Chapter 245: Impulse
Along this journey, Ye Fan devoted himself to contemplation, finding the scripture increasingly profound and sublime. Within the Dao Palace, five dragons coiled and soared, inner and outer realms intermingled with mist, and five streams of qi surged skyward.
Only now, having obtained the complete Western Emperor Scripture, did Ye Fan understand why this secret realm was called the Dao Palace. It resembled an eternal palace, containing boundless Dao power within.
The five great divine treasures were hazy and indistinct. Behind them, five ancient temples loomed faintly, majestic and distant, mysterious and blurred.
When he achieved a state of selflessness and emptiness, both body and mind tranquil, he could hear the sounds of the Great Dao resonating—like Buddhist chants, like ancient sacrificial hymns, as if crossing time and space, drifting leisurely from the distant past.
It was truly mysterious, even bizarre. How could such sounds exist within the human body?
Before entering the Dao Palace secret realm, Ye Fan had heard others speak of it—cultivating this realm could sometimes feel utterly inconceivable, with all sorts of inexplicable occurrences.
Now that he had obtained the complete, flawless heart method that embodied the ancient Western Emperor, he truly experienced this "inconceivability."
The Dao Palace was like the heavens, giving birth to five halls. Though hazy and indistinct, their existence could be perceived. Buddhist chants and ancient sacrificial hymns pierced through time and space, drifting ethereally.
Ye Fan was deeply puzzled, unable to understand why this was so. He recalled the speculations of the world. Ancient texts recorded that this was the "Past Self"—though living in the present, there was a "self" that lived in the past, and it was this "Past Self" chanting scriptures for the present life.
"The 'Past Self' endures eternally, transforming into five streams of qi, lingering within the Dao halls, chanting scriptures for oneself, stirring the heavens, capturing the traces of the Dao, nourishing the destined master, and making the present 'I' immortal."
This was a very profound concept, difficult for anyone to explain clearly. This mystery could not be fully understood. However, outstanding cultivators would not believe in so-called "past lives." The "Past Self" was not the "self" of a previous life.
Aside from the "Past Self," there was another theory: the human body was like heaven and earth, corresponding to the great world. The Dao Palace was called the Dao Palace because it housed the "Dao Self," representing the Dao-nature aspect, corresponding to the Great Dao of the world.
According to this theory, the chants and ancient sacrificial hymns emanating from the halls were actually the "Dao Self" resonating with the world's Great Dao—an interaction between inner and outer realms.
More precisely, it was about capturing the traces of the Dao, comprehending the supreme principles of heaven. The true nature of the "Dao Self" was not manifested externally but was nurtured within the five streams of qi, silently stirring the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
"This means that the Dao-nature aspect of myself is comprehending the Great Dao, contemplating the principles of immortality, and nourishing the destined master."
"In other words, that is me. It's not some Buddhist chant or ancient sacrificial hymn, but me seeking enlightenment."
After obtaining the flawless scripture, Ye Fan finally recognized the "inconceivability" of the Dao Palace secret realm. Some of these matters were beyond ordinary understanding.
"Cultivators, pursuing eternal existence, walking toward the end of the immortal path, will inevitably encounter many such things. I think perhaps only a few Great Emperors throughout history have truly understood them."
Embarking on the path of cultivation, seeking transcendence, allowing oneself to endure in the world—the road was long. To truly comprehend the Great Dao, there would be many unsolved mysteries. Only by walking further along this path could one gradually understand.
Ye Fan fully realized why ancient times had great powers who cultivated only a single secret realm. This clearly had its reasoning.
Leaving aside the Wheel Sea, just the Dao Palace alone had many unclear aspects. Was it the "Past Self" or the "Dao Self"? What were they truly like? Perhaps even a lifetime of cultivation would not bring full clarity.
Ye Fan had a premonition that in the later stages of cultivation, he might need to return and recultivate these secret realms. The Wheel Sea and Dao Palace still had many hidden forces to be unearthed.
For now, however, he didn't need to overthink. He had obtained a flawless and complete heart method. With it in hand, it was enough to cultivate this secret realm into a divine Dao palace. Future matters could be resolved later.
