Chapter 450: Saving Nannan
Ye Fan and Pang Bo arrived at Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven, the former sect of Zhang Wenchang. Their arrival caused a panic.
Throughout the entire Yan region, who hadn't heard of the Sacred Body? Those who had once humiliated Zhang Wenchang were terrified, feeling as if doomsday had arrived.
Many knew that Ye Fan had visited this place before and was Zhang Wenchang's close friend. They all assumed he had come to vent his anger on behalf of the "half-crippled old man."
Pang Bo swept his gaze over a group of young people, tempted to slap them all to death with a single palm strike. But in the end, he only let out a cold snort. The result was a series of "thud" sounds as a row of people fell to their knees.
"We want to know, has Liu Yiyi ever returned? Do you have any news of her?" Ye Fan asked.
Liu Yiyi, like Zhang Wenchang, had entered this sect. Their main purpose in coming to Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven this time was to inquire about her.
"She never came back. It's a pity—she was a good seedling for cultivation," an elder replied.
The two nodded without saying much more, turned around, and flew away, vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye. Everyone in Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven let out a long sigh of relief.
Afterward, they went to Misty Cloud Cave Heaven, Purple Yang Cave Heaven, and Golden Glow Cave Heaven, only to receive the same answer: Zhou Yi, Wang Ziwen, Lin Jia, and the others had not returned either.
Three years ago, the three Holy Lands had coerced Ye Fan and several others into entering the Ancient Forbidden Land to pick divine medicine. Ye Fan had created an opportunity for Zhou Yi, Lin Jia, Wang Ziwen, Li Xiaoman, Liu Yiyi, and Zhang Ziling to escape.
Three years had passed. They only knew that Li Xiaoman had escaped and entered the Grand Mystery Sect. The others still had no news.
Back when Ye Fan was at the Grand Mystery Sect, he had asked Li Xiaoman, but she didn't know the whereabouts of the others either, as they had fled separately.
"Zhou Yi, Wang Ziwen, and Lin Jia are all shrewd. They naturally wouldn't come back. Otherwise, the Holy Lands would definitely find a flaw," Ye Fan muttered to himself.
"Zhang Ziling isn't stupid either. He must have gone somewhere safe. I think Yiyi is probably with him," Pang Bo said.
Additionally, two other classmates had died. One was named Ge Ming, killed while training outside. The other was Xu Chuan, trapped and killed while exploring deep ruins with others.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo added some soil to their graves. In just a few years, three classmates had already died in this world. Who knew how many would remain in the end?
Finally, they arrived at Evening Moon Cave Heaven and learned of the whereabouts of the foreigner, Kaide.
A wandering old monk had taken him away. He had seen Kaide's tall, sturdy build and naturally unusual features—his head full of yellow hair—and thought he resembled the legendary Vajra Guardian of Buddhist lore.
"This yellow-haired foreigner became a Vajra Guardian? Then I could be a Buddha Lord!" Pang Bo was dumbfounded.
"What did that old monk say?" Ye Fan asked in detail.
The people of Evening Moon Cave Heaven dared not hide anything. They knew well that this was a terrifying killing star who had little regard for life and had even killed people from the Holy Lands. They didn't dare provoke him.
"The old monk only said he was taking him to the Western Desert, to some Mount Sumeru. He didn't say much else."
Ye Fan and Pang Bo exchanged glances. Mount Sumeru, whether at the other end of the starry sky or in this world, was steeped in countless legends.
"This foreigner really has great fortune, actually going to Mount Sumeru. If we ever reach the Western Desert, we'll have to have him introduce us to some female Bodhisattvas."
A disciple of Evening Moon Cave Heaven faithfully repeated Kaide's parting words.
"Oh, my god, God damn it. From now on, I can only believe in Buddha. Who told you to abandon me here!"
Ye Fan and Pang Bo looked at each other, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
They didn't stay long. After learning everything, they flew away.
The Nine Dragons Coffin had taken them away. Of the original group, only ten remained. Along the way, both felt a mix of emotions, wondering when they would be able to return along the Stellar Ancient Path.
Ye Fan and Pang Bo returned to Yan Capital. Immediately, people from the major Holy Lands and supreme sects came looking for them. The peerless array patterns had already been carved, and they wanted Ye Fan to go gather medicine.
How could Ye Fan possibly go in again? This time, he had only set up the scheme to deal with Hua Yunfei. He tactfully expressed that it was too dangerous and that he planned to give up, instead trying his luck at the Immortal Mountain in the central Eastern Wasteland.
The people from the major sects grumbled inwardly. Although the name "Immortal Mountain" contained the word "immortal," it had always been a place where one could enter but never leave alive.
"Young friend, are you sure? That mountain range is no good place. In ancient times, a Great Accomplishment Sacred Body cut off a cliff there and caused a great disaster. In his later years, his blood stained the Sacred Cliff."
"Senior, can you elaborate?" Ye Fan's heart stirred.
"This is already the most detailed record. There is nothing else," a Supreme Elder from a Holy Land said.
Ye Fan was speechless. No matter what, he refused to enter the Ancient Forbidden Land again. As long as he could find Little Nannan, he would immediately leave the Southern Domain. There was no need to stay.
