Chapter 839: Heavenly Village
In the previous chapter, the golden figure flew out carrying the cauldron. This should be its second appearance in the Big Dipper, having previously killed Zi Tiandu. This has been corrected.
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“This battle actually killed so many people, cutting a bloody path through alone and escaping—far exceeding expectations.” Even Qi Luo showed a look of astonishment.
Old Knife Handle was drenched in cold sweat, soaking his clothes. He knew he had no hope of accomplishing such a feat. This battle had dimmed heaven and earth, with ghosts wailing and gods howling; a group of future kings had suffered heavy losses.
Qi Luo was the first to give chase, followed by Fire Qilin Child, who left behind a blue afterimage, and then a few other figures rose into the air.
No one had expected that Ye Fan would be so audacious as to never leave Divine City at all. Coughing up a mouthful of golden blood, he landed on a street and walked forward on foot.
Many were stunned. What exactly did he intend to do? With such boldness, he lingered in Divine City. Did he want to fight another battle and leave corpses strewn everywhere?
Ye Fan was very calm. Using the Stride Art, he arrived at the Celestial Pivot Stone Workshop. With a creak, he pushed open the worn-out gate and walked straight in.
Those who had pursued him all froze. Not a single person dared to approach. A sage was stationed here—who would dare to cause trouble?
Ye Fan greeted the old gatekeeper, then found a spot and sat down cross-legged. Golden blood energy steamed from his body, turning him into a divine statue, solemn and unmoving.
The Nirvana Sutra he had obtained was only a concise summary. Even if incomplete, it was sufficient for his physique to cultivate.
Within the Celestial Pivot Holy Land, golden blood energy rose like steam from a great steamer. War energy surged upward as Ye Fan’s body crackled continuously, all his wounds healing.
In just two and a half hours, he opened his eyes, retracted all his blood energy, and was as vigorous as a dragon again. Washing off the bloodstains in a spring pool, his body gleamed with luster, strong and powerful.
Ye Fan changed into a battle suit and walked to the gatehouse, bowing to the old gatekeeper. “I have repeatedly disturbed your cultivation, senior. Today, I offer a bottle of clear spring—the finest water for brewing tea.”
This was the divine spring from the Ancient Forbidden Land. He acted as if he were at home, sending it into the gatehouse without any reserve.
However, his heart was somewhat uneasy. This old man might be one of the survivors from back then. Would the scent of the Ancient Forbidden Land drive him mad?
“It’s been a long time since I’ve smelled this scent.” The aged sage’s voice was ethereal. He took out a broken jar and handed it to Ye Fan.
Enlightenment Tea Leaves!
There were actually over a dozen leaves inside. This was a priceless divine tea, especially for those with profound cultivation. Such tea leaves were more precious than anything else.
Ye Fan quickly boiled water. Drinking tea was a minor matter; sharing it with this sage was the real prize. He very much wanted to invite the old man out to serve as his guardian.
If he truly founded a sect, having this old man sit at the mountain gate would render any supreme defensive formation unnecessary. One person would be enough. In this post-ancient era, those who had become saints were almost synonymous with invincibility.
The divine spring water had boiled. Ye Fan glanced at the broken tea jar and, not daring to waste it, took out only two leaves and placed them in the pot. A fragrant aroma immediately spread.
Countless eyes were watching from afar. Seeing this scene, they felt a chill. Ye Fan had just been in a bloody battle on all sides, and the next moment, he was here drinking tea with a sage.
At this moment, everyone in Divine City was baffled. Even the ancient tribes felt a chill down their spines, deeply awed and inexplicably fearful.
Qi Luo eventually appeared, entering the Celestial Pivot ruins. Outside the gatehouse, he first let out a dry laugh, then bowed to the surviving Celestial Pivot sage.
Ye Fan used this to test that this old bastard, though not yet a saint, was likely close. His demeanor revealed some clues.
Qi Luo entered the room, looking sanctimonious, which made Ye Fan’s teeth itch. He wished he could give him a beating and kick him a few times.
“You crybaby, why are you following me?”
“Aren’t you about to found a sect? Whatever you lack, I’ll bring it to you.” Qi Luo was straightforward.
“Getting involved with you people will probably make me a target for the whole world. Who knows how many Extreme Imperial Weapons might come bearing down on me.” Ye Fan shook his head.
“The Heavenly Court has long since turned to ashes. We don’t want to restore it. Just break through the ancient halls of Hell and Mortal World, and the rest is up to you.” Qi Luo was blunt.
At the same time, he was also very familiar. He respectfully bowed to the Celestial Pivot sage, then snatched a cup of tea from Ye Fan and slowly savored it.
The tea fragrance curled up, spreading far and wide, leaving an endless aftertaste.
“Using divine spring from a Forbidden Zone of Life to brew Enlightenment Tea—this pot of tea is incredibly precious. It’s something ancient great emperors often did.”
Qi Luo was almost intoxicated but dared not lose his composure. He showed great respect to the Celestial Pivot sage, saying some things Ye Fan couldn’t quite hear.
