Chapter 1778: The True Meaning of the Golden Age
"You... reached this realm without us even sensing it?" Corpse Emperor was shocked. This turn of events was too sudden, beyond his imagination and expectations.
How could those who were far weaker than them succeed in a sneak attack? Only those not too far behind could injure them and make them cough blood.
"You thought that preparing for many years would allow you to kill my master? Not only do you have confidence, but we have also been waiting for this moment!" Ye Tong roared.
All the years of patience were for breaking the deadlock today, slaughtering the supremes in the forbidden zones, and quelling the potential dark turmoil in one battle.
"Excellent, truly some skill. You reached this level, and we were completely unaware, deceived by you!" Immortal Granny hated this, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth as she stared at Human Demon.
Now, everything was clear. Ye Fan had not emerged for centuries, sitting cross-legged in the Immortal Mountain, waiting for those around him to break through, to reach a level where they could battle supremes, aiming to conquer them in one strike!
Over the years, the forbidden zones had been searching for Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable's formation diagram and four immortal swords, hoping to kill Ye Fan with minimal cost and without losing anyone.
But the other side had been doing the same, seeking the most stable battle, finally waiting for this day. Their realms matched, and they no longer feared a final confrontation with them.
"No wonder. Over these past few centuries, the heavenly secrets have been chaotic several times, impossible to deduce, with occasional flashes of chaotic tribulation. We thought it was the Sun Saint Body persistently trying. It was all an illusion, a cover. The ones undergoing tribulation were actually you. Saint Body, your Dao attainment is terrifyingly profound, managing to deceive us!" Spirit Emperor stared at Ye Fan at the center of the formation.
"It probably has to do with that immortal map as well, using it to obscure the heavenly secrets!" Peng Emperor said coldly, staring at the crystalline scroll that shone like starlight.
This map had been passed down through the ages, from the Mythical Era to the Primordial Era, then to the Desolate Era, changing owners such as Heavenly Venerables, Battle Saint Emperor, and Ruthless Great Emperor.
Originally, the map only had stars, nothing else. Its origin was unknown. The back of the map had been inscribed with other marks by someone, hence the annotations of places like the Immortal Ascension Ground.
This map was very mysterious, frighteningly ancient. Some said it was the imprint of this universe.
Others said it originated from the Chaotic Era, refined by a certain Heavenly Emperor, recording the divine traces of the entire great cosmos, containing ultimate mysteries.
"Do you think we are fish on a chopping board? This era is different from the past. Even supremes cannot act with impunity!" Ye Tong shouted.
"Hahaha..." Peng Emperor laughed heartily, his golden hair dazzling. He resembled a heavenly god, with an aura of invincibility and dominance, saying, "Even if you are not simple, you are far from being opponents of supremes. You have only just touched that threshold."
He looked down on the world with invincible confidence. Not to mention that these people had not yet reached that ultimate realm; even if they had fully achieved an alternative path to Dao, strictly speaking, they were no match for an elevated supreme.
"So many come to die? We'll wipe you all out in one net!" Spirit Emperor said.
Although they were shocked, they were once ancient emperors. They quickly steadied themselves and declared forcefully that they would eliminate everyone.
Moreover, after calming down, they stared at Ye Tong, Old Madman, and the others with burning eyes. To them, these were like "mortal world great medicines." If captured and refined, they would bring great benefits.
"Peng Emperor's meat must be delicious!"
However, Human Demon's words instantly ignited their fury. The food and medicine in their eyes actually harbored such thoughts—this was arrogance to the point of being "outrageous."
Blasphemy! Who dared to eat a imperial-level powerhouse? Never in history had anyone been so desecrated.
"You seek death!" Corpse Emperor roared.
"You are the ones seeking death!" A thunderclap exploded from the sky. A monkey covered in dazzling golden light descended from the heavens, wielding an immortal iron staff and swinging it down.
Even though Corpse Emperor was known for his indestructible golden body, impervious to countless calamities, the sudden iron staff strike split his tiger's mouth, leaving it bloody, and forced him back.
The Holy Prince had arrived, with fiery golden eyes, a sea of blood energy, and soaring battle intent, like an undefeated war god, unstoppable!
"Good, good, good. I underestimated you!" Corpse Emperor said grimly, then pointed at Ye Fan in the formation. "Even if the four of you come, it will be difficult to rescue him. He is destined to die in the killing formation."
"You overestimate yourself. My master entered the formation only to use you to train. Now that we have arrived, it only proves that his training is complete," Ye Tong said.
These words, even for the four supremes who were usually detached, stirred up their anger. Since ancient times, who had ever used them? This was too contemptuous.
A mere Saint Body, no matter how strong, was not a true Great Emperor, yet he dared to act like this—too insulting!
Of course, they understood that Ye Tong was mostly mocking them. There should be no madman in this world who would go deep into a desperate situation to comprehend the Dao.
"You are all ants, and you will all die!" At this moment, perhaps only such words could demonstrate their majesty and contempt for their enemies.
"You are too arrogant." At the center of the formation, Ye Fan used the runic flames and the immortal map for defense. His body rumbled as he repaired his injuries. "This is a golden age unprecedented in history!"
"So what?" Peng Emperor roared.
"In this era, all the geniuses and outstanding talents from every age in the past ten thousand eras will awaken and coexist in this same era. In such an age, even supremes cannot act as they please. This is not an era where you can initiate dark turmoil or destroy the world as you wish!" Ye Fan shouted coldly, his expression stern. He continued, "If you are a dragon, coil up for me. If you are a tiger, lie down for me. If you want to display your supreme majesty in this era, I'm sorry, but what awaits you is a great confrontation with the many supreme talents of the past ten thousand eras!"
