The Immortal Tear Green Gold in the Yuhua Ancestral Temple of the Central Province was guarded by a Saint-level Yin spirit, while the Phoenix Blood Red Gold in the Primordial Ancient Mine posed no particular danger. He planned to visit the Primordial Ancient Mine next and take that piece of Phoenix Blood Red Gold.
Duan De searched the small world, but ultimately found nothing. He and Ye Fan divided the two jade tables in the hall between them.
The two jade tables had been used to hold divine objects, so they certainly weren't ordinary things either. They would take them both.
Ye Fan even asked Duan De whether they could take the entire palace with them. It was all treasure!
Over the past year, he had come to understand the path of cultivation completely. He had had enough of being poor.
His constitution was like a bottomless pit. Other people could open their Bitter Sea with a single bottle of Hundred Herb Liquid, while he had barely managed it after drinking more than a hundred. Now he was like a hamster storing food for winter, wanting to take every good thing he saw.
The two pried up the floor tiles, intending to dismantle the entire hall.
"This palace is connected to the terrain. It can't be moved, or this small world will collapse completely." Su Yu shook his head and swept his wide sleeve, wrapping it around the two and drawing them over.
Ye Fan and Duan De looked sheepish and laughed it off. By now, they had truly grown familiar with one another. This senior had even shared fragments of a supreme treasure with them, so his character was beyond reproach.
Su Yu looked at Ye Fan, who was chatting happily with Duan De, and felt that something was off. He shook his head, then glanced at the strange little world. Ripples spread through the void beneath his feet, and he stepped through the light gate and left.
In the space of an instant, the three returned to the outside world. Su Yu swept the area with his divine sense and discovered quite a few people outside the cold pool. There were even two divine senses at the Immortal Platform Secret Realm, one of which had reached into the water.
He gave a cold snort, and his divine sense collided with the other party's, obliterating it outright.
The mountain range was crowded with chariots and cultivators. Several cultivators with powerful presences stood around the Netherworld Cold Pool, all waiting for the seal in the pool to disappear.
The old man in the center was as empty as an abyss and as profound as the sea, impossible to fathom. He was the Eighth Ancestor of the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family, ranked eighth, and his presence was the strongest among the cultivators.
Suddenly, an elder of the Yaoguang Holy Land spat blood, his presence weakening. "Be careful! The vicious creature in the Yin Tomb has come out."
The other two cultivators' faces darkened, particularly that of the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family. His hair was black, and although his face was aged, he was remarkably vigorous. His hair was lustrous, like black jade.
"It seems this vicious creature is exceedingly powerful. Even our fellow Daoist from the Yaoguang Holy Land was gravely injured by it."
A beautiful middle-aged woman shook her head slightly, contemplating leaving. Her Jade Lake Sacred Land was rooted in the Northern Region and lacked manpower in the Southern Region. She was only at the Seventh Transformation of the Dragon Transformation Realm and had no wish to wade into these muddy waters.
As they spoke, a streak of white light shot out of the cold pool, broke straight through the surrounding formation's blockade, and escaped into the void.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family's gaze turned cold. He immediately stepped through the void in pursuit. The Ji clan cultivated the Void Scripture, written by the Void Emperor, and were highly proficient in the Dao of the void.
The great Dao of the void wore down the sharpness of all things, resolved their conflicts, harmonized their radiance, and mingled with their dust and grime. Yet it remained forever void itself, existing eternally. It expounded not only the Dao of space, but was also immensely powerful in the Dao of attack.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family was exceedingly proud of his mastery of the Dao of the void. Besides, the other party had clearly gained something from the Demon Emperor's Yin Tomb. How could he let him get away?
The rest of the group looked at one another, unsure what to do.
As Su Yu flew away, he also noticed someone chasing him. He placed Ye Fan and Duan De inside a magic artifact, then stood with his hands behind his back, concealed in the void, and waited for his pursuer.
In little more than ten breaths, an old man in black robes caught up. He stopped and frowned slightly, seemingly having noticed something amiss.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family spread all five fingers and reached out like a dragon's claw. Light blazed at once, releasing a strange and tremendous power as a Void Great Hand Seal struck toward Su Yu's hiding place.
In an instant, the black hand seal shattered that part of the void. Su Yu emerged and faced the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family.
"You are... Daoist Cao Yusheng?"
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family was somewhat surprised. Daoist Cao Yusheng's likeness had circulated among all the major Extreme Dao factions, and the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family was naturally no exception.
Chapter 73: Suppression and Conversion
Su Yu laughed, his gaze falling on the other's brocade sleeves, which bore the emblem of the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family.
He said amiably, "Fellow Daoist, you're from the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family. May I ask which branch you belong to?"
The black-robed old man's face darkened slightly. Daoist Cao had caused an enormous commotion in the Northern Region and possessed two Immortal Divine Medicines. Every major faction in the Eastern Wasteland was seeking his whereabouts, and he had never expected to run into him here.
