Chapter 799: Challenging the Ancient Clans
"Wait. Kill a chicken to scare the monkeys. We need to raise the fattest one, slaughter it while it's still bleeding, so the deterrent will be strongest." Ye Fan said very calmly, but a terrifying killing intent permeated the air.
The Primordial Bell had rung for three consecutive months. The various clans in the Northern Domain were utterly silent. Even the powerful Ancient Ancestral Kings felt fear in their hearts—such was the might of a Human Great Emperor.
Once the bell tolled, its sound echoed across the world. Within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, every living being submitted in awe!
Divine Spirit Valley, Ten Thousand Dragon Nest, Divine Silkworm Ridge, Blood Phoenix Mountain—all were suppressed. Countless immortal Royal Clans were deeply anxious. If a Great Emperor of antiquity were to emerge, who could stand against him?
During these three months, some ancient beings had ventured out, all making contact with the major Human sects in a low-key manner, hoping to gauge the situation through them.
Yet every Royal Clan was disappointed. No one knew the true state of Purple Mountain, and they could not uncover any real information.
Over these three months, the Human race was the most stirred. From tears of joy at the beginning to surging blood and boiling passion later, they all hoped to revive the former glory of humanity.
Many Human cultivators traveled from all directions to the Northern Domain, approaching Purple Mountain step by step with prostrations, worshipping with pilgrim hearts.
"Why is this happening? Who can withstand the passage of time? Who can live through the ages? Even the Immortal Emperor has vanished. What right does the Human Emperor Wu Shi have to endure?!"
In Divine Spirit Valley, a terrifying king roared in a low voice, causing the entire divine valley to tremble and nearly shaking the heavens down.
"This is a conspiracy. I don't believe any Human Great Emperor can survive. No one can live this long!" The terrifying Ancestral King muttered, sending chills through everyone in Divine Spirit Valley. Many lower-ranked beings trembled in fear.
"Ancestral King, how about we send out some people, without revealing their identities, to go on a killing spree and destroy a few major Human sects? That would test the waters," an ancient being suggested.
The Ancestral King cast a glance that felt like a thousand years, his eyes seeming to hold the power of reincarnation. The speaker was sent flying on the spot, nearly crushed into a pile of mud.
At this critical juncture, even if doubts existed, no one dared to act rashly. It was better to be safe than sorry. If a Human Great Emperor truly had been reborn, they would be walking straight to their doom.
This was true not only for Divine Spirit Valley but for all the other clans as well. Though terrified, they also harbored doubts. Without achieving immortality, one's lifespan would eventually run out. Even the Ancient Emperors of the Primeval Era could not live for over a hundred thousand years.
"What right does he have? What right does a Human Great Emperor have to endure forever? No matter how strong Wu Shi was, he couldn't live this long!"
When they finally calmed down completely, every Primeval tribe harbored suspicions. Yet not a single one dared to step forward. No one wanted to be the bird that stuck its head out—if they were hit, they would die a violent death!
"Human strength has its limits. It's impossible to keep the Primordial Bell ringing for three months. Without an emperor manifesting, how could this be achieved? What is really going on?" Some ancient kings were also terrified, unaware that the Primordial Bell could ring on its own.
In the following half month, the Northern Domain remained eerily quiet, but beneath the surface, waves surged. The various tribes communicated with each other, and undercurrents flowed.
Coupled with the Human cultivators making pilgrimages to Purple Mountain, the situation in the Northern Domain became extremely complex, shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.
"Wu Shi cannot possibly still be in this world. He died many, many years ago!" Finally, someone stepped forward, clearly stating his position.
The Celestial Prince stood up, and he did so in the Divine City of the Northern Domain, not in private. He sent a very clear signal to the Ten Thousand Primeval Clans.
Suddenly, the Northern Domain, which had been calm for many days, erupted into a storm. The atmosphere grew even more tense.
Among the Primeval clans, no one was more qualified to say this than him. Not only was he the son of the Immortal Emperor, but he also came from Ancient Emperor Mountain.
In recent days, he had been visiting various Royal Clans, clearly articulating his view: Wu Shi had already passed away many years ago, and there was no need to fear him.
