Chapter 579: The First Kill of Dragon Transformation
The old swindler was extremely slick, diving straight off the cliff and disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Many people from the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty had arrived. The leader wore a Nine-Dragon Crown and a Purple Dragon Robe, appearing quite divine and martial, with dragon qi swirling around his body. His powerful divine sense swept across the Immortal Cliff but found nothing.
"Where is he?" the Imperial Uncle of Great Xia asked, his face ashen.
"Where did you buy the Immortal Burial Map?" one of the commanders pushed forward a cultivator who had previously purchased a worn-out map.
"He was right here a moment ago." The man trembled as he walked to where the old blind man had been sitting, picked up a few pebbles, and said, "He sold these too, one thousand jin of Source each."
This stretch of cliff was vast, with many cultivators coming and going. There were simple stalls and ornate jade pavilions. Now, everyone had been alarmed, all eyes turning to watch.
"He couldn't have gotten far. Chase him!" The Imperial Uncle of Great Xia was the first to leap off the cliff, pursuing in one direction. The others also sprang into action.
"What's going on? What happened? The people from one of the four immortal dynasties of the Central Province have arrived. This is unexpected."
"Some old blind man was just selling Immortal Burial Maps..."
Before long, everyone on this Immortal Cliff knew what had happened. The map the old blind man sold had shaken the people of Great Xia, stirring up taboos.
"It's a genuine map, not a fake meant to deceive."
People were shocked to discover this was a secret map. Somehow, it had been leaked, and it seemed only a few major superpowers currently possessed it.
"I understand. There might really be an ancient scripture left by the Grand Emperor in the Immortal Mansion World. That's why the people of Great Xia are so nervous—he is their ancestor."
In recent days, all kinds of people had entered the Immortal Mansion World, exploring many secret places. But drawing such a secret map was extremely difficult and must have cost immense effort.
"Someone has discovered the place where an ancient great emperor passed away. The next time they enter the Immortal Mansion World, it will be incredibly brutal. Many will likely fight over it."
However, people quickly realized that place was probably extremely dangerous. Otherwise, why bother drawing a map and bringing it out? They could have just taken everything the ancient great emperor left behind.
The cliff was in chaos. No one could remain calm. This was a world-shaking Immortal Burial site, likely containing an ancient scripture or even an Extreme Dao Sacred Weapon.
"Where did the old blind man go?"
"Who here bought his map?"
On top of the cliff, everyone was searching. More than thirty people had bought maps just moments ago, and now they had all slipped away quietly, feeling it was too much of a pity.
Ye Fan put away the Immortal Burial Map and wandered through this free market, pondering to himself. Just who was this old blind man? He had actually made a thousand copies of such a precious map to sell.
Two hours later, things calmed down here. There was no need to overthink it—this matter couldn't be hidden. Many people would surely try to get their hands on the Immortal Burial Map.
"Isn't that Xiao Mingyuan?" Ye Fan spotted an acquaintance, the grandson of Grand Tutor Xiao of the Anping Kingdom, who came from the same imperial dynasty as Princess Yudie.
Ye Fan's fiefdom had originally belonged to the Xiao family. Xiao Mingyuan had set a trap for him, using the site of an ancient great emperor's later years hermitage as bait, hoping to get him killed in that desolate hut.
"That bastard!"
Ye Fan didn't go over. He crouched in front of a stall, fiddling with a spiritual beast in a cage, while sizing up a few people not far away.
Beside Xiao Mingyuan were several strong experts, constantly inquiring about the old blind man. Clearly, they were after the Immortal Burial Map, wanting a share of the spoils.
"It seems that once the beast king turmoil in the Immortal Mansion World subsides, there will be blood and storms. The divine treasury of an ancient great emperor will attract endless experts."
Ye Fan pondered for a while, then faintly heard Xiao Mingyuan's words. They mentioned his name and Lu City. It seemed this guy was still "thinking" about him.
Soon after, those people left. Ye Fan watched their retreating figures with a cold smile, paying them no further mind. Now that he had entered the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm and mastered the Stride Art, he feared nothing.
"Treasure-seeking rat! An authentic treasure-seeking spiritual beast! Only five thousand jin of Source!"
In front of a stall, a middle-aged man sat on the ground. A small iron cage held a little mouse that shimmered with multicolored light.
Many people gathered around, clicking their tongues in wonder. But one person sneered, "Here to scam again. You fed some wild rats with spiritual herbs and dare to pass them off as treasure-seeking rats."
"That's right. The day before yesterday, he sold eighteen of them in a single day. A treasure-seeking rat might not appear even once in a thousand years. How could he sell so many at once?"
"In this place, it's buyer beware. Everyone, be careful not to get cheated."
