Chapter 719: Human Desire
Li Tian was drenched in blood, the wounds on his back revealing the bone of his spine, three ribs protruding from his chest, his abdomen nearly cut open, and his intestines almost spilling out—a truly terrifying sight.
"You've made me suffer, so don't expect to get off easy. I don't want the so-called number one beauty under heaven anymore. The pure and chaste Yi Qingwu will henceforth be forever mired in human desire!"
Li Tian was ruthless. By now, they had charged into the ancient hall above the Fusang tree, fighting for the inheritance of the Sun Ancient Emperor's Dao.
However, they had not found the ancient scripture, and the battle had only grown more brutal. The Guanghan Palace and the Golden Crow Clan attacked with Saint weapons, leaving him severely wounded.
The Crow-Wing Flowing Gold Trident swept across the sky, transforming into a Golden Crow in Lu Ya's hands. Each flap of its wings sent tens of thousands of light blades flying.
Most of Li Tian's wounds came from this. If not for the Divine Maiden Furnace neutralizing the power of the ancient Saint weapon, he would have been reduced to ashes.
Now, many were attacking them, led by the Guanghan Palace, which desperately activated its Saint weapon. With Yi Qingwu trapped inside, how could the sect not go mad?
That ice-crystal palace descended several times, causing Yan Yixi to cough up mouthfuls of blood. His white robe was dotted with crimson, and he was in no better shape than Li Tian.
It wasn't that the Divine Maiden Furnace was weak, but that too many Saint weapons were besieging them—four in total. The Taiyin Divine Son and the Sanque Daoist struck from time to time with fierce attacks.
This palace was filled with an extremely powerful Sun Saintly force. People believed it was the place where the Human Ancient Emperor had passed away, but they had found nothing.
Below, before the six-zhang golden Fusang tree, stood a lone, one-armed old man in green robes, utterly lost. He made it impossible for anyone to approach. A stone coffin lay there, and even attacks with legendary Saint weapons were repelled.
"Hum—"
The Divine Maiden Furnace trembled lightly, emitting a five-colored divine radiance, surrounded by five energies, and steaming with a hazy, brilliant spiritual light. A beautiful woman's head appeared, her eyes dazed, filled with human desire.
"Li Tian, what are you doing? Stop this, and I'll let you leave!" the middle-aged beautiful woman from Guanghan Palace shouted, her expression extremely ugly.
The Divine Maiden Furnace had a terrible reputation, with many legends surrounding it. This transformation was undoubtedly reviving the laws of desire, enough to plunge those inside into an eternal sea of desire.
"Too late. Do you think I'm a peddler to haggle with? What number one beauty under heaven? From now on, she'll be renamed Guanghan the Wanton."
Li Tian wasn't buying it. He and Yan Yixi activated the Divine Maiden Furnace, charging through the ancient hall in search of the Human Ancient Emperor's Dao inheritance.
"Jade slips! There's a bookshelf here..."
Someone opened a secret chamber in the ancient hall, and a group rushed over to fight for it, calling out to their sects.
Lu Ya, Sanque Daoist, the Taiyin Divine Son, and others abandoned Yan Yixi and Li Tian, charging over as well. Only the Guanghan Palace continued to battle the two brothers.
"Rustle—"
Below the ancient hall, the six-zhang golden Fusang divine tree swayed, the Sun Saintly force boiling. The lone old man in green stood there, muttering in confusion, "Who can bury me in my homeland..."
"Bird's nest!"
Someone exclaimed. On the Fusang divine tree, amid the rustling golden leaves, a bird's nest appeared among the lush branches, with Golden Crow divine feathers flickering inside.
"Is that... the nest of a celestial spirit!?"
People were shocked. The Golden Crow Clan on the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain couldn't be true Golden Crows, just as the difference between a flood dragon and a true dragon.
But a bird's nest appearing on an immortal divine tree, with Golden Crow divine feathers flickering, was extraordinary. It was very likely left by a celestial spirit.
"The immortal tree belongs to my Golden Crow Clan!" Several strong members of the clan, including a few Golden Crow princes, hadn't entered the ancient hall and were gathered here.
"Nonsense! The Fusang divine tree accompanied my Human Clan's Sun Ancient Emperor in attaining the Dao. How could it be yours?" a human cultivator snorted coldly.
"Everyone knows that Fusang and the Golden Crow are inseparable. It's the dwelling place of my clan's ancestor!" a Golden Crow prince snorted back.
"Then how do you explain my Human Clan's Sun Ancient Emperor raising a Fusang tree?" someone demanded.
...
Above the six-zhang golden ancient tree, a rumble sounded. A great hall was opened, releasing an aura of antiquity, and many cried out in surprise.
"The Human Ancient Emperor's alchemy chamber!"
"Heavens! There's a bottle of Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill. Such things are indestructible through countless kalpas, refined from immortal medicine. Is there still some in the bottle?"