The tea fragrance drifted into the quiet, ancient streets, leaving many onlookers nearly mesmerized, their minds hazy.
Ye Fan sat cross-legged in the gatehouse. This wasn’t his first time drinking Enlightenment Tea, but this time was the most different. His heart became empty and serene, instantly calming down. He contemplated the various aspects of the recent battle, sinking into a wonderful state.
It was only after a long time that he came back to himself. He poured a second cup and began to savor it, feeling as if divine principles were interweaving within his Immortal Platform.
“Greetings, human sage.” A sweet voice sounded. Fire Qilin Child had arrived, bowing respectfully outside the gatehouse.
The Celestial Pivot sage nodded but said nothing.
Fire Qilin Child smoothed her sea-blue, glossy hair and entered gracefully. “In the past, my father would brew a pot of Enlightenment Tea with divine spring every day, silently gazing at the stars, often staying awake all night. Smelling the familiar tea fragrance, I couldn’t help but come in.”
She apologized to the Celestial Pivot sage for the intrusion, much more polite than Qi Luo.
“Truly extravagant—brewing Enlightenment Tea with divine spring from a Forbidden Zone of Life every day. So the ancient great emperors inherited this habit from the ancient emperors.” Qi Luo clicked his tongue.
“Unfortunately, that old tea tree seems unable to leave Immortal Mountain. My father tried to plant it by Fire Qilin Cave, but it nearly died, so he had to send it back.” Fire Qilin Child said.
Ye Fan nearly spat out his tea. Thinking of that old tea tree, it was truly pitiful. The Immortal Emperor had cut down its main trunk to make a coffin board.
Moreover, when he entered Immortal Mountain over a decade ago, Big Black Dog had said that Emperor Wu Shi had also tormented it. The old tea tree was sickly and nearly withered, so it had to be replanted in Immortal Mountain.
“The ancient emperors have passed, the great emperors have also sat in meditation. A long, terrifying span of time—nothing remains. In this world, only the Enlightenment Tea and other immortality medicines live on forever.” The Celestial Pivot sage said.
This shook Ye Fan. Yes, time changes, seas turn to mulberry fields. In this world, the only truly immortal living beings seem to be the Divine Immortality Pills. Is that why ancient great emperors always kept one? They were searching.
“Can I have a taste?” Fire Qilin Child’s eyes were misty, whether acting or genuine. “In the past, my father would brew it for me every day, but I never bothered to drink it. Now, I can only remember him through the tea’s fragrance.”
“Please, sit. Come, slowly savor the tea, and tell me some tales of the ancient emperor as payment for the tea.” Ye Fan poured her a cup, wanting to hear what kind of existence an ancient sage emperor truly was.
“I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. My father had me and my youngest brother in his later years. My eldest brother, who has passed, was twelve thousand years older than me. We couldn’t feel our father’s majesty and unattainability like others. He was just a loving father, no different from an ordinary person.”
Fire Qilin Child smiled faintly, then quietly sipped her tea, saying no more. Even if there were secrets, she likely wouldn’t reveal them.
Ye Fan was stunned. Siblings could be twelve thousand years apart. How many such pairs existed in history? One would have to live for such a long time to have such children.
As dusk fell, Fire Qilin Child spoke again, wanting to exchange the Qilin Medicine with Ye Fan, but was still refused. She left gracefully.
Ye Fan and Qi Luo also took their leave, departing the Celestial Pivot Stone Workshop, vanishing into the night and disappearing from Divine City. No one stopped them.
That day, the Eastern Wasteland was shaken. The young experts of the ancient tribes were shocked. The human Sacred Body had killed in all directions, unstoppable and invincible, stunning everyone.
The turmoil spread. Many discussed it, causing an uproar.
“Is the human Sacred Body really that powerful? Can he be compared to an ancient imperial prince?!”
“Truly unexpected. Fire Qilin Child didn’t duel with him. What is that girl planning?”
“Dozens or even a hundred great experts couldn’t surround and kill him. If he severs the Dao, in an age without saints, he’ll almost be invincible!”
……
Both the ancient tribes and humans, all cultivators, were heatedly discussing.
Heavenly Village was a small world unknown to anyone. The villagers looked ordinary, rising at sunrise and resting at sunset, living a plain and simple life.
However, when Ye Fan activated his Heavenly Eye, he noticed something unusual. Even the children walking made no sound—this had become a habit.
Nearby, a few children playing hide-and-seek moved mysteriously, using a killer’s unique footwork, flickering in and out of existence. Several elders sat on a large green stone in front of the village after dinner, chatting. If they didn’t speak, there was no life fluctuation at all.
Not far away, someone returned from hunting in the deep mountains, moving like a ghost, blending into heaven and earth, their trajectory hard to track.
Ye Fan was stunned. This was a village of killers. That instinct was ingrained in their bones, becoming a way of life.
“This is the only small world left opened by the ancient sages of the Heavenly Court. All others were destroyed.” Qi Luo said.