Many people were discussing and pointing fingers. Ye Fan was speechless. There were really too many swindlers here. That old blind man had sold Immortal Burial Maps, but he didn't seem like a good person at all.
Suddenly, Ye Fan froze. He saw an old acquaintance. Duan De wiggled his fat body, pushing people aside, crouched down in front of the stall, and said, "This rat... why does it look so shifty-eyed?"
"What's so strange about that? Rats are supposed to be shifty-eyed," the middle-aged stall owner said, rolling his eyes.
Seeing Duan De, Ye Fan couldn't help but grin. A few days ago, he had stripped this fatty clean and taken a bunch of treasures from him.
Meeting him again now, he wanted to burst out laughing, but in the end, he could only twitch the corners of his mouth, suppressing the urge. His cheeks ached from the effort.
"I mean, this rat's eyes are way too shifty. It doesn't look like a treasure-seeking rat, more like a rat spirit," Duan De said, shaking his head.
"Those who know what's good will definitely buy. Yesterday, people were snatching them up. This is the last one left," the middle-aged man said unhurriedly.
"You're really addicted to scamming, aren't you? If this thing were a real treasure-seeking rat, would you be willing to sell it?" someone sneered.
"I won't lie. Who would sell a real treasure-seeking rat for five thousand jin of Source? Not even ten or a hundred times that amount would make someone sell," the middle-aged man said calmly, unflustered. "This is the descendant of a treasure-seeking rat. Raise it well, and maybe in a thousand years, a divine rat will be born."
"In a thousand years, not even a divine mouse will be born." Duan De tossed down a few pieces of variant Source and said, "I'll buy it. I have another use for it."
"What is this fatty planning?" Ye Fan wondered suspiciously. He probably had his eye on the Immortal Burial site.
After wandering around this high cliff for half a day, Ye Fan left and returned to Lu City, descending.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, boundless killing intent surged up. The entire city burst into radiance. All the array patterns were activated. Countless sword beams swept toward him.
Ye Fan was startled. Someone had taken control of Lu City, causing all the ancient array patterns etched into the walls to emerge, trying to kill him, the city lord.
"Swish!"
Like a streak of light, he flickered and vanished multiple times, escaping. He wasn't trapped, nor was he pierced by the sword beams. All of this was due to the wonder of the Stride Art.
Otherwise, even a Half-Step Great Power would find it hard to break through this ancient city's array patterns. Staying too long would surely lead to disaster.
"Who is it?" Ye Fan stood high in the sky, looking down at everything inside Lu City.
"This little brat has broken into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. His cultivation is rising pretty fast." A middle-aged man with a cold expression appeared on the city wall.
"So you're the one who seized my Xiao family's city and injured my Xiao family's disciples?" Another person stepped forward, a cold sneer on his lips.
Ye Fan's expression was calm. He recognized these people. They had been with Xiao Mingyuan not long ago. He didn't need to guess what was going on.
"Enough talk. Kill him quickly. We still need to find the Immortal Burial Map."
"This is my city. You trespass and attack me. Do you really think I'm easy to bully?" Ye Fan spoke calmly.
"Who do you think you are? This city has always belonged to the Xiao family. We just let you stay for a couple of days. Now we'll kill you and take it back." Another person glanced at him contemptuously.
"You really think you can have your way with me?" Ye Fan stared at them. Two were at the sixth level of Dragon Transformation, three at the seventh level, and the last two had even reached the eighth level.
One of them spoke flatly, without any emotion. "You injured my Xiao family's disciples and still dare to stay here. You're asking for death. We're taking the city. Kneel and beg for forgiveness. We won't make it hard on you—we'll just cut off your head. You won't suffer."
The seven men flew out of the ancient city, pressing in step by step. They didn't underestimate him. All seven experts attacked together, intending to obliterate him instantly.
Ye Fan said nothing more. A flowing light shimmered in his hand as he held the Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow. He continuously activated the All Secret. After dozens of attempts, he finally succeeded, unleashing ten times his combat power from the start.
The Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow blazed with light. The bowstring trembled faintly. Three arrows shot out in succession, incredibly fast, heading straight for an expert at the sixth level of Dragon Transformation.
"Clang!"
At first, there was a clashing sound of metal. But then, a scream followed. The arrows pierced through his ancient treasure and embedded themselves in his body.
"Ah..."
The three arrows, one after another, all sank into his body. He couldn't block them. They tore through everything in their path.
"Puff!" "Puff!" "Puff!"
Three blossoms of blood bloomed. Then, with a "boom," the man exploded. Bone fragments and flesh splattered everywhere. His form and spirit were utterly destroyed.
"What?!" The people nearby were stunned. They never expected someone to fall so quickly.
Ye Fan sneered. He didn't even need the All Secret to kill a cultivator at the sixth Dragon Transformation. Let alone after a tenfold boost in combat power.