In the ancient hall, first came screams of surprise, then cries of pain. A fierce battle erupted, with many driven mad, fighting over the Ancient Emperor's legacy.
Inside the Divine Maiden Furnace, Ye Fan was greatly affected. The Six Desires Divine Tribulation descended, the Dao of human desire overwhelming everything, and even his movements slowed.
This wasn't a direct attack but an alien force influencing emotions, causing people to sink, willingly degenerate, and refuse to awaken.
Yet, during this, he and Yi Qingwu continued to fight fiercely, not holding back, each using their life's skills in a life-or-death struggle.
On the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, if only two people could attain the Dao in the future, Yi Qingwu would occupy one spot. This showed her talent and potential.
"The laws of human desire..."
But now, her starry eyes were dazed, unable to control herself. Her primordial spirit was unstable, and her flawless jade body trembled.
At this moment, her black hair shone like silk, her slender waist was as if one could hold it, her legs were long and shapely, and her smooth, white body flushed with red clouds.
Yet, she was ultimately extraordinary, with unparalleled talent and willpower. Two beams of wisdom lit up in her eyes, and she suddenly woke up again.
Ye Fan was also impacted, but he too was extraordinary. A divine lamp lit up in his heart, and he did not fall or sink.
"Ye Fan, how about we cooperate? Otherwise, sinking here will make it impossible to attain the Dao in the future!" Yi Qingwu's breath was like orchid, negotiating with him.
"Is that necessary? What can this furnace do to me?" Ye Fan refused outright, and without restraint, he looked over the smooth, jade-like body before him, looking left, right, up, and down.
Although Yi Qingwu's will was far beyond ordinary, being stared at by a man like this was a first for her, and she couldn't bear it.
"If this continues, neither of us can withstand the Dao marks of the Divine Maiden Furnace. Do you think it's just a temporary sinking? It can affect one's path to the Dao!"
"I'm not afraid. Using this furnace to temper my heart is perfect. You can be as alluring as you want; I'll appreciate it with an ordinary Dao heart," Ye Fan said.
"I can also withstand the heart-tempering trial, but can you resist the power of a Saint?" Yi Qingwu couldn't stay calm now, as the furnace's aura grew more terrifying to her. She didn't want to "fall" here even once.
"Bang—"
The two continued to fight, growing more intense. They fought from the Guanghan into the furnace world, where they saw the altar, glowing like a god, suspended in the air.
On it were written the names of Yi Qingwu and Ye Fan, connected by mysterious Dao marks, radiating a terrifying aura.
"What!?"
Yi Qingwu's face completely changed. At first, she thought only her name was inscribed, but now seeing this, her body trembled. Both of them were in the furnace world, both inscribed, and she had a bad feeling.
"The Dao of human desire!"
The ancient altar rumbled, sending out ripples that pressed down. At this moment, both felt a strange emotion.
"Ye Fan, let's cooperate. Otherwise, we'll never attain the Dao in this life."
"Boom—"
The ancient altar above shook, emitting the heavenly sound of the Dao, pressing down like a great bell, giving the illusion of enlightenment.
In reality, both felt they were about to sink, their bodies burning hot. This was the Dao of human desire, the fundamental law of the Divine Maiden Furnace.
All humans have emotions and desires. This altar directly interfered with their primordial spirits, trying to make them fall into human desire.
"Cut it off!"
Ye Fan snorted coldly. His primordial spirit was like iron, his will like steel. The golden lake in his brow transformed into a Dao sword and slashed out.
"Boom—"
But in the sky, a divine maiden appeared, alluring and beautiful, sealing back his Dao sword. She descended gently, not killing, but making Ye Fan and the other even more unsettled.
"This is the power of a Saint, the deity born from the Divine Maiden Furnace. How can we resist!?" Yi Qingwu screamed. She was truly afraid. As the number one celestial maiden of the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain, proud and pure since childhood, she couldn't bear falling into the sea of desire. It would be worse than death.
"Clang—!"
At this moment, Ye Fan struck again. He was also a bit worried, afraid it would affect his future path to the Dao. With the laws of human desire upon him, no one knew what would happen.
But this time, he wasn't fighting the Divine Maiden Furnace. Instead, he attacked Yi Qingwu, unleashing various secret techniques in a shocking duel.
"What? Why are you so little affected!?" The number one beauty of the Ziwei Ancient Star Domain was shocked. Now, she was weak and powerless, the Dao of human desire making it hard for her to even strike.
Ye Fan immediately understood. It was all thanks to the two old copper pieces. He had cursed the green copper many times for never actively attacking, only passively defending.
Now, it was the same, but it allowed him to resist the Dao of human desire from the Divine Maiden Furnace, with minimal impact.
Fierce confrontation!
"Hum—"
Finally, a dazzling light flew out, and a spray of blood rose over ten meters high. Yi Qingwu's head flew off, severed in the furnace world.