For a time, monstrous waves surged. The peaceful Northern Domain seemed on the verge of another violent storm.
In the present age, if anyone hated Wu Shi the most, it was undoubtedly the Celestial Prince. Ancient Emperor Mountain belonged to his father, but in the end, it was occupied by Wu Shi.
This was a great disrespect, an insult to his father. Among many ancient clans, the saying 'a magpie occupying a dove's nest' was a compliment to Wu Shi. In truth, it was blasphemy against the divine—a great crime.
"Wu Shi is dead. If there is a divine being, it is only my father," the Celestial Prince insisted, holding firmly to this point.
His words carried implications. What was Wu Shi? He had been dead for countless years. If anyone could become an immortal, it was his father, the Immortal Emperor, and only him.
The Celestial Prince held a revered status, occupying an extremely special place in the hearts of the myriad clans. Even many Ancient Ancestral Kings showed him respect, for no other reason than that he carried the divine blood of the Immortal Emperor in his veins.
By stepping forward like this, his words triggered a great upheaval. Many among the ancient clans echoed him, expressing deep agreement. Even more were waiting to see if Purple Mountain would show any further signs of activity.
"Ridiculous. Just an ancient emperor who died long ago. It's one thing for people to deify him, but his offspring also puts on airs, acting like a divine son. Great Emperor Wu Shi leveled your father's tomb. If you hold a grudge, just say so. Why do you need to sling mud like this and drag the Primeval Royal Clans down with you? But then again, with Great Emperor Wu Shi's status, why would he bother with an ant like you? However, it's hard to say about the various royal tribes." At this moment, a Human stepped forward and spoke these words.
Many were shocked. Even the Primeval clans paid attention. Some witnesses saw that the speaker was surrounded by surging golden blood energy, flooding the heavens and earth.
"Human Sacred Body, I will cut you down!" the Celestial Prince transmitted his voice, making it public against this delicate backdrop, showing no fear of the Human emperor's might.
"Celestial Prince, you egg. Back then, I cut you out from the Jade Pool, but you show no gratitude. Come on, I'll slaughter you, you ingrate!" The Human Sacred Body responded forcefully, though his words were a bit harsh.
The Northern Domain was no longer calm. What status did the Celestial Prince hold? What physique was the Human Sacred Body? This was like a clash between the future seeds of two races.
"Yuan Gu, you watermelon, get out here too. I'll slaughter you both this time!"
Before people could recover from their shock, the Human Sacred Body called out again, naming another son of an Ancient Emperor to come out and fight.
The Northern Domain was in an uproar. The Humans were shocked, and the ancient clans were furious. The Human Sacred Body was incredibly audacious. Challenging one Ancient Emperor's son was bad enough, but naming two was going too far.
"Sacred Body, I will personally split you open!" Yuan Gu stepped forward, giving a cold and ruthless response.
"You watermelon, and you egg, both of you better roll over here right now. I'll stew you together!" the Human Sacred Body shouted.
However, to everyone's astonishment, these three, who were destined to meet on the path of enlightenment, somehow kept missing each other.
The Celestial Prince rushed from the Divine City to Kaiyuan City. The Human Sacred Body rushed from Kaiyuan City to the Divine City. Yuan Gu rushed from Demon Heaven Mountain to the Divine City. The Human Sacred Body rushed from the Divine City to Demon Heaven Mountain.
"Yuan Gu, you watermelon! Celestial Prince, you egg! What are you running for? Wait for me to come and crush you to death. Don't run!" The Human Sacred Body's momentum was overwhelming, leaving everyone stunned.
The Celestial Prince remained indifferent, unmoved. Yuan Gu was cold, his gaze growing even more icy. Both stopped in their respective territories, waiting for the other to come.
"Divine Spirit Valley, you bunch of hammers. Do you really think you're the Ancient Emperors of the Primeval Era? You want to command the world and make the Southern Ridge Barbarians come to pay homage? Did you hit your heads against the wall, or did you hit them against your own asses?"
Everyone was dumbfounded. No one expected the Human Sacred Body to be this arrogant. He abandoned the two Ancient Emperor sons and started provoking Divine Spirit Valley instead.
