Chapter 159: Saint Lord Descends
Qin Yao chuckled softly, her laughter melodious like tinkling bells. She gently twisted, slipping free from Ye Fan's arm, but didn't move far away. Instead, she extended a jade hand, lifting Ye Fan's chin, and said, "Go on a killing spree?" Seeing her boldness, Ye Fan laughed and replied, "If you're not afraid, why should I be?" "Little brat, you're too young." Qin Yao pinched his cheek, her smile exceedingly enchanting. "Looks like I really need to prove myself..." Ye Fan brushed her hand aside and strode forward.
Qin Yao drifted away lightly, her back view graceful and swaying, her laughter echoing under the night sky. In the end, she fled, not truly as open as she pretended.
"Careful, don't fall into the lake," Ye Fan called out after her, laughing. This enchantress was indeed a seductress, highly alluring, likely trying to pry information from him about what secret arts the Ji Family had lost.
Time passed swiftly; in the blink of an eye, a month had gone by. Ye Fan cultivated here in peace. The heavenly meridians within him grew thicker and more crystalline, transforming into a divine bridge spanning above the Sea of Suffering.
He felt he was truly nearing the Other Shore. Perhaps in a few more days, he could use that piece of Source to break into the next realm.
Throughout this process, he sensed his divine awareness sharpening, his life essence flourishing, and his physical body reaching its peak state. Everything proceeded smoothly, developing in a favorable direction.
Yan Ruyu had been in seclusion all along, and no one came to trouble him about nurturing the Demon Emperor's Sacred Heart. It seemed they had sensed something.
Peacock King's old friend was of extraordinary origin—a powerful demon clan expert from the Northern Domain, honored as Azure Dragon King. He had crossed the void to arrive and, after entering this space, had never shown his face.
This excited Ye Fan greatly. The other party hailed from the Northern Domain. If he could travel with him when he returned, wouldn't that solve all his problems? The Southern Domain was no longer tenable. Only by avoiding the Ji Family and fleeing far away was the best choice.
Azure Dragon King had brought much news about the Northern Domain. Though he hadn't appeared in person, the news had already spread.
Now, the Northern Domain was also unsettled. Just last month, someone had seen moonlight flowing like water above the Primordial Ancient Mine, converging into a river and streaming into the mine.
Others swore they had seen ominous creatures, ferocious in appearance, lurking near the Primordial Ancient Mine, sending chills down people's spines.
Some claimed to have witnessed humanoid figures moving above the Primordial Ancient Mine, summoning wind and rain, blotting out the sky and covering the sun, dimming the stars and moon.
Most astonishing of all, from within the Forbidden Zone of Life where the Primordial Ancient Mine was located, heavenly songs had been heard, intoxicating listeners. Several people had heard them with their own ears.
What exactly lay within the Primordial Ancient Mine? After so many years, no one could say for sure. Perhaps only ancient, enduring superpowers like the Jiang Family and the Yao Chi Holy Land still had some records to consult.
Over this past month, Qin Yao had appeared from time to time, her words and actions still bold. All of Ye Fan's news came from her.
"You're saying Azure Dragon King wants to invite Peacock King to relocate to the Northern Domain?"
"Correct."
"For what purpose?" Ye Fan asked, puzzled.
"I'm not sure either. But recently, the Yaoguang Holy Land and the Ji Family seem to be preparing as well. They might be sending people over." Qin Yao didn't know the details either. Ye Fan looked thoughtful. Something was definitely about to happen in the Northern Domain. "How are things in the Southern Domain now?" Ye Fan was very concerned about outside matters. He wanted to know what the Ji Family was up to. "Though there were some ripples in the Southern Domain, it's calming down. Ji Haoyue barely escaped with his life and ultimately fled back to the Ji Family..." Qin Yao seemed regretful.
Peacock King's senior disciple had pursued Ji Haoyue for half a month, but the Divine Body was, after all, a Divine Body. Several times facing certain death, he had managed to turn things around and escape. Still, his vitality was severely damaged; without a year or two, he wouldn't fully recover.
Additionally, the Saint Lord of Yaoguang and the Saint Lord of the Ji Family had mobilized a great force, searching for Peacock King, intending to annihilate him. Unfortunately, Peacock King was no hot-blooded youth; he ignored them, leaving them with strength but no way to strike.
Of course, what most gripped people's hearts was the Bronze Immortal Hall. With Mysterious Yellow sealing its doors, it was slowly sinking into the earth.
Many major figures had gathered there, but from start to finish, no one dared venture deep. For now, the hall's aura could still be sensed, and those people lingered. "It's said they want to lure out the Mad Old Man to lead the way. Unfortunately, that crazy old man has never appeared, and those major figures are hesitating." "I'm sure someone will eventually go deep inside..." Ye Fan said this.
If their lifespan wasn't at an end, top figures wouldn't easily venture in. Since ancient times, the Bronze Immortal Hall had devoured many peerless experts.
Those who truly let go of everything and dared to enter were all elderly figures nearing the end of their lives, about to sit in meditation. At critical moments, they would have to take the gamble. "A graveyard for the strong. I wonder how many outstanding talents will fall..." Qin Yao sighed as well. She knew some major demon clan figures would surely go.
Ye Fan's expression was somewhat strange. The secret of the Bronze Immortal Hall was something he had leaked. If major figures fell, it would be somewhat connected to him.
