Chapter 681: The Ji Clan
"You want a reason from me? You demand an explanation?" Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor spoke in a sinister tone.
"Less nonsense. Why did you suddenly attack me, disregarding right and wrong, and use an Extreme Imperial Weapon to kill me?" Ye Fan replied rudely, a surge of anger rising within him.
Just now, the other party had clearly intended to kill him, unleashing a wisp of Extreme Dao might to assassinate him. How many people in this world could evade such an attack? What was especially contemptible was ambushing a junior.
"You have audacious nerve, coming to my Ji Family to cause trouble. Is that reason enough?" Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor's gaze was dark and sinister.
"Ji the Eighth, is that your reason?" Ye Fan demanded.
"Ji Family's Old Eighth, you've gone too far. What kind of reason is that? This battle was permitted by your own family head. You strike to kill Ye Fan at a critical moment—are you bullying others by relying on your power?" Red Dragon Daoist's face darkened. He had emerged from seclusion specifically for Ye Fan's matter and naturally wouldn't stand idly by.
"His duel with Wang Teng is true, but he also slaughtered wantonly, burning many innocent people to death. Now he's about to strike at Brother Chengkun and the others—if that's not causing trouble, what is?"
"Do you have eyes but fail to see the truth? Those people attacked him first. Ye Fan was defending himself!" The monkey stepped forward, speaking even more bluntly, unconcerned even within the Ji Family.
Ji Family's Old Eighth's heart burned with anger, but he didn't act on it. The monkey's identity was too sensitive. The Ten Thousand Primeval Clans were about to emerge, and he was the former Holy Prince. Even though the Battle Saint Old Emperor had passed, harming him would likely invite immense trouble.
"My duel with Wang Teng was a matter of life and death determined by fate. Others interfered without cause and attacked me. You didn't stop them, but instead showed such bias, using an Extreme Imperial Weapon to kill me. What do you think you are?!" Ye Fan's words were highly disrespectful.
"Boy, are you seeking death? Provoking me within the Ji Family—you deserve to die a hundred times over," Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor said coldly.
"Is this how the Ji Family conducts itself? Everyone present witnessed it. You tried to kill me for no reason, and now you say I'm the one provoking? What kind of logic is that?" Ye Fan's voice was loud.
"Killing you requires only one reason: raising conflict, stirring up trouble, and slaughtering wantonly within my Ji Family—you deserve execution," Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor stated.
"Aside from slapping on empty, grandiose accusations, what else can you do? Do you think that being a member of an Ancient Aristocratic Clan gives you the right to bully fellow cultivators at will? Do you consider yourself the master of the Ji Family, or does this clan answer to you?" Ye Fan swept his gaze across many people.
"Eighth Ancestor, why are you doing this?" Ji Ziyue floated forward, her red lips parting gently. "Three years ago, Ye Fan saved my life and my brother's in the Immortal Mansion World of the Central Province. How can you act like this?"
"Enough, Old Eighth, stand down!" The Ji Family Saint Lord's face darkened as he rebuked the Eighth Ancestor.
"Family Head..." Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor wanted to say something. His most beloved descendant, Ji Hui, had been killed by Ye Fan in the Southern Domain years ago. He had always sought an opportunity to eliminate Ye Fan, and today the other party had come to them—a rare chance for him.
"Stand down!" The Ji Family Saint Lord's tone grew heavier.
"From ancient times to the present, not a single Sacred Body has ever attained the Dao and become an Emperor. They are forever nothing but a foil." These were the words Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor spoke to Ye Fan before flicking his sleeves and leaving.
"Even as a foil, he's the most dazzling one. Second in the world is guaranteed. What major power can't be toppled?" Pang Bo muttered.
He actually wanted to say "topple an Ancient Aristocratic Clan," but swallowed the words. Otherwise, it would be too obvious and likely displease many in the Ji Family.
Even so, Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor glared at him, staring at him and Ye Fan for a long moment before finally departing with a flick of his sleeves.
The Northern Emperor had been defeated. Even now, people found it hard to believe this fact. The number one figure of the younger generation in the Northern Plains had been killed just like that—it felt too unreal.
After all, Ye Fan's absolute combat power was indeed inferior to the Northern Emperor's, and the gap was not small. Yet this was the result, leaving many people stunned.
Ye Fan had faced many powerful enemies and experienced numerous deadly crises. Without a doubt, the Northern Emperor was the strongest, but the threat of this battle was not great, inconsistent with the Northern Emperor's title.
Relying on the Black Gourd and the Bronze Coffin, he activated various techniques to firmly suppress Wang Teng, leaving him no chance to unleash his combat power. The battle had just begun when it immediately ended.
Wang Teng had inherited the legacy of the Chaotic Ancient Great Emperor. He had only displayed two Imperial Techniques before being shattered, without the opportunity to unfold the earth-shattering subsequent miraculous arts.
Not only did the Wang Family lament, but even other spectators felt regret. The Northern Emperor, whose combat power made even senior figures tremble, had been defeated too regrettably—this was not his true level.
The golden ancient war chariot floated, its divine radiance undiminished. True Dragon, Divine Phoenix, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise coiled around it—this chariot was indeed mysterious.
Now, Wang Teng's flesh and shattered bones stained the chariot's body, merging with such a sacred war chariot, creating a stark contrast that was shocking to behold.
Ye Fan had failed to obtain the "Before" Character Secret of the Nine Secrets. This secret might have vanished from the world forever, leaving him helpless and deeply regretful.
