Simply being alive was already defying heaven. What more could be done? Could he contend with the heavens once more for that flawless battle body that might transform into an imperial physique?
"What a pity!" This was people's final light sigh.
Many feared him, wishing he would fall immediately. Many also respected him, hoping he would reach the pinnacle. Such an outcome made most people sigh.
Regardless, Sacred Body Ye Fan had been formidable throughout his life. When facing peers of his generation, he had never been defeated. He had a truly undefeated past, a renowned name that shook the universe, leaving an indelible mark on this era. There was a period of time that had belonged only to him!
After his departure, great winds rose. Blood splattered on the imperial path. The battles at the Nine Heavens Emperor Pass had entered a terrifying stage, growing increasingly brutal. The struggles on the path to achievement would continue.
From this day forward, Ye Fan would gradually fade from people's sight. The future path would belong to those heavenly prodigies most capable of conquest and strength. Among them, perhaps a new Great Emperor would be born!
On the Ancient Human Path, Ye Fan had returned once more. To reach the star domain where the Heavenly Court was located, one had to pass through here. This time, he did not come from the first pass but traveled backward from the last. So many years had passed, he wanted to take the opportunity to see the path he had once walked.
This path had not yet been closed. Talented individuals from the human race still came here to train, hoping to break through their cocoons like butterflies, achieving an important transformation in their lives.
Looking at those faces still filled with ideals and immaturity, Ye Fan was deeply moved. Once, he had been one of them, constantly striving for his goals.
But now, he was already somewhat weary. Looking at them was like facing his past self. For a moment, he laughed, sighed, and felt a hint of wildness. Finally, he let out a great laugh before falling silent.
Yesterday remained the same, yet looking back, it was already several hundred years!
Some turned their heads, looking at their group of three, all showing strange expressions.
"Hey, look at that bald head. Isn't he the most notorious Flower Monk of the past three hundred years?"
"Who is that person? He looks a bit familiar. Strange, he looks somewhat like the statue of Sacred Body Ye Fan. No, that's not right. He's too similar. Heavens!"
"What's going on? That person... he's identical to the divine statue of the Human Sacred Body. This is insane. And he's accompanied by the Flower Demon Buddha. Could it be... oh gods!"
Ye Fan had fallen and was buried three hundred years ago. All races in the universe knew this, and some places had erected divine statues of him. Now, only those at the Imperial Pass of the Sole True Path knew he had returned alive. Although news would inevitably spread, the people here did not yet know.
In the various domains of the universe, people had not yet received the news because sending messages out from the Imperial Pass was very difficult and would take a long time.
Ye Fan did not linger long. Everywhere he went, he stopped briefly before moving on, not giving people time to confirm and verify. It only caused a small ripple.
At the Fiftieth City of the Human Race, he stopped a bit longer. But at this old site where the Sacred Body and the Overlord Body had contended, he did not see the bearded Guide Envoy Zhao Gongyi. The place had changed masters, and he had left many years ago.
Traveling backward along this path, besides those immature faces full of hope and the youths fighting for their dreams, Ye Fan also saw many familiar faces.
They were figures from the same era as him, who had once traversed the ancient path together, fighting through pass after pass with blood. Now, they had become soldiers guarding the sacred cities in various domains along the Ancient Human Path, having set aside their own dreams.
Just like the old soldiers Ye Fan had seen when he first passed through the Ancient Human Passes, now people from his generation had also chosen this path, standing before the city gates, silently watching those who came after.
Ye Fan did not disturb anyone. Accompanied by Huahua and Blood Crow, he passed quietly. Waves stirred in his heart. Those former outstanding talents... some of them, their hearts had already grown old. Occasionally, they would gaze into the distance, looking toward the farthest pass. Were their dreams still there?
Most of the time, they would only remain silent, patrolling, guarding the city gates. This was their duty. Perhaps there was still unwillingness. Otherwise, why would they not leave? Staying here... enduring the torment of loneliness. What kind of feeling was that?
At the Second City of the Human Race, Ye Fan stepped out of the city gate. He did not say anything, only turned back to take a deep look. There was an old soldier there, his body already stooped, his eyes already clouded, watching his retreating figure.
Ye Fan nodded but did not say much. Then he departed far away, leaving the Ancient Human Path.
That person was Guan Cheng. He had not died, always remaining here. Occasionally, in the cold wind of deep night, he would let out a light sigh, gazing into the distance at a path he could never reach the end of.
During the Dark Calamity, he had lost most of his life essence, barely surviving. Now, all that remained for him were memories. His real life was not colorful, but he could live in dreams. There, he could imagine, there was beauty, hope, and a future.
"You're still alive, but why is there no fluctuation of the Dao? Can't you even take that step? This life, this existence..."
His back was no longer straight, no longer bearing his former heroic posture. His hair was white, his voice old and weak. But his clouded, dim eyes could see the terrible state of Ye Fan's current body.
At Heavenly Village, within the Pure Land of the Divine, petals fell in profusion. Every day, snow-white, crystalline flower petals scattered here because many snow orchid trees were planted, telling the sorrow of life and death.
