# Chapter 1644: One Dog Ruins One Path
On the mountain-like giant platform, every stone table was shrouded in chaotic mist, hazy and indistinct, with the fragrance of tea wafting down below.
Many people raised their cups, toasting each other. This was a rare opportunity. Numerous powerful beings below sighed inwardly—the divine tea containing the source of the Dao was greatly beneficial for cultivation, an opportunity that could be sought but not demanded.
"Child, why aren't you drinking?" Xin Lan asked Ji Chengdao, her tone filled with concern and warmth.
"Not interested." Ji Chengdao shook his head. This was the truth. It wasn't like he hadn't seen it before. Back then, the Heavenly Court had a few pieces, used for purposes beyond imagination. In short, it was extravagantly "outrageous"!
"The Source of the Dao is a rare treasure throughout the ages. Some ancient sages used it to aid their cultivation. If you have the opportunity to obtain it, you'll at least become a Quasi-Emperor in the future." Nine Calamities Daoist spoke.
A stone man's eyes opened and closed, shooting out brilliant light. Flesh had grown on both his arms, and the sound of blood flowing within his body was undisguised, like an ocean surging, with killing intent flickering.
Everyone knew that the Sacred Spirit lineage and Ye Fan's bloodline had a great enmity, constantly warring against each other. No one knew how many Sacred Spirits had fallen.
Even Ye Fan's eldest disciple, Ye Tong, had the ability to slay the supreme fire spirit Cang Yan, leaving behind a fearsome reputation that made many on the Sole True Path wary.
"What does a little brat know? All hot air!" the Mighty Prestige Sacred Spirit said coldly.
He had spent ten years comprehending the Dao at the Imperial Pass, believing he was about to take that step toward the Quasi-Emperor realm, reaching a higher level. Recently, he planned to make a move against Ye Tong and Yang Xi. Now that Ji Chengdao had arrived, he too had become a target. If not for the Divine Venerable being present, he might have struck ruthlessly.
Seeing him raise his teacup, Ji Chengdao revealed a strange smile.
"Is the insight of a child from the Heavenly Court really this shallow?" someone in the shadows mocked.
Others raised their cups to thank Emperor Heaven, casting peculiar glances at Ji Chengdao. Though they said nothing, their expressions said it all.
Ji Chengdao also smiled, treating the teacup on the stone table as if it didn't exist, not even giving it a second glance. He couldn't care less.
"Young people are always hot-blooded and impulsive, always thinking they'll become the number one under heaven. A hundred years later, they'll suddenly look back and realize that a cup of Enlightenment Source Tea was right before them, and they let it slip by." A powerful being from the Violent Dragon Clan teased, shaking his head as he spoke, then tilting his head back to drink the divine tea in one gulp, revealing a look of huiwei (aftertaste).
"Little brat, your Heavenly Court might have some good things, but compared to the Source of the Dao, they can't even be brought to the table. Miss today, and you'll never see it again in your lifetime." Another Dragon Sparrow Great Sage sneered.
Those on the platform thought highly of themselves. Yet when people today spoke of powerful beings, they inevitably mentioned Ye Fan's name. Even if this man was now crippled, he would still be brought up. The world said that if he hadn't been afflicted, he would surely tower above all other heroes, with few able to contend with him.
Such words naturally displeased those walking the Imperial Path who were extremely confident in themselves, creating overt or covert hostility toward the Heavenly Court lineage.
"The name 'Heavenly Court' truly displays great ambition. But who knows if they have the strength to match it? In the future, many Dao friends will surely go to verify it."
"Indeed, that name isn't something just anyone can use!"
Once one person spoke, others naturally joined the discussion, with many showing hostility.
"Ignorant juniors only know how to talk tough!"
"Such things might be able to treat the hidden ailment of the Sacred Body Ye Fan. Little brat, if you beg Brother Emperor Heaven, he might give you a little to save your uncle." Someone laughed loudly.
