Chapter 560: One Flower, One World
In Lu City, everyone knew that this city lord was neglecting his duties. Recently, he had actually crafted a large bow and begun hunting within his own territory.
"What prey do we have here?"
"There doesn't seem to be any. Within a hundred li, it's all barren. There aren't any large fierce beasts, at most a few rabbits."
The people in the city were all puzzled, not understanding why he was doing this. But just a few days later, they were left dumbfounded.
"Heavens, is this the prey the city lord brought back? It's as big as a mountain... That seems to be a Hou!"
Everyone was stunned. Hunting a legendary rare beast in this barren land was like something out of a fairy tale, leaving the crowd dazed.
In the Desolate Hut, the villagers had recently been eating wild game frequently. Many were suffering from over-nourishment because those exotic beasts were too precious—all were supreme products for replenishing vitality, worth a fortune.
Dragon-snake skin, Hou skin, Luan feathers, and such were hung to dry on the ancient locust tree, very conspicuous. The scales and feathers shimmered with a riot of colors.
Ye Fan had already defeated many experts in succession. Some had extraordinary cultivation and endless strange techniques, giving him great inspiration. After a series of battles, he had gained much, and breaking into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm could happen at any moment.
These past days, he often sat in meditation outside the ancient locust grove, sensing a special aura but unable to grasp it.
What secrets lay in the place where an Ancient Great Emperor spent his final years? No one from ancient times to the present could explain it clearly. Many lords had passed away there.
Ye Fan had also carefully pondered within the grove but sensed a hint of danger and didn't dare continue, so he came outside. He had no desire to inexplicably perish.
"Ye—Zhe—Tian, come out and face me!"
On this day, another light shout came from outside the Desolate Hut. Mist surged everywhere, and figures flickered in the direction of the Immortal Mountain. Who knew how many experts had arrived—all heroes from the Five Great Domains.
This large group all had extraordinary experiences. Each was a legend in their own right, and gathering them together was no easy feat.
Now, over a hundred and fifty people had arrived at the Desolate Hut, forming a powerful pressure. Immortal mist swirled, clouds rolled, as if heavenly soldiers and generals had descended.
"Ye Zhe Tian, come out!" A woman's voice was cold. Though her tone was pleasant, it carried a hint of chill.
"Big Brother City Lord has returned to the city. He's not here." The snot-nosed kid wiped his nose and shouted honestly toward the sky, "You've ridden so many spirit beasts here. We're all tired of eating them."
"Glutton!" A servant beside Princess Qi snorted coldly.
"Let's go!" Princess Qi flicked her immortal robe, riding a five-colored cloud toward Lu City. The crowd behind followed at a distance, having come specifically to watch the battle.
Because once Princess Qi emerged from seclusion, there would surely be a stir. This woman was not only as beautiful as a fairy but also a pepper-level beauty capable of toppling nations. She was fiery even when idle, let alone now that her beloved Dragon Horse had been eaten.
Outside Lu City, clouds of all colors drifted down, pressing down outside the city walls. Light and mist swirled as if the gates of heaven had opened.
"City Lord, disaster! Many immortals have arrived!"
Many panicked and came to report. Hearing this, Ye Fan took down the large bow from the wall, slung the quiver over his back, and strode out.
"City Lord, what are you doing? Why aren't you fleeing?"
"Hunting. I'll treat you to meat!" Ye Fan replied.
"Ye Zhe Tian, come out!" Princess Qi shouted, her voice crisp like pearls falling on a jade plate, but a killing intent spread.
Even Ye Fan was stunned when he came out. So many people had come. Couldn't the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion be freely entered and exited?
If these hundred and fifty people attacked together, even several Great Powers would have to flee. These weren't ordinary experts—they were future kings of various regions, elites from the Five Great Domains.
"Give us back our Dragon Horse!" a servant shouted, emboldened now that his mistress was present.
"You've come to cause trouble on my territory again?" Ye Fan asked. He had nothing to fear. At worst, he could just leave and return anytime to ponder in the Desolate Hut.