On this day, a huge grave suddenly exploded. Chaotic stones pierced the sky, dust surged heavenward, chaotic energy filled the air. A great cauldron flew out, letting fall ten thousand strands of Mysterious Yellow.
"What's happening? What's going on?!"
In the Heavenly Court, within one palace after another, many powerful beings simultaneously opened their eyes. Beams of light were terrifying, all looking toward the same direction.
"It's the cemetery! Something's wrong there!"
"It's that thing, it's actually that thing... the Primordial Qi Cauldron has burst open the great tomb!"
Buried underground for three hundred years, it had remained motionless, as if it had died along with Ye Fan. But now, the fluctuations it emitted were so violent. The deity within it had forcefully revived, causing the entire headquarters of the Heavenly Court to tremble. On many mountain peaks, rocks rolled down. Some floating islands suspended in the air and numerous towers and halls simultaneously emitted light. Array patterns lit up, runic characters shone, resonating with the cauldron's revival. These were the tracks of the Great Dao.
Beneath a majestic giant mountain, there stood a heaven-piercing ancient tree, swaying with ten thousand beams of emerald light, scattering all kinds of auspicious colors.
Under the tree, orchids emitted multicolored light, phoenix grass was fragrant, a riot of colors. On a huge blue stone platform, a big black dog lay lazily, listless and dispirited.
At this moment, it suddenly pricked up its ears. Its copper bell-like eyes widened, showing shock. It could hardly believe its senses.
"Woof!"
A dog bark shook the Heavenly Court, resounding across the vast earth. Then it immediately leaped up. Its fur, smooth as satin, had every black hair standing on end.
"Little brats! An unparalleled great enemy has arrived! Prepare for battle!"
"What? An unparalleled great enemy is invading? No, I clearly sense a familiar aura." The Silver Blood Twin Emperors rushed to the foot of the heaven-piercing ancient tree, reacting the fastest.
"Prepare! Meet the great enemy!" Black Emperor shouted.
"Charge!" The Heavenly Court erupted. Countless mountain peaks, as well as numerous floating islands suspended in the sky and giant palaces, surged with countless heavenly soldiers and generals. War drums thundered as they charged outward to fight.
On a divine island, Little Que'er's jade cup fell to the ground. She trembled all over with excitement, tears silently streaming down. Then she rushed out of the jade palace, flying toward the Heavenly Court.
"The Divine Son... the Divine Son has returned!"
At another location, old assassin Qi Luo's face was full of disbelief. He opened his mouth. One eye blazed with sharp light, while the other eye was extremely hollow, with sun, moon, and stars appearing and vanishing within it.
"Returned... returned!" His voice trembled as he stood up, his fingers shaking.
"It's him... it's him. My good brother has returned!" On another peak, Li Heishui leaped up from the Dao platform, roaring to the heavens. Great sorrow and great joy mingled, his entire body trembling.
Before a waterfall, a wild man sat half-naked beneath the cascade. His bronze skin shone with a metallic luster, his powerful muscles coiled like wild dragons.
Dongfang Ye let out a great roar, shattering the long sky. He cried loudly twice, then laughed loudly. He pulled his legs out of the waterfall pool. Every step he took shook heaven and earth, making the mountains and rivers tremble.
"Ah..."
A wail of grief, a cry of sorrow. The Holy Prince shattered a stretch of stone mountains. He too was in the Heavenly Court. He soared through the clouds, his entire body blazing with golden light. He said, "My good brother, Ji Zi has departed, but you... you have finally returned alive to see me!"
The monkey performed a somersault and charged over, swift to the extreme.
In another hall, a young girl in purple, originally strong in cultivation, now stumbled and staggered. She ran out barefoot, her crystalline white jade feet exposed.
Her face was covered in tear tracks. Crystalline teardrops continuously fell. She ran barefoot, murmuring to herself, unable to believe all this. There was hope, surprise, and even more fear, afraid this was all a dream.
"Ye Fan... is it really you?!" Ji Ziyue could no longer hold back. She burst into loud sobs.
...
Too many people, too much commotion. The Heavenly Court shook. Countless troops moved in unison.
Ye Fan stood before the Heavenly Court. The first thing he sensed was not anything else, but Black Emperor's unique welcome. It led an endless army, charging over.
"Your supreme Majesty Black Emperor, do you want us to kill that great enemy ahead? But... the Flower Monk Buddha seems to be by his side?" A heavenly general asked in confusion.
"That's right! Meet that great enemy ahead. And beat that bald head too!" Black Emperor gave the order.
However, among the heavenly soldiers and generals, someone soon voiced doubt. Shocked, they said, "Your Majesty, that person... seems identical to the stone statue we've seen. Could he be?!"
"Damn it! You bastards are rebelling! You dare hit me?!" Huahua had just opened his mouth when a shower of treasures fell upon him.
Ye Fan smiled. He was not angry. Instead, his eyes grew a bit moist. It was still the same Black Emperor, still the same group of people from back then. They had all come.
"Ye Fan!"
Men and women, old and young, a large crowd all charged over. Some cried loudly, some laughed loudly, mixing sorrow and joy. A group of people rushed forward.