After speaking, without exception, they all drank the divine tea, then began to meditate. Their bodies bloomed with precious light, tens of thousands of Dao principles spreading outward.
They all knew quality goods, recognizing that the Source of the Dao tea was genuine and hadn't been tampered with. Naturally, they seized the opportunity to enter a state of enlightenment, hoping for great gains.
The people on the platform spoke coldly, each revealing mocking expressions. The Divine Venerable paid no attention, letting Ji Chengdao face it himself.
"Heavenly Court, a good name, quite ambitious. But who knows how long it will last?" The "Little Emperor Lord" from the Divine Court said casually. After speaking, he tilted his head back and drained his cup, then half-closed his eyes, ignoring everything.
"This stupid bird definitely doesn't know what's happening outside." Black Emperor said quietly.
"Exchanging information between the Imperial Pass and the outside is troublesome." Li Heishui nodded.
The two conversed as if no one else was around.
"Who?" The youngest son of the Divine Court Lord's brows shot up.
"Eh, why is it so fragrant?" No one knew who noticed first, but a faint fragrance spread from the corner.
Black Emperor withdrew the Heaven-Deceiving Array, causing everyone in the area to show puzzled expressions. They turned to look and revealed strange looks.
Those jade basins were too conspicuous—bright, shining, and radiant. In the middle was a large golden basin, even more eye-catching, giving off a nouveau riche feeling.
The jade basins contained water and multicolored light, but what was soaking in them wasn't tea—it was—big feet!
Especially in that golden basin full of nouveau riche vibes, a pair of furry big black feet were soaking. Black Emperor sat human-dog-like on a stone chair, stomping the water and scrubbing his feet.
This was truly disgusting. If he did it privately, that was one thing, but to have such a perverse taste, coming here to soak his feet? Everyone was somewhat petrified, not knowing what to say. They had never seen anyone so unreliable and offbeat.
"Wait, that's not right! How come the multicolored light in the water basin has ten thousand kinds of Dao principles flowing through it? It looks just like the divine tea on the platform!"
Finally, someone saw through it and cried out in surprise. This made the nouveau riche Black Emperor secretly delighted, feeling like his dog fur was about to float. He half-closed his eyes and snorted a few times.
Intentional, absolutely intentional. This nouveau riche display was definitely deliberate, but it was enough to leave everyone dumbfounded.
A brief silence—you could hear a pin drop!
On the mountain-like giant platform, those overlords sitting behind the stone tables all froze, their expressions ninggu (frozen), unable to even move their fingers, all fixed in place.
Who the hell was this? They had drunk the tea brewed from the Source of the Dao, while the other party was over there soaking their feet. This wasn't just embarrassing them—it was stamping the pattern of a shoe sole on their faces!
"Grrr!" Finally, someone recovered from their petrified state and couldn't help but roar. Where were they supposed to put their faces?
Contending for supremacy on the Imperial Path, these people were all extremely arrogant. Something they treasured as precious as life itself was being used as foot-washing water by someone else. The contrast and comparison were too intense.
Emperor Heaven's face instantly turned pale, his body trembling.
Others were roaring to the heavens, especially that group who had just mocked Ji Chengdao and the Heavenly Court. Their expressions were simply wonderful—turning from red to green to white, their lungs about to explode with rage.
"What, you want to eat me or something?" Black Emperor leisurely lifted his big black legs, pulling them back from the foot basin, calmly looking at the heroes on the platform.
Everyone was going crazy. This dog was too hateful!
While the people below were dumbfounded, they all wanted to laugh. After suppressing it, they felt a chill—one dog, one action, was about to ruin an Imperial Path!
By doing this, how could a group of people aspiring to the Imperial Path get by in the future? It would be a joke to tell!
Would a Great Emperor drink someone else's foot-washing water? Even setting that aside, it was tea, but in the same setting, someone used it to soak their feet—enough to make people beifen yujue (grief-stricken and furious to the point of wanting to die).
"Too much!" Someone shouted, unable to bear it, launching a frenzied attack at Black Emperor.