The ancient site of the Jade Pool was over ten thousand li from the Primordial Ancient Mine. After more than half a month of extreme speed travel, they finally left the uninhabited region and reached a place with oases.
Along this journey, Ye Fan devoted himself to understanding. Though his realm did not advance, his strength grew considerably. By operating the true, flawless heart method, the divine power he unleashed was much stronger.
This was the beauty of ancient scriptures. Ordinary heart methods could not compare. Using this method to channel power was like raising one's foundation, invisibly increasing combat strength. "The holy sons and holy maidens of the various holy lands surpass their peers largely because of this!" Ye Fan sighed.
Especially talents like the Holy Son Yao Guang, with his heaven-granted brilliance and cultivation of an unparalleled ancient scripture, his combat power was even more terrifying. Defeating opponents of the same level was a foregone conclusion; he could suppress his entire generation.
Over the past half month, while comprehending the Western Emperor Scripture, Ye Fan also sparred with the Big Black Dog, putting his insights into practice. It was the best training partner.
With the complete Western Emperor Dao Palace scroll in hand, his combat power increased significantly. When he unleashed the Battle Saint Art, the Big Black Dog bared its teeth, feeling the pain more acutely.
"No way, I need compensation. Sparring with you for free every day, how much divine power does that cost me?" the Big Black Dog complained.
"You bite me every day, and you still want compensation? What are you thinking?" Ye Fan retorted.
"You think I enjoy biting you? Your thick skin and tough flesh aren't tasty, just a waste of my effort." These days, it had been passive. Whenever Ye Fan wanted to test his insights, he would seek it out. Once done, he would charge into the sky, leaving the dog grinding its teeth in frustration.
Leaving the desolate uninhabited region and entering an oasis, Ye Fan glanced sideways at the Big Black Dog and said, "You're as big as a bull, really eye-catching and ugly. Can you shrink a bit?"
"Kid, how dare you speak like that? This strong and powerful divine body is almost as graceful as jade," the Big Black Dog said, lifting its head.
Ye Fan looked at its jet-black, satin-like body and struck back: "More like jade that fell into a coal mine."
"This is called divine martial bearing, so masculine. Don't you understand?" The Big Black Dog's expression turned sour.
"That won't do. You're too conspicuous. You have to shrink." Ye Fan thought for a moment and said, "If you really don't want to, then temporarily be my mount. Lots of people ride exotic beasts."
"Go die!" The Big Black Dog's face stretched long. If Ye Fan weren't in the air, it would have pounced on him.
"Don't be unwilling. I'm not exactly thrilled to be a Celestial Dog Knight either. If people saw me riding a tailless dog, they'd laugh their teeth out."
Just then, they had entered the oasis, still in a sparsely populated area. Occasionally, passing cultivators would glance at the Big Black Dog, unable to help staring. It was indeed very eye-catching.
"What are you looking at? Never seen a human pet before?!" the Big Black Dog grumbled.
Ye Fan was initially puzzled, then suddenly understood. This dog had a vicious tongue—it was calling him a human pet.
"Damn it, you dead dog, are you asking to be skinned?!"
The Big Black Dog held its head high as it strode forward, saying, "This emperor speaks the truth. Those people are just narrow-minded. They think I'm walking a human pet and keep staring. It's really annoying."
"You dead dog!" Ye Fan's face darkened, wanting to beat it up. Others were clearly staring at the dog, yet it said such things.
"Kid, I think you're barely passable. How about becoming this emperor's human pet?" The Big Black Dog tilted its neck.
"Clang, bang, thud, crash..."
The sound of forging iron rang out as they immediately started fighting.
"Dead dog, I wouldn't even want you as a pet, yet you dare spout such nonsense!"
"This emperor wouldn't want a human pet like you either. In the future, I'll find a holy son to be my pet."
Ye Fan cursed inwardly. A big dog wanting a human pet—it really deserved to have its tendons pulled and its skin peeled. It was deliberately infuriating.