He pointed at Human Demon, at Ye Tong, at the Holy Prince, and then faced the four ancient supremes. "Do you think they are weaker than Sun Saint Emperor or Battle Saint Emperor before their ultimate leap? Do you know how many such people exist in this era? If you do not understand the true meaning of the golden age, you will only decline and perish in this era!"
"The true meaning of the golden age is only now being revealed. What is the rise of many kings? What is the contention of ten thousand bloodlines? None of that is real. The true meaning of the golden age is that it suppresses the supremes of the forbidden zones, preventing them from raising their heads. If you do not obediently lie low, you will all be terminated!"
Ye Fan's words were deafening, echoing far into the distance, spreading out of the Mythical Battlefield, surging through the universe, and reaching the true forbidden zones of life in the Big Dipper.
Undoubtedly, these words had a powerful impact, sending a chill through the hearts of the various supremes.
These words might not be false. The terrifying talents of this era were truly not few in number!
Dao Yi, Zhang Bairen, Emperor... really many. Some were descendants of Great Emperors, who could hide their tribulations with their fathers' preparations. Others had unknown identities, and even when ancient supremes paid attention and investigated, they could not always deduce them.
This era was different from the past. The true meaning of the golden age was only now being manifested!
"Boom!"
This battle was inevitable. Human Demon grew younger, his blood energy vigorous. With his great increase in power, his hair was jet black, and his body was no longer withered but much stronger, like a primitive man. He was bare-chested, wielding a white bone club as he fiercely attacked a formation gate.
He targeted Peng Emperor, showing a mouthful of white teeth, making the "woo woo" sounds of a primitive tribe hunting, as if he were truly hunting a fierce bird.
This provocation naturally enraged Peng Emperor. A violent collision erupted between them, with battle energy soaring to the heavens!
Now was not the time for hesitation. The decisive battle began. Ye Tong made his move, his body blazing with ten thousand feet of flames. The fruits of his years of enlightenment were all displayed as he charged toward another formation gate, attacking Corpse Emperor.
Because this supreme had corpse energy within him, while Ye Tong had a supreme yang body. The overwhelming solar fire essence spread, perfectly countering the corpse Dao supreme with death energy.
Solar fire essence flooded the formation gate. War flames burned, blood splattered, and Ye Tong fought with his life.
"Boom!"
Heaven and earth shook. A world-dominating aura spread, shaking the eternal blue sky. It was a fist force, too overbearing and fierce.
Old Madman made his move. His left hand wielded the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, his right hand the Heaven-Covering Divine Seal. With both hands evolving, one fist and one seal, they shook the mortal world, fierce and domineering, striking directly at Spirit Emperor.
This kind of technique was shocking, causing even that formation gate to rumble and shake.
The monkey smiled bitterly. His opponents had all been chosen. He had no choice but to turn and face Immortal Granny. Without any courtesy, his battle saint aura surged as he swept his staff across the universe!
"Little monkey cub, even if your father were resurrected, he would only discuss Dao with me as an equal. Do you dare to rebel?!" Immortal Granny glared.
"Old hag, stop acting senior. I'll send you on your way!"
The battle was fierce. The four immortal gates were all shaking, and the entire Mythical Battlefield trembled.
The formation had lost its controller. The formation diagram still rotated, but it no longer had the overwhelming power it had before. Ye Fan shook the Immortal Treasure Map, rolling it toward the four immortal swords, intending to seize them.
The battle to break the formation had begun!
Strictly speaking, the four supremes were naturally stronger than their opponents. But the more they fought, the more alarmed they became, because someone else had arrived in the sky.
A shy and innocent-looking youth sat cross-legged there, his big eyes like black gems, his face beautiful beyond words.
He was as still as a rock, sitting cross-legged in the void, beginning to resonate with the great Dao of heaven and earth, working in concert with Ye Fan from within and without to dismantle the number one killing formation of all time.
Everyone gasped. This youth had an aura close to immortality, unfathomable, seemingly even more mysterious and terrifying than Ye Fan's eldest disciple.
"You like group fights, don't you? We're here. A group of us against the four of you. We'll beat you all the way to the Western Paradise!" Another tall figure appeared, majestic and domineering, full of battle fervor. It was the warmonger Yang Xi.
Everyone's spine went cold. Saint Body Ye Fan had truly prepared thoroughly. If he wanted to flatten a forbidden zone, with the current manpower, he could do it!
Yang Xi immediately swooped down, joining the battle. The place instantly boiled over.
"Sacred Body, your life is mine!" At this moment, reinforcements also arrived for the supremes' side. Huang Xudao, missing for many years, appeared. He wanted to avenge his father.
Because, seven hundred years ago, during the immortal battle, Ye Fan had shattered his father, who had transformed into a Phoenix Wing Flowing Gold, killing him completely.
He was originally a madman born for the Dao, obsessed with cultivation, but even he could not resist the interference of family ties. He had come today to kill fiercely.
"How lively. Count me in!" Dao Yi, also missing for many years, appeared, blocking Huang Xudao and engaging him in fierce combat.
"Do you want to destroy the universe?!" Someone stood in the distance, transmitting their voice from afar. More people had arrived, and the battle situation was becoming increasingly complicated.