Ahead, a dark mass of people gathered, but most were just spectators. Many were muttering now.
"This lord isn't old either, yet he's defeated many experts in a row. He's really a freak. Why didn't he enter the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion?"
"I represent the Eastern Wasteland cultivators here to watch!" A shout came from the rear. Someone had yelled.
Ye Fan found the voice familiar. Suddenly, he remembered—it was Jiang Huairen. He hadn't expected them to actually sneak in. By cultivation level, it should have been very difficult, but they succeeded.
"I represent the Southern Ridge cultivators here to watch!" Someone else chimed in.
This time, Ye Fan watched closely and spotted a fat white man. He didn't recognize him at all, but intuition told him this was an acquaintance. He quietly activated his divine eyes and was stunned.
"That damned Duan De!"
Ye Fan never expected that the unscrupulous Taoist had infiltrated the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion. He was oily and plump, looking very prosperous, completely different from before.
"I represent the peerless Bodhisattvas of the Western Desert here to watch!" Duan De changed positions and secretly transmitted his voice, but Ye Fan's divine eyes saw clearly.
"This bastard is definitely an older guy pretending to be young and sneaking in. He's a troublemaker, definitely here to swindle people. He's up to no good."
"Ye Zhe Tian, the princess is speaking to you! Did you hear?!" At that moment, a servant shouted at Ye Fan.
"Fine, what do you want?" Ye Fan asked casually.
"Return the princess's Dragon Horse! If you can't, we'll bury you alive!" Now that they were here, Princess Qi remained silent, letting her servants do the shouting.
"Let's go. Find a pit now." Ye Fan flew toward the wilderness.
"You're quite foresighted, digging your own grave first. Even daring to eat the princess's Dragon Horse—you really must be tired of living," someone mocked.
"You're wrong. I meant I'll bury you all alive." Ye Fan spoke with a smile, not looking back as he charged forward.
"This awesome lord is really calm. They've come to his doorstep, and he doesn't care."
"Let's go. Let's see how strong he really is."
The spectator army buzzed with curiosity. Even many female cultivators had come to see the outcome.
Within a hundred li, the land was barren. Though not completely bare, there were no spirit veins. Everywhere were desolate mountains, not even proper fruit trees, mostly thorns.
The crowd rode clouds and stopped above a stretch of wasteland. Princess Qi stepped forward, her gaze radiant. She was indeed an extremely beautiful woman, the kind that could topple kingdoms.
"No wonder so many flower guardians rushed to stand up for her before she even emerged from seclusion." Ye Fan finally understood. She was a disaster-level beauty for whom a mortal king would abandon his kingdom.
She was about eighteen or nineteen, her eyes flowing with spirit and vitality. Her skin was white, tender, and lustrous, her lips and teeth crystalline. Her jet-black hair cascaded like water, adorned with a golden hairpin that trembled with each step, pearls and jade entwined with flowing light, tassels swaying.
"You... ate my Dragon Horse?!" Princess Qi furrowed her delicate brows, gritting her silver teeth. A few traces of coldness flowed in her rainbow-like gaze.
"Fine, what do you want? You people keep coming to my territory to cause trouble. I've had enough." Ye Fan acted very impatient.
"You..." The princess's jade-like face, capable of bringing chaos to the world, showed a hint of anger, but it quickly turned into a spring-like smile. "Very well. You ate my Dragon Horse and still act so righteous. I'll capture you today, and from now on, you'll pull my carriage!"
"You want me to be your Dragon Horse?" Ye Fan squinted at this disaster.
"You're not stupid. That's exactly it." Princess Qi's smile was very charming, her eyes full of spirit, making all the flowers' colors seem to fade.
"That's not very fair. How about we make a gentleman's agreement?" Ye Fan said with his arms crossed, almost teasingly, looking her up and down.
"What agreement?" Princess Qi glanced at him, very alert.