In the end, Ye Fan threatened it with the Demon Emperor's ancient scripture, and the Big Black Dog reluctantly relented, shrinking its body to the size of a mongrel dog. Apart from its taillessness, it was no more than a meter long.
"This emperor's peerless elegance is severely suppressed. It damages my image."
"Peerless elegance... Are you trying to attract a pack of wolves?"
"Woof..." The Big Black Dog lunged forward, but Ye Fan was prepared.
They passed through some towns without stopping, heading straight for the most prosperous city in this oasis.
"Kid, you're really unreliable. You don't even know where that great power's residence is and need to ask around. How are you going to take me to find the Demon Emperor's ancient scripture?" The Big Black Dog was very dissatisfied.
"Don't tell me I'm unreliable. Remember what you did when we went to the ancient site of the Jade Pool," Ye Fan retorted.
This oasis was called Youzhou, spanning about three thousand li in circumference. It wasn't a large province. In the boundless Northern Domain, there were many such oases.
Youzhou was a full hundred thousand li from the most prosperous holy city of the Northern Domain. The journey was long, far from the Northern Domain's center, and it was not a thriving place.
The central city of this oasis was called Chaoyang, with a population of about nine hundred thousand. It was the most prosperous ancient city in the province, with over a thousand years of history.
"Can you really find that great power's residence?" the Big Black Dog asked as they arrived outside Chaoyang City.
"The Northern Domain has the Thirteen Great Bandits. He ranks fourth, feared by all the holy lands. His residence definitely can't be known to outsiders. I need to find a descendant of the great bandits to ask."
This was the city that Tu Fei and Li Heishui had told Ye Fan about. If he wanted to find them, he could make some noise near Chaoyang City in Youzhou.
Chaoyang City bore the marks of age. The walls had shed many layers of stone skin, showing the power of time, yet it remained majestic and imposing.
Entering the city, Ye Fan spotted his own portrait—more precisely, a wanted poster—hanging high on the city wall. The bounty for that youthful face had been raised to one square of source.
"Kid, you're pretty valuable," the Big Black Dog snorted with laughter.
"Go cool off somewhere!"
The streets were bustling with traffic and crowds, very lively. The Big Black Dog darted around, biting whatever it wanted to eat, attracting a crowd of creditors who surrounded Ye Fan, making him grind his teeth in frustration.
Shortly after entering the city, he heard news: the young talents of Youzhou were about to hold a grand gathering.
Ye Fan chose a place to eat, located next to a source gambling shop. Most of the people coming and going were cultivators.
"The young generation of Youzhou is gathering. There might be some excitement to watch."
"This is orchestrated by the ancient aristocratic Ji Family. They've sent out invitations, mainly to mobilize forces to help them find someone."
"The Ji Family and the Yaoguang Holy Land will both have young strongmen attending. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such appeal."
"The person who has two holy lands mobilizing their forces is that brat posted at the city gate. He doesn't look like much to me."
"That brat burned to death a supreme elder of the Ji Family. Can you do that?"
Ye Fan listened carefully, his expression calm. The Ji Family had really put in a lot of effort to root him out.
Back in the Southern Domain, he had already become the public enemy of the Ji Family's younger generation.
This gathering was the result of the Ji Family's younger generation's efforts. Similar events were being held in other oases.
Ye Fan habitually stroked his chin, pondering. The Ji Family's younger generation had only three members who had reached the fourth secret realm. The Yaoguang Holy Land was similar, with only three or four.
If the Divine King Ji Haoyue hadn't come, and if the Holy Son Yao Guang hadn't appeared, he wouldn't mind revealing his true form and storming the gathering to slaughter.
"If I reveal my true form, crash the venue, and kill on all sides, that would be like slapping the holy lands in the face. But... wouldn't the commotion be too big?"
Ye Fan muttered to himself. He did feel an impulse. The Ji Family had chased him all the way to the Northern Domain without letting him rest, and the Yaoguang Holy Land's younger generation was joining in. It made him want to strike.
The reason he had this thought was that he had obtained the Source Heaven Scroll and mastered the Heaven-Shifting Earth-Transforming Art. If he went in his true form to cause a ruckus and then vanished, they would find no trace of him.