Sacred Land Blocks the Path, Lineage Contention; Ruins Sought on the Earth Immortal's Journey

Three days after the battle in Qingfeng City, Chen Fan convened a meeting with Su Muxue, Lin Xiaohu, Li Mo, and core members of the various human sects in the Seven Stars Sect's assembly hall. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, with all eyes focused on the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant in Chen Fan's hand. This pendant not only suppressed evil forces but could also sense the location of ancient Martial Path ruins, making it crucial for finding inheritances and breaking through realms.

"According to the pendant's sensing, the nearest ancient Martial Immortal ruin is deep within the 'Burial Ground of Martial Arts'," Chen Fan announced, placing the jade pendant on a stone platform in the hall. The pendant glowed white, projecting a blurry map into the air. "This place was once a battlefield for ancient Martial Path cultivators. Legend has it that the residual soul and inheritance of a Martial Immortal at the Earth Immortal realm remain. If we can find the inheritance, it will not only enhance our strength but also further unveil the secrets of the Spiritual Roots system and the Will of the Heavenly Dao."

"The Burial Ground of Martial Arts?" The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect frowned. "I've heard that the Burial Ground of Martial Arts is considered a forbidden zone by the 'Immortal Sacred Land.' They station disciples there year-round, forbidding anyone from approaching. The Immortal Sacred Land is an established power in the Spiritual Roots system, controlling several spiritual energy veins and possessing immense strength. I fear they won't let us enter easily."

As the Heavenly Sword Sect Master had said, when Chen Fan and his party arrived at the outskirts of the Burial Ground of Martial Arts with the jade pendant, a golden barrier blocked their path. Beyond the barrier, dozens of cultivators in white robes stood in mid-air. Leading them was a stern-faced middle-aged man exuding the aura of the Late Soul Transformation realm – Wei Changfeng, the Enforcement Elder of the Immortal Sacred Land.

"Chen Fan, halt!" Wei Changfeng's voice was icy. His gaze fell upon the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant, filled with undisguised greed and hostility. "The Burial Ground of Martial Arts is a forbidden zone of the Immortal Sacred Land. Your trespassing is a capital offense. If you hand over the jade pendant, I may spare your lives. Otherwise, you will be buried here today!"

"Immortal Sacred Land? You are merely parasites clinging to the Spiritual Roots system and plundering the world's origin, yet you dare call yourselves 'immortal'?" Chen Fan sneered, his Human Immortal Bloodline Power slowly circulating. "The Burial Ground of Martial Arts is an ancient Martial Path ruin; it never belonged to you. If you know what's good for you, remove the barrier immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Impolite?" Wei Changfeng acted as if he had heard the greatest joke. "A Human Immortal who broke through through brute force dares to act presumptuously before the Immortal Sacred Land? The Spiritual Roots system is the orthodox path of the cultivation world; the Martial Path is merely a heretical side-path, destined to be eliminated sooner or later! Today, I will show you the difference between the orthodox and the side-path!"

Before he finished speaking, Wei Changfeng waved his hand, and dozens of white-robed cultivators attacked simultaneously. Countless spells condensed from spiritual energy rained down upon Chen Fan and his party. Fireballs, ice arrows, and lightning interweaved, forming an attack net that covered the entire area, its power far exceeding the demon race's previous siege.

"Everyone, defend with the Blood Qi Formation Diagram!" Chen Fan roared, injecting his Human Immortal Bloodline Power into the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant. The pendant's white light surged, forming a massive Blood Qi barrier in the air that blocked all spell attacks. At the same time, he exchanged a glance with Su Muxue, and their figures flickered as they charged towards Wei Changfeng – only by dealing with this Enforcement Elder first could they break through the Immortal Sacred Land's obstruction.

Wei Changfeng hadn't expected the Blood Qi Formation Diagram to withstand spell attacks from the Late Soul Transformation realm. A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a cold snort. "Even if it can block it, it won't last long!" A golden longsword appeared in his hand. As spiritual energy was injected, countless runes materialized on the sword's body. "Immortal Sacred Land Secret Technique: Myriad Spirits Devouring Heart!"

The longsword thrust forward, and countless spiritual energies transformed into tiny spirit insects, flying towards Chen Fan and Su Muxue. These spirit insects could burrow into cultivators' bodies, devouring spiritual energy and Blood Essence. It was a renowned secret technique of the Immortal Sacred Land, which had killed many Martial Path cultivators.

Su Muxue was prepared. She retrieved a jade talisman from her storage bag and, after injecting Blood Essence into it, the talisman erupted with a pale blue light, forming a barrier. The spirit insects struck the barrier, instantly freezing into ice, falling to the ground, and turning into powder. "This is an ancient 'Ice Heart Talisman,' specifically designed to counter spirit insect-type secret techniques. Your Immortal Sacred Land's methods are not enough."

Chen Fan seized the opportunity to attack. The Bloodline Power within him condensed into a golden blazing spear. He unleashed "Blazing Spear Art: Cloud Piercing," and the spear's shadow shot towards Wei Changfeng like a meteor. Wei Changfeng hurriedly channeled spiritual energy to form a shield, but he never expected the evil-dispelling power contained within the blazing spear to easily penetrate his spiritual energy shield, striking directly at his chest.

"Pfft!" Wei Changfeng was grazed on the shoulder by the blazing spear, and blood instantly stained his white robe. He staggered back, his eyes filled with disbelief. "How could your Bloodline Power break my spiritual energy shield? This is impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible," Chen Fan pressed forward, his golden blazing spear thrusting out again. "The spiritual energy relied upon by the Spiritual Roots system is merely a 'defective product' of the world's origin, while the Martial Path's Blood Essence coexists with the world's origin and is naturally capable of restraining spiritual energy. Your guarding of the Burial Ground of Martial Arts is merely to prevent us from finding the Martial Path inheritance and shattering your rule!"