"Who was it just now belittling the Heavenly Court, treating us like country bumpkins, looking down on us? Today, this Emperor will show you what real heritage is. You're only worthy of drinking my foot-washing water!" Black Emperor activated his trident, blocking the attack.
Many were furious. This nouveau riche was completely intentional. What a damn dog—one action to ruin a path!
At this moment, Dongfang Ye, Li Tian, and Li Heishui also leisurely lifted their three pairs of big feet from the water basins. Besides Black Emperor, the three of them had also gotten in.
"We haven't seen much of the world. We didn't know the Source of the Dao could be drunk as tea, so we've been soaking our feet. If you care so much, how about I give you all these basins?" Black Emperor shouted shamelessly.
Some of the more fragile female cultivators on the platform were almost crying, begging him to stop, to stop exposing their shame. How could they live like this?
"You stupid dog, go to hell!" the Mighty Prestige Sacred Spirit roared. He was trembling with rage, leaping through the air to attack, a stone hand reaching for Black Emperor's crown, five fingers like hooks.
Black Emperor called out to Ye Fan, asking him to intervene.
Ye Fan shook his head. "Handle your own mess yourself."
"No one can save you!" the Mighty Prestige Sacred Spirit roared. He hadn't recognized that the figure in the corner was Ye Fan.
"Stone, get lost, go back!" Black Emperor bared his teeth, spitting out a blood-red iron hammer. This was a Quasi-Emperor weapon that Ye Fan had broken and then simply repaired, still possessing strong killing power.
Everyone drew in a cold breath. The Mighty Prestige Sacred Spirit didn't dare to clash head-on. Unless one was a Quasi-Emperor, who could withstand that? He retreated.
On the platform, not everyone had drunk the tea. For example, the Divine Venerable remained as steady as a rock, surrounded by chaotic mist. For example, Yao Guang and Yin Tiande were very composed. Though they had thanked Emperor Heaven, they hadn't yet raised their cups.
As for Xin Lan and some others, their arms were stiff because they had already raised their cups, almost to their mouths. At this moment, they were extremely embarrassed.
Too many had drunk. The youngest son of the Divine Court Lord's face was now flushed red, his long hair flying as he stood up abruptly.
The Mighty Prestige Sacred Spirit had been forced back, but others didn't retreat. Even Yao Guang and Yin Tiande stood up at this moment, moving forward, ready to make a move against them.
One dog had ruined an Imperial Path!
This was the feeling of many people. Today had truly become a huge joke.
With so many people pressing in together, Ye Fan naturally wouldn't stand idly by. He walked out from the corner, strode forward, blocked everyone's path, and stared directly at the heroes.
"Uncle!" Ji Chengdao was the first to cry out, rushing forward. Ten years ago, he had passed by Ye Fan, and only today did they reunite. His face was full of excitement and joy.
"Ye Fan, it's Ye Fan! He's come back!" Many people shouted.
"The Sacred Body Ye Fan, he's appeared on the Imperial Path again! Wasn't he half-crippled, already retired? How is he appearing in the world again?!"
This was shocking. Everyone was dumbfounded, revealing expressions of disbelief.
A person thought to be crippled, someone who could never set foot on this path again, had reappeared. What did this mean? Everyone's hearts were shaken, drums beating wildly!
Emperor Heaven, Green Poem Fairy, Great Demon God Gu Huang, the Emperor Lord's son, Xin Lan, Yao Guang, Yin Tiande... too many people all looked at once!
Those who knew him, those who didn't—everyone's expression was complicated. Seeing Ye Fan emerge again was definitely not good news for them.
Some people's killing intent couldn't be hidden even if they wanted to. In just this instant, battle energy surged in this place, turning into an ocean rushing toward Ye Fan.
The Divine Venerable had long since stood up, revealing a grave expression!
"Ye Fan is here!"
This news spread like a hurricane, instantly spreading throughout the Imperial Pass, causing a huge uproar that shook the entire place!