Chapter 381: The Divine Token
"Senior Li is wise and discerning. These two clearly can't accept defeat and want to renege on their debt."
"The Source Art duel has already been decided. If you're men, stop being so indecisive and hand over the Qilin seed immediately."
The young members of the Source Art Aristocratic Clan spoke with smiles, naturally pleased to see this situation, hoping more of their "old acquaintances" would stand up for them.
Li Heishui's anger surged. He wanted nothing more than to stomp on their faces a few times, saying they were bullying him and Ye Fan for having no backing. He slowly calmed himself and let out a cold laugh.
"The rare treasures Brother Gu Feng cut out should be worth more," said Yao Yuekong, the young master of the Heavenly Demon Palace, standing on Ye Fan's side at this critical moment.
Great Xia Prince Xia Yiming nodded, adding, "A living Primeval Royal Clan member is priceless. Through it, we can truly understand the great secrets of the Primeval Era."
"That's not quite right." Li Yishui, the Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace, shook his head, a half-smile on his face as he glanced at Ye Fan. "A Primeval Royal Clan member cannot be tamed and is utterly useless. On the other hand, that peerless fierce weapon is invaluable. What do you have to compare with that?"
"Brother Li speaks truly. A mere Primeval monkey is of no great use." Nan Gongqi nodded with a smile.
Ye Fan spoke calmly, "Since you insist that a living Primeval Royal Clan member is inferior to a fierce weapon, let me give you the simplest example. I ask you, how valuable is the Nine Transformations Heavenly Art of the Battle-Saint Ape Lineage?"
The members of the Source Art Aristocratic Clan were momentarily stunned. If they discussed it carefully, this was an immortal inheritance, its value incalculable.
"Can it compare with the ancient scriptures of the Holy Lands? Can it surpass that fierce weapon?" Ye Fan pressed on, leaving the Source Art Aristocratic Clan members speechless, unable to refute.
"We were hesitating earlier, but now that we think about it, the value of a living Primeval Royal Clan member is too great, immeasurable. It is indeed more precious!"
"Exactly! Even in the Primeval Era, there were only two or three Battle-Saint Apes, comparable to Great Emperors. Their inheritance is naturally a world-shaking ancient scripture, a priceless treasure!"
Some old-timers present nodded and chimed in. They coveted the divine medicine but weren't about to twist black and white.
Li Yishui, the Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace, shook his head and laughed, "Gentlemen, you're mistaken. Humans may not be able to cultivate the Nine Transformations Heavenly Art of the Battle-Saint Ape Lineage, so it can hardly be called precious."
Ye Fan sneered, "That's nonsense. The ultimate end of cultivation is the same. The Nine Transformations Heavenly Art is invaluable. Besides, some Holy Land scriptures were actually obtained from Primeval inheritances."
"Why is this old codger always butting in?!" Li Heishui was thoroughly disgusted with him.
"Young man, show some respect. Be careful—disaster comes from the mouth!" The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace darkened his face.
"You're worthy of my respect?" Li Heishui shook his head.
The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace instantly revealed killing intent. "An insolent junior who disrespects his elders. Today, I'll teach you the way of being a man."
He was about to strike. Though his words were directed at Li Heishui, he clearly included Ye Fan as well, intending to deal with both.
"These two are too arrogant. They need to be taught a lesson."
"Insulting a senior is a grave offense. They should be suppressed for several years."
The young disciples of the Source Art Aristocratic Clan were eager for someone to step forward. They sneered and echoed the sentiment.
The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace advanced step by step. Having found his excuse, he acted without restraint, ready to make a public move.
"Li Yishui, your mom is calling you home for dinner!" A voice suddenly rang out from beyond the crowd, loud and clear.
At these words, everyone was petrified.
Ye Fan knew it had to be Pang Bo. This kind of speech was too out of place in this world; only he could shout it.
"Who? Who is it?!" Li Yishui was furious. Someone dared to speak to him like this, making him feel like his tail was on fire.