The number one beauty under heaven had fallen. But Ye Fan had little emotional fluctuation. This woman was dreamily beautiful and incredibly powerful. If not for the furnace's influence, it would have been hard to kill her.
No matter how peerless your grace, how you captivate all beings, in the end, you are but a skeleton of rouge and powder. Death comes to all.
With the green copper protecting him, the Dao of human desire pressing down had some effect on Ye Fan, but it wasn't serious. He stood silently, waiting for Li Tian and the others to open the furnace.
"Crack—"
Suddenly, a sound came from afar. The Bade Treasure Wheel flashed with dazzling light, emitting life force. Yi Qingwu was resurrected there.
Ye Fan's heart tightened. He immediately understood. This treasure was extremely powerful and mysterious. Legend said it was once a Saint weapon but was shattered, falling into the hands of the Guanghan Palace.
Even damaged, it still had a powerful undying function. The eight sect leader-level figures it manifested could never be erased. Unexpectedly, it still worked for its holder.
"Pfft—"
Ye Fan flew up and pointed. A blood flower bloomed on Yi Qingwu's brow. She had just manifested and was killed again.
"Crack—"
The Bade Treasure Wheel sounded again, shooting up into the depths of the furnace world. Ye Fan chased it, attacking with the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist!
But Yi Qingwu hid inside the Bade Treasure Wheel, refusing to come out. Although cracks appeared on it, it was once a fragment of a Saint weapon and couldn't be truly destroyed.
"Boom—"
The Dao of human desire descended!
The divine maiden in the sky was enchanting, her smile making all palace beauties pale. Her feathered robes fluttered as she descended.
This was a force that made one's primordial spirit want to leave the body, sinking into an endless abyss, wanting to fall.
"No!"
Yi Qingwu screamed. Even being killed by Ye Fan hadn't terrified her this much, but now she cried out in fear. Even hiding in the Bade Treasure Wheel was useless; the laws of human desire could penetrate it.
"Ye Fan, how about we cooperate? If you help me resist this calamity, I'll pay any price." As a proud celestial maiden, looking down on all beings, saying this was very difficult for her.
"Alright. I have the green copper to block the Divine Maiden Furnace. You just need to offer a strand of your main primordial spirit, and I'll ensure you never sink," Ye Fan said, turning her earlier condition back on her.
"You... are too much!" Yi Qingwu's starry eyes were dazed, her lashes trembling. Her flawless face was filled with unwillingness. Her body was crystalline, her skin snow-white, standing in the Bade Treasure Wheel, struggling against the laws of desire.
"Then I have nothing to say." Ye Fan walked aside, letting the Dao of human desire fall. The divine maiden almost embraced the Bade Treasure Wheel.
"Ah... Drive away the Dao of human desire! I agree!" Yi Qingwu yielded, screaming in terror. She feared eternal sinking in the sea of desire. The ancient legends terrified every woman in the world.
Ye Fan stepped forward, using the Weapon Art to activate the two green copper pieces, blocking the Dao of human desire. He took the Bade Treasure Wheel and made it reveal a strand of its main primordial spirit.
"Hum—"
A seven-colored fairy flew out of the Bade Treasure Wheel, formed from the primordial spirit. It was incredibly pure, like a Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden reincarnated, unreal in beauty, enough to move a stone man to speak.
"Swish—"
Ye Fan's brow shot out a primordial spirit, taking his form, flying over to suppress the seven-colored fairy and imprint his mark.
Suddenly, the seven-colored fairy gave a soft cry, opening her mouth to spit out a divine moon, slashing forward. She wanted to use this to counter-control Ye Fan.
"Slap—"
Ye Fan's primordial spirit held the God-Slaying Whip, perfectly calm. He swung it down, and with a slap, sent the divine moon flying.
Clearly, the divine moon was a shocking secret treasure. Otherwise, other primordial spirit weapons would have turned to ash under the God-Slaying Whip.
"I knew you wouldn't give up, that you had other tricks." Ye Fan's primordial spirit advanced with the God-Slaying Whip, charging forward.
"Boom—"
At that moment, the Dao of human desire descended from the sky, instantly engulfing the two main primordial spirits, merging them together.
"Ah..." Yi Qingwu's primordial spirit screamed, her body limp, her skin as white as ivory, surrounded by seven-colored light.
The two primordial spirits, identical to their bodies, tangled together in the void. Because they were a distance from the two old copper pieces, the Divine Maiden Furnace took advantage.
"Ah..." Yi Qingwu's body let out a soft cry.
And Ye Fan's body almost shouted too. Everything the primordial spirit experienced was felt by the body, no different from reality.
"How can this be..." Not far away, Yi Qingwu's body trembled. For her, pure and chaste, this was too strange and terrifying. It was no different from her personally experiencing it.
The two bodies stood facing each other, both staring at the void, their expressions strange. Watching their tangled primordial spirits, they themselves trembled.