# Chapter 1662: The Situation
Another five years had passed.
Mingqing Pass, once an important stronghold in the universe under the rule of the Heavenly Court, had now become masterless land, causing widespread anxiety.
Some said the Divine Court was about to attack, while others claimed the Dragon Clan Heavenly Maiden would arrive, wielding an Imperial Dao weapon to strike. The Heavenly Court, unable to withstand such an assault, had retreated in advance.
The entire ancient star held only one city, primarily because it contained a type of five-colored precious tree that could produce crystals—divine materials for constructing Five-Colored Altars. This had made the location a place of great importance.
"The Heavenly Court is truly finished. One of its leaders failed in enlightenment and has likely perished. That Human Demon has also vanished without a trace. The Heavenly Court will inevitably plummet. We should leave quickly."
In chaotic times, people were panicked. Many had lost confidence, departing through Domain Gates to flee to distant lands.
"This place borders the Bright Race. Although their Azure Gold Soul-Refining Pot was shattered, its artifact spirit survived. Moreover, it's said that a peerless expert sits in their ranks, and they are expanding. Could they be planning to annex this place?"
Hearts were unsettled; cultivators were deeply uneasy. And on this very day, experts from the Bright Race truly arrived, announcing they would take over this territory. From now on, Mingqing Pass would be under their control.
Nowadays, various major powers in the universe used such opportunities to annex and occupy resource-rich stars, engaging in predatory development. Everyone sensed that chaotic times had arrived and were rapidly stockpiling supplies.
"This is the Heavenly Court's territory. Although their forces have temporarily withdrawn, you cannot simply encroach like this," someone objected.
"The Heavenly Court? It's finished, already on the verge of collapse. From now on, this place belongs to the Bright Race. Those who refuse to submit or dare to provoke will be shown no mercy!" The commander who had arrived declared coldly, his words merciless.
This was just one microcosm. Across the universe, the Heavenly Court's former territories were rapidly being lost, vast regions invaded and encroached upon.
Over three hundred years, the Heavenly Court had developed smoothly. Many Great Sages had emerged, and their Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals numbered over a hundred thousand. They had shaken the eight desolates and dominated every star domain. But now everything had changed. With the emergence of Ancient Imperial Princes and the rise of Quasi-Emperor-level figures, without such leaders to hold the line, wanting to dominate the world was no longer feasible.
"Another important stronghold lost. These people's appetites are growing larger and larger," Li Tian sneered at Heavenly Court headquarters.
"What can we do? We're pulling back our forces now, not launching attacks. These people will only become more aggressive."
Within the Heavenly Court, people's hearts were not at peace, but they also did not launch attacks. In recent years, the Heavenly Court had become a behemoth, ruling over many stars. But now, with Quasi-Emperors dominating the scene, their former glory seemed dim. Ye Fan had encountered problems. The old man Human Demon had gone hunting and had been missing for several years, even rumored by outsiders to have fallen. Hibernation was perhaps the best choice now.
Formerly peaceful major powers that had maintained good relations were now stirring restlessly, while some had already begun encroaching on their important strongholds, causing everyone's expressions to darken.
The situation favored the strong. Under current circumstances, even before the Divine Court had launched a major attack, other forces had already grown restless.
"The Dragon Maiden has come again, wielding an Imperial Dao weapon, searching for the Heavenly Court headquarters. It's said she has made a new breakthrough. This time, it seems she intends to annihilate us all."
Within the Heavenly Court, many furrowed their brows.
The Heavenly Maiden of the Ten Thousand Dragon Nest wore a cold expression. Above her head hung a purple great dragon as she flew across one stretch of starry sky after another, countless stars receding behind her. She had already arranged for her clan's safety and set out without worry.
She was no longer afraid of the Human Demon appearing and threatening her clan's safety. This time, she had come to turn heaven and earth upside down, sweeping away all enemies.