Moreover, he wanted to burn the golden ancient war chariot to ashes, destroying everything without leaving a trace. But now he had no chance to act, as Ji Family's Eighth Ancestor had interrupted everything.
The crowd returned to the vast hall forged from refined gold. Everyone looked at Ye Fan differently now. Killing the Northern Emperor alive—such combat power made even every Saint Lord shudder.
The Southern Demon stared at the bronze coffin beside Ye Fan repeatedly but said nothing, silently pondering.
Qi Huoshui was extremely astonished, as if she didn't recognize Ye Fan. She stared at him unceasingly, never expecting that he had killed the Northern Emperor, who was as famous as her brother. Her cherry-like mouth hung wide open.
On the other side, the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi walked over lightly, smiled, and nodded at Ye Fan. They had known each other for a long time, so naturally there was much goodwill.
"Be careful!" The fairy maiden of Yao Chi condensed her voice into a thread, transmitting it to Ye Fan's ear. Leaving a faint fragrance, she walked away.
Zi Tian Du was in another corner, muttering to himself in ancient divine language, unable to believe the appearance of the Black Gourd, extremely agitated.
His sister, with hair like purple clouds and a face as white as jade, was also sizing up Ye Fan. A faint, inexplicable smile curled at the corner of her mouth as she said, "Will this person be able to fight our clan's Ancestral King in the future?"
"Who can say about the future? Wang Teng had boundless potential, yet he still fell. The human race is fearsome, but this person won't live long," Zi Tian Du sneered.
"Don't make a move for now. Observe for a while," the purple-haired girl said with a light laugh. Her immortal grace brightened the space around her.
"The Sacred Body is unstoppable. His growth can no longer be hindered," a Sect Leader-rank figure sighed in another corner.
"Not necessarily. Anything can happen in this world. Heaven-defying prodigies have always been prone to early death," another person said.
"I think no one will dare to act rashly now. Offending such a Sacred Body with boundless potential means living in his shadow for the next ten thousand years."
"You're wrong. If the Ji Family wants to kill him, it would be easy now. No soul survives under the Void Mirror! If they are determined to act, even a Sage might not be able to stop them. This is a perfect opportunity."
Many people's expressions shifted. If the Ji Family turned hostile, they could definitely bury the Sacred Body here today. To kill him, one reason would be enough.
In the distance, more people discussed the recent battle, finding it exceptionally brilliant. Both sides had mastered the Nine Secrets, which was no longer a secret.
Many looked at Ye Fan with strange expressions. He was a young man with immense potential. Once he achieved great success in the future, he could live for ten thousand years. Their descendants would have to live under his supreme saintly might.
A deterrent of ten thousand years!
Whenever they thought of this possibility, immense pressure arose in their hearts. It was truly like a great mountain, suffocating many as they worried for their future descendants.
In the hall, groups of three to five or seven to eight people gathered together based on their relationships, discussing topics they enjoyed.
However, many eyes frequently turned to Ye Fan. This battle would surely spread his fame far and wide, reaching the Five Domains, with enormous impact.
The Sacred Body's rise would be like the sun at high noon, likely drawing the world's attention for a long time to come, becoming the focus of universal attention.
"He's still so young. His future achievements are unpredictable!"
"The Yin Yang Sect is in trouble. The entire sect, from top to bottom, probably can't sleep anymore."
"On the path to becoming an Emperor, there are many bones. In the long time to come, if there is an Imperial battle, many will likely fall at his feet."
The news spread immediately. The Southern Domain was shaken. Everyone who had been watching this battle was stunned.
The result of this battle quickly spread to all regions, spreading across the vast Eastern Wasteland, reaching further to the Central Province, Southern Ridge, and other places. The words "Sacred Body" felt incredibly heavy.
"The Sacred Body... his rise is unstoppable!" This was everyone's first reaction upon receiving the news. He had even killed the Northern Emperor—what else could block his path?
In the hall, Ji Ziyue was like a spirit, her smile beautiful and her eyes charming. She was a favorite of heaven, gathering thousands of divine graces in one body, with bright eyes and white teeth, exuding an aura of intelligence.
Ye Fan walked with her, drawing sidelong glances. Many watched. Why had the Sacred Body come? To relieve Ji Ziyue's worries, to kill the Northern Emperor—and now he had truly done it, giving rise to many thoughts.
On the other side of the hall, the Wang Family members were both grieving and furious, but they had no means to act. The treasures in Ye Fan's hands were too terrifying. Once the Black Gourd appeared, fire burned everything, leaving no way to block it.
"Teng'er died too unjustly. Rest assured, I will avenge you!" Wang Chengkun growled lowly like a night owl.
On the golden ancient war chariot, the fragmented flesh and bones shimmered with immortal divine radiance, trembling slightly as if sentient.
"Clang!"
Suddenly, a bell tolled, especially piercing. Everyone in the Ji Family heard it. The Ji Family Saint Lord immediately changed color and said, "Everyone, please excuse me for a moment."
He hurriedly left, and several elders also changed color, quickly walking out, following him as they flew toward the deepest, most important grounds of the Ji Family.
Others hadn't sensed anything yet, but Ye Fan keenly detected an anomaly. He sighed and placed the Bronze Coffin before him. In the end, he would have to use it.
"Is this the will of the entire Ji Family, or just a part of them? Do they intend to stifle the Sacred Body today, killing him in the cradle?!" Several living fossils also sensed the abnormality.