The other man possessed an incomplete Saint Weapon, while he had brought only a Holy Lord-level magic artifact this time. He was no match for him.
At that thought, the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family instantly put on a smile and cupped his hands to Su Yu. "I never expected Daoist Cao to be in the Southern Region, much less to have entered the Immortal Platform Secret Realm. Truly, the younger generation is to be reckoned with! My name is simply Ba, and I rank eighth in the Ji Family. I never expected to have the good fortune to meet you this time. Our Holy Lord has long admired you and has kept a place open for you in the Ji Family, but sadly never had the chance to meet you. Had we known you were in the Southern Region, our Ji Family would certainly have done the honors as your host."
Su Yu looked at the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family with an amused gaze. Not only was his name extraordinary, he was also famous in the original story, as renowned as the eighth of the Wang family in Perfect World. Both were prominent figures.
One was Ji Ba, the other Wang Ba.
His branch had chosen to make an enemy of Ye Fan, and many of his descendants had died in the end. Yet this old fellow had lived out his days, a rare feat indeed. He was the first to offend Ye Hei to the death and still survive.
The two chatted happily like old friends reunited after a long separation, but the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family always kept some distance from Su Yu. Both harbored ulterior motives.
Rumble...
All at once, a small silver-white pagoda flew out from Su Yu and rapidly grew larger, circulating a terrifying Saintly Dao presence. Strands of silver light cascaded down and transformed into brilliant chains of order, bearing down directly on the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family.
"You..."
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family's expression changed drastically. He had not expected the other man to dare attack him like this. With a thought, he tried to call the Ji Family ancestral grounds for help. He had already sent word there that he had encountered Cao Yusheng and that Cao Yusheng possessed a secret treasure of the Azure Emperor, asking them to send people at once.
"Swoosh!"
The Void Great Hand Seal appeared, its enormous black hand blotting out the void as it descended like a vast net, trying to block the chains of silver light. But it was pierced in an instant, unable to stop the Saintly Dao's sharp might.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family activated the Holy Lord-level magic artifact on his person, frantic with anxiety.
A divine red-copper cauldron had only just been brought out and had yet to be fully activated when a chain of silver light bound it. It gave off an ear-piercing metallic tremor that scattered the thick clouds, shook heaven and earth, and shattered the void.
Most of the Dao markings on the Holy Lord-level magic artifact were ground away, leaving it half-destroyed on the spot. The dazzling purple copper cauldron was bound fast, half its body already shattered. The silver light flew like arrows, and no matter how he fled through space, he could not shake its pursuit.
After three breaths, part of the void collapsed, and a black-robed Daoist fled from it in sorry shape. Chains of silver light then bound his body. The might of the Saintly Dao was unstoppable.
"You dared chase me alone, so you'll have to pay the price!"
The corners of Su Yu's mouth rose in a faint, amused smile. Once a Saint Weapon was brought out, let alone a mere half-step great power, even a Holy Lord could not withstand its Saintly Dao assault.
The people of these Extreme Dao families still thought things were as they had been before. They didn't even run when they encountered him.
They had no idea that the world had long since changed. The great golden age was arriving, and the Primordial Race would soon awaken. Who could the name of the Desolate Antiquity Ji Family still frighten?
He formed a hand seal and activated the Silver Moon Jade Pagoda, sending it down to suppress and seal the area. With a piercing scream, the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family was confined by Saintly Dao runes and looked at Su Yu in terror.
"You still have some use, which is why you're able to live after falling into my hands."
A sacred presence surged from Su Yu. A beam of divine light shot from between his brows, and showers of light fell, dazzling beyond compare, blooming like the most radiant mist. Countless drops of light swirled around the divine beam and formed a deity that appeared in the void, chanting scripture.
Intricate and magnificent divine markings floated over to the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family and encircled him. His frightened expression slowly calmed, his gaze gradually grew vacant, and at last he knelt prostrate before Su Yu.
"Ji Ba... pays his respects, my lord!"
With a movement of his divine sense, Su Yu learned that the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family had previously reported information to the Ji Family.
The situation was still manageable. He had only said that he had encountered Su Yu and asked the Ji Family's great powers to come quickly, preferably bringing the Void Mirror to ensure a decisive strike.
He sighed softly. He had merely cut out two divine medicines, yet each of these Extreme Dao factions had designs on him. They even wanted to use an Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon to suppress him.
It looked as though he would have to wait until next time to obtain the Void Scripture and its forbidden chapter. Still, planting a nail in the Ji Family wasn't bad either.
After making a few arrangements, Su Yu ordered him to return to the Ji Family, and the two went their separate ways.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family recalled his half-destroyed red-copper cauldron. Looking at the damaged artifact, he felt a pang of regret. Even as an important figure in the Ji Family, he had only one weapon of this level.
Before long, the Ji Family's people caught up. Chariots raced above the clouds, cutting beautiful streams through them as rosy light spilled in every direction and their imposing presence shook the heavens.