Only then did the crowd burst into laughter. Many old-timers couldn't help but chuckle, while the young laughed unrestrainedly, doubling over.
Ye Fan teased, "Old man, maybe you should go home and eat first. Your mom is looking for you."
"Haha..."
Everyone laughed. Even the members of the Source Art Aristocratic Clan had twitching mouths, struggling to suppress their smiles.
Li Yishui, as the Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace, was at an age where he was practically half-buried in the ground. Yet someone brought up his mother calling him home for dinner—how could he bear it?
At that moment, he was like a stepped-on tail, furious and humiliated. He faced Ye Fan and Li Heishui with murderous intent, wanting to kill them to vent his anger.
"I'll send you on your way!"
"Old codger, don't act like you're a Saint Lord who can suppress anyone at will." Li Heishui wasn't flustered. He threw out a black iron token, sending it flying toward the Illusory Destruction Palace Supreme Elder's face.
"Junior, how dare you disrespect me like this? Even taking your lives wouldn't be too much!" Li Yishui said coldly. With a "bang," he caught the black iron token and tried to crush it. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't damage it, greatly surprising him.
"Old fellow, take a good look at what that is!" Li Heishui sneered.
"The Old Immortal's Divine Token!" Many old-timers nearby exclaimed in shock, their faces turning pale.
The iron token was pitch-black like ink, without luster. It was only palm-sized, engraved with a mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, indistinct and blurry.
The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace stared at the token in his hand. His eyes went wide, and his body trembled slightly. "How do you have..."
"It really is... the Old Immortal's Divine Token."
"Who are they? Why do they have such a thing?"
...
All the old-timers were stunned, their expressions changing as if they had seen a venomous snake or fierce beast.
The Old Immortal—mysterious and terrifying, the number one Great Bandit of the Northern Domain. How deep his cultivation was, no one knew.
A thousand years ago, he had chased a Saint Lord, nearly driving him into the Primordial Forbidden Zone. He had also waited outside a Holy Land for several years, and when a major figure came out, he took his head.
He represented mystery and terror. To this day, no one had seen his true face, not even knowing if he was male or female.
People only knew he was very old, his strength unfathomable. But how many years he had lived, no one could say.
In the land of the Northern Domain, he was synonymous with terror. Many said it was better to offend a Saint Lord than to make an enemy of him, or you wouldn't even know how you died.
The black iron token was something he had passed down. There were only two or three in total, a divine token for saving one's life. Even Holy Lands were deeply wary of it.
At this moment, An Miaoyi, Jin Chixiao, and all the Holy Sons showed unusual expressions.
When the old-timers looked at Ye Fan and Li Heishui, their eyes changed as well. Holding the Old Immortal's Divine Token, few in the Northern Domain dared to lay a hand on them.
"Didn't you want to take our lives? Come on, we'll let you kill us." Li Heishui stepped forward two paces.
The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace's face turned red, extremely embarrassed. He was caught between advancing and retreating. Who would dare to kill one of the Old Immortal's people in public? Even if you gave Li Yishui ten times the courage, he couldn't do it—unless he didn't want to live himself.
"Clang!"
In his moment of distraction, his hand trembled, and the black iron token fell to the ground with a crisp metallic sound.
"You dropped the Divine Token. Are you trying to attack us?"
"I didn't drop it!" The Supreme Elder of the Illusory Destruction Palace's face changed drastically. He quickly picked up the black iron token, terrified that a peerless demon would appear and kill him with a single finger.
"You two young friends, this old man has offended you greatly before. Please forgive me. I'm old and muddled; don't hold it against me." Li Yishui's face was flushed. As he said these words, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
He returned the Divine Token with both hands, then turned and left. He simply couldn't stay any longer, filled with defeat and humiliation.
"Time to go home and eat!" Pang Bo shouted again.
"Who is that? I worship you!" Li Heishui laughed loudly, looking around for the person.