"You wanted to kill me, didn't you?" He held the Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow, his expression cold. He continued to draw and shoot, killing these people.
"Puff!" "Puff!"...
The next moment, he shot nine arrows in a row, again triggering the All Secret. This time, an expert at the seventh Dragon Transformation was hit. Unable to withstand the power of these divine arrows, he shattered on the spot.
The remaining people had already changed color. They scattered in all directions, summoning their treasures to strike at Ye Fan. The situation was extremely serious. They felt something was terribly wrong.
This young man before them killed too decisively. He possessed such combat power. They felt a severe threat, their minds in chaos.
Ye Fan's expression was cold. Using the Stride Art, he dodged quickly, then kept drawing his bow and shooting arrows. This time, he fired a full one hundred and eight arrows. Eighteen of them triggered the All Secret, all aimed at an expert at the eighth Dragon Transformation.
"Clang!" "Clang!"...
The expert at the eighth Dragon Transformation was indeed powerful. He blocked continuously, destroying many arrows, but couldn't eliminate those special eighteen. He was in a sorry state.
If Ye Fan hadn't advanced to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, killing him would have been very difficult. But now, things were completely different. He drew his bow again, firing another eighteen divine arrows, all successfully triggering the secret.
Thirty-six special divine arrows, with the power to shake mountains, contained unparalleled, mighty divine force. Their killing intent soared to the heavens. Each one stretched for over ten li, flying back and forth, extremely terrifying.
"Puff!" "Puff!"...
In the end, the expert at the eighth Dragon Transformation could no longer hold out. He was hit repeatedly, screaming in agony. He turned into a mist of blood on the spot, not even a single bone fragment remaining.
The others were all stunned. This was an expert at the eighth Dragon Transformation! And Ye Fan had shot him down so quickly. What kind of skill was this? Truly monstrous!
By now, the ancient treasures they had summoned were all pierced through by the divine arrows, reduced to dust. Not a single one remained.
"Run!"
The other expert at the eighth Dragon Transformation turned and fled. The others, already terrified, also flew for their lives. Not one dared to stop.
"Didn't you want to kill me? Since you're here, don't leave!"
Ye Fan's words were calm as he pursued closely. The group scattered, but it didn't help. They couldn't escape the shadow of death.
Because Ye Fan had mastered the Stride Art, his speed was unmatched. They couldn't outrun him. Moreover, arrows from the Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow rarely stopped until they hit their target.
"Puff!"
A blossom of blood bloomed, vivid and beautiful.
"Ah..." A scream rang out.
"Puff!"
Soon after, another string of gorgeous flowers flew out. The scream had barely started when it was cut short. One person was torn apart.
Chasing all the way, Ye Fan shot down all seven men. Not one escaped.
He sneered, slung the Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow over his back, and flew straight toward the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion, waiting on a mountain peak outside.
A day later, he finally saw Xiao Mingyuan again. Beside him was actually a Half-Step Great Power. But Ye Fan didn't retreat. He drew his bow and began to shoot.
"Who is it?!" The Half-Step Great Power was very alert. He immediately detected him and charged over quickly.
"It's you, Ye Zhetian!" Xiao Mingyuan was shocked. He never expected Ye Fan to dare do this—come to the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion to kill him. What audacity!
"That's right. It's me." Ye Fan used the Stride Art to evade the Half-Step Great Power, not wanting to clash with him. After all, there was a vast gap between their major secret realms.
"You've got some nerve, coming here!" Xiao Mingyuan naturally knew why he had come. He just never expected him to be so aggressive, charging straight to the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion. He shouted, "Sixth Uncle, kill him! Don't let him get away!"
The Half-Step Great Power was furious. Ye Fan's speed was too fast. He couldn't catch up, couldn't deliver a killing blow.
"Xiao Mingyuan, I'll send you on your way!"
Ye Fan wasted no time. The Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow trembled lightly. Divine rainbows shot out one after another, a full forty-nine arrows, piercing through the void.
The Half-Step Great Power was very strong, standing right nearby, but he couldn't stop them. The forty-nine arrows flew like falling stars, scattering in all directions, then converging on one point—Xiao Mingyuan.
"No!"
"Sixth Uncle, save me!"
It was all too late. This was the terror of the Ten Thousand Sorrow Bow. Ye Fan had only recently figured it out. With his mind locked on the target, the arrows didn't need to fly straight to kill the enemy.
Now that Ye Fan had stepped into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, killing Xiao Mingyuan naturally took no effort. Forty-nine arrows fired together was like carving his name into the Book of Life and Death.
"Puff!" "Puff!"...
"Ah..."
Xiao Mingyuan only had time to let out one scream before he was torn apart by the divine arrows. His body turned into mud, then vaporized into mist. He died a violent death.