Although the people from the supreme sects wanted to teach him a lesson—no one had ever dared to stand them up like this—they held back their anger. After all, the Divine King's imprint was still there.
In the following days, Ye Fan almost turned the Yan region upside down, mobilizing all forces to search, but there was still no clue about Nannan.
During this time, the Southern Domain was in great turmoil. Many experts were searching for Hua Yunfei's whereabouts, but it was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, leaving no trace.
Two more days passed, and Ye Huiling finally appeared. Ye Fan was overjoyed and welcomed her into the inn.
It was a large inn with an exquisite layout—courtyards with landscapes and waterscapes, specially designed for cultivators who preferred tranquility.
At this moment, Pang Bo, Li Heishui, Tu Fei, and even Big Black Dog were in seclusion, slowly refining the sacred fruits.
In a patch of purple bamboo forest, Ye Fan personally poured tea for Ye Huiling and asked, "Miss Ye, why have you been gone for so long?"
"It's a long story. I barely escaped with my life..."
Last time, Ye Huiling had fought Wang Chongxiao. Someone had attacked both of them simultaneously, leaving both severely injured. Then that person had pursued Ye Huiling all the way.
In the end, although she managed to escape, she had suffered a great loss of vitality and nearly perished. She had been recuperating until today before emerging from seclusion. After learning about everything that had happened recently, she suspected that the attacker was most likely Hua Yunfei's Dao Protector, as the similarities were striking.
"Congratulations, Brother Ye, on recovering from your Dao injury. From now on, the path will be smooth, and no one can stop you," Ye Huiling said with a light laugh.
Ye Fan fulfilled his promise, taking out a golden Sun Sacred Fruit. Even though it was sealed in a small jade cauldron, its fragrance still overflowed, refreshing the heart and mind. He pushed it forward.
"Brother Ye, you're not planning to kill me to silence me, are you?" Ye Huiling smiled faintly.
Her black hair danced in the wind, her skin was like mutton-fat jade, her brows like distant mountains, her beautiful eyes filled with spiritual energy, and her oval face gave her an ethereal feeling, as if she could see through everything.
"How could that be? I believe Miss Ye will help me keep the secret," Ye Fan said with a smile.
"I trust Brother Ye's character." Ye Huiling's lips curled slightly, a hint of playfulness in her expression. "But I also ask Brother Ye to trust me. I won't utter a single word."
Ye Fan smiled and nodded, gently pushing the small white jade cauldron, sending it flying.
Only then did Ye Huiling truly reach out to receive it. Her bright, watery eyes were full of smiles. "Rest assured, Brother Ye."
"I want to know, was it Miss Ye who took Little Nannan away?"
Ye Huiling shook her head. She hadn't reached the time to leave yet and had often been dueling with Wang Chongxiao, so she hadn't come to take Little Nannan. Moreover, she had soon been severely injured by an attacker.
"Then who was it?!" Ye Fan was extremely disappointed. Without the little girl, he would have died. If he couldn't find her, his conscience would never be at ease.
"I think I've guessed," Ye Huiling said.
"What? You know who it is?" Ye Fan turned sharply to look at her.
"I'm not absolutely certain. It's just a guess."
"Please, tell me quickly!"
Ye Huiling guessed that Little Nannan might have been taken by the Yin Yang Sect. She had discovered that the sect's Holy Maiden was personally acting, searching everywhere for spiritually gifted young children.
"Is she still in Yan Capital?!" Ye Fan shot to his feet. He had to hurry. If Nannan was sent to the Central Province, it would be very difficult to get her back.
"She's not here. The Yan region is in turmoil now. They're at another peaceful place. I know it's one of their strongholds in the Eastern Wasteland. The gifted children probably haven't been sent away yet. Crossing to the Central Province requires a large amount of Source. They should be waiting until the Yan Capital matter is settled before retreating together."
"Where is it? What kind of experts are there?" Ye Fan asked.
Ye Huiling said, "It's at a sect called Qixia, fifty thousand li away. It's a sect supported by the Yin Yang Sect."
Ye Fan waited a day. Pang Bo and the others emerged from seclusion one after another, all having completed the transformation of blood exchange and bone tempering, with the medicine's power refined to its utmost.
Without any delay, they quickly crossed the void, heading fifty thousand li away. Ye Huiling also followed.
Qixia Sect was nestled among mountains covered in fiery red cherry blossom trees, like endless burning clouds. The sect's name matched its environment well.
These few were all formidable. Infiltrating a medium-sized sect was naturally silent. At first, they found nothing, and Ye Fan even began to feel disappointed.
It wasn't until they reached the back mountain that their spirits lifted. They saw a dozen children, the oldest no more than five, the youngest only two. Each was as delicate as a carved jade doll.
"Why isn't Little Nannan here?" Ye Fan frowned. They split up and continued searching.
He passed through one magnificent courtyard after another. When he neared the end, he finally showed a look of joy. He sensed Little Nannan's aura and rushed over quickly.