In the Southern Domain, Li Tian, Li Heishui, Ji Ziyue, and the others were all stunned. They felt something was off. This didn't seem like Ye Fan's usual style. It was a fatal point of suspicion.
"Good. That group of savages should disappear. We'll wash the Southern Ridge in blood, giving the Human race a heavy blow and waking them from their fantasies!" This Ancestral King spoke very calmly, but in his eyes, mountains and rivers collapsed, the sun and moon fell, and rivers of blood flowed, carrying the vicissitudes and power of ten thousand reincarnations.
"Good. The first volume of the Heavenly Emperor's ancient scripture. I'll wait for you to come and get it."
"Rest assured, Divine Son. I will definitely send the Human Sacred Body's head and his cauldron to you. I will wash the Southern Ridge in blood, but I need time."
The Celestial Prince left. This Ancestral King still stood there, demonic energy surging to the heavens, like an indestructible, towering demon mountain.
"Ancestral King, striking now, at this time, isn't it…"
"Hmph. Didn't I say I need time? Now, wait quietly until the situation at Purple Mountain is confirmed. But we can start testing now. Mobilize the war ships…"
The Northern Domain shuddered, as well-informed individuals learned that Divine Spirit Valley was about to go to war again. War ships rumbled, ready to launch an expedition at any moment.
Under the night moon, outside Purple Mountain, stood a terrifying group of figures. They were all dressed in loose black robes, wearing black cloaks that fluttered in the wind.
From a distance, they looked like a group of death gods. They stood completely still, only their black clothes moving, as if they had turned to stone.
A huge piece of Divine Source was cut open by Ye Fan. He had mastered Source Art, reaching a level close to perfection, not far from being an Origin Heavenly Master. Naturally, he wouldn't harm the person sealed inside.
This woman had entered Purple Mountain a long time ago to find the Fifth Generation Origin Heavenly Master, dying for love. Only a last thread of life remained, sealed by him within the Divine Source.
Yang Yi lay on the ground, motionless, her beautiful eyes tightly shut, like a sleeping beauty, serene and peaceful.
Although Ye Fan had exhausted his Medicine King, he still had True Dragon Immortal Elixir liquid. For someone with a thread of life left, drinking it made dying nearly impossible.
He fed a few drops of the True Dragon Divine Elixir liquid into her body. A radiance like a bright moon bloomed, igniting her life force. In just half an hour, she woke up.
The divine moon hung high, its light pure and clear. She was utterly confused, her large eyes slowly regaining focus, as if recalling everything.
"Don't ask anything. There is someone who wants you to live well," Ye Fan said.
"Zhang Wende… is that you? Where are you going? Why won't you see me?" Yang Yi's eyes glistened with tears as she stared ahead.
Without turning around, without looking back, the man in the black cloak led a group of death gods forward with large strides.
"Zhang Wende… I know it's you…" Yang Yi wept, running forward to chase him.
The Fifth Generation Origin Heavenly Master used his cloak to tightly wrap his body, which was covered in terrifying red fur, not revealing even a bit. His voice hoarse, he said, "Miss, you've mistaken me for someone else. It's already ten thousand years later. Zhang Wende died on a morning when the morning sun rose, scattering with the wind."
With that, he refused to stay any longer and led the group of death gods away quickly.
He only had one night of life. When the first ray of dawn appeared, he and all the death gods would turn to ashes. He had no time to linger.
"Kill! Kill a bright and clear world!" the Fifth Generation Origin Heavenly Master shouted.
Ye Fan was silent. He didn't want to see this scene, but he couldn't change the Fifth Generation Origin Heavenly Master's resolve—to die and suppress the Northern Domain!
Zhang Wende didn't want to appear before Yang Yi like this. He wanted to leave her with an eternal, beautiful memory, not to touch upon the present reality.
"Zhang Wende, come back!" Yang Yi wept.
"Zhang Wende told me to tell you: Live well!" The Fifth Generation Origin Heavenly Master shouted one last time, his voice trembling slightly, before charging into the distance with the group of death gods.
Ye Fan strode forward, following them.