"You and I fight fairly. If I lose, I'll pull your carriage. If you lose, you'll be my spirit beast." Ye Fan blurted out.
"Pervert!" Princess Qi's jade-like face, smooth as lard, flushed with rosy clouds. Her cheeks turned red, her brows furrowed, and her poetic eyes filled with indignation.
"Whoa!"
Everyone behind erupted. This lord was indeed bold, daring to suggest that Princess Qi become his mount?
"Hey, where did this little lord come from? Did he eat a celestial's gall?"
"Living right next to the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion, yet not keeping a low profile. Acting so recklessly, without restraint—doesn't he fear the pepper legion will destroy him?"
"Did I hear that right? This kid is really fierce!"
Behind, the gathered spectators were first stunned, then buzzed with discussion. Everyone knew Princess Qi's fiery temper. Few dared to go against her.
"What pervert? Isn't this fair? If I lose, I'll be your Dragon Horse. If you lose, you'll be my spirit beast. What's wrong with that?"
"Go die!" Princess Qi was furious, truly enraged.
"Swish"
Flower petals rained down in the sky, brilliant and crystalline. An endless fragrance intoxicated everyone to the bone, making them feel comfortable all over.
But within this beautiful celestial bloom lay endless killing intent. Every petal could kill. Small worlds were opening, appearing in the void.
"Three Thousand Small Worlds! Isn't this an ancient secret art long lost? How has it reappeared in the world?"
"This is the Southern Ridge's supreme secret art, possessing terrifying and unparalleled power."
"Legend says it was created by the Southern Ridge Heavenly Emperor. This ancient secret art has a continuation. One step further, it evolves into Three Thousand Great Worlds, capable of using all heavens for oneself."
...
Ye Fan heard their discussions and felt a headache. According to Rain Butterfly Princess, the Southern Ridge Heavenly Emperor was the Ruthless Person of the Eastern Wasteland. Very few of his peerless techniques had been passed down.
But every single one was an unmatched sacred art, hard to counter. He never expected Princess Qi to master one, seemingly reaching perfection.
"If we fight, will you accept the bet if you lose?" Ye Fan dodged, shouting loudly to disturb her focus.
Princess Qi's long skirt danced. Falling flowers rained like rain, covering the sky. She stood within, ethereal and holy. Her jade hands moved, each celestial bloom evolving.
"Pop," "Pop"...
One flower, one world. Three thousand celestial blooms evolved into three thousand small worlds, making this place dreamlike and hard to distinguish.
Ye Fan swung his fists, smashing through these heavenly small worlds, trying to break through. But one flower shattered, another rose. Worlds continuously cycled.
"The Southern Ridge Heavenly Emperor is truly invincible through the ages. Every sacred art he created is unmatched!"
Everyone was awed. Such a technique placed one in an invincible position from the start, isolating oneself from the enemy and crushing them with all heavens.
But everyone was also shocked because Ye Fan's combat power was terrifying. He could destroy a small world with one fist, walking through the void like an ancient war god, advancing fearlessly toward Princess Qi.
"This is futile!" Princess Qi's smile could topple nations. Her hair whipped, her eyes flowed with brilliance, captivating all beings—a true disaster.
Flowers bloomed and withered. Small worlds shattered and evolved again, more perfect and solid, turning into all heavens trying to suppress Ye Fan.
"Dare to bet?" Ye Fan taunted.
"Fine. If you lose, you'll be my Dragon Horse. Die!" Princess Qi's smile intoxicated to the bone. Her fair wrists lifted lightly, her jade arms shining. Her long legs were faintly visible beneath her skirt as she danced lightly.
A peerless beauty danced across the sky. Countless flower petals rained down, crystalline, blooming into small worlds. She spoke in a dreamlike voice: "One flower, one world. One leaf, one heaven!"
Ye Fan charged forward without hesitation, battling Princess Qi, opposing the sacred art passed down from the Southern Ridge Heavenly Emperor. With the ultimate power, he shattered all obstacles!