"This star was once one of the Heavenly Court's important stars. It's said to be rich in Purple Copper Essence. Most of their Heavenly Soldiers' armor was refined from metals mined here," a follower introduced.
The Dragon Maiden said nothing. She extended a finger and pointed. Imperial blood boiled as that finger rapidly enlarged, striking downward, pressing onto this star.
"Crack!"
The blue star instantly exploded, utterly destroyed under this Quasi-Emperor's powerful strike. Although most of the Heavenly Court's forces had withdrawn, a small number remained mining copper essence. The result was tragic—all perished.
As soon as the news spread, chaos erupted throughout the region. The Dragon Maiden had come again, and with such overwhelming force, people felt a premonition that a violent storm was about to break, that the final battle was approaching.
Had the Human Demon truly died in battle? His prolonged absence had sparked much speculation, and now such rumors proliferated even more.
Almost on the same day, other important strongholds in the region were quickly divided among the various races, who engaged in predatory mining, seizing Divine Iron, Source Ore, and other resources.
"Who would have thought the Heavenly Court would decline so quickly. It seems that in this era, without being a Quasi-Emperor, everything is empty. Without someone of this caliber to hold the fort, it's impossible!"
Now, major organizations like the Heavenly Court, the Underworld, and the Divine Court numbered several, ranking in the first tier. They absolutely required Quasi-Emperors; otherwise, they couldn't defend against enemy attacks.
Another region was also in dire straits. The Golden Heavenly Maiden had arrived. She had no interest in destroying stars but declared she would eliminate all Heavenly Court forces, sparing none.
She issued a deterrent threat, advising the Heavenly Generals to abandon the Heavenly Court as soon as possible. Otherwise, once she attacked, she would bloodily cleanse everything, annihilating their entire clans.
Some clans that had previously been friendly with the Heavenly Court and had even operated under the Heavenly Court's banner were now trembling with fear. They all withdrew, and some even turned their coats, going to kill other Heavenly Court forces.
Of course, these were only peripheral members. The true core of the Heavenly Court had long since retreated.
Nevertheless, it gave people the feeling that the Heavenly Court was about to collapse. The speed of this disintegration was accelerating, seemingly unstoppable.
Outside, chaos and turmoil reigned, hearts filled with fear.
Shen Ming also came. He was like a ghost, his methods brutal. He shattered an ancient road built by the Heavenly Court and bloodily cleansed a region, chilling people to the bone.
Amidst internal and external troubles, news also came from the Divine Court. The second son of their Divine Lord had stepped forward, stating that they would soon begin operations, declaring war on the Heavenly Court to reclaim territories that rightfully belonged to them.
In truth, this was naturally an excuse. The Heavenly Court had never attacked them; they had always been on the defensive. They were merely looking for a pretext to destroy the Heavenly Court.
This was naturally a major event. Many speculated whether the Divine Court's Divine Lord had truly blocked the Undying Heavenly Empress. Now that his second son had stepped forward, a great battle would be stirred up, another great storm.
The Divine Court's Divine Lord had nine sons, all extremely powerful. Now that the second son had stepped forward, without his approval, no one would believe it.
The situation was deteriorating. The Human Demon, Dongfang Taiyi, had mistakenly fought his way to the cosmic border wasteland, trapped within a vast formation, encountering a dangerous exiled race, and was engaged in a protracted battle to break the formation.
Qi Luo threw the Divine Court's declaration of war onto the table, his expression gloomy. The situation was worsening, developing in an increasingly unfavorable direction. With great enemies at the gates and Quasi-Emperors attacking, if headquarters were exposed, everyone would certainly be in danger.
"Not afraid. With Nannan here, even if they find this place, they'll all be scared back," Huahua said.
Smack! Black Emperor slapped his bald head with a paw. "When have we ever been this humiliated? Relying on a little girl for protection—aren't you ashamed?"
"I'm just making the worst-case plan," Huahua protested.