Still, he felt no guilt. Everyone knew what kind of place the Bronze Immortal Hall was. In a way, he had given those with little time left a glimmer of hope. "Not long ago, Peacock King fought Nan Gongzheng. Who was stronger?" Ye Fan wanted to know the outcome of that battle. "They only fought for an hour. How could a victor be decided? They're not mortal enemies; there's no need to fight to the death." Qin Yao, barefoot, stepped on the pebbles in the lake. A breeze blew, making her dress flutter, outlining her alluring figure, very captivating. "Nan Gongzheng must have gone to the Bronze Immortal Hall, right?" Ye Fan asked. "Yes. According to Peacock King, Nan Gongzheng has less than a hundred years of life left. He doesn't want to wait for death. He wants to use his remaining years to secure peace of mind." "Not to secure immortality?" Ye Fan looked curious. "How many have achieved immortality since ancient times? Peacock King said Nan Gongzheng wants to calm his immortal heart, unwilling to wither away in the mortal world. Perhaps he feels only the Bronze Immortal Hall is fit to bury his bones."
Hearing this, Ye Fan sighed. To cultivate to such a level yet face such sorrow was truly lamentable.
"Is the Ji Family still searching for my whereabouts?" This was Ye Fan's biggest concern. "No. Everything is very quiet." Qin Yao shook her head. "That's strange." Ye Fan felt puzzled. "You were rescued by our demon clan's great power. Even if they wanted to trouble you, they'd have to get past Peacock King first." Qin Yao smiled and said, "Unless you actually want them to keep hunting you?" "I just feel they won't give up." Ye Fan vaguely sensed something was wrong. Ji Ren had once said that even if the Saint Lord of Yaoguang obtained the Grand Void Art, they would find a way to take it back.
"We're going to the Northern Domain. Will you come with us?" As she spoke, Qin Yao's eyes shimmered, her red lips glistening with a seductive luster, very sexy and alluring. She chuckled softly, "If you want to prove you're a man and 'go on a killing spree,' you can do it in the Northern Domain... In a few years, you'll have grown up." "I'm already a man now!" Saying this, Ye Fan asked seriously, "Are you sure?" "He's already agreed to Azure Dragon King. Lately, he's been preparing to open the Domain Gate." Qin Yao's expression turned grave. "Peacock King has a bad feeling. He thinks something major might happen and has decided to take the emperor's descendant to the Northern Domain." Ye Fan was thrilled. He was finally leaving the Southern Domain, escaping all these troubles.
*Crack!* Suddenly, the space violently shook. Distant screams rang out. "What's happening?" Ye Fan shot to his feet. *Bang!* An even heavier sound echoed. This space was being torn open!
In the sky, a massive fissure stretched far into the distance. Two figures descended like heavenly gods.
Qin Yao's face turned deathly pale in an instant. Daring to break into Peacock King's hidden dwelling was no ordinary feat. Two arriving together easily suggested the worst—two Saint Lords.
Both figures were shrouded in hazy light, their features indistinguishable. Like deities descending upon the world, they inspired terror, even a urge to kneel. "The Saint Lord of Yaoguang and the Saint Lord of the Ji Family!" Ye Fan's face changed color. He guessed it must be them.
"Kill!" Suddenly, battle cries shook the heavens. Beyond the great fissure, countless figures appeared, densely packed, charging in. "Yaoguang old man, Ji Family old man! You've finally found your way here!" Peacock King roared, soaring into the sky like a peerless divine sword unsheathed, silencing the battle cries.
Except for the Saint Lord of Yaoguang and the Saint Lord of the Ji Family, everyone involuntarily retreated. Facing a great power who had dominated the Southern Domain eight hundred years ago, they felt fear, cowed by that terrifying aura.
"Peacock King, your cave is indeed hidden. I failed to find it eight hundred years ago, but now I've fulfilled my wish and broken in." The Saint Lord of Yaoguang stood with his hands behind his back, halos surrounding him like a heavenly god, impossible to look at directly.
"Peacock King, you've repeatedly provoked us. Do you truly believe you're invincible in the Southern Domain?" The Saint Lord of the Ji Family stood high in the sky, as if on the ninth heaven, looking down upon the mortal world, inspiring awe. "Today, let's settle this!"
"What grand authority! It seems you intend to slay me here today?" Peacock King laughed loudly. "Man proposes, heaven disposes. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed!"
"Do you truly think our demon clan has no one?" A sharp cry rang out. The entire space shook. A middle-aged man in blue, with an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers, soared into the sky, standing shoulder to shoulder with Peacock King. "Who are you?" the Saint Lord of Yaoguang asked. "Azure Dragon King!" The blue-clad middle-aged man's voice boomed like spring thunder. *Hiss!*
Behind them, many gasped. Azure Dragon King was no stranger to many—a great power of the demon clan from the Northern Domain. "One more person—so what!"
The Saint Lord of Yaoguang strode forward. One hundred and eight halos circled his body, each crystal clear and dazzling, like one hundred and eight great worlds, faintly visible. With every step he took, a large area of this space collapsed, as if a divine king was patrolling the heavens!
The Saint Lord of the Ji Family, meanwhile, merged with the void itself, like a desolate universe or an endless starry sky, neither born nor extinguished. He made people feel nothingness and eternity, as if standing beneath the starry sky of primordial antiquity.
Ye Fan sensed great trouble. He harbored deep animosity toward these people. Just as he had stabilized, his peaceful life was shattered again. The future was unknown; life and death were uncertain.
Because the newcomers meant ill will. Experts were as numerous as clouds. Besides many eminent elders, he even spotted the Holy Maiden of Yao Guang, Hua Yunfei, Li Youyou, and others. It was clear how much force the other side had mobilized, even bringing young talents into the battle.