Chapter 485: A Sage?
The golden sea of bitterness was vast and boundless, with waves surging into the sky, each one capable of drowning a mountain. Ye Fan stood within it, his expression grave. This was the inner world of the ancient bronze coffin—a strange and eerie place, filled with an indescribable sense of oppression.
Around him, the golden sea stretched endlessly, and at the far end, a massive ancient tree stood tall, its branches and leaves covering the sky. It was the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree, its trunk so thick that dozens of people could not encircle it. Its leaves rustled, emitting a mysterious aura as if whispering the secrets of heaven and earth.
Ye Fan took a deep breath and stepped forward. As he moved, the golden sea beneath his feet churned violently, as if stirred by an invisible force. He knew this was no ordinary sea; it was a manifestation of the power of time and space, a test left behind by an ancient great emperor.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance. It was blurry, as if shrouded in mist, but it exuded an aura that made one’s heart tremble. Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, carefully examining the figure. The figure gradually grew clearer, revealing an old man in white robes, his hair and beard like snow, his expression serene.
“Who are you?” Ye Fan asked cautiously.
The old man smiled faintly, his voice ancient and deep: “I am a wisp of residual will left behind by the ancient emperor. Since you have entered this place, you must undergo a trial. Pass it, and you may obtain the inheritance; fail, and you will be trapped here forever.”
Ye Fan’s heart tightened. He knew this trial would not be easy. But he had no way back; he could only brace himself and face it.
“What trial?” he asked.
The old man raised his hand and pointed into the distance. There, a mountain peak stood tall, its summit shrouded in multicolored clouds, as if hiding some great secret. “Climb that mountain. At the top, there is a divine object. If you can obtain it, you will pass the trial.”
Ye Fan looked toward the distant mountain peak, a flicker of determination flashing in his eyes. Without another word, he moved, his figure flickering as he sped toward the mountain peak.
The golden sea churned beneath his feet, and the power of time and space pressed in from all directions, trying to hold him back. Ye Fan circulated the Secret of the Stride, his speed reaching its limit, as if traversing the void. However, the mountain peak seemed close at hand yet endlessly far away. No matter how fast he moved, the distance between them never seemed to shrink.
“This is a test of time and space,” the old man’s voice echoed from behind. “If you cannot comprehend the true meaning of time and space, you will never reach the summit.”
Ye Fan’s heart stirred. He stopped, closed his eyes, and began to sense the flow of time and space around him. The golden sea surged, and the power of time and space interwove, forming an invisible net. He tried to merge with it, to become a part of this world.
After an unknown amount of time, Ye Fan suddenly opened his eyes. A strange light flickered in his gaze. He took a step forward, and this time, the mountain peak before him suddenly grew clear, as if it were right in front of him. He had finally grasped the rhythm of time and space.
He continued forward, his steps steady and firm. The golden sea no longer hindered him; instead, it seemed to guide him, pushing him toward the mountain peak. Soon, he arrived at the foot of the mountain.
The mountain was steep and rugged, with no path to be seen. Ye Fan did not hesitate. He leaped up, his body as light as a swallow, stepping on the cliff walls as he ascended. The mountain wind howled, but it could not shake him. His figure was like an arrow leaving the bow, shooting straight toward the summit.
When he finally stood atop the mountain peak, he saw a stone platform. On the platform rested a crystal-clear jade bottle, emitting a faint glow. Ye Fan walked over and picked up the jade bottle. Inside was a drop of liquid, shimmering with a divine light.
“This is the divine liquid left behind by the ancient emperor, capable of tempering the physical body and enhancing cultivation,” the old man’s voice sounded again. “You have passed the trial and may now leave this place.”
Ye Fan put away the jade bottle, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. He turned and looked into the distance, where the golden sea had begun to recede, revealing a path leading outward. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the path.
When he emerged from the ancient bronze coffin, the outside world was already in chaos. The Big Dipper Star Domain was in turmoil, with ancient clans stirring, and the human race’s situation was precarious. Ye Fan knew he had to become stronger as soon as possible to face the coming storm.
He looked up at the starry sky, a resolute light flashing in his eyes. “A sage? I will definitely reach that level!”