Everyone's expressions were not good. Several powerful enemies were attacking, pressing aggressively. The Divine Court had even issued a challenge. This was an unprecedented great crisis.
"This is forcing this Emperor to go mad!" Big Black Dog said with an unfriendly expression. "Prepare all the materials. I'll inscribe them all into Emperor Slaughter Formations. If one or two incomplete formations can't hurt a Quasi-Emperor, then we'll make thousands, tens of thousands of them. Isn't it just burning divine materials? At worst, we'll go back to square one, back to how we started!"
Black Emperor was ruthless, ready to squander years of accumulated resources, all inscribed into incomplete Emperor Slaughter Formation platforms. Then every Heavenly Soldier and Heavenly General would carry one, using sheer quantity to bury their great enemies alive.
"That's over three hundred years of accumulation, the mining of numerous resource stars—all destroyed in one battle?" Someone felt pained.
"So be it. Aren't they arrogant? Let them see what a true nouveau riche looks like. Burn divine materials and bury them alive!" Black Emperor said viciously.
"I've already sent people to Thousand Curtain Island, Ancient Burial Mound, Mythological Ridge, and other star domains rumored to contain ancient great tombs. I believe we'll soon find Duan De and borrow the Devouring Heaven Lid," Li Heishui said.
In the battle of yesteryear, Imperial Artifacts had been almost completely destroyed. The Devouring Demon Jar was special—extremely tough and strong—and had survived undamaged.
The jar body was in Tu Tian's hands. As a little bandit, Li Heishui could naturally borrow it from the Great Bandit. They only lacked Duan De's half.
"Senior Uncle Holy Prince should also be returning soon. When he does, we'll show them!" Ji Chengdao said.
As the Heavenly Court forces prepared for battle with intense urgency, on a distant star before a silver waterfall, Ye Fan still sat in meditation. Ji Ziyue quietly guarded nearby, having built a simple dwelling there.
Ye Fan was undergoing transformation. For five whole years, scriptures within his body rang without cease. Every inch of his skin was branded with runes—traces of ancient Supremes, as well as his own laws, entangled together, then transforming into orderly divine chains.
These were physical curses like iron chains, binding him in a cage. For five years of transformation, he had continuously struggled, trying to break free from the restraints.
"Ziyue, you should go back. I feel the time has come!" On this day, Ye Fan transmitted his voice.
"Good!" Ji Ziyue nodded. She didn't say much else, didn't waste time, and understandingly stepped into the Domain Gate, disappearing from there.
"What? Master is about to break through?" When the Heavenly Court members received this news, Huahua was shocked, and then the Heavenly Court forces immediately erupted.
"This Lord hasn't arrived too late, has he? Let's beat them until their faces bloom!" Dragon Horse, Golden Winged Great Peng, and others returned. In recent years, they had been exploring an ancient domain from the Mythological Era and had finally come back.
"Not late. We need to prepare some contingencies. Don't let anyone interfere when Ye Fan breaks through," Black Emperor said.
In fact, there was no time to make any preparations. On this very day, a dull rumbling sound erupted deep within a distant star domain. Initially, outsiders didn't know about it, but this heavenly tribulation was too terrifying. It lasted for several days—an astonishingly long time!
Moreover, the fluctuations spread violently outward, shocking passing ancient sages.
Although Black Emperor and the others had come, they had no time to set up contingencies and couldn't block the spread of fluctuations here.
"You all leave quickly! Don't worry about me!" Ye Fan, whose entire body was bound by orderly divine chains, roared, issuing a death command, forbidding them from approaching and ordering them to disappear immediately.
The Heavenly Court forces hesitated briefly, then the great army surged like a tide into the Star Gate, retreating.
"It's him! He's undergoing tribulation again. Has he escaped his predicament? Unfortunately, there's no chance!" Someone rushed over quickly, preparing to disrupt Ye Fan's great tribulation.
"It won't be that easy. Trying to break free from the shadows of the past, to forge his own path? No, it's time for this to end!"