Heavenly Village had very few people—only forty or fifty households, just over a hundred individuals.
Ye Fan had already mentally prepared himself. If the Heavenly Court were still thriving, they wouldn’t have sought him out, nor would they have endured Hell and Mortal World for so long.
“Actually, you didn’t need to go to the Celestial Pivot Stone Workshop to drink tea. You didn’t have to make me wary like that. I won’t harm you.” Qi Luo squinted.
“Old Qi, someone outside has killed a Greatly Accomplished King from Mortal World, shouting for the Qilin Medicine as a reward.” A villager approached and reported honestly.
“What, so fast? Who did this, taking down such a big fish?” Ye Fan was very surprised.
“It was someone from Divine Silkworm Ridge.” Qi Luo said.
The Divine Silkworm Daoist wandered through Mortal World, drunk all day. An old Daoist followed behind him, specially protecting him from mishaps.
This time, it was this old Daoist from Divine Silkworm Ridge who acted, killing a Greatly Accomplished King from Mortal World.
“Mortal World is in big trouble. After the Divine Silkworm clan killed one person, they can use the ‘Unraveling the Cocoon’ secret art to track down those who had contact with him. They might even find the ancient hall of Mortal World.” Qi Luo chuckled. “The Divine Silkworm clan’s immortality medicine is also lost, rooted on the Primordial Abyss. Are they competing with Fire Qilin Cave for the Qilin Medicine? The good shows keep coming.”
“The ancient tribes only emerged recently. How do you already know their secret arts?”
“As a killer, one must keep up with the times.” Qi Luo said proudly.
To be honest, seeing his expression, Ye Fan wanted to smack him. “In Divine City, if I couldn’t defeat those people and break out, would you have just stood by and watched?”
“That hypothetical is meaningless.” Qi Luo shook his head.
“Number one under heaven—your Heavenly Court’s tone is a bit too arrogant.” Ye Fan didn’t hold back, pointing out the eras when ancient great emperors existed.
“In that age, there was a Heavenly Court but no master of it.” Qi Luo replied seriously.
Ye Fan bluntly pointed out that he had seen the last master of the Heavenly Court, who died disgracefully, not like a peerless expert. He recounted what he had seen at Sacred Cliff.
After listening, Qi Luo was silent for a long time. “The Great Accomplishment Saint Body was possessed by a demonic spirit, growing green fur. Emperor Wu Shi had to suppress him. The Heavenly Court’s master, gravely wounded, dying at the hands of such an existence—it’s not shameful.”
The two talked for a long time. Finally, Ye Fan took out the Heavenly Court’s scepter and the human skin scripture. Instantly, overwhelming killing intent surged.
Seeing these two items, Qi Luo finally became excited. His body trembled, his hands reaching forward, shaking continuously as he held the two sacred artifacts.
“Finally, I see the ancestors’ sacred artifacts again…” He couldn’t help but shed tears, crying loudly again.
“Don’t cry. Seeing you cry makes me want to stamp a shoe print on your face.” Ye Fan was very annoyed.
“Sigh, I got excited. Lost my composure. Haha…” Qi Luo laughed loudly, the stark contrast leaving people dumbfounded.
“This weapon…” Enduring the bone-chilling cold, Ye Fan raised the golden scepter. It was dark and eerie, like a supreme divine treasure suppressing the underworld.
“Don’t show it to me. That’s how it is. Even if you find a few more saints, it’ll be the same. Whatever level of cultivation you have, it unleashes corresponding sacred power.” Qi Luo said, indicating there was no real seal.
Ye Fan already knew this was a legendary saint weapon, likely refined by a figure above the Great Sage level, but he had never used it.
Because this scepter was special. It only displayed weapon power corresponding to the user’s own strength. He had tried to have it unsealed by several people but failed.
“Back then, our Heavenly Court had other saint weapons, but they were all taken. This scepter has special significance. Without cultivation above the Great Sage level, one isn’t worthy to use it. This state is meant to inspire later generations—only when one matches it can they wield it, unleashing earth-shattering divine power.” Qi Luo was full of heroic spirit, then lowered his voice. “Yao Guang has the Dragon-Pattern Blackgold Cauldron, born from heaven and earth. Our scepter is the same, holding secrets that would drive ancient great sages mad.”
Ye Fan was stunned, then pressed for details, but Qi Luo’s knowledge was limited.
Finally, Qi Luo held the human skin scripture, trembling. “Do you know? This not only records the most crucial life-slaying grand art of our Heavenly Court but is also the most terrifying weapon.”
“It’s a weapon?” Ye Fan was surprised.
“Naturally. It is the Book of Time, refined by one of our sect’s ancestors using his own quasi-emperor human skin!”
The Book of Time—these four words left Ye Fan dazed. It sounded endlessly terrifying.
Legend had it that a master of the Heavenly Court had consumed an immortality medicine, lived two lifetimes, truly mastered the Stride Art, and touched the domain of time.
Could it be that this human skin was his, refined into a supreme secret treasure called the Book of Time?
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