Wei Changfeng's face grew even uglier as his hidden intentions were exposed. He knew he was no match for Chen Fan, but if Chen Fan were to enter the Burial Ground of Martial Arts, the Sacred Land's plan would be completely exposed. Gritting his teeth, he took a black token from his storage bag and injected spiritual energy into it. The token erupted with a terrifying aura – it was a 'Sacred Token' capable of temporarily summoning the power of the Void Refinement Realm!

"Even if I have to give my life, I won't let you enter the Burial Ground of Martial Arts!" Wei Changfeng roared, crushing the Sacred Token. A black phantom emerged from the token, exuding the pressure of the Void Refinement Realm. It raised its hand and unleashed a blast of black spiritual energy towards Chen Fan.

Chen Fan's expression shifted slightly. The power of this spiritual energy far surpassed the demonic power of the Purple Robe Great Sage. Even his Human Immortal Bloodline Power might not be able to withstand it directly. Just then, Su Muxue suddenly threw the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant into the air. The pendant collided with the phantom's black spiritual energy, emitting a deafening roar. The pendant's white light surged, temporarily trapping the black spiritual energy.

"Chen Fan, the phantom's power is temporary, quickly use the Blazing Spear Art to attack the phantom's core!" Su Muxue shouted.

Chen Fan nodded, his Bloodline Power circulating wildly. The golden blazing spear became even more solid. He took a deep breath, merging his Human Immortal power with the ancient Martial Path will, and unleashed "Blazing Spear Art: Sky Burning" once more. This time, the spear's shadow contained not only Bloodline Power but also the evil-dispelling power of the Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant, reaching the peak of the Human Immortal realm.

"Boom!"

The blazing spear pierced through the black spiritual energy and accurately struck the phantom's core. The phantom let out a shrill scream and instantly dissipated. Wei Changfeng, deprived of the Sacred Token's support, suffered a chaotic surge of spiritual energy, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fell heavily to the ground.

"Get lost, now!" Chen Fan said coldly, looking at Wei Changfeng with killing intent in his eyes.

Wei Changfeng knew the tide had turned. He didn't dare to utter another word and fled the Burial Ground of Martial Arts in disgrace with the remaining white-robed cultivators.

With the Immortal Sacred Land's obstruction removed, Chen Fan and his party passed through the golden barrier and stepped into the Burial Ground of Martial Arts. Inside, broken weapons and skeletons were scattered everywhere, and the air was filled with an ancient Martial Path aura. The Evil Suppressing Jade Pendant's glow intensified, guiding them towards the heart of the ruins.

After walking for about half an hour, they arrived before a massive stone platform. The platform was covered in ancient Martial Path runes. In the center of the runes, a faint golden residual soul slowly materialized – it was the residual soul of the Earth Immortal realm Martial Immortal, "Xing Tian."

"Finally, someone has broken through the obstruction and arrived here," Xing Tian's residual soul's voice carried an ancient weariness. His gaze fell upon Chen Fan. "Human Immortal realm, condensed Blood Essence, firm will – you are quite a suitable inheritor."

"Senior, I am Chen Fan. I implore you to impart the Earth Immortal inheritance and help us resist the Will of the Heavenly Dao and revive the orthodox Martial Path!" Chen Fan bowed deeply to the residual soul.

Xing Tian's residual soul nodded and sent a beam of golden light into Chen Fan's mind. "This is my 'Xing Tian's Battle Codex,' which records the methods and insights for breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm. The Earth Immortal realm requires transforming Blood Essence into 'Earth Vein Power,' resonating with the earth's origin, and shattering the third level of Mortal Body Shackles. However, the breakthrough process is extremely perilous, requiring one to withstand the crushing force of the earth's origin, with a nine-death, one-life chance."

He paused and continued, "The embodiment of the Will of the Heavenly Dao has been accumulating power in secret. It intends to completely devour the world's origin, making the Spiritual Roots system the only path. If you wish to stop it, you must increase your strength as quickly as possible, find the inheritances of other ancient Martial Immortals, and gather the 'Nine Seals of Martial Arts' to possess the capital to contend with the Will of the Heavenly Dao."

Chen Fan felt the 'Xing Tian's Battle Codex' in his mind, his heart filled with excitement. He knew that although the path to breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm was perilous, it was the necessary path to resist the Will of the Heavenly Dao and revive the Martial Path.

"Thank you, Senior!" Chen Fan bowed again.

Xing Tian's residual soul smiled, his form gradually becoming transparent. "The hope for the Martial Path's revival is now in your hands. Deep within the Burial Ground of Martial Arts, I have left behind 'Earth Vein Crystals' that can aid you in breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm. Fare thee well."

With that, the residual soul completely dissipated. The runes on the stone platform lit up, and a passage slowly opened. At the end of the passage, a strong Earth Vein aura emanated – the location of the Earth Vein Crystals.

Chen Fan looked at the passage, his eyes filled with determination. He knew that the challenge of breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm was about to begin, and this was merely the first step on the 'Human Immortal's Path to Heaven.' The backlash from the Immortal Sacred Land, the obstruction from other Spiritual Roots forces, and the conspiracy of the Will of the Heavenly Dao – countless challenges awaited him in the future. But he would not flinch, for behind him were companions fighting alongside him, beings who supported the Martial Path, and the firm conviction to shatter the 'Spiritual Root Destiny' and return all laws to their origin.

The group followed Chen Fan into the passage. The wind of the Burial Ground of Martial Arts blew against their robes, as if bidding them farewell, and as if heralding the most intense prelude to a Martial Path battle against heaven, concerning the fate of the world, was about to begin.