There were also several children here, all dressed in bright new clothes, looking quite pampered. But one little girl, about three years old, wore old, tattered clothes, with even her small shoes having holes for her toes.
Ye Fan felt extremely guilty. Before entering the Ancient Forbidden Land, he had been too busy to take care of this little girl. He had never given her new clothes. Now, thinking about it, he was filled with remorse.
Little Nannan was clearly being ostracized here. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been treated like this. A surge of anger rose in his heart.
"Come over here. It's time to take your spiritual medicine."
A middle-aged woman walked over, carrying a tray with six or seven small bowls. A fragrant aroma wafted out, refreshing the heart and mind. It was clearly genuine spiritual medicine.
The Yin Yang Sect was generous with these gifted children. From a young age, they laid a solid foundation for them, using precious rare medicines to brew the concoctions.
All the other children ran over. Only Little Nannan didn't move. Her big eyes were bright, staring longingly at the small bowls, but she didn't dare approach.
"That little scatterbrain, don't even think about it. We thought your bones were rare under heaven, a little prodigy. Who knew you were born without a memory? In a few days, you forget everything!" The middle-aged woman's cold gaze swept over her.
"But Nannan is very hungry. She didn't eat in the morning or at noon," Little Nannan said, aggrieved.
"If you make another mistake, you'll be punished by not eating tonight either!" The middle-aged woman's voice was cold. "In a few days, the Holy Maiden will come again. Once she makes her final decision, you'll be thrown out!"
"Oh, Nannan understands!" Little Nannan lowered her head, not daring to meet the middle-aged woman's eyes, staring at her worn-out little shoes.
The middle-aged woman left. A group of young children picked up their small bowls and drank the spiritual medicine. Some of the children were naughty and didn't like the taste, secretly pouring it out.
Little Nannan stared at one child's small bowl, her big eyes very bright. In a childish voice, she asked, "Is the spiritual medicine paste tasty?"
"It's not tasty," the child replied, having already poured out the medicine in his bowl.
Little Nannan saw another little girl about to pour hers out as well. A hopeful light appeared in her eyes again, shining brightly. She asked the same question, "Is the spiritual medicine paste tasty?" She was already very hungry, punished by not being allowed to eat, and couldn't help swallowing her saliva.
"It's not tasty. Nannan, are you hungry? You can have it," the little girl said, handing over her bowl.
"Really? For me?" Little Nannan asked seriously, her eyes suddenly lighting up as she reached out to take it.
"Really. Eat quickly," the girl said, handing it over.
"Thank you. Nannan is really hungry," Little Nannan said, reaching out to take it.
Just then, the middle-aged woman returned. She shouted coldly, "What are you doing?!"
"Smash!"
Little Nannan was startled, and the small bowl slipped from her hand, crashing to the ground. She looked very frightened.
"Not only will you not eat tonight, but you won't eat tomorrow either. Go back to your room right now. This is no place for you!"
"Oh, Nannan understands." Little Nannan's head drooped to her chest, her big eyes filled with tears as she walked toward the servants' quarters nearby.
Ye Fan finally understood Little Nannan's situation here. His heart ached, and tears almost fell. He strode out from the shadows and shouted coldly at the middle-aged woman, "Are you yelling at her?!"
"Who are you? How did you get in?!" The middle-aged woman was greatly startled.
"Nannan, come here." Ye Fan waved at Little Nannan.
"Big brother, who are you? Why do you feel so familiar?" Little Nannan blinked her big eyes.
"I told you to go back to your room! Why haven't you left yet?!" The middle-aged woman shouted coldly.
Little Nannan quickly lowered her head, not daring to look over.
"Slap!"
Ye Fan slapped the middle-aged woman across the face. Even though she was fast, she couldn't dodge it and was sent flying over ten zhang away.
Ye Fan spared her life because he had many questions to ask. Otherwise, the power of the Primordial Saint Body would have shattered her. He strode over, picked up Little Nannan, and then pressed forward.
"Who exactly are you? What is your relationship with her?" The middle-aged woman trembled as she demanded.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that even your Holy Maiden isn't as precious as her. How dare you treat her like this?!" Ye Fan was already beyond furious. "Speak! Where is your Holy Maiden?!"
"You... who are you, to dare belittle our Holy Maiden like this?" The middle-aged woman was shocked.
At that moment, several strong cultivators rushed into the courtyard, all shouting loudly, demanding to know who Ye Fan was.
"Your Holy Maiden and Holy Son's lives combined aren't enough to make up for the grievances Little Nannan has suffered!" With a clang, Ye Fan drew the Dragon-Pattern Blackgold Holy Spirit Sword.
"Puff!"
Blood splattered. He cut down the charging men with a single sword stroke, slicing them into several pieces. He continued to press, "Speak! Where is your Holy Maiden?!"
By now, Pang Bo and the others had heard the commotion and rushed over.
"Who dares to offend my Yin Yang Sect?!" At the same time, someone spoke coldly. Several elders of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm flew over, their voices icy. "Have you grown tired of living?"
"You're the ones who've grown tired of living!" Ye Fan roared, raising his long sword toward the sky.
"What audacity! Let's see who dares to look down on my Yin Yang Sect!"