Others couldn't help themselves either, their mouths twitching. This was too malicious. How could Li Yishui ever show his face again?
"Senior, you lost," Ye Fan brought up the result of the Source Art duel again.
"Wrong, young friend. You'd better hand over the Qilin seed." Nan Gongqi shook his head. The Source Art Aristocratic Clan insisted that the fierce weapon was priceless and they had won.
The four great Source Art Aristocratic Clans were deeply rooted in the Northern Domain, very influential. Many great sects sought their favor, so naturally, there were some "old acquaintances" present.
"Hand over the Qilin seed. You've already lost."
"The outcome is decided. Quickly admit defeat to Master Nan Gong."
"Why not call it a draw?"
...
The young members of the Source Art Aristocratic Clan and their "old acquaintances" spoke up one after another, applying pressure. Since the other party had the Divine Token, they wanted to advance by retreating, settling for a draw.
Naturally, some couldn't stand for it and sided with Ye Fan and the others, arguing on the spot. But more people simply minded their own business, indifferent.
"Ridiculous!"
A figure appeared silently in the arena. The Red Dragon Daoist had returned, like a god of plague, instantly silencing the Stone Garden.
"Do you know the value of a Primeval Royal Clan member?" He swept his gaze calmly over the Source Art Aristocratic Clan members. There was no fluctuation in his voice, but it pressed down on everyone, making it hard to breathe.
Everyone was astonished. What was the relationship between the Red Dragon Daoist and Gu Feng? He was clearly stepping up for him.
"You've already lost, yet you still use your influence to bully others. Do you have any face left?" The Red Dragon Daoist's expression was cold. He clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Nan Gongqi. "If we're going to argue by influence, then let me use my influence to wipe you out. Would you accept that?"
Everyone was stunned. The Red Dragon Daoist had a deep connection with Gu Feng and was willing to act for him. Many showed strange expressions, even An Miaoyi, Yao Yuekong, the Holy Sons, and others were no exception.
Nan Gongqi and the others turned pale, completely intimidated. This old Daoist had even chased down a Saint Lord. How could they provoke him?
"We accept defeat and honor the bet." Nan Gongqi bowed his head in surrender.
Once the Red Dragon Daoist stepped forward, who dared to refuse? Even if he didn't have reason on his side, they would have to submit.
"Thank you, Senior!" Ye Fan stepped forward to pay his respects.
The Red Dragon Daoist nodded, then swept his gaze over everyone, his eyes sharp and fierce. "Anyone who dares to harm him is showing disrespect to me."
At these words, everyone gasped. With this peerless demon protecting him like this, who would dare to touch Gu Feng?
Moreover, Ye Fan's Source Art was astonishing. Many great sects had long wanted to recruit him, and now they dared not slight him.
"Brother Gu Feng, you've defeated a Source Art Master and made a name for yourself, winning millions of catties of Source. You have to treat us!" An Miaoyi transmitted her voice secretly, her eyes sparkling.
Even the proud Holy Sons and Holy Maidens had their own thoughts. This young man might well become an Origin Heavenly Master in the future. They had to build good relations with him.
"Clang..."
Suddenly, the Primordial Bell rang again!
The Divine City resonated. Everyone showed shocked expressions. They knew that this assault on Purple Mountain had reached its final conclusion.
"Roar..."
Suddenly, terrifying roars came, accompanied by bursts of screams.
"What's happening?" Everyone's face changed.
"Roar..."
The roars shook the heavens, as if many unknown creatures had appeared in the Divine City.
"The assault on Purple Mountain has a result, but these roars..." Many cultivators were uncertain.
"Disaster! Primeval creatures have emerged!" Distant cries of terror came.
"Purple Mountain has been breached! Many Primeval creatures have come out and are chasing after us!" Warning cries pierced the sky.
The Divine City fell into chaos. Terrifying Primeval creatures had emerged, crossing the void and entering the city. This was a dreadful piece of news.