"Ancestor, are you all right?" A Ji Family disciple atop an exotic beast saw the Eighth Ancestor standing unharmed among the clouds and couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. They had come primarily for the Demon Emperor's Yin Tomb, and if their half-step great power were absent, quite a few things might go wrong.
The Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family was in a foul mood because his divine weapon had been damaged. He gave the disciple an indifferent glance and snapped coldly, "What could happen to me? Go back. We can't let the Yaoguang Holy Land have the Demon Emperor's Yin Tomb."
He took out a divine talisman and sent a message to the ancestral grounds, saying that he and Cao Yusheng had enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Someone else had taken the Demon Emperor's supreme treasure, and he had been defeated by that mysterious person, leaving even his Holy Lord-level magic artifact half-destroyed. If Daoist Cao had not used a Saint Weapon to save him, he might even have died.
Cao Yusheng had done him a great favor. He believed they should cultivate good relations with this master Source seeker and preferably offer him protection, even if it meant offending the other Extreme Dao factions...
Su Yu flew back to the vicinity of the Primal Spirit Ruins and landed on the outskirts of the ruins. He then released Duan De and said warmly, "Daoist, this is where our journey ends. Until we meet again."
Duan De looked at Su Yu, a rare expression of gratitude appearing on his face. He handed Su Yu a piece of broken jade and said sincerely, "Fellow Daoist Cao, I contributed little on this trip to the Emperor's tomb. I'm truly ashamed. If you ever need help in the future, just say the word. I won't shirk my duty."
Su Yu weighed the broken jade in his hand. It was a Life Spring-level material. A dim light flashed in his eyes, and he gave Duan De a long, quiet look.
The fat Daoist's heart jolted. Surely he wasn't going to make him cough up the copper fragment...
At that thought, a brilliant smile spread across his face. Then he ran off with lightning speed, saying as he went, "Daoist, there's no need to see me off. Until we meet again." He then rode a Divine Rainbow away and vanished from Su Yu's sight.
Chapter 74: Before the Spirit Ruins, on Both Knees, Ye Fan Fails to Become a Disciple
Su Yu watched Duan De depart. In this lifetime, the Tribulation Crossing Heavenly Venerable grew alongside Ye Fan, their cultivation levels remaining very close throughout.
He had obtained a fragment of the Source Heaven Treasure Scripture, the Source Heaven Book, from him, and the Devouring Heaven Demon Lid had also been in his possession in the original story.
Su Yu silently pondered these threads, then suppressed the ripples in his heart. He was merely a minor cultivator in the Immortal Platform Realm. Even if he knew, what use was it?
He only needed to keep walking with his feet planted firmly on the ground, until he attained eternity!
Su Yu released Ye Fan from the magic artifact's space. As soon as Ye Fan emerged, he looked around and found that he was still among the ruins, but Duan De was nowhere to be seen.
"Daoist, are you all right? Where's Daoist Duan De?"
"Fellow Daoist Duan De has already left."
Ye Fan breathed a sigh of relief. His expression was somewhat hesitant, but at last his gaze grew resolute.
The next moment, he took out both pieces of Green Copper and the page of golden paper from his golden Bitter Sea. He fell to both knees, holding the three divine objects in his two fair, youthful hands, and said sincerely, "Please accept me as your disciple, Daoist. Ye Fan is willing to serve you for the rest of his life!"
Su Yu looked calmly at Ye Fan.
He paid no attention to the Green Copper or the golden paper. His gaze lingered instead on Ye Fan's knees. Looking at the young Heavenly Emperor Ye, the transmigrator shook his head. "Why put yourself through this?"
Seeing Ye Fan's determined gaze, Su Yu sighed and waved his wide sleeve, lifting him to his feet.
"Say no more about becoming my disciple, but since you have knelt before me..."
He considered the gains and losses, then chuckled softly and took out his own piece of broken copper and handed it to him. Seeing Ye Fan wave his hands repeatedly, apparently refusing, he grew firm. "A gift from your elder. Accept it."
Puzzled, Ye Fan accepted the piece of copper Su Yu gave him and clasped the three pieces of Green Copper in his palm. Disappointment welled up on his face. Although he had known there was little hope of becoming his disciple, actually being refused still left him somewhat dazed.
"I put this golden page of the Dao Scripture inside that savage beast, and this Green Copper is of no use to me."
Ye Fan was too shocked to speak. Su Yu had given him this golden page of the Dao Scripture as well? Why? He hurriedly performed another full salute and kowtowed. "You have shown Ye Fan great kindness, Daoist. Please tell me why."
Su Yu did not explain his reasons. Instead, he changed the subject and spoke of Ye Fan's constitution.
"As for your attempt to become my disciple... I know why you did it. Is it because of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body?"
"Senior, you know why cultivation is so difficult for me?" Ye Fan took a deep breath, his words coming haltingly.
He knew only that he had a useless body and could not cultivate, but he did not know why.